Exiled (Madame X #3) by Jasinda Wilder-Review & Giveaway

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Sandy

EXILED (Madame X #3) by Jasinda Wilder-Review and Giveaway

EXILED
Madame X #3
by Jasinda Wilder
Release Date: August 2, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, romance

Exiled

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 2, 2016

My name is Madame X.

My heart is torn in two.

And now I have to choose…

Caleb is everything to her: lover, caretaker, the man who gave her life meaning when she had none. But as she seeks the truth about herself and her past, she discovers that unravelling Caleb’s web of lies might very well be impossible.

Logan is everything she never knew she wanted: freedom, joy, and a passion she couldn’t anticipate. But is Logan’s love enough to save her from herself, from Caleb, and from the tumultuous truth of her past?

Caught between two equally compelling and seductive men, X must make the ultimate choice. But there’s more at stake than just her heart.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: EXILED is the third and final installment in Jasinda Wilder’s contemporary, adult MADAME X dark, erotic, romance series focusing on Caleb Indigo, Logan Ryder and Isabel De La Vega aka Madame X. EXILED is their continuing story, and should not be read as a stand alone as the events in book three are a culmination of the previous two installments.

SOME BACKGROUND: X is a woman who has no memory and no knowledge except for the previous six years, and in this, she relies on billionaire Caleb Indigo-a man whose control over Madame X is virtually master to a slave. Caleb is X’s rescuer, her confident, her protector, her master, and the darkness to her light. When Logan Ryder enters her life Madame X discovers the person she knew nothing about- the woman, the young girl she once was and now wants to be.

Told from first person perspective (Isabel) and second person points of view, jumping between the past and the present, EXILED focuses on Madame X, now known as Isabel, and her struggle to get on with her life. Finally leaving the confines and imprisonment of Caleb Indigo’s ‘protection’, Isabel begins to forge ahead with her new man, Logan Ryder, in an attempt to recover some of the memories that are slowly beginning to unravel. What ensues are Caleb’s attempts to reveal the truth and convince Isabel that she is the one, Logan’s need to protect Isabel from Caleb and herself, and Isabel’s struggle between the life she knows, and the future she wants.

EXILED is a psychological nightmare; a story of betrayal, lies, deceit and secrets, but it is also a story that crosses an imaginary line with respect to the love triangle trope, and one woman who finds herself drawn to two men. Isabel begins to struggle with her identity and her dependence upon a man who controlled her life, while forging ahead with Logan, into a future of which she uncertain and afraid. Caleb’s obsession with Madame X begins to unravel at an exponential rate threatening his sanity, Logan’s life, and Isabel’s tenuous hold on her freedom. A Stockholm Syndrome scenario tugs loosely at the periphery of the story.

The world building follows Caleb’s revelations about their past-his earlier years struggling to survive; and Isabel’s life before she became Madame X. The reader is tossed into a nightmare of Caleb’s making; an obsession, a delusion, a preoccupation with a woman he wants more than life itself, and life is something he is willing to sacrifice to give Isabel what she wants.

Throughout EXILED there are a few twist and turns that are predictable including a couple revelations that were easily deduced from the start. Some readers will have a difficult time with Isabel’s ‘choices’ and Caleb’s pull over the woman he molded into someone else. Logan’s easy acceptance of certain situations is questionable but his anger and need for retribution is understandable. In the end, Isabel will get her happily ever after but at a cost that may be too high for all involved.

EXILED is a story about obsession; about one man’s dark and dangerous past whose need to control all but destroyed the woman with whom he would fall in love. Caleb Indigo is the anti-hero; the barely leashed monster whose power and need outweighed his ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Madame X was a puppet whose life of virtual enslavement was choreographed by a man whose brilliant mind was tainted by his earlier years; Isabel is a woman struggling with her own demons as she runs towards a path of unknown certainty. Logan Ryder is the hero but a hero who readily accepts everything Isabel was and will be, and a man who would do anything to protect the woman he loves. At times, Logan seems to be too perfect; the knight in shining armor rescuing the princess in the high tower, and I was waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop with a twist of epic proportions.

EXILED is a revealing story line that answers the questions about the who, what and why. The premise is dramatic and intense ; the characters are tragic, flawed and sensational; the romance is a roller coaster of revelations towards a happily ever after. EXILED is a fictional story line meant to entertain and elicit the reader’s emotions.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Madame X
Exposed
Exiled

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

About The author

Jasinda Wilder is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and international bestselling author. She is a Michigan native and currently lives there with her family. Visit her official website at jasindawilder.com.

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Jasinda’s publisher are offering a paper copy of EXILED 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. Please follow Jasinda Wilder 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

10. Giveaway runs from August 1-5, 2016

Exposed (Madame X #2) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Sandy

EXPOSED (Madame X #2) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

EXPOSED
Madame X #2
by Jasinda Wilder
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, romantic suspense
Release Date: March 1, 2016

Exposed

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

About the book: Release Date March 1, 2016

Everything Madame X has ever known is contained within the four walls of the penthouse owned by her lover, her keeper, the man who controls her every move and dominates her desires. While Caleb owns her body, someone else has touched her soul. X’s awakening at the hands of Logan’s raw, honest masculinity has led her down a new path, one that is as exciting as it is terrifying.

But Caleb’s need to own her completely knows no bounds, and he isn’t about to let her go. Not without a fight that could destroy them all…

•••••••••

REVIEW: EXPOSED is the second installment in Jasinda Wilder’s contemporary, adult MADAME X erotic, dark romantic suspense series focusing on a woman known only as Madame X. The continuing story finds our heroine caught between the only life that she knows, and the man who calls to her heart. EXPOSED should not be read as a stand alone as the story line continues upon the events of book one –Madame X.

Some background: X is a woman who has no memory and no knowledge except for the previous six years, and in this, she relies on billionaire Caleb Indigo-a man whose control over Madame X is virtually master to a slave. Caleb is X’s rescuer, her confident, her protector, her master, and the darkness to her light.

Told from first and second person points of view (Madame X) EXPOSED follows X as she endeavors to break free from the only lifestyle she has known for the previous six years. Caleb Indigo is a man who controls every aspect of X’s life, but X has discovered that there is more outside of the four walls that have held her prisoner –there is freedom, and there is Logan-the man that will open her eyes and her heart to her past, her present and her possible future; and there is the truth.

EXPOSED is a startling, raw, twisted and revealing look at one woman’s struggle to set herself free from a man who regulates and holds dominion over her life. The tragedy that is X finds our heroine caught between two worlds, and two men who both profess their need for a woman who knows nothing about herself. The ‘love triangle’ aspect of the story line is a bit disconcerting as X is unable to let go of the ‘safety net’ Caleb has provided. The intriguing aspect of the unknown begins to build as X slowly recovers some of the memories from her past, and the darkness that lies behind the man who claims to have saved her life. Caleb’s control over X is methodical and relentless; there is evil behind his pursuit of X.

EXPOSED follows Logan and X’s developing relationship; a path towards a future that holds the truth of what was and what can be but Logan’s love for X may never be enough if X is unable to get free of the man who dominates every aspect of her life. Caleb’s capture, control and mastery of X’s life goes more than skin deep but into the heart and soul. Logan’s love may never be enough.

Jasinda Wilder’s EXPOSED is disturbing, aggressive, frightening and dramatic. The premise is incensing, stimulating and intoxicating; the characters are damaged, provocative, and charismatic; the $ex scenes are erotic, impassioned and intense. Jasinda Wilder will entertain the darkest recesses of your mind.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

I wake sobbing.
Nightmares of sirens and flashing lights and a pair of cold cruel dark eyes staring haughty and inscrutable down at me as I am used like a receptacle. Nightmares of a perfect body pinning me to an elevator door. Sorcery, stealing my will, manipulating my desires, cool silk of a tie wiping my face. Rain cold and wet and windblown, shifting shadows and blood and pain.
My dream is pervaded by a voice: “Isabel, you’re okay. It was just a dream.”
Who is Isabel?
The voice is in my ear, soft and tender and warm. “I’m here, Isabel.”
Oh, it’s me. I’m Isabel.
I am Isabel; I have to remind myself that it is true.
I am lifted, cradled. I hear a heartbeat under my ear, feel soft cotton under my cheek. I am lying on top of him, as if he is my bed. His hands smooth in caressing circles on my back.
I cannot stop sobbing.
My eyes burn with hot tears, and I try to stop them, but I can’t. “L-Logan—”
“Ssshhh. It’s okay. I’m here.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry—I can’t—can’t stop—”
“Don’t apologize, sweetheart. Cry if you need to. I’ve got you. I won’t let go.”
I can only cling to him and cry. My whole body shakes with shuddering, wracking sobs, as if a lifetime of pent-up tears are being ripped out of me wholesale.
I don’t know how long it lasts. Minutes? Hours? A measureless time of weeping. I think I have cried more in the last twelve hours than in all my life.
Eventually, I am able to breathe normally and the sobs and shudders fade.
I remain still, barely breathing now.
On top of Logan.
Aware of him, suddenly.
Completely attuned to every inch of him, stretched out beneath me. His arms around me, his chin tucked against the top of my head. His denim-sheathed thighs beneath mine, thick and hard. His breath on my hair. His hips nudging mine. My hands on his pectoral muscles, my breasts crushed against his sternum.
There is a shift then. A charge to the air. Electricity crackling.
And now, between one breath and the next, it is sexual, the way I’m lying on him.
I can’t breathe again, but for a different reason.
I can’t breathe for wanting him.
Needing him.
“Isabel . . .” he breathes.
“Logan—”
“I need you to get up,” he says, and it isn’t what I expected. “There are still some people working out there, and in a few more seconds I’m going to forget that.”
“What would happen if you did, Logan?” I ask. I don’t recognize the daring, the boldness, the raw hunger in my voice.
His fingers twine gently into my hair and pulls, tipping my face up to his.
It’s me, this time,
kissing him,
and kissing him,
and kissing him.
My fingers wrap around the back of his head, clinging to the nape of his neck, pulling him closer, pulling myself higher on his body, needing needing needing to be closer to him, to press my lips more completely against his, to taste him, to feel him. I breathe him. His hand, resting on my back, slides lower. I arch against him, press my body against his. There is no part of me that isn’t touching him. I pause to breathe, gasping against his lips. I want more of me to touch more of him. I want all of him, all of me, all of us.
I crave completion, of a kind only Logan can provide.
He feathers his mouth against mine, a teasing brush of lips against lips, heat of breath on tasting tongue.
“That will happen,” he whispers.
“Oh,” I murmur.
“Yeah, oh.” His fingers are tangled in my hair, applying gentle delicious pressure to my scalp, keeping my face tilted to his. “And now I can’t stop.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“I have to,” he says. “Or there won’t be any stopping at all.”
“Logan . . .”
“I want you. I need you. But Isabel, you deserve better—we deserve better—than on a couch in my conference room, with a dozen people on the other side of the wall.”

About The Author

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Jasinda’s publisher are offering a paper copy of EXPOSED 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. Please follow Jasinda Wilder 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

10. Giveaway runs from March 10-14, 2016

Madame X (Madame X #1) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Sandy

MADAME X (Madame X #1) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

Madame X
Madame X #1
by Jasinda Wilder
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark romance

Madame X

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2015

My name is Madame X.
I’m the best at what I do.
And you’d do well to follow my rules…

Hired to transform the uncultured, inept sons of the wealthy and powerful into decisive, confident men, Madame X is a master of the art of control. With a single glance she can cut you down to nothing, or make you feel like a king.

But there is only one man who can claim her body—and her soul.

Undone time and again by his exquisite dominance, X craves and fears his desire in equal measure. And while she longs for a different path, X has never known anything or anyone else—until now.

•••••••••

REVIEW: MADAME X is the first instalment in Jasinda Wilder’s adult, contemporary Madame X erotic, dark romance series focusing on a woman known only as Madame X or X.

Told from first and second person points of view (Madame X) the storyline focuses on X- a woman who has no memory and no knowledge except for the previous six years, and in this, she relies on billionaire Caleb Indigo-a man whose control over Madame X is virtually master to a slave. Caleb is X’s rescuer, her confident, her protector, and the darkness to her light.

X is a teacher, of sorts, who instructs and coaches the ‘inept sons of the wealthy and powerful into decisive, confident men’. Caleb Indigo is Madame X’s boss and lover (and I use the term lover very lightly), and and the man who controls every aspect of X’s life including who and what she is. But there is a much darker side to Caleb Indigo-a man who hides his true identity from Madame X-but the man who has stolen her heart and her life. X is a beautiful woman who does not know who or what she is; where she came from; or the truth about her past. She is reliant on Caleb Indigo, and in this, she has sold her soul to the devil in exchange for protection-but who and what does X need protecting from?

MADAME X is a psychological study; almost Stockholm Syndrome in nature, the storyline focuses on a woman who knows nothing about the man who claims to be her protector and rescuer, and yet demands everything from the woman who has already suffered in the past. Caleb, for all intents and purposes, is X’s past, present and future. When another man begins to hunt for the truth, Madame X is torn between what she knows and the unknown.

Jasinda Wilder slowly reveals Caleb Indigo’s personality, his character and the truth. The aura of mystery surrounding the details of Madame X’s foray into Caleb’s life leads to many unanswered questions, and Caleb’s purpose and need to control X’s entire life is dangerous and dark. X has been conditioned to do Caleb’s bidding, and in this, she has a difficult time saying no and walking away. The emotional, psychological and physical control of our heroine is masterfully presented.

MADAME X is a story of intrigue, mystery and dark romance. The characters are passionate, intelligent and somewhat sad. There are some $ex scenes of questionable consent and the darker aspect of Caleb and X’s relationship is frightening and heartbreaking.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

A knock on the door, the silent swing of hinges, and then heat and hardness behind me, a faint but intoxicating hint of cologne, the creak of leather. Hands on my waist, lips at my neck. Breath on my skin.
I don’t dare tense, don’t dare suck in a sharp breath of fear. I don’t dare pull away.
Strong, hard, powerful hands twist me in place, and an index finger touches my chin, lifts my face, tilts my gaze. I cannot breathe, don’t dare, haven’t been given permission.
“You are lovelier than ever, X.” A deep, smooth, cultured voice, like the purr of a finely tuned engine.
“Thank you, Caleb.” My own voice is quiet, careful, my words chosen and precise.
“Scotch.” The command is a murmur, barely audible.
I know how to prepare it: a cut-crystal tumbler, a single ice cube, thick amber liquid an inch from the top. I offer the tumbler and wait, keep my eyes downcast, hands behind my back.
“You were too harsh on Jonathan.”
“I must respectfully disagree.”
“His father expects results.”
I bristle, and it does not go unnoticed. “Have I ever failed to produce results?”
“You sent him away after less than an hour.”
“He wasn’t ready. He needed to be shown his faults. He needs to understand how much he has to learn.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Ice clinks, and I take the empty tumbler, set it aside, and force myself to remain in place, force myself to keep breathing and remind myself that I must obey. “I didn’t come here to discuss Jonathan Cartwright, however.”
“I suppose not.” I shouldn’t have said that. I regret it as soon as the words tumble free.
My wrist bones scrape together under a crushing grip. Hard dark eyes find mine, piercing and frightening. “You suppose not?”
I should beg forgiveness, but I know better. I lift my chin and meet those cold, cruel, intelligent dark eyes. “You know I will fulfill the contract. That’s all I meant.”
“No, that isn’t all you meant.” A hand passes through artfully messy black hair. “Tell me what you really meant, X.”
I swallow hard. “You’re here for what you always want when you visit me.”
“Which is?” A warm finger touches my breastbone, slides into the valley of my cleavage. “Tell me what I want.”
“Me.” I whisper it, so not even the walls can hear.
“All too true.” My skin burns where that strong finger with its manicured nail traces a cutting line up to my shoulder. “You test my patience, at times.”
I stand stock-still, not even breathing. Breath whispers across my neck, huffs hot on my nape, and fingers toy with the zipper of my dress.
“I know,” I say.
And then, just when I expect to feel the zipper slide down my spine, body heat recedes and that hot breath now laced with hints of scotch is gone, and a single word sears my soul:
“Strip.”
My tongue scrapes over dry lips, and my lungs constrict, protesting my inability to breathe. My hands tremble. I know this is expected of me, and I cannot, dare not resist, or protest. And . . . part of me doesn’t want to. But I wish . . . I wish for the freedom to choose what I want.
I have hesitated too long.
“X. I said . . . strip.” The zipper slides down to between my shoulder blades. “Show me your skin.”
Reaching behind my back, I lower the zipper to its nesting place at the base of my spine. Hard, insistent hands assist me in brushing the sleeves from my shoulders, down my arms, and then the dress is floating to the floor at my feet. That’s all the help I’ll get. I know from long experience that I must make a show of what comes next.
I turn my head, and see tanned skin and the perpetual two-day stubble on a refined, powerful jawline, sharp cheekbones, firm, thin lips, black eyes like voids, eyes that drip desire. My hair drapes over one shoulder. I lift one knee so my now-bare toes touch the gleaming teak, curl my shoulders in, let my gaze show my vulnerability. With a deep breath, I unhook my bra, let the garment fall away.
I reach for my underwear.
“No,” comes the purr, “leave them. Let me.”
I let my fingers graze my thighs, wait. My underwear slides down slowly, and where fingers touch, so too do lips, hot and damp, touching my skin, and I cannot flinch, cannot pull away or express how badly I want only to be alone, to even once have the right to want something else.
But I do not have that right.

About The Author Black and Red

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

There are TWO (2) ways to win

The Reading Cafe and Jasinda’s publisher are offering a paper copy of MADAME X 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.

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

3. Please LIKE and Follow Jasinda Wilder 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 us on TSU for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from October 10-14, 2015

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Tag Archives: Madame X

Exiled (Madame X #3) by Jasinda Wilder-Review & Giveaway

EXILED (Madame X #3) by Jasinda Wilder-Review and Giveaway

Exposed (Madame X #2) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

EXPOSED (Madame X #2) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

Madame X (Madame X #1) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

MADAME X (Madame X #1) by Jasinda Wilder-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway