Rough Cut (Wicked Fantasies #3) by Mari Carr

Rough Cut (Wicked Fantasies #3) Reviews

• 
  Ridley

  For an erotic BDSM novella, it seemed to entirely lack BDSM scenes. The characters talked about them, and played at D/s ever so slightly, but when it came to showing the characters interacting meaningfully in bed, it was almost entirely vanilla. Carr seemed afraid of her own theme.
• 
  MsRomanticReads

  
  Since this was a short story, I won't elaborate on a synopsis. The summary more than covers the essentials.
  
  This is my first story by Ms Carr, so I can't compare it to any of her other work, however based off of this, I would read some of her other stories. A reviewer mentions that for a BDSM novella, it lacked BDSM scenes. Instead the H/H just talked a lot about it or the majority of their time indulging in their fantasies were just mentioned to move the story along. I had no problem still liking the story. I assume it's called a BDSM novella because the characters have anything but vanilla sex, and the heroine seems to like pain play – the label seemed to be more of a precautionary measure for potential readers. With that said, I thought the pace was good for the length of the book.
  
  Since BDSM involves a lot of trust on the participants' parts, it was a good idea for the author to mention that Ty and Gwen had emailed extensively before their first meeting. That at least afforded the reader some measure of assurance that these two potential strangers didn't just hop right into bondage play and more.
  
  Gwen's denial of her penchant for pain didn't surprise me. I don't think anyone into that particular lifestyle can just bring it up to their partner, especially if they didn't meet at places that cater to such interests. Her past lover labeled her as abnormal and she feels like a freak. No way would she let the handsome Hollywood hunk know about her desires. Made sense to me. As for Ty, his reluctance to show his cards too early made even more sense. His lifestyle would be fodder for any tabloid, so caution is of utmost importance. Lucky for him, he's a Master and can read signs very well, so he already knows what Gwen really wants. His ploy of reenacting her short stories just helps him pave the way of making her his, and freeing her of her demons.
  
  It was a steamy, short read with a sweet ending.
• 
  Julie

  The previous book I read by Mari Carr – Covert Lessons, published by Ellora’s Cave – was terrible, so I didn’t go into this one with very high expectations. However, this book was put out by a different publisher and therefore had a different editor. I found this book to be a great improvement over Covert Lessons.
  
  Gwen Preston has written a popular book of sex-themed short stories called Evening Songs. One of the stories, The Darkest Night, contained scenes of BDSM and Gwen, ashamed of her real-life interest in BDSM because (in part) of a previous relationship that went bad, used a pen name for that story.
  
  Ty Ransome is a Hollywood action star who wants to turn over a new leaf and do “serious” films. He has read Evening Songs and thinks the book would make a good basis for a movie. He has also discovered that Gwen was the true author of *all* of the stories in the book. This intrigues him because he is secretly a sexual dominant. He offers to purchase the movie rights to the stories with the requirement that Gwen help him write the screenplay.
  
  Gwen comes to Hollywood, and Ty puts her up in his guest house. He begins to visit her late every night, after she is in bed, and they talk for hours. Ty makes it clear that he is interested in her in more than a platonic way. Gwen initially keeps him at bay, but he eventually convinces her that he is sincere and also that they should reenact the scenes in her short stories as a way to help them develop the screenplay. Gwen agrees. During the course of this reenactment, Gwen and Ty discover each others secrets – that she is a submissive who craves (some) pain with sex and that he is a dominant who enjoys dishing out what she needs.
  
  I liked the chemistry between the main characters and the fact that the relationship didn’t start out with sex right away. I do wish that we had gotten to experience a little more of that initial phase of the relationship rather than simply being told that it happened. I also liked that Gwen has a spine. She doesn’t immediately cave to Ty’s desires, and she’s got a few good zippy comebacks for him. Ty is good hero; he is patient when Gwen seems to need it and later forceful in way that doesn’t make him seem like an ass.
  
  However, this book still suffers from some of the same basic writing problems as Covert Lessons – avoiding “said” as a dialogue tag (my biggest pet peeve); characters inferring the thoughts of other characters and telling the readers that, rather than the author *showing* the reader, occasional bits of stilted dialogue. The flaws are not as prevalent, though, so I don’t know if it’s result of the different editor, or if the author is improving her craft on her own.
  
  I would try another of Ms. Carr’s books, as long as it wasn’t from EC.
  
• 
  Anja

  2.5 stars.
  
  This had a very thin plot to support the sex. We are told the characters spent several weeks on the phone and email discussing their project but then when the heroine comes to town for a meeting with the hero she seems surprised by what he is offering. She’s barely in the limo after he picks her up from the airport before he is forcibly kissing her and discovering she likes pain and being submissive.
  
  While staying in his guest house, he intrudes into her bedroom while she is sleeping and refuses to leave. We are told they spend two weeks talking and getting to know each other on his nightly visits. He also rough houses with her showing how submissive she is.
  
  My biggest problem with the story is that it is all telling. I would’ve liked to see their relationship develop during the phone calls and nightly chats. I don’t mind they had sex right away but at no point in the book do we see them having a conversation about anything but sex and, less frequently, the project.
  
  I liked the idea of them acting out the different stories in the book the heroine had written but they were rushed and really only skimmed the surface of the fantasy/fetish aspect depicted in the heroine’s book.
  
  There was no emotional development shown and the characters were one-dimensional. The story merely serves as a vehicle for the sex scenes.
• 
  C Joy

  I didn't like this one the way I did her other works. I felt that the story was too short, the structure was there but missing a lot of things. It was really promising, Ty's character wasn't uncommon, he's one of those Hollywood big stars that suffer from the superficiality of it all. What I did like about the story was the outline, the title could work both ways since this work was a little roughened up, and because of the screenplay.
  
  It could have been better if it were longer, we would have known about Gwen's history, since Ty was poor, but the author didn't mention how he came to be, his big break, and all that. Rough Cut, as in unpolished. I would have liked if their film was appreciated by many, the way Ty was passionate about it. The love story was haphazard, probably because of their ages, and they're not getting any younger, and also because they felt right for each other. The chemistry was there, they had the same dark desires that can only fulfilled by each other.
  
  There were only few sex scenes here, but they were still hot, with the Mari Carr trademark.
• 
  Laura

  This was a Nook freebie, and I really had a hard time connecting to the H/H in this story, but I honestly didn't expect too much since again, it was free.
  I gave this story two and a half stars because some of the sex was hot, but most of it seemed rushed and hurried. Also, I didn't really get why Gwen was so ashamed of the fact that she likes it rough.....enjoy it! LOL!
• 
  Lindsay

  I was looking forward to reading this book, but it was just ok for me. I liked Ty and Gwen together, but I just didn’t connect with their story.
  
  I’m glad I was able to borrow this, because I don’t think I would have been happy paying for a story I didn’t really like. I probably won’t buy this book, but I might give another book by the author a chance.
  
• 
  Heather in FL

  Generally a cute book. I guess I'm just not really into BDSM. I mean it was kinda hot, but parts of it had me scratching my head.
• 
  Cyn Mistress Kitty

  I loved this short story. It was smokin' hot and both characters were great. I only wish it had been full length.
  
  Just did a re-read. This is one hot book. Much too short though.
• 
  Stephanie

  Very light BDSM, but over all very good story. I only wish that it was a little longer.
• 
  Katherine

  Converting a book to movie script would be a stressful and time consuming process, when your doing it with co writer well things might just get interesting.
  
  A beautiful short read. and the fact that I want to read the book and see the movie their talking about tells you how well developed the story is for a novella.
• 
  Katherine

  Converting a book to movie script would be a stressful and time consuming process, when your doing it with co writer well things might just get interesting.
  
  A beautiful short read. and the fact that I want to read the book and see the movie their talking about tells you how well developed the story is for a novella.
• 
  Shannon Vaughan-Patton

  Hollywood
  
  Wow, who knew Hollywood could be so "rough"? I mean that was steamy and Star shilling! These two characters not only build on the page but off the page as well. Some times in life you have to flip the script so to say to make oneself amazingly happy. Love how these two do it profession and personally. Can't wait to read more!
• 
  TinaMarie

  Flamin hot! Watch how this couple learns to accept that BDSM is part of their sexuality, while working on a screen play about Gwen's stories
  
• 
  Deborah

  I enjoyed this quick read. The sexy time was hot but it didn’t overtake the book. That’s not easy to accomplish. So yep definitely worth the read.
• 
  Shadow Jubilee

  2.5 stars
  
  This was a BDSM-light, erotic short story/novella. Gwen, thirty-four, is the secret sole author of a collection of short stories titled Evening Songs. She has dark desires which she keeps hidden from the world - and herself. Ty, forty, is a billionaire actor and producer who is tired of making action movies. When he comes across Evening Songs, he is determined to make a movie of a lifetime based on the stories. The stories, "The Darkest Night" in particular which explored the BDSM relationship of a fictional character, moved him and he believes that by collaborating with the author to write the screenplay, they would be able "to bring to the screen the same emotion, the same powerful characters and stimulating plot" as was in the stories. Incidentally, Ty, too, as deep, dark desires which he is forced to keep under wraps to avoid celebrity gossip. When Ty meets Gwen face-to-face for the first time, he believes that Gwen might be the one who can fulfill his deep, dark desires.
  
  I thought the writing and pacing was fairly good. While this was a quick read, it didn't feel rushed. The reader learns in the first few pages that Gwen and Ty had been corresponding by email and phone prior to their first meeting, and the relationship that had established between them had been one of mutual liking. Gwen's insistence on maintaining a professional relationship did slow the development of a sexual one. During this brief period, Gwen and Ty have night talks from which, I suppose, they learned a bit more about each other personally. I thought that this made the development of their relationship more realistic and less sudden.
  
  The characters were relatable. Part of what interested me were their respective ages. It is uncommon to come across couples of this age group in romance/erotic romance. Both Ty and Gwen had difficulties accepting their desires as a natural part of them. While Ty was less conflicted, Gwen had been very repressed. Ty's attempts to gradually steer his relationship with Gwen into a long-term BDSM relationship was the basis of this novella. It was interesting to read their thoughts and how they came to terms with their sexual preferences.
  
  I wasn't too keen on Ty the Dom. He was gentle, in a way, and rather patient with Gwen's fears, but I didn't feel the spark for him. Nonetheless, it was hard not to wish him the sexual slave that he desired. The novella spent a lot of time in his third person POV which helped me understand him better. It was his inner conflict, I guess, that attracted me to his character more.
  
  Gwen was a bit more frustrating. While I understood her resistance to acknowledging and accepting her sexual preferences, I got as frustrated with Ty at her stubbornness and refusal to believe that her needs were natural and not wrong. I guess I felt bad for Ty who was trying so hard to realize his HEA that I was getting irritated with Gwen for putting a delay to that goal. Gwen liked to challenge Ty, especially to get her way. This made for some erotic moments.
  
  The novella itself seemed BDSM-light because many of the heavier BDSM scenes such as the St. Andrew's cross, whipping, caning, etc. were only mentioned or implied, not shown. The BDSM/erotic scenes that were shown focused mostly on rough sex, some role-playng, bondage, spanking, hair pulling, and some D/s elements. The sex scenes were pretty erotic but I got tired of the constant fingering.
  
  First read: March 24, 2012 - 2 stars
  Second read: May 28, 2012 - June 13, 2012 - 2.5 stars
• 
  Wenj

  Review provided by
  Black Lagoon Reviews:
  
  Who doesn’t like reading all the latest gossip of Hollywood’s most elite? Certainly, I love me some great gossip so the premise of Rough Cut, the third novella in the Black and White Collection by Mari Carr, held quite a bit of promise for me. This was my first time reading this author as well and I have to say that I have mixed feelings after reading it. On one hand, I enjoyed the conflicted relationship between the characters, however, on the other I completely hated the self loathing going on within the heroine. Most of the novel was built up around sex, not a bad thing in and of itself, but there was little in the way of an actual story, which is a bad thing.
  
  Carr’s writing style is nice creating a fairytale like glow about the setting. I did enjoy the idea of the ‘behind the scenes’ premise delving deeply into the secret life of one of Hollywood’s leading men, however, that’s about where my enjoyment ended. The writing style failed to capture the characters or the story thus it didn’t draw me into the story. There’s a lot of the relationship that ended up on the cutting room floor that I would have liked to see because as hacked as the story comes out, I felt like I missed so much of the growing connection between the characters. Also, as far as the story goes, it never felt like it climaxed, instead staying pretty flat throughout lacking any ups or downs-well, aside from the characters’ moods that is.
  
  The characters themselves were a little flat, with all the development focused on their time spent in the bedroom. I hated the constant hesitation of Gwen to accept what she truly wanted when there was no question that Ty wanted to give her exactly the things she wanted most. The struggle to accept her sexuality was a bit tiring after, oh say, the second chapter because it’s the same things over and over again. Ty was also a little lacking as all we come to see through him is his lustful desire to have Gwen become his slave. Yes, there is some nice chemistry between them when Gwen isn’t thinking, but it failed to really ignite any of my feelings towards them.
  
  Overall, if you want a book filled with pretty much meaningless sex with the pretense that there is indeed meaning behind it, then this is the novella for you. Me? I like a little more development, even when it comes to my smut.
  
• 
  Kimberly

  Actor Ty Ransome is tired of being just another hunky action hero. He’s ready for a serious project and he has the perfect one in mind. Ty wants to bring a collection of short stories he found moving to the silver screen, and he wants to co-write the script with the book’s author, Gwen Preston. And when he meets Gwen, Ty immediately knows he wants to do much more than write with her.
  
  Author and self-proclaimed introvert Gwen Preston isn’t sure that turning her intimate, sexual stories into a movie would be such a great idea. She’s even less sure about working with Look magazine’s Hottest Man Alive. Ty is dominant, demanding, and determined to get Gwen into bed.
  
  Close quarters lead to Gwen giving into her attraction to Ty. But as they delve deeper into the world of her book and their own dark desires, Gwen has a choice to make. Can she open herself up to Ty and reveal what she truly needs to be fulfilled? Or will their relationship last only long enough for them to finish the screenplay?
  
  It’s a hot time in Hollywood with Rough Cut. Mari Carr takes readers on an explosively sexual journey with two protagonists who work hard and play harder. Nearly every page of Rough Cut scintillates, but I did find the transitions to be a bit abrupt at times, which jarred me out of the story a bit. I enjoyed Rough Cut but felt that the romance was overwhelmed by the sex. While there is no doubt Ty and Gwen are one hundred percent compatible sexually, the undercurrent of the love story didn’t come through as strongly as I had hoped. Still, I truly did like Rough Cut and its two protagonists and found myself engrossed in the story, rooting for Gwen and Ty to find their picture-perfect happily ever after.
  
  Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
• 
  Emily

  Hollywood bad boy, Ty Ransome is ready to change his persona from action star to serious role candidate. When he reads a book of short stories, he sees his chance at changing in his grasp. Inviting the mysterious author to his home to work on the script is his first step.
  
  Gwen is a little overwhelmed with the idea of her book becoming a movie, it holds personal meaning to her and her fear that it won't be accepted by others. Forming a unique relationship first over the phone and than in person, Ty seems to understand her more than she does herself, but can she trust him. When Ty suggests they recreate the theme of the different stories for the first time Gwen holds an ounce of hope that Ty will be the one who can give her what she truly needs.
  
  Excellent story, I could not remember it enough to write a review but an fantastic reread. Gwen is vulnerable and you understand from the beginning that it is causing her to hedge where Ty is concerned. Ty is swoon worthy, there is one part in this book that really was beautiful in the beginning of his courthip of Gwen, although Gwen doesn't realize it yet.
• 
  Margie Church

  I really enjoyed the premise for this story and the way Carr set the chapters up. The emotions were very compelling, especially in the last chapter. The scene where Gwen comes to the set was extremely hot, as was the following in the car. Limo sex is always enticing in my book. People looking to learn about the BDSM lifestyle will get a nice education. LOL
  
  This was a short story, so I have to give the author liberties to cut certain things short. However I did find some of the transitions jarring. For example, when Gwen leaves Ty's place for those two weeks at the start of the book, I would have liked to have that separation explored a little bit. She suddenly was coming back. Sometimes I struggled to to get a really clear sense of Ty's emotions...he and Gwen seemed to be a little too similar in the way they expressed themselves or thought to get distinct personalities. The POV switches mid-paragraph contributed to this.
  
  Having said that, again, I really liked this book and the issues I had with it were not significant. Writing short stories/novellas is tricky.
• 
  Lady Raven RAVE!

  This wasn't a bad read but I have a few buts. Ty and Gwen were good together and the sex was good don't get me wrong but the writing stlye confused me. Ty and Gwen met discussing the book next thing I know their kissing and having sex I had to go back a page or too because I thought I miss something, it's like it went A to M instead of A to B it wasn't only the sex it was other things. I don't mind the bondage but it wasn't believable to me that Ty and Gwen were trying to write a script based off her book about sex/ bondage and Ty think it's going to be a movie that people will take him seriously in Hollywood.
  
  I know when to releax and not read too much into fiction because when I read I want to be taken away beyond the norm. And get
  Lost in a book no matter how bizzard the plot, but this book it was a split it in the middle for me. The sex and the little things were ok but the story line kind of jump around a bit
• 
  LynnMarie

  Clare C's Review
  
  Ty is an action star looking to expand his career. Gwen is a writer who catches his attention with a collection of short stories she wrote. This collaboration can’t help but be more than business. Both characters spent their lives battling ‘dark’ urges. Ty is a Dom who wants a sub, but he can’t do anything that would damage his star status. Gwen seems to have given up on relationships because she can’t find a man who can truly dominate her.
  
  The idea isn’t new and neither is the plot, but in Carr’s hands, the characters come alive from the first page. I picked this up intending to look it over before bed, thinking maybe I’d read it the next day, and I never put it down. I couldn’t. The dynamic characters sucked me in and the emotionally-charged sex scenes were both erotic and romantic. This is something you can read twice because you know exactly how good it’ll be the second time. Thank you, Ms. Carr.
  
  
  4 1/2 Tea Cups!
  
  
• 
  Kelly

  I really liked this story. Yes, it dips into bondage and submission, but it's not overly graphic in my opinion. In fact, I think I'd term it "bondage light". Seeing as how I like my main men Alpha, this didn't bother me so much.
  
  Gwen has a need to be dominated and she likes a touch of pain during sex, two things that she has brutally repressed in herself. Ty's acceptance of this side of her and his willingness to draw her out makes what could have been a cookie cutter story sweet. The fact that Ty represses the dominant side of his personality so as not to give the tabloids fodder make the two of them pretty much perfect for one another.
  
  To make a long review short, it's a short story with plenty of sex. It's well written and was steamy enough to make me happy.
  
  -Kelly @
  Reading the Paranormal
• 
  Diana~ (Kiss Me Books)

  As much as I always enjoyed Ms. Mari Carr's other works, this one just didn't cut it for me. Hey, at least it was a freebie! There was a plot... but it was so underdeveloped and the characters kind of pissed me off. We get no explanation as to why Gwen needs pain in her relationship. I guess she enjoys it? But yeah, no real explanation why. As for the hero, he was so flat. We get that he's a dominant, but is there really nothing else about him that we should get to know? Although I do have to say that the chemistry between the characters was explosive! Literally. I'm not a fan of BDSM, especially with extreme pain and stuff... but this was pretty light. The author doesn't go much into detail when it comes to those things, but readers do get the point.
  
  Overall, I did like it... but it was not the author's best work. 3/5 stars.
• 
  Jenn

  THIS BOOK WAS HOT!!!! Oh so freakin' HOT!
  
  I read it in less than a day, and I worked 7 hours today.
  It was like one giant sex scene with enough plot to keep you hooked.
  I cannot wait to check out her other works!
  
  Thank you Amazon for the free download because I had never heard of Mari Carr before!!!!
  
  
  For the faint of heart....
  the "C" word was used a few times (not my favorite word)
  There is also some light dom/sub play and an anal scene.
• 
  Tess

  I really liked this book and would have given it 4 stars but for two things. Gwen's self loathing over her sexuality especially when it was painfully [pun intended] obvious that Ty shared her kinks and the ending seemed rushed as if the author wanted to wrap up this story quickly and move on. I could have liked Ty and Gwen a lot given more time with them in the bedroom with Gwen embracing her fantasies and with an ending that was less like a "wham bam thank you ma'am" kinda thing.
• 
  Liz Blue

  Meh. I actually deleted this one (a freebie) from my kindle after reading it. I find I only like erotic romance when the focus is more on the romance than on the sex. That is--I like romance novels with dirty, explicit sex that is there for a reason, either to reveal character or further the plot. Erotica without the romance is fine, too--I just don't want an "I love you" slapped on the end.
• 
  AliciaJ

  I never thought I'd rate a BDSM erotica story as sweet, but that was what this was. There wasn't a lot of detail on the BDSM sex, more on the reluctance of Gwen, the heroine, to explore this side of her nature and how Ty, our hero, helps her get past her hang-ups. It was ok for a very short story. I don't know that I'll go for another one by this author.
• 
  Mahalia Levey

  Yowzers. I found the story both comical and entertaining. Definitely hawt. I really enjoyed reading it, couldn't put it down. Loved how the emotions brought the heat level up even more with real life fears and desires.