Circle of Dishonor

The Circle #3.6

by Carla Swafford

John “Ice” Takahashi’s final job for The Circle has an unexpected hitch in it; he’s fallen for an innocent civilian and his enemies know. With his mission in a shambles, he’ll do anything to protect her, including kill. So how can a man without honor prove he’s worthy of her love?

Lena Matthews feels like she’s playing with fire by dating the mysterious Master J. He’s exotic, dangerous, and exactly what she needs in her boring life. With the bad guys bearing down on them, she discovers a whole new world of sensuality that binds her heart to his forever.

20,326 words (Novella/short story)

Genres: Romance

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2014

About the author

Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. And that’s not all, she’s crazy about hockey, and thankfully, no one has made her turn in her Southern Belle card. Carla is​ married to her high school sweetheart and lives in the southeastern U.S.

Be sure to check out her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and BookBub.

www.carlaswafford.com

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena Matthews has been widowed for 3 years; she’s an ordinary woman really. She’s taking Tai Chi classes, where she’s not that good but has been watching another teacher from afar for a while: John Takahashi. Rumours abound about the handsome Japanese American, not all of them good; some say he might be involved in international crime…

Then one day, John asks Lena out. It turns out he’s had his eye on her as well but he doesn’t do relationships; he does not fit in his schedule. Then one date turns into another, John and Lena are getting closer until she learns just what secrets her mysterious lover is hiding and she gets more excitement than she ever bargained for.

What a feat! A complete story in a novella! Fast-paced, exciting story, great characters, lost of action and loads of sexiness! Can you ask for anything more!

[Nancee Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master J is of Asian descent yet having been raised in the South, speaks with a Southern accent. He practices martial arts, his moves are precise and lethal not only as an assassin but as a lover. Lena is widowed, older and while unsure of herself, ready to move on with the mysterious John Takahashi. This was a quick read (mainly because I couldn't put it down) with a fast pace, hot sex and wonderful characters. It was refreshing to read about a woman that knows what she wants and is a little older in life (meaning not a virginal 20 something year old.) I'll be sad to see this series end.

[Francene Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

Loved this story. All the circle books are awesome. This one was well written with hot characters. Hoping there will be more Circle books soon.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

sigh, love this series

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Circle of Dishonor is a erotic novella. As a novella, the story is laying the groundwork for future stories, so I allowed for that in my rating. I did not expect the whole story and felt the novella accomplished its goal – I want to read more about him and her.

People’s eyes are drawn to him when he enters a room, not just because of his looks but the aura that surrounds him. He has a southern accent that can fool people into believing he’s something he’s not.

Lena was taking tai chi classes, but could not overcome her clumsiness. What could she say? She is a klutz. She was easy going but restrained.

She had been watching John for weeks. She would sit at the coffee shop, pretending to look at her computer as she watched him through the window. His body is poetry in motion as he performs his tae kwan do routine.

But today was different. He approached her at the coffee shop. As they talked over a cup of tea, he knew she belonged to him.

I don’t know if he’s good or bad, I’m thinking he’s a good man, but a bad boy. Ya know what I mean? I guess it’s not really love at first sight, considering they have been watching each other for weeks and he really is more than he seems to be. A lot of people will find her actions totally unbelievable, but you would be surprised what happens in the real world.

I love when books take place in locations I am familiar with. After being attacked, they end up staying at his beach house in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area, right around the corner from me and places I visit often. It’s not long until they are found. I can visualize the events taking place in the house and on the beach as they struggle to survive.

I figured from the cover the book would be HOT. It sure is! I grabbed the book because of the blurb. I found the novella had a lot of action, but I was hoping it would be more of the fighting kind, than the sex kind. I did find the need to read straight through to see how it would end. It took me 65 minutes. I enjoyed the read and I know erotica lovers will want this on their reading list.

I received an ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review for the tour.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the author and from Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
Circle of Dishonor is a short stand alone novelette.
Lena has been watching Master J, or John 'Ice' Takahashi from afar for weeks now. She only fantasizes about him and what he would be like when he approaches her one day. She finds herself getting more than she bargained for and her dreams didn't do justice but being with John comes with a price. John is an agent on a dangerous mission that is meant to be his final job. He makes a mistake and Lena gets pulled in his world.
Circle of Dishonor was a short kinky romance. The story was rushed and the characters were pretty one dimensional. There was a brief element if danger but not much else. Lena was too trusting and agreeable in my opinion. John was a little cold and demanding at times. I didn't care much for the characters or how their romance was rushed. I wanted to more about John's past as an agent and Lena's past with her husband. The best part of the story is a sexy guy kicking ass.
This is for a mature audience.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a short kinky romance.
I give this 3 fangs.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this stand-alone novella in The Circle series enough to go back and read the other books in the series. However, the story seemed rushed. I think there is enough of a back-story that this should have been a full-length novel in order to properly develop the characters and make their relationship more believable.

Good read if your looking for something short in between longer reads.

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Fabiola Chenet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but the style was not very fluent because the story held one scene after another, without any break. Moreover, I had the feeling that some scenes have been cut.

However, I liked the story and will try the author again.