Dom of Las Vegas

Sin City, Book 1

By: Tricia Owens

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ethan Winter has known since he was a kid that he wants to work for the FBI. Until then, he's stuck modeling underwear and photographing cheating spouses for a private investigator. But when a trip to Las Vegas for a security conference brings him into contact with the magnificently dominant Maxmillian Poole, Ethan finds himself faced with a dilemma: pursue his childhood dream, or become the partner of a man who seems to know him inside and out - and who offers a life any submissive would crawl for.

©2016 Tricia Owens (P)2016 Tricia Owens

Oral Delight

I had already read the entire series so I knew the characters intimately. As my first audio book I was pleasantly surprised. Having the characters brought to life this way was really amazing. The voice actor did a nice job, more so for the men than the women's voices. The sex scenes were oh so sweet. Can't wait to hear the rest of the series.

Even better in audio!

I fell in love with these guys and their many escapades in the print version. I have read and loved all 10 volumes. Russo's performance enhanced the beginning of a story that is already dear to my heart.

I want to thank Tricia for writing a series that didn't leave me hanging at the end of each volume. I craved the continuation of their journey, but didn't feel like the story was incomplete each time I awaited the next episode.

If you enjoy a good MM romance with some serious spice, then this one is for you!

WOW!

The story starts out with Ethan Winters going to a conference in Las Vegas for work. His boss and coworker go with him. Larry and Bob. They have a night of watching topless girls and pole dancers. Even some lap dancing going on. Little do they know that Ethan prefers the male sex. I called the purpose of the trip a conference because I can't remember the wording. When they go in to get their stuff and see the different agents there, they collect business cards and check the place out. Ethan meets an interesting man there and lets him show him around the town. He also meets another very distinguished guy at the conference. After meeting the first one, Johnathan, they get it on. It's not too many weeks before him and the other guy Maximillion,do the wild thing. I know it sounds like he's a horn dog, but he just has an active sex life. Max has abstained from sex for many years due to a relationship gone sour. Ethan has been the first one to stir something in him. Who will Ethan wind up with and why would he want to move to Vegas from Indiana?

All I can say is wow! This is the first book or audiobook I've listened to with same sex partners. I'm not a big erotica reader. Only when the mood strikes. Not saying I don't like it, I like all genres. Well, let me tell you. I was driving down the road, just minding my own business and listening to this. When it got to the dirty talk and sex part, I ran off the road. No joke. Lol. Not sure how to answer about if I liked it. It kind of scared me. Lol. I will say I got an education. And I'm full of questions now. If you don't like same LGBT sex, this isn't for you. Two men together is kind of hot. Lol. Idk if women think that like men do about women or not. Maybe I'm warped. I wouldn't want to see in in person. Lol. I'm getting off topic. Anyway, it was a great story line with great world building. Ms. Owens did a wonderful job with character development! I just loved Larry and Bob. And I wanted to cry for Ethan around the end. Can't say or it will spoil it. But it was a happy ending. I would like to hear more of his story and what his life entails in the future. Sure hope that's what the rest of series will be about. It wasn't a cliff hanger though. It just ends where there are so many possibilities and adventures open for Ethan.

Excellent start to the series

Any additional comments?

The audio is so much better than the ebook. Nick Russo did an amazing job. He made each of the characters very destinced. the audio book was so much better than the ebook. I only have an issue that Ethan is called a blond. That so really bothers me. Other than that the story is pretty awesome. They are really starting to care for each other. I can't wait to read the rest of the books!!!

Great start to this series!

I really enjoyed this one! I honestly don't think I would have picked up this book on my own, but Nick Russo is an auto-buy for me. I will listen to just about anything he narrates :) And this one turned out to be surprising good! A small town boy from Indiana, a high roller from Las Vegas, some undeniable sexual chemistry, and this series is off to a great start. I definitely plan to continue...

Confusing BDSM fantasy

The plot is not confusing on the the whole, but the emotional tone is confusing as are some details needed to drive the plot.

Ethan wants to join the FBI. He has worked for this goal since he was a tween. He’s 25 and working as a private PI while he completes his prerequisites for applying. After his boss makes him pay for his own work conference, he meets a seemingly nice guy who wants to hook up. Then this fully adult, mostly sober surveillance professional lets a an unvetted stranger talk him into exhibitionist sex acts in public and somehow thinks “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Really, I should have stopped there. He also thinks that applying to the FBI with the right credentials automatically gets him in. He has no business being such a credulous rube with bad judgment.

I could spend time detailing problems but why bother. It’s clearly a fantasy plot. After the previously mentioned blow job, most of the sex in this sex fantasy is all tell and no show. Since it’s fiction either way, enjoy, but know that the promise of hot sex is not really delivered. Ethan meets Max and vets him by… knowing he’s popular. Max has been celibate since an ex said something hurtful (partially rooted in truth) during a breakup, because he makes life decisions based on perceived feelings of people who reject him. Then in one of Ethan & Max’s first few “sexual” encounters, Max basically pummels the heck out of Ethan who is expected to enjoy it. And he seems to. But holy 0 - 60, batman! We never see them build trust. Max demands it and Ethan thinks, literally, “a classy guy (read “rich”) like Max wouldn’t hurt me” and caves.

The prose kicks along. It’s fantasy BDSM. It’s not bad if you can suspend your disbelief about how unlikely every aspect of a major plot point is. It’s not bad if you’re ok with casual acquaintances heading straight to beating up a sex slave with little to no discussion of roles or boundaries because you can obvs trust the celibate Dom to know instantly how to use his new sub without actual damage. Because that is the awkward fantasy being sold. And yet that fantasy is only barely delivered. They spend quote a while apart and pining.

I think the book isn’t my thing. I think I worry too much about abuse to enjoy this fantasy. I think someone else might enjoy the escape which is why I’m keeping it at 3 stars. It is what it is so I’m trying not to judge against what it isn’t.

Steam: Med. Aside from the roughhousing and my previously stated abuse concerns, the sex is pretty tame for M/M BDSM kink. Mostly because too much happens off page or gets discussed as a future event.

Narration: The narrator badly mispronounces or substitutes a dozen or so words. Aside from the random uncorrected verbal stumbles, he does a decent job. Needed editing but the sound level is even at least.

Love this series and the audio does not disappoint

What made the experience of listening to Dom of Las Vegas the most enjoyable?

I loved this audio book. The narrator is fantastic and just how I imagined everyone sounding in my head. Not overly theatrical.

Fabulous Series Opener

Would you consider the audio edition of Dom of Las Vegas to be better than the print version?

About the same

What did you like best about this story?

I love the relationship dynamics

What does Nick J. Russo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The previous audio I listened to was also narrated by Mr. Russo, so I was a tiny bit concerned that I would have trouble hearing the same voice for different characters. I needn’t have worried a bit! Mr. Russo puts a new voice to Ethan and Max, and the other characters as well, so that I never once felt as though I was listening to a continuation of the previous story. He has a very easy voice to listen to – it’s almost comforting. I’m a bit late to this party, but I’m definitely a fan now and wouldn’t hesitate to choose one of his narrations. I sure hope he continues with the rest of this series, as I’m ready to hear the rest of the story as eagerly as I did reading it the first time.

Any additional comments?

This became one of my favorite series. I fell in love with Ethan and Max right away and gobbled up every book after this one. So, when I saw it was on audio, I had to grab it.

It is the story of Ethan, a young guy who dreamed of joining the FBI and had done everything in his power to make that a reality, and Max, a wealthy businessman and owner of a security company that provides bodyguards to the elite. When these two meet, the connection is instantaneous. Max senses a submissiveness in Ethan of which he never really grasped the extent of or never really put a name to. But, when Max is in charge, Ethan’s submissiveness shines. Yet it all feels very natural, on both ends. These guys end up in more of a power exchange and d/s relationship that I found quite interesting and refreshing.

Audio version only enhances the characters

Tricia Owens is already one of my favorite authors as she knows how to develop likable characters. In fact, it is hard not become truly become attached to her characters in her books. The main characters in the Dom series, Ethan and Max, are no different. What I especially liked about this audio version of Dom of Las Vegas was that I really got to know the character of Ethan. Listening to the story instead of reading helped me to understand who he is and what motives him. Honestly, I have read the book twice already but listening helped me to slow down and really enjoy. I loved how Nick J. Russo, the narrator, was able to give each character different voices - I never had a doubt about who was speaking and each voice really “fit” the individual characters as well. I have listened to other audio books and it is hard to find one that does this well. Russo and Owens make a great team! In fact, I've looked for other books narrated by Russo. The only downside was a technical issue, I think. Sometimes the volume or intensity of Russo’s voice changed mid-sentence. It seemed like the producers were unable to match the quality of the sound consistently. This has nothing to do with Owens’ writing nor did it take away the enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this audio book and hope there are plans for audio versions of the whole series!

I received a free audio copy of this book in exchange for a review.

was hoping for more

I was really hoping to like this book, but it fell flat for me. Narration was okay I guess, but not great. I felt that there was not much depth to the story and while the scenes could have been hot, I think the narration took away from them and I left this book feeling like it was a bit bland.

Great story and hot characters!

PI investigator and FBI hopeful, Ethan Winter’s Las Vegas security conference takes a man unexpected turn when he catches the eye of the powerful security boss and dom, Maxmillian Pool. Ethan is a natural submissive and these two are made for each other. The BDSM scenes were super hot and well-written, but the story was also really captivating. Nick J Russo narrates the audio superbly, voicing the characters and the steam like a champ!

narrated but no bed time story

read books first but later got audible books becouse they are well narrated by Nick J Russo.I never lost interest in the books while listening to them over a period of time. Good over all if you like this type of genre.