Tag Archives: Lawless

Revenge (Lawless #3) by Lexi Blake-Review & Giveaway

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REVENGE (Lawless #3) by Lexi Blake-Review and Giveaway

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REVENGE
Lawless #3
by Lexi Blake
Release Date: June 20, 2017
Genre: adult,contemporary, romantic, suspense

Revenge

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 20, 2017

Passion and danger collide in the latest contemporary romance featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

When Drew Lawless discovers a fatal flaw in his plan to avenge his parents’ deaths, he turns to the one woman he’d promised he wouldn’t touch. He offers her a deal, one that will bring her into his investigation, his life, and his bed.

Investigative reporter Shelby Gates never dreamed how twisted the case would become—or how fascinated she would be with Drew. Every day they spend together binds them. And every night brings her closer to realizing he might be the man for her.

As Drew’s feelings for Shelby grow, so does the danger. From the streets of Dallas to Austin’s high-tech business world, Drew and Shelby play a game begun twenty years before—a game they will win, or die trying.

••••••••••

REVIEW: REVENGE is the third and( final ?) instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult LAWLESS romance suspense series focusing on the Lawless siblings-Riley, Drew, Brandon and Mia. This is eldest sibling/ billionaire businessman and CEO of 4L holdings Drew Lawless, and journalist /investigative reporter Shelby Gates’s story line. REVENGE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as each installment focuses on revenge and retribution for a twenty year old murder that is beginning to unravel as the truth is revealed. There is a bit of a cross over/spinoff with Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series with the appearance and ongoing role for Mia Lawless and Navy SEAL Case Taggart (Dominance Never Dies), and the McKay –Taggart Security Service. Shelby Gates was first introduced in the previous story line as she begins a journalistic investigation into the Lawless murders.

SOME BACKGROUND: Twenty years earlier Benedict Lawless and his wife Iris were killed in a house fire intended to kill the entire family-a murder for hire where greed and power were the precipitating factors. The authorities ruled it a murder/suicide but the Lawless siblings are determined to clear their father’s name.

NOTE: SATISFACTION (book 2) ended on a cliffhanger where identities were revealed and the truth was beginning to unfold-a twist to the story line that will have epic repercussions for the entire Lawless clan.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Drew and Shelby) REVENGE continues to focus on revenge. As the eldest sibling, Drew Lawless has focused most of his adult life on proving his father’s innocence while hunting for the person(s) responsible for the destruction of not only his family but his trust in everything and everyone. When investigative journalist Shelby Gates uncovers more information than Drew ever thought possible, our hero makes Shelby an offer she couldn’t refuse-a pretend lovers scenario in which Shelby has complete access to the family’s history and legal documentation in return for a promise that will never come to fruition. What ensues is the building relationship between Shelby and Drew, and the struggle to come to terms with the revelation of the who, what and why and his parent’s murder.

Drew Lawless is a quiet, shy, introvert; a ruthless, master manipulator who is determined to uncover the truth-a truth that will all but destroy what remains of Drew’s faith in friendship, family and love. Secrets and lies will be revealed; heartbreak and betrayal will damage a life-long friendship; the truth will haunt the siblings the rest of their lives. Shelby Gates suspects there is more to the Lawless back story than what has been reported to the public and she is determined to research and expose the truth. Meeting Drew Lawless found our heroine caught between her head and her heart when the discovery of the truth could destroy what is left our hero’s heart.

The relationship between Drew and Shelby is one of immediate attraction but Drew needs to keep Shelby within reach as she slowly uncovers the facts and legitimacy of the Lawless murders. Threats are made; promises made never to be kept; the past comes back with a vengeance in the hopes of destroying what is left of the Lawless clan. The $ex scenes are intimate, intense and seductive but Drew has made no promise for the future, a future he is determined to go forward-alone.

All of the Lawless siblings play secondary and supporting roles, as well as Case Taggart (McKay-Taggart Security), and one of Benedict Lawless’s former partners Bill ‘Hatch’ Hatchard-a man who all but raised the Lawless siblings once he was able to determine their foster care history. I had previously suspected there is a story about Hatch, and his role in the entire family saga-a family he considered closer than blood-and my suspicions have come full circle when the truth is revealed. Again, there is another twist to the story, and perhaps, a final chapter that has yet to be fully addressed.

REVENGE is a story of heartbreak and betrayal; retribution and revenge; secrets, lies and uncovering the truth. The premise is suspenseful, intense and revealing; the characters are dynamic, energetic and broken; the romance is sexy but struggles in the face of reality and what the truth has revealed. REVENGE reads like the final instalment but there is another twist to the sibling family dynamics so we will have to wait and see. REVENGE is a complex story of one family’s struggle to uncover the truth, and the revelation that all was not as it seemed, in the past.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ruthless
Satisfaction
Revenge

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About the author

Lexi BlakeABOUT LEXI BLAKE:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Lexi Blake’s publisher are offering a finished copy of REVENGE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Lexi Blake on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from June 20-24 2017

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Satisfaction (Lawless #2) by Lexi Blake-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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SATISFACTION (Lawless #2) by Lexi Blake-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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SATISFACTION
Lawless #2
by Lexi Blake
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

Satisfaction

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / itunes / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 3, 2017

Brandon Lawless is a man on a mission: obtain the information that will clear his father’s name. He’s willing to do whatever it takes—even seduce his enemy’s personal assistant, the beautiful and innocent Carly Hendricks. But with her beguiling smile and captivating intelligence, Brandon soon realizes he doesn’t want to deceive Carly, he wants to win her over—both in the boardroom and the bedroom.

Then a twisted crime leaves Carly vulnerable and Brandon finds himself reeling. The stakes of his mission are now life or death—Carly’s life. And Brandon realizes he’s lost his heart to an amazing woman and his plan must succeed, because the stakes are no longer just revenge, but a once in a lifetime love.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SATISFACTION is the second installment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult LAWLESS romantic, suspense series focusing on the Lawless siblings-Riley, Drew, Brandon and Mia. This is Brandon Lawless, and PA Carly Hendricks’s story line. SATISFACTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as each installment focuses on revenge and retribution for a twenty year old murder. There is a bit of a cross over/spinoff with Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series with the appearance and ongoing role for Mia Lawless and Navy SEAL Case Taggart (Dominance Never Dies), and the McKay –Taggart Security Service.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Brandon and Carly) SATISFACTION focuses on revenge against the people believed to have murdered the sibling’s parents. Twenty years earlier Benedict Lawless and his wife Iris were killed in a house fire intended to kill the entire family-a murder for hire where greed and power were the precipitating factors. The authorities ruled it a murder/suicide but the Lawless siblings are determined to clear their father’s name. Fast forward to present day wherein our hero Brandon Lawless, steps out of his comfort zone, and approaches Carly Hendricks hoping for some help with the investigation into his parent’s murder. Carly is the PA to media mogul and reality TV personality Patricia Cain-a woman linked to the Lawless murder, and the potential murder of several other parties. What ensues is the building relationship between Carly and Brandon, and the struggle to protect Carly from her ex-husband’s past.

Brandon Lawless (aka Brandon Lang) is a complex, broken hero. All of the siblings were separated into the foster care system following the death of their parents but Brandon’s experiences were far more traumatic and disturbing than his much luckier brothers and sister. Carly is a woman whose marriage was destroyed by lies and betrayal, and her husband’s past has come back looking for payment and revenge- in more ways than one. Carly Hendricks has issues with low self-esteem that continues to affect our heroine throughout the story-she is a woman who believes she is not worthy of Brandon’s attention.

The relationship between Brandon and Carly is one of immediate attraction although Brandon went against his brother’s orders and revealed his family history to the woman with whom he would fall in love. Carly is a woman scorned; threatened by events of the past; and a woman who wants more from Brandon than he is willing to give. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

All of the Lawless siblings play secondary and supporting roles, as well as Case and Cain Taggart (McKay-Taggart Security), and one of Benedict’s former partners Bill ‘Hatch’ Hatchard-a man who all but raised the Lawless siblings once he was able to determine their foster care history. Once again, I suspect there is a story about Hatch, and his role in the entire family saga; the ‘cliff hanger’ ending reveals a twist to the story that will shock both the reader and the story line characters. We are also introduced to journalist/reporter Shelby Gates-a woman researching the truth behind Patricia Cain’s meteoric rise, and her potential connection to the death of Shelby’s older brother. Shelby and Drew’s story is next in Revenge (June 2017).

The world building continues to focus on the search for the people responsible for the destruction of the Lawless family. Andrew ‘Drew’ Lawless is a man determined to avenge the death of his parents but a surprise ‘cliff hanger’ ending will push the retribution in another direction.

SATISFACTION is a provocative and intriguing tale with an innovative twist to the story line ending. The premise is complex, exciting and intense; the characters are spirited, colorful and inspiring; the romance is dramatic and captivating. SATISFACTION is a passionate look at family, romance, betrayal and revenge.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Ruthless
Satisfaction
Revenge (June 2017)

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

Satisfaction Teaser

excerpt

“Are you absolutely sure you want to stay here?” Carly frowned as she brought out a blanket twenty minutes later. “The couch is pretty small. I’m not sure you’ll be comfortable on it.”
Bran was one hundred percent sure he wouldn’t be, but that wasn’t the point. He tugged his shirt over his head and folded it neatly. “I’ve slept in worse places. And I think it’s best I stay here tonight. Unless you want to come home with me.”
He knew she wasn’t going to take that option, but it would be nice. If Drew and Riley and Hatch met her, got to know her, they wouldn’t be so worried about her. All he’d had to do was spend a couple of hours with her to know that she was a deeply loyal woman. All he needed to do was prove he was worthy of that loyalty. She’d been bitten before and she was shy, but the man who gained her trust again would get everything from her.
She deserved to have someone who would watch her back, and that included ensuring that she could sleep the rest of the night. What little of it was left.
If someone showed up on her doorstep, he would take care of them. As viciously as he possibly could. He still intended to write her that check. He would do it because it would bring her peace of mind, but he was going to make sure none of them ever threatened her again. He would handle them in a way that would ensure her safety.
She shook her head. “You said your place is out in Palm Coast. That’s forty minutes away. I have to be at work pretty early in the morning.” She turned and started working on the couch, but not before he’d caught her staring at his chest. She smoothed out a sheet over the leather. “Why all the way out there? Why wouldn’t you set up here in St. Augustine?”
He would have to thank his brother-in-law for all the workouts. It was how they’d bonded. Case Taggart liked to lift weights and he’d brought Bran into his daily routine the last time he was in town. It wasn’t like Bran had been out of shape before, but Case’s daily regime had taken his lanky frame and honed it to something strong and masculine. He wished he could tell her how soft and sexy she looked in her pj’s. She had a robe wrapped around her, but every now and then it slipped open, revealing creamy skin and breasts he would love to get his hands on. He’d spent the majority of his evening watching women strip, but it was Carly in her pink tank top and perfectly respectable pajama bottoms that had his cock engaged. “We have some friends who have a condo out there and it’s outfitted with the best tech possible both computer-wise and security. Also, we thought it would be best if we were close but not too close. Patricia knew our parents quite well. One new person in her life who reminds her of old enemies won’t cause too much stress but if she were to see me and Drew, or worse, Hatch, she would definitely be suspicious. We’re simply being careful.”
“You have your mother’s coloring, but you don’t really look like her. You look more like your dad,” Carly said as she worked a pillow into a soft-looking pillowcase.
“I’m taller than he was, a bit more built. I looked more like him when I was smaller. Take off about thirty pounds of muscle, cut my hair into a military buzz, and put some glasses on me, and I look quite like him. Of course I’ve been told my father had an air of unmistakable genius about him that I don’t have.” Not that Hatch had put it that way. He’d explained that most people didn’t remember Benedict for his looks. They remembered his brilliant brain. “Drew is most like him. Another reason I thought it was better for me to go in instead of him. I think Drew would remind Patricia of our father.”
“I don’t know about that. She’s not very observant. One of the things you need to know about her is that she’s a narcissist. She doesn’t care about anything but herself and her bottom line.” She looked up at him. “Your brother is the man behind 4L?”
Naturally everyone was impressed with a thirty-four-year-old billionaire. “He is. I need you to understand that we have resources that we’ll use to take care of you. You’ll have a job at 4L if you want one. I’ll promise you that right now.”
“You need a personal assistant?” she said, her lips curling slightly.
He frowned because he hadn’t thought she’d ask that question. “No. I don’t really need one, but I promise I’ll find something for you. You won’t be left out in the cold. 4L is a big company and we own a lot of other companies. You would have your pick.”
Actually, Ellie could use a new PA. That wouldn’t be a bad fit. Ellie would be good to Carly and Bran spent a lot of time in New York. He could see her from time to time. He would have to think about it. He didn’t mention it, though, because Ellie’s last assistant had been brutally murdered in front of her. It wouldn’t give Carly great faith in them as a group.
She settled the pillow down and smoothed out the blanket. “I don’t know how I feel about a new job. Not that I’m not happy at the thought of keeping my house, but being a personal assistant wasn’t exactly my life plan. I wanted to write cookbooks. Well, I wanted to start out by editing them and work my way up.”
“It sounds like you want to be a chef.”
Her head shook slightly. “No. It’s different. I don’t want my own restaurant or to be in charge of a kitchen. I want to work at a lifestyle magazine. I love looking at decorating trends and cooking trends. A chef tends to focus on one type of cuisine. I want to try them all, not necessarily be a master at them. I like making people comfortable. At my heart, I’m a homemaker.”
Her home was lovely. The minute he’d walked in he’d felt a certain peace rush over him and not simply because the space was well decorated. Carly herself made a person feel at home.
Even when she was crying on his shoulder. She would probably run as fast as she could if she knew how much that had fed his soul. It wasn’t that he liked watching her cry. He’d enjoyed knowing he was helping her. He’d loved the way she’d clung to him, her arms tight around his body.
He probably shouldn’t tell her that, either.

About the author

Lexi BlakeABOUT LEXI BLAKE:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Lexi’s publisher are offering a paper copy of SATISFACTION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Lexi Blake on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from January 4-7, 2017

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Ruthless (Lawless #1) by Lexi Blake-Review & Giveaway

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RUTHLESS (Lawless #1) by Lexi Blake-Review and Giveaway

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RUTHLESS
Lawless #1
by Lexi Blake
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense
Release Date: August 9, 2016

Ruthless

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 9, 2016

The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents’ murder twenty years ago to steal their father’s software program. And there’s only one way Riley can find some solid evidence…

Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she’s shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he’s prepared for all his life and the woman he’s sure he can’t live without.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: RUTHLESS is the first installment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult LAWLESS erotic romantic, suspense series focusing on the Lawless siblings: Riley, Drew, Brandon and Mia. This is attorney Riley (Lang) Lawless, and heir to the StratCast company Ellie Stratton’s story line. There is a bit of a cross over/spinoff with Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series with the appearance and ongoing role for Mia and Case (Dominance Never Dies), and the McKay –Taggart Security Service.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Riley and Ellie) RUTHLESS follows the Lawless siblings as they set out on a path of revenge for the murder of their parents twenty years earlier, and their first target is the daughter of their father’s late partner Phillip Stratton-Ellie Stratton-a woman whose world is about to crumble and fall. Riley’s need to destroy Ellie Stratton comes to a screaming halt when our hero begins to fall for the daughter of the man that destroyed his life. Twenty years earlier Benedict Lawless and his wife were murdered in a house fire intended to kill the entire family-a murder for hire where greed and power were the precipitating factors. Fast forward to present day wherein the Lawless siblings seek vengeance against the people who stole everything from their life. What ensues is the building relationship between Ellie Stratton and Riley Lawless –the man she hired to assist in a business buyout- and the take down of one more person responsible for the death the Lawless parents.

The relationship between Riley and Ellie begins as a business deal wherein Riley is hired to facilitate a buyout between Ellie Stratton and Steven Castalano-another business partner targeted by the Lawless siblings. Riley is a man determined to get in, destroy, and get out but finds himself falling in love with his beautiful mark. Ellie not only has to deal with the betrayals of her father, her father’s current business partner, and people she once called friends, but she must also face the lies and deception of the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are erotic, seductive and intense.

All of the Lawless siblings play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Drew, Brandon, Mia and Mia’s husband Case, and one of Benedict’s former partners Bill ‘Hatch’ Hatchard-a man who all but raised the Lawless siblings. I suspect there is a story about Hatch, and his role in the entire family saga. There are a number of Ellie’s co-workers and employees, as well as Ellie’s PA Lily, and Steven’s son Kyle. Brandon’s story will be told next in Satisfaction.

The world building focuses on vengeance and justice, and the interesting family dynamics between the Lawless siblings each brought up through the Child Welfare System but only the youngest child Mia found a permanent family and some semblance of love.

RUTHLESS is an intriguing tale of retribution and retaliation. It is a story about greed and privilege, murder and survival, family and the future. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are broken, colorful, animated and intense; the romance is provocative but will falter in the face of lies and more betrayal. Lexi Blake pens another wonderful start to a new and intriguing series.

Copy supplied the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Lexi’s publisher are offering a paper copy of RUTHLESS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Lexi Blake on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from August 9 to August 13, 2016

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