August 16, 2015

Review: Master No (Masters & Mercenaries #9) by Lexi Blake


Title: Master No
Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Masters & Mercenaries #9
Genre: contemporary romance, romantic suspense, bdsm
Disavowed by those he swore to protect…

Tennessee Smith is a wanted man. Betrayed by his government and hunted by his former employer, he’s been stripped of everything he holds dear. If the CIA finds him, they’re sure to take his life as well. His only shot at getting it all back is taking down the man who burned him. He knows just how to get to Senator Hank McDonald and that’s through his daughter, Faith. In order to seduce her, he must become something he never thought he’d be—a Dom.

Overcome by isolation and duty…

All her life, Dr. Faith “Mac” McDonald has felt alone, even among her family. Dedicating herself to helping others and making a difference in the world has brought her some peace, but a year spent fighting the Ebola virus in West Africa has taken a toll. She’s come home for two months of relaxation before she goes back into the field. After holding so many lives in her hands, nothing restores her like the act of submission. Returning to her favorite club, Mac is drawn to the mysterious new Dom all the subs are talking about, Master No. In the safety of his arms, she finds herself falling head over heels in love.

Forced to choose between love and revenge…

On an exclusive Caribbean island, Ten and Mac explore their mutual attraction, but her father’s plots run deeper than Ten could possibly have imagined. With McKay-Taggart by his side, Ten searches for a way to stop the senator, even as his feelings for Mac become too strong to deny. In the end, he must choose between love and revenge—a choice that will change his life forever.



Amazon US | Amazon UK






MY REVIEW


Master No by Lexi Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 **kick-ass** STARS


“I think we should play a game.” 
That got her heart rate up. “What kind of game?” 
“The kind where I torture you and you scream for me.”


What a treat. I have been a fan of this series for a long time and I'm still astonished when a new book comes out and it lives up to the rest or is even better. That's quite the accomplishment for Ms. Blake since we are talking full length novel #9 and countless novellas on the side. I'm still invested and interested in these characters, their relationships and their kick-ass missions. I love coming back and I could read a few hundred more if we would be so lucky to get them.

Master No tells the story of Ten and Faith, it is the ninth instalment and should not be read as a standalone. Especially Ten has a long history within the Masters & Mercenaries universe and almost every side character in this book is reoccuring. That's just how it works with this family. As BigTag put it perfectly...

“Yep. I can’t get rid of anyone.”



Tennessee Smith has revenge on his mind. For his sister, but most importantly for his dead brother. Disavowed by the agency and with nothing left to lose he has one goal and that is to get the bastard behind it all.

The target: Senator Hank McDonald

The way in: Faith McDonald, a Doctor who owns a free clinic in Liberia, do gooder and all around ready for sainthood and also the Senator's daughter.

Faith McDonald is also a submissive. For a few weeks every year she comes home to America, to have a little down time and spend some quality time with a Dom. Her last Master broke up with her and she is on the lookout for a new one. Fortunately Ten had already planted Erin and Theo as her bodyguards a year ago and the long time commitment paid off. They became friends and are now homebound to have a little vacation at Sanctum and the Dom she is meeting with is non other than Ten.

The whole set-up for this mission is quite elaborate and Faith is basically a means to an end for Ten. But despite the calculated aspect of the D/s relationship Faith and Ten quickly built a very deep connection. Makes you wonder what will happen when Faith finds out his intentions were less than honest. And then there is the thing about her evil family. Girl has a lot of stuff to deal with in the future.

“There was a darkness about the man that she might never be able to penetrate, but it drew her to him like a moth to the flame.”


Both Ten and Faith are really fascinating characters. Selfless in their professional pursuits. Faith as a doctor in a third world country basically lives to serve the poor and tries to saves lives one person at the time. She is resilient and her determination and commitment is just beautiful.

Ten spent the better part of his life serving his country. Not unlike Faith he sacrificed a lot more than he should have along the way. Up until now Ten was a bit of a riddle. Over the course of the series we have seen him come and go. Turning up in the most precarious situations with questionable intentions. That is gone. His loyalties are now purely on Ian's side, well and on the side of vengeance. I loved the dual POV, seeing the story from all sides. Especially getting to know the enigma that is Tennessee Smith. His secrets, his past and especially his vulnerabilities.


“I don’t have anything to offer her.” 
Tag’s lips quirked up in a sad smile. “That’s the funny thing about women. The good ones don’t require anything.”


Despite the danger and mayhem these books are feel good reads for me. I love Lexi Blake's writing and I absolutely adore the Masters & Mercenaries. I know what I'll get before I even one-click and nothing can beat the feeling of coming home when all of your favourite characters kick a little ass again.

That is until the last 25% happened. Completely gutted and also severe case of adrenaline overdose. Holy shit. Ms. Blake sure has no problem shocking us with some fucked up twists and turns. If only we could have the next books sooner rather than later. Book hangover, anyone?

No comments

Post a Comment

+up