Mountain Prey
Well this was unexpected. I don't like BDSM much so I was leery when friends suggested I read this book. They said the BDSM was really just something to spice up their sex life. Well, no, it was very much their sex life completely. But I loved it.
It helped that the BDSM in the sex was mild (although the referred to heavier BDSM in other places in the book). It helped that much of the book was the submissive saying that the things he liked during sex were actually terrifying in real life, and asking what was wrong with him for it. [Not that there is something wrong, but it is natural and logical for him to make that connection.] It helped that both protagonists talked about how natural it was for his genitalia to be "confused" about whether he should be aroused or so scared his testicles were hiding in his body. That felt real. It helped that it was only in the bedroom and they made it clear it wouldn't be 24/7. It helped that the book was funny. And it helped that there was kindness and need from both protagonists during sex. I think that's more normal, but not the way most of the BDSM I've read is portrayed.
It was great that ridiculous schemes and stories they concocted fell apart as was logical unlike most books which don't even acknowledge that schemes are silly at all. The tension and suspense were excellent. The book was laugh out loud funny in parts. The descriptions of the mountains were beautiful, even though they weren't lofty. For example, there wasn't talk of vast scenic views but a description of a destructive bug outside of its native habitat said so much.
I liked that the mountain dialect was present, although it was very inconsistent in the narrator and sometimes so much so it was jarring. For example, Stunt says "Land O' Goshen" in shock at one point when he also says regular profanity. It just didn't fit. But that really was the only problem I had with the book.
The best part was how the mountain backwoods people were presented. Many of the stereotypes were there, but they were explained in a way that didn't make them look stupid. Frequently outsiders underestimated the intelligence of these folks and suffered for it. I ended up appreciating if not loving the "hicks" that populated the book. I've never read anything like that about this type of people before.
This goes on my favorites list. A BDSM book. Go figure.