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Masters of the Shadowlands #7
This is Who I Am
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.
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.
369 pages, ebook
First published May 27, 2013
502 people are currently reading
5238 people want to read
About the author
Cherise Sinclair
67 books8,337 followersA New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s renowned for writing heart-wrenching romances with laugh-out-loud dialogue, alpha males, and absolutely sizzling sex.
I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually since he stood over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although we were together less than two days and lived on opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.
We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)
Nowadays, I live in the west with this obnoxious, beloved husband and a seventy-pound lap-puppy. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, collecting eggs from the chickens, and visiting the local brewery for the darkest, maltiest beer on tap. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading my books, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires.
I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually since he stood over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although we were together less than two days and lived on opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.
We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)
Nowadays, I live in the west with this obnoxious, beloved husband and a seventy-pound lap-puppy. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, collecting eggs from the chickens, and visiting the local brewery for the darkest, maltiest beer on tap. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading my books, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires.
Search out Cherise in the following places:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 672 reviews
June 15, 2013
KİTAP HAKKINDA YORUM İÇİN BLOĞUMA BEKLERİM: http://allkillerbooks.blogspot.com/20...
me after read Info on Cherise's website:
I’m in contract negotiations with the publisher of the previous Shadowlands books, and until a resolution is reached, poor Master Sam won’t have a release (pun intended ).
EDIT: WHEN I SAW WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE AND A TITLE
EDIT#2 : WHEN I READ THE BOOK
me after read Info on Cherise's website:
I’m in contract negotiations with the publisher of the previous Shadowlands books, and until a resolution is reached, poor Master Sam won’t have a release (pun intended ).
EDIT: WHEN I SAW WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE AND A TITLE
EDIT#2 : WHEN I READ THE BOOK
August 4, 2015
Interesting to step out of my comfort zone once in awhile...
This Is Who I Am was definitely a step out of my comfort zone. I have faith that Cherise Sinclair can convince me that BDSM is not as scary as I thought. I know she can convince me that a paddling isn’t the worst thing to happen to a person and can actually give some pleasure. I’m convinced that a collared submissive can be very happy with the right dominant. Make me think that a submissive masochist will get pleasure from seeing her sadist smile at making her cry…she’s got her work cut out for her.
I had put this story off for a while. I couldn’t get my head around sadists and masochists and how their minds worked. Sam, the hero, is a sadist and takes pleasure in giving pain to submissives. A tear in the eye was proof that he was on track. A moan was success. A scream was the pinnacle. Why practice his arts in causing the most pain? Why would a man or woman take pleasure in causing pain? Linda, the heroine, is a masochist. What makes a person look for pain? How does it make a sexual experience better? Why would you put your trust in someone to know when enough is enough? I read this book to try and understand.
Who’d have thought a person would find out her true sexual desires once she’d become a widow and her kids had grown up? Linda realises from her previous sexual experiences that she wasn't fulfilled. She decides to visit a BDSM club to see if she could get some answers. Linda does a scene and somewhat comes to terms with the fact she takes pleasure from pain. As she’s leaving the club she is kidnapped and given to sexual slave traders. Her situation was horrific, degrading and animalistic. She and the other slaves were kept in cages, had to beg for food, beg to use the toilet and expected to do what they were told or they were beaten. Sometimes they were beaten just for the hell of it. Eventually she is saved but one slave auction she attended, Sam, undercover for the FBI, scenes with her and leaves her feeling even more humiliated because she enjoyed it. Most of these things have happened before This Is Who I Am is set. This story is about Linda’s recovery and how she learns to accept who she is.
Starting this story, Sam was not my favourite dom from the Shadowlands. He was gruff, sadistic and called all the women and trainee submissives, “girl”. In this story that term still drove me bat spit crazy but I managed to get past it. We get to know a lot more about Sam and how he had lived his life up till then. By the end of the book he’s still cranky and gruff but we realise it’s more for show and helps him play his part of sadistic dom.
The journey Linda and Sam travel in this story is not an easy one. First Linda has to accept who she is and come to terms with being a masochist. She returns home and feels like she doesn’t fit in anymore. The townspeople aren’t especially welcoming and she still has the names given to her as a slave running through her head every time someone gossips about her. Sam and Linda have to work through the issues that came about from her captivity, but both feel such a strong connection to each other they are willing to work at it. Both Sam and Linda have children and previous relationships that give them a little grief. Jobs still need to be done and baddies are still out there trying to catch slaves.
The “scenes” were hot, the connection between the characters believable and the merging of everyday life with that of a dom and sub lifestyle, interesting to see. We get to meet all the characters we’ve grown to love in the previous books. Some scenes, especially with Jessica and Sally are a crack up. Z is still psycho analysing everyone and all the masters practice their scary voices to get what they want.
I still don’t get sadism and masochism. There is no way I would want a partner to make me cry. If some bloke walked towards me with a paddle, whip or belt and told me to hold still, I’d run screaming for the hills. But…it’s interesting to take a peek.
For this review and more, visit http://edgyreviews.com/
This Is Who I Am was definitely a step out of my comfort zone. I have faith that Cherise Sinclair can convince me that BDSM is not as scary as I thought. I know she can convince me that a paddling isn’t the worst thing to happen to a person and can actually give some pleasure. I’m convinced that a collared submissive can be very happy with the right dominant. Make me think that a submissive masochist will get pleasure from seeing her sadist smile at making her cry…she’s got her work cut out for her.
I had put this story off for a while. I couldn’t get my head around sadists and masochists and how their minds worked. Sam, the hero, is a sadist and takes pleasure in giving pain to submissives. A tear in the eye was proof that he was on track. A moan was success. A scream was the pinnacle. Why practice his arts in causing the most pain? Why would a man or woman take pleasure in causing pain? Linda, the heroine, is a masochist. What makes a person look for pain? How does it make a sexual experience better? Why would you put your trust in someone to know when enough is enough? I read this book to try and understand.
Who’d have thought a person would find out her true sexual desires once she’d become a widow and her kids had grown up? Linda realises from her previous sexual experiences that she wasn't fulfilled. She decides to visit a BDSM club to see if she could get some answers. Linda does a scene and somewhat comes to terms with the fact she takes pleasure from pain. As she’s leaving the club she is kidnapped and given to sexual slave traders. Her situation was horrific, degrading and animalistic. She and the other slaves were kept in cages, had to beg for food, beg to use the toilet and expected to do what they were told or they were beaten. Sometimes they were beaten just for the hell of it. Eventually she is saved but one slave auction she attended, Sam, undercover for the FBI, scenes with her and leaves her feeling even more humiliated because she enjoyed it. Most of these things have happened before This Is Who I Am is set. This story is about Linda’s recovery and how she learns to accept who she is.
Starting this story, Sam was not my favourite dom from the Shadowlands. He was gruff, sadistic and called all the women and trainee submissives, “girl”. In this story that term still drove me bat spit crazy but I managed to get past it. We get to know a lot more about Sam and how he had lived his life up till then. By the end of the book he’s still cranky and gruff but we realise it’s more for show and helps him play his part of sadistic dom.
The journey Linda and Sam travel in this story is not an easy one. First Linda has to accept who she is and come to terms with being a masochist. She returns home and feels like she doesn’t fit in anymore. The townspeople aren’t especially welcoming and she still has the names given to her as a slave running through her head every time someone gossips about her. Sam and Linda have to work through the issues that came about from her captivity, but both feel such a strong connection to each other they are willing to work at it. Both Sam and Linda have children and previous relationships that give them a little grief. Jobs still need to be done and baddies are still out there trying to catch slaves.
The “scenes” were hot, the connection between the characters believable and the merging of everyday life with that of a dom and sub lifestyle, interesting to see. We get to meet all the characters we’ve grown to love in the previous books. Some scenes, especially with Jessica and Sally are a crack up. Z is still psycho analysing everyone and all the masters practice their scary voices to get what they want.
I still don’t get sadism and masochism. There is no way I would want a partner to make me cry. If some bloke walked towards me with a paddle, whip or belt and told me to hold still, I’d run screaming for the hills. But…it’s interesting to take a peek.
For this review and more, visit http://edgyreviews.com/
May 14, 2020
"‘This won’t hurt much’ from a sadist is as believable as hearing a root canal is just a little uncomfortable."
June 16, 2013
After reading:
Master Sam. Master Sam!!!!! #InLove
Now I'm waiting for Sally MUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUA
***
THERE. IS. A. COVER.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F*CK ME.
OH MY GOD MAY 28TH I'M HERE WAITING FOR YOU.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!
I need this book in a way that can't be healthy.
Master Sam. Master Sam!!!!! #InLove
Now I'm waiting for Sally MUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUAHUA
***
THERE. IS. A. COVER.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD MAY 28TH I'M HERE WAITING FOR YOU.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!
I need this book in a way that can't be healthy.
July 19, 2013
For me, it was disappointing. This book was somewhere in-between bad and just ok. I think at this point I'm over Shadowlands series.
I was exited to start this one, because of Sam. I thought it will be interesting and intense read, but it turned out to be somewhat vanilla-ish. And it's not Cherise Sinclair's fault. I think it's because Tiffany Reisz ruined me for any other sadists and masochists out there :-).
I did not care for Linda at all. I understand she has been through hell and back, but she was very depressing to read about. She was having one helluva pity party. I get the flashbacks, but I haven't seen her doing much about the situation she was in. I would expect a woman of her age to be a little bit stronger and more logical about it. I started skimming after about 20% in so I didn't catch her age, but since her kids are grown I'm guessing she is in her fifties. Before you start throwing stones at me I want to say that I can only imagine that what she have been through is horrible and can seriously f@q a person up, but I like my women in books strong. And she was anything but. You are allowed to feel hurt and feel sorry for yourself, but there comes a time when you have to snap out of it and find a way to move on. She did absolutely nothing about it. Sam was the one that pulled her out of her funk. I didn't agree with his methods, but I will come back to that. Plus, she was stammering way too much, which was annoying. She couldn't make a coherent sentence.
Are you kidding me? Who talks like that? Certainly not a woman her age.
I liked Sam in the beginning. He was very cool. He is mature, smart, knows what he wants and knows how to get it. Although I didn't like Linda, their chemistry was believable. I started to have problems with him when he started to use sex as a tool to fix Linda. It felt wrong. It's not like they were two people who just had an argument and had make-up sex to reconnect. She had some serious issues and needed professional help. That's what made this whole story so unrealistic for me. Why couldn't he leave serious stuff to a professional and do his kinky stuff afterwards?
How in a world would he know that? He is a farmer. If you truly care about someone you will suggest that they will seek a professional help and not take upon your self to fix it.
Another thing that was bugging me was him constantly calling her a girl. He himself said that he liked her because of her age, she was still sexy as hell to him, but he loved that she was his age and I think he had some kind of wrinkle fetish :-). Which is fine :-). So why did he called her a girl over a 100 times? You show me a woman of her age that likes to be called a girl. That is ridiculous. She is a woman! Treat her like one and talk to her like one.
"Talk to me, girl. Look at me, girl. Strip, girl. Stay with me, girl. There is a good girl. Do it here, girl."
And it went on and on and on.
Another thing that annoyed me was when he decided to speak to her kids. Yes, they were giving her sh!t, but it wasn't his place to do that. That was another thing that made Linda look week. She can't even talk to her kids.
Who is he to talk to them like that?! He saw them once before that!
I get that he felt overprotective of her, but still.
But here is the thing that pissed me off the most. I refuse to believe that we live in such ignorant world where every stranger looks down on someone who have been through something like Linda. Every place she went people were whispering things such as:
Every goddamn stranger she or he overheard was whispering the same thing. Come on!
This book wasn't fun. In the last couple of books by Cherise Sinclair Shadowlands felt more like a rehabilitation center rather the BDSM club. When did sex stopped being about fun? My most favorite of hers is Make Me Sir, after that, every book after that felt more depressing that the previous one.
For now, I'm saying bye bye Shadowlands.
I was exited to start this one, because of Sam. I thought it will be interesting and intense read, but it turned out to be somewhat vanilla-ish. And it's not Cherise Sinclair's fault. I think it's because Tiffany Reisz ruined me for any other sadists and masochists out there :-).
I did not care for Linda at all. I understand she has been through hell and back, but she was very depressing to read about. She was having one helluva pity party. I get the flashbacks, but I haven't seen her doing much about the situation she was in. I would expect a woman of her age to be a little bit stronger and more logical about it. I started skimming after about 20% in so I didn't catch her age, but since her kids are grown I'm guessing she is in her fifties. Before you start throwing stones at me I want to say that I can only imagine that what she have been through is horrible and can seriously f@q a person up, but I like my women in books strong. And she was anything but. You are allowed to feel hurt and feel sorry for yourself, but there comes a time when you have to snap out of it and find a way to move on. She did absolutely nothing about it. Sam was the one that pulled her out of her funk. I didn't agree with his methods, but I will come back to that. Plus, she was stammering way too much, which was annoying. She couldn't make a coherent sentence.
"I..." Linda blinked her own tears. (...). I didn't want..."
***
I-I appreciate what you did. (...). About the shower. I wanted to..." There was no easy way to talk about his.(...) "But I can't be that way except..."
(...)
They...they kept us under control. (...). I need to know - to agree to - "
And when you yanked me into shower, I..." (...) because they... conditioned... me (...)"
***
"If there is a reason. More than you just want to...to..."
Are you kidding me? Who talks like that? Certainly not a woman her age.
I liked Sam in the beginning. He was very cool. He is mature, smart, knows what he wants and knows how to get it. Although I didn't like Linda, their chemistry was believable. I started to have problems with him when he started to use sex as a tool to fix Linda. It felt wrong. It's not like they were two people who just had an argument and had make-up sex to reconnect. She had some serious issues and needed professional help. That's what made this whole story so unrealistic for me. Why couldn't he leave serious stuff to a professional and do his kinky stuff afterwards?
"That's not good trigger word to have, though." He pulled back and cupped her cheek. "I'll work on getting you passed that."
"I..." Lovely. "Do all Doms try to fix things?"
The lines fanning out from the corners of his eyes depend. "Yep."
How in a world would he know that? He is a farmer. If you truly care about someone you will suggest that they will seek a professional help and not take upon your self to fix it.
Another thing that was bugging me was him constantly calling her a girl. He himself said that he liked her because of her age, she was still sexy as hell to him, but he loved that she was his age and I think he had some kind of wrinkle fetish :-). Which is fine :-). So why did he called her a girl over a 100 times? You show me a woman of her age that likes to be called a girl. That is ridiculous. She is a woman! Treat her like one and talk to her like one.
"Talk to me, girl. Look at me, girl. Strip, girl. Stay with me, girl. There is a good girl. Do it here, girl."
And it went on and on and on.
Another thing that annoyed me was when he decided to speak to her kids. Yes, they were giving her sh!t, but it wasn't his place to do that. That was another thing that made Linda look week. She can't even talk to her kids.
Job almost done. Wrap it up. "So. Your mama might like sex with a side dish of kink, (...).
Who is he to talk to them like that?! He saw them once before that!
I get that he felt overprotective of her, but still.
But here is the thing that pissed me off the most. I refuse to believe that we live in such ignorant world where every stranger looks down on someone who have been through something like Linda. Every place she went people were whispering things such as:
Keen hearing sometimes a curse, she thought. And hating herself for the weakness, she listened anyway.
"That's right. They kept her as a slave." The older woman.('said' is the word that is missing here).
The churchwoman said, "A sex slave."
Linda felt as if her legs would give out.
"Really?" Lawrence leaned forward. "You think she - "
***
On the left, the older women were gossiping.
Hearing Linda's name, he straitened.
The plump one was whispering, "...she...a slave. I heard she..."
"Then she asked for it, didn't she?"
"(...) ...got what she deserved."
Every goddamn stranger she or he overheard was whispering the same thing. Come on!
This book wasn't fun. In the last couple of books by Cherise Sinclair Shadowlands felt more like a rehabilitation center rather the BDSM club. When did sex stopped being about fun? My most favorite of hers is Make Me Sir, after that, every book after that felt more depressing that the previous one.
For now, I'm saying bye bye Shadowlands.
June 1, 2013
4.5 Stars!!!
I have been patiently waiting for Master Sam’s book for a while now... I’m not going to lie. There were several books in this series that had me a little scared and intimidated by Master Sam. He is one of the Doms in the Shadowlands, but he is different than the others. Not only is he a little older (in his 50’s), but he is a sadist. In book 6, Sam won my heart. I loved him even more in this book.
At the end of book 6, Master Sam goes to the slave auction to try to help free some the girls. He meets a slave there, Linda. Those two have a strong connection. Once everything settles, Sam wants to explore it with Linda. She is not keen on that idea. You would think they would make a perfect pair- Sam is a sadist, Linda a masochist, but she is new to the scene and not really comfortable with who she is. She is a mother, a respectable business woman, a member of her churches chior. Can she be all of that and still get her needs fulfilled? She doesn’t feel right about it.
Linda has had some trouble since she has been home. After being held captive by the slavers, its been hard for her. She has nightmares, she's not herself, and to make matters worse, someone in her neighborhood is vandalizing her home. Sam gets wind of this and he won’t stand for it. He insists on staying with Linda while things get resolved. She doesn’t want him there, but he doesn’t really care what she wants. He knows what she needs and thats all he cares about.
It takes a while, but the more Linda gets to know Sam, the more she realizes how great of a guy he is. Not only is he a man who can fulfill her sexual needs, he also fulfills her emotionally. She is content just being with him. He opens her up, brings her back to life, and gets her to accept herself and her lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with who she is. He even sets her kids straight for her, he’s always there to stick up for her. They were great together.
Both Linda and Sam have pasts, histories that make it hard for them to be with anyone, but they are willing to try. They are happy with one another for most of the book. They had some really great chemistry as well. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the sex scenes in this book, since they weren’t just light bsdm, but straight up s&m, but honestly they were just as hot! Cherise Sinclair is a ‘master’ at writing a good sex scene :D
I was hoping things would be easy for these two. After all they have been through, they deserve it. There is still someone in the Shadowlands who is working for the Harvest to pick up slaves. Linda recognizes his voice and she is trying to help Master Z and the detectives spot him. It gets a little crazy and dramatic. I just have one thing to say about Master Sam and the ending: Bullwhip. The little speech he gave at the end had me dying!
This is just a really great series. I’ve enjoyed every book. Sam and Linda’s story was just as wonderful as the rest. For being a sadist, Sam was so sweet and gentle with Linda. I just adored him. Linda was so strong and a great main character. For all she endured, I really give her props. It was fun to catch up with some of the other Masters and their subs- especially . These books are fun, suspenseful, sexy and very entertaining! I cannot wait for Sally’s book...with those two detectives! Yay!
I have been patiently waiting for Master Sam’s book for a while now... I’m not going to lie. There were several books in this series that had me a little scared and intimidated by Master Sam. He is one of the Doms in the Shadowlands, but he is different than the others. Not only is he a little older (in his 50’s), but he is a sadist. In book 6, Sam won my heart. I loved him even more in this book.
At the end of book 6, Master Sam goes to the slave auction to try to help free some the girls. He meets a slave there, Linda. Those two have a strong connection. Once everything settles, Sam wants to explore it with Linda. She is not keen on that idea. You would think they would make a perfect pair- Sam is a sadist, Linda a masochist, but she is new to the scene and not really comfortable with who she is. She is a mother, a respectable business woman, a member of her churches chior. Can she be all of that and still get her needs fulfilled? She doesn’t feel right about it.
A little kink was one thing. Needing to be hurt was entirely different.
Linda has had some trouble since she has been home. After being held captive by the slavers, its been hard for her. She has nightmares, she's not herself, and to make matters worse, someone in her neighborhood is vandalizing her home. Sam gets wind of this and he won’t stand for it. He insists on staying with Linda while things get resolved. She doesn’t want him there, but he doesn’t really care what she wants. He knows what she needs and thats all he cares about.
It takes a while, but the more Linda gets to know Sam, the more she realizes how great of a guy he is. Not only is he a man who can fulfill her sexual needs, he also fulfills her emotionally. She is content just being with him. He opens her up, brings her back to life, and gets her to accept herself and her lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with who she is. He even sets her kids straight for her, he’s always there to stick up for her. They were great together.
Both Linda and Sam have pasts, histories that make it hard for them to be with anyone, but they are willing to try. They are happy with one another for most of the book. They had some really great chemistry as well. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the sex scenes in this book, since they weren’t just light bsdm, but straight up s&m, but honestly they were just as hot! Cherise Sinclair is a ‘master’ at writing a good sex scene :D
I was hoping things would be easy for these two. After all they have been through, they deserve it. There is still someone in the Shadowlands who is working for the Harvest to pick up slaves. Linda recognizes his voice and she is trying to help Master Z and the detectives spot him. It gets a little crazy and dramatic. I just have one thing to say about Master Sam and the ending: Bullwhip. The little speech he gave at the end had me dying!
This is just a really great series. I’ve enjoyed every book. Sam and Linda’s story was just as wonderful as the rest. For being a sadist, Sam was so sweet and gentle with Linda. I just adored him. Linda was so strong and a great main character. For all she endured, I really give her props. It was fun to catch up with some of the other Masters and their subs- especially . These books are fun, suspenseful, sexy and very entertaining! I cannot wait for Sally’s book...with those two detectives! Yay!
‘This won’t hurt much’ from a sadist is as believable as hearing a root canal is just a little uncomfortable.
June 3, 2013
ETA 5/14/13: Excerpt from Cherise's website
ETA 4/12/13: We have a title and a release date ... In May no less!! I'm so anxious for Sam's book!
More Masters!! Woohoo! Can't wait! :D
From the author's website:
ETA 4/12/13: We have a title and a release date ... In May no less!! I'm so anxious for Sam's book!
More Masters!! Woohoo! Can't wait! :D
From the author's website:
I’ll wander back to the Shadowlands and see what comes next for Master Sam. Damn sadist. His story was supposed to be finished up in To Command and Collar. I should know that a Dom never does what you expect.
July 3, 2013
"Even sadists had to hurt sometimes."
Sam is a dominant and a sadist:
Linda is a submissive and a masochist:
Match made in heaven, right?
But the way these two met was less than perfect. Sam helps to rescue Linda from a slavers ship, but in order to do that he had to act like a buyer. In essence, he had to gain her trust in the middle of one of the most degrading and terrifying experiences of Linda's life. And in doing so, he forced her to see her masochistic side while tied up and vulnerable to the other slavers and slaves around her. This was not conducive to a great relationship starter.
When this book opens, Linda is on the witness stand testifying against the slaver who whipped her young friend to death on that same sex slave ship. And Sam has come to show his support to the little redhead that he hasn't been able to forget about.
Linda knows that Sam likely saved her life, and the lives of all of the other women. But she can't deal with the pressure from her experiences. Nor can she accept the fact that pain is a release for her...she craves it's oblivion, and she craves Master Sam.
"...this man read her as accurately as if he had an instruction manual titled "How to Understand Linda."
So this book is all about the dance between these two, but also about Linda's mental aftermath of a horrifying experience, and the sadist who is also quite the gentle spirit. That's right...the Master Sam that we met and were terrified of in previous Shadowlands books has a soft spot for this middle aged redhead subbie. These two keep gravitating toward each other, fulfilling a need though they both fight it pretty hard.
"Submissives do not get what they want. They get what they need."
Now, I do agree with other reviews that say that Sam the sadist is a little fluffier than one would expect. To be honest, it was just right for me. Not too much to make me want to close my eyes (which is not conducive to reading) but just enough to make me squeeze my butt cheeks and flinch a lot. Masochist, I am not!!! This part of the story was not titillating for me, but it is fascinating. If there were one thing I wish this author did better here, it would be to get me inside the heads of not Linda and Sam, but a masochist and a sadist. I don't understand the mindset...is it just a fun and games thing? Or is this some deeper seated psychological thing, like the M/s scenario in the last book? I may have to read another book like this to gather more info, but even after this book, I'm a little scared.
In all, we get quite a bit of the other Masters and subs and the Shadowlands. I love the friendships made, and I love how all the girls are just a little bit scared of the Masters...
"I'm Nolan Saw you at the club." He stood with Sam's quiet patience. His face even held the same "panic if you need to, I'll wait" expression..."
I was quite satisfied with Sam and Linda's story, and it seems as if they might actually lead the most vanilla lifestyle of all of the Shadowlands couples...church on Sundays, family dinners with their kids, working at the ranch, canings at night, clamps (of all varieties) in the morning...
Can't beat that!
July 29, 2016
A little kink was one thing. Needing to be hurt was entirely different.
Until the moment when the flogger seductively aroused the supple skin to a crimson glow, the arousing sound crackling through the midnight rain on my window, I was unaware of the burgeoning feelings within me. Oh, Shadowlands how have I missed you so dearly! Where do I begin to tell the tale of my misery? A spate of recent erotica drought had brought along disheartening shadows over my literary raptures. “Brace yourself, little girl!” , said Master Z. And so I did, being enticed all over again by the captivating Shadowlands.
He’d done his best by her, and she’d been the sweetest, most responsive submissive-masochist he’d ever met. The chemistry between them had been a bonfire. She’d trusted him, given him what he asked for, and in return, he’d transformed what might have been a nightmare of pain into something wonderful for her...
Ah.... let’s see where do I begin? A half-ass bottle of Glenfiddich, a few licorice rolls and the brazen seductive tone of Master Z. And, then there was Linda, my pet character. What I found intriguing about Linda was her growth as a submissive-masochist from her previous nightmares at the auction. Under the tutelage of Master Sam, after overcoming the initial trepidation, it was rather astonishing to see Linda coming into her own, easing into the BDSM pleasures. Sinclair ups her mesmeric sexual game, by delightfully depicting the camaraderie between the “normal” lives and the clandestine BDSM club lifestyles of role-playing, thus erasing the stigmatization that follows the BDSM life-style. The lives of Master Sam and Linda beyond the walls of untamed dungeons, respect S& M as a preferred sexual means and consensual gratification as long as sexual hostility is not excessively integrated.
Speaking of Master Sam, that man failed to entice me! Or is it that when it comes to Shadowlands, nothing beats the sexual potency and raw magnetism of Master Z. Master Sam’s brazenness as one of the most charismatic Domme dangled between his skilful handling of a bullwhip and his amorous possessiveness for Linda, leaving a somewhat vacant place in the area of sadistic -sexual arrogance I was hoping for. Throughout sexual shenanigans between Linda and Sam, it was the sexual transformation of Linda that appealed to me. Linda as an audacious woman and a budding SUB was more compelling than the other submissives in the Club.
Although the sexual nuances were comparatively milder considering the commanding orgasmic raptures in the previous numerical volumes, the undertone of a fulfilling relationship between Linda, Sam and their children and also the members of the Club enveloped the rambunctious BDSM shortcomings. Sinclair once again does a brilliant job bringing utter delight to me on a gloomy night with a cherished snippet from the blissful life of Zachary and Jessica, refreshing a bunch of enthralling recollections.
When it comes to Shadowlands, it is Master Z all the way! Sorry, Sam.
Until the moment when the flogger seductively aroused the supple skin to a crimson glow, the arousing sound crackling through the midnight rain on my window, I was unaware of the burgeoning feelings within me. Oh, Shadowlands how have I missed you so dearly! Where do I begin to tell the tale of my misery? A spate of recent erotica drought had brought along disheartening shadows over my literary raptures. “Brace yourself, little girl!” , said Master Z. And so I did, being enticed all over again by the captivating Shadowlands.
He’d done his best by her, and she’d been the sweetest, most responsive submissive-masochist he’d ever met. The chemistry between them had been a bonfire. She’d trusted him, given him what he asked for, and in return, he’d transformed what might have been a nightmare of pain into something wonderful for her...
Ah.... let’s see where do I begin? A half-ass bottle of Glenfiddich, a few licorice rolls and the brazen seductive tone of Master Z. And, then there was Linda, my pet character. What I found intriguing about Linda was her growth as a submissive-masochist from her previous nightmares at the auction. Under the tutelage of Master Sam, after overcoming the initial trepidation, it was rather astonishing to see Linda coming into her own, easing into the BDSM pleasures. Sinclair ups her mesmeric sexual game, by delightfully depicting the camaraderie between the “normal” lives and the clandestine BDSM club lifestyles of role-playing, thus erasing the stigmatization that follows the BDSM life-style. The lives of Master Sam and Linda beyond the walls of untamed dungeons, respect S& M as a preferred sexual means and consensual gratification as long as sexual hostility is not excessively integrated.
Speaking of Master Sam, that man failed to entice me! Or is it that when it comes to Shadowlands, nothing beats the sexual potency and raw magnetism of Master Z. Master Sam’s brazenness as one of the most charismatic Domme dangled between his skilful handling of a bullwhip and his amorous possessiveness for Linda, leaving a somewhat vacant place in the area of sadistic -sexual arrogance I was hoping for. Throughout sexual shenanigans between Linda and Sam, it was the sexual transformation of Linda that appealed to me. Linda as an audacious woman and a budding SUB was more compelling than the other submissives in the Club.
Although the sexual nuances were comparatively milder considering the commanding orgasmic raptures in the previous numerical volumes, the undertone of a fulfilling relationship between Linda, Sam and their children and also the members of the Club enveloped the rambunctious BDSM shortcomings. Sinclair once again does a brilliant job bringing utter delight to me on a gloomy night with a cherished snippet from the blissful life of Zachary and Jessica, refreshing a bunch of enthralling recollections.
When it comes to Shadowlands, it is Master Z all the way! Sorry, Sam.
May 31, 2013
5 stars
I have been waiting for Master’s Sam story since the very first book, there was just the aura about him that was always present, even though it took seven books to be the main character, he was a character that forever stayed with you, made you shiver and squirm in your chair. Having devoured this book, Sam and Linda’s story was everything I wanted and more…
Months has passed since Linda was rescued from a fate far worse than death, but time does nothing for her nightmares. All she wants to be is normal, to go back to her plain vanilla life, her business and be there for her kids, but it’s not so easy, having to testify against the man who killed her friend puts her back in the spotlight aiding in the rumors being spread throughout her little beach town. But help comes from the one person she knows she has to stay away but with just one look, there is nothing she could say to make this Master turn away.
Sam is nothing but honest, he may not be one to talk about his personal life but he’s not ashamed of who he is either, a sadist, the big bad wolf, enjoying the pleasures his brand of pain causes. The pain he’d given her in such a mixture of caring and roughness she’d had no choice but to submit. She closed her eyes, hating herself for wanting more. For wanting a sadist. For not being normal. Linda though she was sick in the head, she shouldn’t need pain, but she realized not just any Dom will do, she only wants the pleasure and pain that Sam gives her.
Sam and the rest of her Shadowland subby friends help her finally accept who she really is; a masochist, a submissive. Linda is the strongest woman that Sam knows, his brave little submissive gives herself to him fully and freely and his gift to her is to help her cope with what has happened and to turn nightmares into pleasures.
But someone from her past lurks too close to home, he is just bidding his time to get what he wants. It’s up to Linda to find this man before he hurts anyone else, problem is she doesn’t know what he looks like, but his voice is one she will never forget. Linda feels likes something is missing, her and Sam have an amazing relationship, but she knows he’s holding back. Sam lives his life pretty closed off from the world, keeping his worries and thoughts to himself, dealing with it all on his own, and he doesn’t know if he could ever give Linda what she needs, what she deserves.
Sam and Linda’s story was a perfect addition to the Master of the Shadowlands series, and I’m super stoked that it won’t be the last. I think out of the books so far, this is my favorite. Next up are my two favorite Fed’s, who bring tag teaming to a whole other level … Oh Sally, you have your work cut out for you … lucky subby!
*****************************************************
Oh Master Sam, I've been waiting for a very long time ... Can't believe your almost here!
“You’re the only person I know who can say ‘girl’ and mean ‘I love you and want to fuck you.’”
I have been waiting for Master’s Sam story since the very first book, there was just the aura about him that was always present, even though it took seven books to be the main character, he was a character that forever stayed with you, made you shiver and squirm in your chair. Having devoured this book, Sam and Linda’s story was everything I wanted and more…
"… Mr. Sadistic Rancher and Ms. Conservative Businesswoman."
Months has passed since Linda was rescued from a fate far worse than death, but time does nothing for her nightmares. All she wants to be is normal, to go back to her plain vanilla life, her business and be there for her kids, but it’s not so easy, having to testify against the man who killed her friend puts her back in the spotlight aiding in the rumors being spread throughout her little beach town. But help comes from the one person she knows she has to stay away but with just one look, there is nothing she could say to make this Master turn away.
“Submissives don’t get what they want. They get what they need.” He might as well have said the rest of what he was thinking: And you need me.
But she didn’t. She wouldn’t.
Sam is nothing but honest, he may not be one to talk about his personal life but he’s not ashamed of who he is either, a sadist, the big bad wolf, enjoying the pleasures his brand of pain causes. The pain he’d given her in such a mixture of caring and roughness she’d had no choice but to submit. She closed her eyes, hating herself for wanting more. For wanting a sadist. For not being normal. Linda though she was sick in the head, she shouldn’t need pain, but she realized not just any Dom will do, she only wants the pleasure and pain that Sam gives her.
"He’d done his best by her, and she’d been the sweetest, most responsive submissive-masochist he’d ever met. The chemistry between them had been a bonfire. She’d trusted him, given him what he asked for, and in return, he’d transformed what might have been a nightmare of pain into something wonderful for her."
Sam and the rest of her Shadowland subby friends help her finally accept who she really is; a masochist, a submissive. Linda is the strongest woman that Sam knows, his brave little submissive gives herself to him fully and freely and his gift to her is to help her cope with what has happened and to turn nightmares into pleasures.
“I can see you want to be punished, girl.”
“I… Ah…”
“After that, I’m going to fuck you.” She could hear the control in his voice. “Hurt you and fuck you so hard that everyone in the club hears you scream my name.”
Oh. God.
But someone from her past lurks too close to home, he is just bidding his time to get what he wants. It’s up to Linda to find this man before he hurts anyone else, problem is she doesn’t know what he looks like, but his voice is one she will never forget. Linda feels likes something is missing, her and Sam have an amazing relationship, but she knows he’s holding back. Sam lives his life pretty closed off from the world, keeping his worries and thoughts to himself, dealing with it all on his own, and he doesn’t know if he could ever give Linda what she needs, what she deserves.
Damn, but he’d missed her. “I’d order you a drink, but I’d rather hurt you first.”
She looked shocked. Then red streaked her cheeks. He kissed her lightly and whispered against her mouth, “See you cry.”
Her lips quivered under his. “Hear you scream.”
Sam and Linda’s story was a perfect addition to the Master of the Shadowlands series, and I’m super stoked that it won’t be the last. I think out of the books so far, this is my favorite. Next up are my two favorite Fed’s, who bring tag teaming to a whole other level … Oh Sally, you have your work cut out for you … lucky subby!
*****************************************************
Oh Master Sam, I've been waiting for a very long time ... Can't believe your almost here!
June 1, 2013
4 SPANKALICIOUS STARS!
Sam
Sam is one of the Masters of the BDSM club Shadowlands and he is a well known sadist, particularly known for his skills with a whip. Sam is pretty emotionally detached from others, isn't particularly talkative (mainly due to issues with his ex wife), he is fiercely protective of others, and is very blunt/honest.
Linda
We were introduced to Linda in To Command and Collar when both Raoul and Sam helped the FBI take down part of the Harvest Association (a known human trafficking organization) and saved her in the process. In this book, Linda is struggling to adapt to her normal life after being rescued from the slavers. Some of the members in her community are giving her a hard time and she is having a hard deciding if kink is something she wants as part of her life. She feels like she can't be normal because she is submissive and craves pain.
This is Who I Am is the story of how Sam and Linda move forward with their lives after the events of To Command and Collar. It also follows their journey of learning to trust one another and in the process, they both help heal each other. I really enjoyed this story, even more than I expected to! I'll admit I was a bit nervous because of the fact that Sam is a sadist but I ended up loving this story anyway and there a few very steamy scenes
Memorable Quotes/Moments:
"'This won't hurt much' from a sadist is as believable as hearing a root canal is just a little uncomfortable."
***
Sam talking about his daughter Nicole when she started dating:
"When she started dating, I hung a bullwhip by the door. Just in case..."
***
Sam's hilarious rant at the end. This doesn't really give anything away but he is pretty inventive with his language:
Sam
Sam is one of the Masters of the BDSM club Shadowlands and he is a well known sadist, particularly known for his skills with a whip. Sam is pretty emotionally detached from others, isn't particularly talkative (mainly due to issues with his ex wife), he is fiercely protective of others, and is very blunt/honest.
Linda
We were introduced to Linda in To Command and Collar when both Raoul and Sam helped the FBI take down part of the Harvest Association (a known human trafficking organization) and saved her in the process. In this book, Linda is struggling to adapt to her normal life after being rescued from the slavers. Some of the members in her community are giving her a hard time and she is having a hard deciding if kink is something she wants as part of her life. She feels like she can't be normal because she is submissive and craves pain.
This is Who I Am is the story of how Sam and Linda move forward with their lives after the events of To Command and Collar. It also follows their journey of learning to trust one another and in the process, they both help heal each other. I really enjoyed this story, even more than I expected to! I'll admit I was a bit nervous because of the fact that Sam is a sadist but I ended up loving this story anyway and there a few very steamy scenes
Memorable Quotes/Moments:
"'This won't hurt much' from a sadist is as believable as hearing a root canal is just a little uncomfortable."
***
Sam talking about his daughter Nicole when she started dating:
"When she started dating, I hung a bullwhip by the door. Just in case..."
***
Sam's hilarious rant at the end. This doesn't really give anything away but he is pretty inventive with his language:
January 11, 2016
***3.5 Stars***
These are the hardest reviews to write. I didn't dislike the book, not at all, but I unfortunately didn't love it either. Nothing really wowed me while reading, and frankly, I even found myself bored at times.
I know, I know! A sadist and a masochist...and I'm bored?!? This should say more about me than the book....but you see, Sam didn't feel much like a true sadist. He lacked the intensity that I was looking for and needing from him. A Dom...oh yes, he definitely carried himself with authority and dominance...but a sadist, I just didn't fully buy it. A little too fluffy around the edges for my tastes.
Linda, on the other hand, I really liked. She had a resilient fighting spirit that I rooted for throughout the whole book. Yes, there were times where she was a little too forgiving and I wish she had a bit more of a backbone to stand up for herself, but overall she was a great leading lady.
I'm glad Cherise Sinclair didn't drag out Linda's confusion over needing pain. Linda had constant doubts and negativity bombarding her brain whenever she would think about the "kinky" and "perverted" things she needed to truly enjoy sex, but with simplicity and humor, Cherise Sinclair easily demonstrated that there is no such thing as "normal." That's been a theme throughout this series that continues to weave through the Shadowlands community. And each Shadowlands Master makes sure to bring that point home ever so deliciously....
"Submissives don't get what they want. They get what they need."
Overall, this was a good addition to the series that even though I didn't love, I still really enjoyed. And it was great catching up and seeing the other couples. There's quite the interesting bachelorette party that takes place in this book! I definitely don't think I could party with these girls!
Up next is challenging Sally and a couple of rough and tough FBI agents.....I'm getting the shivers just thinking about it!
May 31, 2013
Oh, I just love Master Sam :). I wasn't sure if this one was going to work for me. I have a bizarre fascination with trying to understand sadists (and to be honest, I don't feel any closer after reading this book), and I was totally intrigued by Sam in the previous book, but he was still a character that made me take a mental step back.
Luckily, I was rewarded. I loved the story of Sam and Linda. It was smokin' hot, with tons of emotion, just like I've come to expect from this series. Linda was so brave (physically as well as emotionally), and she was the perfect partner for sometimes scary Sam. I loved seeing the "soft side" of the sadist. He was wonderful and protective. Pushing Linda, but always keeping her happiness as his goal. Total win.
Oh, and I'm hoping that Sally's story is next - I've loved that girl from book one :).
Luckily, I was rewarded. I loved the story of Sam and Linda. It was smokin' hot, with tons of emotion, just like I've come to expect from this series. Linda was so brave (physically as well as emotionally), and she was the perfect partner for sometimes scary Sam. I loved seeing the "soft side" of the sadist. He was wonderful and protective. Pushing Linda, but always keeping her happiness as his goal. Total win.
Oh, and I'm hoping that Sally's story is next - I've loved that girl from book one :).
June 1, 2013
*Review without spoilers*
He gave her a contemplative stare as if he’d never had a woman tease him. Then again, who in their right mind would tease a sadist?
Amongst the BDSM themed books the sadist/masochist couples are part of the ones I like the least. I’m sorry, but I can’t find a sadist appealing so if I can help it I tend to avoid BDSM books with sadist heroes.
That being said, even though I knew that Sam and Linda fell in that category I couldn’t wait to read “This is Who I Am”. For three reasons. The first one is although Sam is a sadist, since book 5 I couldn’t help but like him. The second reason is because in book 6, wanting to help Linda, Sam ended up messing up big time. He knows something went wrong but doesn’t know what and feel bad about it. The last reason is because in this book the identity of the mole in the Shadowlands Club was to be revealed (this particular sadist was creepy).
And then he’d made a mistake; to this day, he wasn’t sure exactly what. He had ideas, but hell, he could be totally off base.
“I’m not sure what I did.” Where were all the arguments he’d come up with over the past months? “But I did something wrong. I’m sorry, girl.”
Still, because of the MC's preferences I was prepared to not enjoy this book as much as the other, so this book was a really really good surprise. I don’t know how she did it but somehow Cherise Sinclair managed to write the story in such a way that their relationship was just beautiful and right.
With Sam, she’d felt safe. Safe enough to let go, to let pain transform into pleasure, to let herself slide into her happy place. His strength, his voice, even his brutal honesty was reassuring. So was the way he’d hold her afterward with surprisingly tender hands, caring for her as if she... meant... something.
I think that one of the things that allowed this achievement is that during the different BDSM scenes, instead of focusing on too much technical details or the pain side, Cherise Sinclair focused on the pleasure felt by Linda.
Glorious, erotic rawness. Unsure if she hurt or felt wonderful, she whimpered.
Delight filled his eyes.
[...] The pain was —as Goldilocks said—just right.
Another thing that helped is that not only none of them is in the humiliation stuff but after her abduction Linda is determined to be threated with respect and Sam is there to help her recover her self-esteem and confidence. I really liked the game they played where she was to receive “good” punishment if she misbehaved and “bad” ones if she was polite and compliant.
After donning the suit coat she’d fetched, he gave her an approving smile. “Miss Madison, I’m Sam Davies, the CEO of Pain International.” He held his hand out. (LOL!)
Sam is a really thoughtful and watchful Dom (inside and outside the club), Linda is a strong and loving woman and together they were beautiful. I think the fact that they are both mature added a dimension to their story.
Expecting to see amusement in his gaze, she saw only concern. It didn’t matter. She rose to her feet, rattled when he did the same. But he was the kind of man who’d observe that old-fashioned courtesy. A gentleman sadist.
"May have less muscles, but women got more guts than most men."
Of course this book being part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series, there was also funny moments. And I absolutely can’t wait for Sally, Galen and Vance story!!!
"Those two. They’ve got tag teaming down to a science. And they make me feel stupid. I never feel stupid. I need a drink."
He gave her a contemplative stare as if he’d never had a woman tease him. Then again, who in their right mind would tease a sadist?
Amongst the BDSM themed books the sadist/masochist couples are part of the ones I like the least. I’m sorry, but I can’t find a sadist appealing so if I can help it I tend to avoid BDSM books with sadist heroes.
That being said, even though I knew that Sam and Linda fell in that category I couldn’t wait to read “This is Who I Am”. For three reasons. The first one is although Sam is a sadist, since book 5 I couldn’t help but like him. The second reason is because in book 6, wanting to help Linda, Sam ended up messing up big time. He knows something went wrong but doesn’t know what and feel bad about it. The last reason is because in this book the identity of the mole in the Shadowlands Club was to be revealed (this particular sadist was creepy).
And then he’d made a mistake; to this day, he wasn’t sure exactly what. He had ideas, but hell, he could be totally off base.
“I’m not sure what I did.” Where were all the arguments he’d come up with over the past months? “But I did something wrong. I’m sorry, girl.”
Still, because of the MC's preferences I was prepared to not enjoy this book as much as the other, so this book was a really really good surprise. I don’t know how she did it but somehow Cherise Sinclair managed to write the story in such a way that their relationship was just beautiful and right.
With Sam, she’d felt safe. Safe enough to let go, to let pain transform into pleasure, to let herself slide into her happy place. His strength, his voice, even his brutal honesty was reassuring. So was the way he’d hold her afterward with surprisingly tender hands, caring for her as if she... meant... something.
I think that one of the things that allowed this achievement is that during the different BDSM scenes, instead of focusing on too much technical details or the pain side, Cherise Sinclair focused on the pleasure felt by Linda.
Glorious, erotic rawness. Unsure if she hurt or felt wonderful, she whimpered.
Delight filled his eyes.
[...] The pain was —as Goldilocks said—just right.
Another thing that helped is that not only none of them is in the humiliation stuff but after her abduction Linda is determined to be threated with respect and Sam is there to help her recover her self-esteem and confidence. I really liked the game they played where she was to receive “good” punishment if she misbehaved and “bad” ones if she was polite and compliant.
After donning the suit coat she’d fetched, he gave her an approving smile. “Miss Madison, I’m Sam Davies, the CEO of Pain International.” He held his hand out. (LOL!)
Sam is a really thoughtful and watchful Dom (inside and outside the club), Linda is a strong and loving woman and together they were beautiful. I think the fact that they are both mature added a dimension to their story.
Expecting to see amusement in his gaze, she saw only concern. It didn’t matter. She rose to her feet, rattled when he did the same. But he was the kind of man who’d observe that old-fashioned courtesy. A gentleman sadist.
"May have less muscles, but women got more guts than most men."
Of course this book being part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series, there was also funny moments. And I absolutely can’t wait for Sally, Galen and Vance story!!!
"Those two. They’ve got tag teaming down to a science. And they make me feel stupid. I never feel stupid. I need a drink."
May 30, 2013
update
Excerpt, bitches! wooohooo!
http://cherisesinclair.com/coming-soon/ I love these guys ♥-♥
OMG May 28th!!! Finally!
Excerpt, bitches! wooohooo!
http://cherisesinclair.com/coming-soon/ I love these guys ♥-♥
OMG May 28th!!! Finally!
June 2, 2013
I need to start by saying what a huge fan of the Masters of the Shadowlands series I am!! I think I kinda forget how much I love everything about these books and characters until I dive back into their stories.
I have been anxiously awaiting Master Sam's story for quite some time now. For a few reasons really. One is that, unlike some BDSM books, there is a lot going on in the background of these books. In the last installment we saw some of the key players at Shadowlands involved in taking down a part of a human trafficking ring. Linda, who is our heroine, was held as a slave and rescued and she is having a hard time dealing with Sam since he had to play a rather hard part in the rescue operation. Now I realize this all may sound a little vague if you have not read any of these books - and if you are a BDSM fan of any kind then I have to ask, why the hell have you not read these books??
Anyway, another reason I have been looking forward to Sam is because not only is he an older man, and Linda an older woman, and by this I mean old enough that they have grown children. But that Sam is a Sadist! For you newbies that means he enjoys inflicting pain and Linda is a Masochist, which means she enjoys receiving pain (even if it takes her awhile to admit this, seeing as she wants to be normal and all)!! Sam is the one man who can give her what she needs and make her feel safe, if only she'd let him.
This book was a beautifully emotional read. Watching Linda try to resume her life with the whole world knowing was held as a sex slave. Let me tell you, I really wanted to jump into this book and bitch slap the fuck out of some of these ignorant, narrow minded assholes that think she deserved that because of her penchant for pain and kink!! FUCK THEM I SAY!! We all have kink, even if we are too closed minded to admit it!! OK, sorry, minor rant!! Y'all that know me know that those slip into my reviews sometimes!! :)
Like I said before, if you are a BDSM fan at all and haven't read this series - get your ass out there and get them! Cherise Sinclair rocks my socks!!
Brace yourselves for Master Sam....
I have been anxiously awaiting Master Sam's story for quite some time now. For a few reasons really. One is that, unlike some BDSM books, there is a lot going on in the background of these books. In the last installment we saw some of the key players at Shadowlands involved in taking down a part of a human trafficking ring. Linda, who is our heroine, was held as a slave and rescued and she is having a hard time dealing with Sam since he had to play a rather hard part in the rescue operation. Now I realize this all may sound a little vague if you have not read any of these books - and if you are a BDSM fan of any kind then I have to ask, why the hell have you not read these books??
Anyway, another reason I have been looking forward to Sam is because not only is he an older man, and Linda an older woman, and by this I mean old enough that they have grown children. But that Sam is a Sadist! For you newbies that means he enjoys inflicting pain and Linda is a Masochist, which means she enjoys receiving pain (even if it takes her awhile to admit this, seeing as she wants to be normal and all)!! Sam is the one man who can give her what she needs and make her feel safe, if only she'd let him.
This book was a beautifully emotional read. Watching Linda try to resume her life with the whole world knowing was held as a sex slave. Let me tell you, I really wanted to jump into this book and bitch slap the fuck out of some of these ignorant, narrow minded assholes that think she deserved that because of her penchant for pain and kink!! FUCK THEM I SAY!! We all have kink, even if we are too closed minded to admit it!! OK, sorry, minor rant!! Y'all that know me know that those slip into my reviews sometimes!! :)
Like I said before, if you are a BDSM fan at all and haven't read this series - get your ass out there and get them! Cherise Sinclair rocks my socks!!
Brace yourselves for Master Sam....
May 28, 2013
Sam and Linda
Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Sam the sadist. Sam has always been the scary one when we were visiting Shadowlands. He was always the one that made the women nervous and the one the men had mad respect for. I was nervous for his book because while all Ms. Sinclair’s books are heavy BDSM, they are more heavy on toys and creative techniques like ropes, fire or electricity. I can’t recall one where there would be so much emphasis on the pain aspect. But Ms. Sinclair is one of my favorite authors for a reason and if anyone could pull this off, it would be her.
We first met Linda in To Command and Collar when she is being sold at the same slave auction as Kim. Something about her calls to Sam and in order to solidify his cover he chooses her for a “test” run. Sam realizes that Linda is a masochist and gives her what she needs but in doing so he humiliates her in front of her fellow slaves. Not having an orgasm or responding had been Linda’s one holdout and Sam destroyed that for her.
Fast forward several months and Linda is free and has returned home. She is restless and unhappy and realizes that she needs the release that pain can give her. She takes Kim and Raoul up on their offer of Shadowlands where she sees Sam again. Even though she is extremely resentful about their last confrontation, Linda knows that Sam can give her what she needs.
Sam, however, can’t give Linda much but physical pain and emotional heartache. He experienced an extremely ugly marriage and divorce and remains closed off from any real connection. If anyone can break through those walls though it might be Linda with her calm, steady personality and loyalty. It won’t be easy though because any time Sam comes in contact with his ex he closes up and pushes everyone away.
The plot of the book is pretty straightforward. Linda and Sam learning each other. There is a twist with the slavers thrown in but I wasn’t too invested in that part. Mostly I was captivated by our main couple. I am normally not a fan of an older romance with people who already have one life behind them and that is what we get here with both Sam and Linda having grown children. However, neither of them came off as trying for a second chance at life. Sam is pretty hot, if you ask me. He is hot in a steady, manly way. Like with all Cherise Sinclair novels, I learned about some new sexual toy or practice. Sam was a teacher here and I was a happy learner.
I had one minor issues with this book. It was Sam’s use of girl or missy when he was talking to Linda. I could have taken them as pet names if he hadn’t used them when he was talking to a Shadowlands’ trainee. I think they were a way for him to distance himself from the emotions of the act he was performing. And to that end, he distanced himself from Linda for a long time in this book. Around the 50% mark he made a comment something like how he had fun getting submissives worked up but at the time he was with Linda. I thought that by that point she would mean more than a generic title but it didn’t translate that she did.
The title This Is Who I Am is one of the truest titles that I have come across. The main focus of the book was on Linda acknowledging that her desires are not abnormal or unnatural, that she was a masochist and a submissive, and there was nothing wrong with that. It was also directed to those around her; her family, friends and the people of her town.
She turned her attention to her self-righteous children. They’d never even been spanked, let alone beaten. Not been whipped. Or raped. Or called names like “slut” and “whore”. Never gone hungry. And somehow grown up without any compassion, whatsoever.
I thought her struggle to realize she isn’t a pervert was well done. It also brought submissives from previous books because they were the ones to help her through the struggle. I was super happy to see Z and Jessica’s wedding as they have always been my favorite couple. Something about Z just speaks my language.
As always, I came away super satisfied with a Cherise Sinclair book. She makes things work that would normally have no hope of flying for me. I realized it had been a while since I read some of the earlier Shadowlands books so I decided I need to go back and do a reread. Sam was everything I hoped he would be and though I started out nervous about his hard-core sadism, it all worked. There wasn’t a moment where I felt it was overdone or too much. I am a huge fan of Ms. Sinclair and am thrilled we were able to get Sam’s book. I cannot wait for Sally and her yummy FBI agents! Final grade- B.
Favorite Quote:
“You goddamned scared the shit out of me, girl.”
And he actually gave her a shake before yanking her into his arms again. His cheek rested against the top of her head as his barely audible chant continued:
“I’ll rip the fucking assholes’s dick off and stuff it down his douche-bag throat. Take my whip and cornhole the bastard peckerheaded fuckwad till his ass whistles ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Sam the sadist. Sam has always been the scary one when we were visiting Shadowlands. He was always the one that made the women nervous and the one the men had mad respect for. I was nervous for his book because while all Ms. Sinclair’s books are heavy BDSM, they are more heavy on toys and creative techniques like ropes, fire or electricity. I can’t recall one where there would be so much emphasis on the pain aspect. But Ms. Sinclair is one of my favorite authors for a reason and if anyone could pull this off, it would be her.
We first met Linda in To Command and Collar when she is being sold at the same slave auction as Kim. Something about her calls to Sam and in order to solidify his cover he chooses her for a “test” run. Sam realizes that Linda is a masochist and gives her what she needs but in doing so he humiliates her in front of her fellow slaves. Not having an orgasm or responding had been Linda’s one holdout and Sam destroyed that for her.
Fast forward several months and Linda is free and has returned home. She is restless and unhappy and realizes that she needs the release that pain can give her. She takes Kim and Raoul up on their offer of Shadowlands where she sees Sam again. Even though she is extremely resentful about their last confrontation, Linda knows that Sam can give her what she needs.
Sam, however, can’t give Linda much but physical pain and emotional heartache. He experienced an extremely ugly marriage and divorce and remains closed off from any real connection. If anyone can break through those walls though it might be Linda with her calm, steady personality and loyalty. It won’t be easy though because any time Sam comes in contact with his ex he closes up and pushes everyone away.
The plot of the book is pretty straightforward. Linda and Sam learning each other. There is a twist with the slavers thrown in but I wasn’t too invested in that part. Mostly I was captivated by our main couple. I am normally not a fan of an older romance with people who already have one life behind them and that is what we get here with both Sam and Linda having grown children. However, neither of them came off as trying for a second chance at life. Sam is pretty hot, if you ask me. He is hot in a steady, manly way. Like with all Cherise Sinclair novels, I learned about some new sexual toy or practice. Sam was a teacher here and I was a happy learner.
I had one minor issues with this book. It was Sam’s use of girl or missy when he was talking to Linda. I could have taken them as pet names if he hadn’t used them when he was talking to a Shadowlands’ trainee. I think they were a way for him to distance himself from the emotions of the act he was performing. And to that end, he distanced himself from Linda for a long time in this book. Around the 50% mark he made a comment something like how he had fun getting submissives worked up but at the time he was with Linda. I thought that by that point she would mean more than a generic title but it didn’t translate that she did.
The title This Is Who I Am is one of the truest titles that I have come across. The main focus of the book was on Linda acknowledging that her desires are not abnormal or unnatural, that she was a masochist and a submissive, and there was nothing wrong with that. It was also directed to those around her; her family, friends and the people of her town.
She turned her attention to her self-righteous children. They’d never even been spanked, let alone beaten. Not been whipped. Or raped. Or called names like “slut” and “whore”. Never gone hungry. And somehow grown up without any compassion, whatsoever.
I thought her struggle to realize she isn’t a pervert was well done. It also brought submissives from previous books because they were the ones to help her through the struggle. I was super happy to see Z and Jessica’s wedding as they have always been my favorite couple. Something about Z just speaks my language.
As always, I came away super satisfied with a Cherise Sinclair book. She makes things work that would normally have no hope of flying for me. I realized it had been a while since I read some of the earlier Shadowlands books so I decided I need to go back and do a reread. Sam was everything I hoped he would be and though I started out nervous about his hard-core sadism, it all worked. There wasn’t a moment where I felt it was overdone or too much. I am a huge fan of Ms. Sinclair and am thrilled we were able to get Sam’s book. I cannot wait for Sally and her yummy FBI agents! Final grade- B.
Favorite Quote:
“You goddamned scared the shit out of me, girl.”
And he actually gave her a shake before yanking her into his arms again. His cheek rested against the top of her head as his barely audible chant continued:
“I’ll rip the fucking assholes’s dick off and stuff it down his douche-bag throat. Take my whip and cornhole the bastard peckerheaded fuckwad till his ass whistles ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.”
June 2, 2013
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤½
Make no mistake that Cherisse Sinclair kicks it up a notch with this installment in the Shadowlands series. This Is Who I Am was gripping, intense, and sweetly sexy. The characters and their emotions are laid bare. The reader was taken on a powerful journey of forgiveness, healing, acceptance, and love.
I'm sure that many people will take "issue" with the S&M aspect of the story. Trust me when I say that it isn't my preferred subject matter either. HOWEVER, the story addressed a much broader issue of the trafficking and the continued havoc it wreaked on lives. Linda was physically free but was in a prison of her own making in her mind. She struggled with her fulfillment through pain and accepted that she was not normal because of her desires. Sinclair blew the stigma on S&M wide open by giving it a human face. Linda was a businesswoman and a mother. Normal. In every sense. But the battle for accepting her desires as normal was hard fought and Sam and the women of the Shadowlands were an excellent support system.
The climax of the story had me shivering because of the startling intensity of the moment. Everything was on the line and Sam and Linda made decisions that could have lead to death, instead of life and love.
I appreciate how the Shadowlands series isn't all about sex. Yes, there is a heavy dose in the books but the more potent themes are about people and their relationships -- the cornerstone of many a brilliant romances. The BDSM nature of this series does not change what it is at it's core -- a romance.
I loved the ending with Mama Bear Linda standing up for Nicole. That was so wonderfully sweet that it brought me to tears. This story was an amazing read. Brava, Cherise!
VERY GOOD: The characteristics of a 4 star book include: a great story; I loved the characters; and there was an interesting plot and unique story elements; there may have been a few odd things kept the story from being amazing. I would read it again and I would recommend it to a friend.My Thoughts:
Make no mistake that Cherisse Sinclair kicks it up a notch with this installment in the Shadowlands series. This Is Who I Am was gripping, intense, and sweetly sexy. The characters and their emotions are laid bare. The reader was taken on a powerful journey of forgiveness, healing, acceptance, and love.
I'm sure that many people will take "issue" with the S&M aspect of the story. Trust me when I say that it isn't my preferred subject matter either. HOWEVER, the story addressed a much broader issue of the trafficking and the continued havoc it wreaked on lives. Linda was physically free but was in a prison of her own making in her mind. She struggled with her fulfillment through pain and accepted that she was not normal because of her desires. Sinclair blew the stigma on S&M wide open by giving it a human face. Linda was a businesswoman and a mother. Normal. In every sense. But the battle for accepting her desires as normal was hard fought and Sam and the women of the Shadowlands were an excellent support system.
The climax of the story had me shivering because of the startling intensity of the moment. Everything was on the line and Sam and Linda made decisions that could have lead to death, instead of life and love.
I appreciate how the Shadowlands series isn't all about sex. Yes, there is a heavy dose in the books but the more potent themes are about people and their relationships -- the cornerstone of many a brilliant romances. The BDSM nature of this series does not change what it is at it's core -- a romance.
I loved the ending with Mama Bear Linda standing up for Nicole. That was so wonderfully sweet that it brought me to tears. This story was an amazing read. Brava, Cherise!
June 10, 2017
Love Linda and Sam! :D
February 18, 2024
Remember Linda? The woman that was with Kim before Raoul bought her from the Overseer?
The same woman Sam kept safe at the auction until the FBI raided the place…..
She’d only just come to terms with the fact she was a masochist when she was taken,and the fact that Sam managed to make her like what he did to her…..in that horrible place….shook her even more.
Now free,she struggles to find peace,to find a way forward.
And as much as she loathed what Sam did to her,she can’t help,but want more to quiet her mind…..
Shadowlands is a safe place to explore,but seeing Sam there?
Can she deal with that,with the idea of him giving her what she needs?
Being a masochist is bad enough,but being a submissive as well is a lot to take in,but he knows exactly how to push her buttons…..
Besides making her hurt enough to let go of her worries,he makes her feel safe,beautiful.
She starts to have feelings for him….but it doesn’t seem he feels the same way.
What to do with the reasons he keeps his distance emotionally? Let him go,or fight for him?
And if that isn’t enough,she’s having trouble at home,too!
Graffiti appears on her house regularly,people whisper ugly things,and her kids…..
They don’t understand what she’s been through,but then again….how much do they really know?
Sam has his own struggles to go through.
He knows he did something wrong at the auction,and he knows he has to apologize to Linda.
He gets his chance at Shadowlands,and once they clear the air,he finds he wants to see more of her.
Hearing about her troubles at home,he offers to spend the nights until they find the culprit.
Inviting her to his house is a step too far though…..even though the knowledge clearly hurts her.
But his ex wife did a number on him and their daughter Nicole,and they’re both still suffering because of it.
And she’s not done….she keeps coming back for money in spite of him refusing her more than he’s already giving her.
At the same time,he knows Linda is the opposite of his ex,she’s caring,sweet,and will fight for the ones she loves.
Hurting her by retreating is the last thing he’d want,but surely she can do a lot better than him….right?
While they’re dealing with their traumas,there’s still danger lurking at Shadowlands.
The Harvest Association’s spotter at Shadowlands was never caught,and with the business gone in the area,he decides to get his kicks from prostitutes.
He still visits Shadowlands,and seeing Linda again,one of the slaves that got away, makes him want to get his hands on her.
To torture her until she screams,to use her until she’s done,and to take her life when he’s had enough…
Will he succeed,or is there a way to catch the man before it’s too late?
This was one of the more emotional stories of the series,along with To Command and Collar,and it hurt me to see both Linda and Sam struggle with their traumas.
They connected on the deepest levels,but Sam couldn’t open up until it was nearly too late…
Being older may have meant they’d had more experience in life,but that doesn’t mean they didn’t hurt…..and trying to protect their hearts from getting hurt even more.
It made me very happy to see they both found the courage to take that leap of faith in the end.
The same woman Sam kept safe at the auction until the FBI raided the place…..
She’d only just come to terms with the fact she was a masochist when she was taken,and the fact that Sam managed to make her like what he did to her…..in that horrible place….shook her even more.
Now free,she struggles to find peace,to find a way forward.
And as much as she loathed what Sam did to her,she can’t help,but want more to quiet her mind…..
Shadowlands is a safe place to explore,but seeing Sam there?
Can she deal with that,with the idea of him giving her what she needs?
Being a masochist is bad enough,but being a submissive as well is a lot to take in,but he knows exactly how to push her buttons…..
Besides making her hurt enough to let go of her worries,he makes her feel safe,beautiful.
She starts to have feelings for him….but it doesn’t seem he feels the same way.
What to do with the reasons he keeps his distance emotionally? Let him go,or fight for him?
And if that isn’t enough,she’s having trouble at home,too!
Graffiti appears on her house regularly,people whisper ugly things,and her kids…..
They don’t understand what she’s been through,but then again….how much do they really know?
Sam has his own struggles to go through.
He knows he did something wrong at the auction,and he knows he has to apologize to Linda.
He gets his chance at Shadowlands,and once they clear the air,he finds he wants to see more of her.
Hearing about her troubles at home,he offers to spend the nights until they find the culprit.
Inviting her to his house is a step too far though…..even though the knowledge clearly hurts her.
But his ex wife did a number on him and their daughter Nicole,and they’re both still suffering because of it.
And she’s not done….she keeps coming back for money in spite of him refusing her more than he’s already giving her.
At the same time,he knows Linda is the opposite of his ex,she’s caring,sweet,and will fight for the ones she loves.
Hurting her by retreating is the last thing he’d want,but surely she can do a lot better than him….right?
While they’re dealing with their traumas,there’s still danger lurking at Shadowlands.
The Harvest Association’s spotter at Shadowlands was never caught,and with the business gone in the area,he decides to get his kicks from prostitutes.
He still visits Shadowlands,and seeing Linda again,one of the slaves that got away, makes him want to get his hands on her.
To torture her until she screams,to use her until she’s done,and to take her life when he’s had enough…
Will he succeed,or is there a way to catch the man before it’s too late?
This was one of the more emotional stories of the series,along with To Command and Collar,and it hurt me to see both Linda and Sam struggle with their traumas.
They connected on the deepest levels,but Sam couldn’t open up until it was nearly too late…
Being older may have meant they’d had more experience in life,but that doesn’t mean they didn’t hurt…..and trying to protect their hearts from getting hurt even more.
It made me very happy to see they both found the courage to take that leap of faith in the end.
August 3, 2013
Love the title. It really sums up the book. As a masochist I definitely enjoyed the focus on masochism here. While the D/s is just as important in this one I find that there is such a plethora of D/s books that us S&M folks get short shrift frequently. Particularly how we process pain and what that means to us. I have to say I felt this gem was written just for me. It had all the stuff I like and none of the stuff I hate.
* Sam was unapologetic. Yep. If you start apologizing for the sadism it will be a DNF for me
* Linda recognized that pain helps her process and ground. It is needed - like air.
* I believe it is true that masochists will find ways to get pain if they lack a partner to provide it. I, for example, am hard wired for it. Even as a kid I liked getting spanked. You'd be amazed at what you can find to give you pain that you can morph and get grounded by. I personally can recommend doing your own brazilian wax and working out (both things I've done a lot of the last several years)
* There was no humiliating language. You will never know Ms. Sinclair how much that makes a difference. I recognize others feel differently and enjoy terms like slut, whore, bitch - but I do not. I did love how he called her "girl" all the time.
* The age and age difference. Trust me when I say women in their 40's have an incredible drive for sex - it's not like we're all dried up or something. Plus - points for this - I think we get a little less inhibited as we get older. I'm willing to do way more stuff now at 47 than I was at 22.
* You hear it so much...it's just because it's true. Flawed characters are much more fun. When they frustrate you, piss you off, make you cry. That makes them, well....like us.
I also liked the scenes. This one felt slightly less descriptive than some of her others - I actually thought Sam was harsh enough but then I've experienced much of the pain he puts her through. And I'm a masochist...so I know what the end game is and how it feels when you are done. At the time it hurts like hell. Not sure why folks might think it doesn't but whateva'. In the right hands for me pain goes to pleasure nearly all the time. The one thing here was that he took her to subspace pretty much every scene/sexual encounter. That's a fantasy folks.....IRL it's just not that easy.
I've always said I love a Dom who just does. Does it because he wants to do it. Huge turn on. Sam just shines here as the Dom who (even though yes he is a little too all knowing at times) pushes. His language too was great. I LOVE descriptive language like this. It amps up the arousal level for me to huge heights.
Another great entry in a phenomenal series. IMHO this should set the standard for good BDSM writing (that is erotic fiction) instead of 50 Shades - WORLD of difference!
* Sam was unapologetic. Yep. If you start apologizing for the sadism it will be a DNF for me
* Linda recognized that pain helps her process and ground. It is needed - like air.
* I believe it is true that masochists will find ways to get pain if they lack a partner to provide it. I, for example, am hard wired for it. Even as a kid I liked getting spanked. You'd be amazed at what you can find to give you pain that you can morph and get grounded by. I personally can recommend doing your own brazilian wax and working out (both things I've done a lot of the last several years)
* There was no humiliating language. You will never know Ms. Sinclair how much that makes a difference. I recognize others feel differently and enjoy terms like slut, whore, bitch - but I do not. I did love how he called her "girl" all the time.
* The age and age difference. Trust me when I say women in their 40's have an incredible drive for sex - it's not like we're all dried up or something. Plus - points for this - I think we get a little less inhibited as we get older. I'm willing to do way more stuff now at 47 than I was at 22.
* You hear it so much...it's just because it's true. Flawed characters are much more fun. When they frustrate you, piss you off, make you cry. That makes them, well....like us.
I also liked the scenes. This one felt slightly less descriptive than some of her others - I actually thought Sam was harsh enough but then I've experienced much of the pain he puts her through. And I'm a masochist...so I know what the end game is and how it feels when you are done. At the time it hurts like hell. Not sure why folks might think it doesn't but whateva'. In the right hands for me pain goes to pleasure nearly all the time. The one thing here was that he took her to subspace pretty much every scene/sexual encounter. That's a fantasy folks.....IRL it's just not that easy.
I've always said I love a Dom who just does. Does it because he wants to do it. Huge turn on. Sam just shines here as the Dom who (even though yes he is a little too all knowing at times) pushes. His language too was great. I LOVE descriptive language like this. It amps up the arousal level for me to huge heights.
Another great entry in a phenomenal series. IMHO this should set the standard for good BDSM writing (that is erotic fiction) instead of 50 Shades - WORLD of difference!
June 4, 2013
Master Sam!! He frightened me in the earlier books so i was a little bit nervous to read his story being as how he's a Sadist but he wasn't scarey at ALL, in fact he was..*gasp*...SO SWEET and damn sexy!! In fact it was quite refreshing to read about a man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s! I loved Master Sam...I love Cherise Sinclair...and i love this series!! Can't wait for the next book!
My Master Sam...
My Master Sam...
May 18, 2014
The book title “This is Who I am” says it all. It is the personal acceptance of who you are. This is not a book about broken or damaged people who turn to the BDSM lifestyle to find themselves. This is a journey of love, acknowledgement, and acceptance of one’s self. This is two people who complement each other’s sexual tastes, desires and needs. This is a book about prejudice, and other people assumptions, a book where ones sexual taste defines them in the eyes of others.
What is sex, pleasure?
From a dictionary definition:
Sex: any act of touching intimately with stimulation giving excitement to a partner, male or female.
Pleasure describes the broad class of mental states that humans and other animals experience as positive, enjoyable, or worth seeking. It includes more specific mental states such as happiness, entertainment, enjoyment,ecstasy, and euphoria. In psychology, the pleasure principle describes pleasure as a positive feedback mechanism, motivating the organism to recreate in the future the situation which it has just found pleasurable
Seems simple enough to me, why wouldn’t everyone what that? How we get there is a question for each of us to personally deal with, and in my opinion, is not something that the community, family, friends or parties outside of the relationship need to be involved in.
Both Sam and Linda were good people, hard working, contributed to their communities, raised their children the best they could, were creative and caring. Cherise Sinclair did a great job giving us everyday normal people, people who would not normally stand out. Why should what we do in the bedroom (or chosen location) between consenting parties define who we are as people? Why we are not judged on our daily contributions to life and society?
If Linda had not been a victim of the human traffickers, had not testified, there would not have been any community, or family interest in her sexual life. For Linda this focus, made it difficult for her to come to terms with her personal desires and needs. I think Linda always knew there was something missing in her sexual life; she tried to ask her partners for more, but their shock, fear and un-acceptance of her requests lead them to label her as sick. It took a person like Sam, who enjoyed inflecting pain as part of the sexual act, to complement and free Linda of her fear that she was mentally damaged,dirty, or wired wrong.
Sam had come to terms with his sexual proclivities somewhere in his history, but had not resolved the emotional issues surrounding his ex wife, or his ability to verbally express love to those important to him. Sam’s relationship with Linda forced him to realize that there was emptiness in his life that she could fill. I actually had difficulty seeing Sam as a sadist, once the sex acts were completed, he was so warm, caring, and concerned for Linda, and others, he was just such a great guy!
The sexual scenes in this book are extremely tasteful, they are not crude, crass or thrown in for the shock value, they complemented the storyline and help us understand the needs and desires of both Sam and Linda. Although they may not be what we the reader experience in our journey to pleasure, I saw them as true to life practices that others may engage in.
Supporting Sam and Linda in their journey were our returning cast of characters from the Shadowlands, a few new trainees were added, but for the most part all characters are known to readers of the series. Interwoven into the main plot was the wedding of Z and Jessica, and a bit more on the aftermath of the human trafficking storyline from the previous book.
This was a difficult subject matter to have as a mainstream book, I applauded Cherise Sinclair , for her creative, artistic , and tasteful delivery of a beautiful love story, and journey to personal acceptance for our characters.
I enjoyed this book very much
September 20, 2018
¡¡¡WOWWW!!! Sam es SAM con mayúsculas, definitivamente yo no sabría si morirme de miedo o de otra cosas más interesantes si viera en persona las miradas que le mostraba a Linda, una pareja espectacular y de las más interesantes XD Sus deseos, necesidades y placeres se mezclan muy bien con el entorno que los rodea. No voy a negar que un par de veces me dieron ganas de abofetear a Sam, pero la historia ha estado fantástica. Ahora me dedicaré a sufrir hasta que pueda leerme el próximo libro de la saga.
Con la relectura ya andaba pensando en Sam y Linda desde el libro anterior, y de vuelta volvieron a sorprenderme, y también de nuevo quise golpear a Sam, aunque claro, eso no me convendría en lo más mínimo XD
¡¡¡Sam!!! En la tercera lectura creo que me he concentrado mucho más en su imagen de padre, tan lindo.
Han vuelto a encantarme los personajes, también me gusta el toque distinto que supone ver una relación S/M en vez de D/S. Obviamente más que recomendable y lamento no haberlo tenido tanto tiempo en lectura por culpa de mi Kindle temperamental.
Con la relectura ya andaba pensando en Sam y Linda desde el libro anterior, y de vuelta volvieron a sorprenderme, y también de nuevo quise golpear a Sam, aunque claro, eso no me convendría en lo más mínimo XD
¡¡¡Sam!!! En la tercera lectura creo que me he concentrado mucho más en su imagen de padre, tan lindo.
Han vuelto a encantarme los personajes, también me gusta el toque distinto que supone ver una relación S/M en vez de D/S. Obviamente más que recomendable y lamento no haberlo tenido tanto tiempo en lectura por culpa de mi Kindle temperamental.
Read
September 12, 2014I can't wait for Sam's story but I also hope there is point of view from Jessica and Master Z about maybe their wedding or having kids because I could see A great story unfold!!!
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June 3, 2013
06/03/2013 --
Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 2.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars [$7.99 on Amazon]
Where do I even begin ...? If I had to come up with one phrase to describe my thoughts on this one it would be "lost in translation." I love Cherise Sinclair. When I found out there was a new one out, I ran to buy it - even at the $8 price. Why? Because, even though these stories aren't really "deep", they are enjoyable. She can create really good characters.
This time?? Not so much. Not sure what happened.
What worked for me?
1 -- I still can't get enough of Club Shadowlands. It is an interesting fictional setting. I like seeing characters I remember from previous books. However, this time, we didn't get much and what we did get lacked the depth in secondary character development.
2 -- I liked Sam. I liked him whenever he's shown up in this series. Unfortunately, I expected more. He came across as wishy/washy. Not the Sam I expected. He was "afraid" of commitment because of a bad marriage? The Sam I expected wouldn't be afraid of anything. I just didn't like what the author did with this character nor where she took him.
3 - The book blurb gave us a good reveal and helped to set our expectations.
There was more I didn't like in this one:
1 -- This story lacked flow. Just skipped around. I never settled and felt comfortable with it. I found it boring in places. This author never takes you deep into a story, but this time it really lacked. It skimmed the surface too much, this one just didn't grab me.
2 -- I thought the characters mediocre and poorly developed. I couldn't really get interested. I love rich characters you can "sink your teeth" into and we didn't get them here. This author for me is good, strong characters [maybe not deep, but solid] and sexy scenes. Our h, Linda was okay, but for all the horror of her situation, you didn't feel it. You really didn't empathize much. The author didn't take you there. This is a horrific topic. One deserving of some real attention. Didn't happen. As bad as the main characters were, the secondary characters were non-existent.
3 -- The cover of this book is terrible. What is it supposed to represent? Does it grab you? Does it tell you anything about the book or its' characters? Nope. Let this be your first clue.
4 -- The price. The level of storytelling in this one isn't worth the $8 asking price. I paid it, but if I'd read my review first, and it was from someone I trust, I wouldn't have. No way. This really was mediocre in all ways. I'll not remember this one in a month or so. If I'd never read it, I would have missed nothing.
I think this is a case of an author fulfilling a contract. Her heart wasn't in this one and you could tell. There were pages filled with symbols resembling writing, but not really.
You may like this one because you've waited and you like most everything this author writes. Believe me when I tell you, I felt the same way before I read this book. I'll be cautious next time and wait to see what others say before buying.
Happy Reading [maybe]!!
Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 2.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars [$7.99 on Amazon]
Where do I even begin ...? If I had to come up with one phrase to describe my thoughts on this one it would be "lost in translation." I love Cherise Sinclair. When I found out there was a new one out, I ran to buy it - even at the $8 price. Why? Because, even though these stories aren't really "deep", they are enjoyable. She can create really good characters.
This time?? Not so much. Not sure what happened.
What worked for me?
1 -- I still can't get enough of Club Shadowlands. It is an interesting fictional setting. I like seeing characters I remember from previous books. However, this time, we didn't get much and what we did get lacked the depth in secondary character development.
2 -- I liked Sam. I liked him whenever he's shown up in this series. Unfortunately, I expected more. He came across as wishy/washy. Not the Sam I expected. He was "afraid" of commitment because of a bad marriage? The Sam I expected wouldn't be afraid of anything. I just didn't like what the author did with this character nor where she took him.
3 - The book blurb gave us a good reveal and helped to set our expectations.
There was more I didn't like in this one:
1 -- This story lacked flow. Just skipped around. I never settled and felt comfortable with it. I found it boring in places. This author never takes you deep into a story, but this time it really lacked. It skimmed the surface too much, this one just didn't grab me.
2 -- I thought the characters mediocre and poorly developed. I couldn't really get interested. I love rich characters you can "sink your teeth" into and we didn't get them here. This author for me is good, strong characters [maybe not deep, but solid] and sexy scenes. Our h, Linda was okay, but for all the horror of her situation, you didn't feel it. You really didn't empathize much. The author didn't take you there. This is a horrific topic. One deserving of some real attention. Didn't happen. As bad as the main characters were, the secondary characters were non-existent.
3 -- The cover of this book is terrible. What is it supposed to represent? Does it grab you? Does it tell you anything about the book or its' characters? Nope. Let this be your first clue.
4 -- The price. The level of storytelling in this one isn't worth the $8 asking price. I paid it, but if I'd read my review first, and it was from someone I trust, I wouldn't have. No way. This really was mediocre in all ways. I'll not remember this one in a month or so. If I'd never read it, I would have missed nothing.
I think this is a case of an author fulfilling a contract. Her heart wasn't in this one and you could tell. There were pages filled with symbols resembling writing, but not really.
You may like this one because you've waited and you like most everything this author writes. Believe me when I tell you, I felt the same way before I read this book. I'll be cautious next time and wait to see what others say before buying.
Happy Reading [maybe]!!
May 30, 2013
Only Cherise Sinclair could make a sadist someone you love and root for! CS you never disappoint!!
Description:
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 Thoughts:
I have to say right off the bat that Masters of the Shadowlands is one of my favorite series regardless of the genre. Cherise Sinclair is a consistently good writer so you can count on liking her book and know your money is well spent.
In This is Who I am CS takes a character who in previous books walked the line of likability and turned him into someone you care about. Sam is a sadist who enjoys hurting people and CS did not step away from who he is and what he is, she took it head on with no apologies. Even at times when your mind is going no no no that can't be good...you see that his sub is enjoying herself and everything is consensual.
I loved how this book let us have a look at an older couple, she in her 40's and he in his 50s. It shows you don't stop loving after your kids are in college:) I also enjoyed how Linda clicked with the other subbies at the club. Friendship also has no age restrictions. We got to visit with all our previously loved Masters and subs which I loved and we also got our suspense. I'm glad that Linda's story got sorted out and that we will be seeing a bit more of the slavers. I can't wait! Hope Sally's story is next.
If you loved the other Shadowlands books I know you will adore this one too. Master Sam is so swoonworthy!
I have given a 5 star rating for this no one can write a BDSM love story like Cherise Sinclair and this story was one of the best in the series. I can't wait for our FBI guy's stories and Sally's story. I also noticed that there was attention put on Jake...and we heard of a guy called Holt. Will be be getting new Masters in the future?? I can't wait!
More reviews by t'irla available at tirlastalk.blogspot.ca
READ RATE REVIEW the author thanks you!
Description:
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 Thoughts:
I have to say right off the bat that Masters of the Shadowlands is one of my favorite series regardless of the genre. Cherise Sinclair is a consistently good writer so you can count on liking her book and know your money is well spent.
In This is Who I am CS takes a character who in previous books walked the line of likability and turned him into someone you care about. Sam is a sadist who enjoys hurting people and CS did not step away from who he is and what he is, she took it head on with no apologies. Even at times when your mind is going no no no that can't be good...you see that his sub is enjoying herself and everything is consensual.
I loved how this book let us have a look at an older couple, she in her 40's and he in his 50s. It shows you don't stop loving after your kids are in college:) I also enjoyed how Linda clicked with the other subbies at the club. Friendship also has no age restrictions. We got to visit with all our previously loved Masters and subs which I loved and we also got our suspense. I'm glad that Linda's story got sorted out and that we will be seeing a bit more of the slavers. I can't wait! Hope Sally's story is next.
If you loved the other Shadowlands books I know you will adore this one too. Master Sam is so swoonworthy!
I have given a 5 star rating for this no one can write a BDSM love story like Cherise Sinclair and this story was one of the best in the series. I can't wait for our FBI guy's stories and Sally's story. I also noticed that there was attention put on Jake...and we heard of a guy called Holt. Will be be getting new Masters in the future?? I can't wait!
More reviews by t'irla available at tirlastalk.blogspot.ca
READ RATE REVIEW the author thanks you!
June 4, 2013
Jane and I have teamed up once again on another review. Go check it out at Behind the Chintz Curtain. I think it is safe to say we both really enjoyed this one.
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I added it below to make sure I had a copy of my half but I still recommend the original.
I tend to think of the Shadowlands series as one of the crown jewels of romantic BDSM fiction. Each book in it tends to be better than the last.
Last year we were treated to the most fantasy-oriented of the series. When Kim is rescued from the evil Harvest Association by Raoul, a series of improbable events causes her to assume the place of the slave he has always wanted. During the course of the story we see a moment occur between Linda, another woman kidnapped by the Harvesters, and Sam, a friend of Raoul’s, who tries to keep her safe in a rather unique way. A way that ends badly.
But they wouldn’t. At least not until now.
Linda is home. Back from her kidnapping. Recovered physically and largely emotionally. But she faces a new menace, in some ways just as destructive and self-serving as her kidnappers: The Court of Public Opinion. She wasn’t a child kidnapped from her bedroom. She wasn’t a teen walking home from her fast food restaurant job. She was a woman who had just stepped out of an S&M dungeon. That meant she deserved what happened to her, right? In fact, she probably enjoyed all of it.
Fortunately, not everyone feels that way. And foremost among them is Sam.
Linda is a masochist and a submissive. This isn’t a story about a woman who thinks that she’s become either of these things through a bad experience. What Sam provides is a way for her to work through her feelings and figure out where she wants to go with them. And she actually helps Sam do the same thing in the process. Because he’s got some experiences in his past that he’s never quite dealt with, too.
Just one minor thing: The stories are set in Tampa, a place I know pretty well. In fact, I used to live right where one of the key events in the story takes place (when Sam meets Linda’s children at the café). But I never got the feeling that they were really there, as much as the geographical references are sprinkled in, from looking at a map. Next time, I would at least like to know if we are on Fowler, Fletcher, or 30th Street.
This one is timely, both advancing the genre and the story of the series. And I can’t wait to see what happens next.
---
I added it below to make sure I had a copy of my half but I still recommend the original.
I tend to think of the Shadowlands series as one of the crown jewels of romantic BDSM fiction. Each book in it tends to be better than the last.
Last year we were treated to the most fantasy-oriented of the series. When Kim is rescued from the evil Harvest Association by Raoul, a series of improbable events causes her to assume the place of the slave he has always wanted. During the course of the story we see a moment occur between Linda, another woman kidnapped by the Harvesters, and Sam, a friend of Raoul’s, who tries to keep her safe in a rather unique way. A way that ends badly.
He rubbed his hand over his mouth, wanting to swear up a storm. He’d sliced into her defenses with less finesse than a baby dom with a new whip. After a glance at the attendant who still hovered nearby, Sam knew he couldn’t explain to her, to apologize–not here–but when this was over, they’d talk. Damn straight, they would.
But they wouldn’t. At least not until now.
Linda is home. Back from her kidnapping. Recovered physically and largely emotionally. But she faces a new menace, in some ways just as destructive and self-serving as her kidnappers: The Court of Public Opinion. She wasn’t a child kidnapped from her bedroom. She wasn’t a teen walking home from her fast food restaurant job. She was a woman who had just stepped out of an S&M dungeon. That meant she deserved what happened to her, right? In fact, she probably enjoyed all of it.
Fortunately, not everyone feels that way. And foremost among them is Sam.
Linda is a masochist and a submissive. This isn’t a story about a woman who thinks that she’s become either of these things through a bad experience. What Sam provides is a way for her to work through her feelings and figure out where she wants to go with them. And she actually helps Sam do the same thing in the process. Because he’s got some experiences in his past that he’s never quite dealt with, too.
Just one minor thing: The stories are set in Tampa, a place I know pretty well. In fact, I used to live right where one of the key events in the story takes place (when Sam meets Linda’s children at the café). But I never got the feeling that they were really there, as much as the geographical references are sprinkled in, from looking at a map. Next time, I would at least like to know if we are on Fowler, Fletcher, or 30th Street.
This one is timely, both advancing the genre and the story of the series. And I can’t wait to see what happens next.
July 3, 2013
This book was REALLY good. I was a little skeptical about reading it since I didn't really care for Sam of the orange-flavored condoms in the other books (and yes, that comes back up again in this book) and had a real image of him being this old crusty saggy white-haired Dom. SO. NOT. THE. CASE. There is SO much depth to Sam. There is so much character to Sam! I absolutely loved him as a Dom! The title was absolutely perfect for this book...worked for both Sam as he was putting himself out there for Linda and also for Linda as she struggled and worked to come to terms with the fact that yes, she is a true blue masochist. This book really takes a different look at BDSM on the S & M side...it's not for the faint of heart at all but it is definitely sane, safe and consensual all the way through...not to mention HOT. The plot is really, really good and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning reading. What I did find funny was the overuse of toys and implements...it was almost as if Ms. Sinclair went on the Adam and Eve site and her favorite BDSM toy site and said, "hmm...how can I incorporate EVERY TOY IN EXISTENCE into this book?" I'm not even kidding...the only toy I could think of that was not featured in this book in some way shape or form was Ben Wa balls. Quite entertaining to read for sure. And of course, all the characters from the past books make an appearance...Jessica and Z get married, Raoul and Kim support Linda as she recovers from her ordeal, Nolan is working on Sam's stable and scares the crap out of Linda with his scarred and dark face, etc, etc, etc. There are so many funny parts to this book that I found myself laughing out loud. The Shadowlands family is quite something...and I hope that we get to keep reading about them because with every book, there are more and more characters that get involved. I really hope Sally gets her own book...that girl NEEDS a Dom and clearly Galen and Vance want the job. LOL What gave this a five-star rating for me was the close look at what is going through a sadist's mind and what is going through a masochist's mind. There is someone for everyone out there, and these two were clearly a great fit. Wonderful, wonderful addition to the series.
June 1, 2013
I was a bit apprehensive going into this book, unsure how I’d respond the heavy S&M I knew was going to be a part of the plot. It was actually really good and I enjoyed it. Although, I should’ve never doubted Cherise, she hasn’t let me down yet. She is my favorite author in this genre, hands down.
One of the things I love about Cherise Sinclair is her portrayal of the BDSM lifestyle always feels authentic. It’s so obvious the amount of research she’s put into making it realistic, and I even love the glimpses of the unsexy things too. For example, I had to chuckle reading this part:
“Like the night a tired Uzuri had downed two coffees before a scene. After the poor Dom spent ages on the bondage and suspension, she’d had to beg for a bathroom break.”
I don’t know why that scene made me laugh so much, but I loved seeing the “human” side of BDSM. It’s always romanticized in books, which makes sense, but it’s kind of funny to remember that even fictional characters have bladders. LOL I love that she can take a book that has a lot of seriousness to it, and still make me chuckle.
I also love reading characters that struggle. No matter what that struggle is I feel like a character with good conflicts brings that character to life. Linda was a great character. She struggled with what happened to her, she struggled with other people’s opinion of her, but most of all she struggled with her own guilt and inability to be comfortable with who she was. I really liked her learning to accept that what happened to her wasn’t her fault and it was okay she wasn’t like everyone else. That being different didn’t make her a freak.
And Sam really helped her come to terms with herself. He had some issues of his own to deal with. My favorite thing about Sam though was finding the tenderness beneath his gruff exterior. He was a sadist, but he didn’t hurt anyone emotionally or without their consent. And he was a fantastic father. I loved him.
This was a great addition to the Shadowlands series. It’s so refreshing to read a story with an older hero and heroine, and about a side of BDSM that is rarely written about.
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