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Trinity Masters #1

Elemental Pleasure

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A dangerous Marine. A tech genius. A brilliant scientist.

When Carly Kenan joined the secretive Trinity Masters in college, she received entrée to an exclusive club that gave her access to wealth and power. But there’s a price all members must pay—they accept an arranged marriage, between not two, but three people.

Summoned to the society’s headquarters, Carly meets her trinity—the darkly commanding ex-Marine, Lance, and Preston, the serious chemist who is unexpectedly possessive and sexy. Though their physical attraction is instantaneous and incendiary, Carly struggles with the emotional intensity of their relationship.

When Lance uncovers a dangerous crime at Preston’s company, Carly is caught in the crossfire and the struggling lovers are forced to move beyond desire to trust. For the Trinity Masters, there is passion and power in three.

184 pages, ebook

First published January 8, 2013

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1453 people want to read

About the author

Mari Carr

227 books3,987 followers
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

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5 stars
588 (30%)
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682 (35%)
3 stars
485 (25%)
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112 (5%)
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38 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,836 reviews496 followers
August 8, 2016

I liked the idea more than the characters.

I was intrigued by the blurb, a secret society which promises you access to people, money and power but first you promise them your future, at some point in time you'll be called to meet your partners because The Trinity Masters as the name suggests are all about three, three people together forever, no divorce or affairs just a strong unit of three.
So obviously this book is going to be far-fetched we know that from the blurb so that wasn't the problem the problem was firstly I didn't like Lance, at all and I wasn't overly fond of Carly either but I did love Preston.
This is a ménage book but all the sex has Carly firmly in the middle there's no M/M action at all which I found surprising and disappointing. There's also a crime element inserted and that part in particular seemed too rushed and unbelievable and for me the book would have been better without it but I understand why it was there.
There's also a lot of mistakes like 'Preston messaged her shoulders.' but while I wasn't completely won over by this I think I'm going to give the next book 'Primal Passion' a chance and see if it's better.
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,036 reviews317 followers
April 11, 2024
DNF at 51%.

Sigh, is it really too much to want a steamy erotic read AND a fairly decent, halfway believable plot too? A night of sex, a meal together (yes, in that order) and suddenly they are all developing strong feelings for one another? And what exactly happened to change Lance and Preston from intense rivals to bosom buddies in less than two days? If you want me to believe two strangers who weren't getting on are suddenly besties then you damn well need to SHOW me, not just tell me.


The idea behind the book was great and had the authors given this a believable time frame, by allowing the protagonists to get to know one another over a few weeks rather than a few hours, then I would easily have bought into their feelings and connection. Instead, this is lust, and not even particularly convincing lust at that, dressed up as love, which left this reader feeling disappointed and somewhat disgruntled. Thank goodness this was a freebie so no money was wasted on it.


I'm almost tempted to try a later book in the series just in case the authors have improved their storytelling skills, showing a relationship being developed rather than it instantly popping into existence.


For what it's worth, the following were some initial thoughts I had about the book. Who knows, one day I might even rewrite this into a single cohesive review!

Only a few chapters in, so no decisions made yet. However, I just wanted to remind myself that if a book is going to go so far as to use the words domination and submission to describe a "game" then at the very least there should also be the discussion of a safeword. Especially when the two protagonists have not only just met but haven't discussed limits either - a 4-hour time limit just didn't cut it for me. It kind of annoyed me when the heroine asks what happens if she refuses a request and is told she will be punished. Without a safe word that is pretty much no choice at all and the "hero" has no knowledge of any potential triggers, her level of experience or even her likes and dislikes.

Additionally, we have already edged into that territory where the heroine says "no" but because she is turned on the hero takes this as consent. This isn't a dark romance where dubious and non-consent are par for the course, so I'm a little disappointed that TWO female authors are perpetuating this damn myth that if her body is saying yes so is she. Whilst the book was written before the #metoo movement it still isn't something that any woman should be condoning.

20th March2022
Profile Image for Rachel.
401 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2018
I like the idea for the plot of this book, it just fell a bit for me. I wish that there was more character buildup/background. I realize that they were all 'shoved' into their new 'marriage/situation', but it would have been nice if we as the reader weren't 'forced' into not getting a feeling of things.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews129 followers
Want to read
July 4, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/4/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Debra Johnson.
11k reviews179 followers
July 6, 2025
Purch Amazon Aug. 9, 2016
Elemental Pleasure (Trinity Masters, #1) by Mari Carr and Lila Dubois is an Adult Erotic Contemporary Romance.

Positively a fantastic and unique story. Although it is a contemporary romance there is a hint of magic in this story. Who is the Grand Master and how does he decide which three people to match up? The ceremony seems mystical and, according to the Grand Master, more binding than a marriage.
It is extremely well written. The story flows so well that you become completely engrossed. No typo's nor editing errors to distract you.
All three main characters are interesting. Their personalities are very different from each other. Preston is very confidant and in control of himself. Lance is a soldier who tends to ask to many questions. Carly is off the charts smart and determined. Together they make a very impressive trio. They are instantly drawn to each other. The romance is potent and very energetic. They are all three very intelligent and powerful in their own right. But none of them know how to do relationships.
There is suspense and mystery entwined with the romance and erotica. It is all perfectly balanced to create a fantastic story.
Profile Image for Heather in FL.
2,063 reviews
February 20, 2013
Let me start out by saying that I got the copy that was supposed to be uploaded the first time. And while there were a couple of *teensy* issues, it was like a gold standard other self-pubbed authors should hold themselves to. Nice, clean text. Me likey.

This story was somewhere between a 3-1/2 and a 4 for me. An interesting premise... agree to give up the choice for who you will ultimately marry (knowing it will be two people, gender not important) in exchange for help in becoming extremely successful. That's the idea behind this story. Three people who have been helped by the Trinity Masters have now been chosen to form a permanent menage trio. Normally, the Trinity Masters have an underlying purpose for why they join the three they choose, but they never divulge it. It's up to the three to figure out how they can do the most good, utilizing everyone's talents.

Carly is a game programmer. She owns her own successful gaming company that has a state of the art system and is very popular. Preston is a chemist and also a legacy Trinity Master -- his father and two mothers, also matched by the Trinity Masters, form their own trio. Lance is a mathematician with DARPA and formerly a Marine. Of course, they're all hot. And they're all attracted to each other. There was even a hint that Preston would be willing to try m/m, but Lance shut that down quick. A couple of other times, it seemed like Lance was sort of letting down his guard and something might happen between him and Preston, but no. Sigh. So things get off to a pretty rocky start.

But they ultimately work together to figure out what's going to work for them. And they work together very steamily. (Is that a word? No, it's not, but you know what I mean.) Throw in Carly getting kidnapped, and you have a little bit of suspense to go around the sex.

One thing I didn't think was fleshed out enough was Carly's anticipated role. Or moreover, what the three of them would do together. Lance helped Preston with something, but there wasn't any discussion about how their assets would ultimately work together toward some great future thing. Maybe that'll come in a later book. It was an interesting start to the series.
Profile Image for Lillie.
155 reviews219 followers
January 21, 2013
I loved the premise of this book but I couldn't make it past 15%. This book begged for an editor and proofreader. The first typo was in the first sentence and it went downhill from there. Missing words, more typos, clumsy dialogue, and weird word choices such as "Their kisses had been different, and yet unique." Aren't different and unique kind of the same?

Add in dubious consent leading up to the first sex scene and I returned it to Amazon for a refund. I haven't previously read Dubois but this is no where near the quality of writing I've come to expected from Carr. I'm very disappointed.
Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,799 reviews80 followers
November 12, 2017
I read this for a challenge, plus I really like Mari Carr.

While the premise and plot were intriguing, this never really grabbed my attention. Probably because it was too short. The characters needed to react suddenly and arbitrarily, so their motivations and the emotional development didn't get the depth I would have liked.

The Trinity format may lead to other interesting menage books - maybe even an FFM story! There is potential here, and I hope the next story is stronger.
3,210 reviews67 followers
April 25, 2023
Liked this intro to world where people with potential are offered support that comes with a price. One H is was ok with it but the other H not so much. There's a mystery to solve and the trio must learn how to live and love together and resolve all kinds of challenges.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,276 reviews46 followers
September 27, 2020
This is the first book in the Trinity Masters Series. Follow Carly, Lance, and Preston as they join a secret society that puts them in a trio menage partnership/arranged marriage that gives them access to power, prestige, and money. The plot was unique but the characters were not the most likable. This romantic suspense was strong and there was some danger when Carly was taken. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the remainder of the series. Some twists and plenty of steamy sex. I read a free copy via the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for LaTonja .
308 reviews25 followers
April 1, 2020
If I could of have entry to the Trinity I would feel blessed. Preston, Carly, and Lance agreed to this secret society. I society that gave them power and wealth, but it means at some point they were obligated to be bound...three. Um. Beyond wow. Preston's steady understanding. Lance's strength and Carly. They way they learned to function as a couple is heart clenching. I can't wait to read more about Trinty Masters.
Profile Image for Erin.
399 reviews
July 4, 2021
This could have been so much more than it was. Mostly it was just people not communicating their needs and running away instead of dealing like adults. And no REAL reason was given for doing so.
I would blame the small word count/length of the story for the lack of character development, buuuuuuut I’ve read shorter books and books of similar length that do better development and they had 95% more plot too.
The so called “trouble” doesn’t show until the last 1/4 of the book and then it’s pretty much just over after a little keyboard tapping.

Also why was this whole book like “oh no! We can’t be a public trio!” Hello! It’s called Polyamory.

Also this should have been about the relationship development or the discovery of the embezzlement not both. The embezzlement felt tacked on like the author just need a little excitement to jazz up the ending. And besides ALL the mains knew they would end up in a three-way relationship one day, why in he HECK was there so much resistance!? They had 10years (but Carly’s count) to get used to the idea and yet there was still issues with 2/3 of the trio.
Profile Image for Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog.
2,616 reviews147 followers
December 9, 2016
3.25 stars. This is an interesting book. It's been so long since I read this that I don't remember a lot of details. So I only have just a few comments. This is a MFM menage. It is Carly, Lance and Preston's story. They belong to a secret society that matches up trios in a marriage in order to benefit them all with power, careers, money, and to help better society. They all meet at the secret society's alter in an arranged marriage. They then get to know each other and begin a relationship. The premise of the book is very unique. I liked the idea and felt it had potential. But I didn't feel a big connection to the characters. I didn't feel like they ever dropped their guards with each other enough to imagine them in a real long term relationship. I didn't feel like they were in love. However, the story was interesting enough that I may try more books in this series down the road.
6 reviews
April 17, 2022
Sexy, but not enough story

I’m glad this wasn’t the first title in the series I read. I’d likely not continue. The writing is good but the story was lacking, leaving too many questions but not in a good way. I read a later book that got the balance of story and sex just right. It’s easy to see the development of the writers as they worked together. I already know these ladies are great storytellers so I’m off to read another.
Profile Image for Diane Dannenfeldt.
4,017 reviews78 followers
August 9, 2016
Pretty cool concept. I had a hard time connecting with these two knuckleheads. They were like two dogs with a bone. But things do work out in the end. I would have liked some m/m going on. Also, if there are so many ménage out there setup by the trinity why is it really a secret any longer. I want to read the rest of the books in the series
Profile Image for Angel Payne.
Author 90 books3,319 followers
August 21, 2016
I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. One of the most original ideas I've ever read, and executed so wonderfully by two amazing writers. Beautifully drawn characters with emotionally riveting backgrounds, drawn together in a passionate and heartfelt love story. I'm so looking forward to diving into the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Carol.
32 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2017
HOW CAN THEY FALL IN LOVE IN ONLY TWO FUCKING WEEKS???

Even the smut was kinda cringeworthy.

That whole money laundering thing was unraveled pretty quickly. It was honestly all solved in like two pages, maybe less. 20 pages of this book was dedicated to the next book in the series, so that already says something.
Profile Image for Buffyanna.
986 reviews42 followers
April 8, 2017
An intriguing premise, but inelegantly delivered. The book seemed too short to allow me to empathize with the characters, the narrative was simplistic, and the climactic suspense sequence in the last third was contrived and cliché. I skimmed the last sex scene, just happy to get to the finish. I won't be continuing the series.
3 reviews
August 7, 2021
Good idea, but a pretty bad execution…

The spicier scenes were just eh, although I did appreciate Carly making her wants known.

The small bit of tension to get to the climax of the story was solved in a little less than three pages.

Almost didn’t finish it, but I was close to the ending and honestly just couldn’t wait for it to be over…I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Lisa D.
1,079 reviews4 followers
December 30, 2021
Quick read

This wasn't like other MFM stories. First, no swords cross. Second, there's very little chemistry between them. They meet, are assigned to each other and sent on their way. But for three very smart people, they have no clue how to interact. The bedroom scenes are OK but not very steamy. The whole book was missing something, at least for me.
Profile Image for April.
976 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2017
Pretty standard fare. Overblown plot with super dramatic confrontation. Also, I really wasn't sold on the relationship in this at all.
696 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2018
When I first read the reviews of this book, I wasn't going to add it to my read books. I thought it would be pornographic. I don't like reading porn, and the anal sex was pornographic. However, it didn't drive the story and only happened when the three were together. It was an integral part of the story and helped to understand the others' motivation for being involved in such an arrangement. Other than that, the hot, steamy sex was within the bonds of marriage - A strange menage a trois.

The story line was very interesting. Three college aged students agreed to marry two other people if the highly secret organization would help make their future successful. The time has come for their to pay up, pay the piper, etc.. Carly Keenan, a brilliant and creative computer person, was successful and rich beyond her wildest imagination. Lance Glassco, a Marine and mathematician, was strong and courageous and didn't like the idea of being controlled yet he had agreed years earlier. Preston Kim was a renown Chemist and was the only one looking forward to the marriage. The book detailed their first meeting and their reactions. They were bound to be married in a month for that was how long they had to make the marriage work.

What follows is how they adjusted and the embezzlement at Preston's firm, Lance's discovery of it, and Carly's inadvertent kidnapping because of it. This formed the basis of an very interesting and short mystery romance. Had it not been that the sex was too erotic for me, I could have rated this higher. I'm debating on reading the other stories except they may have more erotic sex. I'll read the reviews carefully before deciding on the others. I can return them if they too erotic which means I'll have to purchase them individually rather than a box set which is usually more expensive.
Profile Image for Nancy Brady.
Author 7 books45 followers
March 23, 2025
Three previously unrelated people are paired together in a menage "marriage" in a secret society. Two men (Preston and Lance) and a woman (Carly) are brought together by the Grand Master. At their ceremony, the two men almost come to blows, truly an auspicious beginning to a (potential) lifetime of being a threesome.

When next they meet, it still doesn't bode well for these three dominant personalities. Will they be able to work it out, learning to, if not find love, at least coexist? Can they share each other's bodies without arousing hurt, jealous feelings?

Preston is a businessman and a legacy (his father and two mothers were also involved in the Trinity Masters); Lance is a Marine and mathematician for a special group, and Carly is a CEO of a gaming platform and computer programmer extraordinaire.

This is an erotic romance thriller, and by definition, it contains some very spicy sex scenes. It also has a few What-the-tuck trends (winks and smirks, basically) and despite the fact that there is a proofreader named, there are a few tiny mistakes that weren't caught (extra words or missing letters on a word).

The story stands on its own, but there are other stories in the series (each one appears to have a different threesome).
Profile Image for Becky A.
2,007 reviews
June 29, 2017
"Elemental Pleasure" received 2 stars.

The novel had great potential, but my interest fell as soon as the trio first got together. If the author had the kidnapping happen before the romance was more or less settled then the guys could've rescued their girl, healed her, and gained her love just at the end, my attention would've held all the way through.

The novel gained *STARS* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in first five pages."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

The novel failed to gain stars for these items:

NO STAR gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I want more!"

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author I will automatically buy anything s/he writes."


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for lovestoread.
963 reviews12 followers
November 22, 2018
Wow, interesting concept! Leaving your married life in the hands of a stranger - willingly -and in return you have access to what you need when you need it. An unusual alliance for sure.

Carly is a successful owner/creator of a gaming company. Beautiful, strong, independent and regretting making the deal.

Preston is the scientist, confident and brilliant who is looking forward to meeting his partners.

Lance willingly handed over control of his love life knowing he would never have a relationship. He's a Marine, handsome and an incredible mathematician.

This is the most interesting beginning to a series! The trio are instructed they have a month to figure it out. The rough beginning is nothing compared to the terror all three endure when Carly is taken.

The Grand Master has plans afoot and I'll be interested to see how the series plays out.
937 reviews7 followers
July 27, 2021
I am not sure how to describe this book. It is a about a very secret society called the Trinity Masters and 3 individuals are chosen due to being corporate experts in some field and are given the financial and logistical backing to make them some of the most powerful people in the country. These people are informed that there will come a time when the 3 will be joined in a special wedding ceremony to form a menage a tois (forgive the spelling). In this case it is 2 men and a woman. They are aware of the deal. When it is time to pay the piper so to speak they have numerous difficulties but eventually work them out only to have the female kidnapped. That's as far as I can tell you! Interesting read!
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