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Masters and Mercenaries #1
The Dom Who Loved Me
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B005PJMDTM here.
A routine mission…
Sean Taggart is hunting a deadly terrorist, and his only lead is the lovely Grace Hawthorne. She's the executive assistant for an employment agency Sean suspects is a front for illegal activities. To get the truth, he is going to have to get very close to Grace, a task he is all too eager to undertake when he discovers her deliciously submissive nature.
…turns into a dangerous seduction.
Soon, Grace Hawthorne is living a double life. By day, she is the widowed mother of two college-aged sons. By night, she submits to Sean's every dark desire. She's living out her wildest fantasies of pleasure—intimate acts of trust she's only read about. As passion engulfs her, a murderer strikes, and Grace learns that Sean has a deeply hidden agenda. Will Sean choose his mission and break her heart or be the Master of her dreams?
A Masters and Mercenaries Novel by Lexi Blake
A routine mission…
Sean Taggart is hunting a deadly terrorist, and his only lead is the lovely Grace Hawthorne. She's the executive assistant for an employment agency Sean suspects is a front for illegal activities. To get the truth, he is going to have to get very close to Grace, a task he is all too eager to undertake when he discovers her deliciously submissive nature.
…turns into a dangerous seduction.
Soon, Grace Hawthorne is living a double life. By day, she is the widowed mother of two college-aged sons. By night, she submits to Sean's every dark desire. She's living out her wildest fantasies of pleasure—intimate acts of trust she's only read about. As passion engulfs her, a murderer strikes, and Grace learns that Sean has a deeply hidden agenda. Will Sean choose his mission and break her heart or be the Master of her dreams?
A Masters and Mercenaries Novel by Lexi Blake
373 pages, ebook
First published September 25, 2011
1664 people are currently reading
12362 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Blake
183 books6,371 followersNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 928 reviews
April 10, 2015
3.5 Flaggin' a Lil Stars
This was good and I enjoyed it.
Although, not gonna lie, the whole spy/espionage/mystery story line was a little lost on this idiot for a bit there.
So there's that.
Now, I'm not saying I'm a BDSM connoisseur by any means...
...but I've read a lot of BDSM.
And I guess I would classify this as "BDSM-lite."
Which I'm totally not knocking.
Because sometimes you feel like having your cake with a little less frosting.
Speaking of cake...
...this installment's Dom (Sean) is a wannabe chef with some mad cooking skills; however, I like to read about cooking and food about as much as I like to watch the cooking channel - which is to say...
Not. At. All.
Because it makes me hungry.
And I have a love/hate relationship with food.
Just keepin' it real, people.
Now, I'm not saying that I don't like chefs and that I didn't like Sean - because I did.
I just didn't love Sean.
Because, quite frankly, I prefer my Doms to be very...Dom-ey (haha, whatever, I'm going with Dom-ey), and I can't help it but, for me at least, Sean was totally eclipsed by his older brother Ian.
And Adam & Jake the DP BFFs if I'm honest.
But back to this book.
Sean was a really nice lead who definitely had some skill in the dirty-talking department as well as the kitchen.
So despite my...aversion to food-talk, sometimes Sean the chef still had me all:
Grace was a decent lead female and I liked her well enough. A widowed 40 old to Sean's 32, Grace is a working woman with two college age children and a hidden interest in BDSM romance novels.
Side note: It's always refreshing to see an older woman (and by older I mean older than the typical 22 year old "heroine" - because I damned sure don't consider 40 to be old) lead a story AND get a younger man to boot.
My only issue with Grace is that, although mature and mostly poised, she had a tendency to let sex and Sean's OMG cock overwhelm her common sense on occasion.
Also, while I wouldn't call it "insta-love," these two fell in lurve a little too fast and without enough foundation for my liking.
But you can't win them all.
As the title of this review suggests, I felt the last 25% of the book flagged a little bit, but overall, I really liked this book and I truly look forward to reading the next one.
I have already read book 6.5 and, if the progress in that one is any indication, I am really going to enjoy this series.
After all, typically the first book in a series is not the best of the series, so I looking forward to my quest for the best. #FuckingPoet
So for those who are on the fence about starting this series, I say go for it. Or for those interested in dipping their toe into the BDSM genre - this is a good starter book.
This was good and I enjoyed it.
Although, not gonna lie, the whole spy/espionage/mystery story line was a little lost on this idiot for a bit there.
So there's that.
Now, I'm not saying I'm a BDSM connoisseur by any means...
...but I've read a lot of BDSM.
And I guess I would classify this as "BDSM-lite."
Which I'm totally not knocking.
Because sometimes you feel like having your cake with a little less frosting.
Speaking of cake...
...this installment's Dom (Sean) is a wannabe chef with some mad cooking skills; however, I like to read about cooking and food about as much as I like to watch the cooking channel - which is to say...
Not. At. All.
Because it makes me hungry.
And I have a love/hate relationship with food.
Just keepin' it real, people.
Now, I'm not saying that I don't like chefs and that I didn't like Sean - because I did.
I just didn't love Sean.
Because, quite frankly, I prefer my Doms to be very...Dom-ey (haha, whatever, I'm going with Dom-ey), and I can't help it but, for me at least, Sean was totally eclipsed by his older brother Ian.
And Adam & Jake the DP BFFs if I'm honest.
But back to this book.
Sean was a really nice lead who definitely had some skill in the dirty-talking department as well as the kitchen.
So despite my...aversion to food-talk, sometimes Sean the chef still had me all:
Grace was a decent lead female and I liked her well enough. A widowed 40 old to Sean's 32, Grace is a working woman with two college age children and a hidden interest in BDSM romance novels.
Side note: It's always refreshing to see an older woman (and by older I mean older than the typical 22 year old "heroine" - because I damned sure don't consider 40 to be old) lead a story AND get a younger man to boot.
My only issue with Grace is that, although mature and mostly poised, she had a tendency to let sex and Sean's OMG cock overwhelm her common sense on occasion.
Also, while I wouldn't call it "insta-love," these two fell in lurve a little too fast and without enough foundation for my liking.
But you can't win them all.
As the title of this review suggests, I felt the last 25% of the book flagged a little bit, but overall, I really liked this book and I truly look forward to reading the next one.
I have already read book 6.5 and, if the progress in that one is any indication, I am really going to enjoy this series.
After all, typically the first book in a series is not the best of the series, so I looking forward to my quest for the best. #FuckingPoet
So for those who are on the fence about starting this series, I say go for it. Or for those interested in dipping their toe into the BDSM genre - this is a good starter book.
November 14, 2013
4 SEXY VIKING STARS!!!!!
I’m going to spank you because you’ll like it.
Before I even start this review, I want you to scroll down and look at Sean's arms.....
Right?!
Now imagine those arms and hands spanking your ass.
Right?!
Are you still there? Well, you shouldn't be.
My Sean:
My Grace:
She has a self-possession that only comes from being very well loved. It’s intensely attractive.
The first time Sean sees Grace, it is in a picture with a man who is the target of their next op. He works with his brother in a high security firm. This firm is filled with large, sexy men, and I want all of them! We’ve got former assassins, CIA, Green Berets…a lot of testosterone!
Sean reads Grace immediately (duh! That’s what Dom’s do!). He knows that she is a natural submissive, but he doesn’t want a 24-hour slave.
I want a smart, independent woman who just happens to enjoy submitting to me sexually. Is that too much to ask?
Grace is a widow and a boring administrative assistant…or so she thinks. Little does she know, her life is about to get a lot more exciting. The first time she sees Sean, she thinks he looks like a Viking because his arms are so big and his blond hair is slicked back.
There is a lot of mistrust between Sean and Grace, and both of them go through trials of questioning each other’s motives. At first, I thought the story was going in a predictable direction, but I was wrong. At about 60%, the story takes an interesting turn, and Grace grows some balls!!!!!!
The first time you tell me what to do outside the bedroom, I’ll probably take a skillet to your head.
“You have a safeword, Grace. Are you going to say it?"
"Fuck you."
He practically growled. "Not your safeword, baby."
He was on her in a second.
Sean is a sweet Dom. He’s a hard-ass, but when he loves, he LOVES, and I was just soaking up the love.
Love me, protect me, take me.
I really liked the epilogue, and I can’t wait to read Adam and Jake’s story !!!!!
Thanks for reading books with me, Irene!!! I will always be your Mr. T. LOL!
I’m going to spank you because you’ll like it.
Before I even start this review, I want you to scroll down and look at Sean's arms.....
Right?!
Now imagine those arms and hands spanking your ass.
Right?!
Are you still there? Well, you shouldn't be.
My Sean:
My Grace:
She has a self-possession that only comes from being very well loved. It’s intensely attractive.
The first time Sean sees Grace, it is in a picture with a man who is the target of their next op. He works with his brother in a high security firm. This firm is filled with large, sexy men, and I want all of them! We’ve got former assassins, CIA, Green Berets…a lot of testosterone!
Sean reads Grace immediately (duh! That’s what Dom’s do!). He knows that she is a natural submissive, but he doesn’t want a 24-hour slave.
I want a smart, independent woman who just happens to enjoy submitting to me sexually. Is that too much to ask?
Grace is a widow and a boring administrative assistant…or so she thinks. Little does she know, her life is about to get a lot more exciting. The first time she sees Sean, she thinks he looks like a Viking because his arms are so big and his blond hair is slicked back.
There is a lot of mistrust between Sean and Grace, and both of them go through trials of questioning each other’s motives. At first, I thought the story was going in a predictable direction, but I was wrong. At about 60%, the story takes an interesting turn, and Grace grows some balls!!!!!!
The first time you tell me what to do outside the bedroom, I’ll probably take a skillet to your head.
“You have a safeword, Grace. Are you going to say it?"
"Fuck you."
He practically growled. "Not your safeword, baby."
He was on her in a second.
Sean is a sweet Dom. He’s a hard-ass, but when he loves, he LOVES, and I was just soaking up the love.
Love me, protect me, take me.
I really liked the epilogue, and I can’t wait to read Adam and Jake’s story !!!!!
Thanks for reading books with me, Irene!!! I will always be your Mr. T. LOL!
November 14, 2013
SOLID 4 STARS!
There were several reasons I enjoyed this book.
Here are my TOP THREE:
3. Lexi Blake can write a great story and even better sex plus younger H/older h pairing is always welcome in my book. If you are a fan of sexy suspense stories, this one was should do the trick!
2. Using CC as visual for Sean (thanks, Allison! I owe you one! He he ...) was a BONUS!
... and if a still wasn't enough, here comes the GIF ...
1. BRing this with Jennifer which is ALWAYS a blast! Thanks, babe! xo
Looking forward to the rest of the books in this series ...
Nov. 6, 2013
BRing this with Jennifer starting Nov. 8th! I hate doing things alone so thanks, babe, for always wanting to BR with me, even when it's last minute at times! You are like my very own Mr. T! xo
December 22, 2014
3,5 I Want The Broody Brother Stars
Well... This was both better and worse than I'd thought it'd be. I thought I would love the romance and be bored by the suspense but it was the other way around. The plot-line was interesting and engaging but the romance left a lot to be desired.
My problems:
1) The insta-love. I have high tolerance for insta-love but saying the "I <3 u"s your second day dating is too much even for me. I may have choked it up but I think when the protagonists of a book are over 30(one of them 40 with two college-aged kids), you expect something more than this...
2) After everything was revealed Sean behaved like an asshole, while I expected to be some kind of miscommunication there, it wasn't handled well IMO. Sean behaved like a jerk without any real reason. While a day ago he swore that Grace had nothing to do with whatever she had been framed for, all it took was Adam kissing her and her not throwing him off(after Sean had had to drop her like an old newspaper, and despite her believing that Adam is gay and the kiss was an accident), for Sean to start believing that she was capable of aiding a criminal.
3) The book was moving slowly at some points. I could have easily done without about 20% of the pages.
4) At some points(especially after she easily forgave Sean everything) I thought Grace was a bit TSTL. She wasn't bad as a whole but she had moments of utter sillines.
Now, the good stuff:
1) The suspense aspect was near perfect. The mystery was entertaining and not obvious as it seems to be with many romance books. I liked the twists and turns and how every new piece of info added to the story.
2) The sex was H.O.T. Yeah... Not much to elaborate on that. The sex and the BDSM-ish stuff worked for me although there was nothing hard-core. Not even much bondage.
3) I loved all the guys(and girl) in the company but Ian was my favorite. I can't resist a broody, tortured, slightly twisted guy. My love of bad boys always wins. He practically oozed dominance.
The left one is Aly pushing me to read this series. *.*
Well... This was both better and worse than I'd thought it'd be. I thought I would love the romance and be bored by the suspense but it was the other way around. The plot-line was interesting and engaging but the romance left a lot to be desired.
My problems:
1) The insta-love. I have high tolerance for insta-love but saying the "I <3 u"s your second day dating is too much even for me. I may have choked it up but I think when the protagonists of a book are over 30(one of them 40 with two college-aged kids), you expect something more than this...
2) After everything was revealed Sean behaved like an asshole, while I expected to be some kind of miscommunication there, it wasn't handled well IMO. Sean behaved like a jerk without any real reason. While a day ago he swore that Grace had nothing to do with whatever she had been framed for, all it took was Adam kissing her and her not throwing him off(after Sean had had to drop her like an old newspaper, and despite her believing that Adam is gay and the kiss was an accident), for Sean to start believing that she was capable of aiding a criminal.
3) The book was moving slowly at some points. I could have easily done without about 20% of the pages.
4) At some points(especially after she easily forgave Sean everything) I thought Grace was a bit TSTL. She wasn't bad as a whole but she had moments of utter sillines.
Now, the good stuff:
1) The suspense aspect was near perfect. The mystery was entertaining and not obvious as it seems to be with many romance books. I liked the twists and turns and how every new piece of info added to the story.
2) The sex was H.O.T. Yeah... Not much to elaborate on that. The sex and the BDSM-ish stuff worked for me although there was nothing hard-core. Not even much bondage.
3) I loved all the guys(and girl) in the company but Ian was my favorite. I can't resist a broody, tortured, slightly twisted guy. My love of bad boys always wins. He practically oozed dominance.
The left one is Aly pushing me to read this series. *.*
March 23, 2018
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
Lexi Blake is one of those authors who effortlessly implements highly erotic tension into a suspenseful plot. In the first Masters & Mercenaries book we are introduced to all the keyplayers of the first couple of installments in this series. This story is about Sean Taggart and Grace Hawthorne.
Sean is ex-special ops and a hobby cook. A combination that is unusual as it is intriguing. Sean loves the spicy and erotic lifestyle of D/s but doesn't want a 24/7 slave. He loves his women independent, self-sufficient, standing up for themselves but submissive in the bedroom.
Sean's now working for his brother's security firm. He has been assigned a case and while he studies his file he comes across a photo of a woman. A woman who is the assistant to Sean's target, wearing black widow clothes and yellow heels. What a fascinating combination. Under cover he installs himself into her life and guess what...from the first second Sean knows that Grace is a willing sub. He's a dominant, commanding but also kind and endearing character. But also a little too proud.
I loved Sean mostly, he embraced his feelings for Grace almost from the first encounter. This felt a little insta-love but I don't mind if the rest of the story explains why he feels that way. Sean inserts himself into Grace's life and makes her promises...and the next day he's gone, leaving a note and for Grace to handle the fallout.
I'm always a little puzzled when men fall for a woman fast in books but when there falls doubt on her character they retreat fast, without questioning it and looking for actual proof. I didn't like that Sean pulled away because he believed what he THOUGHT he saw. When he was offered to take a deeper look at how Grace was handling he declined. At one point he said that Grace was his soul mate. It was when he was furious with her, accusing her of all kind of crimes. Wouldn't he, I don't know, think better of somebody who is supposed to be his one and only, or at least give her the benefit of doubt, especially given his own deception of her? I was angry on Grace's behalf and I hoped that she'd let him grovel in a big way and she kind of did but she never got a real apology for the way he treated her. It's one thing to use the trust somebody puts into you for bedroom play. But Sean abused that sexual connection when he thought that Grace betrayed him and that wasn't cool.
Grace's job as a secretary isn't just to pay the office's bill, she is also kind of her boss's baby sitter who drinks too much and doesn't really have a good hand for his business. She is completely unaware of the covert schemes going on in the background. When Sean enters her life she feels like a woman for the first time since her husband's death. What she doesn't understand is why this hunk of a man, at least 10 years her junior, would want her, a forty year old widow with the body of one.
Grace is lovely, sweet as candy, but also fierce when being wronged. Her harping on about her being forty started to get a little old towards the middle of the book. I got it that she felt that Sean was out of her league. Yet, I liked her well enough, she didn't wow me though. The fact that she didn't want to become an accidental grandmother and thus keeping condoms stocked in her house for her two grown up sons but didn't bat an eye when she had unprotected sex was unbelievable. And it was never mentioned afterwards either.
I love Lexi Blake's combination of erotic romance and romantic suspense - the books are unputdownable and keep you on the edge of your seat, making you rage a little, swoon a little and sigh a little. Although this wasn't a winner all the way though I can't wait to start the next in this series. I know for a fact that Lexi Blake can do much, much better. The Dom Who Loved Me is pretty light on the BDSM, I'm pretty sure the next one will be a completely different story.
August 6, 2016
---3.25 stars---
Sean Taggart,32 years old,is a very,very dangerous man.Once a decorated Green Beret he had been on the most dangerous missions the army had in Afghanistan.He had also worked for the CIA.Now he works in McKay/Taggart security services lead by Sean's older brother Ian and Alexander Mckay.
And this man can COOK (heavenly,let me add that)!!
**drooling**
They are approached by Peter Lincoln,the head of a lumber consortium,to find a man named Patrick Wright who is the suspected leader of Earth League,a group of eco-terrorists.They suspect that Patrick Wright might be getting help from his brother Matt Wright.
Sean,also a weathered DOM,feels his interest piqued when he first looks at the photograph of Grace Hawthorne,with her drab clothes and fuck-me shoes.
Grace Hawthorne,40 years old,a mother of two college students,is a very competent woman.She works for Matt Wright as his admin.And she looooongs for a Dom to bring out her hidden sensuality.
Grace being a suspect, Sean is sent to investigate her.No problem.He is a Master(pun intended!!) in this game.
But everything goes awry as they fall in love with each other!!
Now they will have to trust each other,deflect murder attempts,deal with rogue CIA agents and have to sabotage a master plan which can prove to be a threat to national security,and try to build a life together!!!
***SPOILER ALERT***
This was quite a nice read and I am going to follow the series,although I have to admit that at a few places it was just plain silly.And though I liked Sean,I felt my interest slipping to Ian at many places.Ian is what I call a real BADASS!!
Sorry Sean....you need a few lessons to be a stronger Dom.
Sean Taggart,32 years old,is a very,very dangerous man.Once a decorated Green Beret he had been on the most dangerous missions the army had in Afghanistan.He had also worked for the CIA.Now he works in McKay/Taggart security services lead by Sean's older brother Ian and Alexander Mckay.
And this man can COOK (heavenly,let me add that)!!
**drooling**
They are approached by Peter Lincoln,the head of a lumber consortium,to find a man named Patrick Wright who is the suspected leader of Earth League,a group of eco-terrorists.They suspect that Patrick Wright might be getting help from his brother Matt Wright.
Sean,also a weathered DOM,feels his interest piqued when he first looks at the photograph of Grace Hawthorne,with her drab clothes and fuck-me shoes.
Grace Hawthorne,40 years old,a mother of two college students,is a very competent woman.She works for Matt Wright as his admin.And she looooongs for a Dom to bring out her hidden sensuality.
Grace being a suspect, Sean is sent to investigate her.No problem.He is a Master(pun intended!!) in this game.
But everything goes awry as they fall in love with each other!!
Now they will have to trust each other,deflect murder attempts,deal with rogue CIA agents and have to sabotage a master plan which can prove to be a threat to national security,and try to build a life together!!!
***SPOILER ALERT***
This was quite a nice read and I am going to follow the series,although I have to admit that at a few places it was just plain silly.And though I liked Sean,I felt my interest slipping to Ian at many places.Ian is what I call a real BADASS!!
Sorry Sean....you need a few lessons to be a stronger Dom.
November 28, 2021
The Dom Who Loved Me by Lexi Blake
Book 1 of the Masters and Mercenaries series. Romantic suspense with erotica elements.
Grace is an extraordinary secretary keeping her boss scheduled, organized and occasionally putting him to bed (platonically) after he’s had a night of drinking. She accidentally gets involved in a spy ring when she copies a confidential thumb drive.
Sean is both spy and Dominant sex player. Grace has always been interested in playing a sub but as a widow hasn’t explored the possibility. Meeting Sean turns her life upside down. Both with the danger of his job and playing his sex games.
I like romantic suspense and the storyline here had some good twists and tension.
The storyline contains erotica from the dominant submissive lifestyle and includes levels, toys and plenty of sexy hot scenes.
Sean is inconsistent between word and actions. I admired Grace in her deciding to follow her desires and her backbone in knowing her has choices.
3.5
Book 1 of the Masters and Mercenaries series. Romantic suspense with erotica elements.
Grace is an extraordinary secretary keeping her boss scheduled, organized and occasionally putting him to bed (platonically) after he’s had a night of drinking. She accidentally gets involved in a spy ring when she copies a confidential thumb drive.
Sean is both spy and Dominant sex player. Grace has always been interested in playing a sub but as a widow hasn’t explored the possibility. Meeting Sean turns her life upside down. Both with the danger of his job and playing his sex games.
I like romantic suspense and the storyline here had some good twists and tension.
The storyline contains erotica from the dominant submissive lifestyle and includes levels, toys and plenty of sexy hot scenes.
Sean is inconsistent between word and actions. I admired Grace in her deciding to follow her desires and her backbone in knowing her has choices.
3.5
March 25, 2015
Well, I thought this would be a five star read when I started it. The first half really was fantastic but then the main dude did something that I really didn't like, plus I didn't like how the huge conflict between main characters was settled. Oh well. But I love the fact that these books have suspense in them and I loved all the humor!!!!!!! Brilliant! So I'm definitely continuing with the series :D
January 4, 2012
Edited January 4, 2012 (I downgraded it from 4 to 3.5/3 stars)
3.5 stars.
"My recipe for dealing with anger and frustration: set the kitchen timer for twenty minutes, cry, rant, and rave, and at the sound of the bell simmer down and go about business as usual.”
- by Phyllis Diller –
I have to explain this quote. The Dom Who Loved Me got me all worked up; it was frustrating at times and I had to simmer down. Hold your horses, Baba...Although I have to admit that I didn’t use a kitchen timer. But I’m going to keep that in mind and give it a try another time when the need arises. Funny thing is that the kitchen timer is so appropriate because the hero is a great cook. Yeah, Sean likes to SIMMER (pun intended) his amazing meals. Besides satisfying women...this guy knows how to cook! So not fair!
Our heroine, Grace Hawthorne, is a forty-year-old widow with two grown sons. She works as an admin assistant for an employment agency. The hero, Sean Taggart, is chasing a terrorist, and it seems that his only lead is our heroine, Grace. Sean suspects that Grace’s employer is linked to illegal activities. Former Green Beret, Sean, is really eager to get verrry close to Grace to unravel those crimes and to catch the villain. My oh my, was he ever grateful to getting so close to Grace when he discovers her submissive nature...Grace loves to read BDSM novels, and Sean is perfect for her. She’s living out her wildest fantasies, and Sean knows exactly how to pleasure her.
Hmmm...The Dom Who Loved Me was rather difficult to review. Usually I already know what I want to write when I’m reading a book. It was kind of an emotional rollercoaster. I felt totally frustrated and annoyed at times! Time after time I thought that Sean was a self-righteous and stupid jerk and Grace a naive heroine! Talking about self-righteous and stupid jerk...seriously, Ian Taggart could give Sean a run for his money. Boy, was I ever exasperated! Sean calls Grace 'little one' AD NAUSEAM!! And the word f*ck/f*cked/f*cking is used to the utmost. Gosh, sometimes I felt that I could have caused deliberate self-harm (such as tearing off my hair).
I appreciated the fact that the heroine was eight years older than the hero. Actually, what I really liked about The Dom Who Loved Me is that the BDSM topic was nicely wrapped up by a plot. Besides having very hot and kinky sex, the main couple was living a life. Ehm, admittedly a pretty dangerous life but a life nevertheless. Sean acts like a jerk but boy, this guy is one HOT and yummylicious jerk. On top of that, the heroine which I mentioned was a tad too naive for my liking, was really witty and feisty. During this frustrating read they somehow became rather dear to me. It’s a bit crazy, isn’t it? I can’t help it but I am looking forward to reading Ian’s story. This guy seems to be absolutely intriguing and in addition to that he is a bloody a*s. Gosh, believe me I am so not a masochist but I’d like to read more about him. Besides Ian there are a few very interesting secondary characters as well, such as Adam, Jake, and Eve. The final 'climax' (pun intended) was thrilling and of course there was a HEA for H/h, but one has to wonder what will happen with the supporting cast.
The Dom Who Loved Me by Lexi Blake is book 1 in the Masters and Mercenaries series. It’s one hot, engaging, and frustrating read! If you like Cherise Sinclair’s books then give Ms. Blake a try.
Warning: The Dom Who Loved Me contains graphic sex (oral and anal), explicit language, toys, and a lot of spanking
3.5 stars.
"My recipe for dealing with anger and frustration: set the kitchen timer for twenty minutes, cry, rant, and rave, and at the sound of the bell simmer down and go about business as usual.”
- by Phyllis Diller –
I have to explain this quote. The Dom Who Loved Me got me all worked up; it was frustrating at times and I had to simmer down. Hold your horses, Baba...Although I have to admit that I didn’t use a kitchen timer. But I’m going to keep that in mind and give it a try another time when the need arises. Funny thing is that the kitchen timer is so appropriate because the hero is a great cook. Yeah, Sean likes to SIMMER (pun intended) his amazing meals. Besides satisfying women...this guy knows how to cook! So not fair!
Our heroine, Grace Hawthorne, is a forty-year-old widow with two grown sons. She works as an admin assistant for an employment agency. The hero, Sean Taggart, is chasing a terrorist, and it seems that his only lead is our heroine, Grace. Sean suspects that Grace’s employer is linked to illegal activities. Former Green Beret, Sean, is really eager to get verrry close to Grace to unravel those crimes and to catch the villain. My oh my, was he ever grateful to getting so close to Grace when he discovers her submissive nature...Grace loves to read BDSM novels, and Sean is perfect for her. She’s living out her wildest fantasies, and Sean knows exactly how to pleasure her.
Hmmm...The Dom Who Loved Me was rather difficult to review. Usually I already know what I want to write when I’m reading a book. It was kind of an emotional rollercoaster. I felt totally frustrated and annoyed at times! Time after time I thought that Sean was a self-righteous and stupid jerk and Grace a naive heroine! Talking about self-righteous and stupid jerk...seriously, Ian Taggart could give Sean a run for his money. Boy, was I ever exasperated! Sean calls Grace 'little one' AD NAUSEAM!! And the word f*ck/f*cked/f*cking is used to the utmost. Gosh, sometimes I felt that I could have caused deliberate self-harm (such as tearing off my hair).
I appreciated the fact that the heroine was eight years older than the hero. Actually, what I really liked about The Dom Who Loved Me is that the BDSM topic was nicely wrapped up by a plot. Besides having very hot and kinky sex, the main couple was living a life. Ehm, admittedly a pretty dangerous life but a life nevertheless. Sean acts like a jerk but boy, this guy is one HOT and yummylicious jerk. On top of that, the heroine which I mentioned was a tad too naive for my liking, was really witty and feisty. During this frustrating read they somehow became rather dear to me. It’s a bit crazy, isn’t it? I can’t help it but I am looking forward to reading Ian’s story. This guy seems to be absolutely intriguing and in addition to that he is a bloody a*s. Gosh, believe me I am so not a masochist but I’d like to read more about him. Besides Ian there are a few very interesting secondary characters as well, such as Adam, Jake, and Eve. The final 'climax' (pun intended) was thrilling and of course there was a HEA for H/h, but one has to wonder what will happen with the supporting cast.
The Dom Who Loved Me by Lexi Blake is book 1 in the Masters and Mercenaries series. It’s one hot, engaging, and frustrating read! If you like Cherise Sinclair’s books then give Ms. Blake a try.
Warning: The Dom Who Loved Me contains graphic sex (oral and anal), explicit language, toys, and a lot of spanking
November 13, 2011
The summary says pretty much what the story is about so I'll get down to the nitty gritty. After seeing so many high scores and reviews for this book, I was expecting much more from this.
The cons:
Grace is 40 years old and Sean calls her "little one". That's just weird and it got on my nerves after the fourth or fifth time reading that.
The whole D/s thing didn't come across as believable. He's supposed to be a practicing Dom, yet he established no ground rules with Grace, he broke the Dom character during play so often that I figured the story could have done without that aspect. He could have been a typical alpha male who likes to take control in the bedroom. Grace was supposed to be a novice, but they rushed into sub stuff so quickly with little preparation *cough* IYKWIM.
I've read enough D/s stories to appreciate the clear guidelines of those involved and the trust aspect. This story totally lacked that trust.
Usually the bond amongst "Brothers In Arms" is everlasting and unbreakable. They also tend to hold themselves to a code, oh like say, not messing with someone else's woman, hence I thought Adam was a douche.
I was horrified how they treated Grace. She may have been a suspect, but to bug her apartment and her bedroom while Sean planned a night of seduction was just wrong. Forget about invasion of privacy, that went way beyond, especially when the entire team gets to hear Sean dominate her and then some.
Sean was so desperate to keep a hold on her that he told himself he'd bind her to him with sex. Even worse, the one or two times he didn't use a condom and realized he may have gotten her pregnant, he was fine with that and told himself that a child would definitely bind them together. WTF?! There was no mention on Grace's part about her stupidity in that regard. Where was Grace's thought process in the story?
And Grace – how do you get to 40, raise two sons and keep condoms stocked in the house for them because you don't want to become a grandmother that way, only to have unprotected sex with your "Viking", whom you've known for all of a week or two?
The Pros:
- The ending. Sadly, not even the sex could bolster this story.
I'm not even going to get into the scene when things come crashing down around Grace and she finally learns the truth about everything. The way Sean dealt with her was ... ugh.
I hate to say it, but I'll probably read the next story if it deals with Ian. He was such a jerk that I'd like to see him taken down a peg or two.
The cons:
Grace is 40 years old and Sean calls her "little one". That's just weird and it got on my nerves after the fourth or fifth time reading that.
The whole D/s thing didn't come across as believable. He's supposed to be a practicing Dom, yet he established no ground rules with Grace, he broke the Dom character during play so often that I figured the story could have done without that aspect. He could have been a typical alpha male who likes to take control in the bedroom. Grace was supposed to be a novice, but they rushed into sub stuff so quickly with little preparation *cough* IYKWIM.
I've read enough D/s stories to appreciate the clear guidelines of those involved and the trust aspect. This story totally lacked that trust.
Usually the bond amongst "Brothers In Arms" is everlasting and unbreakable. They also tend to hold themselves to a code, oh like say, not messing with someone else's woman, hence I thought Adam was a douche.
I was horrified how they treated Grace. She may have been a suspect, but to bug her apartment and her bedroom while Sean planned a night of seduction was just wrong. Forget about invasion of privacy, that went way beyond, especially when the entire team gets to hear Sean dominate her and then some.
Sean was so desperate to keep a hold on her that he told himself he'd bind her to him with sex. Even worse, the one or two times he didn't use a condom and realized he may have gotten her pregnant, he was fine with that and told himself that a child would definitely bind them together. WTF?! There was no mention on Grace's part about her stupidity in that regard. Where was Grace's thought process in the story?
And Grace – how do you get to 40, raise two sons and keep condoms stocked in the house for them because you don't want to become a grandmother that way, only to have unprotected sex with your "Viking", whom you've known for all of a week or two?
The Pros:
- The ending. Sadly, not even the sex could bolster this story.
I'm not even going to get into the scene when things come crashing down around Grace and she finally learns the truth about everything. The way Sean dealt with her was ... ugh.
I hate to say it, but I'll probably read the next story if it deals with Ian. He was such a jerk that I'd like to see him taken down a peg or two.
April 10, 2020
I’ve been reading these sporadically over the corona virus containment.
Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series is a lot of fun overall. It’s kind of like the Dick and Jane series as every couple is a Dom/s. Not that the Dick and Jane books have D/s unless I am seriously missing some wicked subtext, but there is a nice familiarity to each book.
What keeps me going is not so much the fact that every hero is a minimum of 6’ 4” or the sex scenes which get a little repetitive, but the banter and humor between the characters in general, but the male characters specifically. There is just too little humor in the world of romance.
This one features Little Tag, a mere 6’ 4”, little brother to Big Tag. LT has gone incognito to sniff out a mastermind villain and uses his flirtation with the pretty and slightly older Grace. There is betrayal, but the hero is properly besotted and sorry when it’s all over. Humor is elevated by the heroes of the next story who pretend to be gay partners to befriend the heroine.
I included this just because it was funny.
Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series is a lot of fun overall. It’s kind of like the Dick and Jane series as every couple is a Dom/s. Not that the Dick and Jane books have D/s unless I am seriously missing some wicked subtext, but there is a nice familiarity to each book.
What keeps me going is not so much the fact that every hero is a minimum of 6’ 4” or the sex scenes which get a little repetitive, but the banter and humor between the characters in general, but the male characters specifically. There is just too little humor in the world of romance.
This one features Little Tag, a mere 6’ 4”, little brother to Big Tag. LT has gone incognito to sniff out a mastermind villain and uses his flirtation with the pretty and slightly older Grace. There is betrayal, but the hero is properly besotted and sorry when it’s all over. Humor is elevated by the heroes of the next story who pretend to be gay partners to befriend the heroine.
I included this just because it was funny.
March 8, 2017
***3 Stars***
I liked this, but unfortunately, nothing really wowed me.
I've never read Lexi Blake before, and although the writing was good, for some reason the book felt slow. Maybe it was just me? I was interested in what was going on...but I didn't feel like there was any momentum carrying me forward...does that make sense?
Sean and Grace were great together...the sex scenes were equal measures of sexy and sensual. I like that Grace didn't have this big internal struggle of wanting something that's considered outside the "norm." She was all about "I'm gonna get mine." I can dig it.
But, the emotions moved too fast for me. They had chemistry, but I wasn't sold on the depth of how much they felt so soon.
But my biggest gripe? Grace's constant mention of her age. She's 40, not fucking 80! And Sean is 32, yet she keeps mentioning that he's so young because he hasn't experienced life...he's never been married, never had kids. Eyes rolled right out of my head.
And her kids felt like an afterthought for most of the book.
The secondary characters introduced here, who I assume will all have a book, have me really curious:
Adam and Jake, looking for their forever third? Oh, yes!
Ian, the jaded Dom finding a sub who will open him up and trust again? Hell yes!
Divorced Dom and sub who still have lingering feelings? Sign me up!
I'm intrigued by them all, which has me excited to continue on this series even if this book didn't really wow me.
July 14, 2025
Purchase Amazon July 27, 2019
Finished Reading March 1, 2016
Easily 5 full stars!
The title and series name does not do this book justice.
“Ian Taggart is a fucking assassin. He kills people.” Parnell shook his head. “That is exactly like Nelson to send a fucking assassin after me. After everything I did for him. Taggart is a piece of work. If he says he’s running a security company, it’s almost surely a cover for his real work.”
It is very cloak-and-dagger with a lot of clandestine characters. A great suspense you can really sink your teeth in.
Sean and Grace, the main characters are well defined and easy to visualize. The other characters stand out too. You can feel the different connections with all the other players in this story. They are well defined by their actions and a few well placed and important words. Never overdone and never taking away from the real story, but giving the story more dimension and depth.
It is a very steamy adult romance. A thoroughly enjoyable read on all levels!
Purchased from Amazon January 22, 2016
Finished Reading March 1, 2016
Easily 5 full stars!
The title and series name does not do this book justice.
“Ian Taggart is a fucking assassin. He kills people.” Parnell shook his head. “That is exactly like Nelson to send a fucking assassin after me. After everything I did for him. Taggart is a piece of work. If he says he’s running a security company, it’s almost surely a cover for his real work.”
It is very cloak-and-dagger with a lot of clandestine characters. A great suspense you can really sink your teeth in.
Sean and Grace, the main characters are well defined and easy to visualize. The other characters stand out too. You can feel the different connections with all the other players in this story. They are well defined by their actions and a few well placed and important words. Never overdone and never taking away from the real story, but giving the story more dimension and depth.
It is a very steamy adult romance. A thoroughly enjoyable read on all levels!
Purchased from Amazon January 22, 2016
October 30, 2011
First I'd like to say thank you for that cover. It really got me in the mood for reading the book.
This one is really top notch - fantastic writing, strong and believable characters, humor, and hot wicked erotic BDSM! Grace is every womans woman in nearly every way - from how she thinks to the fact that her body isn't perfect. She's strong in all the good ways - the ways us normal girls have to be. We can't all be kick a$$ demon hunters you know! She is also willing to be open enough to be a little bit naughty but not the obnoxious brat type.
Sean is very hot - definitely alpha BUT not the type that gets his power from authority. He's the type that has it already inside - that confidence that says he knows what he is capable of and is very comfortable taking charge. Given his brother it would be all to easy to see how this character would have been written completely differently and there were a places he could have gone a bit south for me but Lexi kept him on track. His vulnerabilities are explored and talked about - and there are times he makes mistakes but he mans up to them and does what he has too.
I thought the twist in the old adage the way to a mans heart is through his stomach was deliciously ingenious. Who wouldn't want to have a hot man make scrumptious goodies? Of course there is something to be said for some good old fashioned chocolate syrup too.......
The plot is interesting and it really does flow very well - the sex and BDSM intertwining with it where it fits and not overshadowing the actual storyline but becoming part of it instead.
This reminded me of a Maya Banks novel (particularly her new KGI novels). Well worth your time and money -- and your pleading for the next one to be published! (I want Ian's story next though I can deal with the menage brothers -- just give us more Lexi!)
This one is really top notch - fantastic writing, strong and believable characters, humor, and hot wicked erotic BDSM! Grace is every womans woman in nearly every way - from how she thinks to the fact that her body isn't perfect. She's strong in all the good ways - the ways us normal girls have to be. We can't all be kick a$$ demon hunters you know! She is also willing to be open enough to be a little bit naughty but not the obnoxious brat type.
Sean is very hot - definitely alpha BUT not the type that gets his power from authority. He's the type that has it already inside - that confidence that says he knows what he is capable of and is very comfortable taking charge. Given his brother it would be all to easy to see how this character would have been written completely differently and there were a places he could have gone a bit south for me but Lexi kept him on track. His vulnerabilities are explored and talked about - and there are times he makes mistakes but he mans up to them and does what he has too.
I thought the twist in the old adage the way to a mans heart is through his stomach was deliciously ingenious. Who wouldn't want to have a hot man make scrumptious goodies? Of course there is something to be said for some good old fashioned chocolate syrup too.......
The plot is interesting and it really does flow very well - the sex and BDSM intertwining with it where it fits and not overshadowing the actual storyline but becoming part of it instead.
This reminded me of a Maya Banks novel (particularly her new KGI novels). Well worth your time and money -- and your pleading for the next one to be published! (I want Ian's story next though I can deal with the menage brothers -- just give us more Lexi!)
May 12, 2012
I was sucked in by the cover on this one – it’s just gorgeous.
Unfortunately, it took me more than half the book to connect with the characters before I felt fully engaged and cared about what happened to them. Grace is a lovely heroine – a sweet, trusting widow who’s been alone too long and indulges in BDSM romantic fiction but has never actually tried the lifestyle for herself.
Enter Sean – deep undercover, he attempts to woo her and get her to submit as part of his cover to infiltrate her boss’s organisation. He’s pretty much lying to her at every opportunity. He recognises her desire to submit and uses his vast experience as a dom to get her right where he wants her. Now, a D/s relationship is supposed to be based heavily in trust and this is where the story falls down a bit – Grace trusts him but he is lying to her and she is falling in love.
Ian, Sean’s older brother, pulls him from the op when he realises he’s getting emotionally compromised and this is when I finally started to warm to Sean although he was still convinced that Grace was lying and involved in her boss’s op. Where’s the trust?? Eventually he realises that she’s telling the truth, that he loves her and allows her to use herself as bait against his better judgement and the story changes up a few gears and we get an exciting, thrilling finish.
We have a whole host of future book lead heroes including Jake and Adam who are heavily into ménage and are looking for a girl to share and I suspect that they will be the leads in the next book The Men with the Golden Handcuffs.
It actually felt very reminiscent of a Shayla Black novel and the sex was very hot. I hated that he called her ‘little one’. She’s eight years his senior and it just didn’t fit – he explains why he says it but it never felt right to me. I only liked Sean, I never loved him. However, I will read the next one – sucked in again by a great cover and the promise of a delicious duo.
This is my Sean
Just a 3 star contemporary erotic BDSM romance
Unfortunately, it took me more than half the book to connect with the characters before I felt fully engaged and cared about what happened to them. Grace is a lovely heroine – a sweet, trusting widow who’s been alone too long and indulges in BDSM romantic fiction but has never actually tried the lifestyle for herself.
Enter Sean – deep undercover, he attempts to woo her and get her to submit as part of his cover to infiltrate her boss’s organisation. He’s pretty much lying to her at every opportunity. He recognises her desire to submit and uses his vast experience as a dom to get her right where he wants her. Now, a D/s relationship is supposed to be based heavily in trust and this is where the story falls down a bit – Grace trusts him but he is lying to her and she is falling in love.
Ian, Sean’s older brother, pulls him from the op when he realises he’s getting emotionally compromised and this is when I finally started to warm to Sean although he was still convinced that Grace was lying and involved in her boss’s op. Where’s the trust?? Eventually he realises that she’s telling the truth, that he loves her and allows her to use herself as bait against his better judgement and the story changes up a few gears and we get an exciting, thrilling finish.
We have a whole host of future book lead heroes including Jake and Adam who are heavily into ménage and are looking for a girl to share and I suspect that they will be the leads in the next book The Men with the Golden Handcuffs.
It actually felt very reminiscent of a Shayla Black novel and the sex was very hot. I hated that he called her ‘little one’. She’s eight years his senior and it just didn’t fit – he explains why he says it but it never felt right to me. I only liked Sean, I never loved him. However, I will read the next one – sucked in again by a great cover and the promise of a delicious duo.
This is my Sean
Just a 3 star contemporary erotic BDSM romance
August 4, 2014
Lately, it seems, I am unable to find a good m/f BDSM romance novel. I really do enjoy the genre and like supporting those authors, but The Dom Who Loved Me (a story with a rating over 4 on GR!), was another book I just wanted to throw against the next wall. I truly wanted to like this story, what isn't there to enjoy upon first sight? A big bad alpha/military dom looking like a viking who falls for a petite and cuddly older woman, some hot sex scenes and a nice happy ending and I would have been a happy camper. I didn't mind the stereotypes, I just wanted some credible D/s relationship, not a dom who plays Russian roulette with the most important gift from his sub, her trust.
Sean, who is supposedly an experienced dom, talks about setting up rules with Grace, but never does so. She's a complete virgin when it comes to BDSM, as reading novels about it doesn't qualify for real life experience. He repeatedly insinuates that Grace is manipulating him, when it sticks out a mile that she's only trying to please and touch him.
Sean sees in Grace a true submissive woman, because he thinks it comes naturally to her to please everybody before herself. What? I think that insults many strong submissives out there, because such a person is rather a doormat and a pushover in my book, exactly what Sean denies her to be. Personally, I couldn't stand Grace, because she caves in way to fast after discovering the way Sean and his comrades have deceived her.
I hate DNF-ing a book, I paid good money for it, but I simply coulnd't continue reading.
Sean, who is supposedly an experienced dom, talks about setting up rules with Grace, but never does so. She's a complete virgin when it comes to BDSM, as reading novels about it doesn't qualify for real life experience. He repeatedly insinuates that Grace is manipulating him, when it sticks out a mile that she's only trying to please and touch him.
Sean sees in Grace a true submissive woman, because he thinks it comes naturally to her to please everybody before herself. What? I think that insults many strong submissives out there, because such a person is rather a doormat and a pushover in my book, exactly what Sean denies her to be. Personally, I couldn't stand Grace, because she caves in way to fast after discovering the way Sean and his comrades have deceived her.
I hate DNF-ing a book, I paid good money for it, but I simply coulnd't continue reading.
May 22, 2021
I am starting this series after getting to know most of these characters in a spinoff. I'm happy to see that this was just as enjoyable as the spinoff and seeing some already well loved characters. It's got the same overall theme of spies, intrigue and undercover work.
-Older woman/younger man trope.
-light to medium BDSM
-heroine pursued by the hero and two other men who want a manage relationship
-hero is a dominant
-Older woman/younger man trope.
-light to medium BDSM
-heroine pursued by the hero and two other men who want a manage relationship
-hero is a dominant
April 3, 2021
This was just not for me. The writing seemed all over the place. It didn’t seem believable at all. The storyline was everywhere but nowhere all at the same time.
I had to DNF at 30%
I had to DNF at 30%
December 22, 2014
3rd read:20th-22nd December
Buddy read with Jo
2nd read: 25th-28th November 2013
Buddy read with Maru
1st read: 16-17th March 2013
I was in a D/s-book-mood for the week and I was lucky to read only great books, I love it when it happens!
This book here is a blend of D/s and suspense, and it's done fantastically! The author builds great characters, has an interesting plot, there's the adrenalin to mention and she has amazing secondary characters who's stories I can't wait to read.
The story starts with a meeting. A client hires the McKay/Taggart Security Services to track down one eco-terrorist. Everything would have been easy and straightforward if the CIA wasn't involved. As you can guess, nothing is as it seems with that OP.
Sean is designated to go undercover at the suspected firm where the men was supposed to work and find out what he wants and how he plans to achieve it. There he meets Grace, the admin of the CEO. He's a dom, she's a submissive and sparks fly. It would have been ok if he doesn't think she's involved with the plot and he wouldn't, also, be lying to her. Misunderstandings occur but I love how both of them are courageous and face their fears and, in the end, they stay as a couple.
Grace's boss
All in all it was a lovely read and I will be starting the next book soon :D
Buddy read with Jo
2nd read: 25th-28th November 2013
Buddy read with Maru
1st read: 16-17th March 2013
I was in a D/s-book-mood for the week and I was lucky to read only great books, I love it when it happens!
This book here is a blend of D/s and suspense, and it's done fantastically! The author builds great characters, has an interesting plot, there's the adrenalin to mention and she has amazing secondary characters who's stories I can't wait to read.
The story starts with a meeting. A client hires the McKay/Taggart Security Services to track down one eco-terrorist. Everything would have been easy and straightforward if the CIA wasn't involved. As you can guess, nothing is as it seems with that OP.
Sean is designated to go undercover at the suspected firm where the men was supposed to work and find out what he wants and how he plans to achieve it. There he meets Grace, the admin of the CEO. He's a dom, she's a submissive and sparks fly. It would have been ok if he doesn't think she's involved with the plot and he wouldn't, also, be lying to her. Misunderstandings occur but I love how both of them are courageous and face their fears and, in the end, they stay as a couple.
Grace's boss
All in all it was a lovely read and I will be starting the next book soon :D
August 2, 2022
Disappointed by the hero's lack of grovel after his mistreatment of the heroine. He drugs her, lies to her, gets her to be his sub, thinks she's a criminal..
Oops, she's not?! Well, he must have her back then. And NOW, call me Master. Not just sir.
No.
Smut was good but after the betrayal I was uninterested in their intimacy and I felt alienated. He just used her submissiveness to get her back with never needing to apologize.
No.
3 stars
4 on the spice scale
Oops, she's not?! Well, he must have her back then. And NOW, call me Master. Not just sir.
No.
Smut was good but after the betrayal I was uninterested in their intimacy and I felt alienated. He just used her submissiveness to get her back with never needing to apologize.
No.
3 stars
4 on the spice scale
May 2, 2023
The Dom who loved me is a sexy, steamy read. There were elements in the book that I enjoyed.
So I’ll keep it short.
Sean Taggart has been tasked by Mr. Black to go undercover as they are on the hunt for the ecoterrorist. His objective get closer to Matt Wright as he is a suspect.
Even before Sean gets to meet Grace Hawthorne he is enamoured with her especially her shoes. He gets closer and starts to become compromised because his feelings are involved with the mission.
There is a great plot to this story with twists and turns and I like Ms. Blake’s writing style. The agency is more involved then Taggart/McKay expected.
I am not a fan of older woman/younger man trope although the age difference wasn’t major and didn’t bother me as I thought it would.
There were times that I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall when it turned cheesy. When Grace constantly kept on referring to Sean as her Viking I wanted to gag her and my eyes hurt. I would also like to mention that Adam obviously had a long time of insanity with what was going on.
And Sean not believing Grace? Yeah I not what it looked like but you love her and then you turn your back on her. In my opinion he didn’t do enough grovelling to redeem himself.
It’s also been a long time since I’ve read a BDSM book as it also isn’t really my thing but once again it is enjoyable.
I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would even if there were a lot of things that really annoyed me in the book.
So I’ll keep it short.
Sean Taggart has been tasked by Mr. Black to go undercover as they are on the hunt for the ecoterrorist. His objective get closer to Matt Wright as he is a suspect.
Even before Sean gets to meet Grace Hawthorne he is enamoured with her especially her shoes. He gets closer and starts to become compromised because his feelings are involved with the mission.
There is a great plot to this story with twists and turns and I like Ms. Blake’s writing style. The agency is more involved then Taggart/McKay expected.
I am not a fan of older woman/younger man trope although the age difference wasn’t major and didn’t bother me as I thought it would.
There were times that I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall when it turned cheesy. When Grace constantly kept on referring to Sean as her Viking I wanted to gag her and my eyes hurt. I would also like to mention that Adam obviously had a long time of insanity with what was going on.
And Sean not believing Grace? Yeah I not what it looked like but you love her and then you turn your back on her. In my opinion he didn’t do enough grovelling to redeem himself.
It’s also been a long time since I’ve read a BDSM book as it also isn’t really my thing but once again it is enjoyable.
I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would even if there were a lot of things that really annoyed me in the book.
March 13, 2023
I'm not sure why it took me forever to read this book. I did read Luscious before I read any of this series and I was slightly confused because some of the characters that were in that book seemed to have had their own back story. I'm finally starting this series and it is nice to read from the very beginning.
I really enjoyed this book about Grace who is 8 years older than Sean's 32 years and she has two grown sons from with her deceased husband. I'm usually not a fan of the woman being older since the older man/younger woman theme is more my jam, but I really enjoyed how this story played out. It wasn't all the drama about her being too old for him, though there were some issues. I did like that Grace had more confidence as wasn't too self doubting about herself.
I'm excited to start the next book of this series about Jake and Adam.
I really enjoyed this book about Grace who is 8 years older than Sean's 32 years and she has two grown sons from with her deceased husband. I'm usually not a fan of the woman being older since the older man/younger woman theme is more my jam, but I really enjoyed how this story played out. It wasn't all the drama about her being too old for him, though there were some issues. I did like that Grace had more confidence as wasn't too self doubting about herself.
I'm excited to start the next book of this series about Jake and Adam.
June 18, 2013
Former military as a hot Dom is always a pleasurable read. This is a new series of smexy SugarKink fun. I want to read the next book but I'm trying to savour each book from Ms. Blake.
Sean is the younger brother built like a Viking. I do love the Viking image. Mixing it up with Grace, a loyal secretary is adorable. Ms. Blake does a great job of creating engaging characters. Even if the character makes a person want to smack them upside the head. There are several hot guys in this story and all of them need a good smack upside the head.
This is what Ms. Blake does. She creates a little group of interesting characters which pulls us in and makes the reader want to learn more. These secondary character are fascinating and I want to see how each of these men fall.
The BDSM in this story is nice and light. I wouldn't say it's exactly SugarKink but it's pretty light. Still the scenes are hawt and smexy. This is recommended as a Gateway to BDSM book.
Sean is the younger brother built like a Viking. I do love the Viking image. Mixing it up with Grace, a loyal secretary is adorable. Ms. Blake does a great job of creating engaging characters. Even if the character makes a person want to smack them upside the head. There are several hot guys in this story and all of them need a good smack upside the head.
This is what Ms. Blake does. She creates a little group of interesting characters which pulls us in and makes the reader want to learn more. These secondary character are fascinating and I want to see how each of these men fall.
The BDSM in this story is nice and light. I wouldn't say it's exactly SugarKink but it's pretty light. Still the scenes are hawt and smexy. This is recommended as a Gateway to BDSM book.
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May 13, 2022
⤅ 4.5 stars, rounded up for being the start of a really epic series.
In the Masters and Mercenaries series, Lexi Blake has done something awesome: she's thrown together funny, sarcastic characters, hot romance of the BDSM variety, and fast-paced action. Also, I LOVE the Bond spin on the titles.
Admittedly the plot can be a little hit and miss: I'm not sure I've grasped all the political twists and turns in this book, especially at the end. But Blake's characterisation is absolutely fabulous, and it's what makes the series so great. With just a few pen-strokes she sketches out snarky, wounded characters who all feel remarkably individual, considering how many of them there are.
Blake's heroines are a real strong point - throughout the series, we have a wonderful range, including a black woman, Asian woman, several disabled women, and (in this one) a 40-year-old. Widowed Grace Hawthorne has two kids at uni and, with her husband long dead, isn't really looking for romance.
Enter 32-year-old Sean Taggart, a former Green Beret who now works for his older brother Ian's security company, McKay-Taggart. They've been sent in by the CIA to investigate Grace's boss, and one of the easiest ways of doing that is by getting Sean into Grace's bed. But what happens when he realises he's fallen for the target?
Generally I LOATHE romances where the hero had an ulterior motive when originally getting together with the heroine, because I invariably feel like the heroines don't make them grovel enough. I definitely don't have that problem here. Sean falls for Grace pretty much instantly and is determined to protect her, even if she's evil. That's totally what I'm here for. She also is sufficiently hard on him to satisfy my vengeful side.
As for the BDSM, I think it works here. It doesn't always - there are some Blake couples where the Dom/sub thing doesn't feel organic - but Sean and Grace aren't one of them. It's very light BDSM anyway, restricted to some spanking and bondage.
Overall
A fantastic start to the series (and incidentally has a great MFM sequel).
In the Masters and Mercenaries series, Lexi Blake has done something awesome: she's thrown together funny, sarcastic characters, hot romance of the BDSM variety, and fast-paced action. Also, I LOVE the Bond spin on the titles.
Admittedly the plot can be a little hit and miss: I'm not sure I've grasped all the political twists and turns in this book, especially at the end. But Blake's characterisation is absolutely fabulous, and it's what makes the series so great. With just a few pen-strokes she sketches out snarky, wounded characters who all feel remarkably individual, considering how many of them there are.
Blake's heroines are a real strong point - throughout the series, we have a wonderful range, including a black woman, Asian woman, several disabled women, and (in this one) a 40-year-old. Widowed Grace Hawthorne has two kids at uni and, with her husband long dead, isn't really looking for romance.
Enter 32-year-old Sean Taggart, a former Green Beret who now works for his older brother Ian's security company, McKay-Taggart. They've been sent in by the CIA to investigate Grace's boss, and one of the easiest ways of doing that is by getting Sean into Grace's bed. But what happens when he realises he's fallen for the target?
Generally I LOATHE romances where the hero had an ulterior motive when originally getting together with the heroine, because I invariably feel like the heroines don't make them grovel enough. I definitely don't have that problem here. Sean falls for Grace pretty much instantly and is determined to protect her, even if she's evil. That's totally what I'm here for. She also is sufficiently hard on him to satisfy my vengeful side.
As for the BDSM, I think it works here. It doesn't always - there are some Blake couples where the Dom/sub thing doesn't feel organic - but Sean and Grace aren't one of them. It's very light BDSM anyway, restricted to some spanking and bondage.
Overall
A fantastic start to the series (and incidentally has a great MFM sequel).
September 16, 2015
This review was posted at Under the Covers
First things first, LOOK AT THAT COVER! Sorry, got that all out. I admit the cover and the title where the two reasons I bought this book. At the time I had read the Masters of Menage series she co-writes with Shayla Black, but a lot of times it's hard to tell who's voice you are reading at one time or another. I didn't know either that she was Sophie Oak, not that it would've made much of a difference since I haven't read her stuff yet.
So I'm going in blind with no expectations and this book rocked! It has all the elements that I enjoy in my erotic romance, with the suspense, the secret organization of hot men going undercover and using their dominant sexuality to get the job done!
Sean Taggart is all kinds of dominant aka my kind of man! He's good at what he does which is why he has to go undercover to try to find a terrorist. With the main suspect being the owner of an employment agency, his best bet is to try to get information out of his assistant, Grace. But Sean is hit with lust and love at first sight, which at times doesn't help him do his job much.
I love the fact that Grace is older than Sean. I love the fact that he makes her feel good about herself and he loves and adores everything about her. The man is good for her self esteem as well as her pleasure. After a life of vanilla but having read plenty of BDSM books, Grace is more than ready to test drive the submissive lifestyle with Sean.
My only complaint was the overuse of "little one". It is not the first time I see this term of endearment in a BDSM book but it is the first time that I felt like if he said it one more time I was going to reach through the pages and choke him.
This book had it all: action, romance, suspense, intrigue and some smoking hot sex! All the characters were great and I can't wait to read the books for the rest of the men in this series.
First things first, LOOK AT THAT COVER! Sorry, got that all out. I admit the cover and the title where the two reasons I bought this book. At the time I had read the Masters of Menage series she co-writes with Shayla Black, but a lot of times it's hard to tell who's voice you are reading at one time or another. I didn't know either that she was Sophie Oak, not that it would've made much of a difference since I haven't read her stuff yet.
So I'm going in blind with no expectations and this book rocked! It has all the elements that I enjoy in my erotic romance, with the suspense, the secret organization of hot men going undercover and using their dominant sexuality to get the job done!
Sean Taggart is all kinds of dominant aka my kind of man! He's good at what he does which is why he has to go undercover to try to find a terrorist. With the main suspect being the owner of an employment agency, his best bet is to try to get information out of his assistant, Grace. But Sean is hit with lust and love at first sight, which at times doesn't help him do his job much.
I love the fact that Grace is older than Sean. I love the fact that he makes her feel good about herself and he loves and adores everything about her. The man is good for her self esteem as well as her pleasure. After a life of vanilla but having read plenty of BDSM books, Grace is more than ready to test drive the submissive lifestyle with Sean.
My only complaint was the overuse of "little one". It is not the first time I see this term of endearment in a BDSM book but it is the first time that I felt like if he said it one more time I was going to reach through the pages and choke him.
This book had it all: action, romance, suspense, intrigue and some smoking hot sex! All the characters were great and I can't wait to read the books for the rest of the men in this series.
July 16, 2015
My first Lexi Blake and am now looking forward to reading more, reminded me very much of Cherise Sinclair who I love so if you enjoy Ms Sinclair's work then I am sure you will like Ms Blake too. The story was good and flowed really well making it an easy book to read. The heat level is high as the sex scenes were not rushed but it also had plenty of story with a bit of suspense thrown in - a very enjoyable read!
January 3, 2024
All the men in this book are awful: they lie to, deceive, distrust, disbelieve, illegally tape, drug, and spy on the heroine. And she forgives them -- immediately.
And the scene where they have sex even though he's kidnapped her, told her he doesn't believe her innocence, and tells her she's about to be interrogated is ludicrous: no sane woman would have sex with anyone under these circumstances.
And the scene where they have sex even though he's kidnapped her, told her he doesn't believe her innocence, and tells her she's about to be interrogated is ludicrous: no sane woman would have sex with anyone under these circumstances.
November 4, 2015
I'm not really a fan of the older woman/younger man trope, but I gotta say Lexi Blake reeled me in, and made me love the characters in this one!
December 21, 2013
Buddy read with Aly
Our Sean:
Our Grace:
Aly: Hi Maru. We've read THE DOM WHO LOVED ME by Lexi Blake a few weeks ago, but I still remember with pleasure
Maru: Hi Aly! Yes we did, and I loved the book! Thanks for making me read it
Aly: My pleasure :)) Did you like the blend of erotic romance and suspense? Would you change anything in the book?
Maru: No, I think that everything worked perfectly for the story. It had a lot of suspense and the steamy scenes were AWESOME
Aly: They were, they were... )
Maru: and I liked how the author treated the age difference
Aly: I did as well, though I kind of forgot it was there very fast. I also enjoy the overall ARC with Ian and Mr. Black
Maru: yeah, me too
Aly: BTW I hate that asshole Black! I wish he were killed in this one
Maru: OMG!!! I freaking hated him!! Me too!!! the end almost killed me!
Aly: Yes, poor Adam! I almost died when I read about what happened on the stairs
Maru: Dude, yess!! I was holding my breath all throughout the last couple of chapters!
Aly: I was doing the same! But enough with the spoilers let's talk about the whole team and how they worked together. I found their interactions fascinating.
Maru: Alina! Stop reading my mind!
Aly:I don't wan't to Marina! =))
Maru: I thought the group dynamic was really good! I loved Ian, the bossman
Aly: He's my favorite, besides Liam...He had the big brother act down pat! I also liked Eve, the voice of reason even more now that I did the first time I've read it
Maru: Oh yes...can´t wait to read his book!
Aly:All of them are SO good!
Maru: Eve seemed a super profound character!
Aly: Yhea, she and Alex are a little fucked up. It hurts a little reading about them tlll they fix it up *sigh* here I go with more spoilers :))
Maru: Hahahaha...don´t spoil too much!! I didn´t get to Eve´s nook yet!
Aly: That's all I'm saying
Maru: Awesome!
Aly: Hmm, how about Sean's cooking talent? the dude is almost perfect!
Maru: L-O-V-E-D that!!! He is hotter than hell and can cook??? Where do I find one?
Aly: Yes, I'm signing up for that as well :)) though like his brother more, he has such an... edge… gives me shivers
Maru: LOOL, yes he does. What I really like about the series is that every character has an amazing side story and really deep, which makes you want to continue reading the series
Aly: It's true. And I like the writing style, it maxes them seem so... real! Now... thinking about it, I wouldn't change a thing about the book, not even the drama!
Maru: Yeah, everything makes perfect sense for the story, even the drama
Aly: I think we touched everything but the interpretation of S and M...
Maru: oh yeah...that
Aly: I didn't agree with all of it, but it worked for them
Maru: yeah, it´s like a custom made s&m for Sean and the chick
Aly: I also loved that Ian had a club and not even there he couldn't stop controlling everything :))
Maru: ahahaha..yes, Ian the control freak hottie
Aly: Please send him my way =)) All in all, I think both of us had fun reading it. I'd give it 4, because I hated that they didn't communicate with each other, Sean and Grace I mean.
Maru: Ditto baby
Aly: We'll continue with book 2 soon ;)
Maru: Thanks everyone for joining
Our Sean:
Our Grace:
Aly: Hi Maru. We've read THE DOM WHO LOVED ME by Lexi Blake a few weeks ago, but I still remember with pleasure
Maru: Hi Aly! Yes we did, and I loved the book! Thanks for making me read it
Aly: My pleasure :)) Did you like the blend of erotic romance and suspense? Would you change anything in the book?
Maru: No, I think that everything worked perfectly for the story. It had a lot of suspense and the steamy scenes were AWESOME
Aly: They were, they were... )
Maru: and I liked how the author treated the age difference
Aly: I did as well, though I kind of forgot it was there very fast. I also enjoy the overall ARC with Ian and Mr. Black
Maru: yeah, me too
Aly: BTW I hate that asshole Black! I wish he were killed in this one
Maru: OMG!!! I freaking hated him!! Me too!!! the end almost killed me!
Aly: Yes, poor Adam! I almost died when I read about what happened on the stairs
Maru: Dude, yess!! I was holding my breath all throughout the last couple of chapters!
Aly: I was doing the same! But enough with the spoilers let's talk about the whole team and how they worked together. I found their interactions fascinating.
Maru: Alina! Stop reading my mind!
Aly:I don't wan't to Marina! =))
Maru: I thought the group dynamic was really good! I loved Ian, the bossman
Aly: He's my favorite, besides Liam...He had the big brother act down pat! I also liked Eve, the voice of reason even more now that I did the first time I've read it
Maru: Oh yes...can´t wait to read his book!
Aly:All of them are SO good!
Maru: Eve seemed a super profound character!
Aly: Yhea, she and Alex are a little fucked up. It hurts a little reading about them tlll they fix it up *sigh* here I go with more spoilers :))
Maru: Hahahaha...don´t spoil too much!! I didn´t get to Eve´s nook yet!
Aly: That's all I'm saying
Maru: Awesome!
Aly: Hmm, how about Sean's cooking talent? the dude is almost perfect!
Maru: L-O-V-E-D that!!! He is hotter than hell and can cook??? Where do I find one?
Aly: Yes, I'm signing up for that as well :)) though like his brother more, he has such an... edge… gives me shivers
Maru: LOOL, yes he does. What I really like about the series is that every character has an amazing side story and really deep, which makes you want to continue reading the series
Aly: It's true. And I like the writing style, it maxes them seem so... real! Now... thinking about it, I wouldn't change a thing about the book, not even the drama!
Maru: Yeah, everything makes perfect sense for the story, even the drama
Aly: I think we touched everything but the interpretation of S and M...
Maru: oh yeah...that
Aly: I didn't agree with all of it, but it worked for them
Maru: yeah, it´s like a custom made s&m for Sean and the chick
Aly: I also loved that Ian had a club and not even there he couldn't stop controlling everything :))
Maru: ahahaha..yes, Ian the control freak hottie
Aly: Please send him my way =)) All in all, I think both of us had fun reading it. I'd give it 4, because I hated that they didn't communicate with each other, Sean and Grace I mean.
Maru: Ditto baby
Aly: We'll continue with book 2 soon ;)
Maru: Thanks everyone for joining
September 3, 2014
DiDi's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
I just found another favorite BDSM author. The Dom Who Loved Me has off the chart smexin', a hotter than hot DOM, a fiesty sub (who wasn't sure she was a sub), humor and a SMOKIN' hot secondary cast. The best part...there is in intriguing story to go with the BDSM line. This is truly a romantic suspense with BDSM elements.
The bigger they are the harder they fall and this is so true with Sean, he sees Grace and knows she is the one. Grace leads him on a merry chase. Sean is uber Alpha, Grace is not a sub, but has read enough BDSM romances to be interested. She is fiesty though and does not submit easily and only in the bedroom. She gives Sean hell constantly. I especially love when she sasses Sean's brother Ian, who is ever more Alpha and a stronger DOM than Sean.
At times I want to hug Sean and tell him it's going to be ok, and times I want to punch him, then there is one part where my heart breaks for Sean...the emotions Lexi Blake describes had me crying with him. Grace I just LOVED a lot of her reminds me of me..her feelings about wanting to give up control...sighh..This book is set in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and being a Texas girl myself, I need to head north to find me one (or two) of these sexy Doms =)
As much as I LOVED Sean, I am also intrigued by his brother Ian, Liam, Eve, Alex and the menage boys, Adam & Jake.
I LOVED THE DOME WHO LOVED ME and cannot wait for the next book, which looks like it might include the sexy Adam and Jake.
LB also introduced a couple of new BDSM terms, SAM and tourist, I hadn't heard of before, and it was nice because she also included what they meant in the story.
I just found another favorite BDSM author. The Dom Who Loved Me has off the chart smexin', a hotter than hot DOM, a fiesty sub (who wasn't sure she was a sub), humor and a SMOKIN' hot secondary cast. The best part...there is in intriguing story to go with the BDSM line. This is truly a romantic suspense with BDSM elements.
The bigger they are the harder they fall and this is so true with Sean, he sees Grace and knows she is the one. Grace leads him on a merry chase. Sean is uber Alpha, Grace is not a sub, but has read enough BDSM romances to be interested. She is fiesty though and does not submit easily and only in the bedroom. She gives Sean hell constantly. I especially love when she sasses Sean's brother Ian, who is ever more Alpha and a stronger DOM than Sean.
At times I want to hug Sean and tell him it's going to be ok, and times I want to punch him, then there is one part where my heart breaks for Sean...the emotions Lexi Blake describes had me crying with him. Grace I just LOVED a lot of her reminds me of me..her feelings about wanting to give up control...sighh..This book is set in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and being a Texas girl myself, I need to head north to find me one (or two) of these sexy Doms =)
As much as I LOVED Sean, I am also intrigued by his brother Ian, Liam, Eve, Alex and the menage boys, Adam & Jake.
I LOVED THE DOME WHO LOVED ME and cannot wait for the next book, which looks like it might include the sexy Adam and Jake.
LB also introduced a couple of new BDSM terms, SAM and tourist, I hadn't heard of before, and it was nice because she also included what they meant in the story.
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