Synopsis:
A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella
After his last lover chose her career over him, Jake knows he wants a woman who will put him at the top of her priorities—as he would with her. One of the trainees, Rainie, has caught his attention. Lush body, a gift for living life to the fullest, always laughing or smiling. Yeah. She trips all his switches. But she’s never given him a second look and that’s damned annoying.
Rainie has been burned enough times that she’s not going to get serious about any man. Sure, the BDSM club trainees are supposed to be looking for a permanent Dom, but no harm, no foul—they don’t need to know she lied. Trainees get to be involved in everything—and with everyone. But there’s one she avoids. Master Jake is always frowning at her. No matter how gorgeous he is, she doesn’t need any disapproving Dom up in her business.
Unfortunately, her best friends are having a double wedding. Little hearts are floating in the air. Every breath is filled with romance. Rainie is doomed.
My review:
Show Me, Baby is the 9th story in author Cherise Sinclair’s Master of the Shadowlands Series as well as novella number 7 in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. Admittedly, this is the first of Cherise’s works that I have read and oh boy…I am hooked and have just purchased the entire series!
To say Rainie has had a sad life would be the understatement of the century. Having a mother who didn’t want her, a father who left her at seven, living in foster care homes with one in particular that left deep emotional scars, and never really feeling she was good enough to fit in anywhere, you could say her issues cup overfloweth. But she was determined. Determined to rise above all of the adversity in her life and become someone. She finally finished school with an MBA and has found a place where she felt she somewhat belonged…Club Shadowlands. Sure, she still had her issues and she was still new to the BDSM scene, but she knew deep down this was a home of sorts for her. Only problem? Jake. The delish Dom was a blast from the past she was trying to forget. He was her secret crush all of high school. He had no idea who she was back then and just seeing him now brought back too much pain. But even that pain couldn’t stop her attraction to him. Even after all these years, he was still everything she wanted. But surely he wouldn’t be interested in someone with a past like hers…..or would he?
Jake has it all. A successful career as a veterinarian, a nice home, a position as a Master at Club Shadowlands, good looks and a killer body. There’s only one thing missing…a woman to share his life with. His last lover had left him and even though it still stung, he was ready to move on. And the one he’d like to move on is the sassy and beautiful new trainee at the club…Rainie. There was something about her. She had a lust for life, was loyal and kind to her friends she’s made at Club Shadowlands and had a huge heart. Now, if only she would give him the time of day. Seems when it came to him she was always taking off in the opposite direction. Luckily for him, she was in need of a reevaluation and he was just assigned the Dom in charge of it. This was exactly the opportunity he needed to convince Rainie to take a chance on him.
Rainie and Jake take off on a journey of self discovery and stumble across love along the way. The question is, will Rainie be able to shake her feelings of unworthiness and give a relationship with Jake a chance?
Oh my, I adored this story. Rainie broke my heart. Her childhood was positively wretched and I felt so bad for her. I also totally understood her feelings of being less than everyone. No one really ever told her she wasn’t so how could she think anything different? But her resolve and strength was admirable beyond words. She picked herself up, brushed herself off and kept on going. She is amazing that way. She is also fiercely loyal to her friends and I adore that in a character. Jake is just, um, totally drool worthy. He is handsome, successful, charming and commanding. The total package. He knows Rainie better than she ever thought and he gives her all of what she needs. And damn, it is beyond smoking hot! Together they make an incredible couple. Giving each other what each other needs and forming a beautiful emotional connection. Of course, there are a few stumbles along the way but that just makes this story that much better.
So here I am, proof that even if you haven’t read this series before, you will love this book and this was a great intro to The Masters of Shadowlands. I can’t wait to read more of this series! Thank you, Cherise, for Jake and Rainie and their amazing story.
Five Loves
Book links:
Amazon | Paperback | 1,001 Dark Nights
About the author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, Cherise Sinclair is renowned for writing heart-wrenching stories with laugh-out-loud dialogue, devastating Dominants, and absolutely sizzling sex. And did I mention the BDSM? Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a Goodreads BDSM group’s Best Author of the Year.
Cherise currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband and writes full-time under the supervision of a merciless feline.