Holding on Tighter (Wicked Lovers #12) by Shayla Black-Review, Release Blitz & Giveaway

HOLDING ON TIGHTER (Wicked Lovers #12) by Shayla Black-Review, Release Blitz & Giveaway

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HOLDING ON TIGHTER
Wicked Lovers #12
by Shayla Black
Release Date: February 7 , 2017
Genre: adult,contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

Holding on Tighter Banner

Holding on Tighter

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO / ibooks / Google Play /

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 7, 2017

Jolie Quinn is a woman in charge. Her no-nonsense attitude has made her a rising star in the fashion world and her brand a household name among the Dallas elite. Nothing will stop her from achieving her goals—not even the gorgeous British security contractor who seems just as interested in seeing her personal assets as he is in protecting her professional ones.

After a tragedy left him broken, Heath Powell made a rule of staying unattached. But Jolie challenges him in a way he can’t ignore, and he isn’t used to backing down from a confrontation—especially when the reward for winning could feel so good. As passion blazes between them, the stubborn, confident beauty arouses more than his desire. She touches his heart.

When a mysterious enemy threatens Jolie and her company, Heath is the only person Jolie can trust to help. But working with him to save her business might put her dangerously at risk of falling in love

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: HOLDING ON TIGHTER is the twelfth full length installment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED LOVERS erotic, romance series. This is thirty nine year old, former MI5 agent and security specialist Heath Powell, and thirty year old women’s fashion mogul Jolie Quinn’s story line. HOLDING ON TIGHTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The reader was first introduced to Heath Powell in Wicked For You-Wicked Lovers #10.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jolie and Heath) HOLDING ON TIGHTER focuses on a series of threats against our story line heroine Jolie Quinn. A self-made fashion entrepreneur Jolie and her younger sister Karis, have become targets of a twisted mind. Enter Heath Powell, former British Intelligence Agency (MI5) and security specialist. On the advice of her best friend Callie Ward- MacKenzie, Mitchel and Sean’s wife (Their to Cherish #8) Jolie hires Heath to increase the security at her thriving business, never expecting to fall in love with a man who wants nothing to do with relationships or happily ever afters. What ensues is the quick building relationship and love between Jolie and Heath, and the increasing threats against the woman with whom Heath will fall in love.

Heath Powell lost everything he once loved and cared about, and in this our hero is unwilling to again risk his heart for love. A one-night stand kind of guy, Heath finds himself impossibly attracted to the woman he has sworn to defend and protect. One night will never be enough especially when the threats against Jolie Quinn begin to take on a more dangerous nature.

Independent, strong and successful, with attitude to spare, Jolie Quinn does not want to be like her mother-a serial bride with a succession of broken marriages and divorces to her credit- and a woman whose history with men has marked our heroine with a negative attitude about relationships and love. When Heath ‘demands’ nothing more than a one-night stand, Jolie has a difficult time processing the feelings that begin to grow. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense; Heath is a dominant but he has trouble taming the woman with whom he is falling in love. Some readers may take offense to Heath’s manwhoring ways especially in the early pages of the story line premise. He pushes at all of Jolie’s boundaries, and in this his dominant persona is a struggle to accept especially when very little time passes between sexual conquests.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Jolie’s sister Karis, and fellow employees business accountant Arthur, PA Wisteria and website operator Rohan. We are also introduced to Heath’s former partner and best friend at MI5 Myles Beaker. Several of the previous story line male leads have cameo roles as they volunteer to help Jolie and Heath when things spiral out of control.

The world building looks at the threats against Jolie and Karis; the sister’s struggle to find happiness in spite of their disastrous earlier years; and Jolie and Heath’s acceptance that everyone deserves a happily ever after.

HOLDING ON TIGHTER is a passionate story line of betrayal, revenge, romance and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the characters are colorful, dynamic and spirited; the romance is intimate and sensual. Shayla Black’s WICKED LOVERS SERIES is a seductive look at romance-outside of the box.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

___________

A Very Wicked ChristmasA VERY WICKED CHRISTMAS
(Wicked Lovers 11.75)
by Shayla Black
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: December 2016

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 2016

‘Tis the season… Sometimes the holidays are so busy—work, kids, shopping, baking, partying, wrapping, decorating, planning, and Christmas music!—that you don’t have time for the one you love most. Can the spirit of the season bring the first two Wicked Lovers closer forever?

••••••••••

REVIEW: A VERY WICKED CHRISTMAS by Shayla Black is a contemporary, adult erotic Christmas short story that revisits Wicked Lovers first couple Jack and Morgan Cole (Wicked Ties). Morgan is the hostess of a late-night cable sex talk show, and Jack is a former military man and security specialist. Going on five years of marriage, and two children, Morgan struggles with issues of self esteem and insecurities, as the couple’s love life becomes almost non-existent. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Morgan and Jack, as Jack takes control of the submissive he has always loved.

A VERY WICKED CHRISTMAS is a quick look at the trouble most new parents must endure-busy lives, young children, little time for themselves. The premise is sexy and sweet; the romance is provocative and intense. Shayla Black ‘s A VERY WICKED CHRISTMAS allows the reader another glimpse into the lives of one of our favorite couples.

Reviewed by Sandy

Holding on Tighter teaser

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About The Author Black and White

Shayla BlackShayla 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.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

Giveaway -black and white

The Reading Cafe and Shayla’s publisher are offering a paper copy of
HOLDING ON TIGHTER 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 Shayla Black 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.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 8-12, 2017

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Dirty Wicked (Wicked Lovers 11.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Shayla Black-Review & Book Tour

DIRTY WICKED (Wicked Lovers 11.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Shayla Black-Review and Book Tour

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DIRTY WICKED
Wicked Lovers 11.5 / 1001 Dark Nights
by Shayla Black
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense
Release Date: November 8, 2016

Dirty Wicked

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 8, 2016

After being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, former private eye Nick Navarro has nothing but revenge on his mind—until a woman from his past returns to beg for his help.

Beautiful widow Sasha Porter has been hunted by his enemies. Desperate, she offers him anything to keep her young daughter safe, even agreeing to become his mistress. The last thing either of them want are emotional entanglements but as they entrap the ruthless politician who arranged Nick’s downfall and passion sizzles between them, danger closes in.

Will he choose love over vengeance before it’s too late?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY WICKED is installment 11.5 in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED LOVERS erotic, romance series. This is P.I. Nick Navarro, and single mother/widow Sasha Porter’s story line. DIRTY WICKED is also Shayla’s latest entry into the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights novella series and can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Nick and Sasha) DIRTY WICKED follows Sasha Porter on the run. Along with her young daughter Harper, Sasha has been struggling against the odds to stay one step ahead of the people who murdered her husband Mike Porter. Enter Nick Navarro, Mike’s former best friend, and the man with whom Sasha will fall in love.

Just days before Mike’s death he left a cryptic message that if anything should happen Sasha was to seek help from Nick Navarro but fifteen months would pass before Sasha had the chance to meet Nick face to face as our story line hero was serving a prison term for an offense he did not commit. What ensues is the very quick insta-lust to love formula between two people whose lives were destroyed through betrayal and revenge.

DIRTY WICKED is a short and sexy story as our couple journey across country in the hopes of uncovering the truth and locating the missing information to set them free. The premise is exciting and tangible; the characters are passionate and intense; the romance is fast paced, arousing and dramatic connection between two people who have loved and lost.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Dirty Wicked Teaser

 

excerpt

 

Nick Navarro had been out of prison exactly thirty-five hours. Long enough to get a good night’s sleep, stock up on a few necessities, and visit his old friends, the Santiago brothers. Then he’d started putting his P.I. skills to good use, methodically searching for the woman he hadn’t forgotten a single detail about during the fifteen months of his incarceration.
He intended to hunt down the bastards who had framed him and offed his childhood friend so he could repay them in spades.
Sasha Porter was the key.
At first glance, it looked as if she had disappeared off the face of the earth. She’d fled her house, quit her job, abandoned her car, maybe even changed her name. But his gut told him she was still alive. She had reasons to fight.
He would burn down the world until he found her.
Nick was forcing himself not to pace manically when his doorbell rang, sounding above the din of pounding rain. He zipped his gaze to the clock. Quarter ’til midnight. Obviously this wasn’t a social call. Had his late buddy’s enemy gotten wind of him shaking the trees for Sasha? Or had that corrupt son of a bitch just come back for another pound of flesh?
With every light in the living room on, Nick couldn’t pretend he wasn’t home. Besides, he refused to let this asshole think he was afraid. So he drew his weapon and jerked the door open, wearing a snarl.
Nick expected trouble, a gunfight, a battle for his life. Instead, Sasha Porter stood under his little portico, clinging near the door to avoid the deluge of November rain. Without a coat, she shivered. An exhausted little girl slept on her hip under a baby blanket, blond curls askew. A ragged duffel bag hung over her other arm. Rain had seeped through Sasha’s tattered blouse. Water ran down her cheek, which was marred with an unmistakable bruise. Dark circles discolored the skin under her hazel eyes, now wide with fear as she stared at his SIG. Cursing, Nick scrambled to holster his weapon.

 

About the Author

Shayla BlackShayla 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.

Website/ Goodreads/ Facebook / Twitter

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Falling in Deeper (Wicked Lovers #11) by Shayla Black-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

FALLING IN DEEPER (Wicked Lovers #11) by Shayla Black-Review, Book tour & Giveaway

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FALLING IN DEEPER
Wicked Lovers #11
by Shayla Black
Release Date: July 5, 2016

Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, BDSM, romance, suspense

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Falling in Deeper

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 5, 2016

After a violent tragedy nearly destroyed her, Lily Taylor ran away, changed her name, and started over. When her deadly nemesis resurfaces to eliminate his loose end, she turns to the last man she should trust—a stranger with a history of violence and an intoxicating sexuality she can’t refuse…

Though strong-armed into locating Lily to help put away a drug lord, ex-con Stone Sutter isn’t anyone’s snitch. When he finds the terrified beauty, he vows to keep her safe—but he isn’t sure he has the strength to shield her from his own desires.

As an unquenchable fire sparks between them, Lily’s tormentor stalks ever closer, and she must overcome her darkest fear to survive. Can she trust the bond she and Stone have formed as they’re falling in deeper?

•••••••••

REVIEW: FALLING IN DEEPER is the eleventh installment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED LOVERS erotic, BDSM, romance series. This is computer hacker/ex-con Stone Sutter, and Lily Taylor’s story line. Wicked Lovers focuses on a group of former marines, special ops, former police and military men, the women they love and their connection to Dominion BDSM club. FALLING IN DEEPER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lily and Stone) FALLING IN DEEPER focuses on the search for the person(s) threatening Lily Taylor, and Stone’s need to convince Lily to testify against a brutal rapist and killer who murdered her friend years before. When an attack against Lily ends with a car bomb explosion, Stone hides Lily in a cabin in the woods, hoping to gain her trust and protect her from the evil outside. What ensues is the building relationship between a young woman destroyed by her past, and a man whose own history has Lily questioning the lesser of two evils. When the truth about Stone’s intent is revealed, Lily runs into the very people she was hoping to avoid.

The relationship between Stone and Lily is difficult. Lily is the receptionist at Club Dominion, and a woman who recently lost her Dom to the love of his life. Axel Dillon found love and although he was reluctant to discontinue his D/s relationship with Lily, Lily needed someone who was able to help her navigate her recovery to help battle her demons. Struggling to find control, Lily accepts Stone’s offer to be the Dom to her sub, and Stone spends most of the story line trying to convince our heroine to trust him but herein lies the conflict-Stone has not been honest about his reasons for approaching Lily, and her trust is destroyed when the truth is revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and provocative. The Dom/sub content is tame, due to the nature of Lily’s past, in comparison to many other stories and series. Stone does not pressure Lily, and bides his time taking his cues from the woman with whom he is falling in love.

There are several secondary and supporting characters including Axel Dillon-Lily’s former Dom who still claims rights to Lily’s safety; Sean, Thorpe (Dominions Club owner and head Dom), and Callie (Theirs to Cherish #8); and Heath-Mystery’s (Axel’s fiancé) former bodyguard. The requisite evil comes in many shapes, and wants revenge for sins of the past. The world building focuses on the developing relationship between Dom and sub but the majority of the story line does not involve the Dominion Club.

FALLING IN DEEPER is a story about betrayal and trust; revenge and retribution; running from the past, and moving towards a better future. The premise is intriguing with some twists and turns that you won’t see coming. The characters are passionate; the romance is captivating. Shayla Black will seduce your mind into a world where fantasy becomes reality.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

“Oh, fuck. You’re so beautiful. You need this now, don’t you? Yeah,” he agreed when she nodded frantically. “Let it take you under. Let me hear you scream.”
Lily couldn’t think of anything she wanted more. As she circled her hyperaware nerve endings again, her body jerked. Desire surged. When Stone bent to take her nipple in his mouth, she clasped the back of his head and anchored him to her. Not that he’d do anything except help her drown. But this time nothing would be sweeter.
He dragged a hand up to her other nipple and tangled his fingers with her own. Together, they manipulated the tip of that breast while he sucked the other hard and scraped the very tip with his teeth.
Sensations mounted again. She felt like a vessel filling up with blood, with need, with an imminent explosion. It was right there . . .
Her legs shook. Her hips jerked. She whimpered, strained for it. She tasted need.
But she couldn’t seem to fall over the sweetly sharp edge.
Lily pressed harder against her clit, narrowing her circles, focusing on just how good this was going to be. The seconds ticked off in her head, slowly becoming minutes. The exquisite need was its own form of hell, and she couldn’t seem to escape.
The torture dragged on, and she saw no way out. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling defeat begin to creep in.
Stone sprang into action, popping her nipple from between his lips and grazing her ear with his lips. “You got this, baby. Focus on my voice and close your eyes. Yeah, I know that’s hard, but I’ve got you.”
Oddly, she already believed that.
“Picture yourself naked and me standing over you, stroking my cock. You know I’m going to tell you how sexy you are and how much I want you. Imagine that I’d fall to my knees between those pretty thighs. When you hold your arms open to me, I’ll go right into them. Then I’m going to kiss you, touch every lush, tingling curve of your body, and when you’re begging, that’s when I’ll slide inside you. Deep. That’s when I’ll stroke you slowly and thoroughly and make you claw my back as you come.”
As he spoke, her desire and racing blood clashed, merged. Everything inside her roared to a screaming crescendo. The wall she’d been slamming into, preventing her from falling over, disintegrated. She envisioned exactly what Stone told her to picture. She saw herself being not just perfectly able but eager to lie back and welcome him inside her as he gave her mind-blowing pleasure and she surrendered herself completely.


 

Falling in Deeper Teaser

About the author

Shayla BlackShayla 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.

Website/ Goodreads/ Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Shayla’s publisher are offering a paper copy of FALLING IN DEEPER 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, refresh the page at the top of your computer. This should alleviate any difficulties.

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

3. Please LIKE and Follow Shayla Black on Facebook

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

5. FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

7. Giveaway is open to USA only.

8. Giveaway runs from July 11-15, 2016

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Wicked for You (Wicked Lovers #10 ) by Shayla Black-Review, Interview and Giveaway

WICKED FOR YOU (Wicked Lovers #10) by Shayla Black-Review, Interview  and Giveaway

Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers 9.5) by Shayla Black
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Wicked for You
Wicked Lovers 10
by Shayla Black
Genre: adult, contemporary, BDSM, erotic, romantic suspense
Release Date: October 6, 2015

Wicked for You

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2015

Ever since he rescued her from a dangerous kidnapper, Mystery Mullins has wanted Axel Dillon. When he returned her to her Hollywood father and tabloid life, she was grateful…and a little in love. Mystery wasn’t ready to let Axel go, even after the soldier gently turned her away because, at nineteen, she was too young.

Now, six years later, Mystery is grown, with a flourishing career and a full life—but she’s still stuck on Axel. Disguised, she propositions him in a bar, and the night they spend together is beyond her wildest dreams. Mystery steels herself to walk away—except the sheets are barely cold when her past comes back to haunt her.

Once he realizes Mystery isn’t the stranger he thought, Axel is incensed and intrigued. But when it’s clear she’s in danger, he doesn’t hesitate to become her protector—and her lover—again. And as the two uncover a secret someone is willing to kill for, Axel is determined to claim Mystery’s heart before a murderer silences her for good.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED FOR YOU is the tenth full length installment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED LOVERS erotic romantic suspense series. Wicked Lovers focuses on a group of former marines, special ops, former police and military men, the women they love and their connection to Dominion BDSM club. This is former army medic and retrieval specialist Axel Dillon, and writer Mystery Mullins‘s storyline. WICKED FOR YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives WICKED FOR YOU is a two-part story that flashes between the present and the past. Six years earlier Mystery Mullins was kidnapped and held prisoner in a deserted warehouse in the Mojave Desert. Mystery’s father and world famous director Marshal Mullins hired Axel Dillon as part of a search and rescue team whose primary focus is on retrieving precious cargo.

On the run for days in the desert with Axel, Mystery finds herself strangely attracted to her gorgeous rescuer who will feature prominently in Mystery’s future fantasies. Axel wants nothing to do with a then nineteen year old Mystery and walks out of her life without a backward glance once she has been handed over to her father. Fast forward six years and Mystery is determined to seduce Axel into a one-night stand- an affair where she is determined to keep her identity a secret fearing another rejection from the man who yet calls to her heart.

Mystery has been living in the UK for six years but a return to America finds our heroine searching for the truth about her mother’s death, and the man who walked away breaking her heart. Mystery’s return to the USA finds our heroine targeted once again, and Axel and Heath Powell (Mystery’s personal bodyguard) become her number one and number two protectors while Mystery continues to search for the truth.

The relationship between Mystery and Axel is a story of second chances-so to speak-as both Axel and Mystery have never forgotten about the few days they spent together following the search and rescue. Axel is a Dominant both in and out of the bedroom, and is an active member at the BDSM Club Dominion. Mystery is aware of Axel’s need to dominate, and with it comes her natural submission to the man with whom she has fallen in love. The $ex scenes are erotic, intimate and a little bit kinky. Axel, like many of the men in the series has issues with disobedience and spanking is his preferred method of discipline.

The Wicked Lovers series of novels are ensemble storylines wherein a number of the previous storybook characters play secondary and supporting roles; most of WICKED FOR YOU focuses on Axel, Mystery, Heath and Mystery’s Aunt Gail Leedy. Sean, Thorpe (Dominion Club owner and head Dom) and Callie (Theirs to Cherish #8) have cameo appearances for cohesion and history as well as Javier and Xander (Ours to Love #7) and Joaquin Munoz (His To Take #9).

WICKED FOR YOU is a suspense filled story focusing on uncovering the truth behind Mystery’s mother’s death, and the possible connection to Mystery’s abduction and her mother’s past. WICKED FOR YOU is a fast paced and animated storyline. The characterization is presented through description narratives and indirectly through the thoughts and action of the leading couple. A several chapter-long flashback reveals Mystery and Axel’s introduction to one another and what precipitated Mystery’s heartbreak and sorrow creating the building blocks upon which the present day storyline will focus. The conflict revolves around lies, secrets and deep-seated family dysfunction; the requisite evil is a two-fold twist to the storyline.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

__________

Pure WickedPURE WICKED: 1001 Dark Nights
(Wicked Lovers 9.5)
by Shayla Black

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 8, 2015

During his decade as an international pop star, Jesse McCall has lived every day in the fast lane. A committed hedonist reveling in amazing highs, globetrotting, and nameless encounters, he refuses to think about his loneliness or empty future. Then tragedy strikes.

Shocked and grieving, he sheds his identity and walks away, searching for peace. Instead, he finds Bristol Reese, a no-nonsense beauty scraping to keep her family’s business afloat while struggling with her own demons. He’s intent on seducing her, but other than a pleasure-filled night, she’s not interested in a player, especially after her boyfriend recently proposed to her sister. In order to claim Bristol, Jesse has to prove he’s not the kind of man he’s always been. But when she learns his identity and his past comes back to haunt him, how will he convince her that he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to make her his forever?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW:   PURE WICKED is installment 9.5 in Shayla Black’s contemporary adult WICKED LOVERS erotic romance series. This is rock star Jesse McCall, and bakery/café owner Bristol Reese’s storyline. PURE WICKED is also the latest entry into the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights novella series and can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from third person point of view PURE WICKED follows Jesse McCall in hiding. With the recent overdose of a fan, and the suicide of his backup singer Ryan, Jesse has gone into hiding to keep the paparazzi at bay. Jesse’s character as a bad boy rock star has garnered our storyline hero a less than golden reputation with the media, and with the death of his friend and a female fan, Jesse is the number one target of rumor and innuendo surrounding the circumstances of their deaths. Following the advice of his publicist Candia, Jesse (with a toned down appearance) takes off for places unknown landing in Texarkana Texas, where he will meet and fall in love with bakery owner Bristol Reese.

The relationship between Jesse and Bristol is very quick to build; an insta love romance that finds our hero wanting to play house within a few hours of arriving in Texarkana. Jesse will meet Bristol at her sister’s engagement party where Jesse will come to Bristol’s aid pretending to be her new beau. The $ex scenes are seductive and steamy; Jesse and Bristol are in bed together within an hour of meeting one another.

PURE WICKED is a story about a boy and a girl who fall in love. Jesse believes he has found the other half of his soul; the woman who will save him from the demons within. The premise is enjoyable but not too realistic; the characters are colorful although slightly one dimensional-we know very little about their background except for the immediate past; the romance and sex are energetic and immediate. If you are looking for some fluff without all of the heavy romantic angst and foreplay, than PURE WICKED is the perfect read.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview

TRC: Hi Shayla and welcome to The Reading Café.

Shayla BlackShayla: Hi! Thanks so much for having me here.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us something about yourself.

Follow Shayla: Website / Goodreads / Facebook/ Twitter

Shayla: Let’s make this easy. Here is my bio!

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.

TRC: Who or what has most influenced your career in writing?

Shayla: I wouldn’t credit any one person or source. I’m influenced by so many things from my own experiences to the music I hear. I’ll also give my husband a bunch of credit for opening my eyes in so many ways. I also have to say that Lexi Blake and my countless conversations with her about books, storytelling, other genres, and life in general have actually changed the way I approach some things. I’m absolutely happy where my stories are coming from and where they’re heading at this point.

Wicked for YouTRC: Would you please tell us a little bit about WICKED FOR YOU, the newest installment in your Wicked Lovers series?

Shayla: Ever since he rescued her from a dangerous kidnapper, Mystery Mullins has wanted Axel Dillon. When he returned her to her Hollywood father and tabloid life, she was grateful…and a little in love. Mystery wasn’t ready to let Axel go, even after the soldier gently turned her away because, at nineteen, she was too young.

Now, six years later, Mystery is grown, with a flourishing career and a full life—but she’s still stuck on Axel. Disguised, she propositions him in a bar, and the night they spend together is beyond her wildest dreams. Mystery steels herself to walk away—except the sheets are barely cold when her past comes back to haunt her.

Once he realizes Mystery isn’t the stranger he thought, Axel is incensed and intrigued. But when it’s clear she’s in danger, he doesn’t hesitate to become her protector—and her lover—again. And as the two uncover a secret someone is willing to kill for, Axel is determined to claim Mystery’s heart before a murderer silences her for good.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Shayla: I’m currently contracted through book 12. We’ll see where I go after that… I’ve got ideas.

TRC: How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Shayla: I simply write things I’d like to read and tell the story from my heart. That may sound trite, but something about every one of these books interests and moves me deeply or I wouldn’t write them. Other than that, I constantly strive to do my best and give readers a satisfying experience.

TRC: There is a fine line between romance, erotic romance, and erotica in many of today’s popular contemporary fiction. What do you believe accounts for the differences between the sub-genres in today’s romantic stories?

Shayla: To me, erotica is about one person’s journey to self-actualization through a sexual journey. It may or may not end in a happily ever after. It may or may not also be monogamous. A romance will always be about commitment and end in a happily ever after. So will an erotic romance; it simply contains additional and more explicit sexual content. I think we have these various approaches because we have so many different readers. Some see themselves as wanting to figure out their life, psyche, and future. Some just want the experience of falling in love, which doesn’t always require sex. Others need that sweet slide into forever with one (or more) mate but they like extra spice in the bedroom.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Shayla: For some, I’m sure it does. I know for others, not so much. I’m not a visual person so while a pretty cover will snag my attention, if the blurb doesn’t grab me or the writing isn’t craftworthy, I’ll probably pass. That could also be because I know authors don’t always have control over how their books are packaged. They have far more control over content, so that’s where I focus.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Shayla: Both, in a weird way. During the writing process, I feel as if I become my point-of-view character. They might be driving the bus, but we’re sharing the steering wheel, so I definitely have a hand in navigating.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Shayla: Absolutely. I’m HUGE into music. I’m always looking for something that moves me—to tears, to anger, to happiness. Whatever I want to portray in a scene, I’m always in search of corresponding music. I’m currently listening to Fall Out Boy and Ocean Lab, two VERY different bands.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Shayla: I’m extroverted, so I don’t really think well in the silence of my own head when it comes to ideas. I’ll sometimes run things past my husband, Lexi Blake, Jenna Jacob, my lovely assistant Rachel, or my good friend Liz Berry. My circle is pretty small but mighty.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Shayla: That we are all creative dreamers who spend the majority of our time lost in storyland, led by our muse who takes our hands and shows us the way. We hold down many other roles in life—wife, mother, employee, friend, daughter, sister—and if I waited for my muse to help me out, I’d still be trying to finish my first book. Sometimes, you have to dig deep and find your way to The End through pure grit.

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Shayla: Oddly, many people are against plots in which they say “insta-love” happens between the hero and heroine. But I adore those plots because I knew in the first thirty seconds of meeting my husband that I was going to marry him. I was seventeen. He was dating someone else. None of that mattered. I just knew. Granted, I didn’t know him as an individual in those thirty seconds but I had a sixth sense. We started dating shortly after that. We just celebrated 24 years of marriage.

TRC:  Congratulations

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Shayla: Wicked Lovers 11, which will be out next July. I have a title…but it’s not ready to share. I also just finished up edits on book three of my new with series with Lexi Blake, The Perfect Gentlemen. So after book 2 (Seduction in Session) in January, look for Big Easy Temptation in May.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Shayla: After nearly twenty years as an author, I love what I do everyday and am so grateful to readers who find a whole new world in the written word and will take journeys with me.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Depends on my mood

Favorite Dessert
Depends on my mood

Favorite TV Show
Depends on my mood

Last Movie You Saw
In theaters, Man from UNCLE (loved it!). At home, Austenland (also loved it!)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Depends on my mood. LOL! Are you sensing a theme?

Secret Celebrity Crush
Gerard Butler, John Cena, Armie Hammer

Last Vacation Destination
I’m answering this interview on my way to visit some other writer friends (shout out to Lorelei James, Larissa Ione, and Julie Kenner) in Palm Coast, Florida.

Do you have any pets?
One very spoiled orange tabby cat, Missy Meow.

Last book you read
Jay Crownover’s BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD.

Pet Peeve
I have two. Passive-aggressive people and too many rules.

TRC: Thank you Shayla for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release. We wish you all the best.

Shayla: Thanks so much for having me here!

Giveaway-Black and Deep Blue

The Reading Cafe and Shayla’s publisher are offering a paper copy of WICKED FOR YOU 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 Shayla Black on Facebook

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

5. FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

7. Giveaway is open to USA only.

8. Giveaway runs from October 6-10, 2015

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His To Take (Wicked Lovers 9) by Shayla Black-Review & Giveaway

His To Take (Wicked Lovers 9) by Shayla Black-Review & Giveaway

His To Take Banner

His To Take
Wicked Lovers #9
by Shayla Black
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release Date: March 3, 2015

His To Take

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2015

Racing against time, NSA Agent Joaquin Muñoz is searching for a little girl who vanished twenty years ago with a dangerous secret. Since Bailey Benson fits the profile, Joaquin abducts the beauty and whisks her to the safety of Club Dominion—before anyone can silence her for good.

At first, Bailey is terrified, but when her captor demands information about her past, she’s stunned. Are her horrific visions actually distant memories that imperil all she holds dear? Confined with Joaquin in a place that echoes with moans and breathes passion, he proves himself a fierce protector, as well as a sensual Master who’s slowly crawling deeper in her head…and heart. But giving in to him might be the most delicious danger of all.

Because Bailey soon learns that her past isn’t the only mystery. Joaquin has a secret of his own—a burning vengeance in his soul. The exposed truth leaves her vulnerable and wondering how much about the man she loves is a lie, how much more is at risk than her heart. And if she can trust him to protect her long enough to learn the truth.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: HIS TO TAKE is the ninth full length installment in Shayla Black’s adult, contemporary Wicked Lovers erotic, romance series focusing on a close knit group of friends, family and formers SEALs, FBI and NSA agents who partake in the BDSM life style. This is NSA Agent Joaquin Munoz and ballet dancer Bailey Benson’s storyline. Although HIS TO TAKE is the ninth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty as can most of the books in this series.

Told from alternating third person points of view the storyline focuses on the search for a missing woman who disappeared twenty years earlier and is presumed dead at the hands of a terrorist cell searching for information into DNA manipulation. With what appears to be a serial killer on the hunt for all women who fit the missing female’s description, NSA Agent Joaquin Munoz disobeys the direct orders of his superiors and sets out on his own to save a woman the others believe holds the secrets to a two decades old mystery. When Bailey Benson’s profile matches all of the previous victim’s profiles, Joaquin easily locates and abducts Bailey then hides her away at Club Dominion-the BDSM club owned by Mitchell Thorpe (Theirs to Cherish #8).

The premise finds Joaquin immediately attracted to Bailey but our hero is a man who does not do relationships; does not fall in love; and has had very little contact with anyone in years. His reaction to Bailey is visceral but I didn’t quite buy into Joaquin’s growing love. He is an NSA agent whose life has been spent rescuing others and hunting terrorists. Their time spent at Club Dominion finds our hero needing to ‘spank’ Bailey for her lack of self preservation and in this the storyline takes a rather unwelcome turn for this reader. Neither Bailey nor Joaquin had ever considered the BDSM lifestyle but in the presence of the others, both have a need to partake of the action. This particular aspect of the storyline felt awkward, contrived and unnecessary, and frankly not believable. It was short lived and not without some cringe worthy moments especially when both were acting on the advice from the professional BDSM members. Joaquin’s need to punish Bailey does not sit well with the others-there is no role playing or Dom/sub action, it is purely punishment for disobeying orders.

Most, if not all, of the previous storyline couples and lovers play a secondary or supporting role as many favors are called in to help with the investigation into the number of deaths and the people hunting for Bailey Benson. Callie, Sean and Thorpe (Theirs to Cherish) prepare for their upcoming wedding and by way of a storyline role or mention, the extended and ensemble cast of characters makes for an interesting few days in isolation for Baily and Joaquin. It was nice revisiting with previous couples, lovers and their growing extended families.

The sexual situations include some BDSM, some spanking and punishment-not only for our leading couple but as part of Club Dominion’s available assets. Most of the BDSM content is voyeuristic as we are pulled into the needs of the heroes, from the previous storylines, to punish their lovers for a perceived act of betrayal or disobedience-again, these actions felt a little gratuitous and unnecessary to the overall plot. I understand that WICKED LOVERS is a series whereby all of our heroes and heroines partake in the BDSM lifestyle, but Bailey and Joaquin were completely out of their element and uncomfortable with what needed to be done.

HIS TO TAKE is a fast paced, intense and intriguing storyline. Shayla Black combines mystery and suspense, with a little bit of erotic imagery to stimulate the senses and need to read on. Revisiting old friends and previous storyline characters was a welcome addition to HIS TO TAKE. I am looking forward to many more storylines in the Wicked Lovers series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Shayla’s publisher are offering a paper copy of HIS TO TAKE 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 Follow Shayla Black on Facebook.

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

5. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

7. Giveaway is open to US only

8. Giveaway runs from March 3-6, 2015

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Theirs To Cherish by Shayla Black-Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Theirs To Cherish by Shayla Black-Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Theirs to Cherish Banner

Theirs to Cherish
Wicked Lovers #8
by Shayla Black
Release Date:
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance, erotica,

Theirs to Cherish

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2014

The perfect place for a woman on the run to disappear…

Accused of a horrific murder she didn’t commit, former heiress Callie Ward has been a fugitive since she was sixteen—until she found the perfect hideout, Club Dominion. The only problem is she’s fallen for the club’s Master, Mitchell Thorpe, who keeps her at arm’s length. Little does she know that his reasons for not getting involved have everything to do with his wounded heart…and his consuming desire for her.

To live out her wildest fantasies…

Enter Sean Kirkpatrick, a Dom who’s recently come to Dominion and taken a pointed interest in Callie. Hoping to make Thorpe jealous, she submits to Sean one shuddering sigh at a time. It isn’t long before she realizes she’s falling for him too. But the tender lover who’s slowly seducing her body and earning her trust isn’t who he claims…

And to fall in love.

When emotions collide and truths are exposed, Sean is willing to risk all to keep Callie from slipping through his fingers. But he’s not the only man looking to stake a claim. Now Callie is torn between Sean and Thorpe, and though she’s unsure whom she can trust, she’ll have to surrender her body and soul to both—if she wants to elude a killer…

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THEIRS TO CHERISH is the eighth full-length storylines (twelfth story) in Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers contemporary, erotic, romance series focusing on a group of friends (ex-military, special forces, marines, law enforcement, special-ops etc) and the women they love. This is Callie, Sean and Thorpe’s story. Although this is the twelfth storyline, it can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty-some of the previous storyline characters play a minor role as it pertains to Callie’s protection, whereabouts and search for the truth.

Callie has been on the run for nine years following the horrific murder of her sister and her father; Thorpe is the owner and Dom at the Dominion BDSM club; and Sean is the man who professes to love Callie and wants something more than a Dom/sub relationship.

The focus of the story is Callie and her need to run. When her sister and father were murdered, Callie was the number one suspect although nothing pointed directly at Callie’s guilt. But someone has been looking for Callie and with a two million dollar price tag on her head she believes that she has been targeted by the people who killed her family. Hiding behind the walls of the Dominion BDSM club, Callie falls hard for Thorpe (the owner and head Dom) but rejection plays a major role when Callie turns to a new Dom for everything Thorpe refuses to give. Sean is a mystery-a reluctant Dom-but one that holds a secret that will affect Callie and her future.

The reader is pulled into a love triangle where two men love a shy, introverted submissive whose only sin has been to fall in love with both men. One man wants Callie for his own-to love, cherish and live a life happily ever after; the other wants Callie as his exclusive submissive but fears falling in love will push her away. The relationship between our trio is nothing short of sensual, arousing and amazing considering each man wants something different but the end result is the same-both men want to protect Callie from a past that has uncovered her secret location. The relationship between our heroine and the two men in her life is seductive, sexy and very protective.

Shayla Black pulls the reader into a sensual story of mystery, suspense and revealing the truth. There are two storyline premises that overlap one another: Callie’s relationship with Thorpe and Sean; and the mystery surrounding the murder of Callie’s father and its’ connections to science, research and the military. The storyline is well paced; believable and has just the right amount of angst and heartbreak.

If you like a storyline with a little bit of everything including two alpha males whose need to control the same woman ends with a happily ever after for everyone then Theirs to Cherish is the perfect read.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author Black and Blue

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Shayla BlackShayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the national bestselling author of 40+ sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla has won or placed in over a dozen writing contests, including Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. Romantic Times has awarded her Top Picks, a KISS Hero Award and a nomination for Best Erotic Romance of 2007.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every book.

Giveaway-Black and Deep Blue

PENGUIN and Shayla Black are offering a paper copy of THEIRS TO CHERISH 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. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open to USA only.

6. Giveaway runs from March 1 to March 5, 2014

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