Cruel Masters

by Piper Stone

Men like them don't ask. They take.

I thought I understood the risks of going undercover to report on billionaires flaunting their power, but these men didn't send lawyers after me. They're going to deal with me themselves.

Now I'm naked aboard their private plane, my backside already burning from one of their belts, and these three infuriatingly sexy bastards have only just gotten started teaching me my place.

I'm not just going to be punished, shamed, and shared. I'm going to be mastered.

Publisher's Note: Cruel Masters includes spankings and rough, intense sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.

Genres: Why Choose, BDSM, Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Erotica, Menage

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2021

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

had to finish it, didn't really want to

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reporter - Kendra (Caroline Sheffield FMC) goes undercover to investigate the men of Extreme Inc - Sebastian, Chase and Dax. Rich men with particular tastes. Ones thats Kendra becomes well aware of. With plenty of twitchy palms, spanking and very steamy scenarios. With 3 dominant men. Except that Kendra's backstory just happens to tie into Sebastian's and the guys. When i read the blurb for this book i thought it was going to be a sex fest from beginning to end. Yes theres plenty of that in this book but story in general is a pretty good one. I enjoyed reading it

[Tashi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

Ok it was ok I guess but I felt like it was just written way to fast like ok it was hot but the characters had no character like it was just boom we love u now and your ours like in a matter of days so yea it was hot but that was it .

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline is a reporter and she goes undercover to do a story on billionaires, Sebastian, Dax and Chance. When they discover what and who she is, they plan to teach her a lesson, starting with her backside red from their belts. This is a fast-paced read with plenty of emotion, drama and intense chemistry. I really liked it.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
💋💋💋

Very good read, excellent and entertaining characters with a fantastic story to back it all up.
It’s steamy, hot and humid reading material.
If your easily affected by triggers, find a different book, if not , go for it.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Dark Romance

I loved this Piper Stone book, I always love her books so I read the story expecting that I would love it and I was not disappointed. This is another great Piper Stone book and if you have read her before you know that this story has some BDSM action and that it is steamy, pretty similar to some of her other stories in this respect. You will not be disappointed with this book.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper Stone has done it again with "Cruel Masters". There is so much intrigue, suspense, mystery, and drama. Three dominant best friends, Sebastian, Chase, and Dax, own the business Extreme and have become very successful financially through the years. Their business practices have caused fear and rumors throughout the industry. Caroline, aka Kendra or KK, has spent her entire life as an investigative reporter putting out heavy-hitting pieces against the bad guys. When these four come into contact it's explosive with a good deal of discipline to go along with all the chemistry that fills these pages. This was an amazing book that I'm proud to recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra meets three very strong alpha men when she decides to go undercover for her next story as an investigative reporter. But her plans go awry in the most interesting way. Sebastian, Chase, and Jax have been friends and business partners for a long time, and they do not tolerate deception. This is a dark, kinky, and sexy book, but if you are sensitive to a woman being disciplined this book will not be for you. But if you like a slightly dark menage this book was really well done. I enjoyed the multiple points of view in this book, because I really like knowing what each main character is thinking.

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

[Tabbatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hot and interesting

Oh I love strong, dominate and interesting men and in this book we get 3 of them! I couldn’t put this book down, I read it in one day. Sebastian, Chase, and Dax are so,e hot alpha males with some issues. Caroline aka Kendra has some issues of her own while being a strong defiant woman. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll just say that the mystery was a perfect background to this story throughout the book. It has strong discipline scenes throughout the book, I personally loved them but if you have triggers with impact discipline then be warned. Piper has wrote an amazing book yet again and I fully recommend it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get I to this book but once I did I could not put it down. Kendra, Sebastian, Dax and Chase are bound together without knowing why and their journey takes them from New York, to Chicago to Saint Tropez and back to Chicago before they finally learn the truth. Kendra is lucky to be alive and even luckier to have three hot men who love her. There is intrigue, secrets, betrayal, threats and some very steamy scenes. A great read.

[Lisa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I couldn’t put it down...
They were brought together by a twist of fate. Kendra, an investigative reporter tried to infiltrate their company. Sebastian, Chase, and Dax weren’t fooled. The beautiful, feisty redhead captured their interest now they’ve captured her...I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[R Rais · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the little mystery part of who is the enemy. How these Extreme men seems so unperfectly in their suppposedly cruel and powerfull, i like that. The way the mouse and cat's game was played, i like that.

This book is not too heavy on the intrigue. Easy on the story plot. Three times steamy. And HEA definitly.

For the main female charachter, it was said that she is a reporter who write lots of if not most of her articles on uncovering hight profile crimes. Organized crime like the mafla, bad cops, criminals behind bussinessman facade, etc. But when she goes "undercover" for Extreme, all feels like child play.
Her true identity were easy to dig. Her professionality are..non really. She was reckless, too emotional, opionated, and hot headed. She doesn't even do thorough reaserch the Extreme men before going in for her "journalisme work". İts all base on anonymous tips.
That's for me is a big flaw and contradiction on how the author want US to believe about her main female charachter.

For the charachters chemistry,
From the blurb and the cover, i got the impression this is a menage romance. But the chemistry between them four charachters are non existance for me. Oh yes the steamy scenes are hot, but their interaction, their heart connection, feels only skin deep.
Makes the steamy between them feels more like a bedroom kink where they share a woman and not a relationship. And to say, " The connection the four of us shared was deeper, as if we’d been brought together by some insane twist of fate..." is just far fetched for me.

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

[Awena Trd · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 I'm not convinced. The plot was actually well written, the smut was interesting but the love story lacking.

Read chapter 1 in its entirety before you decide to DNF the book. I almost did. And I almost did it again at 80% or so because the love story was cheesy and kinda cheap for me...

MIGHT HAVE SPOILERS AHEAD






So, the love story, in my opinion was unrealistic and kinda weird. I thought that Kendra didn't fight enough. I mean, she got kidnapped and was almost ok with that. The spice was not safe for her according to me, I mean, I get she enjoyed it but how can she trust someone when she has absolutely no way out? No safe word, no way to stop them? It can be exciting in a way but I wouldn't expect someone to fall in love with men with so little consideration (at least from her pov) - or I would call it stockholm syndrome.

I don't really get Kendra tbh. Yes, they don't want her to be harmed but she doesn't know that. And also, Sebastian falling so easily in love was too much for me.

I didn't like that we didn't get Dax's or Chase's pov. It's a reverse harem, not a couple love story.

However, I'd like to say that for the first time, I wasn't disappointed with the french dialogues (I am french). They were mostly correct and phrases were elaborate (I read some romance where there was one phrase and 3 grammar or spelling mistakes). The real big one that I noticed was the translation of "what a shame" even though "shame" is literally "honte" (as in the book) the real translation of "what a shame" is "quel dommage".

[Michelle Carey Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demanding

This is a fast paced action packed story with very edgy erotic parts. If it wasn't for the clear fantasies the lovely reporter has it would easily be a bit too much... for ladies who have forced sex fantasies this is pretty close it is plausible that the heroine of the story could be kidnapped and well Dominant men do exist who might give an opinion of spanking and sex rather than jail... But it was also clear from the start Sebastian was half in love with the strong opinionated beautiful lady who stood up to him and he would stop at nothing to possess her... As soon as the other two clearly agree about wanting her, that plane trip was inevitable. The yacht stay however seemed to be where she somewhat tamed them or at least its where they all learned to love. Yes I loved this story. Not much I could complain about really it was very entertaining and there is action with people trying to kill each other and the taming of KK although the men never really call her that. There are several of Piper Stone's books I kinda wish she would pop in a character or two from her other stories... not to continue their stories as much... it would be fun to see these four pop up as an investor or a guest somewhere in another completely different story... maybe that gentleman's club in passing with another Dominant man or men... I have yet to read her series of mafia romances but I will as she is one of my favourite authors in this type of romance.

[Ragu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra an undercover investigative reporter is out to expose and destroy three billionaire men Sebastian, Chase and Dax along with their highly successful company Extreme Incorporated mainly from an anonymous tip mainly because of how they conduct business. So you have three dominant males and one very strong willed and sassy, dirty mouthed female and all of them packing around their own secrets. It doesn’t take long for Sebastian to figure out that Kendra is lying but he can’t figure out what her deal is...so the three pretty kidnap her, take her out of the country thinking they can get answers out of her. Kendra and Sebastians pasts start to come apart and they discover some connections. Be prepared for mystery, secrets, intrigue, deception, lies, murder, on the edge of your chair suspense, passion and off the chart chemistry times four! This story is without a doubt a page turner, very difficult to put down. I definitely recommend. I have read many of this authors works and believe me I don’t hesitate to pick up any of her books, I truly enjoy her stories. If this is your choice of genre I don’t think you would be disappointed. I received an Advance Reader's Copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Donna Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Customer Review
Donna L
5.0 out of 5 stars Scintillating and Sinful
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2021
This was an uncompromising relationship by anyone's standards, but it
worked so well with these characters. Three powerful, dominant,angry
formidable, dangerous men.Sexual predators with dark desires.They
were in control at all times in their business dealings and in the bedroom.
Throw into the mix one defiant reporter who is on a journey to infiltrate
and expose the men with a story of a lifetime.

Kendra’s ( Caroline ) efforts to expose Sebastian, Chase, and Dax backfire in
a big way, and I do mean a big way. The men were suspicious of Kendra from
the start and dealt with her deception by taking a firm hand or belt to her
backside. They demanded her submission and obedience. Were they every
girl's dream, or were they her worst nightmare? She had fallen into their trap.

This book was erotic, sensual, and taboo. Ms.Piper tantalized her readers with
a story filled with mystery, secrets, and a tale of revenge and redemption.This
was one hot as hell forage into an unconventual relationship.

I received a free copy of this book and this review was left voluntarily.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I struggled to read the first quarter of this book, I am glad I continued to the end. It drove me crazy how many times the words “I Own You” are said in the beginning of the story. But at least they stopped saying it after the first few chapters.
All of the characters are well developed, but most of the focus is on Kendra and Sebastian. The other two men, Dax and Chase are almost secondary characters. There is definitely a lot of dubious consent between the characters, as well as emotional manipulation and threats. The sexy scenes are hot, it’s all about her and no swords cross in this book.
There are a few laugh out loud moments, but this is a dark story about revenge and settling old debts. The twists and turns of the story kept me guessing about most of the mystery, and the book has a very satisfying ending.
If you like your men powerful, brutal and commanding in a story that includes threats, violence, dubious consent, and lots of spanking (and other physical punishment), you will really enjoy this book.

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

[Bam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastian, Chase & Dax are drawn in by Kendra’s feisty take no prisoners attitude as she defies them over and over earning her a blazing backside that leaves her aching for release. The trio are considered ruthless business men and when they find out Kendra’s been lying to them, she’ll learn just how rough these men can be as she unleashes their inner beasts. With their business deals falling apart, the men are on high alert as the threats keep inching closer pushing them to stay close to Kendra at all times to keep her safe. As Kendra gets to know the men behind the masks, she can’t deny her growing feelings for them & she’ll soon find out just how connected they are as demons from their past are out for blood. Kendra has been surrounded by secrets from a young age but secrets can kill as a ghost from her past is ready to get their revenge that has been years in the making. Sebastian, Chase & Dax know Kendra is the only one for them and with her life on the line, will they be able to reach her before it’s too late?

I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coastie Mom]

Piper Stone continues to amaze me with her stories. I could not put this down once I started reading it. This is the story of Sebastian, Dax, Chance and Kendra (Caroline). Caroline is a reporter who is trying to bring down the men who own Extreme, She is beautiful, feisty and will go to just about any lengths to get her story and destroy these men. Sebastian, Dax and Chance are 3 men who have been friends for a long time and although their business practices come into question, they have another side to them that no one gets to see. When the 3 figure out Kendra is lying to them, they take matters into their own hands to “break” her as each one is attracted to her and think she is the “one”.

There is suspense, mystery, secrets, deception, lies, passion, chemistry and a bond like no other. Piper Stone has a way of drawing you into her stories and you can almost imagine yourself being right there. I look forward to reading more from her. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy through Booksprout ARC’s for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out hard right away. I was floored. Mouth open, heart racing. Like wth was going on. Lol. That first scene set the tone for the entire book and I can't say that I liked it. Right off the bat I hated Sebastian. Now there was a small part of me that loved the dominating strength of him but more of me was embarrassed and disgusted. By his actions but also by how Kendra acted.

One thing that I hate in books is women being lead by their 🐱 instead of their head. I want the MFC to fight. To hold out. Not to succumb to her desires right away because she just can't help it. No matter how kinky she is.

Degradation and punishment kinks are fine but this book just didn't have the consent. They forced her almost all the way through it and then she fell in love with them. This is not how these kinks work. Trust is huge and they did not show her to trust them from the beginning. I think that's my biggest problem with this.

With that being said, the book was well written, the plot was good. And I did like the spiciness of this book. It was 🥵🥵🥵.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three men and one woman, every girls dream right? These men are known to be ruthless businessmen...Caroline (Kendra) is out for a story that will get her recognition as an undercover reporter...she is hoping to find something by going inside to take the men down once and for all...she has done what research she can and honed her cover story so as much as possible is the truth...but Sebastian feels that she is hiding something and wants to get to the root of his uneasiness about her - among other things that he wants...he brings his partners up to date on her and they all agree there is something there...maybe not all business, but mixing it with pleasure will make it all the better for the men...

Can Caroline survive what they have in mind for her...? What will happen if/when they find out Caroline isn't quite who she says she is...?

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

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much steam !! 7☆There is so much steam my glasses fogged up within two pages. Forgetting she is female and only associating with beta males in her desire to be thought of as 'equal' Kendra has no idea what to do when she meets a real man, actually three, that want her. Dominant, controlling and totally gorgeous the men of Extreme know what they want. From their first meeting Sebastian decides he will take her. Primal passions are unleashed as her body instantly betrays her, reacting to his dominance. His pet will be shared with Dax and Chase as they teach her to be all woman, female.
There is a good background story but the three men are the stars as they unleash their darkest desires on the willing Kendra.

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

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a snippet of it and made me curious enough to find out what was that about. I got more than what was expected. This was the best book I've read from this author so far. I was hooked from start to finish. There were intense emotions, mystery, an unknown enemy who was out for revenged and love between our Kendra and his men, Sebastian, Dax and Chase. Of course, there were hot scenes too. Sebastian, Dax and Chase were cruel. In a cut throat business, it was expected but when it comes to the woman they began to love, they were even more ruthless to protect her from their enemies.

I never could guess how the ending would go, except for the part that she would fell in love with all her men, but when the truth was revealed, it was unexpected but well done.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastian, Chase, and Dax are strong angry alphas that run Extreme, Inc. Kendra is a journalist that is undercover and trying to bring down the big bad company that rumors to have mafia ties. The characters are strong and determined, especially Kendra. They have me their match, in more ways than one. What starts off as fierce attraction for the four, soon becomes intense feelings and emotions. Suspense builds as they have all been targeted by Gabriel, who manages to get under their skin quite often. Loved the bond that forms between the four main characters and the compassion they share for each other. Control and protection is strong and has helped them survive so far. Need to read this again, to catch things I may have missed the first time.

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

[Knight Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will not be for everyone as there are graphic sex scenes and paddling that are not always totally consensual. Kendra Sheffield a reporter goes undercover trying to discover the true business practices of Extreme. She meets Sebastian Randolph first, but he realizes immediately that her story does not ring true. That she was lying about what she doing there. He and his two partners, Chase Cutter and Dax Moore invite her to a Gentlemen's Club, where they get down to business. What none of the four know, they are someone else's pawns in a sick game to destroy them all and everything they built. This story will take you from Chicago to France and back to Chicago with edge of of your chair mystery and intrigue.

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

[Lisa peacock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once again, anticlimactic, slow, not very good, read at your own peril

I don't know what's wrong. With this author she has the ability to be relieve raide, but all of her books, whether it's because of her time or whatever, it's not long enough for her to actually develop the characters or the story. I just don't know. This is like the third book I've read of hers. I will not be purchasing another one. None of them have been any good. They're slow as hell. Boring. It's more like it, not slow, just boring. The endings are all anticlimactic, and in this book she just flat was lazy and only did too points of view one from the hero, even though it was supposed to be A. Reverse harem The other 2 didn't have a problem. Pov, so it was just one of the heroes in 1 heroin, right? I did not like this book at all. Read at your own peril.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is sizzling. Kendra thinks she is going to take down three powerful businessmen. They have more connections than she does and quickly figure out her game. There are other strings being pulled in this story that intertwine Sebastian, Dax, Chase and Kendra. The mystery and intrigue that wind through this story makes it a great read. Of course, the sizzling chemistry between Kendra and her men is surface of the sun hot. As this story progresses all the men start to open up to Kendra. Kendra also shares more with them than she has anyone else. Read this scorching romance to see Kendra, Sebastian, Chase and Dax find a home for their hearts.

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

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

One young woman against the three strict Alpha's of Extreme....this one is sizzling

Cruel Masters is a fast-paced RH story about Kendra/Caroline and Chase, Dex and Sebastian. Be warned that the beginning of this story plunges you into something that you may not want to continue reading but if you stay with it then the story settles down and gets exciting as their is a mystery and secrets and a whole lot of hot, sexy and strong chemistry between the four of them.

If you have read a Piper Stone book before then you know there may be triggers as there is always strong discipline and some dub/con. But they are always super hot if you like reading this and Cruel Masters has that and a whole lot more in spades.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine goes undercover, but that doesn't last long. Now they are going to break her and make her theirs. But is anything really that simple?

This is a dark romance story, something which this author is rather good at. I found the story to be well written and rather intense, with lots of twists and turns to the plot which kept me wondering where things were going. All throughout we are treated to multiple steamy scenes in different combinations. I found this one to be highly engaging and truly hard to put down. Overall, another highly enjoyable story and I look forward to the author's next efforts.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[DD11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. The start of it almost had me DNFing. The beginning is very out there and kinda shocking. Then it slowed and the story proceeded. There is a tad of dubious consent. Again just because someone has a orgasm doesn’t mean they wanted it, that is physical response.

The plot was intriguing and hard to figure out. The way they were tied together was a tad thin but good. You got everyone’s background story that helped you understand their actions. Kendra didn’t thrill me and her view was very narrow about the guys business.

Hot MMMF and MF sex. Melt your reading device.

Received a copy from BookSprout for an honest review