While playing the part of a submissive, Jonathan Powell relished messing with the minds of women, enjoyed leaving them heartbroken and devastated. His malice eventually landed him in jail after he became embroiled as an accomplice in one woman’s plot of serial killing.

With his release from Wentworth, Jonathan knows he will have to rebuild a life for himself, though he is not too worried, confident in his skills as a manipulator. And he’s pleasantly surprised to find a prospect so soon on the horizon. But then again, Jonathan has yet to realize all that awaits.

Driving up the road of the prison, Mistress Dona has no illusions about Jonathan’s character. Despite her renowned reputation, she knows that she will be tested beyond her limits. And she knows there is more at stake than meets the eye.

Will love have a chance to take root or is the evil in Jonathan too pervasive? Can Mistress Dona save Nathan’s soul? Or will he destroy them both in the process?

Ms. Hill proves – again – that she is a brilliant storyteller. This is the fifth book in the Nature of Desire series. Mistress of Redemption features Jonathan, as fans may remember from Natural Law, also mentioned in Holding the Cards. As such, Jonathan will likely not be the most favored or revered hero. Similarly, Dona’s past may not completely endear her to readers. Still, Jonathan and Dona’s story is definitely worth reading, and many may find – as I did – that not only do their mistakes and faults greatly humanize their characters, but they also emphasize their amazing progress, as well as their redeeming qualities. This story seems to exemplify the healing power of love – for others and self.

Not only is Ms. Hill an artist with words, but she also continues to display a true talent for showcasing phenomenal character development. It often feels as though she’s able to see into the souls of her characters, and is additionally capable of revealing some of that depth to readers. In keeping with the Nature of Desire series, Mistress of Redemption involves some fairly intense BDSM material and is quite emotional moving, managing to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming. At the same time, a few surprising twists slightly alter the feel of this tale in comparison to the other stories. Mistress of Redemption is definitely a keeper, worthy of prime real-estate on my bookshelf.

Reviewed by: Jen H.