WICKED AND BARE (Matt and Madison Pt 2) (Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire 8) by Shayla Black
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 18, 2023
He’d give his life to protect her…but he’ll demand everything from her in return.
Madison Archer-Pershing fled her murderous, soon-to-be ex-husband, running straight to operative Matt Montgomery, despite the fact he once broke her heart. Under his protection and in his arms, she can’t help but fall for him again. Then her husband discovers them together and coerces her back to his glittering, dangerous world of politics, greed, and deception. But Madison knows his deepest secrets…just like she knows he’ll try to silence her forever.
Matt knows he’s bad for good-girl Madison. He’s too rough, too commanding, but he can’t resist the woman who still owns his heart. Though he’s determined to keep her safe at any cost…he can’t protect her from his own dark desires. As she melts in his embrace, shocking revelations rock them. Peril lurks around every corner. And when he’s confronted with the most wrenching decision of his life, will he rip out his heart to save her or risk everything to claim her forever?
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REVIEW: WICKED AND BARE is the second instalment in Shayla Black’s contemporary adult duet, and the eighth instalment in the author’s WICKED LOVERS: SOLDIERS FOR HIRE erotic, romantic suspense series. This is the continuing story of thirty-three year old, security specialist Matt Montgomery, and twenty-seven year old, primary school teacher Madison Archer. WICKED AND BARE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of WICKED AS SECRETS.
NOTE: If you have not read WICKED AS SECRETS there may be spoilers in my review. Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Madison and Matt) WICKED AND BARE follows in the aftermath of our heroine’s witness to a murder, and her desperate attempts to flee the people involved. Married into a political dynasty, Madison has sold her soul to the devil but every attempt to leave is circumvented by the power elite. With the help of her former lover Matt Montgomery, Madison goes into hiding but threats against her family find Madison and Matt agreeing to a deal, a deal that would see Madison in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the ongoing relationship between Matt and Madison, and the potential fall-out as Matt’s past is revealed, and Madison struggles to trust the man with whom she has fallen in love.
The world building continues to focus on the political fight for power and control. Madison is arm candy; a trophy wife meant to give voters the image of stability but Madison’s life is on the line every time she is trapped behind closed doors. The Pershing family is a political dynasty where the dark and dangerous secrets, if exposed, would destroy everything. Madison is caught in the middle, when threats against her own family mean bowing to the people in charge.
The relationship between Madison and Matt is one of second chances but Madison struggles with issues of trust, and Matt suspects there is more going on behind the scenes than he could have ever imagined. With the assistance of the team at EM Security Management, Matt begins to unravel the true nature of the people in charge. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some light bondage and discipline.
Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of powerful, questionable and dynamic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met in the numerous Wicked Lovers instalments. We are re-introduced to several members of the EM Security Management Team including Nash Scott, Ethan Garrison, Pierce ‘One Mile ‘ Walker; Madisons’ best friend Haisley; as well as Madison’s soon to be ex-husband and inlaws .
WICKED AND BARE is a story of the political elite, power and control, secrets and lies, acceptance and forgiveness, betrayal and revenge. The dramatic character driven premise is haunting, tragic and edgy; the romance is provocative and emotional ; the characters are spirited, determined and destructive.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wicked as Sin
Wicked Ever After
Wicked as Lies
Wicked and True
Wicked as Seduction
Wicked and Forever
Wicked as Secrets
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
➣ Follow Shayla Black on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shayla-black
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