Ache for You by J.T. Geissinger

In this fairy tale with a sexy twist, she’s a penniless San Francisco seamstress. He’s the king of Italian couture. Who’s got designs on whom?

Boutique owner Kimber DiSanto has seen better days. She’s been dumped at the altar by Prince Charmless, her business went up in flames (literally), and now she’s stuck in Florence, Italy, with an ice-queen stepmother, to try to save her late father’s failing dress shop. Only one thing could make it worse: another man in her life. The arrogant Italian fashion tycoon offering to buy her father’s shop is as rich as he is sexy, and their attraction is off the charts. But Kimber’s not about to get burned again.

Women don’t say no to Matteo Moretti—and certainly not with Kimber’s stinging precision. With all the heat and fury sparking between them, Matteo can’t resist baiting the gorgeous American. His plan? Win her over one scorching kiss at a time.

Kimber tells herself it’s all just a game. That her broken heart isn’t in danger, and that Matteo’s touch does not make her Lady Land dance with joy. But sometimes it takes the fieriest of enemies to turn a fantasy into a real-life romance.

Book 3
Buy Links

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance

This is the third book in this series and I loved the previous books. This one, however, just didn't mesh well for me.

Matteo is a bit of a mystery in this story. He's somewhat arrogant, pushy, and I just didn't like how he handled Kimber or the situation they were in. He seemed incredibly self-centered and was kind of an A-hole for most of the story. Despite his background of being a strict designer, he had this strange way of conducting business with Kimber.

Kimber is flighty and ditzy for most of this story. I hated that she was so attracted to Matteo, but fought the attraction with sarcasm, judgments, and anger. While she was having a hard week, it still doesn't really excuse her behavior. It was strange to watch her justify her behavior – but it all boiled down to the fact that I found her incredibly unlikeable.

Overall, this just missed the mark. It didn't mesh well and there was a lack of development and background. Hopefully if more are to come, they will be more like the first two.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series – each deals with separate romances, but with a common theme, and all are very enjoyable reads.

There are some lovely touches of fairy tale in this book, which are fun and romantic – as well as forewarning us of potential disaster ahead. It is never too much, but just enough to raise a smile and render the story familiar. The fact that it is set in a backdrop of the Florentine hills, speckled with aristocracy and new money, and in the world of haute couture fashion just adds to the drama and the fantasy.

Kimber is, however, a modern woman with a not insignificant temper, and she has recently been pushed to the edge. She now finds herself the owner of a large house inhabited by an unknown step-mother, and a failing business. So when faced with Matteo's visual perfection, she really doesn't know how to balance the incredible chemistry between them with the intense desire she has, not to make another mistake falling for a handsome man. I love the lengths she will go to in her head to justify and then simultaneously deny herself the opportunity to get close to him.

Matteo, too, is battling with his feelings, and how to show her he is sincere, in spite of the way he is behaving. It is a lot of fun being a spectator and definitely intense when they just cave into their desires!

There are some fabulous side characters who add a lot to the plot; Jenner, obviously, and Brad, unexpectedly, to mention just two. I did have a few issues with a few plot devices, as they didn't quite ring true – it seems unbelievable that Kimber had never picked up any Italian, she left aged three, when most children speak, and she had visited every year as a child... no child can avoid picking up conversational language when surrounded by it. And secondly, I was confused by the driving on the wrong side comment about? Italians drive on the same side as in the States. But these are minor things in the scheme of things, and just caused me a momentary blip in what is otherwise an entertaining and romantic tale.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have such weird feelings about this book – I wanted to hate the hero, Matteo, so badly because he’s such an ass through 95% of this book but somehow, the author had me loving him. And this entire story.

Kimber DiSanto is having a terrible week, she’s dumped in the middle of her wedding, her father just died, her dress shop burned to the ground, she’s just learned she has a new “wicked” stepmother she had no idea about, and now, Matteo. Kimber and Matteo meet in the airport where Kimber believes he’s paparazzi, but quickly learns otherwise when he offers her his seat on a flight she HAS to be on… in exchange for her sketch pad that has all of her dress designs. Thinking she’ll never see Matteo again, she’s in for the surprise of a lifetime when she runs into him at her father’s estate and he’s determined to buy her father’s clothing shop. Kimber plans to not only keep her father’s shop as her own but is also determined to win her sketch pad back from Matteo, one kiss at a time.

The sexual tension between these two literally jumped off the pages, the author does a phenomenal job with bringing this story to life. The banter between the two main characters had me cracking up laughing at times and cringing at other times – it’s quite entertaining. I’ve been a huge fan of this series from book one and that momentum is definitely still going in book three. Already excited for more!

Also Available in the Slow Burn Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Burn for You post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Melt for You post.

J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. Her debut fantasy romance Shadow's Edge was a #1 bestseller on Amazon US and UK and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up novel, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA Award finalist for Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America, and she has been nominated for numerous awards for her work.

She resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

Connect with J.T.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Geissinger's Gang Facebook Group

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Ache for You (Slow Burn #3) by J.T. Geissinger to read and review.

Melt for You by J.T. Geissinger

A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.

Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She’d give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she thinks.

Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He’s not Jo’s type—at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam’s kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam’s eyes she’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.

Unfortunately for Cam, he’s just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he’s in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.

Book 2
Buy Links

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

Joellen is a somewhat awkward, curvy woman who has been in love with her boss since she was hired. She works with some great people and some people who seem slightly off. As you get to know Joellen, you see that her family life is less than ideal and that she grew up with horrible self-esteem. I felt bad for Joellen when it came to interacting with her family. They never quite understood her and didn't really try. Mostly her interactions were with her mom and I just wanted to smack her mom most of the time. I think that we could have gotten the gist of their relationship without having her mom actually be in the story. She just annoyed me.

Joellen's new neighbor is a famous rugby player who is hiding or regrouping after a scandal has followed him around. He is arrogant, sexy, huge, and has a kind heart. Cameron is a conundrum – on the one hand, he is fantastic at annoying Joellen. But on the other, he is also fantastic at showing Joellen exactly who she is.

When Joellen and Cameron hatch a plan for Joellen to seduce her boss, Michael, you get to see a different side of Joellen and Cameron's relationship. It becomes more than friends and you see Joellen work through all of the emotions associated with that.

I really enjoyed this story and loved the banter between Joellen and Cameron a lot. They had chemistry between each other, but it wasn't so overwhelming that it made the story drag on.

I can't wait to see who gets the next story.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in a series, but a completely separate story.

This is a wonderfully fun and romantic story. Cameron and Joellen are neighbours, and definitely start off by having a love-hate relationship. We are given insights into their feelings and soon work out what should happen, even if their plans are completely different.

When Joellen is suddenly being paid attention by her boss, Michael, at work, after 10 years of being in unrequited love with him (or at least the thought of him), she enlists Cam to help her improve her dating skills. Some very amusing situations arise in the pursuance of this aim, and at one point Joellen is given a hilarious makeover by her elderly neighbour.

Ms. Geissinger has created a funny, romantic story with a strong message of developing self-esteem, as well as a few indications of how badly a parent can destroy it with careless words.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
Right from the very first page I was sucked into this book and unable to put it down. I loved Joellen and Cameron’s story – one of my favorite books of the year so far.

Cameron is a rugby player who has gotten himself into trouble overseas and been banished to the States. He’s now living in an apartment next door to Joellen and she’s not having any of his loud partying and music – knocking on his door on his very first day to tell him to keep it down. Cameron is immediately smitten with Joellen, but Jo has her eyes on her super handsome CEO boss whom she doesn’t even think knows her name. Though it’s obvious (to everyone but Jo) that Cameron has feelings for her, he offers to help her change her image just enough to capture her boss’s attention. Lo and behold, it works… a little too well.

Cameron and Jo’s interactions are laugh-out-loud funny, they’re the perfect balance for one another. Jo has serious self-confidence issues and Cameron is there to help her battle it out, I found it inspiring. I also seriously loved the surrounding characters, especially the elderly neighbor who lives in their building – she’s a treat. J.T. Geissinger was already one of my favorite authors but I think she’s earned a spot in my top five with this book.

Also Available in the Slow Burn Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Burn for You post.

J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. Her debut fantasy romance Shadow's Edge was a #1 bestseller on Amazon US and UK and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up novel, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA Award finalist for Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America, and she has been nominated for numerous awards for her work.

She resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

Connect with J.T.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Geissinger's Gang Facebook Group

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Melt for You (Slow Burn #2) by J.T. Geissinger to read and review.

Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger

A classic fairy tale gets a sexy, edgy twist.

Jackson “The Beast” Boudreaux is rich, gorgeous, and unbelievably rude to the staff at Chef Bianca Hardwick’s New Orleans restaurant. Bianca would sooner douse herself in hot sauce than cook for Jackson again, but when he asks her to cater his fund-raiser, Bianca can’t refuse, knowing the cash will help pay her mother’s medical bills. Then Jackson makes another outrageous request: Marry me. The unconventional offer includes an enormous sum—money Bianca desperately needs, even if it does come with a contract—and a stunning ring.

The heir to a family bourbon dynasty, Jackson knows the rumors swirling around him. The truth is even darker. Still, he needs a wife to secure his inheritance, and free-spirited, sassy Bianca would play the part beautifully. Soon, though, their simple business deal evolves into an emotional intimacy he’s built walls to avoid.

As the passion heats up between them, Bianca and Jackson struggle to define which feelings are real and which are for show. Is falling for your fake fiancé the best happy ending… or a recipe for disaster?

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

I really enjoyed Bianca right from the beginning of this book. She is strong, does not take crap from anyone, and stands up to bullying – especially when they are scaring her staff. She is also not going to let her skeevy ex come back and make trouble for her. She stands up to him and tells him exactly how things are going to be. And even though her mom is less than supportive to begin with, Bianca knows that she's doing what's necessary and right.

Jackson is surly, mean, and rude to begin with. I wasn't sure if I should like his gruff demeanor or hate him for being so self-entitled. He comes from more money than I can possibly fathom. But underneath it all, he's covering for so much guilt and pain.

When you get a deeper look at both Jackson and Bianca's lives, you realize that there is so much more to these characters. Bianca is helping her mother in any way that she can. Despite her talents, she knows that she will need all of her strength to keep going.

I really liked that we got to see their relationship from both perspectives. I think that it made the story so much stronger. Bianca and Jackson are a great couple who learn that love is what matters, not money or fame.

I can't wait to see what happens next!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of sultry steamy and stubborn love!

I really, really enjoyed this book – its placement in the hot south was perfect; its links with food, and bourbon was delicious; the side stories were so intense, so important to the whole; the slap slap kiss scenarios were hot as f...

What an absolute treat of a read, I have done little else in the last day but hide away so I could indulge in a couple more chapters, and don't ask how on little sleep I am surviving! At times I had to stop just to calm down a bit, and get my own heart rate under control. So much is in the innuendo and subtext that it is difficult to believe how so little action can be so filled with off the wall chemistry. And when they finally give in to it... my advice is to turn on the A/C.

So excited that this is the first in a new series, and cannot wait to see the direction we will be taken next. Thank you, Ms. Geissinger, for such a wonderful story.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have a thing for alpha males who come off as rude when first meeting the heroine and this one checks all my boxes! Add in the fact that the heroine, Bianca, is absolutely hilarious and it made this one of my favorite reads in a long time.

Jackson is known locally as “The Beast” as he’s not exactly the most approachable of men. When he shows up to Bianca’s restaurant that happens to be highlighting his family’s bourbon on their menu, Jackson expects to be seated immediately and treated like royalty. Bianca is having none of that, she insists that Jackson will wait for an available table, much to Jackson’s chagrin. Bianca doesn’t let Jackson intimidate her and Jackson can’t help but to like that in her. When Jackson finds out that his parents are demanding that he either marry or return home to Kentucky and help run the family business – if he doesn’t do one or the other he loses his very large trust fund. Jackson chooses marriage and since there’s only one woman who has sparked his interest in years he sets out to convince Bianca to agree… and Bianca’s very sick mother with sky high medical bills has her saying yes.

This story literally had me cracking up one page and crying the next. The author does an amazing job bringing this story to life – I felt truly invested in the outcome and heartbroken for both Jackson and Bianca at times throughout the story. Though I felt like Jackson was the main focus of most of the story, Bianca was still my favorite character – her fiery backbone and on-point humorous personality made this a book I couldn’t put down! I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. Her debut fantasy romance Shadow's Edge was a #1 bestseller on Amazon US and UK and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up novel, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA Award finalist for Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America, and she has been nominated for numerous awards for her work.

She resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

Connect with J.T.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Burn for You (Slow Burn #1) by J.T. Geissinger to read and review.

Just One Touch by Maya Banks

#1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and sizzling Slow Burn series with the fifth book featuring the men and women of Devereaux Security Services.

Raised in a strict religious cult since she was a young girl, Jenna has no connection to the outside world beyond vague flashes of memory that seem to be from another life. Memories she clings to when the cult leaders discover her extraordinary ability to heal—and punish her. Years held captive and forced to do the cult's bidding have turned Jenna into a meek, timid woman… or so they think. In truth, she is merely biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to escape.

When a terrified young woman tries to steal the SUV of Devereaux Security’s toughest recruit, Isaac’s anger quickly turns into a strange sort of protectiveness for the beautiful, bruised stranger. But when they are caught in a firestorm of bullets and Isaac is hit, he’s sure the end is near, until Jenna touches him and closes his wounds. As he tries to bring Jenna to safety, she refuses to tell him what danger haunts her or how she healed him, but Isaac vows to do whatever it takes to gain her trust… and her heart. Because with just one touch, Isaac knows he wants Jenna to be his—forever.

Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
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.

This rating saddens me. I've read each book in this series and loved each of them. However, I was disappointed in this one. Not only is it an insta-love story, but it seemed horribly rushed.

Isaac comes across a woman who is in desperate need. She's bruised, battered, bloodied, and terrified. All of his protective instincts shoot to the forefront. He knows that she needs help – wants to help her, but first, he has to figure out what or whom she's running from.

Jenna has an amazing gift. However, she's being abused and held captive because of it, so for her, it's more of a curse. She's also being pursued by a maniac because he wants what only she can give him.

While I liked that all of the characters from the previous book were involved, I think that there was just too little development. It just jumped right to Isaac declaring his love, claiming Jenna, and Jenna falling over herself to protect people. Jenna does fall in love with Isaac way too fast for someone who was abused as she was too. It glosses over the fact that this is a serious issue.

Overall, this was a disappointing read after the previous books; however, I'm a die-hard Banks fan, so I am hoping Shadow gets a story real soon.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
As an avid fan of Maya Banks, I'm sad to say I was disappointed in this book. It had so much potential, to be so much more.

The insta-love plot device didn't work for me in this book. Jenna was kidnapped as a child and held in a cult for the past twenty years and on her first/second day of freedom she meets Isaac with DSS security. Within hours – hours – Isaac is thinking of Jenna as his and within days professing his love. Of course, Jenna does the same.

Granted, Jenna has endured much during her years of captivity by the cult and has life experiences that no one can imagine, but falling in love within a week seems extreme.

I loved the fact that we got to see characters from the previous books, but was a little concerned that no one seemed to think that this rapid fire love story was a little hurried.

Loved the end and how Jenna stood up for herself, but all in all, it was not the book I was hoping it would be.

Will I keep reading this series? Yes. I know Shadow and Dane's stories are coming and I want to know how their stories end.

Also Available in the Slow Burn Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Keep Me Safe Blog Tour.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the In His Keeping Blog Tour.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Safe at Last Blog Tour.

Book 4
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our With Every Breath post.

Maya Banks is a multiple #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the Surrender Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels. She lives in Southeast Texas.

Connect with Maya

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5) by Maya Banks to read and review.

Just One Touch by Maya Banks Blog Tour

#1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and sizzling Slow Burn series with the fifth book featuring the men and women of Devereaux Security Services.

Raised in a strict religious cult since she was a young girl, Jenna has no connection to the outside world beyond vague flashes of memory that seem to be from another life. Memories she clings to when the cult leaders discover her extraordinary ability to heal—and punish her. Years held captive and forced to do the cult's bidding have turned Jenna into a meek, timid woman… or so they think. In truth, she is merely biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to escape.

When a terrified young woman tries to steal the SUV of Devereaux Security’s toughest recruit, Isaac’s anger quickly turns into a strange sort of protectiveness for the beautiful, bruised stranger. But when they are caught in a firestorm of bullets and Isaac is hit, he’s sure the end is near, until Jenna touches him and closes his wounds. As he tries to bring Jenna to safety, she refuses to tell him what danger haunts her or how she healed him, but Isaac vows to do whatever it takes to gain her trust… and her heart. Because with just one touch, Isaac knows he wants Jenna to be his—forever.

Book 5
Buy Links

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

Isaac lay quietly in the dark, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts consumed by the blue-eyed angel in the next room.

Would she be able to sleep? And if she was, did nightmares plague her dreams?

What was it about her that called to a part of his heart and soul that had never been breached before? He could come up with plenty of reasonable explanations, like the fact that she’d saved his life. Or that he’d made it his life’s work to protect the innocent. Or the fact that she was lost in a world of which she had little understanding or knowledge. Or the fact that she needed him.

But the simple truth was that he needed her every bit as much as she needed him, and he couldn’t come up with a reason that made any sense to him.

He’d come across plenty of victimized women who’d desperately needed help, his protection, DSS’s protection, but never had he been even remotely possessive of them. He’d done his job, and it never failed to enrage him and rile his protective instincts.

It was who and what he was; he’d never be a man to stand idly by while a woman was in danger or being abused.

But his angel wasn’t just any victim. She wasn’t just any woman in trouble and in need of protecting. And he had no idea what to do with that realization. He couldn’t even call it a realization, as if he’d just been struck by an epiphany as he lay there with no hope of sleeping. He’d known it from the moment she’d touched him, laid her hands on him, and he’d felt her in the very depths of his soul.

It wasn’t sexual—wholly—because he’d be a damn liar if he didn’t want her with every breath in his body. It was spiritual, and he felt like some hokey fool mooning over things like destiny and fate, but how could he call it anything else when from the moment she’d touched him he’d felt a connection that transcended any physical want or need?

And he was consumed with guilt for having sexual thoughts, lustful, needful thoughts, about a woman child whom he didn’t even know whether she was of an age for him to be having such thoughts about her. She had the innocence of a girl with the body of a desirable woman. Hell, it was obvious that no matter how many years she’d lived in this world, she’d spent the majority of them sheltered, sequestered from the real world. She was either enraptured with or terrified of things that he and others took for granted.

She’d been conditioned.

He frowned. It appeared that at a very early age she’d been indoctrinated. Brainwashed. Taught an alternate reality that was twisted to fit the agenda of the people who’d kept her under lock and key, and they’d proven they would go to extreme measures to retrieve her. She was a valuable asset to them. Irreplaceable.

He wondered when her powers had manifested themselves and as he pondered that question, he wondered if it was what had saved her from a far worse fate. Even the dumbest fucks would realize the enormity of what they possessed in Jenna.

He rolled over to retrieve his cell and punched in Eliza’s number, knowing it was late and that Sterling likely wouldn’t be pleased, but Eliza of all people would understand his suspicions. He needed to bounce some ideas off her.

“This better be damn good,” Eliza growled into the phone.

“Because I was about to be the recipient of the mother of all orgasms, and Wade is just pissed enough to throw my phone in the pool and withhold sex for a week.”

Isaac burst out laughing when he heard Sterling in the background.

“Jesus fuck, woman, can we keep our sex life and your goddamn job separate?”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fifth book in the series and we get to catch up with all the previous relationships, as well as finally get some more insight into the solitary Isaac. I would definitely recommend that you read these in order, as the themes would make much more sense. Each of the women have special gifts, which are not always easy to bear – the leading lady in this story has been abused all her life because of her gift, yet remains charmingly naive.

There are some really difficult issues dealt with in this story, and although all the stories do have a slow burn, this one was pretty dramatic from the very beginning. Isaac and Jenna form an instant bond, which is carefully nurtured by Isaac as he wants to gain Jenna's trust. Time and again things get out of control, and even with the full strength of the team, it takes faith to believe that there is a solution to the problem.

Another solid story in this intriguing series. Given Jenna's gift, I do wonder whether some of the worse side effects may be improved by her actions in future. And it will be odd having a happy Isaac in the next installment!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

Isaac Washington is part of the DSS security service. Where he has finally found a place that is almost like home for him. On his way to work one morning, he stops for coffee, and on the way back to his SUV, he notices the door open and someone standing there, ready to steal it. When the person turns around, he notices it is a woman, or young girl, who is battered and bruised. But what he notices most is her angelic looks, long blonde hair, pale skin, and clear blue eyes. He is drawn to her.

Jenna is on the run from people who want to use her and the gift, or curse, she possesses. She was kidnapped at a young age and kept in a cult and used for the elders’ benefit. Until she is sold to someone that thinks he is God and he will live forever as long as he has Jenna. She has found security and love with Isaac and the group from DSS. But she can't let them all die because of her. So she tries to run and ends up in the wrong hands and needs rescuing.

Can Isaac make Jenna see that his love and protection is all she needs to be safe? Will Jenna give Isaac the life he seeks to make them both happy forever?

I loved the idea of this story but would have liked a little more time for Isaac and Jenna to fall in love, it was too rushed for me but the story was great. I am glad the DSS guys and girls from the other stories were in this one too.

Also Available in the Slow Burn Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Keep Me Safe Blog Tour.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the In His Keeping Blog Tour.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Safe at Last Blog Tour.

Book 4
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our With Every Breath post.

Maya Banks is a multiple #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the Surrender Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels. She lives in Southeast Texas.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5) by Maya Banks to read and review for this tour.

With Every Breath by Maya Banks

#1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and sizzling Slow Burn series with this fourth book—a mesmerizingly sexy tale of a strong, brilliant woman who encounters the one man who makes her lose all control.

Eliza Cummings fought free of a monster who terrorized her when she was an innocent teenager and helped put him away for good. She took a job with Devereaux Security Services and devoted every hour to taking down the very thing she’d nearly become. No one, not even those closest to her, know her darkest, shameful secrets. But now the killer has been set free on a legal loophole and it’s only a matter of time before he comes for her. Eliza's only choice is to run and lead the monster away from the people she loves.

Wade Sterling has always lived by his own rules, a law unto himself who answers to no one. He’s never professed to be a good man, and he’s definitely not hero material. Wade never allows anyone close enough to see the man behind the impenetrable mask—but one woman threatens his carefully leashed control. He took a bullet for her and the result was more than a piece of metal entrenched in his skin. She was under his skin and nothing he did rid himself of the woman with the courage of a warrior and who thinks nothing of putting her life before others.

But when Wade sees a panicked and haunted Eliza he knows something is very wrong, because the fool woman has never been afraid of anything. And when she tries to run, the primal beast barely lurking beneath his deceptively polished façade erupts in a rage. She may not know it, but she belongs to him. This time, Eliza isn't going to play the protector. She was damn well going to be the protected. And as long as Wade breathes, no one will ever hurt what is his.

Book 4
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F
Triggers: Murder, death row, violent trauma

I have read each book in this series and loved them all. However, this one, I felt, had so much more emotion packed into the story. I cried and laughed all within the same chapters.

It was a rollercoaster of running, plotting, hiding, and loving. I loved how the entire group of DSS converge, support each other, love each other, and create their own family.

Eliza is one hell of a woman. She is strong, both physically and mentally, has a wicked sense of humor and deep sense of loyalty. Not only will she fall on a sword for any of her teammates, she will fall on a sword for anyone in her family. I loved her sense of right and wrong, even if it was somewhat morally questionable at times.

Then you have Wade. He's just yum. I love how he is kind of a bully, but not really – how he wants to deny his attraction, but in the end, has to own up to it, and then I love how fiercely he protects Eliza. His sense of loyalty, while it is different than the family of DSS, is just as intense. When he shows Eliza just how much he cares, he does it in an obnoxious way, but I think it's because he doesn't know any other way.

Overall, this has been on my favorite books in this series. I would recommend you read the others in the series, as it helps with character development. But, with that being said, it is not truly necessary to read them in order.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Once again, Maya Banks has created a story full of twists and turns that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat.

Eliza is finding her way and is finally on her way to being happy – or as happy as she can be, until one morning she gets a phone call that destroys the new life she has created for herself. Knowing that there is only one thing she can do, she prepares to leave DSS and all of her friends behind. She only has to hold it together a few more days and lay a cover story down that will keep her friends from worrying.

However, Wade has other plans. He knows something is off with Eliza but he's finding it too tough to crack the emotional walls she's created. When Dane calls to let him know that Eliza is going on vacation, Wade makes his move.

The angst and doubt that Eliza feels is so realistic in that I, as a reader, was overwhelmed by the strength of emotions rolling off of her.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Eliza is part of the DSS family and she is good at her job. But she has a secret from her past that is going to be set free and will most likely come after her to destroy her and anyone close to her. After the dreaded phone call, Eliza comes up with a plan to go "on vacation" to deal with past without involving the people that mean the most to her.

Wade Sterling owns the art gallery, but looking at him you know he hides many things. He goes after and gets what he wants. While he and Eliza are always fighting and trying to stay away from each other, the sparks fly when they are together.

So who better to go after her when she runs than Sterling? He will protect her or die trying. Will they be able to fight off the demon from her past, or will he win out and destroy Eliza in the process? Can Wade make her see that his feelings are real?

I love this series for the suspense as much as the romance. And the characters from the other books make it even better. There is a lot of internal dialog from Eliza in this story but it helps to see what she went through and, to me, makes the story more believable. I can't wait for more in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series – and is my favourite so far! Possibly because Eliza is a warrior – yet she dressed immaculately for an art exhibition opening night. I would recommend that you read them in order, as it will make sense of the other characters' roles and abilities. But it is a hot story all on its own too. I am writing assuming that you have read the earlier books.

We have previously understood little about why Eliza is as she is, so getting her side of the story is both fascinating and also intense. She has suffered much – which I think we all guessed – but her level of honour to deal with the returning monster to save others, is heroic. That Wade Sterling has decided that she is his (in the best possible way) is a twist which we could have imagined from the previous book, but his persistence is a credit to him. Again getting his viewpoint gives us much more insight into how he thinks and yes, they are as stubborn and determined as each other. Definite indication that the chemistry when unleashed will be explosive...oh and how! No need for central heating whilst reading some of these chapters!

One thing I really like about this series is that the Slow Burn is evident, and sometimes frustrating, but when the fire takes hold, well everything that has been building up most certainly catches light. Thank you Ms. Banks.

Also Available in the Slow Burn Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Keep Me Safe Blog Tour.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the In His Keeping Blog Tour.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Safe at Last Blog Tour.

Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels.

She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a Calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group.

Connect with Maya

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of With Every Breath (Slow Burn #4) by Maya Banks to read and review.