Kiernan Kelly, author of the In Bear Country books, writes: Relationships are a lot like leftovers. Sometimes you need to add a little gravy to keep them from tasting stale and lifeless.

In Spoken by Sean Michael, we meet Kendall and Eric, two men who've been together nine years, and who together have triumphed over some pretty dire circumstances. Eric is a cancer survivor, and he places the credit for his surviving squarely at Kenny's feet. Without Kenny, he swears he would never have made it through.

After being together for so long, their relationship has settled into a rut, though. Eric has been harboring some BDSM fantasies, and when the opportunity arises to visit a private D/s club, he takes it. Unfortunately, he forgets to share the information with Kenny, who assumes -- incorrectly – that Eric is stepping out on him.

When the truth is put on the table, both men realize that while they love each other deeply, their sex life could use a little lift. Befriended by the more experienced Doms and subs at the club, they begin to spice up their private moments with toys and dirty talk. The problem is that Kenny is unsure of how far Eric wishes to take the roleplay, and even more unsure of whether or not he wants to allow it to go any further.

In Spoken, Sean Michael explores the fringes of the D/s lifestyle, the periphery, and shows that not everyone needs whips and floggers, or wear a collar to enjoy the benefits of BDSM. His characters take what they want from the lifestyle, and adapt it to themselves, finding that one doesn't need to don leather and wield a bullwhip to add a little spice to one's sex life. They learn that one doesn't have to switch from being vanilla to jalapeno – that sometimes just adding a little extra flavor can make all the difference.

The story is about discovery, about trust, and about finding the middle road. It's a give-and-take between long-term partners, one that I found incredibly sexy. Don't miss this wonderful story about an old love given new life!