Cross and (Dark Kings 1-3 by Shantel Tessier Review & Excerpt Tour
CROSS
Dark Kings #3
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: August 20, 2021
Genre: adult, contempOrary, erotic, dark, romance
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CROSS
Have you ever stood next to a fire and felt the heat of it on your skin? Stared into the flames and thought how amazing it would be to be that free? It changes direction with the wind, destroying everything in its wake.
That’s what she felt like.
Alexa was a wildfire that torched everything she touched, and I couldn’t wait to be consumed by her.
She was off-limits. Even though I promised to stay away, I couldn’t resist. She was the spark I had been missing in my life. The fire I craved. I knew from an early age I was destined to burn in hell, but she was born to walk through fire.
ALEXA
I was single-minded, focused, and independent. Just how my mother raised me. I didn’t have time for anything other than myself and work.
Funny how everything can change in an instant when you least expect it.
A King entered my life.
What was supposed to be one night ended up being too many to count. He was afraid that I’d see his darkness, but I couldn’t get enough of him.
After all, a fire burns the brightest in the dark of night. And it only takes one match to cause total devastation.
••••••
REVIEW:Book three in the Dark Kings series is here and Shantel Tessier sure didn’t pull any punches with this book. As always, I recommend reading the books in order of the series to get the full value of the story. While the books can be read as a standalone, I think you get more understanding and fun from the previous books than the little bit of backstory that comes with the current book. Also, a word of warning, this book may trigger some people, there is a lost pregnancy involved, for readers that may affect, tread carefully friends.
Cross and Alexa’s story is dramatic, 100%, I’m not sure if Tessier had plans to write it that way, but I think it was different from the previous two books in that sense. Their relationship is a hit right off the bat, a hook up that turns into an insta-lusty-love type of relationship. Their sexy scenes are hot hot hot, but the build of their relationship on an emotional level fell a little flat for me. There was this big thing that Grave didn’t want Cross with Alexa, then it was a big secret from everyone but Grave and then he found out, it just felt a little childish for the Kings to me. Nonetheless, Cross was a page turning, suspenseful, spicy read that I totally recommended to my best book friend. I can’t wait to see what Tessier does with Bones book, he’s been high on my list for reads since his arrival in Titan book one!
Reviewed by Sarah
Copies supplied for review
She slides in, and I make my way to the driver’s side. Starting it up, I look over at her. “Where to?” I meant it more as a “where do you live?” but what I wanted to say and the words that actually came out were two very different things.
She looks over at me. “Wherever you want to go.”
That’s an open invitation if I’ve ever heard one. Obviously, she doesn’t want me at her house, or she would have suggested that. “Kingdom?”I question, unable to keep my eyes from dropping to her legs as she runs her hands over her jeans. Her nails are kept short and painted black. She wears a silver banded ring on her right hand. It’s plain yet dainty at the same time.
“I don’t gamble,” she states.
My eyes meet hers. “Neither do I.”
What I have planned for her is much more intimate. I mean, if she’s into a crowd watching, then that’s fine too. I’m not shy.
She laughs, leaning her head back against the headrest, and smiles softly at me. Her green eyes drop to my jeans, and I refrain from groaning at the thoughts that run through my mind. My hand in her hair while she’s bent over the center console with her lips wrapped around my cock …“Kingdom it is.” Not wanting to waste another second, I take off, getting the hell out of here.
We don’t say much during the twenty-minute drive back to the Strip. I keep checking on her to make sure she hasn’t passed out, and every time, she’s looking out the window.
I pull up around the back of tower one, where the Kings and I have a private entrance. Parking the car, I help her out and up the fifteen stairs that lead to a set of black doors.
Her drunk eyes take in the white marble floor and black circle with the gold K in the middle when we enter the building. Lifting her head, she notices the mirrored ceiling and chandelier hanging in the entrance.
Nigel stands behind his black marble desk in the corner. Nigel is our right-hand man. He’s more of a father to us than our actual fathers ever were. Guess it didn’t take him and Titan very long to bury Kenneth. He looks up and smiles at us. “Good evening, Cross. Alexa. It’s good to see you again.” I’m not sure how he knows her other than maybe he met her at Titan’s wedding.
“You too, Nigel,” she tells him as I scan my key card for our private elevator. Only a King has access to it. Other than him, of course. It opens immediately, and we step inside. I have to refrain from ripping her clothes off right here and now. Just a few more minutes and she’s all mine.
It comes to a stop on the Royal level to the suite that the Kings share. But no one will be here tonight. Titan hasn’t stayed one night here since he married Emilee. Grave stays at his house with April, and Bones rarely sleeps. I’m sure he’s at Glass—one of the many businesses he owns that we all pretend we don’t know about.
Stepping into our suite, I turn to face her. “Would you like a drink?”
She places her hands on my chest, gripping my shirt. “I think I’ve had enough.”
My hands go to her hips, and I yank her to me. The thought crosses my mind that this is a mistake. That she’s off-limits to me. I try to think of my best friend and how it would affect him. “I made a promise not to touch you,” I rush out, hoping she pushes me away.
She surprises me by smiling, and it’s anything but innocent. Her pretty green eyes drop to my lips before returning to mine. “I can keep a secret.” Then her lips are on mine.
___________
TITAN
Dark Kings #1
by Shantel Tessier
Release: May 29 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, dark, romance
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TITAN
I know I have a black soul. Bloodshed and danger are what I live for.
A King is supposed to rule his Kingdom using any means necessary to demand respect.
I’m not a weak man… A King kneels to no one.
I’ve only ever cared about one other person in my life, but the thing is, she never belonged to me. And before I could tell her how I felt, she left.
Now she’s returned, needing someone to save her.
Emilee York was always meant to be mine, and I’ll see to it that happens. I always get what I want, even if that means I have to take it.
And she’s no different. She’ll be my queen, one way or the other.
EMILEE
When I left Sin City behind me, I had no plans to return. I avoided everyone, even my friends, to stay in my bubble. I’ve always been the kind to pull away and run when things get difficult.
But one phone call changed everything, and I was racing back. If only I had known what was waiting for me.
Titan reappeared like a ghost haunting me.
One look and I knew he recognized me. I never forgot him or what we shared. Those feelings that no one else knew existed between us.
I ignored them back then, but now they are more intense than ever.
•••••••••
REVIEW:Titan is the first book in Tessier’s new Dark King series and details the story of Titan and Emilee. As a dark romance I was expecting a lot of angst, steamy scenes and heart pounding, pulsating chapter after chapter. Oh did this book deliver!
After the death of her father, Emilee returns home to Vegas, a place she didn’t want to remember. As soon as she hits the sandy weather of Nevada, her life takes a 180 and things start to spiral. On top of her father passing, Emilee now must worry about her mother who has been fighting cancer. Soon after she arrives, she learns that the little bit left to her family, including the home her mother is staying in is now in the hands of her father’s business partner. With the world closing in on her Emilee is at a loss of what to do and who to turn to for help. This leads her right back to the man who would rather her hang than help her.
For Titan, Emilee was an unattainable Goddess. Something he could look at and secretly want, even if he told the world he hated her. An obsession. So, when her world comes crumbling down around her, what better to do than swope in and save the day. Except, he’s Titan is no hero, he’s more like the evil King. And what does every King need? A Queen. Titan plans to make Emilee his Queen, but more than that, he wants to own her in every meaning possible.
Wow.
I’ve read Tessier before, and I have always enjoyed her books so very much. This one is no different. It’s dark and steamy, angsty and a little too much eeppp in some moments, but such a fantastic read. The only comment I must make is that I’m surprised how much of an impact Bones was on the main characters. For a supporting character Bones was a pretty big part of this book and the two main leads. In parts of the book, I think he would actually make a better fit for Emilee than Titan, however, I do hope Bones gets his own book someday. Nevertheless, I have goosebumps from this read and that is always a good thing!
__________
GRAVE
Dark Kings #2
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: August 20, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, dark,romance
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GRAVE
My life went to hell years ago, and I’ve had a death wish ever since then with fast cars, women, and drugs. They don’t call me Grave for nothing!But I do it because I need to feel something… anything. What’s life worth living for without the high?
And then I saw her!She’s too good for me, and I should stay away. But like an addict, I switch one drug for another, and I’ll be taking her to hell with me.
APRIL
I’m anything but sweet, despite what people think, so when he tells me I’m too good for him and I’m better off without him, I don’t listen.My life was simple before Grave stepped through that door, but who wants simple?
He makes me feel alive. It took one touch, and I became addicted!But therein lies the problem. Addiction is Grave’s middle name, and when he tells me he’s taking me to hell with him, I don’t know whether to take that as a threat or a promise!
•••••••
REVIEW:Grave by Shantel Tessier, book two in the Dark Kings series, broke my heart. I knew this book was going to hurt, I knew it going in and I still read it and loved it. Book two in the series can be read as a standalone like many of Tessier books, but for the backstory and plot it’s recommended to read the books in order.
First, get ready to cry, prepare yourselves for it, get your cuddle buddies and reading pillows ready friends. Grave and April’s story is going to break a little part of you, but don’t worry, you’ll be ok once you finish it. Lol
Grave has truly been through hell and back, losing his mother at a young age, dealing with the wrath of abusive father, and then his adult life leads him down a road of sex, drugs, and violence. Grave is lonely, sad and angry at the world, he fights to feel something, but it’s not the feeling he’s looking for. Grave needs a light to save him from his darkness and that comes in the form of tiny little April with her will of steel.
April is her own worst enemy at times. After dropping out of college after her mother passes to take care of her nutty baby brother, she has now landed herself taking care of their family store. A flower shop called Roses, and while this was not what she was planning on doing for the rest of her life, she can’t simply let the place crumble to dust. Things with her brother however are anything but easy, the kid is always getting himself in trouble and April is scared he’s going to end up on the wrong side of the law one day. The stress of life is slowly dragging her further and further down so when Grave struts his tattooed hot body into her store, their connection is intense and strong. Grave is a moth to a flame with April, he’s drawn to her in a way that he can’t help and is learning that he doesn’t want that feeling to go away.
Throughout the story the couple go through ups and downs, they learn new things about each other and as always they must learn to trust in each other for things to work. Love conquers all as the saying goes. There is so much emotion in this book, it’s hard to pack it all into one review, just read it friends! Grave and April are my favorite in the series so far, but I’ve always been a sucker for the underdog.
Copies supplied for review
Reviews by Sarah
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