Book Review: More Than Want You by Shayla Black

A fresh, sexy and emotional contemporary romance series by Shayla Black...

I’m Maxon Reed—real estate mogul, shark, asshole. If a deal isn’t high profile and big money, I pass. Now that I’ve found the property of a lifetime, I’m jumping. But one tenacious bastard stands between me and success—my brother. I’ll need one hell of a devious ploy to distract cynical Griff. Then fate drops a luscious redhead in my lap who’s just his type.

Sassy College senior Keeley Kent accepts my challenge to learn how to become Griff’s perfect girlfriend. But somewhere between the makeover and the witty conversation, I’m having trouble resisting her. The quirky dreamer is everything I usually don’t tolerate. But she’s beyond charming. I more than want her; I’m desperate to own her. I’m not even sure how drastic I’m willing to get to make her mine—but I’m about to find out. 

More Than Want You is filled with  plenty of heartache, passion and surprises.  I wasn't initially a fan of the story but it quickly grew on me.

"Invest in your heart for once. Fall in love. Care about someone who can love you back. Worry less about closing the deal and open yourself to someone who can share your life. Or you're going to wind up bitter."

Maxon Reed, real estate mogul and all-around jerk is looking to distract his brother, Griff, from winning over potential clients. He and Griff had a huge falling out over a misunderstanding and now instead of working together they are battling each other to the end. Maxon finds the one person who  will be the perfect distraction, Keeley 'Sunshine' Kent. After spending a night with Keeley in his bed, he presents his offer for her services to distract Griff and after much thought Keeley accepts but on her conditions.

What Maxon hadn't expected was that he would fall for Keeley and soon would have to decide between having a relationship with Keeley or screwing Griff. 

At the beginning of the story Maxon comes off as a total prick. He puts revenge and business above all else. I was doubtful that Maxon would be able to redeem himself.  He does at the end but I wasn't 100% feeling it. Keeley has a huge heart and a huge secret. I felt conflicted when Keeley's secret is revealed. Over all the story is well written and emotionally exhausting.  4 Stars!

Book Review: The Edge of Dominance by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl

Now that Macen “Hammer” Hammerman shares the bond he’s long craved with Raine Kendall and his best friend, Liam O’Neill, he should be looking forward to a bright future. But recent trauma has exhumed the demons Hammer thought long buried. He must confront them while Raine fights to forget her past and Liam struggles to keep their new family intact.

When a shadowy figure emerges, determined to right old wrongs, he sets in motion a plot that threatens to tear the trio apart forever. With emotions running high and forces mounting against them, can they battle their foes and bury their ghosts so they can live happily ever after?

The Edge of Dominance is the fourth in the The Doms of Her Life series. I highly recommend that you read the first three books in this series. This is a continuation of Liam, Hammer and Raine's saga. 

I love the first three books and couldn't wait for the final chapter. Raine has been claimed by Liam and Hammer. She's pregnant and doesn't know who's the father, nor do they care. Hammer struggles with Raine's abduction. He blames himself as her protector and unfortunately it only gets worse.

This story had it all! Suspense, heartbreak, drama, twists and lots and lots of pages. In fact the story is 445 pages long. Here's a break down:

• Hammer's fear and self-loathing nearly tears the triad apart.  
• There is an attempted abduction of Raine her by brother River.
• Liam's unknown psychic abilities are revealed from unexpected visit by his parents.
• Hammer is arrested because he cared for Raine. (Of course there's more to this but you'll have to read the book.)
• The truth is revealed about Hammer's deceased wife. (It's a shocker) 
• A woman scorned is a very bad thing. (So is too much plastic surgery.)
• True love wins in the end. 

Liam, Hammer and Raine's love is strong and seeps into your pours as you read their dramatic ending. The authors did a wonderful job filling my heart with love and happiness after the suspense had pulled me apart at the seems. 4 Stars!

Review: Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers, #9.5) by Shayla Black

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?

"Find your someone while you're young enough to build a whole lot of years together and share the love. Houses and jobs come and go. But there's nothing better than having someone who's your home."

After a tragic turn of events, rock star, Jesse McCall finds himself in the middle of a media frenzy. His publicist advises him to lay low. Jesse takes her advice and the next thing he knows is he's knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress.

I enjoyed this blindsided love short story. It couldn't have been a better time for Jesse, now that he is sober and ready for a change. It's his' ex's wisdom that propels Jesse to grow up.

"If you want your life to have meaning, you have to treat all the parts of your life as if they're meaningful."

Who better than Bristol Reese to bring Jesse's life meaning. Bristol is down to earth, she owns her own business and doesn't find the need to be someone other than herself. She's been hurt badly, she has vowed to only short flings and one night stands. Can Jesse convince her otherwise, once Bristol discovers his true identity?

For a short story there is a lot of wisdom, a steamy love connection and a surprising ending.