A Master For Michael

The Hampton Road Club #5.5

by Morticia Knight

FROM BESTSELLING GAY ROMANCE AUTHOR MORTICIA KNIGHT

A Hampton Road novella

Finding a Master for Michael won’t be easy, but Javier is determined that his boy will have the best—even if it means letting him go.

The Hampton Road Club is a secret gathering-place for men of a more sadomasochistic nature. The 1920s might be roaring, but certain practices are still frowned upon in open society. Michael’s job is to greet the club members as they arrive and to report directly to the club manager, Javier. Sometimes, his direct contact with Javier has nothing to do with the club members and everything to do with submitting to the strict Master.

Javier would give anything to keep Michael as his permanent boy, but he owes his boss, Saul, a great personal debt for helping him when he was at his lowest. Saul taught him that professionalism is the key to keeping things running smoothly at the club. He knows Saul would be greatly disappointed if he were to ever find out about what goes on between him and the club greeter behind closed doors. That’s why he’s never revealed to Michael how he really feels and why he must do the one thing for which he’d never thought he’d have the courage—give Michael away to a new Master.

Genres: BDSM, Historical, M M Romance, M M Historical Romance

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2017

About the author

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men who explore the sweeter side of kink. If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little hearts desire. Even though she’s been crafting her tales for more years than she’d like to share—her adventures as a published author began in 2011. With over 70 gay/bisexual romance books and stories available, Morticia is bound to have something for your sexy HEA reading pleasure!

Morticia resides on the North Oregon coast where the fierce winter storms, gray skies and ocean views all conspire to spark her endless imagination.

Reviews

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~]

Originally reviewed at Sinfully.

3.5 stars

This novella is a spin-off from the author’s Hampton Road Club series, focusing on characters who have been in the background of the prior stories. In this case it’s club manager Javier and host Michael. While it’s not necessary to have read any of the prior novels, it will definitely enhance your reading experience.

This is a story of two men at a crossroads. Michael and Javier each need to decide what to do about their “non-relationship” when both have fallen in love with the other but neither has said anything. Similar to many of the books, Javier is an older more experienced Dom and Michael is young, from a poor background and a bit naïve. Michael, wants nothing more than for Javier to be his Master and his lover, but he knows that may never happen. Even though they have been having scenes and Javier has been training Michael for over a year, he assumes Javier is also “dallying” with others. After all, he’s never been asked to spend the night and Javier hasn’t had sex with him or even kissed him. Michael doesn’t believe the sophisticated Javier would want to keep him, but he’s fallen pretty hard for the man regardless.

Javier is in love with Michael, no question about it, but he doesn’t see a way to make their relationship work. He is feeling guilty about hiding it from their employer, Master Saul, and is worried that his actions may be jeopardizing Michael’s job and his own. As much as it pains him, Javier thinks he needs to find Michael a master that can give him everything he needs and take care of him properly. He enlists Saul to help him, but in his despair over the situation, he underestimates his friend and mentor’s powers of observation and knowledge of what goes on in the club. With Saul giving Javier and Michael a push, can the two make it work?

The two must muddle through their difficulty communicating. Michael doesn’t believe that as a submissive he has a right to voice his desires to Javier. Saul quickly dispels that notion and I loved the way Michael took their conversation to heart and learns to stand up for himself. He speaks his mind and that leaves it up to Javier to decide what happens. For a Master, Javier knows how to beg quite well.

Javier and Michael are hot together and I enjoyed their scenes. Javier is demanding and strict and Michael is eager to please and submits beautifully. Their dynamic as lovers is just as good and provided a better look at Javier as a man with emotions, since he had always held those back as a Master and manager of the club.

Although short, I enjoyed Javier and Michael’s story. Perhaps due to the fact that everything took place inside the club, I didn’t get as much as a feel for the period as in the longer stories, but that was just a minor issue, something that I could overlook having read the prior stories. Fans of the series will enjoy this and it could be a good introduction to the Hampton Road stories if you haven’t yet picked one up.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javier and Michael....I loved this novella. All the hurt/comfort was bearable and very enjoyable.

Both working at a sadomasochism club.
They loved each other but Javier was not in the position to express his deep love for Michael. It was even so that Javier felt the need to find the right Master for his boy.

Michael deeply hurt by the rejection from Javier. He was a excellent Master and trainer for Michael only they didn't kiss or had physical sexual contact....
And now he finds out Javier wants the 'get rid' of him....
He doesn't know the real reason....

Their wise boss Saul will help Javier to find a Master for Michael.....and knows exactly how to hand him over to his new Master.

Wonderful written novella. Short of course but enough to feel all the tension and to understand where both men came from, how hard life was for both.
The emotions were intense and their interactions were well done. It's written in a way as if you were close, even in the same room. My heart hurt for both....


Kindly received an ARC from the Publisher

[Morticia Knight]

Here is the completed, edited version of Michael & Javier's story that I've had up at Wattpad. It's the first of a series of novellas set in the Hampton Road Club world, but is not a part of the original series arc. As such, although there might be characters who are familiar to Hampton Road Club readers, it's not necessary to have read the series to know what's going on. However, these will be the characters who never got their own stories told before! Also note that there's a listing error and this is not the 6th book in the series. Theo and Francesco's story will be told in Finding Sanctuary, the actual Book 6 which will be the final installment of The Hampton Road Club. :-)

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is a novella in the series, and gives us another glimpse into the world as it stood in the 1920s, where men had to be super careful not to be discovered, if they preferred male company, and BDSM.

If you have read any of the previous books, you will know of the club and the management. Here we get to see Javier, the manager, try and come to terms with the fact that he should not mix business with pleasure. Saul, the owner, once again comes to the rescue. Javier's likes are in the SM area, and whilst not severe, I did wince at the way that Michael declared himself to belong to his Master.

Another good addition to the series.

[JD Crittendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Masters Javier!

The love story between Boss, Master Javier & Sub, Greeter Michael is the misguided attempt to let go of someone you think you can’t have. Cute, Sweet love in a 1920’s SM Club!

[Penumbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Master for Michael is book #5.5 in the ‘Hampton Road Club’ series. It stars Javier, a Master, and Michael, a boy. This is told in third person from both Michael and Javier’s pov.



Even though this is the first book I’ve read in this series, I didn’t feel lost. Therefore, I think this book could be read as a stand-alone. It’s a quick read and not as sadomasochistic as I’d expected. I’d say this book was more about the romance and miscommunication between Michael and Javier than about BDSM itself. Be warned however, there is beating and branding. I found the branding gruesome and would’ve preferred reading about a collaring instead, but I guess the branding puts the kink into the sadomasochistic area.

The setting takes place in the 1920’s at a mansion specifically run as a SM club. I didn’t get that much of a historical feel in this story. There were some random mentions thrown into the story about objects that could be considered common in the 1920’s, but most of the story didn’t give me that feeling. I’d say this is probably the weak area of the book.

Javier works and lives at the club. He serves as assistant to Saul who owns the club. Michael serves as Javier’s assistant. Michael is in love with Javier and desperately wants Javier’s love. He gives everything to Javier, but Javier keeps up a barrier between them even though he’s attracted to Michael. This is the conflict in the story that needs to be worked out between the two men. Javier is described by Michael as having brown skin. Since this author often has Dominants and Masters as POC, and boys and subs as white, I’m going to guess Javier is a POC. The problem I had with this, is that in the 1920’s a POC did not have an easy time in society. Javier likely couldn’t walk around as freely or was restricted to what shops he was allowed in, and probably treated as a servant. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe that Javier had that much freedom. If Michael and Javier were in public together, I’m guessing people would direct comments to Michael and ignore Javier. This subject was not covered in the story.

A lot of the book is written with monologue, with Javier and Michael explaining their thoughts and feelings as they think about things rather than the author writing the characters in a way that I could feel their worries. The excessive monologue made it more difficult to relate to the characters and make them real. However, I could still believe the two men as a couple, probably because they were already established as a couple when the story began.

Overall, A Master for Michael was a quick, easy read, and is mostly a romance. It’s not that heavy on the BDSM, even though there was some. Because I didn’t get a great historical feel in this book, and because there is too much monologue, making it more difficult to relate to the characters, I’ll give this book 3 Stars.



I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness did I want to bang their heads together to knock some sense into them!!! YES I did!
Michael had an awful start and was always made to feel that he was useless and to be used nobody cared about him. He ran away from his uncles home as soon as he could and one day when he got in trouble at work he was sat outside not knowing what to do next. he was in an impossible place but then he met Javier. And that change his life forever he found himself working as a greeter in a mansion. It was a club where men would go to fulfil all their needs. And Javier Saw in Michael the boy he always wanted. But it was against the rules so he talked to his boss Saul about getting him a master because Javier could not admit that he was falling for Michael and in his mixed up head, he thought that if he could get him a master he would protect him and care for him and bring him happiness. he would be happy enough with that he knew he would never find another boy but he wanted Michael to be happy.
How would Michael react to the fact that the man he cared about And he would do anything for, had had enough of him like everybody else in his life and was trying to get rid of him to a new master??
Oh it was good I was cheering Michael on like you would not believe even getting a strange look from my husband as I cheered out loud this is a really good book and I enjoyed every second of it I just couldn’t put it down and had to read in one sitting you’re going to really enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book – A Master for Michael (A Hampton Road Club Novella)
Author – Morticia Knight
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 72
Cover – Gorgeous
POV – 3rd person, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, BDSM, Historical, MM, Romance


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


I've loved every single book in the Hampton Road Club series since book 1. In fact, I loved them so much that I've given them all five stars until this point. With Javier and Michael being side-characters in every novel, I really looked forward to seeing their story, but I never imagined it would be with each other!

This book was no exception. It was a solid 5 star read right across the board. And I was so tempted to read the snippet of book 6 in the series, at the end, but I held off. Just two weeks until it's out and then I can read it all, which is awesome! I can't get enough of this series.

Again, I love the dual POV. It's always great to see both sides of the story. Seeing Michael's POV was so important, but seeing Javier's, as well, just added so many more layers to what was already a great story.

I love how much was fitted so comfortably into so few pages. I'm used to about 150-200 pages for this series, per book, but this was the perfect length. It gave us all the build up, the big shocker, and then the relationship aspects at the end that I always love from this series. It's great that the book doesn't end just because the couple got together; it's my favourite kind of story.

I'll admit, I almost cried when Saul spoke with Javier and then, later, the whole “Stop this instant!” had me giddy as all get out. I was so thrilled with the way the story progressed with ease and the natural drama I've become familiar with in Hampton Road Club.

Overall, this was a fantastically written story with perfect length, immensely well balanced detail and attention to the characterisation, that had a much needed story to tell. It didn't go overboard, by trying to delve too far into their history, but it didn't feel too short, either. It was the perfect length for the story that had to be told. Again, the world building was incredible, and it had me on a rollercoaster ride I didn't want to leave. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

~

Favourite Quotes

“Has Saul found someone for Michael so soon? His gut clenched, even if he knew it was the right thing. In time, he’d get over Michael. Javier had already decided that he wouldn’t seek out another submissive boy. He’d keep his memories of Michael in his heart where they couldn’t be stolen from him.”

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great low angst novella in the historical mm bdsm series by Morticia Knight set in and around a mm kink club called Hampton Road. The two main characters have known each other for a long time and it’s really only their own fears that are keeping them apart. I do like how the stories in this series are connected with other characters showing up even in a shorter story like this one. I guess really that only just shows how much I like series. One of the things that I also find interesting is the parallel real life stories that people finally feel able to share now about let’s just say unconventional relationships. Maybe I’m behind the times but it seems that as there has been a rise in popularity of fiction of this type there has been an equal rise in stories coming to light about real relationships in the past. I hope this trend continues and that more and more people will accept that love is love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved A Master for Michael by Morticia Knight. It's part of the Hampton Road series but can be read as a stand-alone story. I loved Michael and Javier's story. I loved how Michael stood up for himself when Saul mentioned that Javier had said that he would benefit from having a strong master in his life, which Michael understood to mean that Javier didn't want to continue what they had been doing and didn't share his feelings. I'm glad that the times have changed so much that now they can show their devotion by using collars or getting the initials of your Dom tattooed on your heart instead of how they used to do it by the Dom branding his initials over his sub's heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing and enjoyable historic D/s story. I liked the characters of Javier and Michael and the relationship that developed between them, but I think the author did too much telling, rather than showing readers how the men felt. Communication was the big issue, as well as some insecurities and perceptions of expectations, especially for Javier. It took Saul getting involved to set him straight. Javier meant to do the right thing by his boss, but he got it a little wrong. All's well that ends well, though. The BDSM wasn't too heavy, although the branding turned my stomach a little. Glad people have moved on to collars, instead, in modern times.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story that tells about the relationship of Michael and Javier and how, with the help of Saul, they reveal their true feelings and needs to each other. The story takes place during a time where their unique perversions are frowned upon and how the club exists in remains secret. The interaction between them is well written and descriptive. This is an enjoyable story that I think is worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really good book. Michael and Javier are wonderful together. I loved the connection and the chemistry between these two. The hurt/comfort aspect and M/s aspect was fantastic. I'm honestly not a huge historical romance fan but this book was great and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book and Ms. Morticia as a must read author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saul was a master manipulator, but he hadn't counted on Michael growing a backbone before his plans came to fruition. Lol. Javier , I could have shook him til his teeth rattled, but thankfully he came to his senses soon enough. So much poor communication, but men are that way right?! Endorphins all over the place with that ending!!!!

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Javier are a good pairing and there is a real connection there between them. They have to be so careful because of the times that they lived in. It is amazing that even with the social impediments of the times they were able to find each other at a place where they could be themselves.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable and quick read. Poor Michael and Javier! It’s a good thing their communication got better and had people in their lives like Saul! This was a sweet and steamy read that I’d recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I normally try to stay away from anything marked historical but this was really good. It can be read as a stand-alone but you might enjoy it more reading the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Javior and Michael is full of angst and insecurity. I did not particularly care for Javior, but overall it was a solid story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Michael and Javier!! They had a fantastic connection and serious chemistry!! Sweet and romantic! Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Javier are a good pairing and there is a real connection there between them. They have to be so careful because of the times that they lived in. It is amazing that even with the social impediments of the times they were able to find each other at a place where they could be themselves.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Michael works in, what they would call back then in the 20's, a house of ill repute, a house for men who prefer men and intense games. Javier, his Master, loves him but feels Michael deserves better, and that terrible idea brings on pain and regret for both. A short, angsty but sexy tale.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Michael and Javier book. Was a Quick read, be so delightful to see Javier fall for Michael. Saul was superb with his machinations.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javier and Michael care for each other but are afraid to tell each other. Then their boss steps in and things change. I really enjoyed this book.

[Akasha721 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I for one am not into this book, I'm sure others may like it. Being cruel for the sake of sex is just weird and sadistic.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Javier have longed for more than a working relationship yet both men put the club before what could be a wonderful relationship. When Javier makes the choice to speak to Saul their world is abruptly shattered. He is more than ready to figure out what to do about Michael and Javier. Saul knows what he is doing, and the two men never see what is coming.

I enjoyed Michael and Javier’s story. The two are good together and it was nice to see them fight for what they want. It was nice to see Michael begin to find his way and show that he is ready to stand up and say what he needs to. Seeing the depth of their emotions made for a nice read. Their story is a quick read, but it is full of emotion. I was pulled into their tale right from the start and engaged all the way to the end.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
I thought that this was a really good book. Michael and Javier are wonderful together. I loved the connection and the chemistry between these two. The hurt/comfort aspect and M/s aspect was fantastic. I'm honestly not a huge historical romance fan but this book was great and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book and Ms. Morticia as a must read author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great quick read. Javier and Michael had great chemistry, and I enjoyed their kinky road to love in a time where a relationship like theirs was forbidden. The beginning revolved around communication issues, but once those were smoothed out, a sweet and sexy romance commenced. I really liked it!