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The Love Projects #2

Taking Courage

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Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart—but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2014

1 person is currently reading
81 people want to read

About the author

S.J. Maylee

12 books120 followers
S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.

As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJMayleeAuthor

New Release Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/4Lc01

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Liz ~ Liz's Reading Life.
857 reviews32 followers
June 16, 2014
"She had a feeling his attention could be addictive."

Janna Hill just wanted a life that was controlled by her father. He had told her where to go to school, what to major in, where to work and even who to marry. But when her marriage failed after one month, due to his cheating, she wanted to start fresh; start over. On a business trip, she takes the opportunity to visit the local club as a guest. While there she meets Simon and he takes her on a journey that she will never forget. But things don't end in the best of ways, now she must decide if she will stand up for herself or continue following her father's demands.

So, with an act of courage, she moves to Chicago and starts a new job all the way gain her father's disapproval. However, on her first day at the new job, she is assigned to work on a new project with Simon. Since the night they met, she can not seem to get Simon out of her mind and having to work with him will be difficult.

Simon is still hurt and angry from his last "relationship" because she lied to him and several others. He was starting to fall for her and when the truth came out, he was devastated. On the night he met Janna, she to lied although it was a far smaller lie and she came clean as soon as possible. But he is still not sure he wants to trust her let alone forgive her. Luckily for us, Janna is on a mission. She will prove that she is worth a second chance because she wants Simon and will do just about anything to get him. Simon, on the other hand, fights her on it but as time goes on he will let down his walls and open up to her.

These two are perfect together. Each has something to learn from the other. Their relationship is rocky in the beginning but as time goes on, they become stronger. Even though Janna's father comes into town and tries to get her to come back home, she has come to far to let him control her any more. She is finally living her life her way and she wants Simon to be a part of it.

This second book in the Love Project Series is witty and very steamy. Through the twists and turns, this book keep me enraptured until the end. And having a little of Jake and Lydia thrown is was a plus. What's next Ms. Maylee? Cause I cannot wait!!
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,146 reviews323 followers
January 3, 2015
In S.J. Maylee's ""Taking Courage", Janna and Simon get off on the wrong foot. In fact, they get off on the wrong FEET. They met and shared something wonderful, but thanks to a naive mistake, that wonderful thing is ruined.

I don't like to give away spoilers, but I want to tell you so much more! I love S.J. Maylee's books. She writes beautifully with a nice, smooth feel. She gives us the right amount of angst without overwhelming you. Just because there's conflict, it doesn't mean that the main characters don't share a delicious chemistry. There are also plenty of background characters to make the story interesting. This is the second in the "Love Projects" series and they cross seamlessly from book to book.

What we have in "Taking Courage" are two people who are broken and need each other. They both have to dig down deep and discover the courage that they have buried in their hearts. They're pushed together in a a setting that could easily happen in "real life". There's nothing fake or fatastical about it. Slowly, but not too slowly, they find themself coming back to each other. It's not a long book, so it has to flow easily, but Ms. Maylee has made a little over 33,000 words seem like a much longer novel. I mentioned chemistry, and I have to tell you. These two are HOT! The sex scenes in this book are explosive! Keep in mind that it is a BDSM story, so there are all sorts of toys and public exhibition. It's certainly very exciting.

I am highly recommending "Taking Courage". In fact, I recommend all of S.J. Maylee's books. They're very entertaining and sexy. I'm going to be putting this one into my "To Be Read Again" pile.

Reviewed by Kenna for Cocktails and Books
Profile Image for Samaris Creech.
376 reviews7 followers
July 2, 2014
Prep list before you start reading this book: 1. A comfortable spot 2. A glass of wine 3. A vibrator and finally total privacy. Not an exaggeration if the chemistry between Janna and Simon upon first meeting isn’t enough to melt your undies off some of their scenes definitely will do the trick! Janna has always done what her father has told her to do even down to what man she should marry. Finally she has had enough she divorces her husband and decides to take her life into her own hands. To start she goes to a BDSM club which is something she has always wanted to try but never had the courage to do. This is where she first runs into Simon. While their first encounter starts off with a bang it ends on a sour note. Janna gets a job offer and moves away from her family hoping distance from her father and her ex will allow her to lead her own life. On this new job she is paired with none other than Simon and all she can think about it getting him to give her a second chance. While their relationship has a rocky start the ending is spectacular. This is a definite MUST read!
184 reviews55 followers
August 7, 2014
S.J. Maylee needs to write longer books. I wanted this story in a full length novel. One absolute strength in her writing, is that with a novella, she doesn't leave anything out. The story line was well developed, flowed, and kept me engaged. But I wanted it longer just because of the story itself.

Janna meets Simon. She moved to Chicago to escape her old life and BDSM becomes a part of that new life. Not only can S.J. Maylee write a BDSM scene, but this story is not all about the BDSM life. The struggles that Janna goes through as she makes changes and adjusts are very relatable. She has family wanting her to change her mind, and a job where she could easily mix business with pleasure.

Simon was a Dom I wanted to find out more about too. He seemed a bit hot and cold.

I would recommend this to anyone who like a quick BDSM read. There was nothing missing along the way. I can't wait for more from this author.
Profile Image for Tabitha Jones.
303 reviews15 followers
July 1, 2014
Taking Courage by S.J. Maylee

This was the first book by this author that I have read. I love quick and fast paced books that get right to the point and this book did not deceive me. Janna has had enough of her families demands and her freedom being stripped from her. She finally decides to make a bread for it and head off to Chicago for some much needed me time. Janna has been fascinated with the BDSM and tries her hand at a Club. That is where she meets Simon she is intrigued with him and is excited to be his for the night. Upon meeting Simon she gets carried away and tells a little fib. Janna is so sure that she wants to be part of this new BDSM lifestyle that she finds herself up and moving to Chicago getting a new job and leaving her past in the past. this book will make you ooooh and aaaaaah at the same time. If your looking to get your a night of reading pleasure then this book is for you.

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Cara Bristol.
Author 108 books939 followers
June 23, 2014
Janna flees a controlling father to seek a new job and lifestyle as a submissive. But when she commits a lie of omission at a club, she angers the Dom—who she ends up working with at her new job. Can a little BDSM action at work help to repair the broken trust?

Author SJ Maylee keeps getting better and better! Taking Courage is an uplifting, sexy BDSM story about a submissive who is not afraid to stand up for herself and go after what she wants out of life. Well, actually, she is afraid, but she does it anyway and demonstrates that courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it. SJ Maylee shows how a person can be submissive and strong.
Profile Image for Amy Miller.
3,822 reviews34 followers
January 30, 2016
I have enjoined this series. Janna is an enjoyable character and I loved reading about her finding herself. Looking forward to reading more
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,393 reviews273 followers
June 27, 2014

Taking Courage by SJ Maylee is a quick easy read. Jenna has always been controlled by her father. He controlled every aspect of her life, from which schools to attend, to her career, boyfriends, and even who she should marry. That all changes when she takes a business trip to Chicago. Jenna sees this as an opportunity to explore her inner desires and visit a BDSM club. After visiting the club as a guest and meeting Master Simon, Jenna knows that this is what she has been needing all along. She forgets to tell Master Simon everything at the beginning of the night and when the truth is revealed Simon is not happy with her and ask her to leave. Jenna has been offered a job in Chicago and realizes this is her chance to get out from under her fathers control. But how will Jenna reacted when her new boss is Simon and will he continue to let her work for him after the lie of omission happened at the club. This book does contain scenes of BDSM.
Profile Image for Rachel Hill.
853 reviews36 followers
July 12, 2016
I received an arc of this book for my honest review.

Janna wants to take the bull by the horns, so she bucks up and enters a sex club as a guest. As she's walking in she sees Simon and he's given the responsibility to see that she's shown around. She pretends to be more experienced and when she admits it's her first time Simon is pissed. So, Simons friend hires her and forces them to deal with each other. It was well written, not a whole lot of D/s, at least not the super sexy kind. There is some spanking though...I guess Janna wasn't quite that "good" but I'm pretty sure she enjoyed her punishment.

The story is quite short, and Everything happens in a week. That would be the only thing I didn't care for. I wish their "relationship" would have taken a little longer to evolve and we could have delved a little deeper into the characters. Oh well, it was a short n sweet, kinda spicy, read...perfect for that rainy afternoon!

Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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