I so didn’t want to like Lilith Stone, AKA The Madam. She was a ruthless bitch in the first book, VIP, and I didn’t think hearing her tell her own story would change my perspective, but let me tell you, she’s one seductive beauty. Do I still think she’s callous and manipulative? Absolutely. But that’s exactly why she’s a phenomenal character. She was born a VIP; it’s in her blood, but it’s more than that – she lives and breathes VIP from the beginning, and when she takes her rightful place as its heir, it’s on her terms and according to her rules – to hell with anyone getting in her way – even her own mother.
Keep secrets.
Remain unattached.
Do not show weakness.
Trust no one.
Manipulate everyone.
Seek power and control at all costs.
These are the commandments that control Lilith’s life; they were first ingrained in her by her mother as lessons to be learned as she grew up, and as she became a VIP and then the Madam, she continued to adhere to them because being at the top is all that matters. If anyone tries to get in the way or fuck with what’s hers, she has to have the means and the mind to hold the reigns and dominant, and readers can tell that no one messes with her because of those rules.
But if you peel back the persona of the Madam, you get the truest and rawest form of Lilith – the one Madam doesn’t allow out willingly – only when there’s a crack in the façade, which has very few triggers, but the ones it does have are the ones she keeps locked up in a part of her brain that she never freely thinks about because to stay in control, there is no room for love or any kind of emotion. Showing weakness is not something the Madam is willing to risk regardless of how much internal chaos is occurring. M. Robinson does show her humanity, albeit in small doses, but readers do understand that she has always tried to do things differently than her mother, and even though it’s inevitable that some parts of her foundation are deeply rooted in her mother’s teachings, she is her own woman…her own Madam, which definitely sets her above the rest.
The Madam is an engrossing read that enthralls and consumes its readers from the first page. M. Robinson writes Lilith in such a way that we can’t help but be seduced by her just like she seduces all of the men and her VIP. The Madam takes what she wants when she wants it without explanation or care, which is exactly how I picture someone in such a position needing to be in order to keep everything running as smoothly as it does. I love that readers are given the Madam’s backstory and can witness, first hand, how she transformed from Lilith to a VIP to the Madam. Once she could take control of her own choices, it was easy for her to become who she had always wanted to be; it will be interesting to see how everything plays out in MVP. There are life changing secrets that need to be revealed, but if readers have learned anything about the Madam is that she’s going to use those revelations to manipulate those around her in order to get what she wants because doesn’t she always?
The Madam’s world is full of excess; it’s dark and at times a bit raw and fucked up, but readers can’t help but be lured into it because the writing is intensely seductive and the character development lets us get an up close and personal picture of everything the Madam and her lifestyle are. I still think she’s a bitch, but she doesn’t give a shit about my opinion of her; she probably revels in it, and I’m sure her manipulation in the next book will only further exasperate me, but I can’t wait for every fucked up moment!
Be ready for one hell of a wild ride when the Madam tells you her story!
A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
5 poison apples
**Before you read The Madam, be sure and read book 1: VIP**
32 year old SebastianVanwell, was a very successful yacht broker, who alw ys loved the design and architecture of a luxurious boat. His only addiction was being on the water. He loved it, he thrived on it, and he needed it in his life. After a very stable, loving childhood with only a few bumps, Sebastian married the love of his life. The one person that he knew would always be there. Julia was his rock, and he loved her more than life itself. Sebastian kept his addiction to the water under control, wanting to keep his time with his wife and son his number one obsession, that was until
he saw her. This new addiction haunted him, the one compulsion that he
couldn’t control no matter how hard he tried.
Ysabelle Telle hit him hard, knocking the wind from his lungs. Coming from worlds apart, beautiful, dark complexion Ysabelle Telle didn’t have the rich, protected background that Sebastian Vanwell had. Ysabelle lived a life of hell, in poverty, growing up with a drug addict mother that never
cared, and horrific living conditions. Ysabelle lived for one person and
one person only; herself. She was pure perfection, her beauty along
with a flawless body had men lined up, driveling over her ensuring her
success as a VIP.
There are too many words that describe the effects when two diverse worlds like theirs collide. They both have too much to lose to get caught in the forceful pull, which could destroy them both.
Warning sex/drugs/language. Mature readers only
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