Synopsis:
Detective Atticus Ware gave up Idaho to start again in the California mountains, close to his imprisoned brother. Although he’s found good friends, the experienced Dominant wants more than the “do me” submissives flocking around him. He needs a woman to give her heart as well as her body.
After Virginia Cunningham exhausts herself propping up a failing relationship, she accepts a social worker job far, far away in a California prison. Invited to observe BDSM classes on a wilderness camping trip, she’s shocked—her fiancé had insisted BDSM was a fabrication to sell books. But when Atticus lures her into participating, she learns submission under the hands of a powerful Dom is beyond anything she’d imagined. Nonetheless, she can’t permit a relationship—she’d just lose herself again.
Finally, Atticus has found the woman he wants in his life. In his bed. In his cuffs. Only she keeps backing away. Well…if he has to help a little counselor get her head on straight, he’s just the Dom for the job.
My Review:
Master Of Freedom is book number four in the 2015 1,001 Dark Nights lineup as well as book number five in author Cherise Sinclair’s Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series. Admittedly this is the first in the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven Series I’ve read and after finishing this novella, I will be adding the entire series to my to-read list. I loved every single word of this story. Every single minute I spent reading it. It was phenomenal.
New to town, Virginia Cunningham was thrilled to have met some new people. Especially the gals she was now chatting with. They were fun and interesting and had just informed her that the BDSM world she had only read about in her favorite books was, in fact, a very real thing, To say that piqued her interest would be an understatement. And they had just invited her along to the mountain retreat that hosted a BDSM getaway. Since moving to California and leaving her fiancée, and their relationship, in the dust, this was a welcome adventure. Something to explore. Yes, she liked her new position as a social worker in the prison system, and it was a departure from working with kids, a job she truly loved, but even that wasn’t enough. Right now, at this moment, what Gin realized she wanted more than anything was to give this trip a go. Head out with these women, meet their spouses, and see where this could lead. This could be just what the doctor ordered….
Detective Atticus Ware had noticed Gin immediately and was drawn to her. Clearly this was her first time being around the BDSM lifestyle and, as a Dom, that called to him on a different level. He wanted to teach her. Wanted to show her how amazing this world could be. He could tell she was curious, open to learning and experiencing, and right then he knew he would be the one to teach her. He was tired of the subs who didn’t really take things seriously. Tired of the fake. He wanted something real. Something meaningful. One that only a true D/s relationship can give. After meeting her that night, talking with her, and her willingness to submit to him, he knew Gin would fit him as comfortably as the ropes he loved so much fit in his hand.
Atticus and Gin start off on a journey of self discovery that builds into a bond that neither one had expected, but both had longed for. But before they can revel in their new bond, things are put to the test and Atticus and Gin will find themselves not in a fight for a relationship, nut instead a fight for Gin’s life…
I had the chance to interview Ms. Sinclair about this book and one of the questions I asked was if she ever found it difficult to write the beautiful combination of emotion that goes into a true D/s relationship. I asked that particular question because, in my opinion, she is one of the best there is when it comes to that. This novella was no exception. The trust and bond that builds between Atticus and Gin is painted in beautiful brushstrokes of love and patience. Curiosity and understanding. Respect and adoration. This wasn’t a bumbling and immature fumble through BDSM, this was journey that I enjoyed every minute of. Gin is an amazing gal who is honest with herself and isn’t afraid to give her trust over to Atticus, especially in the very beginning stages. I loved that about her. Atticus is patient and easy to trust. Easy to talk to. He’s also sexy as hell with a delicious Alpha streak that had me swooning. I absolutely loved them together. The heat and passion were palpable and jumped off the pages. Totally delectable! Of course, they both have their own issues to work through before they can truly give themselves to one another, but it just made me love them even more. I couldn’t get enough of them and I was so sad I read their story as fast as I did.
Now, I have to add a little bit about the suspense element to this story. Holy hell, talk about one hell of an ending! I can’t give anything away but I will tell you that I was reading the last few pages wide-eyed and with sweaty palms. Don’t worry though….Ms. Sinclair ended things just perfectly!
I also have to mention that Atticus’ brother, Sawyer, has a part in this story and I really hope we get to see more of him! I loved him almost as much as I loved Atticus *dreamy sigh*.
Thank you. Ms. Sinclair, for once again writing one a story that combines a ton of heat, raw emotion, and a healthy dose of suspense that had me devouring every word written on the pages. I will be anxiously awaiting more (and crossing my finger, hoping for Sawyer!).
Five Loves
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About the author:
Having to wear glasses in elementary school can scar a person for life.
Dubbed a nerd at an early age, Cherise Sinclair has been trying to live up to the stereotype ever since. And what better way than being an author?
Known for writing deeply emotional stories, the USA Today Bestselling Author has penned sixteen erotic romance novels, most with a BDSM theme. (Please do not mention the phrase mommy porn in her presence.) Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a GoodReads BDSM group award for best author of the year.
Cherise lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Their two fledglings have left the nest recently to try their wings and hopefully will fly high and strong. The “ascendant erotica queen” (Rolling Stone Magazine) now spends her days writing with occasional supervision from a sadistic calico cat.
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