As a reviewer for an online website, Carmen has had plenty of stimulation for her fascination with the BDSM lifestyle. Her enthrallment extends to her absentee neighbor, who is dangerously sexy and one she wouldn’t mind cutting her submissive teeth on. When Jack overhears Carmen discuss the things she would like to have him do to her body, he immediately takes control. It doesn’t matter that he lives a lifestyle that could be dangerous to Carmen, all he knows is he wants to fulfill all the fantasies her voluptuous figure rouses. Duty calls, which means Jack and Carmen’s time together is short and not at all what they need to quench their desires. Carmen isn’t sure what Jack does for a living but she’s willing to take a chance that no matter where his job takes him he’ll be back.

Intense is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Jack and Carmen. A man who’s out of touch when it comes to wooing women and a submissive who’s vulnerable yet strong. Stealing Carmen is another arsenal in Gail Faulkner’s shelf of stories where a dominate male is key. As a shorter novella some of the background that normally comes with a Faulkner story isn’t present but the lack of a substantial build-up doesn’t take away from the eroticism of Stealing Carmen. Actually, it makes it more concentrated because I’m able to focus on the pleasure the heroine and hero bring to each other. Not on any underlying suspense which I would want to work out in my mind as I read. I’m sure fans of Ms. Faulkner’s work will enjoy this story and wind up looking forward to the next gem this talented author has to offer.