Review: Breaking Free

Making the Grade: A

For My Thoughts


Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair is the third book in the Masters of the Shadowlands series and if possible it was the best one yet. The storyline was more complex with the added element of suspense which as a romantic suspense junkie I really enjoyed. If possible the Dom/s scenes and sex were some of the hottest ones yet...they were off the chain...errr wait there were chains involved more than once and a whole lot more. One thing Sinclair does in her stories that I like is to not repeat the same “types” of scenes in each book - there’s always a new variation to captivate and titillate. In addition to being some of the most gorgeous, intuitive and alpha men on the planet - these Masters are very inventive when it comes to playing games and doling out punishment. Somebody turn on the fan - it’s getting hot in here!

Beth is on the run and hiding from her abusive and sadist ex-hubby who really did some nasty things to her in the role of her Dom during their marriage. She’d tried leaving him once before and that didn’t end too well for her and her body carries the scars as a constant reminder. She’s scared about being discovered by her ex but she refuses to stop living. Beth displayed an inner strength I admired while trying to make a go of it on her own with a small landscaping business and wow what a surprise that one of her clients is Club Shadowlands.

When Beth decided to dip her toes back into BDSM game I was sorta skeptical on how she would ever allow herself to let go and be dominated and trust anyone again to the level that is required in a Dom/s relationship considering what her Ex had done to her. I really feared for Beth at first and her return to the BDSM scene, but considering she was at the Shadowlands - I knew she was in “good hands” and those hands don’t come any better than attached to the oh so yummy Master Nolan. Not to sure what Sir would feel about me describing him as yummy - but he is!

I came to the realization that Beth was a sub at heart. It was a position she enjoyed and a lifestyle she was comfortable living and just because her previous relationship had been a train wreck - her desire to return to her roots was understandable. I realized it would be no different than a straight woman in an abusive relationship - she wouldn’t turn into a lesbian or a homosexual man wouldn’t turn straight. The heart wants what the heart wants and Beth wanted to be dominated.

As I stated earlier I loved the added element of the suspense. Knowing Beth’s husband was out there looking for her and it was only a matter of time before he found her kept me turning the pages...ohhhhh that and a lot of other things made me race through this book. Let me just say that Master Nolan knows how to throw an intimate house party with some pretty hot and sexy party games *fans self* *fans self* *fans self*.

Finally I was over the moon at the ending. Justice was served and if this had been a movie, then the theatre-goers would have been standing and cheering at the end. What goes around, comes around loser ex-hubby!

From Goodreads:
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands ; Previous Book: Dark Citadel
Genre: BDSM Romantic Suspense

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 very 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 she's been lying and lying and lying.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content (including/not limited to bondage, caning, domination, restraint, paddling, spanking, submission, tethering); exhibitionism, menage, violence.(less