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ARC Review: At the Pleasure of the President by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

At the Pleasure of the President

Shayla Black

Lexi Blake

The Perfect Gentleman Series, Book 5

Kindle Edition, 450 pages
Expected publication: April 9th 2019 by Black Oak Books, LLC

The thrilling conclusion of the twisting, page-turning Perfect Gentlemen series…

Decades ago, ambitious Zack Hayes set his sights on the White House. He’s worked his whole life to become the leader of the free world—attending the right schools, marrying the perfect bride—all to aid his campaign. He didn’t realize someone behind the scenes has been pulling the strings to manipulate Zack and the country he loves into a dangerous position—one he will risk his life to wrench free from. The one thing he can’t risk is Elizabeth Matthews.

From the moment she met Zack Hayes, Liz felt the connection. Serving as his campaign manager and then his press secretary, she accepted that her love for him would remain unrequited. Still, she’d thought they were friends, so when he pushed her aside, she felt the stab in her heart. And when she realizes he’s done it to protect her, nothing will stop Liz from standing by his side—not even the men who would use her as a weapon against him.

As shocking secrets are revealed, Zack and Liz find succor and passion in each other’s arms. When the ultimate villain shows his face, Zack may have to choose between his country and the woman he loves…

 

 

 

 

5 Stars

From jaw dropping suspense, to the hottest of passion, to a conspiracy that puts readers on the edge of their seats, Shayla Black and Lexi Blake deliver an epic conclusion to the Perfect Gentlemen Series with At the Pleasure of the President.

Zachary Hayes truly has the weight of the free world on his shoulders. Being President has it advantages and its disadvantages. For having the kind of power that he does, the one thing his heart desires is standing within an arms grasp and he can’t have her. Even though Zach is the President, he’s still a man. Hard headed and stubborn, with so much intensity and being as sexy as he is makes it hard for a woman to not go crazy. Zach’s heart is huge and he believes his Intentions are best but being who he is, in the predicament that he’s in, he allows birds of a feather to influence what the sensible decisions should really be. Zach is as smooth as the scotch he likes to indulge in. He knows how to get what he what and go for it. Even if he has to go a roundabout way to get it. There were so many moments that I felt so much for Zack and then I wanted to shake the crap out of him because he couldn’t seem to get his head and his heart together. In the end he made the right choice.

Elizabeth is a southern spit fire of a woman. Beauty and grace, yet she can stomp down anyone with charm and style. A woman who has stepped up beyond her job title, put her heart to the side, then on the line. Politic she can handle, the craziness that Zach’s life has thrown at her is making Liz’s head spin. Elizabeth made her mark from the moment she hit the page in the very first book of the Perfect Gentleman Series. She takes no crap, is not afraid to speak her mind and is just fun. I love the fact that she gives all these high-powered man a run for their money. Liz is a true sister in every sense of the word.

What an amazing book!  At the Pleasure of the President answers all the lingering questions I had from the previous books in the series and gives not just one but two HEAs.  The story is utterly twisted and wonderfully unique. The Perfect Gentleman Series is truly some amazing and creative writing. The series was able to captivate, entertain and make you think. Each book is a piece of a giant puzzle that you don’t even realize how invested you have become until you were reading the final chapters of the last book. The biggest props I can give to both Shayla and Lexi for creating a story so intricate and evolving while giving romance readers what they want in their reads. At the Pleasure of the President is not only a great book, it’s a highly intricate piece of art.

The Perfect Gentleman Series is one of the most intricate, captivating and intense plots I’ve every had the enjoyment of getting caught up in.

 

ARC Review: Big Easy Temptation By Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

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sb6Big Easy Temptation

Perfect Gentlemen Book 3

By Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

Coming May 3, 2016

Print ISBN 978-0425275344

 

 

 

The New York Times bestselling authors of the Masters of Ménage series present the

third scintillating novel featuring the privileged, wealthy, wild men of Creighton

Academy—the Perfect Gentlemen.

Years ago, Naval officer Dax Spencer and NCIS agent Holland Kirk indulged in a

steamy affair—until she betrayed him in the wake of his father’s death. Dax tried to put

her behind him with a payback of his own. But he never forgot Holland…

Now, as Dax and his fellow Perfect Gentlemen unravel a web of lies, he discovers

his family’s tragedy is part of a much larger conspiracy. Soon, all clues point him back to

New Orleans…where Holland waits, protecting her deadly secret and holding a torch for

Once reunited, they can’t fight the passion flaring hot and wild. But something

sinister lurks around every corner, from the elegance of the Garden district to the beauty

of the bayou. Dax and Holland may find their way back to each other—if they survive…

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#Kindle http://amzn.to/1IVm98Q

#KindleUK http://amzn.to/1Mza11c

#iBooks http://apple.co/1MhrTIF

#GooglePlay http://bit.ly/1S8ztdJ

#AmazonPrint http://amzn.to/1DWIq7u

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#Barnes&Noble http://bit.ly/1PTkCo5

#Walmart http://shayla.link/BET-Walmart

#Audible http://amzn.to/1RZqkTs

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Excerpt:

 

“I’m going to kiss you now and I won’t stop unless you tell me to.”

“I won’t say a word,” she breathed.

He lifted his free hand to her hair, sliding out the elastic band holding the low

ponytail she typically wore. He gripped the strands. “Soft as silk. Just like you.”

“I’m not soft, Dax.” She didn’t want him to think she was like the other women he’d

been with. They likely had been sweet, feminine creatures. Holland couldn’t afford to be.

“Yes, you are. You can be strong and soft and silky all at the same time. That’s who

you are and one of the reasons I find you interesting. I want to know every single facet of

Holland Kirk. I want to be the man you explore with, experiment with, be true with.”

She had the feeling he wasn’t merely talking about sex. This was why she’d always

hesitated. Dax wanted all of her, even the parts of herself she’d shut down and hidden and

told herself didn’t matter. He wouldn’t accept anything less than the whole of her soul.

But if he gave her back the whole of his, wasn’t that worth it? If they were both

vulnerable, they could learn to trust.

She leaned in and his lips finally met hers. Slow and steady. He took her mouth like

a man indulging in decadence, as though knowing they would share the pleasure of sex

made him willing to stretch this moment out to something rich and sinful.

Gently, he fisted a hand in her hair, lighting up her scalp with sensation as he took

her lips more fully, clasping her body against his own. She softened, giving in to the

demand of his mouth, his hands. And when his tongue slid over her lower lip, demanding

entry, she couldn’t stop herself from flowering open for him.

Dax pulled her up and onto his lap. She clasped her arms around his neck, bringing

him closer. She could feel his erection pressing against her, thick and hard. So big. She

couldn’t help but wriggle a little, trying to get closer to him.

His arms tightened on her. “Stop it, sweetheart, or we’re going to have a problem. I

want this to last. After waiting this long, I want to savor tonight.”

But she was already on the edge, dying for him to be on top of her, inside of her.

“We should set some ground rules first,” he growled against her neck. “Holland, I’m

crazy about you, but you’re going to let me control sex. I’m not foolish enough to think I

could control anything else in our relationship but I need you to let me handle this.”

“Why does anyone have to be in control?” She’d always been in the power position

with the men in her bed. Ceding it to Dax both excited and scared her.

“Because, as you pointed out, I have more experience. And I’m wired to take

control. We’re not going to go at it like two teenagers. Not this first time. Maybe later,

when I know exactly how to touch you to get you hot.” Heat melted his dark eyes like

chocolate. “But right now I have to figure out how to handle you, how to steer you the

“Aren’t you?” He brushed a big hand over one of her breasts, cupping her flesh in his

broad palm and making her gasp. “Everything that’s worth doing is worth doing right.

Making love to you is definitely worth my best effort. See, this little nipple is begging for

attention.” He dragged his thumb across the sensitive bud so slowly she bit her lip to hold

in a moan. “Take off your shirt and your bra so I can give it the proper attention.”

His voice had dropped an octave and gone velvety. Holland found herself obeying

him. Her fingers shook as she reached for the buttons of her shirt, twisting each and

releasing it before moving to the next. She didn’t leave the comfort of his lap, but he sat

back like a king watching the show, mentally undressing her with those eyes. There was

something a bit forbidden about baring herself while his erection pressed so intimately

Holland unfastened the last button and let her shirt fall away before she unhooked

the front clasp of her bra. Her breasts were nothing special. She hit the gym three or four

times a week to stay in shape. She considered herself more athletic than sexy, but the way

Dax’s breath hitched and he affixed his stare to her bare mounds, as if he’d never seen

anything sexier, made her rethink all that.

He dragged his heated palm down the valley between her breasts. “Sweetheart . . . I

always knew you would be gorgeous without all those clothes. So beautiful.”

Until him, she hadn’t felt that way. Her body had been a tool to use in service of her

job, a way to move about each day. When she’d had sex, she preferred to go to the

bedroom, get the deed done, and get to sleep. Her few longer-term boyfriends hadn’t

seemed to mind, but she got the feeling Dax would take exception to that routine.

With him, it meant far more to her than a rote activity, too.

He kissed her again, their tongues tangling as he explored her breasts, caressing her

nipples, plying them with his touch. Fire licked through her system. She could feel

“Lean back for me. I’ll hold you and keep you safe.” His words rumbled over the

sensitive flesh of her neck as he gently leaned her back, resting her over his arm until she

arched and thrust her chest up to him like an offering.

“Yes, these little pearls need affection.” He tongued one, laving and sucking it.

She had to bite her lip to hold in a cry. She’d never thought her nipples were

particularly sensitive, but that was because they’d never experienced Dax’s clever mouth.

She heard herself whimper as he sucked one bud deeper between his lips. He didn’t

satisfy himself with a little lick, a short few seconds of suckling. Not Captain Dax

Spencer. He indulged. He reveled. He caressed her with his tongue, tracing her areola

before he sucked the tip back into his mouth and gave her the bare edge of his teeth. A

tiny bite of pain flared before he soothed the bud with a soft laving. Her body balled into

an ache, her sex throbbed as he shifted his attention to her left breast and gave it the same

“I want to kiss and lick and taste every inch of you, Holland. Do you know how

long I’ve waited to be here? Years. Fuck, sweetheart, even before I met you, I dreamed

about you. I’ve always known you’re the one woman who could make me feel, make me

want forever.” He nuzzled her, the stubble of his hard jaw gently abrading her skin.

“Stand up and take off your pants. I don’t want anything to stop me from touching you.”

 

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review

 4.5 Stars 

The third book of the Perfect Gentleman series, Big Easy Temptation is sensational from beginning to end. Shayla Black and Lexi Blake entice readers with explosive passion while keeping them on the edge of their seats with scandalous suspense. 
Chemistry, second chances, betrayal and bonds deeper than blood. The Perfect Gentleman return with a fast paced, emotional and jaw dropping suspense filled read that reads like you watching it. Passion laces every emotion within the story. From beginning to end Shayla and Lexi keep reader thinking while tempting them. 
Dax and Holland are explosive together. A history of longing and passion have created an intense sexual tension. Intimacy and seduction that Dax and Holland dance around and share is the stuff of stories. The two complement each other so well. Their chemistry is off the carts but drunken actions cut pretty deep. Leaving 
Big Easy Temptation was a one sit, I can’t put this down read. I became so enthralled with the story I had to know. Long buried secrets begin to surface and caught in the web are the Perfect Gentlemen. Highly scandalous and extremely sexy Ms. Black and Ms.Blake truly give readers everything in this book. A great plot, amazing characters and story that had you holding on for every bit of the magic that this fabulous writing duo creates. 

Review copy provided by netgalley. 

 

deana

 

 

 

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ABOUT SHAYLA BLACK:

sb7Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than

forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and

historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books

have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the

chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she

could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she

graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate

America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that

she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her

teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV,

reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

 

Visit Shayla’s website: http://shaylablack.com/

Visit Shayla on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor/?fref=ts

Visit her Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Shayla-

Black/e/B001IOFJQM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1451315186&sr=8-2- ent

 

 

ABOUT LEXI BLAKE:

lex2NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the 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.

Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are six more books available in the series: Their Virgin’s Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, Their Virgin Secretary, and Their Virgin Mistress. In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. The first nine novels, The Dom Who Loved Me, The Men with the Golden Cuffs, A Dom is Forever, On Her Master’s Secret Service, Love and Let Die, Dungeon Royale, A View to a Thrill, You Only Love Twice, and Master No are available now, along with the novellas Sanctum, Unconditional, Dungeon Games, Cherished, Luscious, Adored, and Just One Taste. The tenth novel, From Sanctum with Love, is coming February 23, 2016, along with a new novella, Devoted, on April 12, 2016.In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves.The full series, Steal the Light, Steal the Day, Steal the Moon, Steal the Sun, and Steal the Night,are available now on Amazon. The first two books in a spin-off of the series, Ripper and Addict, were released in 2015. Look for Sleeper, the next book in the spin-off series, to be released in Lexi again collaborated with Shayla Black in a new series The Perfect Gentlemen. The first book, Scandal Never Sleeps, is now available. Book two, Seduction in Session, willrelease on January 5, 2016, followed by book three, Big Easy Temptation, on May 3,Sign up for Lexi’s FREE newsletter at http://lexiblake.net .

For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her

Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net) .