Forewarning: If you are not into the BDSM scene, please step away from the thought of buying this book and find something that would better fit your reading style. It’s nowhere close to being fair to the author if you rate/review her book low based off your dislike of the genre. 

After coming off two very emotionally deep books, Maksim and Katya were exactly what I needed. The Master contains A LOT of dirty, dirty sex, and is one hell of a wicked fun read. I love when a book leaves me smiling and swooning the ENIRE time. As with The Professional, The Master was also a light, uncomplicated erotic read. Maksim’s story was undoubtedly filled to the brim with kink, filth, and steam; just the way I like my men. 

First time escort, Catarina, and longtime hobbyist, Maksim have bitten off way more than they can chew upon encountering each other. He is clearly a man who doesn’t go back for seconds, yet he couldn’t seem to get enough of this “hot Mami.” She is just looking to make a few extra dollars to get the hell outta dodge, experiencing Maksim's brand of kink had never crossed her mind. These were two protagonists so far out of their comfort zone; they did not have a clue what to do with each other. From the moment they met, the sparks flew effortlessly off the pages. The connection and chemistry between these two, holy *&%# was it smokin’ hot in and out of the bedroom. Maksim and Cat left me eating up the pages; I could not devour their interactions quick enough. 

Katya had absolutely no issues engaging me—completely. I adored her from the second I met her and not once did that adoration falter. If you have read any of my reviews, you know that is major coming from me. I struggle A LOT with the female leads. Not this one, though. She had everything I look for in a female protagonist. She held strength, boldness, wit, and sass in spades! Katya clearly had spunk; I will give her that. I, honestly, don’t know how she was able to stand her ground as much as she was able to with Maksim, because let me tell you, that man had me squirming in quite a few ways, mainly though he had me wanting to drop my panties and obey. Catarina was an all-around kickass heroine. Katya was Maksim’s ideal equal. In the end, they balanced each other out. It seemed as though she was built specifically for this brooding mobster. 

Although I really, really adored Maksim and Katya, there were moments, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of depth surrounding Katya’s past. I thought Ms. Cole had a great premises going with it; however, she dropped the ball on actually flushing it out. There were sooo many different ways she could have taken this story line and made it that much better. I mean, Russian Mafiya family—hello. In the end, the execution fell a bit flat in this area. 

With that said, everything else totally worked. I can see plenty of rereading in my future. Maksim will make one more smoldering sexy man to add to my obsessing over. 

I am a major fan of this series, as well as this author's writing style. I love knowing I can pick up one of her books and just sink right into them. With each new story Ms. Cole writes, I find I love it just a bit more than the last. Between Kresley Cole and J.R. Darhower, I’m really starting to see the allure to Mafiya books. This romance sub-genre is easily becoming one of my ultimate favorites. Maksim will definitely leave you craving the urge to find your own hot Russian.

"I have received a complimentary copy of The Master as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review.”