Begging for It

Pace’s erotic sequel to Asking for It features the dark side of a kinky romance that might offend the squeamish reader. Twenty-something Vivienne Charles suffered a traumatic sexual encounter at the age of 14. Its residual effects have left her seeking therapy—and romantic acceptance—for her fantasies of being raped. Meeting Jonah Marks turned out to be the silver lining within an otherwise bit of bad luck. A good man, he has an equally disturbing yet complementary kink. However, despite being able to trust each other with blindfolds and ropes, they take longer to open their hearts. When the same bit of bad luck that brought them together threatens to destroy them, the tension builds. Both plot and characterization gain strength as Vivienne and Jonah deal with multiple conflicts—personal, mutual, and external. Though the story needs some tightening, it’s still a worthwhile read for its insightful (though graphic) portrayal of people with rape fantasies. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary Agency. (Sept.)