Off Stage: Beyond the Footlights

Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This is the third book in the Off Stage series. Although I highly recommend that you read the first two books in this series because they are amazing and you will understand the dynamics of this book better, I don’t think that you will be lost without reading them. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader up to speed into the backstory from the first two books. The story revolves around Kilmer. Kilmer is a very complicated character. We met him in the second book of this series. He is not only the manager of Vance’s ranch but also a good friend to both Vance and Len. Oh, he is also Vance’s former sub. I did say complicated. That is only the beginning. He is also at the end of a four-year relationship with his Dom, Jacko. When Kilmer’s and Jacko’s relationship comes to a violating end. Vance and Len help to pick up the pieces. At their urging, Kilmer goes back home to decide what to do with the house that he shared with Jacko. When he goes to a local pub to embark on a pity party he meets Tanner, the singer who feels compelled to take care of the broken man. When Tanner realizes that Kilmer has a connection to Jacko, the bass player in his band that disappeared, he starts to put the pieces together. Tanner’s attraction for Kilmer is strong, but his own bad experience with a former sub has him moving with caution. There is strong chemistry between Tanner and Kilmer. There is more heat in this book than the other two books, but it is tame for a BDSM story. The story moves along quickly. I love how characters from the first two books make appearances in this story. I can honestly say that I loved the end of this story bringing closure to not only Kilmer and Tanner but Len and Trevor. As with the first two books, the author pays particular attention to character development. These characters are so complicated and we get to see them become strong and comfortable with themselves.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 4 Stars
PACING: 4 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars



Review Copy of Off Stage: Beyond the Footlights provided by the Dreamspinner Press I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club

Reviewed by Erin for Dreamspinner Press

I am huge Jaime Samms fan, y'all. Like HUGE. And I'm especially fond of the Off Stage series. These guys, man,they've been through some heavy stuff. Book three of the incredible series (if you haven't checked it out thus far, I urge you to do so ASAP), Off Stage: Beyond the Floodlights is a little different in that Kilmer Hennessey isn't a member of the rock band Firefly which is the focus of the first two books. He is an important person in the periphery of their lives though and we've seen him in book two so he's not new. He's the ranch manager at Vance Ashcroft's ranch and his ex-submissive as well. He's friends with Vance's partner Lenny and this bond plays an important role in the book as a whole.

These books are all a bit interconnected and Beyond the Floodlights picks up right after the ending of book two. And what a beginning it is! It's a bit rough to get through, but it's obvious from the get go that Kilmer is in for some big changes. He's been with his Dom, Jacko, for years and things haven't been the best, to say the least. Kilmer is unhappy, and it's not until he is literally forced to face the unhappiness and dissatisfaction in his situation that he makes a change. With the help of his best friend Vance and Vance's partner and a fellow submissive, Lenny, Kilmer is finally able to take a step back and see what and who it is exactly that he's searching for. He just doesn't expect that someone to be the sexy front man singing in the local bar. Tanner Jones at first glance seems like a laid back good ole' boy, but there is a Dominant simmering just below the surface. From the moment these two meet there's an instant attraction and a recognition that if they just tried, they could very definitely give the other what they want and need.

This is Jamie Samms so you know things aren't going to be easy, and they aren't. Kilmer is really struggling to try to understand where and how things went so wrong with Jacko and get to a point where he trusts his own judgment. Jacko really did a number on Kilmer's self-esteem and even with Vance and Lenny's love and support, this isn't an easy journey to heal for Kilmer. Tanner is dealing with his own ghosts, but I've got to tell you guys, Tanner was SO fantastic. His goodness and genuine need to be there for Kilmer was so swoony and sexy. And yes, when these two find themselves in bed together, they definitely steam up the bedroom! But their relationship is based on much more than just sex and D/s. They like one another and are friends ... even though this takes a bit of time to develop.

As much as I loved Kilmer and Tanner's story, I have to say my very favorite moment of the book was the reconciliation between Lenny and his bandmates, most especially with his estranged best friend, Damien/Trevor. My heart melted seeing these two finally come full circle and be able to be the kind of friends they were always meant to be. A truly heartclenching, emotional scene and one that totally encapsulated their long, painful journey toward healing. *sigh* I am so sad to say goodbye to these fabulously written characters. None of them are perfect and they've all been through so much, but Samms more than delivered on their happily ever afters. Don't miss this book or this series, it's really something special.