Master of the Island

Invitation to Eden #0.5

by Lauren Hawkeye

When his life takes a dark turn, billionaire Theodosius Vardalos purchases a deserted island in the Bermuda triangle. It's accessible only by plane-the better, he thinks, to hide his scars from the rest of the world.

What Theo doesn't know is that the island has an incredible secret, one that gives him hope... hope of future happiness, despite the horrible scars that make him a recluse. Hope to be had in the arms of a mysterious blonde he hasn't yet met.

This story is meant as a prequel to the Invitation to Eden series and is NOT meant to be read as a standalone.

Genres: Erotica, Paranormal, Romance, BDSM, Novella, Magic, Contemporary

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson never imagined that she'd wind up telling stories for a living... though when she looks back, it's easy to see that she's the only one who is surprised. Always "the kid who read all the time", Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she'd finished a book... and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.

Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, toddler, pit bull and idiot cat, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting (her husband claims that her snobby yarn collection is exorbitant), reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't "love" this intro, for a few reasons. First, I knew it was going to be a short intro, but 4 chapters?! Four chapters during which we learn very little about the msyterious Mr. V. Then there's Joely. Okay, she's the pilot that takes Mr. V to his island. I wonder what role she's going to play in this whole thing. I thought maybe she'd wind up with Mr. V, but then he went and had some crazy sex dream about a mystery woman. I don't mind cliff-hangers, but 4 chapters that leave me with way too many questions just doesn't do it for me. Honestly, I would have preferred a "first book" to set up the series. I'm guessing that we're going to get a book for Mr. V, but not for awhile.
I'm going to give one of this month's releases a read, but if I had to base it solely off of this intro, it's a series I'd pass up.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Eliza Gayle's Purgatory story (Hold Me Close), which is also a part of the multi-author series compilation Invitation to Eden, I was interested in learning more about Eden and its mysterious Master.

Lauren Hawkeye's Master of the Island is a very short prequel (free @ Amazon) that offers readers a brief intro to the man behind "the island that knows what you need" and Joely, the puddle-jumper pilot. The island, however, continues to remain a mystery. We know it's located in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, the Master ("Mr. V" ~ Theodosius Vardalos) relocates a castle from Ireland to the island, and the island has a way of providing its inhabitants with whatever they need.

I kept waiting for Mr. Roarke to pop out and say, "Welcome to Fantasy Island"! As a fan of the show Fantasy Island and this genre, I'm tempted to read all of the EDEN installments by its 26 different authors. But, as a serious series reader with serious series OCD, I don't know if I'll be able to jump into the midst of an otherwise ongoing series just to get another glimpse of this intriguing island and its inhabitants.

(Story rating is closer to 2.5★, but I am intrigued by this multi-author series and appreciated the free prequel, so I rounded up.)

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tantalizing introduction to the upcoming series Invitation to Eden!

After surviving the attack that left him both physically and emotionally scarred Theodosius Vardalos is ready to escape. He owns a small island in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle that was originally intended to develop as a resort, but is now the oasis he intends to call home.

Inexplicably drawn to the calming waters and lush greenery, it's the perfect place for him to regain the confidence that defined his dominant nature.

Expertly written and edited; Master of the Island contains elements of mystery, magic, and steamy sexuality. With well developed characters, this prequel sets the foundation for a storyline you won't want to miss and has a cliffhanger of an ending that left me panting for more!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's definitely a prequel and it's still too short. I don't like first person which put me off to begin with and just as it starts to get into explanations it cuts off. I can read first person when needed if it's good enough writing but this ultimately turned me off. If the rest of the writers are going to use first person with their stories then I'm not interested in reading it. This left too much hanging on how all this gets started and makes you hope that either there is an additional novella or more is explained by the others.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on iBooks today (3/14/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
When his life takes a dark turn, billionaire Theodosius Vardalos purchases a deserted island in the Bermuda triangle. It's accessible only by plane-the better, he thinks, to hide his scars from the rest of the world.

What Theo doesn't know is that the island has an incredible secret, one that gives him hope... hope of future happiness, despite the horrible scars that make him a recluse. Hope to be had in the arms of a mysterious blonde he hasn't yet met.

[Jodie Bivins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an introductory book to give you an idea how the island came to be.
We meet the Master and get some history on him. We meet Joely and how she
becomes the pilot for the island. It has a cliff hanger but that was to
be expected. I love how you get a preview of the woman the Master is
waiting for. This is a great way to to start this series.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to read the story of Mr. V and his sexy island nymph!
He is a very intriguing character! I love the set-up for the series. It has definitely piqued my interest.
I really enjoyed Joely's character as well and am looking forward to her story.

‪#‎EdenBookClub‬

[Angela]

28 September 2014: $0.00 FREE on Kindle

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story couldn't put it down. Theodosius Vardalos is a very succesfull business man and very handsome, but one day Celeste the woman he thought he love and her childhood sweetheart changed everything. Theodosius purchased an island in the warm water off the Bermuda Triangle of the coast of Florida and now he wants the castle that he just purchased to be relocated to his new island stone by stone. When he went to the airport Joely volunteer to fly him to his island and after it became dark Joley slept in the plane, but Theodosius slept in the beach sand and when he woke up he was standing in front of a wooden shack. When he opened the door there was a beautiful naked woman kneeling waiting for him. When he woke up after spending the night with this woman who had dissapeard in front of him, Theodosius knew that this island was a magical place and he was going to built his resort after all and he decided to call his island Eden.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really is only an introduction to a world and an idea. There's a lot of mystery surrounding Mr. V and it's not really explained by the end of these 4 short chapters. I do like the idea though and I'm very interested in learning more about what's going on with Mr. V and this island he's bought for himself. But it was intriguing and does have me wanting to read more in this series. I know my problem is going to be that a lot of these books are themselves part of other series, and I really don't like to read out of order. So I'm not sure how quickly I read this series as I feel like I have to read the preceding books in each of the other series' before I can read their corresponding book in this series.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short introduction to Theo who becomes Master later on and Joely.
It is short but grabs you and makes you need to read the next book.
There are a lot of books in this series now that are written by different authors. I have read most and prefer the original author but don’t let that put you off diving in.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master of the Island (Invitation to Eden #0.5) by Lauren Hawkeye – Driven by magic, two broken people find refuge on a tiny island in Florida. Clearly this series is going to be full of surprises! Happy Reading!

[Charlotta · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was sooooooo random, I’m just so confused

[JW David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd read a couple of the offshoots before, and decided to give it a serious try.
It's an almost vanilla short-short, that vaguely introduces the Master and the Island. So I am continuing on.

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to do a review on this before I forget my thoughts. That is possible to happen, yet I was so annoyed/pissed/ranty/ragey by the end of this little intro to this massive book collection that I might not forget it.

So, a group of authors are doing what is called Invitation to Eden. For the next few months I speculate three short stories will be released at a time and it all takes place on Eden and island in the Bermuda Triangle. Well, this is the story about how it came to be, and who owns it, and why.

Well, I didn't hate it, but I also really hated it.

You see, I loved the whole concept the author was rolling with here. She was great at the whole Alpha male thing. She also spun the whole 'he's a beast thing.' You feel so bad for him, you want to wrap him in a bear hug and make it all better while allowing him to flog the crap out of you.

Enter Joely.

This is where the story went horribly wrong for me.

They were given great banter, chemistry, even some attraction. Then what does the author do? She has the anti hero hook up with some fantasy submissive that is oh so perfect and like the bestest submissive ever!

I was like UM WHAT!

Now, I had to read it again. And the author basically tried to tell you with all the subtly of a sledgehammer to not ship this duo. "Oh, your not my type. Oh, we aren't attracted to each other. Oh, I'm not here for your and your not here for me." Those are the exact likes but Joely basically screams at the reader:

DO NOT SHIP THIS COUPLE!

DO NOT SHIP THIS COUPLE!

DO NOT SHIP THIS COUPLE!

Well, guess what I SHIPPED JOELY AND V!!!!!!!!

The idea of a tiny little spitfire brunette and a man they call a 'beast' and is a huge hulking dominant--ummmmmmmmm you kind of subconsciously created Belle and the Beast and now I want my ship or I will throw a massive tantrum all over this book series!

So, that was my adventure last night. I like the idea of a bunch of authors writing one similar verse so I'll be reading all these. It looks like in May, Lauren has another book in this series, with a Blonde on the cover, and why do I get the feeling this magical submissive is going to be his HEA?

Sighs....

The only hope for this is Joely getting someone. They just... sighs.... nevermind.... I'm prepared for the disappointment.

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Purchased and read as part of THE BAD BOYS OF EDEN: Billionaires, Alphas, Bikers, and Doms Boxed Set.

Master of the Island by Lauren Hawkeye
Invitation to Eden #0.5
Tags: Contemporary, Erotica, M/F, Billionaire, CEO, Beauty and the Beast Theme, BDSM, Kink
Length: Prologue + 4 Chapters

This short story introduces us to the man we will come to know mainly as The Master throughout the collection of books, and we learn how the magical island known as Eden came to be. Growing up, I loved the 80s tv show Fantasy Island. This collection is reminiscent of that, only kinkier.

The eccentric billionaire and CEO, Theodosius Vardalos, was once a handsome man and in love. But then his lover had deceived him, stealing almost all of his money and leaving him badly scarred, forcing him to wear a balaclava for the sake of others. He needed to heal, and because he could, he purchased an old Irish castle to be rebuilt on a small island in the Bermuda Triangle. While surveying his island, he had an experience. It seemed to know what his greatest desire was and gave it to him. Filled with hope and a new outlook on life, he knew what he had to do to make his dream a reality. As the saying goes: If you build it, they will come. And so the exclusive island resort Eden was born.

As a prequel that was available for free, I thought this was a decent introduction. Short but adequate (then again, this was included in the box set The Bad Boys of Eden, so I was able to just keep reading books with the same theme). I wasn't disappointed that his story was cut short here or not immediately available in the box set.

I'm looking forward to eventually seeing him meet the mystery woman from his dream, and perhaps finding out more about the pilot, Joely who "looks like she's sixteen". There were several references to a darkness or sadness in her past, and she seemed very intuitive around Theo. His story continues in Master of Pleasure.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of the Island is a prequel to the series “Invitation to Eden” --- a series that I am genuinely disappointed at myself for not finding sooner! The series consists of a different installment each written by another author, a brilliant and creative concept!

This particular “prequel” was short in length – four chapters – but definitely was enough to get my curiosity piqued about this mysterious and broken Greek man with a marred face named Theodosius Vardalos.

Mr. V-- as dubbed by a young lady named Joely who seriously reminds me of Kaylee Frye from the show “Firefly” -- purchases an island six months prior to the rest of the story. Joley comes into the picture when Theo is bantering back and forth with the charter employee at the private hanger after finding out his scheduled pilot called out sick and there’s no one else available to fly him to his new getaway, the getaway he’d been vying for for months to seek refuge from gawking eyes and his broken past.

Joely offers to fly him out there herself. He was skeptical at first, but desperate enough to take her on the offer. Upon arrival to the island, things get a little interesting to say the least.

That’s where I should leave it since it is a short snippet. But ah-my-gosh, lemme tell ya, it’s h-a-w-t!

I can easily admit that the ending left me wanting more; more about this lively, jubilant yet enigmatic Joely, more about the mysterious incident in the thicket of the forests when Mr. V awoke the next morning, and even more so, wanting to get to dig into his past to discover what in the hell happened to him?!

Luckily, there is an entire series out there finished and ready to be in my hands and read!

If you haven’t read the series before the release of this prequel, this was a little something delicious to begin with. And hey, maybe we can read the series together, yeah? Let’s go!

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Physical beauty is only skin deep and lasts for a relative short time of a human’s life; ugliness, on the other hand can last forever. Theodosius Vardalos, a billionaire, is the prodigal son that was made a fool by love. A one time notorious playboy is betrayed by his life’s love and left a flawed and disfigured man. These scars were both physical and emotional. He buys an isolated island in the Caribbean Sea, buys an Irish Castle, has it dismantled, moved and rebuilt in the hope of an escape from the painful position life has put him in. Fate seems to have teamed him up with the attractive but nevertheless damaged Joely. The island, located within the Bermuda Triangle, may have the secret power to give everyone what they need; an interest concept. I found this book through the All Romance site and downloaded it free. This story is meant as an introduction to the Invitation to Eden series. It is not meant to be read as a standalone. This prefaced message explains the reason that this prequel leaves the reader hanging. This is the first work I’ve read by Lauren Hawkeye and she has left me impressed. I plan to read the rest of this series and would certainly be open for anything else that comes from her hand. She should appeal to a wide reading audience and I recommend her to anyone looking for a light romantic literary interlude.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may or may not have seen the Eden series of books popping up all over the place, if not where have you been!? This is a short and steamy prequel novella to set the scene up for the rest of the books.

Our story is told from the point of view of Theo Vardalos, a extremely wealthy man but scarred man (mentally and physically following a horrible attack) who has purchased a tropical island in the Bermuda Triangle which he names Eden.

However all is not cut and dried, he has been having visions whilst on his island of things he needs to do, at the start of this novella he purchases a castle in Ireland because he had a vision to do so, not all of his visions are property based!, on his first proper visit to the island he has an extremely steamy encounter in the forest in the centre of the island with a veiled woman who looks past his disfigurement and makes him feel like a man again and not the beast that he thinks he is.

This was a good quick read and sets us up nicely for the books to come which are, if they are anything like this one, not going to be just straightforward hot reads!

Awarded 4 out of 5

[Lauren Seiberling (Romance Novel Giveaways) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great beginning for the magical love story!

(This story is a prequel, and continues in the next book.)

Having read the complete story (this book as well as Master of Pleasure), I was definitely pulled in right away!

Getting to know Theo and his history made him very endearing. He definitely has demons that he must deal with, and I was eager to find out if Theo would finally be able to achieve this goal, and if he would ever find his mystery woman.

Merged review:

A great beginning for the magical love story!(This story is a prequel, and continues in the next book.)Having read the complete story (this book as well as Master of Pleasure), I was definitely pulled in right away!Getting to know Theo and his history made him very endearing. He definitely has demons that he must deal with, and I was eager to find out if Theo would finally be able to achieve this goal, and if he would ever find his mystery woman.

[Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the introduction to the Invitation to Eden series. Meeting this brilliant, damaged man promises that this series will be like no other we have read before.

An island in the Bermuda Triangle, where the rich and famous can come by invitation only to fulfill their wishes in a resort built out of the masters own dreams. How does that sound? And there is only one way to get to the island ... a plane piloted for Joely, a young, sassy, independent woman. Now this story will leave you wanting more, after all it is the introduction to the series where a group of fantastic authors will offer their unique stories. Well, I love all the stories so far... but I am dying to know more about the master. I am eagerly awaiting for Lauren Hawkeye's unique master's story to have its day in the sun.

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story that introduces us to the island of Eden. This book allows us to meet the illusive master that is referred to in future books. It also introduces us to Joely and how she came to be the pilot for island. We find out why the master isn't seen on the island and what he learns in his quests to get not only the proper castle that is used on the island but the perfect island itself. We find out what things the island can do. It is a short book and I hope that there will be a future on to tell us more about what happens with the master but we will have to continue reading the series to find out. I would recommend this book it is short but it is an amazing opening to this series.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his life takes a dark turn, billionaire Theodosius Vardalos purchases a deserted island in the Bermuda triangle. It's accessible only by plane- the better, he thinks, to hide his scars from the rest of the world. What Theo doesn't know is that the island has an incredible secret, one that gives him hope... hope of future happiness, despite the horrible scars that make him a recluse. Hope to be had in the arms of a mysterious blonde he hasn't yet met...
Oh how exciting. This prequel is the perfect taste to get you wanting to read the rest of the series.
The Bermuda Triangle is a legendary place anyway, and to have it start out on an island in the BT is
just awesome. 5 stars.

[Cassie Hess-dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short introduction to the invitation to Eden series. Theodosius Vardalos has bought an island in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. He has chartered a small plane to take him and his belongings to the island. But his pilot is sick and Joely offers to fly him out. There is a connection between the two of them & they each feel at ease. Once they get to the island, it is obvious that there is something magical about it. After a dream filled night, he knows that he will name the island Eden and what he will actually do with it.

[Lisa VH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the set up - just hate that is was soooooo short. Definitely left me wanting to know more. However, not crazy about the idea of spending $3 per book on a 27 book series. Even though I love the premise and know that a lot of the authors are some of my favorite, I'm just not sure I will continue with this one up unless I find an anthology somewhere for at a good price. Also, many of the stories are part of other series. I'm a little too OCD with reading complete series to be able to handle jumping in like that.

[Bonnie Rediske- · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little novella to provoke interest. This is is written in a way that makes you want more but not feel like the author slighted you in any way. We are introduced to Theo who has been permanently scarred (we never find out how). We do learn however that he enjoys the dom sub power exchange. We are also introduced to his pilot who is connected to him in a way that has not yet been revealed. A fun thing is that it is set in the Bermuda Triangle which has always fascinated me. I cannot wait to move to the next book so that I can learn more about this mysterious man!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

PREQUELlllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, oh my what a good start to a new series. . .

How bad could it really be that people will do nothing but stare and flinch at billionaire Theodosius Vardalos. Mr. V (I like that) has been betrayed in the worst way and now his life has taken a change in direction. He finds peace and solace on his island in the middle of no where. This peace he wants to share with the world. Sweet, enduring, challenging, and had me wanting more. Master of the Island. His day will be coming. I am looking forward to Master of Pleasure.

[Dana Delamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing start to the Invitation to Eden series! Well-written, professionally edited, all-around nicely done! It's a short story, and the author makes clear that it's not meant to be a stand-alone, but merely an introduction to the series.

Bought the follow-up story to learn what happens to Theo, and will probably buy all the other books in this series. Recommended for folks who like erotic romance.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucked me in!

I wasn't sure at first about this series since Mr. V seems to have a never ending pity party for himself. But Joley, now she reminds me of myself and I do believe Mr. V has met his match. I love that she doesn't treat him differently. I'm off to find the next book.

My only complaint is, it's difficult to find the books in order. I'm not sure which order to read them in.

[Erinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Invitation to Eden series...

Loved it. Just as I was itching for more, and to learn more about the mysterious island and it's new inhabitants of Theodosius Vardalos and Joley it was over...

Can't wait to read more in this series...and having 27 different authors contribute only makes it more appealing.