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Masters and Mercenaries #4.5
Sanctum
Some contracts are made to be broken...A contract broken…Ryan Church and Jill Paxon enjoyed their life as Master and submissive until the day Ryan's entire world crumbled. No longer able to fulfill his end of the contract, Ryan did what he thought was best for Jill. He let her go.An unexpected reunion…Eighteen months later, Ryan is working for Ian Taggart as the Dom in Residence at the elite BDSM club Sanctum when his former submissive walks through the door looking for a job. Jill has changed, but his desire for her is still insatiable. Jill, shattered by his past rejection, can't trust Ryan, but she needs the job. Back in the community where she once felt safe and secure, she longs for the life she lost and the man she loved.A last chance for love…Ryan is presented with an opportunity to restore his wealth and name, but it could cost him his last chance at rebuilding a life with the woman he loves. When the secrets Jill has carefully hidden from Ryan are exposed, a terrible twist of fate might take her out of his life forever.
67 pages, ebook
First published May 27, 2013
About the author
Lexi Blake
167 books6,242 followersNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
September 4, 2013
This novella was like the perfect quickie; not quite as long as you'd like it, yet oddly satisfying.
I really can never go wrong with a book by Lexi Blake, and this one was certainly no exception. I have been absolutely in lust with the Masters and Mercenaries series from the very first book, The Dom Who Loved Me. While many of my favorite characters from the past books made an appearance, this novella can easily be read as a standalone.
Eighteen months ago Ryan Church lost everything; his business and his millions. Distraught and facing jail time for a fraud that he didn't commit, he doesn't feel that he can uphold his end of the contract with the beautiful submissive that he's fallen in love with. So he does the only thing that he feels is right - he lets her go.
Now working as a Dom in Residence in Ian Taggart's club, he still can't forget the woman that stole his heart and hasn't even bothered trying to move on from her. His past collides with his present, when that same woman comes to the club to apply for the bartender position.
Unable to deny the feelings that Jillian still stirs in him, Ryan wants nothing more than another chance. But Jill still hasn't forgotten Ryan's rejection and leaving her behind caused, and trust no longer comes easy to her. She's not the same submissive that she was over a year ago. The one thing she definitely cannot deny is the fire that still burns between them.
Oh, God"
"No, baby, it's Ryan." He chuckled, the sound a vibration against her flesh.
"I like the way you used to shout my name when you came. I want to hear it again. I've been waiting to hear it for a fucking year and a half."
For a short novella, this book was extremely fulfilling. We get the back story and development of Jill and Ryan's relationship, while also getting a little bit more Adam and my favorite Dom, Ian.
I have been anticipating Ian's book from the very beginning of this series, and the little taste that we get of him in this book will just have to tide me over until October 1st.
"You can fuck my Dom in Residence."
"What?"
"Sorry," Taggart said, not sounding sorry at all. "My friend tell me I don't deal with social situations. Supposedly I'm too blunt."
...
"You're kind of the worst fairy godmother ever, you know."
"I don't know. Do you intend to fuck him?"
"Yes."
"Then I would say I'm pretty fucking good. But the next time I have to play fairy godmother, I'm shoving a wand up someone's ass."
I read this book in one sitting and loved every single page of it. I also really loved Jill's sister and hope we'll get a book for her soon. It looks as if we will be getting a book next for my favorite kinky Brit, Simon. Or so I'm hoping!
If you enjoy super steamy BDSM books, you really need to give this series a try.
Now I just have to sit and wait
For more of my reviews visit: Dirty Girl Romance Book Blog
August 1, 2017
Sometimes contracts need to be renegotiated.
This is Ryan and Jillian’s story. After 18 months they meet again and well the chemistry is still there and the love is also still there but it is buried beneath a lot of hurt and doing the right thing.
For the fact that the D/s is based strongly on communication these couples sure do have problems with the communicating.
This is sweet and cute and slightly funny but that is all Adam’s doing.
Ms. Blake manages to pack a good strong story into 67 pages not many authors have that kind of talent.
Famous last words.
I’m falling in love with Big Tag
This is Ryan and Jillian’s story. After 18 months they meet again and well the chemistry is still there and the love is also still there but it is buried beneath a lot of hurt and doing the right thing.
For the fact that the D/s is based strongly on communication these couples sure do have problems with the communicating.
This is sweet and cute and slightly funny but that is all Adam’s doing.
Ms. Blake manages to pack a good strong story into 67 pages not many authors have that kind of talent.
Famous last words.
I’m falling in love with Big Tag
June 5, 2013
Sanctum by Lexi Blake is a satisfying snack of love, romance and hot, steamy sex. Sanctum is a stand-alone novella in Ms. Blake’s Masters & Mercenaries series.
Sanctum is a compelling story about how lack of communication can cause even couples in love to break up. Unfortunate circumstances forced Ryan out of his life as CEO of his own company. His feelings of failure were typical for a man; and his fear of being able to provide for his submissive forced him to make the decision to let Jill go. Jill was so focused on making her master happy and didn’t speak up for herself. When Ryan ended their contract and asked his friend to take care of Jill, she was so hurt by the perceived betrayal that she didn’t protest. Ryan and Jill went their separate ways, each hurting and unable to move on.
When fate brought them back together, neither could deny their mutual attraction or the love they felt. However, they still had so much to learn about communicating with each other. Successful BDSM relationships are built on trust and communication. In the past this is where Ryan and Jill both failed and both needed to accept their responsibility in their breakup. They also needed to learn to share their honest thoughts and feelings if they were going to have a chance to succeed.
With help from a matchmaking Ian Taggert (always a pleasure to see Ian make an appearance), Ryan and Jill are able to finally overcome their past problems and get the HEA they desperately deserve.
The sex scenes in Sanctum are hot and steamy which I expect from Lexi Blake. The love that the couple feels toward each other just adds another layer to their lovemaking, especially as Ryan and Jill slowly reconnect and learn to be a couple again.
Even if you have not read any of the Masters and Mercernaries series (and if you haven’t, why not? You are missing out) you will still enjoy Sanctum. It gave me something to enjoy while I patiently await the next book in the series. Thank you Ms. Blake for this delicious treat.
Sanctum is a compelling story about how lack of communication can cause even couples in love to break up. Unfortunate circumstances forced Ryan out of his life as CEO of his own company. His feelings of failure were typical for a man; and his fear of being able to provide for his submissive forced him to make the decision to let Jill go. Jill was so focused on making her master happy and didn’t speak up for herself. When Ryan ended their contract and asked his friend to take care of Jill, she was so hurt by the perceived betrayal that she didn’t protest. Ryan and Jill went their separate ways, each hurting and unable to move on.
When fate brought them back together, neither could deny their mutual attraction or the love they felt. However, they still had so much to learn about communicating with each other. Successful BDSM relationships are built on trust and communication. In the past this is where Ryan and Jill both failed and both needed to accept their responsibility in their breakup. They also needed to learn to share their honest thoughts and feelings if they were going to have a chance to succeed.
With help from a matchmaking Ian Taggert (always a pleasure to see Ian make an appearance), Ryan and Jill are able to finally overcome their past problems and get the HEA they desperately deserve.
The sex scenes in Sanctum are hot and steamy which I expect from Lexi Blake. The love that the couple feels toward each other just adds another layer to their lovemaking, especially as Ryan and Jill slowly reconnect and learn to be a couple again.
Even if you have not read any of the Masters and Mercernaries series (and if you haven’t, why not? You are missing out) you will still enjoy Sanctum. It gave me something to enjoy while I patiently await the next book in the series. Thank you Ms. Blake for this delicious treat.
October 24, 2022
The couple: Ryan and Jill
Romance trope: bdsm; second chance
Series: Masters and Mercenaries
Length: 67 pages
Plot: In this novella, we get the story of Ryan and Jill, both characters we have seen before in other stories. They're not part of the security team, but rather, they work at the club. Ryan is working as the Dom in residence at the club, and Jill walks in to apply for a job. Neither of them is at a place in their lives that they expected, but they're in the exact right place to reconnect and find a second chance.
Commentary: They were in love before but Ryan sent Jill off with another dom because he was struggling with his business and was facing possible prison time. He didn't share any of this will Jill, though, and she has felt the betrayal of his abandonment all this time. Honestly, I got that. It felt like he essentially handed her off to another man without even asking if she was okay with it - and she really wasn't! He acted like her feelings didn't matter and partners are interchangeable. He probably needed to grovel a little more. However, I was glad to finally get their story and understand the dynamic between them.
Previous book in the series: On Her Master's Secret Service
Next book in the series: Love and Let Die
Romance trope: bdsm; second chance
Series: Masters and Mercenaries
Length: 67 pages
Plot: In this novella, we get the story of Ryan and Jill, both characters we have seen before in other stories. They're not part of the security team, but rather, they work at the club. Ryan is working as the Dom in residence at the club, and Jill walks in to apply for a job. Neither of them is at a place in their lives that they expected, but they're in the exact right place to reconnect and find a second chance.
Commentary: They were in love before but Ryan sent Jill off with another dom because he was struggling with his business and was facing possible prison time. He didn't share any of this will Jill, though, and she has felt the betrayal of his abandonment all this time. Honestly, I got that. It felt like he essentially handed her off to another man without even asking if she was okay with it - and she really wasn't! He acted like her feelings didn't matter and partners are interchangeable. He probably needed to grovel a little more. However, I was glad to finally get their story and understand the dynamic between them.
Previous book in the series: On Her Master's Secret Service
Next book in the series: Love and Let Die
June 12, 2013
4.75 stars - too short, so just misses out on the 5 for me
Other than this being too quick a read, it's perfect!
I love this series so much, it just blows me away.
Well written, so much detail for a novella, I adore all of the characters in the series and the flow is consistently brilliant. You can't go wrong with Ian and his team.
And now for the big one...Ian's story - I'm drooling already!!
Other than this being too quick a read, it's perfect!
I love this series so much, it just blows me away.
Well written, so much detail for a novella, I adore all of the characters in the series and the flow is consistently brilliant. You can't go wrong with Ian and his team.
And now for the big one...Ian's story - I'm drooling already!!
June 4, 2013
Shadow‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 STARS
This short story, part of the Masters and Mercenaries series, is about keeping the lines of communication open in a relationship.
Jill and Ryan were in a contracted D/s relationship when his business failed. He found Jill a Dom to take care of her, and went to work as the house Dom at BDSM club Sanctum. He has been there for several years and is just about ready to try again to start up a business when Jill shows up seeking a job at the club.
Neither of them has been able to move beyond their relationship because they really cared for each other. But both of them were trying to live up to their contract rather than talking about their actual feelings and needs. Will that realization enable them to move forward with their relationship or will they fall back into old habits?
This was an excellent short read, with some hot scenes, including spanking and other elements of BDSM. It also emphasizes how important it is for people to actually talk , not rely on what they believe the other partner is thinking. My only complaint is I wanted more!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 STARS
This short story, part of the Masters and Mercenaries series, is about keeping the lines of communication open in a relationship.
Jill and Ryan were in a contracted D/s relationship when his business failed. He found Jill a Dom to take care of her, and went to work as the house Dom at BDSM club Sanctum. He has been there for several years and is just about ready to try again to start up a business when Jill shows up seeking a job at the club.
Neither of them has been able to move beyond their relationship because they really cared for each other. But both of them were trying to live up to their contract rather than talking about their actual feelings and needs. Will that realization enable them to move forward with their relationship or will they fall back into old habits?
This was an excellent short read, with some hot scenes, including spanking and other elements of BDSM. It also emphasizes how important it is for people to actually talk , not rely on what they believe the other partner is thinking. My only complaint is I wanted more!
June 10, 2013
See Rosebud's review she enjoyed it as much as me and says it much better!
February 23, 2018
I began this series back in 2014, and as I went along I missed out on the fact that there were a few novellas. I think I was reading book 10, From Sanctum with Love, when I realized. I've been holding these unread novellas on my Kindle for some time now, because this in my favorite ongoing series and I tend to get really bummed out when I finish a book and have to wait a while for my favorite cast of characters to come back into my life.
I was a couple of pages into this novella and I already had that warm, squishy, "arriving home after a long day peopleing" feeling. I've put off reading the last two full length novels, Love Another Day and the just released Nobody Does It Better, both sitting in my Kindle beckoning me, until I was caught up with the novellas. Now I'm sucked back in and I've missed Sanctum the way I miss ice cream when I realize I've just had the last bite.
Only Lexi Blake can make me all hot and bothered, all swoony, all choked up in under 100 pages. This is why she's in my top 3 favorite authors.
Going back to read these novellas now is like the sweetest trip down memory lane 😁
I was a couple of pages into this novella and I already had that warm, squishy, "arriving home after a long day peopleing" feeling. I've put off reading the last two full length novels, Love Another Day and the just released Nobody Does It Better, both sitting in my Kindle beckoning me, until I was caught up with the novellas. Now I'm sucked back in and I've missed Sanctum the way I miss ice cream when I realize I've just had the last bite.
Only Lexi Blake can make me all hot and bothered, all swoony, all choked up in under 100 pages. This is why she's in my top 3 favorite authors.
Going back to read these novellas now is like the sweetest trip down memory lane 😁
May 22, 2021
He really sold himself cheaply. As a CEO, he would’ve made that amount in 2-3 years. Not to mention only retaining 2% of future value. Sorry, I just couldn’t get past that to enjoy the rest of the book. Very short. Just sort of average. Hilarious that a woman in her late 20s is described as having sagging breasts. Sure. Eyeroll.
July 20, 2019
Sanctum is the first book in the Sanctum series but it is book 4.5 in the Masters and Mercenaries series. I suggest reading them in order to get the full experience.
I enjoyed this book but it was short and didn't give me the connection I like with the main characters. There was drama and like always my heart went out to the characters but I didn't feel invested in them, it was just a good read.
I enjoyed this book but it was short and didn't give me the connection I like with the main characters. There was drama and like always my heart went out to the characters but I didn't feel invested in them, it was just a good read.
February 26, 2016
The 1st story in between the “Masters and Mercenaries” series.
That story is an air of change at the common routine of the in between stories be about the main characters having a baby, or how tragedy once again hits before a main event like a weeding.
Don’t get me wrong, those stories are amazing because it’s always a joy to get a glimpse of how the characters (that filled your late night hour and obsessed about- I know you know what I mean, we all been there), after the “happy ever after” was written and delivered, lived. But when you have at your hands something out of the ordinary, you get a thrill, that is what this book is.
The story is a short one. The series so far was about a security firm which is run and operates by Doms doing their “day job”. Here we take a taste and a glimpse how their “night job” works.
At the first 4 books we saw plenty of the Sanctum, the Doms and the Submissives, but here we see how the work is done so the Doms can play with their “pets”, how a Dom get to graduate to be a Dom and what does it need to land a job at a place like that.
We see how the job is done…..And with that your mind goes to a hot, no ending sex installment.
The sex is kept in the low, but the intimate scenes are hot and the kind that makes you hold your breath till the end and then read them again from the top, making an extremely hot and addicting read.
Ryan a Dom at Ian Taggart’s employment, but he wasn’t always the employ. He used to be the employer once upon a time with his own business till he lost it all. Letting his fears, about losing his business and his wealth, guide him, he done a terrible mistake by driving the one joy of his life away to the hug of another man who can provide her more than what he was cable of. Now he lives his day at celibacy, with her memory and the plans of getting back the business he lost.
Fate brought them back together, but still the stubbornness of both meets no ends, because they both want to do what they believe is right and safe for them. Well as u can imagine they are both wrong.
Jullian is between a rock and a hard place, having bills running to pay and two more people to feed beside herself she is forced to work for the one man she loved, the one that sent her off to another man with no obvious strangle doing so. With no options she takes the job believing she is making a mistake that will destroy her again.
They will come face to face with life changing events and they will come through and come together. After all the saying is “love conquers all” even if it a kinky kind of love.
A funny and strongly emotional book with a BDSM theme, as always Lexi Blake gives us strong characters, solid backgrounds – even if it’s a short story, intimate scenes that make you hold your breath and an amazing read that makes you let it off your sight only to grab the next one of the series
LINES that made burst out laughing:
He brought his hands up and made a deeply junior-high gesture. “The penis goes into the vagina like this.”
”They were very masculine flowers.” Bubbling, bubbling leads to made up silly answers guys….
“Oh God” […] “No, baby, is Ryan” I see that line so many times and even in the most intimate scene I laughing nonstop, true story, I am weird that way, hahaha.
“How can I help you, Mr. Taggart?” […] “You can fuck my Dom in Residence.”
And the best of them all “You’re kind of the worst fairy godmother ever, you know.” […] “Then I say I’m pretty fucking good. But the next time I have to play fairy godmother, I’m shoving a wand up someone’s ass." The said, wand shoving fairy godmother, is IAN TAGGART of all people, if you are familiar with the character then you will be at the floor of your room right about now rolling around by laughing as hard as I laughed at that dialogue…
That story is an air of change at the common routine of the in between stories be about the main characters having a baby, or how tragedy once again hits before a main event like a weeding.
Don’t get me wrong, those stories are amazing because it’s always a joy to get a glimpse of how the characters (that filled your late night hour and obsessed about- I know you know what I mean, we all been there), after the “happy ever after” was written and delivered, lived. But when you have at your hands something out of the ordinary, you get a thrill, that is what this book is.
The story is a short one. The series so far was about a security firm which is run and operates by Doms doing their “day job”. Here we take a taste and a glimpse how their “night job” works.
At the first 4 books we saw plenty of the Sanctum, the Doms and the Submissives, but here we see how the work is done so the Doms can play with their “pets”, how a Dom get to graduate to be a Dom and what does it need to land a job at a place like that.
We see how the job is done…..And with that your mind goes to a hot, no ending sex installment.
The sex is kept in the low, but the intimate scenes are hot and the kind that makes you hold your breath till the end and then read them again from the top, making an extremely hot and addicting read.
Ryan a Dom at Ian Taggart’s employment, but he wasn’t always the employ. He used to be the employer once upon a time with his own business till he lost it all. Letting his fears, about losing his business and his wealth, guide him, he done a terrible mistake by driving the one joy of his life away to the hug of another man who can provide her more than what he was cable of. Now he lives his day at celibacy, with her memory and the plans of getting back the business he lost.
Fate brought them back together, but still the stubbornness of both meets no ends, because they both want to do what they believe is right and safe for them. Well as u can imagine they are both wrong.
Jullian is between a rock and a hard place, having bills running to pay and two more people to feed beside herself she is forced to work for the one man she loved, the one that sent her off to another man with no obvious strangle doing so. With no options she takes the job believing she is making a mistake that will destroy her again.
They will come face to face with life changing events and they will come through and come together. After all the saying is “love conquers all” even if it a kinky kind of love.
A funny and strongly emotional book with a BDSM theme, as always Lexi Blake gives us strong characters, solid backgrounds – even if it’s a short story, intimate scenes that make you hold your breath and an amazing read that makes you let it off your sight only to grab the next one of the series
LINES that made burst out laughing:
He brought his hands up and made a deeply junior-high gesture. “The penis goes into the vagina like this.”
”They were very masculine flowers.” Bubbling, bubbling leads to made up silly answers guys….
“Oh God” […] “No, baby, is Ryan” I see that line so many times and even in the most intimate scene I laughing nonstop, true story, I am weird that way, hahaha.
“How can I help you, Mr. Taggart?” […] “You can fuck my Dom in Residence.”
And the best of them all “You’re kind of the worst fairy godmother ever, you know.” […] “Then I say I’m pretty fucking good. But the next time I have to play fairy godmother, I’m shoving a wand up someone’s ass." The said, wand shoving fairy godmother, is IAN TAGGART of all people, if you are familiar with the character then you will be at the floor of your room right about now rolling around by laughing as hard as I laughed at that dialogue…
March 15, 2020
Eighteen months ago Ryan's life came crashing down around him, he lost his business, his money and was potentially facing jail for a crime he didn't commit unless he could find a way to prove his innocence. Instead of talking to Jill and letting her help him he made the foolish choice of ending their relationship thinking he could no longer provide her with everything she needed.
Jill was heartbroken when Ryan walked away from her and after months of living a vanilla lifestyle she is finally feeling ready to play again. She's also desperately in need of a new job so when a position opens at the Sanctum BDSM club it seems like the perfect opportunity. She had no idea that Ryan is now working as one of the Doms in residence though. Ryan wants nothing more than to have Jill back in his life but it's not going to be easy to win her trust back after the way he abandoned her before.
Lexi Blake definitely manages to pack a lot into her shorter stories, Sanctum is full of heart with a touch of humour and a heavy dose of spice. Ryan and Jill fit together perfectly and it was easy to root for them as a couple. Ryan made a huge mistake by not letting Jill know what was happening in his life and instead just pushing her away but Jill wasn't perfect either and she hadn't been fully honest with him about what she wanted from their relationship. Seeing them work through their past was extremely satisfying and their story definitely left me with a smile on my face.
Jill was heartbroken when Ryan walked away from her and after months of living a vanilla lifestyle she is finally feeling ready to play again. She's also desperately in need of a new job so when a position opens at the Sanctum BDSM club it seems like the perfect opportunity. She had no idea that Ryan is now working as one of the Doms in residence though. Ryan wants nothing more than to have Jill back in his life but it's not going to be easy to win her trust back after the way he abandoned her before.
Lexi Blake definitely manages to pack a lot into her shorter stories, Sanctum is full of heart with a touch of humour and a heavy dose of spice. Ryan and Jill fit together perfectly and it was easy to root for them as a couple. Ryan made a huge mistake by not letting Jill know what was happening in his life and instead just pushing her away but Jill wasn't perfect either and she hadn't been fully honest with him about what she wanted from their relationship. Seeing them work through their past was extremely satisfying and their story definitely left me with a smile on my face.
September 3, 2013
Lexi Blake serves up smoking hot and steamy sex in this sinful short story. This tale tells of the one that got away. Ryan is the hot Dom in Residence at Sanctum and his heart still belongs to Jillian. Jillian has not been with another man since Ryan left her 18 months ago. What happens when Ian sets up an interview with Jillian to be the new bartender at Sanctum?
I loved this little short about Ryan and Jillian and of course no novel in this series would be complete without a cameo from Adam Miles. Adam has to taunt Ryan to get him so riled up that he realizes that he can't keep pretending that he is over Jillian. The lesson to be learned here is that communication is essential to keep a lasting relationship. Lexi takes a weak young girl and turns her into a very strong woman. Jillian does not flinch or argue when she is asked to strip in order to teach other Doms how to treat their subs. She is strong, sexy, and smart and takes Ryan's breath away.
If you want a short sweet and sexy romance to tie you over until Ian's story comes out then this novella is for you.
I loved this little short about Ryan and Jillian and of course no novel in this series would be complete without a cameo from Adam Miles. Adam has to taunt Ryan to get him so riled up that he realizes that he can't keep pretending that he is over Jillian. The lesson to be learned here is that communication is essential to keep a lasting relationship. Lexi takes a weak young girl and turns her into a very strong woman. Jillian does not flinch or argue when she is asked to strip in order to teach other Doms how to treat their subs. She is strong, sexy, and smart and takes Ryan's breath away.
If you want a short sweet and sexy romance to tie you over until Ian's story comes out then this novella is for you.
September 12, 2019
Short but good
This is a short story in this series but it was enjoyable
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Storyline progresses nicely to a happy ending
Well described characters but in these short stories it’s difficult to get that familiar feeling for them
Hot scenes
Good 4 stars read
This is a short story in this series but it was enjoyable
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Storyline progresses nicely to a happy ending
Well described characters but in these short stories it’s difficult to get that familiar feeling for them
Hot scenes
Good 4 stars read
January 3, 2024
Here's a laugh...imagine Ian Taggart as somone's fairy godmother! Hysterical, right? Ian does step in as a relationship counselor of sorts, though when it becomes apparent that his club manager and Dom in Residence, Ryan and his bar manager, Jilluan, can't get past their stubbornness. Driven apart by circumstances 18 months ago they are now thrown together again when Jill shows up for a job interview at Sanctum. It takes a near tragedy and some not-so-subtle prodding by Ian to get them to see that there were mistakes on both sides of the relationship.
June 10, 2013
A short but intense read to enjoy until the next book "Love And Let Die" comes out. This story is about Ryan, the Dom in residence at Sanctum, and Jill. Jill had been a sub for Ryan in the past so they have history. Lots of snark and yes the scenes are hot. And typical Lexi, there is a twist.
This is a standalone novella installment with enough of a tease to give me my fix for the series but not enough to satisfy the addition I have for this series. Can't wait for Ian's story.
This is a standalone novella installment with enough of a tease to give me my fix for the series but not enough to satisfy the addition I have for this series. Can't wait for Ian's story.
May 30, 2013
I liked very much this short story of Ryan and Jill because if also short, there were the details that makes great this series. The missing dialogue between two protagonists is been cause of pain and misunderstanding but nothing that love and one little help from Ian can't solve. Lexi Blake confirms be one fantastic writer.
May 30, 2013
Happy to get the inside scoop on Ryan. He and Jill reminds me of Eve and Alex. All contract and no communication. I was so happy Ian ( wicked fairy god mother) intervened and made them both see the light.
August 14, 2014
A sweet little novella about Ryan and Jill, master and sub, who did the number one no no in a BDSM relationship, even though they deeply loved each other, they didn't communicate. This mistake cost them 18 months. I enjoyed reading this even though it was too short.
July 24, 2013
Got my fix before Ian's book!
May 29, 2013
great story, can't wait for Ian, Simon and Jesse's stories
September 28, 2013
Dang, I love the Taggart.
June 10, 2016
A very strong 3.5 Stars
March 17, 2014
Ok. Fine. Ian has grown on me.
LOVE this series so much!
LOVE this series so much!
February 7, 2017
Short and sweet :) I'm sure we'll get a cameo of this pairing in the othe books.
May 31, 2021
Let me begin this by saying that I've never read anything from this author before, so I am wholly ignorant about this particular book series and the characters therein. However, it didn't bother me to read about other couples as most of the focus was kept on Ryan and Jill with the others being more or less background characters.
The problem I had with this story was the fact that despite it being a novella, it felt overly rushed. I would desperately have liked to have seen more of them BEFORE everything went to heck in their relationship (including the day he put her into the care of someone else in more than just idle thoughts and comments here and there). I also wish there would have been more of Ryan showing that he cared in other ways. I understand him still being in love with her, and wanting to take care of her and do right by her and her sister, but it seemed he was still making demands even after Jill very firmly told her no (let me state that I agree with his reasoning after Jill is hurt, but I would have liked her to have a say in things instead of everything being arranged when she came out of the hospital).
As for the sex in this novel - THANK GOD it didn't overpower everything else. Please don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good sex scene just as much as the next person, but I HATE it when it overshadows everything else. Thankfully, while there were mentions of spanking and other sexual acts (and one or two sex scenes) there was enough of a plot to carry this story and make it interesting on its own.
Because this is my first experience with this author and I did enjoy her writing style, I will give one of her full length novels a chance before I decide whether or not to continue with any more of this series.
The problem I had with this story was the fact that despite it being a novella, it felt overly rushed. I would desperately have liked to have seen more of them BEFORE everything went to heck in their relationship (including the day he put her into the care of someone else in more than just idle thoughts and comments here and there). I also wish there would have been more of Ryan showing that he cared in other ways. I understand him still being in love with her, and wanting to take care of her and do right by her and her sister, but it seemed he was still making demands even after Jill very firmly told her no (let me state that I agree with his reasoning after Jill is hurt, but I would have liked her to have a say in things instead of everything being arranged when she came out of the hospital).
As for the sex in this novel - THANK GOD it didn't overpower everything else. Please don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good sex scene just as much as the next person, but I HATE it when it overshadows everything else. Thankfully, while there were mentions of spanking and other sexual acts (and one or two sex scenes) there was enough of a plot to carry this story and make it interesting on its own.
Because this is my first experience with this author and I did enjoy her writing style, I will give one of her full length novels a chance before I decide whether or not to continue with any more of this series.
December 15, 2021
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is Ryan and Jill's story, it is short, sweet, and heartbreaking.
Ryan and Jill were the perfect D/s couple except for one thing, they did not know how to communicate and that among other things is what ended their relationship.
Now, 18 months later Ryan is sitting across from Jill who is looking for a job at Sanctum. Ryn can't believe she is here, in front of him. What happened to her? He thought she would have been safe.
Jill is still heartbroken that he could give her away so easily, now she is faced with working with him. Can she do it? She can and she will.
How can two people who loved each other get things so wrong in the past? Can they make things right this time around?
I love this series and this novella was the perfect mix needed to give this series a little more of the heartbroken aspect. I loved that all of Ryan's friends were behind him finding his HEA. I can't wait for more of this series.
This is Ryan and Jill's story, it is short, sweet, and heartbreaking.
Ryan and Jill were the perfect D/s couple except for one thing, they did not know how to communicate and that among other things is what ended their relationship.
Now, 18 months later Ryan is sitting across from Jill who is looking for a job at Sanctum. Ryn can't believe she is here, in front of him. What happened to her? He thought she would have been safe.
Jill is still heartbroken that he could give her away so easily, now she is faced with working with him. Can she do it? She can and she will.
How can two people who loved each other get things so wrong in the past? Can they make things right this time around?
I love this series and this novella was the perfect mix needed to give this series a little more of the heartbroken aspect. I loved that all of Ryan's friends were behind him finding his HEA. I can't wait for more of this series.
September 16, 2018
Sanctum is the first book in Lexi Blake's Sanctum Nights series - a series of novellas interconnected with her Masters and Mercenaries series.
Sanctum tells the story of Ryan Church and Jill Paxton and I enjoyed their story as I have many stories that Lexi Blake has written.
However, the true stand out character in this book for me is Ashley Paxton - she's sweet, sassy, a single mum and a strong woman who's not afraid to ask for help or take it when it's offered to her.
Even though Sanctum is a novella it has just as much angst, emotion and sexiness as every book in Lexi's Masters and Mercenaries series.
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Sanctum tells the story of Ryan Church and Jill Paxton and I enjoyed their story as I have many stories that Lexi Blake has written.
However, the true stand out character in this book for me is Ashley Paxton - she's sweet, sassy, a single mum and a strong woman who's not afraid to ask for help or take it when it's offered to her.
Even though Sanctum is a novella it has just as much angst, emotion and sexiness as every book in Lexi's Masters and Mercenaries series.
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July 14, 2020
A novella set in the world of Lexi Blake's Masters and Mercenaries. Ryan Church had it all, a successful startup, money, prestige, and the perfect sub. Then his CFO took it all away in a fraudulent act that cost Ryan everything. Certain that he could no longer fulfill his part of the contract with Jill Paxon, Ryan passes her on to his best friend who he knows will take care of the woman he loved. When Ryan pawned Jill off to his best mate, he broke her. Jill never meant to fall for the big, sexy dom, but she had. Now, eighteen months later she is in desperate need of a job that will help her support her sister and baby niece. What she didn't expect was that Ryan would be her boss. Ryan now works for Ian Taggart as the Dom in Residence at the elite BDSM club Sanctum, and Jill is coming in as a bar manager. Can these two work side by side while keeping their emotions in check? Unlikely. In a place where sex and seduction are par for the course, keeping things purely professional will be impossible for these two lovers who lost their way, but that life decided to bring back together. A sweet, sexy, tale of love and second chances at Sanctum.
June 18, 2018
Ryan is a man with a lot of pride. As a Dom, he feels like it's his responsibility to take care of his submissive in all ways, even financially. When he looses everything, he releases his Sub, Jill, to another Dom to be taken care of, since he feels he can no longer do so. Fast forward a bit, and he has landed on his feet and is now the Dom in Residence at Sanctum, a BDSM club.
Jill is a Sub that feels she was betrayed by her Dom. And that's colored every decision she's made since it occurred. She is determined to make her way on her own, and depend on no one.
This is a novella in the M&M world, and really is a case of lack of communication. I loved how we got glimpses of the other characters from previous books, but really wanted to shake Ryan! At times, I could only think that he is a typical male, thinks he knows everything, and doesn't need anyone else's input when making a huge decision. But at other times, I could see how he felt about Jill, and that he really was just trying to do the best that he knew how, given the situation he was in. This was just another great book in the M&M series!
Jill is a Sub that feels she was betrayed by her Dom. And that's colored every decision she's made since it occurred. She is determined to make her way on her own, and depend on no one.
This is a novella in the M&M world, and really is a case of lack of communication. I loved how we got glimpses of the other characters from previous books, but really wanted to shake Ryan! At times, I could only think that he is a typical male, thinks he knows everything, and doesn't need anyone else's input when making a huge decision. But at other times, I could see how he felt about Jill, and that he really was just trying to do the best that he knew how, given the situation he was in. This was just another great book in the M&M series!
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