JB's Book Obsession : ARC Review & Excerpt Tour: Servicing the Target (The Shadowlands #10) by Cherise Sinclair

Lifting her sax, she wetted the reed and tested a wandering set of notes. With one hip on the railing, she let her internal playlist scroll and found herself playing “As Time Goes By.” Like a soft rain, the notes spilled over her deck and joined with the evening. A slow song, but not sad. It reminded her that the fundamentals of life, living and loving and dying, held the same from generation to generation.

That life could change for the better.

She was changing, as was her world. Or maybe she should call it growing, rather than changing.

As the tune went into the chorus, she heard Ben say something to Bronx in the kitchen. The dog whined an answer, and Ben’s big laugh rumbled out.

He was quite a guy. He’d been so careful with her this afternoon. Not pushing, but not stopping before he’d made his point.

Sometimes his internal strength was a bit disconcerting. All her slaves had wanted her in charge, wanted her to take control of everything. But Ben didn’t need her guidance.

At the same time, he wouldn’t fall apart if she showed any weakness, and because of that, she could relax around him.

But his obstinate need to be tough—to hide any weakness—was a problem. She should have noticed he was having flashbacks. But now she knew, and she could lead him to talk about his past. She’d pamper him up, keep him close, and ensure he got his sleep. He said he slept better at her house. With her.

He liked being with her. The realization was…amazing. Overwhelming.

She felt the same and more. He’d filled her life. Warmed it.

With a slow flourish, she ended the song and started another. One that had been growing in her heart over the past week, with the knowledge, the worry, the awe.“When I Fall in Love.” The music flowed, the ache of her soul merging with the notes.

She’d wanted to run. To push him away. And she hadn’t.

Ben, I love you.

The knowledge was terrifying and wonderful. For a little while yet, she’d savor the gift, and then she’d share.

Light washed out over the deck, and he stood there, filling the doorway as completely as he did her heart. “I was listening to you play.”

His golden-brown eyes held hers as he slowly smiled. “Mistress, may this submissive haul you off to bed?”

ABOUT SERVICING THE TARGET: A Masters of the Shadowland Novel:

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.

Ben Haugen works security for the BDSM club the Shadowlands. He sees many strange things on the job none of which has tempted him into the lifestyle. But when he notices the wicked Mistress Anne for the first time, as more than just a Domme, when he sees the caring heart underneath all the tough exterior, he is more than tempted to give this submissive lifestyle a shot. Ben has made up his mind and targeted Anne for himself even though he has only known vanilla— the alluring mistress has him wanting so much more.

Mistress Anne has always been known for her tough exterior and strict Domme/slave protocol. She takes slaves for short periods, she cares for them gives them what they need in turn, they give her the control she craves. When they get too clingy, she cuts the pretty boys loose. Lately Anne has been feeling different, maybe she doesn’t want the same kind of Domme/slave relationship she has had in the past. Just when she feels adrift in life the guard dog of the Shadowlands, Ben catches her eye. He is the complete opposite of her usual pretty boy slaves with his bulging muscles and scared body. She decides to give a D/s relationship with the big, brawny ex-Army Ranger a shot. As long as she can hold on to her heart playing with him should be fun.

This is the tenth book in the series and I realized immediately how much I missed the Shadowland crew. I never thought Anne and Ben would turn out to be my all-time favorite BDSM couple. This was a fantastic read from beginning to end. I simply could not put it down.

Anne is the ultimate Domme the mistress everyone at the Shadowlands fears. She is notorious for taking down men twice her size in her job as a bounty hunter and having pretty boy slave’s bow at her feet. Yet it seems Anne might be changing completely against her will of course. When Ben the security guard notices there may be a heart beating under the armor she wears he feels inexplicably drawn to her. He wants her to beat his ass and take him to climax. Something Ben never would have guessed he would thoroughly enjoy being—submissive.

Anne relishes introducing Ben to the lifestyle and when they start to play, they develop a strong bond. The sex scenes between these two were over the top sexy, steamy, hot, and just plain erotic. My eyes were glued to every scene, whether in one of the Shadowlands playrooms or in their apartments the chemistry of these two characters was off the charts. Though, their sex life is great and Ben becomes to realize he craves submission in the bedroom, he isn’t, so sure he wants a full time slave relationship with Anne. Afraid to lose Anne thinking she wants a full time slave, he decides to try it, for her. It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize the 24/7 slave aspect of the lifestyle is definitely not for him. In an attempt to keep Annie he tries when his heart isn’t in it. Anne and Ben tried so hard to be what the other wanted and needed that they forgot to communicate. A very important component in any relationship, especially a D/s one, in the end all they had to do was talk and compromise.

These characters were so well written I felt every emotion. Anne was a strong female character, but she had a soft side that would show through when she interacted with her female friends and with Ben. I loved that side of her, but as did Ben, I loved her Domme side too. Ben and Anne are perfect for each other and they complement each other’s personality so well making for a great story. I loved how much Ben wanted Anne and how he never gave up trying to get her. He stumbles at the end for a minute, but that was because he loved her so much. Anne needed someone who would always be by her side and that was definitely Ben.

Of course, all our other Masters and subbies are back, Master Z dishing out advice and giving orders. Jessica, Sally, Kim, Andrea, and Uzuri causing trouble. Our favorite, Masters are back as well, wreaking havoc, Cullen, Raoul, Marcus and Nolan.

Cherise Sinclair also does an excellent job of depicting the traumas of domestic violence. Domestic violence against woman plays a huge part in this installment as it has in the other books as well. Uzuri definitely has secrets and issues regarding her violent past that she needs to deal with I hope we get her story as well I would love to see her find her HEA.

Anne’s family issues are also a big part of this story her relationship with her father is shaky. He has never given her credit for her accomplishments which has made her feel any and inadequate in her father’s eyes. I really liked her brother Travis too would be nice to get his story, not sure if he has a kink though I bet he does.

This was truly a great addition to the Shadowland series and it is definitely my favorite. There are some surprise for the couples in the book, some danger and some really sweet moments. As always I recommend the entire series if you enjoy the BDSM genre Cherise Sinclair is the ultimate Mistress of BDSM storytelling.

RECEIVED AN ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

ABOUT CHERISE SINCLAIR:

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.

Cherise lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Their two fledglings have left the nest recently to try their wings and hopefully will fly high and strong. The “ascendant erotica queen” (Rolling Stone Magazine) now spends her days writing with occasional supervision from a sadistic calico cat.