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Sure Mastery #2
Sure Thing (Sure Mastery) (Volume 2) by Barker, Ashe (2014) Paperback
He wants her body, but will she surrender her soul too? Despite her fears, is submission her only choice?As their relationship deepens, Ashley is terrified and fascinated by her enigmatic lover, and drawn towards the seductive promise of surrender to him. But she’s escaped one abusive relationship, and it cost her dearly. How can she be sure that the exquisite pain promised by her dominant, masterful partner will be any more acceptable? And will the pleasure be worth the price? Can she take a risk? Will the reward be there for her?He wants her, but he wants her surrender too. And Tom Shore knows just how to get it. He uses his sensual expertise and talent to arouse her desire, but can he win back her trust? Sure mastery leads to absolute surrender—or does it?As Ashley reaches tentatively for happiness, will it be brutally snatched away? Can she find a way to forgive Tom and move on? Despite their past, can they build a future together, or even just settle for here and now? As her Master strengthens his sensual hold on her, Ashley has to make her choice.Reader This book contains scenes of dominance and submission, including spanking, nipple clamps, clitoris clips, restraints, sex toys, anal play, anal intercourse, whipping, flogging, and a ménage scene. There are mentions of miscarriage, rape and domestic violence.
Paperback
First published December 26, 2013
3 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Ashe Barker
140 books807 followersUntil 2010, Ashe was a director of a regeneration company before deciding there had to be more to life and leaving to pursue a lifetime goal of self-employment.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 18, 2017
This is a great story for the reader looking for a light BDSM book featuring an inexperienced but very likable sub. Tom the Dom was very intriguing in book one, but his character seemed one-dimensional in this story. The erotic scenes were HOT and there were some furry, new additions to the Shore household.
This series has to be read in order as each book piggybacks onto the next.
This series has to be read in order as each book piggybacks onto the next.
February 26, 2014
Sure Thing picks up immediately where Unsure left off. Which, had you read Unsure you would know it had quite the cliffhanger. While I’ve gotten use to the cliffhanger the author is prone to, some are still more nail biters than other. Once we get pass the little bit I find myself thinking what would be the best description for this book and all I can say is perceptions and changes. From Ashley’s to Tom’s even Nathan’s everyone’s perceptions change. It’s nice because I really like Nathan and he was not very nice before. However, I digress. This is Ashley and Tom’s story.
This book certainly has the feel of the interim book. The growth and changes Tom and Ashley from their initial meeting has certainly evolved. The interactions between Tom and Ashley have changed from casual kink to a full D/s relationship. What I really love is even when Tom is a Dom, he’s still the sweet gentleman inside to her. The time he takes to help Ashley become the sub and woman she is tender and loving yet firm. Tackling head on the challenges they face both in and out of the bedroom it was easy to see the growth they made as a couple. Ashley’s journey to learn to be a sub isn’t a easy one, and her mistakes and punishments sometimes I find quite humorous. But, I did find her progress to be very exhilarating and the book very difficult to put down.
I really wasn’t paying attention to the cover until now. There’s always some hidden meaning in the author’s covers. Of course it means more once you finish the story. On hindsight I never would have figured it out but now that I have…yummy memories. The cliffhanger in this book is probably the best I have read from Ms. Barker. Instead of drowning in unanswered questions, I find myself squealing in anticipation. Lips are zipped but I let me tell you, I can’t WAIT to dive into the next book.
The Sure Mastery books are really not intended to be read as stand-alones. So much from the previous book in the series carries over to the next and without this knowledge so many important pieces can be lost. Anything author Ashe Barker instantly has a recommendation for me. Everything she writes has the perfect combination of lovable characters, smooth heat and exciting story line and Sure Thing is no exception. Get it and fall in love with Tom and Ashley.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 5, Flames – 4
This book certainly has the feel of the interim book. The growth and changes Tom and Ashley from their initial meeting has certainly evolved. The interactions between Tom and Ashley have changed from casual kink to a full D/s relationship. What I really love is even when Tom is a Dom, he’s still the sweet gentleman inside to her. The time he takes to help Ashley become the sub and woman she is tender and loving yet firm. Tackling head on the challenges they face both in and out of the bedroom it was easy to see the growth they made as a couple. Ashley’s journey to learn to be a sub isn’t a easy one, and her mistakes and punishments sometimes I find quite humorous. But, I did find her progress to be very exhilarating and the book very difficult to put down.
I really wasn’t paying attention to the cover until now. There’s always some hidden meaning in the author’s covers. Of course it means more once you finish the story. On hindsight I never would have figured it out but now that I have…yummy memories. The cliffhanger in this book is probably the best I have read from Ms. Barker. Instead of drowning in unanswered questions, I find myself squealing in anticipation. Lips are zipped but I let me tell you, I can’t WAIT to dive into the next book.
The Sure Mastery books are really not intended to be read as stand-alones. So much from the previous book in the series carries over to the next and without this knowledge so many important pieces can be lost. Anything author Ashe Barker instantly has a recommendation for me. Everything she writes has the perfect combination of lovable characters, smooth heat and exciting story line and Sure Thing is no exception. Get it and fall in love with Tom and Ashley.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 5, Flames – 4
August 1, 2014
Romancing The Book Review
Original Review Published here: http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/02...
Sure Thing is the second book in the Sure Mastery Trilogy by Ashe Barker. This is a book that is best read as part of the trilogy and not as a standalone to best understand what is going on. I did not read the first book and it took me several chapters to get what is going on. I chose this book because it was interesting and I have not read this author before.
Ashley is a strong woman who is dealing with a lot. She is getting over an abusive relationship, learning about BDSM, discovering her father that she never knew and most of all dealing with the negative voices in her head. I found that Ashley is extremely realistic and likeable character.
Tom Shore is a Dom. He has his sights set on Ashley and wants her to surrender to him. However, he realizes he wants more than her surrender from her. Tom came across as a charismatic and sexy man. He seems to have a way draws the reader to him and no matter what he does you still like him.
The chemistry between Tom and Ashley is blistering. The sex scenes were scorching. I enjoyed that Tom wanted more from Ashley than what they had in bed together. He seems to want a future, which is what Ashley seems to want as well.
I found this book to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. I liked this book a lot so I plan to go back and read the first book in the trilogy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy.
Original Review Published here: http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/02...
Sure Thing is the second book in the Sure Mastery Trilogy by Ashe Barker. This is a book that is best read as part of the trilogy and not as a standalone to best understand what is going on. I did not read the first book and it took me several chapters to get what is going on. I chose this book because it was interesting and I have not read this author before.
Ashley is a strong woman who is dealing with a lot. She is getting over an abusive relationship, learning about BDSM, discovering her father that she never knew and most of all dealing with the negative voices in her head. I found that Ashley is extremely realistic and likeable character.
Tom Shore is a Dom. He has his sights set on Ashley and wants her to surrender to him. However, he realizes he wants more than her surrender from her. Tom came across as a charismatic and sexy man. He seems to have a way draws the reader to him and no matter what he does you still like him.
The chemistry between Tom and Ashley is blistering. The sex scenes were scorching. I enjoyed that Tom wanted more from Ashley than what they had in bed together. He seems to want a future, which is what Ashley seems to want as well.
I found this book to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. I liked this book a lot so I plan to go back and read the first book in the trilogy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy.
February 26, 2014
Reviewed by Victoria
Book provided by Totally Bound Publishing
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Sure Thing is the second book in the Sure Mastery Trilogy by Ashe Barker. This is a book that is best read as part of the trilogy and not as a standalone to best understand what is going on. I did not read the first book and it took me several chapters to get what is going on. I chose this book because it was interesting and I have not read this author before.
Ashley is a strong woman who is dealing with a lot. She is getting over an abusive relationship, learning about BDSM, discovering her father that she never knew and most of all dealing with the negative voices in her head. I found that Ashley is extremely realistic and likeable character.
Tom Shore is a Dom. He has his sights set on Ashley and wants her to surrender to him. However, he realizes he wants more than her surrender from her. Tom came across as a charismatic and sexy man. He seems to have a way draws the reader to him and no matter what he does you still like him.
The chemistry between Tom and Ashley is blistering. The sex scenes were scorching. I enjoyed that Tom wanted more from Ashley than what they had in bed together. He seems to want a future, which is what Ashley seems to want as well.
I found this book to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. I liked this book a lot so I plan to go back and read the first book in the trilogy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy.
Book provided by Totally Bound Publishing
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Sure Thing is the second book in the Sure Mastery Trilogy by Ashe Barker. This is a book that is best read as part of the trilogy and not as a standalone to best understand what is going on. I did not read the first book and it took me several chapters to get what is going on. I chose this book because it was interesting and I have not read this author before.
Ashley is a strong woman who is dealing with a lot. She is getting over an abusive relationship, learning about BDSM, discovering her father that she never knew and most of all dealing with the negative voices in her head. I found that Ashley is extremely realistic and likeable character.
Tom Shore is a Dom. He has his sights set on Ashley and wants her to surrender to him. However, he realizes he wants more than her surrender from her. Tom came across as a charismatic and sexy man. He seems to have a way draws the reader to him and no matter what he does you still like him.
The chemistry between Tom and Ashley is blistering. The sex scenes were scorching. I enjoyed that Tom wanted more from Ashley than what they had in bed together. He seems to want a future, which is what Ashley seems to want as well.
I found this book to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. I liked this book a lot so I plan to go back and read the first book in the trilogy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy.
Read
January 8, 2014Great Sequel
So in order for a sequel to be any good it must remain captivating while providing a sense of familiarity with the characters I already love. Sure Thing accomplishes just that. Ashley is far more complex and Tom is the ultimate Dom/lover. No spoilers but the ending was perfect for those of us who have followed Ashes' other books. Eagerly waiting book 3.
So in order for a sequel to be any good it must remain captivating while providing a sense of familiarity with the characters I already love. Sure Thing accomplishes just that. Ashley is far more complex and Tom is the ultimate Dom/lover. No spoilers but the ending was perfect for those of us who have followed Ashes' other books. Eagerly waiting book 3.
January 12, 2014
I really love reading Ashley and Tom's story. I have enjoyed reading all of Ms. Barber's books so far. The sex is great. But what I enjoy most is the depth of the characters. I love sexy stories but I also like a good story plot and Ms. Barker delivers both.
September 3, 2014
This series is just so addicting I love the story the characters and the way each scene unfolds the characters and their connection. I find the plot and the pace of the storyline fast and exciting. The scenes are told thoughtfully and with such detail I forget I am reading them great read!
April 28, 2015
Title: Sure Thing
Author: Ashe Barker
Publisher/Year: Total-E-Bound Publishing 1/31/14
Length: 240 pages
Series: Sure Mastery
Overview
He wants her body, but will she surrender her soul too? Despite her fears, is submission her only choice?
As their relationship deepens, Ashley is terrified and fascinated by her enigmatic lover, and drawn towards the seductive promise of surrender to him. But she's escaped one abusive relationship, and it cost her dearly. How can she be sure that the exquisite pain promised by her dominant, masterful partner will be any more acceptable? And will the pleasure be worth the price? Can she take a risk? Will the reward be there for her?
He wants her, but he wants her surrender too. And Tom Shore knows just how to get it. He uses his sensual expertise and talent to arouse her desire, but can he win back her trust? Sure mastery leads to absolute surrender-or does it?
As Ashley reaches tentatively for happiness, will it be brutally snatched away? Can she find a way to forgive Tom and move on? Despite their past, can they build a future together, or even just settle for here and now? As her Master strengthens his sensual hold on her, Ashley has to make her choice.
My Thoughts
I've been reading this next installment to the series at the same time as a few others because my attention has been really scattered lately. I don't think that it has anything to do with the story here since i really enjoyed the first intro to the series and this continuation of the story takes us on a really nice journey of what limits are in reality and in life and what that means for this couple. While i've become accustomed to a 'new sub' questioning whether she's really submissive, and ultimately letting go of control, i think that this is a struggle for Ashley and that's the underlying theme to this bridge book.
We were left off on a cliffhanger of sorts in the first book, knowing full well that things would end up ok. They end up better than ok since it means that Ashely's forced to look deeper into things with her and Tom and to better understand what that means for her in her life - both romantically and sexually. She's finding security with Tom and what they have, yet she's still questioning whether she has what it takes to make him happy and decides whether she can push herself far enough to keep him.
I think that perhaps that's where i'm lost a bit in this story. I get that there's an internal struggle here for her and that Tom's patience is something to be impressed by but i think that there is a bit too much of a push away from her and that's not necessarily attractive in this genre since it undermines his role as the Dom. What i said before though about Ashe Barkers ability to really make you want to invest in characters and a story line - that holds true here and it's something that keeps me engaged.
We're given little hints and teases about what could be and there's always a semi-unexpected wrench put into things that makes you wonder what's truly going to come next in their relationship. I hope that we get to see things progress and that we see that there's a chance for happiness for everyone, even with the little surprise that comes up at the end.
But back to the D/s bit of things, one of my favorite things about this genre is being able to see our characters engage and participate in clubs and that's something that becomes a focal point in this installment. We get to see that there's a lot of apprehension that Ashley has and that as a Dom, Tom is going to push her as far as she can go, and in that one moment when she lets go, it's hot and it's steamy and it's something that anyone who wants to be in the community would truly appreciate. Personally , all the talk of having a St Andrew's cross in the apartment makes me hate that i live in an urban environment myself and clearly don't have the room for something like that. Think about how much fun that could be? In any event, i hope that you're all having a great week so far and now it's on to the next!
Author: Ashe Barker
Publisher/Year: Total-E-Bound Publishing 1/31/14
Length: 240 pages
Series: Sure Mastery
Overview
He wants her body, but will she surrender her soul too? Despite her fears, is submission her only choice?
As their relationship deepens, Ashley is terrified and fascinated by her enigmatic lover, and drawn towards the seductive promise of surrender to him. But she's escaped one abusive relationship, and it cost her dearly. How can she be sure that the exquisite pain promised by her dominant, masterful partner will be any more acceptable? And will the pleasure be worth the price? Can she take a risk? Will the reward be there for her?
He wants her, but he wants her surrender too. And Tom Shore knows just how to get it. He uses his sensual expertise and talent to arouse her desire, but can he win back her trust? Sure mastery leads to absolute surrender-or does it?
As Ashley reaches tentatively for happiness, will it be brutally snatched away? Can she find a way to forgive Tom and move on? Despite their past, can they build a future together, or even just settle for here and now? As her Master strengthens his sensual hold on her, Ashley has to make her choice.
My Thoughts
I've been reading this next installment to the series at the same time as a few others because my attention has been really scattered lately. I don't think that it has anything to do with the story here since i really enjoyed the first intro to the series and this continuation of the story takes us on a really nice journey of what limits are in reality and in life and what that means for this couple. While i've become accustomed to a 'new sub' questioning whether she's really submissive, and ultimately letting go of control, i think that this is a struggle for Ashley and that's the underlying theme to this bridge book.
We were left off on a cliffhanger of sorts in the first book, knowing full well that things would end up ok. They end up better than ok since it means that Ashely's forced to look deeper into things with her and Tom and to better understand what that means for her in her life - both romantically and sexually. She's finding security with Tom and what they have, yet she's still questioning whether she has what it takes to make him happy and decides whether she can push herself far enough to keep him.
I think that perhaps that's where i'm lost a bit in this story. I get that there's an internal struggle here for her and that Tom's patience is something to be impressed by but i think that there is a bit too much of a push away from her and that's not necessarily attractive in this genre since it undermines his role as the Dom. What i said before though about Ashe Barkers ability to really make you want to invest in characters and a story line - that holds true here and it's something that keeps me engaged.
We're given little hints and teases about what could be and there's always a semi-unexpected wrench put into things that makes you wonder what's truly going to come next in their relationship. I hope that we get to see things progress and that we see that there's a chance for happiness for everyone, even with the little surprise that comes up at the end.
But back to the D/s bit of things, one of my favorite things about this genre is being able to see our characters engage and participate in clubs and that's something that becomes a focal point in this installment. We get to see that there's a lot of apprehension that Ashley has and that as a Dom, Tom is going to push her as far as she can go, and in that one moment when she lets go, it's hot and it's steamy and it's something that anyone who wants to be in the community would truly appreciate. Personally , all the talk of having a St Andrew's cross in the apartment makes me hate that i live in an urban environment myself and clearly don't have the room for something like that. Think about how much fun that could be? In any event, i hope that you're all having a great week so far and now it's on to the next!
February 22, 2015
This book was just okay for me, and I'd rate it 3 stars. Tom and Ashley continue to get to know each other, but I don't know that I, as a reader, got to know what much more about them. Ashley came across as whiney and wimpy to me. And Tom has been described as a stern and demanding Dom, but he seemed to be excessively lenient with Ashley. Most of the book was comprises of their sex scenes and not much story. Then, another cliff hanger at the end.
June 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this sequel. Tom and Ashley are very engaging and likeable characters. It was interesting seeing the changes in Ashley as she navigates this world of BDSM with Tom. Another great addition to this series.
March 6, 2022
See my review for the whole set here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews