Tempted by Lexi Blake Release Blitz

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

When West Rycroft left his family’s ranch to work in the big city, he never dreamed he would find himself surrounded by celebrities and politicians. Working at McKay-Taggart as a bodyguard and security expert quickly taught him how to navigate the sometimes shark-infested waters of the elite. While some would come to love that world, West has seen enough to know it’s not for him, preferring to keep his distance from his clients—until the day he meets Ally Pearson.

Growing up in the entertainment world, Ally was always in the shadow of others, but now she has broken out from behind the scenes for her own day in the spotlight. The paparazzi isn’t fun, but she knows all too well that it’s part of the gig. She has a good life and lots of fans, but someone has been getting too close for comfort and making threats. To be safe, she hires her own personal knight in shining armor, a cowboy hottie by the name of West. They clash in the beginning, but the minute they fall into bed together something magical happens.

Just as everything seems too good to be true, they are both reminded that there was a reason Ally needed a bodyguard. Her problems have found her again, and this time West will have to put his life on the line or lose everything they’ve found.

**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 Masters & Mercenaries Sanctum Nights novella!
For book #8, Protected, click HERE.
For book #11, Treasured, click HERE.
For #13, Delighted, click HERE.

Click HERE to peruse our reviews of other books in the Masters & Mercenaries series!

 

 

Book 26.5
Buy Links

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

 

 

Soft music was playing. It was folksy but modern. Not at all what he would expect. And she wasn’t in front of the TV. She sat at the dining table which was covered in… Were those puzzle pieces?

“Hey,” he said. “I’m here for the rest of the night and through tomorrow. Was Tessa okay?”

Her head came up, and she damn near took his breath away. She was in pajama bottoms and a tank top, her face scrubbed free and hair piled on top of her head. She was every bit as gorgeous this way. “She was great. I liked her a lot.”

“But you didn’t like Matt?”

Her lips turned down. “Well, now I like Tessa less.”

He set down his duffel on one of the chairs and set the grocery bag on the table away from the numerous puzzle pieces. She’d started working on the edges, and it looked like she was a sorter. “Don’t. It’s literally my job to make sure you’re okay. She’s going to give me any information I need.”

“Did she tell you I thought you were an asshole?”

For some reason, that made him smile. “She did. And I was. And if Matt does anything at all to make you uncomfortable, I expect you to tell me. Ally, I had a job go weird a couple of weeks ago. I know men are supposed to want any pretty woman who comes their way…”

She sat up, her expression turning distinctly sympathetic. “Someone tried to sex you up when you didn’t want to?”

That was one way of putting it. “She was very aggressive, and it bothered me more than I realized. I think I took a little of that out on you today, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

“Did she look like me or something?”

“Not even close,” he said with a huff. “Like she wasn’t as… No, she didn’t look like you. But she was something of a celebrity. She was a European royal.”

“Please tell me it was Kate.” Her eyes had gone super wide like this would be the best gift ever.

She would so get along with his brother and Martin. “It was not. She’s a minor royal but a major pain in my ass. I’m sorry. I hope you’ll give me a second chance.”

She stared for a moment as though assessing the situation. “Are those Flamin’ Hot Cheetos?”

“My brother’s fiancé swears you like them. His name is Martin, and he’s a big fan.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and he would have sworn that girl… woman… glowed. “That’s so nice. If he has any time, he could come up to the set and have lunch with us. And he’s right. Gimme. I love them, but the camera adds five pounds and…”

“You always have four cameras on you.” He handed her the chips and sat down. It would be a much quieter night than he’d counted on, but he kind of liked that.

She opened them and had one of those suckers in her mouth very quickly. She sighed, obviously content. “Not now I don’t. All right, Rycroft, we start again. And Matt’s probably fine. You’ll know he’s done something wrong if he has to go to the hospital because I kicked him in the balls. Pass me that blue piece. I think it goes here.”

He handed her the piece, and they got on with their first night.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Growing up in Hollywood, Ally Pearson is tired of being in the shadows and is ready to begin her breakout role. But her latest stalker, or a new one, has struck again and her stepfather thinks it is time to get her personal security. That is where McKay-Taggart comes in.

West Rycroft grew up on a ranch in a small Texas town and knew it was time to leave when his twin brother left. He would always support his twin and he needed the change too. Now he is working at McKay-Taggart and has realized that protecting the rich and famous is not for him, until he meets Ally.

West and Ally click from their first meeting, whether they disagree on her safety or the sizzling touches, they are meant to be together. Will her lifestyle tear them apart? Will West finally see what his life is supposed to be? Can Ally and West make their relationship work?

I loved the banter between Ally and West from the beginning. I was trying to figure out who her stalker was, but I kept coming up with wrong guesses until it was obvious who it was. I love the way this author has of making this series where you are invested from the beginning, even when it is a novella like this one, but you have to know how the story ends. I hope there will be more to Ally and West's story in the future.


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

West is enjoying his life. Moving to the city was something he had to do in order to support his twin, yes, but West also needed to get out of his small town for him too. Now working security, West is trying to find his place in the world. After a protection duty that had him fending off the person he was supposed to be protecting, the last thing that West wants is another "entitled princess" to watch. But duty calls.

Ally is young and wanting to make her own mark on the movie world. She's coming from a past that has denied her the right to prove herself. Now that she's landed a real part, Ally wants to show everyone that she can act and that her reality show – or rather her sister's show – isn't what defines her and that Ally is more than the spoiled brat she portrays.

With someone stalking Ally, her family wants to make sure that she's safe. When West is hired to protect Ally, neither pulls any punches. Their meet-cute is anything but. Tempers flare, words are slung, and then they're off to the races.

As they get to know each other, their pasts come to light, their true selves are revealed, and the danger lurks closer and closer.

You won't be disappointed in this novella. It's a quick read that shows how first impressions aren't always right, everyone can change, and sometimes, finding yourself is the best way through.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is one of the wonderful 1001 Dark Nights series – and one of my favourites – Masters & Mercenaries Sanctum Nights. I long for a time when I can go back to the goodness of book one and read them all in one go – binge reading at its finest!

Here we find West, straight off his horrendous princess bodyguard stint and very reluctant to now work for a reality TV/acting princess. Fortunately, he is made to realise the error of his assumptions as he gets to know Ally better... a lot better!

I loved Ally's sharing of her inner thoughts with us, and her groundedness given the crazy upbringing she has had. When West and she start to gel, it is magic and well deserved by both. I love that this book enables West to think hard about what he really wants, rather than what worked at the time, and Ally gets the chance to do exactly the same – and so the impossible becomes the possible.

Delicious, could have read on another 1001 pages, love all these characters, so many lovely vignettes and poignant moments. Thank you, Lexi Blake, for another great installment.

 

 

 

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 Blake

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Lexi’s Literary Universe

 

 

For more information about the 1001 Dark Nights releases, follow them at:

Facebook  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website & Newsletter Sign-Up

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Tempted (Masters & Mercenaries #26.5; Sanctum Nights #14) by Lexi Blake to read and review.