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Wicked as Seduction: Trees & Laila #1 by Shayla Black-Review Tour

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Wicked as Seduction: Trees & Laila #1 (Wicked And Devoted 5) by Shayla Black-Review Tour

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: March 15, 2022

He’ll protect her…even if he has to take her captive to save her.

Tech wiz and former elite soldier Forest “Trees” Scott had one mission: Rescue the woman being hunted by a vicious cartel and get her to safety. It should have been simple…but the minute he sees the wary beauty with haunted eyes, his desire for her complicates everything. So does her stubborn refusal to trust him. When Trees is forced to abduct her, she vows to hate him—even as he finds himself falling in love…

For six years, Laila Torres has known nothing but brutality at the hands of men, so when the massive stranger with the forbidding mien kidnaps her, she’s frightened—and furious. But the giant’s protective care shocks her. With every word, he proves steadfast. With every forbidden touch, he awakens the woman in her. Soon, she’s facing the terrifying realization that he’s also dangerously close to capturing her heart.

But their ruthless enemies are closing in, threatening everything Laila holds dear. When she’s forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice, will she trust Trees and their love to save her?

••••••

REVIEW:WICKED AS SEDUCTION is the first instalment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED AS SEDUCTION: TREES AND LAILA erotic, romantic suspense duet, and the fifth instalment in the author’s WICKED AND DEVOTED series. This is former elite soldier and tech six Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and Laila Torres’ story line. WICKED AS SEDUCTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommended reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion. Trees was first introduced in the author’s Devoted Lovers series.

NOTE: If you are a fan of Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers, and Devoted Lovers series, you may recognize some of the characters as Wicked and Devoted crosses over with both of the aforementioned series.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective WICKED AS SEDUCTION focuses on the building but acrimonious relationship between former elite soldier and tech wiz Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and Laila Torres. Laila Torres spent the majority of her life forced into sexual slavery by the Mexican Cartel but several months earlier our heroine and her sister Valeria were rescued by the team at EM Security, a team that included Forest ‘Trees’ Scott. The Cartel is demanding the return of Laila, her sister Valeria, and her sister’s son, and begin a search for our story line heroine. Hoping to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Trees Scott becomes guardian and protector of Laila Torres, a woman who struggles to trust, and believes every action is a prelude to bargaining or a payment. While her sister Valeria and young child are taken into protective custody by the EM Security Team, Trees and Laila find themselves on the run, barely one step ahead of the Mexican Cartel. What ensues is the building but embattled and cautious relationship between Trees and Laila, and the potential fall-out as Laila’s inability to trust, and her need to find her sister, continue to place our heroine in the direct line of fire.

Laila Torres does not trust Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and makes his life miserable by trying to escape at every opportunity. Laila believes it is only a matter of time before our hero demands payment for her rescue and safety, and Laila refuses to owe anyone including the man who offers up everything else. Trees Scott fell for our heroine from the moment of rescue but Laila was in no position for a romantic relationship. With the Mexican Cartel on the hunt, Laila finds herself working with EM Security, and a man she refuses to accept regardless of his promise to keep her safe.

Meanwhile, all is not well at EM Security when the team suspects a mole in their midst. From One-Mile and Trees most recent missions, information is leaked, and one of their own is suspected of betrayal and deceit.

The relationship between Laila and Trees is cautious, acerbic, emotional and intense. Laila Torres is broken, and is unable to trust our story line hero. Rumors continue to circulate about a betrayer at EM Security, and Laila begins to suspect it is the man hired to protect and hide her from the Mexican Cartel. Trees Scott struggles to prove he is trustworthy; that he is not the mole, but the only man for our story line heroine. Laila’s need to run makes her a little TSTL, as she continues to push Trees closer to the edge, an edge from which he may never return. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate, erotic and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in previous story lines including One-Mile, Colonel Caleb Edgington, and his sons Hunter Edgington, Logan Edgington, Kane Preston, Deke Trenton, Joaquin Munoz , Zyron Garrett, PA Tessa Lawrence and her daughter Hallie, as well as Laila’s sister Valeria. The requisite evil has many faces.

WICKED AS SEDUCTION is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, coercion and blackmail, an inability to trust, family and love. The premise is captivating, gritty, and heart breaking; the romance is provocative but struggles in the face of Laila’s history of capture and abuse; the characters are broken, energetic, charismatic and lost. WICKED AS SEDUCTION ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

➣ Follow Shayla Black on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shayla-black

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Wicked As Sin (Wicked and Devoted #1) by Shayla Black-Review Tour

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Wicked As Sin: One-Mile & Brea, Part One (Wicked and Devoted #1) by Shayla Black-Review & Excerpt Tour


Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2020

Finally!! The Wicked Lovers and Devoted Lovers worlds collide in epic fashion with the start of a NEW Wicked & Devoted series, steeped in the steamy, angsty romance you don’t want to miss.

He’s ruthless. She’s off-limits. But he’s just met his one weakness… Now nothing will stop him from making her his.

Pierce “One-Mile” Walker has always kept his heart under wraps and his head behind his sniper’s scope. Nothing about buttoned-up Brea Bell should appeal to him. But after a single glance at the pretty preacher’s daughter, he doesn’t care that his past is less than shiny, that he gets paid to end lives…or that she’s his teammate’s woman. He’ll do whatever it takes to steal her heart.

Brea has always been a dutiful daughter and a good girl…until she meets the dangerous warrior. He’s everything she shouldn’t want, especially after her best friend introduces her to his fellow operative as his girlfriend—to protect her from Pierce. But he’s a forbidden temptation she’s finding impossible to resist.

Then fate strikes, forcing Brea to beg Pierce to help solve a crisis. But his skills come at a price. When her innocent flirtations run headlong into his obsession, they cross the line into a passion so fiery she can’t say no. Soon, his past rears its head and a vendetta calls his name in a mission gone horribly wrong. Will he survive to fight his way back to the woman who claimed his soul?

••••••••

REVIEW:WICKED AS SIN : One-Mile and Brea, is the first instalment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED AND DEVOTED erotic, romance series focusing on Pierce ‘One-Mile’ Walker, and preacher’s daughter Brea Bell.

NOTE: If you are a fan of Shayla Black’s Wicked Lover, and Devoted Lovers series, you may recognize some of the characters including One-Mile Walker, as Wicked and Devoted crosses over with both of the aforementioned series.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Pierce and Brea) WICKED AS SIN follows the building relationship between mercenary for hire Pierce ‘One-Mile’ Walker, and preacher’s daughter Brea Bell. Since the day they met Pierce Walker has thought about nothing else than preacher’s daughter Brea Bell but her best friend and supposed lover Cutter Bryant had all but threatened our story line hero if he made a move for the woman in question. Brea knew that her friendship with Cutter Bryant was nothing more than a brotherly love but meeting Pierce Walker drew Brea like a moth to a flame, to the forbidden fruit in the proverbial Garden of Eden but a call to duty found Pierce Walker struggling to survive, and Brea would ensure that she was the woman to make the hurt go away. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Brea and Pierce, as our couple battle their attraction, and Cutter Bryant, in an effort to grow beyond friendship and nothing more.

Pierce Walker is a sharp-shooter; a sniper who never misses but his reputation as a cold-hearted killer, and possible man-whore has Cutter Bryant going all alpha on our story line heroine. Pierce Walker knows that the only woman he would ever love is quite possibly in love with someone else but little did he know that not all was what it appeared to be. Brea Bell is an innocent; a preacher’s daughter who has been protected by everyone including Cutter Bryant but our heroine likes what she sees in Pierce Walker, and goes out of her way to make sure Pierce knows she is interested as well.

The relationship between Pierce and Brea is one of immediate attraction but Cutter Bryant is desperate to make sure our couple stay clear of one another including claiming Brea for himself. Brea is a helper and nurturer by nature, and an injured Pierce is the perfect back drop to set up our story line couple.The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive but I take issue with the use of a certain four-letter word I find unnecessary in my romance story line.

We are introduced to Brea’s best friend Cutter Bryant; her father Reverend Bell, as well as Pierce’s commanding officer Colonel Caleb Edgington.

WICKED AS SIN: One-Mile and Brea Part One is a story of family and friendships; over-protective alpha males; suspense and conflict; acceptance and love. The premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are energetic, colorful and dynamic; the romance is spicy and spirited but I did struggle with Brea’s reluctance or inability to defend Pierce Walker against the accusations hurled by Cutter Bryant, accusations that could destroy our story line couple especially Pierce Walker who did nothing wrong to warrant Cutter’s caustic allegations and incriminations. WICKED AS SIN Part One ends on a cliff hanger, you have been warned.

copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

What the devil was she doing here? Courting danger. Pierce Walker was more man than she could handle. She was likely to get herself in over her head.
But Brea owed him her thanks. And, okay…she was dying to see him again.
What could five minutes alone with the man hurt?
Suddenly, the volume on the music dropped under a dull roar and heavy footfalls got louder as they headed her way. Then the door whipped open, and Pierce stood on the other side of the threshold, scowling.
He was covered in nothing but ink, body hair, and bulging muscle from the waist up. Well-washed jeans hung low on his hips. He dangled the neck of a half-empty beer in one hand. His bare feet were built like the rest of him—big and overwhelmingly masculine.
Brea sucked in a silent, shaking breath. “Hi.”
“Brea.” His scowl disappeared. “This is a surprise.”
How was it possible that his eyes had been on her a handful of seconds and she somehow felt naked?
“Sorry to drop by. I-I just wanted to thank you.” She held out the container to him.
He took the dish from her hands. “For what?”
As Pierce propped himself against the doorframe and stared, she nearly lost herself in his fathomless black eyes. She forced herself to blink, but her wayward gaze wandered down his body. A Marine crest tattoo covered his right pectoral. More dark ink enveloped both shoulders, emphasizing every ridge and swell of his sizable physique. Well-washed denim cupped the substantial bulge between his legs.
And she utterly forgot everything she’d planned to say.
“Brea?”
His deep voice jolted her. She jerked her gaze from places it didn’t belong and cleared her throat. “Um…helping me get to the hospital the day Daddy collapsed. And for bringing my car to me afterward. It was very kind of you.”
“No problem. How’s he doing now?”
“Recovering. His surgery went well. Since you thoughtfully left me your contact information in my console, I meant to come sooner to tell you how much I appreciated your help, but I’ve been taking care of him. I finally got a few minutes, so I-I brought you these cookies. Since I didn’t know what you liked, I baked a few different kinds…” She dropped her gaze to collect her thoughts and stop rambling, but her stare glued itself to him again, this time fixating on his ridiculously delineated twelve-pack abs. “But you don’t look like you eat many.”
He laughed. Pierce Walker was menacing when he scowled, but when he smiled he was stunning. Something wild and reckless quivered in her belly, urging her to put her hands on him, press herself against him, beg him to somehow stop this breathless, fluttery yearning she’d only ever felt with him.
“Because I don’t have anyone baking me cookies.” He peeled the lid off the top and peered down. “These look good.”
“I baked the chocolate chip without nuts. I didn’t know if you were allergic.”
“I’m not.”
“I also included checkerboard, cinnamon sugar, and gluten-free almond wafer.”
“Thank you.” He curled his fingers around her shoulder. They burned like a brand as he scooted her breathlessly close to his naked torso and locked the door behind them. “Why don’t you come in and let me get you something to drink?”
“I shouldn’t stay. I would never want to interrupt your…” Goodness, what had he been doing? It was a Friday night. Maybe he was getting ready to go out. Or heaven forbid, planning to stay in…with female company.
“Game of pool. You’re not interrupting. Stay. Like a lot of things, it’s a lot more fun when you’re not playing alone.” He winked.
His seemingly suggestive words sparked a reaction low in her belly. “I-I’ve never played.”
He raised a dark brow. “Ever?”
“Daddy isn’t much for games. My friends aren’t, either.”
“What about Cutter?”
She shrugged. “He’s never shown any interest.”
He sent her a stare that looked somewhere between stunned and dubious. “You sure? I’ve seen him play.”
That didn’t surprise Brea. Cutter had a whole life she barely knew about. “I’m sure he does, but not with me.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Were they still talking about billiards? “Anyway, I won’t keep you…”
“Don’t go. One game.” He wrapped his arm around her middle and ushered her deeper into his house. “What do you say?”
She risked a glance up at him. “You’re sure I’m not in your way?”
“No. I’m thrilled as hell to have you here, pretty girl.”
That low, deep declaration of his did something to her insides. Heat crawled up her cheeks. She ran her tongue across her suddenly dry lips. “O-one game, then.” 


 

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

➣ Follow Shayla Black on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shayla-black

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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