Review & Excerpt Tour: REVENGE by Lexi Blake
Title: Revenge
Series: A Lawless Novel, Book 3
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: June 20, 2017
Passion and danger collide in the latest contemporary romance featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.
When Drew Lawless discovers a fatal flaw in his plan to avenge his parents’ deaths, he turns to the one woman he promised he wouldn't touch. He offers her a deal, one that will bring her into his investigation, his life, and his bed.
Investigative reporter Shelby Gates never dreamed how twisted the case would become—or how fascinated she would be with Drew. Every day they spend together binds them. And every night brings her closer to realizing he might be the man for her.
As Drew's feelings for Shelby grow, so does the danger. From the streets of Dallas to Austin’s high-tech business world, Drew and Shelby play a game begun twenty years before—a game they will win, or die trying.
Amazon || iBooks || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || Google Play
I've been waiting for the conclusion to this mystery since RUTHLESS
was released last year. I was initially drawn to this series because of the
cover on that book. But once I read the synopsis Lexi Blake had my interest and
when I started reading those very first words I was completely hooked. The
ending of book 2, SATISFACTION, left me with my heart racing and my jaw on the
floor. I was not expecting that turn of events.
“She told
us to back off or she would finish what she started all those years ago.”
For this review I think you need a bit of background on where
this story began. More than 20 years ago the Lawless family is rocked with
tragedy when Iris and Benedict Lawless are murdered and their children left for
dead in a burning house. Convinced that this was no accident the 4 Lawless
children seek revenge for their parents’ lives and uncovers secrets lies and
truths no child should learn about the people they love.
“Having his whole world ripped out from under
him could have an effect on even the kindest soul. Who would Drew Lawless be if
his parents had lived?”
Brooding bad boy with a tortured past? Sign me up. All the
siblings play a very prominent role throughout the series and I have been DYING for Drew’s story since the very beginning. Each of the Lawless novel
follows a different brother. Book 1, RUTHLESS, is Riley’s story. Book 2,
SATISFACTION, is Bran’s story. The long awaited final book, REVENGE, follows
Andrew Lawless. The quiet nerd and biggest asshole may just be the most
vulnerable of the Lawless brothers. Forced to stay strong when all was lost he’s
has always been there for his siblings. As the oldest sibling Drew was thrown
into parenthood earlier than any young man should be. He promised to take care
of them and to find justice and revenge for their parents.
“The dead have already found their peace.
Revenge is nothing more than a selfish pursuit.”
In their last efforts to find the answers they seek, Drew hires
Shelby Gates an investigative reporter. He hires her under the guise of giving
her the biggest story of her career. Shelby’s life has been altered and her
heart broken by those who hurt his family and she needs answers just as bad as Drew
does. The chemistry and tension between these two was fascinating. I knew Drew’s
lies would come to back to haunt him but I hoped it wouldn’t cause him to lose
the one woman to ever make it past his defenses. Shelby broke down his walls
and made a place for herself in his heart. Would Drew be able to put his pride
and misguided sense of duty to accept her? You’ll have to read to find out!
“And just like that, nothing else mattered.
This was the story of a lifetime and she couldn’t let it pass.”
If you love a good romantic suspense that will keep you on your
toes, I very highly recommend you pick up this series. It more than lived up to
my expectations and I can’t wait to read more of Lexi’s work. You can learn
some of Mia Lawless-Taggart’s story in Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries
series. Overall the Lawless novels were gripping. Lexi had me thinking I knew
where the story was going only to completely blindside me with something
different. This is a story I will definitely be revisiting. Maybe the second
time through I can catch something I missed initially.
“Sometimes things that seem coincidental are actually quiet well panned.”
“I suppose we’re going to be seeing Carly and Bran while we’re in Dallas next week.”
She had one week to get comfortable around Drew. One week to figure out if she could actually sell this cover to his family.
“It would seem odd if I didn’t pay them a visit. Bran knows I have a meeting with Taggart scheduled. We’ll be in Dallas for two days. Dinner with Bran and Carly and Mia and Case has already been planned.”
“Exactly. And you don’t want to raise a bunch of questions. So I was thinking it might be smarter for me to get my own hotel room. I can lay low and they don’t have to know I’m in town.” She’d sat up for a good portion of the night doing two things: thinking about how much she’d wanted to kiss Drew Lawless and then freaking out about it because that was a bad idea. Beware of billionaires with six-pack abs. It was her new mantra. Yes, she’d signed the contract last night, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t reason with her new . . . boss . . . partner . . . whatever he was.
“I told Bran you’re coming with me.”
This was exactly what she’d worried about. “You told him? I thought I would have more time. How am I going to explain this to Carly? I think she’ll wonder why one of her closest friends didn’t mention she was dating her future brother-in-law.”
“I’ve already explained it. We wanted to make sure it was real before we went public. It’s that simple. We met in Los Angeles. I contacted you. We went on a few dates and we’ve been talking a lot. You’ve come out to Austin because we’re contemplating moving in together. This is a trial run,” he said calmly, as though he hadn’t upended her entire life. “Also, I asked Bran not to mention it to Carly because you would rather tell her yourself. It was a safe bet Bran wouldn’t ask too many questions, but Carly will want to know everything. It’s why we need to get our stories straight.”
She focused on the words that messed with her life. “Moving in together? You told them we’re thinking of moving in together?”
“How else was I supposed to explain it when all your belongings arrive here?”
“What?” She winced because the words had come out in a screech. “I’m having your things packed up as we speak. They’ll be here in a few days.”
“Why the hell would you do that?” How was she going to get everything back to LA?
Drew relaxed again as though he’d already gone over this argument in his mind and knew he would win. “I wanted you to be comfortable. This is going to be a full-time job, and not a quick one. I suspect we’ll have to keep up our ruse for at least six months. Potentially a year. Also, that apartment you were living in was incredibly dangerous. Did you know it was recently condemned? The movers told me about it when they explained they were charging me extra for how fast they had to move. It’s scheduled to be demolished in two weeks.”
“What?” She stared at him. He expected her to live with him for six months to a year? Somewhere in the back of her head she’d been thinking a week or two tops, and then she’d go back to LA and work from there. Her apartment building was shitty and she was fairly certain someone cooked meth in part of it, but it was all she could afford. And it was solidly built. There had been no hint that anyone was planning on building in her part of LA. Gentrification had not reared its upscale, hipster head yet, so that left her with one very manipulative bastard. “Tell me you did not buy my apartment building and schedule it for demolition in an attempt to leave me with nowhere to go.”
He managed to look almost angelic in the soft light of morning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
No comments: