Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up as a single child in an abusive household my fantasy friends kept me sane. Today, my imaginary friends are hot alpha males and sassy heroines, and their stories are a bit (okay a lot!) spicier but still as engaging and always end happily ever after. Active in the BDSM Lifestyle, it pains me what kind of books are marketed as BDSM Romance. The key to a (loving) relationship based on power exchange is open communication and the will to help the other person grow and flourish. The books I write and the books I recommend are examples of what I consider goodreal BDSM Romance.


I wrote

Savage Game

By Karen Nappa,

Book cover of Savage Game

What is my book about?

A reckless bet, a lousy hand, and Charlotte Randall's life changes forever. For the next month, her body belongs to…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of To Command and Collar

Karen Nappa Why did I love this book?

Cherise Sinclair is my number one BDSM Romance author. The reason I love her books is their great storylines, relatable characters, and realistic but steamy sex, and BDSM scenes. To Command and Collar is book five in Master of the Shadowlands. Although I would advise to start reading the series from book one (Club Shadowlands), I chose book five because it is my favorite. I love Raoul and Kim and their hard-won journey to happiness.

By Cherise Sinclair,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked To Command and Collar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Ms. Sinclair’s characters come alive on the page with passion and energy in a story that is absolutely riveting. “ ~ You Gotta Read Reviews

Working with the FBI to capture human traffickers, Master Raoul scores an invitation to a slave auction. To his surprise, one slave is the kidnapped friend of a Shadowlands submissive. Although Kim’s body is scarred, her spirit is unbroken, and he can't leave her behind. Ruining the FBI's plans, he buys her.

Kimberly's freedom has come at a devastating price: the other women are still imprisoned. Desperate to help the Feds locate the traffickers, she…


Book cover of Love and Let Die

Karen Nappa Why did I love this book?

I adore the extended Masters and Mercenaries family, and Ian Taggart’s cynical wisecracks keep doubling me over in laughter. And laughter is so important. Life is serious and can be hard, I love it when a book takes me away for a while and make me feel. Lexi Blake’s books, especially for her Masters and Mercenaries series, make me feel a lot!

Again, this is book five in a series, you will want to read in order. However, since this is Ian’s and Charlotte’s story this is my pick as favorite!

By Lexi Blake,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Love and Let Die as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Tragic Love StoryCharlotte Dennis’s mission was clear: distract and misdirect CIA operative Ian Taggart by any means necessary. If she failed, she would never see her sister again. With her training, it should have been simple, but after one night in Ian’s arms, she knew that saving her sister would mean losing the man of her dreams.Ian was tracking a terrorist when he met the beautiful American daughter of a Russian mobster. His instincts told him Charlotte was trouble, but his body craved her like a drug and his heart would not be denied. She took his ring and…


Book cover of Sadie's Little Christmas

Karen Nappa Why did I love this book?

Not only is Maren Smith a great person, a quirky ‘little’ with a fondness for dinos, but also, she’s a tireless mentor and advocate for the authors in the BDSM Romance genre. I’m profoundly grateful she took me under her wings at the start of my writing career and to be part of her Red Hot Romance family today. 

While it is incredibly hard to pick just one book from her entire list, Sadie’s Little Christmas is my favorite because it shows a power exchange relationship in all its glory. Seeing Sadie blossom under Derek’s supervision is a treat. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

By Maren Smith,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sadie's Little Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sadie has waited all the eighteen years of her life to grow up. Having finally reached the magical age of adulthood, she’s not about to let anything—or anyone—put her back in the nursery. But when her first attempt at stretching her submissive wings turns deadly, not only is her confidence shaken but she finds herself a guest at Rawhide Ranch and, in specific, of Derek Hawkins himself. The ranch owner is handsome, dominant, and he doesn’t hesitate to take charge when she misbehaves. His strong right hand is the balm her soul desires, but Derek is a Daddy Dom and…


Book cover of Wicked Ties

Karen Nappa Why did I love this book?

Sexy and Dominant Jack is having dreams about a faceless woman. His Cajun grand père is convinced this must be his fated wife. 

Morgan is on the run from a stalker and trying to figure out why no relationship has worked for her in the past.

Wicked Ties is a compelling mix of mystery, suspense, and romance with a tormented hero and several unexpected twists. It kept me glued to my eReader until I finished the book. I love it when a book is so engaging I can’t put it down.

By Shayla Black,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Wicked Ties as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She didn't know what she wanted...

Morgan O'Malley has seen a lot of kinky things as the hostess of a cable sex talk show. But she's never met a man like Jack Cole before. A self-proclaimed dominant, he's as alpha as a male can get-and good for Morgan to have around when an obsessed stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her.

Until he made her beg for it.

Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence because, slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends…


Book cover of Board Resolution

Karen Nappa Why did I love this book?

Although this book starts out without safe words or careful negotiations, I still recommend all of Joey W. Hill’s work and the Knights of the Board Room series as BDSM Romance. Sometimes, a Dom must dig deep to give a submissive what she needs, and this is what Matt Kensington does in Board Resolution. Savannah is trained to shield herself and I think Matt’s crazy plan is the only way through the tough outer shell and into the soft and loving woman she is. Piece by piece —with help from his team— he breaks her down, only to let her rise like a Phoenix from her ashes. Beautiful story.

By Joey W. Hill,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Board Resolution as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Savannah has been groomed since birth to take the reins of her father’s manufacturing empire. Her emotional armor is as tough as the steel used in her factories, and no man is allowed past it. Business partner Matt Kensington realizes that the key to entry is not to ask permission, but to command her submission. Calling on the unique sensual talents of his four-man management team, he engineers an aggressive takeover, determined to rescue the woman he’s always loved from the steel cage she’s manufactured around her heart.


Explore my book 😀

Savage Game

By Karen Nappa,

Book cover of Savage Game

What is my book about?

A reckless bet, a lousy hand, and Charlotte Randall's life changes forever. For the next month, her body belongs to the devilishly handsome Byron Nolan - a man with more money than god and an ego to match. Ruthless and unyielding, he claims his prize with skillful pleasure, breaking down her defenses until she learns to crave every touch, every kiss, every shameful, depraved act he forces on her. But even as Byron masters her body, Charlotte is determined not to gamble the one prize she can still claim as her own - her heart.

Because she's in house, playing by his rules... and the house always wins.

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My Year of Casual Acquaintances

By Ruth F. Stevens,

Book cover of My Year of Casual Acquaintances

Ruth F. Stevens Author Of My Year of Casual Acquaintances

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

From the time I was a girl, I’ve loved stories that put a lump in my throat even as I’m laughing. As a fiction writer, that funny-sad tone is the one I go for in my own work. I gravitate toward female protagonists of all ages who break the mold—women who are intelligent and strong but who also have unconventional, quirky personalities. Women who can be hilarious, infuriating, and heartbreaking—sometimes all at once. Because they are complex and unique, these women tend to struggle with life’s challenges more than their contemporaries. That’s what makes their stories so interesting, and why I have chosen the books on this list. 

Ruth's book list on smart, quirky women facing personal struggles

What is my book about?

When Mar’s husband divorces her, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy starting over, she’s ready for new adventures—as long as she can keep things casual. Each month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant. . . and a handsome novelist who wants more than she can give. Mar learns from each encounter. But can she open herself up to true connection?

Surrounded by quirky, endearing characters, Mar navigates her…

My Year of Casual Acquaintances

By Ruth F. Stevens,

What is this book about?

"A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." -Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author

When Mar Meyer's husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures-as long as she can keep things casual.

With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical…


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