Making Scandal

The Essien Series #2

by Kiru Taye

Sassy, successful Faith Brown has earned her place in the boardroom through hard work and sheer ambition. Making family is not on her agenda when there are businesses to develop and competitors to outdo. So when a casual affair with smooth and irresistible tycoon Mark Essien leads to an unplanned pregnancy, she’s determined not to make the mistakes her mother made by living with a man just for the sake of her child.

For Mark, personal matters have no place in the boardroom. Spotting the perfect opportunity, he ruthlessly launches a takeover bid for Faith’s Investment Brokerage firm. Finding out he’ll soon be a father, he knows he can’t let the indomitable and sexy Faith go through with her plans of single parenthood. All gloves are off. He’ll seduce her by any tactic necessary if it means his child doesn’t suffer the same stigma he did as a child.

With the media dogging their affairs in the boardroom and the bedroom, they find that making family is harder than making scandal.

Genres: Romance, Africa, Contemporary

261 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2014

About the author

As a lover of romance novels, Kiru wanted to read stories about Africans falling in love. When she couldn’t find those books, she decided to write the stories she wanted to read.

Kiru writes sensual stories featuring African characters whether on the continent or in the Diaspora. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.

Kiru is a founding member of Romance Writers of West Africa. In 2011, her debut romance novella, His Treasure, won the Book of the Year at the Love Romances Café Awards. She is the 2015 Romance Writer of the Year at the Nigerian Writers Awards and 2017 Author of the Year at the Ufere Awards.

Reviews

[Chinwe Okpaleke ubaezuonu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner and a fun read. A sizzler. Couldn't read it fast enough.

[Bethany-Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Brown is one hell of a woman in the boardroom. It's only one of the qualities about her that happens to catch Mark Essien's eye. It's too bad their financial firms happen to be competing businesses, because they'd make a heck of a team. When a passionate, private affair between the two leads to an unplanned pregnancy, Faith's stubbornness comes into play, and Mark's old scars rear their heads. Everybody knows scandal spreads like wildfire. Can these two learn communication goes beyond just the bedroom and boardroom before it's too late?

I adored Felix and Ebony's story in Keeping Secrets, so I eagerly dived into Making Scandal, ready and impatient to read the second Essien brother's love story. Boy, Kiru Taye does not disappoint. Faith is a strong character, and some will love her, while some will feel their nerves snapping because of her. Frankly, that's a testament to the author's ability to accurately catch the true nature, attitude, and character of a woman like Faith. It isn't easy to be a business woman in a man's world wearing skirts and heels, making sure you're being paid attention to for your work and intelligence, not just your sex and gender. She is fierce and independent. Sometimes it comes off as her being completely stubborn, but that's fine, too. She's allowed to be.

Mark Essien, on the other hand, finds his match, in just about every aspect of his life, in Faith. Mark is the kind of hero you can't help but adore. He's passionate and absolutely does not give up when it comes to getting exactly what--or who, in this case--he wants. Romantic at all times, sexy, and even a little humorous at times, he is a great package all rolled into one. And good for him when it came to working on getting Faith, because the man just didn't give up, no matter how many times she dogged him around. A lesser man would have cut his loses.

Making Scandal is listed as erotic romance, but I found it more sensual. It's definitely got the heat, and the character's sizzle on the pages. It takes a while for the two main characters to get together, but given the history of each of them and Faith's opinion on men and relationships, it really works well for the story. Ms. Taye has once again put out a great novel for readers to devour and enjoy. Her heroine could make any woman green with envy and wanting to be more like her, and her hero is far more than swoon worthy. Pick up a copy and give it a shot. And if you haven't read Keeping Secrets yet, either, get on that one as well.

[Debbie J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, I didn’t find Making Scandal half as engaging as its predecessor, Keeping Secrets. I saw little reason to invest in either of the two main characters because there’s almost nothing to them but seemingly endless lust. The plotline offers no real peril or challenge for the lovers other than swept away Faith’s risking her job since wealthy and elite Mark’s company is her employer’s major competitor.

Late in the story some higher stakes develop as Mark aims to buy the brokerage firm Faith works for and she tries to mount a counteroffer to block the purchase. Alas, then Faith learns she's pregnant and Making Scandal goes Basic Romance Novel. She agrees to marry Mark, let him have the merger deal, and give up her career to become a SAHM . RME.

Although I still appreciate author Kiru Taye’s ability to create fictional people you feel you know or would recognize if you met, the book left me wanting more substance. I’ll probably read the next offering, however, and finish the original Essien trilogy.

[Nana Prah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Scandal has got to be one of the best books I’ve read by Kiru Taye. I say this with a lot of enthusiasm because I’ve read most of her other books and enjoyed them all.

I find this novel to be balanced with drama, heat, miscommunication, emotional stress and lots of stubbornness.

Faith is a wonderful heroine whom I could relate to. A fiercely independent woman who has plowed her way through the business world with her own skill and determination. Needing no man to take care of her or ‘tie her to the kitchen sink,’ she is brought up short when she meets Mark Essien.

Rich, powerful, handsome and alpha incarnate. My goodness Ms. Taye can write hot male characters that you’ll want to pluck off the page and into your life.

I have nothing but praise for this story and I can’t wait for the last Essien’s novel to come out. If it supersedes this one then I’ll have to get a new rating system.

[Omolara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Scandal is the second in the Essien trilogy. One thing I enjoy is how Kiru Taye allows the reader gain access into Mark Essien 's head, that is priceless. I admire Faith Brown so much, she is a strong woman who meets her match in Mark Essien. They are not perfect but in the end, they were able to find a common ground. That is true love.
I love Mark Essien <3... He is a man who convincingly goes after what he wants. The bond he shares with Felix is heart warming. Lovely love story.

[Abimbola Odusote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book and it did mot disappoint me.
I Loved it and have read it twice since then.
Faith got on my nerves a few times but give me a man like Mark anyday.
Expecting Tony's story soon and maybe Kola's story too...he is the adopted Essien

[Zee Monodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary romance as it should be - light, easygoing, yet deep with emotion and meaning.

(disclaimer: I worked on this title as editor)

[Reen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was off to an amazing start.I loved the chemistry between the two main leads.

Faith's independent and self reliant character was refreshing.

Mark was a total green flag.i particularly loved how he respected her boundaries and was patient with her even in her irrational moments.

However 3/4 in to the book,I felt like the Faith's actions were uncalled for and her rants were childish.Also the ending felt rushed.i didn't like how her family issues were thrown under the bus and yet they were the main reason why she wouldn't let Mark in for the first half of the book.

[Lorice DeBlanc-Brim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Faith refuse to be the type of woman that's made for childbearing. Her father is sadly mistaken. So once Faith gets the opportunity to follow her dreams, she takes it. Wuma likes to claim men who she is not involve with as her man. Poor Mark! Thank goodness Mark shut that down. He wanted Faith and got her in the end. Wonderful story with good characters.

[A.Frances Etheridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Scandal WOW

This book was as intriguing as the first book. I loved how the introduction of Faith and Mark was not matched by Felix and Ebony. I enjoyed at Faith was always her own person and respected not crossing her friends. This book truly showed how status does not matter and the best love is one you wait for. I do not care for that slime ball Petersen.

[Abby G. Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Gr8 Read!

This was an excellent book that I know everyone will enjoy reading! I loved Mark and Faith's characters! They did belong together! I will definitely recommend this book to others!

[Ammina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Book, but frustrated.

I loved books 1 & 2. As I’m searching for book three I see I have to pay for it, but books 4-7 are free. A little frustrated and trying to decide if I want to pay for book three or move to the remaining books in the series. I had when this happens not sure if it’s the Author or Amazon either way or sucks!!!!

[Tonya Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Faith just surprised me all the way around. Who would belive Mark would wait so long for her. Loved this couple.

[I. Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royalty

Enjoyed reading about these brothers . Great story line and kept me wanting more. Ready for number 3 of the Essein boys

[Jessica Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and I wasn't disappointed. It's almost five in the morning and I just finished it; didn't want to put it down. It was intriguing, hot, suspenseful... almost like a soap opera. I love an alpha make and Mark was definitely that. Faith could be rather maddening but I admired her business acumen, and the heat between her and Mark was searing. And I was sooooo glad when Mark told off his mother. The heffah. LOL

I kinda hate that I started this series out of order but oh well...I can still read the others. And I plan to.

[Bukonla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping tale. Loved it though the foreword was distracting; bad use of grammar.

[Romance Novels in Color · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Keeping Secrets, I couldn’t wait for the second installment, Making Scandal, in the “Essien Trilogy” series. Although the story is full of passion, I found myself torn between liking and disliking the heroine, Faith Brown.

Faith is fierce, headstrong, and independent which makes her a dangerous opponent in the corporate world; however, her personal life is rigid. Independence became priority when she realized the future her father expected: “a baby-making factory for a man who thinks that’s all I’m worth.” There were times when Faith’s determination clouded her thoughts, exposing weaknesses. During those awkward moments she would make remarks like “you know damn well I don’t need your taxi fare,” trying to leverage the outcome by her success in the boardroom. This is where I became irritated with the character and looked forward to her giving up the “I don’t need a man…I can do it by myself” façade, especially when comments and questions screamed loneliness, jealousy, and desire.

Mark Essien is the epitome of sexy. Unlike his brother, Felix, who’s a fighter in the boxing ring, Mark is a fighter sparked with passion for the woman who has captured his heart, mind, and soul. After a year of waiting for Faith, he’s finally able to ignite the desire that resonated between them. The morning after spending their first evening together, Mark found himself defending a kind gesture: “instead of letting you sneak out of my bed and my apartment, I get up and pamper you with breakfast so that we can enjoy a little bit more time together, and you don’t like it.” Thankfully Mark is a man of patience.

There are many scenes that will either have you cheering on the love birds or wanting to strangle Faith for her pigheadedness. Mark captured me from the first page but even more so when he stood toe to toe protecting his fiancé. I can’t get enough of the Essien men!

-Reviewed by LaMona

[Empi Baryeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always on the look out for African romance, especially ones that take place in countries I've visited before, so Kiru Taye's books are always on my TBR pile.

Making Scandal is Book 2 of the Essien Trilogy and tells us the story of brother number 2, Mark Essien. Although, the hero is a billionaire and definitely with a healthy dose of entitlement, he isn't quite an alpha. His personal conflict is realistic and very believable.

When he sees Faith it's attraction at first sight and he goes for what he wants (I mentioned entitlement, right). But the author also shows Mark's vulnerable side and some of the revelations about his background just make him more endearing.

Faith is my kind of stubborn! And doesn't take things lying down when her career is under threat. Add the complication of an unplanned pregnancy and a complicated relationship with her father and you have a very well-rounded character you can fall in love with.

One of my fave scenes is when Mark gets Faith to admit she doesn't want to share him with anyone! All I'll reveal is that it happens in bed...

Mark and Faith are so likable that for a couple of weeks after reading the book, I would get an urge to go and find out what's up with Mark and Faith - only to remember I've completed the book.

Should you read this book? I say, yes. Absolutely.

[Kiru Taye]

Read an excerpt from the upcoming book http://goo.gl/TlUlgk



Sign up to participate in the book tour and review the book http://goo.gl/BORvDW

[she_ill_22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two didn't know what hit them...

Mark is da man! I like how he got straight to the point on every occasion! Faith wasn't ready for that type of man. But once she experienced that Mark-ism, she didn't hold back! Mark on the other hand, wasn't prepared for that "Jones" Faith put on him! She wasn't an okey doke woman. Faith was fiercely independent and could hold her own. These two were made for each other. I really love the positively sophisticated glimpse of Africa Kiru Taye gives the reader. I can't wait to read part three of the Trilogy!!

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed Mark and Faith story. Faith was married to her career,she did not have time for a husband and family. In walk Mark Essien,who wore down all those walls that she had built around her heart and showed her that when the right man comes along husband and family will come first.

[Selina Durio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. The Essien's are an interesting family and Ms. Taye uses their stories to show a glimpse of African traditional royalty. I liked the infusion of the culture of the continent. Riding Rebel should be a fun read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2nd book.

I very much enjoyed this book. Mark and Faith had so much passion between them. Loved it. Kiru Taye is becoming one of my favorite authors.

[Annette McGruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Diane West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Scandal (The Essien Trilogy Book 3)

I had fun reading the second book about the Essien and reading about Mark and Faith and their happy ever after love story.

[Lakisha Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough

I'm so glad I was turned on to this author. Her stories draw you in and the African back drop ... love it!

[Yolanda Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read. I look forward to reading book 3. This is my first African artist I've read and will be looking for others to add to my list.

I loved the era and location this book took me to. Kept me wanting to read more and now I want to read about Tony.