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Mastered #4

In His Cuffs

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It was bad enough that Maggie had to spend the days with her boss and nemesis. Now to find out he’s a Dom at her favourite place to play?

Maggie Carpenter needs an escape from her everyday life and her overbearing boss. David Tomlinson has ruined her life and career by acquiring her family’s business and tying her to an untenable employment contract.

So she and her girlfriends head for an evening at the Den to explore their wildest fantasies…only to find David there looking ridiculously sexy in a leather vest with a set of handcuffs attached to his belt loop.

David is just as shocked to find his spitfire employee at the Den. He leans against the wall, watching, unable to wrap his mind around the idea that the woman who constantly challenges him might be a sub. But when another Dom approaches her and she casts her gaze down, he sees another side of her.

His reaction to the submissive Maggie is immediate and sizzling hot and so is the unwelcome jealousy he experiences. He’s always had a strict no-fraternisation rule, but he’s determined to have her in his cuffs before the evening is out, despite the dozens of reasons he shouldn’t. He wants Maggie surrendered to him, in his cuffs, literally as well as figuratively.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2013

145 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read

About the author

Sierra Cartwright

111 books1,586 followers
Sierra is a USA Today, International Best-Selling author who wrote her first book at age nine and hasn't stopped since.
Sierra invites you to share the complex journey of love and desire, of surrender and commitment.
Her own journey has taught her that trusting takes guts and courage, and her work is a celebration for everyone who is willing to take that risk.

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5 stars
610 (40%)
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541 (35%)
3 stars
282 (18%)
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69 (4%)
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14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,917 reviews1,439 followers
August 15, 2013
The Romance Review

Hostile takeover of a family business is rarely a pleasant time. Previous owners Maggie Carpenter and her mother make sure David Tomlinson feels their disdain. Their petty and sniping attitude is setting the tone for the entire office to treat David as the enemy and with contempt. Their unprofessional behavior is deplorable. Frankly, I'm surprised David puts up with it. The women at this company all need a good spanking.

Ms. Cartwright sets the reader up for the perfect banging the boss theme. When Maggie crosses David's path at the BDSM club she infrequently patrons, the sparks fly. Ms. Cartwright does an excellent job of showing the complications of mixing personal with business. Adding the BDSM element of D/s only makes it hotter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how Maggie learns to feel guilt, shame and regret for her poor behavior at work. At the same time, her submission to David balances out and helps her grow up and face some harsh truths. While this book does paint most of the women in a poor light, it is unfortunately all too genuine. I find the actions of the women an accurate portrayal of reality, down to the bitchy name calling and snarky dialogue. Ms. Cartwright does an excellent job of creating her characters to be realistic and with believable flaws. It gives Ms. Cartwright room to develop the characters. It's a pleasure to see the growth in the characters as well as the healing bonds between them.

David does seem a bit more standoffish and it's understandable. It's also what I see in the business world. Many executive men come across cold because they stick to the facts and logical reasoning to avoid the traps of drama queens. Seeing David's perspective is a nice touch. He doesn't come across as a metrosexual pushover. His inner thoughts are a good representation of how many men think.

The BDSM in the story is delicious as one would expect from Ms. Cartwright. The power struggle instead of the erotic power exchange is captured just as I've seen it. David responds in a much better fashion than what I've seen in real life. David demonstrates time and time again how he can be trusted. He enforces his rules and when he is hurt, he communicates both clearly and effectively. His commands and punishment are arousing. Where do we find more Doms like David in real life?

This kinky romance is recommended for those who love the boss-to-subordinate D/s theme.
Profile Image for Becca.
521 reviews61 followers
April 15, 2014
As much as I enjoy reading contemporary BDSM themed romances, I often end up frustrated. Too often the author includes BDSM scenes, particularly punishments, that are unusual, unnecessarily harsh, even gratuitous rather than realistic within the story and characters. The story and BDSM are out of step with each other, leaving me confused and irritated. I'm sorry to say that several of Sierra Cartwright's books have felt this way to me - but not this one.

Both David and Maggie were people I liked and admired. I felt invested in their relationship because each of them was willing to face their flaws and compromise because they loved each other. This book hit so many right notes for me, and the BDSM scenes felt fully integrated into the story while still being very hot. I can't ask for much more than that.
Profile Image for Dee.
1,501 reviews173 followers
October 5, 2013
I really liked this one too and was pleased to see a strong woman who knows exactly what she wants and goes out to find it. She is not afraid to communicate what she wants and is strong enough to admit when she is wrong.

Profile Image for Confessions Of A Book Heaux.
118 reviews77 followers
September 8, 2013
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SassySub Heaux's Book Rating: 5 Stars

Summary from the author:

At The Den nothing is off limits… In an idyllic mountain setting on a dozen secluded acres of land, Master Damien Lowell has made his spectacular Colorado home—the Den—available to a select group of people. Doms and subs are invited to explore the intricate nuances of dominance and submission, of sadism and masochism, of exquisite bondage, and strict discipline.

The Den—where the wildest of fantasies becomes reality, lives are transformed, and limits are shattered.

Book Four in the Mastered series.

Things couldn’t get worse. It was bad enough that Maggie had to spend the days with her boss and nemesis. Now to find out he’s a Dom at her favourite place to play?

Maggie Carpenter needs an escape from her everyday life and her overbearing boss. David Tomlinson has ruined her life and career by acquiring her family’s business and tying her to an untenable employment contract.

So she and her friend head for an evening at the Den to explore their wildest fantasies…only to find David there looking ridiculously sexy with a bare chest and a set of handcuffs attached to his belt loop.

David is just as shocked to find his spitfire employee at the Den. He leans against the wall, watching, unable to wrap his mind around the idea that the woman who constantly challenges him might be a sub. But when another Dom approaches her and she casts her gaze down, he sees another side of her.

His reaction to the submissive Maggie is immediate and sizzling hot and so is the unwelcome jealousy he experiences. He’s always had a strict no-fraternisation rule, but he’s determined to have her in his cuffs before the evening is out, despite the dozens of reasons he shouldn’t. He wants Maggie surrendered to him, in his cuffs, literally as well as figuratively.

I am going to start sounding like a broken record with all of my Sierra Cartwright book reviews because this woman seriously doesn't know how to write a bad book. I loved it! I loved dominant business man Mr. David Tomlinson. I loved the strong, independent yet submissive Maggie. Just like with all of her other books, Ms. Cartwright did an excellent job breaking down the dynamics of the Dominant and submissive relationship between Mr. Tomlinson and Maggie. I especially loved that although Maggie was an excellently trained submissive in the bedroom, she was fiercely independent in her professional life. I loved the way Maggie was able to handle just about everything that David subjected her too. Not only was she able to handle it but she encouraged David to be harsher and more aggressive with her. Even when David warned Maggie before their first scene together that he would make her cry she was confident enough to challenge his claim. She almost made it through the entire story without every being brought to tears. As expected the sex was fire scorching hot. Ms. Cartwright really knows how to write a good panties dropping sex scene. I think what I really loved most about this book was how straight forward it was. These two people worked together but never really got along personally. After Maggie unexpectedly runs into her boss at The Den and they scene together for the first time, she quickly realizes how unfairly she has been treating him while at work. The characters have good chemistry and they quickly fall in love with each other. Maggie needs David's dominance. Each time they are together she comes to realize how much more she grows to depend on him and even though it scares her a little when she realizes this, she never makes a run for it like most female characters do in these erotic love stories. We are not tortured with silly misunderstandings that serve no other purpose than to make the book longer than it really needs to be. That absolutely drives me crazy. I highly recommend this book to everyone that loves a good BDSM love story. It is book four in a series but the story is a stand alone so the reader does not have the read the previous books to be able to understand what is happening in this story. Looking forward to book five coming out in November!

Favorite Quotes from the book:

“Now kneel, Maggie.” Something primitive, as old as the heartbeat of time, responded to his dominance. Looking up at him, she obeyed. Her face was near his crotch, and the masculine scent of him combined with the power of his body to make her feel utterly feminine. “Mine,” he said as he buckled the collar closed. She was scared that was true, and more frightened that it might not be.
Profile Image for Rian.
394 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2022
Rating: 7,5

Net als deel 1 tot 3 ook 4 beluisterd als luisterboek en ook deze stelde me niet teleur. De schrijfster niet en zeker de voorlezer niet.
Profile Image for Shayna.
1,812 reviews615 followers
August 21, 2013
You have know idea how excited I get when I hear that Sierra Cartwright has another Mastered book coming out! The Mastered Series has got to be one of the best BDSM Erotic Romances out there today. Out of all 4 books so far IN HIS CUFFS is my favorite. Sierra knows just what to say to pull you in to a story filled with intrigue, lust, and emotion.

"I've always wanted to have you over my lap for the good spanking you deserve."

Meet Maggie Carpenter. Successful, beautiful, independent, and stubborn as hell. She counts down the days until she can escape her job and her arrogant, thorn in her side boss. What does she do? Where does she go? Well, it's LADIES NIGHT at the Den! There is no better place to go to explore your every sexual fantasy. Maggie is very independent, and she mainly uses BDSM for a good reliever of stress from her everyday life, but little does she know the bane of her existence will become just the man to set her free.

Meet David Tomlinson. Successful business man, strict boss, and hunky Dom. Ever since his ex-wife up and left him 6 years ago, he has stayed clear of any relationships, especially at work. When he spots his stubborn coworker at the Den, he is shocked to find that she was a submissive, and just like that, his no fraternizing policy goes out the window. He has to have her.

"I want you to be clear on this, Maggie, I've got you. In all ways."

Oh my, Mr. Tomlinson! I would work under him any day of the week! From the very beginning he captivated me. I could just picture him in the club, shirtless with a nice fitting pair of jeans, and a pair of handcuffs on his belt. I get the shivers just thinking about it. He is my perfect Dom, strong, confident, and protective. He also has his tender moments as well. David and Maggie have this love/hate relationship that is extremely delightful and sexy as hell! Even though there was a bunch of push-pull coming from the both of them, the chemistry was off the charts, especially while doing a scene. The fact that in past relationships Maggie was able to hide who she really was, in and out of the bedroom was depressing. I loved how David was able to break down her walls and she could finally be herself and not be ashamed. The reason for her going to the Den was the fact she could play with a different Dom every time because she loved that this part of her life was unpredictable, but with Mr. Tomlinson she experienced all of that and more. Beautiful, touching, and sensual. I never can get enough of Sierra Cartwright's stories.

For my of my reviews visit http://shaynareneesspicyreads.com
800 reviews2 followers
June 28, 2021
This book had a slight (very slight) difference from the other books in this series.
One thing, the big thing that I’ve noticed in this series is that domination is absolute and submission is beyond degrading. I’ve read many D/s books and this one the Dom does absolutely nothing to “gain” trust. They demand and punish. The author-says- it’s about the sub but when you actually read the words it’s not. It’s totally about the Dom. The Dom, in this entire series is all about pushing the subs so THEY are happy. They don’t really worry about the sub. The author -says-the sub is happy in the end but the writing just hasn’t added up yet.
So, consistently in this series the Sub TOTALLY changes who they are and what they believe to be a giver in the scene. They give up 100% of themself and their thoughts/feelings to a complete stranger or someone (as this book suggests) that they do not respect and can’t stand.
The Dom, gets what he wants while watching (but not reacting) to the subs expressions. He has his plan and nothing she says/does/wants is taken into consideration.

So…more like a slave book.
Profile Image for Lee.
Author 158 books4,745 followers
August 9, 2016
Erotic, inventive, Thoroughly satisfying

These books undo me. The Mastered series is fast becoming one of my all time favorites. The heroines are strong, powerful women, which makes their ultimate submission even sweeter. The BDSM scenes are some of the best I've read. Erotic, Inventive, thoroughly satisfying
Profile Image for Nadia.
1,213 reviews48 followers
May 9, 2021
Every Dom in the romance is into his own thing. This one is into physically restraining subs. Although they got me confused with that tawse thing (whatever that is) - in first book Marcus was applying it from a distance and I though it was something long that needed space. Here David was using it while he held Maggie over his knee and I couldn't get that image in my head :)
Maggie here is pretty knowledgeable and even though never was into D\s relationship was playing quite regularly with different people. Also on one side she is a sucker for pain and likes things rough on the other hand David can definitely show her she hasn't really tried rough before. But she steps up to the challenge.
What I liked about this book is challenge heroes overcome. They are acquainted and work together for quite some time before masks drop and the are being hostile to each other (mostly heroine) so when they meet in the Den and are surprised by that they try to keep two worlds apart and fail (mostly heroine again).
This part also has fairy tale things in it - how heroine was fine living her life but suddenly one scene with a hero and she can't function anymore and is hunted by nightmares and panic attacks without him. Like he put a spell on her or something - "You won't be able to be satisfied by anyone but myself". Let's be fair, this is not a real life scenario. :)
I liked David even though it wasn't very clear what ticked him off besides restraining his partner. If in 1st story it was mostly about what Marcus wanted here story was more about what Maggie needed. And, oh boy, she is needy :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary Lynne.
739 reviews
February 14, 2024
Boss/subordinate romances can be cringy, but I really liked what Cartwright did with the relationship between David and Maggie in In His Cuffs. Cartwright uses the dom/sub dynamics of their relationship to let each learn what they should be doing in their professional and personal lives. David allows Maggie to be free; Maggie teaches David about letting go.

Cartwright is absolutely assured in writing this type of romance; the sensual scenes are marvelous. But I most enjoyed the growing interactions between Maggie and David. They can’t resist one another, and while I can’t recommend their workplace interactions as a pattern to follow in your professional life :-), I can delight in the way they evolve until their being together seems inevitable. In His Cuffs was a delight to read.
561 reviews6 followers
January 30, 2024
This is another excellent story by Sierra Cartwright. The story, the characters, the emotion and the love-making between the main characters are all enjoyable. David had bought a business started by Maggie’s mother, and Maggie helps to run it. They meet by accident at a BDSM club, and he gets her to scene with him. That leads to a love affair between them which includes some BDSM aspects. There are problems in the developing relationship which affect both of them, but they are able to resolve them in order to have an HEA. Both David and Maggie are really interesting and warm characters. I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Darcy.
1,694 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2024
This was another good read in the series with interesting characters and plenty of smexy time. It definitely heated up my kindle, but I wanted more of the story. David buys out ownership of the firm once belonging to Maggie and her mother, with the stipulation that Maggie continue to work there until the end of her employment contract. She considers him a tyrant, does not want to mix business and pleasure and can't wait for the contract to end. After meeting him at The Den, lines become blurred. I liked how their relationship changed outside of the office, but I would have liked more dialogue about the control issues they both had on the job and why they existed.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,131 reviews30 followers
February 2, 2024
Not my favourite to be honest but enjoy the strong independent business women.
David takes over a family business and Maggie ends up signing a contract to still work at the business but she shows her disdain for him regularly.
Maggie goes to The Den to relax only to find her new boss is a Dom and becomes interested in Maggie's Sub lifestyle.
Absolutely love Sierra Cartwright so a bit gutted didn’t love it as much as her other but looking forward to more
684 reviews
June 3, 2025
David and Maggie, what a fast moving, slow moving high heat treat. Fast moving once they hook up, supposedly for one night. He is her boss, she doesn’t want anything to impact on her work life. Their heated relationship DOES impact on work. Some drama, no cheating, some insecurity and lots and lots of emotions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,762 reviews63 followers
January 23, 2024
I really loved this book. The push and pull between David (the boss) and Maggie (his employee) was so good!!!! What will happen when David sees Maggie at the BDSM club? The story kept me turning the pages so I could see what was going to happen between them. I enjoyed this one a lot and am eager for more in this series!
Profile Image for pinkpillsandblueshots.
156 reviews
September 18, 2024
Scorching hot sex scenes with decent hints of D/S.
However I have to say that the whole series got the same pattern :
- handsome & rich alpha doms
- great chemistry
- doms falling in love w/ subs in apprx 2 weeks of the time
- subs having cold feet which leads to a hiatus
- eventually HEA (and / or marriage in the end)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
692 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2025
This entry in the series has the "forbidden office romance" trope as well as heavy (oh so heavy) D/s.

The book really is quite enjoyable to read. Maggie is quite dynamic. David is, sure, torn.

Fundamentally, David eventually gets what he wants -- Maggie's complete submission. But, yeah, she does not give up her personality or power in doing so. It is a tough balancing act.

Profile Image for Kierstin.
538 reviews6 followers
June 19, 2023
Interesting start. I can say that if I hate someone from work with the kind of passion she claimed to, I would not agree to scene with them. Absolutely not. But they were super steamy and I am here for it.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,381 reviews30 followers
February 9, 2024
This is the fourth book in the Mastered series. David is a Dom, Maggie is a sub and this is their tumultuous love story. Of course, the main trope is BDSM, but it’s also very emotional and smexy. I loved the character's chemistry and the story was well written. I enjoyed this awesome book!
1 review
April 5, 2024
Absolutely amazing writing, completely captivating and consuming. It was a book that rocked my world with its vivid characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mary.
27 reviews
March 12, 2018
To be honest, it is the first book from Miss Cartwright that I am so disappointed with..
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books28 followers
October 1, 2019
These books are fun and have good characters in them because they are so quick not lots of back story. Fun read
Profile Image for Jessica.
190 reviews
January 15, 2020
I enjoyed the characters better in this book than the other in the series.
Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
February 17, 2024
I enjoyed David and Maggie’s story. It was such an intriguing read that had me hooked. And am voluntarily leaving this review.
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