Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When Paul takes a job as live-in companion to his brooding, impossibly sexy boss, he expects awkward silences—not a locked box in the attic that will change everything.

Adam Kent has shut himself away, his life as a powerful Dom buried along with his heart. Newly blind and fiercely private, he has no intention of letting anyone in… especially Paul.

But Paul has tasted just enough of BDSM to know he craves more. Discovering Adam’s past feels like fate—because who better to guide him than the man who’s lived it?

What begins as measured lessons quickly ignites into scorching passion, and soon their rules blur into something neither man can resist. Raw desire, dangerous trust, and unexpected tenderness push them to the edge—until surrender means more than pleasure.

It means love.

 

 

First edition published under the title 'Submitting to the Darkness' at Island Tales Press, September 2015. It has been re-edited, honed, and given a title that really fits.

 

Book Review

From the moment I read the blurb for this novel, I was fascinated with the characters and what sounded like a long, hard road to the happy ending I always hope for. And K.C. certainly made me wait! Adam is in such a bad place after going blind (and who could blame him!), that he barely makes it out of bed each morning, and definitely is not in the mood for civil behavior. Combine this with Paul, who has a big heart, is extremely considerate, and wants nothing but to help Adam (and that is before he falls for him!) and you have a pretty heart-wrenching recipe for angst, drama, and yes, the odd tear as I was reading. Well done, K.C., for a wonderful story with amazing characters who have to deal with some very real issues. For me, this is the best book in the series so far!

Adam has gone blind and fallen into a deep depression. He thinks his life is over, and all he wants to do is hide and for people to leave him alone. Luckily he has a sister who, despite all her faults (and she has a few!) insists on hiring help for him. But Adam is determined not to become dependent on anyone. He has already lost his ability to write, and he’ll never be a Dom again, but he will be damned before he lets someone else run his day-to-day life. When Paul is hired by Adam’s sister, Adam is determined to chase him off just like he shocked all the previous “companions” into running for the hills. And let me warn you - he is a real bast*rd to Paul. It was hard to take seeing him be so nasty to such a nice guy, there really is no excuse. Watching Adam work through his issues was fascinating, the gradual change obvious – and the final decision point was masterfully set up and executed. I think I was holding my breath for several pages!

Paul just wants to help. He can see beyond Adam’s more-than-gruff exterior to the man who is hurting underneath and does his best to help. He has a lot of good ideas and makes a real difference to Adam’s life in a very short time, but when he finds out Adam is a Dom, his employer becomes irresistible to Paul. He has been fascinated with BDSM for a while, but has never had the courage to “submit to the darkness” inside him, as he calls it. Their first forays into sexual play intrigue Paul, but when Adam stipulates “no emotional attachments”, Paul is in trouble. He has been emotionally attached for a while before they start getting physical, and he would accept any condition to keep going. Can you see where the pain is coming from? Ouch!

Like the first two books in the ‘Island Tales’ series, this story is set on the Isle of Wight. I was happy to see Mark and Sam, Taylor and David, and Taylor’s friends from school are still around and doing well. Not just that, they are up to their usual teasing selves, but jump in to help the moment there is something wrong. Steephill Cove is fast becoming a very familiar place, and I hope that Eric’s story will be next so I get to return once more!

If you like multi-layered characters struggling with significant physical and deep emotional issues, if two men who are made for each other but take their sweet time in understanding how well they fit are your thing, and if you’re looking for an intense, emotional read that is as hot as it is spellbinding, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. It touched me deeply and fascinated me to no end.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The first edition of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 406 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	16-September-2025
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Longing-Island-Tales-Book-ebook/dp/B0FJLJGKYG