Treasured (Masters and Mercenaries 22.5/ 1001 Dark Nights) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 22, 201
David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.
Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South America to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing.
But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
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REVIEW:TREASURED is the 22.5 instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES erotic, romantic suspense series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is university professor David Hawthorne, and bodyguard/security specialist Tessa Santiago’s story line. TREASURED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. David Hawthorne is the step-son of Sean Taggart.
Told from third person perspective TREASURED follows the building relationship between professor David Hawthorne, and security specialist Tessa Santiago. Tessa Santiago had been invited to her ex-fiancé’s sister’s anniversary celebration but found herself sitting in the bar with a handsome stranger. David Hawthorne stopped by for a drink at the hotel where his mother was head chef but never expected to meet the woman with whom he would fall in love. A lingering kiss lead to an exchange of numbers only for David to realize he had been ghosted by the stranger at the bar. Fast forward a few weeks wherein David, about to embark on a South American research trip discovers his extended family aka the Taggarts, has secured his protection in the guise of security specialist and McKay -Taggart employee Tessa Santiago, the woman who has starred in his fantasies and dreams. Believing Tessa wants nothing to do with our story line hero, David opts to go it alone only to be told there was a rumor of trouble on the horizon. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and David, and the potential fall-out as the rumored threats come to fruition as our couple find themselves captives of a man man in hostile territory.
Tessa Santiago thought she had found the one only to discover that David Hawthorne was related to her current employer. Having walked away from a relationship with a man whose family was rich and well connected, Tessa knew she would never be part of that wealthy lifestyle, including a possible future with our story line hero but threats to David’s life found Tessa facing the wrong end of a gun, and it would take some help from an unlikely source to rescue the man with whom she would fall in love. David Hawthorne trip to South America was to research the life and death of a South American billionaire who was ahead of the world when it came to environmental causes. David was well aware of the rumors regarding a buried treasure on the island jungle, a treasure that many people were desperate to find and recover.
The relationship between David and Tessa is a second chances, of a sorts. Tessa and David met at a bar but David never revealed his family connections, and Tessa believed she was in no position to pursue a relationship with our story line hero. David took it personally when Tessa ghosted after their night at the bar, but our heroine’s reaction and refusal to take on her latest assignment meant David was willing to go it alone, even if he had to face the danger, by himself.
Meanwhile, David is a Dom, and recognizes the submissive in Tessa Santiago.Offering a one-time only night together, Tessa quickly discovers there is more to David than the mild-manner professor of history. Shortly after their arrival, David and Tessa take their relationship to the next level only to be literally caught with their pants down. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
TREASURED is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and greed. The premise is intriguing, engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are energetic, animated and spirited.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
Tessa glanced down at her watch. She was standing in front of her building ten minutes early, and there was a big part of her that wanted him to be late. Really late. Annoyingly late.
There had to be something about the man that wasn’t perfect beyond his connection to her employer.
She’d come down when she realized if she stayed inside one minute more she was going to decide to change again. Because she’d been halfway to convincing herself that she could do a fine job as a bodyguard in that curve-hugging dress that gave her so much confidence. Lots of bodyguards wore four-inch heels and a push-up bra. Yeah, sure they did.
Coming down here had saved her so much discomfort because in her line of business, slacks, a sensible shirt and shoes, and a blazer were the only way to go. The blazer hid her shoulder holster in a way that off-the-shoulder sex dress never would. And she didn’t care that Hollywood assassins could stuff any number of weapons between their thighs. Hers did not work that way.
It’s not a big deal.
The words David had said haunted her. What did that mean? It’s not a big deal. It had felt like a big deal. Not texting that smart hottie back had been a big fucking deal to her. She’d agonized over it, and he’d just kind of let it wash over him. He’d taken his shot and moved on. She had thought of nothing but him for weeks.
Or he was saving face by playing it cool and she was being ridiculous. The man was making this easy on her and she was inwardly complaining that he wasn’t making it harder. It was perverse, but then she had deeply conflicted feelings about David.
Feelings she could maybe work out over the course of this week. She could get to know him and then she would see he wasn’t as perfect as he seemed to be. Most men showed their true colors when a woman spent too much time with them. He wouldn’t be as patient as he seemed. His charm would wear off when she took charge and he got annoyed.
Yes, this could be exactly what she needed.
Especially if he was late.
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the 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.
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