Pony | Guards of Folsom
by SJD Peterson
Novel, published 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 978-1627984782, 200 pages
Grant Maxwell, aka Max, wakes to find his coffeepot has died in the night. Not one who can start his day without his favorite brew, he heads to the local coffee shop. Max finds something even more appealing than caffeine in the form of twenty-six-year-old hottie Aiden James. For the first time in his life, well-established, confident and respected Dom Max finds himself sputtering and unsure in the face of Aiden’s charms. Aiden isn’t sure where his life is heading. That is until he meets Max. Max introduces him to a foreign yet intriguing lifestyle, and they soon discover they have something more than mutual attraction in common. A shared kink is one thing, but Aiden’s past vanilla sexual experiences as well as his fear of losing himself in Max may keep Aiden from experiencing his fantasy. Max has an obstacle of his own to overcome. He must somehow figure out how to help Aiden explore his submissive side when, for the first time in his life, he’s head over heels in love.
In the course of the story that takes place in New York City, the country-born Aiden slowly and emotionally approaches the BDSM lifestyle with the help of Max, albeit with ups and downs. Above all, the fear of not living up to the demands of his Dom intensely affects Adrian. When he coincidentally discovers the topic of ponyplay on the internet and confesses this fetish to Max, they both have a common goal in mind. Hence, the title of the book “Pony”.
The book is easy to read and impresses more with its eroticism than with mere porn. “There was just something about the thrill of introducing a man to the pleasure that could be found in pain, the freedom in submission, and the pride in pleasing a master. […] You are tied up, cannot speak and cannot see. All you can do is hear and feel and belong to me. I will acquaint myself with what belongs to me, I will seek your limits and max them out.” Dominance and submission are vividly depicted, disciplinary measures are described in an exciting way and the contract between Max and Aiden is remarkable.
My conclusion: SJD Peterson realistically describes concerns and fears of a sub at the beginning of a D/s relationship. Many of us are familiar with such thoughts and therefore the story is particularly recommended for BDSM beginners in their orientation phase. Max’s thoughts and feelings may be, however, inspirational to more experienced doms and subs as well.