3.5 - 4 Stars 
 The Master by Kresley Cole is the second book in the Game Makers series. This one is quite a bit different then the first book, The Professional. Mainly, the bulk of this story takes place in Florida, they don't step foot in Russia. Another big difference is that there is barely any mention of the Mafiya, though the hero, Maksimilian (Maksim), is a Mafiya boss. I was curious about that part of his life and wanted to find out more. 
 The Master is a highly erotic story that centers around sex and the gradual forming of a romantic relationship between Cat and Maksim. I enjoyed their slow descent into falling in love. It wasn't easy for either of them to open their hearts, made harder by the nature of their relationship and Maksim's preconceived opinion of Cat. But, Cat's number one rule is to not give out any information that could lead to her true identity, so she tells Maksim very little about herself and her past. 
 Cat is on the run from a husband that wants to kill her and has been for the last three years. She took a onetime Escort job, in place of her friend, as a way to earn some quick cash so she can leave town. She only allows herself six months in one place before she moves on and her time is up. But when she gathers her courage and knocks on that hotel door it's Maksim that opens the doors and it's not long before he derails all of her plans. 
 Overall, I quite liked The Master. The abundance of sex didn't bother me as it was appropriate to the plot. Plus the sex was varied enough that it wasn't repetitive. The romance was woven in as an undercurrent that dictated the flow of their relationship. I liked both Maksim and Cat and I really enjoyed seeing them come together. Cat was able to soften Maksim and bring light and joy to his life. Something he had been sorely lacking. And with Maksim, Cat was able to take a breath and relax, to feel safe for the first time since she went on the run. Their romance isn't without challenges and obstacles but these two smart, proud and determined characters are up to the task. The journey was engaging, sexy and interesting. It held my attention from the beginning and I look forward to reading the next book. 
 The Master is recommended to fans of the series and fans of Erotic Romance. 
 *ARC (Advanced Review Copy) received from the publisher, Gallery - Pocket Books, via NetGalley.