Yours to Take is book three in The Connaghers series.

In a freak snowstorm, Vicki meets up with Jesse, the homeless artist she used to see in the park on a regular basis. She brings him in from the storm and gets more than she bargained for when he begins showing his submissive side. Dominant proclivities she never knew existed burst forth, but she feels uncertain of those feelings. She calls her on-again, off-again police detective boyfriend, Elias Reyes, for a background check and the alpha male cop goes into protective overdrive, showing up on her doorstep, shouldering himself back into her life...which is fine with Vicki because she's never stopped loving him.

One thing is for certain, however. As Jesse works his way into Vicki's heart, she wants the submissive for herself and refuses to let him go. She also wants Elias for the long term... now, if only she can convince Elias that while she loves him more than life, her newfound domme persona needs Jesse as well.

While Yours to Take is part of a series, it can be read standalone. I did read the series' second book, Hurt Me So Good, over a year ago. I still haven't read book one (which I hope to rectify shortly), but was able to understand this story even without the added information reading the other story would provide.

I have to start out by saying; I originally passed this story up as soon as I saw that Vicki was a fledgling domme with Jesse. I wasn't sure I wanted to read a story with a male in the submissive role. I'm sure glad I backtracked. The story is just long enough for developed characters with internal and external conflicts. Jesse, while at first seemed almost obsequious and annoying, it became clear he was no pushover and could assert himself when needed.

Elias, likewise, was also more than he seemed at first. At first, he was almost boorish in his dominance but again, his alpha male aggressiveness became arousing and magnetic. Caught between these two was Vicki, a woman who recognized her own feral lovemaking style. She loved the challenge and the predator/prey aspect of her intimacy with Elias, eventually ceding control to him. But she also loved being in control and nurturing someone like Jesse. The situation that presented itself in her life seemed to be the perfect blend of both aspects of her personality.

Ms. Burkhart did a splendid job adding emotion and heat to the story that not only had me eagerly turning the digital page for more, but also has my yearning for the next story in the Connaghers saga.

Reviewed by: Bella