Contains “Life is Unforgiving” by Lor Rose from Storm Moon Press.

For some people there’s nothing more appealing than the idea of a man forced to serve against his will, as a second-class citizen: a slave. Despite the dark history surrounding forced servitude and slavery, there remains a growing desire for depictions of fetishized slavery fantasies. Like rape fantasy, the appeal for readers in slave fiction lies not in a desire for the actual act, but in the ability to explore such things in a safe space. Many people harbor a secret wish to be forced into certain acts that they know they want, but have been socially conditioned to abhor. Such is the core of the Serve Me anthology. Be warned: these are not stories of consensual, negotiated power exchange. The stories in this anthology focus on true sexualized, erotic slavery: stories of men forced, coerced, or otherwise bound into a second-class life servicing another in whatever ways their master sees fit.

When The Mercenary Brendan initially purchases Lorne, it’s with the intent of trading the slave to pay off his debts. By the time the pair make it back to Brendan’s home, though, he no longer wants to give the other man up. In As You Wish, banker Samuel purchases the defiant Apollo at auction, thinking the slave will bring a contentment Samuel has been lacking. But Samuel’s no master, and very quickly, the tables are turned, though neither man seems to mind. Blood slave Aidan learns quickly that Life Is Unforgiving when he is sold to new vampire master Ryce and taken from his lover, fellow slave Aaron. And even though Ryce is kinder than Aidan’s former master, a gilded cage is still a cage when one must endure it alone.

During a failed raid on a powerful Yakuza’s holdings, gang member Yuta is left behind and captured. The owner, Takashima, takes a shine to young Yuta and makes him Takashima’s Pet, whether Yuta likes it or not. Warrior Idris became part of The Spoils when his tribe was defeated by the Greek armies, and now he fights for the amusement of his owner. When the mysterious Kage hands Idris his first defeat in the arena and is then quickly purchased by Idris’ owner, he sets Idris on a path that could lead to his freedom, or his total destruction. Finally, Two Sides tells the twin stories of Akito and Kusaka, rival commanders each captured and enslaved by the other side. Tradition battles with emotion as the two men and their owners come to terms with their new realities.

Contains stories from: Anna Hedley, Fox Lee, Gabriel Belthir and Lor Rose

Length: 53,000

Purchase | Goodreads Page | Excerpt

This story is about the differences to be had based on whom the master is. One can deliver horrible fear and pain, while the other can provide warmth, respect and love. It’s also about getting your very own happy ever after. This was probably my favorite of the four stories and that might be because Ryce is insistent that everyone deserves a happy ever after and I love that idea.

— Christy Duke from Rainbow Book Reviews

There is a very hot menage scene–  They work very well together, in concert and synchronized… oh hell, the whole thing is sexy… This is my favorite of the anthology, I like Ryce’s treatment of Aidan throughout and his promising him a happy ever after is sweetly romantic. – 3.5 Stars

— Elizabetta

This journey of building trust is moving. The best lines in this story can be encapsulated on page 83 by Aidan’s new master.

“Happy-ever-afters exist for everyone. … It’s all a matter of timing.”

— Book Addict from The Romance Reviews

Book Tour Blog Post: Guest Post: Slavery and the Daeva by Lor Rose ( Serve Me Anthology)