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Reluctance #1
Beneath the Surface
Kyran Reese is a man in control. Driven when it comes to work, focused when it comes to play. From his office to the chalk circle of Metro’s bare-knuckle boxing ring, his only thought is to win. That thirst heightens when Dale Porter enters his life. His brother’s assistant should be off-limits, but her witty comments and sarcastic comebacks have him desperate to get her between the sheets. After receiving an unexpected left hook, Kyran gets exactly what he wants, though he makes the rules very clear.
When Dale agrees to Kyran’s relationship stipulation of no labels, she’s sucked into a whirlwind of lust, money, and underground boxing. The agreement to keep their lust away from the office is discarded when rules are molded to suit their ever-increasing attraction. Dale fights her growing affection, trying to hide it even when the world around them spirals out of control. All too soon she realizes she can’t hide her true feelings any longer.
Kyran begins to wonder if he’s finally met his match, and with his family falling apart before his eyes, he turns to the two things he knows will keep him sane: boxing and Dale. Those crutches can’t last forever, and when Kyran finds it harder to function he is left with a decision he never thought he’d have to make.
Could playing to win mean playing for keeps?
When Dale agrees to Kyran’s relationship stipulation of no labels, she’s sucked into a whirlwind of lust, money, and underground boxing. The agreement to keep their lust away from the office is discarded when rules are molded to suit their ever-increasing attraction. Dale fights her growing affection, trying to hide it even when the world around them spirals out of control. All too soon she realizes she can’t hide her true feelings any longer.
Kyran begins to wonder if he’s finally met his match, and with his family falling apart before his eyes, he turns to the two things he knows will keep him sane: boxing and Dale. Those crutches can’t last forever, and when Kyran finds it harder to function he is left with a decision he never thought he’d have to make.
Could playing to win mean playing for keeps?
182 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2013
29 people are currently reading
2256 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Stacie
15 books407 followersM. A. Stacie is never without a book or her eReader. A voracious reader, with a love of sexy, yet angst ridden novels, she loves getting lost in new worlds. Her need to write did not grip her until after her second son was born, when her previous rambles became fully fledged stories.
She describes herself as one huge contradiction, and though not the most conventional of hobbies, she counts getting new tattoos as one of hers. Along with running, knitting, and listening to loud music. However, she is yet to work out how to do them all at the same time.
M. A. Stacie lives in the UK with her husband and three sons.
She describes herself as one huge contradiction, and though not the most conventional of hobbies, she counts getting new tattoos as one of hers. Along with running, knitting, and listening to loud music. However, she is yet to work out how to do them all at the same time.
M. A. Stacie lives in the UK with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
September 7, 2013
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I really liked this book. It was an easy read, great characters that I liked. Neither of the MCs annoyed me so I was very happy with it.
Dale is just starting her first day at her new job when she meets one of her bosses, Mr. Kyran Reese. She is to be his brother's new assistant. The attraction is instant for both of them. He likes that she won't let him walk all over her and she likes that he is sexy and arrogant.
"How can you make me feel this good? ~Dale
Kyran may be a moody business man by day but at night he fights in a club which is something that no one knows about him....except Dale. Her brother is a bartender at the club where he fights where she sees him.
Kyran wants "just sex" and Dale agrees but as it always seems to go, feelings grow and develop. When Kyran says he can't give her everything she wants, Dale decides she should just cut her losses and move on, but will he let her?.
"But you kept dragging me under, and beneath my controlled surface, something was happening to me."
"I was falling in love with you. Hook. Line. And fucking sinker. You took the ground from under my feet and left me with nothing to cling to but you." ~Kyran
Overall, this was a sweet, sexy read with some steamy love scenes. It left me feeling satisfied. The writing was good, there was great character development and had a wonderful storyline. Loved it!
I really liked this book. It was an easy read, great characters that I liked. Neither of the MCs annoyed me so I was very happy with it.
Dale is just starting her first day at her new job when she meets one of her bosses, Mr. Kyran Reese. She is to be his brother's new assistant. The attraction is instant for both of them. He likes that she won't let him walk all over her and she likes that he is sexy and arrogant.
"How can you make me feel this good? ~Dale
Kyran may be a moody business man by day but at night he fights in a club which is something that no one knows about him....except Dale. Her brother is a bartender at the club where he fights where she sees him.
Kyran wants "just sex" and Dale agrees but as it always seems to go, feelings grow and develop. When Kyran says he can't give her everything she wants, Dale decides she should just cut her losses and move on, but will he let her?.
"But you kept dragging me under, and beneath my controlled surface, something was happening to me."
"I was falling in love with you. Hook. Line. And fucking sinker. You took the ground from under my feet and left me with nothing to cling to but you." ~Kyran
Overall, this was a sweet, sexy read with some steamy love scenes. It left me feeling satisfied. The writing was good, there was great character development and had a wonderful storyline. Loved it!
November 13, 2014
~Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review~
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
I was excited about reading this book and I won't pretend that the main reason for that wasn't the mention of a male hero being a boxer, because it was, but unfortunately, overall in the end the story fell flat.
1. The Plot
Drama, sex, drama, sex, drama, sex, drama and so on and on... That about sums it up. The story failed to grab me from the very beginning and it barely improved through the rest of it. The beginning was shaky. The story starts with the awkward and quite unbelievable job interview when the MCs meet for the 1st time which turns into insta-lust and soon enough into "push & pull", no strings attached relationship rich on sex and unnecessary drama. Aside some emotional moments involving family problems, the story and both the characters lacked depth in my opinion.
2. The MCs
Both of the MCs weren't the type of characters I prefer reading about. I found them annoying, shallow and reckless through the most of the book. They are supposedly in their middle twenties, but they acted more like teenagers. Kyran- being the typical dark, misunderstood and manipulative alpha male sending mixed signals til' the very end of the story and Dale chasing after him like a lovesick puppy and constantly questioning: "What are we???" If I were her I would have given up on him long time ago.
~ Who should read this book:
- Readers who want a light read with a lot of sex and "push & pull" drama.
- Fans who like their male heroes dominant, cocky, pushy, controlling and ready to bolt whenever there's mention of any real commitment and heroines who will put up with it all, because- hey, he's so good in the sack!
I don't like writing bad reviews, but I have to stay true to myself and this is how I felt. We all have our reading preferences, so read it and decide for yourself!
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
I was excited about reading this book and I won't pretend that the main reason for that wasn't the mention of a male hero being a boxer, because it was, but unfortunately, overall in the end the story fell flat.
The reasons for my rating:
1. The Plot
“I have fucked you. Numerous times, in fact. We will continue to do so because, seriously, Dale, it’s amazing....Now, get on the floor. I need to feel you wrapped around my dick. Now.”
Drama, sex, drama, sex, drama, sex, drama and so on and on... That about sums it up. The story failed to grab me from the very beginning and it barely improved through the rest of it. The beginning was shaky. The story starts with the awkward and quite unbelievable job interview when the MCs meet for the 1st time which turns into insta-lust and soon enough into "push & pull", no strings attached relationship rich on sex and unnecessary drama. Aside some emotional moments involving family problems, the story and both the characters lacked depth in my opinion.
2. The MCs
"What are we doing Kyran?"
Both of the MCs weren't the type of characters I prefer reading about. I found them annoying, shallow and reckless through the most of the book. They are supposedly in their middle twenties, but they acted more like teenagers. Kyran- being the typical dark, misunderstood and manipulative alpha male sending mixed signals til' the very end of the story and Dale chasing after him like a lovesick puppy and constantly questioning: "What are we???" If I were her I would have given up on him long time ago.
~ Who should read this book:
- Readers who want a light read with a lot of sex and "push & pull" drama.
- Fans who like their male heroes dominant, cocky, pushy, controlling and ready to bolt whenever there's mention of any real commitment and heroines who will put up with it all, because- hey, he's so good in the sack!
I don't like writing bad reviews, but I have to stay true to myself and this is how I felt. We all have our reading preferences, so read it and decide for yourself!
August 28, 2013
This review will also be available on
My Fiction Nook
as of 8/29/13.
While the author's voice has matured a bit since her debut novel, this book, much like the previous ones, is still suffering from what may be one of the biggest tropes in erotica romance right now - tortured hero meets woman with magical va-jay-jay to cure him.
Such is the trope in this nicely written but quickly forgotten erotic romance. Our hero, Kyran Reese, likes to be in control, at work and at play. His play time is mostly spent in the boxing ring, where competitors forgo gloves and fight with their bare fists. He likes to win, in the ring and in his job. Unfortunately, he comes across as emotionally immature, rigid and as suffering partially from douchebag syndrome.
He owns an advertising firm with his younger brother, who is portrayed as something of a fuck-up and whom Kyran doesn't really trust. When it comes to women, Kyran is primarily thinking with the appendage between his legs, so when his brother Taylor's new assistant Dale Porter shows up at work and challenges him with witty comeback, Kyran does whatever he can to stop himself from getting her in his bed. Or bend over his desk. Or smashed against his office door. Or - well, you get the point. Of course, we all know that in erotica/romances willpower is the first thing to go the way of the Dodo bird.
The prose goes from good to bad when it comes to the sex scenes, and while Ms. Stacie certainly delivers the heat, there is a discernible lack of emotion that made me want to skip them after the first two. There are only so many ways in which to describe the physical act of inserting tab A into slot B, and without any emotional connection, the sex is just that.
I also didn't buy the relationship, to be honest. The bossman doing his employee - well, we've certainly seen that many times before, and every time I see it in a novel, I have to wonder if these people have never even heard of sexual harassment lawsuits or if they think they're above the law. By pursuing his brother's assistant, an employee of his company, Kyran risks much more than his reputation or his (possibly non-existent) heart - he risks losing his livelihood. It reminded me of the old joke that men apparently only have enough blood supply to support one head at a time.
Of course, the heroine in this book isn't much better, even though she seems to have a bit of backbone and doesn't let people (read: Kyran) walk all over her. Dale Porter a bit of a secret from her new boss' brother, that is then revealed and partly serves as the trigger for the somewhat fabricated conflict. The fact that she's supposedly so hurt by a past lover and friend and portrayed to still be licking her wounds, yet upon first sight falls immediately (in love? in lust?) for the forceful boss also seemed a bit far-fetched. While Dale has sufficient personality to make her a likable heroine, it's not sufficient to carry the entire book.
Taylor himself dips in and out of the plot, and his only function seemed to be to antagonize Kyran and be a whiny whiner who whines throughout most of the book. Oh yeah, there's a reason given, but supposedly these are men in their early thirties or possibly late twenties. Maturity apparently remains a goal they have yet to reach.
What I really liked about this book was the humorous banter between Kyran and Dale, which made me giggle out loud a few times. Unfortunately, outside of that, the dialogue often felt inorganic and somewhat stilted. And the humor wasn't enough to push this book into more than three stars. It was better than okay, but only barely.
For erotica lovers, this probably a good book to spend a couple of hours immersed in a fantasy. For readers like me, who like a bit more meat and not just the boning, it's perhaps not that good a fit.
I received a free ARC from the publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. I must also acknowledge that I know Ms. Stacie from another aspect of my internet presence. This also had no bearing on my opinion of this book.
While the author's voice has matured a bit since her debut novel, this book, much like the previous ones, is still suffering from what may be one of the biggest tropes in erotica romance right now - tortured hero meets woman with magical va-jay-jay to cure him.
Such is the trope in this nicely written but quickly forgotten erotic romance. Our hero, Kyran Reese, likes to be in control, at work and at play. His play time is mostly spent in the boxing ring, where competitors forgo gloves and fight with their bare fists. He likes to win, in the ring and in his job. Unfortunately, he comes across as emotionally immature, rigid and as suffering partially from douchebag syndrome.
He owns an advertising firm with his younger brother, who is portrayed as something of a fuck-up and whom Kyran doesn't really trust. When it comes to women, Kyran is primarily thinking with the appendage between his legs, so when his brother Taylor's new assistant Dale Porter shows up at work and challenges him with witty comeback, Kyran does whatever he can to stop himself from getting her in his bed. Or bend over his desk. Or smashed against his office door. Or - well, you get the point. Of course, we all know that in erotica/romances willpower is the first thing to go the way of the Dodo bird.
The prose goes from good to bad when it comes to the sex scenes, and while Ms. Stacie certainly delivers the heat, there is a discernible lack of emotion that made me want to skip them after the first two. There are only so many ways in which to describe the physical act of inserting tab A into slot B, and without any emotional connection, the sex is just that.
I also didn't buy the relationship, to be honest. The bossman doing his employee - well, we've certainly seen that many times before, and every time I see it in a novel, I have to wonder if these people have never even heard of sexual harassment lawsuits or if they think they're above the law. By pursuing his brother's assistant, an employee of his company, Kyran risks much more than his reputation or his (possibly non-existent) heart - he risks losing his livelihood. It reminded me of the old joke that men apparently only have enough blood supply to support one head at a time.
Of course, the heroine in this book isn't much better, even though she seems to have a bit of backbone and doesn't let people (read: Kyran) walk all over her. Dale Porter a bit of a secret from her new boss' brother, that is then revealed and partly serves as the trigger for the somewhat fabricated conflict. The fact that she's supposedly so hurt by a past lover and friend and portrayed to still be licking her wounds, yet upon first sight falls immediately (in love? in lust?) for the forceful boss also seemed a bit far-fetched. While Dale has sufficient personality to make her a likable heroine, it's not sufficient to carry the entire book.
Taylor himself dips in and out of the plot, and his only function seemed to be to antagonize Kyran and be a whiny whiner who whines throughout most of the book. Oh yeah, there's a reason given, but supposedly these are men in their early thirties or possibly late twenties. Maturity apparently remains a goal they have yet to reach.
What I really liked about this book was the humorous banter between Kyran and Dale, which made me giggle out loud a few times. Unfortunately, outside of that, the dialogue often felt inorganic and somewhat stilted. And the humor wasn't enough to push this book into more than three stars. It was better than okay, but only barely.
For erotica lovers, this probably a good book to spend a couple of hours immersed in a fantasy. For readers like me, who like a bit more meat and not just the boning, it's perhaps not that good a fit.
I received a free ARC from the publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. I must also acknowledge that I know Ms. Stacie from another aspect of my internet presence. This also had no bearing on my opinion of this book.
June 13, 2013
“I have f*cked you. Numerous times, in fact. We will continue to do so because, seriously, Dale, it’s amazing....Now, get on the floor. I need to feel you wrapped around my d*ck. Now.”
I'm disappointed to say that I struggled immensely to get through this book. The story was slow and the main characters, Kyran and Dale (both sound like guys names, eh?), were nothing special.
Kyran, is a shrewd business man with a secret. He is very frigid, emotionally stunted and guarded, and needs to be in control of everything he does. He develops a deep attraction Dale the moment she steps into the office as his brother's assistant and at first tries to avoid her but we all know that kind of stuff never lasts long.
"Ms. Porter’s were far more welcoming, though—all wide-eyed and emanating with honesty—whereas his were guarded. He let very few see beneath the surface."
Dale, on the other hand, has a flair of character but none that could upkeep the entire story. She comes to work for Taylor Reese after she loses her previous job and is spurned by her now ex-boyfriend and ex-bestie. Uh oh!
She also develops a strong attraction for Kyran and they embark on a tumultuous affair with no strings attached sex. This of course, proves to be futile as both develop early feelings from one another from the get go but are too stubborn to admit it. Especially Kyran!! Dale does acknowledge it and constantly asks Kyran "what are we?, what are we doing?" but Dale is always like, "I don't know." Ugh. Face plant on the floor.
I did in a sense feel for Kyran though as he is an utterly broken character. Kyran basically runs the entire family business by himself since his co-owner, younger bro Taylor, is irresponsible and always getting himself into a heap of trouble. His mom died when he was young and his father has retired from the company and married a woman around Kyran and Taylor's age (much to Kyran's chagrin).
He finds release in a fight club so that he can in some way feel something. But of course, as the CEO of a company he has to keep this hobby of his a secret. Not a good image for business. Kinda hard to hide though when Kyran keeps getting cuts and bruises don't you think?
With tensions, hearts, and everything on the line how will things turn out for Kyran and Dale? How will Kyran's family and the company react when they find out the secret he's been hiding from everyone? What will become of of Kyran's brother? Will he get the help he needs?
Over all, plain and unoriginal read for me. Nothing relatively that I haven't read before. :'(
ARC provided courtesy of Chief Marketing Officer, Jenny Pedroza. Thank you very much!
I'm disappointed to say that I struggled immensely to get through this book. The story was slow and the main characters, Kyran and Dale (both sound like guys names, eh?), were nothing special.
Kyran, is a shrewd business man with a secret. He is very frigid, emotionally stunted and guarded, and needs to be in control of everything he does. He develops a deep attraction Dale the moment she steps into the office as his brother's assistant and at first tries to avoid her but we all know that kind of stuff never lasts long.
"Ms. Porter’s were far more welcoming, though—all wide-eyed and emanating with honesty—whereas his were guarded. He let very few see beneath the surface."
Dale, on the other hand, has a flair of character but none that could upkeep the entire story. She comes to work for Taylor Reese after she loses her previous job and is spurned by her now ex-boyfriend and ex-bestie. Uh oh!
She also develops a strong attraction for Kyran and they embark on a tumultuous affair with no strings attached sex. This of course, proves to be futile as both develop early feelings from one another from the get go but are too stubborn to admit it. Especially Kyran!! Dale does acknowledge it and constantly asks Kyran "what are we?, what are we doing?" but Dale is always like, "I don't know." Ugh. Face plant on the floor.
I did in a sense feel for Kyran though as he is an utterly broken character. Kyran basically runs the entire family business by himself since his co-owner, younger bro Taylor, is irresponsible and always getting himself into a heap of trouble. His mom died when he was young and his father has retired from the company and married a woman around Kyran and Taylor's age (much to Kyran's chagrin).
He finds release in a fight club so that he can in some way feel something. But of course, as the CEO of a company he has to keep this hobby of his a secret. Not a good image for business. Kinda hard to hide though when Kyran keeps getting cuts and bruises don't you think?
With tensions, hearts, and everything on the line how will things turn out for Kyran and Dale? How will Kyran's family and the company react when they find out the secret he's been hiding from everyone? What will become of of Kyran's brother? Will he get the help he needs?
Over all, plain and unoriginal read for me. Nothing relatively that I haven't read before. :'(
ARC provided courtesy of Chief Marketing Officer, Jenny Pedroza. Thank you very much!
September 1, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
3.5 Stars!
Beneath the Surface by M.A. Stacie is the exact type of story that never fails to attract my attention. Rich, successful, sexy, alpha male…check! Honest, sweet, down-on-her-luck heroine who isn’t afraid to stand up to the alpha male….check! Steamy sex…check! This book has it all, and delivers an entertaining (albeit predictable) read.
As the book opens, Kyran Reese is struggling with the responsibility of running the family business. He is restless and longs for a bare-knuckle boxing ring where he can release all the pent up energy and hostility that he tries desperately to keep hidden. I loved that this hero is all business up front, but behind his carefully constructed image lies a true bad boy: tattooed and longing for a fight.
Dale Porter (our heroine) has come to work for Kyran’s brother Taylor, however, in the opening chapter it’s Kyran that she runs into first. The attraction is instantaneous and very mutual. The sex follows quickly afterwards and there isn’t a whole lot of build up before this couple hits the sheets (or should we say “the office” ;-)!
I liked this book. Kyran was my favorite character and I loved him because he carried the weight of the world (and his family) on his shoulders. I sympathized with him and felt that he used control as a coping mechanism. He had a lot of emotional pain that he had no idea how to cope with and used his fighting to stay sane.
There were a few twists in this story that I wasn’t expecting and that made this read interesting and somewhat set it apart, but I fear that it did have a lot of the same themes that we see so often now in erotica. The way Kyran and Dale met reminded me of “Fifty Shades” and “Crossfire”, and I think maybe I’ve read too many books because this one had bits and pieces of so many others that I’ve read. I must admit that I had this feeling while reading of “been there and done that”.
I still would recommend it for those who would love reading about a tormented, bare-knuckle fighting CEO and the woman who finally soothes him (inside and outside of bed).
Enjoy!
3.5 Stars!
Beneath the Surface by M.A. Stacie is the exact type of story that never fails to attract my attention. Rich, successful, sexy, alpha male…check! Honest, sweet, down-on-her-luck heroine who isn’t afraid to stand up to the alpha male….check! Steamy sex…check! This book has it all, and delivers an entertaining (albeit predictable) read.
As the book opens, Kyran Reese is struggling with the responsibility of running the family business. He is restless and longs for a bare-knuckle boxing ring where he can release all the pent up energy and hostility that he tries desperately to keep hidden. I loved that this hero is all business up front, but behind his carefully constructed image lies a true bad boy: tattooed and longing for a fight.
Dale Porter (our heroine) has come to work for Kyran’s brother Taylor, however, in the opening chapter it’s Kyran that she runs into first. The attraction is instantaneous and very mutual. The sex follows quickly afterwards and there isn’t a whole lot of build up before this couple hits the sheets (or should we say “the office” ;-)!
I liked this book. Kyran was my favorite character and I loved him because he carried the weight of the world (and his family) on his shoulders. I sympathized with him and felt that he used control as a coping mechanism. He had a lot of emotional pain that he had no idea how to cope with and used his fighting to stay sane.
There were a few twists in this story that I wasn’t expecting and that made this read interesting and somewhat set it apart, but I fear that it did have a lot of the same themes that we see so often now in erotica. The way Kyran and Dale met reminded me of “Fifty Shades” and “Crossfire”, and I think maybe I’ve read too many books because this one had bits and pieces of so many others that I’ve read. I must admit that I had this feeling while reading of “been there and done that”.
I still would recommend it for those who would love reading about a tormented, bare-knuckle fighting CEO and the woman who finally soothes him (inside and outside of bed).
Enjoy!
August 22, 2013
Whoot whoo Dale! Loved Dale she is a very strong minded woman who knows who she is and what she wants. It was interesting to see her paired up with Kyran Reese who is a strong alpha male. It worked surprisingly well. Kyran is the CEO of the family corporation along with his brother Taylor who is CFO and they are both hot and broken and have their secrets. Talk about dysfunction at it's finest. Kyran is strong, sexy, family fixer, and has serious emotional bonding issues. Taylor is just as good looking, has serious family issues,he is never sober long which begins to affect his daily life. Dale was just hired as Taylor's assistant she immediately can tell something is wrong/going on with Taylor he is either late, drunk or a no show at work. Dale upon meeting Kyran has an immediate attraction that she pushes aside because he is her boss. Kyran on meeting Dale feels the same pull, he chalks it up to lust and knows he shouldn't want her but she wont get out of his head. I love the elevator scene with these two hot! Kyran just cant take the sexual tension between them any longer and makes his move. No shirt Kyran inters the elevator, Dale with her yummy vanilla scent is everywhere, and Dale is intrigued at all of his beautiful tattoo's that are hidden beneath his dress shirts and his amazing body. They decide that the lust and sex is amazing and they will just keep it to that, but can they? Kyran has so many issues and uses boxing as his outlet no one at work or in his family knows how he deals with the pressures in his life. Dale is like an anchor that grounds him. I loved all the hot scenes and banter between these two. Dale would not put up with his crap and she dished it right back at him. I think this is what Kyran liked about her, she wasn't intimidated by his brooding ornery self, she could tell it was a cover. Taylor's issues come to a head too. Dale and Kyran go through a lot before their story is all over. Really a great read!
September 9, 2013
August can't come fast enough I need this book!
Okay after writing that a week later I received an ARC copy of this book to read after requesting it on Netgalley. I love me some netgalley because they always have the latest books I love so much. First I want to start this review off a little differently because I hardly ever do this but this is one of those rare occasions that I have to say this book cover screamed for me to read it. I love a rough tattoo boxer looking guy who is rough and tough all alpha male who can hold his own and HOLY FRIZZ I got that and more reading Beneath the Surface.
Kyran Reese is one hot as hell alpha male that has everything in his under control. He rules with an iron fist and he takes no crap from family or friends. He controls everything in his family business because his brother is a screw up and can't be trusted. His brother Taylor is drowning in hurt, lies and deceits and he is a cheater. Flirting with his PA's and having affairs with them gets him into trouble with his last affair and Kyran has had to get him out of trouble and hire a new PA who will not fall privy to his brothers advances. Only the girl they hire does something to Kyran he never thought would happen to him.
By day Kyran is in the board room handling business and by night he is a bare knuckle boxer. He keeps to himself and does what he wants when he wants. So when he meets his brothers new PA and she is a sassy no none sense women Ky is thrown off his game. He loves the banter between them and the sassy remarks she makes and the fact that she is immune to his looks. Don't get it twisted Ky can be an ass and he shows it to Dale but Dale gives it right back to him in spades.
Dale has her skeletons and secrets in her closet and she is immune to bad boys who think they are all that and a bag of chips but she feels a spark or something between her and Ky and she can't help but think about him. So when he propositions her with a deal for having a relationship with no strings attached she agrees. But what happens when they come together is anything but platonic. The passion sparks and flies and holy hell these two are a match made in heaven and hell. They pull and push each other and this story had me on the edge of my seat I could not think straight at one point. Lordy lordy is all I have to say to that! This is a must read and I need book two like ASAP because that prologue was CRUEL man they way it ended I just need to know what Kyrans thoughts are on the subject!
Okay after writing that a week later I received an ARC copy of this book to read after requesting it on Netgalley. I love me some netgalley because they always have the latest books I love so much. First I want to start this review off a little differently because I hardly ever do this but this is one of those rare occasions that I have to say this book cover screamed for me to read it. I love a rough tattoo boxer looking guy who is rough and tough all alpha male who can hold his own and HOLY FRIZZ I got that and more reading Beneath the Surface.
Kyran Reese is one hot as hell alpha male that has everything in his under control. He rules with an iron fist and he takes no crap from family or friends. He controls everything in his family business because his brother is a screw up and can't be trusted. His brother Taylor is drowning in hurt, lies and deceits and he is a cheater. Flirting with his PA's and having affairs with them gets him into trouble with his last affair and Kyran has had to get him out of trouble and hire a new PA who will not fall privy to his brothers advances. Only the girl they hire does something to Kyran he never thought would happen to him.
By day Kyran is in the board room handling business and by night he is a bare knuckle boxer. He keeps to himself and does what he wants when he wants. So when he meets his brothers new PA and she is a sassy no none sense women Ky is thrown off his game. He loves the banter between them and the sassy remarks she makes and the fact that she is immune to his looks. Don't get it twisted Ky can be an ass and he shows it to Dale but Dale gives it right back to him in spades.
Dale has her skeletons and secrets in her closet and she is immune to bad boys who think they are all that and a bag of chips but she feels a spark or something between her and Ky and she can't help but think about him. So when he propositions her with a deal for having a relationship with no strings attached she agrees. But what happens when they come together is anything but platonic. The passion sparks and flies and holy hell these two are a match made in heaven and hell. They pull and push each other and this story had me on the edge of my seat I could not think straight at one point. Lordy lordy is all I have to say to that! This is a must read and I need book two like ASAP because that prologue was CRUEL man they way it ended I just need to know what Kyrans thoughts are on the subject!
August 16, 2013
I was looking forward to reading Beneath the Surface especially after I saw several good reviews but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The story has everything I usually like, a dominating man, a little angst, and a lot of time between the sheets, or against the wall, or on a desk...
“Look, we are going to do this. I am going to fuck you. I have thought about nothing else for the last week. Now, you can talk all the way through, or you can enjoy it. However, if you choose the first, I can assure you that you won’t be talking for long and will be doing the second within minutes.”
I should have really liked this book. Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect to these characters at all. Their chemistry which was described as instantaneous just didn’t work for me. I never thought the relationship went further than just sex. There was a lot of back and forth, hot and cold between Dale and Kyran and I didn’t like that either.
I also thought that Dale was prettty annoying. If she was worried about her job or where they were going in their “relationship” then she should have addressed those concerns before having sex with upper management in the office her first week on the job. And she continued to want to have the same conversation over and over. If you are having sex with someone and they say its just sex and you keep wanting to label the sex as something else, its kind of pathetic. I also didn’t really care for Kyran either. I didn’t think he was that dominating, he just across as cold sometimes. And overlooking the problems with his brother made him seem ignorant and insensitive.
At the end of the book, I don’t see any real growth or development of the characters which would have resulted in their issues being resolved. I read the whole book and didn't really feel any emotions at all. Overall, the characters just didn’t work for me in this one. I would probably give this 2.5 Stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
“Look, we are going to do this. I am going to fuck you. I have thought about nothing else for the last week. Now, you can talk all the way through, or you can enjoy it. However, if you choose the first, I can assure you that you won’t be talking for long and will be doing the second within minutes.”
I should have really liked this book. Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect to these characters at all. Their chemistry which was described as instantaneous just didn’t work for me. I never thought the relationship went further than just sex. There was a lot of back and forth, hot and cold between Dale and Kyran and I didn’t like that either.
I also thought that Dale was prettty annoying. If she was worried about her job or where they were going in their “relationship” then she should have addressed those concerns before having sex with upper management in the office her first week on the job. And she continued to want to have the same conversation over and over. If you are having sex with someone and they say its just sex and you keep wanting to label the sex as something else, its kind of pathetic. I also didn’t really care for Kyran either. I didn’t think he was that dominating, he just across as cold sometimes. And overlooking the problems with his brother made him seem ignorant and insensitive.
At the end of the book, I don’t see any real growth or development of the characters which would have resulted in their issues being resolved. I read the whole book and didn't really feel any emotions at all. Overall, the characters just didn’t work for me in this one. I would probably give this 2.5 Stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 28, 2013
I've had the pleasure to be the editor of this story and I couldn't be prouder of Stacie's work. She's had grown so much as a writer since Unwritten Rules. Her male protagonist is hotter and more swoon-worthy plus her female protagonist is stronger than ever.
This story is a little Fight Club, a little bad boy business man, and a lot of UST!
I can't wait for the rest of the world to read this book, M.A. Stacie is going places!
This story is a little Fight Club, a little bad boy business man, and a lot of UST!
I can't wait for the rest of the world to read this book, M.A. Stacie is going places!
July 18, 2016
3.5 stars
"Every time I took a breath, the air was filled with you. I fought it, determined to ignore your siren call. But you kept dragging me under, and beneath my controlled surface, something was happening to me."
I read this while on vacation a few days ago, and I'm struggling to remember any feeling or thoughts I had about this book. So that for one tells you something.
Suffice it to say, this didn't leave any impression on me one way or another. The plot was very 'been there, read that', at least for me. Nothing really stood out for me, not the story, nor the characters.
Kyran is the CEO of his father's company. Struggling to run everything when his brother is barely helping out, the last thing he needs is another distraction. Unfortunately, his brother's new secretary is just that. One sexy distraction he can't seem to stop thinking about.
I wanted to like Kyran, he was just the right amount of jaded and brooding that I typically like. Add into that mix his habit of bare knuckle fighting in the ring to relieve stress, and I should be on Alpha cloud 9, right? But something always kept me from really falling for him. He was unreasonable, guarded and at times just plain jerky. Which again should have worked for me, but alas it just left me feeling very...meh. Dale's character I really enjoyed. I just wished we got a little bit more about her. I felt like we never really got much beneath her surface....
sorry
There was mention of her half-brother, Trace and her somewhat uneasy relationship with her father. But there was no mention really of why she lived with her mother and how she came to live with her dad. It was just bits and pieces and I was hoping for a little more.
The story itself was fairly entertaining.
What begins as a sex only arrangement, soon begins to get blurred lines when feelings enter the mix. Dale fights her feelings, but ultimately she wants the labels that Kyran refuses to giver her. So what happens when attraction develops into something more?
The steam factor of this book was great, the attraction and connection between the H/h was smoking hot. I also loved the way that Kyran showed his willingness for labels in the end. It was very sweet and original. I did hope to hear a bit more about Taylor and what happens to him, but I'm assuming this may be touched on more in the next book.
Overall it was a sexy and steamy, although somewhat unoriginal and not very memorable book.
**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
"Every time I took a breath, the air was filled with you. I fought it, determined to ignore your siren call. But you kept dragging me under, and beneath my controlled surface, something was happening to me."
I read this while on vacation a few days ago, and I'm struggling to remember any feeling or thoughts I had about this book. So that for one tells you something.
Suffice it to say, this didn't leave any impression on me one way or another. The plot was very 'been there, read that', at least for me. Nothing really stood out for me, not the story, nor the characters.
Kyran is the CEO of his father's company. Struggling to run everything when his brother is barely helping out, the last thing he needs is another distraction. Unfortunately, his brother's new secretary is just that. One sexy distraction he can't seem to stop thinking about.
I wanted to like Kyran, he was just the right amount of jaded and brooding that I typically like. Add into that mix his habit of bare knuckle fighting in the ring to relieve stress, and I should be on Alpha cloud 9, right? But something always kept me from really falling for him. He was unreasonable, guarded and at times just plain jerky. Which again should have worked for me, but alas it just left me feeling very...meh. Dale's character I really enjoyed. I just wished we got a little bit more about her. I felt like we never really got much beneath her surface....
sorry
There was mention of her half-brother, Trace and her somewhat uneasy relationship with her father. But there was no mention really of why she lived with her mother and how she came to live with her dad. It was just bits and pieces and I was hoping for a little more.
The story itself was fairly entertaining.
What begins as a sex only arrangement, soon begins to get blurred lines when feelings enter the mix. Dale fights her feelings, but ultimately she wants the labels that Kyran refuses to giver her. So what happens when attraction develops into something more?
The steam factor of this book was great, the attraction and connection between the H/h was smoking hot. I also loved the way that Kyran showed his willingness for labels in the end. It was very sweet and original. I did hope to hear a bit more about Taylor and what happens to him, but I'm assuming this may be touched on more in the next book.
Overall it was a sexy and steamy, although somewhat unoriginal and not very memorable book.
**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
August 11, 2013
You know what you are getting with this book, and no mistaking, a dominant alpha male with the some level of emotional detachment, a feisty female who has been unlucky in love, and the inevitable chemistry that sparks up when they meet.
Lets face it, the alpha male/feisty female genre is flooded at the moment, and in all honesty there isn't anything new in this book that I haven't read in dozens of others, like alot of literature of this type out there at the moment, it is a bit of a mish-mash of many other books from the genre. My points as follow -
•A rich dominating man with emotional issues, who doesn't believe he is capable of love.
•He is also a bare knuckle fighter.
•Tattooed, but scrubs up well in a suit.
•Deep running unresolved family issues.
•A wayward brother.
•A feisty female who almost falls on her ass, the first time she enters his office.
•She's been unlucky in love before.
•He is her boss (not literally, but pretty much)
•She expresses her feelings, whilst he is more closed off.
I could go on, but I don't need to, you can get my drift from the above.
That said, I never judge a book by it's similarities to others, rather on how I connect with the characters and how much I enjoy the writing and the story being told. As a result of those factors I am happy to give this book a well deserved 4 Stars.
M. A. Stacie has tapped a well trodden path, but she has managed to make Kyran and Dale's story fresh and for me really, really enjoyable. I loved Kyran, he is your typical tall, tattooed, bad boy businessman, but he didn't remind me of any other men I have read from that genre, he had his own personality, strengths and weaknesses. I liked Dale, she again although similar to alot of the females in fiction bouncing around out there at the moment, had her own strengths and weaknesses, I loved that she wasn't afraid to drop the F-Bomb, and if she had something to say she said it, the internal monologue wasn't dragged out because of this and I think the story was the better for it.
Their story had its inevitable highs and lows, but I found myself staying up until the wee hours with that "just one more chapter" mantra going through my head, and it was worth it, the story was ended well without any cliffhangers which at the moment is in itself the reason to give an author a star, as so many books are dragged out over numerous installments just to keep you buying.
This book is part one in the Reluctance Series, and I hope as such we get too see the developing stories of some of the other characters bought to light in this book, for me in partuicular Kyran's brother Taylor, boy is he one troubled soul, and I kinda hope we get too see in depth the reasons for this in the future.
This is my first M. A. Stacie book, and I can say it definately won't be my last. ARC provided by Netgalley, for which it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Lets face it, the alpha male/feisty female genre is flooded at the moment, and in all honesty there isn't anything new in this book that I haven't read in dozens of others, like alot of literature of this type out there at the moment, it is a bit of a mish-mash of many other books from the genre. My points as follow -
•A rich dominating man with emotional issues, who doesn't believe he is capable of love.
•He is also a bare knuckle fighter.
•Tattooed, but scrubs up well in a suit.
•Deep running unresolved family issues.
•A wayward brother.
•A feisty female who almost falls on her ass, the first time she enters his office.
•She's been unlucky in love before.
•He is her boss (not literally, but pretty much)
•She expresses her feelings, whilst he is more closed off.
I could go on, but I don't need to, you can get my drift from the above.
That said, I never judge a book by it's similarities to others, rather on how I connect with the characters and how much I enjoy the writing and the story being told. As a result of those factors I am happy to give this book a well deserved 4 Stars.
M. A. Stacie has tapped a well trodden path, but she has managed to make Kyran and Dale's story fresh and for me really, really enjoyable. I loved Kyran, he is your typical tall, tattooed, bad boy businessman, but he didn't remind me of any other men I have read from that genre, he had his own personality, strengths and weaknesses. I liked Dale, she again although similar to alot of the females in fiction bouncing around out there at the moment, had her own strengths and weaknesses, I loved that she wasn't afraid to drop the F-Bomb, and if she had something to say she said it, the internal monologue wasn't dragged out because of this and I think the story was the better for it.
Their story had its inevitable highs and lows, but I found myself staying up until the wee hours with that "just one more chapter" mantra going through my head, and it was worth it, the story was ended well without any cliffhangers which at the moment is in itself the reason to give an author a star, as so many books are dragged out over numerous installments just to keep you buying.
This book is part one in the Reluctance Series, and I hope as such we get too see the developing stories of some of the other characters bought to light in this book, for me in partuicular Kyran's brother Taylor, boy is he one troubled soul, and I kinda hope we get too see in depth the reasons for this in the future.
This is my first M. A. Stacie book, and I can say it definately won't be my last. ARC provided by Netgalley, for which it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
August 19, 2013
Let me start off by saying, I love a fighter. I want to be a fighter just so I can be around guys who do MMA, seriously HOT STUFF. The cover was smoking hot..... That being said, I struggled with this book. I could not connect on any level with Dale, she drove me nuts. And her name!! I was constantly having to remind myself that she was a woman and Kyran was a man etc. I had such a hard time finding either to have likeable qualities. Especially in the beginning. I found Kyran to be overally demanding and not in an Alpha sexy way either. Their preception of sexual harassment was laughable....
Kyran is a CEO of his business that he runs with his brother and he also has his own secrets and skeletons. He finds himself attracted to Dale and can't work his head around his loss of control with her and it ends up making him even more angry. Kyran is constantly at odds with his brother Taylor and even gets a point where he calls in his father to step in as Kyran is at the end of his wits with Taylor. For someone so in control why did he run to his dad like a 5 year old on the playground who didn't get his way? Their wasn't a professional why to handle it via business dealings or partnership desolving?
Dale seems to have more to her, but it never really comes to the surface, you get a small quirk here and there and then its gone. In the story Dale finds out Kyran's secret as her step-brother works at the the fighting location that Kyran goes to. This sends Kyran into a worry over what Dale may reveal and to whom. She also has a mutual lust for Kyran and can't seem to say no when he goes all crazy caveman on her in elevators and such.
They soon find themselves doing the booty call, friends with benefits minus the friends part but slowly find out they have feelings for each other but neither wants to face the music about it as they are both really damaged and stubborn.
I just struggled with the constant overbearing behavior of Kyran. But that being said, the ending had me. They were constantly looking for how to label what was happening and changing in their releationship and finally Kyran found the label he wanted for Dale and gave it to her. Dale returned the favor by providing Kyran with a label for him to cherish as well. Best part was the epilogue, wish it would have been like this throughout the book.
This honest review was provided in exchange for a copy of the book from Netgalley.
Kyran is a CEO of his business that he runs with his brother and he also has his own secrets and skeletons. He finds himself attracted to Dale and can't work his head around his loss of control with her and it ends up making him even more angry. Kyran is constantly at odds with his brother Taylor and even gets a point where he calls in his father to step in as Kyran is at the end of his wits with Taylor. For someone so in control why did he run to his dad like a 5 year old on the playground who didn't get his way? Their wasn't a professional why to handle it via business dealings or partnership desolving?
Dale seems to have more to her, but it never really comes to the surface, you get a small quirk here and there and then its gone. In the story Dale finds out Kyran's secret as her step-brother works at the the fighting location that Kyran goes to. This sends Kyran into a worry over what Dale may reveal and to whom. She also has a mutual lust for Kyran and can't seem to say no when he goes all crazy caveman on her in elevators and such.
They soon find themselves doing the booty call, friends with benefits minus the friends part but slowly find out they have feelings for each other but neither wants to face the music about it as they are both really damaged and stubborn.
I just struggled with the constant overbearing behavior of Kyran. But that being said, the ending had me. They were constantly looking for how to label what was happening and changing in their releationship and finally Kyran found the label he wanted for Dale and gave it to her. Dale returned the favor by providing Kyran with a label for him to cherish as well. Best part was the epilogue, wish it would have been like this throughout the book.
This honest review was provided in exchange for a copy of the book from Netgalley.
June 6, 2013
There was a lot to love about this book. Kyran is a buttoned-up executive by day and a tattooed fighter by night. Did I mention I am a total MMA whore? And the quiver inducing power a man in a well-cut suit holds over me?
Kyran’s more than a little bit damaged, and adrenaline and pain are his drugs of choice. He isn’t fighting for glory or money—he just wants to feel something. His brother, Taylor, on the other hand, finds his solace in drugs of the illegal variety. The drugs have addled his brain and his professional filter went all caput, leaving Kyran and Co. holding the bag when his last assistant makes allegations of sexual harassment. Enter Taylor’s new assistant, Dale, who Kyran is immediately taken with. She’s beautiful and she’s smart and she straight hands his shit back to him. On a platter. With a smile. I fucking love her, and, eventually, so does Kyran.
After a bit of SEXUAL TENSION, Kyran, unable to put the kabash on his feelings for Dale, offers her the only thing he feels he can—a relationship without “labels.” Remember that word. It plays a big role in the story. A sexual relationship (wooo, Lawd does it) ensures. What this man lacks in emotional availability he makes up for in skillful seduction. He tries to separate his feelings for her from their sexual relationship. He’s mean and nasty about it at times. You’ll wanna deliver an ass whippin on more than one occasion…but the endgame is worth the angst.
I reviewed an uncorrected copy. The bones of a great story are there, but it’s not quite where it could be. I felt the author occasionally made too many assumptions about the readers grasp of the MCs’ actions. We went from point A to point D without B and C ever being covered, if you get my gist. I am also not fond AT ALL of either of the MCs’ names. Still—great story, wonderful heroine, hot, alpha male hero and plenty o’kink.
Kyran’s more than a little bit damaged, and adrenaline and pain are his drugs of choice. He isn’t fighting for glory or money—he just wants to feel something. His brother, Taylor, on the other hand, finds his solace in drugs of the illegal variety. The drugs have addled his brain and his professional filter went all caput, leaving Kyran and Co. holding the bag when his last assistant makes allegations of sexual harassment. Enter Taylor’s new assistant, Dale, who Kyran is immediately taken with. She’s beautiful and she’s smart and she straight hands his shit back to him. On a platter. With a smile. I fucking love her, and, eventually, so does Kyran.
After a bit of SEXUAL TENSION, Kyran, unable to put the kabash on his feelings for Dale, offers her the only thing he feels he can—a relationship without “labels.” Remember that word. It plays a big role in the story. A sexual relationship (wooo, Lawd does it) ensures. What this man lacks in emotional availability he makes up for in skillful seduction. He tries to separate his feelings for her from their sexual relationship. He’s mean and nasty about it at times. You’ll wanna deliver an ass whippin on more than one occasion…but the endgame is worth the angst.
I reviewed an uncorrected copy. The bones of a great story are there, but it’s not quite where it could be. I felt the author occasionally made too many assumptions about the readers grasp of the MCs’ actions. We went from point A to point D without B and C ever being covered, if you get my gist. I am also not fond AT ALL of either of the MCs’ names. Still—great story, wonderful heroine, hot, alpha male hero and plenty o’kink.
August 15, 2013
thank you Netgalley and Smith Publicity for the arc....
(review can also be seen here : http://wp.me/p3NHjQ-cg and here : https://www.facebook.com/SLiTsReaD)
Kyran Reese loves to fight when his stress... and his often stressed with their company, his absentee father and his brother..... so he is often at the arena coming home with bruises and black eye.
Dale Porter is starting a new job, new life. She just dumped her ex whom she caught humping her bestfriend in their home. Then she met Kyran, her boss or one of her boss, both are attracted to each other and on her second day or maybe third day of meeting him, had sex with him. Now she wants a label on what their relationship is. Kyran, a control freak, doesn't do label. So, she goes chase him and ask for label and he goes tell her it's sex.... This goes on and on just about 60% or more on the book, ugh... though she did still continue having sex with him.
All in all, it was alright, I wish it could have been more though. And I like the end part with the their label written in cards.
(review can also be seen here : http://wp.me/p3NHjQ-cg and here : https://www.facebook.com/SLiTsReaD)
Kyran Reese loves to fight when his stress... and his often stressed with their company, his absentee father and his brother..... so he is often at the arena coming home with bruises and black eye.
Dale Porter is starting a new job, new life. She just dumped her ex whom she caught humping her bestfriend in their home. Then she met Kyran, her boss or one of her boss, both are attracted to each other and on her second day or maybe third day of meeting him, had sex with him. Now she wants a label on what their relationship is. Kyran, a control freak, doesn't do label. So, she goes chase him and ask for label and he goes tell her it's sex.... This goes on and on just about 60% or more on the book, ugh... though she did still continue having sex with him.
All in all, it was alright, I wish it could have been more though. And I like the end part with the their label written in cards.
September 6, 2013
This book starts with us meeting Dale, who is starting a new job after quitting her old one when she found her boyfriend and best friend in bed together... with another women.
Her new boss isn't in so she meets his partner, Kyran. The attraction is instant but both play it off try to ignore each other.
They have a hot/cold, love/hate relationship. The banter is funny because these two are hot heads and when they get together they explode. They end up agreeing that they cant deny their attraction to one another so will use each other and have a sex only relationship.
They slowly start to grow feelings for each other and when secrets are revealed can they last? Or was this no strings agreement doomed from the start?
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and I liked the original story line. My issues with this book where with the main characters. I felt disconnected, to me it felt like Dale jumped the gun every chance she could to start a fight. Its not that she enjoyed the drama, its like she would take a joke he was saying to the extreme and then it would blow up.
***** MILD Spoilers *****
I found the fight they had towards the end ridiculous. Yes they had an agreement, yes she went against it. In my opinion though the whole book was leading up to that, on both sides. So to say what she did, admit that she would have never told him, then say well its this or nothing. She was insecure and childish to me. One conversation, where she let him talk and work things out and drama could have been solved.
***** End *****
Okay, so I liked this book apart from that and I have no doubt that others will love this book, it just wasn't my personal favorite.
Her new boss isn't in so she meets his partner, Kyran. The attraction is instant but both play it off try to ignore each other.
They have a hot/cold, love/hate relationship. The banter is funny because these two are hot heads and when they get together they explode. They end up agreeing that they cant deny their attraction to one another so will use each other and have a sex only relationship.
They slowly start to grow feelings for each other and when secrets are revealed can they last? Or was this no strings agreement doomed from the start?
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and I liked the original story line. My issues with this book where with the main characters. I felt disconnected, to me it felt like Dale jumped the gun every chance she could to start a fight. Its not that she enjoyed the drama, its like she would take a joke he was saying to the extreme and then it would blow up.
***** MILD Spoilers *****
I found the fight they had towards the end ridiculous. Yes they had an agreement, yes she went against it. In my opinion though the whole book was leading up to that, on both sides. So to say what she did, admit that she would have never told him, then say well its this or nothing. She was insecure and childish to me. One conversation, where she let him talk and work things out and drama could have been solved.
***** End *****
Okay, so I liked this book apart from that and I have no doubt that others will love this book, it just wasn't my personal favorite.
August 2, 2015
**ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and the publishers.
3.5 stars! I really enjoyed this one, but there were a few things that annoyed me.
early on I got pissy with Dale... no sooner had they discussed & agreed they're "just sex" she'd be asking again what they are. & I really didn't see what she was so pissed off about when she stormed into Metro to rip into him.
after that it all fell into a fun, comfortable place just like Kyran & Dale did, & completely agree with her choice to walk away when he couldn't promise her he'd feel the same way she did, even if he did feel something. sometimes you have to do things that hurt to ensure you're not completely broken later on. and I'm gonna say it's cause I was tired & shoulda been sleeping, but this bit made me cry. she let slip those 3 little words, & I think it was all made worse when he didn't react the way she thought. but yes, she cried, I cried, & he left :(
I had an inkling what was going on with the blank cards in the mail, but it was still so sweet when it happened. & I loved that they still used the "labels" in the epilogue!
oh, and Trace & Dale seriously had the wrong names... to me Dale is a guys name & Trace is short for Tracey so it's gotta be a girls name. just had to throw that in there.
another thing hat pissed me off was when Clara turned into Clare & back again. how on earth did that happen? there was no Clare in the story! there were a few other little editing errors that I could easily forgive, but not Clare!
other than that, it was pretty easy to read, and a bit of fun too.
3.5 stars! I really enjoyed this one, but there were a few things that annoyed me.
early on I got pissy with Dale... no sooner had they discussed & agreed they're "just sex" she'd be asking again what they are. & I really didn't see what she was so pissed off about when she stormed into Metro to rip into him.
after that it all fell into a fun, comfortable place just like Kyran & Dale did, & completely agree with her choice to walk away when he couldn't promise her he'd feel the same way she did, even if he did feel something. sometimes you have to do things that hurt to ensure you're not completely broken later on. and I'm gonna say it's cause I was tired & shoulda been sleeping, but this bit made me cry. she let slip those 3 little words, & I think it was all made worse when he didn't react the way she thought. but yes, she cried, I cried, & he left :(
I had an inkling what was going on with the blank cards in the mail, but it was still so sweet when it happened. & I loved that they still used the "labels" in the epilogue!
oh, and Trace & Dale seriously had the wrong names... to me Dale is a guys name & Trace is short for Tracey so it's gotta be a girls name. just had to throw that in there.
another thing hat pissed me off was when Clara turned into Clare & back again. how on earth did that happen? there was no Clare in the story! there were a few other little editing errors that I could easily forgive, but not Clare!
other than that, it was pretty easy to read, and a bit of fun too.
June 10, 2013
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
When I read the blurb for this book I thought, "hells yeah, this sounds like a book for me!!"
I mean how can you resist a sexy brooding dark hero...one that gets off on underground fighting. Yum!!
This is exactly what you get with Kyran Reese. He is a man who likes control and excerpting his dominance in any given situation. A successful business man also he doesn't like anyone to know about his secret bare knuckle boxing fight.
Enter Dale. Dale is hired to be his pain in the ass brothers personal assistance. She is unlike anyone he has ever met and certainly does not bow down to his bossy demands.
What unfolds is a story of an intoxicating connection between these two. Although he denies it Kyran is hooked in from the beginning, but fighting it is half the fun, or what makes it fun for us readers :)
This was a first time read for me by this author and I liked it. The story was a fast paced interesting one and I was into it from the start.
What may have hampered my enjoyment was Kyran's crazy up and down personality. Sometimes I felt like my head was spinning trying to keep up with his moods swings, it was like a split personality. Apart from that this was a great steamy romance and I do mean steamy. The connection between the two was felt by me and I really enjoyed the ending. Not rushed, which sometimes these romance books can be.
I will be looking out for the next book in this series.
When I read the blurb for this book I thought, "hells yeah, this sounds like a book for me!!"
I mean how can you resist a sexy brooding dark hero...one that gets off on underground fighting. Yum!!
This is exactly what you get with Kyran Reese. He is a man who likes control and excerpting his dominance in any given situation. A successful business man also he doesn't like anyone to know about his secret bare knuckle boxing fight.
Enter Dale. Dale is hired to be his pain in the ass brothers personal assistance. She is unlike anyone he has ever met and certainly does not bow down to his bossy demands.
What unfolds is a story of an intoxicating connection between these two. Although he denies it Kyran is hooked in from the beginning, but fighting it is half the fun, or what makes it fun for us readers :)
This was a first time read for me by this author and I liked it. The story was a fast paced interesting one and I was into it from the start.
What may have hampered my enjoyment was Kyran's crazy up and down personality. Sometimes I felt like my head was spinning trying to keep up with his moods swings, it was like a split personality. Apart from that this was a great steamy romance and I do mean steamy. The connection between the two was felt by me and I really enjoyed the ending. Not rushed, which sometimes these romance books can be.
I will be looking out for the next book in this series.
April 27, 2013
First and foremost, I need to thank M.A. Stacie for giving me an ARC of this story. I am honored that you thought of me. I have been a fan of Ms. Stacie's writing since her first novel, Unwritten Rules. With each story, I enjoy her writing even more. This story is no exception.
Kyran Reese is a business man who is also a bare knuckle fighter. We meet Kyran as he is attempting a break from the Metro, the place where he fights, and then he meets Dale, Taylor's new assistant. Taylor is Kyran's brother and is hiding something vital from the family. Dale knocks Kyran on his @$$ without even realizing it.
Dale is beginning a new job after a break-up and discovering her best friend sleeping with her boyfriend. She arrives at her new job and meets Kyran. Their interaction had me laughing from the get go.
A chance meeting at Metro spins Kyran world on its axis. Dale begins to see a side of Kyran that not many know about. Dale also picks up Taylor's secret and repeatedly tells Kyran that something is going on.
I have to say this story is one of my favorites of Ms. Stacie's. I can not wait for book 2 to be completed.
Kyran Reese is a business man who is also a bare knuckle fighter. We meet Kyran as he is attempting a break from the Metro, the place where he fights, and then he meets Dale, Taylor's new assistant. Taylor is Kyran's brother and is hiding something vital from the family. Dale knocks Kyran on his @$$ without even realizing it.
Dale is beginning a new job after a break-up and discovering her best friend sleeping with her boyfriend. She arrives at her new job and meets Kyran. Their interaction had me laughing from the get go.
A chance meeting at Metro spins Kyran world on its axis. Dale begins to see a side of Kyran that not many know about. Dale also picks up Taylor's secret and repeatedly tells Kyran that something is going on.
I have to say this story is one of my favorites of Ms. Stacie's. I can not wait for book 2 to be completed.
April 26, 2015
Kyran Reese is a typical alpha male that sees something he wants and goes all out to get it. But there is one thing that he did not anticipate encountering. A strong independent woman with a serious mind of her own except when it comes to that libido of hers. man in control. Driven when it comes to work, focused when it comes to play. Dale Porter enters the picture and his life changes to win at any cost. Dale is full of witt smart azz comebacks and the chemistry is off the charts in a very delectable way. s life.
Things reach the braking point when Dale agrees to Kyran’s offer of a no label relationship. She is pulled into his world of off the charts lust, serious money, and down and dirty underground boxing. Dale falls prey to what most women in her place do. She finds herself falling for this alpha male and his ways. Hiding it all is out of the question even though she tries hard to do so. But there is one thing we find this is not just one sided.
Kyran has finally met his match in more than one way and the only way is for him to play-to-win, which means he is playing for keeps.
Things reach the braking point when Dale agrees to Kyran’s offer of a no label relationship. She is pulled into his world of off the charts lust, serious money, and down and dirty underground boxing. Dale falls prey to what most women in her place do. She finds herself falling for this alpha male and his ways. Hiding it all is out of the question even though she tries hard to do so. But there is one thing we find this is not just one sided.
Kyran has finally met his match in more than one way and the only way is for him to play-to-win, which means he is playing for keeps.
April 28, 2013
* I was extremely fortunate to 'be' with this story from the 'get go' *
M.A.Stacie never fails to make you smile, grit your teeth ,have that 'what the hell?' moment in all her books and this is no exception ....
Kyran Reece is a business man , with a secret ,Dale Porter ,his brothers new ,very capable assistant ,throws him a curve ball ..Taylor Reece has lived in his brothers shadow, slowly sinking into a world Kyran knows nothing about ..Dale Porter covers for Taylor whist attempting to hint at the problems with Kyran ...
Metro is a place Kyran frequents... no one would ever expect him to be there ..Kyran is a business by day but when things wear him down ..he visits Metro to wear someone's face and body down .
Never in a month of Sundays did he expect to see Dale there ..
There's so many words I can write about this story ..
Its out in August ..get it on your 'Want to Read' list because believe me ..you will
Beneath the Surface is book one in the Reluctance series ..book 2 is to be released 2014 xx
M.A.Stacie never fails to make you smile, grit your teeth ,have that 'what the hell?' moment in all her books and this is no exception ....
Kyran Reece is a business man , with a secret ,Dale Porter ,his brothers new ,very capable assistant ,throws him a curve ball ..Taylor Reece has lived in his brothers shadow, slowly sinking into a world Kyran knows nothing about ..Dale Porter covers for Taylor whist attempting to hint at the problems with Kyran ...
Metro is a place Kyran frequents... no one would ever expect him to be there ..Kyran is a business by day but when things wear him down ..he visits Metro to wear someone's face and body down .
Never in a month of Sundays did he expect to see Dale there ..
There's so many words I can write about this story ..
Its out in August ..get it on your 'Want to Read' list because believe me ..you will
Beneath the Surface is book one in the Reluctance series ..book 2 is to be released 2014 xx
August 27, 2013
***ARC courtesy of Net Galley***
Familial dysfunction is one of the worse fucking things we (as humans) have to deal with. It fucks with our heads and causes us to do some fuck up shit and make some fucked up choices. But we all have to learn to forgive and forge ahead. At its heart, that is part of the underlying message in Beneath the Surface.
M.A. Stacie explored issues surrounding addiction in its various forms - drugs, violence, sex - but it never came across as "preachy" (don't think that's a word, but I'm using it anyway). Kyran Reese is sex on a stick for me - muscles, tattoos, alpha...did I mention tattoos? Loved that Dale Porter wasn't your typical damsel in distress heroine. She was all sass & attitude & wasn't completely annoying. Dale and Kyran experienced sizzling chemistry from the get go & a fuck buddy arrangement inevitably blossomed into a full blown relationship when either party least expected it.
This was the first time I read a book by Ms. Stacie and let me tell you, it won't be my last. I am officially a fangirl. Squeee!!!!
Familial dysfunction is one of the worse fucking things we (as humans) have to deal with. It fucks with our heads and causes us to do some fuck up shit and make some fucked up choices. But we all have to learn to forgive and forge ahead. At its heart, that is part of the underlying message in Beneath the Surface.
M.A. Stacie explored issues surrounding addiction in its various forms - drugs, violence, sex - but it never came across as "preachy" (don't think that's a word, but I'm using it anyway). Kyran Reese is sex on a stick for me - muscles, tattoos, alpha...did I mention tattoos? Loved that Dale Porter wasn't your typical damsel in distress heroine. She was all sass & attitude & wasn't completely annoying. Dale and Kyran experienced sizzling chemistry from the get go & a fuck buddy arrangement inevitably blossomed into a full blown relationship when either party least expected it.
This was the first time I read a book by Ms. Stacie and let me tell you, it won't be my last. I am officially a fangirl. Squeee!!!!
Read
August 20, 2013BRAINE'S FEEDBACK
DNF - so I'll skip the rating as I find it unfair to rate a book I didn't read through.
This isn't working for me. The hero is ok, typical Alpha male, all rigid and controlling. It's the heroine that I have a big problem with. Her character is so off-putting from the start I can't stand her nor will I allow myself to be subjected to suffer through her story.
The heroine, Dale, applied as a secretary for Kyran's company. First day at work she's already flirting with the boss, TWIRLING HER HAIR during the interview! D'you want some gum while you're at it?! Total bilbo move! Then when they happen to ride the elevator at the same time, she still shamelessly flirt with her boss. Very disrespectful and just trashy IMO.
I cant find anything "sexy" here. Aside from the blatant attraction, there's no chase, no tension worth getting worked up over. The heroine just got on my nerves and it got to a point where I can't read another scene with her in it anymore.
DNF - so I'll skip the rating as I find it unfair to rate a book I didn't read through.
This isn't working for me. The hero is ok, typical Alpha male, all rigid and controlling. It's the heroine that I have a big problem with. Her character is so off-putting from the start I can't stand her nor will I allow myself to be subjected to suffer through her story.
The heroine, Dale, applied as a secretary for Kyran's company. First day at work she's already flirting with the boss, TWIRLING HER HAIR during the interview! D'you want some gum while you're at it?! Total bilbo move! Then when they happen to ride the elevator at the same time, she still shamelessly flirt with her boss. Very disrespectful and just trashy IMO.
I cant find anything "sexy" here. Aside from the blatant attraction, there's no chase, no tension worth getting worked up over. The heroine just got on my nerves and it got to a point where I can't read another scene with her in it anymore.
August 12, 2013
Full review closer to release, but I really liked it. I loved the intensity chemistry between the H/h and that the story was more than just the sex. There were a couple surprises that I liked the right amount of angst and pretty good character development. What I loved most was the two different sides to "Reese"...sexy in a suit and in control of himself and his father's company, and raw to the core while at Metro, fighting in an underground ring. Awesome story!
June 8, 2013
Review up on 29th August
**arc received from netgalley**
**arc received from netgalley**
September 4, 2013
Source: eARC for Honest Review from TWCS Publishing House via NetGalley
Kyran is the misunderstood grumpy ass CEO with the only thing that makes him feel alive is fighting.
Well until....Dale.
Instantly there is a connection but they try to fight it off since it is against the rules until Kyran convinces her that they can have a no strings attached relationship.
This seemed like a great idea until things changed.
"Kiss me, Dale. Kiss me and make me forget everything. The hospital, my father, Taylor...but most of all, kiss me until I know what's going on with us."
Dale realizes right away what is happening that she is falling in love, but Kyran fights tooth and nail to not see what is right in front of him.
Dale tries to make a clean break but Kyran is a stubborn asshole.
"But that's the problem right there, baby. I can't make myself go. I can't bring myself to walk out that door and call it quits."
Dale tries but can't do it so she let's Kyran go but at the same time she can't see the actions as she only wants to hear the words that will make her believe.
Kyran tries to let her go but after literally getting some sense knocked into him he finally realizes what he could lose so he does whatever he can to win Dale back.
"I was falling in love with you. Hook. Line. And fucking sinker. You took the ground from under my feet and left me with nothing to cling to but you."
Cute story with bouts of fighting, passion, stubbornness and love.
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Kyran is the misunderstood grumpy ass CEO with the only thing that makes him feel alive is fighting.
Well until....Dale.
Instantly there is a connection but they try to fight it off since it is against the rules until Kyran convinces her that they can have a no strings attached relationship.
This seemed like a great idea until things changed.
"Kiss me, Dale. Kiss me and make me forget everything. The hospital, my father, Taylor...but most of all, kiss me until I know what's going on with us."
Dale realizes right away what is happening that she is falling in love, but Kyran fights tooth and nail to not see what is right in front of him.
Dale tries to make a clean break but Kyran is a stubborn asshole.
"But that's the problem right there, baby. I can't make myself go. I can't bring myself to walk out that door and call it quits."
Dale tries but can't do it so she let's Kyran go but at the same time she can't see the actions as she only wants to hear the words that will make her believe.
Kyran tries to let her go but after literally getting some sense knocked into him he finally realizes what he could lose so he does whatever he can to win Dale back.
"I was falling in love with you. Hook. Line. And fucking sinker. You took the ground from under my feet and left me with nothing to cling to but you."
Cute story with bouts of fighting, passion, stubbornness and love.
For more reviews, visit Live Read and Breathe
Like us on Facebook Live Read and Breathe Facebook
Follow along with Twitter Live Read and Breathe Twitter
August 31, 2013
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So by day Kyran is a CEO running their father's company alongside his brother Taylor. But by night he is a bare knuckle fighter, venting off his frustrations of what life is throwing at him whilst letting off steam in a chalk ring inside The Metro. Kind off a cool concept and one I hadn't come across yet until now.
Dale is Taylor's new assistance but Taylor is late to the office so Kyran steps in to welcome her into the Company, he finds himself attracted to her straight away but it's just sex right? That's what they embark on a no frills, sex only relationship and this is where the story takes off. Dale after just finding her boyfriend having too close liaisons with her best friend is not really in the market for a boyfriend so she agrees with Kyran and decides a no boyfriend sexual partner is exactly what she needs, no entanglements, no labels, just sex and lots of it. Except the lines of course go a little blurry and get a tad confusing for her.
What I truly found with this book is there were little pockets within the story that were for want of a better way of describing it; a bit waffly. Sometimes the text droned on a tad more than I would like but and I nod my head, the actual story keeps you engaged and let's you forgive the author because in other places the text is really rather punchy, up to date and I can honestly say a bit clever. Don't get me wrong it's not wordy, but your in a serious situation and she delivers a few lines of text that you can't help but sit there and smile about the way it's been lightened up.
I enjoyed the chemistry, it was undeniable between them and the steamy side was written and delivered extremely well. For a book that doesn't actually contain a single ex partner fighting for what they've lost or causing agro, I can definitely say there is enough drama going on away that you don't realise you've not been subjected to the usual angsty storyline like that, it had it's angst but it was between them only.
All in all I am really pleased I got a chance to give this a go. I would probably have bought it at some point anyway, as just by reading the blurb it would be a book I would read and I know now after reading it that I would not have been disappointed if I had spent my hard earned cash on it.
So by day Kyran is a CEO running their father's company alongside his brother Taylor. But by night he is a bare knuckle fighter, venting off his frustrations of what life is throwing at him whilst letting off steam in a chalk ring inside The Metro. Kind off a cool concept and one I hadn't come across yet until now.
Dale is Taylor's new assistance but Taylor is late to the office so Kyran steps in to welcome her into the Company, he finds himself attracted to her straight away but it's just sex right? That's what they embark on a no frills, sex only relationship and this is where the story takes off. Dale after just finding her boyfriend having too close liaisons with her best friend is not really in the market for a boyfriend so she agrees with Kyran and decides a no boyfriend sexual partner is exactly what she needs, no entanglements, no labels, just sex and lots of it. Except the lines of course go a little blurry and get a tad confusing for her.
What I truly found with this book is there were little pockets within the story that were for want of a better way of describing it; a bit waffly. Sometimes the text droned on a tad more than I would like but and I nod my head, the actual story keeps you engaged and let's you forgive the author because in other places the text is really rather punchy, up to date and I can honestly say a bit clever. Don't get me wrong it's not wordy, but your in a serious situation and she delivers a few lines of text that you can't help but sit there and smile about the way it's been lightened up.
I enjoyed the chemistry, it was undeniable between them and the steamy side was written and delivered extremely well. For a book that doesn't actually contain a single ex partner fighting for what they've lost or causing agro, I can definitely say there is enough drama going on away that you don't realise you've not been subjected to the usual angsty storyline like that, it had it's angst but it was between them only.
All in all I am really pleased I got a chance to give this a go. I would probably have bought it at some point anyway, as just by reading the blurb it would be a book I would read and I know now after reading it that I would not have been disappointed if I had spent my hard earned cash on it.
September 5, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
I’ll admit right up front that this cover drew me in…hook…line…sinker. I mean seriously, how can you not want to run your tongue down this guy’s chest and that tat snaking under his belt line….whew…yeah. Then I read the blub and knew I had to see what it was all about. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it mainly because the heroine gave me whiplash; she was all big, bad, bold Ms. Attitude one minute and then weepy, clingy, whiney girl the next. The hero had his own issues and while at times he was a bit of a prick, he didn’t lie about who he was or what he wanted. However, the story was good and I was a little bit fascinated by the underground fight club scene and this corporate hot shot that needed this type of action to fight his personal demons.
From the first chapter Kyran Reese had my attention; there was no denying this guy wasn’t going to be a typical hero. He’s such an arrogant ass but then you’d catch little glimpses of something more just below the surface. From the minute the heroine, Dale Porter, walked into his office he knew and we knew there was something between them.
3 STARS
Dale from the first scene came on strong and I was really glad to see a heroine take a hero by complete surprise. However, it didn’t last and as the book went on I became increasingly disappointed in her behavior.
When they start up, Kyran tells Dale he’s not in it for the long haul and she claims she’s okay with that. Turns out she’s not and while she is there for Kyran at a time he badly needs help, I hate all the extra stress she put on him with her incessant demands of commitment. Kyran is not without fault; he refuses to acknowledge the issues with his brother, Taylor, who is Dale’s immediate boss and even when she expresses her concerns about that issues he refuses to acknowledge them. Honestly, they don’t really communicate very well at all leading to some spectacular blow outs thus some hot as hell make up scenes.
Beneath the Surface while entertaining suffered from too many subplots running through it and too many issues to deal with in a short amount of time. I felt it lost focus and to be honest this is one of those books that I’m not sure the happily ever after was a good thing and that’s a little sad for a romance book.
I’ll admit right up front that this cover drew me in…hook…line…sinker. I mean seriously, how can you not want to run your tongue down this guy’s chest and that tat snaking under his belt line….whew…yeah. Then I read the blub and knew I had to see what it was all about. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it mainly because the heroine gave me whiplash; she was all big, bad, bold Ms. Attitude one minute and then weepy, clingy, whiney girl the next. The hero had his own issues and while at times he was a bit of a prick, he didn’t lie about who he was or what he wanted. However, the story was good and I was a little bit fascinated by the underground fight club scene and this corporate hot shot that needed this type of action to fight his personal demons.
From the first chapter Kyran Reese had my attention; there was no denying this guy wasn’t going to be a typical hero. He’s such an arrogant ass but then you’d catch little glimpses of something more just below the surface. From the minute the heroine, Dale Porter, walked into his office he knew and we knew there was something between them.
3 STARS
Dale from the first scene came on strong and I was really glad to see a heroine take a hero by complete surprise. However, it didn’t last and as the book went on I became increasingly disappointed in her behavior.
When they start up, Kyran tells Dale he’s not in it for the long haul and she claims she’s okay with that. Turns out she’s not and while she is there for Kyran at a time he badly needs help, I hate all the extra stress she put on him with her incessant demands of commitment. Kyran is not without fault; he refuses to acknowledge the issues with his brother, Taylor, who is Dale’s immediate boss and even when she expresses her concerns about that issues he refuses to acknowledge them. Honestly, they don’t really communicate very well at all leading to some spectacular blow outs thus some hot as hell make up scenes.
Beneath the Surface while entertaining suffered from too many subplots running through it and too many issues to deal with in a short amount of time. I felt it lost focus and to be honest this is one of those books that I’m not sure the happily ever after was a good thing and that’s a little sad for a romance book.
April 7, 2016
**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
No labels, a sex only relationship. Thats what Kyran and Dale decided their all consuming passion would be.
Kyran Reese is the sexy CEO of Reese Corporation by day and at night he is an underground fighter at Metro. He is controlled in everything he does; from work to his fighting. That is until Dale walks into his office. She comes in with a warm smell of vanilla and an attitude no one ever throws towards Kyran. She invades his mind making him lose control. No one knows of his nightly activities, again until he sees Dale at Metro after one of his fights. She promises to keep his secrets.
The attraction is already there and it only takes one time of hot sweaty sex for them (in the boardroom at work) to become addicted to one another. When they are together they find it hard to not be touching in some way. They try to keep it professional at work and Dale starts to go to all Kyran's fights and takes care of him afterwards. Dale starts to fall in love with Kyran, she knows he doesn't want to label their relationship and that he wants it to be sex only; it's not, they spend plenty of time together even not when having sex. Kyran knows it's more than just sex with Dale but refuses to label as anything else than just sex. She pushes the issue constantly and he ignores it breaking her heart every time. Dale finds it hard to keep her feelings in and tells Kyran she loves him and even though he tells her he still wants to be with her he just doesn't reciprocate her feelings of love. He can't. She can't stay with him without more.
Kyran and Dale have a hurricane of a relationship. Kyran wants Dale. He needs her and craves her touch but doesn't want a relationship. Dale wants Kyran but she refuses to remain with someone who cannot love her back and only breaks her heart more everyday. He gives her more passion than she could ever want but she needs more than he is willing to offer. They slowly tare each other apart with their attraction.
I'm in love with Dale's snarkyness and Kyran's bluntness. They are perfect for each other and they are hot together. I will not give any detail's, but the ending was perfect. They find the right labels for each other and I want to scream "FINALLY!"
No labels, a sex only relationship. Thats what Kyran and Dale decided their all consuming passion would be.
Kyran Reese is the sexy CEO of Reese Corporation by day and at night he is an underground fighter at Metro. He is controlled in everything he does; from work to his fighting. That is until Dale walks into his office. She comes in with a warm smell of vanilla and an attitude no one ever throws towards Kyran. She invades his mind making him lose control. No one knows of his nightly activities, again until he sees Dale at Metro after one of his fights. She promises to keep his secrets.
The attraction is already there and it only takes one time of hot sweaty sex for them (in the boardroom at work) to become addicted to one another. When they are together they find it hard to not be touching in some way. They try to keep it professional at work and Dale starts to go to all Kyran's fights and takes care of him afterwards. Dale starts to fall in love with Kyran, she knows he doesn't want to label their relationship and that he wants it to be sex only; it's not, they spend plenty of time together even not when having sex. Kyran knows it's more than just sex with Dale but refuses to label as anything else than just sex. She pushes the issue constantly and he ignores it breaking her heart every time. Dale finds it hard to keep her feelings in and tells Kyran she loves him and even though he tells her he still wants to be with her he just doesn't reciprocate her feelings of love. He can't. She can't stay with him without more.
Kyran and Dale have a hurricane of a relationship. Kyran wants Dale. He needs her and craves her touch but doesn't want a relationship. Dale wants Kyran but she refuses to remain with someone who cannot love her back and only breaks her heart more everyday. He gives her more passion than she could ever want but she needs more than he is willing to offer. They slowly tare each other apart with their attraction.
I'm in love with Dale's snarkyness and Kyran's bluntness. They are perfect for each other and they are hot together. I will not give any detail's, but the ending was perfect. They find the right labels for each other and I want to scream "FINALLY!"
September 7, 2013
Kyran is a conservative, successful businessman by day and a bare-knuckled fighter by night. Few know his secret obsession with fighting, at least until Dale comes along:
“This was what he needed. This was what he lived for. No amount of buying and selling businesses could beat the buzz he got from it. Tomorrow would be better – his senses would be heightened and his rigid control would return.”
Kyran and his brother Taylor work together in their family buiness. Dale Porter is hired as Taylor’s assistant and the minute she meets Kyran, there is no denying the sexual attraction between them. Kyran is an Alpha male, pure sex, and Dale captivates him with her smart and witty demeanor. These two can’t fight their attraction, and the author really steams up the pages with these two! This book is filled with raw, explicit sex scenes that literally burn up the pages.
Dale knows she should not have a relationship with her boss’s brother but there is no denying Kyran Reese!
“When she looked into his eyes, she almost lost all logic. The desire that clouded his eyes left her fumbling for words.”
One problem: Kyran Reese doesn’t do relationships, and their relationship is supposed to be strictly about the sex. The author kept me turning the pages to see how Dale would deal with Kyran’s inability or just plain unwillingness to show his true feelings.
“Dale. Don’t push this. I’m being honest. I’m giving you what I can.” – Kyran
Oh, and besides all the smoking hot sex, there is plenty of family drama and lots of bare-knuckled boxing action. If you want a steamy, sexy, action-filled book, that’s also a fairly quick read, then you will love Beneath the Surface.
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
“This was what he needed. This was what he lived for. No amount of buying and selling businesses could beat the buzz he got from it. Tomorrow would be better – his senses would be heightened and his rigid control would return.”
Kyran and his brother Taylor work together in their family buiness. Dale Porter is hired as Taylor’s assistant and the minute she meets Kyran, there is no denying the sexual attraction between them. Kyran is an Alpha male, pure sex, and Dale captivates him with her smart and witty demeanor. These two can’t fight their attraction, and the author really steams up the pages with these two! This book is filled with raw, explicit sex scenes that literally burn up the pages.
Dale knows she should not have a relationship with her boss’s brother but there is no denying Kyran Reese!
“When she looked into his eyes, she almost lost all logic. The desire that clouded his eyes left her fumbling for words.”
One problem: Kyran Reese doesn’t do relationships, and their relationship is supposed to be strictly about the sex. The author kept me turning the pages to see how Dale would deal with Kyran’s inability or just plain unwillingness to show his true feelings.
“Dale. Don’t push this. I’m being honest. I’m giving you what I can.” – Kyran
Oh, and besides all the smoking hot sex, there is plenty of family drama and lots of bare-knuckled boxing action. If you want a steamy, sexy, action-filled book, that’s also a fairly quick read, then you will love Beneath the Surface.
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
August 19, 2013
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Kyran Reese is the CEO of The Reese Corporation and used to people doing what he says. Dale Porter is his brother's, Taylor, new assistant and doesn't care that he is the boss and isn't afraid to speak her mind. Kyran finds this both an annoyance and also a turn-on; he doesn't know why he feels an instant attraction to Dale but he does. Beneath Kyran's corporate suites he has tattoos and boxes in an underground club in order to let off steam from the stress he carries from being the boss and having to clean up the messes his brother makes. Kyran fights his attraction to Dale but eventually they have an affair that is it to be label free. Dale agrees at first but soon she is no longer able to keep her feelings inside and makes him choose between having an actual relationship or nothing at all. Kyran has a messed-up family situation and isn't used to having a real relationship so this is not something he is used to. So, in the end Kyran has to decide whether he can actually admit his feelings for Dale and if she is worth fighting for.
Overall, this book was a really good read. Kyran and Dale were likable characters and had some hot, steamy scenes. I liked that Dale always stood up for herself and didn't let Kyran get away with anything. While, Kyran just screamed hot and sexy; he is a guy who can wear a thousand dollar suit and underneath is a totally bad-ass tattooed underground boxer. After reading this I totally want Kyran for myself.
Kyran Reese is the CEO of The Reese Corporation and used to people doing what he says. Dale Porter is his brother's, Taylor, new assistant and doesn't care that he is the boss and isn't afraid to speak her mind. Kyran finds this both an annoyance and also a turn-on; he doesn't know why he feels an instant attraction to Dale but he does. Beneath Kyran's corporate suites he has tattoos and boxes in an underground club in order to let off steam from the stress he carries from being the boss and having to clean up the messes his brother makes. Kyran fights his attraction to Dale but eventually they have an affair that is it to be label free. Dale agrees at first but soon she is no longer able to keep her feelings inside and makes him choose between having an actual relationship or nothing at all. Kyran has a messed-up family situation and isn't used to having a real relationship so this is not something he is used to. So, in the end Kyran has to decide whether he can actually admit his feelings for Dale and if she is worth fighting for.
Overall, this book was a really good read. Kyran and Dale were likable characters and had some hot, steamy scenes. I liked that Dale always stood up for herself and didn't let Kyran get away with anything. While, Kyran just screamed hot and sexy; he is a guy who can wear a thousand dollar suit and underneath is a totally bad-ass tattooed underground boxer. After reading this I totally want Kyran for myself.
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