The Sergeant

The Sergeant #1

by Christa Tomlinson

“You’re the only one I want to control. The only one whose submission I want, need, and crave with every part of me, every second of every day.” – Sergeant Logan Pierce

Sergeant Logan Pierce: Head of Houston’s elite SWAT team. He leads his squad with cool efficiency, taking down rough criminals while keeping his team safe. But behind closed doors he sets a darker part of himself free. He’s a Dominant in the world of Bondage and Domination. As a Dom, he’s controlled many submissives, but never had one for his own. That’s because there’s only one man he wants: Corporal Clay Foster.

Corporal Clay Foster: Highly trained SWAT officer. He’s always the first one to face the dangerous situations of their job. Over the years he’d noticed his Sergeant’s secretly admiring glances and suspected his attraction. One night, with one kiss, he’s proven correct. Clay dives headlong into the rough passion of BDSM that Logan introduces him to. He submits to Logan’s control, accepting the sweet shackles that bind him to his Sergeant. But secrets, both his and Logan’s, force him to leave the newfound safety of his Dom’s arms.

Logan refuses to let go of what he’s wanted for so long, Clay as his own, proudly wearing his collar. Clay wants to be his. He knows it and Clay knows it too. Can Logan safely guide Clay through the obstacles that separate them until he can claim his submissive once more?

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Military Fiction, Friends To Lovers

585 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2014

About the author

Christa Tomlinson is a pop culture loving, anime watching, nerdy fangirl who loves to read and write romance. She creates stories that are emotional and lovely with intimacy that is integral to the characters’ romantic arc.

Christa grew up reading romance giants Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, and Virgina Henley - thanks to her older sister who gave her her first romance novel many years before she should have been reading such saucy content. Christa's first attempt at writing her own romance novel was in middle school - a historical that will never see the light of day. Since that first attempt, Christa has written many spicy fanfictions of her favorite characters and romances featuring her own hot and sexy heroes. Her first self-published romance, The Sergeant, was an Amazon best seller in Gay Romance for seven weeks in a row.

After many years in the sunny warmth of Houston, Texas, Christa has returned home to St. Louis, Missouri. She is a former high school social studies teacher and retired roller derby player. Don't ask her if romance requires an HEA or she'll use her roller derby skills to hip check you.

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

WARNING: I did not proof this for spoilers. If reading this, please assume some are included.

Here is the right-to-the-point review I posted at Amazon.com:

This had great potential but ended up being repetitive and far too long. I lost interest many times and ended up skimming a lot of it. Hopefully the author will take the constructive criticism from this book and apply it to her next book.

This book ended up being extremely frustrating for me. I was delighted with the first 15%-20% or so. I so love my military men and police officers, especially specialty officers like SWAT members. The MCs started out as a nice match. The more aggressive, Dominant squad captain Sergeant Logan Pierce and sarcastic happy-go-lucky team member Corporal Clay Foster. Logan sees a sexual submissive in Clay and sets out to OWN Clay, body and soul. Fill in the next 300 pages of yummy dirty talk, Clay learning the D/s ropes, super hot sex, Logan taking control of Clay's life, Logan being an over-bearing asshole, making Clay tell him, "You own me, you're my Master, blah, blah, blah," more hot sex that isn't quite as hot anymore because it's the same thing over and over and over again, more dirty talk, more worrying from Clay about losing his identity if he is owned by Logan, more sex and more sex and more sex. My GOD it got so repetitive I almost gave up at this point. Absolutely NOTHING happened for more than half of the book! It just kept repeating over and over again. This could have been GOOD, really good! A few hot sex scenes, carefully integrated BDSM teaching scenes, some conflict on Clay's part about his new, mysterious but incredibly arousing submissive identity, a little work drama to spice things up on SWAT nights, DONE! Perfection!

Then, we finally get a plot twist at around the 78% mark. Yippiee! I honestly didn't even care what that plot twist was at that point. ANYTHING to get off the god forsaken repetitive plot hell merry-go-round! Clay has had enough and he ends his relationship with Logan. He's putting his foot down people! He doesn't want to lose his identity and lick any more boots. He's his own man, damn it! Only in this plot twist, we run right smack dab into another never-ending repetitive plot merry-go-round from hell. Silly 'ol Clay just can't seem to stop falling into Logan's bed, you see, and claiming, "It was just sex, Logan." And silly 'ol Logan keeps letting him get away with it. Over and over and over and... You get the point. But somewhere in the plot hell, they have this super, big fun fight, that I loved! (I really do love a good lover's quarrel, and this one was a doozy.) And they didn't make up right away, which was awesome too. (I rather like when the sulking is extended.) And, or course, they do get their HEA in the last few pages. That was fun too.

Now, take all the repetitive, unnecessary bullshit out, and this would be a pretty great book, as far as I am concerned. Logan was a pompous asshole, but that could be because I just. Couldn't. Handle. Him. Any. More. Clay was a whiny little bitch who needed to man-the-fuck-up and stick to his guns, but, again, that was probably because he kept making the same mistakes. The premise of the story had me, the BDSM element, the MC's relationship and the non-romantic drama of the SWAT team. This was at LEAST a 4 star read for me. But Christa Tomlinson beat this poor horse absolutely to death and the carcass was left to stink up the place. I hope her beta readers give her better advice with her next book(s) and maybe she will get another chance with this one someday with a second edition. Losing half of this book would be a giant improvement and a great place to start.

As for recommending this book? I'd say that if this peaks your interest at all, it's only 99¢ over at Amazon (which is a great price and a great way to help new authors get noticed). Plus, no one says you HAVE to read the WHOLE thing. Go for it! You've got nothing to lose and a new author to support (especially if she considers constructive criticism actually constructive when writing her next book.) :)

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 I'm-in-Reader-Subspace Stars

I like military/SWAT books.

I really like BDSM books.

And I LOVE M/M books.

So a man-love BSDM SWAT book?

*shudder*

This book was great.

Was it probably too long? Probably.

Was is a little bit redundant? A little bit.

Was it extremely circuitous at times? Yup. A lot of times.

But would I change anything about it? HELL NO.

It's been a while since I read a book with so much relationship development. In so many books the main couple get together for a hot minute, drama ensues, climax, HEA (or not), and then - bam - the book is over.

But with this I felt like I actually got some more relationship with my drama.

Also, I thought this was a refreshing look at the submissive role in the Dom/sub BDSM relationship. This was the first time I have read about an m/m sub and I found the progression of that relationship - and Clay's progression through his feelings toward that relationship - to be very interesting and realistic.

This is definitely going on my keeper shelf.

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 3 out of 5]

***2.75 Stars***

Between the blurb and cover, I couldn't wait to start this one!

And then I did....



and I finally finished. This book was sooooooo loooooong, and it honestly didn't need to be. The author could have easily trimmed down about 150-200 pages and we would have had the same story and same emotion....but instead we get 500+ pages of a lot of "rinse and repeat."

It was too repetitive and.....GASP.....had way too much sex! I was skimming sex scenes for cock's sake!!



Logan wants Clay....Clay wants Logan. Logan is a dominant, Clay didn't realize that he had a submissive streak until Logan brought it out in him. He loved it, but it scared him. He didn't talk to Logan about it, Logan didn't ask him (shitty Dom if you ask me...especially for someone taking a submissive who is completely new to the lifestyle). And then we get 40% of Clay going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth....well, you get the picture.



The book had all the right ingredients for a fantastic BDSM book, but unfortunately failed in its execution. I didn't feel a deep connection to either of the characters and therefore didn't find myself completely invested in their relationship or their decisions.

By the time I made it to the end, it felt more like completing a marathon rather than coming to the conclusion of a romantic journey. Like I said, if the repetitiveness and every other page sex scenes were trimmed down, this would have been a much more enjoyable book.

[NMmomof4]

DNF @ 53%

It got to be seemingly all sex scenes and not that much substance for me. There were time jumps just to new sex scenes and not much of them interacting without sex. This made the sex scenes feel meh to me too, so I just wasn’t feeling it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Purplegirl]

I really have issues with BDSM books where:

(1)The supposed sub knows nothing about BDSM but the Dom keep making overt demands, like "keep your arms here", "Did I say you could touch me", etc. and the "sub" is trying to figure out why he likes being told what to do (2) As soon as the Dom brings up BDSM and the "sub" agrees, he is almost super sub from hour 1, has no problem with calling the Dom "Sir" or being on his knees, or knowing when to look down.
(3) The author makes the Dom/sub part so unsubtle, like she is pushing it down the readers throat.
(4) The Dom does some of the riskier BDSM moves as soon as he mentions he's a Dom, i.e. Logan did some minor breath play on Clay immediately. Really? They hadn't even really discussed the whole D/s element much. Signs of a bad Dom even in a book.
(5)The Dom just know he can "make" the guy be his sub and is talking about collaring him before he even tells the guy he is into BDSM. *sigh*

The sex doesn't even save it. Sigh. I only made it to 14%.

As others have said, it could have been so much better but sadly it wasn't.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.

Boy, was I excited for this one. The hot cover, equally hot blurb with SWAT and BSDM in one, definitely had the makings of a hot story. For the first 20% or so of this, I was still on board.

Logan and Clay have worked together for a while but only recently acted on any feelings for each other. Even though Logan is a Dom, he keeps that part of him from Clay until Clay has a little more time to become comfortable with the dynamics of their relationship. His biggest issue is their working relationship and his reluctance in becoming involved with his superior. So, Logan takes things slow for a while.

Then, he tells Clay he’s a Dom and thinks Clay has the potential to be his submissive. This is still rolling along pretty well, with some hot scenes as these guys learn about each other. Clay is also reluctant about the whole submissive aspect, but he’s willing to explore it. Again, these initial scenes were smexy hot with delicious dirty talk. But, then things start to become a bit repetitive. Terms of endearment are used, and then overused. As time goes by, Logan becomes more and more controlling everywhere in addition to the bedroom and basically smothers Clay being an overbearing ass. One of the wakeup calls for Clay was finally feeling as though he was losing himself to Logan and not in a good way.

This is pretty much the story, and I kept waiting for it to head in a direction, but it never really did. The SWAT stuff I was looking forward to seeing remained in the background with most of the scenes showing the guys doing training sessions and presentations. There is a little extra drama and plot twist, but even that is ruined by bad behavior. While there were quite a few elements of BDSM used here that I enjoyed, it often felt as though Logan was play acting the part of the Dom. It got to the point where I really disliked him and his actions and actually wanted Clay to just walk away. When he did finally walk away, I was excited. But, then these guys go back and forth, and I felt like I was watching a tennis match on speed. They finally figure things out, but it takes a very long time to get there.

There was a lot of potential here, but I really think it is overrun with too many words, endearments and unnecessary story. The price is certainly worth giving it a try, and I believe if you are fairly new to the BDSM genre, you might really like this story. Unfortunately for me, I’ve gotten a bit picky after having read so many, and this one turned out to be a struggle for me.

[Line]

Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Sergeant-Cuffs...

[Jordan Brock · Rating 1 out of 5]

The moment this one clearly became a "submissive says no, dominant refuses to take no for an answer" book, it went right to my DNF shelf. I don't care how submissive someone is. No means no. "No" is not an excuse for someone's "Dominant" to force an unwanted discussion until "no" turns to "yes."

And please, "... you can't submit to anyone else when your soul has already found its Master"? Really?

This book needed a editor. While I appreciate that the author only switches POV in a section break rather than from paragraph to paragraph, there's no need to switch points of view every few paragraphs. We really don't need to see the start of a kiss from one character's POV and the end of that same kiss from the other's--and then switch back for whatever the next step in the "sex" is.

This book was also full of telling, not showing.

"They decided it would be best if they stayed in and talked through Clay's issues with submitting. He was happy they were doing it. Logan never made him feel pressured into anything, but like they both admitted, they'd gone very fast before."

Like I said, the writing isn't chock-full of grammatical errors, but there's no heart and soul to it. Don't tell me. Show me.

As for the BDSM, the less said, the better. The book is packed with bad BDSM practices and old, tired tropes. The Dom needs BDSM in his life (apparently like normal people need air), but instead of talking with the man he hopes will become "his" sub, he plays mind games. He skims over the concept of a safeword, doesn't mention subspace at all, and wants to rush "his" sub into a 24/7 power exchange.

Hell, he uses BDSM in place of talking:

"Instead, he planned to find Clay and gently tell him he'd be waiting whenever he was ready. Logan dug his thumbs into his temples in frustration. And if that didn't work after a few days? He'd go with Plan B and chain Clay to his bed."

Lovely serial killer attitude, there...

Especially from the decorated, acclaimed leader of a Houston SWAT team. And yeah, Clay is on his team.

Which brings me to the next problem. While the sex-at-work trope is hot, these men are members of a SWAT team. They do high-risk jobs, and yet Logan undermines Clay as a team member (by bossing him around and humiliating him) and ruins both their concentration by engaging in sexual teasing while they're at work.

If you're on a SWAT team, would you want your team leader and one of your scouts to be focused on getting the whole team through the mission safely or on their "sexy fun times", so the bad guys can shoot you while they're not paying attention?

Even if you're just reading this for the sex, it's all lukewarm and one step removed. Again, it's a "show, don't tell" problem. The dialog is cheesy and right out of bad porn.

The only thing I liked about this book was Clay's first reaction to finding himself in subspace. Clay is a drug addict who's been sober for several years, but the instant he came out of subspace and equated that "floaty" feeling with being high, he panicked. That was beautifully done and a fantastic opportunity for the characters to really shine -- but they didn't.

Did not finish. Do not recommend.

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was promise at the beginning, but the story was lost amidst far too much repetition, melodrama, and desensitizing sex scenes. I love sex in books, but you eventually get to a point where you're just tired of reading about it. I kinda wanted to try and count how many sex scenes there were in this story, but it's just too long to bother. It felt like 40.

It's also way, way too long. One of those books where, every time you turn the page and find more writing...you groan in agony because you just can't see an end and why isn't it ending?!

Yup. One of those. This is the second book by Tomlinson that has failed to make a good impression, so I think I'll give her up for a lost cause.

[Gerbera_Reads]

DNF at 26%

I really tried but I just couldn't get into the story. I don't like the main couple, both men just lack charisma, and the chemistry between them is lukewarm at best. The BDSM angle is not working for me here. It feels like they are going through the motions, I don't feel power exchange at all. *disappointed face* After internal struggle I decided to put it on back burner. Maybe one day I will come back to it.

[Makhda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read. Because I miss them. For me, this book was more than sex. <3

***********************************

Well, well, well....That's a long long journey...

When I picked this book, I thought I would get a full dose of an action scene. Well, It's SWAT team story. What do you expect, right?

Nope. I get BDSM story with a lot of f***ing drama and soap operas. LMAO!
There's a girls fight (Whoops, I mean boys fight), a Red room of pain (well not exactly red actually, it's honey leather blah blah, I forgot). And waaay too much sex. Not that I am complaining. XD



I loved seeing how Logan hopelessly in love with Clay. Until it makes Logan 'kinda' forced Clay into BDSM relationship (I swear I could hear 'Make You Feel My Love' by Adele in the background). Logan was too obsessed with Clay. Well, of course. He wanted him for a long time.

This book tells more about D/s relationship. Without too much BDSM kinky sh*t involved. Because I do have my limits. No bloodplay, No breath-play, No fisting, No 24-7 D/s relationship, No partner sharing, No group sex please...etc. Yup, I'm boring.

Overall, I really liked it. It makes me laugh, it makes me swoon. So yeah, Solid 4 stars from me!
I changed my mind. It's 5 stars! Who am I kidding? I loved it!

[Miatroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was written in exchange for a free copy.

So in all honesty, I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. Should I call it an all right book? I'm not sure. I didn't make it to the end. I was simply too distracted by former critics and former reviews to be able to form my own opinion. Too distracted, in fact, to read through a somewhat dull patch of story to find out whether I liked it or not on my own.

This is not a boring or bad story. The writing is sound. The characters and interactions between them believable and reasonable enough for the genre, which is why I decided to ignore former critics and my own fear of being affected by them, and ask for a free copy to review. The book seemed to be exactly what I enjoy – I'm a grown up girl, I can ignore what other people say.

Well, apparently I can't. Sometimes the outside noises are simply too loud.

So to the author I say: I'm honestly sorry. I couldn't do your work justice.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about military doms. Logan was so tuff and dominating that he was an incredible character. I wasn’t as crazy about Clay because he couldn’t seem to make up his mind what he wanted and became so angry over something trivial. I was also concerned that Clay left because he felt he would become addicted to being in subspace, but never dealt with it.

The sex scenes were incredible and the BDSM scenes were hot. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I bought it while I was reading this one. I would have given it 5 stars except I found Clay’s indecisiveness to be a downer.

[Jewel · Rating 1 out of 5]

30% DNF

I tried. I liked the first 10% or so, but it became so tedious to read. I normally love law enforcement / military stories, with and without elements of BDSM, but this one just didn't flow. I didn't feel the connection between the MC's and the BDSM parts didn't feel natural.

[Riayl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I made it to page sixty before putting this down. I was frustrated and unhappy. I thought maybe it was because I hadn't slept for 48 hours and this has been a rather crappy week. So I decided to step back from it it for a bit. I tried again today, made it three more pages before coming here. Which I should have done in the first place and saved myself a dollar and some irritation. I would have read the reviews of the people who DNF'ed or didn't like and I would have stayed away.

Some people won't rate books they did not finish. I can understand why but I am rating mine. The whole reason I didn't finish is because I didn't like it. I don't think I should have to force myself to read the entire book if I don't like it just so that I can be "justified" in some minds in giving it one star BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIKE IT.

First I was rather excited by the length and the bdsm. Here is my thing with bdsm. I have never experienced it. I know about it from reading fiction and some research I have done, but I have not personally experienced it. I have...issues. I can't be restrained, the results are not pretty. I don't do well with orders, I am terribly oppositional, and I hate having to follow inept people. At the same time I absolutely cannot handle being in charge, especially in situations dealing with the mental or physical well-being of others, because I am terrified I am going to screw it up. Being a doctor and having people's lives in my hands in close to being one of my worst nightmares.

I enjoy reading bdsm of all kinds. I find most of it sexy, even the things that I have no interest in doing myself. But I am particularly fond of D/s stories. Now, as I have said before, I have no actual experience with the subject myself, but I have definite opinions on what I do and don't like to see in books about it - whether they are realistic or not.

If it is not made clear that the Dom cares about the sub and it is about both of their pleasure then I get my back up. Same if it isn't made clear that the sub likes/needs to submit, likes to be restrained, punished, denied orgasm, whatever they might be experiencing. If I don't get those two things then all I am reading is a story about a selfish asshole who gets off on bossing other people around regardless of their health, safety, happiness or pleasure.

The beginning of this book was fairly decent. Until the bdsm aspect really got added. I was completely pissed that Logan wasn't up front about his wants and needs. You don't start a relationship with someone knowing you have to have something and not letting them know. You need to dominate me? (Or you "have" to have a third in bed or you need to be dominated or you are dying and only have two months to live. Things like that. I will be completely contradictory and say that in supernatural books I don't have a problem, usually, with one person hiding that they are a vampire/werewolf/whatever, which would seem to be a deal breaker for me, but it isn't. I think it has to do with shades of reality. But if you are a bdsm inclined vampire I think you shouldn't hide the bdsm. *grin*) Then you damn well better tell me before we get involved so I can make an informed decision and not get hurt mentally or physically by you dropping it out of the blue. So there was my first stumbling block. If bdsm was just a kink, but not a need, then waiting to bring it up wouldn't be that bad. But Logan makes it obvious in his mental meanderings that he has to have this, it's not something he can do without. So yeah, that puppy needed to be brought to the table early.

Then they are barely in their relationship, Logan hasn't told Clay he is a dom and all he is thinking about is how he can't wait to collar Clay. Some of his thoughts really started to freak me out because he kind of comes off as stalkerish and like "no" won't be an option for Clay. He doesn't even know if Clay is into the same things.

Then he just decides to drop it all on Clay. "If we are going to be together I need you to submit." Or something like that, not sure of the exact words but it basically boiled down to "Be my sub or I dump you." I felt like he was coercing Clay. I kind of wanted Clay to stand up and say "If you want to be with me we have to be equals so drop the attitude and the bdsm notion." Not because I had a problem with bdsm or anything but because of Logan's attitude. It is all about what Logan wants and needs. He doesn't talk to Clay about it, doesn't find out about his needs and wants, just demands submission or that is the end. That is when the oppositional perks up in me and starts screaming.

Clay doesn't even really blink. Maybe he is into bdsm, I don't know, there was no hint before then and I quit reading soon after. If he was supposed to be into bdsm already then we should have gotten an inkling. Everything I read made me think it was no where on his radar. But he doesn't even get worried, he just folds and does what he is told. The oppositional part of me was going completely nuts here. It was all "WTF man, he just drops that on you and you don't ask or say anything and you just go with it and you are okay submitting out of nowhere when the thought has never occurred to you before are you completely apeshit?" The oppositional part of me is not very rational and apparently doesn't need to breathe in the middle of screeching, in case you were wondering.

Then they discuss nothing. NOTHING. I would be wondering what submission meant to Logan, what was expected of me. If I was Logan I would be making sure Clay was okay with it, felt safe, was truly interested. All we get is Logan asking Clay if he knows what a safe word is and then telling him to pick one. But...but...he doesn't ask what the hell it is!!! At least I don't remember him asking. Maybe he asked later but I'm thinking that finding out what Clay's safe word was would be an immediate thing not an "oh well, whenever". They don't talk about what they are going to do. I'm not even saying they have to sit down and spend hours discussing it or put it down in a contract or anything but just "I need you to submit" and nothing else...What does that mean? Does that mean you just like to be in charge? Does that mean you like to spank? To restrain? To whip? To cut little pieces of flesh off...I think I would want to know just a teensy bit more. *completely rabid*

All I could think is that Logan isn't being careful or considerate of Clay at all. He doesn't tell him things he needs to know. He doesn't give him time to consider things - which is sad because he had given him time to decide if he wanted to pursue the relationship and I thought that was awesome and boded well for the rest of the story. More fool me. Even though they have known each other professionally for a while, Logan doesn't know Clay that well personally or sexually and I was kind of expecting him to ease Clay into things, discuss his wants, needs, expectations, ask Clay about his own and learn what things Clay needed. Instead it was just all about Logan.

After checking the reviews here it doesn't look like that really improved and that there are more things to make me think of Logan as a bossy asshole instead of a Dom. So I am not going to pick it back up in hopes it gets better.

Also, what the hell was up with the whole "Serge" thing? *shakes head*

edit: In the interests of trying to be fair (damn you, guilt-inducing tendencies) I went back and did my best to finish this without skimming too much. Logan screws up more, but in the end apologizes for his mistakes, Clay decides he does want to be his submissive, they live happily ever after. I still never connected with Logan and feel like he makes decisions based more on what he wants than on what he thinks Clay wants or needs. But I suppose I can now remove the DNF tag. *sigh* I'm not changing the rest of the review because it still states how I felt about this book and why I didn't like it. As I was never able to get over those feelings it is all still valid.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5
This is the first book I have read by Christa Tomlinson, and I hope there are many more in my future. This author knows how to write sex scenes between two men that make a woman run for her BoB. I am not ashamed to admit that The Sergeant, both the book and the character for which it is named, are super nuclear hot. The book gets bonus points for having a good story and other likeable characters.
Sergeant Logan Pierce is the cool, calm and collected head of Houston’s SWAT team. Which is funny because last week I read another book about another Houston SWAT team with a different leader. Go fiction! Logan is also a Dom. He has had many submissives over his career as a Dom, but never one that he claimed for his own. Never one that he wanted to collar. Over the years, as he has come to know and admire Corporal Clay Foster as a police officer and a man. He has also developed a deep hunger to Dominate him, even to claim him for himself.
Clay knows nothing about the world of BDSM, including the fact that his Sergeant, the man he lusts after, is involved in it. Clay has noticed Logan watching him with heat in his eyes and he returns that heat. He dives into the unknown depths of BDSM without a backward glance. Before you know it, the pages have burned your fingerprints off and Logan and Clay are a committed, collared D/s couple. Of course that was too easy.
The happiness and security Clay feels as Logan’s sub fairly radiate off the pages of this great book. The loss he feels when he has to take off Logan’s collar to go to work literally made me cry. He felt adrift and lost without that weight around his neck constantly reminding him of Logan’s love for and care of him. When submitting so quickly looks to Clay to have been a mistake, both men realize that they have kept too much from one another to make this relationship work. Its foundation is flawed. Not built on lies, but on half-truths, it isn’t strong enough to support a vanilla relationship, let alone one requiring so much trust.
Logan has a long time best friend on the force who is also a Dom and whose partner and collared sub is a police officer as well. Clay is surprised when he finds allies in both members of this couple. He needs to learn all about D/s from the bottom up (joke not intended, but tee hee none-the-less). He is fortunate enough to have another sub to share his insecurities with and another Dom to ask about his possible limitations. Logan is the one he really needs to share these things with though.
As these two strong men try to find their way back to one another, it breaks the reader’s heart. They struggle to overcome their secrets and pasts and put it all out there for each other. They are so sad when apart. Ms. Tomlinson is able to translate their every moment of torment into words for us to savor, as we hope they are each able to be what the other needs. They still have to work SWAT together, so it isn’t as if they can just spend some time apart until they work out their issues.
Sometimes fictional couples in this situation are written in such a way that they easily get through the black period (time apart in every romance novel) and find a common bond in the end. Logan and Clay are not written that way. They had it easy in the beginning. Now they have to fight tooth and nail for it. Their longing is palpable and extremely well written. They are pitifully sad and lonely apart. It is with an accelerated heartbeat that the end of the book approaches so you can find out if they were able to come through their black period together or apart. I recommend that your storm the bookstore in search of The Sergeant.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

MEH!



589 pages...you would think there was a story. Not really.

There was sex. Some of it hot.
The blurb makes it sound like it's gonna get down and kinky...not really. It's pretty vanilla for a bdsm focused book. Not saying there wasn't hot scenes..there was.

The SWAT team, was just a back drop....basically you get nothing on that end.

Sex...Panic over being submissive... SEX...a couple lies...SEX...SEX...more panic over being submissive...SEX SEX SEX...Lie...SEX SEX SEX...resolution. There, I just summed up 589 pages.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

1 star

Okay, so this review is going to be a little different for me in that it’s mostly going to focus on one aspect of the book and essentially only the second half of the story. The reason for this is that this book is so long (around 370 pages on my ereader) and there is so much going on with it that making general statements that apply to the whole book is just about impossible anyway. If I detailed all the issues with it, gave equal time to both parts of the book, and gave enough attention to my main problem with this story, this review would be almost as long as the book itself. It ended up pretty long anyway, but please bear with me guys, the issues I talk about here are really important to me personally, and a lot of other people too I’m sure, so I thought it was important to really do this one right. Besides, the feel of this story changes drastically from one half to the next and the second half of the story and the nasty turn it takes is the driving force behind the rating I’m giving, so I thought it made more sense to concentrate on that.

Read Angi's review in its entirety here.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of sex!

3.5* This book is basically sex, lots and lots of sex, nearly every other paragraph is an exploration of sex or a discussion about sex.
And, do you know what? It absolutely works with in the story narrative.

This is a book about a relationship, there's no side plots to distract from the simple tale of two hot alpha males finding each other and working their way into a Dom/sub pairing.

It's pretty much all about the mechanics and the difficulties in just letting yourself go and giving control of yourself to another's pleasure.
And Logan does bring Clay pleasure, lots and lots of it.
But he also brings him pain, and not just the consensual kind. He makes mistakes and his jealousy gets in the way at times.

I liked this pair, they mostly did talk to each other when they has issues apart from the odd times Clay lets his temper get in the way.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There was a true story behind all the drama and hotheadedness. Clay and Logan made a meal of the whole Dom and Sub but it worked really once u knew it was a 1st for Logan as a fulltime dom and that until Clay met him he didnt even know he was a sub.
I think more could have been made of Carlos and Tiffany in the helping along of the whole dynamics of how a relationship like this works especially with them also working together in the same environment where problems accured!!
But loved it as a whole. I had gone off bdsm as there never was enough story but this has changed that!!

[Caroline Brand · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was long..too long for me I'm afraid as the repetitiveness and the fact that the story didn't really go anywhere wore me down. They were on a swat team - such a missed opportunity!

The basis of the story was good, it could have been incredible but it fell short.

Logan is not the typical Dom I like to read about and I love reading most things which touch on BDSM. He was too controlling, too insensitive and just too much. When he suddenly decided to stop using condoms without any discussion at all ... well honestly I wanted to kill him.

I'm sure there will be readers who love it but sadly this time it wasn't for me.

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished, and that is the only reason I am giving this two stars. I really should of paid attention to the other reviewers.
This book repeated itself over and over, and took what could of been a great story and turned it into a drawn out repetitive mess.

[M.I.A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The BDSM element and emotional upheaval was perfect. I love a good push and pull. Enough to keep me hooked, not enough to have me close the book in frustration. What I wanted and didnt get is a bit more in terms of SWAT-and their jobs and who they were apprehending. But that's just me wanting equal amount plot, police procedural as much as romance. This book is pure erotica-to me. And as that it delivers! New author for me, i am definitely going to check out more of Christa Tomlinson's work.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is hard to rate for me ... I liked it but it did not fully convince me

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh! I'm a bit pissed at goodreads right now because I had just finished writing a nice not to short review and then gr lost it somehow.

So...

Disclaimers first: One I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Second I basically know nothing about the world of BDSM excepts what I have read in m/m books, so I can't comment on how accurate or realistic it is in the book. However nothing about the BDSM in this book stood out to me as wrong or unrealistic.

I really liked how this story was longer than 100 and some odd pages. It was long enough to read about the initial start of their relationship; going from friends and coworkers to something more. Then the MCs rough patch and working through their issues and problems; to them working things out. Clay is introduced to the BDSM world by Logan and we get to see him become a sub and learn to accept himself as one. He has some issues accepting himself as a sub, some of them caused by things in his past (nothing horrific). Clay was fun to read about. He may be a sub but he has a backbone, a temper, a smart mouth, and is very stubborn. Logan has to learn to deal with his jealousy and being to possessive, but he is very caring, gentle, and supportive of Clay. One of the MCs big issues as individuals and a couple is learning to communicate with each other.

Both Clay and Logan have really good friends. They are supportive and helpful (once a friends help wasn't helpful), and also provide a kick in the butt when needed. There is a jealous little sub that doesn't want to take no for an answer (eventually he does), and purposefully causes trouble between Clay and Logan.

The blurb for the story makes it sound like there is lots of SWAT action and atmosphere, and there was some but not as much as the blurb makes it seem there will be. There are several missions talked about but we only "go" on a couple with the team and the descriptions for them are very short. It almost seemed as if they were a regular team of cops. The SWAT aspects were more in the background of the MCs story rather than being a main aspect.

Overall there were minimal grammar and spelling mistakes, but there were a few that were bad enough to make it were you couldn't make sense of the sentence. Also like I said earlier I liked how the story was longer than 100 and some odd pages, but it dragged on just a little bit to long in a few spots. I actually took a short break from reading this. Although I wouldn't want this drastically shortened or anything like that as it may have just been my mood at the time of reading that made some bits seem too long. Sometimes I just want to know right now what happens next, and I usually stick to shorter books when I'm in that kind of mood. I really enjoyed the MCs story. For what appears to be Christa Tomlinson's first m/m story she did a great job. I will re-read this at some point in the future, and I look forward to seeing what Christa writes next.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.

Boy, was I excited for this one. The hot cover, equally hot blurb with SWAT and BSDM in one, definitely had the makings of a hot story. For the first 20% or so of this, I was still on board.

Logan and Clay have worked together for a while but only recently acted on any feelings for each other. Even though Logan is a Dom, he keeps that part of him from Clay until Clay has a little more time to become comfortable with the dynamics of their relationship. His biggest issue is their working relationship and his reluctance in becoming involved with his superior. So, Logan takes things slow for a while.

Then, he tells Clay he’s a Dom and thinks Clay has the potential to be his submissive. This is still rolling along pretty well, with some hot scenes as these guys learn about each other. Clay is also reluctant about the whole submissive aspect, but he’s willing to explore it. Again, these initial scenes were smexy hot with delicious dirty talk. But, then things start to become a bit repetitive. Terms of endearment are used, and then overused. As time goes by, Logan becomes more and more controlling everywhere in addition to the bedroom and basically smothers Clay being an overbearing ass. One of the wakeup calls for Clay was finally feeling as though he was losing himself to Logan and not in a good way.

This is pretty much the story, and I kept waiting for it to head in a direction, but it never really did. The SWAT stuff I was looking forward to seeing remained in the background with most of the scenes showing the guys doing training sessions and presentations. There is a little extra drama and plot twist, but even that is ruined by bad behavior. While there were quite a few elements of BDSM used here that I enjoyed, it often felt as though Logan was play acting the part of the Dom. It got to the point where I really disliked him and his actions and actually wanted Clay to just walk away. When he did finally walk away, I was excited. But, then these guys go back and forth, and I felt like I was watching a tennis match on speed. They finally figure things out, but it takes a very long time to get there.

There was a lot of potential here, but I really think it is overrun with too many words, endearments and unnecessary story. The price is certainly worth giving it a try, and I believe if you are fairly new to the BDSM genre, you might really like this story. Unfortunately for me, I’ve gotten a bit picky after having read so many, and this one turned out to be a struggle for me.

[Pati · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not recommend this to anyone. It needs some serious editing and rewriting. I think that if the writer would get together with good editor this has potential to be a good story. However, as it is, I'm just very thankful that I only paid .99 cents for it.

Just a few examples....

typo @ 1% - "...when a throat cleared their throat next to him."
2% - "So what are you guys over here talking about over hear?"

Repeating things....

"I'm a dominant. If we're going to be together, I need you to be my submissive."
----- 10 sentences ---- then....
"His lover had just confessed to being a dom...."

And after that, even worse...... MUCH WORSE.....

"...wrap his hand around Clay's Neck...."
----- 6 sentences ---- then....
"tightened his fingers around Clay's throat..."
----- 4 sentences ---- then....
"Logan's hand wrapped around his throat..."
----- 3 sentences ---- then....
"..by the hand he still had around his neck..."
----- 8 sentences ---- then....
"Logan finally pulled back and dropped his hand from around his throat."

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!....ALL of that in the space of 26 sentences!!... WHY? Does anyone really think that we readers are so stupid that we need to be told over and over again where his fricking hand is?! I won't even bother ranting about saying "finally".... it's not like it'd been a long time. It was only 26 sentences for crying out loud.

Furthermore.... this same repeating continues, but I'm finished with that rant and moving on to inconsistencies and things. I'm just going to list them bullet style and be done with it.

~"lover" when dom/sub would be much more appropriate and vice versa.

CONTRADICTIONS!

Logan states.....
~He doesn't expect submission outside of the bedroom.
~Not into hardcore BDSM.
~No contracts.
~All about control and aftercare.
~No strict rules.

And yet.....
~He's already given a rule that Clay's not allowed to touch his dick anytime, even when they aren't together.
~He must do whatever Logan tells him to do sexually wherever and whenever he's told to.
~He wants to collar him.
~He wants to own him.

And I won't even get into my problems with the hostage situation, resolution and it's aftermath except to say WTF?!

[Tsubaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
-

I'll start off by saying that I loved the characters and I loved the relationship the characters had with one another. The thing that really drew me into their world is how human they really are. That tends to be a rarity, especially in this genre where characters are often romanticized, but this book did a pretty good job. Although the focus was almost entirely on Logan and Clay, the supporting cast members weren't one-dimensional and exist solely when called for. It's easy to imagine them in their own lives outside of what the story tells.

That said, this book does focus heavily on the sexual relationship between Logan and Clay. Actually, that's what the first 150 pages of the book was solely about. For the most part, it was really nice and very hot, but did get a little tedious and repetitive after a while. Especially if you're binge reading. Myself personally, I prefer plot over sex and will admit that I skimmed a bit to move things along quicker. By page 100, I was looking for any hint of conflict or crack in their perfect life to occur. I think Ryan, the antagonist/rival love interest, was introduced around page 150, but even then, almost nothing came of that for quite a while longer. So I guess my strongest criticism is on the pacing of the story. That and I really wish there was a little more focus on the other aspects of their lives together.

But really, if you can get past that, the plot of the story was great. The conflict, when it was finally introduced, was good. Yes, it was very predictable, but really, this was a straight forward love story and it did its job. There was pain, there was heartbreak, there was emotion. And throughout all of that, the characters and their actions were able to remain realistic.

One thing to note though, I did catch a few typos while reading through it. Something to keep in mind for the future I guess.

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was TOO LONG!
First of all, it wasn't that good, a very weak attempt at a BDSM relationship, but on top of all that, it was unnecessary long.

Sergeant Logan Pierce, who headed up an Elite SWAT team in Houston Texas has had his eye on Corporal Clay Foster for 2 years. He finally makes his move and asks Clay out. Then the relationship begins. Logan starts introducing Clay into the world of BDSM, and soon Clay becomes his first collared submissive. Shortly after that Clay wants out of the relationship and Logan is left to wonder what he did wrong and how to move on from this love.

Where do I begin? First, the writing was really basic. For military men, they read like juvenile high school guys, unsure, hesitant and lacking in swag. I couldn't believe they were not high school virgins.
Second, Logan was not a good dom. When I read the Club Shadowlands, the Masters are always watching and listening to everything said and unsaid. They were trying to learn everything they could. I didn't feel like Logan took time to learn Clay or pick up on Clay's triggers. When he claimed to have had a lot of submissives, I thought "yea right!". Frankly speaking, I think Logan was better paired with a guy he was always going to before Clay (his name escapes me). He was a true submissive, and I didn't feel like Clay was.
Third, with their job and everything, there wasn't sufficient boundaries here nor was their communication very good. Everything was just so rushed. I didn't enjoy either MC or even their sex scenes.
Fourth, did I mention this book was almost 600 pages? Considering the plot was unoriginal, it was way too long. I would have given Logan a little more confidence and observation skills. He lacked both and wasn't a good dom. I just thought this one wasn't entertaining.

Special thanks to the author and Members Giveaway at *Librarything*

[peach · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was way too long. A good third could easily have been cut without anything important being lost. The first half of the book was filled with repetitive sex scenes, while the second half had an exhausting push-and-pull that took far too long to get anywhere (plus some more gratuitous sex scenes that I just skimmed).

The relationship wasn't very fun either. Clay is completely new to D/s relationships but at no point do they seem to talk about expectations, likes/dislikes or limits (although they do at least have a safeword). We never get any information about Clay having ever had any interest in being submissive and he has conflicting feelings about it, submitting but also feeling anger at himself for submitting, but the issue with these conflicting feelings is never really resolved. Instead he is just guided (using that term loosely) into it by Logan who...I had some issues with, to say the least.

Logan is Clay's sergeant, the leader of their squad, which already makes the power dynamics a bit questionable. He also has fits of rage due to jealousy (causing him to yell at one of their colleagues and nearly get into a physical fight with another), goes behind Clay's back in a way that affects Clay's work life (twice), and quickly pushes Clay into the D/s relationship without checking in enough or preparing Clay much at all. Logan came across as a bad Dom, a bad boyfriend and a bad team leader, and I honestly didn't see why Clay should place his trust in Logan again. It didn't help that it felt like Clay kept being pressured both by Logan and his other friends to get over things he was understandably upset about and needed time to work through. But apparently Logan has Magic Dom Powers that Clay just can't resist, so I guess they're meant to be.