The Agreement: (Syndicate Masters Book 3)

Every King deserves his Queen.

Such a wonderful story, I love these characters. Granted, I thought Peyton caved into Joshua a little bit quickly, but that’s just me. I have to admit, I love the little clues you left as to the type of shifters the last book will feature. Don’t want to spoil the ending, but I didn’t see that coming!

Reluctant Retiree

Joshua Knight—arts patron and currently the most powerful man in London.

Forget those in the monarchy or other barons of capitalism, Joshua Knight makes them look like paupers and pawns in the unseen chess game he and his friends seem to be playing. I’m a freelance reporter looking to make a name for myself. In the course of my investigation I come across damning evidence of corruption and crime.

Now I’m on the run to save my life and follow the story. The problem is that those who should be trying to protect me are part of the conspiracy to cover up the murder and get rid of the only witness… me.

The Agreement is a enemies to lovers romance with steamy heat in and out of the bedroom for mature readers only. Contains a reporter who will do anything for her story and the man who will do anything to stop her.

Redrabbitt
5.0 out of 5 stars THE KING OF THE JUNGLE
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2022
The new series, Syndicate Masters, has the feel of Ms. Delta James' other unique series, with large cat shifters, but this one also mentions places you will read about in some of her other stories based in the UK area. 'The series will focus on four kingdoms—Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Each area has a warlord that formed the Syndicate to restore all that had been lost.'

Joshua Knight is the head of the Tiamat Syndicate. While he has headquarters in London, his estate is in Devon and known as Arsalan. It had once been the ruins of a castle—but he purchased it and has brought it back to its glory—with some modernization. It set high atop a craggy cliff overlooking the city of Lion Head's Cove and the crashing sea. The name Arsalan is Muslim for lion or, more precisely, king of the jungle.

Peyton Cooper wanted answers, and since the paper refuses to give her assignment beyond fluff pieces, she has started her own in-depth look into the brutal death of an older prima ballerina, Dame Diana. When she talked with the paper, they insisted she give all her notes to a lead reporter. Now, she is going to confront Joshua Knight, a kingpin that she feels could be responsible. She enters the lion's den on her own, but she will be the one cornered before the day is over.

The story is a page-turning tale and a great addition to the series. Joshua Knight is a black lion shifter, and yes, he does have his illegal activities, but he is also a philanthropist. He also wants to know who killed Dame Diana but is shocked at how Peyton Cooper comes barging into his office. He'll have her escorted out, but as he leaves, he sees a red laser on her and saves her before the shot happens. She thinks someone was aiming for him, but he knows it was for her—but why. Now, Peyton is the 'guest' of Joshua at Arsalan. When a second near attack comes at his private home, he realizes that she is definitely the target.

"Yes, his mate had recognized her master, even if she'd yet to understand it."

Joshua: Do you have any idea who might have hired someone to kill you? The gunman was a professional with a sniper rifle and scope. You need to get that through your head. The sniper was there for you.

"The Yard has learned that it's best to follow my lead. In time, you will learn to do the same thing."

The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joshua has known that Peyton was his mate since they were both members of Baker Street. She would never consent to scene with him, but he was bidding his time. He will keep her safe, even from herself and her foolishness. Why are the Bratva after her?

Joshua: Like with most things, people prefer the romantic illusion to the harsh reality.
Peyton: The only thing I'd like from you, Knight, is a train ticket or a ride back to London.
Joshua: You really seem to enjoy pushing that thorn into my paw.
Peyton: I don't enjoy it. I'm simply unwilling to play the cooperative and nice victim for you.

Now, she is in his home, and he will come up with a solution, one to protect him—and her. Will she consent to a D/s contract and marriage? Will this be the beginning of their future? When will Joshua share the secret of his pride?

I loved the chemistry between Joshua and Peyton. A dominance/submission lifestyle is no surprise for her; they both play at Baker Street in London. Submitting to Joshua comes easier than she anticipated. When the murder mystery of Dame Diana is solved, will they end their marriage? What will happen when Peyton discovers she is among lion shifters? Will she confront Joshua, or will she run, placing her life in danger? The story is a mystery with suspense, danger, angst, dominance, submission, and surprises.

Denise DeCrescito (From In Here)
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, with plenty of drama and lots of steam
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022
4.5

“The Agreement” is the third book in the ‘Syndicate Masters’ series by Delta James. It’s a paranormal lion-shifter romance that combines elements of suspense, organized crime, and D/s in a story that has some unexpected twists and turns. It can definitely be read as a standalone.

Joshua is the king of the jungle that is London. He runs a vast network of legitimate and illegitimate businesses, provides employment and protection for hundreds of people, and is alpha to the lion-shifters of his pride. Peyton is a news reporter who always gets assigned the fluff pieces. She wants to be an investigative reporter and is determined to make that happen. After the brutal death of an aging ballerina, she’s convinced that Joshua had something to do with the murder, Peyton is determined to confront him and somehow get the truth about his involvement. Things get particularly complicated though, when it becomes apparent that somebody is trying to kill Peyton. Joshua knows that the two of them are destined to be together, and he’s determined to protect her, whether she likes it or not.

This was a fast-paced story with some excellent, unexpected developments. The dynamic between Joshua and Peyton is intense, as is the chemistry between them. A couple of things that happened at different parts of the book would’ve bothered me if I was Peyton, but hey, it’s fiction. Aside from those things, Joshua is surprisingly sensitive gangster/Dominant. There are excellent secondary characters in this story who add a lot to the overall experience. The next book in the series sounds so extra-unusual, I’m looking forward to whatever this author has for us.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I also purchased a copy on Amazon.

Rhonda Hicks
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars left me wanting more
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022
"In the dark mists of time, the empire was torn apart by men who valued power over principle. An ancient goddess of courage and honor called upon four great wildcats to become her familiars and impose order on the war-torn realm. Gifting each of them with the ability to shift from beast to man and back again, she dispatched them to the four kingdoms— Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Each became a warlord and formed the Syndicate to restore all that had been lost." Delta James. The Agreement: Syndicate Masters (Kindle Locations 45-48).
'The Agreement' is the third book in Delta James' scintillating series "Syndicate Masters". If you're not familiar with the series, you're doing yourself a disservice. If you're reading this review, then the quote at the beginning gives the premise of where it all started and you won't want to miss any of it. This time we get to meet Joshua, the kingpin of the Tiamat Syndicate in England. Rich beyond belief, entrepreneur, philanthropist, highly regarded and respected Dom of Baker Street BDSM club, and black lion-shifter. Peyton is a journalist who has been assigned to fluff pieces, mostly weddings and flower shows but has a penchant for finding out the details and solving the kidnap and murder of a Prima Ballerina who happened to be a friend of her grandmother. Everything Peyton has found so far has led her to Joshua Knight and she wants answers but nothing is as easy as her original plan. The twists and turns that led to the ultimate surprise were riveting. The chemistry of a fated mate pair is tantalizing, and the characters are big, bold, and totally relatable. As usual, this one left me wanting more and I can't wait to see what Ms. James brings with 'The Understanding