The Master (The Game Maker, #2)

by Kresley Cole

"A need colder than Siberian winter meets an attitude hotter than the Florida sun. Everyone fears the Master... Rich, irresistible politician/Mafiya boss Maksimilian Sevastyan prefers tall, obedient blondes to fulfill his...complicated desires. That is, until the icy Russian encounters a disobedient brunette whose exquisite little body threatens his legendary restraint. Except her. Catarina Marín was a well-off young wife until her world fell apart. Now she's hiding out, forced to start working as an escort in Miami. Her very first client is beyond gorgeous, but when he tells her what he plans to do to her, Cat almost walks out of the door. If pleasure is a game, play to win. After their mind-blowing encounter burns out of control, the lovers crave more. If they escape the deadly threats surrounding them, can Maksim overcome his past--to offer Cat his future? Only then will she tempt him with what he really wants: her, all tied up with a bow"--

• ISBN10: 1476797285
• ISBN13: 9781476797281
• Publish Date: 17 February 2015 (first published 6 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[Linda]

*I received a free ARC of The Master from the publisher in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*

The hotness factor in The Master is completely off the charts! The main characters are both very interesting, and it was nice to see Natalie and Aleks from The Game Maker, too.

Full review to come soon.

This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews

[Melanie]

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

I was very excited to get back to the Russians after listening to The Professional last year. I was not disappointed. Maksimilian, Mak, is our Russian billionaire who hires an escort and surprised when a Cuban woman shows up at his hotel. That is not what he ordered.

Catarina, Cat, is Cuban woman who has been cleaning houses while on the run from her husband. Her friend is the escort that was supposed to visit Mak, but had a bad run with Botox.

The sex in this one was a little lighter than the first book. I felt that emotions in this one ran higher. It does have a bit of the Pretty Woman feel to it.

Narration
I thought that Kimberly Alexis did another bang up job with this book. I really enjoy her Russian accent. She is great with the passionate love scenes, be it emotional or sexy. Her only downfall, in my opinion, was her Cuban accent. I don’t know any Cuban to hear an actual accent, but it didn’t sound right to me when I compare to what I’ve seen on TV.

[EBookObsessed]

Kresley Cole proves that erotica doesn't need whips and ball-gags. Simple blazing hot passion between two people is hotter than any red room.

When Kresley Cole took a stab at erotica last year, she definitely piqued our...interest. The Professional gave us Sevastyan, Enforcer for the Russian Mafia with a proclivity for spankings and bondage. His brother Máxim at first seems to have the same interest in tying up his lovers but as we will find out it is more that Máxim doesn't like to be touched--that is, until he meets Cat.

Catarina Marin (not her real name) is a woman on the run. If her husband finds her, she's dead. That was his plan from the very beginning, marry the young, naive girl, kill her and take her family's millions. But Cat overheard his plans and took off running. She has kept ahead of him for three years, and it is time to move on. She has been in Miami too long. Cleaning houses has not given her enough savings to run so when one of her customers, a high priced call girl is sick, she convinces Cat to take her place. One night will get Cat a decent start some where new.

And when the customer looks like Maksimilian Sevastyan, it won't be such a hardship. Just a big knock to her pride. Cat believes she can do it until she gets Máxim's instructions. He wants her face down on the bed, hands behind her back. Then he will tie her up, use the crop and have sex with her in that position, then she can go.

Cat doesn't trust any man enough to let him tie her up. She shocks Máxim by refusing to submit to his bondage and by telling him she know what he really needs. This is the first of the Máximo shockeado that Cat keeps throwing at him. He is so surprised by her denial of his instructions and curious as to what she thinks he needs, that he gives in. Super hot sex scene follows, yet Máxim sends her on her way -- dismissing her after he's done.

Cat is hurt by the dismissal, although she really doesn't want to be a prostitute, and declares that Máxim will be calling her again. It is not just the off the charts orgasm that has Máxim seeking her out after a few days pass. It is Cat's fiery spirit that catches his attention. She doesn't fear calling him an asshole which is a first for the Russian politician/mobster.

But Cat doesn't realize the danger of becoming the obsession of a dangerous man like Maksimilian. He not only has her brought back to his room but then he decides to keep her locked in the penthouse with him until he has to leave for his brother's wedding at the end of the month. Blocked from escape by his bodyguards, she has no choice to submit to Máxim's desires. Her guilded cage might be a prison but is it also keeping her safe from the man who is truly a danger to her.

THOUGHTS:
Warning: This book is going to burn your fingertips. I really liked The Professional, but I loved The Master. This story is leaps and bounds above Book #1. Personally, I am not one for the bondage, whips and spankings which have become so popular in erotica books. The Master has all the heat without the need for the toys.

Cat's mistake in falling for her husband's false charm has forged her into a strong woman. She is wildly attracted to Máxim but won't let him walk all over her. He find her beautiful but it is her fiery spirit and her intelligence that attract him most. He is not used to people telling him no and Cat has no fear telling him to go kiss her ass and he will very willing to do just that.

The only time toys get involved is when Máxim decides to sexually torment Cat in order to get her to agree to go to the wedding after she refuses to accompany him. He makes her safe word "yes" -- tricky mobster.

The bachelorette party including a drunk Natalie, Jess and Cat is priceless. As well as how Cat makes Máxim a Christmas dinner, which moves Máxim deeply and we start to see that he no longer plans to let Cat go when it is time for him to return to Russia.

There is, of course, the usual trust issues and hidden back stories which keeps the friction going between the two of them.

I presume the next book will feature youngest brother Dmitri who is one messed up guy. I am wondering if he will be paired up with Natalie's friend, Jess. I have a feeling that her "crazy, sex-starved, party girl" persona is hiding some deep dark pain of her own.

Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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