Taming the Boss (Billionaires in the City #7) by Mallory Crowe-a review

TAMING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #7) by Mallory Crowe-a review

Taming The Boss

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About the book: Release Date January 12, 2016

Cali thought the handsome stranger who kissed her was nothing but a mistake. But it turns out he could be the biggest payday of her life.

Cali has spent the last year of her life bending over backwards for the Devereaux brothers and she’s had enough. But when she threatens to quit, she’s given an offer she can’t refuse: If she brings the third, estranged, Devereaux brother, Rourke, back to the family, she’ll get a two million dollar reward.

Rourke Devereaux vowed he’d never have anything to do with his family again, but it’s hard to remember that vow when the sexy blonde he never thought he’d see again comes knocking on his doorstep. Even after he hauls her over his shoulder to carry her back to the car, she’s not ready to give up.

But as the two draw battle lines in his small, Maine coastal town, her old enemies pay them a visit. Now the one woman Rourke wanted to leave is under his protection and the longer he’s with her, the more he realizes he doesn’t want her going anywhere.

••••••••

REVIEW: TAMING THE BOSS is the seventh installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY romantic, suspense series. This is billionaire Rourke Devereaux, and PA Cali Carson’s story line. Taming the Boss can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as the story lines are interconnected and a number of the characters cross over between installments.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cali and Rourke) TAMING THE BOSS focuses on Cali-Luke Devereaux’s former personal assistant (whom we have met throughout the series)- and a woman wanted for questioning as to her involvement with a man named Easson Harper –a man hoping to destroy the Devereaux family. Cali was tired of playing the corporate monkey and decided it was time to walk away but found herself in the arms of the Devereaux prodigal son. Enter Rourke Devereaux, a man estranged from his family, and the man Cali will be tasked with bringing back into the Devereaux fold when they make her an offer she cannot refuse.

Rourke Devereaux has been estranged from his family for close to ten years and with it comes heartbreak and betrayal, and the loss of the family he once loved. Now a man who restores older homes, Rourke finds himself immediately attracted to his brother’s PA-the woman sent to bring Rourke home. The relationship is one of insta-lust to love although there is plenty of push and pull between our leading couple especially as it pertains to Cali’s safety-someone is hunting Cali, and the FBI is having a difficult time tracking him down. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top graphic language or text.

Most of the Devereaux siblings play secondary and supporting roles including Luke and his significant other Evelyn Price; Michael and his fiancé Lori Briggs; Emma Devereaux and Jace (by way of mention). We are introduced to billionaire Walter Farrell, and his right hand man Colin Carter. Colin’s story line will be told in RUTHLESS-the first installment in Mallory’s new spin off series Fractured Farrells-A Damaged Billionaire Series-as Colin goes in search of something he believes he is owed.

TAMING THE BOSS is an entertaining and spirited story line with a little bit of mystery, suspense, romance and love. The premise is intriguing; the characters are energetic; the romance is a quick build to a happily ever after.

Reading Order
Teaching the Boss
Teasing the Boss
Tempting the Boss
Trusting the Boss
Touching the Boss
Testing the Boss
Taming The Boss

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

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Testing the Boss (Billionaires in the City #6) by Mallory Crowe-Review and Book Tour

TESTING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #6 ) by Mallory Crowe-Review and Book Tour

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TESTING THE BOSS
Billionaires in the City #6
by Mallory Crowe
Release Date: November 19, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

Testing the Boss

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2015

Billionaire Luke Devereaux gets what he wants and what he wants right now is to bring down the shady organization threatening his family. Teaming up with the FBI is his only option–even if that option comes in the sultry Evelyn Price, the ice-princess who’s all business.

Refusing to be distracted by the sexy, rich playboy, Evelyn forces herself to stay focused on the case, gearing up for the criminal takedown of her entire career. As the enemy closes in with Evelyn as its next target, it’s up to Luke to keep them out of danger. The more they work to protect each other, and fight for control, the harder it is to resist their undeniable attraction.

And the one thing Evelyn has learned from working with him is that Luke Devereaux gets what he wants.

•••••••••

REVIEW: TESTING THE BOSS is the sixth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY romantic, suspense series. This is CEO billionaire Luke Devereaux, and FBI agent Evelyn Price’s storyline. Although TESTING THE BOSS can be read as a stand alone I would recommend reading the series in order as the threats and plots against the family continue to build throughout each storyline. Each of the storylines is interconnected with the characters crossing over between installments.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Luke and Evelyn) TESTING THE BOSS is a revealing storyline that begins to expose the people behind the threats against the Devereaux family. The group known as the Thirteen Stars, a white-collar criminal ring, has been trying to get Luke Devereaux on their side. With the assistance of the FBI, and the undercover presence of Evelyn Price, Luke tries to ferret out information about the high powered businesses and the people involved. What ensues is the collapse of the undercover operation and several attempts on Luke and Evelyn’s lives as someone is always one step ahead of Luke and Evelyn’s plans. Evelyn has her suspicions; Luke is oblivious but hints at a possible suspect; this reader was spot on with the guilty party(s) involved.

The initial relationship between Luke and Evelyn is caustic and bitter, but the sexual tension runs high throughout the story. Evelyn is an FBI agent who wants nothing to do with privileged rich boys with too much time on their hands who want to play cops and robbers. Already recovering from a gunshot wound, Evelyn finds herself in New York ‘babysitting’ Luke Devereaux while he tries to infiltrate the Thirteen Stars. Luke, on the other hand, takes an immediate liking to the acerbic FBI agent, and tries to break through Evelyn’s barriers and walled heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, although our heroine believes she has crossed the line between her job and her heart.

The secondary characters include several of the previous storyline couples and characters: Emma Devareaux and Jace Lance: Michael Devereaux and Lori Briggs; and Luke’s assistant Cali who keeps her finger on the pulse of everything in Luke’s personal and business life.

The world building continues to focus on the threats against the Devereaux family and their billion dollar enterprise DevX that provides cyber protection software to some of the largest defense contractors in the USA. The group known as the Thirteen Stars continues to pursue the Devereaux family and with Luke’s storyline some of the missing information as to the who, what and why is slowly revealed. This particular ARC of the series began in book four (Trusting the Boss). TESTING THE BOSS ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.

Mallory Crowe’s BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY is a series focusing on white-collar crime, intrigue and high stakes revenge. There are moments of mystery and suspense, wrapped in a building romance between two people whose lives have crossed paths time and again. The premise is entertaining, and full of twist and turns with plenty of drama, betrayal and emotion; the characters are likeable and well developed- strong willed and independent thinkers; the romance is a build up to a profession of love. Mallory Crowe’s BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY is a high stakes, who-dun-it, where revenge is the ultimate sin.

Billionaires in the City

Reading Order
Teaching the Boss
Teasing the Boss
Tempting the Boss
Trusting the Boss
Touching the Boss
Testing the Boss

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Testing the Boss Teaser

excerpt

 

Luke shook his head. “Come on. Screw that. Let’s do some real training.”
He approached her and she was fascinated by the ripple of his muscles as he moved. “Real training?” she murmured.
“Like you wouldn’t want a chance to kick my ass?” He stopped just a foot away.
Her eyes widened as she finally got a hold of her libido and realized what he was saying. “You want to fight me?” she asked incredulously.
“No. I want you to teach me how you fight. I’ve had a bit of training and would like to see how I stack up next to a trained cop.”
“Agent,” she corrected. “And you know I can wipe the floor with you, right?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. But I am bigger. And probably stronger.”
“But not smarter.” She smirked. Seriously, if he thought he could take her, he was out of his mind. Even with a leg that wasn’t up to par, she had been training to take down guys bigger and stronger than her from before she even entered the academy.
“I’ve gotten into one or two brawls, Evelyn. And I played football in the South. That shit gets intense.”
She let out a laugh. “High school football! I’ve taken down cartel leaders, murderers, and gangsters. Not exactly the same thing. I can take you in a heartbeat.”
He raised a brow. “Then prove it.”
A surge of adrenaline shot through Evelyn as she stared down Luke. “Fine. Move the weight bench and try not to break your head open when I knock you on your ass.”
He smiled in a way that told her that he wasn’t going to go down easy and she held her ground while he moved the bench. Probably the first time he actually did what she told him to. Once it was moved, they at least had a little room to move around. The ground wasn’t padded like she was used to while training, but a few bruises would do Luke some good. But she would give him one consolation. Holding onto her weight rack for support, she flipped off her tennis shoes and Luke followed suit.
The tension swirled in the air and she could tell Luke was probably just as excited about this as she was.
Once everything was moved out of the way, Luke stood a few feet away from her and she stood with her feet shoulder width apart, as they eyed each other cautiously. “How do we do this?” He shifted his weight.
She smiled confidently at him. “Come at me.”
A flash of uncertainty crossed his face. “What if I hurt you?”
She snorted. “You’re not going to hurt me.”
“You sound pretty sure of that.”
“I’m one hundred percent sure of that,” she warned. “If anyone is in danger, it’s you. Now, are you going to come at me or are you going to get on the treadmill to do a normal workout?”
He growled low in his throat at her threat and she knew that she’d pushed him enough. She tensed and narrowed her eyes as she looked for any sign that he was about to come at her.
And it wasn’t long before he lunged.


 

Q & A

Tell us three behind the scenes facts about TESTING THE BOSS.

1 – Evelyn is named after the author Evelyn Adams. Without her help and support, I probably would not be a published author now.
2 – The cover model on TESTING is the same guy who’s on TOUCHING. I just loved him so much and, since the characters are brothers who look alike, I made it work.
3 – I was recently in New York City for a few days (previously I’d only been in the city for a few hours at a time). So this is the first book where I could use real life experience to describe the city.

What’s the last book you read and loved?

One of my author friends, Cali MacKay, just published the first part of this really cool project called FORBIDDEN about a woman who turns to a mysterious artist on a private island to keep her safe from her deranged ex. Except the mysterious man is actually a set of twins and she starts falling for both without realizing it. Cali’s been telling me all about the story as she was writing it and I couldn’t WAIT to get it and read for myself.
Out of all your heroes, who do you want to keep for yourself?

I think Simon from TEASING THE BOSS might be my favorite. Something about a sexy, redhead nerd alpha. Who also likes dogs…

Your next book TAMING THE BOSS will be the final book in the Billionaires in the City series. What are some of the things going through your mind at seeing this series end?

I’m really more excited than anything. Partially because I don’t feel like the series is ending, I feel like I’m opening a new chapter. I can’t give too many details yet, but the next series will be a little different in tone, but will still have the strong characters and bite of humor and suspense that the BITC series had. So I’m 100% thrilled to bring this new world to my readers.

What’s next for Mallory Crowe?

The last book in the Billionaire’s in the City series, TAMING THE BOSS, is coming out January and that shows the Devereaux’s dedicated assistant, Cali, going to northern Maine to drag back the black sheep of the family. Needless to say, he doesn’t make things easy for her in the best way possible.

About the author

Mallory CroweMallory Crowe has lived in Michigan her whole life and has been in love with romance ever since she’d skip to the end of every novel, just to make sure the hero and heroine survived and ended up together. She lives with her husband and three dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s spending too much time in front of the TV, hiking, or working with various animal rescues.

Website: http://www.mallorycrowe.com/home.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/croweink
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005600806967&fref
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13623321.Mallory_Crowe

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Touching the Boss (Billionaires in the City #5) by Mallory Crowe-Review and Book Tour

TOUCHING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #5) by Mallory Crowe-Review and Book Tour

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TOUCHING THE BOSS
Billionaires in the City #5
by Mallory Crowe
Release Date: September 10, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Touching the Boss

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2015

He’s tall.
He’s sexy.
He’s a criminal.
And he’s her boss.

Lacking enough evidence to go the police and not enough money in her bank account to quit on a moral basis, Lori Briggs is stuck, and it’s quite clear that her boss, the criminal mastermind, intends to start mixing business with pleasure.

Michael Devereaux will do anything to protect his family’s interests–even if it means posing as a criminal for an undercover FBI operation. He’s got to keep Lori close, and his enemies closer. But when the intimacy with Lori deepens, Michael must decide what’s more important: his family or his heart?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TOUCHING THE BOSS is the fifth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult Billionaires in the City erotic romance series. This is billionaire businessman Michael Devereaux, and IT specialist Lori Briggs’s storyline. TOUCHING THE BOSS can be read as a stand alone without any difficult although there is a continuing premise running throughout the series involving Michael’s cousin Joslyn Devereaux whose escapades have placed everyone in danger and the potential for financial ruin.

Told from dual third person perspectives TOUCHING THE BOSS is a storyline of forbidden romance and suspense. Lori has worked three weeks for Michael Devereaux’s corporation DevX when a mysterious assignment finds Lori caught between breaking the law or following the boss’s orders. She knows she is in over her head especially when the she is unable to discern the bad guys from the good, and with it comes threats from another player in a game where the FBI will place Lori at the center of a financial disaster where people will die, and Lori will go missing. What ensues is Michael’s need to protect his employee, but also the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Michael and Lori is one of forbidden love. Michael is Lori’s boss, but he is the one who has pulled Lori into a high stakes investigation involving the FBI, dangerous criminals, and missing funds. Lori knows that to enter into an office romance could mean the ruination of her career but Michael’s pull is unlike anything she has ever had before. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense. Michael is a man determined to keep Lori by his side both in and out of the bedroom.

The secondary characters include Michael’s brother Luke- a man with a reputation for the ladies; we are also reintroduced to FBI special agent Evelyn who may or may not have an attraction to Michael’s brother Luke; and Ken Kemmerling, a man who connections to both Michael and Lori go much deeper than a friendly business arrangement.

The world building continues to focus the investigation into a high stakes financial scheme where several of the players are in jail or found dead by either their own hand or by assistance from an outside source. The FBI and the Devereaux brothers have firmly planted themselves into the mix hoping to bring down the people involved and return the missing money to its rightful owners.

BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY is a series with mystery, suspense and intrigue. TOUCHING THE BOSS continues to look at the business of illegal investments, money schemes and missing funds in the wake of profits and losses. There are moments of heartbreak and loss; friendship and family; falling in love and happily ever after. Mallory Crowe’s Billionaires in the City series is addicting with exceptional characters and intoxicating couples.

Copy supplied by the tour promoter through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Touching the Boss promo

excerpt

“You son of a bitch,” said a familiar female voice. “What did you get me into?”
“Lori Briggs?”
“Hunter just showed up at my apartment, thanks to you. I don’t like random guys knowing where I live. How would you like it if I blasted your address to anyone who wanted it?”
He sat up straighter and rubbed his temple. “I didn’t give him any of your information.”
“I know that! But they wouldn’t even know who I am if it weren’t for you! This is all your fault.”
“Hunter came to your apartment and threatened you?”
“Not exactly…but that’s not the point.”
He clenched his jaw. He knew her point. Hell, he probably got her need for privacy more than most. Thanks to his high profile in the city, his cell number and address were things that very few people knew. Which brought up the question… “How did you get my number?”
“Oh, you have no idea how much I could find out about you if I really wanted to. All I need is some Wi-Fi and a computer.”
“Hold on. Don’t do anything rash.” The last thing he needed was some crazy woman who knew her way around firewalls with a vendetta against him. Funny, since he hadn’t gotten the crazy vibe from Lori. She’d seemed more innocent and freaked out by what he was asking her to do.
“Rash like accepting a job offer from an international crime syndicate? Or rash like setting up a dating profile for you with your private cell number and address listed?”
Mother fucker. “Are you serious?”
“So it is an international crime syndicate? I was taking a shot in the dark there…”
“No, it’s not an intern—” He cursed under his breath. This wasn’t going anywhere. “Where are you? This would be better discussed in person.”
“So you can threaten me again?”
“So I can talk some sense into you. I can explain everything that happened today.”
There was a pause on the line. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Michael was already up and grabbing his keys and wallet from the table in the foyer and heading out the door. “Where are you? I’m already on my way.”
“You can’t come here. I’m in my pajamas.”
He frowned. “I’m sure you’ll have time to change.”
“But I’m not home.”
She was in pajamas and not home? “Are you at your boyfriend’s place?”
She snorted through the phone. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
A rush of satisfaction shot through him at her admission, but he didn’t let himself dwell on the unexpected feeling. “I’m officially confused.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re not coming here.”
“Fine. You can come to me then. You know my address already, right?”
“I can’t go to your place like this! I know that building! The doorman will laugh me right out of the lobby!”
He rolled his eyes. Why was this so difficult? “The doormen are paid lots of money to not laugh at anyone. Just come over and we can sort this all out. I’ll pay your cab fare.”
“I’m not meeting you alone somewhere. You could kill me.”
Michael paced in front of the elevator, still not sure whether he was leaving or not. “I promise I’m not going to kill you.”
“That sounds like something a murderer would say.”
And now he had the sudden urge to hit a wall. “Lori! There will be at least three people who see you coming into the building. You’ll be safe.” There was another pause and Michael held his breath. Was he finally getting through to her?
“Okay, but you better not judge me for wearing pajamas over.”
This woman couldn’t be serious. “This is a joke, right? Is Luke behind this?”
“Do I sound like I’m laughing?”
“Just…get over here.”

Series Spotlight Black and White

TEACHING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #1)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Teaching The BossABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 11, 2015

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

STAND ALONE CONTEMPORARY BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Business-school student April Morgan is ready to graduate–from school, from the secretary pool, and from never-gonna-happen fantasies involving Sam Hunt, her hunky billionaire boss. But when Sam’s girlfriend of the week pushes her too far, April finds herself quitting on the spot with only a mountain of student loan debt to keep her company. In steps Sam’s worst enemy, his father, with a job offer she can’t refuse.

Sam was born into privilege, but refused to live life with a silver spoon in his mouth. After a decade of hard work, he’s on the verge of taking his business public and proving to his tyrannical family that he can make it without their help. When he finds out that April is working for his father, he knows she’s been turned into a pawn in his father’s twisted games.

Despite Sam’s warnings, April is determined to prove she doesn’t need him to make in New York City. But when she finds documents that could lead to Sam losing everything he’s worked for, April realizes that she and Sam have to work together to save the empire they’ve both worked to build.

______________

Teasing The BossTEASING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #2)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date March 11, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

STAND ALONE CONTEMPORARY BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Premier business consultant Simon West can turn around any struggling billion dollar corporation in New York City, but he can’t get what he wants most: revenge against Mark DuFord. The slick investment banker’s shady dealing led to Simon’s best friend’s suicide. Wealthy, and well-protected by the political influence he’s been able to purchase, DuFord has become untouchable—or so he thinks. But when DuFord’s former girlfriend asks Simon for help, he knows that Grace Bell is the weapon he needs to finally destroy his enemy completely. All Simon has to do is pretend to love her.

Grace Bell knows that approaching hot-shot Simon West to save her business is a long shot, but she’s desperate. After growing up with a family that expected her to be a happy housewife, she’d proved them all wrong when she became the go-to event-coordinator in New York City. But after the tabloids took a completely innocent picture of her with a married senator and misinterpreted the situation, she’s losing clients left and right. When she approaches Simon and begs for his help to resuscitate the business she put her heart and soul into, she never expects him to agree. Or that the payment would be posing as his lover as an excuse to get close to her ex.

Simon knows if he goes forward with his plan, it’s only a matter of time before Mark realizes what they’re up to and Mark’s enemies have a way ending up broke, in jail or six feet under. As Simon and Grace grow closer, Simon must decide if putting her in the line of fire is worth avenging the past.

_____________

Tempting The BossTEMPTING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #3)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar retail chain, Victoria Green isn’t used to asking for help, especially not from too attractive for their own good repairmen like Dean Carey. After Victoria is attacked at her own party and Dean fights off the culprit, she’s forced to tell him her secret: Victoria’s father is on his deathbed, and her brother, who nearly ran the company into the ground, might be willing to do anything to make sure controlling interest goes to him.

Dean wants nothing to do with the ice princess CEO, even if he can’t keep his eyes off certain… assets of hers. He’s got enough on his plate between trying to get enough work to pay the bills and raising his little sister who’s growing up much too fast for his liking. Despite his misgivings, when Victoria offers him a blank check if he will keep his mouth shut about what he saw and shadow her until she can hire a more qualified bodyguard, he can’t bring himself to turn down that kind of cash.

Over the next few days, Dean learns Victoria isn’t as cold as he first thought and Victoria realizes that Dean is so much more than a handyman. But someone wants her dead and if they don’t figure out who and stop them, they might never get their happily ever after.

______________

Trusting the Boss
Billionaires in the City #4
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: June 19, 2015

Trusting the BossAmazon.com / Amazon.ca /

TRUSTING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #4) by Mallory Crowe

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 19, 2015

Billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.

Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.

As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?

About The Author Black and White

Mallory CroweMallory Crowe has lived in Michigan her whole life and has been in love with romance ever since she’d skip to the end of every novel, just to make sure the hero and heroine survived and ended up together. She lives with her husband and three dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s spending too much time in front of the TV, hiking, or working with various animal rescues.

Website: http://www.mallorycrowe.com/home.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/croweink
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005600806967&fref
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13623321.Mallory_Crowe

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Trusting the Boss (Billionaires in the City 1-4) by Mallory Crowe-Reviews and Book Tour

Billionaires in the City Series 1-4 by Mallory Crowe-Reviews and Book Tour

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Trusting the Boss
Billionaires in the City #4
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: June 19, 2015

Trusting the Boss

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

TRUSTING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #4) by Mallory Crowe

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 19, 2015

Billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.

Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.

As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?

••••••••••

REVIEW: TRUSTING THE BOSS is the fourth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult Billionaires in the City romance series. This is billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux, and security specialist/former SEAL Jace Lance’s storyline. TRUSTING THE BOSS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storyline is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives TRUSTING THE BOSS focuses on the aftermath of the attempted murder of billionaire businesswoman Victoria Green. Emma Devaroux’s sister Joslyn has been arrested and is awaiting trial in New York, and Emma is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s psychotic motives. When Emma is unable to get an appointment with Victoria Green, Emma finds herself hiring the man who was witness to the attempt and the events leading to her sister’s breakdown, in the weeks before. Jace is caught between a rock and hard place, when Emma’s cousins hire Jace to keep Emma from uncovering the entire story.

The relationship between Emma and Jace begins acrimoniously. Jace was Victoria Green’s bodyguard, and in this he considers his current dilemma an act of betrayal against his former client. But Emma wants information about her sister’s secret life, and Jace has the connections and mindset to get the job done- but Jace is also working for her cousins, and when found out, his betrayal and deceit will break Emma’s heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and hot.

The secondary characters include Emma’s cousins Michael and Luke, who currently own and operate DevX-a billionaire dollar enterprise that provides cyber protection software to some of the largest defense companies in the world. We are also (re)introduced to FBI agent Evelyn Price whose involvement in the investigation reveals little to no information to the reader. The requisite evil comes in the form of Joslyn Devaroux-herself- as she continues to manipulate the family (behind the scenes) ; and David-a man who has been hired to get information from Emma that she knows nothing about.

TRUSTING THE BOSS is a fast paced story of betrayal, romance and suspense. The central characters are charismatic and determined; the premise engaging and captivating; the romance, not without some steamy bedroom moments. Mallory Crowe’s BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY is an entertaining and pleasurable series but there are always some questions that have yet to be answered.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to turn around and go up those stairs. Once you’re out of here, you’re going to forget you ever met me and pretend that there’s nothing Victoria Green can tell you that you don’t already know.”
A deep anger settled in her gut at the idea of this virtual stranger telling her what to do. “And if I don’t?”
Jace leaned in, until his face was inches from hers. “Well, for starters, I will throw you over my damn shoulder and carry you out of here until you’re far enough away I’m sure you’ll leave me alone. Think I’m bluffing?”
For a long moment, Emma debated the merits of slapping Jace right in his smug face. Screw slapping—punching would be much more effective.
“What’s it gonna be, Georgia? Are you walking out on your own or do you need assistance?”
Emma shook her head. Jace wasn’t worth the bruised knuckles. “I’d rather avoid being touched by a Neanderthal, thank you very much,” she said in her sweetest voice, laying her natural accent on a bit thicker than normal.
If he wanted to get rid of her, fine. She’d leave gracefully. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface as she walked up the stairs. Let him win the battle. But she sure as hell wasn’t going to give up and when all was said and done, she’d win the war.


 

Interview

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Well this was a character built story. Jace was a small side character in TEMPTING THE BOSS and I liked the idea of giving this badass guy more to do and I needed a woman who could handle him, but also was in need of his skills in some way. So in creating a heroine for him, I ended up creating this entire family that the next four books are going to be based around.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My biggest source of inspiration is music, by far. When I hear a great new song, my mind just takes it as a jumping point to creating an entirely new world or universe. I also have different playlists to listen to depending on the mood of my story, be it a really dramatic, sexy or sweet scene I’m writing.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I’d say the most challenging part of writing is staying focused on the story I’m trying to write. I get a lot of new ideas and only a small fraction of those would be viable stories. So I need to push all these new plot bunnies out of my mind and stay focused on the love story at hand.

What are your current projects?

Currently I’m working on my next book in the Billionaires in the City series which will be about Emma’s cousin Michael and a girl from the IT department at his company who gets in over her head. On the side, I’m slowly going through some paranormal romance manuscripts I wrote a few years ago and hoping to get them cleaned up for a 2016 release.

Tell us about your first book. What would readers find different about the first one and your most recent published work?

My first published book is Book One in the Billionaires In The City series. I’d say the biggest difference would be that with each manuscript I write, I have (unintentionally) ramped up the suspense. I love a very strong external conflict and nothing is sexier than a protective guy, so the danger aspect of the books have increased with each new one. I don’t think I’d call TRUSTING full on romantic suspense, but there is an element of danger added for sure.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I don’t write anything with a particular message in mind. I write because I want to entertain my readers and give them an escape for the few hours that they are invested in my characters. That being said, I do tend to sneak a lot of rescue dogs (which are a passion of mine) into the books and I also try to have strong independent women who fall into love even if they don’t NEED a man.

Does music play any type of role in your writing?

I LOVE music and some songs are hugely inspirational to me. Sometimes an entire song will have me thinking up a new idea or it might just be one lyric or even the tone I get from the beat. The first book in the Billionaires in the City series was actually inspired by a slowed down version of a rap song. The song is about the rapper offering to get his girlfriend anything she wants, be it expensive champagne or extravagant trips. For some reason, my mind turned that into a secretary running all around New York getting her playboy boss anything and everything he asked for and eventually she gets fed up and leaves. And that’s the set up for book one.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

I actively avoid basing anything in by books on real life. That being said, I’m a CPA and come from a business background, so that really helps with writing business and corporate based romances.

Thank you Mallory for the wonderful answers. Congratulations on the Billionaires in the City series.

Trusting the Boss Promo

 

Billionaires in the City

TEACHING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #1)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Teaching The BossABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 11, 2015

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

STAND ALONE CONTEMPORARY BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Business-school student April Morgan is ready to graduate–from school, from the secretary pool, and from never-gonna-happen fantasies involving Sam Hunt, her hunky billionaire boss. But when Sam’s girlfriend of the week pushes her too far, April finds herself quitting on the spot with only a mountain of student loan debt to keep her company. In steps Sam’s worst enemy, his father, with a job offer she can’t refuse.

Sam was born into privilege, but refused to live life with a silver spoon in his mouth. After a decade of hard work, he’s on the verge of taking his business public and proving to his tyrannical family that he can make it without their help. When he finds out that April is working for his father, he knows she’s been turned into a pawn in his father’s twisted games.

Despite Sam’s warnings, April is determined to prove she doesn’t need him to make in New York City. But when she finds documents that could lead to Sam losing everything he’s worked for, April realizes that she and Sam have to work together to save the empire they’ve both worked to build.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: TEACHING THE BOSS is the first installment in Mallory Crowe’s adult, contemporary Billionaires in the City romance series. This is business school student/ professional assistant April Morgan, and billionaire businessman Sam Hunt’s storyline. Each book in the novella series can be read as a stand alone although some of the characters will cross over between installments or be introduced in the preceding storyline.

Told from dual third person perspectives (April and Sam) TEACHING THE BOSS focuses on April and Sam’s business relationship that will spiral out of control when Sam’s current flavor of the week becomes jealous of April’s presence in Sam’s life. April has focused her entire career on helping Sam get ahead, and her payback is betrayal and heartbreak. Desperate for employment, April gets an offer she cannot refuse from Sam’s father whose personal interest in his son’s business may or may not be everything it seems to be.

Sam’s relationship with his father has been strained most of his life. April is well aware of the animosity between father and son, and in this Sam’s friendship and relationship with April will be stretched to its limits when April takes the position with Donald Hunt. April refuses to play their games but will become a pawn in a war between father and son.

The relationship between April and Sam begins as employer and employee but April has always had a crush on her boss. Watching the numerous beautiful women come and go in Sam’s life has relegated April to the friendship zone and in this April has made the decision that she will no longer be a part of Sam’s life. April has been more than Sam’s personal assistant; she has been instrumental in many of Sam’s business opportunities and acquisitions. It is not until April resigns her position with Sam, does Sam want something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top erotic factor. There is little to no graphic or sexually explicit language.

The secondary and supporting characters include April’s fellow classmate Annabelle, whose connection to Sam brought April into her life; Sam’s father Donald Hunt whose actions speak louder than the words he is unable to say; and April’s best friend Jessica who isn’t afraid to point out the obvious; and of course the inter office gossip and mole who relays all of the important information to an outside source. We are introduced to business consultant Simon West who will work behind the scenes to help Sam get revenge on the father, he believes, tried to destroy his life. Simon needs something from Sam but Sam isn’t quite willing to take it up to the next step. Simon’s story will be told next in book two-TEASING THE BOSS.

TEACHING THE BOSS is a fast paced story of forbidden romance between employer and employee, corporate take over and espionage, and a look at the dysfunctional family dynamics between Donald and Samuel Hunt. I did have a few concerns as it pertained to the reality of several situations including business dealings and takeovers which where mostly glossed over; and April’s access to important documents and files. As well, the relationship between April, Annabelle and Sam was a little disconcerting under the circumstances and what had transpired years before.

TEACHING THE BOSS has a little bit of everything; $ex and romance; betrayal and heartbreak; mystery and suspense. The characters are an interesting mix of good vs evil; the romance is passionate and ends with a happily ever after. TEACHING THE BOSS is a delightful and enjoyable read from Mallory Crowe.

________________

Teasing The BossTEASING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #2)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date March 11, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

STAND ALONE CONTEMPORARY BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Premier business consultant Simon West can turn around any struggling billion dollar corporation in New York City, but he can’t get what he wants most: revenge against Mark DuFord. The slick investment banker’s shady dealing led to Simon’s best friend’s suicide. Wealthy, and well-protected by the political influence he’s been able to purchase, DuFord has become untouchable—or so he thinks. But when DuFord’s former girlfriend asks Simon for help, he knows that Grace Bell is the weapon he needs to finally destroy his enemy completely. All Simon has to do is pretend to love her.

Grace Bell knows that approaching hot-shot Simon West to save her business is a long shot, but she’s desperate. After growing up with a family that expected her to be a happy housewife, she’d proved them all wrong when she became the go-to event-coordinator in New York City. But after the tabloids took a completely innocent picture of her with a married senator and misinterpreted the situation, she’s losing clients left and right. When she approaches Simon and begs for his help to resuscitate the business she put her heart and soul into, she never expects him to agree. Or that the payment would be posing as his lover as an excuse to get close to her ex.

Simon knows if he goes forward with his plan, it’s only a matter of time before Mark realizes what they’re up to and Mark’s enemies have a way ending up broke, in jail or six feet under. As Simon and Grace grow closer, Simon must decide if putting her in the line of fire is worth avenging the past.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TEASING THE BOSS is the second installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary adult Billionaires in the City romance series of novellas. This is business consultant Simon West (first introduced to the reader in book one-Teaching the Boss), and event organizer Grace Bell. TEASING THE BOSS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives TEASING THE BOSS follows Grace as she attempts to clear her name in a scandal involving a married US senator. Caught by the paparazzi in the arms of said US senator hit Grace in more ways than one-her business as an events coordinator starting dropping off as she became persona non-grata in the social circles, and the reputation as the woman who broke up a senator’s marriage. What no one knew was that Grace has been set up as the fall girl for another one of the senator’s wrong doings. Enter Simon West-a business consultant whose clients required a no nonsense approach to getting the job done.

When Simon discovers that Grace knows the man that Simon has been trying to take down, he offers Grace a deal she cannot refuse. Simon’s best friend committed suicide following an investment scandal that went horribly wrong, and Simon has spent months researching and investigating investment banker Mark DuFord and his connections to a billion dollar financial scheme. Simon and Grace will pretend to be lovers, with no strings attached, but the plan hopelessly fails when Grace begins to fall for the man in charge.

The relationship between Grace and Simon begins as a business arrangement: Grace needs help repairing the damage brought about by the lies and tabloid innuendo, and Simon needs Grace to help him retrieve inside information about Mark Duford. What begins as a tentative friendship soon becomes something more but Simon knows that his relationship with Grace is only a temporary job, and in this Simon will begin to push Grace away when Mark shifts gears and aims his financial and political clout against Simon and Grace. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and hot without the over the top erotic feature but the sexual attraction between our couple felt off-everything seemed to be part of a business arrangement. I didn’t feel the need; the want; or the desire. Once again, there is little to no graphic or sexually explicit language.

I want to add that I had a few issues with the lack of condom usage throughout the series, thus far. It is not enough for the female heroine to be on the BC pill, as our hero’s like to believe, because as we know, the only thing the BC pill prevents is a pregnancy –and even that isn’t 100% effective. In this day and age, I think the authors should be proactive with their storyline characters as it pertains to safe sex and the potential for sexually transmitted disease.

The secondary characters include several of Grace’s clients, her co-workers and assistants, as well as a few new friends we will meet along the way. We will be introduced to Grace’s all-around go to guy Dean Carey, and billionaire businesswoman, and a friend of Simon’s, Victoria Green whose life will begin to fall apart as her father lies dying, and her ‘brat’ of a brother tries to regain control of the family business she saved from ruin. Dean and Victoria’s story will be told next in TEMPTING THE BOSS.

Mallory Crowe’s world of self made billionaires looks at the not so pretty side of big business and the corporate world of high finance and power. Money makes for some strange bedfellows; greed forces men to choose; and betrayal is but a phone call away. The characters are colorful; the premise fast paced and revealing. A enjoyable read for a lazy afternoon.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

________________

Tempting The BossTEMPTING THE BOSS
(Billionaires in the City #3)
by Mallory Crowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar retail chain, Victoria Green isn’t used to asking for help, especially not from too attractive for their own good repairmen like Dean Carey. After Victoria is attacked at her own party and Dean fights off the culprit, she’s forced to tell him her secret: Victoria’s father is on his deathbed, and her brother, who nearly ran the company into the ground, might be willing to do anything to make sure controlling interest goes to him.

Dean wants nothing to do with the ice princess CEO, even if he can’t keep his eyes off certain… assets of hers. He’s got enough on his plate between trying to get enough work to pay the bills and raising his little sister who’s growing up much too fast for his liking. Despite his misgivings, when Victoria offers him a blank check if he will keep his mouth shut about what he saw and shadow her until she can hire a more qualified bodyguard, he can’t bring himself to turn down that kind of cash.

Over the next few days, Dean learns Victoria isn’t as cold as he first thought and Victoria realizes that Dean is so much more than a handyman. But someone wants her dead and if they don’t figure out who and stop them, they might never get their happily ever after.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TEMPTING THE BOSS is third stand alone novella in Mallory Crowe’s adult, contemporary Billionaires in the City romance series. This is CEO/billionaire businesswoman Victoria Green, and repairman Dean Casey’s storyline. We were first introduced to Victoria and Dean in book 2-Teasing the Boss. TEMPTING THE BOSS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. There is some timeline crossover between book 2 and the current storyline.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Dean and Victoria) TEMPTING THE BOSS focuses on the attacks against Victoria Green and the investigation into who is responsible. After saving Victoria from an attack at a business function organized by event planner Grace Bell (Teasing The Boss), Dean declares himself Victoria’s personal bodyguard until otherwise notified. When a trip out of town results in another attempt at Victoria’s life, Dean begins to suspect someone close. What ensues is Victoria’s denial of what Dean believes is the obvious, and Dean’s attempts to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship is one of immediate attraction but Victoria and Dean travel in completely different social, economic and personal circles. Victoria is billionaire businesswoman whose father is gravely ill; Dean is a repairman who has been raising his younger sister since the death of their parents, years before. What ensues is a sexual relationship that comes with an expiry date if and when Victoria’s attacker is caught. Mallory Crowe kicks up the $exual eroticism in TEMPTING THE BOSS-the $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters include cameos from Grace and Simon (book2) as well as Dean’s younger sister Katy; Victoria’s brother Terry and his new fiancée Joslyn Devaroux return home to sit vigil over Victoria and Terry’s dying father. One of Victoria’s personal bodyguards Jace Lance will find himself the victim of an assault-Jace’s story will be told next in book four-TRUSTING THE BOSS.

The world building continues to focus on the billionaire CEOs, and the men and women that they love. Each storyline is a stand alone but are interconnected through a crossover timeline or characters, who will be introduced in a previous novella story. There is always a threat that must be extinguished; and a happily ever after to be found.

TEMPTING THE BOSS is another fast paced and interesting storyline of insta-love between two people from differing social and economical backgrounds. There is mystery and suspense; romance and love; family loss and personal grief. Money and power may not pave the way to happiness but there is always somebody hoping for more. Mallory Crowe continues to put her spin on the billionaire storyline and it is nice to finally see a female at the head of a billion dollar corporation.

Reviews by Sandy

About The author

Mallory CroweMallory Crowe has lived in Michigan her whole life and has been in love with romance ever since she’d skip to the end of every novel, just to make sure the hero and heroine survived and ended up together. She lives with her husband and three dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s spending too much time in front of the TV, hiking, or working with various animal rescues.

Website: http://www.mallorycrowe.com/home.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/croweink
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005600806967&fref
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13623321.Mallory_Crowe

 

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