Masters of the Shadowlands ~ Couldn't love it more!!

The new Shadowlands book is out and it is awesome!!! If you do not know this series you should pick it up ASAP!! This is one of the series I tell people about when they extol the wonders of Fifty Shades of Grey. I might lose some readers her, but I hate Fifty Shades, I have read so many better books about BDSM and cringed at the poor storytelling. This series is one of the best out there, great writing and loads of steamy BDSM action that keeps a gals imagination working overtime!

If there are any Shadesers here still I highly recommend you check these books out! You may find a new goddess to follow! And anybody else who enjoys BDSM this series is a must read!! 

This Is Who I Am (Masters of the Shadowlands #7)
by Cherise Sinclair

When trying to save a woman from slavers, Sam screwed up. Royally. Now Linda wants nothing to do with him. Or with BDSM. She won’t even admit she’s a masochist. As a dominant and sadist, he can give her what she needs, and when an opportunity arises, he slips into her life, intending to make amends. She’s everything he knew she would be…except for her bullheaded determination to be ‘normal’.

Now the horrible time is past, Linda just wants to return to her small conservative town, pick up her quiet life, and be normal. But how can someone who likes pain be ‘normal’? To her dismay, when someone spray-paints her home with obscenities, Sam shows up to rescue her. Again. Doesn't he understand that the last thing she needs in her life is a sadist? He’s amused by her objections. But his dry sense of humor can’t disguise that he’s tough as nails and dominant and stubborn. He’s not going to let her drive him off this time. Soon she realizes she wants him to stay.

When he takes her to the Shadowlands, she feels as if she’s found a home…until she hears a voice from out of her nightmares.

~MY REVIEW~

This Is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Only Cherise Sinclair in all her brilliance could make me love a book about a Sadist and a Masochist! So, not my thing! But she was really sneaky about it, made me like Master same a few books ago and had him grow in the next book. I couldn't help but want to read his story! Well played, Ms Sinclair, well played!

This is the latest book in the Club Shadowlands series and it continues the story line in the past few books. Really interesting story that easily draws you in. While others might say you can read it as a stand alone, I disagree, there is just too much history you miss out on by not reading the series in order. Plus, the books are just too good to skip!

Linda and Sam have so many back issues to get through before they get their HEA. It is a real journey for them and finally they get to the same place at the same time and bang happiness ensues!! There is drama, heartache and pull up your big girl panties moments to get there but when they do it is heartwarming!

Most of the story is about the characters personal journeys but there is the side plot of the Harvest Association Spotter to deal with. The pacing is really well done, you never get bored or want to skip things to get to the end faster. If anything I tried to read slower just so the reading would last longer. I really hate to see a good book end.

For a Sadist, Sam is surprisingly gentle and caring. Like many of the heroes in this series he appears big and scary but is really jello inside for his lady and the ones he loves. Yeah, he still loves inflicting pain but his intent is pleasure not harm. He maybe the only Sadist I ever like! Doesn't help that while reading I picture and hear Sam Elliot in my head. Oh, so yummy!!

Linda is much stronger than she appeared in the last book. She has many times when she lets things bring her down but she bounces back nicely. There are several "You Go Girl" moments where I loved her!! You get to see what she was like before the slavers. It is wonderful seeing her progression from the beginning of the book to the end. The healing is evident and terrific to watch.

Ok, the steam, of course there is plenty! This is an erotica book after all. Some really great BDSM scenes where you really get into the head of the characters. Sigh, makes me want to sign up for a Munch and see if reality holds up to the books!

Can't wait for the next book, I really am hoping for Sally and the FBI guys!! She is trouble and really needs two guys to keep her in check! And she will definitely keep them on her toes!

View all my reviews

Check out Cherise Sinclair's website or look into each of the books in the series below on Goodreads.
  
  

A Series Abandoned

 Genre: Futuristic Multicultural Menage

One of the reasons I am a big reader is because I love stories! I absolutely must know what is going to happen! This is one of the top reasons I love series. They keep the story going and share supporting characters lives. It is like visiting with an old friend.

The worst thing that can happen is an author abandoning a series! It leaves the reader hanging in so many ways! I understand your muse leaving you or feeling disillusioned by reviews of lack of readership  But what about the dedicated souls who pushed through the second book because they loved the first one? Where does that leave them when you choose not to write the third book in a trilogy?

Yeah, I am speaking about s specific book series. I won a copy of Spirals by Beth D. Carter and loved it! It was written in a very creative manner and obviously meant to be part of a trilogy. I searched for the second book and the author let me know it was released but not well received. She was kind enough to pass it along  for my perusal. It also seemed to have editing problems and it we clear that the book was guided in a direction other than it was heading toward.

The problems with the second book lead to the third being abandoned. I say what about the loyal reader like myself who is hooked and needs to know that other tale? This is one of those things that will rest in the back of my mind and pop up every now and then. It is sad but true books unfinished keep me up at night. It is like a tv series that ends on a cliffhanger that never gets resolved because it is canceled. They keep me up at night as well!

I beg you authors not to start a series you are not going to finish!! It puts the reader in a bad spot. Once I start a story I must know the ending! Please let your characters guide you and not an editor who is pushing you toward what is hot or popular. I agree with help with writing and but not when the story takes a major hit! It doesn't stop me from still wanting that last book! I will forever be left to wonder!

Spirals 

by Beth D. Carter 

Kaori Carnelian was only sixteen when Los Angeles was hit by an earthquake that devastated it. With the world trying to recover from a plague that has wiped out half of the population, she learns how to survive by her wits and a great ability to hide, scavenging through what is left of LA.

Years later, the government sends in recon men Sergeants Tobias Noble and Orion West to find any survivors before another earthquake destroys everything. They find her pleasuring herself and instantly both want her. Her world spirals out of control in a very delicious way. But when the men have to go find two others in their regiment that are missing, Kaori has to decide if her love outweighs her instinct for surviving.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, menage (m/f/m), voyeurism.

My Review - The only reason this is four stars and not five is because I think there is more story to be told!!! I tried to find if this is a series to no avail. I want to know what happened with the other two rescue teams!!!

I really enjoyed this after the whole end of the world hoopla this week! I was in the right mindset for a good post apocalypse read!! 

There was plenty of steam here but also a well written story to go along with it. Kaori is a tough chick who is perfectly patched with West and Noble! Overall a really well rounded love story with just enough adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat!!!

I really hope there are more!!! Like Sar/Mari/Gabe and Hyde/Evie/Seek stories to fill in the blanks left in this story!!!

  Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Kismet

by Beth D. Carter

All of her life, Evie Rhoton has had visions of the immediate future. Her dreams are of two men, Kristian Seek and Hyde Galloway, and she travels her adult life tracking them down in the post-apocalyptic world after a virus has devastated the population.

She gets a dream that shows the two men in trouble and heads to Los Angeles despite a lot of trepidation. She finds the stoic side of Kris a perfect match for her soul, but questions her idea of love when her attraction for Hyde flares out of control.

The three race against time, trying to save a colony of survivors from the oncoming deadly earthquake. But will Evie's choice of lovers be her destiny or their ultimate destruction?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, violence.

My Review - To begin with I want to be clear the writing was great. I was very eager to read the follow-up to Spirals. However it falls short of the mark Many times the book seems confused about whether it is a single couple or a menage. I am told this is due to editing. It is very clear the characters wanted to go in another direction. This makes things difficult as a reader, I can see where the story wants to be and how it would have been better in that direction. I am very sad that the way this book did not take means the third book in the story will not be written.

Regardless of being left hanging the series is worth a serious look!