Barbara

by Marilize Roos

She’ll teach him about submission…
… he’ll teach her to follow her heart.

~*~

Barbara Castle found her purpose when her husband she mentors newcomers to the lifestyle, both Dominant and submissive—then she lets them go before she can get too attached.

When she’s introduced to Lucien Blackshaw by an old friend, she’s immediately captivated. She’s always found the uncertain ones the most irresistible, and there’s just something about Lucien that calls to her as a Domme.

But her adult children will never accept her love for a man not much older than they are, even if he awakens feelings in her that she hasn’t felt since she fell for their father.

Will she deny their love to appease her children? Or risk it all for the love of a lifetime?

Genres: BDSM

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

Marilize is an author of historical romance set in Cape Town, South Africa, but writes short stories inbetween for fun.

She used to comb the libraries and second-hand book sales for out-of-print copies of Afrikaans historical romance novels by authors such as Wille Martin and Ena Murray. She has always had a fascination for Cape Town history and Regency Romance, and thought to introduce the rest of the world to Regency-era Cape Town.

She's tried her hand at many different occupations, including working at a riding school as riding instructor, trail guide, stable manager, saddler, and horse handler on TV shows. She's worked as freelance typist, photographic assistant, maintenance contractor's assistant, Public Relations Consultant, and Administrative Assistant. These days she is a proud member of ROSA (Romance Writers' Organization of South Africa).

She lives with her husband and son in Muizenberg, Cape Town, and is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Reviews

[Jezabel Nightingale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner! So lovely to read books set in South Africa. As always, love, love, loved the BDSM aspects of the book, but it was the developing relationships, this time an age gap with an older woman, that really held me captivated. Marilize Roos is the queen of intersecting timelines- I don’t know how she does it, but it is always a joy to behold, especially when it triggers memories from previous books.

Thanks for the early copy, Marilize.

[Amy Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Castle is a Domme with many years of experience bringing new submissives into the lifestyle. She doesn't get attached. A widow, she still misses her husband, and with two grown children she believes wouldn't approve, her private life is kept private. Then she meets Lucien, who is two years older than her son. Handsome, charming, and definitely submissive, she finds herself wanting to keep him. He wants it all, but she is afraid of her son's censure.

Barbara doesn't expect a second happily ever after, but Lucien is everything she wants and needs. As she teaches him, Lucien also pushes Barbara out of her comfort zone. This book is extremely well-written, with attention paid to the needs of an older woman. Her son's upset comes from a place of caring, and even though he was a bit of a jerk, he was not unlikable. This series just keeps getting better, and this one is my favorite. This is absolutely worth the one click.

I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Fritz Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in the Club Angelus series.

Older (in her 50s) Domme and very buff and competent male submissive. (Who actually finds out he is submissive only at the start of the book.

So you have an almost 20 year age gap.

The story is both of them coming to grips with the age gap, Lucien coming to grips with liking anal play and his sexual submissiveness, and Barbara dealing with her son's anger at the relationship.

The story has some really hot interrogation role play. Really hot. Those scenes made the book.

I found Barbara's indiscretion in the prolog hard to swallow. One does not leave out sex toys when one has a teenager in the house. Any parent learns care about that. A lot of care.

Although the books are standalones, there are incidents in this book that describe incidents that were in other books -- but from a different perspective. So it can be useful to read them in order.

Anyways, quite an excellent book. With some really hot scenes.

[Deeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to the Angelus club series. A domme story with an age-gap. Barbara avoids Lucien, even though there is a strong attraction between them, because her son has looked down on her previous age-gap relationship. Rather than cause friction with her son, she foregoes a relationship with Lucien. But Lucien is persistent and he convinces her to accept their relationship and eventually guides Barbara down the path of getting her son's buy in to their relationship.

Barbara, unlike some dommes, doesn't have to be dominant all the time. She is confident enough to allow Lucien loose reigns on occasion. A well-written book with a very likable domme.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, especially after Marilize sent me a scene with a Sybian as a teaser. There were so many aspects of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed... Barbara's character development and background story, the weaving in of other Club Angelus members, the complicated relationship dynamics that occur between friends, lovers, and family. Let's not forget the sexy scenes! Omg the first interrogation is so 🔥🔥🔥. I literally had to take a break from reading in order to drag my husband into the bathroom for a quickie!

[Elsabé Welman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara was an ARC read. Although this is not my favorite genre (sorry Marilize😁), I must compliment Marilize Roos with her storyline and characterization. Like all her other books, the inter-relationships between her characters carry great weight, as well as those with her own family. For that alone, I can gladly offer her 5 stars. This is an outside the box book, not for the faint hearted or conservative reader. Unless you are curious. Well done, Marilize.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barbara & Lucien. We first meet Barbara when she's 35 and she has a sub, Christian, who is 18, just a year older than her oldest son. Her son sees and freaks out. Years later she meets Lucien. She's 52, he's 36. He learns about being a sub. Her son is now 35 and still has a hard time dealing w/it. TBH I've read other D/s books that I liked better. I was excited for a reverse age gap but this book was just meh

[delicatesoul88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this. Amidst several tender moments and heart-wrenching dilemmas, love blooms unexpectedly between Barbara & Lucien, defying societal norms with raw authenticity.

[Jana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. It was hard to believe that experienced Domme had basically no conversation with her new submissive about limits. Everything was solved fast and easy.

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a lover of this series and this story is a perfect addition! What I loved about it most was that it shows that someone older can have a satisfying, full relationship with someone younger, age doesn’t matter. Barbara is a Domme, and hasn’t had a submissive in a long time. Life gets in the way, works get in the way, and there is no time to pursue something long term. Until she meets Lucien, a younger man who is instantly enamored with her. He wants to pursue a relationship with Barbara, but she is hesitant. She had stepped away from the life because of something that happened years earlier, but Lucien is persistent and hopes to change her mind. As an older woman (in my 50’s), I loved how age didn’t matter, all that mattered is what they both wanted out of life, and that was each other. It’s not an easy road, and there are obstacles that get in the way, but these two are most definitely perfect for each other. Another reason I enjoy this series is that characters from the other stories are sprinkled in. They are like one big family who will protect each other. I have enjoyed all the stories in the series, and this one is no exception. A definite must read!