The long awaited third and final book in the Lessons From the RACK Series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tara Sue Me.
Five years ago, Terrence and Ronnie’s evening of incomplete pleasure ended with unspoken plans to get back together soon. Those plans died a slow and painful, public death when their private parting was captured by the paparazzi, and their identities were published for everyone to see, including each other. Because while Ronnie had no idea the Dom she’d played with was Hollywood’s golden boy, Terrence Knight, he didn’t know she was the just-turned nineteen year old daughter of the most conservative man in the US Senate.
When their paths cross again at RACK Academy five years later, they’re both wary of the other and vow to keep their distance. It’s a promise they don’t believe they’ll have any trouble keeping. However, they didn’t count on the not-so-subtle matchmaking attempts of the two couples residing at the academy with them for the summer, Fulton and Andie Matthews, and Lennox and Marie MacLure. As the summer goes on, they find it more and more difficult to resist the temptation of giving into what they both want - to finish what they started five years ago.
But the forces behind that long ago night have yet to be discovered, and the truth has the ability to bring an end to Terrence and Ronnie before they can truly start.
Even though she graduated with a degree in science, Tara knew she’d never be happy doing anything other than writing. Specifically, writing love stories.
She started with a racy BDSM story and found she was not quite prepared for the unforeseen impact it would have. Nonetheless, she continued and The Submissive Series novels would go on to be both New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers. One of those, THE MASTER, was a 2017 RITA finalist for Best Erotic Romance.
Now she is focusing on new contemporary romances that allow her the freedom to write and publish on her own schedule.
“Master of Pleasure” is the third and final novel in the “Lessons From the RACK” series written by Tara Sue Me and focuses on Hollywood actor Terrance Knight and Veronica “Ronnie” Lewis, two people who first become intimately involved when Ronnie was nineteen and Terrance was in his mid-thirties leading to a scandal but who coincidently reconnect five years later.
The novel consists of a prologue, twenty-nine chapters and an epilogue.
The prologue begins in the past with Terrance Knight seeing an attractive woman at a private BDSM club. Although the woman looks eighteen, Terrance decides not to worry about the woman’s age since he knows the age limit for those in the club is twenty-one. Since Terrance is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, he makes a tremendous effort to disguise himself when going to the club. After approaching the woman who goes by the name Ronnie and having a brief conversation regarding her limits, they agree to do a scene together. After Terrance sends Ronnie home, he talks to his friend (and RACK BDSM academy owner) Lennox and discovers to his horror that Ronnie is the nineteen-year-old daughter of a very vocal, very right-wing ultraconservative senator.
Chapter one begins in the past with Terrance being told by his agent to not go home due to his recent tryst with the senator’s daughter. Terrance is horrified when his agent informs him that the senator knows Terrance’s identity then directs Terrance to go into hiding and stay out of LA until he’s told he can return. When Terrance tells Lennox what’s happened and admits that he needs a place to stay but doesn’t have any real friends to count on, Lennox offers a place to stay at the RACK academy. While Terrance is still hurt from his breakup with Andie (main character from Master Professor: Book 1 in the “Lessons From the RACK” series,) he decides to take Lennox up on his offer.
Chapter two transports the reader to five years later and introduces the character of Veronica “Ronnie” Fair. Veronica has severed all ties with her father and has changed her last name from Lewis to her mother’s maiden name of Fair as a way to further distance herself from her father and wealthy family. While seeking employment, she works with an employment agency and eventually finds herself interviewing for an executive assistant position at the RACK academy since the current executive assistant Lisa is taking a leave of absence for the summer.
Prior to accepting the job position, the interviewer Fulton Matthews (also a character from Master Professor: Book 1 in the “Lessons From the RACK” series,) gives Veronica a tour of the academy and introduces her to his wife Andie. During the academy tour, Fulton tells Veronica that for the past four or five years, a friend of Lennox and Mariela’s has been staying on the island for about two months during the summer. Since Lennox’s friend is in a high-profile occupation, he uses the time on the island to decompress and make plans for the following year. Fulton adds that Lennox’s friend pretty much keeps to himself other than when Lennox and Mariela are visiting but informs Veronica that she might see him walking around some. While the job opportunity sounds great, Veronica is especially interested in the position since it comes with housing so she can live on the academy campus while subletting her apartment.
When Terrance spends time on the island, he leaves his acting persona behind and fully embraces his dominant side. To protect his identity while on the island, he uses an alias which is a combination of his middle name and his mother’s maiden name, transforming himself into John Buchanan. When Terrance arrives at the island, he assumes that the usual executive assistant Lisa will be there but soon discovers Veronica instead. After a tense encounter, Veronica chastises Terrance for not calling her or apologizing after their meeting five years ago then tells him to leave her alone.
In a past flashback, the reader learns that the fallout from Ronnie’s night with Terrance included being harassed by “friends,” expelled from her private all girl’s college, stalked by paparazzi, and having her father call her an embarrassment to the family.
In the present day, while Veronica tries to convince herself that she’s not interested in living a BDSM lifestyle, she finds herself being aroused by watching Terrance in a scene. After being caught watching by Terrance, Veronica is shocked that Terrance demands respect from her towards his submissive as well as addressing him by the title of Master and Sir.
At the request of Fulton and Andie, Terrance and Veronica are thrown together to help children through playing music and teaching dance for an upcoming talent show at a children’s home. In an effort to get Fulton and Andie to stop trying to set them up, Terrance and Veronica agree to appear to be romantically involved.
As the novel progresses, Terrance and Veronica find themselves forced to spend the night together off the island which proves to be insightful for them both. Despite Terrance and Veronica reconciling their shared past, they face opposition when Veronica is informed of paparazzi from an unlikely source.
Upon returning to the island, Terrance keeps his distance from Veronica which leads her to believe that he was only interested in chasing her, sleeping with her, then dropping all connection with her. During an intimate dinner with the Fulton, Andie, Lennox and Mariela, all are shocked when Lennox announces plans to close RACK academy due to a desire to start a new chapter in his with his wife.
With the selling of the academy fast approaching and Fulton and Andie soon leaving the island, Fulton suggests to Terrance that he should buy the academy from Lennox. As Terrance ponders possibly buying the academy, he gets a call from his agent saying he received an explicit photo of Veronica and Terrance having sex then drops Terrance as a client.
Terrance finds Veronica and apologizes for making her feel unwanted then promises to do whatever possible to earn her trust and respect. After a brief conversation, Terrance shares with Veronica his dream of turning the academy into a joint use academy/retreat for kinky people and asks her to run the academy with him.
When Terrance prepares to secure funding to buy the academy, he discovers treachery from someone he trusted the most over a period of years. Likewise, Veronica receives a photo call from past and embraces a severed relationship with her family as well as more negative backlash from soon leaked photos.
Two months later, Terrance’s financial problems are resolved so he can buy the academy. As Terrance and Veronica both prepare to leave the island for a month before returning permanently, Terrence falls Veronica a little more each day, but outside the multiples comment, she’d been completely silent about anything having to do with kink, sex, or a romantic relationship with him.
Although Terrance has offered Veronica a job offer as headmistress of RACK academy, she’s avoided answering him. After giving him an answer to both job and relationship, they celebrate with quick sex.
The novel ends with an epilogue occurring two years later and finds Veronica successfully serving as headmistress of the RACK academy and restructuring the academy into six one-week sessions with six other people on the island for a BDSM themed retreat.
With the academy reopening soon, Terrance and Ronnie decide to have a mini reunion on the island as a way for former staff and owners to see the changed campus as well as greet the newest members to Fulton and Andie’s family. The novel ends with surprise from some and gratitude from others in how well life has turned out for everyone.
As I finished the novel, I liked the author’s easygoing writing style and how each chapter provides realistic characters and dialogue. I also enjoyed the alternating narration of Terrance and Veronica as a way to get the know the characters better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.75 stars- MASTER OF PLEASURE is the third and final instalment in Tara Sue Me’s contemporary, adult LESSONS FROM THE RACK, BDSM erotic, romance series focusing on the exclusive $ex academy The RACK. This is actor Terrence Knight, and twenty-four year old, socialite Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Lewis Fair’s story line. MASTER OF PLEASURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Terrence Knight was first introduced in book one MASTER PROFESSOR.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. For followers of the series, the previous release in the series was close to four and a half years earlier.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Ronnie and Terrence), following two timelines, MASTER OF PLEASURE focuses on the relationship between actor Terrence Knight, and twenty-four year old, socialite Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Lewis Fair. Five years earlier, a then nineteen year old submissive Ronnie Lewis met actor/Dom Terrence Knight and spent one glorious night together at a BDSM club but several days later the truth would be revealed for all the world to see, and the repercussions pulled our heroine away from family, friends and the people she once loved. Fast forward to present day wherein Ronnie Lewis who now calls her Veronica Fair is hired as the receptionist at the RACK, an exclusive BDSM $ex club where she will once again, come face to face with Terrence Knight. Words are said in anger, promises made to remain apart but forced proximity and a few nudges from the people behind the scenes finds our couple pushed together, a push that will once again land them on the front pages of the morning news. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Terrence and Ronnie, and the potential fall-out as the offer of a lifetime reveals questionable intent and lies for our story line hero.
The relationship between Ronnie and Terrence began as a one-night Dom/sub scene that would spiral out of control when the paparazzi revealed the truth about the who, how and where. Five years would pass, Terrence forgot about the young woman that stole his heart but deception and greed were at the heart of betrayal, and our couple were about to lose more than their privacy but their livelihoods as well. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense including BDSM scenes, and the questionable use of name-calling.
The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Andie and Fulton (Master Professor 1), Lennox and Mariela (Headmaster 2), as well as (via phone) Ronnie’s father, and Terrence’s agent.
MASTER OF PLEASURE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is erotic and impassioned; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and charismatic. There is a slight paranormal aspect to the story, a dream sequence.
Master Of Pleasure: Lessons From The Rack Book number 3 by Tara Sue Me. This is the final book in this series. This focuses on the exclusive school, The Rack which focuses on BDSM erotica, and romance. The characters have an age gap, but their chemistry is spicy and intense. Filled with betrayal, blackmail, embezzlement, secrets, lies, control, acceptance and love.
This is Terrence Knight and Veronica “Ronnie” Lewis story. These two initially meet five years ago when Ronnie was nineteen, and Terrence was one of Hollywood’s sought after leading men. They meet at a private BDSM club not knowing who the other was and just acting on their attraction, spending one steamy night together. Days later they become headline news in the media, making Ronnie cuts all ties with her conservative family and friends, struggling to make ends meet.
Five years later, Ronnie Lewis who now goes by Veronica Fair is hired as the receptionist at The Rack Academy a BDSM school on a private island. There she comes face to face with Terrence Knight. He is on his annual retreat there, that he has been taking for the last five years. She has always been in the background of his mind but when he approaches her with his apologies, she is angry to see him once again.
These two try to remain cordial but as they are thrown together, will they be able to keep their chemistry and their past out of the headlines? You will need to read to get all the delicious details! Loved it!
Received a early copy and this is my honest review.
Terrence needs a get away from life, guess where He goes??
WOW I would never have thought they could all be friends! Especially after what had happened. But Andie & Fulton became fast friends with Terrence after he lost her to Fulton. Not to say that Terrence & Andie weren't friends but they became better friends with all the changes. After all they'd known each other since they were kids.
Ronnie or Veronica (funny that's my sister's name & we also call her Roni) is the daughter of a politician. She gets caught, after a fantastic night at a BDSM club, exiting with Terrence Knight the movie star. While everyone, including Terrence finds out she's only 19. Not too young, but too young to be in the club! Of course her beast of a father is furious & Ronnie couldn't care less. She leaves & changes her name to her Mom's maiden name! Veronica Fair! Life has changed. Using an employment agency to find jobs, because that damn picture followed her, even with her name change, she wasn't as well off as she'd always thought. An interview with Fulton Matthews got her an executive assistant job for the summer with room & board included at a BDSM Academy on an island! She'd let go of the lifestyle after the picture came out. Thinking she needed to start new!
This story includes the previous two couples & Terrence & Ronnie figuring things out! It's a great love story with amazing scenes! They get pretty hot!
The conclusion of the Lessons from the RACK series is here! I've enjoyed all of the couples from this series as a whole and seeing them all again in this book was really nice. The characters are quick to catch my attention and the storyline held my interest throughout. I would have liked a bit more development on what happened to her during the fallout of their original scandal and then more time with them at the end to develop their relationship would have been welcome, but overall I enjoyed their story, I enjoyed the cameos of previous couples and I enjoyed the overall feel of the book.
Terrence is successful and commanding as a Hollywood actor and dominant. I enjoyed his personality very much.
Ronnie walked away from a lot after their scandal years ago and she finally feels like this new adventure might be her step in the right direction ... until she sees a blast from the past and it all crumbles down around her again.
I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sensual BDSM storyline with a group of characters who treasure their close friendships as love finds them all.
Tara Sue Me serves up some blackmail, embezzlement and paparazzi stalking in addition to a kinky, spicy romance in Master of Pleasure. For good measure she throws in a couple of surprises and a paranormal encounter. Terrence and Ronnie have a history and although their first encounter was satisfying to both, the ensuing scandal was tough. Five years later they meet at the RACK Academy. He's on his annual summerc retreat there and she's just taken over as the academy's executive assistant. Truthfully Ronnie has never been far from his mind in the last years but he was remiss in not following up with her. Now he's there, full of remorse and apologies but let's just say...too little, too late as far as she's concerned. They eventually reach agreement to be civil if nothing else. Thrown together for a charity endeavor by a couple of well intentioned matchmakers, history repeats itself but with a different outcome.
It’s like an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, but pick up your relationship right where you left off…so good to be back with these characters and fall in love with them a little more.
Tara Sue Me weaves in friendship, loyalty, deceit, secrets, forgiveness and mystery to all the steamy elements on the island we love.
There are several unexpected surprises that leave you unsure about where the academy is headed, but I assure you…you will love how it all works out!
Tara Sue Me has done it again! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
We finally get Terrence’s story! I have hoped and wanted his story since the last story in this series! We got it!! He has certainly met his match, but will their second meeting go better than the first? Ronnie and Terrence definitely have the desire for each other but will the past cloud what their future could be? I cannot say loud enough how perfect this story is.
Terrence and Veronica are two high profile people trying to keep on the down low. It didn’t work five years ago, and it’s not working now. The RACK Academy is on an island and should hold a lot of discretion. There’s a little bit of everything in this book. Some things you wouldn’t even imagine. It holds your interest, for sure. There’s always something going on. Everything gets wrapped up very nicely with all parties.
Terrence and Ronnie have history that was bad press for both of them, both being public figures and her more her family, having to reinvent herself so to speak after cutting ties with her father, seeing each other again five years later history starts to repeat itself, can they weather the storm together, can they finally figure out who sold them out, will they be able to come together as a team and find love, loved this book, thank you, Dana Zamora
I wasn’t sure what rating to give this one. I adored Tara’s Submissive series & the RACK Academy books. This one, though, just wasn’t that good. I’m not fond of a humiliation kink, so the endless slut this slut that wasn’t doing it for me. Master of Pleasure had a tedious plot until halfway through and then it was everything & the kitchen sink thrown at you.
Just not as good as her other books, but I have a hard time rating it below a 3.
What a nice way to rap up the Lessons from the RACK series. I’m going to miss them all. Terrance was the last piece of the puzzle. Loved seeing how the rest of the characters were doing in the story.
I would have loved a little more of the Terrance and Ronnie story line. The scenes were beautifully written. The author has a talent of making the raw and bold scenes so beautifully sensual. Cheers to them all.
This entire series fell short for me. None of the couples are memorable, like Tara Sue Me's Submissive Series. However, author's put a lot of time and effort into their writing, so I don't like giving less than a 3 unless the writing is horrible. I didn't hate it; it was just something I read and didn't find relatable.