Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Excerpt & Review: Damage Control - Lisa Renee Jones

Damage Control (Dirty Money #2)
by Lisa Renee Jones
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Published: February 21, 2017

The only thing more dangerous than a dark secret is a damaged heart…

Shane Brandon has been pushed to the brink, torn between his corrupt family and his explosive, all-consuming desire for Emily Stevens, who he now knows is not who, and what, she seems. Has he trusted the wrong person? Will she, not his brother Derek, be the ultimate destruction of his family Empire.

Emily tries to run from Shane, but he will stop her, confront her, force her to reveal all – one hot touch and kiss, at a time, under every intimate detail of who this woman is, and what she wants, is exposed. But as he tears away the dangers of the unknowns with the woman in his bed, and in his heart, The Martina Cartel, has set their sights on his company, his family, and the one piece of leverage they believe he won’t gamble with: Emily.


BUY LINKS:

Hard Rules (book one) – available now
Amazon - AmazonCA - AmazonUK - Audible - B&N - iBooks - Kobo - Paperback
Bad Deeds (book three) - Coming 8/8/17
Amazon - AmazonCA - AmazonUK - B&N - iBooks - Kobo - Paperback
Review
5 Stars
Shane and Emily finally must confront the secrets they both are keeping, as Emily's past is revealed to be anything but true. Shane thinks she's there to ruin him, to take part in his family problems, but she just wants to protect him, from herself and the secrets she runs from. She runs, but Shane can't seem to let her go, he cares more than he's willing to admit. Despite their desire to protect the other they start to lean on one another, finding a way to face both their problems together. As Shane faces his family he sees that his mistrust in Emily was wrong and that she's the strength he needs to lean on. 

"'I wonder,' I say, my gaze finding hers, heat simmering low in my limbs, one part lust, another part fury, 'how it is that I didn't taste your lies. I wonder if they'll taste differently now that I know they exist.'"

Is it possible this book was better than Hard Rules? Yes, definitely. There is so much development in the story and from the Shane and Emily, as well as from the the secondary characters of Shane's family members and the two men he trusts as he works to take his brother down. I really enjoyed how much Shane and Emily changed, their relationship grew a lot in this novel and how they lean on one another showed true caring. Emily, on her own, has quite a history and I cannot wait for that to be delved into even farther. Shane, though dealing with his family, was always showing his true colors and despite her secrets, it seems Emily was as well. Emily's running and Shane's family and the drama surrounding both were really well developed in Damage Control. I felt like I finally had really jumped into a suspense novel, especially with the cliff hanger ending. 

"He wants what is real, but that is dark and blood-laden, and he doesn't deserve it."

Lisa Renee Jones' writing is, as always, incredible. The scene is easy to picture, each character well described, even their different POV's and voices felt unique to them. There are a lot of answers in this book, more questions added, and the story line of Shane's family continues to develop in increasingly dark ways. I loved that there was always something going on in the book even as Shane and Emily's relationship continued to develop. I think it takes a lot of skill to write a romance into a book that's filled with suspense, violence, and threats that could change everything.

"Lies destroy, but I fear the truth is worse. Maybe lies are better. Or maybe they're arent."

Damage Control is a must read, you will not be able to put it down, and it's the perfect sequel to Hard Rules. I am on pins and needles waiting for the next two releases already, Lisa Renee Jones has me hooked. 

EXCERPT
“You make me remember I need to be good and right in my choices.”
“Do you ever question doing what is good and right?”
“There have been times when I felt like my hand was forced.”
“When you were a lawyer?”
“No,” I say. “I manipulated the law, as does every attorney, but I never broke it. I’m talking about when I’m with my family.”
“Did you go where they lead?”
“Not so far.”
“That sounds like you might.”
“I don’t want to be them.”
“You aren’t them. You don’t have to be them.”
“I know that,” I say. “But you just keep telling me so I don’t forget.” Her legs hit the bed frame and she grips my arms.
I lean into a kiss and she pulls back, her hand pressing on my chest. “Wait. Now it’s my turn to say talk to me. Are you okay?”
“Death happened. The one thing I can’t control. It’s not the night to push me to stop protecting you. Not tonight. Can you do that?”
“Yes. We can.”
“We,” I repeat, “and that word sounds as good on my tongue as I know you’re going to taste. I’m going to make love to you properly. The way I plan to many times in our future.” I reach down and untie her robe, letting it fall open; my fingers sliding underneath just far enough to tease her nipples. They pucker beneath my touch, and her lashes flutter, settling on her cheeks. “But when it’s over, I’m going to fuck you hard and fast again.”
I tug gently on her nipples and she bites her lips. “Look at me,” I order gently.
She opens her eyes, and there is desire in their depths, but there are shadows there too,. I do not think she intends for me to see doubt or uncertainty that wasn’t there before. That I do not like or wish to know ever again. I want it gone. Now. Tomorrow. Forever. I reach up and rip the silk tie from her robe, wrapping it around my hand, before I reach up and caress the robe off her shoulder, letting it tumble to the ground.
“Give me your hands,” I order, but it’s really a question: Does she still trust me?
She studies me for several beats, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, and I do not know what she sees in mine, but she offers me her hands. I wrap the silk around her wrists then lean in close to her, my cheek against her cheek, my body touching her nowhere else. “Now you’re at my mercy.”
“Yes,” she agrees. “I am.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Warm.”
My lips curve with the answer that is every bit the combination of sweet sexy honesty I’ve come to expect from her. “I’m going to make you warmer.”
“Promise?”
I go still with that question, which on the surface is innocent, but I wonder if it truly is or if it’s about those shadows in her eyes. “I promise,” I say. “And you know, I never—”
“Make a promise you don’t keep.”
“Exactly,” I say, and her reference to my previous words tells me that I am not the only one on a mission of trust, and I intend to deserve hers.
I bring my hands to just above her shoulders, letting them lightly touch her before beginning a slow caress downward. She makes a soft little sound that has my cock thickening and my blood running hot, but I won’t rush this. My lips follow, tracing a line down one of her arms, then the other. I lean and caress my lips over hers, a feather light touch that teases me, if not her.
I take her hands in mine, pressing them behind her head. “Hold them there, for me, so I can see all of you. Understand?”
“You intend to tease me incessantly,” she says, without so much as a hint of hesitation. “Yes. I understand.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her naked body against me, my free hand on hers above her head, our mouths a breath apart. “I intend to lick every part of you, and then do it again, so yes. If that’s the definition of incessant teasing, then yes. I am going to tease you incessantly.” I close my mouth down on hers, my tongue licking into her mouth, a deep, hungry tasting I force myself to end far too quickly. “That was the beginning. Should I could continue?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Please,” I say. “I like that.”
GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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