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Burned by Passion

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Even good girls make mistakes.

Kira Taylor was shocked to meet her boss’s handsome, long-absent son and find him even more lethal in the flesh. He’d always been just a face in a photo - and nothing had prepared her for the way they clashed and burned when they finally met.

Blake Carter returned to America for a reunion with a father he hadn’t seen since he was ten. But Blake had never bargained for falling for his father’s sexy secretary, the beautiful and impressionable Kira Taylor…

Blake caught one glimpse of the gorgeous beauty from across the crowded room and felt the primal taste of desire like he’d never known. The sparks were more antagonism than attraction on her part as they collided over differences about the way he treated his father. But Blake had very strong persuasive skills when it came to bringing the vulnerable Kira to bend to his carnal passions…

Excerpt:
His eyes narrowed, smile disappearing once again. “You’re going to come out of the tub right now; unless you want me to help you out myself?”

Glaring at him hatefully, Kira muttered feelingly, “Damn you, Blake.” But he merely smiled. She knew he realized she had no choice but to give in. And the water was starting to cool uncomfortably.

He straightened, holding up the towel patiently.

Taking a deep breath, Kira rose from the water, resisting the urge to place her arms across her nudity. Even though she knew he was looking at her unabashedly. He wrapped the towel securely around her streaming body and waited until she’d stepped out onto the bathmat before surprising her by swinging her easily off her feet and into his arms, carrying her back into the bedroom.

“Really, Blake?” she muttered, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck and fighting the pounding in her chest at how easily he’d lifted her, as if she weighed little more than a bag of feathers.

In the bedroom, he placed her gently down to stand on the thick rug and Kira instantly curled her toes into the thickness underfoot. The room was deliciously warm by now, a beautiful June night in London. What wasn’t great though was Blake doing the unexpected and whipping the towel off her slightly damp body. Kira gasped.

She felt too paralyzed with shock to move. What on earth…?

“Why would you wish to deny me the pleasure of seeing your gorgeous body, Kira?” he asked softly, head cocked to one side. He held her gaze with almost hypnotic intensity. “You’re unbelievably beautiful and now you're mine.”

Kira didn’t know what to say. She felt outraged, and…well, a bit gooey in places as she let his words wash over her. She’d sworn to herself he’d never again get a glimpse of her without her clothes on but she couldn’t have foreseen this scenario.

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2013

19 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

About the author

Dez Burke

40 books376 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dez Burke writes hot, steamy books featuring bad boy alpha males.

Go here if you would like to sign up for my newsletter : http://eepurl.com/wxERT

Website: http://www.authordezburke.com

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5 stars
99 (28%)
4 stars
113 (32%)
3 stars
86 (24%)
2 stars
30 (8%)
1 star
19 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
180 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2014
I fully admit this is a DNF for me, although I have to say, it's more of a CNF (could-not-finish) because I felt like my brain was going to fall out of my head in protest if I read anymore of this insipid melodrama. Let's see, we have a juvenile writing style, combined with a H/h that are late twenties yet speak and act fourteen, and, oh, and did I mention the melodrama?

Profile Image for Tamekia.
46 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2013
Lots of twists and turns .....wholly drama batman!!!! Loved the alpha in Blake, like father like son cause his dad was equally protective of Kira.
Profile Image for Marsha.
1,495 reviews11 followers
November 28, 2016
Burned by Passion by Dez Burke is a really well written erotic love story. Burke takes on some tough challenges with this one, but portrays them with grace and respect. It lost a star for editing, but is well worth the read. Apparently I have had this one for a while as it is no longer available in e-book.
Profile Image for Pauline Steer.
4 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2017
Loves the author and read the book in one hour. Loves the book ,such a short and amazing sweet second story .Loves It

Compositional much. Would recommend it to all and anyone who had a rough time growing up in the poorer areas
Profile Image for Crystal.
122 reviews22 followers
October 16, 2013
My Rant:

Burned by passion was an exotic read. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. The authors writing style was fluent and the story completely took off before I knew what was happening. I fell in love with Blake immediately. He was confident, daring and compassionate. I was glad to see that him and his father were able to make some headway in their relationship even though there was a lot of heart ache. Kira had some issued due to her past. Her father was a complete jerk. I wanted to strangle him. What man would talk to his daughter in such a way that it broke her down completely. It was hard for her to fall in love when true love hit her.

There were times in the book where I was frustrated with Kira. I mean, I understand that she has it rough but come on lets move on and into Blake. I am yelling at her through the book to get her $hit together. I mean she was beginning to loose out on something very special with Blake because she was letting her past get in the way. I understand that she was broken but when you pass up a guy like Blake that was complete madness. I am not going to lie Blake had some issues to and he needed to heal as well but I like the fact that he put all his energy and thoughts into Kira. From the beginning i wanted the two to be together because that erotic scene was so explosive, I had my face plastered to the kindle. I am panting really. The sex between the characters was raw, purely animal instincts and that alone was thrilling.

Kira made me so angry. especially when she up and accepted the proposal from Terrance, who by the was a complete jerk. I hate him, hate him and there is no way in hell his behavior in the book is acceptable. He is right up there in my hit list along with the tramp Brittany. Ugh, just discussing them is rattling me right now. Can you tell that I am so emotional about this story.

I really wish we could get more of a back story from Blake's father, I feel like there is so much he can add especially about him and his wife. There was a underlying mystery that I so need to peak at right now. I read this book in a couple of hours. I was glued and connected and when the ish hit the fan in this story, I knew then that this author and this story was one I could add to my fav list. Amazing, burned by passion is the epitome of a good-read I had blisters on my finger tips because I was flying through the pages delving deep into the story and before I knew it I was done.

I miss Blake already, I need more so Ms. Burke if you are reading this I could use a little more of Blake in my life right now.

My Recommendation:


I rated this book 4 1/2 out of % Purple Rant Hearts and would recommend this book to anyone that loves an passionate read with an exotic flair.

FTC: Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author, editor, publisher, or Promo Host. This is my honest opinion about this book and I did not receive any monetary compensation for writing this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one.
Profile Image for Thedarkerhalf.
69 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2013
Oh Hello Readers! Today I'm reviewing Burned by Passion by Dez Burke, an interesting story and departure from what I have come across lately. Burned tells the story of a confidant young black woman named Kira and her boss's son Blake. Kira struggles with many obstacles through out the book some of them being race, social status and her own personal history, all while refusing to notice that the guy she is fighting so hard against is who she is meant for. Dez opens the book with a homecoming for the prodigal son, a party and bad (or good) decisions. The rest of the book deals with the consequences of those beginning pages.

The story itself has a lot going on. Blake returning to put his past demons with his father to rest sets up for his ensuing infatuation with his father's secretary. After an explosive encounter, they each have to deal with their "casual" significant others. Blake's being much easier to deal with then Kira's which become it's own set of issues. There are the obligatory snarky trophy wife wanna be gunning for our handsome lead and the angry creep of a boyfriend I wont even dignify by naming here with in these hallowed pages. I will tell you that it is hard to read him without praying he gets hit by a bus. Blake's father Bretton provides some judgment free compassion in the form of a father figure for Kira as well as relieving some of the heavy plot points. But Dez does leave a few questions unanswered even with an epilogue.

It was very interesting to see what Dez does with her characters. She doesn't throw physical description at you right out of the gate, she makes it much more organic. However. I personally would have liked to see Kira be a little bit stronger in her convictions. Dez does throw some curve balls with her readers typical views of beauty. She also makes the racial difference a driving force behind the story, I don't think that it was necessary to make the story as good as it was. It became a little too much like social commentary for me.

Overall this was a fun easy story that is a good fire side read. Dez keeps it interesting by switching perspectives mid-scene but does fall a tiny bit short by using such clinical terms during the love scenes. I loved Kira's reluctance and Blake's determination. The book has enough intertwining story action to keep the surprises coming, while still managing to be a streamlined story. So my recommendations... add it to you're To Read list and cuddle up on a rainy day.

~NotteAurora
Profile Image for a_tiffyfit.
759 reviews112 followers
September 25, 2013
Review to come with tour. Quick steamy read with a HEA.
*************
I initially had mixed feelings about this book. I mean...she has a BOYFRIEND and she's utterly consumed with the sexy hotness of her boss's son, including having sex dreams about him, and she keeps her boyfriend at arm's length anyway. Cheating in books is a turn off for me, but you know what? Terrence freaking deserved it anyway, that violent, vile, pretentious jerkwad. Grrrrr!

Like with many romances, there's a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am-oh-my-god-I-love-you deal here. But, it's not QUITE insta-love because it's only one-sided. Cue the heartfelt sigh for unrequited love. *long dreamy sigh* Blake ends up having to work hard at winning Kira over. He has a lot going against him from her psyche due to her past, his treatment of his long-estranged father whom Kira works for and adores, his callous "gift", etc. Plus he has rich, social-climbing, jealous schmucks like Brittany draping themselves over him, getting in the way of his attempts to court Kira.

Sexy and steamy with a plot that is multi-faceted, this shorter novel is one you can read in one sitting and come away from smiling. Better than just smiling; first you get a little fistpump of justice dealt and THEN you get the Happily Ever After smiles.
Profile Image for Laura Carson.
Author 2 books112 followers
October 14, 2013
* I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*



3 1/2 stars



Burned by Passion was an up and down read for me. When I first started it the story did grab my attention but it didn't hold it as well as I hoped and things started falling apart. My biggest problem was the heroine, Kira Taylor, secretary to Blake Carter's estranged father and all around lacking a back bone. Weak heroines are a pet peeve of mine and Kira hit every mark. The overly dramatized combative nature of her character made me want to reach through the book and smack some sense into her. Blake Carter however was a very interesting character for me, he was opposite of Kira's problems. He stood up for what he believed in, went after what he wanted, supported the heroine even when she was acting flaky, and was just all around a strong main character. The background story of him coming back to the states and working on his relationship with his estranged father became a little busy at times, but it helped keep the book at a fast pace and held interest. I will say the sex was hot and well done, even if the post sex was part of my issue with the heroine, the romance a little forced but not far off the mark for a romance.



Profile Image for Daria.
1,991 reviews42 followers
August 10, 2014
Read and Reviewed for WeLoveKink.com 10 book bundle Curves For Him

Quiet interesting read... a smack in the face look at parents.. well fathers mostly. That saying comes to mind. “We can't choose who our family is”.. There is all kinds of issues and drama, almost too much, to be able to keep up with. (The biggest reason I rated it a 3) Though I have to say as a first for me author I liked Ms. Burke. Ill be interested in reading something else of hers.
Blake is coming home to make up for lost time with his father, things are a bit tense and they both have things to work through... Kira's father should have been thrown in speeding traffic. Period.
So has they meet.. yep sparks flight and burn up in the air. The bosses son...tsk tsk little girly.. grins. But being presistantlake has his mind set and presues his goal vigilantly.
Besides all the utter chaos around Blake and Kira.. I was all for them. Stubborn, sassy fun and witty..passion burning hot... yeah baby!! smiles. As I mentioned before the draw back drama.. was it needed probably to make the story work. Is it worth the read yep.. do so and enjoy.
Profile Image for Sabrina Olteanu.
217 reviews25 followers
October 3, 2013
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This a short, but intriguing book. I liked it a lot. Dez Burke created a story that you can compare to the real life, but at the same time seeing from the point of view of someone else. Our main character, Kira goes throw a lot in her live. From suffering because of her history, from social problems because people are still racists, from social problems as well. Let’s just say, because Kira it’s a strong black independent women, life hasn't been easy for her. She has a boyfriend but something it’s kind of missing.

One day, at work, Kira sees her bosses son in a picture and she falls in love instantly. But what can she do? She has a boyfriend...But, after she meets face to face with Blake, the bosses son, there is nothing else they can do....instant love it’s a little thing to say. So, decide to separate from their current lovers to give a try. From there everything changes.

I don’t want to give spoilers away. Just the read the book and you wont regret it. For me, this wont be the last time I will read a book written by Dez Burkes.
Profile Image for Carin.
387 reviews48 followers
September 23, 2013
When Kira first lays eyes on a picture of her bosses son Blake she is instantly attracted but at the same time has a boyfriend and doesn't want the hassle of an inter-racial relationship.

Blake wants Kira from the moment he sees her across the room, even when he thinks she is his dads date.

Kira and Blake have a lot to overcome to get to the happy ever after at the end, will assumptions and misunderstandings ruin that chance?

I liked the story this book had to tell, I loved the way that Blake and Kira overcome some pretty ingrained conditioning to make their love work. I thought that some parts of the story could have been filled out a bit more and found some of the imagery a bit wordy, however the story as a whole is good and it was a quick read. A lot is made in this book about the concerns of Kira about an interracial relationship and I loved that with Blake it was never even a thought that concerned him he fell for Kira not the color of her skin but the content of her soul.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews66 followers
August 29, 2013
I love this author but I have to say that I did not enjoy this book as much as the others. It started off with the action I like right from the start. However, what happened after that between the two principle characters was not enjoyable for me. Their love was not sweet at all and after the great experience they had of their hot passion what the Kira did next by continuing to go out with another man when Blake told her of his interest and how he wanted to pursue their relationship. He even broke up with the woman he was seeing so for Kira not to do the same and keeping going out with that loser ... did not ring true to me. After experiencing something like that how could you continue to see another man who did not make you feel like that kind of passion, even with all the insecurities that she had.

Excellent story but I lost that loving feel when she denied how she felt about Blake.
Profile Image for Julia.
244 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2013
Oh wow! A fast paced, sizzling hot story that will keep your attention to the very last page! The story itself is not long but the author makes picking up this book worth it. I cannot wait to pick up my next book by Dez Burk.

Kira's the secretary, Blake her boss's long time no see son. Upon meeting Blake, Kira's imagination runs wild, she's only seen him in pictures, in person he's so much more than she imagined. Blake only came home to reunite with his father after years of being away. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine running into Kira, flames ignite immediately, and he can't turn away.

The characters have that special chemistry everyone wants in a relationship. You may just need a cold shower once your done. Blake and Kira's passion could melt ice cream in a heartbeat.
Profile Image for Lucretia.
393 reviews
September 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book alot. I loved the immediate connection that Blake and Kira had. I love that he was willing to put all of his feeling out there and let her know what he was feeling and what he wanted. What I didn't like was the up and down emotional crap Kira was going through even when she was married to Blake I understood why she was that way I still didn't like it :). But I was impressed with Blake's patience and the dominance when needed to fight for Kira and didn't give up on her and made sure she knew she was loved. I didn't really get the dad because he had not seen his son in so many years and was more connected to Kira then his son whom he wanted to rebuild a relationship with so needless to say I was baffled. I'm extremely glad I read this book and can't wait to move on to more books by Dez Burke.
Profile Image for Christie.
80 reviews
August 18, 2013
In the latest masterpiece by Miss Burke, we see that Bretton Carter maneuver a meeting between his estranged son and his African American secretary whom he considers to be like a daughter. There is an instant attraction which leads to a ONS and you must read the book to find out the rest.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books that I have read by this author. While the beginning and the ultimate ends may be similar the details in the middle vary. I would like to see the author expand the length of her books because I enjoy them so much and want them to be longer.
Profile Image for Kim.
740 reviews80 followers
August 24, 2013
4.5 Stars

Probably one of my favs from this author, the plot had me from the start. Blake and Kira had some amazing chemistry together, and their love scenes could have caused a five alarm fire. Not what I expected at all. Although this book is short you would never know because this author does such a good job of getting to the point with her storylines. Well done, and I am really enjoying her work.
Profile Image for T..
Author 13 books572 followers
August 17, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway. I really tried to like this one, but it seemed the writer was more focused on the black woman, white male protagonists than writing a strong storyline. There were some good aspects to the plot, but every time I got drawn in, there was some deal about interracial this, strong black woman that. geez, we're all simply people with issues - get over it. Really good base story, but the characters were too over the top for me.
1,748 reviews34 followers
October 29, 2015
This interracial balck woman white man erotic romance was good.I liked the chemistry and undenible connection between these two people. I loved that his father was playing matchmaker. You got that vibe. The hot first sexual tryst was steamy. It was definitely scorching. The hot library encounter was hmmm mm mm mmmmm. Made my toes curl.
Profile Image for Lin ( Nerdy Bookworm).
1,049 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2014
Confusing

I love this author and her writing style however this story appears to be confusing and rushed. While reading this story nothing was clear and many characters involved had left me wondering what's the score. There was no more mention about her father and the jealous ex friend ending.
Profile Image for Leslee Anderson.
219 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2014
Wow. Lots of drama but that's what makes it good. I can't imagine the self-loathing that she has bottled up inside her. Kira seems weak at times but I really think it's the fear of becoming what her father called her. While I like Blake I'm not sure he is strong enough for Kira. He is passionate about her but I don't see strength. This was part of the Curves for Him box set.
Profile Image for Rose Helg.
2,883 reviews27 followers
July 9, 2015
Could have been better

This book has a real good chance, if it was done over. She should not blame him. He should have fright harder. It should have more romance in it. Please go bhai back and rewrite this book, and let me know. Put, more into it, romance, feeling on both side, adventure. Be her, what do you want from him. What do you want from her.
Profile Image for Ragatnia Clara.
Author 1 book24 followers
November 25, 2013
I liked this kind of book. Not too short and not too long it makes you bored. The story line was nice, the characters were great, I loved Blake! This book actually could diver such mixed emotions. Sometimes I felt angst and sadness. This is perfectly a nice light read!
Profile Image for Kara.
412 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2013
Darn good book! I enjoyed reading this book! Dez Burke has quickly become a favorite of mine!! I recommend this book to anyone that likes IR books and romance!! Get it on audio! Even better!
Profile Image for Helen May.
219 reviews
April 2, 2014
A steamy modern day romance. Interesting and fun to read.
Profile Image for Lorrie Moar.
578 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2015
A great short read after a long day at work. A sweet steamy read that I enjoyed.
Profile Image for Amy.
163 reviews
April 9, 2016
Read as part of "Tough and Tender" box set.
Profile Image for Tashia.
417 reviews
May 21, 2016
This felt rushed and incomplete at the same time... but still good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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