Literaria: Bound by a Master of Freedom

This series of novellas by different authors is really something, book buddies. I love the simple but alluring feel of the covers, and the stories tend to be really well written and original. For example, today, with MASTER OF FREEDOM, by Cherise Sinclair. Did I like it? Oh, yeah!

Detective Atticus Ware gave up his beloved Idaho to start again in the mountains of California, close to his imprisoned brother. He has a rewarding job and friends, but the experienced Dominant wants more than the Do-Me submissives who flock around him. He needs a woman who will give her heart as well as her body.
Virginia, “Gin,” is damn good at her challenging career as a prison psychologist. However, one problem inmate is mired in misery and unable to overcome his guilt at causing a friend’s death.

To clear her mind, she joins a friend’s kinky backpacking excursion, planning to hide in her tent during the evening BDSM pursuits. But Atticus lures her into the activities. She’s read about BDSM, but submission under the hands of a powerful Dom is beyond anything she’d imagined. She doesn’t trust men, doesn’t want a relationship, and yet…wants more from him.

Finally, Atticus has found the woman he wants in his life. In his bed. In his cuffs. But she’s not only his brother’s therapist, but also works in a prison. How can he tolerate his woman walking into danger every single blasted day?

Gin knows she has no future with Atticus Ware, but still, hope is rising in her heart.

Amazon Kindle ** Amazon Paperback

MY OPINION

One of the things that really grabbed my attention was that Atticus is a Dom who teaches men new to the lifestyle how to treat their wives or submissives. He shows them how to identify the clues on body language or facial gestures that mean distress or pleasure so as to be attuned to the woman and never fail her. Isn't that glorious?

These lessons were so enlightening, they opened my eyes and i felt very keen on knowing more thanks to the author's sweet writing style. These subtleties made the reading experience not only much better, but they also meant a new and more complex side to this kind of relationship beyond the power play. To me, this man became real, concerned about the welfare of his lover, and not only in the game for his own gain. That was hot in itself!

The tension of the scenes are built up exponentially, which makes for a very rewarding, slow anticipation before the actual act is consumed. Beautiful. Atticus is commanding but warm, and the combination is insanely addictive. I liked Gin (Virginia) too, she's competent, kind, loving, but also afraid and lonely.

The author creates a very detailed, sensitive rendition of the emotional intimacy that grows between Doms and subs that have a true connection. Even when they're only playing scenes, the Doms are knowledgeable and caring. With Gin, and Atticus, the interactions are sweet, intense and hot. The man's understanding of Gin's confusion and emotional turmoil is so compelling and well-described that could be considered a bit unsettling for the reader, not in a bad or scary way, but in the sense that it makes oneself reassess old-fashioned notions of what this kind of relationship entails.

Not only the steamy scenes were delicious, there is also a good story in there. I got to know the characters well, and I loved how their backgrounds collide and spark trouble that's meaningful. For example, she's trying to avoid a pattern that makes her strive too hard for approval from a man, whereas he carries with him fear and shame from an abusive stepfather as well as a trauma. Besides, their respective jobs throw a surprising plot twist at the end.

Unexpectedly, the story grew into a deeply engrossing tale of trust, rooted fears and hope for the future. It's full of romance, emotional understanding, true love and friendship, and ends with an impressive display of action and thriller scenes that thoroughly delighted me.

ABOUT THE MASTERMIND

Having to wear glasses in elementary school can scar a person for life. Dubbed a nerd at an early age, Cherise Sinclair has been trying to live up to the stereotype ever since. And what better way than being an author?

Known for writing deeply emotional stories, the USA Today Bestselling Author has penned sixteen erotic romance novels, most with a BDSM theme. (Please do not mention the phrase mommy porn in her presence.) Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a GoodReads BDSM group award for best author of the year. Called an “ascendant erotica queen” by Rolling Stone Magazine, Cherise spends her days writing, supervised by a sadistic calico cat.