Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Mastered by Maya Banks

Title: Mastered
 
Author: Maya Banks
 
Publisher: Berkley Trade

Published Date: December 29, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle & Paperback

Author Website: http://mayabanks.com/



Synopsis: 

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.
 
She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.
 
What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.
 
The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

My Thoughts:


Mastered, by Maya Banks, is the first book in her hot off the presses series, The Enforcers.  Evangeline is a timid Southern girl with a heart of gold who is living in New York City.  Splitting rent in a tiny apartment with her three best friends, Evangeline sends every extra penny she earns at a local pub home to her disabled parents. Everything she has done in her life has been to help support them. She dropped out of high school and earned her GED so she could work two jobs, passed on college, ignored boys, and moved to NYC for an opportunity to earn more money for them.  However, when smooth talking Eddie charms his way into Evangeline's heart, she becomes distraught when he drops her after the challenge of being the first to get in her bed is over.  What starts out as a fun night at a popular club to show Eddie what he carelessly threw away and to get her mojo back quickly changes Evangeline's whole world.
Drake is a mysterious badass businessman who not only owns the club Evangeline walks into but many other things as well. Drake is not one to be messed with, and everyone in the city knows.  Much of his business dealings are not exactly on the 'up and up.' Drake surrounds himself with a group of dangerous men who work for him and he trusts inexplicably.  Drake immediately zones in on Evangeline when she walks into his club. Seeing the beautiful and innocent woman among the rich and jaded makes him want to get her out of his business as soon as possible.  Once Drake meets Evangeline in person he realizes that she is not someone he can stay away from.  
Mastered takes readers on a wild ride as Evangeline tries to fit into Drake's strange and affluent world. Everything about Drake's world is opposite of what Evangeline knows. The money, the clothes, the jewelry, the restaurants- Evangeline feels out of her element at every turn. Even more bizarre to Evangeline is what Drake asks of her in return.  Is she able to give herself to him completely- heart, body, and control?
One of my favorite things about Mastered is Evangeline's relationships with Drake's men.  Each 'enforcer' is an intimidating badass who happens to be hot.  However, after five minutes with Evangeline and they turn into sweet boys.  She charms the uncharmable with her innocence, goodness, humor, and baking! I'm excited to read each 'enforcers' own story as The Enforcers series continues with the men.                     
If you are looking for a scorching and edgy read, Maya Banks' Mastered is for you. I found it to be a quick read because I couldn't put it down!  I am eagerly awaiting the release of her second book in The Enforcers series, Dominated to see what happens with Evangeline and Drake.  Mastered ends with a sort of cliff hanger so I am impatient to see where their story takes them! 

Maya Banks
                                                 

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Mastered, for the purpose of review.*