Reading is like breathing...

4.5 stars. Review completed March 20, 2014







Respect.
Trust.
Acceptance.
Authenticity.
Honesty.
Appreciation.
Love.

A few years ago Steve quite literally ditched his abusive Master's shackles and fled to England. Now he's back in Australia to claim the life and property he had to leave behind and attends a charitable fundraiser impersonating Stevie Nicks. Good ole Steve is quite…er…busy that evening.

"I thought this was a c@ck-sucking contest, not bobbing for apples in a bloody barrel."

Sorry, no c@ck just an apple...


Steve is relieved to not run across his former lover but it so happens that another Master crosses his path. Master D. At first sight there's no love lost between them but that's about to change when they start to work together to untangle their past. 

This book…oh, where to start? Don wears a ridiculous moustache for crying out loud! (view spoiler) Lol Back to being serious, though. There is so much to love about L+L. However, what clearly stands out for me personally is the unconventional resolution of L+L. It took me by surprise and it wasn’t something I’m used to encounter in BDSM romance books. Big, big, big thumbs up from moi! Also, there was plenty of room for character and story development which I always appreciate very much. There's actually not a lot of smexin' in this story. The author’s storytelling skills are of high quality and very engaging. While Leather+Lace was my first read by A.B. Gayle, I’m very sure it won’t be my last.

They say (view spoiler) Mine seemed to be on a time delay. 



Leather and Lace -- Stevie Nicks and Don Henley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofLasL...

Steve aka Stevie Tricks 
Despite Steve being into drag I bonded very easily with him. I liked the prickly Steve who dished out smart-ass remarks and was hiding his true self behind an armor of humor to divert from his insecurity, vulnerability and fear. The more (view spoiler)The physical scars, proof of the abuse he suffered from his former Master Julius, will never go away but what about Steve’s mental scars? Did the therapist take care of those? The psychological aspect of L+L and the way the author dealt with all the resulting issues which, ultimately, led to that thoughtful resolution were convincing and felt like the real deal to me. The outcome almost tempted me to give this book five stars. Almost.





(view spoiler)

What a beautiful and thoughtful analogy. Love it.



Master D 
Don was pretty ripped but he wasn’t a gorgeously tall or handsome man yet I adored him nonetheless. It’s actually true, what’s most important about a human being comes from the inside. Personality, charisma whatever you want to call it and Don had exactly that in spades. In fact, Don represents more than dominance, whips and chains. He’s an empathic and caring man; very level-headed and smart. Don helped Steve to obliterate the frightening thoughts of his past and regain his confidence. Step by step he encouraged him in a subtle way to confront specific situations that triggered bad memories and he accomplished to extend Steve’s limitations. He never put any pressure on Steve. No claims, no demands. And Don showed Steve that not all Masters are abusive pigs like Julius. Ultimately this was not only about trust, it was about a mutual respect and treating each other as equals. Respecting the man behind the slave. Respecting his thoughts, needs, wants as well as his boundaries. I always like to see a man’s vulnerable side and Master D sure had to deal with a couple demons of his own. When (view spoiler) Due to his feelings of inadequacy, which a good Master can’t afford to have, he isn’t sure if he’s ready to accept and embrace the role of a Master again.

Just when I was admiring Don’s prudence…

(view spoiler) Aside from that faux-pas he handled every situation carefully and he made well-considered decisions.

(view spoiler) Don had captured my body, my heart, and my soul. 



Under the direction of Don, an accumulation of many natural momentums of the water carried Steve back to the shore; his feet found purchase on solid, nurturing and trustworthy ground.

Leather+Lace can be read as a standalone.

Especially recommended to (M/M) BDSM novices but also seasoned M/M readers should give it a shot.

If you'd like to read the spoilers then check out the GR link below.