Synopsis:
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES
In the new Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a woman’s desire to shatter her inhibitions leaves her unprepared for where that erotic journey will take her .
Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.
Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession.
Expected Publication Date: February 4, 2014
My Review:
5+++ stars!!!
WOW. Bound is the first book I have read by Lorelei James and let me just say I am adding all of her books to my TBR list RIGHT NOW.
BOUND blew me away. Literally stayed up until 4:00 am reading this book, that’s how elegant and sexy Ms. James’ writing is. There is no insta-love here, there is a beautifully written, slow build-up between the characters of Ronin and Amery, and a deliciously slow burn of a development of their relationship. You think you know Alpha? You haven’t met Ronin yet. Even his name holds significance and meaning but you will have to read the book to find out.
The story begins as our heroine Amery accompanies her friend to a self-defense class at the last minute. Amery is unprepared for the effect that the Master of the dojo, Ronin, has on her. And she has an effect on him, as well. She is a good girl from a small town, trying to make her way in the big city of Denver, and is actually very lonely after a bad break-up with her old boyfriend.
Ms. James does an excellent job at crafting a wonderful story of being a Single working woman living alone in a large city, looking for love, not losing yourself in a man and also learning to accept others for who they are.
Okay, enough of that. Now to the good stuff. The sex scenes in BOUND are absolutely some of the most erotic, sensual and beautiful that I have ever read. And I read a lot of romance and erotica. I also learned something new about certain Japanese-inspired practices that are fascinating, and made me want to learn more. Ronin has zoomed to the top of my favorite Book Boyfriend list and it’s only January! He is a stunning, sexual, sensual and compelling character.
At about 94% I realized that the secrets Ronin had been withholding from Amery were pretty significant but I was totally taken off guard by this development. There is not exactly a cliffhanger but there is definitely a lot more to Ronin and Amery’s story (thank God for that) and Book #2 in this series is releasing in March 2014.
I have one complaint about BOUND, and it is a significant one — I have a severe book hangover. I miss Ronin already.
(ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)
– Ellen
Pre Order Links:
Barnes and Noble
Books a Million
About the Author:
Lorelei James is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Blacktop Cowboys and Rough Riders series as well as the steamy new Mastered series. She lives in the Black Hills of western South Dakota with her family. Visit her online, on Facebook, and on Twitter
