The Slave's Mask Paperback – April 11, 2014

This was an unusual M/M historical romance. American ship Captain and blockade runner Anthony goes to England to get supplies and check in with his business contacts--and to satisfy his sexual desires. At an up scale brothel, he meets the prostitute Francois.Anthony has very strict rules--never to get close to the submissive servicing him, but Francois is the one man he's willing to break those rules for.Francois is a delicately built man with a big heart and a lot of inner strength. He is has accepted the horrible fate that has befallen him. He has never been attracted to any of his clients until he meets the swarthy Captain.There really isn't a plot, but this book works because both men are both well developed and relatable characters. BDSM can make me qualmish but the author did it in a tasteful way. Unfortunately, I found some of the dialogue very unnatural and it pulled me out of the story. I am familiar with Master/Slave relationships, but some of the dialogue was too corny for my tasteAlso, I felt that the author sped forward to the end instead of developing all of the story. While the sex scenes were hot, the reader was not privy to all of their time together. And when by circumstances they are separated for a long time this is very rushed through instead of adding to the story.

OK, let's get this out of the way first. This is the order in which you should read these books (Masquerade Series):1. The Layered Mask, by Sue Brown2. The Slave's Mask, by Patricia Hogan3. Behind the Mask, by Lisa WorrellThe reason is that they will follow chronologically in eras, and I found that to be quite important in appreciating how really good the series is, three authors notwithstanding.The first two are historical and beautifully written and detailed. The third is a contemporary take on what was established two centuries before in the first novel. The romances are wonderful, the sex is terrific, the love is all over the place. Pounce!

Before embarking on a BDSM romance, authors need to clarify something in their minds.What is the difference between a D/S relationship and an abusive relationship?Is it orgasms? No, orgasms are no guarantee of pleasure.Is it feelings? Well, we know that victims in abusive relationships often feel dependent upon their abusersand claim deep love and devotion. Abusers often claim to love their victims.So what is it that makes a D/S relationship mutually satisfying rather than psychologically destructive? It is in the power exchange. In a D/S relationship, the submissive partner has equal power, and exercises that power by maintaining limits and making choices.So when I read stories like this, which claim to be romances rather than erotica, I can't help but think that the author has totally missed the point. A relationship in which a person is given no choice is not D/S, it is just slavery. And the concept that a healthy love can develop under such conditions is a stretch. If an owner loves his slave, does the slave feel free? The key to BDSM is in the term "consenting adults.". Consent requires the option of saying no.I gave this story 3 stars because there were some cute scenes, and it was really hot. It suffers from some grammatical challenges despite the lauding of the editing in the intro. I notice that the author has written quite a lot of d/s romantic erotica, and I think it might be good if she keyed into the power/consent issue. If the dom had given his property the option of setting limits, it would have been a much better book.

Taking many chances, Captain Anthony Charles has made a small fortune running supplies between England and the Confederacy during the Civil War. On the front London end of one such run, he stops and sells his fine liquors and tobaccos to his British clients. His plans are to stop in port for a couple of weeks, restocking and allowing his crew their pleasures. And he plans to take his, dangerous as they are. Because Antony likes the company of a submissive young man, and circumstances require he hide that side of himself from his crew.He spends one wonderful evening with Francois, a beautiful young submissive whore in his favorite brothel, and seems to be thinking of the exciting young man much too often. When he is invited to a Ball - well, his attendance is strongly required - he finds himself involved in a slave auction, bidding on a stunning young man. Imagine his surprise when he discovers it is Francois, and he will be the young man's master for a week.And what a week it is. But can it be more than just the week? Will the secrets Francois holds drive them apart? Or will the dangerous life of the blockage runner catch up with Anthony.This is a wonderful tale of unexpected love, soul mates finding one another, and how faith and trust can keep a man going when nothing else can. Patricia Logan has written an strong, erotic tale that has a soft underlining of understanding, patience, care and tenderness. While their relationship may be based on a BDSM footing, the love Anthony and Francois find is way more than just sex.Ms. Logan created two straightforward and strong men who show us that the heart wants what it wants, and true passion can instill a man with remarkable resources.Another winning tale.Tom