Review: Nobody's Perfect by Kallypso Masters

4.5 Feathers

Nobody's Perfect

by Kallypso Masters

(Rescue Me # 4)

I have been procrastinating in writing this review because I feel that I need to write something amazing to explain how I felt.  But now I realized that is not what's going to happen, so I'm just going to tell you how this book made me feel.  And in my opinion, when a book can move you, make you connect, engage you to the point that it feels as if you know these characters and you care so much for their well being, not just for their happily ever after... then that is greatness!

That's how I feel about the Rescue Me series in general.  I have come to care for each and every character in this series because they are all so damaged and have gone through so much hardship in their lives, that I just want to be part of the happiness when they get there.  A perfect example of that has been Damian and Savannah.

I won't get into the background too much from previous books, will focus on this book.  Savannah comes back to Damian with their daughter in tow, running away from her father and his right hand man.  From California to Denver, with no money and battered.  Savannah is strength personified.  Damian takes them in without knowing Mari is his daughter and just tries to protect them and care for Savi.

But she is so damaged.  I don't think we had a clue, even though we had a slight idea, of what Savannah has gone through in her life.  This book and her story brought tears to my eyes many times, even again as I write this.  I admit that I had to take breaks from reading this book and good thing I had something light and funny to read in between.  It is deep and emotional.  To find out what she's been through, to see her go through healing, to see her deal with her triggers, to see her break down.  And she had to break down before she was able to start putting herself back together.

The way the author told her and Damian's story was so believable and realistic.  Never jumping too fast ahead that you wouldn't believe Savannah could do it.  I think all around the research that went into this book shows, because the scenes Damian picked, the reasoning behind them and how he executed them...everything leads me to see how this lifestyle has a lot of healing in these situations.

Damian also has his story and his issues.  Some are just in his mind and some are physical.  Ms. Masters deals with those as well.  This is not an easy book to read, it is very emotional, but once you go are done reading it, you'll be happy you did.  And I do have to add that O.M.G. Damian is so hot, if he wasn't perfect for Savannah I would seriously consider looking for him and stealing him.

And if you're wondering why this is a 4.5 review and not a 5, I can only say that is personal preference.  My heart ached for Savannah to find happiness and I think I would've liked to see a little more in between her darkness where she had a happy moment.  Even if it was a moment where they interacted with Mari more.  I think I personally needed some light to break up the darkness, earlier in the book.

I think from now on I will call Ms. Masters "The Queen of Making Me Cry!" from sadness or happiness alike.  NOBODY'S PERFECT is just an amazing healing and love story, because at the core, love did conquer all for both and saved them. 

Favorite Quotes:

"I care, Savi.  I understand.  Let me help."

"He fought the urge to mouth 'I love you' to her, but didn't want to scare her off.  So he just mentally tattooed the words on his heart, instead."

"Savi held onto his wounded leg, wrapping both arms around it and laid her forehead against his knee.  She wished she could shed tears for him, but she hadn't been able to cry in...forever."

"You said you had nightmares."
His hand stilled on her head and he stopped breathing for a moment.  "A few.  Over time, though, I chose to dream about you...us...and the nightmares faded some."
"So that's why you call me mi sueño.  Your dream.  Oh Damian." They'd missed so much.

"Don't call me a victim.  I'm a survivor."

"It will never be okay.  I will never be okay.  I'm too broken."
"Nobody's perfect, Savi.  Hell, look at me.  But you'll always be perfect to me."

"Nobody's perfect, mi sueño, but you're about as close to perfection as I've ever known."

"I never forgot you, Savannah.  Not for a single day."

"Marisol told me once you'd forgotten you were a princess.  I just wanted to make sure you never forget again.  You're my princess, Savita.  I'll never let anything happen to you.  I'll slay your dragons.  I'll chase away the demons that invade your sleep - and, trust me, I know they will come -  but they're no match for me, my love.  I'll be there for you no matter what - if you'll let me be."

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Author Override: Kallypso Masters

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Kallypso Masters

In a couple weeks, it will have been one whole year since Masters at Arms was published. Wow! In such short time, more than 20,000 readers have purchased all three of the books in the series. Many of them have read them and have fallen in love with my three wounded warriors, Adam, Marc, and Damián.

In late August, God willing, there will be a fourth book in the series—Nobody's Perfect—and readers will get to watch as Damián and Savi work toward their happy ending, at long last. This has been the most difficult book for me to write. I've been working on it since late January, with lotsof breaks—and escapes. The others were written and edited in 2-3 months, but not this one.

Writing about an incest survivor has been a challenge for me as a writer, having been one myself (although not with my father, but another male relative), as well as having been abused sexually by others as a child from 1 to 12 years of age. I'm writing this blog to make sure readers are aware of the content of this book. I don't want anyone blindsided. It will be unlike any Romance—erotic or otherwise—that you've ever read. I don't sugarcoat or gloss over the difficulty of this journey for a survivor to reconnect with her body after having shut down for decades. (I'm aware that males are survivors of abuse, as well, but this story is about a female survivor.)

While Savi's torture and abuse are worse than the things I can recall about my own abuse (much is still blocked out for me), the emotions felt by survivors of all types of abuse (sexual, emotional, verbal, physical, etc.) are much the same—fear, inability to trust, triggers by certain words, phrases, touch.

Last week, I shared a blog and excerpt on the BDSM Authors Playroom blog. In late June, I did a similar piece with a different excerpt on the BDSM Book Reviews. The outpouring of comments, personal e-mails, personal FB messages, and face-to-face comments I've received from my fellow survivors has encouraged me that the book will be welcomed by survivors and not seen an exploitation of their abuse. It won't be easy to read—because it certainly wasn't easy to write—but the survivors I've heard from seem to understand that and still welcome seeing how Savi and Damián use sadomasochism and control techniques to help her overcome her past abuse.

First, I'll share with you some of the public comments I received from fellow survivors:

Heidi wrote: "Kally, when I read the beginning of Damián and Savi's story, it was VERY hard. It was a major trigger and I actually had to walk away and come back. Then, the first time I read it, I realized I purposely didn't 'read' it. So, I went back, I got triggered again, but I really read it that time and cried as I did. I know that I am not alone in the sexual abuse that I silently suffered through from the age of 7 to almost 14, but it is such a personal hell that you end up feeling as if you are the only one in the universe … I have finally started therapy … but the healing had started about 5 years ago when I finally told my husband of then 20 years that normal vanilla sex had never been enough. SO, we started experimenting and I can say, through both our researching how to bridge the past and my therapy, that at 48 my sex life is 'normal' now. I look forward to Damián and Savi's book. I may have to put it down and walk away … maybe even read it again to even get the story; but I will because this is one series/story that has hit home in a way that is cathartic for me."

Crystal wrote: "Can't wait to read more on Savi's story. As a survivor of child abuse myself, I love hearing how other survivors cope and heal from the past."

Becki wrote: "After 35 years of 'conventional' therapy, I still haven't gotten over what happened to me as a child or my father's reaction to it (saying it was my fault because I was leading the man on). I have a lot of repressed anger that I can only release through pain. Most people can't understand this, but it is my way of coping when the emotions get to be too much to handle. I'm really looking forward to reading Damián and Savi's story. I know it will be difficult, but I've found that I can learn new coping mechanisms through reading these books and other people's stories."

As a long-time Romance reader (since the 1970s!), I was able to see how love, sex, and romance should be in the fantasy world of Romance novels, but it still seemed foreign and something that could never happen to someone like me. As Heidi said, you feel isolated, as if you're the only one. That's part of why I wanted to write a book like this. Since therapy, I've been able to speak openly about it and break the silence. My husband did a lot to help me over the years We aren't in the lifestyle, but he is very patient and gentle. He definitely inspired that side of Damián's character.

But as I read Romances, I've always been bothered by how easily previously abused heroines in "got over" their traumatic abuses from the past, especially the sexual ones. They would be all hot and heavy by chapter six or ten or whatever, which just made me feel inadequate because I couldn't "get over it." I decided that, if I'm going to write about realistic BDSM communities (rather than the fantasy ones), then it was equally important to me that I write realistically about Savi's journey to heal from sexual abuse.

I saved this book for last in the initial three romances in the series, following up on the prequels introduced in Masters at Arms, knowing it would be difficult to write and knowing that the longer Savi was in therapy working on healing, the better it would be. Early on in the writing of this book, though, I could tell she had a long way to go, because she'd avoided sexual-healing therapy, figuring there was no place in her life for sex ever again.

However, Savi and Damián shared that tender day in the beach cave in Masters. Memories of that time before she'd shut herself down sexually keep invading her psyche, making her want more than what she sees in her future as far as sex goes. Then she watches Damián, who is a service Top and sadist at the Masters at Arms Club, whipping a woman much like herself and something clicks for her. She wants to change. She wants to feel again.
Even so, the trust issues alone that she has to overcome will take up much of the book. Sure, I could give a transitional phrase of "three months later" and fast forward in the relationship with a paragraph or so of what happened in the intervening time, but that won't convey to readers the baby steps it takes for her to begin to trust men again—steps that actually started in Nobody's Hero when she saw Damian with his niece, Teresa. The violation you feel when someone you should be able to trust implicitly abuses you can't be explained in this short blog, but it is profound and the effects last a lifetime.

The book also seems to be opening eyes to what real-life BDSM is all about. Julianne wrote: "Wow, that was such an emotional post, Kallypso. I wouldn't have thought about BDSM as healing. It's wonderful that it can help that way. The excerpt brought tears to my eyes. Damián is priceless, so patient and understanding. He's just what Savi needs to help her."

In erotic romance novels and erotica, the focus usually is on the kinky-sex side of the relationship, and I've certainly enjoyed writing and reading those books, too. But the really good books in the genre show that this is more than techniques and positions. The lifestyle is about finding like-minded souls who understand these needs that society labels as twisted and depraved. It's about forming their own community of people who can provide acceptance and support.

Kathy H., one of my beta readers who is in the lifestyle, has read hundreds of BDSM-genre books and said this was THE best she's ever read because it showed how the community really is—with members helping each other face their demons. While I am not active in this community, the people I have come to know since I began researching this series last year make me envy what they have with one another.

So far, only my editor and beta readers have seen the bulk of the story. They often were left with gut-wrenching chapter endings, not able to just turn the page and see that it would all work out. One said she had to take a Xanax because by chapter 20 or so, she was upset after reading another such cliffhanger. (Luckily, the next chapter was in her mailbox and had a much better ending.)

Khriste Close, another of my beta readers, wrote: “…(A)fter BETA reading for you, I am so very much in love with these two people and, well, all the others. I can definitely see from both points of view about how each one is trying to help the other cope. I am totally drained and mentally exhausted after reading what I have read, but also so much in love with Damián (and Savi) for how they are written as true emotional real people with major flaws, instead of picture-perfect annoyances."
Jennifer, a clinical psychologist who beta reads for me said that my flashback scenes are the most emotionally honest she'd read in fiction.
I am hoping readers outside the BDSM community and those who come into contact with abuse survivors to gain understanding from reading Damian and Savi's story. Mel commented at BDSM Authors Playroom blog: "Thank you, Kally, for approaching an issue that causes so much pain. I was not a victim, however, my mother was and I continued to see the aftermath throughout my childhood and into adulthood... Thank you for helping so many understand."

DarkBloodyVamp wrote: "By showing those of us not in the lifestyle that BDSM is more than whips and chains but a way of expressing and empowering oneself beyond social constraints… the more I read your posts the more you open my eyes and make me ask questions I never asked about myself before."

Emily added: "It's funny now some people think of BDSM being all about pain and they don't realize how freeing and healing it can actually be."

And Basia said: "I just wanted to comment that it’s so good to see BDSM represented as something that can be GOOD for someone who was abused."

I guess I'm writing this blog because I want to prepare readers for something different in this book. You know I have characters with deep emotional and physical wounds and I don't shy away from that. So, if you can read the story, I hope you do and that you find something that can help you understand yourself or perhaps a family member or friend who has been through some of what Savi has been through.

I don't plan on categorizing the book as erotica and maybe not as erotic anything, because most of the BDSM in this book is not intended to be titillating. But it IS a Romance and there WILL be a happy ending, I assure you. That is why I only read fiction in the Romance genre. I need to be assured that there will be happy endings before I can watch characters go through so much pain and angst.

Of course, I don't write books that tie everything up in a neat bow at the end, as my long-time readers know. My characters will continue to come back in later books to work on real problems in their relationships. Similarly, Damian and Savi will show up in later books, showing how their relationship is progressing, including their love life.

Becki commented on the above blog: "I'm not worried about the lack of sex in the book. The genre is what originally drew me in but, now that the characters are part of my family, the continuing story is what will keep me coming back."

I hope other readers are equally willing to give Savi and Damián time to move on in their relationship at their own speed. Of course, don't expect the book to be a downer. There will be some delightful moments as Damián tries to coax Savi to lighten up, too. I often mix laughter and tears—sometimes in the same scene. And I love sexual humor.

You'll also get to see Marc and Angelina again, as they worth through a major bump in their relationship. And Adam is going to be a father-figure you would expect him to be to Damián, but it's really endearing to see him begin to take on a fatherly role with Savi, as well. She's never know a father's love and I'm anxious to see how their relationship develops in that regard, as well.

Now I'll share a bit of the excerpt shared earlier, in case you missed it. This is one of the first scenes in which Damián is on a mission to help Savi release some of the horrific memories of her past. He has placed wooden clothespins down her sides and under her arms and is now preparing to remove them, one at a time:

Damián's hands stroked her back from her neck to just above her butt, then moved around to her chest, pressing his arms into the pins on her sides. She knew the clothespins must be digging into her flesh, but still felt nothing too terribly uncomfortable.

Just numbness and pressure.

"Savi, when it's time, I'm going to remove the clothespins one at a time. Immediately after each one is removed, I want you to attach a memory associated with a negative emotion—fear, anger, rage. You can scream, cry, cuss, or do whatever it takes to release that memory and feel that emotion, but you need to do it out loud and immediately. I need to hear it in order to take away its power over you.

Savi's mouth grew dry. She shook her head. "No, I don't think I can do this. I don't want to think about those things."

"You need to let those memories go so they'll no longer control or hurt you. They are holding you back. Even though you aren't consciously thinking about them now, they have held you hostage your entire adult life, possibly most of your childhood."

"I've repressed much of my childhood."

"Those will be some of the last memories you'll recall during this scene. It will take them longer to surface. But you want to release even the most painful of them."

She groaned. "Can I just think them? Don't make me say those things out loud, Sir." She didn't want him to know what she was.

"Speaking them is the best way to lessen their power over you. Otherwise, this will just be an exercise in pain for pain's sake. No value. No learning. No healing."

"But I don't feel pain. I don't feel anything."

Damián chuckled. "Oh, you'll definitely feel something before I'm finished, especially as the last pins are removed. The longer they pinch off the blood supply to your skin, the more you'll feel."

He truly expected her to feel something. He would be terribly disappointed when she didn't react at all. For some reason, the thought of disappointing him bothered her.

"Be my brave girl?"

"I'm not brave. I'm afraid of everything."

"Bullshit. You aren't afraid of me, are you?"

"You haven't hurt me, Sir. Not yet. Please don't ask this of me."

He stroked her cheek. "Savi, do you trust me to know what you need? To know what's best to help you?"

I think so.

Yes.

No!

She groaned again in frustration. How could he demand this of her? She couldn't think about the horrors of the past, much less speak of them. Most of the traumatic events she couldn't even remember anymore. She'd relegated those memories to the recesses of her mind long ago, right where she wanted them to stay.

"Trust me, Savi?"

If she didn't try this, she'd always wonder if it might have helped. She needed to do this.

She nodded.

"I want to hear you say the words."

"I…trust you, Damián…Sir."

He placed a kiss on her numb cheek. Her eyes stung. She wanted to feel his lips, but…nothing

"That's my girl."

His girl. She wasn't his girl, his dream, his anything. Yet, when he spoke to her like that, some broken, damaged piece of her wished she could be. The realization that a relationship with Damián could never be left her feeling surprisingly sad.

"I have restrained your arms and legs so that you won't be able to move. It's critical that you remain as still as possible so that I don't miss."

Miss what?

"You don't have to worry about anything but attaching a memory to each pin as I remove it. ¿Comprende?"

She didn't want to understand, but she did. "Yes, Sir."

Her heart pounded, but he brushed his lips across her ear and said, "I'm so proud of you."

That unfamiliar warmth spread through her again.

"Now, breathe, Savita."

In. Out.

He stepped away, moving behind her, and the loss hurt more than any since the night she heard him ride out of her life at her father's house. Her eyes burned. She blinked them to ease the sting. Silence. Fear surged to the surface.

"You won't leave me alone like this, will you, Sir?"

He cursed under his breath and seconds later placed his hands on the sides of her face forcing her to look at him.

"A responsible Dom or Top never leaves a sub alone when restrained. While there will be times when I want you to spend time in your head, right now, I want you to be thinking about some of the scenes you will release for me soon. Don't you dare even think I might leave you alone, restrained, at any time. Okay, Savita?"

Part of her wished he meant that as in forever, but she pushed that impossible thought aside. No one could ever love someone like her. He was just trying to help her. "Thank you, Sir."
His lips brushed hers. Tingling. She'd actually felt something! Perhaps because she hadn't anticipated it. Maybe if she let her guard down more, gave herself permission to feel something, this scene actually could do some good.

Savi pictured herself as Damián must see her, naked, arms and legs spread wide, exposed. She hadn't placed herself in such a vulnerable position with a man since she'd regained control of her life and body after escaping her father and Lyle.

Crack!

Savi jumped. Well, more figuratively than physically, given how tightly he'd bound her. The sound of the whip popping in the air brought her senses to full alert.

Damián came from behind her. He had recoiled the whip and held it in his left hand. He walked in front of her, so near she felt his body heat. He wrapped the whip around her back at waist level. He pulled it from side to side against her back, letting the friction of the leather warm her skin.

"The whip is going to free you, Savi. I don't want you to fear it. I want you to embrace it as it is embracing you right now."

Please watch the following sites for announcements about the release date for Nobody's Perfect (late August):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kallypsomasters
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kallypsomasters
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/KallypsoMastersAuthorPage
Web site: http://kallypsomasters.com (sign up for my newsletter here or at my blog)
Blog: http://kallypsomasters.blogspot.com

Thanks for having me at Under the Covers again, Francesca. I'd like to give away a free e-book in this series and some Rescue Me series swag (including the new Nobody's Perfect bookmark) to a randomly drawn commenter below who leaves an e-mail address. (Must have an e-mail address in order to be eligible. If you don't want to be added to our newsletter mailing list, please indicate so in your comment.) Leagh, my assistant, will announce the winner on/after July 27.

This series needs to be read in order, starting with the introduction, Masters at Arms, which is free at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and All Romance eBooks.  The other books in the series are just $3.99 each.

DOMS DUNGEON: Adam Montague

The first Dom to step in the UTC Dungeon is Adam Montague, from Kallypso Masters' "Nobody's Hero".

Retired Marine Master Sergeant Adam Montague has battled through four war zones, but now finds himself running from Karla Paxton, who has declared war on his heart. With a twenty-five year age difference, he feels he should be her guardian and protector, not her lover. But Karla's knack for turning up in his bed at inopportune times is killing his resolve to do the right thing. Karla isn't a little girl anymore—something his body reminds him of every chance it gets.

Karla Paxton fell in love with Adam when she was a sixteen-year-old runaway and he rescued her. Now, nine years later, she's determined to make Adam see her as a woman. But their age difference is only part of the problem. Adam has been a guardian and protector for lost and vulnerable souls most of his life, but a secret he has run from for more than three decades has kept him emotionally unable to admit he can love anyone. Will she be able to lower his guard long enough to break down the defenses around his heart and help him put to rest the ghosts from his past? In her all-out war to get Adam to surrender his heart, can the strong-willed Goth singer offer herself as his submissive—and at what cost to herself?

CONTENT INFO: This couple's story begins in Masters at Arms and continues in Nobody's Angel. This is not a stand-alone novel. This book contains very erotic scenes that include BDSM (bondage-discipline-domination-submission-sadism-masochism-master-slave)—but these ALWAYS will be safe, sane, and consensual (SSC) acts told in a more realistic approach to the BDSM genre. Includes rough sex, Shibari (rope bondage and suspension), anal play, cunnilingus, fellatio, flogging, sex toys, and intensely erotic "vanilla" sexual acts. 

Check out our review here

ADAM MONTAGUE

I can't tell you how excited I was to see that Master Adam Montague, the first Dom I introduced readers to in Masters at Arms and my personal favorite, made the readers' choice here for the Ultimate Dom competition.

I first met him in a Chicago bus station as he was nursing a hangover, trying to get back into headspace to return to his Marines and the war, and reeling from the loss of his beloved wife of 20 years, Joni. Master Sergeant Montague was faithful and loyal to his wife, as well as to the Marine Corps. What's not to love about a man who would sacrifice 25 years of his life for the country he loved?

Master Adam was inspired by Gibbs on NCIS. Like Gibbs, Adam began seeking a family by choice to replace those he'd loved and lost. He rescued 16-year-old Karla from pimps in the bus station and they formed a friendship through correspondence that spanned nine years. When he decided to retire, he realized Marc D'Alessio, his unit's Navy corpsman and the younger brother of one of the few Marine's he'd lost in combat, was at loose ends, too, and invited him to join him in opening a BDSM Club. Soon after, Marc enlisted Adam's help in rescuing Damian Orlando who was on the brink of suicide and dealing with PTSD after Iraq. The three opened their Masters at Arms Club a few years later, forming a tight brotherhood as they worked together toward that goal.

Adam is self-deprecating, which is why he will tell you he's nobody's hero. In fact, when he first said that to me, I knew I had the name of his book. He'll also be the first to say he's screwed up when it comes to being a Dom. I enjoy reading about fantasy Doms, but when it comes to writing them, I wanted the real deal. All of my Doms are realistic. But with Adam, it's even more so. A reader wrote to me in February asking me if there was someone I based Adam on, because he seemed so real. I told her no. Just a figment of my imagination. Then a month later, a 22-year Marine who retired as a Master Sergeant the same year as my Adam e-mailed me to tell me how much he enjoyed reading about Adam and the other characters in the series. As I got to know him better, there were even more similarities to my Adam. Knowing that there really is a Master Adam out there just makes my fictional version even more awesome to me.

Adam Montague would lay down his life for the ones he loves. He is protective, heroic, and strong willed. At 50, he's had only found two li'l subs he's pledged his heart to, the second being Karla. He fought his attraction to the 25-year-old, knowing he wasn't what a young woman needed. He was at the end of his journey and not looking to commit to anyone else. He'd already had the love of his life and hadn't gotten over her loss even after nine years. (He just hadn't met anyone with a stronger will than his—Karla.)

Oh, speak of the Devil Dog, here's Master Adam now!

"Sir, you'll never guess what's happened!"

He looked around the great room. "Where's Karla? Is she all right?"

"Oh, no! Don't worry. She's just taking a nap. She's fine! No, this isn't anything bad. I just found out that you are in competition for the Ultimate Dom at the Under the Covers blog.

"The what?"

"Ultimate Dom."

"Fuck that shit."

"Now, Sir. I know you won't believe this, but the readers who read those stories I wrote about you have voted for you. Lots of them wish you were their Dom. I know, because they write to me all the time asking if you're real."

"Look, I'm nobody's Ultimate Dom. Tell them to take me off the list. This is fucking embarrassing."
(Sorry, Francesca, if I offend any of your readers. You know how Adam is—a Marine to the end. Reminds me of the real-life Master Adam. When he was going over Masters at Arms for me for the recent re-release of my three books, he crossed out a place where I had Adam saying frigging and changed it to the F-bomb. He wrote, "Marines cuss. They don't say frigging.")

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're up against some really tough competition. Maybe you'll lose."

Adam shook his head. "I'm sure the readers at Under the Covers won't waste a vote on some scarred-up old Marine like me. Now, I need to go check on Karla. If I know her, she's not napping, but plotting some new scheme to break me of my resolve. The woman's tenacious, I'll give her that. But I'm not backing down on this."

*sigh* Well, there you have my stubborn, but loveable, crusty old Marine. I know readers alternate between wanting to hug him and wanting to smack him upside the head Gibbs style. But I'm not going to dissuade anyone from voting for him, because he'll always be MY hero, and my Ultimate Dom. Thanks to all the readers who took the time to nominate him! 

~ Kallypso Masters

www.kallypsomasters.com

The Awesomeness of Adam Montague

Adam burst into my life July 2011 when I had the great honor of beta reading Masters at Arms for Kallypso Masters. My reading world would never be the same without this Retired Marine Master Sergeant. In Masters at Arms, we see Adam as a tough as nails, but very broken and lonely Marine who saves a young teenage girl, Karla. Adam has no idea that this chance encounter with a girl 25 years his junior will forever change his life.

What we don’t know about Adam in Masters at Arms is just how broken he really is, because he always seems to be the rock for everyone around him. We don’t find out how deep his hurt runs until he gets his own book, Nobody’s Hero. And this boy—I know he doesn't like me to call him a boy, but he really is a lost little boy inside, even if he's a tough-as-nails Marine on the outside—is stubborn to a fault. Sometimes he can’t see what is right in front of him. But never fear, Karla finally gets through his stubborn, hard headed, I-need-no-one frame of mind.

I am sure anyone who has read these books will agree that Adam can be my hero any day.
Adam is sweet and stern, all at the same time. But he is always there for his growing surrogate family, especially Marc and Damián, no matter what. Loyal to a fault, and don’t ever mess with what Adam thinks is his.

Why do I think Adam deserves the title of Ultimate Dom?

Because, for one, he doesn’t think he needs or deserves it. He is selfless to a fault. Amid all the scars on his back, he has a tattoo memorializing the three Marines who died under his command, but very few people have ever seen it (only Marc, Karla, oh, yeah, and Karla's Mom, as far as I know, who all found it inadvertently). He's not flashy. He's the real deal. While he doesn't believe it, those who have read about him in the Rescue Me series already know he is the uber Dom, the absolute ultimate Dom. Is he perfect? Hell, no. Like I said, he has a stubborn streak a mile long. He can't communicate worth a damn, especially with Karla (but Kally keeps saying he's going to be forced to improve in that regard as the series continues). And he makes mistakes, but he's willing to admit it when he's wrong. When his sub, Karla, wouldn't safeword and he knew she'd gone beyond her limits, he's not afraid to safeword for her, unlike some who will cross the line and abuse a sub who doesn't safeword. He would never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it (and I can't wait to see how he and the boys exact justice for Savi). He is very protective of everyone under his wing.

2nd: Adam really is the Ultimate Dom. His willingness to help Damián out of a very dark place and to become a father-figure to him; to keep Karla safe from pimps in the bus station and even later in Nobody's Angel when he rescues her again by placing himself in great physical danger; to help Marc find a sense of purpose and direction after his medical discharge from the military as he starts to let down his guard and let a woman get close to his heart for the first time; and now to become a father-figure to Savi as she heals from the abuses inflicted on her by her own father. Adam takes responsibility for everyone around him and will help anyone who comes into his club (or across his path, in some cases).

3rd: Adam is a master in the art of Shibari, the ancient Japanese martial art of binding or tying someone up with ropes using these special techniques. When he got roped into tying Karla the first time in Nobody's Angel, I honestly never thought of being tied up as hot until this scene. Then, in Nobody's Hero, he did a Shibari suspension scene that, well, to be honest scared the crap out of me while intriguing me all at the same time.

4th: Adam has finally found a little peace in his life with the new love of his life and it looks like very happy times are ahead for the couple. After so many years of suffering and not taking credit for anything, he deserves to be recognized as the Ultimate Dom.

5th: It would be great to see him a little flustered over all the attention. I am sure that he would tell us we are all nuts and to leave him the F*ck alone.

6th and finally… Because I said so!! I am the Princess Masters Brat, so you should just listen to me and vote for Master Adam!

So these are my reasons why Adam should win this Ultimate Dom Contest. Now go vote for Adam.

~ Kelly
Books-n-Kisses

UTC Endorsement:

Dear readers:

WOW! If you have not read this series, do yourself a favor and pick it up.  If you like a tortured hero, and sometimes tortured heroine as well, with plenty of an emotional story along with your very hot sexy scenes, then this is the series for you.

~ Francesca

What some of you said about Adam:

Adam is the ultimate dom because of his ability to know what everyone needs. In the dungeons and in life. Adam is the one who knows how to control every thing around him. 

He knows how to command with a simple look and can make a girl shiver with one spoken word. He is a master with ropes and can force an orgasm on any willing subbie. Add to that his ability to train even the least experienced person and his ability to care for those under his watch and you are left with nothing less than perfection.

He is sensitive, dominant, caring, he knows exactly where to touch and how to touch. He is just plainly the hottest DOM.  


He has everything that a woman would want in a Dom, former Marine, powerful, strong, domineering, confident, loyal, compassionate, tender, caring, loving, gorgeous, well-endowed and knows how to bring a woman to ecstasy.

He just makes me melt on the spot when He is in the middle of a scene, whether it's a demonstration at the club or with His own subbie. Beyond the scenes though, He is a Dom naturally; always taking care of everyone. He also makes sure that all Masters at the club are treating Their subbies properly and with the correct care; many might argue this is simply Him watching out for the business but I believe it is the Natural Dom in Him watching out for the subbies. 

Note:  We will present another Dom each day until on Day 4 we open up the voting.

Review: Nobody's Hero by Kallypso Masters

Nobody's Hero

by Kallypso Masters

(Rescue Me # 3)

Dear readers of this review:

WOW! If you have not read this series, do yourself a favor and pick it up.  If you like a tortured hero, and sometimes tortured heroine as well, with plenty of an emotional story along with your very hot sexy scenes, then this is the series for you.

~ Francesca

I've been waiting for this story since book one when we get our first taste of Adam and who just then was a teenager, Karla.  I thought this would put me off being that he is 25 years older than her and at that point he had just lost his wife to cancer, but by the end of book one I couldn't help but want these two to get together....badly!

Karla is now 25 years old and the singer at Master at Arms, the kink club that Adam owns.  He's 50 now and he keeps telling himself to stay away, that she's just a kid.  But things happen and their platonic relationship turns physical.  *fans self* Ohhh the things I learned with this book!  There's chains, rope (Adam is very good with rope), tying, hanging, and a lot more!  Even what I now know as orgasm torture ;)

But it's not all roses between them.  Adam has a lot in his past that he has to deal with.  I don't expect him to resolve his issues in this one book because they're all major issues to have and to overcome but I can happily say he's taken that first step towards happiness.

Karla also learned that she can't just be Adam's slave but she has to be herself, which was all a learning experience for her and I think she's doing amazing dealing with this new lifestyle.

There's also a new development between Orlando and Savi.  Oh the torture to wait for their book next!!!  I can tell it'll be a tearjerker.

And speaking of tearjerkers, let me give you a warning about this book and please don't be like me and listen!  My friend told me to have tissues ready while reading this.  Of course I ignored that.  I can honestly say I have not been reduced to a sobbing mess the way this book got me.  I must've been crying for a half hour straight while reading it, let me tell you it wasn't pretty.  But it was amazing!

You will fall in love with Adam, you will want to comfort him, please him and make him happy.  And Karla is just the girl for the job, I couldn't help but be rooting for her the whole book.  I cannot tell you how much I want to read the next book RIGHT NOW!!!

The author also casted these characters to give you a visual:

Mark Harmon as Adam Montague

Tarja Tarunen as Karla Paxton

*Review copy provided by author









Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Nobody's Angel by Kallypso Masters

Nobody's Angel

by Kallypso Masters

(Rescue Me # 2)

Marco D'Alessio (what a sexy name!!!!) was not the hero I was dying to read about when I finished Masters at Arms.  I admit I was more enthralled with Damian and Adam.  But I can't say I was not intrigued by the sexy italian, military Doc, who has a thing for just running away from commitment because of his past failed relationships and betrayal by women.

We know that his one time girlfriend and the woman he wanted to marry, had cheated on him with his own brother.  We know because of her and what she did he left things in bad terms with his brother who then died in the war.  He carries a lot of guilt in his soul and a lack of trust in women.  So he prefers to play and not get involved.

But when he intervenes in a scene gone bad at the club and rescues Angelina from an abusive Dom she starts tugging at his heart.  And that scares the hell out of him.  She's young, she's innocent, she's been hurt.  And when she crosses his path again months later he can't help but want to be with her.

This was a bit of a sad story.  Both the hero and heroine have been hurt.  But Angelina lets go much easier and trusts him completely.  She does want to experience BDSM.  With him.  And at the same time he's protecting her from her abusive ex, Sir Asshole.

There's also a third player here.  We meet Luke.  Luke who lost his wife 7 years ago in an avalanche.  The same avalanche that killed Angelina's father.  But he keeps this from her.  That's a big thing not to tell someone that you're interested in.  But Luke is Marc's best friend, they would as Search and Rescue together.  And they both meet Angelina at a bar and realize they both want her.

While she does get to play with both, her heart is all for Marc.  Even though Marc wants to push her on Luke because he feels he deserves her more.  But here's where the part that wouldn't let me give this a five star rating comes.  Marc had a mask on when he rescued her at the club from her ex.  She didn't know that was him.  And he goes into this whole elaborate lie so that she doesn't find out he's the same guy.  Both men are hiding things from her!!  I think they should've both come clean a lot sooner than when they did.

In the end though, I think Marc and Angelina are wonderful together, their coming together is a bit slow but not to say it wasn't hot.  Even though they don't "officially" have sex until later in the book, they get plenty of play time and he slowly eases her into BDSM.  I learned right along with her about quite a few new things I had not clue about (and yes I googled them as I was reading).  He likes to call himself a Casual Dom, meaning he doesn't want to be a Dom 24/7, and he doesn't like to punish a woman, although he will do it if she deserves it.

With the events in this book with Adam and Karla I am very anxious to get to the next book!!!  And I really want to know more about Luke!

PS:  I love how the author gives you an idea on who her inspiration was when writing the characters and for Angelina and Marc she has Monica Bellucci and Raoul Bova.

* Book provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Masters at Arms by Kallypso Masters

Masters at Arms

by Kallypso Masters

(Rescue Me #1)



Masters At Arms is a collection of prequels that will give you a small glimpse into the Rescue Me world created by the talented Kallypso Masters. Having never heard of her work before, I recently discovered her through a blog and was immediately hooked by her post.

Even though this is the introduction to a BDSM series there wasn't a lot of it in this particular installment. See this book is basically setting up past events that will lead the characters to their own stories. I thought this was done very cleverly. So let me tell you about these amazing, even though quite a bit tortured, couples.

Adam and Karla
We start off with this story and it's truly heartbreaking. Adam has just gone through losing his wife to cancer and is on his way back to Camp to train another set of recruits and head back for another tour with the Marines. Karla crosses his path as a runaway teen at a bus station who looks lost and in need of a protector and he steps up to the plate. The connection between them is palpable even while she's still a teenager, he's 25 years her senior and he's in no way interested or looking for romance. But that night they rescued each other and turned their lives around. Maybe for some people that age difference might be a problem, but I think it worked well in the story and I can't wait to see how their story develops throughout the series and see them becoming a couple.

Damian and Savi
Savannah's story brought tears to my eyes. Coming from a wealthy family you would expect her life to have been roses but in fact the hell she's experienced just cannot be put into words. She was raped by her father who has then been pimping her out not for sex but for pain. Until one night at her fathers' hotel, and while she was with "clients", a young, hot, latino bus boy comes to her rescue after hearing her screams. She feels like she reached the end of the road and at least she can have one night of being cared for and loved before she contemplates ending her own life. And Damian is just a gentleman, kind-hearted and just what she needed. Of course Damian goes through his own hell after he enlists in the Marines. I think these two will need to go through a lot of healing before they can be together but it will definitely be rewarding to see them get their HEA.

Marc D'Alessio
We don't get to meet his intended HEA in this book. Thank God for that because he starts off with an ex-girlfriend who apparently cheated on him with his own brother and I was a bit concerned that he would end up getting back with her. However, in the hopes of running away from her and to honor the memory of his brother, who died while in the military, he enlists as well. War can definitely change a person, show you what life can be about, what people around you are worth. Even though he was not able to say goodbye to his brother on his own terms, I feel he might be the less emotionally damaged of the bunch. His story will be next in the series so I'm excited to see what's in store with Master Marc, who is the one we get to see more in action in this book.

Be warned some of the things described in this book might be difficult to read for some as it does touch on emotional subjects such as war, the death, physical and emotional injuries it leaves behind. There is also the mention of rape and some abuse. However, all these topics are only talked about briefly and you could say superficially so you don't have to go through the actual events.

Adam, Damian and Marc decided to open a fetish club after retiring from the military and so Masters at Arms will be opening its doors. I can't wait. I am very excited to continue this series as it promises to be raw, emotional and very hot!

Purchase Links: Amazon