From the award winning author of Jake’s Redemption…A man bound by chains.A woman burdened by regret.Will love set this tortured pair free?In this nightmarish future where women own men, Bret Masters refuses to serve anyone. But after spending years evading slavers in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, he’s furious when he’s finally caught and sold. So, although his mistress has a pretty … the Pacific Northwest, he’s furious when he’s finally caught and sold. So, although his mistress has a pretty face and deliciously tempting curves, he vows to escape.
Angel Aldridge hides her pain behind fences as sturdy and vast as her ranch. And even though her newly acquired slave is a ruggedly handsome cowboy, she’s not about to let her fantasies endanger the people she swore to protect. But between her always-watching enemies and her wounded heart, she’s reluctant to admit she may need him in more ways than one…
As the two toil side by side, Bret is surprised to discover Angel’s vulnerability and her compassionate nature. And the more time they spend together, the harder she finds it to resist her feelings and to soothe her lonely soul. But when they’re stranded alone together, the barriers between mistress and slave may not be strong enough to withstand their red-hot attraction.
Can Bret and Angel overcome their fears to sow the seeds of lasting love?
Masters’ Mistress is the steamy first book in The Angel Eyes futuristic dystopian cowboy romance series. If you like complex characters, gritty western settings, and slow-burning desires, then you’ll adore this enthralling story.
Buy Masters’ Mistress, Book One of the Angel Eyes Series, to ride into a passion-filled future today!
This book has an HFN ending and opens the door for book 2 of this continuing series.
Please note: Intended for mature audiences. This story contains some unsettling and violent subject matter that sensitive readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.more
Sexy and captivating
Schultz tells a sexy and intense story in Masters’ Mistress, the first book in this series. I have work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were intense and had a chemistry that one may not always see. I enjoyed the story as there is a Mistress that covets her new “property.” The author’s writing style fits this story, as it is filled with different genre mixes, and they all work together. This author brings Bret and Angel to life. There is a great chemistry between the characters, and a depth that makes them realistic, complex with a hidden hint of vulnerability. I enjoyed this story, and it is not for the faint of heart or those who may blush easily. It’s a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author’s characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I am a big fan of Shultz and the work that is shared with honored readers, such as myself. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.
Dystopian world where men are enslaved by women. Although not necessary, it is helpful to read Jake’s Redemption prior to this one. This is Book 1 in a planned 6 book series, which is not slated to be finished for several years.
Fairly well edited. Misses words quite a bit.
This story picks up several years after the end of Jake’s Redemption. Jake has lived on Angel’s ranch for the past several years, and is near the time when it is possible he could go to Monica’s ranch. Angel is in need of a doctor, and so has reluctantly gone to an auction to buy one. As he sees the men up for sale, Jake is stunned to see a man he is sure is his long lost best friend, Bret Masters. He, Monica, and Angel devise a way to procure a doctor and, hopefully, Bret as well. Angel does indeed buy Bret, much to the dismay of the evil Darla.
Bret is none too happy to be a slave. It doesn’t seem to matter that he has been reunited with his friend Jake. It is explained that Bret’s childhood was filled with neglect and abuse after the death of his father, leaving him with trust and self-esteem issues. However, it is frustrating to see a 35 year old man behave so childishly. Bret has been on the run since the end of the war – about 10 years. It would seem that in all that time he would have learned something about the way in which men were treated by the women slaveholders. Instead, he focuses solely on the loss of his freedom, and refuses to even contemplate what his fate with another owner would be like. Jake often tells him he has no idea how bad the alternative is. Bret never gets the clue that it must be horrific if Jake can’t bring himself to talk about the specifics. Also, Bret has apparently not learned that his actions can have consequences – not just for himself but also for others. (Case in point – Bret’s actions and choices ultimately led to Jake’s capture.)
Angel is full of issues herself. Something happened to her family and her first love, ending with Angel being alone. She battles seasonal depression that revolves around her losses. And, she and Darla seem to have an animosity that is bigger than a difference in ideology. So many questions, secrets, and issues remain to be resolved. And, although it appears it will be several years before the story is resolved, I hold out hope that good will triumph over evil.
Jamie Schulz “Master’s Mistress” is technically the first book in The Angel Eyes Series, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out “Jake’s Redemption”, the oh-so-fab prequel. “Master’s Mistress gives us both Angel’s story and Bret’s (Jake’s friend) and Ms. Schulz doesn’t mince words. There’s what appears to be 7 novellas combined into this one novel. Okay, that’s not exactly right, but you are getting a tremendous amount of book for the price. And if you love dystopian romances, then you will get a kick out of this standalone story, which does end on a satisfying happily-for-now. So, what did I think? I liked it. I’m a huge fan of dystopian stories and Ms. Schulz does a great job of incorporating her world building into a romance. The characters are well thought out and the anguish and fear the men face are palpable. And, given everything that’s going on, you will find yourself wishing for their HEA as well as the baddies getting their comeuppance. Enjoy!
Comprehensively complex and emotionally compelling
Completely aught up in characters, compelling and complex dystopian world
Masters’ Mistress by Jamie Schultz is masterful storytelling. Both arresting and riveting, this book had me enthralled; completely caught up in the characters as well as the dangerous elements of the plot as it relates to this complex and compelling dystopian society.
This author, in my opinion, clearly and concisely wrote this book emotionally authentic; gut wrenching pain, heartbreaking sorrow, guilt, anger and rage, frustration, helplessness, friendship, family love and reluctant romance spurred on by chemistry, connection, understanding and acceptance. Both Bret and Angel experience all of these emotions, the most prevalent though, vacillates between anger and rage. Both of them have so much baggage that trust is nearly impossible between the two.
While the plot is captivating, dangerous and often suspenseful, the real draw is the characters and how they make their less than ideal situation work to find happiness and freedom, albeit limited. The multiple characters in this book are dynamic and varied, both good, bad and downright evil.
Overall, an exceptionally well written and highly emotional story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Whether it’s danger lurking, evil about to pounce unsuspectingly, angst and anger or ultimately the palpable sexual chemistry between Bret and Angel, this book is not one easily put down. A five + star read.
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.
MASTER’S MISTRESS is the first full-length (and second instalment) in Jamie Schulz’ adult, post-apocalyptic ANGEL EYES dystopian series. This is ranch owner Angel Aldridge, and Bret Masters’ story line. MASTER’S MISTRESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one JAKE’S REDEMPTION for back story and cohesion.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
SOME BACKGROUND: Several years earlier a catastrophic war destroyed cities and towns throughout the world, and ‘changed the social order’ between men and women. In the ensuing aftermath, a second civil war between the sexes in America resulted in women becoming the dominant and controlling sex, while men were reduced to slaves to be used and abused.
Told from several third person perspectives including Bret and Angel MASTER’S MISTRESS follows the building but acrimonious relationship between ranch owner Angel Aldridge, and Bret Masters. Angel Aldridge doesn’t believe in the workings of the new matriarchal misogynistic system wherein men are nothing more than slaves to be used and abused. At a recent ‘auction’ of slaves and breeders, Jake Nichols (Jake’s Redemption .5) begs Angel Aldridge to buy his best friend Bret Masters, a man he hasn’t scene for close to five years. Angel knowing a desperate man when she sees one purchases Bret Master, only to discover Bret’s physical and emotional frailty is but the tip of the proverbial iceberg for a man who has suffered in his recent imprisonment, and in the past. As Bret’s strength and health begin to return his attitude towards Angel becomes combative and strong. What ensues is the back and forth, up and down, caustic relationship between Bret and Angel, as they navigate a world where Angel is the master and owner of a man who is beyond angry that he is still considered, by outsiders, a breeder and a slave.
In the new world order, Bret Masters is nothing more than a breeder and a slave. Wanted for his handsome looks and knowledge of running a ranch, Bret finds himself a hot commodity on the open market, a commodity that comes with demons from the past. Living and working at Angel Aldridge’s ranch does nothing but add to Bret’s already darkened view of his current situation, a situation he believes to be nothing more that a smoke-screen for slavery and more. Unable to see that his ‘imprisonment’ keeps him safe and alive, Bret refuses to consider or accept the world in which he now lives. Angel Aldridge is a woman whose past continues to control her present but her attraction to Bret is constantly dampened with each encounter with our story line hero. Never one to follow the rules, Angel pushes the boundaries of the current rules and regulations that keep men under the control of dangerous women, as she protects and treats her ‘property’ like family and friends. One of the few women who do not consider her property as slaves, Angel is respected by her workers, but threatened by the women who govern the state of the new world order.
The contemptuous relationship between Bret and Angel is fraught with issues of trust, betrayal, vengeance and lies. Bret is biding his time before he makes his escape but every planned attempt finds Bret having to ‘save’ his master from outside threats. Bret’s attraction to Angel is a battle between head and heart having experienced abuse and assault at the hands of someone he once loved. The back and forth petulant, acerbic and angry interactions between Bret and Angel were a bit much; accusations and threats preceded and ended almost every encounter. The one lone $ex scene was passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Bret’s one-time best friend Jake Nichols returns, as well as Angel’s friend Monica Avery. Bret and Monica’s relationship has to be kept secret as they live in a world dominated by controlling women who frown on a loving relationship between a woman and a man. Bret is also ‘owned’ by our story line heroine.
MASTER’S MISTRESS is a heart breaking and emotional story line about a world destroyed by a spiteful few; a world wherein sins of the past control the present and the future; where a number of women are ensuring that men are no longer the dominant sex, or ever in control. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the characters are broken, angry, struggling and depressed; the romance struggles in the face of a world turned upside down. MASTER’S MISTRESS does not end with a happily ever after nor a happily ever after for now, but ends rather abruptly with more story to tell.
Masters’ Mistress is the first book in The Angel Eyes series and it tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where women have taken over and men are kept as slaves. We start off in the past and then skip to the present where most of the story takes place.
A lot of thought has been given to the structure of this world, and like any, there are good and bad characters in it. Angel is one of the good ones (obviously) and is trying to get her world on a more even-footing. Darla and her cronies disagree and want things to remain as they are. There is some reference to how the two sides are ‘at war’ but nothing really happens in the book to emphasise that apart from Angel outbidding Darla for Bret.
Bret is the main male character with a huge chip on his shoulder. He has baggage in his past but instead of trying to work through it and let it go, holds it to him like a hot water bottle on a cold night. He wants Angel but doesn’t like or trust her. Angel wants him but denies her feelings. This leads to a LOT of back and forth – the majority of the book. I’m all for overwhelming feelings of attraction but not when you do something you really don’t want to do. I got a bit annoyed with Angel whenever she would “fall apart when he touched her.”
This is a long book with plenty of descriptions in some areas and then not in others. I would have liked a bit more of a view of the world outside their ranch but maybe that is coming in the future books. On the whole, this was an enjoyable read that has a sort of HFN ending that leads you onto the next book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!