Treasured by Lexi Blake Blog Tour

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

David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.

Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South America to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing.

But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.

**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.**

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the Masters & Mercenaries series!
Click HERE.

 

 

Book 22.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)

 

 

What the hell was she doing?

Tessa glanced down at her watch. She was standing in front of her building ten minutes early, and there was a big part of her that wanted him to be late. Really late. Annoyingly late.

There had to be something about the man that wasn’t perfect beyond his connection to her employer.

She’d come down when she realized if she stayed inside one minute more she was going to decide to change again. Because she’d been halfway to convincing herself that she could do a fine job as a bodyguard in that curve-hugging dress that gave her so much confidence. Lots of bodyguards wore four-inch heels and a push-up bra. Yeah, sure they did.

Coming down here had saved her so much discomfort because in her line of business, slacks, a sensible shirt and shoes, and a blazer were the only way to go. The blazer hid her shoulder holster in a way that off-the-shoulder sex dress never would. And she didn’t care that Hollywood assassins could stuff any number of weapons between their thighs. Hers did not work that way.

It’s not a big deal.

The words David had said haunted her. What did that mean? It’s not a big deal. It had felt like a big deal. Not texting that smart hottie back had been a big fucking deal to her. She’d agonized over it, and he’d just kind of let it wash over him. He’d taken his shot and moved on. She had thought of nothing but him for weeks.

Or he was saving face by playing it cool and she was being ridiculous. The man was making this easy on her and she was inwardly complaining that he wasn’t making it harder. It was perverse, but then she had deeply conflicted feelings about David.

Feelings she could maybe work out over the course of this week. She could get to know him and then she would see he wasn’t as perfect as he seemed to be. Most men showed their true colors when a woman spent too much time with them. He wouldn’t be as patient as he seemed. His charm would wear off when she took charge and he got annoyed.

Yes, this could be exactly what she needed.

Especially if he was late.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book 22.5 of the Masters & Mercenaries series – and if you have never read them, then I highly recommend you get started! This would be a fun place to start, with just enough drama and plenty of sexy romance.

Tessa is feeling a little vulnerable now that she has called off her engagement to Michael, and her work life is a bit more complicated – hence, she has been taking more overseas assignments. Then she sits in a bar and meets a guy who unsettles her, in the very best of ways. Until she finds out that he is related to her boss and, therefore, completely out of bounds too. Of course, fate means that they are now going on a trip together, with her as his bodyguard.

I loved the mystery of the island and the opportunity that they had to get to know each other better – even if Tessa insisted that it was only for the time they were on the island... I think we all knew that she was kidding herself, as the chemistry between her and David was off the charts. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how they assimilate into the Masters & Mercenaries family. I did have to laugh when he explained that he did not go to Sanctum, given his mum did, haha!

A very enjoyable catch up with the gang and a happy ending for Tessa, who deserved to find the right one – even if it did knock down Charlotte's success figures.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
I love this series, it has a little mystery, a little dom/sub action, and a lot of chemistry between Tessa and David.

David is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the son of Grace. He is a college history professor and needs a bodyguard to go with him on a trip. Tessa is that bodyguard; she met David at a party a few weeks before and the sparks between them were off the charts. She has to keep her mind on the job and not on what could happen between them.

While staying on the island of a family friend to get the information he needs to finish the book he is working on, things seem to turn. People on the island seem suspicious of Tessa, but David is covering for her as they pretend she is his girlfriend.

Can they pull it off and find what he is looking for and escape the island with more than just their lives? Will Tessa give the chemistry between them a chance to grow?

This is a great addition to the Masters & Mercenaries series and I can't wait for more.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Tessa is amazing at her job. What she doesn't feel amazing at is the rest of her life. When she calls off her engagement, she knows she made the right choice, but seeing her ex-fiancé at work is tough. When she needs to get away from the happy almost family, she heads to the bar. It's there that she meets Professor David.

David loves his job. He knows that his mom is happy and that also makes him happy. What he isn't thrilled about it having to take security with him in order to finish his book. But since he doesn't want his mom to worry and knows that there isn't much danger, he relents.

While David and Tessa figure out whether or not they can make a go of their relationship off island (I mean, come on, Tessa is just kidding herself if she thinks she can turn off her attraction to David.), the mystery behind David's book and its prior inhabitants comes to light.

With a mystery to solve and lives at stake, it'll take David's wits, Tessa's smarts, and their combined strengths to figure this out.

It's a quick read with a fun story. You won't be disappointed.

 

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LEXI BLAKE lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

For more information about the 1,001 Dark Nights releases, follow them at:

Facebook  ~  Instagram  ~  Website & Newsletter Sign-Up

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Treasured (Masters & Mercenaries #22.5; Sanctum Nights #11) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour.