Mister Black

In the Shadows #1

by P.T. Michelle

We all have someone who crossed our path and fundamentally changed us. That one person who blew through our lives, their presence forever stamped on our psyche. They linger in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in the decisions we make. A soul crusher or a dream maker, depending on the perspective.

My person is MISTER BLACK.
I didn’t know him by that name when I first met him.
I didn’t know him at all, but the impression he left behind was just as powerful as the name I call him today.

He is Black: a deadly enforcer and masterful seducer.
I am Red: a justice bleeder and willing participant.
Together we are passion. Colors colliding through each other’s lives.

When our secrets converge in a passionate encounter, stepping out of the shadows just might be worth the risk.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, New Adult

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2014

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling author of the IN THE SHADOWS and BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series.

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Current books in P.T.'s Contemporary Romance series IN THE SHADOWS, a New York Times, USA Today and International bestseller.:

IN THE SHADOWS SERIES:

NOW AVAILABLE…

MISTER BLACK (1) (Sebastian & Talia Part 1, Novella)
SCARLETT RED (2) (Sebastian & Talia Part 2, Novel)
BLACKEST RED (3) (Sebastian & Talia Part 3, Novel)
GOLD SHIMMERr (4) (Cass & Calder Part 1, Novel)
STEEL RUSH (5) (Cass & Calder Part 2, Novel)
BLACK PLATINUM (6) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)
REDDEST BLACK (7) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)
BLOOD ROSE (8) (Cass & Calder, Stand alone)
NOBLE BRIT (9) (Mina & Den, Stand alone)
BLACK AND RED (10) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)

COMING…

BLACK STEEL (10) (Stand alone) - December 2020

Books in P.T.'s BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series:

* ETHAN (Prequel Novella 0.5) (ETHAN is written in Ethan's point-of-view and can be read before or after BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS and LUCID)

* BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS (Book 1)
* LUCID (Book 2)
* DESTINY (Book 3)
* DESIRE (Book 4)
* AWAKEN (Book 5)

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

FREE (6/24/2016)! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | KOBO |




★★★★! Mister Black, book 1 of 3. College reporter in quest for her next story runs into her childhood crush & find them connected!

“One single brown eye and one brilliant blue eye stare back at me behind his mask.”

In The Shadows trilogy should be read in order:
Book 1: Mister Black
Book 2: Scarlet Red
Book 3: Blackest Red

Mister Black (book 1) opens up to the past with a distraught girl, Talia rescued by a boy. In the years that followed, the girl grew up, but the handsome blue and brown eyed stranger in many ways became the standard, her fairytale prince.

Fast forward eight years and now College student and aspiring reporter Natalia Murphy, Talia aka Red has wrangled her way into an upscale masquerade party in quest for her next story.

Navy SEAL and heir Sebastian Quinn Blake aka Mister Black is attending the same party but for very different reasons. Their paths cross and it’s lust at first sight.

Sebastian is set on seduction while Talia is on a mission. After he helps her things get complicated by a night of sizzling passion. But though there meeting was by chance they are connected in more ways than one… What dark secrets are they trying to protect?



Seven words to describe Sebastian Quinn Blake aka Mister Black: Charming, noble, commanding, secretive, elusive, complex and broken.



Seven words to describe Natalia Murphy, Talia aka Red (Little Red, Miss Scarlett, Miss Red, Miss Lone): Focused, secretive, naïve, tormented, determined, trying and caring.

Mister Black is the fast paced introduction to series and promises a little bit of everything; suspense, mystery, smut and a complex plot connecting the past and present spanning several years. That said, Talia was at times a little too perfect, which might be masking pain and guilt to unfold down the line.

Part 1 ends abruptly with the perfect teaser. But no worries just skip to part 2, Scarlet Red for the continuation of their story.

Intriguing and complex plot! Enigmatic hero! Great opening to series!

“I want your name.”

***
Hero rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 4- stars
Dialogue rating: 4- stars
Storytelling rating: 4 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A, ARC
*********************************************
Overall rating: 4- stars

Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Probably not.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

ARC provided to me by author P.T. Michelle in exchange for an honest review.

FREE (6/24/2016)! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | KOBO |

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short read has been hanging out on my TBR list for awhile. I picked up the Audible version because it was a relatively short audiobook. I don't like to start long audiobooks at the end of my workweek because I generally don't listen as much on the weekends. This book was about the right length to occupy my commute time, while still having enough time to finish it off before the weekend.

In any case, this book started off promising for me. Natalia, aka Talia, aka Red, is a young teenage girl at the onset of the story. She is walking alone in the city when she finds herself in a compromising position. Refusing to hand over her necklace, she engages in a dangerous stand-off with her homeless mugger.

Just as Talia is growing to appreciate the precarious situation she is in, a handsome young man comes to her rescue. "Mister Black" fends off her assailant and offers her a ride home. After he leaves she doesn't see him again, but she thinks of him often.

Years later, Talia is an aspiring reporter looking to land an exclusive interview for her college paper. She knows that there is more to the mysterious death of the wealthy co-ed than the authorities are letting on. She is determined to speak to the victim's roommate to get to the bottom of it.

Talia's opportunity presents itself in the form of an exclusive party. Her best friend has an uncanny resemblance to another girl that has been invited. This other girl is not planning on attending, so she plans to assume her identity for the night and take Talia along with her.

Once Talia has gained access to the party, she focuses on finding the elusive roommate. However, before she does, she runs into the handsome stranger from her past. She had dreamed of the mysterious Mister Black for years, but now learns that his real name is Sebastian Quinn.

Sparks fly immediately between Talia and Quinn. Things get real smutty, real quick. Everything happened so quickly that I was kind of like, "what the hell just happened?".

Then, Talia returns her focus to the story. Sebastian introduces her to the roommate, who happens to be his sister. She uncovers some shocking circumstances surrounding the death of the girl's roommate. What she finds out resonates with her on a deeper level, as the details are eerily similar to secrets from her own past.

Just as the story is starting to take off, it draws to a close. Apparently, Mister Black/Sebastian is a Navy Seal. He is going to be deployed soon and Talia will have to wait to see him again. Bad timing and all that.

To get answers, I'd have to read the next book. Unfortunately, I just don't care enough to do that. While this story was "okay", it didn't hold much appeal for me. It was too convenient and felt a little reminiscent of 'Nancy Drew' or 'The Babysitter's Club' to me. Young, naive girl takes on a huge criminal organization and tackles corruption, exposing the wrong-doers, etc., etc. I just wasn't feeling it.

Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com

[Penny Well Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, although it was way too short.


Scarlett Red (In the Shadows #2) - 4 stars

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 black && red stars
**copy in exchange for honest review**




Damn! What a hot quick read! Woooo...I need to cool down a bit...



So I decided that the premise of this book should best be described in a 'movie trailer'-type way...just imagine the deep voiced male who does the trailers saying the next few lines:

a young girl on the run from her past. a young boy who helps said girl find a reason to keep moving forward with her life. a second chance encounter at a masquerade ball many years later. a very sexy rendez-vous. safe words. spanking. & a cliffhanger that will leave you panting and wanting more. Mister Black. ::screen cuts to black...cue the 'starring' screen...::


This was the first book I have read by this author, and within a minute after starting it, I knew it wouldn't be my last. In fact, I finished this book last night, but I have been too busy reading the second book to write this review! I IMMEDIATELY one-clicked Scarlett Red as soon as I finished this book and have been reading it ever since!

Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it...& neither will your significant other after you finish this book! Just ask my husband... TMI? Yeah..definitely TMI...

[CC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting introduction to this series. Mister Black is mysterious and definitely has the good to deliver, but ultimately the story telling was a little choppy and flat for me.

The good moments:

"My gaze is drawn to his hands tucked in his pockets. Sunlight reflects off the silver of an understated cuff link standing out against his crisp white shirt. He looks relaxed, yet his gaze never stops moving, assessing. Even though he looks the part of a billionaire, there's an underlying rawness about him that belies his cultured appearance, a don't fuck with me and expect to live primal vibe."



Not sure if I will be moving on to books 2 and 3 in the series.

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this series and got absolutely sucked in. Sometimes people are connected in ways that they can't even begin to fathom. They can resist and move on in their life but if something is meant to be, it will be. Sebastian and Talia were meant to be in one another's lives. They meet as kids and share a meaningful moment but it's not until they meet again at a masquerade party that the sparks really fly.

This book is on the short side and leaves on a cliffy but it definitely peaked my interest. The plot hints at some interesting events to come and does a good job of setting it up. The writing was solid and I found myself engaged with the characters. The real development happens in later books but the potential is present from the start.

Safety: They weren't together intimately their first meeting. The story ends shortly after their interlude upon re-acquainting. But having read the series I can say they end up with others during their separation. There is physical and sexual abuse in the heroine's past.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!!!!

This book is sexy and so dang hot. There is so much mystery going on & I can't wait to find out the whole story.

Be ready to start the next book because this first book has you asking a lot of questions with no real answers given.

Christine Blake, you were so right this is definitely going to be a good series!!!!!

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...the smut was fab but the mystery sub plot completely lost me. I wondered whether I'd perhaps missed a prequel because I struggled to grasp why she was so obsessed with writing an article for a school paper and why she was hiding her identity. I did toy with trying the second part to see if it casts any light on what's going on, but I'm not intrigued enough to spend £4 on a novella so I'll be content in my confusion and leave it there.

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've probably had this book sitting on my kindle since its release. After seeing many positive reviews, I knew I had to see what all the hoopla was about. And now I can say that I enjoyed it. From the moment Talia and Sebastian met as teenagers, her going through an unknown traumatic event and him suffering through his own pain, I could tell that there was going to be so much more between them. I didn't like the games Talia played, then or in the present, but it did nothing to take away from the intensity of their connection. They shared one incredibly hot scene together and then that was it. The next book picks up several years later and I'm curious to find out exactly how things end up for them. Sebastian with his dirty and talented mouth is pretty hard to resist. I think I'll wait until the price of Scarlett Red goes down or until I can't hold back. If you're looking for a quick dirty read and the start of what seems to be a delicious series, Mister Black can get you there.

[Snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

ah, don't know what to say here actually...
I know it was short and all and there are two more books to find a closure but this was so impersonal

i didn't feel a thing for the characters...

everything was so fast, and it would make sense, if it was about lust but the interaction between the MCs was supposed to be based on trust after they like re-meet for the second time and he doesn't even know her name, he doesn't remember her...
hell and that's not all she's giving him - oho, ho, ho, cause, guess what, she trusts him! Funny!

words like: "Tell me you're mine!" and "I'm yours! All yours!"

don't mean shit here!

and after he says this:

“You’re going to feel me tomorrow. When you pee, you’ll burn. When you sit, you’ll squirm. When you cross your legs, you’ll throb. Every movement will be uncomfortable, and you’ll know I was here.”

it's a turning point for me...

really?! Like really, really? that is supposed to be sexy or smth?!

[Janey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmmmn...short and shaky, I'd say.

A chance meeting 8 years previous, had had such an impact on Talia's life, that she often thought about the unique eyed Blackie she'd met one dismal night.

In the current day, as an investigative journalist, she finds herself at an opulent, masked party in honour of a girl she desperately needs to know more about....and guess what?!

I'm not entirely sure what didn't work very well for me, but I'm thinking it's the authors voice. I like to think we all gain a connection, as we ride the words, but I struggled stepping up and strapping myself on! I failed to gain a connection with the characters, finding Sebastian an arrogant dominant. I also found the dialogue clichéd and a little cheesy.

[Steelwhisper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously, I should have realised by now that beautiful covers in that genre hide absolute stinkers most of the time. This read like half a novel, telegraphed via Twitter. I'll try to make this equally as short:

- super-unreadable, pretentious present-tense-1st-POV-prose
- no substantial plot in sight (no plot in sight, actually)
- abuse of BDSM to market non-con/tortureporn/alpha shice
- alpha shice
- the umpteenth variant of Mr. Grey and Bella-dear

Could authors please think up something new? Finally? Could they maybe not take their readers for idiots?

[Magen Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 sexy stars!

*beta read*

My Review:

I'm so happy I got the opportunity to read this book. I'm a big fan of P.T. Michelle and so far everything I've read by her I just end up loving! Mister Black was no exception. I enjoyed this book so much! It was such a sexy read and I can't wait for the next book!

I can already tell that I will definitely enjoy Talia's character, though she makes some frustrating choices. She seems like a strong heroine, and I do love strong female characters. And don't even get me started on Sebastian! That is one very sexy man. Hell, he eludes sexiness. And I love his controlled and domineering personality. Yet, I can tell he is a very kind and sweet man.

The chemistry between them is so very palpable, thick and heavy. I loved every second of it. It really seeped off the pages and even though they really barely know each other the chemistry, the attractiveness, between them is really brimming under the surface. And of course I loved every sexy scene between them! Especially how they reunite, that was so romantic and just so wonderful.

I am also very intrigued by who Sebastian and Talia are. I can't wait to learn more about them and watch them grow separate as well as together. I can't wait to see how their relationship will bloom, because I can tell it’s going to be one hell of a ride -- intense, sexy, and so enjoyable. I am quite intrigued about their pasts and I can't wait to learn more about them, because I can tell a lot has happened since the first time they met to now, eight years later.

Mister Black is busting with intense sexiness—and I loved that! This is going to be a series (I’ve actually never read a serial before) I’m going to have to read! I’m hooked! The pacing was wonderful, as was the buildup of the plot and story, and I was pulled in the moment I started it.

The book flowed so well, built at such a nice pace, and didn’t feel rushed at all; though it is a bit of a fast paced read. The characters really drew me in as well as their stories. And of course that sexual energy was right on! I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry and carnal atmosphere. I highly recommend this one to New Adult readers, it's a fun, short, and sexy read! And it was quite addicting, in my opinion.

[My Little Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars



“You’re going to feel me tomorrow. When you pee, you’ll burn. When you sit, you’ll squirm. When you cross your legs, you’ll throb. Every movement will be uncomfortable, and you’ll know I was here.”

This story began really well, but from the sex scene till the end the pace slowed...even though the sex scene was hot, dragging it for like 4 chapters was too much.
What didn't make sense to me is the fact the heroine wanted to keep her identity a secret at all costs...even though her name and last name wouldn't reveal her secret.
The final part at the bar...was sad and I don't know...I would have expected her to do something...not staying there like a statue!!
Hope book to is better!

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well then. I see what all the fuss is about. I don't like young, virginal heroines because they're often portrayed in a very immature, childish way, and their dialogues just make them worse. The exact opposite was the case here. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself; she wasn't a timid, flaky female, and I loved that about her. Yes, she had baggage, but her character didn't use it at every opportunity to shy away from everyone. She kept a mysteriousness about her without coming off as pathetic.

And wow, Sebastian. He made a big, good first impression in the foreword. For a then seventeen year old, he seemed mature beyond his years. If he was cute then, he was devastating as an adult – all raw passion, intense and mysterious. It took a while for the SEAL part to come to the fore, and I'm quite pleased that there was a little more emphasis on the fact he was military instead of some pampered billionaire who thinks money can buy everything and everyone. There were times I thought he recognized Talia, and then he'd say or do something that said he didn't. That push and pull is just a part of the magic between this pairing. Throw in a bit of BDSM-lite and the sex fizzled my Kindle.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit peeved that this story ended, unlike the others, without a HEA. This is part of a serial, and now the wait begins. This was a very well-written, beautiful story, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

**I read this as a part of the Hot Alpha SEALs Romance Megaset**

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Hot...damn. This book provided the perfect combination of sizzling, sweet and mysterious. I was immediately hooked from the first page! Knowing that this is a series, I thought P.T. Michelle gave just the right amount of information on each character to keep me interested, but just enough mystery behind each to make sure I wanted more. I thought the characters were well thought out and well presented. I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but even with this one, I felt satisfied, but super excited to continue the story.

As I reached the sizzly scene, my head immediately reflected to Fifty Shades, but I have to say that P.T Michelle's sex scene was better written and even more hot. Even the name Sebastian exudes sexiness! I love the relationship between Sebastian and Talia and am looking forward to what comes next for them.

The only thing wrong with this book is that it isn't a full novel...I don't want to wait to finish the story!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant short read .... on to the next :)

[~Mindy Lynn~]

Freebie 6/12/17

[Tina "IRead2Escape" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Hotness Rating 4 out of 5

Mister Black, aka Sebastian Quinn is hot! I mean sizzling, panties melting hot! This story is a must read and I can't wait to read the rest of the In The Shadows series. The only reason I gave this story 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because it started out just a bit slow and confusing. I get this was important to build up the intrigue, but it put me off just a little bit. It quickly got past this awkward stage and slipped right into fabulous! You will not regret reading this story!

Talia is running from her past, but it continues to haunt her. One of the few good memories she actually has from being a child was when a kind older teen boy saved her. He's never left her mind, though and 8 years later he's her biggest fantasy. She was only 13 at the time and they never exchanged names, so she knows they'll never cross paths, again. At least, that's always been her assumption until she runs into a mysteriously sexy guy at a costume party.

Sebastian's the illegitimate son, but that doesn't stop him from being protective and loving to his sister. Home on leave Sebastian spends as much time as he can with his sister hoping to help her heal from the recent trauma she's gone through. The horrific event that she'll give no one any details about. So when Sebastian finds the intriguing "Scarlet" sneaking through his sister's home he needs to find out more. He quickly unearths the truth that she is there to try to get the story of the events from Mina for the college paper. A story that could launch her career as soon as she graduates.

The connection that Sebastian and Talia have is palpable from the very beginning. I could not get enough of these two characters. Seriously, it was almost torture to read knowing that it would be over soon. Normally, I don't like a story that leaves me hanging, but these characters sucked me in and now I'm hooked. Please, please, please Ms. Michelle write fast because I need (and I mean need) to know what happens next.

You can find this review and others at www.riverinaromantics.com

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at:
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

Holy hell! I want more! I absolutely loved Mister Black and I cannot express how much I did! It has one sexy, dark, mysterious guy that I can't get enough of. He is protective, but domineering and even made my girl parts quiver with his commanding tone! I hope the next book comes out soon!

Talia first crossed paths with Mister Black when she was a teen; he helped her return home after something bad went down. She has thought about him a lot since that night and hasn't seen him again… until now. She is in college and attending a party to chase after a story for the school paper, a story that hits very close to home and may be connected to her own past.

The attraction between Talia and Mister Black is off the charts! He doesn't connect her to that night they met 8 years ago, but Talia never forgot. She doesn't give him her name, he knows her only as Scarlett or Red. When these two get together though, it is sizzling hot! He is controlling, possessive and passionate… and sure knows how to pleasure a woman. He has secrets too and I want to know so much more about him. We get to see a little of Talia’s past, but there is so much more to her and I am eager to find out more about her too.

Even though this is the first part in a serial, I was definitely hooked from the prologue. I wanted to know more about that night and wanted more of the boy that helped her. I was swept away in the storyline and the passion that these two share. I have lots of questions and I am definitely reading more!! I think P.T. Michelle has done an incredible job with this story and is going to get a lot of readers hooked like me!!

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

“No matter what you’ve done family forgives…It’s like the tide every morning and evening, sunrise and sunset, and a rainbow after the rain stops and the sun shines.”

Mister Black was a quick, saucy and mysteriously intriguing read. Did we enjoy it? Yes and no, the writing style was fast paced and went straight on in there so was quite hard hitting, however, with no slow build or setting of the scene it was a tad confusing. It came across as if the Author assumed we knew what her characters were talking about at times, how and why they felt what they did and where they were in life as a consequence of their respective pasts. We didn’t so therefore felt a bit lost.

Saying that though; the suspense and the strength of the characters had us hooked enough to want to continue reading this series and yes, we can’t wait for the next installment – ‘Scarlett Red’. Here’s to hoping we get more background; especially more about the enigma that is Mister Black – the LUSH Sebastian!

For fans of sexy erotic reads looking for a quick ‘in-between’ we can recommend this one.

“Our pasts define us, but we don’t have to let them rule us.”

**Reviewed off ARC copy provided by the author**

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[Saunders · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors writing voice didn't work for me. I struggled with the words, the connection of the characters and the overall plot.

Storyline was too clichéd.

Lets see what book 2 brings.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

[Delia Binder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The improbable but intriguing story of a Young Girl From The Wrong Side of the Tracks ("Red") who's done a kindness by a Scapegrace Rich Kid ("Black") - only to meet up years later when she's a college-age heiress and he's the Navy SEAL scion of another wealthy family, and as a Journalism student in college she's trying to break open a campus drug ring which his flaky kid sister's a part of. Disguises, secrets, an uncovered interest in sexual submission (hers) - right down to a cliffhanger when his SEAL Team's called to duty just as she's about to meet him for coffee out of disguise, and give him back his expensive watch (though she doesn't know it's him, really!).

I wavered between a four-star and a three-star review for this one, for a long time after reading it. The immediate attraction and their D/s scene together is undeniably hot and sensual, the Main Characters seem appealing if (as I said above) improbable, and the series feels like it might be worth reading more of - if only there wasn't the Inevitable Deep Dark Secrets They Can't Tell Each Other (because if they did , then the story would have to be about something other than The Deep Dark Secrets!), and that stupidly pointless cliffhanger ending!

I'm going on record right now - as a rule, I hate Hate HATE!!! cliffhanger endings to books. They feel like a cheap trick on the writer's part to make me buy their next book, and all too often are meant to generate suspense for in characters or situations I'm not interested in already - so why bother to read on? If you've got a good story with engaging or at least interesting characters, you can flipping finish the story you started out telling, and tell me another story about these people in another book, can't you? A cliffhanger caused me to deduct half a star from the first book of one of my all-time favorite romantic series, , The Lucien Knight Trilogy - the story didn't need it, because I already desperately wanted to know how it came out from Lucien and Sophie. While I can intellectually acknowledge that there are occasions when cliffhangers can be done well and enhance a story, in the real world they very seldom are....

The second book in this series, , SCARLETT RED, is already out - I will be reviewing that...sometime.

[Miria Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rainbow stars

" We all have someone who crossed our path and fundamentally changed us. That one person who blew through our lives, their presence forever stamped on our psyche. They linger in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in the decisions we make. A soul crusher or a dream maker, depending on the perspective.

My person is Mr. Black " ~ Talia

This is how Mr. Black starts, with this quote from the main character, Talia. It resonated with me because it is true, we all have someone, it doesn't have to be a sexual thing. Maybe they even didn't really DO anything except "blow over" your life. But they're always there in some way, they sneak up on us.

First thing that caught my attention from this book, is the precise details it has. It sets the reader up in Talia's and Sebastian's very different but equally stormy worlds. Both characters haunted by deception and brutal death, they find their rainbows at a very young age. It spans two monumental moments in their lives. The first time they met and the second they "first met", as well as what led up to both being there at those moments in time.

There were some things that were left unraveled, some details that didn't fit and some that struck me as odd. As I finished the book, and even more so after I read Scarlett Red, I realized everything in this book has a purpose. EVERYTHING. It's like a little mystery and clues wrapped in one hell of an erotic night between Talia and Sebastian.

I'm a sucker for truly smart, quick and classy heroines as well a strong and compelling male lead. This story has both. Talia is a career-minded, extremely smart and observant girl who didn't let her past define her life. Except maybe in the sex area. Sebastian ( Mr. Black ) is alpha, a SEAL, soft spoken, dominant, bossy and well.... a panty melter.

Mr. Black gave me the impression of being a starter in a series that would lead me to a series of recycled plots and over worked scenes. Man, was I wrong. I still think this has the feel of long prologue or a prequel, if you will.The reason I gave it 3.5 stars is because it left too many question, like I said , it felt like a long prologue so I had no choice but to pick up Scarlett Red the second I put Mr. Black down.

Overall, a great read.

[A. Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rushing to get part two of this sexy tale. Loving both female and male lead. I must say loving both characters is a hard statement for me to make, but the author captures the reader’s attention from the very being.

Picture it … young girl distraught running through the rain and a handsome young man coming to her rescue who will be her destiny. What sounds like a cheesy fairytale princess story is actually a great introduction to the characters of the ‘In the Shadows Series’.

Sebastian Quinn Blake aka Mr. Black aka Blackie is the epitome of sexy, kinky, protective alpha male that most readers love to read about. Does his character contain a sufficient level of cockiness that will carry him throughout the series? Most definitely yes. Is he arrogant and extra sure of himself? That’s a yes once again. These characteristics only add to his character and only makes the reader want to find out more about him. Must read the series to find out what this Navy Seal has to offer.

Natalia Murphy aka Talia aka Red hasn't left the young girl she used to be that far behind her. Talia is fierce and beautiful but trouble by all the things that went wrong in her past. All she has to hang onto is a ‘rainbow’ that a mysterious young man gave her one rainy night. As most people know there isn't any gold at the end of the rainbow. Or is there?

Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected but in all honesty I'm really sure what I expected, I read the book description and downloaded the sample, I didn't expect to read it yet but I was stuck and killing time with just my kindle so I downloaded the book and while the blurb was enticing and got me to read it didn't really let me know what to expect.
This book has some very good, well written reviews which, if I'd have been able to read first would have given me more idea what to expect.
I'll keep it brief since others have said it better already but I suppose I wasn't expecting them to be so young, well Red anyway she's still in college, working for the school paper and has a bit of a Veronica Mars thing going on.
The book is short, only 125 pages and it flys by, I'm hoping we don't after to wait too long for 'Scarlett Red' the next in this series.
I'll close by just saying this book has a bit of everything and I'm hooked.

[Readingzmything · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

This story has an interesting plot and is scorching hot & sexy however, there seems to be something lacking. Probably because it's being told from the heroine's POV and I'm not completely sold on her character or the mystery behind her reasons for not wanting to disclose her identity. I am interested to see how things turn out so its on to book two for me!

[Malene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm intrigued. I will definitely read the second book because that Mister Black is kinda hot with his brown and blue eyes.

[Lindsay Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little "prequel" novella. Was it perfect? No. It had choppy moments and tried to cram a lot into a short amount of pages but I wasn't bored and I liked Sebastian a lot. I'm still warming up to "Scarlett" talia and have 2 more books to determine my thoughts on her. I'll be seeing where this story goes.....