Bound by Desire

Wonderland #3

by Cheyenne McCray, Jaymie Holland

Professor Annie Travis is an academic force to be reckoned with. No one sees the true Annie, the shy, inexperienced southern lady taught to hide her every need and desire.

No one except the King of Diamonds. Karn draws Annie into his magical world, intent on teaching the teacher the true meaning of passion by dominating her and making her his submissive queen.

But even as he teaches Annie how to free herself, Karn's dark past imprisons his heart and soul, keeping him from giving his love to any woman. Will Annie be able to turn the tables on Karn and teach him how to love again?

Genres: Erotica, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Romance, BDSM, Paranormal, Erotic Romance

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Cheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.

Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.

Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a request for erotica readers advisory so I thought it was a good time to read another book in the genre. This one was better than some I've read - at least an attempt was made amid the BDSM sex to give the heroine a background and a personality. The hero was pretty much a cardboard "you will submit to me" oaf.

This is from an Alice in Wonderland erotica series.

It is interesting that the heroine is described as a plus size 16 and the naked chick on the cover is a little skinny thing.

[Stephanie Boisvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in this series is just as good as the first one.

I feel it suffers a little of the same fate as the second one where things seem a bit rushed but this one definitely had a better flow than the second one though. The pacing just made better sense to me.

I feel like there are a lot of us that can relate to Annie as well. We have found ourselves in situations where we love harder than the other person.

I feel like the relationships while slightly unrealistic due to the timeline, are actually very real and believable.

[Never Stop Reading or Dreaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

I like how these books are all entangled. I think that's great. Plus I really like these books. They show books like these can feature all types of women. Plus, this was just a fun read!

[Berryshady]

Zero stars from me.

[Cherie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read.

[Stephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars


The magical land of Tarok is divided into four kingdoms and is ruled by four brothers. In Bound By Desire, we visit the Kingdom of Diamonds to meet the stern yet fair ruler who refuses to give his heart to anyone, even his destined mate. One minute Annie Travis is in her home in San Francisco and the next she is pulled through one of her paintings and into an unusual yet beautiful place. Upon her arrival, she's informed that she will become Karn's mate and queen. At first Annie is outraged that he assumes she'll simply submit to him but she can't help melting under Karn's skilled touch and desire to teach her all about pleasure. As much as Annie loves having all her sexual fantasies fulfilled, she wants something more meaningful from Karn and it just may be more than Karn is willing to give.

This is book three in the Wonderland series and I think the best so far. This is an erotic paranormal series, so there's a lot of sex but there's also a little more to it. Karn is a shifter and a dominate. He's experienced heartache in the past and while he's willing to do his duty as king and mate with Annie, loving her is out of the question. But as you might expect, things don't go according to plan. Karn likes her sexual innocence and at times defiance of his commands but not that she's starting to chip away at the ice around his heart. In the beginning, Annie is shy and when she does build up the nerve to talk back to Karn, it feels like an empty threat. She doesn't become this strong willed, spine of steel heroine by the end of the book but she does build up the courage to recognize that she deserves all of Karn and won't settle for less. The romance between them was sweet, the sex was blazing hot and I thought their dominate/submissive relationship had a good balance to it.

Sex does take center stage throughout the book but we do get a chance to see the Kingdom of Diamonds. It's a tight knit community by ocean with citizens that both respect and care for their king. I thought these scenes were a welcome reprieve between bouts of sex. This would be a good series to check out if you're a fan of erotic paranormal/fantasy romance. As a heads up, this book does contain a few F/M/F, F/F and light bondage scenes.
My Rating: 3.5/5
- Stephanie



Karn the third brother and the King of Diamonds, has to go retrieve his mate and queen. What he founds when he gets her amazes him. He longs for this woman like none he has ever had. She sets his body alive and drives him to utter madness with need. A virgin of all things, something he would normally detest in a woman. But with her it spurs a possessive urge because his inner beast likes that he would be the only male to have ever taken her. This urge is one that overrides all common since. Even with all this he still is unable to let go of all the hurt of his past and give of his heart .

Annie Travis has missed her cousins’ desperately since they disappeared. If not for her cat Abra and her aunt Awai she would truly feel alone. Having no man ever in her life was weighing heavily on her but when a sexy dominating man emerges from her painting and takes her into it her whole life changes.

Suddenly her body is out of control with need for this man, this stranger. She can't seem to get enough of him. Even though she is inexperience in the pleasures of a man she knows he is taking her higher than any man could ever take her. If only he would let her in, he keeps her at a safe distance from his heart. Can she truly live with this man if all he can give her is extreme pleasure but never love?

This is the third book on Jaymie Holland's Wonderland series. Every page is sexy and steamy. Be warned book could catch on fire the scenes are soo hot. I like the story line in each book. The whole world building is excellent and the characters take on a life of their own. My favorite is sill book two, Claimed by Pleasure, but this book is still equally entertaining. The entire book is quick and fun. It was a wild ride through the whole book, I couldn’t put it down.

I would say I usually like a little more story in my books, but it’s a nice change when they are quick and easy. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, it didn't make me like the book less, I just didn't feel that rush I feel when I get so involved with my characters. The story was good a little too simple but good. I'm not a big fan of the whole dominatrix scene, so I could do without the whole call me sire and you may not climax without my permission bit. I will most defiantly read the fourth book when its released. I am very excited to see the last brother’s book.
My Rating: 3/5
- Athenna

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

***A gifted copy was provided by the author for an honest review****

This is an updated story by the author from a story she wrote several years ago.
This is book three in the series of the Wonderland series & this book is Annie who is a college professor and artist &Karn- the King of King of Diamonds story.
Annie has never stopped looking for her twin cousins who have been missing for a long time. They disappeared one after another and the disappearance is strange but no one really took their disappearance seriously in her mind. To take her mind of their disappearance, she starts painting this strange painting -One minute Annie Travis is in her home in San Francisco and the next she is pulled through her painting and into an unusual yet beautiful world. Upon her arrival, she's informed that she will become Karn's mate and queen . This is where the story really takes place and a lot of the action and romance really gets going.

Karn is a shifter and an Alpha male. He's experienced pain in the past and while he's willing to do his duty as king and mate with Annie, loving her is out of the question in his mind. As you think, even though he thinks he cant love her, things do not go as planned. Karn likes her sexual innocence and at times defiance of his commands but not that she's starting to chip away at the ice around his heart. In the beginning, Annie is shy but when gets the nerve built up to talk back to Karn, it feels like hot air. She doesn't become this strong willed heroine by the end of the story but she does build up courage to see that she deserves all of Karn and his love and won't settle for anything less. The romance between the two was sweet, the sex was of the chain hot and I thought their BDSM relationship was shown in a good light and not skewed. I really appreciated the author taking the time to just write something and call it a BDSM when it would not be.
This story has the elements of evil in it and there are twists and turns to expect. That is also the great thing and which will lead into book four. Great writing by the author.

My rating: 4.4 stars ****

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Bound By Desire” by Jaymie Holland (Cheyenne McCray) is the third in her delightfully erotic ‘Wonderland’ series which gives a spicy twist to the Alice in Wonderland premise. Karn is the ruler of the Kingdom of Diamonds and younger brother to High King of Tarok Jarronn. This powerful tiger shifter has never found a single woman who could satisfy his carnal appetites but resigns himself to accepting the mate whom the cards dictate for him. Annie Travis has never stopped looking for her twin cousins who disappeared one after the other under mysterious circumstances. Inexplicably drawn into another world, she discovers that her untutored passions have been waiting for Karn to inflame her body and soul and he is an enthusiastic teacher of the virginal mate that he has claimed. Annie is not sure that she is ready to offer the Dominant male her complete submission but she wants to believe that the person she offers her heart and body to will offer his in return. The only problem is that Karn is quite willing to give his body and sensual expertise but has closely guarded his heart ever since the tragedies that befell his family. The question is, will the teacher allow himself to be taught?

Another inventive addition to the series. Several female/female scenes to ratchet up the
spice as well as cameos by the women who have captured the hearts of the twins of Karn’s family. A smaller yet just as fearless feline also has a role to play in this entertaining tale of Annie’s flowering into a sensual woman who becomes an integral part of the Kingdom of Diamonds.

© Night Owl Reviews

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so we come to the story of the smart, artistic, full figured Annie.

This book lost a star because I found myself wanting just a bit more. Although, King Karn was my favorite of all the men in the series (I tend to sway more towards tall, dark, and brooding) I found that it needed just a bit more to fully finish it as a story for me.

You have Annie, who out of the four woman from the series she is the most delicate. She is a virgin, she's 30, and she finds she is lonely. That is, till King Karn picks his card and she pops up as his mate.

Annie wants the DOM/sub relationship, she likes his control, she likes is darkness, but she also sees his gentleness that he is hiding away from everyone. Annie is not a full sub, however. There are pieces that she is totally unwilling to do, and she is told by Karn, if at any time you find what I'm doing to you, or what you need to do unpleasureable tell me and it will stop immediately. Just like a good DOM he does when she finds that she does not want to be seen in public naked. He allows her to be covered up as they go out and walk around.

Annie is very sweet, I didn't mind her. I got her as a character, and I got her ultimate attraction and need for Karn.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Book 3- woohoo!! I've been waiting oh so patiently for this one and was so excited that it's finally out!

Annie Travis, college professor & artist, is celebrating the anniversary of her cousin's disappearances by painting. When her Aunt Awai shows up to try and cheer her up, Annie comes out of her artistic trance to discover a painting totally out of her comfort zone. It's dark, broody, and altogether magical! When that painting comes to life and Karn, King of Diamonds, claims Annie through this painting the story takes off.

Karn is different from his brothers because he holds back his emotions from everyone. He doesn't want to take the chance on openly loving someone and then having his heart crushed again. This makes him come off like a big jerk for the first half of the story with only little glimpses of a human underneath. Good thing I love myself some jerk type heroes! ;) Karn just pulls at me and Annie can't help but fall for the damaged King.

These two definitely have the most rocky relationship so far and I loved every minute of it! I hope that the big bad is actually gone for good but, I doubt it there is still one more book left after all! I can't wait for the next book in the series so her I go waiting patiently..... ;)

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound by Desire: King of Diamonds was another fantastical trip to the erotic world of Wonderland! Jaymie Holland has re-worked and added over 60 pages to her original book.

In book #3 we have Karn & Annie's super-sexy story. Karn is the King of Diamonds in the land of Tarok. He is a shifter and a highly sexual dominant who has ever been satisfied by a single woman. Karn accepts his fate to take Annie as a mate but, he will not open his heart to her. Annie has spent the past 2 years searching for her missing cousins and on the anniversary of their disappearance, she is magically swept into the painting she is creating and brought to Tarok to become the mate of the King of Diamonds. When she learns that her missing cousins are near by, Annie insists on seeing them. Karn has other ideas...and wants her to submit to his desires before they are reunited.

I loved this series when I first read it years ago, and now, with the expanded scenes, it is even better. The highly erotic world of Tarok is not your childhood Wonderland~It's so much better!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Wonderland series. and really my rating here is more of a 3.5 which. In the first two books the leading ladies were twin sisters and in this, the 3rd installment Annie is their cousin.

This book might have been a solid 4 to even a 4.5 star rating if I hadn't felt like the leading man was missing fangs. Yes, the third brother is so dark and broody that on any given day he could stand out in sunlight and sparkle. Hey, I get it. As a woman I too have had fantasies about the man that I can redeem. I just felt like the author had been creative enough up until now that she could have created a broody character that defied convention a little bit.

The redeeming qualities of this book are Annie and her cat. Yes, the extra half star may be from the cat alone that has no problem standing up to a weretiger and thinks she runs the mansion. She successfully adds a comical note that is needed to overcome the broody vampire want to be.

[Kate Cardenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

rom bestselling author Cheyenne McCray, under the name Jaymie Holland, comes the third novel in a very sexy paranormal series about four powerful shapeshifter brothers who are each destined to find--and claim--their one true mate.

Professor Annie Travis is an academic force to be reckoned with. However, no one sees the true Annie, the shy, inexperienced southern lady taught to hide her every need and desire.

No one except the King of Diamonds. Karn, a powerful shapeshifter, draws Annie into his magical world, intent on teaching the teacher the true meaning of passion.

But even as he teaches Annie how to free herself, Karn's dark past imprisons his heart and soul, keeping him from giving his love to any woman. Will Annie be able to turn the tables on Karn and teach him how to love again?

[Nancy Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Sweet and fantasy filled. Fairytale-ish erotica!! BDSM theme is just slight and nicely titillating. This was my first full length of this author and I think she has a wonderful imagination. This is also an earlier one of her books, 2003. This book has some very humorous moments. The only downside for me was the female characters body type did not match the authors created numeric size-the proportions were soooo wrong, but I overlooked it as best as I could. She also could have been more descriptive of the male lead character. Although HOT as could be, the cover helped in imagining the facial features which to me is so very important. A+ book and will look for other titles in this series.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books.. sometimes they infuriate me.. but it did make me feel better when I read the warning or.. whatever at the beginning of the book that this is not a true representation of a BDSM relationship. It tugs at my heartstrings when I read these books.. because the level of dominance at the beginning is extreme and cold. And I sit there screaming WHAT ABOUT A SAFE WORD!!?? But it all works out in the end.. and it's still pretty hot.. ~grins~ ok.. maybe really hot..

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the original story probably three times. Besides the first chapter it was hard to find some of the additions because the story sounded so natural, as if it should have been written this way from the beginning. I am so happy that Jaymie (Cheyenne McCray) decided to change the first chapter. In the original version it was what bugged me the most. The new into is so much better and lets you enjoy the story from the get go.

[BobaFett114 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This is Karn and Annie's story. I found it to be more sweet then the first two. Karn is not as demanding in the bedroom as his brothers were. He does ask Annie to submit to him, but it doesn't take up most of the story. This is the story I wanted told. I like Annie, she is sweet and shy, which I think is really a part of most women. You have to read these in order though.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this entire series. One the one hand, the sex is hot and the heroes are strong, manly men. But, on the other hand, most of the heroines are too weak for my taste and the scenarios are a little too forced. I just wish the women had put up more of a fight or at least had a little more dramatic tension.

Its a quick read and I'd probably give it 2.5 stars if I could.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still trying to figure out where the BDSM is in all of this. Kind of kinky story. Yet another woman is lured over. I read the first two so I had to finish the rest of the series to see what happened. That's the only reason why I'm reading all of these.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed Karn & Annie's story it wasn't my favorite of the bound series. I thought the first two were better but as we grow closer to the conclusion I find that I'm still reading the series.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie & Karn

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Annie & Karn's story very much. I love reading a happy ever after story it makes me feel better after a very hard day. Thank you for writing this story.

[Jennifer Zwierz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next best in the series

Third in the series but still a dark brooding story with a happy ending kinda like beauty and the beast but with lots of sex a must read for the fans in the series.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, disappointed that Karn was with other women while choosing his mate. I feel it is cheating on them somehow but other than that it is an enjoyable story in much the same vein as the precious two.

[Karry]

Fantastic read!!

This story was more like Beauty and the Beast than Alice in Wonderland, but just as amazing as the other two in the series! I absolutely loved how everything happened. I can't wait for book 4!!

[Jane (PS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Thought it could be further expanded in to a more complete story. But really, this is a read for pure enjoyment - not for analysis!!

[Niki_B · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this as an ebook when it had been prev published under Cheyenne McCray as her wonderland series. this one was titled King of Diamonds and it was my favorite of the Wonderland books

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and erotic. My favourite book in this series. Gentle innocent Annie helps Karn acknowledge buried emotions.

[Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprint, I read the original King of Diamonds under Cheyenne McCray and loved it!

[Katie Rasmussen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dangerous, exotic and curling-my-toes exciting, would the be right words for this book.

[Frankie]

Good book