Reviewer's Rating:
4
4.0Overall score
The problem with binge reading an author… waiting for the next book.
Wicked Lies By Lora Leigh
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romantic Suspense
Released: September 1, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Series: Men of Summer, Book 2
Jazz Lancing is the stuff of legends. A mountain-bred ex-Navy SEAL with rugged dark looks, a tall, muscled frame, and gorgeous blue eyes, he can have any woman he wants in the state of Tennessee. Except Annie Mayes. The beautiful, innocent teacher refuses to fall for Jazz because she’s hiding a secret more powerful than her own temptation….
Jazz knows that Annie isn’t who she says she is – that she’s lying about her identity, her past, and her motives. But can she be trusted? Little does he know Annie has been craving his kiss for years, dreaming that Jazz would take her in his arms and save her from her demons. But telling Jazz the truth could put both of them in peril. In this deadly game of danger, deceit, and darkness, is desire worth the risk of losing…everything?
Reviewed by Jean
The problem with binge reading an author… waiting for the next book.
I discovered Lora Leigh’s books about a decade ago when Megan’s Mark hit the bookshelves of my favorite bookseller. I fell in love with the Breeds and was quickly binge reading everything I could find by the author. Since that time I’ve discovered she’s just as talented at writing contemporary romance as she is at Syfy, fantasy and paranormal. The consistent elements that tie them all though are her hot alpha heroes, strong independent women and sizzling erotic romance that is always true to the characters she builds. Jazz and Kenni are no exception.
Wicked Lies is a second chance romance. At sixteen Kenni Maddox had starry eyes for her brothers’ friend Jazz Lancing. He was her partner in crime when it came to escaping the ever watchful eyes of her overbearing brothers. He was protective and everything she wanted. Ten years later she still wants Jazz but exposing herself seems such an impossibility when everyone thinks she’s long gone and buried. A yearly shopping trip to New York with her mother ended in her mother’s death and Kenni on the run with her uncle for a decade. All indications are that she’s been targeted by the Maddox clan and the Kin, an extensive ex-military led militia group with fingers in every branch of the government throughout the states. Nowhere seems safe. Then her uncle is killed and Kenni decides to hide beneath the nose of her enemy while she tries to find out why she’s been targeted is her best move. She’s been living in her hometown for two years as Annie Mayes, a kindergarten teacher. She’s no closer to finding out the why’s of her past. She’s stalking Jazz and fighting an internal battle on whether to reveal herself or not. One moment she’s irritated at his cavalier playboy manners and the next she’s desiring him with the intensity of ten years in the making. But revealing her secrets is a big risk with Jazz possibly entrenched in the Kin. A risk perhaps too big to take.
For years Jazz has played the carefree playboy bachelor. When Kenni died she took his heart with her. Not many know just how deep his feelings had run. Nor do they know the depth of his grief. Now for the first time in a decade, a woman is burrowing beneath the shell he built around his heart. But Jazz knows something is up with Annie, the kindergarten teacher. She incites old memories. She puts off all those come-hither vibes then turns him away. She stalks him. He knows she’s aware that he knows it. Now his friend Cord is telling him that Annie’s background is all smoke and mirrors. He has a short time to unravel the mystery or Annie is toast. By the time Jazz discovers Annie’s true identity he’s just a bit pissed. He’s a whole lot protective and he’s totally, irrevocably in love. Heaven help her enemies because this boy is going on the warpath to protect his woman even if it means taking down her brothers.
Wicked Lies is a great romantic suspense full of ex-military heroes. Ms. Leigh delivers hot steamy erotic scenes that will have you squirming in your seat. Typically, I would rate Ms. Leigh’s books a solid five. This time however, I was a little reluctant. Like many other reviewers, I found it a little hard to believe that Kenni’s family and Jazz didn’t recognize her in the two years she was home with her minor alterations to hair and eyes. I know people change a lot in ten years but not usually that much that after time you wouldn’t figure it out. The other thing that I think I missed somewhere is that the blurb says that Jazz was an ex-seal but I don’t recall where it’s brought up in the book. All of Kenni’s brothers are ex-military but I think Jazz stayed home to run a business. All that aside he’s still pure alpha hotness. Even with these foibles I’d say definitely give Wicked Lies a read. If you’re anything like me, suspending your beliefs for a good book isn’t all too hard to do and this one is definitely a good one.
♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Scorcher
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Loving Lies, Book 1
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Dirty Little Lies, Book 3… Coming August 30, 2016
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Lora Leigh dreams in bright, vivid images of the characters’ intent on taking over her writing life, and fights a constant battle to put them on the hard drive of her computer before they can disappear as fast as they appeared.
Lora’s family and her writing life coexist, if not in harmony, in relative peace with each other. Surrounded by a menagerie of pets, friends, and a son who keeps her quick wit engaged, Lora finds her life filled with joys, aided by her fans whose hearts remind her daily why she writes.
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Review: Searching for Harmony by Kelly Elliott
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