• Characters
  • Plot
  • Writing Style
  • Heat

CIRQUE DU MINUIT
By Annabel Joseph
Publisher: Scarlet Rose Press
Release Date: March 2012
Length: 69,000 words

It’s no easy feat transitioning from the disciplined arena of competitive gymnastics to the artistic whirl of the Cirque du Monde. Kelsey Martin finds secret inspiration in Theo Zamora, a dark, taciturn trapezist–until his partner dies in a tragic accident and he decides to leave the circus for good.

Theo doesn’t understand why Kelsey reaches out to him, only that she compels him with her unique combination of innocence and recklessness. Before long the two are collaborating on an aerial silks act for a new production, the Cirque du Minuit. Theo’s impatience with Kelsey’s naivete is matched only by his passion for her, and the two soon become embroiled in a tempestuous, consuming romance.

But some still blame Theo for his partner’s accident, and danger wraps up the two performers as inevitably as the scarlet silk of their act. Theo and Kelsey must find a way to connect and trust one another as he leads her deeper and deeper into a dangerous world of control and desire.

CIRQUE DU MINUIT was amazing. Annabel Joseph has such a unique and passionate voice in the BDSM romance genre, and her latest novel about performers in a French circus is a perfect example. The story was beautifully written with strong, complex characters, rich descriptions of circus life behind the curtain, and some incredibly hot and kinky scenes. When I think of the circus, BDSM doesn’t exactly come to mind, but Annabel Joseph made it work flawlessly.

The relationship between Kelsey and Theo was intense. Kelsey has spent a lifetime as the sensible good girl type. In many ways she is naive and innocent, yet also strong, stubborn and not afraid to speak her mind. Theo is dark and dangerous, a tortured hero for sure. They come together in the wake of tragedy and form a complicated bond.

As partners in a new aerial silks act for Cirque du Minuit, they go from teacher and student to master and slave. Theo introduces Kelsey to the world of BDSM, which includes visits to the Citadel, a fetish club for the circus’ performers. Kelsey is my favorite type of submissive. She’s fiesty and strong. She truly wants to submit, but is far from perfect. She takes her training in stride (and it was some deliciously wicked training). Theo made an irrestible dominant. There was so much more to him than he wanted others to know. He was commanding and intimidating, yet inside he had a vulnerable streak that made him very human.

CIRQUE DU MINUIT was a breathtaking story, and I was quickly pulled into its seductive world. I would be thrilled if this was made into a series. I have a feeling there are many more stories to be told. I would highly recommend Kelsey and Theo’s love story to fans of BDSM erotic romance.

Reviewed By: Diana

Find on Goodreads: Cirque du Minuit

Author’s Websites:
http://www.kinkyeverafter.com/
http://annabeljoseph.wordpress.com/