Cas' life as she knows it is changed irrevocably when a thief carjacks the vehicle she and her date are in, then forces her to come with him. She's terrified and even more upsetting, is horrified to find her body reacting to his positively sinful swagger. A relationship cannot possibly be sustained when it began under such chaotic circumstances, can it?
There is something about Charmaine's heroes - they're usually on the fringes, or even completely on the wrong side of morality. But somehow, there is a tiny spark of something that redeems them, usually the love of an amazing woman. It's the same trope here in Stolen Lust, but I don't know, there's something even more extra than usual about Ian. He's delicious, he's sinful and his morals lie squarely in the black, but like Cas, I can't help but be drawn to him. His chemistry with Cas is smokin' hot, peppered with her very understandable fear of him and anger toward him. She's sassy and feisty, though, not one to simply wilt because she's being held against her will. Even though she's in lust with Ian, she doesn't just submit meekly to that attraction or to him. No, she's got a mouth on her and isn't afraid to use it against him. And he loves it...
Damn, I loved these two and their story. It's steamy af, it's lush and delicious, and it's suspenseful and intriguing. And now I'm in the undesired position of having to wait until next month to find out what will become of my girl Cas. Then I have to wait until June for the conclusion, which will inevitably be just as crazy as this one is.
Cas' life as she knows it is changed irrevocably when a thief carjacks the vehicle she and her date are in, then forces her to come with him. She's terrified and even more upsetting, is horrified to find her body reacting to his positively sinful swagger. A relationship cannot possibly be sustained when it began under such chaotic circumstances, can it?
There is something about Charmaine's heroes - they're usually on the fringes, or even completely on the wrong side of morality. But somehow, there is a tiny spark of something that redeems them, usually the love of an amazing woman. It's the same trope here in Stolen Lust, but I don't know, there's something even more extra than usual about Ian. He's delicious, he's sinful and his morals lie squarely in the black, but like Cas, I can't help but be drawn to him. His chemistry with Cas is smokin' hot, peppered with her very understandable fear of him and anger toward him. She's sassy and feisty, though, not one to simply wilt because she's being held against her will. Even though she's in lust with Ian, she doesn't just submit meekly to that attraction or to him. No, she's got a mouth on her and isn't afraid to use it against him. And he loves it...
Damn, I loved these two and their story. It's steamy af, it's lush and delicious, and it's suspenseful and intriguing. And now I'm in the undesired position of having to wait until next month to find out what will become of my girl Cas. Then I have to wait until June for the conclusion, which will inevitably be just as crazy as this one is.
It's time for Violet's reckoning. She betrayed Leon and he's going to make her pay. But when he finds out why she betrayed him, he just may have second thoughts on how he plans on treating her, how he plans on taking his revenge. His feelings for her are complicated. He knows she sold him out. But he's starting to love her, starting to feel more than just some possessive lust and fascination. In his world, love isn't exactly the norm, though his brothers have found it with their partners. But can he feel it for the woman who betrayed him so badly?
Violet's been through it. Her mother never accepted her imperfections and it left scars on her psyche. Her stepbrother is blackmailing her into betraying Leon in order to protect that same mother. And now Leon is furious with her and his behavior is hurting her. What's a woman to do? Well, Violet does the best thing - she stands strong, and grows more than I ever thought she was capable. She isn't sure she loves Leon, her scarred heart might demand a bit of distance from her sometimes cruel partner, but at some point she's going to have have to make a decision - go all in with Leon, or flee.
Anti-hero, dark love, less than perfect behavior - all signature Charmaine, all present in this duet. Leon was definitely an anti-hero - sometimes cruel, definitely morals somewhere in the grey, but by the end I had fallen for him. Violet though, she was my favorite part of this story. She grew so much, changed and became the woman that peeked through in Imperfect Intentions. I was rooting for her backbone to show up and damn did it, and I think it made Leon even more fascinated with her. Their journey was a sexy, suspenseful and very intriguing addition to the Diamond Magnate world.
It's time for Violet's reckoning. She betrayed Leon and he's going to make her pay. But when he finds out why she betrayed him, he just may have second thoughts on how he plans on treating her, how he plans on taking his revenge. His feelings for her are complicated. He knows she sold him out. But he's starting to love her, starting to feel more than just some possessive lust and fascination. In his world, love isn't exactly the norm, though his brothers have found it with their partners. But can he feel it for the woman who betrayed him so badly?
Violet's been through it. Her mother never accepted her imperfections and it left scars on her psyche. Her stepbrother is blackmailing her into betraying Leon in order to protect that same mother. And now Leon is furious with her and his behavior is hurting her. What's a woman to do? Well, Violet does the best thing - she stands strong, and grows more than I ever thought she was capable. She isn't sure she loves Leon, her scarred heart might demand a bit of distance from her sometimes cruel partner, but at some point she's going to have have to make a decision - go all in with Leon, or flee.
Anti-hero, dark love, less than perfect behavior - all signature Charmaine, all present in this duet. Leon was definitely an anti-hero - sometimes cruel, definitely morals somewhere in the grey, but by the end I had fallen for him. Violet though, she was my favorite part of this story. She grew so much, changed and became the woman that peeked through in Imperfect Intentions. I was rooting for her backbone to show up and damn did it, and I think it made Leon even more fascinated with her. Their journey was a sexy, suspenseful and very intriguing addition to the Diamond Magnate world.
Kim made a serious mistake when she allowed herself a memorable night with her best friend's soon to be brother-in-law. But she's back, broke, and needs a job, when who turns out to be her new boss? Yep, that same ons, one of the most dangerous men in Vegas. She can't let him distract her from her dream, though, even when she finds out she's pregnant. Because Leo is not about to step up for her, he's not one for commitment, and he's got a lot of other things on his plate, like revenge.
It's always fun when an alphahole, commitment-phobe has his world rocked and knocked off kilter by love. Leo really didn't know what hit him when he met Kim and couldn't stop thinking about her, after she left and never called. And even when she walked into his life again, he was thinking he'd just keep her around for fun, when in reality, he was already falling in love. I wasn't sure what to think of Leo in his brother's story, but in his own story, he's grown so much and has become the man Kim deserves. Their connection is deliciously hot, and by the end it was even stronger when they were free to be in love.
Luke is one of THOSE Jamesons. And he's inherited all their traits - the ruthlessness, the distrust of everyone, the ice running through his veins...you get the picture. Then a beautiful, kickass woman finds her way into his life, burrows beneath his skin and into his heart. But trusting her could be the biggest mistake of his life and it will take everything in him to keep loving her after her secrets come to light.
Duchess has many, many secrets, and one of them is the big one, the one that can upend her life, the life she's making for herself with the man she can't resist. But if Luke can't trust her because of all her secrets, what hope does she have at making a relationship work with him? And more importantly, what hope do they have at making it out of this mess ALIVE if they don't have trust between them?
Wow, so freaking intense! Luke and Duchess make one hell of a couple with all the twists and turns and secrets that make up their relationship. I can't say that Luke is all that likable, anti-hero, ruthless Mafia criminal that he is. But along came this amazing, sassy DJ who had the right combination to unlock his heart, they just had to hurdle a few obstacles, learn to trust each other, learn to love each other, and they were finally able to have something neither ever could have imagined when they first met. If you're a fan of Luke's family (Road to Nowhere series), you'll definitely want to read Luke's story. I personally loved his story because of Duchess, though. She's amazing - a survivor with a strong backbone, a feisty mouth, and a big, tender heart.
Lainey wants one thing that she knows Jake has, because he's stolen it. But one twist later and now the two of them are actually teaming up to get the real necklace back. And, if she's not careful, Jake's going to steal her heart along with that necklace.
Jake absolutely has to get that necklace to the only paternal figure in his life. He shouldn't be in this position, and wouldn't be, if it weren't for his brother. But it's that brother he's protecting with the necklace. But then this sassy woman flips his world on its head and now he's wanting to come clean with her and become a better person. But how can 2 people with so much baggage be together?
Somehow these two people with baggage up the wazoo, morals lying somewhere in the grey area, but loads of chemistry, managed to find each other and fall in love, and do some character growth along the way. Jake is charming and flirty, but holding secrets. Lainey is feisty and hurting, but still trying to help people who have also been hurt by love. By no means should these two have worked, but they did, in a fun, sexy way with equal amount of heart.
Aldo's life is his job and his job is protecting his best friend, Roman, the head of the Niagara Falls criminal underworld. Then one day a woman, Violet, comes in to interview for a job within Roman's empire, and suddenly his intense focus shifts. Now all he can think about is her. Her beautiful face, and the hidden pain he can sense in her. But he can't possibly do anything about her invading his dreams because she works indirectly for him, can he? But as his best friend reassures him, there are no rules against company fraternization, so what's standing in his way? Only Aldo's own inner demons...
Violet's starting over after her boyfriend and former best friend betrayed her in the worst way. When she finds a new job at a deli owned by Roman Costas, she sees it as a stepping stone to a new future. The last thing she expects is to be so attracted to her new boss, Aldo, Roman's right hand man. But once she realizes Aldo's eyes never leave her when he visits the deli, she's determined to get him to give into their attraction. She knows this one time won't go beyond once, as he's flat out told her he doesn't do relationships, but why not have fun with the guy she can't stop thinking of?
Aldo is completely off kilter once he lays eyes on Violet. Not only is he extremely attracted to her, she brings out his protective, alpha instincts that he previously only felt for his best friend. Now here she is undoing his control with her sass and flirtatious smile. I was thoroughly entertained each time she got to him and he gave in. Violet is light to Aldo's grey, and it was obvious he wasn't going to resist her for long, even though he fought it. I love this start to a new series, and I'm really, really anxious for Roman's story next, I can't wait to see who brings Roman to his knees in the next story in this underworld.
Paige ran when she found out what Hayes had been keeping from her. Now she's ensconced at her bestie's apartment, wondering what the hell to do with herself. Should she have stayed and given Hayes a chance to explain? Did he even deserve that chance? Can she now live her life without him? Pick up the pieces and move on?
Hayes is beside himself after letting his heart run away from him. Paige is gone and he can't find her. If he ever does find her, he'll grovel until the she lets him back in, forgives him and gives him the second chance he knows he doesn't deserve. Seeing her leave has changed him and he'll prove it to her if he ever sees her again. But has he changed enough to take a step back from his ruthless business dealings? He might have to if he wants to keep his marriage secure.
Hayes Hayes Hayes...damn did that man have some serious groveling to do with Paige. His ruthless behavior drove her away and he allowed her to run, not thinking with his heart, instead with his ego. Thank God he got a little talking to by his brothers and went and got his woman back. I admit to wishing he had groveled a lot more, but at least his groveling was very sincere and heartfelt. And Paige was here for it. She is the one who grew quite a bit here, came into her own and sparkled with love and support from her ruthless hubby. He really didn't change too much, just enough to allow Paige to truly have his heart. I can genuinely say I am so glad this couple managed to mend their marriage - they really deserved the happiness they worked so hard for.
Damon's the angry one in his circle, hence the nickname. He's got demons and needs someone to calm him and ground him, to bring him into the light so to speak. He finds her in a sassy dancer named Amélie (Blue). She's got her own demons but they seem to complement each other.
This story - whew! True to his nickname, Damon has a lot of scars and a damaged soul, so is pure anger. But there's something about Blue that he can't get past. Though they can't stand each other for seemingly good reasons, there was no other way they could have ended up than how they did, and I was rooting them on. I've waited a long time to read Damon's story, and it was more than worth the wait. There weren't a lot of answers to the main storyline arc, but Blue and Damon definitely answer their own questions. There are 4 more guys left, so I'm anxiously awaiting the next one to fall.
When Santiago forces Briseis into marriage, neither expected what would come of it. He wanted revenge and she wanted to save her father. What happens after is not for the faint of heart.
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Santiago did not expect Briseis to bring his dead heart back to life. He sure as hell didn't expect the possessiveness to the point of obsession that he'd start to feel for her. But can he keep her safe when the man who tortured him into the monster he is today, is still alive and ever present, even in hiding?
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Now that Briseis knows the true nature of the man she's married to, will she stay and accept the darkness within him? Or will she accept her freedom, when (if) he grants it to her?
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Ahem, this one is intense - dark and gritty, seriously jaw-droppingly hot, and Briseis and Santiago actually fit together perfectly. She accepts him for who and what he is, and he gets someone who helps lighten some of his darkness. Works for me!
When Santiago forces Briseis into marriage, neither expected what would come of it. He wanted revenge and she wanted to save her father. What happens after is not for the faint of heart.
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Santiago did not expect Briseis to bring his dead heart back to life. He sure as hell didn't expect the possessiveness to the point of obsession that he'd start to feel for her. But can he keep her safe when the man who tortured him into the monster he is today, is still alive and ever present, even in hiding?
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Now that Briseis knows the true nature of the man she's married to, will she stay and accept the darkness within him? Or will she accept her freedom, when (if) he grants it to her?
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Ahem, this one is intense - dark and gritty, seriously jaw-droppingly hot, and Briseis and Santiago actually fit together perfectly. She accepts him for who and what he is, and he gets someone who helps lighten some of his darkness. Works for me!
"I know what it's like when a monster falls in love with an angel."
Sabella and Angelo are at a standstill. As before, he doesn't trust her, but knows his strong feelings for her are keeping him from doing to her what he'd normally do to someone in his crew that he didn't trust. But what if he's wrong about her? What if something forces his hand and he FINALLY comes to the realization that he should have known from the very beginning?
"We started like a hailstorm that mutilated flowers and crippled trees, and we ended like a soft drizzle that nurtures the soil and leaves crystal drops on delicate petals."
The Corsican Crime Lord series has been one of Charmaine's best (and most divisive) for me. On one hand, Sabella is one of my favorite heroines of Charmaine's with her pure, innocent heart. On the other, Angelo is definitely my least favorite with his dark, angry soul, and refusal to see what was right in front of his face the whole time. He took so long to redeem himself, and he almost left it too late. Their story goes the entire spectrum from black as night with pain, anger and hatred, all the way to the other end filled with love and joy. I can't remember the last time I wanted to smack a character more than Angelo, but I will give it to him - by the end he turns into a very loving, albeit in an alphahole way, husband. I'm going to miss this couple.
Sabella and Angelo pick up right where they left off at the end of Love Like Poison. The effects of what happened then are devastating to say the least. There's so much hate and anger between them, between their two families, and both theirs and their families' reactions make things worse, so much worse. There is more loss, more bloodshed, more violence, more everything that's negative.
In particular, Sabella suffers, as the mask of her naivete and her rose colored view of her dad are ripped away. Oh, she still loves him as she loves no other, but now she realizes just how sheltered she's always been. But her love for her family is ever present, and she'll do anything to keep them safe, even continually deal with her devil in a beautiful façade, Angelo.
Charmaine's male characters (I hesitate to call them "heroes") are anti-heroes at best, monsters at worst, and I know this going into every story of hers that I read, but I have to admit that Angelo just may be her least likable and least redeemable yet. Though he has some justification for the things he does in Hate Like Honey, the way he goes about his business, the way he treats Sabella really, really makes it hard for me to give him any kind of pass. I'm now wondering how, if, Charmaine can ever redeem him, even a little. Sabella is coming into her own in, in contrast, and I'm liking her more and more. This world Charmaine has created is dark, filled with violence and anger, hate and contempt, but Sabella and Angelo's story is so intensely engaging. I absolutely have to know what's going to happen next for them, if Angelo at all can redeem himself, and if Sabella continues to show the spine she's been growing since the first page. Tears Like Acid cannot come soon enough for me.
This being the second installment of the trilogy, Isolde, Mark and Tristan should be further along emotionally in their journey. Alas, they are at once in a holding pattern, and also moving, if only laterally, rather than forward. They more than explore their physical connections with each other, in true Sierra form, downright dirty and kinky and so full of delicious naughtiness! I was blushing all while knowing things were not necessarily going to end positively this time around, so I was feeling all sorts of contradictory things while reading.
Isolde. Tristan. Mark. Isolde and Tristan. Tristan and Mark. Isolde and Mark. Isolde, Tristan, Mark. Any combination of the three spells different things. Tristan and Isolde are falling hard for each other and trying to keep it a secret from the man they both have feelings for but don't want to. The man whose own feelings are a secret, if he even has such a thing as feelings. I'm still not sure if I like Mark, but Tristan and Isolde have all my heart and I'm actually rooting them on in the way they left things. But nothing has been resolved by the end of Honey Cut, of course. And a new epiphany of sorts is dropped near the end, that had me reeling. Sierra REALLY got to me with this part of Lyonesse. I am trying to decide if I will end up loving Mark the way I already love Tristan and Isolde. I'm wanting all three to be together as a true threesome, and yet, I long for Isolde and Tristan to be together as a couple. And above all, I'm a little scared about what I know is going to be an epic, dirty and intense conclusion.
Even now, the third act of Sabella and Angelo's story, they haven't progressed. If anything, they've regressed. There's still so much anger, pain, and hurt between them that I fear they'll never get to the point of happiness, of being in love without all the obstacles that still lay in their path.
Angelo cannot seem to get over what he feels is not only Sabella's betrayal, but his fear that she'll betray him sometime in the future. So he treats her as if she's persona non grata. He shoves her into a house on his property without being there with her, withholds any affection, and only comes around when he feels like it. Oh, he still keeps security on her of course, but he's not really present himself. All this leaves Sabella to ponder and plot. He really shouldn't be treating her like she's some sort of villain, and he may end up regretting it....
Sabella has no love for her arranged husband. And she hates that her body craves him, hates that he can command her so easily. Her mind, though, isn't in agreement with her body, and it's that mind that may be Angelo's downfall. Just as he hates that he can't keep away from Sabella, she too hates that she can't be indifferent to him. Talk about being at a standstill.
I really can't express how angry I am at Angelo. Yes, I get that he's still grieving, but the way he treats Sabella is inexcusable. She's so young, she should have a bright future ahead of her, but instead she's stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who treats her like she's pond scum. I have no idea how Charmaine plans on getting these two out of the mess they're in, but I am anxiously, impatiently awaiting Kisses Like Rain next month. I want to know if Angelo's plan for Sabella comes to fruition. I want to know if the hate dissipates and leaves behind only love. I want to know how the two of them can turn the tide of their marriage. Honestly, if I had my way right now, I'd have Sabella escape, find love far away with someone who'd treat her like a queen, and leave Angelo to stew in the mess he brought on himself. But I am pretty sure that won't happen, and however Charmaine decides to conclude this rollercoaster of emotions, I know it will be good!
Ryder has always known his best friend's little sister, Dakota, is off-limits. It's why he's kept a lid on his more than brotherly feelings for so long. But he's at his breaking point now, and cannot resist her. He'll just have to make sure the less than desirable elements of his life don't touch her and her adorable son. He'd sooner die than let anything happen to either of them.
Dakota has her son, her business, and her family. It's all she needs, but not really. Ryder is her brother's best friend, her own friend, and her savior. Ever since she got up the nerve to tell him how she felt a long time ago, and he rejected her, she's remained in the friendzone. But he's looking at her differently lately and it may mean they can have all that she's ever wanted with him. He may not think he's good enough for her, but she sees the real man beneath the façade, and his heart is true. She'll need to remember that if she wants them to make their relationship work.
I always say this when I review A.L.'s writing, but I have to keep saying it - she's a lyrical damn poet. Reading her writing is like reading a wave of emotion that doesn't let up until the last word. Ryder, Dakota, and Kayden make the most beautiful family. He's been obsessed with her for as long as she's been with him, but has never been able to step past that line, until he does because he can't help himself any longer. I so hurt for him when his backstory and secret came out. Heartbreaking is probably an understatement really. But though he's a "morally gray" character, he's actually a beautiful soul, and I was rooting him on the whole way through. Dakota is so strong, the perfect counterpart for Ryder's broody bad boy with her infinite love for her son and her family, especially the family she chooses in Ryder. I am so eagerly waiting for more Time River love now.
When Shay's prodded by her best friend to get over her douche ex by approaching a gorgeous but terrifying man at the bar where they're celebrating, it ends up being the best night she's ever had. They didn't exactly exchange contact info, though, so she'll never see him again. Until she does when he turns out to be her new boss. Her new, grumpy, still terrifying, still amazingly hot, boss. The insta-lust they felt that first time is still there, and now they're breaking all their company's anti-fraternization rules. That's not the only obstacle in their relationship, though, because Cole has some major secrets he's keeping. Dark, intense secrets that explain his behavior, the darkness she senses in him. Will that darkness be enough to keep her away like Cole keeps trying to push her?
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The secrets Cole is keeping from Shay are why he knows they can never have what she wants and deserves - happiness, marriage, the white picket fence. So he keeps trying to push her away. He can't seem to resist her, though, and pulls her back each time. He's realized how he feels about her, but he still knows he's not good for her, he's not a good man and that means he can't have her. He's underestimated her strength, and she seems intent on sticking around, even when the worst happens. Might he, the one who lives in the dark, finally step into the light with his beautiful Shay?
These anti-hero McCord brothers are intense! In Liars Like Us, Callum and his bendy morals fell hard for Emery and she took him to his knees. Cole is just as "morally gray" as his brother, perhaps even more so, and falls just as hard for Shay. Shay is a delight - sassy like Emery, but in her own unique way, hilarious, sweet, and tough and strong, not bending to Cole's frustrating methods of pushing her away. I was rooting Shay and her vigilante on the whole way, though, and cheered when they finally got on the same page. I admit to being worried there for a minute near the end, but J.T. didn't let me down. Their chemistry is seriously hot, their banter is funny, their opposite natures are snarky and fun, and the ending is perfect. I can't wait for the next morally gray character to fall in love now.
Van and Reese once upon a time when they were younger, had a thing. It ended and now that they've reunited, things aren't nearly so positive. He wants revenge and she's the way he's going to get it. But she isn't making it easy on him - she's sassy and snarky and so smart. These friends to enemies to more have a twisty path in front of them now.
Van's morally grey anti-hero didn't become that way without a lot of pain along the way, pain that manifested in his hardened personality. But Reese is his foil. She not only stands up to him and goes toe to toe with him, she allows him to be himself, actually loves him for who he is. I loved the tension between them, knowing that though there was an enemies vibe, there was so much more to them than that, it just had to find its way to the surface. Reese and Van have set the bar really high for this new series, and I am seriously excited for everyone else's stories now, I know they'll be just as intense and snarky as A Vicious Proposal.