Review: No Love Lost - Lexi Blake

When Ezra Fain joined the ranks of the CIA, the last thing on his mind was romance. After meeting Kim Soloman, it was difficult to think of anything else. A tragic mistake drove them apart, leaving him shattered and unable to forgive the woman he loved. But when his greatest enemy threatens her life, Ezra leaps into action, prepared to do anything to try to save her.

Solo accepted long ago that she won’t get over Ezra. She’s worked for years to get back into his life, looking for any way to reignite the love they once shared. Unfortunately, nothing seems to penetrate the wall he has built between them. When she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, she believes she’s on her own.

Racing across the globe, Ezra and Solo find themselves together again, caught in the crosshairs of the agency they sacrificed so much to serve. Days on the run soon turn to steamy nights, but Levi Green isn’t about to let them find their happily ever after. And when the smoke clears, the men and women of McKay-Taggart will never be the same again.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
We have been building up to Ezra Fain and Kim Soloman's book since the beginning of the Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten series. We've seen first hand that they're both crazy about each other but at the same time there is a lot of resentment between them for things that happened in the past. Ezra blames Kim for the things that happened between them but at the same time he just threw away their relationship without even trying to see her side of things.

Like a lot of fans I've been really looking forward to their book, I wanted to dig deeper into where things went wrong and I knew their chemistry would be explosive when they finally gave in to it. Lexi Blake never disappoints on that front, especially when she can throw in a lot of danger and push her characters over the edge as they fight for their lives. I'm not going to lie, there were moments when I really wanted to shake some sense into Ezra. The way he kept punishing Kim constantly and always immediately jumped to the worst conclusions about her got really irritating after a while but by the end of the book we do see a huge turn around in his character and he works hard to become a better man for her. I always knew Kim had secrets but I could never have even begun to guess all of them so there were some really brilliant revelations throughout the story too.

I loved seeing all of the Lost Boys come together for one last mission with the help of some of the McKay-Taggart crew, one of the things I've enjoyed most about this series is the ongoing camaraderie between the group and they way they always look out for each other and that hasn't changed here. While I really enjoyed the romance and was happy with the way things turned out for Ezra and Kim I was slightly disappointed that they spent so much time apart, really they were only together for such a short time before their relationship imploded and then they were apart for so long that it was a bit hard to understand why they were still so madly in love with each other. I totally got the sparks flying when they were back in each others vicinity but they'd both spent years longing for each other from a distance. 

That's only a slight niggle in the grand scheme of things though and overall this was a fast paced story full of action and intrigue. It ties together a lot of threads that have been ongoing for at least 5 books now and it definitely leaves the whole Masters & Mercenaries crew in a very different place to where they started. I can't wait to see where Lexi takes this world next because I have a strong feeling we're nothing to be saying goodbye to it any time soon!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Sanctum - Lexi Blake

A contract broken…

Ryan Church and Jill Paxon enjoyed their life as Master and submissive until the day Ryan's entire world crumbled. No longer able to fulfill his end of the contract, Ryan did what he thought was best for Jill. He let her go.

An unexpected reunion…

Eighteen months later, Ryan is working for Ian Taggart as the Dom in Residence at the elite BDSM club Sanctum when his former submissive walks through the door looking for a job. Jill has changed, but his desire for her is still insatiable. Jill, shattered by his past rejection, can't trust Ryan, but she needs the job. Back in the community where she once felt safe and secure, she longs for the life she lost and the man she loved.

A last chance for love…

Ryan is presented with an opportunity to restore his wealth and name, but it could cost him his last chance at rebuilding a life with the woman he loves. When the secrets Jill has carefully hidden from Ryan are exposed, a terrible twist of fate might take her out of his life forever.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Eighteen months ago Ryan's life came crashing down around him, he lost his business, his money and was potentially facing jail for a crime he didn't commit unless he could find a way to prove his innocence. Instead of talking to Jill and letting her help him he made the foolish choice of ending their relationship thinking he could no longer provide her with everything she needed.

Jill was heartbroken when Ryan walked away from her and after months of living a vanilla lifestyle she is finally feeling ready to play again. She's also desperately in need of a new job so when a position opens at the Sanctum BDSM club it seems like the perfect opportunity. She had no idea that Ryan is now working as one of the Doms in residence though. Ryan wants nothing more than to have Jill back in his life but it's not going to be easy to win her trust back after the way he abandoned her before.

Lexi Blake definitely manages to pack a lot into her shorter stories, Sanctum is full of heart with a touch of humour and a heavy dose of spice. Ryan and Jill fit together perfectly and it was easy to root for them as a couple. Ryan made a huge mistake by not letting Jill know what was happening in his life and instead just pushing her away but Jill wasn't perfect either and she hadn't been fully honest with him about what she wanted from their relationship. Seeing them work through their past was extremely satisfying and their story definitely left me with a smile on my face.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Long Lost - Lexi Blake

A stolen past

The only thing Tucker remembers of his past is pain. Used in a doctor’s evil experiments, his memories and identity were erased, and his freedom taken. He believed his nightmare was over when he was liberated by the men and women of McKay-Taggart, until he heard the name Steven Reasor. The idea that he could have been involved in the terrible experiments that cost his “brothers” everything crushed him. A desperate attempt to force him to remember the truth almost cost him his life. Now his world is in chaos and his only path to finally uncover the truth and atone for his sins leads to Veronica Croft.

A painful present

Veronica “Roni” Croft knew Dr. Steven Reasor was bad for her, but she also saw a side of the man that no one else knew. Even as she began to believe their employer was hiding something sinister, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Their affair was passionate and intense, but also fraught with danger. When he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she took her first chance to run and never looked back. She has stayed hidden ever since, running from forces she knows are too powerful to overcome. But now the man she believed was dead, the man she mourned, has returned and needs her help.

A dangerous future

As Tucker and Roni unravel the secrets of his past, a dark force rises and threatens to destroy them. Their only chance for survival will require them to join forces with the Lost Boys’ worst enemy. Only together can they finally unlock Tucker’s past. But as Tucker’s memories begin to come back, will it free them both or tear them apart forever?

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
I've been waiting for Tucker's story ever since I first started reading about the Lost Boys. He's always been so protective of his brothers, proven at the end of the last book when he sacrificed himself so that one of their wives wouldn't be hurt, but there have also been hints at a much darker side to his past where he might even have been involved in the early experiments they were used in. He still has no memory of his past thanks to Dr Hope's mind wiping drugs but rumours that he might at one point have been her right hand man are driving him insane. He can't bear the thought that he might have been responsible for anyone else's suffering so when Levi Green offered him an experimental cure he took it.

After taking the cure Tucker spent two weeks in a coma while his brothers continued their desperate search for answers. The only lead they have is Roni, a woman who once worked as an intern for Hope but who has been in hiding for the last few years. Roni knew Tucker when he was Steven Reasor and she's the only one who might be able to help him figure out how involved he was in Hope's experiments. Roni remembers two very different sides to Steven, there was the guy at work who most people were terrified of, and the one she knew privately and had a brief but intense affair with. When she meets Tucker she discovers yet another side to his personality she's not quite sure what to make of him.

Tucker may not remember the time he spent with Roni but for years he has dreamed of her face and he knows she was important to him. Now the two of them, along with the rest of the Lost Boys, are desperately trying to piece everything together so they can all learn their true identities and hopefully get their lives back. But their enemies are circling and as Tucker's memories start to return it places them in more danger than ever before.

This series is just getting better and better with each and every book. Tucker is easily my favourite of the Lost Boys and it was so good to see him finally figure out exactly what had happened before his mind was wiped. There were some really heartfelt moments in this book between him and his brothers and I loved the romance between him and Roni. Roni had very good reasons for being wary of Tucker and the rest of the team but she's a fighter so with her mother's support she does her best to help them all. I can't stand Levi so I'm really hoping we'll see him brought down soon, he's been causing trouble for the team for far too long so I'd be very happy to see Ezra or Solo put a bullet in him in the next book (fingers crossed!).

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Lost in You - Lexi Blake

Robert McClellan was forced to serve as a soldier in a war he didn’t understand. Liberated by McKay-Taggart, he struggles every day to reclaim the life he lost and do right by the men he calls his brothers, The Lost Boys. Only one thing is more important – Ariel Adisa. The gorgeous psychologist has plagued his dreams since the day they met. Even as their mission pushes him to his limits, he can’t stop thinking about taking his shot at finding a life beyond all this with her.

Ariel Adisa is a force to be reckoned with. Her performance in Toronto proved she’s more than just a brilliant mind, but Robert still acts as if she is a wilting flower who needs his protection. Joining him on the mission to Munich should be the perfect opportunity to test their skills and cement their relationship. She and Robert are an excellent match. But when a stunning secret from Robert’s past is revealed, their world is turned upside down and nothing will ever be the same again.

While they chase dark secrets across Europe, Robert and Ariel realize that the only thing worse than not knowing who you are could be discovering who you used to be...

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Lost in You is the third book in Lexi Blake's spin off from the Masters and Mercenaries series about the lost boys who were rescued by McKay-Taggart. The men all lost everything when their memories were wiped by evil scientist Hope McDonald and they're all still trying to figure out who they were and where they came from. In the meantime they've become as close as brothers and they all look up to Robert as their leader. Robert is determined to help his brothers find out who they are, he wants to find out exactly what was done to them and stop it from ever happening to anyone else but he's pretty much given up on the idea of finding anyone from his own past. He'd rather focus on the future he is longing to build with fellow team member Ariel.

We've seen the connection between Robert and Ariel throughout the first two books but for some reason Robert has always been holding himself back. Now we start to realise that he's terrified of hurting her. He doesn't remember his old life but he suffers with awful nightmares and he knows there is a darkness inside him that he doesn't want to taint Ariel with. Ariel has been in love with Robert for months but she's also afraid of what will happen if he ever gets his memory back. Could he have family out there waiting for him? Would he still love her if he could remember his past? The questions plague her and make her wary of committing to a relationship with him. But they've been circling each other for so long now and something has to give, once they've crossed that line it'll be impossible to step back over it.

The group is still surrounded by danger on all sides as rogue CIA agent Levi Green is still trying to get hold of the drugs that wiped their memories. He wants to recreate the experiments using American soldiers but the lost boys and McKay/Taggart will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. They are also focused on trying to get hold of any information they can about McDonald's experiments, partly to stop it falling into enemy hands but also so they can try to figure out a way to reverse the damage that was done to them. With their enemies closing in, and Ariel keeping some pretty dangerous secrets, things are officially about to go FUBAR.

This was definitely my favourite book in the series so far, I loved the romance between Robert and Ariel but I'm also really enjoying getting to know the other lost boys better and it's been really interesting to see them slowly starting to uncover more about their pasts. There are some HUGE revelations in this book, ones that completely took me by surprise, and I'm already desperately waiting for the rest of the series. The ending made me think Tucker's book is next which I'm really excited for but I also hope we're going to see a lot more of Esra and Solo soon.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: On Her Master's Secret Service - Lexi Blake

Her submission fulfilled her

When Eve St. James married Alex McKay, she had her whole life ahead of her. They were the FBI’s golden couple by day, but by night Eve gave herself over to her husband’s world of Dominance and submission filled with pleasures she came to crave.

His betrayal destroyed her

Worried for her safety, Alex left Eve behind to tackle a dangerous mission. But Alex never suspected that Eve was the real target and her security is destroyed by a madman. By the time he rescues her, his wife has been changed forever.

But when her life is in danger, he is her only hope

Unable to heal the damage, Alex and Eve are still trapped together in a cycle of pleasure and misery that even their divorce cannot sever. But when a threat from Eve’s past resurfaces, Alex will stop at nothing to save her life and reclaim her heart.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
I've been looking forward to Eve and Alex's story since the beginning of this series. It's been obvious all along that there is a lot of history between them and you can see that they still love each other but even though they're in a committed Ds relationship at the club that's where their connection ends. Their marriage ended in divorce and outside the club they can barely stand to be in the same room as each other. I've been desperately wanting to know exactly what happened between them for ages now and On Her Master's Secret Service finally gives us a chance to find out.

Years ago they were married, blissfully happy and working alongside each other in the FBI but that all changed when Alex left Eve behind to hunt down a dangerous criminal. Profiler Eve warned Alex not to poke the bear but he did it anyway expecting to become a target himself. Instead Eve was taken prisoner and held captive by a sadistic madman for a week suffering all kinds of torture while Alex was left desperately searching for his wife. Alex blames himself for everything that Eve went though and ever since them he has focused all of his energy into tracking down the man who hurt her. Eve never blamed Alex for what happened but she does blame him for not being there for her after she escaped. She felt like he kept his distance because he didn't want her anymore now that she was tainted by another man and she's been hurting ever since.

It's safe to say their relationship is complicated. There's a lot of guilt and hurt between them but in spite of all that there is also still a lot of love. It's not going to be easy to get their relationship back on track though and they're both going to have to be willing to put the effort in. Then when Alex gets a lead that might finally allow him to get vengeance for Eve he risks losing everything by leaving her in the dark. But this time Eve isn't quite so willing to watch him walk away and she's going to force him to confront their past together.

I loved both of these characters, it was so easy to see things from both of their points of view so even though I was really frustrated with Alex for not being there when Eve needed him most I could see why he was struggling with his own sense of guilt and blaming himself for letting her get hurt in the first place. Seeing them both working though their issues and find their way back to each other was extremely satisfying. I enjoy the suspense side to this series but it's definitely the relationships that keep me coming back for more. I also love the camaraderie between the McKay/Taggart team. The hints we get at Ian's past have me more eager than ever to read his book so I'm really glad that the next full length book is his.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: A Dom is Forever - Lexi Blake

A Man with a Past…

Liam O’Donnell fled his native Ireland years ago after one of his missions ended in tragedy and he is accused of killing several of his fellow agents. Shrouded in mystery, Liam can’t remember that fateful night. He came to the United States in disgrace, seeking redemption for crimes he may or may not have committed. But the hunt for an international terrorist leads him to London and right back into the world he left behind.

A Woman Looking for a Future…

Avery Charles followed her boss to London, eager to help the philanthropist with his many charities. When she meets a mysterious man who promises to show her London’s fetish scene, she can’t help but indulge in her darkest fantasies. Liam becomes her Dom, her protector, her lover. She opens her heart and her home to him, only to discover he’s a man on a mission and she’s just a means to an end.

When Avery’s boss leads them to the traitorous Mr. Black, Liam must put together the puzzle of his past or Avery might not have a future…

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
The team are hot on the heels of Eli Nelson, the rogue CIA Agent they've been trying to bring down since the first book, and the chase has brought them to London where they believe Eli is working alongside wealthy philanthropist Thomas Molina. They need to get close to Molina to figure out exactly how he's involved and the best way to do that is via his assistant Avery. It's Liam's turn to go undercover but he has no idea that his past and present are about to collide and the explosion could be the death of him.

I've been looking forward to Liam's book, he's been a loveable rogue since the beginning of the series and I was dying to know more about him and how he ended up working at McKay/Taggart so I loved getting to learn more about his backstory. He left Ireland in disgrace after an op went south and several fellow agents were killed and he's been living under a cloud ever since, unable to remember the night it all went wrong and secretly worried that it was all somehow his fault. Liam never wanted to settle down and enjoys spending time with the single subs at the club but there is something about Avery's innocence that completely draws him in and when he falls it's hard and fast.

Avery is a woman who has lost everything not just once but twice, first when her parents died and then later when her husband and daughter were killed in a tragic accident. That kind of trauma could easily make her bitter but she's somehow managed to keep a sense of optimism and she's worked hard to build a life for herself. Sure, the last few years may all have been about her work but now she's feeling ready to put herself out there again and perhaps try dating. She has a connection with Liam from the very beginning and although she's wary of getting hurt again she won't let it stop her from fighting for what she wants.

I think what I loved most about Liam was that when he realised how deep he'd fallen he went against the team to tell Avery the truth about who he was and why he was in London. The one thing I've not liked about the previous two books was how the guys were keeping secrets for such a long time so I loved Liam risking it all because he trusted Avery and knew she couldn't possibly be involved with anything dodgy. That earned him extra bonus points with me for sure. I thought Liam and Avery were great together, yes their relationship moves fast, and yes she does willingly jump into the lifestyle very quickly but for a lot of reasons these two just fit and I enjoyed spending time with them.

I also love the action in this series, there are always lots of things going on with the team and the rogue CIA agent they're chasing but this time around we also get to see a lot of Liam's past and learn a bit more about Ian's marriage too. There were definitely a few surprises along the way that left me really excited to continue reading this series.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Enchanted - Lexi Blake

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

A snarky submissive princess

Sarah Stevens’s life is pretty sweet. By day, she’s a dedicated trauma nurse and by night, a fun-loving club sub. She adores her job, has a group of friends who have her back, and is a member of the hottest club in Dallas. So why does it all feel hollow? Could it be because she fell for her dream man and can’t forgive him for walking away from her? Nope. She’s not going there again. No matter how much she wants to.

A prince of the silver screen

Jared Johns might be one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but he lost more than a fan when he walked away from Sarah. He lost the only woman he’s ever loved. He’s been trying to get her back, but she won’t return his calls. A trip to Dallas to visit his brother might be exactly what he needs to jump-start his quest to claim the woman who holds his heart.

A masquerade to remember

For Charlotte Taggart’s birthday, Sanctum becomes a fantasyland of kinky fun and games. Every unattached sub gets a new Dom for the festivities. The twist? The Doms must conceal their identities until the stroke of midnight at the end of the party. It’s exactly what Sarah needs to forget the fact that Jared is pursuing her. She can’t give in to him, and the mysterious Master D is making her rethink her position when it comes to signing a contract. Jared knows he was born to play this role, dashing suitor by day and dirty Dom at night.

When the masks come off, will she be able to forgive the man who loves her, or will she leave him forever?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Jared and Sarah have a very complicated history, they fell in love but Jared walked away from her during a particularly terrible moment in both of their lives. He had good reasons for leaving but Sarah still finds it very hard to forgive him for abandoning her. Now, just as they started to reconnect for the first time in months, Sarah has been given some pretty devastating news and it's her turn to pull away from him. Jared isn't willing to let her leave without giving him some answers though, he knows she loves him and he wants them to build a future together so he's determined to figure out why she is holding back and prove that they can work through anything as a couple.

I think Jared and Sarah are characters that have already made an appearance in previous books of the Masters and Mercenaries series but I'm not quite up to date with the series yet so they were new to me and it didn't lower my enjoyment of this story at all. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them and it was also great to spend time with so many other familiar faces at Sanctum. These two have a very messy history that I don't really want to go into too much detail about in my review. Suffice to say they've been through a lot and the fallout from a certain event has had a massive impact on Jared's life and his career. He needed time to get his head together before coming back for Sarah but even though he knows he loves her he is still worried about bringing his baggage back into her life.

For her part Sarah is keeping a big secret, I'd actually guessed what it was pretty early on but again I don't want to give spoilers here. It was something that had a huge impact on her both mentally and physically though and I thought the whole situation was written incredibly well. It was so easy to put yourself into Sarah's position and understand exactly what she was going through.

The story mainly centres around a party weekend thrown at Sanctum to celebrate Charlotte Taggart's birthday. Jared is determined to win Sarah back but she's refusing to take his calls so he decides to go in disguise. I'll admit I'm always a little worried when I see a story that involves hiding a main character's true identity from someone because it can skate along the lines of non-consensual if the other person wouldn't agree to the situation if they knew who they were really involved with but that wasn't an issue at all here. Sarah almost immediately figures out who Master J really is so although Jared thinks he's hiding from her in reality she's fully aware of the situation.

The two have absolutely fantastic chemistry but the most important part of their story is the emotional connection. I also loved that it wasn't just about the two of them finding each other but also about them both finding unconditional support from other members of the club. They both come to realise that their family, by choice if not by blood, is much larger than they realised and that is something that pretty much carries through this entire series. These books may be kinky and there may be a lot of sex but there's also a lot of heart and strong bonds of friendship throughout and that's one of the reasons I love them so much.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: The Men with the Golden Cuffs - Lexi Blake

A woman in danger…

Serena Brooks is a bestselling author of erotic fiction. She knows how to write a happy ending but hasn’t managed to find one of her own. Divorced and alone, she has no one to turn to when a stalker begins to threaten her life. The cops don’t believe her. Her ex-husband thinks she’s making the whole story up. She has no one left to turn to except a pair of hired bodyguards. They promise to guard her body, but no one can protect her heart.

Two men in search of love…

Adam Miles and Jacob Dean are halves of a whole. They’ve spent their entire adult lives searching for the one woman who can handle them both. Adam is the playful, indulgent lover, while Jacob is the possessive, loving Dom. When Serena comes into their lives, Adam is certain that she’s the one. But Jacob’s past comes back to haunt them all. He is suspicious of Serena’s story, and his concerns are driving a wedge between him and Adam. But when the stalker strikes, they will have to come together or lose each other forever…

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
We met Adam and Jacob in the first book of the Masters and Mercenaries series and I have to admit I couldn't wait to read their story so I was really excited it was the very next book! These two are just so much fun to spend time with and Serena is one lucky lady. I love that they're already a unit and know exactly what they want going in, they're closer than most brothers, have worked together for years and have always enjoyed sharing women. Although there's nothing romantic between the two of them they have such a strong bond and they want to find a woman willing to be with them both, someone who will help them build a family.

Serena is a popular erotic romance writer who loves writing BDSM and menage stories, she plays out her fantasies in her writing but although she's done a lot of research and has a very clear idea of what she wants she's never actually lived the lifestyle. In fact, her ex-husband divorced her when he found out about the type of books she'd been writing and she's been scared off of men by his reaction to her desires. Her life has been turned upside-down recently by a stalker, at first she thought it was an obsessive fan but their behaviour has become more and more threatening and it's now reached the point where her agent has decided to hire bodyguards for her. When Jacob and Adam are brought in to protect her they're both immediately attracted to her but Jacob has been burned before and is very wary of getting attached. Serena is equally gun-shy but Adam knows a good thing when he sees it and sets out to bring the three of them together.

I loved the way the romance develops between these three, they're playful together and have a lot of fun but it's obvious the connection goes far beyond just sex. Jacob and Adam are willing to play out all of Serena's deepest fantasies but they have no intention of letting her top from the bottom and they're going to push all of her boundaries too. There was a moment towards the end when there was a huge misunderstanding that the guys didn't handle too well but it was less jarring than the one in the first book and I thought the apologies and make up was handled much better too. I did find it fairly easy to guess who was behind the stalking incident but there were a few surprises that I didn't see coming and I loved that Serena fought for herself and didn't just sit around waiting to be rescued by her men.

I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait to carry on reading. I'm very excited for Ian's book but I also have high hopes for Eve and Alex too.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: The Dom Who Loved Me - Lexi Blake

A routine mission…

Sean Taggart is hunting a deadly terrorist, and his only lead is the lovely Grace Hawthorne. She's the executive assistant for an employment agency Sean suspects is a front for illegal activities. To get the truth, he is going to have to get very close to Grace, a task he is all too eager to undertake when he discovers her deliciously submissive nature.

…turns into a dangerous seduction.

Soon, Grace Hawthorne is living a double life. By day, she is the widowed mother of two college-aged sons. By night, she submits to Sean's every dark desire. She's living out her wildest fantasies of pleasure—intimate acts of trust she's only read about. As passion engulfs her, a murderer strikes, and Grace learns that Sean has a deeply hidden agenda. Will Sean choose his mission and break her heart or be the Master of her dreams?

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Anyone who follows my blog or is friends with me on Goodreads can't fail to have noticed that I've become a huge fan of Lexi Blake over the last year or so and I'm really enjoying working my way through her extensive backlist. I've been looking forward to starting the Masters and Mercenaries series for ages and have already met quite a few of the characters as they've made appearances in her other books. So I was excited to start the Dom Who Loved Me and overall I did enjoy the story but I did have a few issues with it that meant I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Bliss or Texas Sirens books.

To start with the positives I have to say I really loved Grace, she's an older heroine (something we don't see enough of in my opinion) who was widowed young and is now living alone for the first time after her two sons have left to go to college. Grace is a people pleaser who always goes out of her way to make sure everyone around her have what they need. Before all her energy went into looking after her sons and now she mainly focuses on her job and trying to anticipate the needs of her alcoholic boss. I thought Grace was a great character and I really enjoyed seeing the boost in her confidence that came from starting a relationship with Sean.

When it comes to Sean I have more mixed feelings, in some ways I really liked him but there were other things that drove me absolutely crazy. Firstly was the fact that he met Grace when he was there to put both her and her boss under surveillance. McKay/Taggart Security Services are hunting a terrorist and they have reason to believe that the company Grace works for is somehow involved so several members of the team go undercover as both employees and clients while they try to figure out what is going on. I don't have an issue with that but I did find it uncomfortable that Sean gains Grace's trust specifically because he wants to spy on her, perhaps that wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't immediately pursued a relationship with her, if they'd become friends through the investigation but not taken it any further until he was sure of her innocence I'd probably have felt better about it.

The fact that he takes advantage of her trust (even going so far as bugging her house, making a copy of the key she gave him for his friends to use to get inside her property and even drugging her so they could hack into her laptop!) while at the same time starting a D/s relationship with her just made things creepy, trust is the cornerstone of any kind of BDSM relationship and I didn't appreciate Sean completely ignoring that. Then, after abandoning her with no notice he ended up treating her terribly for no good reason which annoyed me even more. I thought the scenes after Grace found out the truth were totally unrealistic and I couldn't believe that she didn't use her safe word and walk away from him. To be honest I'd have liked the story a whole lot more if she'd done exactly that and he'd had to work at earning her forgiveness.

That really makes it sound like I hated this book but that couldn't be further from the truth, like I said I did really like Grace and I even thought her and Sean were well matched both in and out of the bedroom. I liked that she was strong enough to challenge him when she needed to even if that did go a little awry towards the end of the book. I also thought they had a lot of potential as a couple and their chemistry was fantastic. One thing I really loved was getting to know the other members of Sean's team and I'm really excited to continue the series, especially Adam and Jacob's story which, luckily for me, is up next! This series definitely has the potential to become one of my favourites, we already have a group of fantastic characters and Lexi Blake excels at mixing a hint of suspense and danger in with really hot romances.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Lost and Found - Lexi Blake

Owen Shaw and his “brothers” lost everything, their entire existence erased. Science had robbed he and all the Lost Boys of their memories and their past, but not their future. Hunted by every intelligence agency in the world, they are focused on two goals: find a cure for what was done to them and ensure that the technology that ruined their lives doesn’t get out into the world. Rebecca Walsh might be the key to achieving both. Owen has been studying her closely, living in her building, and he cannot resolve how such a beautiful, giving woman could have helped design the evil process that destroyed his past.

Dr. Rebecca Walsh has dedicated her life to researching the secrets of the mind. Her atmospheric rise in her field was fueled by the horror of watching her mother’s agonizing journey into madness at the hands of a disease with no cure. She vowed to never rest until she finds it. But obsession takes a heavy toll, and when Owen moves into her building she realizes how much of her life she has missed out on. Owen opens her eyes to a whole new world, filled with joy, laughter, and possibly love.

Owen and Rebecca grow closer, unraveling more about each other and the mysteries surrounding her connection to Hope McDonald. As the sinister forces working against the Lost Boys descend on Toronto, secrets long buried are uncovered that could shatter the bonds holding the Lost Boys together and cost Rebecca her life.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Lost and Found is the second book in Lexi Blake's spin off from the Masters and Mercenaries series about the lost boys who were rescued by Taggart and McKay. These men lost everything when they had their memories wiped by a sadistic scientist and they're still trying to find out information about their pasts and exactly what happened to them. Owen may have no memory of it but he knows that he betrayed the rest of his team when trying to save his mother and sister from the scientist who held them all captive. He's been trying to make amends ever since but he worries that his brothers will never forgive him for the mistakes he made or fully trust him again, partly because he can't forgive himself.

The team is focused on trying to find a cure for their memory loss but they also want to ensure that details of the experiments conducted on them and the drugs that Hope McDonald created are destroyed so they can't be used to harm anyone else in the future. That's where Dr Rebecca Walsh comes in. Rebecca is a highly intelligent and well respected doctor who specialises in research into potential cures for Alzheimer's disease. Her research could be the key to unlocking their memories but since she worked with Hope McDonald in the past the team are unsure if she can be trusted. Now it's up to Owen and the others to get close enough to Rebecca to figure out which side she's on, and to find out exactly how much she knows about Hope's experiments.

I know some readers will be familiar with these characters from the original Masters and Mercenaries series but as someone who hasn't had a chance to read those books yet (I've been too busy catching up on Lexi's rereleases of her Bliss and Texas Sirens series!) I am still thoroughly enjoying this spin off. I'm really enjoying getting to know all of the Lost Boys and I have to say Owen might just be my new favourite. Owen is haunted by his past, he betrayed his team to save his mother and sister and they were murdered anyway so he lost the respect of his brothers and his family in one fell swoop, yet he can't remember any of it. He can't properly grieve for the family he doesn't remember and it's hard to win back the trust of the people he should be closest to when he can't even remember why he didn't trust them to help him. There is a real vulnerable side to Owen that made it impossible not to root for him to succeed in his mission.

Rebecca didn't exactly have a normal childhood, a genius who flew through school and college far faster than her peers she never spent much time with children her own age and was always focused on her studies instead. When her mother became sick she put everything on hold to help care for her and watching her slowly being destroyed by Alzheimer's disease left Rebecca determined to find a cure. She is super focused on her career and doesn't trust people easily so it surprises her when she feels such an instant connection to Owen. He's keeping a lot of secrets though so even though the attraction between them is real and intense things are bound to go horribly wrong when she discovers the truth. I loved how open Rebecca was about her desires and what she wanted from her life, she was willing to take risks in both her career and personal relationships but as her past is about to catch up with her she suddenly finds herself in danger. Owen is the first person she wants to turn to for help but there are some things she can't quite bring herself to tell him about so things are going to get complicated fast.

This was an action packed story with lots going on but it never lost focus on the romance, I loved spending time with all the lost boys and getting to learn more about their background and I also really enjoyed the mystery of what was happening in Rebecca's life. Rebecca and Owen make a brilliant couple, they both make mistakes but when it comes down to it they trust each other enough to work together. Rebecca is thrown into the deep end when she realises what Hope McDonald was up to with her research but her reaction was totally believable and after her initial shock starts to fade she comes out fighting. Things are really starting to move forward now and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Original Cover

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) - Lexi Blake

Six men with no memories of the past

One leader with no hope for the future

A man without a past

Jax woke up in a lab, his memories erased, and his mind reprogrammed to serve a mad woman’s will. After being liberated from his prison, he pledged himself to the only thing he truly knows—his team. Six men who lost everything they were. They must make certain no one else gets their hands on the drugs that stole their lives, all while hiding from every intelligence organization on the planet. The trail has led him to an unforgiving mountainside and a beautiful wilderness expert who may be his only hope of finding the truth.

A woman with a bright future

River Lee knows her way around the Colorado wilderness. She’s finally found a home in a place called Bliss after years lost in darkness. The nature guide prefers to show her clients the beauty found in the land, but she also knows the secrets the mountains hold. When she meets Jax, something about the troubled man calls to her. She agrees to lead him to the site of an abandoned government facility hidden deep in the forest. She never dreamed she was stepping into the middle of a battlefield.

A love that could heal a broken soul

Spending time with River, Jax discovers a peace he’s never known. Their passion unlocks a side of himself he didn’t even know he was missing. When an old enemy makes his first move, Jax and River find themselves fighting for their lives. But when his past is revealed, will River be caught in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy?

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) is the first book in a spin off from Lexi Blake's Masters and Mercenaries series featuring a group of men known as "The Lost Boys" who were previously rescued by Taggart and the McKay crew in the original books. I have to admit I'm fairly new to Lexi's work, I fell in love with her writing this year when I discovered her rereleases of the Nights in Bliss and Texas Sirens series previously written under the pen name of Sophie Oak and I'm slowly catching up on her urban fantasy Thieves series but I've not actually read the Masters and Mercenaries books yet (they're on my list but she has a huge backlist so it's going to take me a while to get fully caught up!).

Anyway, that means I've met Taggart and some of his men in the series I've already mentioned but I don't know any of the background history of the Lost Boys so I was worried I might be a little lost starting this book. Luckily Lexi Blake does a great job of catching new readers up and even though I'm now even more excited about reading the previous stories I didn't have any problem diving in here. I think it helps that all of her books are so interconnected, the setting for this story is actually Bliss so we get to catch up with characters from that series and it was good to see some familiar faces.

Jax is one of the Lost Boys I've previously mentioned. Alongside his brothers he has no memories of his life until approximately 3 years ago when they woke up in a lab after having their memories wiped in a sick experiment. The men have no pasts and before their rescue they were regularly tortured as their captor tried to reprogram them into perfect soldiers. Now they're on the run from some very powerful people but at the same time they're trying to track down more information about what was done to them and find out about their lives before they were initially captured. Their research has led them to Bliss where they believe that a secret government lab is hidden in the wilderness that may contain the key to their missing memories. River is an experienced tour guide who knows the area like the back of her hand so Jax and his brothers need her help desperately to find the secret laboratory, but can they find the information they're searching for before their past catches up with them?

Jax and his brothers are great, I loved getting to meet everyone and see how much they've all been affected by what they suffered and I'm looking forward to all of their stories. The brothers are all totally different but have been bonded by their shared experiences and they have some powerful allies in Taggart and his team. I really hope they're all going to get a book because I want to know more about all of them. Jax is a really sweet guy, he's been through so much but somehow still manages to put his trust in River and show her how much she means to him. He's ashamed of things he did in captivity but has done his best to move forward with his life and just really wants to find a place to call home.

River is quite a prickly character at first, she had a pretty bad experience with her ex that left her understandably wary of men and the recent death of her father has left her worn down and struggling to cope. I found her very easy to relate to and although there was a point where I wanted her to trust in Jax and not listen to a complete stranger I did understand where she was coming from and felt it made her character even more realistic. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Jax, they hit it off immediately before they know they're going to be working together, and things are only made complicated thanks to a mistake on his brother's part and the fact that River has huge trust issues. Jax is very patient with her though and when River makes up her mind she puts her all into helping Jax and his family.

I really enjoyed this story and I'm definitely excited to continue this series, it's also left me even more eager to catch up with the original Masters and Mercenaries books too so Lexi Blake has definitely gained a fan in me this year!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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