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Billionaire's Club: New Orleans #1
Knock Out: A Billionaire's Club Story
Sebastian Delacroix knows how to handle pain. Known as the Bourbon Street Brawler, he has fought his way from tough kid in a rough neighborhood to high-profile billionaire, made rich by his heavyweight championships and notorious personality. He’s landed plenty of punches in the ring over the years, but when he met Renata Giordano, it was a TKO. He left her behind, but it was too late. He couldn’t forget her and knew that the next time he got his hands on her, he wasn’t going to let her go.
Renata is the perfect blend of sexy and tough and has one more shot at the women’s welterweight championship. The only problem is that Sebastian, the man who broke her heart years ago, is her new trainer. With so much at stake, Renata knows she must put her feelings aside for this sexy fighter if she’s to be a champion again. But the close quarters at the gym are too much for Renata and Sebastian, and it’s only a matter of time before her desire to win and her desire for Sebastian become one… in Knock Out by Mallery Malone.
Renata is the perfect blend of sexy and tough and has one more shot at the women’s welterweight championship. The only problem is that Sebastian, the man who broke her heart years ago, is her new trainer. With so much at stake, Renata knows she must put her feelings aside for this sexy fighter if she’s to be a champion again. But the close quarters at the gym are too much for Renata and Sebastian, and it’s only a matter of time before her desire to win and her desire for Sebastian become one… in Knock Out by Mallery Malone.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Mallery Malone
10 books63 followersMallery Malone is the author of contemporary and historical romance of all heat levels. An avid reader, she loves to discover new worlds and characters that strike a deep emotional connection.
Mallery lives on the outskirts of Atlanta with her guitar hero husband, several cannibal fish, and two standard poodles who think they are lapdogs. When not working the day job, she spends her time hanging out with friends, people watching, and working on her next writing project.
Her current work is the upcoming Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans. The Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans novellas, by Mallery Malone, are steamy contemporary romance stories centered around the Billionaire’s Club: The wealthiest, most powerful men in New Orleans. They are used to having whatever they want, whenever they want it.
Mallery lives on the outskirts of Atlanta with her guitar hero husband, several cannibal fish, and two standard poodles who think they are lapdogs. When not working the day job, she spends her time hanging out with friends, people watching, and working on her next writing project.
Her current work is the upcoming Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans. The Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans novellas, by Mallery Malone, are steamy contemporary romance stories centered around the Billionaire’s Club: The wealthiest, most powerful men in New Orleans. They are used to having whatever they want, whenever they want it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 22, 2014
4 Stars!!
Dirty-talking Alpha Male -
Second Chance Romance -
No Stupid Drama -
Nice and Steamy -
Perfect in between book, when you're looking for something quick, light and entertaining! Will definitely read the other books in the series!
Dirty-talking Alpha Male -
“I want you, Renata. I want you under me in my bed, above me on this weight bench, beside me in the sauna. I want to know if you still taste as sweet as I remember, if you still whimper when I fill you, or if you’ll pull my hair like you used to do when I buried my face between those thighs. I want you every way I can have you."
Second Chance Romance -
"I love you. I love you with every broken, flawed piece of me. Love you so much it hurts, but it’s the best kind of hurt there is.”
No Stupid Drama -
Nice and Steamy -
Perfect in between book, when you're looking for something quick, light and entertaining! Will definitely read the other books in the series!
August 15, 2014
3 stars
Bas has finally come home to New Orleans; with his two other partners he is relocating their company back to their home town and as their business excuse to hide behind he can now finally pursue his personal goal, Renata Giordano, a.k.a. the one that got away.
Renata can't believe how fast her life tumbled down, as she prepares for the fight of her life, she is left without a manager, a trainer or any one to support her. Having to go back to where her dreams all first started; she never prepared herself to come face to face with Bas... "In boxing he was known as the Bourbon Street Brawler. But women had another nickname for him—the Bourbon Street Bad Boy." She has no choice but to accept his help, if she wants a chance at winning.
Bas vows to finally do right by her, giving her everything she needed and more and is ready to show her that everything he has done and accomplished was with her in mind. Hoping that she can forgive him for leaving her all those years ago; but his girl is a fighter and he has a feeling there is going to be a whole lot of ass kicking before they can finally move on. Renata believes she just needs closure, and what better way than to fuck it out, but after the fight, can she really just walk away ???
Knock Out was an erotic second chance romance, a tale of doing what it takes to reclaim the one that got away. Told from both POV, it was a quick sexy read, that had so much potential, it only touched on the main points of the story and skipped over everything else, all the in-betweens were missing, and because of that I couldn't connect too much with the story. It was still a good read, but wasn't too great for me.
You’re my peace, my center, my proof that there’s a heaven.
Bas has finally come home to New Orleans; with his two other partners he is relocating their company back to their home town and as their business excuse to hide behind he can now finally pursue his personal goal, Renata Giordano, a.k.a. the one that got away.
The cause: the biggest fight of his life.
The goal: total victory.
The prize: the only woman he’d ever loved.
Renata can't believe how fast her life tumbled down, as she prepares for the fight of her life, she is left without a manager, a trainer or any one to support her. Having to go back to where her dreams all first started; she never prepared herself to come face to face with Bas... "In boxing he was known as the Bourbon Street Brawler. But women had another nickname for him—the Bourbon Street Bad Boy." She has no choice but to accept his help, if she wants a chance at winning.
Bas vows to finally do right by her, giving her everything she needed and more and is ready to show her that everything he has done and accomplished was with her in mind. Hoping that she can forgive him for leaving her all those years ago; but his girl is a fighter and he has a feeling there is going to be a whole lot of ass kicking before they can finally move on. Renata believes she just needs closure, and what better way than to fuck it out, but after the fight, can she really just walk away ???
“Damn you for making me want you again. For making me want you still.”
Knock Out was an erotic second chance romance, a tale of doing what it takes to reclaim the one that got away. Told from both POV, it was a quick sexy read, that had so much potential, it only touched on the main points of the story and skipped over everything else, all the in-betweens were missing, and because of that I couldn't connect too much with the story. It was still a good read, but wasn't too great for me.
September 20, 2014
Sebastian Delacroix. World champion boxer, billionaire, bad boy, lover. The man who had taken her heart and pummeled it to a pulp.
If you are looking for a quick, hot read, then look no further. Second chance romance. It was an enjoyable read. Sexy, alpha, male – self-made millionaire. I know we kind of have had enough of them!
December 1, 2021
Hot! Hot! Hot! That is about all I can say about this book. I LOVED how Sebastian had once let Renata go, decided that was the wrong thing to do, and then went in pursuit of what he wanted - her back in his life. A great romance where both characters were strong, misunderstandings were immediately worked out, and love conquered all.
January 15, 2020
A boxer in love with a boxer, who also happens to be a sexy billionaire, what more could a girl want!
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and put a slightly different spin on the other books about fighters out there, and the best bit, Sebastian has two equally delightful business partners waiting to tell their story.
Sebastian has returned to New Orleans with one objective, to win back the love of his life, Renata.
Renata has three months to prepare for her next title fight but after splitting up with her fiance, who was also her trainer she had only one option, to return to New Orleans and, unbeknownst to her, Sebastian Delacroix her ex and the man who broke her heart five years before.
Bas, also a title winning boxer, has now retired and has turned his skills into developing a sports equipment business with his fellow "Lost Boys".
Bas knows he only has three months to convince Renata of his feelings for her because this time, he's not prepared to let her go without winning the greatest fight of his life.
Copy provided for review by Netgalley.
Reviewed on behalf of Jezabell Girl & Friends...
http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and put a slightly different spin on the other books about fighters out there, and the best bit, Sebastian has two equally delightful business partners waiting to tell their story.
Sebastian has returned to New Orleans with one objective, to win back the love of his life, Renata.
Renata has three months to prepare for her next title fight but after splitting up with her fiance, who was also her trainer she had only one option, to return to New Orleans and, unbeknownst to her, Sebastian Delacroix her ex and the man who broke her heart five years before.
Bas, also a title winning boxer, has now retired and has turned his skills into developing a sports equipment business with his fellow "Lost Boys".
Bas knows he only has three months to convince Renata of his feelings for her because this time, he's not prepared to let her go without winning the greatest fight of his life.
Copy provided for review by Netgalley.
Reviewed on behalf of Jezabell Girl & Friends...
http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
September 6, 2014
My first thought when I saw the description of this book: female fighter - very cool! Renata and Bas (Sebastian) have a back story that involves them separating as both of them become renown fighters. But Bas is back in New Orleans to open up the headquarters of the company he started with two of his fighter friends, and he has Renata on his mind. For a novella, Mallery Malone jam packed the story with interesting scenes of Renata training for her big fight coming up in Las Vegas, the two meeting up again and the intensity of their feelings for each other, and the passionate sex that goes along with Bas taking over Renata's training.
Knock Out is the first in a series of three novellas set in New Orleans, and this book sets up the other two stories. Since all three books are out now, I definitely recommend reading them one after another, as I did. The relationships between the couples in each book play well against the friendships the three men have.
Thanks for reading!
Knock Out is the first in a series of three novellas set in New Orleans, and this book sets up the other two stories. Since all three books are out now, I definitely recommend reading them one after another, as I did. The relationships between the couples in each book play well against the friendships the three men have.
Thanks for reading!
September 20, 2014
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Really good surprise! Short read but very effective. ;)
Really good surprise! Short read but very effective. ;)
September 15, 2018
Love it!
September 2, 2018
En realidad 2,5.
Renata ha vuelto a su ciudad natal con lo puesto. Su ex prometido y manager la ha dejado sin nada y ella está a 2 meses de pelear por el cinturón en una pelea de boxeo contra la campeona. Necesita representante y entrenador así que acude a Armand, el mejor entrenador del pueblo. Pero allí se encuentra con un viejo recuerdo, Sebastián, el hombre que la abandonó hace 5 años para perseguir su propia carrera en el boxeo. O eso es lo que ella cree.
Sebastián se ha pasado 5 años sufriendo por la decisión que tuvo que tomar, así que ahora que Renata ha vuelto, tiene la oportunidad de recuperar todo lo que ha perdido y aún así ayudarla a conseguir sus sueños.
La verdad es que el libro no es muy bueno. No sé, no me ha gustado nada, ni la narrativa y forma de escribir ni la historia. Al ser tan corto con un tema tan complicado como el abandono hace 5 años debería habérselo tomado con más calma, pero el caso es que hizo que Renata se negase a cualquier cosa con Sebastián al principio pero 4 páginas después estaban como un par de conejos... vamos que no me he creido nada.
Lo único que me ha gustado fueron las últimas páginas donde Sebastián abre su corazón. Me dio mucha pena porque el chico es un amor... ❤️
En fin, que supongo que para pasar el rato vale. No es de los peores que hay.
Renata ha vuelto a su ciudad natal con lo puesto. Su ex prometido y manager la ha dejado sin nada y ella está a 2 meses de pelear por el cinturón en una pelea de boxeo contra la campeona. Necesita representante y entrenador así que acude a Armand, el mejor entrenador del pueblo. Pero allí se encuentra con un viejo recuerdo, Sebastián, el hombre que la abandonó hace 5 años para perseguir su propia carrera en el boxeo. O eso es lo que ella cree.
Sebastián se ha pasado 5 años sufriendo por la decisión que tuvo que tomar, así que ahora que Renata ha vuelto, tiene la oportunidad de recuperar todo lo que ha perdido y aún así ayudarla a conseguir sus sueños.
La verdad es que el libro no es muy bueno. No sé, no me ha gustado nada, ni la narrativa y forma de escribir ni la historia. Al ser tan corto con un tema tan complicado como el abandono hace 5 años debería habérselo tomado con más calma, pero el caso es que hizo que Renata se negase a cualquier cosa con Sebastián al principio pero 4 páginas después estaban como un par de conejos... vamos que no me he creido nada.
Lo único que me ha gustado fueron las últimas páginas donde Sebastián abre su corazón. Me dio mucha pena porque el chico es un amor... ❤️
En fin, que supongo que para pasar el rato vale. No es de los peores que hay.
December 28, 2025
"Knock Out" is the first book in the "Billionaire's Club: New Orleans" series by Mallery Malone. Sebastian and Renata were once a couple until something came between them. Now, Renata is trying to prove that she can be one of the best and seeks Sebastian to help her prove it. Sebastian is a great trainer for boxing and is having a hard time keeping it professional. Renata has always been the woman who has had a part of Sebastian's heart. I absolutely loved this first book in the series and enjoyed how it showed me what to expect in the next books. My favorite part was when Renata told Sebastian why she was doing what she was. I also liked when Sebastian told Renata why he walked away when he did in the past.
August 2, 2015
ARC provided by NetGalley on behalf of the publishers
Sebastian + Renata = hot sexy steaminess!!
nice short read, but I didn't find it lacking anywhere like you sometimes get in short reads.
now off to read about the next "lost boy", Raphael :)
Sebastian + Renata = hot sexy steaminess!!
nice short read, but I didn't find it lacking anywhere like you sometimes get in short reads.
now off to read about the next "lost boy", Raphael :)
June 12, 2014
I FREAKIN' LOVED THIS!!!!!!!! Can't wait for the other 2 stories in this series... Review to follow...
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and St Martin's Press*
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and St Martin's Press*
June 23, 2014
received this through net galley.I do love these fighter romances and for once the heroine is just as tuff I loved this book the story was fab a really sweet hot romance .
December 15, 2014
3.5 stars!
May 30, 2017
This was a nice short read for me. The female read is a strong character who is training for a boxing title. The male lead is a man who is going after what he wants and what he wants is the woman and to make her happy. My only issue with this book is the length of this book. This book would have been much better if it had been longer. It was about the length of a Harlequin Romance and I like books with more meat and action to them. The boxing match is almost an afterthought as well as most of Renta's training.
January 28, 2024
Bas is fighting for another chance and Rennie is fighting her feelings. This story has an emotional punch as they both learn to understand each other better. This is a short but really satisfying story. #CMCon24
November 30, 2025
Bastian has a 5yr plan that he is now fulfilling. Renate is the one who go away. The sizzle is still there but both are wary and when Bastain offers to train her at his home, the sizzle become fire. This novella was short and very good. I was invested in both of them getting their hea.
September 3, 2018
que buena declaración de Bas, pero ya quiero leer el siguiente el luchador de MMA
January 9, 2020
Es un libro que lees muy rápido, un poco predecible la trama pero agradable
May 10, 2020
Me leí la trilogía completa he hice una reseña grupal...
por eso no la dejo aquí.
por eso no la dejo aquí.
September 2, 2024
This was a good quick read. I liked all the characters in the book and the setting of New Orleans.
July 8, 2014
“Only three things that boy’s ever been afraid of, Duparte said. “One, not being able to protect his mother. Two, that he’s just like his father. And three, that he’ll never be good enough for you.”
Oh my goodness I can’t believe I have waited this long to read this book by Ms. Malone. This book was amazing and I didn’t want for it to end, I wanted for it to have an extra long epilogue. This is a book that is a must read then read again then maybe again.
Hard Knocks Gym that’s where everything started for Sebastian “ Bourbon Street Brawler” Delacroix and Renata Maria Giordano a place that connected them until one fateful day when Sebastian broke Renata’s heart. I know that was awful but sometimes things aren’t always how they seem.
Armand Duparte was the owner of Hard Knocks Gym and he had the pleasure of seeing Sebastian before anyone else since he moved back to New Orleans. He was the man that was there for not only Sebastian but also for the other two “Lost Boys”. Armand was the father that Sebastian didn’t have but at the end of the day Sebastian was going to need to hear his words in order to get the woman that he loved.
Renata was an amazing woman and a champion boxer. She had an interesting life. When she first entered Hard Knocks Gym she had to prove to the young men there that she belonged that just because she was a woman that she could throw a mean punch. The person that came to her rescue was Sebastian and from that moment forward they were attached at the hip.
Renata and her family moved to Las Vegas to further her career and boy did she. Then the unthinkable happens her father passed away and she leaned on the man that was there for her. She ended up getting engaged to him but something didn’t sit well with her, she could not put a date on her wedding. Renata finally decided she was not going to marry him and he gave her hell.
Now she is back in New Orleans and back in Hard Knocks Gym and Sebastian again is there to help her. He has given her the possibly to win the title belt but he also is crazy because he thinks that she is going to move in with him. Well just maybe she does move in with him but she has to in order to take advantage of his personal gym. Hmm I wonder what else she can take advantage of.
That’s when everything starts; the passion between them is unraveled. That’s when she learns the reason why he let her go. His story is told and I wanted to reach out and comfort him. I fell in love with Sebastian because even though he was a pain in the behind, he was a protector; he had a heart of gold.
Knock Out was an exceptional read that I fell in love with. This story was beautifully written the words flowed so smoothly and as I said early I hated that it ended so quickly. The characters in this story were well developed and oh what characters. Not only were the main characters memorable but so were the other two Lost Boys, Raphael Jerroult and Gabriel Devereaux. I know for sure I want to know the bad boy Gabriel and his method of pushing away the demons. I want to know his story. Ms. Malone’s writing style is smooth, it’s clear and I love how it flows so easily. I love when I can get lost in a story and before I know it the happily ever after happens and I’m ecstatic. The emotions that I felt in this story were sadness, happiness, anger but most of all I felt the amount of love that they had for each other. The chemistry that Sebastian and Renata had for each other was over the top, it was electrifying.
This is a must read story, so pick it up today and enjoy. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, Power Play.
Received ARC in exchange for an Honest Review
Oh my goodness I can’t believe I have waited this long to read this book by Ms. Malone. This book was amazing and I didn’t want for it to end, I wanted for it to have an extra long epilogue. This is a book that is a must read then read again then maybe again.
Hard Knocks Gym that’s where everything started for Sebastian “ Bourbon Street Brawler” Delacroix and Renata Maria Giordano a place that connected them until one fateful day when Sebastian broke Renata’s heart. I know that was awful but sometimes things aren’t always how they seem.
Armand Duparte was the owner of Hard Knocks Gym and he had the pleasure of seeing Sebastian before anyone else since he moved back to New Orleans. He was the man that was there for not only Sebastian but also for the other two “Lost Boys”. Armand was the father that Sebastian didn’t have but at the end of the day Sebastian was going to need to hear his words in order to get the woman that he loved.
Renata was an amazing woman and a champion boxer. She had an interesting life. When she first entered Hard Knocks Gym she had to prove to the young men there that she belonged that just because she was a woman that she could throw a mean punch. The person that came to her rescue was Sebastian and from that moment forward they were attached at the hip.
Renata and her family moved to Las Vegas to further her career and boy did she. Then the unthinkable happens her father passed away and she leaned on the man that was there for her. She ended up getting engaged to him but something didn’t sit well with her, she could not put a date on her wedding. Renata finally decided she was not going to marry him and he gave her hell.
Now she is back in New Orleans and back in Hard Knocks Gym and Sebastian again is there to help her. He has given her the possibly to win the title belt but he also is crazy because he thinks that she is going to move in with him. Well just maybe she does move in with him but she has to in order to take advantage of his personal gym. Hmm I wonder what else she can take advantage of.
That’s when everything starts; the passion between them is unraveled. That’s when she learns the reason why he let her go. His story is told and I wanted to reach out and comfort him. I fell in love with Sebastian because even though he was a pain in the behind, he was a protector; he had a heart of gold.
Knock Out was an exceptional read that I fell in love with. This story was beautifully written the words flowed so smoothly and as I said early I hated that it ended so quickly. The characters in this story were well developed and oh what characters. Not only were the main characters memorable but so were the other two Lost Boys, Raphael Jerroult and Gabriel Devereaux. I know for sure I want to know the bad boy Gabriel and his method of pushing away the demons. I want to know his story. Ms. Malone’s writing style is smooth, it’s clear and I love how it flows so easily. I love when I can get lost in a story and before I know it the happily ever after happens and I’m ecstatic. The emotions that I felt in this story were sadness, happiness, anger but most of all I felt the amount of love that they had for each other. The chemistry that Sebastian and Renata had for each other was over the top, it was electrifying.
This is a must read story, so pick it up today and enjoy. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, Power Play.
Received ARC in exchange for an Honest Review
July 4, 2014
4.25 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 1, 2014
Sebastian Delacroix knows how to handle pain. Known as the Bourbon Street Brawler, he has fought his way from tough kid in a rough neighborhood to high-profile billionaire, made rich by his heavyweight championships and notorious personality. He’s landed plenty of punches in the ring over the years, but when he met Renata Giordano, it was a TKO. He left her behind, but it was too late. He couldn’t forget her and knew that the next time he got his hands on her, he wasn’t going to let her go.
Renata is the perfect blend of sexy and tough and has one more shot at the women’s welterweight championship. The only problem is that Sebastian, the man who broke her heart years ago, is her new trainer. With so much at stake, Renata knows she must put her feelings aside for this sexy fighter if she’s to be a champion again. But the close quarters at the gym are too much for Renata and Sebastian, and it’s only a matter of time before her desire to win and her desire for Sebastian become one… in Knock Out by Mallery Malone
REVIEW: KNOCK OUT is the first instalment in Mallery Malone’s contemporary adult Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans erotic romance novella trilogy. Each book will focus on one of three friends (Sebastian, Gabriel, Raphael) who grew up on the mean streets of New Orleans. Together they have fought their way to the top, starting in the school of Hard Knocks-a gym where local kids learn to fight with boxing gloves and not guns. This is billionaire Sebastian Delacroix (former heavyweight champion) and woman’s boxing champion Renata Giordano-a second chance at love storyline-that will focus on Renata’s upcoming shot at the crown and Sebastian’s shot at Renata.
Told from third person POV, the storyline follows Renata and Sebastian’s relationship as Sebastian has offered his services to train Renata for her upcoming fight. With their volatile history together, Renata is reluctant to place her future in the hands of the man who walked away five years earlier at a time when she needed him the most. When Sebastian walked out of her life, Renata was heartbroken and turned to another for support. Now five years later, Renata is determined to take back the title and Sebastian is determined to give Renata a different title to call her own.
The attraction between Sebastian and Renata has never waned. Renata never knew Sebastian’s reasons for walking away and she is determined never to lose her heart to the man-again. The sex scenes are intimate, steamy and sensual. Sebastian is a man who knows his way around a woman’s body and into her heart.
The reader is introduced to Sebastian’s best friends and fellow billionaires-Raphael Jerroult and Gabriel Devereaux-each a partner in DJD Enterprises, with a history of heartbreak and pain. Raphael and Gabriel’s stories have yet to be told.
KNOCK OUT pulls the reader into an intense, passionate and seductive storyline where one man has never forgiven himself for walking away five years before. Sebastian is a man possessed by the need to reclaim the love of his life but the painful memories of the day he walked away have had a profound affect on the woman he left behind.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 1, 2014
Sebastian Delacroix knows how to handle pain. Known as the Bourbon Street Brawler, he has fought his way from tough kid in a rough neighborhood to high-profile billionaire, made rich by his heavyweight championships and notorious personality. He’s landed plenty of punches in the ring over the years, but when he met Renata Giordano, it was a TKO. He left her behind, but it was too late. He couldn’t forget her and knew that the next time he got his hands on her, he wasn’t going to let her go.
Renata is the perfect blend of sexy and tough and has one more shot at the women’s welterweight championship. The only problem is that Sebastian, the man who broke her heart years ago, is her new trainer. With so much at stake, Renata knows she must put her feelings aside for this sexy fighter if she’s to be a champion again. But the close quarters at the gym are too much for Renata and Sebastian, and it’s only a matter of time before her desire to win and her desire for Sebastian become one… in Knock Out by Mallery Malone
REVIEW: KNOCK OUT is the first instalment in Mallery Malone’s contemporary adult Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans erotic romance novella trilogy. Each book will focus on one of three friends (Sebastian, Gabriel, Raphael) who grew up on the mean streets of New Orleans. Together they have fought their way to the top, starting in the school of Hard Knocks-a gym where local kids learn to fight with boxing gloves and not guns. This is billionaire Sebastian Delacroix (former heavyweight champion) and woman’s boxing champion Renata Giordano-a second chance at love storyline-that will focus on Renata’s upcoming shot at the crown and Sebastian’s shot at Renata.
Told from third person POV, the storyline follows Renata and Sebastian’s relationship as Sebastian has offered his services to train Renata for her upcoming fight. With their volatile history together, Renata is reluctant to place her future in the hands of the man who walked away five years earlier at a time when she needed him the most. When Sebastian walked out of her life, Renata was heartbroken and turned to another for support. Now five years later, Renata is determined to take back the title and Sebastian is determined to give Renata a different title to call her own.
The attraction between Sebastian and Renata has never waned. Renata never knew Sebastian’s reasons for walking away and she is determined never to lose her heart to the man-again. The sex scenes are intimate, steamy and sensual. Sebastian is a man who knows his way around a woman’s body and into her heart.
The reader is introduced to Sebastian’s best friends and fellow billionaires-Raphael Jerroult and Gabriel Devereaux-each a partner in DJD Enterprises, with a history of heartbreak and pain. Raphael and Gabriel’s stories have yet to be told.
KNOCK OUT pulls the reader into an intense, passionate and seductive storyline where one man has never forgiven himself for walking away five years before. Sebastian is a man possessed by the need to reclaim the love of his life but the painful memories of the day he walked away have had a profound affect on the woman he left behind.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
July 8, 2014
4 Stars
Sebastian has moved his company headquarters back home and he is intent on making amends for a decision he made five years ago. He never should have walked away from Renata and he will do anything to find her again and try to make a life with her. Imagine his surprise when he is working out at the gym with his old trainer and Renata walks in.
Out of the two main characters I enjoyed Sebastian the most as he seemed the most developed. He comes from a challenging background but seems to have found a role model that showed him how to be a great boxer and a great man. Sebastian is not the most alpha male character I have ever read and since he is a boxer I guess I expected a few more rough edges. Renata's character was what I expected from a female boxer. Her past seems to have left her with little self confidence; and it is that past that seemed the least developed. Mallery Malone seemed to miss something with Renata for me - she was believable as a boxer but not as believable as a sexy woman for me - yes Renata "spoke" of her attraction to Sebastian but most of the time it was about their past and why they shouldn't have a future.
It is this unresolved past that made the romantic element of this book lacking for me. I felt the lust but I really didn't feel the past love rekindling or much of spark of passion. Yes they got back together but it seemed more out of convenience than lust or love. The plot was simple and easy to follow; after a period of time where I was reading a bunch of romantic suspense it was a nice change. This might be a good beach read for some as total concentration is not necessary and it is rather short so a few days at the beach may be enough to finish.
Even though this seems to be the first book in a series the way it starts out left me with a feeling that I should have read another book first to completely understand the story. That feeling is soon lifted but it did lead to some confusion early on. This book is part of a series but does function as a stand alone - there is not a cliffhanger ending. I do have a copy of the second book and I have started it.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
Sebastian has moved his company headquarters back home and he is intent on making amends for a decision he made five years ago. He never should have walked away from Renata and he will do anything to find her again and try to make a life with her. Imagine his surprise when he is working out at the gym with his old trainer and Renata walks in.
Out of the two main characters I enjoyed Sebastian the most as he seemed the most developed. He comes from a challenging background but seems to have found a role model that showed him how to be a great boxer and a great man. Sebastian is not the most alpha male character I have ever read and since he is a boxer I guess I expected a few more rough edges. Renata's character was what I expected from a female boxer. Her past seems to have left her with little self confidence; and it is that past that seemed the least developed. Mallery Malone seemed to miss something with Renata for me - she was believable as a boxer but not as believable as a sexy woman for me - yes Renata "spoke" of her attraction to Sebastian but most of the time it was about their past and why they shouldn't have a future.
It is this unresolved past that made the romantic element of this book lacking for me. I felt the lust but I really didn't feel the past love rekindling or much of spark of passion. Yes they got back together but it seemed more out of convenience than lust or love. The plot was simple and easy to follow; after a period of time where I was reading a bunch of romantic suspense it was a nice change. This might be a good beach read for some as total concentration is not necessary and it is rather short so a few days at the beach may be enough to finish.
Even though this seems to be the first book in a series the way it starts out left me with a feeling that I should have read another book first to completely understand the story. That feeling is soon lifted but it did lead to some confusion early on. This book is part of a series but does function as a stand alone - there is not a cliffhanger ending. I do have a copy of the second book and I have started it.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
July 23, 2014
I just finished Knock Out and I really liked it. It's all about second chances no matter if you are expecting it or not. This will be apart of a series. The Lost Boys which include Sebastian, Raphael and Gabriel. They were all trained at Hard Knocks and have made a name for themselves. This is Sebastian's Story. He has loved Renata seems like forever but he left her five years before to work on his career or do we think. Renata is a fellow boxer and gas made a name for herself too. 5 years later she is by herself after breaking it off with her Fiancé/trainer and she has a match to train for. She heads home to New Orleans to train at Hard Knocks. She doesn't realize that Sebastian is there until last minute but she had no other choice for her to win the match of her life she will need Sebastian to help her even though she doesn't want anything to do with him. But Sebastian is there for her. He will stop an nothing to reclaim the love of his life. Will Renata be able to forgive him for leaving her all those years ago? You will have to read and see.
I really liked the story. It had a good plot and good characters. I haven't read a boxing book in awhile so it was a refreshing read. This one is different because of her being a boxer too. Again that was refreshing. It's short and quick but it packs a lot of punch.
Sebastian is a hottie that I have no doubt. Sexy, sweet and Duh!! He's a boxer in a suit for crying out loud!! I liked the fact that he was reclaiming what was his. He has some damage from his past that effects his future but he needs a strong woman in his life to feel worthy. Renata is a good strong woman. Not because she's a boxer but because they have a history already and she lets him know how he ruined her life when he left. She gives it to him good and once the gloves are off oh yeah they get it on good!
It's a really good story and cannot wait to see what happens. The other Lost Boys need their women!
Story 4
Sex 4
Overall 4
Reviewed by Shay
I really liked the story. It had a good plot and good characters. I haven't read a boxing book in awhile so it was a refreshing read. This one is different because of her being a boxer too. Again that was refreshing. It's short and quick but it packs a lot of punch.
Sebastian is a hottie that I have no doubt. Sexy, sweet and Duh!! He's a boxer in a suit for crying out loud!! I liked the fact that he was reclaiming what was his. He has some damage from his past that effects his future but he needs a strong woman in his life to feel worthy. Renata is a good strong woman. Not because she's a boxer but because they have a history already and she lets him know how he ruined her life when he left. She gives it to him good and once the gloves are off oh yeah they get it on good!
It's a really good story and cannot wait to see what happens. The other Lost Boys need their women!
Story 4
Sex 4
Overall 4
Reviewed by Shay
July 20, 2014
3.5 stars
The first novella in the Billionaire's Club: New Orleans is a second chance romance between Renata, a female boxer training for a championship fight, and Sebastian, a former Heavy weight champion and now a billionaire businessman. Both were lovers 5 years ago but that all ended when Sebastian walked away leaving Renata devastated.
Sebastian has moved his business operations back to his home town and Renata has also moved back to train for her next big fight. When their paths cross, sparks fly, but Renata remembers the pain suffered after Sebastian's rejection and won't let him back in her heart that easily. Sebastian still carries a torch for his one true love, desperate to win her back, earn her trust and capture her heart. As they come to an agreement which sees Sebastian becoming Renata's trainer for her championship fight, he hopes that he has time to convince her to give him another chance.
I enjoyed this novella, short but fast paced, intense in its emotion and steamy in the passion department. Both characters were easy to connect to, their mutual attraction and desire was obvious, the dialogue between them smooth and comfortable. As the true reason for Sebastian's departure comes to the surface, both have to face demons from their past and this twist offered more emotional connection to the characters.
Overall this was a good start to the series, which I will be reading more of. I thought that within the novella constraints we were given enough background but I could easily see this expanded to a longer novel so we could more deeply connect to the characters and have the story fleshed out a bit more.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the author/publisher
The first novella in the Billionaire's Club: New Orleans is a second chance romance between Renata, a female boxer training for a championship fight, and Sebastian, a former Heavy weight champion and now a billionaire businessman. Both were lovers 5 years ago but that all ended when Sebastian walked away leaving Renata devastated.
Sebastian has moved his business operations back to his home town and Renata has also moved back to train for her next big fight. When their paths cross, sparks fly, but Renata remembers the pain suffered after Sebastian's rejection and won't let him back in her heart that easily. Sebastian still carries a torch for his one true love, desperate to win her back, earn her trust and capture her heart. As they come to an agreement which sees Sebastian becoming Renata's trainer for her championship fight, he hopes that he has time to convince her to give him another chance.
I enjoyed this novella, short but fast paced, intense in its emotion and steamy in the passion department. Both characters were easy to connect to, their mutual attraction and desire was obvious, the dialogue between them smooth and comfortable. As the true reason for Sebastian's departure comes to the surface, both have to face demons from their past and this twist offered more emotional connection to the characters.
Overall this was a good start to the series, which I will be reading more of. I thought that within the novella constraints we were given enough background but I could easily see this expanded to a longer novel so we could more deeply connect to the characters and have the story fleshed out a bit more.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the author/publisher
August 15, 2014
When Renata returns to New Orleans to train for a fight, the last thing she is expecting is to run into Sebastian. She's still confused as to why he left her and facing him after all this time brings forth a whole set of conflicted emotions.
Sebastian is a fighter--in all aspects of life. Now that he's older, he recognizes that the one person he didn't fight hard enough for was Renata. His leaving hurt them both but now that she's back in his life there's no way he's going to let her go.
Sebastian and Renata were great characters. I found them to be well-rounded characters but with room fro growth. I enjoyed learning about their past and how it had shaped them. As I got to know them, I admired their strength and their sense of loyalty
As for them as a couple I liked what they brought out of each other. Renata brought Sebastian's protective side to the surface while Renata brought to the surface the vulnerability Sebastian kept to himself.
I could sense that they were deeply connected, but I would have loved to see more of that initial connection on the page. That's not to say that the connection wasn't explored further. It deepened and grew stronger as the story progressed, which I came to appreciate in the end. It helped that they had great chemistry too. That first kiss alone was HOT!
Knock Out as the first book in the Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans series does a great job of introducing the Lost Boys--Gabriel and Raphael--Sebastian's best friends from childhood. I can't wait to read more about them.
All in all, a short but yet romantic read that set the stage for the other books in the series.
*I received a copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
Sebastian is a fighter--in all aspects of life. Now that he's older, he recognizes that the one person he didn't fight hard enough for was Renata. His leaving hurt them both but now that she's back in his life there's no way he's going to let her go.
Sebastian and Renata were great characters. I found them to be well-rounded characters but with room fro growth. I enjoyed learning about their past and how it had shaped them. As I got to know them, I admired their strength and their sense of loyalty
As for them as a couple I liked what they brought out of each other. Renata brought Sebastian's protective side to the surface while Renata brought to the surface the vulnerability Sebastian kept to himself.
I could sense that they were deeply connected, but I would have loved to see more of that initial connection on the page. That's not to say that the connection wasn't explored further. It deepened and grew stronger as the story progressed, which I came to appreciate in the end. It helped that they had great chemistry too. That first kiss alone was HOT!
Knock Out as the first book in the Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans series does a great job of introducing the Lost Boys--Gabriel and Raphael--Sebastian's best friends from childhood. I can't wait to read more about them.
All in all, a short but yet romantic read that set the stage for the other books in the series.
*I received a copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
June 23, 2014
This is a quick read that may have benefited from being fleshed out a bit more.
It seems as though stories of 'fighters' (MMA, boxers, etc) are all the rage right now and this plays straight into that theme with a small twist of the heroine also being a fighter.
A second chance at love plot that gallops along at a good clip and has a ton of heat. However, I really missed having more back story to the characters. That may have helped me believe how quickly both of them fell back into each other.
Sebastian "Bas" Delacroix is a millionaire former boxer who left Renata Giordano in his dust years ago to pursue his dream of fighting. Now, after he's made it big he has returned to win back the only woman he has ever loved.
Renata is training for the boxing match of her career and somehow falls into Sebastian's scheme of him being her trainer.
Despite what a jerk he was when he dumped her, somehow they end up right back in bed together.
The steam factor in this book is really high. There's no doubt that Mallery Malone can write a scorching hot scenes... I just had a really difficult time buying into the fact that with Bas burning his bridges down with Renata in the past that she wasn't more guarded with him and make him work for it a bit more.
Looks like some interesting side characters with stories to come.
It seems as though stories of 'fighters' (MMA, boxers, etc) are all the rage right now and this plays straight into that theme with a small twist of the heroine also being a fighter.
A second chance at love plot that gallops along at a good clip and has a ton of heat. However, I really missed having more back story to the characters. That may have helped me believe how quickly both of them fell back into each other.
Sebastian "Bas" Delacroix is a millionaire former boxer who left Renata Giordano in his dust years ago to pursue his dream of fighting. Now, after he's made it big he has returned to win back the only woman he has ever loved.
Renata is training for the boxing match of her career and somehow falls into Sebastian's scheme of him being her trainer.
Despite what a jerk he was when he dumped her, somehow they end up right back in bed together.
The steam factor in this book is really high. There's no doubt that Mallery Malone can write a scorching hot scenes... I just had a really difficult time buying into the fact that with Bas burning his bridges down with Renata in the past that she wasn't more guarded with him and make him work for it a bit more.
Looks like some interesting side characters with stories to come.
November 11, 2014
Knock Out is the first novella in the Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans series. While it is a short read, it is a fully developed story that pulls you right into Sebastian and Renata’s tale. Sebastian is a billionaire bad boy fighter with a reputation as a player – but that’s because there’s only ever been one woman for him and he left her behind five years ago. Renata is the one that got away – or that he pushed away, breaking her heart and his in the process. But she has a fight coming up and no trainer or manager, so Sebastian has a plan to win her back.
This was a really good read. The characters are well-developed and Ms. Malone provides enough back story that I was able to connect with the characters almost immediately. I was invested in both their relationship and Renata’s match. Because both characters are athletes and well-conditioned, the sex scenes were quite intense – both physically and emotionally. I enjoyed Renata and Sebastian’s story as well as the foundation that the author builds for the next book in the series. I enjoyed Ms. Malone’s writing style and look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
This was a really good read. The characters are well-developed and Ms. Malone provides enough back story that I was able to connect with the characters almost immediately. I was invested in both their relationship and Renata’s match. Because both characters are athletes and well-conditioned, the sex scenes were quite intense – both physically and emotionally. I enjoyed Renata and Sebastian’s story as well as the foundation that the author builds for the next book in the series. I enjoyed Ms. Malone’s writing style and look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
August 5, 2014
This book was a short, easy, enjoyable read with a story that flowed really well. For such a short book I think the author did an amazing job of avoiding the clichéd 'insta-love' that some authors portray in such short books. That being one of my pet peeves, it is always my dread going into a short book but this author avoided that. The characters had a history, a back-story that involved a painful break-up and I wondered initially how we were going to get from the bitter resentment of the first meeting post break-up to some sort of an ending, and I admit I anticipated some cheesy, rushed love story but if this book has taught me anything it is not to judge the shorter books and predict them to come up lacking. I don't think this book needed to be longer but I wanted it to be. There was nothing missing in terms on plot believability or connection to characters, but I could have quite happily read on and on, Sebastian and Renata's story was intense, gripping and emotional and I never wanted it to end.This was a really enjoyable read that has introduced me to a great author and I'm looking forward to discovering more of her work. Now straight onto book two, Power Play, Raphael's story, it should be very interesting!
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