Title: BLACK (A Bloodlines Novel)
Author: K.L. Grayson
Release Date: June 29, 2017
TBR Link: Goodreads
TBR Link: Goodreads
Purchase Links
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2s8xyOt
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u1C7LZ
All other Amazon: http://mybook.to/BLK
Synopsis
Family.
Everyone has one.
Some are close.
Some are dysfunctional.
Some are simply gone.
Nine-year-old Shae Black entered the Witness Protection Program after the murder of her father, mob boss Luca DiMarco. New name. New identity. And a ready-made family that had no idea who she really was.
Fourteen years later, a letter from a ghost thrusts Shae back into the life she was forced to leave behind. As secrets unravel, revealing unexpected truths, Shae sees an opportunity to avenge her father’s death by destroying patriarch Sal Ambrosi, the man responsible for her father’s murder. Getting to the heart of the family will be difficult, but nothing and no one is going to stop her—not even the heirs to the Ambrosi family empire.
She’s prepared for the two brothers, Dante and Rex, to put up a fight, but she isn’t at all prepared for the danger they will bring to her life and her heart.
One will love her.
One will hate her.
One will vow to protect her.
One will vow to kill her.
All in the name of family.
REVIEWED BY SHERI
Sometimes things aren't really what they appear to be. Sometimes people are forced to change their entire lives all because of something they couldn't help. That is what Shea Black is dealing with. After the death of both of her parents and her sister, Shea is back in Chicago and looking for answers. But when she bumps into a sexy stranger, her world is soon turned upside down.
Rex Ambrosi has been running from his family's legecy his whole life. He hates what they known for and if he wants to change the city's perception, it is up to his brother Dante and himself to change it. Among all the success and woman he could ever have, Rex is not ready for the sexy stranger who somehow knocks him off his feet. This woman has got his mind going and he is at a loss....
After multiple chance encounters both She and Rex decide that whatever is going on between them needs to be put to rest. And the only way is for a "One night stand". Do something to work each other out their systems. However this might be the thought process for Shea, Rex has a totally different plan. He will do just about anything to get this girl to open up and become his. She is hiding something and he is determined to find out. Crap, he has his own skeletons as well.
With so much on her mind, the last thing Shea wanted was a relationship with Rex. Yeah, he is a great guy with money, a successful club, great family and drool worthy abs but she was in Chicago for another reason. Answers! However the pull Rex has on her, makes Shea cave and jump into something that she wasn't ready for. A relationship. Things are going great. The sex is phenomenal, his attentiveness is notable and he is proving that all her dreams can come true. However when Rex finds out that Shea isn't who is says she is, will he leave ? Or will he reveal his true self and watch the girl of his dreams run for the hills?
Who knew someone could have all of these secrets? Both Shea and Rex are in a ride of their lives and the only way to survive is to hold on because it is going to be bumpy as hell.
OMFG this was a damn good book. Let me start off by saying that I have never read anything from this author and starting to regret it. I felt like a heroine addict reading this book. I couldn't get enough of the characters and the story line. The writing is epic and interaction between Rex and Shea is to die for. Both Rex and Shea bring out the best in each other. Rex is the dominant male character who knows what he wants and not afraid to get it. But at times will open himself up to Shea and reveal a sweet thoughtful side. Shea on the other hand is a no nonsense girl. She was headstrong and not your typical leading lady. Not only was she dealing with the traumatic events that happened in her childhood but add in all things Rex Ambrosi and that can make anyone crack. However she didn't and I for one loved that about her.
Mix in a healthy dose of a torrid love affairs, a unknown sibling and a mob boss and you have yourself a great book. Also I loved how the author sets up the next book (I would only hope it's Dante's story) and the end of this book. However besides the last chapter, this could be read as a stand alone.
This ARC as provided in return for a honest review.
Excerpt
“So, Shae, tell me a little about yourself.”
“Really? You want to talk?”
I chuckle. “You sound surprised.”
“Because I am.”
“What’s wrong with getting to know the woman I’m about to fuck?”
“Are there things about me you’re dying to know?”
You have no fucking idea. “As a matter of fact, there are.”
She studies me for a moment and tips her glass, finishing off what’s left of her wine. She sets it on the counter, strides across the kitchen, and opens the curtains, revealing a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline.
With her back to me, she takes a deep breath and when she exhales she says, “Let’s have it.”
In one gulp, I finish off my wine and set the glass next to hers. I slowly walk across the room, enjoying the view in front of me as I do.
And I’m not talking about the skyline. The dips and valleys of Chicago’s cityscape may be impressive, but they have nothing on Shae’s soft curves.
Her skirt is a little rumpled, her blouse untucked, and her long, dark hair falls in waves around her shoulders. Her body draws mine like a magnet, and when I step into her, pressing my chest against her back, she doesn’t move. There is no gasp of surprise, no stiffening spine, she’s just here in this moment with me.
“Let’s start with your favorite color.”
“Purple.” Her voice is shaky, and when I run my finger down the back of her neck, she tilts her head, allowing room for my lips to graze the silky smooth skin.
“Favorite food.”
“Italian.”
“Great choice.” I kiss a path along her shoulder. A shiver runs through her, and I smile against her skin. “Favorite sport.”
“Baseball.”
“Mine too. Favorite team?”
“C-Cardinals.” I nip at her soft skin, and Shae sucks in a breath. “What was that for?”
“I’m a Cubs fan.”
“That’s okay; I forgive you.”
I nip her again, run my tongue along the side of her neck, and blow lightly. Goosebumps race across the creamy skin.
“You’re so responsive, Shae. I can’t wait to see what else I can get your body to do.”
She takes a shuddery breath, and I can tell by the flutter of her pulse against my lips that my words excite her.
“What did Erin mean when she said you hadn’t been with a man in quite some time?” She doesn’t immediately respond, so I turn her in my arms.
Her cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink as she looks at the floor. “You caught that, huh?”
“It’s pretty much all I’ve been thinking about.”
She looks up. “Really? Why?”
Fuck if I know. Maybe because I like you and the thought of other men touching you makes me want to strangle someone. But telling her that now probably isn’t the smartest idea, so I just shrug.
“Don’t know. Just curious is all.” Shae still doesn’t answer, and I can feel the air around us growing thick. “How many men have you been with?”
Her eyes grow as wide as saucers. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“It’s not. But I want it to be.”
Glancing down, she fiddles with the hem of her blouse. “Not many.”
“How many is not many?”
She tries to look away, but I don’t let her, so she opts to fold her arms over her chest. A universal defense mechanism. She thinks she’s shielding herself, but all she’s doing is fluffing her tits, putting all of that smooth, silky skin on full display. “I’m not a virgin, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I never questioned whether you’re a virgin.”
“Good, because I’m not,” she says firmly, and then her voice trails off. “I’m just not that experienced.”
“How inexperienced?”
Finally frustrated, she throws her arms out to the side. “Why does it matter?”
Running my hand up the back of her head, I thread my fingers through the silky strands of her hair. Something I’ve wanted to do since the moment I laid eyes on her. Gripping it tight, I tug and her head dips back. She looks up at me, her eyes smoldering, and I wonder what else she’d let me do.
“Because I want to fuck you, and I’m not a gentle man, Shae.”
Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she bites gently as I wait for her to respond. Something…anything would be good. Then she looks at my mouth, and what happens next isn’t at all what I’m expecting.
“We should probably kiss first.” She smiles coyly, and I do the only thing I can do.
I kiss her.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2s8xyOt
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u1C7LZ
All other Amazon: http://mybook.to/BLK
*****
About the Author
K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.
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