Bad Habits

by Sienna Mynx

Simone Livingston wants desperately to start again. She and her husband Keith have both agreed that their marriage is worth saving. Despite the deep betrayal and lies she's suffered thanks to his infidelity. Their arrival in a small town run by the wealthy conniving Hollingsworths tests her faith in her husband and the sacred vows of her marriage. And when Keith's dastardly deeds unveil who he truly is Simone's bad habits of forgiving and forgetting despite her suffering brings about unbelievable consequences. The one man she shouldn’t trust throws a lifeline to her, and soon it's a race against time to fight for her future, escape the present that threatens to destroy her, and save everyone she loves.

Kim Jensen is a widower. The death of her firefighter, beautiful husband, while pregnant with their twins devastated her. Two years later she has found a way to cope. A dark secret that she keeps from the nurses and hospital she works for. That is until she meets the dashingly handsome Dr. Mathew Donnelly. Immediately he steps into her life to become the hero she never asked for. But will her bad habits put their careers and new found love in jeopardy, or teach her the most valuable lesson in second chances?

Both sisters struggle to survive pain, betrayal, love lost and the prospect of new love gained. Bad Habits is not your typical love story. It’s an exploration in the human spirit. Through suffering we achieve triumph, through grief we learn the healing power of letting go, and through change of spirit we become the women we are destined to be. A graphic, explicit tale that explores the avoided topics in romance, infidelity, drug addiction, self-loathing, and ultimately forgiveness with a touch of love.

Genres: Interracial Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Abuse, Contemporary

747 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2013

About the author

Sienna Mynx is your naughty writer of Paranormal, Contemporary, and Historical Interracial Romance for readers that love the bad boy's but desire to be the women that tame them. A current resident of south of Georgia, Sienna Mynx has just emerged into the e-publishing arena. Her novellas reflect her thirst for romance told from a fresh perspective with the diversity she craves in erotic Romance. Explore and Enjoy.

Also writes under the pen name T.A. Ford

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Sienna Mynx read was Before Sunrise and I just loved it. It had the right amount of military suspense, backstabbing drama and a adorable H/H pairing. From BS I moved on to The Mel & Tia trilogy Funny Valentine. Quite a different story but very much enjoyable nonetheless. Rough but sweet Irish hero, funny but tad bit crazy heroine: just a good fun story.
After these books I was like: ok, Sienna girl, you got yourself on my fav authors list. But then I purchased A tale of three hearts trilogy Aiden's Game and Mi Carina/Mi Carino Mi Carino - Risky Love and however good written the stories were (because they are!) I just hated HATED the extreme bad ass-ness of the heros and how spineless the heroines were. And it’s not that I don’t like hero’s with a fault, I do, but these two, Aiden (3 hearts) and Diego (carino/carina), were just bat shit crazy. I mean, what’s with the single minded obsessions of the hero for their love interests, their manipulative neighing to abusive ways to get the heroines to love them. Man, while reading these books (because the masochist in me demands me to finish books I started even when I hate them) I litteraly throw my e-reader a few times through the room, out of frustration.
I was contemplating scrapping miss Mynx from that fav list, sorry girl, but then along came Bad Habits! About 2 sisters with real live problems (OK, maybe the Simone/Dennis/Keith drama was a tad bit out there) and some bad habits that keep them making the wrong choices. But because they are strong women and not at all spineless like beforehand mentioned heriones, they turn their lives around. With a little help of their new found heros. Who are heros with a fault too. However they are more like real live persons faults and insecurities, you know, the one you and I can truly relate to.
BH is over 700 pages long (a relief really that it wasn’t chopped and made into a series!) but so worthy of your time. I did cry, curse, cheered and cry some more and decided at the end of this book that Sienna will stay on the fav list! More of these please, miss Mynx, keep them coming!

(disclaimer: apologies for (if) any grammar errors in this review, they are all due to the fact I’m not a native English speaker)

[Paganalexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This featured a few things that normally would not work for me. For example all the lead characters are not likable. As a romance this book doesn't work. That said it was chick lit crack for me.

[Mspraise50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't give away any of the story line, you need to get the book for yourself. The book is about two sisters who find themselves in very different circumstances but difficult all the same. The book is full of drama, intrigue, suspense and action. I liked the fact that our heroine's are flawed and have to work out their issues.

I love the men they fall in love with Cain and Matt another two great men to add to my list of heroes.

This is a long read but a great one. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read, its more than just romance its about real life issues that couples face all the time.

The only story I did not really understand was their parents. Charles and Diane, I just do not get what is behind them not making their relationship work. However, the story for me was not about them but about their daughters and how they overcome to find true love and happiness!

Definitely worth a read, Its a page turner!

[★Codie Abibliophobic ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot longer than it needed to be, and way too much drama for me. Simone was dumb, Caine was cute but a coward, Kim was bitter, and I don't really know what Matthew was...The only character I had a genuine like for was Joan, Diane, and Charles. Just wasn't feeling this one.

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest book from Sienna Mynx is different in that it doesn't just focus on the relationship and story of one couple, but instead has two main story lines going at once. This proved to be no problem at all and both stories flowed together well and I can not say that one story line was better than the other. Simone and Keith Livingston have just moved from New York to New England into an upscale suburban community with little diversity and low tolerance for anyone who doesn't conform to the accepted social norms. Country club, tennis, shopping, and gossip all seem to be the thing that keeps the women of Castle Rock going and Simone has a hard time even wanting to fit into that. Keith on the other hand not only wants to fit in, but wants to become the shining example of what all of that over privileged world represents.

The couple next door, Cain and Maryanne Gatlin are not just neighbors to Simone and Keith. Cain is now working for Keith and Maryanne is the very spoiled daughter of Kieth's boss Andrew Hollingsworth. Both couples have very real problems in their marriages and become entangled in ways that they could not have foreseen.

Simone's sister, Kim, is a nurse struggling to raise twin boys Denny and Danny back in New York after losing her firefighter husband in a tragic accident while fighting a fire. It is quickly revealed that Kim has her own demons, bad habits, that are controlling her in a way that she can't admit to herself. Dr. Matthew Donnelly, a surgeon at the hospital that Kim works for, has feelings for her and wants to be a part of her life, but doesn't know the depth of her troubles.

Both Kim and Simone have to deal with an alcoholic mother, Diane, who has little to no control over her own life and along with her own bad habits so she is more burden than help to her daughters. This story is complex, but well executed and the characters are all very realistic and well developed. There are twists and turns throughout the book. When reading this book and before you judge some of the decisions each of the sisters make you really have to ask yourself if you could or would have made vastly different choices from them or if you too could have easily found yourself in their same predicaments.

Where you can find me:
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Twitter: @monicaisreading
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Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase

[Beth Evant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was torn over how to review this book. I love Sienna Mynx and her writing. She is one of my favorite authors because her writing speaks to me. I could not wait to read Bad Habits. Writing this review is very difficult for me because I did not enjoy most of this book. It had nothing to do with the writing itself. I am grateful for the full length novel and I appreciate that she didn't split this book into 3 or 4 books like most authors would have.

This book was two stories that eventually combined into one. Keith/Simone/Cain/Maryanne and Dr Matthew/Kim had relationship struggles. I like the way it was written - going back and forward between the two stories. I gave this book 2 stars because I despised Keith, had a strong dislike for Simone and hated Cain. I wanted to stop reading when Simone and Cain had their situation. The only reason I finished the book was because of Kim and Dr Matthew. I loved their story and was rooting them.

Cheating is a hard limit for me. I do not approve of it under any circumstances. I felt like Simone and Cain were just as bad as Keith and with this weird dynamic in my mind, I couldn't figure out who to root for. My mind was doing weird things like hoping for things that I shouldn't have been. I wanted something bad to happen to Cain. I am suppose to be on the side of the herione (Simone) and hero (Cain), but they were just to irresponsible and reckless for me. I hated them and their relationship. I felt bad for Maryanne the entire time, which, I don't think was suppose to happen. I actually disliked Cain immediately. Just because of the way he would speak to his wife. I really do not believe this was the author's intention. Maryanne was suppose to be bad, but he came off worse to me.

Simone was too weak and dumb for my liking. Her bad habits were just dumb, stupid decisions. Simone and Cain made me think of teenagers. They acted like 16 year old kids.

I realize that I am in the minority in my feeling about Bad Habits. I would still recommend it.

[Adrienh1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many great books this year. This book by far was one of THE best I've read thus far. This was the story of redemption, 2nd chances and overcoming your fears. I loved it.

[DivasoftheSerengeti_Lioness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Mynx, you did the damn thing with this book. So many great things about this read, one being 700+ pages for a great price. I was so in to this book that I don’t think I slept for almost 3 days and because of this, was real cranky at work (good thing). The plot/storyline of this book is so captivating that I actually saw my self in the scenes observing the characters as they interacted. It was refreshing to have several sub plots inside of a book. The Kim – Matthew/Dennis drama and the Simone – Keith/Caine drama had me so on edge that I literally went through laughing, crying, anger, shock & awe, and relief so many times that I had to stop and make my husband to listen to me (he was so lost) explain it to or I would have burst open. This book was wonderful and classic Sienna Mynx. If you don’t add this book to your collection, you will be doing yourself a disservice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, it is definetly a 5 star read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical Sienna Mynx book, and is so worth the time it took to read every last one of it's 747 pages. I'm use to reading these hot steamy books from her which this one did have plenty, but there was just so much more to it. There was a realness there between Simone and Kim. They were so relatable and felt like they could be one of my own sisters. The drama that these two went through was off the charts. Thank goodness Cain and Matthew where there to help them through it. I really didn't want the book to end, that's just how good it was. I'm thinking there is plenty more to this story and hope Sienna writes a sequel. Kudos for switching up your writing style, it was a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to read.

[Cheryl James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story truly written as a daytime Soap Opera. Six hundred ninety five pages of love, hate, joy and pain all written into one. It's amazing how the author never missed a beat. The complete story is a 5 star jewel. The good characters got what they deserved and the not so good characters got what they deserved. Everyone in the book had bad habits from drugs, alcohol, insecurity, infidelity, and much more. The author showed how bad habits can destroy a person's life and the ones around you, but if you do the work good habits will bring you peace, love and happiness.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious intriguing story surrounding sisters Simone Livingston and Kimberly Jensen, and the struggles along with the realities each must face from lost, love, lies and family pains and sorrows... To where each sister finds her new strength and beginning. Sienna Mynx; gives a story that will keep you wondering what's coming next or better yet, who hold the trump card in the end... Read and Enjoy!

[Dynah Zale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo to Ms. Manx

Delightful from beginning to end. I usually don’t read books about interracial relationships but this book was about more then that. It was very well researched and thought out from the substance abuse to marriage laws in NY.

Excellent read. Well worth my time.

[Hez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Finally finished reading Bad Habits. What an awesome read. My emotions were all over the place. I laughed and I cried. Loved Cain and Mathew. They were so good to Simone and Kim. They overcame their troubles together. Diane had me rolling. Great read!

[Flip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love, This book it was different then any other Sienna Mynx books. At times I wished I could have crawl into the book and choked Keith and some others people in the book. But in the end I'm glad the four characters found their happiness.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it

[Alretha Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing bad about Bad Habits. It’s sooooo gooooood ‘til the very end!

Bad Habits is a masterpiece! I just happened to stumble across the book. I had never heard of Sienna Mynx or read any of her books prior to that moment. I went to Amazon and read the sample chapter. I was immediately taken with her flair for engaging and detailed descriptions and I was surprised that the couple she opens the book with is white. That chapter grabbed me and made me want more. Shortly thereafter, I realized this book was an interracial love story and that there’s actually an interracial romance genre. I also learned that Sienna has written more than twenty books.

I read Bad Habits while I worked out every morning. I would do my sixty minutes on the elliptical machine and when my workout came to an end, I’d shake my head and rub my eyes, trying to come to, trying to get back to the real world, because during that sixty minutes, nothing existed but the characters whose lives were played out in Sienna’s 600-plus page epic novel.

It’s a story that follows the lives of two beautiful African-American sisters—Kim & Simone. Kim is a widow and nurse with a set of adorable twin boys and Simone is a former Salon owner who’s been dragged to Mulberry Heights, a rich suburb in New England, occupied with snobbish, dysfunctional white people. Simone’s husband Keith has been sent there to shake up the company where Cain works. Cain and Maryanne are Keith and Simone’s white neighbors and it doesn’t take long for Cain to notice Simone is everything his wife isn’t—beautiful inside and out, kind, thoughtful, and good to the core. I pumped harder and sweat sprouted from my forehead wondering if, when, and how Simone and Cain would hook up.

Then there’s the other sister, Kim, living in Southern Brooklyn in a house her deceased husband Dennis renovated. Dennis was a firefighter who died in the line of duty and was everything to Kim and her boys. Kim struggles with grief while she tends to her boys and works long shifts. Ongoing back pain results in her dabbling in prescription meds. Will these meds be a gateway to something more deadly—something that could cost Kim her world? While working at Mercy Hospital, Kim is noticed by hottie Doctor Matt. He’s a southern boy who every nurse has eyes for, except Kim. But Matt’s persistence leads to a budding romance. But will Kim’s secrets and Matt’s inner demons destroy any chance they’ll have for a future? This question kept me flipping the pages.

Sienna’s writing is fresh and sparkles. It’s obvious she took a lot of time and care in writing this book, not missing a beat, tying everything together. In addition to the core characters, there’s Diane, Kim and Simone’s mother. She’s a bipolar alcoholic whose filthy mouth would make ten sailor’s blush. There’s Maryanne’s parents and Joan, a woman in Mulberry that plays a wonderful role in Simone’s life. And more than the other colorful characters, there’s explosive drama and sweet revenge. Keith, Simone’s horrendous husband can attest to this. If you’re looking for a story you can sink your teeth, dentures, veneers into, “Bad Habits” is the book. If you want to get pissed, scream, cry, laugh, shout, “Bad Habits” is the book. If you want to say OMG, a million times, “Bad Habits is the book.” If you wanna get turned on ‘til you reach the point of having to take ten cold showers, “Bad Habits” is the book. Sienna, bravo. You did yo thang, girl!!!!

[Aquila T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first found out that Bad Habits would be published tears came to my eyes. The love I have for this story knows no bounds. Lets take it back to about 4 or 5 years ago. I first read this story on two sites dedicated to women of color. Before the book was published I had read bad habits at least four times and I never grew tired of it. Yes there is much going on in this book, but the way Sienna Mynx intricately maneuvers and captures each characters essence, their personality and their fight to make things right in their life really makes me admire her as an author. Yes, I’m hero worshipping here, but she is my favorite author. And one of the authors I most admire in writing period.

Bad Habits is over 600 pages long so be ready to be enthralled and pulled into this riveting tale of two sisters going through very rough patches in their lives. Kim has to be my favorite of the sisters only because I felt for her struggle a bit more. Drugs nearly took her away from her twin boys, her job as a nurse, and the man that put himself in the line of fire in order to help her.

Simone’s story angered me but also made me understand a different aspect of cheating spouses. Keith—-her husband—-has to be one of the best “villains” I’ve read. He was pure evil only caring about himself from the beginning. I found myself rooting for Simone & Cain to be together even knowing that both of their situations were precarious to say the least.

I could literally tell the whole story— I know it like the back of my hand. Regardless of what any negative review may say, read this book for yourself and judge for yourself. It moved me to tears countless times even as I read it for the fifth time.

[Bennita · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason when I first started this book I just couldn't get into it. I kept picking it up reading a chapter and then putting it back down. I must have been in a funk, because once I finally took the time to truly sit down and read it I was completely hooked. This book was so awesome.I love the way the author intermingled both stories. At first I thought they were two completely different stories and I think that what was throwing me off. The two sisters had such a messed up family, but they both dealt with real issues that people have to put up with on a daily basis. All of the characters were wonderfully developed. This story dealt with abusive relationships, rape, drug and substance abuse. I'm glad it showed how those disorders affect the families. There were so many twists and turns I could not stop turning pages. I really wasn't sure that everyone was going to have a happily ever after, but miraculously they did. I can't believe I actually doubted this book in the beginning. I was clearly an idiot. This book is deathly go on my favorites list.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story about two sisters dealing with the aftermath of growing up in the home of an alcoholic mother, the choices they make and men they choose. Despite their love for each other, both sisters have secrets that will shatter the carefully controlled lives they are living at the onset of the story. The story moves back and forth between the stories of the two sisters until a betrayal and events brings them together to fight for and with each other. Two love stories. Highly erotic. Strong storytelling includes betrayal, adultery, substance use, white collar crime, revenge and deep love of family. This is no lightweight read.

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

bad habits: A Romantic Soap Opera

A good story about two sisters, Kim and Simone (Kitt), and their family bond throughout the difficult situations they experience in love affairs and life. A storyline that ends in a HEA.
I gave this book 3 *** because the editing needs attention from the author and/or editor before it's submitted to be published, let alone purchased. Seriously! Perhaps a corrected copy is in the making and, if so, would be greatly appreciated by the readers of your work.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! I found this the other night at 3am when I couldn't get back to sleep. I can't believe I missed this book. I LOVED IT!!!!! I have gotten very little done over the past two days because I literally couldn't put it down. If you loved Black Butterfly and Before Sunset, you will absolutely love this book.

[Hayley Perry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Im sorry about the 1 star but the book wasnt all that exciting to me. I thought to myself "it has to get better soon" so I'll read the next chapter..& it wasn't. It was predictable. I didn't even read the epilogue because i didn't care.It was a waste of my time.

[Sherell Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best stories I've read in a while. I love that the author didn't try to split this book into three separate stories and gave it all to us at one. I couldn't put it down. I was very unproductive in my real life for two days just to read this. Great story!

[Arketa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This is one of the best books I have read in years! It was truly a soap opera in the best sense. She simply outdid even herself! I can't express how much I loved this book and I have read dozens of ir books. Bravo

[Sada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Always enjoy reading Ms Mynx story. I loved Cain and Matthew. Matthew not only loved Kim but her children as well. I wish for a story about Charles and Diane, interesting couple. Great love story.

[Hilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great story about two sisters with bad habits that puts them on a roller coaster ride full of drama, twists, turns, pain, tears... eventually leading to true love. 646 fabulous Nook pages.

[Verna Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome

[Jakai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a great in-depth suspenseful romance book! Wasn't rushed, no whining heroine.

[Je'nya West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book Keith totally deserved what was coming to him in the end . But I couldn't understand why Maryanne let Gerald still do those things to her.

[Lashann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sienna Mynx does it again I absolutely loved this book. I am anxiously awaiting the next three installments of the battaglia series