The buzz surrounding E.L James’ Fifty Shades trilogy has blown up to epic proportions. Romance readers are raving over this erotic series calling Fifty a sex icon.
More attention has been paid to the series after the Today’s Show segment on the Fifty Shades of Grey book and the series in general. Readers who both enjoyed the books and even those who didn’t were quick to point out the major flaws in Dr. Drew’s reasoning. For someone who hasn’t read the book, he certainly has a lot of opinions on what is suitable and not suitable for women to read and take part in. He forgets that this series is FICTION and that there will be, without a doubt, women out there who enjoy reading and participating in relationships of a certain kind.
Nevertheless, I know that some bloggers were intrigued by the discussion and were interested enough to check out the books themselves. In the end, James got some major promotion out of it and potentially, a lot more readers.
Unfortunately, I may be the only person on the face of the earth who doesn’t enjoy these books. Even amongst my UTC girls who share the same taste in books as me, I’m an oddity. Angela read all three books and loved them. Francesca and Suzanne have read them and enjoyed them marginally more than I did. In fact, after the very first chapter, I flailed the white flag and did not finish it.
But despite the good and bad surrounding this series, it doesn’t undermine the fact that people are reading and that’s good enough for me.
All this Fifty Shades talk has got me thinking about other BDSM-related books. So if you’re like me, looking for some Fifty alternatives or a fan who is simply looking for more, list some of your favorite BDSM-related books in the comments below. I would love to discover something new to read. Who knows, maybe we’ll discover the next new Fifty and maybe one-up him.
Before I list my recs, I want to mention that these books are more hardcore than the vanilla sex you read in the Fifty Shades trilogy. Fair warning.
My recommendations:
The first Dom I ever fell in love with was Jack Cole from Shayla Black’s WICKED TIES. Jack wasn’t my first BDSM read, but his book was the first one that made me feel something for the characters. I’ve read quite a bit of erotica before this, but those characters were easily forgotten. This particular book changed that for me. I loved him so much that I backed him up in UTC’s The Dom’s Dungeon event last July. You can see that post here.
I must mention Shayla Black’s latest release in the Wicked Lovers series, BELONG TO ME. This book was my second favorite book of 2011. Logan was the perfect Dom – firm and demanding, yet fair and loving.
Another one of my personal favorites is SWEET PERSUASION by Maya Banks. This is Damon Roche’s book (Cue swoons). This book explores a BDSM slave relationship. Serena wants to be fully owned, inside and outside of the bedroom. Her fantasy isn’t for everyone. Some may feel uncomfortable with this intense level of ownership, but like I said earlier, some people differ in their preference and desire a certain kind of relationship. Also, this book helped me get over my phobia of reading about butt plugs.
I was fortunate enough to get a chance to read SWEET ADDICTION by Maya Banks. This book doesn’t come out until April, however, it has become one of my early favorites of 2012. Banks incorporates a surprisingly large amount of emotional depth in this book. It’s surprising because there are three main leads – Ren, the heroine and Lucas and Cole, two dominant heroes. I wondered how she was going to make this work and make me feel the love between three people instead of the usual two, but for some reason, it worked. It worked so well that I found it difficult to pick between the two men. This book was great! Two Doms = two times the fun!
But perhaps my favorite BDSM-related series is Cherise Sinclair’s MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS series. I haven’t encountered a series that surpasses this one yet. This series really has it all – emotional depth, steaming hot sex scenes and some of the best Doms you will ever find in erotic fiction. Sinclair has a knack for building sexual tension and incorporating a suspense subplot that pushes the plot forward. Her latest releases in this series have been tearjerkers, so if you’re looking for something that is dark, but touching then I highly suggest you check this series out. You will not be disappointed.
That’s it! That’s my list. For now, anyway. I’m always looking for some new recommendations, so let me know some of your BDSM favourites! And if you’re not into BDSM, then that’s OK. Share your erotica favorites anyway!
Other BDSM books worthy of mention:
Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas
Slave by Sherri Hayes
Nobody’s Hero by Kallypso Masters 
I love Joey W. Hill’s Nature of Desire series, especially Natural Law and Ice Queen. I also love her Vampire Series, Beloved Vampire, my personal favorite. I really love all her books.
On a side note, I couldn’t get through Fifty Shades either, and it’s because I love Joey Hill, Cherise Sinclair, and Shayla Black just to name a few far superior story tellers.
You should try Allyson James’ Shareem series! HOT!!!
E.L.James just become #1 NYT Bestselling authors! Just… wow!
I try to read Fifty Shades, but then lost interest, so I never pick it up again. Maybe later..
If I become Anna, of course I will choose Roarke as my Fifty, just sayin’ 😉
As for my erotica favorites, Olivia Cunning and Lauren Dane still the best 😀 (and Lauren Dane wrote mild BDSM at Laid Bare)
Lauren Dane wrote a BDSM book called Second Chances (Review)
Francesca
Shayla Black’s BELONG TO ME, Cherise Sinclair’s MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS, and especially Kallypso Master’s MASTERS AT ARMS are all fantastic BDSM novels. They’re not strict erotic, the stories intricate with character depth well developed. I have not yet read the Fifty books, although they are on my TBR list.
I heard that this book started out as a Twilight fanfic… does anyone notice a link? (I haven’t read it)
I could identify the characters from Twilight, but some of the relationships were a bit different. I think James was trying to take the paranormal out of the story and make it a contemporary story that reflects the Bella and Edward dynamic through having the hero being in a BDSM lifestyle (instead of a vampiric lifestyle) and the heroine being innocent of such a lifestyle.
Hi UTC ladies 🙂
Thank you Annie Girl for sharing your favorites, and I enjoyed your article.:)
I’m going to be readung your recs soon, because I’m obsessed with the Fifty series. 😉 I wish you loved them too.:(
P.s. I’ve been cheating on Terrible with Christian, but don’t worry you can have him on those nights! Hehe.
Agree with Heather. I love Hill’s VQ series and I just read the 1st in her NoD series. I didn’t like it as much as the VQ but I plan to read the next one in the series to see if I like it.
Thanks Heather and Jennifer. I have been told that Hill’s books are very good too. I haven’t had the chance to read those yet, but I think I will soon.
Gloria, I’m looking those books up now. I haven’t read of it!
France, I think I already have that one!
Thanks LeighAnna, I need to read some Masters. Heard very good things.
I don’t think there is much overlap between the Twilight books and the Fifty series. I see it as James used the Twilight characters to mould a new hero and heroine, but even then, Grey doesn’t act like Edward. Heather explains it well I think. I think the biggest similarity is the writing style. Very YA-ish in my opinion.
Hi Vain! Thanks for checking it out! I would gladly take Terrible off your hands. You can have Grey, though I think Angela may fight you for him.
Ann
Hey Annie,
Just wanted to clarify with you, I wasn’t giving Terrible to you lol….just since we’re sharing him I was trying to establish the days we share! I’m always going to be a Terrible Girl!;)
XO
Oh and in regards to fighting Angela for him, bring it!!! Hehe
XO
lol, looks like we have similar tastes! My favorites are Shayla Black, Maya Banks, Cherise Sinclair, Cheyenne McCray (Jaymie Holland), and most recently Kallypso Masters. Have not read the Fifty Shades series but will be checking it out.
You guys all stole my suggestions already, but I do have ‘The Principal’s Office’, ‘Crash Into You’ and ‘Gabriel’s Inferno’ on my wish list. I have not read them so I cannot recommend them- just putting them out there.
I liked the 50 Shades series, but I did find the voice of the story hard to hold my attention at times.
Thanks for the post!
You’re not alone Annie. I didn’t like it either. I had to put it down at the 80% mark.
My suggestion on great BDSM is JOEY HILL!!!! I haven’t read BDSM that even compares to Joey and I’ve only read her Knights of the Boardroom series. LOVED IT!!
Can’t recommend this series enough – to people who like BDSM
BDSM stories are my specialty, so I read a lot of ’em. A big favorite of mine is Hurt Me So Good by Joelly Sue Burkhart. Lots of realism in that one as well as a lovely erotic romance. I have one coming out in April that deals with sadism very strongly, and as I read through these comments, I can’t help but fantasize about riding the Fifty wave.
Thoughtful post. It’s great to see everyone’s responses.
Great post…I’ve added some authors and series to my wishlist!!!!
Love me some erotica and erotic romance but I lean towards the more vanilla end of the BDSM spectrum.
I have read the Fifty trilogy but the reason I scored it as I did, just above average with a 3.5, was not because of the eroticism but because of the psychological viewpoints on Christian. I think my reviews of the three all state “this book did not turn me on” lol.
I would highly recommend anyone who is a fan of BDSM to check out Joey W. Hill. While I love all of her stories her Vampire Queen series and her Knights of the Boardroom series are not to be missed! You will not find another author in this genre who can portray their characters with such deep emotional and physical connections. She is such an amazing storyteller that you don’t just read the stories, you live them!!
As for Fifty Shades, as they say if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t. So I won’t. 🙂
Shhh, Vain! Yes you were. Terrible is with me at the moment. Content as can be!
Shelly, I think I need to try Masters very soon.
Oh Sophia Rose, I remember someone rec me that Gabriel’s Inferno book. And I STILL havent read it yet. *hangs head in shame*
*high fives Jodie* Yes! You and maybe one other person I know can say that. LOL Seems like I really need to grab those Hill books. Everyone here loves them!
Hi Verity, I’ll have to look up that book. I’m not familiar with it. Thanks for sharing!
LOL Yes Delilah! Which is why I specifically didn’t explain why I didnt like it 🙂
Hey Megan, the thing thing about that is psychology is my thing. I went to school for it, but this book…yeah. Not for me.
Ann
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Thanks for the recommendations. I have the 50 series, but haven’t read it yet. I will be checking out these others. I’ve heard Cherise’s Masters is great and I have Kallypso’s Masters and Nobody’s Hero but haven’t had time to read them. I have read Tymber Dalton’s Reluctant Dom, but it’s an emotional wringer if you like that. I need more hours in the day!
It’s crazy how many people I know texted or emailed me after seeing Fifty Shades on the news or whatever…these are people who probably don’t even read romance!! And even though I have had it on my Kindle for MONTHS, I have yet to read it….and I, like you LOVE LOVE LOVE (with a passion!!) the Wicked series, the Masters of the Shadowlands series (and the Mountain Masters!), the Sweet series and the Knights of the Boardroom series, so now I’m pretty doubtful that Fifty Shades will do anything at all for me! LOL!
My absolute FAVORITE BDSM story has to be one that I randomly found that someone actually wrote through LiveJournal called the “Slave Breakers” series & it was the most intense, hot, emotionally fraught erotic stories I’ve read to date. I recommended it to as many people as I dared, but honestly, it’s incredible.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7802920-bran-s-story
I know I’ve recommended this one to Suz before, but if you’re okay with BDSM & M/M, it’s very much worth the read.
Laurie, I have the Reluctant Dom already! Hoping to read it soon 🙂
Jen, pretty much all those ones you mentioned are the ones I love too! *high give*
Hey Allison, thanks so much for the rec! I’ll check it out!
Ann
I reccomend sylvia day’s newest book, from her crossfire series. I also love shayla black, jayne rylon, the smutketeers, and the authors of internatioal heat can alway be counted on for some good smut BDSM or not
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