Make Me, Sir by Cherise Sinclair

(Masters of the Shadowlands, book 5)

Her job is to make his life miserable. His job is to make her submit. Whose heart will surrender first?

Across the country, rebellious BDSM submissives are being systemically kidnapped, one from each club. When her friend falls prey to the slavers, FBI victim specialist Gabrielle volunteers to be bait in a club not yet hit: the Shadowlands.

She finds that being a bratty sub comes naturally, especially when she gets to twit the appallingly conservative Master of the trainees. But she soon discovers he’s not as stuffy as she’d thought. Or as mean. She’d expected punishment, even humiliation, but she sure never expected to fall in love with a damned lawyer.

Courtesy of a prima donna ex-wife, Marcus loathes disobedient submissives. When the club owner insists he admit an incredibly bratty trainee, he’s furious. But as he comes to know Gabrielle and sees the alluring sweetness beneath the sass, he starts to fall for her.

Unfortunately, Marcus isn’t the only one who believes the feisty redhead is a prize worth capturing. And in the world of the slaver, such treasure is worth a hefty fee.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, strong BDSM theme and elements, violence.

I took a vacation away from the Shadowlands, but holy tits…I am so glad I came back. The first three books in this series were pretty great, but the main characters in the fourth book just killed all my momentum to read all six books in a row. I needed a break from the whips and chains and St. Andrews crosses at Club Shadowlands. Well, my little sex kittens, let me tell you something: Make Me, Sir brought me back to the Shadowlands – and it brought me back in a wonderful, vagina tingling way.

Make Me, Sir is my favorite of the Shadowlands books by far, not just because of the main characters, but also due to the plot line. Gabi worked her way right up next to the likes of Jessica and Kari (my two favorite subs from the books thus far) and Master Marcus…I mean…Christ on a cracker, he is just nice piece of fuckleberry pie. He’s smart, he’s strong, he’s a Dom, AND he has a nice, southern gentleman drawl?! I’ll take a slice of that, please. Actually, just give me the whole damn pie. I would let him chase me around the Capture Gardens any day.

I’ve really come to enjoy Cherise Sinclair’s BDSM novels, but the plot line in Make Me, Sir took my like to a whole new level. With the additional suspense and mystery of the sex trafficking ring, it added more depth to this novel and kept me intrigued and guessing from the first page right up until the very last line. I loved that we got a few moments from Jessica’s POV, and it delved a little deeper into the status of her and Z’s relationship. If you love the other couples from the previous Shadowlands books, no worries, they’re all here! AND one of my favorite aspects of Club Shadowlands is back in this book….THE CAPTURE GARDENS!! I wish I could explain why this concept is so ridiculously hot, but I don’t want to keep you here all night ;)

Make Me, Sir is a horribly sexy read that I would absolutely recommend reading…in the privacy of your home. (Trust me on this one!) The steamy scenes, not just between Marcus and Gabi, will leave your lady bits tingling and make you wish you had a Master Marcus of your own. If you like novels centered around BDSM activity, you need to read the Shadowlands series; I have yet to find a BDSM novel or series that compare to these books. 

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Lean On Me by Cherise Sinclair

(Masters of the Shadowlands series, book 4)
Andrea wants to submit, but not to just any so-called Dom. He has to be tougher than the slum-bred bullies she grew up with. She’d given up finding a true Dom when her friend finagles her a place as a trainee in an exclusive BDSM club with the powerful Shadowlands Masters. Andrea’s thrilled…and terrified.

Forced to accept an unknown submissive into his carefully run trainee program, Master Cullen is furious. Not only is the young woman new to BDSM, but she’s unsuited to her role – armored in leather like a Domme, she’s more liable to punch a Dom than kneel. He decides to push her right back out the door. But as he ruthlessly intimidates her, punishes her, then comforts her, his glimpses of the woman inside the emotional armor intrigue him and her utter surrender captures his heart.

Although Master Cullen is famous for his unfettered lifestyle, Andrea believes he might be interested in her, until she discovers he’s not just a bartender – he’s a cop. Maybe he’s overlook her past brush with the law, but when another trainee accuses her of stealing money, Andrea’s sure she’s lost the Master she wanted with all her heart.

WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and a strong BDSM theme.

Well, shit. I think i jinxed it when I said in my review of Breaking Free that there hadn't been any main characters I didn't like so far. After this book, I'm sad to say I can no longer say that. I did enjoy some parts of the book, but this one was by far my least favorite of the series so far.

Andrea is a mouthy, independent sub who can’t seem to find a Dom that she’s willing to submit to. Given her background of growing up in the slums with an alcoholic father who always taught her to stick up for herself and taught her to fight when she was just 10 years old, being a sub isn’t something that naturally comes easy for her; that is, until she becomes a trainee at Club Shadowlands and meets Master Cullen. He’s intimidating, big, and just the type of Dom she needs to make her truly submit. Andrea begins to develop feelings for Master Cullen, but there’s one problem: he never gets involved with his trainees. Well, he never has until now. As much as he tries to talk himself out of it, he finds himself wanting to pursue Andrea beyond the Master/trainee relationship. He becomes frustrated with her attitude at times, but just when it seems that they may be able to take their relationship to the next level, Andrea finds out Master Cullen’s day job is in law enforcement. She has kept her background from everyone except her best friend, and had her previous records sealed in an attempt to forget that part of her life. Unfortunately, her past comes into full focus when fellow trainee, Vanessa, accuses Andrea of stealing her money from her locker. Master Dan, also in law enforcement, manages to obtain Andrea’s record and what he finds in it only backs up Vanessa’s claim that Andrea is a thief. After being kicked out of Club Shadowlands, Andrea fears she will never see Master Cullen again, and worse…he will never want to see her again after he finds out about her past.

Okay. I was so excited for this book because I have liked Master Cullen since the first book, but I was actually kind of disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, there were still some parts of the books that I loved (I’ll get to that a little later) but Andrea just ruined this book for me. I really did try to like her, I promise I did! I just couldn’t. Her whole attitude was more Domme than sub, and her unwillingness to show fear or ask for help at all was just beyond ridiculous. Not to mention, I lost track to how many Doms she accidentally punched just because they touched her. If you want to be a sub, you miiiight want to get used to Doms touching you without freaking punching them! She was just super annoying to me and if I had to hear her say Dios one more time, I was probably going to lose it. I get that she’s Mexican, but cripes…I thinks the word Dios is on every other page. She’s by far my least favorite sub so far…as if you couldn’t already figure that out.

I liked Master Cullen, but not quite as much as I thought I would. He seemed so much wittier and outgoing in the previous three books. My favorite parts of the book were actually the scenes with the other Doms and subs: Master Z, Master Dan, Master Nolan, Jessica, Kari, and Beth. I love that Dan and Kari are married now, and I still think Jessica and Kari are my favorite subs.

I didn’t hate the book, but I didn’t love it either. I didn’t even really like a lot of it, just because Andrea wasn’t my cup of tea. I thought it was okay. The saving grace was the incorporation of the characters from previous books, who I all love. The BDSM content seems to get a little more intense with each book, although there hasn’t been anything that made me really cringe yet…thankfully! Overall, the book was just alright. Am I still looking forward to the next book in the series? “Yes, Sir.” ;)

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Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair

(Masters of the Shadowlands series, book 3)
A sadistic husband left Beth scarred, inside and out. Only at the Shadowlands BDSM club does she feel like a woman. But her fears limit her to Doms who won’t overwhelm her – the ones who cannot arouse her. The Master of the Shadowlands gives her an ultimatum: accept the Dom he assigns or lose her membership. The last thing Beth wants is a ruthless, powerful Dom, but that’s just what she gets.

Asked to take on a problem sub, Nolan sees the issue immediately – although truly submissive, the little redhead is too scared to relinquish control and her Doms have let her get away with it. That will change right now.

As Master Nolan takes Beth under command, compelling her submission, she’s terrified, but the experienced Dom brings her pleasure, not pain. His only demand is that she never lie to him. Under his capable hands, her body comes alive, and she begins to heal. As he pushes her limits, she learns to trust…and then to love. And she realizes he is beginning to care for her in return.

But now her cruel husband has found her, and Master Nolan discovers that she’s been lying and lying and lying…

WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language and a strong BDSM theme.

“Well, hell. He’d gotten sucked right into caring for this little bundle of troubles…” – Nolan

After I finished the third book in the Masters of the Shadowlands series, I realized that I like each book a little more than the last. This book was by far my favorite so far, because it mixes in the steamy, BDSM scenes with a new element that I felt lacked from the previous two: suspense.

Beth has finally run away from her sadistic husband, Kyler, relocated to Florida, and is attempting to dive back into the BDSM scene but not having much luck. She is a submissive to the core, but the previous physical and emotional abuse she endured from her husband has her scared to choose a strong, powerful Dom, so she chooses ones that don’t intimidate her. The problem? The Doms she is choosing don’t get the job done. The solution? Master Z gives her an ultimatum; either she is paired with the Dom of his choosing to remedy her situation or she will lose her membership. With her hands tied (pun intended) she finally agrees and is paired with Master Nolan; a strong, intimidating Iraq veteran. When Master Nolan sees all her physical scars, he realizes he is going to have to do a hell of a lot to get Beth to trust him the way a sub should. While he pushes her limits and gains her trust, they both start to realize there is more to their relationship than just Dom/sub play. Unfortunately, Beth hasn’t been perfectly honest with Nolan about her relationship with Kyler, and it’s only a matter of time before she will have to spill the beans. Not only that, but Kyler isn’t ready to give Beth up yet and is embarking on a manhunt to find her…and then punish her mercilessly for running away.

I have liked all the couples so far in the Shadowlands series, but I think Beth and Nolan just might be my favorite (out of Zachary & Jessica and Dan & Kari.) Beth had the farther to go trust wise because she had been abused so horribly in the past, and Nolan was just so sweet and patient with her. He knew exactly how far to push her without making her turn and run, and he proved that during the 4^th of July party at his house. He has Beth restrained and blindfolded, and just as she starts to have a panic attack and use the mild safeword (yellow) he is already in the process of removing her blindfold to calm her down. He is so nurturing and sweet to her, but is incredibly intimidating when he’s in Dom mode…and I dig that!

I loved the incorporation of characters from previous books: Master Z, Jessica, Master Dan, Kari, and Cullen. There hasn’t been one major character from all three books that I haven’t liked, which is rare. It seems like every book I read, I always get annoyed with a main character and wish they would get hit by a bus or something. This series hasn’t disappointed me yet, and I can’t wait to read the fourth book, which focuses on Master Cullen (FINALLY!!) The subplot with Beth and Kyler is what made me like this book a little more than the previous two, because it added the element of suspense that the other two lacked a little bit. If you want a book that involves romance, suspense, and crazy-hot BDSM sex, this is where it’s at y’all! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting a little hot and bothered just thinking about all this, sooo….just read the book. You can thank me later.

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Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair

(Masters of the Shadowlands series, book 2)
After Kari breaks up with her date during Beginner’s Night at Club Shadowlands, she’s given the option to continue with an experienced dominant. Despite her steamy fantasies about BDSM, the inexperienced school teacher plans to simply observe. Yet under the unyielding hands of Master Dan, she not only participates, but gives him everything he asks for. There is nothing she can hide from him. Not her passion…or her love.

WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and a strong BDSM theme. It is not appropriate for young adults.

“Aside from your safe word, you have no say, no opinions, no control.” – Master Dan

After finishing the second book in this series, it’s official: I’m hooked! I was a little hesitant to read this series because it sounded a little intense, but I have found myself intrigued by the different Doms at Shadowlands. This book focuses on a different Dom and sub than the first book; Master Dan, whose wife died in a car accident and has a reputation for never taking a specific sub for more than one night, and the school teacher, Kari who is inexperienced in the world of BDSM.

She shows up at Club Shadowlands with her boyfriend, Buck, who is a huge douche. I guess in his defense he is inexperienced in the world of BDSM too, and takes the role of being a Dom to the extreme; he’s a complete and total ass to her. After ditching him, she assigned to Master Dan who immediately falls in lust with Kari. After fooling around a little on her first night of the beginner’s course, Kari has every intention of returning for the second night because she just can’t get enough of Master Dan. Regardless of her attraction to Master Dan, Kari constantly wrestles with her choices; she can’t understand why she enjoys this behavior and feels like she shouldn’t. Master Dan has an excellent quote to try and ease her mind: “Why they think everyone should be alike in making love when no one can even agree on what ice cream they like, I’ll never know.”  

Kari returns for the second night, has sex with Master Dan for the first time, and has her world freaking rocked. It’s not only a big night for Kari, who had sex for the first time while being restrained, but also for Dan; it was his first time taking the same sub twice. The third night, which requires some crafty work on Jessica’s part (she’s the Master Z’s sub from book 1) to get Dan to realize how much he wants to be with Kari, is the most intense. Dan’s punishment for Kari for back talking him and complaining about her outfit was pretty damn embarrassing! I would have probably started crying…then again, I’m a wimp. BUT, my favorite part was The Capture Gardens! OH. MY. GOSH! I’m not even going to try and pretend like the whole premise of the game didn’t intrigue me. It’s essentially hide-and-seek mixed with tag, only when a Dom catches his sub, he gets to decide what to do with her and as always, she must oblige or risk punishment. WHEW…I got a little hot and bothered after that!

I actually liked this book a little better than the first book. I didn’t really have a preference in regards to Jessica or Kari, I liked them both pretty much the same but I did like Master Dan a little better than Master Z. I really hope there is a book that focuses on Master Cullen though, because I think he’s my favorite so far and he hasn’t even been THAT involved! Overall, I really liked this book although it was slightly more intense than the first one. I loved Kari and Master Dan together, and as much as he helped her realize her passion and eagerness for BDSM, she helped him just as much with finally coming to terms with his wife’s death. I’m ready for book 3 and to learn about the horribly intimidating Master Nolan! 

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Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair

(Masters of the Shadowlands series, book 1)
Her car disabled during a tropical storm, Jessica Randall discovers the isolated house where she’s sheltering is a private bondage club. At first shocked, she soon becomes aroused watching the interactions between the Doms and their subs. But she’s a professional woman – an accountant – and surely isn’t a submissive…is she?

Master Z hasn’t been so attracted to a woman in years. But the little sub who has wandered into his club intrigues him. She’s intelligent. Reserved. Conservative. After he discovers her interest in BDSM, he can’t resist tying her up and unleashing the passion she hides within.

WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language and a strong BDSM theme.

After I finished the Shades of Grey trilogy, I decided I wanted to explore that genre a little more and stumbled upon this series on Goodreads. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect since I have never read anything by Cherise Sinclair before; I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. I will just say this: if you have a strong aversion to BDSM, I would advise against this book. The scenes involving Doms and subs can get rather graphic and include but are not limited to: whipping, restraining, caning, bondage, spanking, and exhibitionism. If you think you can handle that, pull up a seat and we’ll get down to business.

I was surprisingly hooked on this book and since it was short, I was able to finish it in one day. Right off the bat, we are introduced to the two main characters: Jessica, the conservative account who stumbles upon this bondage club by accident, and Master Z, the owner of the club and eventually Jessica’s Dom.

Master Z introduces Jessica to the world of BDSM, and her first night at the club is one of my favorite parts of the book. Her reaction to the Dom/sub relationships, the various equipment, the different rooms, etc. was entertaining and pretty funny. I remember reading that part and thinking “That is exactly how I would be if I was in her situation!” I would probably be intrigued but I’d also be scared as hell! I’ve never been in that kind of atmosphere, and I haven’t gotten into BDSM personally. I actually felt kind of bad for her during her punishment for breaking up a scene, and I actually caught myself cringing a little bit when Jessica started crying and her punishment wasn’t over yet. OH MY GOSH, and I could not believe the punishment Master Z had given Adrienne for disobeying her Dom. I mean…WOW!

Now, onto Jessica and Master Z; I think I like them together but since the book was so short, I’m not 100% sold yet. They have only been together for two nights so we just kind of touch the surface of their Dom/sub relationship, as well as any romantic connection that may stem from this. That being said, their sex scenes together are freaking hot! I mean, I got a little hot and bothered just reading them, y’all! The part that really got me was when Master Z was doing a demonstration in the medical room, Jessica volunteered as the sub (her Dom isn’t touching anybody but her!), and unbeknownst to her, another Dom will also be pleasuring her. She’s blindfolded and restrained. There are toys involved. There is an audience. It’s intense and it’s HOT!

There were a couple things I found farfetched, which is why I am only giving it 3 stars. First of all, I find it hard to believe that someone as meticulous as Jessica would sign these documents without reading all the way through them. If a nightclub requires your signature, you MIGHT want to read through and figure out why! Secondly, I could not believe Jessica’s willingness to not only let Master Z watch her shower five minutes after meeting him, but letting him dry her off! I mean, really?! She is supposed to be reserved and conservative, and I feel like both of my “bugaboos” go against whom her character is.

We learn very little about any of the other Doms in this club but from reading the synopsis for the second book in this series, it will focus on a new sub and one of the other Doms, Master Dan. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series, and I’m anxious to learn about some of the other Doms! Bring ‘em on, strap me down, whatever…I’m ready for the next book!

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