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Nine Circles #1
Mine to Take
First in a brand new series by Jackie Ashenden featuring the members of the Nine Circles Club--friends bound together by power, secrets, need...and the love they will find and stop at nothing to keep.
Passion always comes at a price.
Gabriel Woolf is unstoppable. A ruthless businessman, he has perfected the art of revenge. Ever since his mother's death, Gabriel has harbored only one wish: To take down the man who ruined their lives. But all bets are off when he meets his father's step daughter, Honor St. James. Beautiful and innocent, she is everything Gabriel never knew he wanted--and now there's no turning back...
Is her desire worth the risk?
Honor wasn't born yesterday. She knows that Gabriel is a wolf in sheep's clothing, willing to cross any line to get what he wants...herself included. But Gabriel's passion for Honor--in spite of her connection to the man he hates the most--cannot be denied...and the feeling is utterly mutual. Can Gabriel be trusted? The only thing she knows for sure is how he makes her feel. And she can't keep herself from coming back to him, over and over again...in Mine to Take.
Passion always comes at a price.
Gabriel Woolf is unstoppable. A ruthless businessman, he has perfected the art of revenge. Ever since his mother's death, Gabriel has harbored only one wish: To take down the man who ruined their lives. But all bets are off when he meets his father's step daughter, Honor St. James. Beautiful and innocent, she is everything Gabriel never knew he wanted--and now there's no turning back...
Is her desire worth the risk?
Honor wasn't born yesterday. She knows that Gabriel is a wolf in sheep's clothing, willing to cross any line to get what he wants...herself included. But Gabriel's passion for Honor--in spite of her connection to the man he hates the most--cannot be denied...and the feeling is utterly mutual. Can Gabriel be trusted? The only thing she knows for sure is how he makes her feel. And she can't keep herself from coming back to him, over and over again...in Mine to Take.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
78 people are currently reading
1312 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
487 books976 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
June 6, 2016
2.5 - "I've decided on vengeance." Stars.
For the most part I usually really enjoy Jackie Ashenden’s books, and although I didn’t really dislike Mine to Take what let it down for me, and the reason for my low rating is the fact that it was such a long book with large amounts of time where nothing of any consequence really happens.
The action and revelations when they come are really good, but everything else for me needed to be cut back. The neverending I want you/I don’t want you/I’m not the man for you/I don’t care I want you anyway got annoying towards the end of the book, and I found this constant merry-go-round between Gabriel and Honor to be overly played out.
”I don’t play games, Mr. Woolf. I do business.”
This really isn’t a bad book, Jackie has a certain way of portraying her guys that you can’t help but fall a little in love with them Gabriel was no exception, I quite liked Honor as well she was strong and happy to speak her mind, but her constant denial of her Step-fathers wrongdoing in the face of hard evidence was also a little overdone for me.
”The first orgasm I ever had that wasn’t from my vibrator had to come from you.”
I have no doubt I will feel the same way about Alex and Zac if I read their books. But my enjoyment was diluted by the fact that the book just dragged on too long and for a few plot twists that really seemed to be too long coming in the overall scheme of things.
”You’re not the only one with power, Gabriel Woolf. And you’re not the only one who knows how to exploit a weakness.”
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
For the most part I usually really enjoy Jackie Ashenden’s books, and although I didn’t really dislike Mine to Take what let it down for me, and the reason for my low rating is the fact that it was such a long book with large amounts of time where nothing of any consequence really happens.
The action and revelations when they come are really good, but everything else for me needed to be cut back. The neverending I want you/I don’t want you/I’m not the man for you/I don’t care I want you anyway got annoying towards the end of the book, and I found this constant merry-go-round between Gabriel and Honor to be overly played out.
”I don’t play games, Mr. Woolf. I do business.”
This really isn’t a bad book, Jackie has a certain way of portraying her guys that you can’t help but fall a little in love with them Gabriel was no exception, I quite liked Honor as well she was strong and happy to speak her mind, but her constant denial of her Step-fathers wrongdoing in the face of hard evidence was also a little overdone for me.
”The first orgasm I ever had that wasn’t from my vibrator had to come from you.”
I have no doubt I will feel the same way about Alex and Zac if I read their books. But my enjoyment was diluted by the fact that the book just dragged on too long and for a few plot twists that really seemed to be too long coming in the overall scheme of things.
”You’re not the only one with power, Gabriel Woolf. And you’re not the only one who knows how to exploit a weakness.”
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
April 20, 2020
Spoilers ahead, 2.5*
Not a bad book really but I found myself bored at the predictability of it all
Revenge plot
No cheating
No OW/OM drama
No real details of their sexual history though neither were virgins
I read these books out of order, book 2 disgusted me and I'm not a fan of the h's attitude in book 3 so I'm tapping out
Not a bad book really but I found myself bored at the predictability of it all
Revenge plot
No cheating
No OW/OM drama
No real details of their sexual history though neither were virgins
I read these books out of order, book 2 disgusted me and I'm not a fan of the h's attitude in book 3 so I'm tapping out
February 25, 2017
Honor and Gabriel's story was a good read overall.
Gabriel is one of the f-ed up billionaires in Nine circles. Apart from his business, he runs an underground mafia club.
When his mother passes away from cancer, he discovers he was product of rape and vows revenge- which ultimately leads him to Honor- the rapists' stepdaughter.
Honor is working hard to save the Tremain hotels since she has invested heavily in them. Since her brother Alex abandoned her and their mother 19 years ago, she's been the rock holding her family.
Gabriel approaches Honor to find out information about Tremain, and they end up having hot hot sex; hence falling for each other. Soon things aren't that simple as secrets are revealed and feelings get involved..
The story was good but I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. Kudos to well written sex scenes.
Also good secondary characters- would love to know more about Alex, Eva and Zac.
It ends in a cliffy, and I think the story continues in rest of the books- though this couple finds their HFN.
Loads of pushing away- and the heroine doesn't give up.
Safe
3.25/5
Gabriel is one of the f-ed up billionaires in Nine circles. Apart from his business, he runs an underground mafia club.
When his mother passes away from cancer, he discovers he was product of rape and vows revenge- which ultimately leads him to Honor- the rapists' stepdaughter.
Honor is working hard to save the Tremain hotels since she has invested heavily in them. Since her brother Alex abandoned her and their mother 19 years ago, she's been the rock holding her family.
Gabriel approaches Honor to find out information about Tremain, and they end up having hot hot sex; hence falling for each other. Soon things aren't that simple as secrets are revealed and feelings get involved..
The story was good but I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. Kudos to well written sex scenes.
Also good secondary characters- would love to know more about Alex, Eva and Zac.
It ends in a cliffy, and I think the story continues in rest of the books- though this couple finds their HFN.
Loads of pushing away- and the heroine doesn't give up.
Safe
3.25/5
March 1, 2015
Gabriel wants justice. It’s the one thing that has kept him moving forward. The only way to get that justices is to go through Honor. She might have the answers that will allow him to take down the man he’s been gunning for. The man that he thinks is the cause of it all, the same man that is Honor’s step dad. When Honor is trying to find investors for her step-dad’s company Gabriel is more than willing to put forth the money, but he wants a few things in return. But what started as a game to Gabriel suddenly become so much more after he finds that he isn’t just attracted to Honor, that she makes him feel something – something he has never felt before. Getting his justice will destroy Honor and even after he reveals it all to her, she has to decide to walk away like everyone else has or stick by his side.
I struggled with this book. There were parts that held my attention and then there were times when I just wanted to skip pages at a time. I can’t really even pinpoint exactly what it was, but I had to read this in several sittings. I think I read about ten other books between the time I started this and ended it. By the time I hit the halfway mark I was ready to put it down but decided to push myself to see if something happened to change my mind and bring it all together. It never really hit that point. I think the mix of so much into the story was what did me in. I had to balance the story of Gabriel & Honor, his friends, the fraud with the hotels, Gabriel’s past and then a story line that expanded far bigger than where it started. Normally that would make this into a fantastic story, but something was just off and prevented that from happening for me. I think it came down to too much of everything else and not enough of Gabriel & Honor’s story.
It appears that this series will continue with the theme of the much larger story being exposed, with Honor’s brother (and Gabriel’s friend) Alex being up next – but I don’t think there was enough there for me to need to know the rest of this story.
I struggled with this book. There were parts that held my attention and then there were times when I just wanted to skip pages at a time. I can’t really even pinpoint exactly what it was, but I had to read this in several sittings. I think I read about ten other books between the time I started this and ended it. By the time I hit the halfway mark I was ready to put it down but decided to push myself to see if something happened to change my mind and bring it all together. It never really hit that point. I think the mix of so much into the story was what did me in. I had to balance the story of Gabriel & Honor, his friends, the fraud with the hotels, Gabriel’s past and then a story line that expanded far bigger than where it started. Normally that would make this into a fantastic story, but something was just off and prevented that from happening for me. I think it came down to too much of everything else and not enough of Gabriel & Honor’s story.
It appears that this series will continue with the theme of the much larger story being exposed, with Honor’s brother (and Gabriel’s friend) Alex being up next – but I don’t think there was enough there for me to need to know the rest of this story.
November 9, 2015
This is one hypnotizing intense read. This is about Gabriel,a powerful head of a construction company and his quest for justice on behalf of his mother who recently passed away from cancer. He is consumed with bringing down the one man who he thinks is responsible for everything horrible he and his mother went through in the past. He doesn't care who he hurts in the process as he targets the man's stepdaughter Honor and she unknowingly becomes a pawn in his plan for revenge.She turns out to be no pushover and could really put him in his place. Their chemistry is combustible and this book is HOT. As their relationship grows closer, his inner turmoil and guilt increases. At times I felt like I was watching a train wreck in progress, and I could not look away. Gabriel is not a nice guy, but I still found myself rooting for him to get his revenge, and win the girl. It takes a very talented writer to pull that off. The climax to the story is very exciting, and even though Gabriel and Honor's story reaches a conclusion, the overall mystery does not so this series must be read in order. I highly recommend this book and look forward to continuing this series.
May 7, 2021
"If I was still president of the Angels, you would be. You'd wear the club colors, with 'Property of Church' on the back so everyone would know you were mine."
I feel like I just scream out the anger when I finish this book.
The book was going so good and it left me with such an unsatisfying ending.
Like really unsatisfied, when Gabriel decide to just call it off (if you read you know what I mean)
I was like hell no we want to know!
However the book was so good.
Although I felt cheated thinking it was a MC series when its not.
It's more of like a billionaire series. Or was that just my mistake?
The storyline was such an adrenaline.
It definitely suck you into it. Just like Gabriel, you are filled with anger and you just want your own revenge.
Sometimes he does annoy me, one minute he wants her the minute he doesn't. I'm like MAKE UP YOUR MIND.
Honor is just there is like make your decision.
But I understand where its all coming from and its nice that its a change of stereotype, its not the girl that is kind of damsel in distress.
I wish we get the side characters more involved although the main characters are very strong plotline by themselves.
Honor is such a vixen, I love it!
I love her strong, badass, sassy personality.
Gabriel definitely made me cry towards the end.
"Are you afraid of me, Miss St. James?"
I feel like I just scream out the anger when I finish this book.
The book was going so good and it left me with such an unsatisfying ending.
Like really unsatisfied, when Gabriel decide to just call it off (if you read you know what I mean)
I was like hell no we want to know!
However the book was so good.
Although I felt cheated thinking it was a MC series when its not.
It's more of like a billionaire series. Or was that just my mistake?
The storyline was such an adrenaline.
It definitely suck you into it. Just like Gabriel, you are filled with anger and you just want your own revenge.
Sometimes he does annoy me, one minute he wants her the minute he doesn't. I'm like MAKE UP YOUR MIND.
Honor is just there is like make your decision.
But I understand where its all coming from and its nice that its a change of stereotype, its not the girl that is kind of damsel in distress.
I wish we get the side characters more involved although the main characters are very strong plotline by themselves.
Honor is such a vixen, I love it!
I love her strong, badass, sassy personality.
Gabriel definitely made me cry towards the end.
"Are you afraid of me, Miss St. James?"
December 12, 2014
Oh boy, believe the hype, this book is AMAZING. What a rollercoaster ride of secrets, pain, loyalty, revenge, love and uber hotness. Gabriel is one tormented, sexy, alpha billionaire biker, and smart, savvy investment CEO Honor is just the woman to match him in the uncovering of some devastating secrets and rocky road to justice and healing.
Support characters in the 'fucked up billionaires club' Alex, Eva and Zac give depth but don't overwhelm, and I'm thrilled they will be getting their own stories too.
A brilliant setup to the new 'nine circles' series, and the ending opens the door perfectly for book 2 Alex's story.
Support characters in the 'fucked up billionaires club' Alex, Eva and Zac give depth but don't overwhelm, and I'm thrilled they will be getting their own stories too.
A brilliant setup to the new 'nine circles' series, and the ending opens the door perfectly for book 2 Alex's story.
July 7, 2017
I'm going to divide this review into the good, the bad, and the ugly.
First, the good:. Gabriel has been dead-set on revenge for most of his life until he finds himself involved with his mark's step-daughter, Honor. I loved the way these two bantered back and forth in the beginning, and how she shoveled his patronizing bullshit right back at him.
The bad: Some of the dialogue was pretty cheesy, and I didn't like the way the members of the Nine Circles Club interacted with each other, like they despised one another. What's the point of the club if there's just animosity? I get that they supported each other, but I didn't understand why. Also, parts of the story were over-written/over-explained, though not so much that I was put off reading it - which brings us to:
The ugly: The last 15% of the story really frustrated me, like the author didn't take the time to come up with a plot-hole-free way to expose all the truths that I'd been waiting so patiently to hear about. And talk about an anti-climax when all was said and done - though I will say that I didn't see the book ending the way it did. Kudos for surprising me.
First, the good:. Gabriel has been dead-set on revenge for most of his life until he finds himself involved with his mark's step-daughter, Honor. I loved the way these two bantered back and forth in the beginning, and how she shoveled his patronizing bullshit right back at him.
"Because I'm not a nice man, sweetheart."Both of them were interesting and well-developed, and their relationship evolved naturally to show growth on both of their parts. There were definitely some well-written portions of this story:
"Sweetheart? Oh, please."
He almost smiled at the look on her face. "Honor, then."
"That would be preferable."
He hadn't liked her dig about his not asking. It made him uncomfortable, and made him aware of his own boundaries and how he was testing them with his plans for her.I also liked the plot. The mystery of the money laundering, Honor's step-father, and father and how they related to Gabriel really held my attention.
The bad: Some of the dialogue was pretty cheesy, and I didn't like the way the members of the Nine Circles Club interacted with each other, like they despised one another. What's the point of the club if there's just animosity? I get that they supported each other, but I didn't understand why. Also, parts of the story were over-written/over-explained, though not so much that I was put off reading it - which brings us to:
The ugly: The last 15% of the story really frustrated me, like the author didn't take the time to come up with a plot-hole-free way to expose all the truths that I'd been waiting so patiently to hear about. And talk about an anti-climax when all was said and done - though I will say that I didn't see the book ending the way it did. Kudos for surprising me.
October 28, 2014
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. I read the blurb and thought, "Love and revenge? How could I go wrong?" This wasn't an awful book but I really didn't care for it at all.
Honor was the heroine and quite simply, I didn't find that I liked anything about her. She wasn't bad or an awful person or anything. She was just, sort of, blah. She's sort of a poor little rich girl but she's not really poor. Her family almost lost everything when her dad died but they (she and her mom) sold everything they could get their hands on and then her mom married a rich guy and things were okay. But Honor wasn't a bitch or spoiled or anything. She has her own investment company but she's invested heavily in her stepfather's hotel business and things aren't looking good. She's definitely honest and open. So I should have liked her. I guess I found her to be a little to simple (NOT stupid, just not very complex) and her name is about as subtle as an atomic bomb.
Gabriel, to me, was a little more complex than Honor and as such, he was a little more interesting. He's grown up knowing that he was the son of his mom's rapist. And even though she was a Christian woman, it seemed to me that in some ways, she hated her son. She was Catholic so she didn't have an abortion but she had the baby and from around age 10 and up, she was terrified of him since he apparently looked like her rapist. No offense but shit she sounded like an asshole. The fact that Gabriel was aware of his parentage and aware of how his other felt about him was all one thing. But however she acted, Gabriel, for right or wrong, translated that to being disgusted with himself, hating himself, being ashamed of himself, thinking he would never be worth anything, etc. It was awful.to read. I just felt so bad for him. In fact, I felt so bad for him that I couldn't muster up anything other than pity for him.
I have no idea if Honor and Gabriel had any chemistry. I was distracted by the sad, awful story behind Gabriel. As bad and as obvious as Honor's name is, Gabriel's isn't much better, since Gabriel (in some scriptures) is sent to "proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication" (1 Enoch 10:9) which MAY be interpreted by some as being some kind avenging angel-type of character. For me, all I want to do is read hot and sexy books about perfect and imperfect people. All of this is a little too above my pay grade. And if I'm reading too much into it, then this just wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention.
Although this was a well written book, I'm sorry to say that I don't think I would recommend this book. The Sexy Time was okay but I was too distracted and turned off by the sad, miserable back story of the hero. If you are someone who likes a hero who is as damaged as I described above, then by all means, TRY THIS BOOK! But I don't like it and I didn't care for this book.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. I read the blurb and thought, "Love and revenge? How could I go wrong?" This wasn't an awful book but I really didn't care for it at all.
Honor was the heroine and quite simply, I didn't find that I liked anything about her. She wasn't bad or an awful person or anything. She was just, sort of, blah. She's sort of a poor little rich girl but she's not really poor. Her family almost lost everything when her dad died but they (she and her mom) sold everything they could get their hands on and then her mom married a rich guy and things were okay. But Honor wasn't a bitch or spoiled or anything. She has her own investment company but she's invested heavily in her stepfather's hotel business and things aren't looking good. She's definitely honest and open. So I should have liked her. I guess I found her to be a little to simple (NOT stupid, just not very complex) and her name is about as subtle as an atomic bomb.
Gabriel, to me, was a little more complex than Honor and as such, he was a little more interesting. He's grown up knowing that he was the son of his mom's rapist. And even though she was a Christian woman, it seemed to me that in some ways, she hated her son. She was Catholic so she didn't have an abortion but she had the baby and from around age 10 and up, she was terrified of him since he apparently looked like her rapist. No offense but shit she sounded like an asshole. The fact that Gabriel was aware of his parentage and aware of how his other felt about him was all one thing. But however she acted, Gabriel, for right or wrong, translated that to being disgusted with himself, hating himself, being ashamed of himself, thinking he would never be worth anything, etc. It was awful.to read. I just felt so bad for him. In fact, I felt so bad for him that I couldn't muster up anything other than pity for him.
I have no idea if Honor and Gabriel had any chemistry. I was distracted by the sad, awful story behind Gabriel. As bad and as obvious as Honor's name is, Gabriel's isn't much better, since Gabriel (in some scriptures) is sent to "proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication" (1 Enoch 10:9) which MAY be interpreted by some as being some kind avenging angel-type of character. For me, all I want to do is read hot and sexy books about perfect and imperfect people. All of this is a little too above my pay grade. And if I'm reading too much into it, then this just wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention.
Although this was a well written book, I'm sorry to say that I don't think I would recommend this book. The Sexy Time was okay but I was too distracted and turned off by the sad, miserable back story of the hero. If you are someone who likes a hero who is as damaged as I described above, then by all means, TRY THIS BOOK! But I don't like it and I didn't care for this book.
January 2, 2015
Gabriel is determined to get justice for his mother by ruining the man who raped her. To that end, he maneuvers himself into position to use Honor, the daughter of the man he holds responsible. Then, angsty romance happens.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
Intriguing setup for this billionaire’s club: I like the Nine Circles club, and the relationships between its members was interesting from the very first page. As isolated as Gabriel is, I enjoyed the fact that he had these friends who cared.
A tragic hero: Gabriel needed a hug, though he’d probably glare until I backed away slowly (and I confess, I like my heroes like that). The ragic backstory for Gabriel was compelling and completely sold me on his reasons for justice, or truly vengeance on the man who hurt his mother. The glimpses of Gabriel’s past made my heart break for him and want to see him get to a place where he could accept love.
A good heroine: I love when a heroine can surprise me and not take the path well traveled. There are times when you’d expect her to run or shut down, and while she certainly does it at first, I loved that she didn’t follow a formula, and instead was strong enough to handle the betrayals by those she loved.
Both Gabriel and Honor need running shoes though: My notes during this read were - “Uh oh, she’s a runner. Great, he's a runner too. Well, at least they have that in common.” As soon as they waded into deeper emotional waters, both Honor and Gabriel had a tendency to pull away and actually physically run from the room. This was usually preceded by my next issue with this story, which was….
Alot of time spent in their own heads: I would have liked more Gabriel and Honor to spend more time talking to each other, hashing out their feelings, rather than the inordinate amount of internal monologues, explaining their motivations to the nth degree. I understood their feelings and concerns, and while well written, this is something that distracts me in a story - when the main characters spend too much time in their own heads, rather than interacting with others.
Ending was a bit anti-climactic: I wanted to know the big secret and while I appreciate the emotional growth that Gabriel went through, I still wanted that knowledge. I’m hoping to get it later in the series.
Intrigued by setup for next book: Ahem, I would like Alex’s story...right now, please. Thank you.
The Bottom Line
While I had some issues with the time spent monologuing in their heads, I did enjoy Ms. Ashenden’s writing style and I would read the next book in this series.
**ARC provided by publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
Intriguing setup for this billionaire’s club: I like the Nine Circles club, and the relationships between its members was interesting from the very first page. As isolated as Gabriel is, I enjoyed the fact that he had these friends who cared.
A tragic hero: Gabriel needed a hug, though he’d probably glare until I backed away slowly (and I confess, I like my heroes like that). The ragic backstory for Gabriel was compelling and completely sold me on his reasons for justice, or truly vengeance on the man who hurt his mother. The glimpses of Gabriel’s past made my heart break for him and want to see him get to a place where he could accept love.
A good heroine: I love when a heroine can surprise me and not take the path well traveled. There are times when you’d expect her to run or shut down, and while she certainly does it at first, I loved that she didn’t follow a formula, and instead was strong enough to handle the betrayals by those she loved.
Both Gabriel and Honor need running shoes though: My notes during this read were - “Uh oh, she’s a runner. Great, he's a runner too. Well, at least they have that in common.” As soon as they waded into deeper emotional waters, both Honor and Gabriel had a tendency to pull away and actually physically run from the room. This was usually preceded by my next issue with this story, which was….
Alot of time spent in their own heads: I would have liked more Gabriel and Honor to spend more time talking to each other, hashing out their feelings, rather than the inordinate amount of internal monologues, explaining their motivations to the nth degree. I understood their feelings and concerns, and while well written, this is something that distracts me in a story - when the main characters spend too much time in their own heads, rather than interacting with others.
Ending was a bit anti-climactic: I wanted to know the big secret and while I appreciate the emotional growth that Gabriel went through, I still wanted that knowledge. I’m hoping to get it later in the series.
Intrigued by setup for next book: Ahem, I would like Alex’s story...right now, please. Thank you.
The Bottom Line
While I had some issues with the time spent monologuing in their heads, I did enjoy Ms. Ashenden’s writing style and I would read the next book in this series.
**ARC provided by publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 4, 2015
Well...
When I started on this book, I didn't think I'd like it. I only read it because Goodreads suggested I read Make You Mine which is the second book of this series and I needed context. Another reason I thought I wouldn't like it is because I'm tired of Billionaire stories. How many billionaires can exist in the world? And how can 4 of them know each other? How can one reach billionaire status after being a president in a MC and then start a construction company? People - I had to suspend belief for A LOT at the beginning of this book.
Anyway, I ended up loving it. I think the characters were really fleshed out. As much as there was a lot of drama and hijinks occuring around them, this was very much a character-driven book. I liked both the hero and the heroine. Although their initial interactions were stuff of therapist couches, I loved how they finally bonded.
The theme of revenge can get a tad bit reductive, but this book did its best to balance the revenge plot with the relationship building between the characters. I loved how the heroine remained mostly independent even towards the end of the book. This is not one of those books where the heroine gets sucked into the hero's crazy revenge plot and loses her identity.
Honestly, I had never read any of Jackie's books but after this? I think she has a knack of knowing how to balance erotica, romance and a thriller. Which is quite hard to do. Some books rely on the characters to push the story, or the sex or the thriller but this balanced out quite nicely. I'm intrigued by the mystery - although let's be honest, which billionaires have time off their empires to investigate murders and intrigue?
My only critique of this book is WHY COULD THEY NOT BE MILLIONAIRES? Even those are few and far between, and quite impressive, did they ALL have to be BILLIONAIRES?
When I started on this book, I didn't think I'd like it. I only read it because Goodreads suggested I read Make You Mine which is the second book of this series and I needed context. Another reason I thought I wouldn't like it is because I'm tired of Billionaire stories. How many billionaires can exist in the world? And how can 4 of them know each other? How can one reach billionaire status after being a president in a MC and then start a construction company? People - I had to suspend belief for A LOT at the beginning of this book.
Anyway, I ended up loving it. I think the characters were really fleshed out. As much as there was a lot of drama and hijinks occuring around them, this was very much a character-driven book. I liked both the hero and the heroine. Although their initial interactions were stuff of therapist couches, I loved how they finally bonded.
The theme of revenge can get a tad bit reductive, but this book did its best to balance the revenge plot with the relationship building between the characters. I loved how the heroine remained mostly independent even towards the end of the book. This is not one of those books where the heroine gets sucked into the hero's crazy revenge plot and loses her identity.
Honestly, I had never read any of Jackie's books but after this? I think she has a knack of knowing how to balance erotica, romance and a thriller. Which is quite hard to do. Some books rely on the characters to push the story, or the sex or the thriller but this balanced out quite nicely. I'm intrigued by the mystery - although let's be honest, which billionaires have time off their empires to investigate murders and intrigue?
My only critique of this book is WHY COULD THEY NOT BE MILLIONAIRES? Even those are few and far between, and quite impressive, did they ALL have to be BILLIONAIRES?
May 7, 2015
I noticed this book on NetGalley and after reading the synopsis I placed my request, I didn't check out the author or previous books I just started reading. I struggled a little at first since I felt there were things I should know I stopped reading to check for previous books and found 'Mine to Take' I contemplated breaking off and reading that first but in the end I didn't and it didn't really matter just the fact that I knew a previous book existed explained away the few assumptions.
Like I said I struggled a little and it took me a while to settle into this book, it may have been easier if I'd read 'Take' I don't know but once I'd got going for the most part I liked this book.
On the surface Alex is a shallow gambling playboy but there's much more to him than that, Katya is his bodyguard who stands by and watches as he goes through different women every night, and this is their routine until things suddenly change Alex really needs Katya and not just to safe his life he needs the strength she gives him.
My main problem with this book was that it only really came to life for me with Zac and Eva and while I liked the idea of the Nine Circles club and I liked Alex and Katya that was the extend of it I only liked them, I didn't feel strongly enough about them for this book to fully work for me, plus it was obvious how it would go, there was no real mystery or suspense about them as a couple also certain things were overplayed and became a little repetitive while other things were skimmed over.
I won't be going back to read the first book but I'm intrigued enough by Zac and Eva to know I'm going read the next one 'You Are Mine' which is due out the 6th October this year.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 7, 2014
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**
This is a first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. The series was set up in a way that allowed for more stories while still making me feel satisfied with the ending.
"I will repay, saith the lord". Romans 12:19
Vengeance is never a cut and dry path, and Gabriel Woolf has already chosen Justice as his. His mother had been raped, with him as the product of that rape. Now days after his mothers death he has decided that it's time to unleash his justice for the wrong done to his mother after all these years. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Gabriel Woolf is an enigma, along with several other billionaire misfits that form a club called the nine circles. A Dante reference in the midst of chaos. The man he believes is responsible for raping (Guy Tremain) his mother has a stepdaughter that Gabriel seeks to seduce and seek information. Honor turns out to be the glitch in his path. Sometimes all you really need is the love of a good woman. I liked Honor from the moment she was introduced, and Gabriel's wolffish character seems to crave her. The momentum that built Gabriel up and into an alpha character was also very good. Great character chemistry. I would definitely love book two. This series will be on my watch for list. Thanks so much for a copy. Overall entertainment is four stars.
September 6, 2015
I kinda felt meh the whole way through this book. Nothing to draw me in, nothing that made me feel that I HAD to keep reading. Until the ending. Then I wanted to immediately read the next one. But man it was a long read with nothing happening.
March 12, 2016
WOW!!!! what a book, what a story!!!! This is my first time reading this author and I am totally hooked. She is now on my list of must read authors.
March 8, 2016
Story sucked me in right from the start.
Interesting characters. Twisty plot. Well written.
Interesting characters. Twisty plot. Well written.
June 22, 2016
I liked this book, the reason it doesn't get a whole five from me is simply that I found myself skipping parts. It didn't hold my attention the way I'd expect.
December 12, 2014
Gabriel Woolf has dragged himself up from nothing to be something. From a background of poverty, escaping that into a life with a motorcycle club and now he’s a (mostly) respectable businessman and owner of a construction company. But although Gabriel maintains a veneer of respectability, underneath he’s burning for vengeance. He wants nothing more than to ruin the life of the man he believes ruined his mother’s life. Ever since his mother’s death recently, he’s been plotting and planning just how to go about bringing about his downfall.
And he’s not above using Honor St James, the stepdaughter of the man he wants nothing more than to destroy. Honor is beautiful and innocent but she also has information, information that Gabriel wants. Nothing is off limits in how to get it but what Gabriel didn’t count on was how much he was going to want Honor. She has a lot to offer, more than anyone has ever been able to offer Gabriel before. More than he ever knew he wanted…. or deserved.
Honor St James had a lot of responsibility at a young age. And even now, she feels the pressure to keep everything together – to save her stepfather’s company and also her own investment. At first Honor resists Gabriel and the sheer force of his personality. But he stirs something inside of her that no man ever has before and the urge to just give up control to him is strong. She needs to convince Gabriel that there’s more to life than looking for vengeance, but once she tries to show him, he wants to drive her away. But she’ll go back to him, over and over again until she proves to him that there’s more between them than just the physical.
Mine To Take is the first in a new series from Jackie Ashenden that very loosely spins off from the Billionaire’s Club and by that I mean Gabriel Woolf appears in the final book of that series briefly, just enough to introduce him to readers. Gabriel was born into poverty, clawed his way out via becoming a messenger boy for a motorcycle club and then joined himself, working his way up the ladder into power. Then he left, extricating himself from the club and starting his own business. He’s now incredibly wealthy and a member of the Ninth Circle, aka the Fucked Up Billionaires. They look out for each other, loosely watching each other’s backs, pledging loyalty but distance. They hold semi-regular meetings to check in, discuss any issues. One of the members brings an issue to Gabriel’s attention and it’s the perfect ‘in’ for him to put in place his ultimate plan of vengeance.
Despite the fact that Gabriel is a fraction too Alpha for my tastes, I actually ended up liking him and I felt really sorry for him. The fact is, he’s the result of an assault on his mother and it seems that when he hits a certain age, he must begin reminding his mother of the person that committed the crime against her. A staunch Catholic, she feels shame and guilt, spending hours confessing, hours that Gabriel has to listen to as he sits outside the confessional, waiting. I feel as though that’s something no child should ever have to experience, have put on them. Gabriel has definitely had a rough childhood, he’s lacked a lot of things but specifically love and gentleness. He was indoctrinated into a club or gang at a young age, but despite a lack of strong, positive role models he has managed to come out of the dangerous lifestyle more or less intact. Gabriel has trouble forming connections with people though, something that’s clearly obvious when he begins interacting with Honor that he doesn’t understand what’s going on with them. He can’t understand what’s different about her, why he feels different, why she can make him lost control like that.
Honor is the sort of character that unfortunately, I’m growing a bit bored of reading about. On the outside she seems like her life is perfect, the poor little rich girl. But she’s known tragedy, she’s known poverty, she’s known fear and she’s known uncertainty. She had to look after her mother, she’s had to grow up much faster than she should have and she’s always in control. Now she’s a successful businesswoman (although what her company does I really don’t know) but when she meets Gabriel he sees in her that she’d like to give up to some of that control to him, she fantasizes about being restrained, or helpless. It’s nothing really new anymore, it’s getting really tedious to read. Why can’t these strong, independent women exercise some of that strength in the bedroom? Demand control? There is a scene or two in this book where Honor does do that, she does exert control and will over Gabriel, forcing him to be the passive partner and they’re some of the better scenes in the book. I enjoyed them much more than the other intimate scenes, mostly because Honor seemed more alive in them.
The thing is, I’m not sure this book did enough in the end, to convince me how Honor and Gabriel fell in love. Their interactions are kind of irritating in the beginning, Gabriel spends a lot of time kind of needling her, or bossing her about and Honor seems to keep coming back for more. There are a few scenes where he confesses things to her and she shows her support, that she will always be there for him but ultimately, there wasn’t enough there for me to see it. Gabriel does treat her abominably at one stage but Honor seems to forgive him all very swiftly and things are fine again. The other thing is Gabriel has a burning need for something throughout most of the book and just as he’s about to find out what he (and therefore, the reader) wants to know, he decides he doesn’t really care anymore and walks away. Now I get that Honor showed him there was more to life than trying to extract his vengeance, etc but…. now I want to know the answer to the question Gabriel was asking and it’s gone no where! As this is a series and it looks like that story is going to continue through each volume, I may eventually get my answer but it was a big build up in this book for little pay off, which was quite a letdown.
The character that most interested me in this book was Eva and I’d like to read her book. I’m just not sure if I want to keep reading the books in between this one and hers. Next up is Honor’s brother Alex, another member of the Ninth Circle. This one was okay, not bad but also not something that really hooked me in. I’m not sure if these sorts of stories are for me, perhaps I prefer my heroes a little less in your face.
And he’s not above using Honor St James, the stepdaughter of the man he wants nothing more than to destroy. Honor is beautiful and innocent but she also has information, information that Gabriel wants. Nothing is off limits in how to get it but what Gabriel didn’t count on was how much he was going to want Honor. She has a lot to offer, more than anyone has ever been able to offer Gabriel before. More than he ever knew he wanted…. or deserved.
Honor St James had a lot of responsibility at a young age. And even now, she feels the pressure to keep everything together – to save her stepfather’s company and also her own investment. At first Honor resists Gabriel and the sheer force of his personality. But he stirs something inside of her that no man ever has before and the urge to just give up control to him is strong. She needs to convince Gabriel that there’s more to life than looking for vengeance, but once she tries to show him, he wants to drive her away. But she’ll go back to him, over and over again until she proves to him that there’s more between them than just the physical.
Mine To Take is the first in a new series from Jackie Ashenden that very loosely spins off from the Billionaire’s Club and by that I mean Gabriel Woolf appears in the final book of that series briefly, just enough to introduce him to readers. Gabriel was born into poverty, clawed his way out via becoming a messenger boy for a motorcycle club and then joined himself, working his way up the ladder into power. Then he left, extricating himself from the club and starting his own business. He’s now incredibly wealthy and a member of the Ninth Circle, aka the Fucked Up Billionaires. They look out for each other, loosely watching each other’s backs, pledging loyalty but distance. They hold semi-regular meetings to check in, discuss any issues. One of the members brings an issue to Gabriel’s attention and it’s the perfect ‘in’ for him to put in place his ultimate plan of vengeance.
Despite the fact that Gabriel is a fraction too Alpha for my tastes, I actually ended up liking him and I felt really sorry for him. The fact is, he’s the result of an assault on his mother and it seems that when he hits a certain age, he must begin reminding his mother of the person that committed the crime against her. A staunch Catholic, she feels shame and guilt, spending hours confessing, hours that Gabriel has to listen to as he sits outside the confessional, waiting. I feel as though that’s something no child should ever have to experience, have put on them. Gabriel has definitely had a rough childhood, he’s lacked a lot of things but specifically love and gentleness. He was indoctrinated into a club or gang at a young age, but despite a lack of strong, positive role models he has managed to come out of the dangerous lifestyle more or less intact. Gabriel has trouble forming connections with people though, something that’s clearly obvious when he begins interacting with Honor that he doesn’t understand what’s going on with them. He can’t understand what’s different about her, why he feels different, why she can make him lost control like that.
Honor is the sort of character that unfortunately, I’m growing a bit bored of reading about. On the outside she seems like her life is perfect, the poor little rich girl. But she’s known tragedy, she’s known poverty, she’s known fear and she’s known uncertainty. She had to look after her mother, she’s had to grow up much faster than she should have and she’s always in control. Now she’s a successful businesswoman (although what her company does I really don’t know) but when she meets Gabriel he sees in her that she’d like to give up to some of that control to him, she fantasizes about being restrained, or helpless. It’s nothing really new anymore, it’s getting really tedious to read. Why can’t these strong, independent women exercise some of that strength in the bedroom? Demand control? There is a scene or two in this book where Honor does do that, she does exert control and will over Gabriel, forcing him to be the passive partner and they’re some of the better scenes in the book. I enjoyed them much more than the other intimate scenes, mostly because Honor seemed more alive in them.
The thing is, I’m not sure this book did enough in the end, to convince me how Honor and Gabriel fell in love. Their interactions are kind of irritating in the beginning, Gabriel spends a lot of time kind of needling her, or bossing her about and Honor seems to keep coming back for more. There are a few scenes where he confesses things to her and she shows her support, that she will always be there for him but ultimately, there wasn’t enough there for me to see it. Gabriel does treat her abominably at one stage but Honor seems to forgive him all very swiftly and things are fine again. The other thing is Gabriel has a burning need for something throughout most of the book and just as he’s about to find out what he (and therefore, the reader) wants to know, he decides he doesn’t really care anymore and walks away. Now I get that Honor showed him there was more to life than trying to extract his vengeance, etc but…. now I want to know the answer to the question Gabriel was asking and it’s gone no where! As this is a series and it looks like that story is going to continue through each volume, I may eventually get my answer but it was a big build up in this book for little pay off, which was quite a letdown.
The character that most interested me in this book was Eva and I’d like to read her book. I’m just not sure if I want to keep reading the books in between this one and hers. Next up is Honor’s brother Alex, another member of the Ninth Circle. This one was okay, not bad but also not something that really hooked me in. I’m not sure if these sorts of stories are for me, perhaps I prefer my heroes a little less in your face.
November 29, 2014
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for an honest review at The Romance Evangelist.
MINE TO TAKE is the first in a new romantic suspense series by Jackie Ashenden, one of my favorite writers. It introduces us to the world of the Nine Circles club (aka the “bleeped-up billionaires club”) and tells the story of how its hero found the love of his life while trying to use her as an instrument of vengeance against those who had wronged his mother. Along the way we meet the other club members and discover the extent of the criminal enterprise they seek to expose, providing an ongoing plot that will presumably continue through the rest of the series.
Gabriel Woolf’s whole life has been defined by an event that occurred before he was born, and the hardships resulting from a single woman raising her son in an unforgiving world. After pulling his mother out of poverty by any means necessary, Gabriel is mostly on the straight and narrow with his successful construction firm, and has found a twisted camaraderie with the other members of the Nine Circles club. But he still seeks to destroy the man who ruined his mother’s life and when that man’s stepdaughter is thrown into his path, it doesn’t matter to Gabriel that she’s the sister of his childhood friend. All that matters to Gabriel is revenge.
Honor St. James is living the good life now, but she still remembers what it was like after her father’s suicide when the debt collectors took everything she and her mother owned. Now that her beloved stepfather needs help to save his company, Honor must keep that fate from happening a second time. Even if it means spending a week with Gabriel Woolf, a man who both fascinates and frightens her. But will it be worse to lose everything she’s worked for, or lose her heart to Gabriel instead?
Although there was a lot of world building going on in this initial Nine Circles book, for me the strength of MINE TO TAKE was in its intimate scenes between Gabriel and Honor. What I love best about Jackie Ashenden romances is her tortured alpha heroes and the whip-smart heroines who see beyond the defensiveness and aggression to the hurting soul within. And when this particular hero and heroine finally come together, the result is a romance between equals both in and out of the bedroom. Once they were fully a couple, I wasn’t as interested in the suspense elements as I was with their love story, though I did find the ending to be enough to make me want to find out what will happen in the next book. But for me, Gabriel and Honor are what made MINE TO TAKE a great romance, and a must-read for any fans of Jackie Ashenden.
MINE TO TAKE is the first in a new romantic suspense series by Jackie Ashenden, one of my favorite writers. It introduces us to the world of the Nine Circles club (aka the “bleeped-up billionaires club”) and tells the story of how its hero found the love of his life while trying to use her as an instrument of vengeance against those who had wronged his mother. Along the way we meet the other club members and discover the extent of the criminal enterprise they seek to expose, providing an ongoing plot that will presumably continue through the rest of the series.
Gabriel Woolf’s whole life has been defined by an event that occurred before he was born, and the hardships resulting from a single woman raising her son in an unforgiving world. After pulling his mother out of poverty by any means necessary, Gabriel is mostly on the straight and narrow with his successful construction firm, and has found a twisted camaraderie with the other members of the Nine Circles club. But he still seeks to destroy the man who ruined his mother’s life and when that man’s stepdaughter is thrown into his path, it doesn’t matter to Gabriel that she’s the sister of his childhood friend. All that matters to Gabriel is revenge.
Honor St. James is living the good life now, but she still remembers what it was like after her father’s suicide when the debt collectors took everything she and her mother owned. Now that her beloved stepfather needs help to save his company, Honor must keep that fate from happening a second time. Even if it means spending a week with Gabriel Woolf, a man who both fascinates and frightens her. But will it be worse to lose everything she’s worked for, or lose her heart to Gabriel instead?
Although there was a lot of world building going on in this initial Nine Circles book, for me the strength of MINE TO TAKE was in its intimate scenes between Gabriel and Honor. What I love best about Jackie Ashenden romances is her tortured alpha heroes and the whip-smart heroines who see beyond the defensiveness and aggression to the hurting soul within. And when this particular hero and heroine finally come together, the result is a romance between equals both in and out of the bedroom. Once they were fully a couple, I wasn’t as interested in the suspense elements as I was with their love story, though I did find the ending to be enough to make me want to find out what will happen in the next book. But for me, Gabriel and Honor are what made MINE TO TAKE a great romance, and a must-read for any fans of Jackie Ashenden.
March 31, 2015
This riveting first story in the Nine Circles series is the romance between Gabriel and Honor. Gabriel is the head of a successful construction company but has a dark past, growing up fatherless on the mean streets with a motorcycle club his only family for many years. When he has the chance to bring ruin to his father's hotel company, a man he is convinced did his mother wrong many years ago that resulted in his bastard birth, he'll stop at nothing for revenge, including using that man's step-daughter Honor as a means to an end. The fact that Honor is also the estranged sister of Alex, one of his best friends and co-member of the Nine Circles consortium, factors only marginally in his decisions. But when he finds himself not only sexually attracted to Honor but also experiencing pangs of conscience and other feelings towards her, will he able to continue with his ruthless plan?
As far as I'm concerned, Jackie has another hit on her hands with this tale of love and lust, greed and revenge. It's a taut and intense story right from the start, tension building as the story progresses, both sexual and suspenseful. Gabriel is a hard, street smart yet charismatic man. He knows what he likes in the bedroom and out and is upfront with Honor that he isn't a good guy. He wants her in his bed but doesn't want a relationship. Honor is the good girl here, but wanting a chance to be bad. She's always done what's expected of her and then some, including trying to save her stepfather's company by looking for an investor, even someone like Gabriel who pushes all her buttons. She can't help her attraction to him and she knows she is throwing caution to the winds in engaging in a steamy affair but for once, she just wants to do what feels good and damn the consequences. The sex scenes that eventually morph into love scenes as their feelings deepen are written superbly as always.
The secondary characters, other members of the Nine Circles group including Honor's brother Alex are of course key to the story as well, and are well described, such that the reader will look forward to the stories they will each have in the series. The suspenseful subplot as Gabriel searches for proof in order to bring down his father has a few twists and turns and the ending of the story, while clearly being an HEA for Gabriel and Honor doesn't tie up all the loose ends introduced so that some of the mysteries of this story will continue into the next. I am well hooked! 5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
As far as I'm concerned, Jackie has another hit on her hands with this tale of love and lust, greed and revenge. It's a taut and intense story right from the start, tension building as the story progresses, both sexual and suspenseful. Gabriel is a hard, street smart yet charismatic man. He knows what he likes in the bedroom and out and is upfront with Honor that he isn't a good guy. He wants her in his bed but doesn't want a relationship. Honor is the good girl here, but wanting a chance to be bad. She's always done what's expected of her and then some, including trying to save her stepfather's company by looking for an investor, even someone like Gabriel who pushes all her buttons. She can't help her attraction to him and she knows she is throwing caution to the winds in engaging in a steamy affair but for once, she just wants to do what feels good and damn the consequences. The sex scenes that eventually morph into love scenes as their feelings deepen are written superbly as always.
The secondary characters, other members of the Nine Circles group including Honor's brother Alex are of course key to the story as well, and are well described, such that the reader will look forward to the stories they will each have in the series. The suspenseful subplot as Gabriel searches for proof in order to bring down his father has a few twists and turns and the ending of the story, while clearly being an HEA for Gabriel and Honor doesn't tie up all the loose ends introduced so that some of the mysteries of this story will continue into the next. I am well hooked! 5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 26, 2015
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
One thing I love about Ashenden is that she gives you angst, then puts more angst on top of it, adds a little hot sex, then adds some WTF angst so you’re like “I don’t know how this is working, but it is, so take my money now, please.”
For example, the hero in Mine to Take is Gabriel Woolf, a construction magnate who also used to be known as Church, the president of the Avenging Angels biker gang in New York. Because he can’t just be a rich dude, nooooo, he has to be a rich dude who used to bust heads as a biker gang president to keep drugs and shit out of his old neighborhood. Somewhere Charlie Hunnam just sat up, and he doesn’t know why.
While I really enjoyed the first 90% of this book, I was a little disappointed at the end.
We don’t get full resolution, which I kind of expected because there’s a larger conflict/villain that carries into the other books in the series. Even with that little hiccup, I immensely enjoyed the start of this series and am looking forward to the rest of the books. If you like sexy biker gang president CEO heroes who are bossy in the bedroom–and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?–then consider picking up Mine to Take.
- Elyse
One thing I love about Ashenden is that she gives you angst, then puts more angst on top of it, adds a little hot sex, then adds some WTF angst so you’re like “I don’t know how this is working, but it is, so take my money now, please.”
For example, the hero in Mine to Take is Gabriel Woolf, a construction magnate who also used to be known as Church, the president of the Avenging Angels biker gang in New York. Because he can’t just be a rich dude, nooooo, he has to be a rich dude who used to bust heads as a biker gang president to keep drugs and shit out of his old neighborhood. Somewhere Charlie Hunnam just sat up, and he doesn’t know why.
While I really enjoyed the first 90% of this book, I was a little disappointed at the end.
We don’t get full resolution, which I kind of expected because there’s a larger conflict/villain that carries into the other books in the series. Even with that little hiccup, I immensely enjoyed the start of this series and am looking forward to the rest of the books. If you like sexy biker gang president CEO heroes who are bossy in the bedroom–and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?–then consider picking up Mine to Take.
- Elyse
October 15, 2014
Gabriel, is how do you say...he can be mean, "uh-huh." Leaning his head back against the red velvet of the booth, Gabriel shot her a look from beneath surprisingly long dark lashes. "Why don't you tell me about it, baby? In the interest of full disclosure." I think Honor brings out a side of him that makes him aggressive, "because I'm effing impatient." He said the word with a certain amount of relish, as if he wanted to shock her." But then she brings out a side of his animal, "Christ, she was lovely, she really was. And she had no idea that the way she sat there on the back of his bike, dressed in tight-fighting leather, made him hard." To me it seemed like Gabriel always had his guard up as if he was afraid to let Honor in, but he was always upfront and honest about his feelings with her (sometimes), "no. I wanted to go riding with you so I could have that effing hot little body of yours up against mine on the back of my bike." My favorite side of Gabriel was his protective nature toward Honor, this of course is after she broke down his defenses, "you know I didn't want you to come. This isn't the place for you." He bent his head, gave her a very public kiss, unable to resist the urge." I enjoyed this book immensely I loved Gabriel.
January 19, 2015
I loved this book. Gabriel is one hot Alpha Male who knows what he wants and will do and to get it. He has been rumored to have done lots of illegal things and was President of the Avenging Angels Motorcycle Club. All he knows for most of his life that he wants vengeance on the person who has hurt his mom. He has plan in place and everything was going his way until he met Honesty. She challenges him at every turn and keeps him on his toes. This book will keep you hooked and turning pages as quickly as possible. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride that wasn't going to end. I loved the chemistry between Gabriel and Honesty. She is one independent woman who can stand on her own two feet and doesn't need a man to tell her what to do. I am not familiar with this Author and accidentally ran across one of her books when I was looking for one of my favorite Authors books. Lucky me. I am now reading her books and quickly becoming a stalker to find out what other books she has out. I love finding new Authors and love the ones who can write a storyline that gets you hooked on the characters. You know you are in deep trouble when you are so into the books that you talk about them to your friends and family.
October 22, 2014
Gabriel is out for revenge, revenge for his mother, revenge against his father and not least of all, revenge for himself, for what he had to endure growing up.
Now he´s finally got an in, he knows his fathers name, and he sees an opening. Too bad it´s via his best friends little sister..
Honor is trying to save her step-dads business, it´s heading for disaster, she just need someone to invest. When Gabriel Woolf shows his interest she can´t believe their luck, but what she never expected was the way she´d react to him in person. Larger than life, Alpha and not taking no for an answer. She´s doomed, but she´ll sure enjoy the way there.
Contemporary romance, smutty fluff and secrets in a great combo. Can´t wait to see more from this group of friends.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Now he´s finally got an in, he knows his fathers name, and he sees an opening. Too bad it´s via his best friends little sister..
Honor is trying to save her step-dads business, it´s heading for disaster, she just need someone to invest. When Gabriel Woolf shows his interest she can´t believe their luck, but what she never expected was the way she´d react to him in person. Larger than life, Alpha and not taking no for an answer. She´s doomed, but she´ll sure enjoy the way there.
Contemporary romance, smutty fluff and secrets in a great combo. Can´t wait to see more from this group of friends.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
December 19, 2014
YESSSSSS.
I have learned to simply trust Jackie Ashenden. Never doubt that her stories will inch their way into your heart and then absolutely rip your heart out. Leaving you like this:
But then there's so much raw emotion and love in the writing that by the end of the book, you're whole again and swooning from the perfection.
Above all else, the chemistry and relationship between her heroes and heroines are the most important thing, and what I always look forward to. And I LOVED Honor and Gabriel together. Strong heroine like WHOA. Tortured alpha hero like DAMN. Perfect together. Yes. (Also incredibly hot. HOT. Did I mention hot?)
Wonderfully done, Jackie. As always.
I have learned to simply trust Jackie Ashenden. Never doubt that her stories will inch their way into your heart and then absolutely rip your heart out. Leaving you like this:
But then there's so much raw emotion and love in the writing that by the end of the book, you're whole again and swooning from the perfection.
Above all else, the chemistry and relationship between her heroes and heroines are the most important thing, and what I always look forward to. And I LOVED Honor and Gabriel together. Strong heroine like WHOA. Tortured alpha hero like DAMN. Perfect together. Yes. (Also incredibly hot. HOT. Did I mention hot?)
Wonderfully done, Jackie. As always.
December 18, 2014
It took a while for the story to get going. I hate to say this but there was nothing really in the story that I found memorable. I got tired of the ‘I want you/I don’t you/I want you’. I usually love that drama and I love books about characters seeking revenge, but I also found myself skimming. The story was there, the characters were there, but I think the execution and trying to put everything together did not work for me. The characters were just there, the story was just there. A lot of information was thrown in here and there as an afterthought to make it interesting, but again it did not work for me. This is one story that I think would have worked it there was an outline of how things were supposed to be introduced would have been laid out.
Copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2014
I took a chance by paying the crazy price of $7.59 for this book and it totally wasn't worth it!!
This book just screams, "I need more dialogue". So much time is spent in the characters minds , the book became boring!!!!!!!!
Gabe and Honor have zero personality. I wasn't able to bond with these characters at all. I can't even picture what Gabe looks like.
Spoilers ahead!!!!!!!!
SPOILERS
The investigator part was a huge let down. And he never lied to her until the very end?? That didn't make sense at all. Then to leave the story open ended??? I'm assuming you would have to read the next book to get any resolutions. Not fair.
This story just didn't work for me. It had a ton of potential but failed in delivery.
I'm more interested in Alex, Eva and Zach.
This book just screams, "I need more dialogue". So much time is spent in the characters minds , the book became boring!!!!!!!!
Gabe and Honor have zero personality. I wasn't able to bond with these characters at all. I can't even picture what Gabe looks like.
Spoilers ahead!!!!!!!!
SPOILERS
The investigator part was a huge let down. And he never lied to her until the very end?? That didn't make sense at all. Then to leave the story open ended??? I'm assuming you would have to read the next book to get any resolutions. Not fair.
This story just didn't work for me. It had a ton of potential but failed in delivery.
I'm more interested in Alex, Eva and Zach.
November 20, 2014
~*~My Thoughts~*~
A five star rating
Okay I am just on a winning streak with books lately. Obviously I can add this book to the list. Gabriel is my favorite type of character a broken alpha male who doesn't take crap. I adored him from the first page on. Honor was an amazing female character and I loved how she didn't stop fighting she was an extremely strong female lead. This story was definitely a roller coaster of hot sex, suspense, and romance all beautifully written. This story line is definitely amazing and the characters were so well developed that it's jaw dropping. I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of this series. I am beyond excited for Alex's book!
Received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
A five star rating
Okay I am just on a winning streak with books lately. Obviously I can add this book to the list. Gabriel is my favorite type of character a broken alpha male who doesn't take crap. I adored him from the first page on. Honor was an amazing female character and I loved how she didn't stop fighting she was an extremely strong female lead. This story was definitely a roller coaster of hot sex, suspense, and romance all beautifully written. This story line is definitely amazing and the characters were so well developed that it's jaw dropping. I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of this series. I am beyond excited for Alex's book!
Received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
February 23, 2015
Ladies!! Here is a novel for you to read. If you love strong powerful men who fight hard and love hard, start with Mine To Take. Gabriel Woolf is that type of man. Seeking revenge for Sins from the past, Gabriel will do what ever he has to do including using Honor St. James as a part of his plan for revenge. This is a dark romance filled with pain and shame. You will meet Alex Zac and Eva part of The Nine Circle Club. This book will grab you from page one and, will have you wondering will Gabriel get the revenge he has been planing all these years, or will he find something more meaningful and powerful then revenge. Ladies get this novel and start the wild ride of the Nine Circle Club. I will be reading: Mine To Keep ( Alex's) story. Book #2. In this fabulous story.
June 5, 2015
**My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
A brilliant start to this new series from the author.
The book packs a punch with damaged characters, characters that are much stronger than they think they are, strong friendships and blossoming relationships that come from lust to full out love.
This is certainly a series in which I will greatly anticipate the coming of the next book in the series.
A brilliant start to this new series from the author.
The book packs a punch with damaged characters, characters that are much stronger than they think they are, strong friendships and blossoming relationships that come from lust to full out love.
This is certainly a series in which I will greatly anticipate the coming of the next book in the series.
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