THIS IS WHO I AM (Masters of the Shadowlands #7) by CHERISE SINCLAIR
12 June, 2013
SYNOPSIS
When trying to save a woman from slavers, Sam screwed up. Royally. Now Linda wants nothing to do with him. Or with BDSM. She won’t even admit she’s a masochist. As a dominant and sadist, he can give her what she needs, and when an opportunity arises, he slips into her life, intending to make amends. She’s everything he knew she would be…except for her bullheaded determination to be ‘normal’.
Now the horrible time is past, Linda just wants to return to her small conservative town, pick up her quiet life, and be normal. But how can someone who likes pain be ‘normal’? To her dismay, when someone spray-paints her home with obscenities, Sam shows up to rescue her. Again. Doesn’t he understand that the last thing she needs in her life is a sadist? He’s amused by her objections. But his dry sense of humor can’t disguise that he’s tough as nails and dominant and stubborn. He’s not going to let her drive him off this time. Soon she realizes she wants him to stay.
When he takes her to the Shadowlands, she feels as if she’s found a home…until she hears a voice from out of her nightmares.
Review by Gitte
Cherise Sinclair has done it again but I never doubted she would. If you enjoy a dramatic and thrilling escape in the world of BDSM, then this series is a must read. This Author is by far one of my favourite Authors in this genre. She treats it with respect, care and responsibility. She leaves the reader in no doubt of the heightened emotions and dangers. She writes her characters with the outmost of care and attention and enables the reader to understand and feel. Even with such a sensitive subject as what was the case in this seventh instalment. I would highly recommend reading this series in order for continuity and story. Though each has a HEA so no cliff-hangers.
This story is about Master Sam the sadist and Linda who is reluctant to openly admit that she’s a masochist.
“She wanted that ruthless part of him. With him she wouldn’t have to beg for more, because he’d force her to where the sharp edge between pain and pleasure slipped away, and he’s keep her there, where her soul was bared to him.”
Both are mature adults and I have to say, this in itself is such a refreshing change.
When we begin this story we find Linda who’s just been rescued from slavery. One of the players in the rescue was Master Sam, so they already have a shared history. The emotional connection between them is tense and upsetting to say the least due to the circumstances of the rescue and their respective involvement. In an ideal world they should be the perfect fit. However, that road is not an easy one as both have a past that’s marked them in a traumatic way. A substantial amount of healing and acceptance is needed and worked through. Whether they can help each other with this one is what’s explored in this story.
I thought Sam was a really interesting character; he has fascinated me from when I first met him in previous books. He’s a formidable man, quite intimidating, yet there’s just something about him. I have to say the way he carries himself, the way he cares, protects and respects.
“Baby, once you gave me your trust, you were a peach ready to be plucked, and there was nothing you could do about it.”
Sam’s extreme masculinity and male sensuality that runs alongside that tough and hard exterior; his intensity well he certainly got to this reader.
“You hugged Master Sam?”
I totally would too….Mind you, if I met him in real life I’d most definitely run the other way as fast as I could. But this is fiction right?!
“I feel safe around you.” Her throaty laugh was rueful. “Isn’t that the damnedest thing?”
As for Linda, bless her. She’s so confused by her wants and needs; so vulnerable still after everything she’s endured. She has survived something so awful and degrading that you can’t help but admire her and wish for her happy ending. She’s incredibly strong and brave and you just want her to find that happiness and realise there’s nothing wrong with who she perceives herself to be or who she really is; what she really wants.
“Humans need to think we can affect fate and control our destiny. Maybe we can to an extent, but sometimes shit just happens.”
Sexual abuse is a tough subject to write about and I have to say this Author handles it in such a way I want to give her a standing ovation. Yes the subject in this story may turn people off or be too much; however, if anyone can do it justice it’s this Lady! I experienced every emotion possible in this story as the characters came to life in front of my eyes through the brilliant writing of Cherise Sinclair.
“Learn to stand up. Learn to fall down. Life’s lessons didn’t stop; they continued to the day of death. And I’m alive.”
Gitte: 4 Stars
Purchase This Is Who I Am here
This Is Who I Am (Masters of the Shadowlands 7)
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mlynpeters said:
Wonderful review, I am reading this now & this book is beautifully done. I enjoy all of these books & agree, with your take on this series & what a wonderful author Cherise Sinclir is. How she deals with the subject of BDSM & the specific storylines & their sensitive nature are touching & eye opening. A must read if you wnat a different take on this subject matter. The first book was a little too short, but I was hooked and continued to just eat these books up! The next one in this series will prove to be very explosive it seems!! Cannot WAIT!! I wish The Shadowlands existed…. I would looove to just go & observe!