Schooled: The Mastered Series

Hot! Hot! Hot! Great read and addition to the Bound series. Ms. James really knows how weave tale all around her readers leaving them bound in anticipation for more. Can't wait for the next installment.

I got this book because I enjoyed the characters in the previous books. In this the story line was dull, and other characters were just glanced upon. It should have been called "our boring trip to Japan." The characters faced no challenges and the areas where there was some build up attempted (meeting fearsome grandpa) fizzled. In fact the most descriptive thing in the book was of a dress she decided not to wear. If you want a yawner this is the book for you. The author dialed this one in to make some money. Don't waste your time.

Novella set in Japan. It ends with Amery and Ronin in a club preparing to do a demonstration. Since they have not returned home, there may other adventures for them in Japan. It does have believable characters, entertaining dialogue and story line.

Regarding Ronin's grandfather:

"From everything she’d heard, and what she’d read online, Nureki Okada was one scary man— even at his advanced age— and not prone to joking. Ever. Someone had even commented he’d had his funny bone removed in his youth in favor of having a shark’s fin implanted."

I doubt I will re-read this story. I always look forward to, pre-order when possible, new works by this author.

✦Review: Schooled (Mastered #2.5) by Lorelei James http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1O2
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 5 Stars

I absolutely loved this new addition in the Mastered Series. Schooled is a quick read that takes a deeper look into the love Amery and Ronin found in Bound and Unwound. Schooled is set in Japan where Amery and Ronin are spending two and half months on their honeymoon and Ronin is continuing his training while there as well.The time they spend together is passionate and the time they spend apart shows their deep love for each other. I enjoyed Amery's quick wit and sense of humor. Ronin loves being in control and it was endearing to see him give some of that control to Amery. Another captivating book by Lorelei James. I would recommend that the series be read in order. I highly recommend The Mastered series for erotic romance lovers. It's a great love story!

*Review copy provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.

A short story in the Mastered erotica romance series, 2.5, and revolving around Amery Hardwick and Master Ronin Black in Denver and Japan.

My Take
It starts out as such a lovely fantasy…sigh…a plane with a bedroom and a well-appointed bathroom. A far cry from steerage in today's planes. And useful too since there is a lot of sex in this. In some respects, it seems as though James has strung story simply to connect their bouts in bed, and yet it is well strung and allows the point of the story to unfold.

Ronin's reaction to his grandfather's first questions is not what I was expecting. Seems he's growing up. Nor am I the only one who has noticed this. Amery is also growing as she becomes more comfortable with the idea of public rope play. It's completion and beginning for one and the other.

It's also a combination of honeymoon, playing tourist, and learning Japanese while exploring Japanese culture for Amery, who quickly becomes so incredibly bored. Contrast that with the grueling training that Ronin is undergoing with his sensei. And I'm exhausted.

It's a training that has a bittersweet reveal at the end of it. One which requires understanding and acceptance.

The Story
From the heady pleasures of Tokyo bondage houses to the unyielding family traditions pulsing with every beat of Ronin's heart, Amery and Ronin find the limits of their relationship tested once again, and shocked to discover what they're willing to do in order to save it.

The Characters
Amery has been married to Ronin Black, heir to a billion-dollar corporation and master of many martial arts as well as a master of kinbaku, for the past six months.

Daichi is Ronin's sensei in Japan and the man who teaches "traditional Japanese jujitsu in its purest form". Yasuji is Daichi's brother and bakushi, Japan's most renowned kinbaku and shibari rope in-command, bmaster; he has been Ronin's rope instructor. Rikya is Yasuji's wife. I had been expecting to meet Masaman, whom James stated was Ronin's sensei in Japan in Unwound, 2, but I guess he was out sick.

Shiori Hirano is Ronin's sister. Jenko is her bodyguard. Nureki "Ojisan" Okada is their horn dog grandfather, and the head of Okada Foods. Tamara Okada is Ronin's mother. Inichi Matso.

Bakushi Iggy claims to be a rope master and is performing at Go, which is owned by Go-jen.

Amery still has her graphic design company, Hardwick Designs, with the shy Molly Calloway now her office manager and new graphic artist. It's possible that Presley Quinn is the new artist, but it was difficult to tell from the text. Cherry Starr writes erotica and loves the covers Amery did for her trilogy.

Ronin's dojo is in the hands of his second-in-command, Knox Lofgren. Yondan Deacon McConnell is Ronin's third, and Molly claims he's being a sadistic instructor. Katie "the Kook" Pettigrew Gardiner, Thaddeus Pettigrew's baby girl, is still working at the dojo while Ivan the Terrific, Max Stanislovsky's son, is working hard. Badass Blue is Ronin's new partner, a master at Brazilian jujitsu.

Mark Beauchamp and Bernie Samuelson are their pilots. Nick is the flight steward. Carver handles their luggage.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a soft flutter of deep pink ranging to pale, pale pink chiffon scarves suspended in mid-air.

The title is not what you'd think for a story of erotica, instead "Schooled" is about the lessons that Amery and Ronin each learn on this trip to Japan.

5+++++++++ tied up stars for Ronin and Amery!

Oh how I missed these two! *sighs* After Ronin's bad injuries and his break from fighting and training, they are getting married and are spending their honeymoon in Japan. But this trip is more than just a honeymoon, it's Ronin's yearly training with his sensei to learn new techniques...or so it was planned.

But this time, the training is different, his sensei is different and this gets to Ronin and makes him withdrawn from Amery.
Amery is caught in a land she doesn't know the language, mostly on her own with Ronin gone most of the day. This is the first test for their marriage and both have to learn how to deal with this - now that it's them two depending on each other.

Ronin learns interesting things about his sensei. Amery gets her eyes open about his training and also his training as a shibaku master, by non other than the sensei's brother who taught Ronin everything.

With everything they struggle, their passion and need is burning as always. Get new ideas what to do with a laptop cord, a sacred onsen isn't always sacred, join the mile high club, get lost in new rope techniques.

I love Ronin and Amery and this whole Mastered series so much, that I was sad it was just a novella. I'm greedy like that!
But Lorelei James put a nice treat at the end with an excerpt of Unraveled! And boy are we in for another HOT read with Shiori and Knox :D

Blackraven’s Review:

I loved catching up with Ronin and Amery in SCHOOLED. As Lorelei James’ writing grows and spreads into different genres, so does her couples. Ronin and Amery had obstacles to overcome in this issue, but that was part of the intrigue. I loved that Amery stood her ground, even when at times it was difficult. Ms. James addressed several of the characters’ hot buttons and came up with compromises that were reasonable and believable. In addition, Amery and Ronin learned to communicate with one another not only better, but on a deeper level. This couple has overcome many hurdles, but part of the appeal was watching them struggle and come out on top.

The sex still remains hot, but the focus on the characters’ relationship was what made this story work for me. The dialogue is rich and at times filled with pain, anguish, joy and love. The characters continue to be three-dimensional, but the way they are portrayed, they make you feel as though you’re a part of their inner circle. It was interesting watching Master Black with his mentors because it provided more insight in how he became the man he is today. The passion between this couple remains intense and the emotions are raw and uninhibited, which allows the reader to witness more of their vulnerabilities.

SCHOOLED was a quick read that teased all of my senses and left me hungry for more. UNRAVELED is next on my list and it’s sure to be a winner given it involves Knox and Shiori. If you love Ronin and Amery and want more insight into their lives as a newly married couple, then pick up your copy of SCHOOLED today. The passion alone will make you swoon for days. Two thumbs up for SCHOOLED and Lorelei James’ new series.

Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Blackraven!

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

Just when you think you’ve read the whole story about a couple, there’s more left to be revealed! In SCHOOLED Lorelei James takes us to the core of who Ronin is. While on their honeymoon, Ronin and Amery travel to Japan for some fun and sexy times, as well as some training for Ronin with his Master. And this book is very much Ronin’s story.

SCHOOLED is deep and sensual, more so than sexual. What an incredible job by Lorelei James at giving the perfect insight into martial arts and how it goes beyond the physical. She incorporates the facts so well within the story that I was in awe of her execution. Not only in that aspect, but also the beauty of Kinbaku. There was one particular rope scene involving a cherry tree that was just blissful perfection. I shows an understanding of the topics she’s writing about, and a good amount of research.

Only an author as talented as Lorelei James can capture the emotion and sensuality that the characters are going through at each moment. SCHOOLED excelled in that aspect for me and it made the book endearing to my heart. While I wasn’t necessarily as anxious to read a novella about Ronin and Amery because, quite frankly, I’m biting my nails waiting for Shiori’s book, this was just what I was missing in their story. It gives Ronin even more depth and it sets up Amery as a worthy companion for the rest of his life. At the beginning I was surprised that some (most?) of the sex scenes fade to black, but I see why it would’ve taken away from the story had they been there taking up space. If you’ve fallen in love with these two characters, you will be very pleased with this ending for them.

Of course, the teaser at the end for UNRAVELED left me even more anxious to read it! Come on March, hurry up and get here already!

*ARC provided by publisher

Review posted at: http://bookcrushbookreviews.com/2015/01/19/schooled-by-lorelei-james-review/

Rating: 4 stars

Schooled is a novella following Amery and Ronin while they're in Japan for Ronin's training. Schooled is not a standalone, so you'll need to have read the first two novels in the series to be able to follow the plot of Schooled. Ronin is Amery's husband. He's a jujitsu and rope master and owner of a dojo in Denver, CO. Amery is owner of Hardwick Designs as a graphic artist. Their time in Japan is not only for Ronin's training but also their honeymoon. The connection I've built with Amery and Ronin thus far in the Mastered series is based upon their ability to give one another a challenge, to keep each other on their toes, and knowing just wash at the other needs through knowledge of the other's body cues. The headspace Ronin sinks to throughout his training led to pulling away emotionally and physically from Amery. The concept of finding their sacred place and basking in their need for one another had them achieving their Zen-like state. This was a quick read but seeing Ronin train was sexy as hell and his coming full circle was an accomplishment and level of praise as a reader I felt he needed. Ronin is critical of his precision so achieving this goal in his training was dire as it took Ronin and Amery to another level in their trust with each other. Give this a try and find your next book crush!

Lorelei James is my one of my very….VERY, favorite authors of all time. I cannot tell you how much I adore her writing and her characters. I own every single story she has written, and I love them all!! Ronin Black and Tell McKay are by far my top two fave book boyfriends!! So to get more of Ronin in SCHOOLED, I was like…hell yea!!

Ronin and Amery are off to Japan for a his yearly training and belated honeymoon. However, what they both thought this time away was going to be, wasn’t anything like the thought. Amery never expected his training to be so hard and trying on Ronin. She tried to be supportive, and there for him, but at what cost? Will his love of martial arts be the the rope that binds him and Amery together forever, or will those bindings be too tight it suffocates them??

What I loved most about SCHOOLED, was that we got to see more of the sweet, loving, romantic side of their relationship. I mean…I totally am down with their hot and sexy rope play, but to see this side of both of them, was great. This was just what I needed for Ronin and Amery to come full circle!! I cannot wait for Shiori’s and Knox’s story, Unraveled!!

What a great little teaser/read while waiting for the next book, Unraveled, to come out in March. Amery and Ronin are on their way to Japan so that Ronin can study from a master Sensei. He must immerse himself in his art so that he can better himself. Only leaving Amery behind is not an option so together they travel abroad and begin a new journey.

This is a short and sweet read; therefore I will keep this relatively short as well. You will see the sexy control freak and his lovely lady in a new light. A new country brings a change in their usual and they need to adapt to this. It’s not easy but they manage. Now if you are reading this one for “the good stuff”, be warned - it is very much fade to black most of the time. I am unsure as to why. Maybe it will be retold in Unraveled with the added scenes?

Fans of this series will love it, I am sure. It is a great filler read while you wait for March to come :)

What a great little teaser/read while waiting for the next book, Unraveled, to come out in March. Amery and Ronin are on their way to Japan so that Ronin can study from a master Sensei. He must immerse himself in his art so that he can better himself. Only leaving Amery behind is not an option so together they travel abroad and begin a new journey.

This is a short and sweet read; therefore I will keep this relatively short as well. You will see the sexy control freak and his lovely lady in a new light. A new country brings a change in their usual and they need to adapt to this. It’s not easy but they manage. Now if you are reading this one for “the good stuff”, be warned - it is very much fade to black most of the time. I am unsure as to why. Maybe it will be retold in Unraveled with the added scenes?

Fans of this series will love it, I am sure. It is a great filler read while you wait for March to come :)

This short story was just what I needed, more Ronin Black!

Nothing big or dramatic happens, so don't go into this book expecting something mind-blowing. Instead, take it for what it is. More, Ronin and Amery. It's been six months since they tied the knot and they haven't been able to take a honeymoon. Ronin has to go to Japan for six weeks to train with his sensei and Amery decides to tag along. His training schedule is brutal and the trip doesn't go exactly as Amery imagined, but they end up so much closer.

I enjoyed this quick read. My only wish was that we were given a glimpse of their wedding. Even a quick look back or a sweet memory. I wanted something. I'm hoping that we get to see more of them in Shiori's book.

*Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This short novella was the perfect addition to Amery and Ronin's story. It's tells of their journey through Japan and overcoming some issues neither one thought they had. It was a great glimpse into their lives together and hints at their hopes for the future.

The narration was great! Yet again, there is nothing remotely bad that I can say about anything to do with this book!

Six months after their wedding, Amery and Ronin head to Japan so that Ronin can study with his martial arts master. While there, Amery sees how taxing the training is on Ronin and feels neglected. However, she is also introduced to the Sensei's brother, who is a rope master, they forge a relationship where Amery is the student.

I loved the interactions between Ronin and Amery and how Amery is determined to be her own person in the face of Ronin's wealthy family.

During their time in Japan it seems as their bounds grew stronger even as Ronin's training became harder. Both had breakthroughs as to their sense of how their lives intersect with the martial arts and rope play.

LOVED the book and can't wait for the next full length novel in the Mastered series.

Schooled is a wonderful treat for any Amery and Ronin fans! Ms. James immediately sucked me into this story with her vivid writing and wonderful characters. It was easy to forget everything around me and fall in love with these two characters all over again. I can't properly express how much I loved this story! It was wonderful getting to see how Amery and Ronin were doing in their married life. I highly recommend reading The Mastered Series! You won't want to put this series down.

Avery and Ronin learn about each other after their wedding. This is merely an extension of the ever after for them. Good writing by the author, but not much left to develop with these two. I needed to know about them!!