The Recommended Reading Order for the Mastered Series
To fully appreciate the emotional development, changing relationship dynamics, and ongoing story of the Black Arts martial arts studio in Denver, it is highly recommended to read the Mastered series in its publication order. The main storyline of the central couple spans the first two novels and a companion novella, while subsequent novels shift focus to other instructors at the dojo.
- Bound (Book 1) – Published in 2014. Introduces the core couple, Amery Hardwick and Ronin Black.
- Unwound (Book 2) – Published in 2014. Directly continues Amery and Ronin's turbulent romance.
- Schooled (Book 2.5) – Published in December 2014. A companion novella following Amery and Ronin on their honeymoon in Japan.
- Unraveled (Book 3) – Published in March 2015. Shifting focus to martial arts trainers Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren.
- Caged (Book 4) – Published in 2015. Centering on MMA fighter Deacon McConnell and Molly Calloway.
The Core Romance: Amery and Ronin (Books 1–2.5)
The Mastered series kicks off with Bound, which introduces Amery Hardwick, a small-town graphic designer, and Ronin Black, the mysterious owner of the Black Arts dojo. Their relationship centers on a intense BDSM dynamic, heavily featuring the Japanese art of shibari (sensual rope play). Because their story is continuous, reading Bound and Unwound back-to-back is essential to understand their growth, trust struggles, and ultimate commitment. The novella Schooled acts as an erotic bridge and epilogue to their story, taking the couple to Japan for a delayed honeymoon that is complicated by Ronin's intense training with his sensei and Amery's struggles to adapt to foreign customs.
Expanding the Dojo: Companion Novels (Books 3–4)
Following the conclusion of Amery and Ronin's main arc, the series transitions into companion novels focusing on other individuals tied to the Black Arts studio:
- Unraveled: This installment focuses on Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren, who are left in charge of the martial arts program while Ronin is away on sabbatical. It turns traditional BDSM tropes on their head by exploring a female Dominant (Domme) and male submissive relationship. Shiori helps Knox strip away his defense mechanisms and confront his vulnerability.
- Caged: The final book centers on Deacon McConnell, an MMA fighter and instructor at the studio, and Molly Calloway, a woman who joins his self-defense class to reclaim her sense of personal safety after surviving an attack. It focuses heavily on healing, trust, and the contrast between Deacon's rough exterior and Molly's gentle nature.
What to Know Before You Start
While Lorelei James is widely celebrated for her Western romance series like Rough Riders and Blacktop Cowboys, the Mastered series is a distinct contemporary erotic romance saga. Despite taking place in Denver, there are no crossover characters or plotlines connecting Mastered to James's cowboy universes. The series stands alone, balancing gritty urban romance with Eastern discipline, martial arts philosophy, and highly detailed BDSM dynamics. Readers should begin with Bound to set the stage, as the secondary characters in later novels are introduced in the early books as part of the tight-knit dojo family.