Mischief and the Masters

The Shadowlands, home of some of the most handsome and powerful masters in literary BDSM history. I’d have to think if the Shadowlands were an actual place, this subbie would probably faint in the lobby. Though I for sure would give anything to be a Shadowkitten, lucky ladies!

It’s hard to believe that we are already on book 12 of this series. I remember when Jessica first met Master Z and he had to help her out in the shower. That book resonated to me, spoke to me, and became a life changer. Since then, I’ve enjoyed every book Cherise has put out, that includes the Doms of Dark Haven and the Mountain Masters. If I had to pick my favorites, it would definitely have to be Master Z, Master Nolan, and Master Xavier.

But now, we finally get to Uzuri’s book. She was one of the original members of the training program, and the last subbie standing. The rest of the trainees all finding their masters. But we all knew the prankster who put plastic bugs in Mistress Anne’s locker and fooled with toy bags galore had issues big enough to fill a comic book store. So Master Z, the father figure of all subbies has decided the time has come for her to face her demons.

Uzuri doesn’t like big, powerful doms, but she ends up telling Max Drago, one of them, her past. His cousin, Dr Alistair Drago wants her, but Max isn’t sure. It takes Max some time, but both he and Alistair decide to take on Uzuri to see if they can help her.

I was blown away by the lessons of tolerance, strength, learning how to lean on others, and love. Again and again, her doms come up with scenes that integrate these lessons with hot and steamy sex, the way only Cherise can do it!

I was also hanging on by the seat of my pants when Uzuri’s past came back to involve not only her, but cause severe problems for one of the Shadowlands members. These books truly get better every time and I’m excited to see what she comes out with next!

I really wanted to love this but, at best it was a bit cringe at times. While I appreciate having a book dedicated to a WOC. It was almost like to much emphasis was placed on Uzuri’s race and colloquialisms that AA women would possibly use but they were used incorrectly. For example the word extension would never be used by AA woman to describe her hair. She would simply say braids or refer to them by the specific style. Extensions would be something a non person of color would say. Secondly flat twist isn’t a hair style. It’s a pre-protective style done for a twist out. TWA was definitely cringe. I had to ask my natural hair group if anyone ever used the term TWA. We actually would say okay sis I see you or okay your Fro is definitely fro’ing today. It was almost like someone just hit Google on natural hair and ran with it. I won’t even get into the introduction of the character and her “dreadlocs” again wrong terms were used if she had this hairstyle it would be locs or sister locs. But that’s a whole other story. Overall it was like the author tried to be to over top. I would have preferred if she treated her like Andrea. Described her and kept the story moving. If you ever want to know the about natural hair care or the types of styles Google isn’t it, go to a black hair shop (salon) and ask the questions to make the character more authentic. Overall loved the book but when trying to create an AA character the mark was missed. It was like going to the cookout but you haven’t gotten your invitation just yet.

One thing that I really love is how Cherise took a series and turned into a family of characters that every time I read the next novel it feels like coming home to friends.   I love the little glimpses of their lives we get in every book and Andrea and Cullen in this book was magic. 

Uzuri is such a complex character, fun a charismatic yet caring and submissive with a mischievous streak a mile long.  Yet, she has to work through a pretty horrific past trauma.  The Dragon Dom’s are her perfect match and counterpoint.   The three of them just fit together perfectly.  And let me fan myself now but the chain scene! OMG!  Scorching! 

With the prefect mix of suspense, erotica, BDSM, and romance, Mischief and the Masters is a fantastic addition to this series that I love....Sara