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Jewel #2
The Sapphire Heist
Keep your lover close and your enemy closer.
After giving in to a fiery night of passion, island adventurer Steph Anderson and bounty hunter Jake Harlowe are back to square one. With millions in stolen jewels at stake, it s hard for Steph not to question her new partner s true motives no matter how sexy he might be. Jake is hungry for more of Steph, but he can sense her growing mistrust, which only fuels his own doubts. Worse, there s undeniable evidence that someone else is now after the jewels and that they are both in real danger.
Fighting against their magnetic attraction is a distraction these two can t afford. In order to survive, they ll have to pull off one more heist and trust each other with something even more precious than jewels: their hearts.
"
After giving in to a fiery night of passion, island adventurer Steph Anderson and bounty hunter Jake Harlowe are back to square one. With millions in stolen jewels at stake, it s hard for Steph not to question her new partner s true motives no matter how sexy he might be. Jake is hungry for more of Steph, but he can sense her growing mistrust, which only fuels his own doubts. Worse, there s undeniable evidence that someone else is now after the jewels and that they are both in real danger.
Fighting against their magnetic attraction is a distraction these two can t afford. In order to survive, they ll have to pull off one more heist and trust each other with something even more precious than jewels: their hearts.
"
206 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2016
265 people are currently reading
2749 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
246 books24.5k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
July 4, 2016
***ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR HONEST REVIEW***
Suspense, Thriller, Love, Oh my!!!
After reading the Sapphire Affair, I was left wanting more. I needed to know what is happening. Was Jake really a bad guy? Please no. With that, I could not wait to get my pretty little hands on the Sapphire Heist.
AND OH MY GOODNESS. I could not put my kindle down. Lauren Blakely sucked me in. This novel was such a quick read. Again, I could not put it down. LOVE AND LOVE this sequel.
Jake and Steph’s relationship is so damn hot, it left me wanting to read more of their fun moments. The feelings they had for another was so vividly strong. You felt every emotion they had for one another. While they were falling in love with each other, you were falling in love with them.
Then the story itself, was a continuance from the first book. It left you thinking, what is the next move? Who did it? And plenty of oh my goodness moments. Like I said about the first book, Sapphire Affair, that it reminded me of a movie. This one I felt the exactly the same way. When the story ended, I wanted it to continue. You really do fall in love with Jake and Steph. However, part of me feels that Lauren Blakely has something up her sleeves for Jake and Steph. One could only hope.
With that, my rating for this novel is a FANTASTIC FIVE STARS. I could go on and on about how much I loved this sequel but I don’t want to give anything way. So moral of the story, READ IT. You will not be disappointed at all. One click away!
I would like to say, I have never read a Lauren Blakely novel until Sapphire Affair and after reading both Sapphire Affair and Sapphire Heist, I became a huge fan of Ms. Blakely. She is truly an exceptional writer. Thank you and it’s a definite five star rating.
Reviewed by Kris F.
Suspense, Thriller, Love, Oh my!!!
After reading the Sapphire Affair, I was left wanting more. I needed to know what is happening. Was Jake really a bad guy? Please no. With that, I could not wait to get my pretty little hands on the Sapphire Heist.
AND OH MY GOODNESS. I could not put my kindle down. Lauren Blakely sucked me in. This novel was such a quick read. Again, I could not put it down. LOVE AND LOVE this sequel.
Jake and Steph’s relationship is so damn hot, it left me wanting to read more of their fun moments. The feelings they had for another was so vividly strong. You felt every emotion they had for one another. While they were falling in love with each other, you were falling in love with them.
Then the story itself, was a continuance from the first book. It left you thinking, what is the next move? Who did it? And plenty of oh my goodness moments. Like I said about the first book, Sapphire Affair, that it reminded me of a movie. This one I felt the exactly the same way. When the story ended, I wanted it to continue. You really do fall in love with Jake and Steph. However, part of me feels that Lauren Blakely has something up her sleeves for Jake and Steph. One could only hope.
With that, my rating for this novel is a FANTASTIC FIVE STARS. I could go on and on about how much I loved this sequel but I don’t want to give anything way. So moral of the story, READ IT. You will not be disappointed at all. One click away!
I would like to say, I have never read a Lauren Blakely novel until Sapphire Affair and after reading both Sapphire Affair and Sapphire Heist, I became a huge fan of Ms. Blakely. She is truly an exceptional writer. Thank you and it’s a definite five star rating.
Reviewed by Kris F.
August 12, 2016
“To me, romance and suspense go hand in hand. What’s more suspenseful than wondering how two wonderful people can manage to get together in spite of the world going crazy around them?”
~Maggie Shayne
Romance blends with suspense in the sensational Sapphire series by Lauren Blakely, a different kind of book high where the unknown is heightened and feelings are folded with thrills. Lauren Blakely made me fall in love with suspense in The Sapphire Affair and I could not wait to get lost in The Sapphire Heist. I was chomping at the bit for more of this mystery, and dove into The Sapphire Heist with desire and determination.
I was catapulted back into the Sapphire series that boggled my brain for weeks. The Sapphire Heist consumed me from the very first page. Mind racing. Feelings flowing. Heart beating out of my chest. My pulse pounded with each page as I felt the rush of The Sapphire Heist. I was absorbed. I was obsessed. I was alive.
Just when I thought I solved the mystery in The Sapphire Heist, a new one popped up with more twists and turns than ever. This story is swathed in so much suspense that I tried to solve the mystery day and night. I DREAMT diamonds, sapphires, heists, and heat. The Sapphire Heist hijacked my head, danced in my dreams, and blew up my brain.
The Sapphire Heist captivated and claimed ALL OF ME. I never stopped thinking about this series. The Sapphire Heist became my heist. My high. My hope. My adventure. My addiction. Enthralling, engaging, and electric, The Sapphire Heist is full of twists and turns in a thriller that rivals James Bond. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of this adventure!
Bounty Hunter, Jake Harlowe, the hot knight in panty-melting armor that heated me from head to toe bared more heart in The Sapphire Heist and became even HOTTER. Dark hair, green eyes, tall, and a muscular body to be climbed like Mount Everest. Jake is the perfect man. I love how Jake is tough on the outside but tender at the core. He is tough with a strong sense of right and wrong. Though he will bend the law if the ends justify the means.
Robin Hood met his Maid Marian in a bar one night, steaming up the place with a passionate kiss, and Steph has been the Bonnie to Jake’s Clyde ever since. A beautiful blonde, blue-eyed, and buxom beach gal, Steph Anderson looks and swims like a mermaid, one that Jake is still trying to catch for good. Steph Anderson is smart, sassy, and savvy and I love her!
The Sapphire Heist bleeds angst as Steph and Jake crash and clash a few times, lines blurred and already crossed. Doubt lingers like the salty air near the ocean and trust is tried as it often floats away at sea. One constant is the chemistry that is fire-hot, a burn that only ignites further throughout the story.
“Come closer. Climb on. Sit on my face. I need you straddling me.”
Holy HOT! I was on fire as my body heated from head to toe. I could not get enough of Jake’s dirty mouth. The chemistry burns bright through fights too with fight-sex.
“Can we please just f**k it out now?”
“F**k it out?”
“Yes. Your anger. Our mistrust. My doubt. Can we just once and for all f**k it out and let it go?”
Explosive is the heat between Jake and Steph. Explosive is the story of The Sapphire Heist. Explosive are the emotions left wading in the sea of suspense and angst aftermath. Jake and Steph are have hit some bumps in the road but have new leads to solving the $10 million heist of diamonds along with doubt.
“Think real hard before you say it. Ask yourself if you want to go there?”’
“Go where?”
“You’re about to suggest I’m in on it too, aren’t you?”
The trust teeters back and forth. The suspense builds. Steph and Jake are in doubt, unsure who the enemy is in this game. Love is on the line and needs to be rescued as much as the diamonds if Steph and Jake want to be more than partners or friends or enemies.
“How do I know if any of this between us is real? Or just a setup to take the diamonds?”
The Sapphire Heist is flawlessly executed. Edgy. Enthralling. Emotional. Each chapter of the Sapphire series turned on the movie projector in my head. Move over Nancy Drew as Lauren Blakely is the new Queen of Suspense. Hollywood needs to make The Sapphire Affair and The Sapphire Heist the next James Bond thriller as this series is a suspenseful sensation and a trip of thrills from beginning to end.
The twists and the turns of The Sapphire Heist wove a maze of mystery that kept me on the edge. The intrigue. The intoxication. The level of involvement for the reader in the Sapphire Heist suspense is sheer brilliance. Lauren Blakely's words are vivid like paint to a canvas where I experienced EVERYTHING. The angst. The attraction. The action. I wore The Sapphire series like a jewel that was a part of me: stunning and spectacular.
I felt the surge of adrenaline that poured from the pages to my body. I lived and breathed this book. I felt ALIVE. I was ALL IN. The Sapphire Heist stole my head and heart and I still crave more of this gem.
5 suspenseful, spellbinding, and spectacular stars
~Maggie Shayne
Romance blends with suspense in the sensational Sapphire series by Lauren Blakely, a different kind of book high where the unknown is heightened and feelings are folded with thrills. Lauren Blakely made me fall in love with suspense in The Sapphire Affair and I could not wait to get lost in The Sapphire Heist. I was chomping at the bit for more of this mystery, and dove into The Sapphire Heist with desire and determination.
I was catapulted back into the Sapphire series that boggled my brain for weeks. The Sapphire Heist consumed me from the very first page. Mind racing. Feelings flowing. Heart beating out of my chest. My pulse pounded with each page as I felt the rush of The Sapphire Heist. I was absorbed. I was obsessed. I was alive.
Just when I thought I solved the mystery in The Sapphire Heist, a new one popped up with more twists and turns than ever. This story is swathed in so much suspense that I tried to solve the mystery day and night. I DREAMT diamonds, sapphires, heists, and heat. The Sapphire Heist hijacked my head, danced in my dreams, and blew up my brain.
The Sapphire Heist captivated and claimed ALL OF ME. I never stopped thinking about this series. The Sapphire Heist became my heist. My high. My hope. My adventure. My addiction. Enthralling, engaging, and electric, The Sapphire Heist is full of twists and turns in a thriller that rivals James Bond. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of this adventure!
Bounty Hunter, Jake Harlowe, the hot knight in panty-melting armor that heated me from head to toe bared more heart in The Sapphire Heist and became even HOTTER. Dark hair, green eyes, tall, and a muscular body to be climbed like Mount Everest. Jake is the perfect man. I love how Jake is tough on the outside but tender at the core. He is tough with a strong sense of right and wrong. Though he will bend the law if the ends justify the means.
Robin Hood met his Maid Marian in a bar one night, steaming up the place with a passionate kiss, and Steph has been the Bonnie to Jake’s Clyde ever since. A beautiful blonde, blue-eyed, and buxom beach gal, Steph Anderson looks and swims like a mermaid, one that Jake is still trying to catch for good. Steph Anderson is smart, sassy, and savvy and I love her!
The Sapphire Heist bleeds angst as Steph and Jake crash and clash a few times, lines blurred and already crossed. Doubt lingers like the salty air near the ocean and trust is tried as it often floats away at sea. One constant is the chemistry that is fire-hot, a burn that only ignites further throughout the story.
“Come closer. Climb on. Sit on my face. I need you straddling me.”
Holy HOT! I was on fire as my body heated from head to toe. I could not get enough of Jake’s dirty mouth. The chemistry burns bright through fights too with fight-sex.
“Can we please just f**k it out now?”
“F**k it out?”
“Yes. Your anger. Our mistrust. My doubt. Can we just once and for all f**k it out and let it go?”
Explosive is the heat between Jake and Steph. Explosive is the story of The Sapphire Heist. Explosive are the emotions left wading in the sea of suspense and angst aftermath. Jake and Steph are have hit some bumps in the road but have new leads to solving the $10 million heist of diamonds along with doubt.
“Think real hard before you say it. Ask yourself if you want to go there?”’
“Go where?”
“You’re about to suggest I’m in on it too, aren’t you?”
The trust teeters back and forth. The suspense builds. Steph and Jake are in doubt, unsure who the enemy is in this game. Love is on the line and needs to be rescued as much as the diamonds if Steph and Jake want to be more than partners or friends or enemies.
“How do I know if any of this between us is real? Or just a setup to take the diamonds?”
The Sapphire Heist is flawlessly executed. Edgy. Enthralling. Emotional. Each chapter of the Sapphire series turned on the movie projector in my head. Move over Nancy Drew as Lauren Blakely is the new Queen of Suspense. Hollywood needs to make The Sapphire Affair and The Sapphire Heist the next James Bond thriller as this series is a suspenseful sensation and a trip of thrills from beginning to end.
The twists and the turns of The Sapphire Heist wove a maze of mystery that kept me on the edge. The intrigue. The intoxication. The level of involvement for the reader in the Sapphire Heist suspense is sheer brilliance. Lauren Blakely's words are vivid like paint to a canvas where I experienced EVERYTHING. The angst. The attraction. The action. I wore The Sapphire series like a jewel that was a part of me: stunning and spectacular.
I felt the surge of adrenaline that poured from the pages to my body. I lived and breathed this book. I felt ALIVE. I was ALL IN. The Sapphire Heist stole my head and heart and I still crave more of this gem.
5 suspenseful, spellbinding, and spectacular stars
October 20, 2016
➦This is a second and final installment of the Jewel series by Lauren Blakely. Jake and Steph, our tho main characters, team up in order to solve a case of missing money/diamonds. They also develop feelings for each other while on the "job" and there's whole lot of steamy times.
➦Even though I did like this series, I felt somewhat disconnected from the characters. Perhaps it's because suspense normally isn't my cuppa... Perhaps it's the third person POV that I'm usually not a big fan of... Perhaps it's because a big chunk of the story consists of the chase to recover stolen diamonds, which I just didn't care much for. I'm all about character interaction, tension and angst. This just didn't hit the spot. But as they say, to each their own! :)
❤I'm a big fan of Lauren's writing, I usually devour her male-only POV romcoms -- those are just amazing. :) Highly recommended!
➦Recommended for those who enjoy romance with a bit suspense and crime solving.
Books in this series:
August 23, 2016
Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
“As her lover, he wanted to be supportive and respectful of the family matters, even if they didn’t see eye to eye. But as her partner in un-crime, he wanted her by his side. ”
Lauren Blakely masterfully brings forth another sexy, thrilling, edgy, and intoxicating romantic suspense that shines bright like a diamond!!!! The Sapphire Heist picks off where it last left off in The Sapphire Affair so please be aware that this book can’t be read as standalone. Well with that out of the way, let’s dive back into the conclusion of the Jewel Series and of course reunite with our favorite bounty hunter, Jack Harlowe.
“Life was full of risks, and so was love. She was a risk worth taking.”
In the case of whodunit and millions of dollars of diamonds at stake, Jack and Steph are thrown into a whirlwind of action, suspense, and passion. Trust is something that Steph takes very seriously and so as she embarks whether to trust Jack, she soon begins to succumb to her desires and feelings. And for Jack, one taste of Steph was not enough. Their connection was electric, palpable, intense, and consuming. As these two embark to figure out the mystery of the diamonds, Blakely masterfully weaves duplicity, heart, and sexual chemistry with finesse. In the end, will Jack and Steph discover the biggest heist they will pull off is discovering that real diamond in the rough is their love for each other?
“You’re safe with me. Know that, Steph. Just know that.”
The Sapphire Heist is sexy symphony of chicanery, passion, heart, suspense, and a luminous love story of two unlikely strangers. With Blakely’s signature of steam and playful banter, she creates a story that will hold you hostage as readers are immersed with Jack’s dirty talking mouth and his feisty lovable heroine, Steph. So if you are looking for a series that is a blended version of Ocean’s Eleven, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Bank Job, then I would highly recommend you to read The Sapphire Affair and The Sapphire Heist. And as an added incentive, Jack Harlowe will have you blushing with his sexy and sinful mouth.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Lauren Blakely
“As her lover, he wanted to be supportive and respectful of the family matters, even if they didn’t see eye to eye. But as her partner in un-crime, he wanted her by his side. ”Lauren Blakely masterfully brings forth another sexy, thrilling, edgy, and intoxicating romantic suspense that shines bright like a diamond!!!! The Sapphire Heist picks off where it last left off in The Sapphire Affair so please be aware that this book can’t be read as standalone. Well with that out of the way, let’s dive back into the conclusion of the Jewel Series and of course reunite with our favorite bounty hunter, Jack Harlowe.
“Life was full of risks, and so was love. She was a risk worth taking.”In the case of whodunit and millions of dollars of diamonds at stake, Jack and Steph are thrown into a whirlwind of action, suspense, and passion. Trust is something that Steph takes very seriously and so as she embarks whether to trust Jack, she soon begins to succumb to her desires and feelings. And for Jack, one taste of Steph was not enough. Their connection was electric, palpable, intense, and consuming. As these two embark to figure out the mystery of the diamonds, Blakely masterfully weaves duplicity, heart, and sexual chemistry with finesse. In the end, will Jack and Steph discover the biggest heist they will pull off is discovering that real diamond in the rough is their love for each other?
“You’re safe with me. Know that, Steph. Just know that.”The Sapphire Heist is sexy symphony of chicanery, passion, heart, suspense, and a luminous love story of two unlikely strangers. With Blakely’s signature of steam and playful banter, she creates a story that will hold you hostage as readers are immersed with Jack’s dirty talking mouth and his feisty lovable heroine, Steph. So if you are looking for a series that is a blended version of Ocean’s Eleven, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Bank Job, then I would highly recommend you to read The Sapphire Affair and The Sapphire Heist. And as an added incentive, Jack Harlowe will have you blushing with his sexy and sinful mouth.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Lauren Blakely
July 5, 2016
I wrote this book! I hope you love how Steph and Jake's romance plays out! It's full of sexy times, and lots of twists and turns that I hope will surprise you!!!!! A fun, sexy, romantic, intriguing summer read!
August 21, 2016
Add a glint of suspense and sparkle of chemistry and you get an entertaining, sweet and sexy romance.
Steph Anderson didn’t go to the Caymans just to lead a diving expedition, she went to learn the truth about her stepfather. She never imagined she would end up meeting, helping and falling for a sexy artifact retriever who was looking for the jewels her stepfather supposedly stole. But can she truly trust a man she barely knows? Especially when so much money is involved and all evidence points at Jake being the thief?
Jake Harlowe had sworn off relationships for good, he especially didn’t mix business with pleasure. But after a sizzling night with a woman he’s genuinely connected with though, he can’t help but want more. Especially when she can also help him crack the Sapphire Affair he’s working on even though she’s not convinced who the real bad guy is.
Their attraction is undeniable but as all clues keep leading to dead ends and other players seem to also in the run for the jewels, trust between Jake and Steph seems to wane when it’s the only thing that will help them succeed.
Lauren Blakely picks up the sultry and engaging Sapphire Affair story right where it was left off, having not just the mystery of the diamond’s whereabouts unsolved but also who can truly be trusted. Even though Jake and Steph have made some progress on all fronts, they still don’t know where or who has the diamonds and they definitely don’t know each other well, but getting to figure out both was certainly fun.
While getting to know one another they had fun and sexy times, and tried to crack the case of the missing gems. They’re both very likeable characters, Steph wasn’t just feisty and sweet, she always wanted to see the good in people and Jake is witty and sharp, and love for his family was completely endearing and he knew how to deliver a good apology!
Their chemistry was sizzling
and threatened to distract and derail them from their main objective but even as I thought I had it figured out, there were some twists thrown in and I was just as stumped as they were.
The Sapphire Heist is book #2 in the Jewel duet by Lauren Blakely. It is a fun, sweet and sexy romance with twists and turns. I enjoyed reading Jake and Steph’s story and I hope it is not the last we get of them. Yes, Lauren totally hinted at a ruby affair which I hope we get. Told from both points of view that ends with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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“Hey. You found your sexy fisherman… and you found my favorite mermaind.”
“We did find each other.”
Steph Anderson didn’t go to the Caymans just to lead a diving expedition, she went to learn the truth about her stepfather. She never imagined she would end up meeting, helping and falling for a sexy artifact retriever who was looking for the jewels her stepfather supposedly stole. But can she truly trust a man she barely knows? Especially when so much money is involved and all evidence points at Jake being the thief?
Jake Harlowe had sworn off relationships for good, he especially didn’t mix business with pleasure. But after a sizzling night with a woman he’s genuinely connected with though, he can’t help but want more. Especially when she can also help him crack the Sapphire Affair he’s working on even though she’s not convinced who the real bad guy is.
“This woman drove him wild. She was a pistol, a fiery, sexy, determined, tenacious woman who made him crazy, and who he wanted fiercely.”
Their attraction is undeniable but as all clues keep leading to dead ends and other players seem to also in the run for the jewels, trust between Jake and Steph seems to wane when it’s the only thing that will help them succeed.
Lauren Blakely picks up the sultry and engaging Sapphire Affair story right where it was left off, having not just the mystery of the diamond’s whereabouts unsolved but also who can truly be trusted. Even though Jake and Steph have made some progress on all fronts, they still don’t know where or who has the diamonds and they definitely don’t know each other well, but getting to figure out both was certainly fun.
“I know already that the water calms you. I know the sunshine is like some kind of magic to you.”
While getting to know one another they had fun and sexy times, and tried to crack the case of the missing gems. They’re both very likeable characters, Steph wasn’t just feisty and sweet, she always wanted to see the good in people and Jake is witty and sharp, and love for his family was completely endearing and he knew how to deliver a good apology!
“Cats can be @ssh*les.”
“There should be a greeting card for that. Sorry I behaved like a cat.”
____________________________
“I acted like a cat as well… I want to try again and not be cats.”
Their chemistry was sizzling
“This, Steph. This isn’t a lie,” he said in a growl, in her ear. “I know,” she said, gasping as he drove into her. “This is the truth. The way we fit like this.”
and threatened to distract and derail them from their main objective but even as I thought I had it figured out, there were some twists thrown in and I was just as stumped as they were.
The Sapphire Heist is book #2 in the Jewel duet by Lauren Blakely. It is a fun, sweet and sexy romance with twists and turns. I enjoyed reading Jake and Steph’s story and I hope it is not the last we get of them. Yes, Lauren totally hinted at a ruby affair which I hope we get. Told from both points of view that ends with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
June 8, 2016
What a fab ending!
Fun and filled with action, Lauren Blakey has created a perfect summer time reading duo of books! Each installment is the perfect amount of suspense and hot steamy fun needed to survive the summer!
At less than two hundred pages each I won’t go into much detail. I mean, why spoil the fun? Think Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in Fools Gold(ish) type of read.
Let the summertime reading begin!
*ARC via Netgalley
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Book Babblers
Fun and filled with action, Lauren Blakey has created a perfect summer time reading duo of books! Each installment is the perfect amount of suspense and hot steamy fun needed to survive the summer!
At less than two hundred pages each I won’t go into much detail. I mean, why spoil the fun? Think Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in Fools Gold(ish) type of read.
Let the summertime reading begin!
*ARC via Netgalley
Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
tumblr
YouTube
Book Babblers
August 8, 2016
Blakely ran away with my heart with this series! I loved every second! The characters were incredible. The storyline was enticing and so much fun! Romance readers are always guaranteed a GREAT time with Lauren Blakely at the helm! This is one summer series that will drive you WILD!
"Take me. I want you to take me."
"I want to have you," he said, his voice low and needy. He was desperate for her. "God, I want to have you."
The heat definitely gets turned up a notch in the second book of the Jewel series. After getting past their doubt with each other's motives, the desperation and the sexual tension go through the roof. These two have never experienced feelings like these, and they want nothing more than to see where it takes them. Even though there seems to be a countdown on the amount of time they have with each other, they try to make the most of it, while still searching for the elusive diamonds that brought them together in the first place.
"You're a perfect woman. I can barely take your awesomeness."
And can I just say that I absolutely LOVED Jake Harlowe! I mean, he isn't your typical "Lauren Blakely Alpha" and I don't think he's meant to be, but he still carries the same characteristics that make us fall completely in love with Blakely's heroes. He just says the sweetest things all the time, and I completely adore him. I also think Steph was the PERFECT match for him. They feed off of each other in such a realistic way. The flirtatious banter will make you melt. It's the cutest back and forth that you've ever read. Swoon-worthy to the max, I might say.
"You're my treasure."
This was so much more that a jewel heist romance. Yes, there was the constant guessing of "who done it?" But, the beautiful, blossoming love story between Jake and Steph just made this series GREAT! I've said in the past, and I'll say it again...I would read pretty much ANYTHING that this woman writes. No matter the genre...no matter the publisher...no matter what people are saying...Lauren Blakely is my GO TO author...my AUTO BUY author...my DROP EVERYTHING author. This series just reminded me just how utterly talented Ms. Blakely is. If you haven't experienced her story telling yet, drop everything and pick up a Blakely book. You will NEVER be disappointed!
"Take me. I want you to take me."
"I want to have you," he said, his voice low and needy. He was desperate for her. "God, I want to have you."
The heat definitely gets turned up a notch in the second book of the Jewel series. After getting past their doubt with each other's motives, the desperation and the sexual tension go through the roof. These two have never experienced feelings like these, and they want nothing more than to see where it takes them. Even though there seems to be a countdown on the amount of time they have with each other, they try to make the most of it, while still searching for the elusive diamonds that brought them together in the first place.
"You're a perfect woman. I can barely take your awesomeness."
And can I just say that I absolutely LOVED Jake Harlowe! I mean, he isn't your typical "Lauren Blakely Alpha" and I don't think he's meant to be, but he still carries the same characteristics that make us fall completely in love with Blakely's heroes. He just says the sweetest things all the time, and I completely adore him. I also think Steph was the PERFECT match for him. They feed off of each other in such a realistic way. The flirtatious banter will make you melt. It's the cutest back and forth that you've ever read. Swoon-worthy to the max, I might say.
"You're my treasure."
This was so much more that a jewel heist romance. Yes, there was the constant guessing of "who done it?" But, the beautiful, blossoming love story between Jake and Steph just made this series GREAT! I've said in the past, and I'll say it again...I would read pretty much ANYTHING that this woman writes. No matter the genre...no matter the publisher...no matter what people are saying...Lauren Blakely is my GO TO author...my AUTO BUY author...my DROP EVERYTHING author. This series just reminded me just how utterly talented Ms. Blakely is. If you haven't experienced her story telling yet, drop everything and pick up a Blakely book. You will NEVER be disappointed!
June 19, 2016
The Sapphire Heist is the second book in the Jewel Series. It must be read after The Sapphire Affair to fully understand the case of the missing diamonds. After a night of passion, Jake and Steph are even more confused...
Steph is beyond hurt and pissed. She thought she could trust Jake after the week they have shared especially after last night but she now has her doubts. She doesn't isn't even 100% sure that Eli is a thief. She doesn't want to believe that the only father she has known could steal millions of dollars from retirees. At this point she can't even trust herself. But what she does know is that she has found a man that makes her laugh, challenges her, and gives her multiple orgasms. But, none of that matters if she can't trust him. Can Jake prove to her that he can be trusted without a doubt? But, there is a twist...can he trust her?
This was only supposed to be a job. In and out. Steph complicated things. They are partners in every way but that can also cause distractions. Jake thinks he is losing his edge because he can't stop thinking about Steph in compromising positions. This isn't just about him. It's about his family. He has to finish this job so he can get back to them. Jake was born to take risks. But is this island tryst worth the risk? She is a pain in the ass after all. The only think is that...he loves that about her.
Now, about the missing diamonds. I will not spoil anything about the heist. I will just say there are twists and turns. I love trying to solve cases like this. Lauren had me. She did an amazing job!!
Overall...I loved it! The characters have amazing chemistry. Have fun banter. And care about their families which makes them even more special. The case of the missing diamonds had me reeling. Who stole them? Who is after them now? Will Jake and Steph find them first?
Quotes:
She kissed like a dream, and he could get lost in these kisses, in this sweet, feisty, fiery woman.
“Then please allow me to help you think straight.”
“Aha! You’re one of those people who hates pumpkin spice lattes. I’ve heard about your kind but have never spotted one in the wild.”
Steph is beyond hurt and pissed. She thought she could trust Jake after the week they have shared especially after last night but she now has her doubts. She doesn't isn't even 100% sure that Eli is a thief. She doesn't want to believe that the only father she has known could steal millions of dollars from retirees. At this point she can't even trust herself. But what she does know is that she has found a man that makes her laugh, challenges her, and gives her multiple orgasms. But, none of that matters if she can't trust him. Can Jake prove to her that he can be trusted without a doubt? But, there is a twist...can he trust her?
This was only supposed to be a job. In and out. Steph complicated things. They are partners in every way but that can also cause distractions. Jake thinks he is losing his edge because he can't stop thinking about Steph in compromising positions. This isn't just about him. It's about his family. He has to finish this job so he can get back to them. Jake was born to take risks. But is this island tryst worth the risk? She is a pain in the ass after all. The only think is that...he loves that about her.
Now, about the missing diamonds. I will not spoil anything about the heist. I will just say there are twists and turns. I love trying to solve cases like this. Lauren had me. She did an amazing job!!
Overall...I loved it! The characters have amazing chemistry. Have fun banter. And care about their families which makes them even more special. The case of the missing diamonds had me reeling. Who stole them? Who is after them now? Will Jake and Steph find them first?
Quotes:
She kissed like a dream, and he could get lost in these kisses, in this sweet, feisty, fiery woman.
“Then please allow me to help you think straight.”
“Aha! You’re one of those people who hates pumpkin spice lattes. I’ve heard about your kind but have never spotted one in the wild.”
September 16, 2016
The Sapphire Heist is the conclusion to Jake and Steph’s story as they try to track down the diamonds and manage their growing attraction. With the discovery at the end of book one, there is a lot of mistrust to maneuver around for these two. Toss in the twist and turns as they try to find the diamonds, all while having to stay one step ahead of others who seem to be after the same thing.
Lauren wraps up every loose end nicely and digs a bit deeper into the budding romance between these two characters as a fling turns into something more.
I don’t typically read this sort of romance, but LB is one of those authors that for me has always been consistent in the ability to deliver a story. And although I tend to enjoy the funnier – sexy reads, this still was a great suspenseful-heist romance.
Lauren wraps up every loose end nicely and digs a bit deeper into the budding romance between these two characters as a fling turns into something more.
I don’t typically read this sort of romance, but LB is one of those authors that for me has always been consistent in the ability to deliver a story. And although I tend to enjoy the funnier – sexy reads, this still was a great suspenseful-heist romance.
August 5, 2016
***ARC Provided by the Author via NetGalley***
4.5 Stars
I am not sure how to review this without giving parts of this away, so I am going to be writing a shorter review than usual, as I would hate to ruin this for anyone.
Lauren Blakely is not an author I associate with romantic suspense, so these books were a departure for her. And, I am so glad she went for it, and told a story in a different way. Jake and Steph were a lot like the characters she writes in “regular” romance, well-developed, likeable but with a couple of quirks. A little stubborn, a little set in their ways, and maybe a little damaged. So, real people
The story opens right where The Sapphire Affair ended. Through the dual POV storytelling, the reader has a pretty quick resolution to the cliffhanger, which I appreciated.
The Sapphire Heist is fun, it develops Jake and Steph as characters, it makes you really want things to work out for them. There are a lot of twists, some surprises and a few random nuts…in more ways than one. You are just going to have to read to figure that out, and I promise it will make sense.
Yet again, Lauren Blakely has written a book that I enjoyed, will gladly recommend to others, and introduced me to characters that I would love to see again.
There were diamonds and sapphires, sort of, in this one…there are a lot of gemstones left for Jake to need to recover…Ms. Blakely, are you listening? We want more of Jake and Steph….
4.5 Stars
I am not sure how to review this without giving parts of this away, so I am going to be writing a shorter review than usual, as I would hate to ruin this for anyone.
Lauren Blakely is not an author I associate with romantic suspense, so these books were a departure for her. And, I am so glad she went for it, and told a story in a different way. Jake and Steph were a lot like the characters she writes in “regular” romance, well-developed, likeable but with a couple of quirks. A little stubborn, a little set in their ways, and maybe a little damaged. So, real people
The story opens right where The Sapphire Affair ended. Through the dual POV storytelling, the reader has a pretty quick resolution to the cliffhanger, which I appreciated.
The Sapphire Heist is fun, it develops Jake and Steph as characters, it makes you really want things to work out for them. There are a lot of twists, some surprises and a few random nuts…in more ways than one. You are just going to have to read to figure that out, and I promise it will make sense.
Yet again, Lauren Blakely has written a book that I enjoyed, will gladly recommend to others, and introduced me to characters that I would love to see again.
There were diamonds and sapphires, sort of, in this one…there are a lot of gemstones left for Jake to need to recover…Ms. Blakely, are you listening? We want more of Jake and Steph….
August 1, 2016
Perfect ending! The Sapphire Heist starts right where The Sapphire Affair left off...and with all the unanswered questions we still have!
Lauren Blakely delivers a sexy, intense and fun summer duet that got my inner-detective buzzing. Jake and Steph are still on the mission of discovering the mystery involving the illusive diamonds. But now there's a third unknown player in the mix. And with Jake's so-called "betrayal" still fresh in Steph's mind, they're both finding it hard to trust each other's motives...especially with the undeniable attraction they share for one another.
Where are the diamonds? Who else is after them? Is Steph's step-father really involved? And can Jake and Steph learn to rely on each other to solve the puzzling whodunit? And can they possible move past their issues and believe that a relationship could work between them? All these questions and more are finally answered!
The drama...the suspense...the romance! The Sapphire Heist has it all! I absolutely loved both books, just as I do with every book of Lauren's. This duo is a dazzling and delicious MUST READ! 5 Spectacular Stars!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* ~Kelly
Lauren Blakely delivers a sexy, intense and fun summer duet that got my inner-detective buzzing. Jake and Steph are still on the mission of discovering the mystery involving the illusive diamonds. But now there's a third unknown player in the mix. And with Jake's so-called "betrayal" still fresh in Steph's mind, they're both finding it hard to trust each other's motives...especially with the undeniable attraction they share for one another.
Where are the diamonds? Who else is after them? Is Steph's step-father really involved? And can Jake and Steph learn to rely on each other to solve the puzzling whodunit? And can they possible move past their issues and believe that a relationship could work between them? All these questions and more are finally answered!
The drama...the suspense...the romance! The Sapphire Heist has it all! I absolutely loved both books, just as I do with every book of Lauren's. This duo is a dazzling and delicious MUST READ! 5 Spectacular Stars!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* ~Kelly
August 15, 2016
We're back with Steph & Jake in the Caymans.
They're still trying to find the diamonds. The diamonds her stepdad supposedly stole from his former hedge fund clients.
But now it seems that someone else is after the jewels too. Someone broke into Steph's hotel room and took the diamond her stepdad gave her.
At first she suspected Jake, but he's not a bad guy - he wants the money to go back to the original owners too.
But who is after them? Are they in danger?
Can anyone be trusted on the island?
What will happen with Jake & Steph?
Will they ever trust each other again?
Where are the diamonds?
I'm not telling you that of course ☺
═════════════════════════════════
Great end to this 2-book series!
I think I was in a weird mood when I read the first book - I only gave it 3.9 stars even though I liked the whole idea of it.
I liked Jake & Steph but the story was just too long and weird and lots of redundant stuff was said.
Now, the 2nd book is lots better.
It still has a lot of those redundant lines. Like things that Jake and Steph have to explain to us - even though it was absolutely clear what was meant. BUT it was definitely better than the first book.
We want to know what happened to the diamonds and then we want Jake and Steph to find them and get their HEA ☺
But of course it's not as easy as that.
We follow them through some very sexy & exciting and adorable cayman moments until we will finally get to that Happily Ever After!
I still think that those 2 books would've been better as only one book.
But please don't let me stop you from enjoying Jake & Steph's story!!!!
And I still really want to see these 2 books turned into a tv show! Lots of amazing locations and a hot PI/Bounty Hunter guy!!! Phew!
THE SAPPHIRE HEIST was a very sexy & exciting ending to the JEWEL series!
Hurry to your nearest amazon to find out if and how Jake & Steph will find the diamonds!
January 18, 2017
3.5 stars
I must say interesting location of the hidden jewels
I must say interesting location of the hidden jewels
July 31, 2016
With its whodunit-type of mystery and elements of pulse-pounding action and suspense, The Sapphire Affair had such a different feel than Lauren Blakely's other books, yet it featured everything I've come to love about her writing: engaging characters, a riveting storyline, and a swoon-worthy romance. What The Sapphire Affair had also had was a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that had me eager to get started on the follow-up novel, The Sapphire Heist. Not only does the sequel turn up the heat with the already-scorching chemistry between protagonists, Steph Anderson and Jake Harlowe, but the stakes are raised with the ongoing diamond investigation, creating so many twists and turns, the narrative will keep you guessing right up until the big reveal.
If The Sapphire Affair was the buildup – introducing the key players and setting up both a mystery and a romance – then The Sapphire Heist is the takeoff, thrusting readers headfirst back into Jake and Steph's non-stop, action-packed case. After attempting to ignore the sexual tension constantly simmering between them for a good portion of the previous book, Jake and Steph succumbed to their baser needs, only to have their budding relationship tested from page one. With both their bodies and their hearts involved, the case isn’t as easy to crack as Jake and Steph first imagined, especially when each new chapter seems to uncover even more unanswered questions. Wrapping up loose ends surrounding the case is difficult when everyone seems to be a suspect.
Whatever uncertainties they have about the case, the one certainty between them is their overwhelming mutual attraction. After all, what would a juicy mystery be without an equally enticing romance? If you thought The Sapphire Affair was sexy, prepare yourself because you ain't seen nothing yet. The Sapphire Heist is filled to bursting with sultry, passionate, drool-worthy love scenes in which Jake and Steph take their oh-so-sweet time becoming intimately acquainted with each other's naughtiest desires. What I love about Jake and Steph’s relationship is that their romance is steamy (we’re talking uninhibited, uncontrollable, all-consuming passion) without compromising the storyline. I prefer for a book's love scenes to advance the narrative while also being able to sweep me away with their emotional upheaval, creating a deeper connection not just between the characters but between the characters and myself.
After I finished The Sapphire Heist (with a big smile on my face, I might add), I came to the conclusion that Lauren Blakely is a phenomenal storyteller. That's not the first time I've had such a thought but what never ceases to amaze me is that, after twenty-plus books, I continue to find her writing refreshing and unexpected. I can't claim to have read many heist books within the romance genre but, combined with the author's signature blush-inducing brand of romance, The Sapphire Heist is a fast-paced, entertaining read that I didn't want to put down until I uncovered all of the book's secrets. If you love books that are fun and flirty, sweet and sexy, mysterious and suspenseful, Lauren Blakely’s Jewel series is a must-read.
*complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
If The Sapphire Affair was the buildup – introducing the key players and setting up both a mystery and a romance – then The Sapphire Heist is the takeoff, thrusting readers headfirst back into Jake and Steph's non-stop, action-packed case. After attempting to ignore the sexual tension constantly simmering between them for a good portion of the previous book, Jake and Steph succumbed to their baser needs, only to have their budding relationship tested from page one. With both their bodies and their hearts involved, the case isn’t as easy to crack as Jake and Steph first imagined, especially when each new chapter seems to uncover even more unanswered questions. Wrapping up loose ends surrounding the case is difficult when everyone seems to be a suspect.
Whatever uncertainties they have about the case, the one certainty between them is their overwhelming mutual attraction. After all, what would a juicy mystery be without an equally enticing romance? If you thought The Sapphire Affair was sexy, prepare yourself because you ain't seen nothing yet. The Sapphire Heist is filled to bursting with sultry, passionate, drool-worthy love scenes in which Jake and Steph take their oh-so-sweet time becoming intimately acquainted with each other's naughtiest desires. What I love about Jake and Steph’s relationship is that their romance is steamy (we’re talking uninhibited, uncontrollable, all-consuming passion) without compromising the storyline. I prefer for a book's love scenes to advance the narrative while also being able to sweep me away with their emotional upheaval, creating a deeper connection not just between the characters but between the characters and myself.
After I finished The Sapphire Heist (with a big smile on my face, I might add), I came to the conclusion that Lauren Blakely is a phenomenal storyteller. That's not the first time I've had such a thought but what never ceases to amaze me is that, after twenty-plus books, I continue to find her writing refreshing and unexpected. I can't claim to have read many heist books within the romance genre but, combined with the author's signature blush-inducing brand of romance, The Sapphire Heist is a fast-paced, entertaining read that I didn't want to put down until I uncovered all of the book's secrets. If you love books that are fun and flirty, sweet and sexy, mysterious and suspenseful, Lauren Blakely’s Jewel series is a must-read.
*complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 22, 2016
Read at ANGEL'S BOOK HEAVEN
Well,that was a funny and interesting ride! One I am sure that I am going to miss.
This book started off with a bang and after that cliffhanger in the first book.I was dying to read where that story was going.
I had a lot of questions and we all get our answers and we also get to see our Jake and Steph together again.
I love mystery stories.So it was no wonder when I picked up,The Sapphire Affair.I didn't know what to expect but the story about those diamonds was intriguing.
Jewel Heist series gives you a James Bond vibe which I loved and it has a feisty heroine and a swooning hot guy.I really loved Steph and Jake.They made so much sense together.Each finding each other on a island and each having their own motives to get to the bottom of this heist.
That scene at the car wash was my favorite part of the book.Even though they had their faults,they each other's back.They both feel a strong love towards their family and are infuriatingly refusing to trust each other due to their past mistakes.
I don't want to give a lot away but this book pretty much spell bounded me and made me wish for more awesomeness in the near future.
Lauren Blakely does a very good job describing the Cayman islands,I pretty much felt like I was part of the story seeing the world through their eyes.
If you want to grab a book full of fun and mystery with a dash of romance and adventure,be sure to grab the Jewel Heist series.
July 21, 2021
I kind of felt like I was on vacation as I read this series. It's set in the Caribbean and had a fairly exciting plot line involving a hunt for blue diamonds. I liked both the main characters and glimpses into Jakes siblings. The ending was not as expected, which I really liked about it. It had a bit of predictability to it but also a twist, if that makes sense. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators. Overall an enjoyable read.
April 9, 2017
The Sapphire Heist picks right up where The Sapphire Affair ended…and at this point none of us really know what’s going on or who we can trust! The mystery was really amped up a notch in this book- Ms. Blakely did a terrific job at keeping not only Jake and Steph on their toes, but the reader as well!
Jake and Steph work so well together as partners, even with the question of who can really be trusted hanging over their heads. Their personal relationship is still steaming up the pages, and you can really feel their connection. Now if they could only figure out who’s got the diamonds! Not everything is what it seems, not everyone is who you think they are, and just when you think you might know the answer another twist is thrown in to set you off course.
P.S. Jake is still just as irresistable!
August 7, 2016
Read The Sapphire Affair before reading this book! It picks up immediately where the first one ends.
This was filled with twists and turns and kept me guessing as to who was stealing the jewels and if Eli was guilty or not. Jake and Steph were a good team, both romantically and in solving the mystery.
I'm so glad I read this!
*thanks to InkSlinger PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
This was filled with twists and turns and kept me guessing as to who was stealing the jewels and if Eli was guilty or not. Jake and Steph were a good team, both romantically and in solving the mystery.
I'm so glad I read this!
*thanks to InkSlinger PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
September 30, 2020
I really enjoyed the way this one ended.
things started to happen and I like that Steph wasn’t sure so she takes a step back and lets Jake continue she knows this is his work.
But then again she gets pulled back in. I loved it. I loved how it all played out. I had NO idea lol I liked that the best I thought I knew but I had NO idea.
Steph and Jake are real and they don’t pretend that is what makes this love story so real.
Great narration.
things started to happen and I like that Steph wasn’t sure so she takes a step back and lets Jake continue she knows this is his work.
But then again she gets pulled back in. I loved it. I loved how it all played out. I had NO idea lol I liked that the best I thought I knew but I had NO idea.
Steph and Jake are real and they don’t pretend that is what makes this love story so real.
Great narration.
August 31, 2018
This was a cute ending to this story. Steph and Jake were just adorable. They fit so well. And I loved the back and forth between the two of them.
This book picks up right where the first ended and the tension is high throughout this book. These two go back and forth so much that it practically gives me whiplash. Lol. But this was a good ending. I wasn't sure what was going to happen with the heist and all that. It was nice to be surprised.
This book picks up right where the first ended and the tension is high throughout this book. These two go back and forth so much that it practically gives me whiplash. Lol. But this was a good ending. I wasn't sure what was going to happen with the heist and all that. It was nice to be surprised.
November 28, 2019
Not a bad book at all, but I did find myself rushing through it. Maybe because I didn’t identify with any of the characters??
August 16, 2016
***LIVE NOW - FULL REVIEW***
4.5 JEWELED Crowns
Sapphire Heist is the conclusion of Jake and Steph’s story. The reader gets to follow them on their journey as they team up to solve the mystery of the missing diamonds while balancing their new relationship.
All the stylistic components that I love of Lauren Blakely’s writing are evident:
1. There are still a lot of hot and steamy scenes; however, they are balanced out between Steph and Jake actually talking, working together, and being a team. So many times in romance, it becomes about the sex, but Lauren Blakely gives the reader both. There are definitely hot scenes in the hotel room and other public arenas, but the reader gets to see an actual relationship form.
2. Suspense. I have yet to encounter a romance writer that can weave mystery and romance together the way Lauren Blakely can. There are romances that are dark, gritty, and violent, but Lauren Blakely’s are more complex than that. There are several plots and characters that are woven together into one story, and the reader is never really sure how the story is going to turn out, leaving us on the edge of our seats. I know that I didn’t expect the perpetrators who stole the loot, and that is a true testament to her ability to create an excellent plot.
3. Finally, the humor in this book is excellent. I laughed at lines and interactions between the characters, which is unusual for me as a reader. Any writer that can integrate mystery, humor, and romance into on book has made a fan out of me.
There aren’t any new major characters introduced, but I fell more in love with the main characters during this book:
1. Jake in the bedroom is hot! He takes charge in the bedroom, but is also sweet in the things that he says to her. Anyone that can dirty-talk and still make me swoon is okay in my book. He does have an epic screw-up, but his apology is so sweet. I like that he also allows Steph to be her own person and make her own decisions without being threatened or feeling like less of a man because of it. His job also adds an element of danger, and a little bit of danger makes for an excellent hero.
2. Steph is still just as honorable during this book. I really enjoy her as a character. She stands up to Jake when needed, follows her conscience when dealing with the investigation, and is still trying to take care of her mom. What I ultimately love most about her is how she doesn’t take crap from any of the men in her life. She has learned from her past and knows what she deserves, and, when she doesn’t get it, she walks.
3. Their relationship definitely has some trust issues. She has been burned by several men in her life, and she struggles to trust. Just like Steph, Jake has been burned by a past partnership with another female, so it is understandable that this is an obstacle for them. It is nice to see them grow and work through these issues together. This issue between them is utilized effectively by Lauren Blakely to develop their relationship.
The plot is intriguing, and I was honestly surprised at who was behind the heist:
1. I never expected the criminals to be who they are. Lauren Blakely introduces so many possibilities, and they all seemed plausible. When the criminal is revealed, I was completely surprised. I love this the most about the story. I am usually pretty good at figuring out a story as I am reading, but at least one of these people were never even on my radar.
2. There is a lot of back and forth between the characters about Eli’s involvement, and this did get to be a little repetitive. Ultimately, though, the other elements of the plot and the relationship between Jake and Steph still allow me to really like this book.
3. The ending is sweet. I like the Lauren Blakely didn’t force the standard happy ending. There is one, don’t fret about that, but it isn’t canned. Steph and Jake make it work for them; they find their own treasure!
This series solidifies the epicness that is Lauren Blakely, and her sub-genre of mystery/suspense and romance is done so well. She continues to be a one-click author for me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARC received from the author for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, check out www.modernbellebooks.com
4.5 JEWELED Crowns
Sapphire Heist is the conclusion of Jake and Steph’s story. The reader gets to follow them on their journey as they team up to solve the mystery of the missing diamonds while balancing their new relationship.
All the stylistic components that I love of Lauren Blakely’s writing are evident:
1. There are still a lot of hot and steamy scenes; however, they are balanced out between Steph and Jake actually talking, working together, and being a team. So many times in romance, it becomes about the sex, but Lauren Blakely gives the reader both. There are definitely hot scenes in the hotel room and other public arenas, but the reader gets to see an actual relationship form.
2. Suspense. I have yet to encounter a romance writer that can weave mystery and romance together the way Lauren Blakely can. There are romances that are dark, gritty, and violent, but Lauren Blakely’s are more complex than that. There are several plots and characters that are woven together into one story, and the reader is never really sure how the story is going to turn out, leaving us on the edge of our seats. I know that I didn’t expect the perpetrators who stole the loot, and that is a true testament to her ability to create an excellent plot.
3. Finally, the humor in this book is excellent. I laughed at lines and interactions between the characters, which is unusual for me as a reader. Any writer that can integrate mystery, humor, and romance into on book has made a fan out of me.
There aren’t any new major characters introduced, but I fell more in love with the main characters during this book:
1. Jake in the bedroom is hot! He takes charge in the bedroom, but is also sweet in the things that he says to her. Anyone that can dirty-talk and still make me swoon is okay in my book. He does have an epic screw-up, but his apology is so sweet. I like that he also allows Steph to be her own person and make her own decisions without being threatened or feeling like less of a man because of it. His job also adds an element of danger, and a little bit of danger makes for an excellent hero.
2. Steph is still just as honorable during this book. I really enjoy her as a character. She stands up to Jake when needed, follows her conscience when dealing with the investigation, and is still trying to take care of her mom. What I ultimately love most about her is how she doesn’t take crap from any of the men in her life. She has learned from her past and knows what she deserves, and, when she doesn’t get it, she walks.
3. Their relationship definitely has some trust issues. She has been burned by several men in her life, and she struggles to trust. Just like Steph, Jake has been burned by a past partnership with another female, so it is understandable that this is an obstacle for them. It is nice to see them grow and work through these issues together. This issue between them is utilized effectively by Lauren Blakely to develop their relationship.
The plot is intriguing, and I was honestly surprised at who was behind the heist:
1. I never expected the criminals to be who they are. Lauren Blakely introduces so many possibilities, and they all seemed plausible. When the criminal is revealed, I was completely surprised. I love this the most about the story. I am usually pretty good at figuring out a story as I am reading, but at least one of these people were never even on my radar.
2. There is a lot of back and forth between the characters about Eli’s involvement, and this did get to be a little repetitive. Ultimately, though, the other elements of the plot and the relationship between Jake and Steph still allow me to really like this book.
3. The ending is sweet. I like the Lauren Blakely didn’t force the standard happy ending. There is one, don’t fret about that, but it isn’t canned. Steph and Jake make it work for them; they find their own treasure!
This series solidifies the epicness that is Lauren Blakely, and her sub-genre of mystery/suspense and romance is done so well. She continues to be a one-click author for me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARC received from the author for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, check out www.modernbellebooks.com
August 16, 2016
The Sapphire Heist is so full of sun, sand, secrets, sex, stolen sparklers, and SIN-sational reading fun, that it makes the perfect Summer read.
Starting just where the Sapphire Affair left off. This second installment of Lauren Blakeley's The Jewel series manages to shine even brighter than the first.
Leading man, Jake, finds himself wedged more tightly than ever between his rocks, and some very soft places. His rocks being the missing jewels that he has been charged with recovering.
And the soft places...
Well. Those belong to Stephanie!
While it may be true that these two are now attracted to each other more than magnetic Super Glue. The fire in their eyes and passion in their hearts, seems to cool pretty quickly for at least one of them. When a scorching night of bone melting sex ends with Stephanie's diamond gone, and all signs pointing to Jake as the culprit.
For his part. Jake may be great at putting together the pieces of the jewel studded puzzle. With Stephanie's help, of course. But the one riddle that he can seem to solve is how the feisty and fun blond, who has managed to make her way under his skin...will fit into his life and into his heart.
Begging the question.
Can these two gumshoes solve both the mysteries surrounding the jewels, and those surrounding each other before time runs out for both?
In true Lauren Blakeley fashion. Her characters are very likeable, have awesome banter, and interrelate in a way that keeps the pages turning.
The afore mentioned qualities are not limited to main characters however. Making each player in this twisty drama a star in his or her own right.
The mysterious and nonsexual elements of the plot really come to the fore in this book. The amount of depth here coming as a very welcome surprise from an authoress who is debuting in the genre.
Lauren Blakey is fast proving that she has more than what it takes to conquer the Mystery/Suspense genre with the same fun and flair that has made her a ruling queen in Contemporary Romance.
Starting just where the Sapphire Affair left off. This second installment of Lauren Blakeley's The Jewel series manages to shine even brighter than the first.
Leading man, Jake, finds himself wedged more tightly than ever between his rocks, and some very soft places. His rocks being the missing jewels that he has been charged with recovering.
And the soft places...
Well. Those belong to Stephanie!
While it may be true that these two are now attracted to each other more than magnetic Super Glue. The fire in their eyes and passion in their hearts, seems to cool pretty quickly for at least one of them. When a scorching night of bone melting sex ends with Stephanie's diamond gone, and all signs pointing to Jake as the culprit.
For his part. Jake may be great at putting together the pieces of the jewel studded puzzle. With Stephanie's help, of course. But the one riddle that he can seem to solve is how the feisty and fun blond, who has managed to make her way under his skin...will fit into his life and into his heart.
Begging the question.
Can these two gumshoes solve both the mysteries surrounding the jewels, and those surrounding each other before time runs out for both?
In true Lauren Blakeley fashion. Her characters are very likeable, have awesome banter, and interrelate in a way that keeps the pages turning.
The afore mentioned qualities are not limited to main characters however. Making each player in this twisty drama a star in his or her own right.
The mysterious and nonsexual elements of the plot really come to the fore in this book. The amount of depth here coming as a very welcome surprise from an authoress who is debuting in the genre.
Lauren Blakey is fast proving that she has more than what it takes to conquer the Mystery/Suspense genre with the same fun and flair that has made her a ruling queen in Contemporary Romance.
May 30, 2016
Brilliant masterpiece of wit, erotic romance, and thrilling caper! All the elements needed for a nail biting, swooning and sensual book are wrapped in this series.
Adorable ex-military intelligence agent turned bounty hunter Jake gets the job he was made to solve. He has a family to feed and educate and this job will provide the needed funds. Now, don't be discouraged. He is not married! He is just taking care of his siblings after they lost their parents to a drunk driver. Now all he has to do is find out what a retired hedge fund manager (Eli) did with $10,000,000 of hedge fund missing money.
Steph is Eli's stepdaughter. Well, more accurately ex-stepdaughter. See, Eli absconded to the Cayman Islands after a messy divorce from Steph's mom, with all the money he could take from her too. Now Steph is trying to get Eli to return the seed money her mother gave him to start his business. Mission Impossible?
Jake and Steph are two colliding forces of lusty nature. Not realizing who they each are, they fall in lust immediately and so begins the game to solve the Eli problem from two very different perspectives.
This is a SMART plotline full of clues and twists. I love that it is an intelligent plot which will keep you are the edge of your seats. As a bonus, we get the banter, lusty sensual love scenes that are Lauren Blakely's trademark. What more could you want in a book? Part Two picks up the pace even more.
In the end, TRUST is the recurring theme. Can we trust Jake? Eli? Steph? Who is really innocent?
With $10,000,000 in sight, who will betray the other?
By the way, I will never look at a Rolex watch again without laughing and remembering the saying " a woman scorned..."
Adorable ex-military intelligence agent turned bounty hunter Jake gets the job he was made to solve. He has a family to feed and educate and this job will provide the needed funds. Now, don't be discouraged. He is not married! He is just taking care of his siblings after they lost their parents to a drunk driver. Now all he has to do is find out what a retired hedge fund manager (Eli) did with $10,000,000 of hedge fund missing money.
Steph is Eli's stepdaughter. Well, more accurately ex-stepdaughter. See, Eli absconded to the Cayman Islands after a messy divorce from Steph's mom, with all the money he could take from her too. Now Steph is trying to get Eli to return the seed money her mother gave him to start his business. Mission Impossible?
Jake and Steph are two colliding forces of lusty nature. Not realizing who they each are, they fall in lust immediately and so begins the game to solve the Eli problem from two very different perspectives.
This is a SMART plotline full of clues and twists. I love that it is an intelligent plot which will keep you are the edge of your seats. As a bonus, we get the banter, lusty sensual love scenes that are Lauren Blakely's trademark. What more could you want in a book? Part Two picks up the pace even more.
In the end, TRUST is the recurring theme. Can we trust Jake? Eli? Steph? Who is really innocent?
With $10,000,000 in sight, who will betray the other?
By the way, I will never look at a Rolex watch again without laughing and remembering the saying " a woman scorned..."
August 17, 2016
Afrodyt's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
This is not a standalone novel. The story picks up right after the jaw dropping cliffhanger at the end of The Sapphire Affair. Steph and Jake clearly have some trust issues while they're working to recover the diamonds and bring her father to justice. Their sizzling chemistry is undeniable, but the wounds from their past relationships are getting in the way. With Steph still carrying hope that this is all a misunderstanding, she comes off as more of a liability to the investigation than an asset. Jake is trying to work this case like the professional he is, but getting involved with Steph is causing him to make mistakes he ordinarily wouldn't make.
When I look at the story as a whole, it's exciting and interesting and super steamy. When I break down the individual parts I feel that the first novel was stronger than the second. I enjoyed Sapphire Heist, but I guess my expectation was that the story would build to an explosive conclusion, but instead it was a twisting, turning race to an end that was somewhat anticlimactic.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
This is not a standalone novel. The story picks up right after the jaw dropping cliffhanger at the end of The Sapphire Affair. Steph and Jake clearly have some trust issues while they're working to recover the diamonds and bring her father to justice. Their sizzling chemistry is undeniable, but the wounds from their past relationships are getting in the way. With Steph still carrying hope that this is all a misunderstanding, she comes off as more of a liability to the investigation than an asset. Jake is trying to work this case like the professional he is, but getting involved with Steph is causing him to make mistakes he ordinarily wouldn't make.
When I look at the story as a whole, it's exciting and interesting and super steamy. When I break down the individual parts I feel that the first novel was stronger than the second. I enjoyed Sapphire Heist, but I guess my expectation was that the story would build to an explosive conclusion, but instead it was a twisting, turning race to an end that was somewhat anticlimactic.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
After finishing The Sapphire Affair I couldn't wait too dive into The Sapphire Heist so I could see how things between Jake and Steph played out and to see if they were able to solve the caper!
This conclusion of the story of Steph and Jake is full of twists, turns, questions about trust and several roadblocks as well. This duo not only works well together trying to figure out what has really happened with the diamonds and money, but it's clear they work as a couple as well. The biggest thing for them at this point is trust. They've both been burned before and they are both put in positions at times where they doubt the sincerity of the other person.
I loved the pace of this book and I very quickly got to the point I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know who was behind the stolen diamonds, who was following Steph and Jake and were they going to make it as a couple in the end? Lauren Blakely did an amazing job of giving us a fast paced, action packed book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat!
**Review copy provided by NetGalley**
This conclusion of the story of Steph and Jake is full of twists, turns, questions about trust and several roadblocks as well. This duo not only works well together trying to figure out what has really happened with the diamonds and money, but it's clear they work as a couple as well. The biggest thing for them at this point is trust. They've both been burned before and they are both put in positions at times where they doubt the sincerity of the other person.
I loved the pace of this book and I very quickly got to the point I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know who was behind the stolen diamonds, who was following Steph and Jake and were they going to make it as a couple in the end? Lauren Blakely did an amazing job of giving us a fast paced, action packed book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat!
**Review copy provided by NetGalley**
August 9, 2016
Couldn't put this book down!
Full review can be found at Beneath The Covers Blog --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*
Full review can be found at Beneath The Covers Blog --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*
July 11, 2017
Following on from book 1 (The Sapphire Affair), which needs to be read first, this is a real life ‘whodunnit’. I had no clue who to trust, who was doing what with whom and it stayed that way until the end. Both Jake and Steph, even after their night of passion begin to mistrust each other, doubts creeping into everything they do. Who has the diamonds? Brilliant plot, storyline and characters. I listened to this book on audio and as there is so much happening, I had to keep backtracking when I lost concentration and missed a bit, there was that much going on. Thoroughly enjoyable romance with twists, turns and lots of sexy times. Oh, and add Sebastian York into the mix. Win win.
August 14, 2017
My Musings
Okay, so I said I would not read this book, but since it was a read and listen for free on Kindle Unlimited, I thought I would give it a chance. This one was better than the first one. Glad I read it. Happy ☺reading 📚!
Okay, so I said I would not read this book, but since it was a read and listen for free on Kindle Unlimited, I thought I would give it a chance. This one was better than the first one. Glad I read it. Happy ☺reading 📚!
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