What do you think?
Rate this book
The Game Maker #1.2
The Professional: Part 2
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes The Professional—the second scorching installment in her Game Maker series, an erotica collection that has readers asking: How hot is too hot?
He makes the rules...
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.
Rules are made to be broken...
PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.
Are you ready to play?
Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true...
He makes the rules...
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.
Rules are made to be broken...
PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.
Are you ready to play?
Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true...
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2014
77 people are currently reading
3033 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
68 books27.5k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
January 13, 2014
"Seriously, you have no idea how much your situation is affecting me. I've been stress-eating my way across Greece."
I frowned. "You don't stress eat-"
"Cock, Natalie. I was stress-eating cock."
2.5 stars :(
Bleh. I feel so bummed. I loved, loved, loved the start of this miniseries but this book was so much less than the first installment. There was no intrigue, no major action, no movement forward aside from one major development. If I were looking at the series as a whole, this part wouldn't have bothered me so much, but since they are throwing it out there in pieces, I'm judging the individual pieces and this piece was lacking.
Not only do the above points slow down the pace to the speed of refrigerated honey, but Sevastyan does a complete 180 and turns into some wussy un-Dom, completely backing down from his macho alpha man status. So Natalie, of course, does the same, and turns into some whining, begging cliche once she discovers her repressed submissive nature. Is the submissive supposed to have to chase after the Dom, practically begging for scraps of Domination? I don't think so. I want a Dom with confidence, not this...oddly reclusive, tentative thing that we see in Sevastyan in this book.
I admit to there being a few great quotes...but they couldn't save this installment for me. After the cliffie of the last book, this one starts off with a sex scene, and I do like the sexual tension build up, which I didn't get here. The ending of this was also a major cliffie, which is frustrating but each installment is reasonably priced, so that doesn't bug me all that much. Here are a couple of fave quotes.
** "Eto ne izbezhno dlya nas." You and I are inevitable..."
** "He exhaled. "This need I have for you...it should unsettle you."
I swallowed. It did. Still I asked, "Why?"
He pressed his palm against mine, studying our hands for nerve-racking moments. Because it unsettles even me."
** "A good man would reason that you were confused last night, traumatized, and couldn't be held accountable for your actions. A good man would release you back to your old life, now that everything has changed."
"But you don't consider yourself a good man?"
He faced me, enunciating the words: "Not in the least, pet."
January 21, 2014
Likes:
• I'm still enjoying the ongoing story plot.
• Sevastyan - I probably will never figure him out but I like that he seems to be opening up a bit.
• The sauna was pretty steamy! ;)
Dislikes:
• How Sevastyan seems to just take over things even though I understand that's him...he still knows that Natalie doesn't understand the way of things yet.
• Even as much as Filip sort of creeped me out, I wasn't expecting that!
• Her dad!
• The cheese is still a factor although it didn't bother me quite at much.
• Sevastyan's mood swings are giving me a headache!
• Surprised that Natalie is unsatisfied already.
• Hate how it leaves you hanging!
• I'm still not a fan of installment books.
Overall:
I'm still enjoying the plot line but I really don't care for the format. It almost breaks up the story too much and it's hard waiting for the next installment no matter how short the time is.
I think it also causes you to focus on things you probably wouldn't have as much if it was a full length book. I still can't wait to read the last one!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “Understand me, if I’m your first lover—I will be your last.”
♥ “Don’t close me out.”
He curled his finger under my chin, all tenderness, even as he said, “How could I close you out when I never let you in?”
• I'm still enjoying the ongoing story plot.
• Sevastyan - I probably will never figure him out but I like that he seems to be opening up a bit.
• The sauna was pretty steamy! ;)
Dislikes:
• How Sevastyan seems to just take over things even though I understand that's him...he still knows that Natalie doesn't understand the way of things yet.
• Even as much as Filip sort of creeped me out, I wasn't expecting that!
• Her dad!
• The cheese is still a factor although it didn't bother me quite at much.
• Sevastyan's mood swings are giving me a headache!
• Surprised that Natalie is unsatisfied already.
• Hate how it leaves you hanging!
• I'm still not a fan of installment books.
Overall:
I'm still enjoying the plot line but I really don't care for the format. It almost breaks up the story too much and it's hard waiting for the next installment no matter how short the time is.
I think it also causes you to focus on things you probably wouldn't have as much if it was a full length book. I still can't wait to read the last one!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “Understand me, if I’m your first lover—I will be your last.”
♥ “Don’t close me out.”
He curled his finger under my chin, all tenderness, even as he said, “How could I close you out when I never let you in?”
January 3, 2020
I love Kresley Cole’s IAD series, so that’s why I picked up The Professional as well.
It’s not really a review, just my feelings about it:
• disappointed (by the tons of clichés),
• eye-rolling and bored (by the erotica),
• irritated (by the characters – for example the smart historian Natalia speeds the time with watching the passers-by on the security camera when she is bored because her man is away... pathetic...; or the weak and sentimental mafiya vor; or the always brooding and never talking – therefore mysterious – Sevastyan),
• annoyed (by the mistakes and gaps in the plot and by the inconsistency of both the main and side characters),
• laughed-to-tears (about Sevastyan’s vodka import business – it was actually very funny!),
• and a little bit ashamed (of caving in to the hype and reading it).
I could go into the details as there is a LOT to complain about, I just don’t want to waste more time on it, and I have no intention nor interest in reading the last part. However, it doesn’t alter the fact that I’m still a fan of Ms. Cole’s Immortals After Dark.
It’s not really a review, just my feelings about it:
• disappointed (by the tons of clichés),
• eye-rolling and bored (by the erotica),
• irritated (by the characters – for example the smart historian Natalia speeds the time with watching the passers-by on the security camera when she is bored because her man is away... pathetic...; or the weak and sentimental mafiya vor; or the always brooding and never talking – therefore mysterious – Sevastyan),
• annoyed (by the mistakes and gaps in the plot and by the inconsistency of both the main and side characters),
• laughed-to-tears (about Sevastyan’s vodka import business – it was actually very funny!),
• and a little bit ashamed (of caving in to the hype and reading it).
I could go into the details as there is a LOT to complain about, I just don’t want to waste more time on it, and I have no intention nor interest in reading the last part. However, it doesn’t alter the fact that I’m still a fan of Ms. Cole’s Immortals After Dark.
January 11, 2014
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as Part 1. It hit two huge annoying buttons for me.
First - the dominant suddenly wanting to treat his lady like glass even though that isn't what she wants then both of them are disappointed. Be a man, pull her hair, tie her up and screw her proper just like both of you want. I really can't stress how much I hate this plot in a BDSM book.
Second - they end up at a "club" at the end (though we don't really know what happens yet). Clubs have been done to death in these types of books and I am not a fan. I remain open to seeing what happens but I wish he would have worked out his dominance issues in their perfectly nice bedroom. Now it seems like she is an exhibitionist and/or voyeur so this may work out but it just felt out of place in what we have seen so far. The one bright spot is he promised neither of them would touch anyone else.
Lastly, I didn't really feel the same connection between the leads. He was acting weird and she was overly obsessing about feelings at times where it didn't seem appropriate. I was hoping for some hot, sexy dominant/submissive love scenes but was as disappointed as the heroine.
I hope the third part is better than this.
First - the dominant suddenly wanting to treat his lady like glass even though that isn't what she wants then both of them are disappointed. Be a man, pull her hair, tie her up and screw her proper just like both of you want. I really can't stress how much I hate this plot in a BDSM book.
Second - they end up at a "club" at the end (though we don't really know what happens yet). Clubs have been done to death in these types of books and I am not a fan. I remain open to seeing what happens but I wish he would have worked out his dominance issues in their perfectly nice bedroom. Now it seems like she is an exhibitionist and/or voyeur so this may work out but it just felt out of place in what we have seen so far. The one bright spot is he promised neither of them would touch anyone else.
Lastly, I didn't really feel the same connection between the leads. He was acting weird and she was overly obsessing about feelings at times where it didn't seem appropriate. I was hoping for some hot, sexy dominant/submissive love scenes but was as disappointed as the heroine.
I hope the third part is better than this.
October 14, 2014
5 stars
HOLLEEESHIET...It’s been two long weeks and Sevastyan has finally came to claim what is his. Natalya is confused, her traitorous body knows who it belongs to and responds to him against her minds wishes, but she knows that once he claims her she is good as taken, binding her to him. He wants forever and she wants him for now, she is too young to make these life decisions, especially one so permanent. The wickedly skillful way he plays with her body would drive any woman mad with lust begging for everything he is prepared to give.
Scared of the control he has over her body she has to make some haste decisions, and the results isn't something she is prepared to face. Her father, god bless him, approves very much so of their union should it become official, but her cousin has other plans for her forever changing her life. Forced to flee, she has only Sevastyan, he is the only one who can keep her safe, even if he is just as deadly to her mind, body and soul.
The need in him is a need she feels, wrong or right, they are made for each other. As much as she wants his brand of fucking, he is struggling with what his body demands of him and wanting to treasure her. She is his most precious possession he has, but getting him to realize that she is not as fragile as he thinks she is.
The Professional: Part 2 had exactly what I was looking for, for a shortie it definitely packs a BIG punch, devouring it in one go. I honestly can’t explain it; you just have to read it or yourself. How could one man be feared by all men be completely tender when it comes to his woman?!? I seriously would LOVE to be the center of attention in this man’s world, because he would move heaven and earth just to make her happy. Natalya is young and had lots to learn but she had this strength inside her and I respected the fact that she was able to stand up to him. This does end in a cliffhanger, but book three is out already, but if you want to wait all three parts will be put into one full length novel that comes out around May 2014.
“Eto ne izbezhno dlya nas.” You and I are inevitable.”
HOLLEEESHIET...It’s been two long weeks and Sevastyan has finally came to claim what is his. Natalya is confused, her traitorous body knows who it belongs to and responds to him against her minds wishes, but she knows that once he claims her she is good as taken, binding her to him. He wants forever and she wants him for now, she is too young to make these life decisions, especially one so permanent. The wickedly skillful way he plays with her body would drive any woman mad with lust begging for everything he is prepared to give.
“If you became mine, I wouldn’t let you go.” His words were clipped, as if he was biting back frenzy. “Understand me, if I’m your first lover— I will be your last.” The ringing tone of finality chilled me. “And I would kill any man who thought to touch what was mine.”
Scared of the control he has over her body she has to make some haste decisions, and the results isn't something she is prepared to face. Her father, god bless him, approves very much so of their union should it become official, but her cousin has other plans for her forever changing her life. Forced to flee, she has only Sevastyan, he is the only one who can keep her safe, even if he is just as deadly to her mind, body and soul.
“There is a need inside me— it’s like a beast that howls . I need to do things to you. I need to control you, command you, punish you. In order to madden you.” … “I indulged in this before you, but never felt like I couldn’t live without it. Yet now, with you . . .”
The need in him is a need she feels, wrong or right, they are made for each other. As much as she wants his brand of fucking, he is struggling with what his body demands of him and wanting to treasure her. She is his most precious possession he has, but getting him to realize that she is not as fragile as he thinks she is.
The Professional: Part 2 had exactly what I was looking for, for a shortie it definitely packs a BIG punch, devouring it in one go. I honestly can’t explain it; you just have to read it or yourself. How could one man be feared by all men be completely tender when it comes to his woman?!? I seriously would LOVE to be the center of attention in this man’s world, because he would move heaven and earth just to make her happy. Natalya is young and had lots to learn but she had this strength inside her and I respected the fact that she was able to stand up to him. This does end in a cliffhanger, but book three is out already, but if you want to wait all three parts will be put into one full length novel that comes out around May 2014.
January 24, 2014
Dear "The Professional: Part 2",
The year 2011 called. It wants its plot device back.
Stop! I say stop. I sooooo tired of weak BDSM. I mean, either go balls to the wall or cut it out of your book. For real. The insanity needs to end. I'm bored by pinching nipples and gentle spankings. Bored. So bored. There is nothing more annoying than a wannabe Dom.
This book was missing the silly charm of the first book and was instead full of growly whisperings of "Mine" and lots of moaning. I moaned too but not in a good way. The sex and sudden, suffocating possessiveness of Sevastyan was horribly over-the-top. I wanted more witty banter and more plot and less sex. The first book was fun but this book fell flat.
To top it off, I found it to be soap-opera-ish and a little boring. I really should give it only 1 star but I managed to find part of it a little amusing so it isn't a total throwaway. However, I have no desire to move on with the series.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
The year 2011 called. It wants its plot device back.
Stop! I say stop. I sooooo tired of weak BDSM. I mean, either go balls to the wall or cut it out of your book. For real. The insanity needs to end. I'm bored by pinching nipples and gentle spankings. Bored. So bored. There is nothing more annoying than a wannabe Dom.
This book was missing the silly charm of the first book and was instead full of growly whisperings of "Mine" and lots of moaning. I moaned too but not in a good way. The sex and sudden, suffocating possessiveness of Sevastyan was horribly over-the-top. I wanted more witty banter and more plot and less sex. The first book was fun but this book fell flat.
To top it off, I found it to be soap-opera-ish and a little boring. I really should give it only 1 star but I managed to find part of it a little amusing so it isn't a total throwaway. However, I have no desire to move on with the series.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
July 20, 2017
4.5 stars :)
“I needed to get away from this man, who had more control over my emotions and desires than I’d ever had. This man who had altered me forever, showing me things I could never unsee.
Could never unfeel.”
(Natalie Marie Porter)
* * *
“How could I close you out when I never let you in?”
- Aleksandr Sevastyan "The Siberian"
“I needed to get away from this man, who had more control over my emotions and desires than I’d ever had. This man who had altered me forever, showing me things I could never unsee.
Could never unfeel.”
(Natalie Marie Porter)
* * *
“How could I close you out when I never let you in?”
- Aleksandr Sevastyan "The Siberian"
January 5, 2015
At the end of the first part of The Professional I was left desperately wanting more and with the second part it seems that Kresley Cole has a talent for leaving me desperately wanting. Once again I was furiously pressing the screen on my kindle to try and get another page; I needed to know what was going to happen next. Part 2 has just made me fall more in love with both Natalie and Sevastyan, especially as the tension between them breaks and they take their relationship to a whole new level.
This book has also given me a whole new perspective on saunas, before this I used to think of overweight sweaty men with more hair on their bodies than their head wearing tiny white towels. Now, I can't wait to find one and bring along my very own Sevastyan, equipped with some hot and cold water and a few lengths of rope. The sex scenes are fantastic in this book, especially when Sevastyan loses control, Kresley Cole can write some raw and raunchy scenes that just leave me gasping for more.
Once again Kresley Cole has written a fantastic book, it was sexy as hell but it is also developing some unforgettable characters and an explosive romance and I can't wait to read the next one.
* ARC provided by netgalley
April 24, 2018
3.5 stars!! Subtract some of the kink and this book could have fantastic.
January 8, 2014
5 Siberian Hottie Alpha Yummy Stars!!
Again....Noooooooooo....why did it have to end right there!!!! What does Natalie see when that curtin opens!!?? Pins & needles until the next book in a couple of weeks!!!!
I'm repeating myself here but Savastyan is not your typical Hero he's very much an Anti-Hero except where Natalie is concerned...not that he turns into a cuddly kitten, because he doesn't. He is dominating, cold, loyal, honorable, and ruthless...but in a gentle way with her...Well mostly gentle. Natalie is one stubborn Heroine who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to come right out and ask for it...demand it even!!! I definitely liked Natalie better in the first book...she pissed me off in the beginning of this one and I'm not sure I'm over my snit yet.
There was some very upsetting developments in this installment that broke my heart. I'm anxiously looking forward to more!!!!!
Savastyan
Natalie
Again....Noooooooooo....why did it have to end right there!!!! What does Natalie see when that curtin opens!!?? Pins & needles until the next book in a couple of weeks!!!!
I'm repeating myself here but Savastyan is not your typical Hero he's very much an Anti-Hero except where Natalie is concerned...not that he turns into a cuddly kitten, because he doesn't. He is dominating, cold, loyal, honorable, and ruthless...but in a gentle way with her...Well mostly gentle. Natalie is one stubborn Heroine who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to come right out and ask for it...demand it even!!! I definitely liked Natalie better in the first book...she pissed me off in the beginning of this one and I'm not sure I'm over my snit yet.
There was some very upsetting developments in this installment that broke my heart. I'm anxiously looking forward to more!!!!!
Savastyan
Natalie
February 15, 2015
4 Hot Russian stars
The second part of The Professionals takes us deeper into the Kresley Cole’s dark and dangerous world of Russian mafia and a sexy enforcer with a domineering side.
If you want background, you can see my review of part 1 here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Things take a sexy turn in this instalment, as Sevastyan gets all possessive and finally makes his move on Natalie.
But just as things are starting to progress, they are engulfed in a mafia turf war which changes everything. Desperate to keep her safe, Sevastyan once again whisks Natalie away, this time to Paris. But although they’re finally together, Sevastyan is still not opening up, and Natalie is frustrated, craving the darkness that Sevastyan is trying so hard to hide. So the tension is once again building.
Leaving off on a bit of a smutty cliffhanger, I’m diving straight into the final part of this story – one that is sure to be dirty, explicit all kinds of kinky.
4 stars.
The second part of The Professionals takes us deeper into the Kresley Cole’s dark and dangerous world of Russian mafia and a sexy enforcer with a domineering side.
If you want background, you can see my review of part 1 here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Things take a sexy turn in this instalment, as Sevastyan gets all possessive and finally makes his move on Natalie.
“You’re a smart girl. You’re going to replay everything we’ve done, and you’re going to reach the same conclusion I have.” He moved in close, leaning down to kiss my jawline and lower.
“And wh- what conclusion is that?” …
He pressed his lips directly to my pulse point, making my knees weak. “Eto ne izbezhno dlya nas.” You and I are inevitable.
But just as things are starting to progress, they are engulfed in a mafia turf war which changes everything. Desperate to keep her safe, Sevastyan once again whisks Natalie away, this time to Paris. But although they’re finally together, Sevastyan is still not opening up, and Natalie is frustrated, craving the darkness that Sevastyan is trying so hard to hide. So the tension is once again building.
Leaving off on a bit of a smutty cliffhanger, I’m diving straight into the final part of this story – one that is sure to be dirty, explicit all kinds of kinky.
4 stars.
November 20, 2015
Part 2 of Book 1 saw Natalie and Sebastian's attraction grow even stronger. Natalie is left with some difficult decisions to ponder, when her father explains some of the implications of her relationship with Sebastian within her new mob life. For the first time, it is Natalie that may want to put the brakes on things. Sebastian makes it clear that if he's her first, he intends to be her last.
This second part also sees friends become foes and tensions peak. Natalie and Sebastian find their lives drastically altered when violence erupts. Settling in to their new roles, they seem to have finally accepted the inevitability of their combined future. It is clear that Sebastian will protect Natalie at all costs and she is finally willing to admit that he owns her, body and soul.
It quickly becomes apparent to Natalie that Sebastian is holding back. He acts afraid to hurt her and is unwilling to give her the roughness and dominance she desires. When she continues to push, he agrees to a night of acting out her darkest desires.
Part 2 of this book was great. These two have great chemistry and are finally acting on it. There was more action in this second part as well, continuing to build the intrigue. I went from this one, straight into the next part.
This second part also sees friends become foes and tensions peak. Natalie and Sebastian find their lives drastically altered when violence erupts. Settling in to their new roles, they seem to have finally accepted the inevitability of their combined future. It is clear that Sebastian will protect Natalie at all costs and she is finally willing to admit that he owns her, body and soul.
It quickly becomes apparent to Natalie that Sebastian is holding back. He acts afraid to hurt her and is unwilling to give her the roughness and dominance she desires. When she continues to push, he agrees to a night of acting out her darkest desires.
Part 2 of this book was great. These two have great chemistry and are finally acting on it. There was more action in this second part as well, continuing to build the intrigue. I went from this one, straight into the next part.
January 4, 2014
"THE PROFESSIONAL: PART TWO will have readers gasping for breath by the end of it all."
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
January 2, 2014
No matter how you have ever felt about “Serial Shorts,” Kresley Cole’s The Professional: Part 2 just blew me away! I at first, I thought the only way it could have been better was…yep, if it were longer, but after thinking about that, I realized, being a small slice of a dark, romantic, intriguing and melt-in-your mouth erotic dream is perfect! Yes, I did “wake up” right at the pinnacle of tension, but until Part 3, I’m able to dream up my own “next scene.” (And I have a creatively vivid imagination.)
Natalie's life has become one of constant danger, and emotional turmoil, but never does she feel more alive and safer than when she is with Aleksandr. The man remains almost god-like in his larger than life persona, his dark secrets, his ability to burrow into the core of Natalie's being. When she accidentally hurts him, we see a small portion of the real man revealed, but it doesn't stop him from saving her from an attack against her home, her father and the deadly danger she has been placed in. Are her open trust and deepening feelings for him chipping away at the wall he hides behind?
Kresley Cole has created another blazing hot read that may be too hot to handle if it had even one more word!
Imagine my joy at finding an invitation from Kresley Cole and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books to ring out 2013 and welcome 2014 with the fireworks created by Aleksandr and his “Natalya!” Yes, I received an ARC edition from Pocket Star in exchange for my honest review.
Serial Series: Game Maker, Novella 2, The Professional, Book 2
Publication Date: January 6, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
ISBN: 9781451650099
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Natalie's life has become one of constant danger, and emotional turmoil, but never does she feel more alive and safer than when she is with Aleksandr. The man remains almost god-like in his larger than life persona, his dark secrets, his ability to burrow into the core of Natalie's being. When she accidentally hurts him, we see a small portion of the real man revealed, but it doesn't stop him from saving her from an attack against her home, her father and the deadly danger she has been placed in. Are her open trust and deepening feelings for him chipping away at the wall he hides behind?
Kresley Cole has created another blazing hot read that may be too hot to handle if it had even one more word!
Imagine my joy at finding an invitation from Kresley Cole and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books to ring out 2013 and welcome 2014 with the fireworks created by Aleksandr and his “Natalya!” Yes, I received an ARC edition from Pocket Star in exchange for my honest review.
Serial Series: Game Maker, Novella 2, The Professional, Book 2
Publication Date: January 6, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
ISBN: 9781451650099
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
January 8, 2014
Rating: A ... Heat: Sizzling
First off... Really? I mean, really really? It had to end there? No matter how much I hit the next page button, trying to force my Kindle to continue on, it really did end there. What. A. Tease! Okay, so maybe I don't mind a tease. Maybe I even like it, if it’s done right. And, trust me, this one was.
In The Professional: Part Two we see the glitz and glamour fall away. Sevastyan and Natalie are left with nothing but the harsh reality of their lives. Natalie quickly learns that being a mafiya princess isn't all fancy dinners, expensive gowns, and priceless jewels. Sometimes, it’s dangerous. Sometimes, it’s even deadly.
When Natalie and Sevastyan are forced to flee Russia, all bets are off. All rules go flying out the window. And the unpredictability of that... it makes for a situation that's even hotter than that stolen moment in the linen closet. If you thought part one was scorching, just you wait. A Sevastyan trying to reign in his basest desires is a pretty panty melting thing to behold.
And so are all the new things we learn about him. He is one tightly sealed package and I am right there with Natalie, wanting to peel away the layers. Get to know the man beneath the scars and tattoos. Because getting to know Sevastyan only makes me fall even harder for him. I am so glad Natalie is no shrinking violet because, if she were, she’d have given up on him by now. Instead she's a strong woman, more than capable of handling all of Sevastyan—and he is definitely more than a handful. Wink.
The Professional: Part Two increased the sensuality tenfold. On a Richter scale, part one would come in at an 8 and part two would definitely be a 9. You can bet I'm looking forward to part three and that off-the-charts hotness. It might just make panties across the globe spontaneously combust. Combine that with the added drama that Sevastyan and Natalie are forced to face and, well, it was seriously unputdownable.
Also, I have to say: I loved the subtle nod to one of Kresley’s first series, the MacCarrick Brothers. If you haven't read them yet and are a fan of sexy historical romances, you should give them a try. (And Kresley—your name is not a weird name!)
January 11, 2014
~~~~ 3.5 FRUSTRATING, YET TANTALIZING STARS! ~~~~
What is it with these damn cliffhangers??!! Knowing this second installment would most likely end in a cliffy does not ease my mind. This literally picks up where we left Sevastyn and Natalie. Things between them get a little testy but because these novellas are so short, problems don't last long.
There are major developments and we finally see the couple rush off to Paris as promised in the series synopsis. And Although I love the Russian mafia storyline and the action promised with one, the direction between Sev and Nat is hurdling into strange territory.
This installment dealt much more with the sexual relationship and singular tastes of one mafia enforcer and Nat as anything else. I understand the basis for Sev's particular tastes and how being woken up to them has all but converted Natalie, but I'm hoping the third installment doesn't turn into yet another BDSM-themed plot line. I loved the first one in this series and am hoping we get back on track. I'm not expecting the new found kink to go away but please not at the expense of a good story.
There was loads and loads of sexy fun time. Loads. To much? Perhaps. It was good sexy time, definitely but like I said, I need the addictive, on-the-run-from-the-bratva plot to resurface and answer some much needed questions. Still, an enjoyable series so far but maybe minus the overdone BDSM throwback.
February 9, 2017
DNF at 21%
After my review of Part 1, you would be justified in asking why I continued. All I can say is that my curiousity won out. The cliffhanger ending of Part 1 promised some mutually pleasing, and incredibly sexy times.
So I opened this looking for simple, erotic, fun.
What I got was Natalie, after spending the entirety of the last book pursuing and pushing Sevastyan, backing off, scared, not wanting to have sex with him (because she's afraid of the consequences). I also got Sevastyan, who apparently has decided screw the consequences and is now pursuing her without pause.
He's willing to use her body's reaction to him against her, getting her to beg him for sex. Apparently if they actually have vaginal intercourse they'll end up bound - something like marriage - because of the rules of the mafiya. I emphasize vaginal because they do nearly everything but in this scene that last 21% of the book.
21% where Sevastyan is trying to get her to beg him to fuck her, even though he knows that she's not comfortable with being bound to him permanently. But he's noble - he won't do it against her will, only when she begs. But that leaves a whole range of activities open to him. ALL of which she greatly enjoys, and she does nearly consider begging him....
But she doesn't. So there's the tension for the next little bit.
Natalie's unsure, Sevastyan's sure. Filip's jealous/livid.
Blah, blah, blah. I'm bored. Still.
After my review of Part 1, you would be justified in asking why I continued. All I can say is that my curiousity won out. The cliffhanger ending of Part 1 promised some mutually pleasing, and incredibly sexy times.
So I opened this looking for simple, erotic, fun.
What I got was Natalie, after spending the entirety of the last book pursuing and pushing Sevastyan, backing off, scared, not wanting to have sex with him (because she's afraid of the consequences). I also got Sevastyan, who apparently has decided screw the consequences and is now pursuing her without pause.
He's willing to use her body's reaction to him against her, getting her to beg him for sex. Apparently if they actually have vaginal intercourse they'll end up bound - something like marriage - because of the rules of the mafiya. I emphasize vaginal because they do nearly everything but in this scene that last 21% of the book.
21% where Sevastyan is trying to get her to beg him to fuck her, even though he knows that she's not comfortable with being bound to him permanently. But he's noble - he won't do it against her will, only when she begs. But that leaves a whole range of activities open to him. ALL of which she greatly enjoys, and she does nearly consider begging him....
But she doesn't. So there's the tension for the next little bit.
Natalie's unsure, Sevastyan's sure. Filip's jealous/livid.
Blah, blah, blah. I'm bored. Still.
November 27, 2014
ARC provided by NetGalley
Kresley Cole has my full, undivided attention--AGAIN--with The Professional: Part Two. She left me hanging with Part One and swearing a blue streak as I realized I was at the end of her novella.
My exact words as I finished part two:
"Kresley, you are one crafty witch. I adore your brain, woman."
The Professional: Part Two picks up with Sevastyan and Natalie alone and sheltered from the storm...a perfect seduction scene where Natalie's senses are heightened by the very attentive and dominant Siberian. Cliche? Yes...but it works. And what follows is a sizzling scene of epic proportions. I still need time to recover from it.
It is then that Sevastyan makes his claim and their erotic encounter leaves Natalie reeling. This man, practically a stranger, has marked her, altered her, and nothing will ever be the same.
But the dark and dangerous Siberian refuses to open up to the woman who has become his obsession. And Natalie is left confused and wondering if their relationship can ever be something more permanent when he refuses to answer her questions.
An unexpected and horrific tragedy has Sevastyan and Natalie fleeing to Paris where their already fragile connection starts to unravel. Sevastyan starts to treat Natalie differently. This tender, more docile lover is not the man Natalie needs.
Natalie pushes her Siberian to give in to his darker desires and ends up playing a dangerous game that could break the fragile bond between them.
The Game Maker series is a dark and sensual romance amidst a dangerous backdrop of assassins and the Russian mafiya. Kresley Cole gives erotic romance a swift kick in the teeth with The Professional and leaves the other wanna-be's in her dust.
Sheer brilliance.
Kresley Cole has my full, undivided attention--AGAIN--with The Professional: Part Two. She left me hanging with Part One and swearing a blue streak as I realized I was at the end of her novella.
My exact words as I finished part two:
"Kresley, you are one crafty witch. I adore your brain, woman."
The Professional: Part Two picks up with Sevastyan and Natalie alone and sheltered from the storm...a perfect seduction scene where Natalie's senses are heightened by the very attentive and dominant Siberian. Cliche? Yes...but it works. And what follows is a sizzling scene of epic proportions. I still need time to recover from it.
It is then that Sevastyan makes his claim and their erotic encounter leaves Natalie reeling. This man, practically a stranger, has marked her, altered her, and nothing will ever be the same.
But the dark and dangerous Siberian refuses to open up to the woman who has become his obsession. And Natalie is left confused and wondering if their relationship can ever be something more permanent when he refuses to answer her questions.
An unexpected and horrific tragedy has Sevastyan and Natalie fleeing to Paris where their already fragile connection starts to unravel. Sevastyan starts to treat Natalie differently. This tender, more docile lover is not the man Natalie needs.
Natalie pushes her Siberian to give in to his darker desires and ends up playing a dangerous game that could break the fragile bond between them.
The Game Maker series is a dark and sensual romance amidst a dangerous backdrop of assassins and the Russian mafiya. Kresley Cole gives erotic romance a swift kick in the teeth with The Professional and leaves the other wanna-be's in her dust.
Sheer brilliance.
July 25, 2016
all i have to say is that this book is my addiction....
The Siberian
Oh sweet hot Russian ()...whew.
I have an obsession that is Sevastian, he is the hottest piece of fictional ass. A little creepy, lonely, deadly, and completely devoted to the heroine.
The sexy scenes are smoking hot and also genuinely intimate.
These cliffhanger endings are gonna frakkin kill me.
Is it January 20th yet?
January 3, 2014
Sevastyan and Natalie
Sigh. I didn't like this one as much. Sevastyan was too much for me. Or something was too much. Probably going to be in the minority here. :( Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Sigh. I didn't like this one as much. Sevastyan was too much for me. Or something was too much. Probably going to be in the minority here. :( Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
August 11, 2016
Natalie ruins this book. I still like Sevastyan. His character is raw and dark. Plus, his Russian accent has an overpowering appeal. Da! Hopefully the BDSM themes won't go OTP in the next installment. #fingers crossed#
January 7, 2014
***5 SMOKING HOT STARS!!!***
OMG!!! IF YOU THOUGHT THE END OF PART ONE WAS EXCRUCIATING, THE END OF PART TWO WILL LEAVE YOU LITERALLY PANTING!! IT DID ME! THANK GOD WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT LONG FOR PART THREE!!!
OMG!!! IF YOU THOUGHT THE END OF PART ONE WAS EXCRUCIATING, THE END OF PART TWO WILL LEAVE YOU LITERALLY PANTING!! IT DID ME! THANK GOD WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT LONG FOR PART THREE!!!
January 5, 2014
Spoiler Free Review:
The Professional: Part 2 leads off right where Part 1 ended and Wow when I say Kresley Cole knows how to get her readers sexually frustrated. The continuation of the jaw dropping cliffhanger from Part 1 did not disappoint. Trust me when I say as a reader you will be right along with Natalie never wanting anything more than to have Aleksandr c*** buried deep inside her.
"I want you to see the need I'll be battling." He fisted his c***, swiping his thumb over the head, glossing it with moisture. "Want you to see how badly I crave you."
After falling head over heals for Aleksandr in Part 1 I did not think I could of fallen harder for him, boy was I wrong. He is so intense and to his surprise he has become very possessive and more obsessive of Natalie.
"If you became mine, I wouldn't let you go." His words were clipped, as if he was biting back frenzy. "Understand me, if I'm your first lover, I will be your last."
The ringing tone of finality chilled me.
"And I would kill any man who thought to touch what was mine."
He also has a tender side to him when it comes to her. Love that in my alpha male heroes a nice blend of dominance but also at the same time know when to be sweethearts and care for their lover. He is still a mystery but got a little bit on his past. Not a whole lot but enough that I can not wait to find out more of what has made him broken inside. Seeing Aleksandr this hot and cold enforcer breakdown tore at my heart. I wanted so bad to jump in my kindle and be the one to make all his pain go away.
I also have fallen in love more with Natalie. I love that she is not afraid to get what she wants from Alexsandr and she knows how to play dirty to get what she wants. What she wants is this BDSM game that he started. I am a little nervous for her because she is playing with fire with him and is she going to be able to handle what she thinks she wants.
I love when Alexsandr uses Russian endearments towards Natalie and it is even better when Krelsey Cole lets the readers know what they mean. I thought the intimate scenes in Part 1 were scorching-panty changing. Kresley Cole outdid herself in this installment. Each new erotic scene is well written, unpredictable, refreshing, sexier and more exciting with a dirty talking-sex on legs Alexsandr that I could not swipe my kindle fast enough to see what she would come up with next.
He positioned me back on his lap, his engorged shaft in front of my mons. It stood like an idol to be worshipped, making my mouth water and my hips rock. I couldn't keep myself from grinding against the damp base.
"Grasp it."
I did.
"Stroke it. Learn it. My c*** is the only one you'll ever need or know."
Enthralled, I put both my hands on him, pulling, masturbating him in front of the mirror. "Oh, God, Sevastyan..."
"If you want it back, then beg me for it."
Technically if this was already a finish novel as it being the 2nd installment to a 3 part serial this would be the middle of the story and like many novels sometimes the middle tend to be slow. Not happening here, The Professional: Part 2 deserve more than 5 stars. It is all around well written, intense read with all characters jumping off the pages with reality. So many twist and turns with many surprises that kept me well past my bedtime. I was so invested in Sevastyan and Natalie that I was happy and heart broken right along with them. Make room lovelies because the book boyfriend you have now just got bumped down with an intense, super possessive and obsessive Sevastyan.
Now for those lovely cliffhangers readers get in serial series. Kresley Cole outdid herself with this cliffy. Better than the jaw dropping first one. This cliffy invaded my dreams with a few scenarios that I look forward to see if any of mine play out in The Professional: Part 3 (The Game Maker #1.3) .
My review will never do justice and come close to how amazing Part 2 is. I am throwing this out there and let all know I am a huge KC fangirl and had the opportunity to review The Professional: Part 2 by publisher, Pocket Star at NetGalley for an honest review. If you follow my reviews and know me well you know I do not hold back no matter if I am a fangirl of an author or review an ARC copy. If I do not like a novel or just like it or love it I will let readers know no matter who or where I got my copy from. Trust me when I say I have left ok reviews for authors I adore and ARC copies.
With that being said I can not recommend this serial enough. For me The Professional so far is what I have been looking for with a broken hero who is possessive and obsessed with the heroine. It is an emotional, well written novel that is about showing. It is not just slap together with meaningless words that are all about telling and not enough showing that seem to be showing up last year or so trying to get on the broken-possessive-obsessed hero bandwagon. Huge Thank you to Kresley Cole for not only getting my mafia theme fix but so much more.
ARC Provided by publisher, Pocket Star at NetGalley for an Honest Review
Other books in series with my ratings:
The Professional: Part 1 - 5 tars
Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
The Professional: Part 2 leads off right where Part 1 ended and Wow when I say Kresley Cole knows how to get her readers sexually frustrated. The continuation of the jaw dropping cliffhanger from Part 1 did not disappoint. Trust me when I say as a reader you will be right along with Natalie never wanting anything more than to have Aleksandr c*** buried deep inside her.
"I want you to see the need I'll be battling." He fisted his c***, swiping his thumb over the head, glossing it with moisture. "Want you to see how badly I crave you."
After falling head over heals for Aleksandr in Part 1 I did not think I could of fallen harder for him, boy was I wrong. He is so intense and to his surprise he has become very possessive and more obsessive of Natalie.
"If you became mine, I wouldn't let you go." His words were clipped, as if he was biting back frenzy. "Understand me, if I'm your first lover, I will be your last."
The ringing tone of finality chilled me.
"And I would kill any man who thought to touch what was mine."
He also has a tender side to him when it comes to her. Love that in my alpha male heroes a nice blend of dominance but also at the same time know when to be sweethearts and care for their lover. He is still a mystery but got a little bit on his past. Not a whole lot but enough that I can not wait to find out more of what has made him broken inside. Seeing Aleksandr this hot and cold enforcer breakdown tore at my heart. I wanted so bad to jump in my kindle and be the one to make all his pain go away.
I also have fallen in love more with Natalie. I love that she is not afraid to get what she wants from Alexsandr and she knows how to play dirty to get what she wants. What she wants is this BDSM game that he started. I am a little nervous for her because she is playing with fire with him and is she going to be able to handle what she thinks she wants.
I love when Alexsandr uses Russian endearments towards Natalie and it is even better when Krelsey Cole lets the readers know what they mean. I thought the intimate scenes in Part 1 were scorching-panty changing. Kresley Cole outdid herself in this installment. Each new erotic scene is well written, unpredictable, refreshing, sexier and more exciting with a dirty talking-sex on legs Alexsandr that I could not swipe my kindle fast enough to see what she would come up with next.
He positioned me back on his lap, his engorged shaft in front of my mons. It stood like an idol to be worshipped, making my mouth water and my hips rock. I couldn't keep myself from grinding against the damp base.
"Grasp it."
I did.
"Stroke it. Learn it. My c*** is the only one you'll ever need or know."
Enthralled, I put both my hands on him, pulling, masturbating him in front of the mirror. "Oh, God, Sevastyan..."
"If you want it back, then beg me for it."
Technically if this was already a finish novel as it being the 2nd installment to a 3 part serial this would be the middle of the story and like many novels sometimes the middle tend to be slow. Not happening here, The Professional: Part 2 deserve more than 5 stars. It is all around well written, intense read with all characters jumping off the pages with reality. So many twist and turns with many surprises that kept me well past my bedtime. I was so invested in Sevastyan and Natalie that I was happy and heart broken right along with them. Make room lovelies because the book boyfriend you have now just got bumped down with an intense, super possessive and obsessive Sevastyan.
Now for those lovely cliffhangers readers get in serial series. Kresley Cole outdid herself with this cliffy. Better than the jaw dropping first one. This cliffy invaded my dreams with a few scenarios that I look forward to see if any of mine play out in The Professional: Part 3 (The Game Maker #1.3) .
My review will never do justice and come close to how amazing Part 2 is. I am throwing this out there and let all know I am a huge KC fangirl and had the opportunity to review The Professional: Part 2 by publisher, Pocket Star at NetGalley for an honest review. If you follow my reviews and know me well you know I do not hold back no matter if I am a fangirl of an author or review an ARC copy. If I do not like a novel or just like it or love it I will let readers know no matter who or where I got my copy from. Trust me when I say I have left ok reviews for authors I adore and ARC copies.
With that being said I can not recommend this serial enough. For me The Professional so far is what I have been looking for with a broken hero who is possessive and obsessed with the heroine. It is an emotional, well written novel that is about showing. It is not just slap together with meaningless words that are all about telling and not enough showing that seem to be showing up last year or so trying to get on the broken-possessive-obsessed hero bandwagon. Huge Thank you to Kresley Cole for not only getting my mafia theme fix but so much more.
ARC Provided by publisher, Pocket Star at NetGalley for an Honest Review
Other books in series with my ratings:
The Professional: Part 1 - 5 tars
Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
February 22, 2014
The Professional is a serialised novel currently available in 3 separate ebooks. The whole story will be released as a full length novel in May 2014 both as an ebook and in print. This is a combined review for the entire story written after I read all three instalments. As a fan of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark paranormal series I was excited when I heard that she was going to be writing a more edgy, dark erotic romance and I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Professional. A friend who read the first instalment before me had warned me about the killer cliffhangers though so I decided to wait until all three parts were available before I started reading and I'm glad I did because I devoured them all one after the other!
Natalie is an American student who has her whole life turned upside down when she manages to track down her birth parents. She knew she was adopted and that she was born in Russia but the last thing she expected was to discover that her father is a powerful and incredibly wealthy Russian mobster. When her parentage becomes public knowledge Natalie will be a natural target for her father's enemies so he sends his most trusted enforcer, Sevastyan, to bring her home to Russia so they can keep her safe. As much as Natalie has been longing to meet her father she isn't sure what to make of the new world that she suddenly finds herself in, a world of wealth and privilege where she can have everything she's ever dreamed of but one where she has completely lost her freedom. As if adjusting to her new surroundings and getting to know her father wasn't enough to cope with she is also trying to fight her growing attraction to Sevastyan, someone she knows has dark secrets that he's keeping from her. She's desperate to explore her deepest darkest desires with Sevastyan but scared that it may cause trouble between him and her father.
It's always interesting to see an author try out a new genre, I knew Kresley Cole had a knack for writing great sex scenes but hot damn does she take that up a level in The Professional. The chemistry between Natalie and Sevastyan is off the charts and veers into "melt your kindle while you read" territory, I don't think a cold shower was enough after reading this book - I was more in need of an ice bath LOL. The scenes at the club were some of the hottest I've ever read! I never thought I'd find a domineering, arrogant, hit man quite so sexy but there is something irresistible about Sevastyan. I'm going to be honest and admit that there were a couple of times I wanted to slap the man but overall I just wanted to eat him up. This story includes some incredibly well written and super sexy BDSM scenes so if that's something you're not into then this might not be the book for you but if you like pushing your boundaries then I can't recommend it highly enough.
Natalie and Sevastyan's story isn't all happiness and rainbows, it's intense, dark and disturbing but that just makes it even more compelling to read. Both characters make mistakes, they react badly to certain events and push each other away when they get scared of how strong their feelings are. In fact they both have a lot of growing up to do if they're going to figure out a way to make their relationship work but in spite of the difficulties it is obvious they're meant to be together. In a lot of ways they are complete opposites but their personalities compliment each other and if they can just learn to actually talk things through and make compromises then they'll have something really special.
I loved The Professional so much that I've already pre-ordered a copy of the full length novel so I can have it sitting on my bookshelves. I'm really hoping that this will be the first book in a new series because I'm dying to learn more about Maksim and I have a feeling that he might have even more secrets than Sevastyan does. Kresley Cole has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she knows how to write erotic romance and I really hope she's going to give us more of her deliciously dark, hot Russian mobsters!
Natalie is an American student who has her whole life turned upside down when she manages to track down her birth parents. She knew she was adopted and that she was born in Russia but the last thing she expected was to discover that her father is a powerful and incredibly wealthy Russian mobster. When her parentage becomes public knowledge Natalie will be a natural target for her father's enemies so he sends his most trusted enforcer, Sevastyan, to bring her home to Russia so they can keep her safe. As much as Natalie has been longing to meet her father she isn't sure what to make of the new world that she suddenly finds herself in, a world of wealth and privilege where she can have everything she's ever dreamed of but one where she has completely lost her freedom. As if adjusting to her new surroundings and getting to know her father wasn't enough to cope with she is also trying to fight her growing attraction to Sevastyan, someone she knows has dark secrets that he's keeping from her. She's desperate to explore her deepest darkest desires with Sevastyan but scared that it may cause trouble between him and her father.
It's always interesting to see an author try out a new genre, I knew Kresley Cole had a knack for writing great sex scenes but hot damn does she take that up a level in The Professional. The chemistry between Natalie and Sevastyan is off the charts and veers into "melt your kindle while you read" territory, I don't think a cold shower was enough after reading this book - I was more in need of an ice bath LOL. The scenes at the club were some of the hottest I've ever read! I never thought I'd find a domineering, arrogant, hit man quite so sexy but there is something irresistible about Sevastyan. I'm going to be honest and admit that there were a couple of times I wanted to slap the man but overall I just wanted to eat him up. This story includes some incredibly well written and super sexy BDSM scenes so if that's something you're not into then this might not be the book for you but if you like pushing your boundaries then I can't recommend it highly enough.
Natalie and Sevastyan's story isn't all happiness and rainbows, it's intense, dark and disturbing but that just makes it even more compelling to read. Both characters make mistakes, they react badly to certain events and push each other away when they get scared of how strong their feelings are. In fact they both have a lot of growing up to do if they're going to figure out a way to make their relationship work but in spite of the difficulties it is obvious they're meant to be together. In a lot of ways they are complete opposites but their personalities compliment each other and if they can just learn to actually talk things through and make compromises then they'll have something really special.
I loved The Professional so much that I've already pre-ordered a copy of the full length novel so I can have it sitting on my bookshelves. I'm really hoping that this will be the first book in a new series because I'm dying to learn more about Maksim and I have a feeling that he might have even more secrets than Sevastyan does. Kresley Cole has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she knows how to write erotic romance and I really hope she's going to give us more of her deliciously dark, hot Russian mobsters!
January 6, 2014
Reviewed for: Where the Night Kind Roam
The Professional: Part Two by Kresley Cole is a hot and steamy three part series and when I say it is hot and steamy, it is HOT and STEAMY!! Part two picks up right where part one left off, in the steam room/house. Sevastyan is bent on seduction, no matter the consequences. Sevastyan is a man that NEEDS control and his sex life is no exception. In Part One he tried to scare Natalie off with his predilection towards control but instead she went up in flames. When we are in the steam room he is using everything in his arsenal to get Natalie to agree to his terms and his arsenal is quite impressive. Only problem now, is Natalie, now that she knows the consequences of taking up with Sevastyan she’s not quite as willing to give up her “skin tag”. What I like about Natalie is she stands up to Sevastyan, he is a force of nature but she can hold her own. She is demanding in her own right. She knows she is young and her life has been turned upside down and she knows she is in no state to make any more life altering decisions. So when Sevastyan tries to force her hand, she stands up for what she wants. Then everything changes… again… Now she’s on the run with Sevastyan. And their desire for one another only escalates, but something has changed. Sevastyan still worships her body but something has changed, he still takes control but now he treats her as a fragile doll. Sevastyan is just a broody, gorgeous, and dangerous as he was in the first book. I think you may get a little more addicted to Sevastyan as this series goes on. He has a shitty ass childhood but he pulled himself out of the gutter and is now a powerful man with deep dark desires and all of it is centered on Natalie now. Natalie has had a pretty ideal upbringing but everything seems like it keeps getting yanked out from under her. Even now with Sevastyan she can’t seem to keep her feet about her, she wants to know everything about him, but he keeps pulling back. But Natalie is a bit of a spitfire and she keeps at him, determined to batter down the walls he has erected around him. She is a demanding lil bit of a thing, she knows what she wants and she is not backing down. This book is all about a battle of wills, Natalie is determined to win… everything. When the book ends it’s at such a good part I literally threw my Kindle across the bed and yelled damn it! This book is even hotter than the first and Natalie is about to win the battle maybe not the war…yet.. but the battle when it just ends… ends!!… I need the third book, like now! Kresley Cole, why are you torturing us like this! I just realized it’s like a Sevastyan technique taking us to the edge only to back off! Damnit! Ms. Cole, you are a Mistress of writing, anything you want to write, I will read!
Rating:
5
*ARC provided through NetGalley for an honest review no other compensation was provided.
The Professional: Part Two by Kresley Cole is a hot and steamy three part series and when I say it is hot and steamy, it is HOT and STEAMY!! Part two picks up right where part one left off, in the steam room/house. Sevastyan is bent on seduction, no matter the consequences. Sevastyan is a man that NEEDS control and his sex life is no exception. In Part One he tried to scare Natalie off with his predilection towards control but instead she went up in flames. When we are in the steam room he is using everything in his arsenal to get Natalie to agree to his terms and his arsenal is quite impressive. Only problem now, is Natalie, now that she knows the consequences of taking up with Sevastyan she’s not quite as willing to give up her “skin tag”. What I like about Natalie is she stands up to Sevastyan, he is a force of nature but she can hold her own. She is demanding in her own right. She knows she is young and her life has been turned upside down and she knows she is in no state to make any more life altering decisions. So when Sevastyan tries to force her hand, she stands up for what she wants. Then everything changes… again… Now she’s on the run with Sevastyan. And their desire for one another only escalates, but something has changed. Sevastyan still worships her body but something has changed, he still takes control but now he treats her as a fragile doll. Sevastyan is just a broody, gorgeous, and dangerous as he was in the first book. I think you may get a little more addicted to Sevastyan as this series goes on. He has a shitty ass childhood but he pulled himself out of the gutter and is now a powerful man with deep dark desires and all of it is centered on Natalie now. Natalie has had a pretty ideal upbringing but everything seems like it keeps getting yanked out from under her. Even now with Sevastyan she can’t seem to keep her feet about her, she wants to know everything about him, but he keeps pulling back. But Natalie is a bit of a spitfire and she keeps at him, determined to batter down the walls he has erected around him. She is a demanding lil bit of a thing, she knows what she wants and she is not backing down. This book is all about a battle of wills, Natalie is determined to win… everything. When the book ends it’s at such a good part I literally threw my Kindle across the bed and yelled damn it! This book is even hotter than the first and Natalie is about to win the battle maybe not the war…yet.. but the battle when it just ends… ends!!… I need the third book, like now! Kresley Cole, why are you torturing us like this! I just realized it’s like a Sevastyan technique taking us to the edge only to back off! Damnit! Ms. Cole, you are a Mistress of writing, anything you want to write, I will read!
Rating:
5
*ARC provided through NetGalley for an honest review no other compensation was provided.
January 5, 2014
Gosh... I just didn't like this second installment. It makes me sad because I loved Part one. Part two was way too focused on their sexual relationship. I got bored with her obsession with wanting to become his submissive and his obsession with insisting that it doesn't happen. My other complaint is that the action just didn't exist in this one. Right after the opening sauna scene (which I did like) the story changed abruptly in a way that disappointed me. I can't say what it was because it would reveal major spoilers.
I wanted more time with her Russian father and the cousin and the goings on with the enemy. I wanted to be a part of that action and I was left feeling like I had missed out on something.
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I am not a fan of the "I own you" concept. I like equal opportunity in the bedroom... their sex life went a little too far into the things that I personally do not like and don't really interest me any longer. No laugh out loud moments this time around either.
Natalya wants to become heavily involved into the BDSM scene... and if that's where this is going then I'm out. But, those that still love this will no doubt like where this relationship is going.
I'm pretty sure the road stops here for me. This just didn't go where I wanted it too...
If you like BDSM themed relationships and lean towards books that are heavy on the sex and light on the action then I would recommend this series so far...
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
I wanted more time with her Russian father and the cousin and the goings on with the enemy. I wanted to be a part of that action and I was left feeling like I had missed out on something.
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I am not a fan of the "I own you" concept. I like equal opportunity in the bedroom... their sex life went a little too far into the things that I personally do not like and don't really interest me any longer. No laugh out loud moments this time around either.
Natalya wants to become heavily involved into the BDSM scene... and if that's where this is going then I'm out. But, those that still love this will no doubt like where this relationship is going.
I'm pretty sure the road stops here for me. This just didn't go where I wanted it too...
If you like BDSM themed relationships and lean towards books that are heavy on the sex and light on the action then I would recommend this series so far...
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
October 30, 2025
What can I say? The Professional: Part 2 was blow your mind amazing. Immediately sucking me back into Sevastyan's and Natalie's story.
My only complaint is I wanted more. I might want more but don't think my heart could handle the pulse pounding stimulation of this book if it was all in one reading. For all that is HOLY, this book is 100 % scorch zone. Sexually charged, emotionally charge, Part 2 will take you from hot to crying to hot again all in less than 60 seconds.
The ending, OMG WHAT A TEASER!!!
Kresley Cole created a brilliantly executed story line, take any part of it and its still sublime. Blowing away 50 Shades, The Professional: Part 2 is the perfect erotic creation...a powerful story backed with a enough heat to melt into your deepest fantasies.
I received this ARC copy of The Professeional: Part 2 from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 6, 2014. SWEET ARC UH HUH, totally book dancing here!
Written by: Kresley Cole
Series: The Professional
Sequence in Series: Part 2
My only complaint is I wanted more. I might want more but don't think my heart could handle the pulse pounding stimulation of this book if it was all in one reading. For all that is HOLY, this book is 100 % scorch zone. Sexually charged, emotionally charge, Part 2 will take you from hot to crying to hot again all in less than 60 seconds.
The ending, OMG WHAT A TEASER!!!
Kresley Cole created a brilliantly executed story line, take any part of it and its still sublime. Blowing away 50 Shades, The Professional: Part 2 is the perfect erotic creation...a powerful story backed with a enough heat to melt into your deepest fantasies.
I received this ARC copy of The Professeional: Part 2 from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 6, 2014. SWEET ARC UH HUH, totally book dancing here!
Written by: Kresley Cole
Series: The Professional
Sequence in Series: Part 2
January 6, 2014
This wasn't really 2 stars bad but I'm just so disappointed in it, that is getting that rating. Looks like the series is going just where I didn't want it to...sigh. And where Natalie amused me in the last book, she started to annoy the hell outta me in this one. Yes, I'll read the next one when it comes out just to see how this all plays out but I'm not even looking forward to it at this point...bummed out.
April 9, 2015
I was reluctant starting this one because I was left hanging in The Professional: Part 1, but once I started reading, I can’t put down the book until I am done. And I crave more and more of Sevastyan.
Sevastyan’s possessiveness?
And yes, the tears that kept coming and tugged at my heart…
“I was still considering a retreat-until I caught his masculine scent.
Game Over. I was drugged.”
Sevastyan’s possessiveness?
“I’m looking at what’s mine.”
“Informing me that he would gladly do murder to possess me.”
“Dear God, what had I done?”
And yes, the tears that kept coming and tugged at my heart…
“You are my life’s great surprise, treasured beyond words. However much time I got to spend with you was not enough-and never could be.”
January 2, 2015
It sure is steamy in that sauna. Picking up exactly where we left off in part one, Sevastyan’s got Natialie in his sights. The Siberian is gonna make her burn in the nicest possible ways. GAH! You guys! Kresley Cole has hit the erotica scene and is making her mark. I know this is a series of short stories culminating in a three book release, but she has packed so much in these 120 pages. After I finished part two, and yes it’s another sexy cliffy, I was amazed at how much ground was covered. It’s not all sexy fluff - no ma’am. There is a great story line and plot that will lend itself to the overall feel of this series. Mysterious, sexy, intriguing and yes, love.
5 Oh so sexy stars
T~
Release Day 6 Jan 2014
*Given via Gallery Books/Kresley Cole
www.ktbookreviews.com
5 Oh so sexy stars
T~
Release Day 6 Jan 2014
*Given via Gallery Books/Kresley Cole
www.ktbookreviews.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews