Cuffed by His Charm by Stacey Kennedy

A tabloid scandal unites a powerful mogul and a woman from the wrong side of the tracks in this tantalizing novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and the Club Sin series.

Spoiler alert! The following reveals crucial plot points from Restrained Under His Duty.

The multimillionaire owner of a chain of successful Irish pubs, Gabe O’Keefe loves being in the spotlight almost as much as he loves women. But when all his secrets are exposed in a shameless tabloid, his glistening reputation takes a hit. What hurts most is learning who sold him out: sweet and sensual McKenna Archer, his own employee. Gabe thought he could trust her. But now he’s got bigger problems than keeping his hands off McKenna.

After putting a difficult past behind her, McKenna would never betray Gabe. But she knows someone who would: her brother, a compulsive gambler who owes money all over town. To make things right, McKenna will have to set aside her feelings for her boss. Easier said than done. Gabe oozes pure temptation. But when they team up, McKenna sees that he isn’t the manwhore she always thought. He’s strong. He’s real. And the heat between them is the only thing that makes sense anymore.

Cuffed by His Charm is intended for mature audiences.

Book 4
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

Book #4 in a pretty good series, but Cuffed seemed to read a little slower for me. I loved Gabe's character, and he and McKenna had some great longing going on in previous books, so I was excited for their story. But I found myself skimming a tad overall and I think maybe too many mundane details did the story in for me. Still, a nice finale to the four alpha male, millionaire, playboys and their finding love and happiness.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

What does a multi-millionaire businessman do when he thinks his employee has taken his and his friends' secrets and sold them to the tabloids? He gets answers, it might not be the answers he was looking for, but still answers.

Gabe O'Keefe is the owner of many pubs across America and when he learns that the one woman he has wanted for the last year has sold his secrets to the tabloids, he wants revenge and answers. But first he wants her, and he will not be easy because his anger will not let him. But when he learns the truth, he feels guilty for using her like he did without getting answers first.

McKenna Archer has never had an easy life, first her drunk of a mother and now her addicted brother. She has tried to help him, but what she needs to do is throw him in rehab and leave him there. Because he isn't doing anyone any good now. So when Gabe comes to her and she learns why, she knows it is her brother that has betrayed her once again.

Can McKenna accept help from Gabe and his friends, the only people to be there for her? Will Gabe forgive her brother for McKenna's sake? Will McKenna choose her brother over Gabe in the end? Will Gabe and his friends get their revenge on the tabloids in the end?

I love Stacey Kennedy's writing style and this story was great, I need to go back and read the rest of this series too. I loved Gabe and the way he wanted to protect McKenna, and she drove me crazy with the way she always bailed out her brother, but he was family and that is what you do for a family until you have had enough. I loved this one and hope you do too, so enjoy.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
I liked this book but there was something that felt a bit "off" to me. The issue with McKenna's brother was the plot twist that changed the game for her and Gabe. Gabe's reaction to McKenna's alleged betrayal was off-putting to say the least, and took a while for me, as the reader, to see beyond his actions.

A lot of things happened in a short amount of time, which is good for an action-packed story. What bothered me was how fast McKenna seemed to get over how Gabe treated her and what's more, blamed herself for the bad things that happened to him and his friends.


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

This is Gabe's story. He is being hounded by the tabloids and he doesn't really know what to do when he finds out that someone from inside one of his establishments is the betrayer. He is angry and does something that ultimately made me really dislike him as a man and as a dominant: he took his anger out on McKenna by sleeping with her – it was him trying to get her out of his system.

McKenna has had a difficult life. She is also trying to keep herself above water because her brother, who is troubled, has been living and sponging off of her for a while, and when he finds himself in trouble, she enables him to get him out of trouble. McKenna has always been attracted to Gabe, so when he comes to her and she finds herself in his arms, she thinks finally something is going to go right for her. However, she finds herself not basking in the afterglow of their encounter, but faced with an angry Gabe who accuses her of betraying him and his friends.

What follows is the tale of how Gabe needs to find a way to redeem his horrible behavior, McKenna's past is revealed more and more and finally, whether or not Gabe and McKenna find their own happily ever after.

I do wish that Alex would get her own story, as she was one of my favorite characters throughout.


Lee'Anne – ☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book, though I have to say it was my least favorite in the series so far – the story just wasn’t as intense as the previous characters stories.

Gabe is the owner of a chain of pubs by day and Club Sin by night. He’s decided to take a break from the CEO life and just work in one of his pubs – he’s taken quite the liking to one of his most recent employees and though things are pretty hot between them, he knows getting involved with an employee would be risky. When a tabloid runs a story about his personal life he’ll do anything to find out who leaked his story, when he finds out it’s the gorgeous bartender, McKenna, he sleeps with her, then fires her. McKenna can’t believe that after all these months of sexual tension Gabe’s finally acting on it… only to fire her right after for something she knows she didn’t do. Heartbroken and hurt, McKenna assures Gabe it wasn’t her, then walks out and Gabe can’t help but to wonder if she may be telling the truth.

The chemistry between Gabe and McKenna is undeniable, but I have to say that was probably my favorite part about the book. There were almost too many details – it made it so that I was skimming a lot more then I would have liked. I don’t know that this is the last book in the series but it will most likely be the last one I read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series – and we have been working up to this episode for a while, so I would recommend that you read them in order to get the full force of this installment. We also get a nod to the Club Sin series too, which is fun for the loyal fan!

Gabe and McKenna have been skirting around their attraction to each other forever, so what happens at the beginning is a massive shock to the system, and completely out of character. It takes a little while to get over that, even with everything we know about Gabe. But the twists and turns mean that he is now going to have to do the very opposite to that which he planned, and may still lose the girl. The plot works perfectly at ramping up the tension, both in terms of the Gotcha! issues and romantic ones.

Super hot, a working resolution, and another man off the market! Thank you, Ms. Kennedy.

Also Available in the Dirty Little Secrets Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Bound Beneath His Pain post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Tied to His Betrayal post.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Restrained Under His Duty post.

Stacey Kennedy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. She writes deeply emotional romances about powerful men and the wild women who tame them. When she’s not plugging away at a new story, she’s either hiking, canoeing, relaxing around a campfire, or obsessing over Suits, The Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones. Stacey lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband (who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame), their two young children, and her other babies: a mini labradoodle named Jax and a chocolate labrador named Murphy.

Connect with Stacey

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cuffed by His Charm (Dirty Little Secrets #4) by Stacey Kennedy to read and review.

Restrained Under His Duty by Stacey Kennedy

An uninhibited politician’s daughter falls for her loyal bodyguard behind closed doors in this scandalous novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and Tied to His Betrayal.

As the chief of security for a prominent senator, Ryder Blackwood is stunned when an anonymous source sends him a compromising photo of his boss’s twenty-five-year-old daughter getting down and dirty in an underground sex club. If it gets out, the media firestorm could ruin her father. More troubling for Ryder is how arousing he finds the whole situation. He’s known Hadley Winters since she was a kid. And now she’s the woman in all his most private fantasies.

Wild behavior helps Hadley get through those painful, lonely nights, but she’s been waiting a long time for a man like Ryder to protect her from herself. Ryder is raw. He’s real. And he makes her feel safe. Now that they’ve both become pawns in a blackmailer’s dangerous game, there’s more at stake than her father’s political career. As the intimate threats tear apart a tender new love, Hadley is forced to trust Ryder with her life—and her heart.

Restrained Under His Duty is intended for mature audiences.

Book 3
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

I have not read previous stories in this series. While this story does hint at other people from previous book, I didn't feel that I was missing anything.

This is more of a story about protecting those you have come to care about.

Ryder is a bodyguard/security for a well-known senator. He has worked for him several years and would do anything for him. When the daughter of the senator, Hadley, is blackmailed into getting her father to retire, Ryder steps in to help solve the situation.

Not only is Ryder attracted to Hadley, but it goes both ways. Their mutual attraction simmers almost the entire book.

With people attacking the senator, Hadley, Ryder and his friends, Ryder definitely has his hands full.

It's almost a race against time and the book is fast-paced and well developed. I liked how despite their attraction, they also were independent, not co-dependent.

I really enjoyed this story.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and I would recommend that you read them in order – there is a thread which runs through them all, and we are getting closer to figuring it all out.

This is a wonderful suspenseful book – not just has Hadley been kept in suspense over her feelings for Ryder, but there is murder afoot and a rapidly unravelling situation for Ryder and his team. When things get complicated, they will both be tested on what is exactly the right thing to do next. They both want each other, but that isn't always possible in their world of politics and deception.

Hot, tense, and very readable, I can't wait to see what happens next!


Lee'Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a 5-star SUPER hot read! This is the first book in the series that I’ve read and it’s definitely able to be read as a standalone.

Ryder has been security for a senator for years while building up his own security company. When it comes to protecting this senator, he handles the work personally because of Hadley, the senator’s daughter he’s had feelings for forever. The attraction between Hadley and Ryder is mutual; however, Ryder will not let anything happen for fear of it coming between his protecting the family. That doesn’t stop Hadley from trying to get Ryder’s attention though and when someone comes after Hadley to get to the senator, Ryder steps in and will do whatever it takes to protect Hadley… even if that requires making her his!

The need to know what happens next kept me up far past my bedtime finishing this one, I just couldn’t put it down. I love the way that the storyline flows, it has humor, suspense, and a TON of steam. I enjoyed every page and can’t wait to see what Stacey Kennedy releases next!

Also Available in the Dirty Little Secrets Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Bound Beneath His Pain post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Tied to His Betrayal post.

Stacey Kennedy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. She writes deeply emotional romances about powerful men and the wild women who tame them. When she’s not plugging away at a new story, she’s either hiking, canoeing, relaxing around a campfire, or obsessing over Suits, The Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones. Stacey lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband (who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame), their two young children, and her other babies: a mini labradoodle named Jax and a chocolate labrador named Murphy.

Connect with Stacey

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Restrained Under His Duty (Dirty Little Secrets #3) by Stacey Kennedy to read and review.

Tied to His Betrayal by Stacey Kennedy

In a dazzling novel of passion and power from the bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and the Club Sin series, a commanding man gives up his most prized possession to win back the one that got away.

Darius Bennett can’t live without supreme control. A self-made billionaire, he’s rich enough to get anything—and any woman—he wants, yet he’s still haunted by a broken relationship. Five years ago, Darius let Taylor Erikson go because he knew he could never give her what she truly wanted: his heart. But the moment Taylor walks back into his life, bruised and beaten, Darius blames himself. To make good on his betrayal, he vows to help her heal—in and out of the sheets.

Once upon a time, Darius was Taylor’s world. Now his fierce embrace is exactly what she needs to get back on her feet. But Taylor pays a heavy price for her sizzling nights with Darius. As the emotional ties become stronger than ever and the paparazzi hunt her down for their next juicy story, Taylor must face some hard truths. They can’t go back. And to move forward, the key to loving Darius isn’t about keeping his secrets—it’s about exposing them.

Tied to His Betrayal is intended for mature audiences.

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆
3.5 sexy stars

This is the second book in the series and deals with another couple, but we have met the main characters in the previous book. It would read okay as a standalone, but the nuance is better as a follow on.

Overall this is an enjoyable read, and I was happy to reconnect with Allie et al. I found the men (as last time) to be slightly unrealistic in their level and topics of conversation with each other – and their issues... it didn't seem like they would be so careless as to let that happen. Thankfully, Darius didn't come over as the ultimate dominant, he had far too much humanity – even if his reasons were flawed. And the story makes clear how his control fails him with Taylor, which is fun to watch.

Taylor is a curious mix of independent and naive – and her idealisation of her parents is a strange trait in my opinion. But it mostly works in the context of the story. Certainly there were plenty of cameos which enabled the author to build a picture of how she felt and behaved with others, now she is back in Darius's orbit.

If we get another installment it will be good to see how this relationship moves forward, for both of them.

Also Available in the Dirty Little Secrets Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Bound Beneath His Pain post.

Stacey Kennedy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. She writes deeply emotional romances about powerful men and the wild women who tame them. When she’s not plugging away at a new story, she’s either hiking, canoeing, relaxing around a campfire, or obsessing over Suits, The Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones. Stacey lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband (who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame), their two young children, and her other babies: a mini labradoodle named Jax and a chocolate labrador named Murphy.

Connect with Stacey

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Tied to His Betrayal (Dirty Little Secrets #2) by Stacey Kennedy to read and review.

Bound Beneath His Pain by Stacey Kennedy

The USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin novels kicks off a deeply sensual new series by introducing readers to Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs.

Real estate mogul Micah Holt exerts absolute control over all aspects of his life. He keeps his dark side hidden away from the press, who will chase down any hint of scandal. He’s always in command of his world, careful to expose his closely guarded secrets only to those he knows he can trust. Then Allie Bennett shakes his legendary discipline. She’s beautiful, pure, untainted. But is Micah willing to sacrifice her innocence for his own selfish obsessions?

When that sexy smile makes her body burn, Allie tries with all her might to ignore it. For one thing, Micah's her new boss. For another, he's as complicated as he is devastatingly handsome. Still, Allie can only fight so much before she gives in to his dangerous games. She knows he's got dark secrets. But when she discovers the true depth of his pain, Allie must decide how far she's willing to go to light the way for love.

Bound Beneath His Pain is intended for mature audiences.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 Stars
Bound Beneath His Pain is the first book a spin off series from Club Sin.

Micah is the product of a bad childhood, but despite his upbringing he goes on to be extremely successful. He's the in control businessman, with a side of dominance that he tries to hide.

Allie is successful in her own right. She's worked hard to get where she is and she knows what she wants. When Micah's company buys out hers, there is an instant attraction between them. Micah feels the need to hide that dom side of himself, knowing that Allie will leave him if he shows his true self.

To me this book is more romance with a side of BDSM. Comparably, it's a very light version of BDSM. Micah was a bit dramatic for me. He made a big deal out of everything, that really wasn't. Allie seemed to have a handle on herself more.

The second book looks like it’s going to be about Darius – which would make for a very interesting read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a hot read, which does a good job of using some traditional moves and making us look at them in a slightly different way. I was glad that there was some delay in the romance blossoming, as the tension worked well to ramp up the passion. Holt definitely was lucky to have some real friends, and Darius was probably much calmer than I expected – but we shall see how that works out given the ending of the book.

I look forward to seeing the current relationship develop and the new ones unfold...hopefully we will get inside one of their clubs at least once...

Good start to a new series, thank you Ms. Kennedy.


Kris – ☆☆☆☆
Micah Holt has impeccable control. He's on top of his game in the real estate business and he has things just how he likes them. When his company takes over a smaller real estate business, he comes across a woman who tests his boundaries and brings out the darker side of his nature, he wants to consume Allie. Allie is a self-made woman. She's worked hard to be taken at her merit and not on the millions in her trust account she's been given by her half-brother. When Holt Real Estate takes over her company, she has to open her mind on her pre-made prejudices of the rich owner, Micah.

The story unfolds a bit slowly, but picks up speed well mid-book. There's some basic, formulaic aspects to the story, but it was written well enough to keep me engaged and interested. The story falls along the rich guy, innocent girl, dark secrets lines, but with a little twist. I enjoyed it overall and found the ending a good set up for the next character, which I'd gladly buy. Solid 4 stars for me!

Stacey Kennedy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. She writes deeply emotional romances about powerful men and the wild women who tame them. When she’s not plugging away at a new story, she’s either hiking, canoeing, relaxing around a campfire, or obsessing over Suits, The Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones. Stacey lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband (who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame), their two young children, and her other babies: a mini labradoodle named Jax and a chocolate labrador named Murphy.

Connect with Stacey

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets #1) by Stacey Kennedy to read and review.

Too Much to Lose by Samantha Holt Blog Tour

Have you ever been so desperate you made a decision that would haunt you forever?

Jess has.

She became a porn star.

Jess is on the run from her past. She has no friends, no life. She tries to forget everything that happened to her all those years ago. After changing her image, leaving her home and getting a new job, she’s determined it won’t happen again. If that means never being close to anyone ever again, the so be it.

If only Hunter O’Reilly didn’t make her wish things could be different. Hunter needs this job. After being screwed over by his partner—make that ex-partner—his investigation business is on the line. Already in debt, he eagerly takes on the job of finding some stolen money at triple his going rate. He expects problems at that price. But he doesn’t expect to fall for her.

However, no job is ever that simple. When he’s forced to spend more time with her, the lines between business and pleasure are blurred. And once Jess’s life comes under threat, they have to make a decision, can they both overcome Jess’s past?

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

“If you’re in trouble, I know some people who can help.”

“I’m not in trouble. Really, I’m not. I mean who would want to kill me? I know bankers aren’t exactly popular—” she lets loose a shaky laugh “—but I’m harmless.”

Harmless? Not sure about that. Jess sends my heart racing, makes my skin clammy. She’s driving me insane. Harmless? No way.

“What do you want me to do?” I ask.

“Do?”

“Shall I stick around?”

“Oh. No, you don’t need to do that.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I’m fine. Seriously. Thank you for today. You must be tired and I bet your side hurts.”

It does, but I’m not going to admit to that. “It’s fine.”

“Look about that kiss….”

“That was my fault.”

“I kissed you.”

“You did.” I can’t resist letting my mouth curve upwards. She kissed me, but I don’t know if that’s a bad or a good thing. While my pride basks in it, the voice inside that keeps pulling at my gut wants to scream at her to run while she still can. I’m no good for her. “But I kissed you back,” I point out. “And I should not have been… er… touching you out there.”

She draws her bottom lip between her teeth. “It’s okay.”

Hell, how do those two tiny words send an arrow of need straight to my cock? It’s okay that I was kissing her? Or touching her up? It’s okay that I want her so badly I nearly bent her over my bike to fuck her?

Before I can dwell on it anymore and make an even bigger fool of myself, I get to my feet. “Will you let me stay?”

“I don’t think so. It’s too risky.”

A hard knot forms in my throat. I’m more dangerous to her than a crazed gunman it seems. She might be right. If—when—I find that money, her whole life is going to come crashing down.

“Don’t answer the door to anyone. Be careful. Call me if you need me. In fact, call me tomorrow.” She follows me to the door. “Please?” I add as uncertainty dashes across her face.

Jess opens the door and I step out. “I’ll call you,” she says when I turn to face her.

“Promise?”

She rolls her eyes and her mouth curves. “I promise.”

Those lush lips snare my attention and my own smile drops. My skin feels hot and itchy, my pulse urgent. This is insane. I rest an arm against the door frame, my feet still firmly planted on the other side of the threshold and bring my mouth slowly down on hers. She softens but doesn’t touch me. We’re divided by the invisible line between the corridor and her room. I can’t help thinking of it as symbolic. We’re divided by secrets and lies.

Not that any of that matters once our lips connect. I swear I’ve never wanted to kiss a woman so much. Kisses are about the end game. But not with Jess. I want to drown in her kisses, to kiss her all day and see if I ever tire of them. I suspect it’s unlikely.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆
I think that the plot made this a good read. It took a little while to get going, and the writing style had its moments – but I was keen to see how the underlying tensions between the lead characters would be resolved. The chemistry between them was evident, although the speed with which they acted on it seemed extreme, given her circumstances in particular. I was not convinced by the male internal voice, as it was far more emotional than I think men are.

Overall this was a story that was worth telling, and I enjoyed how it ended.

Samantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier. She traditionally writes historical romances involving chivalrous knights and hot highlanders, but occasionally dabbles in contemporary romance.

Connect with Samantha

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Too Much To Lose (Dirty Little Secrets #1) by Samantha Holt to read and review for this tour.