The Benefactor (See No Evil #2) by Nana Malone-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2020

I am many things. billionaire, rogue, rebel. But I never figured myself for a thief. My money can buy power, control, access. Even oaths of loyalty. The one thing it can’t buy is her…or her safety. I vowed to protect her… I failed… I can’t, under any circumstances, fail again. In order to save her, I’ll have to give up the one thing that I value most–control. The Canary Jewel is the key. Tonight I am no longer a billionaire. Tonight I keep new secrets. My name is Ben Covington and tonight, I am a thief.

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REVIEW: THE BENEFACTOR is the second instalment in Nana Malone’s contemporary, adult SEE NO EVIL erotic, romantic suspense trilogy focusing on billionaire businessman Ben Covington, and operations director Olivia Ashong. THE BENEFACTOR should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff-hanger of book one BIG BEN.

NOTE: If you have not read book one, there may be some spoilers in my review

SOME BACKGROUND: Ben Covington, and his friends East Hale and Bridge Edgerton call themselves the London Lords, and are members of the Elite, closely connected to the Uber rich and powerful of Eton Academy in London England, but the murder of their best friend Toby ten years earlier, finds Ben focusing on the men responsible, in an attempt to destroy them all.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ben and Olivia) THE BENEFACTOR follows several intersecting paths including the building but acrimonious relationship between Olivia and Ben. Olivia is a woman on a mission to complete her late mother’s book that has now placed a target on our heroine’s back but to complicate her life even further, Olivia’s relationship with Ben Covington places our heroine in the direct line of fire as Ben continues his vendetta against the Elite in an effort to gain control of the Director Prime. As Ben, East and Bridge put together a plan to take down the Van Linsted family, who for the past thirty years have controlled the Elite, Olivia finds herself struggling with the information her mother has uncovered, and the possible connections to Eton Academy. What ensues is the ongoing relationship between Ben and Olivia, and the potential fall-out as our couple have crossed a dangerous line of dark secrets and lies.

At the end of book one BIG BEN, Olivia must face the reality that her life is no longer under her control but our fiercely independent heroine has yet to realize that danger is her new partner, and her relationship with Ben struggles with Olivia’s need to go it alone. Ben is fiercely protective of Olivia Ashong and affording her protection meant keeping secret the truth about the how and why. Olivia’s discovery of Ben’s need for control finds our couple facing off against one another as Olivia continues to place herself in the direct line of fire.

The relationship between Olivia and Ben continues to grow; a palpable sexual attraction that must weather Ben’s need to protect the woman he loves, and Olivia’s need to remain independent regardless of her safety or threats to her life. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several from many of the author’s other series and stories: Alexi Chase (Chase Brothers series); Lucas and Bryna (Royals Undone Series); Sebastian and Penny (Royals Undercover Series); Jessa and Roone (Royals United Series), as well as Olivia’s ex boyfriend Dexter, his boss Fenton Mills, and her friend and hacker Telly; Olivia’s driver Todd, and Ben’s father.

From the outset, the first half of THE BENEFACTOR was choppy, and the flow felt rough and uneven. It was not until about fifty percent did the story settle, did the relationship and story take on a more measured and balanced tone. Also, Olivia’s struggle for independence came across as spiteful and vindictive- being a strong woman does not mean she has to be a b*tch.

THE BENEFACTOR is a story of lies and betrayal; of a secret society whose membership is rich, dark, dangerous and sexually deviant; and of one woman who struggles to keep her independence in the face of danger and death. The fast paced premise is intriguing, imaginative and complex; the romance is spicy and hot; the characters are strong, dynamic and spirited but I did struggle with a few issues. THE BENEFACTOR ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of BIG BEN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“You’ll have to trust me.” “Right. Trust the man who hides so much.” “You kept things to yourself too.” He ground his teeth, and I could see the muscle of his jaw working. Which unfortunately also drew my attention to his lips. And I could remember his taste, spicy on my tongue. The way he kissed, first with a sip that made you want to quench your thirst in one gulp. The slow, drugging kisses designed to make a woman moan without much effort. Jesus, I needed to stop. I would not think about him kissing me, or him lifting up my skirt, bending me over the desk and spanking me. Nope, I was not going to think about that. “From now on, no more lies. I can’t take it. I need to know what you know.” He narrowed his gaze at me then. “Got any more copies of this that you’re hiding from me?” “Oh, nice. Real mature. That’s the only one. I’ve just given you my insurance policy; you have to give me yours.” “No more lies.” “Fine. And while we’re at it, can we get security for Telly and Carmen? Todd has heard me talk about them on the phone before. I don’t want them to be targets.” The muscle in his jaw ticked. “Fine.” I shifted on my feet. Do or die time. “Also, I’m not sure of the living arrangements. I don’t think I can go back to the loft.” “You’ll be staying with me at Covington House.” The way he said that, like a command, not a suggestion. That beautiful house with the pillars and the kitchen right out of Architecture Magazine. I hadn’t seen much of the space, but I would love to explore it. My brain slapped my pussy. Snap out of it, bitch. You’re not playing house. I cleared my throat. “I’ll accept because I have no choice. But so you know, if I had a choice, I’d be anywhere else but there.” He approached slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. His smooth gait was catlike as he approached. The moment I could feel his heat I tried to back away. I knew I was weak. I’d lean in and sniff given half a chance. Stay strong. Stay strong. “If it makes you feel better to say that, fine. But let me be clear. You and I, we’re not done. The conversation about us is still to be continued.” I swallowed hard. Because that sounded so much like a warning. One my body didn’t want to heed. I said nothing as I turned to head to my office. I wasn’t going to let him see in my gaze that I wanted to stay.

USA Today bestseller Nana Malone’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she “borrowed” from her cousin.

It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion, and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.

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