Book Review: Mischief and the Masters by Cherise Sinclair

She wants a short, sweet Master. One Master.

The two devastatingly dominant Drago cousins have other ideas.

Her life destroyed by a stalker, Uzuri Cheval starts anew in Tampa and joins the exclusive Shadowlands club. Unconvinced of her claims that she can overcome her fear of big men without help, Master Z gives her a time limit. And she is improving--until she hears the stalker is out of prison. Now her time limit is up, and the Masters will intervene, which is okay--as long as whoever helps her is short. Okay, sweet and gentle would be good, too.

But two Doms? Dangerously experienced and dauntingly powerful cousins? No way.

Having volunteered in every hellhole in the world, Dr. Alastair Drago is ready to settle down. Detective Max Drago has joined him and, once again, the cousins share everything. A house, lives, problems…and whatever submissive catches their interest. One mischievous submissive has definitely caught Alastair’s. However, having been burned by a woman, Max remains detached…until little mischief’s troubles turn deadly.

Finally, Uzuri’s story! I could not wait for Uzuri to find a Dom of her own. She not only found one but two Doms, the Drago Doms who are also cousins. 

Uzuri is one of the Shadow Kittens and who began in the training program. She is a prankster with a secret. It’s been two years since she’s joined the Shadowlands club and her time is up. Uzuri’s given an ultimatum to find a Dom and confess her secrets or to confess to Master Z.  She chooses a new Dom on the block to share her secrets hoping he won't push her. To her surprise he's nothing but all Dom and has her telling him her scariest secrets. 

Uzuri's fear of taller men stem from her past relationship.She moved to Tampa to escape from her stalker/ex-boyfriend. When the Drago cousins are tasked with helping Uzuri overcome her insecurities they discover that they are in for more than they expected.

Uzuri's story moves from heartache to empowering. I love Uzuri's strength. She has to learn to over come her past in so many ways. You don't want to miss out on Andrea and Master Cullen's wedding. I cried straight through. Master Z is back to matchmaking and looking after his family. There's so much to love in Mischief and the Masters!

Review: Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10) by Cherise Sinclair

A discharged Army Ranger, Ben considers his job as a BDSM club security guard to be an excellent hobby. He’s never been tempted to join in. But everything changes when the notorious Mistress Anne inadvertently reveals the caring heart concealed beneath her Domme armor.

Now, he’s set his sights on the beautiful Shadowlands Mistress. Maybe he’d considered himself vanilla, but she can put her stiletto on his chest any day, any time. He’ll trust her delicate hands to hold his heart. And if she wants to whip his ass on the way to an outstanding climax, he’s just fine with that too.

Sure, he knows she likes “pretty boy” slaves. And he’s older. Craggy and rough. And six-five. Minor hindrances. The mission is a go.

Serving the Target had me on an emotional bender, I cried tears of angst, tears of worry, tears of fear and finally tears of happiness.  Although the main focus of the story is on Ben and Mistress Anne (and WOW do they make a hot couple), we are also updated on the rest of the Shadowlands gang. Including Master Z and Jessica who are still my favorite couple. (Okay, I'll admit I have a fictional character crush on Master Z)

Mistress's Anne does not want life to change, she has enough change as a child.

"The earth is about change. The seasons move from summer to winter. The continental plates push up mountains that the weather slowly grinds back down. On this planet, in this universe, nothing stands still." (Linda)
Change. Just the though set up a queasiness inside."Some of us prefer to stay in summer." She (Anne) managed a half smile. "And prefer that our scenes don't shift under our feet."

Although change is inevitable, Anne does her best to keep the status quo. She's a Domme who wants a slave, a "pretty boy" or does she really? Is it possible for her to accept that she's changing. She's discovering a different side of her. Ben decides Anne is the one for him, although he's not a pretty boy but a older craggy, rough, six-five submissive. He marks her as his target and will do what he needs to do to win her over.

There are several misunderstanding in this story that hit close to home. It's very easy to misconstrue a situation. What I love about the Shadowlands Doms is that they know when to accept fault. Ben was introduced in the very first book and made it clear he only does 'vanilla'. I love that Ben discovers he does do kink and Mistress Anne brings out the best of him. Anne really surprised me, she's softer than I anticipated. She as a big heart, only needing to learn how to open it up again. The story is not only about fearing change but also about fearing pain and rejection. I love when stories are relatable. And finally, I love the character updates as much as I loved Ben and Anne's story!

*****5 Stars***** Review: Master of Freedom: A Mountain Masters Novella by Cherise Sinclair

Detective Atticus Ware gave up his beloved Idaho to start again in the mountains of California, close to his imprisoned brother. He has a rewarding job and friends, but the experienced Dominant wants more than the Do-Me submissives who flock around him. He needs a woman who will give her heart as well as her body.

Virginia, “Gin,” is damn good at her challenging career as a prison psychologist. However, one problem inmate is mired in misery and unable to overcome his guilt at causing a friend’s death.
To clear her mind, she joins a friend’s kinky backpacking excursion, planning to hide in her tent during the evening BDSM pursuits. But Atticus lures her into the activities. She’s read about BDSM, but submission under the hands of a powerful Dom is beyond anything she’d imagined. She doesn’t trust men, doesn’t want a relationship, and yet…wants more from him.

Finally, Atticus has found the woman he wants in his life. In his bed. In his cuffs. But she’s not only his brother’s therapist, but also works in a prison. How can he tolerate his woman walking into danger every single blasted day?

Gin knows she has no future with Atticus Ware, but still, hope is rising in her heart.

Cherise Sinclair never fails to draw me into her web from the first page. 'Master of Freedom' is a great addition to the 'Mountain Master & Dark Haven' series. Virginia 'Gin' Cunningham has moved to California to escape her ex-fiancee and accepted a social work position at a prison. Gin befriends Becca while she was shopping for erotic books. (shout out to Lexi Blake/Shalyla Black, Fiona Archer and J. Kenner). While out with the girls Gin discovers BDSM is real, it's not just for romance novels. Gin is invited to a BDSM weekend wilderness tour and despite her reservations she decided to attend.  During the tour she is introduced to Atticus Ware, a Dom instructor. Atticus had moved to California a year ago to be close to his brother who was in prison. He enjoys teaching bondage to new Doms and from the minute he met Gin he was interested.

Atticus and Gin from the first weekend they met had several misunderstandings. Each made conclusions from their past experiences. Gin did not want to fall back into her old ways, she made a decision to continue their relationship solely as friends with benefits.  

"Like an alcoholic with no limits, she'd give and give until she lost all sense of herself. So until she was adjusted enough for healthy attachments, she needed to avoid relationships and series ties with men."

Atticus also has past experiences that continue to fraught him however once Atticus overcomes his own misconceptions he takes a stand to claim Gin.

"Virginia, I'll always come after you. I keep what's mine."

When mayhem strikes, Atticus keeps to his word and goes after Gin but will it be in time? 

I love Atticus and his resolve to keep what is his. He's a tough Dom who draws Gin out to help her deal with her insecurities. Gin also helps Atticus overcome his fears. There relationship was well developed and there are many lessons learned.