Book Review: Holding on Tighter by Shayla Black

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HOLDING ON TIGHTER
Wicked Lovers #12
Author: Shayla Black
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Erotica
Released: February 7, 2017
Review Source: Berkley Books

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…

Holding on Tighter was another great book by Shayla Black.  She is such a good story teller!  This book starts with the ambitious, intelligent business owner, Jolie Quinn, trying to take her business to the next level.  The way to do that is by securing a wealthy investor.  She can't afford any distractions and her extremely sexy security guard, Heath Powell, is seriously testing her resolve.

While preparing for her meeting with the investor, her office is almost robbed and her sister has received a few anonymous slightly stalker-ish/threatening gifts.  It's up to Heath, that happens to be no stranger to tragedy, to keep everyone safe.

I really loved this story.  I had a hard time in the beginning getting into it because I felt the heroine's dialogue with the hero was a little unusual for a boss/employee relationship.  I felt myself asking, no one would really ever say something like that, right?  Also, it was rough to see the hero finish up with a one night stand and then confess how much he wants the heroine immediately after.  Other than those things in the beginning I loved the book.  At about 20 percent in, I could not put the book down!  The chemistry between Heath and Jolie was off the charts.  I love how take charge and controlling Jolie is.  I get tired of reading about weak female characters immediately submitting to the male characters.  NOT Jolie though, she tells Heath exactly what she wants and is not afraid to go for it.

I'm rating this book 4 stars because it was a great story and it had a little bit of everything.  It had a strong independent heroine, a SEXY alpha hero, scorching chemistry, page turning suspense, and an amazing intensity that left me breathless.  Even though this is book 12 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Book Review: Falling in Deeper by Shayla Black

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Falling in Deeper
Wicked Lovers #11
Author:Shayla Black
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: July 5, 2016
Review Source: Berkley

A tragic past threatens to destroy a passionate future in this dangerously sexy new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wicked for You.

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?

The story: This is yet another awesome story by Shayla Black. It was a book I could not put down from start to finish. It's starts with Lily Taylor witnessing something so horribly violent that she high tails it out of town. She ends up getting a completely different identity and tries to stay low key but quickly realizes she's needs some help. That help is from the one and only, sexy ex con, Stone Sutter.

The likes:  I LOVE Lily. She has been through so much and witnessed such violence, yet stays strong through it all.  I like that there are previous characters make cameos in the book but enough detail is given to be read as a standalone. I do however, recommend reading the entire series. I love how protective Stone is of Lily. Stone is one of the sexiest Doms in a book that I have read to date. I don't typically gravitate towards books with BDSM but I really enjoy Shayla Black's writing.  She writes amazing chemistry that seriously makes you need ice and a fan.  I felt like I was at the edge of my seat the entire time.

The dislikes:  I am not a fan of insta-love and there was a little bit of insta-love in this story that didn't work for me personally. I really didn't have much to complain about with this book.  I thought the book was written very well.  Shayla always delivers an amazing story and this story was no different

The rating:  I rate this book 4 stars because it was such a good book. I loved the amount of intensity and passion that leapt off the pages.  I definitely recommend this entire series!  I personally like knowing the back stories and what happened previously in the series.  However, it not necessary to have read every book to keep up with this book

Book Review: Wicked for You by Shayla Black

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Wicked for You
Wicked Lovers #10
Author: Shayla Black
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: October 6th 2015
Review Source: Berkley

Another "searingly sexy"* romance awaits in the latest Wicked Lovers novel from the New York Times bestselling author of His to Take.

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.

This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

Wicked For You is FANTASTIC!

Mystery and Axel's story started off with him saving her from her kidnappers. They went through a lot before they were rescued but they both survived everything side by side! Mystery fell in love with Axel and after she was returned it would be years before she seen Axel again. He went his own way after that because she was only 19 and he was older. But when they see each other again things change. but they still don't have any clues as to who had kidnapped her all them years ago, and she is getting threats again..

What I enjoyed about this book is through everything that both Axel and Mystery went through. They way they understood each other and still were able to learn from one another, as in intimately... watching them fall in love, is magical. I loved how they knew what it was like to be without each other, this made their bond stronger to last forever!

By the way, without spoilers, I was shocked at the person that was behind Mystery's kidnapping. I didn't see that one coming at all, until the very end.

This book and author are both great!! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves adventures, mystery's, BDSM, romance, and some crazy people along the ride. Seriously, this story will keep you second guessing until the end! If you love stories like this, then Wicked for You is a must!