WICKED DIX (Hard Love Romance #2) by Monica James-Review and Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2016

I’ve always been a bad boy, with a very wicked reputation.

But then I met Madison – sweet, vulnerable, innocent Madison. She makes me feel as if there is hope for me. As if I could be a good man. I need her more than I need air to breathe.

There’s just one problem: Juliet. She’s a temptress who won’t take no for an answer. If I resist her, she’ll use our dirty secret to ruin everything with Madison.

I don’t want to lose Madison, but can I really change? This is my chance to prove that I can. But it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

Are you ready?

••••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED DIX (formerly known as Driven to Sin) is the second installment in Monica James’s new adult, contemporary HARD LOVE ROMANCE series (formerly known as ‘Sinful Pleasures’) focusing on psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Mathews, and college student Madison. Their continuing story follows our couple as they traverse a minefield of unprofessional ethics, dysfunctional family dynamics, and a myriad of lies and lies by omission wherein Madison will discover that everything she thinks she knows about the man that she loves is disguising the truth about the man he truly is. WICKED DIX should not be read as a stand alone as the story continues upon the events of book one-DIRTY DIX (formerly known as Addicted To Sin).

Told from dual first person points of view (Dixon and Madison) WICKED DIX looks at the fall out of Dixon’s man-whoring way; his unprofessional actions of the past; and his need to control the woman who is about to destroy his life. Dixon is caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place as it pertains to one of his former patients-a woman with close ties to Madison, and the woman who is about to destroy his life. But Dixon isn’t about to go down without a fight, and embarks on an ill-fated mission of abuse of power and professional charm. What ensues is the building relationship between Dixon and Madison, and the fall out of their relationship when the truth is finally revealed.

The ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters includes both Dixon and Madison’s extended family; their friends, co-workers, and the requisite evil that continues to attack our leading couple at every turn. But, to be honest, by keeping secret the truth about his relationship with Juliette, Dixon continued to poke the bear; add fuel to the fire; and circle the abyss of betrayal and heartbreak. His fear for the woman the he loved prevented him from seeing the whole picture, no matter how many times he was warned about the potential for disaster. Dix’s actions were irrational and unreasonable under the circumstances-there would never have been any positive outcome from the games and situation with Juliette of which he was slowly losing control.

I will add, that I am not a fan of mid-series title and cover changes due to the potential for confusion. When I first discovered WICKED DIX on Netgalley, I thought, WOW, another new series by Monica James, but then realized, it was a part of a series that I was already reading, but the title, the series name and the covers had all been changed. This is confusing to readers, especially long time followers of the author who has a habit of frequently changing covers e.g. one of her series has had three (3) complete cover changes to date.

WICKED DIX is an intense, dramatic and heartbreaking story line with a predictable outcome to Dixon’s loss of control. There are some humorous moments when Dix gets together with his friends and buddies. The premise is fateful and intoxicating; the characters are passionate and sometimes destructive; the romance is a startling fight towards a happily ever after. There were several points at which my frustration level rose knowing that the end results were not going to be good but in true romance style, all will be forgiven, but not necessarily forgotten.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of DIRTY DIX (formerly known as Addicted to Sin)

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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