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The Devil's Playground
Professional burlesque dancer Francesca "Frankie" Strong has learned the hard way: on San Francisco's cutthroat party circuit, crime has a way of going unnoticed. When her best friend is brutally attacked, she's determined not to let the case fall through the cracks, even if that means crawling through every alley and back room in San Francisco to find the truth. Undercover cop Johnny Marsden is in desperate need of a win. His career on the rocks, he's infiltrated the infamous nightclub Cafe Outre, rumored front for San Francisco's Chinatown mafia. Johnny has never seen anything like the glitter-and-sin-encrusted world he's now a part of. He's certainly never met anyone like Frankie Strong. Realizing they'll get farther together than on their own, Frankie and Johnny forge an uneasy partnership. Neither expects the heat that flares between them. Neither is ready for what it could mean. Together, they run down a trail that leads directly to Chinatown, and a faceless terror its residents refuse to name. Frankie's only interest is in protecting her friend, and she's willing to make a deal with the devil to do it. But Johnny suspects the attack was part of something larger, something darker... and he's right.
194 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2013
13 people want to read
About the author
Laura Oliva
7 books69 followers**CURRENTLY WRITING AS L.J.K. OLIVA**
L.J.K Oliva writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, with a heavy dash of suspense. She likes her whiskey strong, her chocolate dark, and her steak bloody. L.J.K. likes monsters... and knows the darkest ones don't live in closets.
L.J.K Oliva writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, with a heavy dash of suspense. She likes her whiskey strong, her chocolate dark, and her steak bloody. L.J.K. likes monsters... and knows the darkest ones don't live in closets.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 10, 2016
I wasn’t 100% certain where this story would lead when I started the book, but I was instantly drawn in with questions about the characters, their backgrounds and just why they were all there at Cafe Outré.
Frankie is a burlesque dancer: her act has her dressing in drag as a man, while she performs a strip-tease that is more style than just strip. Her best friend, Cookie, is a drag queen and the one person that she can trust. A difficult task for Frankie, we get bits of her backstory: abused, defeated and above all a survivor, her hard shell is protective and while she tries to remain icy and distant, there is a vulnerability hiding in there.
Johnny is a knife thrower, a new addition to the playbill, but his reasons for joining the cast is not just to throw knives. He has been recruited to be a second to an undercover operation with his former employer, the police department. Again, we have a character with a deeply troubled history, and an insatiable curiosity where Frankie is concerned. Their connection is electric, and she just might have the experience, the connections and the know-how to be an integral asset to the police investigation. But, she’s not cooperating.
Their chemistry is electric: and while both are running from the vibes between them, there is no doubt that Frankie needs the protection that Johnny provides: even when she won’t allow herself to admit it. But the case is far more involved than either could have imagined: danger lurks around every corner and Cookie may not be the only casualty.
Laura Olivia has done a great job in this introduction to the series, providing characters that are intriguing and dropping clues and bits of their history that keep the reader involved and engaged in the story as it developed. The connection between the characters is well-developed and even the moments of distance are well defined with their own histories and pasts. I really enjoyed the story to this point, and am curious to see the development as the mystery is unraveled, and see just how far along Frankie and Johnny can go with their relationship.
I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Frankie is a burlesque dancer: her act has her dressing in drag as a man, while she performs a strip-tease that is more style than just strip. Her best friend, Cookie, is a drag queen and the one person that she can trust. A difficult task for Frankie, we get bits of her backstory: abused, defeated and above all a survivor, her hard shell is protective and while she tries to remain icy and distant, there is a vulnerability hiding in there.
Johnny is a knife thrower, a new addition to the playbill, but his reasons for joining the cast is not just to throw knives. He has been recruited to be a second to an undercover operation with his former employer, the police department. Again, we have a character with a deeply troubled history, and an insatiable curiosity where Frankie is concerned. Their connection is electric, and she just might have the experience, the connections and the know-how to be an integral asset to the police investigation. But, she’s not cooperating.
Their chemistry is electric: and while both are running from the vibes between them, there is no doubt that Frankie needs the protection that Johnny provides: even when she won’t allow herself to admit it. But the case is far more involved than either could have imagined: danger lurks around every corner and Cookie may not be the only casualty.
Laura Olivia has done a great job in this introduction to the series, providing characters that are intriguing and dropping clues and bits of their history that keep the reader involved and engaged in the story as it developed. The connection between the characters is well-developed and even the moments of distance are well defined with their own histories and pasts. I really enjoyed the story to this point, and am curious to see the development as the mystery is unraveled, and see just how far along Frankie and Johnny can go with their relationship.
I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
March 5, 2014
“The Devil’s Playground” is quite a dark read. It could be called a romance novel except that it plays more by the rules of suspense than romance. What Olivia is giving us is a good start to a series that promises to appeal to readers who prefer the darker side and protagonists who have been through the fire and have no real promise of ever living outside of it. “
Frankie starts the novel as something of a victim of her past. She is harassed by Bianca and seems almost helpless to really put an end to the fixation because she’s not completely sure how she feels about the attention and there’s something comforting about it continuing. When Cookie is attacked Frankie snaps in to something of a take charge character in a way that feels wholly organic. She’s still somewhat weak when it comes to Bianca but she’s focused on doing whatever she has to do to keep her friends safe. The character she becomes is a character that readers knew she could be from the moment we met her. Oliva makes bold choices that may not appeal to all readers but those choices add a unique voice to her story that this reader really enjoyed. Things are not as simple for Frankie as they may be for most characters in her genre.
What readers may not like is that this is a story on Viagra. I cannot recount how many sexualized elements there are and the kicker is that they’re not sexualized in an unrealistic way. Frankie is on a path of escaping her past and going forward on her own terms. Johnny’s journey is somewhat less pronounced. We know he’s tortured but for readers of this genre while he’s well developed as a character he’s perhaps more the foil. The eye candy who rides in when needed and when we know that Frankie needs him even if she finds him somewhat inconvenient.
All things considered, I really liked “The Devil’s Playground.” These are fascinating characters in a dark world that readers seldom experience. I am very interested to see where Oliva goes with the rest of the series.
Frankie starts the novel as something of a victim of her past. She is harassed by Bianca and seems almost helpless to really put an end to the fixation because she’s not completely sure how she feels about the attention and there’s something comforting about it continuing. When Cookie is attacked Frankie snaps in to something of a take charge character in a way that feels wholly organic. She’s still somewhat weak when it comes to Bianca but she’s focused on doing whatever she has to do to keep her friends safe. The character she becomes is a character that readers knew she could be from the moment we met her. Oliva makes bold choices that may not appeal to all readers but those choices add a unique voice to her story that this reader really enjoyed. Things are not as simple for Frankie as they may be for most characters in her genre.
What readers may not like is that this is a story on Viagra. I cannot recount how many sexualized elements there are and the kicker is that they’re not sexualized in an unrealistic way. Frankie is on a path of escaping her past and going forward on her own terms. Johnny’s journey is somewhat less pronounced. We know he’s tortured but for readers of this genre while he’s well developed as a character he’s perhaps more the foil. The eye candy who rides in when needed and when we know that Frankie needs him even if she finds him somewhat inconvenient.
All things considered, I really liked “The Devil’s Playground.” These are fascinating characters in a dark world that readers seldom experience. I am very interested to see where Oliva goes with the rest of the series.
March 15, 2014
I have to say that this book kind of hit my funny bone a bit. It felt a little like Janet Evanovich mixed with something a little more erotic...that I can't put my finger on. This isn't a bad thing at all. What we have here is an amateur sleuth in the way of Frankie Strong and a down on his luck detective. The storyline caught my interest in a way that I hadn't expected, but it really picked up about half way through. The only gripe I have is with one scene that I could barely suspend my disbelief with, though the reader in me thinks that there was a reason for the out of character (for the villain) move. I'm hoping that I will see it addressed in the next book as it is a series. Ms. Oliva does a wonderful job spinning her characters and their backgrounds and give us just enough to be hooked. I can't wait to find out more about Frankie's past an who this 'her' is that Johnny keeps referring to.
As for the sex in this it's hot, but, even though there is a lot of sexual tension there is no actual sex between the two main characters. It read more as a suspense, or mystery, vs a romance because of that. I understand not wanting to give characters a HEA in the first book, but I do feel like I was cheated with that. Do I think I'll read the next book in the series? The answer is simple, yes! Ms. Oliva takes us to the heart of San Fran and her writing is fantastic when it comes to giving those ground details that are a most for readers. You can see the club in your head, the city, The Pass, and many other places the characters take you on. If you like some amateur sleuthing, a bit of suspense, some hot sex this book is for you!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(review originally posted on The Self Publishing Experiment on Feb, 7th, 2014)
As for the sex in this it's hot, but, even though there is a lot of sexual tension there is no actual sex between the two main characters. It read more as a suspense, or mystery, vs a romance because of that. I understand not wanting to give characters a HEA in the first book, but I do feel like I was cheated with that. Do I think I'll read the next book in the series? The answer is simple, yes! Ms. Oliva takes us to the heart of San Fran and her writing is fantastic when it comes to giving those ground details that are a most for readers. You can see the club in your head, the city, The Pass, and many other places the characters take you on. If you like some amateur sleuthing, a bit of suspense, some hot sex this book is for you!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(review originally posted on The Self Publishing Experiment on Feb, 7th, 2014)
February 28, 2014
I'm not going to lie. I read the synopsis and thought it sounded like a good book, but I usually don't steer myself towards detective type novels, but this one through me for a loop! It literally sucked me into it's world and wouldn't let me go!
Francesca "Frankie" Strong is a burlesque dancer, but that wasn't always what she was. She started at the bottom and from there bottom there is only one way up. Her best friend, Cookie, gets brutally attacked and she tries to save him. In the process she is hurt as well and could have quite possibly ended up dead, but the new act at Cafe Outre swoops in and saved her!
Johnny is undercover as "The Blade" and plans to make a big comeback with his career with this case, until he gets distracted by Frankie Strong. He sees her at Cafe Outre and it seems like electricity flies between them, but Frankie is stand offish and gruff with him. He watches her show that night and is mesmerized by her! Later on after meeting her is when he swoops in to save her.
Her friend Cookie ends up in the hospital and Frankie and Johnny are left to pick up the pieces and put them together. What has Cookie gotten himself into? All the signs point to some bad stuff and they plan on finding out and trying to help.
Along the way their attraction for each other grows and neither one are sure whether they should take the next step or not. Johnny thinks about her all day and Frankie can't seem to get him out of her head either.
If you love romance mixed with suspense, then this book is for you! This was an easy read and I ate it up! It'll be interesting to find out what happens in the next book. WoOt!
Francesca "Frankie" Strong is a burlesque dancer, but that wasn't always what she was. She started at the bottom and from there bottom there is only one way up. Her best friend, Cookie, gets brutally attacked and she tries to save him. In the process she is hurt as well and could have quite possibly ended up dead, but the new act at Cafe Outre swoops in and saved her!
Johnny is undercover as "The Blade" and plans to make a big comeback with his career with this case, until he gets distracted by Frankie Strong. He sees her at Cafe Outre and it seems like electricity flies between them, but Frankie is stand offish and gruff with him. He watches her show that night and is mesmerized by her! Later on after meeting her is when he swoops in to save her.
Her friend Cookie ends up in the hospital and Frankie and Johnny are left to pick up the pieces and put them together. What has Cookie gotten himself into? All the signs point to some bad stuff and they plan on finding out and trying to help.
Along the way their attraction for each other grows and neither one are sure whether they should take the next step or not. Johnny thinks about her all day and Frankie can't seem to get him out of her head either.
If you love romance mixed with suspense, then this book is for you! This was an easy read and I ate it up! It'll be interesting to find out what happens in the next book. WoOt!
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January 6, 2014Devil's Playground takes you there
I didn't give the book a 5 ONLY because it wasn't in my favorite rural setting with a cowboy in it. However, Johnny was a hunk in my book with all the right moves and equipment. The details in the setting takes you right to the streets of San Francisco. It makes you feel as though you are running the streets and clubs with the characters. Great job Laura! I look forward to the next one!!
I didn't give the book a 5 ONLY because it wasn't in my favorite rural setting with a cowboy in it. However, Johnny was a hunk in my book with all the right moves and equipment. The details in the setting takes you right to the streets of San Francisco. It makes you feel as though you are running the streets and clubs with the characters. Great job Laura! I look forward to the next one!!
January 12, 2014
Fun story, pretty steamy and keeps your interest peaked! The tangled web is fun to keep up with and I am looking forward to the next book! I've got to know what happens between Marsden and Frankie!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews