'Servicing the Target' in the 'Masters of the Shadowlands' series by Cherise Sinclair is a captivating story that focuses on the unexpected romance between Mistress Anne, a Domme at the Shadowlands, and Ben, a discharged Army Ranger who finds himself drawn to the BDSM lifestyle. The plot unfolds with Ben's pursuit of Anne, leading to a deep exploration of their characters, personal growth, and the complexities of their relationship. Through Cherise Sinclair's expert storytelling, readers are taken on a journey filled with emotional ups and downs, unexpected twists, and moments of self-discovery, all set within the backdrop of the exclusive BDSM club.
The book is praised for its well-developed characters, engaging plotline, and the skillful way Cherise Sinclair brings forward the background characters, Anne and Ben, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their personalities and motivations. The writing style is lauded for its ability to draw readers into the story from the very beginning, keeping them on the edge of their seats with a perfect blend of hot and steamy scenes, emotional depth, and moments of humor and tenderness that make the characters and their journey truly captivating.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of emotional trauma, BDSM practices, and implied violence.
Has Romance?
The book has a strong romantic subplot that is central to the storyline.
From The Publisher:
A discharged Army Ranger, Ben considers his job as a BDSM club security guard to be an excellent hobby. He's never been tempted to join in. But everything changes when the notorious Mistress Anne inadvertently reveals the caring heart concealed beneath her Domme armor. Now, he's set his sights on the beautiful Shadowlands Mistress. Maybe he'd considered himself vanilla, but she can put her stiletto on his chest any day, any time. He'll trust her delicate hands to hold his heart. And if she wants to whip his ass on the way to an outstanding climax, he's just fine with that too. Sure, he knows she likes "pretty boy" slaves. And he's older. Craggy and rough. And six-five. Minor hindrances. The mission is a go.
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When Ben, Z's/the Shadowlands' "guard dog", notices Mistress Anne entering the club looking a bit worse for wear, he can't resist telling her how he feels about her dangerous job. She quickly lets him know,
"... when I want your opinion about my occupation, [Benjamin,] I'll beat it out of you." His physical reaction to her comment was quite surprising. No matter, he's vanilla, she's not and she wouldn't dare mess with Z's employee.
Later that evening, Z insists Ben take Anne home after she'd underestimated the affects of mixing pain medication and alcohol. It was at a bachelorette party for one of the Shadowkittens where he'd first seen the Mistress without her armor -
"... everything that was her had sizzled into him and stopped his heart." And, while he's fully aware that she's a sadist Domme with a rep for taking on only pretty boy masochist slaves, he's drawn to her beauty and strength.
Now he'd set his sights on the woman. And - as his team in the Rangers had witnessed - he never missed.
Anne is intrigued by this strong man who says he's vanilla, yet responds so beautifully to her commands. A one-hour scene with her is the start of what catches everyone by surprise. Z and the other Doms take notice of the incredible chemistry between them, however they all feel that the relationship cannot work because Ben doesn't crave the pain that Anne gives and Anne never takes a lover, only slaves.
He'd be hers; damned if he wouldn't. She had no clue how determined a Ranger could be to complete a mission successfully.
While these two as a couple was quite unexpected, they are an absolute perfect match. Ben is such a sweetheart and Anne's true personality really shines in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the different stages of their relationship - each step necessary for them to discover what they truly wanted. As with all previous books in the series, miscommunications happen, but they are always resolved.
Aside from Ben and Anne's story, Cherise gifted us with a bunch of other great side character stories:
❤ Jessica are very pregnant
The birthing scene was an absolute hoot! I was cracking up. Jessica was laying into Z so badly ...
"Damn you, you have children. Why'd you want more?"
"Jessica, you wanted children."
"You're so fucking wrong. I never -"
"Breathe, little one."
"You breathe, you dickhead. How could you do this to me? You told me you weren't a sadist, you fucking liar."
Seeing her in such pain was terribly difficult for the steely Dom to handle, but they made it through and welcomed Lil Miss Sophia Grayson into the world.
Happy Birthday, Sophia!
Side note: Simon, from
Mountain Masters/Dark Haven ([b:Simon Says: Mine: A novella|25606570|Simon Says Mine A novella (Mountain Masters & Dark Haven Book 1.5)|Cherise Sinclair|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433428111s/25606570.jpg|45415989] and others), makes a hidden appearance when he added a security system to Z & Jessica's home.
❤ Happy 35th Birthday, Anne!
The women of the Shadowlands, all the kittens and Olivia, the other resident Domme, threw Anne a surprise birthday party. It helped Anne fully realize the true friendships she's built. Being a military brat, she's kept herself closed off. These women have slowly, but surely crept their way into her heart.
❤ Uzuri is sure to be featured in book #11
Z has allowed Uzuri to make her past a hard limit, so no one is entirely sure what she's experienced in the past. What they do know is that her time for secrecy is almost up and she'll soon be encouraged to face her past - but not alone, I'm sure. Everyone will be there for her, as they were in this book, when she needed help moving into a new home. This was another great 'everyone is all together' scene.
Furthermore, the intruder scene at Anne's home forces Uzuri to accept her need for self-defense lessons. The other ladies have been training with Anne and now it's time she stop cowering and start empowering.
I always enjoy it when Cherise shows her character's lives outside of the club. This book had quite a few. I just cannot get enough of this series. I always look forward to spending quality time with Cherise's Shadowlands gang.
Ready and impatiently waiting for more!
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Pre-release date blog stalking discoveries:
Blurb and sneak peek provided at the end of [b:Master of Freedom: A Mountain Masters Novella|23362482|Master of Freedom A Mountain Masters Novella (1001 Dark Nights)|Cherise Sinclair|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413237428s/23362482.jpg|42917949]
As of 14 Apr, per Cherise's newsletter:
I’m deep into writing Servicing the Target, the next book in the Masters of the Shadowlands series. Honestly, I’ve been postponing writing a book about Mistress Anne because of those pretty boys who follow her around. So not my thing.
But then Ben—yes, I mean Ben the over-sized, rough-looking Shadowlands security guard—told me he was going to make his move.
I had a fit. “Oh, please. Seriously, Ben? Are you out of your friggin’ mind?” I told him he was vanilla. That she likes younger men. Gorgeous slim ones.
He didn’t listen. And when an ex-Army Ranger sets his sights on a target…everyone had best step out of the way.
As of 12 Feb, per Cherise's blog:
Ben–the security guard–says he’s interested in spending time with Mistress Anne. (Seriously?) I told him he’s out of his mind. But he’s stubborn.
And then Master Z informed me that it’s time for Jessica to have that baby of theirs. A woman in labor versus the Master of Masters. Hmmm.
What can you read after
Servicing the Target?
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