Heated by Naima Simone

From USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone comes Heated, a sizzling novel about a breakup professional who embarks on a fake relationship with a client’s ex—the one person she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

Zora

I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.

Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.

When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.

How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones… but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.

Cyrus

I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.

Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.

But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series, by a new-to-me author. It had a lot to commend it, although in places there was too much visual scene setting, and I am not a huge fan of overly descriptive writing. Both Zora and Cyrus were complex characters, and their layers were built up over the story in a way which by the end made a lot of sense.

The underlying plot of Zora and her siblings running a business which specialises in ending relationships for people was imaginative and engaging. It showed the serious side of helping people out of abusive relationships, as well as inconvenient ones. And provided a very original meet-cute for the leads. I am curious as to how Miriam and Levi will get their chances in future installments, as they are very different individuals!

I found it difficult to believe that Cyrus and Zora had much chemistry, and so that added to the stiltedness of their early encounters, but their understanding of each other's needs did develop, and they grew as people too. A clever turn around for two pretty jaded individuals!

 

 

Published since 2009, USA Today bestselling author NAIMA SIMONE loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor, and snark. Her books have been featured in the Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly and have been described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman—or his non-Kryptonian, less-bulletproof equivalent—and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Connect with Naima Simone

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Heated (Burned, Inc. #1) by Naima Simone to read and review.

Witness to Passion by Naima Simone Blog Tour

Under his protection and in his bed…

For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Unfairly fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck.

Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless—and gorgeous—best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects.

The two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers—and clothes—are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it.

Book 1
Buy Links

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

“Dammit, Fallon, we don’t have time—”

“One,” Fallon growled, slipping out of the booth. “My name is not Dammit Fallon or Goddammit Fallon. Two, I’m going to the police. I want to speak with them about Michaels, his escape, and hear their advice on where I should go from here. You can come with me or meet me there.”

A beat of silence. “I’m coming with you. No way am I letting you out of my sight,” Shane stated, voice flat. But a tic along his jaw betrayed the emotion hidden under the ice in his tone.

She spun around and headed for the kitchen. Ten minutes later, she returned to the dining area, and the man glaring at her from near the front door with a phone pressed to his ear.

“Yeah,” he said to the person on the other end. “We’re coming out.” Pause. “Police station first, then we’ll decide from there.” Another pause. “Copy that.” He ended his call, but the scowl remained firmly in place. “You ready?” he growled.

“Yes.”

Silently, he held the door open, allowing her to step out of the restaurant. She sucked in a breath and held it as he pressed in close behind her. Damn. Too late. His scent—that unique combination of fresh wind, and skin—teased her nose, setting off a chain reaction of heat, heart palpitations, and flocks of birds in her stomach. She gritted her teeth against the Pavlovian response.

He shifted beside her, his strong, firm upper arm nudging her shoulder. His unblinking, sharp gaze scanned the street and sidewalks as he settled a hand on the small of her back and guided her to the blue BMW convertible parked around the corner. Relief poured through her like a cold drink of water on a hot day. As silly as it seemed, FiFi represented the only stability in her world. The only thing that hadn’t metamorphosed into something unrecognizable or scary.

“You have your key?” Shane didn’t glance down at herhis restless survey of their surroundings continuing.

“Yes.” She pointed her key fob at the car. Several feet away, the headlights blinked once, the horn beeping twice.

“I’ll follow you—”

Shane’s words were swallowed by the huge, deafening boom from the end of the street. A fiery, blast knocked both of them off their feet. Twisting midair, he wrapped his arms and body around her. His back slammed to the concrete hard enough for him to groan in pain. But immediately, he rolled, covering her from head to toe from the heat searing the air around them.

Oh Jesus. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

FiFi.

Gone. Someone had bombed her beloved FiFi to hell and back.

She blinked, tears burning her eyes as hot as the flames licking at her car.

“—okay?”

She frowned, the ringing in her ears loud and subsiding slowly.

“Are you okay?” Shane repeated, his voice urgent, harsh.

The cold reserve had disappeared, melted by the bomb and rage blazing in his eyes. Fury hardened his features, the sculpted cheekbones, angular jaw, and carnal curves of his mouth even more pronounced under his taut skin.

“Y-yes,” she stuttered. Then lifted her head and peered over his shoulder at the flaming heap that used to be her darling FiFi. She lowered her head, stared up at the sky, and let the tears fall.

“So where did you say your safe house was?”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shelby – ☆☆☆
I didn't really know what to expect in this story. I had the assumption that it would be a thrilling, suspenseful story full of erotic romance.

This book had humorous moments (the beginning was great!), it had serious moments, and it had A LOT of angst.

When a murder takes place right in front of Fallon (on her birthday, of all days), she freezes – only to be immediately threatened by the perp.
Her birthday (and subsequently her life) quickly takes a turn for the worst.
With no family that she's willing to rely on, Fallon's best-friend Addyson decides that someone needs to protect her, and Shane is called.
Shane is the epitome of Alpha-male, he's retired from the military and runs his own security company. Addyson's older brother is well equipped to protect Fallon from outside trouble, but can he keep his distance from her personally?!

I grew frustrated with Fallon and Shane, the back and forth "She's like my sister, I can't touch her" and "I know he doesn't like me, but I like him" felt like high-school drama. It did build the anticipation, but I had to step away from the story because I just couldn't contain my irritation.

While I admit I wasn't crazy about the romantic buildup, the erotic scenes were very steamy!!
Once the romance was solidified, the suspense built back up – and I couldn't put the book down. I found myself guessing who/what was going on.
Overall this was an entertaining read.

Naima's love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first attempt at writing a romance novel at 11 never saw the light of day, her love of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the tender heat of love. She is the wife to Superman - or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent - and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Connect with Naima

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  tsū

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Witness to Passion (Guarding Her Body #1) by Naima Simone to read and review for this tour.