So much better than the first! Much hotter & includes a storyline!
I really didn't care for the first book in this trilogy, but I was encouraged to read the sequel by several fans of the series... GOOD CALL! Immediately, I was amazed at the difference in these two books... Where as the first book seemed to be just one huge relentless spanking with no real character development or story, this book truly developed each main character by explaining events from their perspective AND included a rather interesting story line!

Although I had never given much thought to what a BDSM relationship must be like, Rice's descriptions were mind blowing! I was amazed at the internal battles these characters faced, as well as the torment they endured for the sake or earning approval. I was blown away by the relationship that Tristan formed with his master, as well as the differences in Beauty's and Tristans perspectives on their slave lifestyle. And FINALLY, I actually cared about what was happening to these characters! I found I didn't want to put this book down because I just had to know what was coming up next!

The erotic scenes were SUPER steamy, especially those centered around Tristan, and they actually tied into the development of the characters and the story. The end of the book actually included a great cliff hanger, which made me wish I had already picked up book three!

WARNING TO CONSERVATIVE READERS: This book is VERY explicit and includes some male-male as well as male-female-female interactions. If you don't like these types of materials, you may wish to stay clear of all the Beauty books. Otherwise, if you are open minded and want to read something with edge, this is a most interesting and unique read!

Painful read
Well, I finally got a copy of this and the others in the series as well as East of Eden. I had seen the movie East of Eden and enjoyed dana delaney in that movie, but the book was not nearly as much fun. I am no stranger to the dominate submissive scenario, but believe me, the writings of Ms. Rice do not capture the flavor of what I consider to be fun, exciting and satisying. Everyone enjoys a good spanking and a bit of humiliation, but come on; Ms. Rice is one sick person who apparently feels that torture will titilate her readers. Certainly, performing various tasks in the nude and in compromising positions can be exciting and rewarding especially if you are doing it for someone you really care about. Scrubbing floors nude with a kneeling pad is quite logical and more comfortable without the confines of clothing. Getting spanked naked in the open and with others around is certainly liberating and fun, but having one's bottom abused and bruised crosses the line of fun and enters the realm of torture. I know these books are fiction, but even fiction should not be so cruel. What else would you call shoving a dildo in someone's bottom without lube, but torture. I can't imagine the character of anyone who would call this erotica and who would get off on it. I agree with other reviewers that it is fun to read erotica to others and have them read to you, but this trash is just too silly to read out loud. I am glad I read these books for I have now advanced my knowledge of how dark and cruel people can be. I hope I never meet up with Ms. Rice; fantasies are great to write about, but she is one disturbing dudess.

The heat is on!
Part two keeps the flames burning. I suggest you read it with your partner, when neither of you have to work the next day, or the day after.

Not Free SF Reader
Beauty's Punishment is not as good as the first book in this trilogy, and does tend towards the dull side through reasonable portions of the novel.

Beauty and Tristan, having been busted in the act, so to speak, are auctioned off and sent to separate places for a bit more extreme discipline, having not learned to do as they are told and keep their favours for their owners.

Punishment Is Sweet
After finishing Claiming I immediately started on Punishment. I was glued. Punishment introduces some very interesting characters as well. It, like Claiming, left me wanting more!!