Review: Temporary Master

Temporary Master by Dakota Trace

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When it comes to contemporary BDSM romances, Ms. Trace is one of the top five authors recommended. In this series, Doms of Napa Valley, it is another winning series providing a glimpse into this alternative lifestyle. Ethan Tremaine is a reluctant dominant. Reluctant in the ways of building a long term relationship with his submissive. With the way Ethan's been burned by an ex-wife, he's better off training submissives for other dominants than keeping one for himself.


Sabella Johnston is a strong independent female who craves an erotic power exchange. She's also chasing the elusive subspace statte. She's experimented with a couple of males and her last dominant was more domineering and abusive than dominanting and seductive. When Sabella moves back home to help care for her father, she's offered a chance to experience bondage with a rope master. For Rope bunnies, this is the book for you.

Ms. Trace is either a rope bondage fanatic or she is amazing with research. The BDSM in this story is truly remarkable in the details of Japanese rope bondage. She never lectures to a point of boredom; she provides bite size tidbits to tantalize those who may be interested in rope work and is just learning about it. This story is more than a Rope Bunny's wet dream. The BDSM also covers when some try to force their version of BDSM on others. Although to be fair, the villian in this story would not be classified by most BDSM lifestylers as a good dominant. By showing this contrast, a newbie into BDSM can see the differences between a healthy and unhealthy relationship as well as warning signs of an unbalanced dominant. These observations can also apply to the non-kinky relationships as well.

The give and take between Ethan and Sabelle is realistic. The way Sabelle behaves towards Ethan shows how submissives are not doormats. Some submissives may be but Sabelle is not and this is perfectly okay. The missteps between the two also demonstrations the human part to the lifestyle. No one is perfect. Dominants are not all knowing and all powerful. This is a good message for those who over romanticize dominants with unrealistic expectations. This lack of perfection does not detract from Ethan's allure. In fact, for me, it makes him more desirable.

From a plot perspective, this story moves at a good pace with the right amount of conflicts. The way all is resolved worked out well for me. This book easily captiviated my attention and I read it all in one seating. Then I wanted to read the next book in the series. The world building is great and makes those who are not close to a BDSM club wish this place really existed. It's a safe haven with responsible and non-judgmental dominant owners. What more could a lifestyler want?

This book is highly recommended to those who are past the Gateway to BDSM books and want something a bit more meaty. Ms. Trace is an excellent author of BDSM erotica and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

*provided by Manic Readers




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