Category Archives: Liz Borino

Review: Behind the Scenes by Liz Borino & Michelle Stevens

Title: Behind the Scenes by Liz Borino and Michelle Stevens
Director’s Cut Book One
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, BDSM, M/M, Romance
Length: 177 pages (print length)
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

New beginnings are exciting, but we can rarely outrun our pasts. Steve Michaels and Zack Greene pack up their newly extended family and move to New York City with their nanny, Drew, and his two kids. Having recently been hired to write for a BDSM show, Steve and Zack use their loving Dom/sub relationship for some experience with the lifestyle, but they need a consultant to fill in the blanks. Alex a local Dom/club owner, can do just that. Everything is going smoothly until Rich, a ex-producer from Ben’s Life and the man who tried to ruin Zack, tries to get a job on the same show. And that’s only the beginning of it.

Zack and Steve offered Drew an opportunity of a lifetime working for them. When Alex shows up for the first meeting with Zack and Steve, Drew realizes he didn’t leave his past behind after all. This becomes more true when his ex comes back wanting to see the kids.

Can Drew trust Alex to help him get over his past? Can Steve manage to keep Zack safe from the man who has haunted him for so long? Find out what happens Behind the Scenes!

The Review:

Fans of Liz Borino’s Mine/Ben’s Life series will be delighted to find their favorite couple is back in an all new series, Director’s Cut. Co-authored by Michelle Stevens, Behind the Scenes follows Steve Michaels and Zack Greene from L.A. to New York City as they begin new careers consulting on a BDSM series for HBO.

Steve and Zack’s personal life has also undergone a rather dramatic change now they are raising Steve’s teenage sister Sunni. Their new nanny, Drew, has two kids of his own, two year old Laney and teenager Kian and he shares a rather complicated past with Steve and Zack’s BDSM consultant, Alex. As if adjusting to new careers and a houseful of kids is not enough, both Zack and Drew are threatened by men from their pasts.

Steve and Zack are happily married and the transition to family men has been fairly smooth. Their relationship in the bedroom is hotter than ever and their consulting job gives them a few new kinks to explore. Steve is still the dominant partner, but he is still willing to submit to Zack on occasion as they continue to broaden their sexual horizons. Steve is extremely protective of Zack when Rich comes back into their lives and since this part of the storyline is not fully resolved, I am curious to see what the authors have planned next where Rich is concerned.

As much I enjoyed seeing Steve and Zack again, I really enjoyed getting to know Alex and Drew. They had a brief relationship in the past and both men have changed dramatically since it ended. Alex not only runs a BDSM club, he is also a very active participant in the lifestyle. Drew just got out of an abusive relationship and this, along with other issues in his past, make him very hesitant to get involved with Alex. Alex is very patient with Drew and takes the time to listen to his concerns and he slowly eases him into BDSM play.

Behind the Scenes is a deliciously steamy novella starring four very yummy men. It is a fast paced and engrossing read that sets the foundation for the future books in the series. The ending is a rather abrupt cliffhanger that will leave fans impatiently awaiting the next installment in Michelle Stevens and Liz Borino’s Director’s Cut series.

Read my reviews of the Mine/Ben’s Life series HERE.

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Filed under BDSM, Behind the Scenes, Contemporary, Director's Cut Series, Erotic, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, Michelle Stevens, Rated B, Review, Romance

Guest Post & Contest: Liz Borino’s Mine

Writers: Sadists and Masochists

The profession of fiction writing requires a lot of skills beyond putting words on a page. There’s marketing, editing, dealing with criticism—constructive and not so constructive—and choosing or making cover art which best represents your book. All of these skills make sense when you consider the career of an author. However, many people don’t consider that developing the aforementioned abilities sometimes involve a personality shift. For a writer to be successful, they must be a Sadist and a Masochist.

Whoa! I can just hear the protests now. What about the writers who stand up for non-violence, gun control, and equal rights? How dare I call them Sadists?

To that I reply, take a deep breath, have a Xanax, and let’s look at the definition of a Sadist. A Sadist is someone who gains pleasure from causing another person pain. As authors we put our characters through a lot of pain. Breakups, death of a family member, crimes committed against them or a love one, the list goes on. But this pain? Is important. Pain encourages growth in fiction as well as real life. Without trials and hardships, the characters wouldn’t have anything to work towards or desire. Therefore, no plot.

Sure you say, authors cause pain, but a Sadist must enjoy the process. Um, how many fiction authors do you know who don’t love writing and want to continue to write better? I don’t know many. Don’t get me wrong, I adore my characters, but because of that devotion, I want to see them be the best they can be. That means hurting them… okay and causing drama without impacting my day to day life is fun.

Now, how are authors masochists, people who gain pleasure from pain? For a couple of reasons. In marketing there’s a term: Return on Investment (ROI), which basically means how much are you getting for the work you’re putting out? Authors can have the best book in the genre, a solid marketing plan, and stellar reviews, and still not sell more than a handful of books. Why? Part of this industry is a luck factor, as hard as that is to accept sometimes.

Actually, let’s talk about reviews. These books we right are our babies, our pride and joy. We raised them from the blank page to the pretty book in your hand. Get reviews, we’re told. Of course we assume people will see the gold in our work just as we do. Most of the time, we’re right (if said genius has gone through the proper editing process). However, no matter how much praise our babies receive, the first one or two star review is always like a knife to the gut for an author, especially a new one. The pain of seeing someone else rip apart our babies sometimes feels like too much to bear. But… we do. We keep going through the pain. Review after review and book after book. We keep selling, hoping to find the audience who gets it, who wants to see the characters succeed as much as the author.

Why? Simple. We love it. Authors do more work than they’ll probably ever get paid for, they bare their souls to the world through their work, and at the end of the day the pain is worth it. Yes, that’s right. Like all good masochists, authors turn pain into pleasure. It allows us to grow stronger, and possibly most importantly, find the audience who connects with our work. Because that is what it’s all about.


Title: Mine: Volume 1 by Liz Borino
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 486 pages

Summary:

From the moment Steve Michaels met actor Zack Greene in the men’s room of a press conference, the director knew his snarkiness mixed with angelic features, excited him. What he wasn’t prepared for was the vulnerability underneath the hardened exterior. And he really wasn’t prepared to fall in love.

But they did.

Zack needed some positive press and a second chance after getting out of rehab. He found the director of Ben’s Life, the series he planned to audition for. Steve helped him within a loving structured relationship.

Follow Zack and Steve as they face the challenges of work, family, injuries, and pasts together as they redefine family.

Warning: Contains spanking, Light BDSM, Dom/sub relationship, and two men who can’t get enough of each other. Vol. 1 includes Casting, Action, Cutaway, and That’s a Wrap (Book descriptions are below). E-book * Paperback


Casting: Steve Michaels had one goal for the evening: drink just enough to get through the press conference in promotion of Ben’s Life, the new television series he’s directing. Plans change for him when the seedy producer of the show zeroes in his seduction efforts on Zack Greene, the bad boy of the moment. Now, Steve has to make sure Zack doesn’t sue.

Instead of finding the hardened bad boy he expected, Steve finds a vulnerable man whom life has beaten down. Can Steve help build him back up with a loving structured relationship? Find out how being cast in right roles enriches their careers and lives. Smashwords


Action: When the bright lights and flashing cameras of Hollywood capture your every move, how can you fulfill your deepest desires? For Zack Greene, a formerly out-of-control actor, and Steve Michaels, the director who unearthed the heart of the man beneath the ego, it’s a constant struggle.

In public, Steve and Zack are the picture of professional partners. However, behind closed doors, their partnership is taken to a new level. They engage in a carefully constructed Dom/sub relationship that not only brings them pleasure, but keeps Zack from slipping back into his wild ways.

Their delicate balance is thrown askew when a producer on the show threatens to expose their lifestyle, while taking advantage of Zack in a moment of vulnerability. Will Steve be able to ease the pain and save the love they share? Or will they come apart when they need each other most? Amazon

Read my review of Action HERE .


Cutaway: Two years after Steve Michaels called, “Action!” on a new phase in his career as co-producer on the television show Ben’s Life, the lights go up again on his Dom/sub relationship with actor Zack Greene, but Hollywood cameras don’t always capture the truth.

A mention of Steve’s past in the BDSM scene has Zack craving new ways for them to connect. All of the couple’s concerns fall away when Steve and his ex, Peter, are in a car accident. The last ones to know, Zack and Josh, Peter’s slave, rush to the hospital. The injuries from the accident force the dominant man to set aside his pride and accept help from Zack. Will the couple get to explore new boundaries in their relationship or will the dependency Cutaway the structure holding their relationship in place? Amazon

Read my review of Cutaway HERE.


That’s a Wrap: As the bright lights of Hollywood dim, futures, relationships, and identities are thrown into question. The once successful television show, Ben’s Life, is in big trouble. For Steve Michaels, the director, in a long-term Dom/sub relationship with Zack Greene, the lead actor, this means impending unemployment.

Through training Josh as their domestic slave, coupled with the care he received during recovery from a debilitating car accident, Steve opens himself up to role reversal in his relationship with Zack. The occasional release of control on Steve’s part, and Zack’s adeptness at taking it, grants them freedom and stability to meet challenges as a unit.

But when the life they had planned is put in jeopardy by one phone call, Steve and Zack will need to expand the safe haven they’ve created together to include one more. Priorities shift and a different light shines the way to new beginnings. Amazon

Read my review of That’s a Wrap HERE.


Ms. Borino is giving away a digital copy of Mine to one lucky commenter. To enter contests at Book Reviews & More by Kathy:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

OR:

4. Friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Leave a comment on this post by 5 PM Mountain Time Friday afternoon.

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. Ms. Borino will e-mail one lucky winner the eBook of their choice in their preferred format. The winner will be posted HERE on Saturday.

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Filed under Ben's Life Series, Contest, Guest Blog, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, Mine, Mine Series

Review: That’s a Wrap by Liz Borino

Title: That’s a Wrap by Liz Borino
Mine/Ben’s Life Book Three
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 133 pages (estimated)
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:
Love.
Trust.
Vulnerability.
Family.
That’s a Wrap

As the bright lights of Hollywood dim, futures, relationships, and identities are thrown into question. The once successful television show, Ben’s Life, is in big trouble. For Steve Michaels, the director, in a long-term Dom/sub relationship with Zack Greene, the lead actor, this means impending unemployment.

Through training Josh as their domestic slave, coupled with the care he received during recovery from a debilitating car accident, Steve opens himself up to role reversal in his relationship with Zack. The occasional release of control on Steve’s part, and Zack’s adeptness at taking it, grants them freedom and stability to meet challenges as a unit.

But when the life they had planned is put in jeopardy by one phone call, Steve and Zack will need to expand the safe haven they’ve created together to include one more. Priorities shift and a different light shines the way to new beginnings.

The Review:

That’s a Wrap is the third installment of Liz Borino’s Mine series starring Steve Michaels and Zack Greene. Changes are ahead for this long established couple in both their private and professional lives. Their careers are up in the air when they learn their TV show is in jeopardy of cancellation due to low ratings. On the home front, Steve and Zack relationship is undergoing a few changes and news about Steve’s mom brings an complication neither man expected.

Steve and Zack’s D/s relationship further evolves from the previous two books in the series. In Cutaway Steve’s car accident offered Zack the opportunity to become a bit more dominant in their relationship. In That’s a Wrap, this exploration is brought into the bedroom as they experiment with Zack in the dominant role and Steve as the submissive. Neither man wants to switch roles on a permanent basis but Steve discovers he enjoys giving up control in the bedroom on occasion.

Another big area of change for Zack and Steve is the addition of Josh into their household. Steve and Zack are in a committed, monogamous relationship and that is not going to change. Instead, Josh is more of a domestic slave. Out of all of various story arcs, this one is the most underdeveloped. Zack and Steve begin the process of making Josh a permanent part of their household, but different events keep this plot simmering on the backburner.

Steve’s mom, Crystal, continues on a downward spiral. She plays a minor but very crucial role in That’s a Wrap. I do not want to give anything away, but I will say that this storyline provides a new dimension to Zack and Steve’s relationship.

That’s a Wrap is a wonderful addition to the Mine series. Liz Borino does a wonderful job keeping the story and Zack and Steve’s relationship fresh. I am not sure if this is the final book in the series, but I know I would like to see where Zack and Steve go next in their personal and professional lives. I am also rather curious to see what happens next with Josh. That part of the storyline has an unfinished feeling to it so I am hoping there is another book in the works for him.

Read my reviews of the previous novels in this series HERE.

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Filed under BDSM, Ben's Life Series, Contemporary, Erotic, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, M/M, Mine Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, That's a Wrap

Review: Cutaway by Liz Borino

Title: Cutaway by Liz Borino
Ben’s Life Book Two
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, BDSM, Romance
Length: 127 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

Two years after Steve Michaels called, “Action!” on a new phase in his career as co-producer on the television show Ben’s Life, the lights go up again on his Dom/sub relationship with actor Zack Greene, but Hollywood cameras don’t always capture the truth.

A mention of Steve’s past in the BDSM scene has Zack craving new ways for them to connect. All of the couple’s concerns fall away when Steve and his ex, Peter, are in a car accident. The last ones to know, Zack and Josh, Peter’s slave, rush to the hospital. The injuries from the accident force the dominant man to set aside his pride and accept help from Zack. Will the couple get to explore new boundaries in their relationship or will the dependency Cutaway the structure holding their relationship in place?

Warning: Spanking, D/s relationship, light bondage, two men who can’t get enough of each other.

The Review:

Cutaway is the fabulous second installment in Liz Borino’s series starring Steve Michaels and Zack Greene. Now five years into their D/s relationship, this couple’s professional and personal lives are about to undergo some unexpected changes.

The first thing I have to mention is how drastically improved the writing is in Cutaway. The sentences flow much better and point of view shifts are much more clearly defined. The plot is not as busy which makes the story much easier to follow.

The dynamics of Steve and Zack’s relationship begin to shift when Zack expresses his desire to explore the BDSM world a little more. When Steve is injured in a car accident and Zack takes on the role of caregiver, it is not easy for either Steve or Zack. As the Dom in their relationship, Steve is always in charge and he takes his role of protector very seriously. As the sub in the relationship, Zack harbors doubts about his ability to take care of Steve. Steve and Zach are clearly uncomfortable with the change in their roles but as they soon discover, their emotional bond and trust are strengthened by the experience.

The addition of Steve’s ex, Dom Peter Mansy and his slave Josh to the story provides a fascinating look into the darker side of BDSM. Steve and Zack’s relationship is based on love, trust, respect and freedom of choice. Peter and Josh are in 24 hour a day true master/slave relationship with Peter in complete control. Peter thoroughly dehumanizes Josh by stripping away Josh’s very identity. Zack’s ability to stand up to Peter shows the growth of his character and beautifully showcases his growing self-confidence.

Both of Zack and Steve’s mothers make guest appearances in Cutaway. If you think you know how these two characters are going to react to Steve’s accident, then you are in for a big surprise. I am still reeling in shock at the changes in these two characters and the subsequent repercussions of their behavior.

Cutaway is a wonderful addition to the Ben’s Life series. Steve and Zack are well-developed, three dimensional characters and their relationship is not only strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their path, but it becomes stronger because of them.

I can hardly wait to see what Liz Borino planned for them in her next installment in this captivating series.

Read my review of Action HERE.

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Filed under BDSM, Ben's Life Series, Contemporary, Cutaway, Erotic, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, M/M, Rated B, Review, Romance

Review: Action by Liz Borino

Title: Action by Liz Borino
Ben’s Life Book One
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, BDSM, Romance
Length: 126 pages
Book Rating: C

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

When the bright lights and flashing cameras of Hollywood capture your every move, how can you fulfill your deepest desires? For Zack Greene, a formerly out-of-control actor, and Steve Michaels, the director who unearthed the heart of the man beneath the ego, it’s a constant struggle.

In public, Steve and Zack are the picture of professional partners. However, behind closed doors, their partnership is taken to a new level. They engage in a carefully constructed Dom/sub relationship that not only brings them pleasure, but keeps Zack from slipping back into his wild ways.

Their delicate balance is thrown askew when a producer on the show threatens to expose their lifestyle, while taking advantage of Zack in a moment of vulnerability. Will Steve be able to ease the pain and save the love they share? Or will they come apart when they need each other most?

Warning: Light BDSM, D/s relationship, spanking, and hot m/m sex

The Review:

Action by Liz Borino is the first of two books starring Steve Michaels and Zack Greene. Working together on the TV show Ben’s Life, Steve is the director and Zack has the lead role. Off screen, these two are in a secret D/s relationship that is suddenly threatened when Rich, the producer of Ben’s Life, suddenly takes an interest in Zach.

I was a little lost when I first began reading Action. Steve and Zach are an established couple, but the way the story begins, I felt like I walked into a sequel to another book. Their back story eventually unfolds, but I still felt like I was missing something. However, I really like Steve and Zach as a couple and their emotions for each other feel genuine.

While I was still trying to get a handle on Zack and Steve’s relationship, the storyline with Rich begins and I became even more confused. After three years of working together, Rich, a Dom, is suddenly obsessed with Zach. This whole part of the storyline was over the top and rather implausible.

In the middle of all work drama, both men are faced with family issues. Steve’s mom, Crystal, is utterly delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed her scenes. Zack has kept his entire childhood hidden from Steve and when his parents unexpectedly appear, he has to reveal how he grew up in a rather extreme offshoot of the Latter Day Saints. His parents play a role in some of the events that occur and his mother makes some surprising decisions.

The BDSM aspect of the story is very light. The sex scenes are not overly explicit and consist mainly of spanking. Once again, I found the storyline lacking in details and I had a difficult time understanding exactly why Zack needed discipline to begin with. Their D/s relationship undergoes some changes and I like that they take the time to renegotiate the terms of their contract.

While the general premise of Action was interesting, it was sometimes a difficult story to read. Some of the sentences are awkwardly phrased and point of view switches are confusing. I had to go back several times so I could figure out which character was speaking. With the two male main characters, it was sometimes difficult to differentiate exactly which “he” was doing what. There is an awful lot going on for such a short story and the storyline becomes a little convoluted at times.

Steve and Zach are engaging protagonists that I like a great deal. I am looking forward to seeing what direction Liz Borino is planning on taking their relationship in Cutaway, the next installment of the Ben’s Life series.

Read my review of Cutaway HERE.

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Filed under Action, BDSM, Ben's Life Series, Contemporary, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, M/M, Rated C, Review, Romance