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Masters of the Shadowlands #13
The Effing List
Let’s liven up our marriage. It’ll be fun.
Then her husband brought two slaves into the house.
That was the end of that.
Divorce achieved, Valerie is working on her goals.
has a new one. little muscles! in the black.
Friskiness? Total. Effing. Fail.
So she attends the notorious Shadowlands Club’s open house. There, a sadistic Dom—a fellow professor—teaches her that she loves pain with her pleasure. He wants to show her more.
Despite the razor edges of his hard face and the authority in his every word, he’s careful and caring. He listens, and how tempting is that?
But she knows better. Her heart is off limits.
Retired Special Forces colonel, Ghost has been a widower for long enough.
Although he’s ready to love again, the generous, caring woman he desires has scars from her past. However, he has hard-won skills, enough to show Valerie there can be a new F on her list—fulfillment.
Life looks good. Until his past surfaces, shattering his new life and the love he’d hoped to win.
Then her husband brought two slaves into the house.
That was the end of that.
Divorce achieved, Valerie is working on her goals.
has a new one. little muscles! in the black.
Friskiness? Total. Effing. Fail.
So she attends the notorious Shadowlands Club’s open house. There, a sadistic Dom—a fellow professor—teaches her that she loves pain with her pleasure. He wants to show her more.
Despite the razor edges of his hard face and the authority in his every word, he’s careful and caring. He listens, and how tempting is that?
But she knows better. Her heart is off limits.
Retired Special Forces colonel, Ghost has been a widower for long enough.
Although he’s ready to love again, the generous, caring woman he desires has scars from her past. However, he has hard-won skills, enough to show Valerie there can be a new F on her list—fulfillment.
Life looks good. Until his past surfaces, shattering his new life and the love he’d hoped to win.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
397 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read
About the author
Cherise Sinclair
64 books8,319 followersA New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s renowned for writing heart-wrenching romances with laugh-out-loud dialogue, alpha males, and absolutely sizzling sex.
I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually since he stood over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although we were together less than two days and lived on opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.
We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)
Nowadays, I live in the west with this obnoxious, beloved husband and a seventy-pound lap-puppy. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, collecting eggs from the chickens, and visiting the local brewery for the darkest, maltiest beer on tap. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading my books, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires.
I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually since he stood over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although we were together less than two days and lived on opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.
We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)
Nowadays, I live in the west with this obnoxious, beloved husband and a seventy-pound lap-puppy. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, collecting eggs from the chickens, and visiting the local brewery for the darkest, maltiest beer on tap. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading my books, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
June 17, 2021
3.5 STARS
Overall I really enjoyed my time back at The Shadowlands. I loved seeing more of all my favorite Masters and Shadowkittens!
If you're familiar with the series, this one is for you, however I wouldn't really recommend it as a gateway to Ms Sinclair's work.
I loved Valerie and Ghost together. Always a pleasure to get mature characters in romance or erotica and the author makes it a point to showcase this particular aspect in her books, especially in this one, with the heroine finally putting herself first at the age of 50.
I could have done without the over the top villains, I had to remind myself this wasn't a prop for the next Jerry Springer show or whatever else reality trash tv show. Even the confrontational scene with Valerie's children at the end had me rolling my eyes, it was unimaginative and a rushed resolution of so many chapters witnessing her ex husband and slaves putting her down.
My critical brain also had a hard time believing the state of affairs at the club and the reason behind it. After all it's been 15 books now we've been told Master Z is so astute, insightful and sentient yet he cleared a smarmy manager before flying off to Europe for family matters? Why not delegate club matters to trusting Masters instead of a stranger? That seemed odd and out of character and felt like poor plotting to me.
As always, I'm looking forwrd to the next book, which looks like is set to be Saxon story.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Overall I really enjoyed my time back at The Shadowlands. I loved seeing more of all my favorite Masters and Shadowkittens!
If you're familiar with the series, this one is for you, however I wouldn't really recommend it as a gateway to Ms Sinclair's work.
I loved Valerie and Ghost together. Always a pleasure to get mature characters in romance or erotica and the author makes it a point to showcase this particular aspect in her books, especially in this one, with the heroine finally putting herself first at the age of 50.
I could have done without the over the top villains, I had to remind myself this wasn't a prop for the next Jerry Springer show or whatever else reality trash tv show. Even the confrontational scene with Valerie's children at the end had me rolling my eyes, it was unimaginative and a rushed resolution of so many chapters witnessing her ex husband and slaves putting her down.
My critical brain also had a hard time believing the state of affairs at the club and the reason behind it. After all it's been 15 books now we've been told Master Z is so astute, insightful and sentient yet he cleared a smarmy manager before flying off to Europe for family matters? Why not delegate club matters to trusting Masters instead of a stranger? That seemed odd and out of character and felt like poor plotting to me.
As always, I'm looking forwrd to the next book, which looks like is set to be Saxon story.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
September 22, 2024
This is the fourteenth entry in the series set in the upscale BDSM club Shadowlands. While the MC meet for the first time here, many couples from previous books make lengthy appearances so I'm not entirely sure this works as a standalone.
Here we get Valerie and "Ghost," two professors who find themselves single in middle-age. She's a relatively inexperienced masochist eager to learn; he's a very experienced sadist eager to teach her. All should go swimmingly -- if Valerie could only let go of her painful past.
Those who enjoy consensual BDSM scenes that aren't too harsh will probably like this. Both Valerie and Finn are appealing, and I enjoyed watching the former gain confidence. It was also nice to see an older couple since this genre usually features h's who are barely post-pubescent.
That said, some narrative and structural choices affected my enjoyment. Valerie and Finn were so perfect that there was little dramatic tension. Perhaps realizing this, the author throws in so many secondary lines of action (Olivia and Natalia, Jessica's , management problems at the club) that they overwhelm the MC. Since my personal preference is not for the "it takes a village" approach to a romantic plot, I skimmed most of the scenes that didn't include Valerie and Ghost.
In addition, the characterizations were weak and unsubtle. While the H and h were sympathetic, most of the defining moments in their lives have already happened (her divorce and book; his losses and military service); thus, I didn't particularly find them that interesting here. And other characters were so stereotypically villainous that they might as well have been twirling mustaches and laughing evily. Ultimately, they beg disbelief. Would the supposedly intelligent and vigilant Z really have left his club in the hands of an incompetent pedophile? Just what did Valerie ever see in Barry? Would anyone's parents really behave as, well, pretty much everyone's did? And don't even get me started on what happened between Olivia and her submissive.
I did appreciate the diversity in representation, and the (very timely) themes of acceptance of ones' self and others. And I really appreciated that Ghost's prosthesis never made him feel "less than" since so many authors write abled narratives featuring characters with disabilities who are filled with self-loathing. I also realize that fans of this series will enjoy the multiple group bonding scenes. I, however, need a much stronger connection to and investment in the main couple than I got here.
3 1/2 stars. Saxon will probably get the next book. As always, I appreciated Ms. Sinclair's disclaimer regarding BDSM at the beginning and wish more generic authors included one.
Here we get Valerie and "Ghost," two professors who find themselves single in middle-age. She's a relatively inexperienced masochist eager to learn; he's a very experienced sadist eager to teach her. All should go swimmingly -- if Valerie could only let go of her painful past.
Those who enjoy consensual BDSM scenes that aren't too harsh will probably like this. Both Valerie and Finn are appealing, and I enjoyed watching the former gain confidence. It was also nice to see an older couple since this genre usually features h's who are barely post-pubescent.
That said, some narrative and structural choices affected my enjoyment. Valerie and Finn were so perfect that there was little dramatic tension. Perhaps realizing this, the author throws in so many secondary lines of action (Olivia and Natalia, Jessica's , management problems at the club) that they overwhelm the MC. Since my personal preference is not for the "it takes a village" approach to a romantic plot, I skimmed most of the scenes that didn't include Valerie and Ghost.
In addition, the characterizations were weak and unsubtle. While the H and h were sympathetic, most of the defining moments in their lives have already happened (her divorce and book; his losses and military service); thus, I didn't particularly find them that interesting here. And other characters were so stereotypically villainous that they might as well have been twirling mustaches and laughing evily. Ultimately, they beg disbelief. Would the supposedly intelligent and vigilant Z really have left his club in the hands of an incompetent pedophile? Just what did Valerie ever see in Barry? Would anyone's parents really behave as, well, pretty much everyone's did? And don't even get me started on what happened between Olivia and her submissive.
I did appreciate the diversity in representation, and the (very timely) themes of acceptance of ones' self and others. And I really appreciated that Ghost's prosthesis never made him feel "less than" since so many authors write abled narratives featuring characters with disabilities who are filled with self-loathing. I also realize that fans of this series will enjoy the multiple group bonding scenes. I, however, need a much stronger connection to and investment in the main couple than I got here.
3 1/2 stars. Saxon will probably get the next book. As always, I appreciated Ms. Sinclair's disclaimer regarding BDSM at the beginning and wish more generic authors included one.
April 9, 2024
Cherise’s Shadowlands is a place i call home,and i love returning there time and time again.
Only this time someone has sabotaged my home,and tried to make it a cheap and unsafe place….
Good thing the Masters and their kittens are returning from their busy lives to restore order.
And just in time for newbie Valerie to meet Ghost,one of the Shadowlands Masters.
Valerie has had enough. Sure,it was a good plan to spice up their married life.
But for Barry to bring in slaves,instead of trying out her idea of fun?
That’s where she draws the line,especially when both slaves are vicious towards her and Barry does nothing to support her.
Her new life needs a little fun,so when her colleage professor suggests they attend the freebies night at Shadowlands,she accepts.
Not knowing this would change her life,yet again….
Because the man she meets there,is not only a professor at the same university she is,but he’s also one of the Masters of Shadowlands.
And to top it all,he’s a sadist that sees exactly what she needs…..
Finn was intrigued by Valerie from the moment they bumped into eachother at that restaurant.
And finding her wandering around Shadowlands made him sit up and pay attention even more.
The fact she enjoyed pain made his sadist heart happy,and he wanted to find out how far she’d go.
The more he found out,the more he liked her,and he started hoping for a future…..
In the meantime,the Masters cleaned up Shadowlands,removing bad apples that the new management allowed in.
When Z and Jessica returned home,Ghost was appointed as the new manager and found he had a new place to live…above Shadowlands.
Only,the ones thrown out didn’t like what was happening and made plans to have him removed.
Valerie liked Ghost,she really did,and she started thinking of a future together.
But how to tell her children…..
And what to do with the stunning reactions she ended up getting?
Didn’t she deserve a life?
I loved Valerie and Ghost’s story!
A mature couple,knowing what they want,and ready to fight for it.
And inbetween,catching up with the other Masters and their kittens was such a treat!
The way they all helped Natalie get her Mistress back,só beautiful!
A real family….one i’d love to be part off.
And i know Z has plans for Saxon,plans i’m looking forward to!
Only this time someone has sabotaged my home,and tried to make it a cheap and unsafe place….
Good thing the Masters and their kittens are returning from their busy lives to restore order.
And just in time for newbie Valerie to meet Ghost,one of the Shadowlands Masters.
Valerie has had enough. Sure,it was a good plan to spice up their married life.
But for Barry to bring in slaves,instead of trying out her idea of fun?
That’s where she draws the line,especially when both slaves are vicious towards her and Barry does nothing to support her.
Her new life needs a little fun,so when her colleage professor suggests they attend the freebies night at Shadowlands,she accepts.
Not knowing this would change her life,yet again….
Because the man she meets there,is not only a professor at the same university she is,but he’s also one of the Masters of Shadowlands.
And to top it all,he’s a sadist that sees exactly what she needs…..
Finn was intrigued by Valerie from the moment they bumped into eachother at that restaurant.
And finding her wandering around Shadowlands made him sit up and pay attention even more.
The fact she enjoyed pain made his sadist heart happy,and he wanted to find out how far she’d go.
The more he found out,the more he liked her,and he started hoping for a future…..
In the meantime,the Masters cleaned up Shadowlands,removing bad apples that the new management allowed in.
When Z and Jessica returned home,Ghost was appointed as the new manager and found he had a new place to live…above Shadowlands.
Only,the ones thrown out didn’t like what was happening and made plans to have him removed.
Valerie liked Ghost,she really did,and she started thinking of a future together.
But how to tell her children…..
And what to do with the stunning reactions she ended up getting?
Didn’t she deserve a life?
I loved Valerie and Ghost’s story!
A mature couple,knowing what they want,and ready to fight for it.
And inbetween,catching up with the other Masters and their kittens was such a treat!
The way they all helped Natalie get her Mistress back,só beautiful!
A real family….one i’d love to be part off.
And i know Z has plans for Saxon,plans i’m looking forward to!
June 29, 2021
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I'm a huge fan of this series and I honestly don't think I'll ever get enough of the Shadowlands but I do have to say this book was a little disappointing. Maybe I went into it with a different story in mind since I've been dying for Ghost to get a book.
One of my biggest issues was the state of the club after so many books, all of the scenes involving that and the Masters felt like it took away from Ghost and Valerie and left me wanting more of them. It also took away that fun and entertaining quality the previous books had when it came to the club. Now instead of getting to enjoy all the parties, scenes, and side characters in the club we had drama, discourse, and some sketchy characters to deal with.
Then we had scenes with Olivia and Natalie were thrown on and it just felt like yet another thing that was distracting away from the actual main characters. I would actually love to see a story featuring Olivia but in her own book/novella not intertwined into another characters story.
Overall, I still enjoyed reading this book and this series will always be a go to for me. I'm also really excited to see what will come next for the club even if as whole it disappointed me in this book.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I'm a huge fan of this series and I honestly don't think I'll ever get enough of the Shadowlands but I do have to say this book was a little disappointing. Maybe I went into it with a different story in mind since I've been dying for Ghost to get a book.
One of my biggest issues was the state of the club after so many books, all of the scenes involving that and the Masters felt like it took away from Ghost and Valerie and left me wanting more of them. It also took away that fun and entertaining quality the previous books had when it came to the club. Now instead of getting to enjoy all the parties, scenes, and side characters in the club we had drama, discourse, and some sketchy characters to deal with.
Then we had scenes with Olivia and Natalie were thrown on and it just felt like yet another thing that was distracting away from the actual main characters. I would actually love to see a story featuring Olivia but in her own book/novella not intertwined into another characters story.
Overall, I still enjoyed reading this book and this series will always be a go to for me. I'm also really excited to see what will come next for the club even if as whole it disappointed me in this book.
June 10, 2021
When I think I read the best story from Cherise Sinclair, I discover I am wrong. Again.
This S/m romance with 50+ heroes is exactly what every mature woman needs to read. I am so very very tired of 25 virgin girl or just even young women heroine with no backbone or experience. Mostly portrayed as victims and nonetheless to say about the hero always on the macho borderline “saving” the young heroine. Read this so many times that it is discouraging.
Not happening with Cherise Sinclair and especially The Effing List.
Reading a Shadowlands stand alone story is like returning home after months of traveling. You know you’ll be happy reading from beginning to end of the story.
Both heroes are lovable. The story believable. The story perfectly developed in 400+ pages. The writing, a pleasure. Everything a delight!
Cherise Sinclair gives us with the Shadowlands series a great view of different aspects of the lifestyle such domination from soft to hard, masochist, Menages, sex trafficking, war survivors, emotional broken heroes, etc. Each character has a past that we can relate and or understand. What makes this series unique is the understanding that we can meet any of the characters in real life because they are all credible. That is so very special. And Cherise Sinclair never stop surprising me finding new characters, new backgrounds.
Adding life inside the BDSM club but also life outside makes each story special. They are more intimate, we know the characters better (multiple POV sure helps). Each character becomes more defined, more understood, more lovable.
I have a soft spot with this series. Not serial. Each book is a HEA stand alone, not a story dragged for months before you get your happy ending. Each book has different main characters heroes but all become secondaries characters which gives us a nice follow up on their relationship, especially kids. So here no frustration to wait the epilogues. YAY! Lots of emotions also stirred through the stories, tears and laughs. Cherise Sinclair truly master her writing.
Many mature women will recognize themselves in The Effing List, even if they are not into BDSM. I so very enjoyed all the spanking sex scenes that the author wrote. Not being a masochist, I understand a bit better the complexity of a D/s S/m relationship. Although it was of course very romanced of course.
Anyway. I am privileged to have received an ARC and it is so easy to recommend this book which will be available on June 15, 2021.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Hands down!
This S/m romance with 50+ heroes is exactly what every mature woman needs to read. I am so very very tired of 25 virgin girl or just even young women heroine with no backbone or experience. Mostly portrayed as victims and nonetheless to say about the hero always on the macho borderline “saving” the young heroine. Read this so many times that it is discouraging.
Not happening with Cherise Sinclair and especially The Effing List.
Reading a Shadowlands stand alone story is like returning home after months of traveling. You know you’ll be happy reading from beginning to end of the story.
Both heroes are lovable. The story believable. The story perfectly developed in 400+ pages. The writing, a pleasure. Everything a delight!
Cherise Sinclair gives us with the Shadowlands series a great view of different aspects of the lifestyle such domination from soft to hard, masochist, Menages, sex trafficking, war survivors, emotional broken heroes, etc. Each character has a past that we can relate and or understand. What makes this series unique is the understanding that we can meet any of the characters in real life because they are all credible. That is so very special. And Cherise Sinclair never stop surprising me finding new characters, new backgrounds.
Adding life inside the BDSM club but also life outside makes each story special. They are more intimate, we know the characters better (multiple POV sure helps). Each character becomes more defined, more understood, more lovable.
I have a soft spot with this series. Not serial. Each book is a HEA stand alone, not a story dragged for months before you get your happy ending. Each book has different main characters heroes but all become secondaries characters which gives us a nice follow up on their relationship, especially kids. So here no frustration to wait the epilogues. YAY! Lots of emotions also stirred through the stories, tears and laughs. Cherise Sinclair truly master her writing.
Many mature women will recognize themselves in The Effing List, even if they are not into BDSM. I so very enjoyed all the spanking sex scenes that the author wrote. Not being a masochist, I understand a bit better the complexity of a D/s S/m relationship. Although it was of course very romanced of course.
Anyway. I am privileged to have received an ARC and it is so easy to recommend this book which will be available on June 15, 2021.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Hands down!
June 20, 2021
Quick(ish) Review
Cherise Sinclair will always have a sentimental place in my reading heart, since she’s one of the very first BDSM books I’d ever read. She’s always advocated for Safe,sane, and consensual, and her found family is diverse and adorable, in the best kinky way possible.
So this book is a trip down memory lane, as just about every couple in the Shadowlands makes an appearance. You get to see everyone’s ongoing HEA and the group scenes are fun.
Among the things I really liked is seeing an older couple (both Valerie and Ghost are in their fifties) and their sex scenes are pretty fire. What I struggled more with was the secondary romance, which is F/f and I would have loved to see more of. For all the explicit m/f scenes, the queer rep was practically PG, which is a shame. Also, the dependency on the completely horrible ex or gross misogynist trope is a little tired, since it’s in every book.
Overall, I liked more than disliked this book, I���m curious about the next book and while I don’t know if there’s much more to explore in this corner of her ‘verse, I’ll probably check it out.
Cherise Sinclair will always have a sentimental place in my reading heart, since she’s one of the very first BDSM books I’d ever read. She’s always advocated for Safe,sane, and consensual, and her found family is diverse and adorable, in the best kinky way possible.
So this book is a trip down memory lane, as just about every couple in the Shadowlands makes an appearance. You get to see everyone’s ongoing HEA and the group scenes are fun.
Among the things I really liked is seeing an older couple (both Valerie and Ghost are in their fifties) and their sex scenes are pretty fire. What I struggled more with was the secondary romance, which is F/f and I would have loved to see more of. For all the explicit m/f scenes, the queer rep was practically PG, which is a shame. Also, the dependency on the completely horrible ex or gross misogynist trope is a little tired, since it’s in every book.
Overall, I liked more than disliked this book, I���m curious about the next book and while I don’t know if there’s much more to explore in this corner of her ‘verse, I’ll probably check it out.
June 15, 2021
Cherise Sinclair is an auto-buy for me, and this book is a perfect example of why. Despite the fact that the world she creates is alien to me-sadist and masochist-she makes me care about the characters and makes me feel good at the end.
Valerie Winborne-professor, author, submissive and masochist, is a warm, motherly woman who is still recovering from a divorce from her husband of many years. This is one of the places where she and I diverged-she let her husband move in not one but two additional women to serve him, and let Valerie support all four of them. When they started running her down together, Valerie got her act together and left-I would have left with the first one, the first day.
Ghost, aka Finlay Blackwood, is a professor, a sadist, a Dom, and a Master at the Shadowlands BDSM Club. He is recovering from the loss of his wife to cancer four years ago, and when he comes across the beautiful masochist whose kinks and intelligence match his, he decides she will be his. But Ghost has his own secrets and when they come back to haunt him, can Valerie overcome the problems that come with those secrets? And can she overcome the issues of both her past and present to accept a relationship with the honorable Dom?
The book also features a secondary love story-Mistress Olivia has thrown out her submissive, Natalia, because someone else managed to force them apart. Can they overcome the interference of a malicious woman? And finally, can the Shadowlands survive the damage done when Z hires a manager who has no scruples and no managerial ability?
We get to meet all the characters from previous books in the series-and other series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but is more enjoyable if you know the characters from previous books.
I loved both Ghost and Valerie and the roller coaster ride of emotions the author evoked. As usual, this is a five-star read.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Valerie Winborne-professor, author, submissive and masochist, is a warm, motherly woman who is still recovering from a divorce from her husband of many years. This is one of the places where she and I diverged-she let her husband move in not one but two additional women to serve him, and let Valerie support all four of them. When they started running her down together, Valerie got her act together and left-I would have left with the first one, the first day.
Ghost, aka Finlay Blackwood, is a professor, a sadist, a Dom, and a Master at the Shadowlands BDSM Club. He is recovering from the loss of his wife to cancer four years ago, and when he comes across the beautiful masochist whose kinks and intelligence match his, he decides she will be his. But Ghost has his own secrets and when they come back to haunt him, can Valerie overcome the problems that come with those secrets? And can she overcome the issues of both her past and present to accept a relationship with the honorable Dom?
The book also features a secondary love story-Mistress Olivia has thrown out her submissive, Natalia, because someone else managed to force them apart. Can they overcome the interference of a malicious woman? And finally, can the Shadowlands survive the damage done when Z hires a manager who has no scruples and no managerial ability?
We get to meet all the characters from previous books in the series-and other series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but is more enjoyable if you know the characters from previous books.
I loved both Ghost and Valerie and the roller coaster ride of emotions the author evoked. As usual, this is a five-star read.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
June 4, 2021
Over the past fourteen books there has been quite the evolution of the Shadowlands, its Doms and their subbies. With each book the author has also expanded on the stories giving us well rounded stories that not only include the BDSM lifestyle but also their lives outside of the club and a wide range of personal issues from abuse, sex trafficking, amputees and so much more.
When you can still be surprised by what the author comes up with this far into a series is a credit to her talent. I was shocked by the state of things at the beginning of the book. Not wanting to give to much away but I couldn't believe what was happening at our beloved Shadowlands. Something else I loved was that we got another story of two people in their early 50's. There were side stories of other characters which just enriched the book all the more.
When you can still be surprised by what the author comes up with this far into a series is a credit to her talent. I was shocked by the state of things at the beginning of the book. Not wanting to give to much away but I couldn't believe what was happening at our beloved Shadowlands. Something else I loved was that we got another story of two people in their early 50's. There were side stories of other characters which just enriched the book all the more.
June 16, 2021
This book was good, but not my favorite by this author. There was a lot going on in this book, and honestly, it seemed to be a little too much at times. While I normally commend this author because she's able to give updates to previous characters and introduce us to new characters by making it blend in with the current storyline, rather than take away from the main story, she didn't do that in this book. There was a good portion of this book dedicated to I guess what you can call a secondary main character/couple. And don't get me wrong, it was interesting, I was involved in the story and it probably wasn't enough to earn it's own novella, so I understand the reasoning behind giving them their own POV chapters having little to nothing to do with the main story, but it did pull me out of the main story.
Additionally, the whole part of the club issues was so out of left field for me. I find it hard to believe that Master Z, who for the last 13 books, has been so very conscientious in regards to who enters the club, the requirements, the education required, etc, would just hire someone like Wrecker. I mean, not one of the what, 15, 16 other masters or even some of the subs could vet this guy and take turns of the course of what, a couple of months of weekends to make sure everything was OK? It was very out of character and jarring.
As for the actual main characters of the book, Valerie and Ghost, I did like them. I liked their back stories. I liked their interactions with each other. I liked that they were individuals, and weren't dependent on each other.
Will I reread this book? Probably not. Will I read more from this author? Definitely.
On a side note, the guy on the cover reminds me of a cross between Shane McMahon of the WWE and Sylvester Stallone. It was very difficult to not imagine him speaking like Rocky, and in the fight scene, it was just a wrestling match in my head, lol.
Additionally, the whole part of the club issues was so out of left field for me. I find it hard to believe that Master Z, who for the last 13 books, has been so very conscientious in regards to who enters the club, the requirements, the education required, etc, would just hire someone like Wrecker. I mean, not one of the what, 15, 16 other masters or even some of the subs could vet this guy and take turns of the course of what, a couple of months of weekends to make sure everything was OK? It was very out of character and jarring.
As for the actual main characters of the book, Valerie and Ghost, I did like them. I liked their back stories. I liked their interactions with each other. I liked that they were individuals, and weren't dependent on each other.
Will I reread this book? Probably not. Will I read more from this author? Definitely.
On a side note, the guy on the cover reminds me of a cross between Shane McMahon of the WWE and Sylvester Stallone. It was very difficult to not imagine him speaking like Rocky, and in the fight scene, it was just a wrestling match in my head, lol.
June 17, 2021
Perfect!
Cherise is one of my favorites and hee latest. the Effing List is perfect. I close to age as the main couple so it thrills me when I can relate. I loved getting to know Fin on a deeper level. The pair had some struggles but were adult enough to show support and strength when needed.
Cherise is one of my favorites and hee latest. the Effing List is perfect. I close to age as the main couple so it thrills me when I can relate. I loved getting to know Fin on a deeper level. The pair had some struggles but were adult enough to show support and strength when needed.
June 18, 2021
No one is more surprised than I am with giving a Cherise Sinclair book a mere 2 stars. Did I like this book? Yes I did. Why only 2 stars you ask?
I don’t enjoy books where the characters are so nice as to not be believable. Valerie seemed to be the perfect mother to her children while raising them - even never letting them see who their father really was. She comes to the aid of any and everyone at all times no matter the circumstance even if harm may come her way. While going through horrible things in her marriage she continued to cook and clean and be the overall caregiver — to two grown women! Sorry but that is just not believable for me. I like characters who are more realistic and flawed. Do people like this really even exist? If so I haven’t met any (hell, maybe I’m not hanging around the right people).
Ultimately I did like this book. It always thrills me to see what the masters and their subs are up to and see their changing relationships as they continue along their life paths.
Enjoyed the Colonel’s character; he’s the typical type of Dom that Cherise pens so well. He too is a bit too perfect and too knowledgable about everything it seemed.
If you love this series like I do then this one is worth reading.
I don’t enjoy books where the characters are so nice as to not be believable. Valerie seemed to be the perfect mother to her children while raising them - even never letting them see who their father really was. She comes to the aid of any and everyone at all times no matter the circumstance even if harm may come her way. While going through horrible things in her marriage she continued to cook and clean and be the overall caregiver — to two grown women! Sorry but that is just not believable for me. I like characters who are more realistic and flawed. Do people like this really even exist? If so I haven’t met any (hell, maybe I’m not hanging around the right people).
Ultimately I did like this book. It always thrills me to see what the masters and their subs are up to and see their changing relationships as they continue along their life paths.
Enjoyed the Colonel’s character; he’s the typical type of Dom that Cherise pens so well. He too is a bit too perfect and too knowledgable about everything it seemed.
If you love this series like I do then this one is worth reading.
September 15, 2022
I have been waiting for Ghost’s story! I was not disappointed in Ghost’s back story knew there was something interesting that happened with the few hints given. Loved the reference to the club Chains.
To me Natalia and Olivia should have had their own story even a novella instead of intertwining with this story - when did Mistress Olivia turn into someone that runs from anyone??? Did I miss a personality shift for her somewhere???
There seemed to be too many different story’s going on and Ghost and Valerie’s story got lost in the shuffle.
Like another reviewer stated - Z leaving the club unattended and hiring a manager sight unseen and ALL the Master’s abandoning the club at the same time just wasn’t believable if you’ve read the other books in the series so to me this was just a plot to drive one of the storylines that just didn’t fly.
How many stereotypes can your throw into one story?? Rapists, Pedophiles, Homophobes just to name a few it’s like the author threw everything and the kitchen sink in this story to see what stuck.
Hope to read Drake’s story one day and learn more about the club Chains as I’ve been curious about it since I read The Dom’s Dungeon years ago
To me Natalia and Olivia should have had their own story even a novella instead of intertwining with this story - when did Mistress Olivia turn into someone that runs from anyone??? Did I miss a personality shift for her somewhere???
There seemed to be too many different story’s going on and Ghost and Valerie’s story got lost in the shuffle.
Like another reviewer stated - Z leaving the club unattended and hiring a manager sight unseen and ALL the Master’s abandoning the club at the same time just wasn’t believable if you’ve read the other books in the series so to me this was just a plot to drive one of the storylines that just didn’t fly.
How many stereotypes can your throw into one story?? Rapists, Pedophiles, Homophobes just to name a few it’s like the author threw everything and the kitchen sink in this story to see what stuck.
Hope to read Drake’s story one day and learn more about the club Chains as I’ve been curious about it since I read The Dom’s Dungeon years ago
June 22, 2021
The effing shadowlands
I must admit this is my absolute favourite BDMS series.
The author has the ability to create characters that feels very real and a storyline that has all the ingredients of a story that draws me in and takes a hold of my attention through it all.
I loved that the main characters was well over their youth and still could find love.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Very good dialogues
I liked meeting again many of the previous characters and it also held a side story that made me very happy.
All I have to say is that if you hasn’t read this series I recommend it soooooo much. I couldn’t put it down.
This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone although I recommend reading in order.
I must admit this is my absolute favourite BDMS series.
The author has the ability to create characters that feels very real and a storyline that has all the ingredients of a story that draws me in and takes a hold of my attention through it all.
I loved that the main characters was well over their youth and still could find love.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Very good dialogues
I liked meeting again many of the previous characters and it also held a side story that made me very happy.
All I have to say is that if you hasn’t read this series I recommend it soooooo much. I couldn’t put it down.
This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone although I recommend reading in order.
June 20, 2021
Losing Steam?
I love the Shadowlands series, but worry that it’s running out of steam. The plots are only “ok.” While I know everyone gets older and life changes, this one felt phoned in. Ghost was only half interesting. Valerie was kind of “meh.” It was the same formula of psychologically broken people with Doms somehow being their shrinks. What once was a beautiful series now seems to be so fantastical that it’s no longer believable.
I love the Shadowlands series, but worry that it’s running out of steam. The plots are only “ok.” While I know everyone gets older and life changes, this one felt phoned in. Ghost was only half interesting. Valerie was kind of “meh.” It was the same formula of psychologically broken people with Doms somehow being their shrinks. What once was a beautiful series now seems to be so fantastical that it’s no longer believable.
June 27, 2021
Absolutely loved that the main characters are older and not just in their 20s. Valerie is approaching menopause at 50and has dangly bits. Divorced with adult children and a grandchild made it seem so much more realistic.
June 15, 2021
Just when I think she's run out of plot ideas, she goes and does it again. How many books are we into the series? I never ever want to leave.
June 17, 2021
A pleasant if familiar read. I do appreciate the mature couple angle. Definitely not enough good stories out there in that setting.
July 12, 2021
Was just ok for me, not sure why it didn’t grip me character or storyline-wise. Love the Shadowlands and Cherise Sinclair though!
October 23, 2024
3.5 stars
June 25, 2021
This author is an auto buy for me. I like that this story acknowledges that our fav members of the Shadowlands are maturing and how this series might move forward. Well done.
March 23, 2023
Ghost and Valerie are not your usual BDSM Couple mostly because they are both older than 50, so it was refreshing reading about them.
Ghost e Valerie non sono la solita coppia dei romanzi BDSM, principalmente perché hanno entrambi piú di 50 anni, per questo é stata una novità leggere la loro storia.
Ghost e Valerie non sono la solita coppia dei romanzi BDSM, principalmente perché hanno entrambi piú di 50 anni, per questo é stata una novità leggere la loro storia.
June 15, 2021
Perfect
This book is why I love the Shadowlands. Starting from the very first book, it's about family and community, and everything falls into place from there.
Valerie and Ghost are amazing together, her ex is an - insert your own impolite descriptor here - and it's fabulous to step back into the series, into old friends, and feel like you're home again ❤️
This book is why I love the Shadowlands. Starting from the very first book, it's about family and community, and everything falls into place from there.
Valerie and Ghost are amazing together, her ex is an - insert your own impolite descriptor here - and it's fabulous to step back into the series, into old friends, and feel like you're home again ❤️
June 16, 2023
I love the new addition to the shadowlands. It was great to revisit the old favorites and meet some new ones. I am glad she is continuing the series sexy fun read
March 20, 2023
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. The characters were mature and sensible. I skimmed a lot of the sex scenes but enjoyed the story overall.
July 6, 2021
One of her best (if not the best)
October 6, 2022
good
4 stars
I enjoyed this one. I liked the fact that we had an older heroine and hero.
When you start a business you have the passion and dedication to see it through, but when you finally achieve enough success that you can take a step back or your life outside of work takes up your time, you hope the people you leave in charge share the same passion you do, and when that doesn’t happen you get what happened here to Shadowlands. Z and the masters had created this magical community where people felt safe, and then their outside lives needed attention, the masters now mostly have partners and some of them families, so time was not as free as it had been, so no one was watching the newbie who should had kept the ship sailing, took it in a totally different direction. I can totally see to an extent what happened happening, maybe not to the extent it did, but it’s also only a book and things need to progress quicker here. I also question why not one person contacted one of the masters, no matter how busy and let them know what was happening.
I really enjoyed Valerie. She had some hang-ups, which were kind of lost during everything going on, but as a whole package she was really together, she didn’t have hang-ups about what she wanted in the bedroom, she just went with it. I thought her kids needed a swift kick up the backside to be honest and they are lucky she is the woman she is, or things would have ended very differently.
Ghost was also a delight. He was so calm and talked through everything. He gave Valerie the confidence to be the best version of herself. He believed in her and taught her how to protect herself, without making her feel weak or stupid. It was great to see a couple actually talk and hear each other and their point of view. There were no unnecessary breaks, but time was also spent in retrospection and allowed the characters to make their own decisions.
I did feel like Ghost and Valerie’s story was lost a little bit as the book worked through what was happening with the rest of the group. I didn’t mind the parts with Olivia and Natalia, it was nice to see them work their stuff out, but it also took away from the main couple.
Looking forward to seeing who Saxon lands with. Also maybe a new series with the guys from club Chains?
4 stars
I enjoyed this one. I liked the fact that we had an older heroine and hero.
When you start a business you have the passion and dedication to see it through, but when you finally achieve enough success that you can take a step back or your life outside of work takes up your time, you hope the people you leave in charge share the same passion you do, and when that doesn’t happen you get what happened here to Shadowlands. Z and the masters had created this magical community where people felt safe, and then their outside lives needed attention, the masters now mostly have partners and some of them families, so time was not as free as it had been, so no one was watching the newbie who should had kept the ship sailing, took it in a totally different direction. I can totally see to an extent what happened happening, maybe not to the extent it did, but it’s also only a book and things need to progress quicker here. I also question why not one person contacted one of the masters, no matter how busy and let them know what was happening.
I really enjoyed Valerie. She had some hang-ups, which were kind of lost during everything going on, but as a whole package she was really together, she didn’t have hang-ups about what she wanted in the bedroom, she just went with it. I thought her kids needed a swift kick up the backside to be honest and they are lucky she is the woman she is, or things would have ended very differently.
Ghost was also a delight. He was so calm and talked through everything. He gave Valerie the confidence to be the best version of herself. He believed in her and taught her how to protect herself, without making her feel weak or stupid. It was great to see a couple actually talk and hear each other and their point of view. There were no unnecessary breaks, but time was also spent in retrospection and allowed the characters to make their own decisions.
I did feel like Ghost and Valerie’s story was lost a little bit as the book worked through what was happening with the rest of the group. I didn’t mind the parts with Olivia and Natalia, it was nice to see them work their stuff out, but it also took away from the main couple.
Looking forward to seeing who Saxon lands with. Also maybe a new series with the guys from club Chains?
November 11, 2021
Another good story although parts of it mirrored another book in the series so that’s quite the bummer.
June 30, 2021
Beautifully written BDSM romance, as usual by this author. I think though, that if you are not familiar with the Shadowland series, it's probably not the first story to begin with - book one has been free for years, so start with that. There are points of view from several couples and we catch up with lots of the character's lives - sort of like a round up of what has been happening over the years. I liked Valerie and Ghost's romance and loved they were an older couple. There's drama and fun. 4.5 stars.
March 16, 2023
Oh my!
Another great story from miss Sinclair. She weaves the storyline together seamlessly. Ghost and Valerie are wonderful characters. Loved the fact that they are older.
Another great story from miss Sinclair. She weaves the storyline together seamlessly. Ghost and Valerie are wonderful characters. Loved the fact that they are older.
June 17, 2021
These guys/girls just keep getting better and better. Cherise Sinclair has the ability to bring so many emotional moments to the page. Moments that jump right into your heart and soul. She is truly a "master" in the BDSM realm of writing.
Ghost and Valerie are 2 lost, wounded souls that find their way to each other. Even tho they face many obstacles, sometimes insurmountable obstacles, they withstand each test and fight their way to their HEA. Beautifully written, deeply emotional, heart stopping love story.
Was great to catch up with all the other characters from the Shadowlands. I highly recommend this book, or anything by this author, if you're looking for a fantastic reading adventure.
Ghost and Valerie are 2 lost, wounded souls that find their way to each other. Even tho they face many obstacles, sometimes insurmountable obstacles, they withstand each test and fight their way to their HEA. Beautifully written, deeply emotional, heart stopping love story.
Was great to catch up with all the other characters from the Shadowlands. I highly recommend this book, or anything by this author, if you're looking for a fantastic reading adventure.
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