Z’s day begins with sadnessA phone call from a dying friend leaves psychologist Zachary Grayson determined to fulfill the old survivalist’s request–a send-off that will comfort his grieving sons.And then turns deadlyThe death threat is only the beginning…because the letter isn’t a hoax. Z walks out of his office into a barrage of bullets. He can take being shot at, but when the second shot … He can take being shot at, but when the second shot splinters the empty child-seat in his car, he’s shaken to the core. The horror of what would have happened if his little girl had been there spurs him to action.
Master Z is a Dom, a husband, a father—every instinct drives him to protect those under his care. When the police can’t catch his stalker, he must take matters into his own hands.
He must keep danger far from those he loves.
Secrecy and distance is the key. The funeral in Alaska is the perfect location, especially since Z won’t be alone. The survivalist’s sons have grown into men with lethal skills. With their help, he can trap the shooter and keep his family safe.
As long as his impetuous and all-too-observant wife, Jessica, doesn’t discover he’s using himself as bait.
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Defiance is not only a wonderful addition to the beloved Masters of the Shadowlands series, but you also get to meet the deadly heroes from the upcoming Sons of the Survivalist series!
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Master Z and his Jessica share joy, sorrow and moments of danger in this introduction to a new set of characters from Cherise Sinclair’s upcoming new series. They are rugged, deadly and sexy men raised by a survivalist in the harsh Alaska environment which seems to be the perfect setting for these new stories. Z and Jessica reconnect on a deeper level because of their foray in our 49th state. I was absolutely delighted with this book!
YES! I adore anything written by Cherise and when i heard this one was coming? I went straight to my iBooks and pre-ordered. Because if it’s written by Cherise,i know i’m going to love it!
Catching up with Z and Jessica was great,even if there was a threat hanging over Z’s head. More to the point,someone was out for his life. And when his good friend Mako dies,leaving his 4 sons behind,he decides to take that threat with him to Alaska,where the funeral will be. He orders Jessica to stay at her parents with their daughter Sophia. If you know Jessica,you know what happens…..And if you know Z,you know how he plans to deal with both the threat ánd his disobeying sub……
That glimpse at Mako’s sons…..WOW! I can’t wait for thát series to arrive,ánd i heard there’s more Mountain Masters & Dark Haven coming…..2019 is going to be a great year!
Hot. Really hot.
Anything by Cherise is an automatic buy!
An extraordinary book that is the bridge to a new series that is going to be set in Alaska.
So what makes it so extraordinary? Well Zachary Grayson is the main character and the book does not take place in the Shadowlands. We get to see Master Z in his real life job, dealing with real life problems including having a stalker who wants him dead and an old friend who is dying who asks him for a final request. One of those things has him breaking a promise he and his wife Jessica made when they married – to never lie or hide the truth from the other.
There were so many surprises in this book. Along with getting a lot more background on where Z came from and his time in the military, one of his assigned bodyguards is Alexander deVries (from the Dark Haven series). It was just as thrilling to see him also in his real job role. Along with the suspense of the stalker that wants Z dead the main purpose of this novella is to introduce to the 4 men that will make up a new series that will be called Sons of the Survivalist. They are 4 orphan boys that Zachary’s old friend First Sergeant Mako raised. We only get to meet 3 of the 4 and though they are not DOMs they are still every bit as big, alpha and broody.
Even though this was a novella size book it packed a punch from beginning to end with tons of story. I cannot wait for the new series and loved getting so much of Zachary and Jessica outside of the club.
This story is so well written and is a great introduction to a new series. I have always loved Jessica’s strength and it was great to see yet another way that Mr. Z spreads his caring.
Love the Shadowlands series. This was a nice follow up with Z and Jessica. Short 100 pages with a look at a future series.
Z has picked up a dangerous stalker, lost an old friend, and is heading to Alaska to set up a farewell party for his friend’s sons and fellow friends. However, instead of explaining all of this to his wife Jessica, he pretends he’s in control and goes about his business not expecting her to disregard his instructions in favor of meeting his emotional needs. Of course, danger follows and now everybody is involved in trying to capture the stalker.
Rather then read the series straight through, I tend to randomly pick up a Shadowlands book based on whatever character catches my eye because not all of the BDSM elements are my cup of tea. I have always gotten a kick out of Master Z and his psychologist moments so this novella was fun to jump into. I wouldn’t say it’s the best Cherise has written, but it does the job it was meant to by giving a nice introduction and set up to her next series, Sons of the Survivalist. The story also gives a glimpse into Z and Jessica’s life with their precocious daughter and deVries doing his usual bodyguard detail so all in all, I was a happy reader.
Wonderful series. I’ve reread quite a few times. A steamy read that makes you genuinely care about thecharacters. What I wouldn’t give for membership to the Shadowlands….
This book is an offshoot of the Masters of Shadowland’s series, which I LOVE!!!! The author is introducing a new series and is melding two worlds together. It was a great Saturday afternoon read. It’s fast-paced and for those lovers of the Shadowland’s, it was nice seeing Z and Jessica again.
This new series takes place in Alaska of all places. Z and Jessica introduce you to four new characters, who will have their own book next. I won’t give anything away, but after I finished this book, I pre-ordered the next book. It looks like it’s going to be wonderful as well.
I’ve read Club Shadowland books & have loved them all. Like other reviewers noted this book has little bdsm scenes but I didn’t need them. It was refreshing to read a book that had solid characters & the looks shared between characters could curl your toes…no need to spell it out. The book was shorter than her others but I didn’t feel cheated. She’s a master at building characters & developing their relationships while some mysterious drama lurks to rip them apart.
This is not your typical Cherise Sinclair. While I enjoyed reading about Z and his wife again the book was extremely short, there were very few initiate scenes and literally no BDSM. If you’re looking for a quick read this is it.
Don’t get me wrong, mediocre Cherise Sinclair is better than no Cherise Sinclair.
It doesn’t make me happy to say that this barely scraped to a three star, AND IT HAS MASTER Z!
This is a transition novel using the eloquent, masterful, savvy, sexy…I’m going to stop now…Master Z, the sub Whisperer, from the Shadowlands series. Master Z and cute Jessica, but the effort was phoned in.
Had to laugh when their 18 month old daughter runs around naked after her bath. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Let’s see how Z handles that when she is 18.
PLOT
A madman is after Z, and he leaves for Alaska for a friend’s funeral and to draw the madman away from his family. Rolled my eyes when he gives Jessica a loving goodbye. A loving goodbye? Are you kidding me? He didn’t manacle her and spank her?
Anyhoo, the madman has already shot Z once, and gets another shot in then another attempt despite three out of the four hunky men from this series being on the scene. SPOILER In fact, when you boil it all down, Jessica is the one to save Z from the killer. End spoiler)]
All in all, this fell flat. The writing, the story, the villain, the connections between the male characters ( Master Z and the adopted sons of his friend) and the setup IF these new characters are Doms just wasn’t there.
Is this a deal killer for Cherise Sinclair and me? Nope. I’ll get the next one, but I have a feeling that her writing truly sparks when she is writing about her core characters.
OMG I need more!! This was a great short about Master Z and Jessica. They head to Alaska to introduce us to the men from Alaska. I am so looking forward to the new series and it was soooo awesome to revisit Zachary & Jessica.
Ms Sinclair hauled me in again and I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed this bridge story to her new series. Cherise knows how to put a book together!
Love all her books!
What happens outside of The Shadowlands? When the overall Master Dom Z is at work, home with his family, what goes on with his life? We get a look at the everyday world for Zachary and Jessica as husband and wife, as well as Dom and sub. This was a great read, and the changing of the phrasing while in the vanilla world, and the natural instinct, in both Dom and sub, to revert to their dungeon roles when under stress. The true nature of Zachary doesn’t ever change, but seeing him as Jessica’s equal and partner, just made you love him even more
This was a wonderful slice of life from our first Shadowlands couple, and how far they have come, and how well they complement each other, no matter the role they are in at the time. It also gave us the tease of the new series coming, and definitely whet our appetite for more!
I love Maste Z
Short but so good, filled with love, action and great characters.
The storyline is good building up nicely and ends slowly, just how I like it to be.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Love scenes is hot but also sweet
I must say Sinclair has a way of teasing us with new characters that will have their own story. Can’t wait for the brothers to find their happy ever after.
Excellent afternoon read that you don’t want to put down.
5 stars
It was lacking a bit; but as an intro to the new series it was good
I loved getting more of Z. I also can’t wait for more of Macos sons!