Donovan Blake: Adrenalin

Secret Lives: Billionaires #1

by Maggie Carpenter

  Increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism.
 
Bad boy billionaire Donovan Blake makes a mistake.
Then he makes a deal.

Work for a secret branch of the FBI specializing in high-stakes crime, and he keeps his fortune and his freedom.
But a Mafia Kingpin decides Donovan must go. Late one night in a raging storm he's brutally attacked—only to be rescued by a sexy young woman.

Affluent and fearless, Phoebe Beaumont craves excitement.

When she stumbles across a man in a dark alley being violently mugged she throws caution to the wind and risks her life to save him. But as soon as they're out of harm's way she's told she must go into hiding.

She has no objection. The thought of being alone with the muscled, mysterious stranger is utterly intoxicating.

Their attraction sizzles, and he introduces her to his decadent dungeon. But as his feelings for her grow he becomes determined to keep her away from the dangerous operation—until she shares her secret talent.

The stubborn, seductive young woman could make the difference between success and failure.
But if she's involved, how will he control her impulsive nature and keep her from harm?

( This book is intended for a mature audience and contains descriptive, sensuous scenes).

Genres: Romance

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2024

About the author

Award-winning and best-selling author Maggie Carpenter has published over fifty romance novels, and is the recipient of a number Spanking Romance Reviews awards spanning a variety of genres. Her readers describe her work as, romantic, funny, suspenseful, beyond a five-star read, exciting romance with a ton of surprises.

Her work includes a best-selling twelve-book contemporary cowboy series, Cowboys After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2ihCNtp), a warrior fantasy trilogy, Warriors After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2iE0cDa) contemporary love stories, and several Victorian romances. His Willful Bride was a #1 best-seller for several weeks and a BookBub Feature Deal. She is best known for her smart, witty, strong-willed women who bring unexpected challenge, mystery and humor into the lives of passionate, dominant men.

Maggie has a history in show-business both in front of and behind the camera, but moved from Los Angeles to live in the Pacific Northwest to pursue her writing. She is an equine enthusiast who rides every day, and writes until the wee hours of the morning when her eyes close only because they must.

This author loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website: www.MaggieCarpenter.com. To sample her work for free, go to, www.3FreeBooks.com.

Reviews

[Dora Koutsoukou]

Part 1

A suspenseful romance read.
I liked the suspense but not the bdsm aspect.

Dnf @ 26%

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful read, great characters and a strong and sound storyline that you will enjoy reading immensely
On the night that Phoebe had finished at the hospital in the emergency ward she had come across two men that had a man tied up and was beating him up terribly. Without a doubt he was certain that he was about to die and if it had not been for the young woman intervening and frightening them away, they would have killed him.
She had taken him to her home to care for her and then would have to leave her home as quickly as possible as they had been followed and Donovan had known that their lives were in danger. Then she had been taken to his home in the middle of the forrest and had agreed that they would enjoy each other company without actually realising how well suited they actually were.
Then she had found herself to be of further use whilst she helped Donovan as he went to work trying to prove that a certain Mafia Man had not only tried to kill him but was also responsible for stolen jewels.
I guarantee that you will enjoy reading this wonderful written book which is captivating and has you guessing right to the very last page.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all their wonderful writing.

[Arin Baur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of action packed crime themes from the beginning I got sucked in and wanted more the characters are something else too. The main girl character reminds a little bit of myself always asking questions wanting to everything that’s going on/ testing limits just so see what will happen! I hope to have some qualities that this hot guy character has in my future husband one day. I really like that Donovan uplift and encourage this independent strong willed sassy woman to be comfortable with her inner desires. This book kinda reminds me a little bit of the tv show Chuck it has funny moments, heartfelt moments, lots of different jobs, secrets, intense chemistry between the two main characters among so much more to enjoy and get lost into the story! I’m very happy with this book it’s easy to read quick chapters, fast paced and definitely page turner, playful unpredictable moments. I’m very excited to see what comes next as this new series continues its adventures written all over it:)

[Pico1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific story with wonderful lead characters. You can’t help liking Phoebe and Donovan – who are smart, attractive, energetic and driven. Phoebe describes herself as an “adrenalin junkie” who has been working as a trauma nurse and loves chances for some excitement. Donovan is a wealthy man doing undercover work for the FBI – and the book starts with Phoebe saving Donovan’s life. From there they develop a relationship – and as they become more involved with each other, he has to go on another job and agrees to take her with him. She is a brilliant woman and proves to be an enormous help in assisting Donovan with the job he had to do. There is a lot of violence as the problems they are working on get resolved – and a lot of opportunities for the two of them to enjoy the physical side of their relationship. The book ends with the two of them in love and ready to go together on another job – which will be the subject of the next book in the series.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donovan's crappy night gets a silver lining as Phoebe stumbles into it. Her being at the right place at the right time seems almost too perfect. The way these two fit together seems like fate had a hand in it.

The continuation of danger has them hiding out together. I was a little surprised how quick Donovan is to spank Phoebe for acting up. Barely any relationship there, but definitely the sparks of one.

I liked both of these characters. They are quirky and complement each other nicely. Could not believe how the bad guys twist the story around at the end. Kept me guessing. Story was a quick read that had me not wanting to put it down.

I was overjoyed to see this is book 1 of the series. Looking forward to seeing what is to come for these two in book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic start to new series

Donovan Blake: Adrenalin is the first book in what promises to be a great new series, SECRET LIVES: BILLIONAIRES. The story introduces the reader to Phoebe, an emergency ward nurse, and Donovan, a billionaire who does undercover work for the FBI. They meet one night meet one night after she in on her way home from work and comes across two men beating a man who is tied up. She intervenes, scaring off the two men, and takes the tied up man home and cares for him. So the thrill ride starts from the beginning and it just keeps on going with these two. They end up in a relationship, both in and out of the bedroom, and it looks like each book in the series will be following them as they solve crimes, with maybe an overarching story-line, just not sure about that one yet.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I couldn't put it down, and I'm excited this will be a series. Miss Carpenter has never disappointed me and turns out bestsellers time after time. Donovan and Phoebe kept me on the edge of my seat, and as always, their ending was a happy one, but perhaps ecstatic is a better word. And I love the cover! Those eyes, those lips, that face, those fingers….

Phoebe, being a lot like me, was smart enough, but impulsive and a risk taker. We both need a little reining in, and Donovan is just the man who can handle that job. Oh, if only Donovan was real and in my life. I LOVED THIS BOOk and can’t wait for the next! ♥️♥️♥️

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adrenalin rush when Phoebe Beaumont saves Blake Donovan's life setting off a chain reaction in New York's under world. She goes on the run with him, and she ends up being his partner to bring the mob down. She had such remarkable abilities that she always seemed to be one step ahead of Blake. They were evenly matched socially and economically making the perfect couple with their chemistry never in doubt. They made perfect partners being in harmony, and she was able to keep her cool under stress. Greatly, enjoyed action motivated read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Donovan Blake' is Maggie Carpenter's latest release and it presents a new scenario that I haven't seen before in Ms. Carpenter's work. The characters in the story are strong and captivating, and the plot is filled with danger, drama, and angst, while their attraction to each other is full of combustible chemistry. There's also some humor in the fact that our heroine is so strong-willed that it tends to frustrate our hero to the point where he uses a bit of domestic discipline. Overall, it was an engaging read that left me wanting to know what happens next.

[Diana Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not how it was supposed to be! Donovan was supposed to protect Phoebe after she saved his life, not to allow her to put her life in danger working with him. In the end, their strengths really complemented each other and they formed a great team. This had lots of little twists and turns with different mafia characters and was pretty funny how it all ended up. I look forward to Donovan and Phoebe's next adventure.

[Leslie Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Maggie Carpenter! This book had my emotions going all over the place! Must read.

Donovan and Phoebe made such a spectacular couple. Lots of adrenaline rushing, good guys meet bad guys, and a Dom with the promise of BDSM on their down time. Looking forward to reading book 2 of this series. Lots of explosive adventure in this story. You will stay on the edge of your seat!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Carpenter knows how to bring the SIZZLE!!!

I'm always prepared with a fan in hand, because, I know I'm going to need it!

Donovan Blake was not an exception!

Phoebe to the rescue?

Plenty of action and suspense!

I loved every word, every chapter! It was a wonderful Saturday read!

[Mandy Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read filled with twists and turns, the dark shadowy world of espionage and the decadence of the Bdsm world, full of interesting characters that will suck you in and fascinate you, I truely enjoyed every page of this book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ritu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the element of danger, and excitement throughout this book. The dynamic between Phoebe, and Donovan is delicious to read.

I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.