Category Archives: Romance

October 26, 2015 · 5:28 pm

Bearing It All (Highlander’s Beloved, #3) by Vonnie Davis

Bearing It All (Highlander's Beloved, #3)Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Title: Bearing It All
Author: Vonnie Davis
Series: Highlander’s Beloved, #3
Pages: 297
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: October 27, 2015

Summary:

In the pine-dense mountains of the Scottish Highlands, shape-shifter Ronan Matheson is running free when a desperate woman parachutes out of the sky, directly onto his furry, powerful chest. Instead of clawing her to death, Ronan’s inner bear longs to keep her safe. Once he’s back in human form, Ronan is amused by the mysterious beauty’s fearless attitude—and tempted by her expertly toned physique. But what could she possibly be doing in this isolated stretch of the Highlands?

French intelligence agent Anisa Brosseau never imagined she’d be on the CIA’s bad side—until she’s framed for treason and forced to flee in a stolen drone. Hiding out in a remote cabin, Anisa just needs some time to clear her name. What she doesn’t need is a brooding, muscle-bound Scot in a skimpy kilt to drive her crazy with lust. But when Anisa’s enemies come knocking on his door, Ronan calls on a secret weapon to protect his turf and the bonny lass he’s come to love.

Review:

I read this book almost two months ago and waited until almost the publication date to review it. Now I remember why? I couldn’t get past the “are you kidding me?” moments in the book.

Anisa parachutes into the mountains of the Scottish Highlands and just happens to land on a bear . . . a shape-shifting bear . . . who just happens to be her mate.

Uh-uh.

Oddly enough, I can accept that. Shape-shifting bears – check. After all, I read about (and love) shape-shifter books all the time. He’s her mate – check. Of course, why else would we have the book?

What I could not get past is the fact they already knew each other from just a few years before . . . and neither one recognized the other! They met in Paris, as adults, and although they didn’t date, they did have several conversations . . . and neither one RECOGNIZED the other!

This is the third book in the series and if you’ve read the others, go ahead and read this one. It had its fun moments. I just couldn’t get past the “really?” parts enough to enjoy it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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October 8, 2015 · 2:29 pm

All I Want (Animal Magnetism, #7) by Jill Shalvis

All I Want (Animal Magnetism, #7)All I Want by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: All I Want
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism, #7
Pages: 304
Publisher: Berkley
Date: October 6, 2015

Summary:

Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.

Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going…

Review:

Everyone has those days (weeks?) when they want to read, but nothing appeals. For those times, you need what I call a comfort read. That’s either a book you’ve already read and loved or an author that you KNOW is going to appeal to you. For me, one of those authors is Jill Shalvis.

I’ve only been reading her books for about a year, but she has never disappointed me. Her books have romance, conflict, and humor . . . lots of humor. She is also an animal lover and her animal characters feature prominently in her books.

All I Want, the seventh book in her Animal Magnetism series, is no exception. Zoe has trust issues – serious trust issues. She has been let down by her parents and the men in her life over and over again. Parker has secrets and she refuses to let him into her life because she knows he is hiding something from her. So, of course, they end up sharing a house.

The story is great. The interactions between Zoe and Parker range from hot to hysterical and sometimes both at the same time. But it is the humor in this book that does it for me. Here are just a few examples:

Zoe and her sister Darcy are discussing what she should wear on a blind date. Darcy tells her,

“And for God’s sake, stop taking fashion advice from a dog who rolls in bear poo and thinks he smells good.”

Later Zoe is lonely because both her brother and sister have moved out.

“Sure, she missed bossing them around as she’d been doing since the dawn of time because one, their foreign diplomat parents had never seemed to notice they had children, and two, well, Zoe kind of just loved to boss people around.”

But, my absolute favorite scene in the book involves Oreo, Zoe’s 100-pound Bernese mountain dog and two kittens Parker is fostering. Oreo is afraid of everything, including tiny kittens and this is what happens when they are introduced.

“The tabby stalked underneath a mistrustful Oreo and stopped between the dog’s legs, eyeing the long tail with a curious eye. Then the kitten crouched low, wriggled his butt, and . . . pounced.

And missed Oreo’s tail by a mile.

Still Oreo cried.

‘It’s okay,’ Parker said. ‘I promise they’re not going to hurt you –’

Too late. Because Oreo lifted his leg and . . . peed on them.”

And I lost it! I laughed until I cried and that’s the best compliment I can give a book.

Read it! Read the entire series. You won’t regret it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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October 5, 2015 · 7:04 pm

Redemption Road (Vicious Cycle, #2) by Katie Ashley

Redemption Road (Vicious Cycle, #2)Redemption Road by Katie Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Redemption Road
Author: Katie Ashley
Series: Vicious Cycle, #2
Pages: 336
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Date: October 6, 2015

Summary:

Looking for a walk on the wild side, Annabel Percy, the daughter of a powerful politician, starts dating a biker she knows is completely wrong for her. But she finds herself living a nightmare when she’s kidnapped and transported into a hell on earth she never could have imagined.

Born and bred into the Hells Raiders MC, Nathaniel “Reverend” Malloy lives and dies for his brothers. But when he becomes the unexpected savior of a rival club’s captive, Rev makes it his personal mission to nurse Annabel back to health—and to shelter her from the nightmares that torment her.

Once Annabel heals, she’s stunned to realize she is falling for the seductive man who saved her. Faced with their impossible attraction, can she accept the life he leads, or will Rev walk away from the only life he’s ever known for the woman he was never supposed to love?

Review:

I was lucky enough to receive both of the books in this series at the same time. It begins with Vicious Cycle (see my review here) and continues with Redemption Road. I had a really hard time getting into Vicious Cycle, but I ended up loving it. I was happy that I had the sequel to jump right into.

If anything, I liked Redemption Road even more. Maybe it was because I was already accustomed to the violence, but I think it was because I really liked Rev. He’s just a nicer guy than the other men in the books. Make no mistake, Rev can be just as harsh and physical as the others when it’s needed. However, he is willing to look for an alternative to death and mayhem if possible.

Like the previous book, this one should come with trigger warnings. Horrible things happen to people, but it is not gratuitous. They are necessary to the plot, but it still doesn’t make it easy to read.

I finished Redemption Road in less than a day. It was that good. I’m giving it a solid four star review.

Book three, Last Mile, is due out May 3, 2016. I cannot wait!

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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October 5, 2015 · 5:56 pm

Vicious Cycle (Vicious Cycle, #1) by Katie Ashley

Vicious Cycle (Vicious Cycle, #1)Vicious Cycle by Katie Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Vicious Cycle
Author: Katie Ashley
Series: Vicious Cycle, #1
Pages: 336
Publisher: NAL Trade
Date: June 2, 2015

Summary:

Deacon Malloy’s life is dedicated to the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club. Tough, hard, and fast with his fists, he serves the group as sergeant at arms. But his devil-may-care approach to life is thrown for a loop when the five-year-old daughter he never knew existed lands on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans is devoted to all her students—but there’s always been something about Willow Malloy that tugs at her heart. There’s an aura of sadness about her, a girl in need of all the love Alexandra can give. When Willow stops coming to school, Alexandra’s search leads to a clubhouse full of bikers…and a father hell-bent on keeping his daughter always within sight.

The moment Deacon sees Alexandra, he has to have her in his bed—and he’s never met a woman yet who couldn’t be persuaded. No matter how attracted she is to Deacon, Alexandra refuses to be just another conquest. But it’s Deacon himself who could be seduced—into a brighter future for himself, his daughter, and the woman he’s falling for against all odds.

Review:

This book was an absolute roller coaster to read and review. I hated it at the start. I didn’t want to keep reading because I didn’t like the male characters and there was far too much violence for my taste.

I kept with it though because not only had I promised to review it, I had promised to review the sequel – Redemption Road.

As I continued reading, I realized the writing was quite good and I was actually enjoying the story. Then something happened that was a trigger for me personally. So, I was back to not wanting to finish it.

I did mention a roller coaster, right?

I persevered and I am so glad I did. I ended up loving the book. Yes, it is violent, some of the women get little to no respect, and the language is rough – very rough.

It doesn’t matter. The violence fit with the the plot and characters. The women (old ladies, and yes that term bothers me) of the bikers were treated like gold, and the language was what I would expect in a biker gang.

I realize I didn’t say much about the actual plot. It’s hard to stay from spoilers with this one, so I’m just going to leave this review as my opinion rather than a discussion of the plot.

What I can say is it went from a “did not finish” (DNF) to a four star review for me. I read the second book in less than a day and liked it just as much. I can’t wait for book three, Last Mile, which will be released May 3, 2016.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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September 28, 2015 · 6:09 pm

Down the Rabbit Hole anthology

Down the Rabbit Hole (includes In Death, #41.5)Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: Down the Rabbit Hole anthology
Author: J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, R. C. Ryan
Series: contains In Death, #41.5
Pages: 432
Publisher: Jove
Date: September 29, 2015

Summary:

You’re late for a very important date…

Enter a wonderland of mesmerizing tales. It’s a place that’s neither here nor there, where things are never quite as they seem. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, ranging from the impossible to the mad to the curiouser, these stories will have you absolutely off your head.

Don’t be afraid to follow them…

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Contains

Wonderment in Death by J. D. Robb
Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
iLove by Elaine Fox
A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
Fallen by R. C. Ryan

Review:

I grabbed this book for one reason: Eve and Roarke. Wonderment in Death is a short story/novella that relies heavily on the Lewis Carroll Alice books as do all the stories in this anthology. Eve, of course, is not familiar with the books and has to rely on Roarke and Peabody to make the connection.

The story is typical Eve and Roarke. There is a horrific murder or series of murders. Nothing is quite what it seems and it’s hard to tell if the murderer is insane or evil. I don’t know why it makes a difference to me, but it does. For some reason, insane is not as frightening as evil.

Anyway, Robb is able to concentrate on the story without having to worry about any backstory because the series is so well established. There are over forty books after all. The plot progressed quickly, old friends showed up, and the bad guy was caught.

What more can you ask for?

The only story I felt dropped in the middle of was Alice and the Earl in Wonderland. There were many references to a previous story, but enough detail was given to make this one enjoyable. And yes, I’m tempted to find the original story and read it.

The other three stories worked perfectly as standalones. I enjoyed all of them and I am sure other readers who follow those authors will enjoy them as well.

If any of these authors are autobuys for you, this book is worth the price. However, I think you need to already follow Robb’s In Death series to really enjoy her contribution.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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September 28, 2015 · 5:50 pm

The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (Mackenzie & McBride, #8 – prequel) by Jennifer Ashley

The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (MacKenzies & McBrides, #8)The Stolen Mackenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: The Stolen Mackenzie Bride
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Mackenzie & McBride, #8 (prequel)
Pages: 336
Publisher: Berkley
Date: September 29, 2015

Summary:

1745, Scotland: The youngest son of the scandalous Mackenzie family, Malcolm is considered too wild to tame…until he meets a woman who is too unattainable to resist.

Lady Mary Lennox is English, her father highly loyal to the king, and promised to another Englishman. But despite it being forbidden to speak to Malcolm, Lady Mary is fascinated by the Scotsman, and stolen moments together lead to a passion greater than she’d ever dreamed of finding.

When fighting breaks out between the Highlanders and the King’s army, their plans to elope are thwarted, and it will take all of Malcolm’s daring as a Scottish warrior to survive the battle and steal a wife out from under the noses of the English.

Review:

This book is a precursor to Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie series and takes place about one hundred years earlier. However, you do not have to have read the earlier (later?) books in order to enjoy it. It is a complete standalone, although I hope she writes additional books in this time period. Just like the Mackenzie family of the 1800s, each of these earlier brothers deserve their own story.

What can I say about this book? Malcolm Mackenzie is the youngest son of the Duke of Kilmorgan. His brothers all call him “runt.” There is Duncan, the eldest, who is to inherit the title, Will the information gatherer, identical twins Alec and Angus, and Malcolm.

Just as an aside about Will because information gatherer needs explaining. This is a quote from his own mouth.

“But I know everything.” Will said. “Whether you want me to or not.”

Now, doesn’t he deserve his own book?

Anyway, there was another brother Magnus, who died as a child. Malcolm is the one found him and it had a permanent effect on his personality. Even though he is the youngest of the family, he feels it is his responsibility to take care of everyone. And that sense of responsibility includes Mary.

Mary . . . Lady Mary Lennox

Mary is the daughter of an English earl who hates the Scots. The book begins shortly before Culloden and the Earl of Wilfort is working to put down those filthy Jacobites.

So, of course, Mary and Malcolm fall in love.

Mary, who has always been an obedient and dutiful daughter. Mary, who is engaged to another man – English, of course.

That Mary falls in love with a Scot and discovers she’s not all that obedient and dutiful after all.

Culloden plays a major part in this plot. I had to make myself keep reading when I realized how important it was going to be to the story because I knew how horrible the battle and aftermath were. I just didn’t want to read about the terrible things that happened. The book was so good though, I couldn’t put it down.

And I was right! Terrible things happened at Culloden. People died. No details, because of spoilers, but PEOPLE DIED!

Was the book worth the heartbreak of reading about Culloden?

Definitely!

Malcolm and Mary are a wonderful couple. With Mary, Malcolm can be human. He can admit he can’t save everyone. And with Malcolm, Mary comes alive.

I highly recommend this book and I really hope the author expands on this series. If you haven’t read the later books, you are missing out.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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August 30, 2015 · 8:02 pm

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Raybourn

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell Mystery, #1)A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: A Curious Beginning
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Series: Veronica Speedwell, #1
Pages: 352
Publisher: NAL/Penguin
Date: September 1, 2015

Summary:

London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

Review:

I have to make something clear right from the start about this book. I loved it! I absolutely loved it! Stoker is wonderful and Veronica is one of my all time favorite heroines. If ever there was a woman who knew what she wanted, Veronica is that woman.

As stated in the description, Stoker and Veronica are “in search of the villainous truth.” The plot has twists and turns. Backstories that are alluded to, but not fully explained. Heroes, or are they villains, keep popping up.
And some of the best dialogue I have ever read. Let me give you just a few examples.

Stoker and Veronica are trying to determine why someone is trying to abduct her and Veronica does not accept his hypothesis at all.

“That is a tale straight from one of Mrs. Radcliffe’s thrillers, Stoker. I expected better from you.”

It is a perfectly logical hypothesis, he returned.

Now, do shut up and stop interrupting whilst I’m being interesting.”

I love that last line.

Another one:

Stoker has recently introduced Veronica to a friend of his – another strong willed woman.

“I was merely thinking it may have been a very grave mistake to introduce you to Lady C. If the pair of you ever put your minds to it, you could probably topple governments together.

One thing at a time, dear Stoker. One thing at a time.”

And finally, and this so represents their relationship:

“Of course, as had become our habit, we quarreled over what the end should be — or at least Stoker quarreled and I carried on doing precisely as I wished.”

I adore Veronica. She reminds me a lot of Amelia Peabody (by Elizabeth Peters) or Alexia Tarabotti (by Gail Carriger). If you enjoy either of these series, you will love this one.

I am a big fan of Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia books, but this book tops those. I cannot wait for the sequel. No word on that yet, but I’m watching for it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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July 26, 2015 · 6:44 am

The Closer You Come (Original Heartbreakers, #1) by Gena Showalter

The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: The Closer You Come
Author: Gena Showalter
Series: The Original Heartbreakers, #1
Pages: 434
Publisher: HQN Books
Date: March 31, 2015

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.

Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. But model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty…

Brook Lynn Dillon has always been responsible. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and fun-deprived. Until Jase comes along. He is dangerous, stunningly protective, breathtakingly sexy and as tempting as sin, and the passion sizzling between them is undeniable. But can it melt her resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what they both need.

Review:

Read the prequel, The One You Want, first. It’s not really, really necessary, but it will help you understand some relationships.

I am not sure what to say about this book. I enjoyed it and read it in less than two days. The characters are likable, but the situations they came from can be heartbreaking. These people have real problems, both emotional and physical.
Having said that, it is not a dark book. Brook Lynn brings new levels to the word snarky. One of my favorite scenes is when she gives Jase a tube of Preparation H because he told her she was a pain in his ass.

I loved her . . . and she loves Jase. Now that is a man with problems. Fortunately, Brook Lynn loves him enough to fight for him.

Do we get a happily ever after? Of course. It is a romance after all. What we don’t get is butterflies and moonbeams. Brook Lynn will always have a physical problem and Jase will always have problems with his temper. However, both of them love the other and are willing to fight for the relationship.

Jase’s best friends, Beck and West, are integral to the story as is Brook Lynn’s sister Jessie Kay. They get their own books too. The Hotter You Burn and The Harder You Fall come out in 2015. I can’t wait to read them both.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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July 24, 2015 · 8:18 am

Nightwalker (World of Nightwalkers, #5) by Jacquelyn Frank

Nightwalker (The World of Nightwalkers, #5)Nightwalker by Jacquelyn Frank

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Nightwalker
Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Series: World of Nightwalkers, #5
Pages: 327
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: August 25, 2015

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes the final chapter in the Nightwalkers saga! As the momentous showdown with a powerful demon unfolds, a passionate encounter breaks the ultimate taboo.

Kamen is a Bodywalker, an ancient soul reborn in one human host after another. He’s also a prisoner of his own kind: for it was Kamen who released Apep, the deadly god who threatens the existence of their world. To atone for this grievous error, Kamen accepts an urgent mission: to convince the other nations of the Nightwalkers to set aside their centuries-old conflicts and band together. If he fails, all will be lost. And no tribe presents a greater challenge than the Wraiths, the spectral beings who are feared and despised for their lethal deathtouch.

Kamen makes first contact with a stunning, ghostly pale beauty named Geneviève. Part Wraith and part human, scorned as a half-breed, Viève shares the hunger for redemption—and for connection. Her scintillating touch holds the kiss of death, and yet it makes Kamen feel more alive than ever. Soon his lips are pressed against hers, sending Viève into fits of desire and forging a bond that breaches the divide between them. Now they must unite all the Nightwalkers, from Vampire and Shadowdweller to Djynns, and fast—for Apep is ready for war.

Review:

Do NOT read this book as a standalone. As a matter of fact, you need to read ALL of the Nightwalkers, Shadowdwellers, and previous World of the Nightwalkers before reading this book. You will have no clue what is going on otherwise.

Whew! Now that I have that out of my system. This is a great book, but it is not a standalone. It is the culmination of a fourteen book saga that was broken into three series. Do not be overwhelmed. These are wonderful, engrossing, sometimes funny books and I love them. They are well worth the time invested.

Kamen was one of the primary bad guys throughout the World of the Nightwalkers series. There was some foreshadowing that he was more misled than evil, but he still did horrible things. I never expected to feel sorry for him and come to like him as much as I did. The fact that I was rooting for him by the end of this book and wanting everyone to forgive him is an example of how good a writer Jacquelyn Frank can be.

Of course, if the male lead is the most hated man in the series, then the female lead must come from the most hated and feared species. Vieve is half Wraith and half human. Fortunately, her human half is dominant, so she is not as vicious and untrustworthy as the rest of the Wraith species. And that brings up a small problem I had with the book. Every other species is acknowledged as having good and bad individuals. The Wraith are feared universally. Yes, I understand they have the death touch, but there aren’t any good Wraith?

As I said before, this is the culminating book in a series of fourteen. It has a good solid ending and ties all the threads together. I did see one chance for another spinoff, which would be wonderful because I love the world of the Nightwalkers. We will just have to see.

One other thing, and this has nothing to do with the author or the story. For some reason, the publisher has decided to only release this book in ebook and audio format. The rest of the serie(s) have also been available as paperback. This ruins my set. I have all of the books in paperback, but cannot get this one in that form. Obviously, I am ticked. Will I buy it in ebook form? Of course I will, but I am not happy about it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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July 23, 2015 · 2:23 pm

Begging for It (Asking for It, #2) by Lilah Pace

Begging for It (Asking for It, #2)Begging for It by Lilah Pace

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: Begging for It
Author: Lilah Pace
Series: Asking for It, #2
Pages: 352
Publisher: Berkley
Date: September 1, 2015

Summary:

The provocative author of Asking for It once again explores the dark side of erotic obsession, and the secrets that make it as dangerous as it is irresistible.

Some secrets should only be shared in the dark.

Jonah and Vivienne’s erotic bond—living out raw scenarios of captivity and force—began as no-strings sex between strangers who shared the same desires. Now the intimacy between them is turning into love, but it’s a love built on fantasies so extreme that exploring them makes guilt inescapable. But the risks they’re taking are far more dangerous than they’d imagined.

A stalker is terrorizing the city, and one of Jonah’s ex-lovers names him as a potential suspect to the police. Standing by a man under suspicion could cost Vivienne everything. But when Jonah’s stepfather takes advantage of the scandal to seize control of the Marks family fortune, Vivienne is drawn into her lover’s broken family and twisted past. Only then will she learn how dark the truth really is…

Review:

If you read my review of the previous book in this series, Asking for It, you know I only had one criticism of it. The ending was unresolved. It was not really a cliffhanger, but there was not a “happily ever after.” Now that I have read Begging for It, I am okay with that. A relationship containing so much turmoil as Jonah’s and Vivienne’s requires more than one book to resolve it.

Since it’s hard to discuss the beginning of this book without giving away the ending of the first, I am going to just skip right over that.

Jonah and Vivienne ran into some problems and they are trying to work things out between themselves. Jonah has even attended a counseling session with Vivienne’s therapist. Just when you think progress is being made, Jonah is suspected of being the campus rapist.

Jonah’s stepfather uses the scandal to try and take over the family company which brings Jonah’s siblings into the picture. Talk about a dysfunctional family and they all have plenty of reasons to be.

Although this book is focused on Jonah’s and Vivienne’s relationship, it is also about their relationships with others. The inclusion of friends and family helps them to see that they are not alone and they are not to blame for what happened to them in the past. They need that because both of them, but especially Jonah, have isolated themselves from the world.

Both of these books show an extreme side of sexual kink and because of the rape fantasy, I am sure they are not for everybody. I, however, loved them. I did not think I would. I was hesitant to read the first one at all, but they are amazingly well done.

According to Goodreads, Lilah Pace is a pseudonym for a New York Times bestselling author. I can believe it. These books are too well written to be debut novels. Now I want to know the identity of the author so I can read more of her books.

Begging for It has the solid ending I was wanting. There is a sense of completion and hope for Jonah and Vivienne. However, there are also plenty of characters introduced who need their own stories. I really, really hope we get them.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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