Smoke & Metal

New York Crime Kings #3

by Skyla Madi

The feel of cool air on my skin is priceless.
We are free, but we aren't out of the woods yet.
Not by a longshot…

Can Skull feel it?
His impending downfall?
There’s a war coming, and I’m at the forefront of it. I will tear New York apart looking for my brother, and I won’t stop.

Emily thinks I’m crazy, but I’d do the same for her.
There is no obstruction…
No building…
No cell…

That can withhold my family from me. I’ll find Joel.
It’s only a matter of time…

* book formerly known as "Damaged"

Genres: Romance, Fighters, Adult, Crime, Mixed Martial Arts, New Adult, Fiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2015

About the author

Skyla Madi is a twenty-something international bestselling author of a mixed bag of hot romance!

Though signed with Hawaiian based publishing companies, Limitless Publishing & Crave publishing, Skyla lives in sunny Queensland, Australia, where she spends most her time indoors writing with one hand and raising her three children with the other.

Other hobbies and passions include:
- Drinking coffee
- Reading romance
- Eating cake
- and writing for her husband's independent comic book series.

Skyla is available and open to messages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and here on Goodreads, and you can also contact her via email @ skylamadi@outlook.com

Website: http://bit.ly/skylamadiofficial

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

Join my Minxes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14612...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Skyla_Madi

Instagram: skylamadi (https://www.instagram.com/skylamadi/)

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/skyla...

Book+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/SkylaMadi

Reviews

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!!

“Skull will come after us, that much is guaranteed, but I can handle that. I’m good at running. I’ve been doing it my whole life.”

"Damaged" is the third installment in Skyla Madi's "Broken" series and picks up right where the second book ended.

Jai and Emily manage to escape from the dangerous underworld there were in. They are on the run and they know Skull is after them. All Jai wants is to find his brother, Joel, while Emily wants to feel save and protected. They break into a lake house and Jai contacts Ted, a friend of him who is a cop to help them with information about Joel and also about Skull. They find Skull is looking for Emily and that he has posted a lot of money on her being returned to him. Alive. And also they find why Skull has an interest on Emily.

While Jai admits to Emily that he has feelings for her, Emily is hesitant to trust Jai with her heart. She doesn’t trust very easily due the fact she was hurt in the past and she thinks she doesn’t deserve to be loved, that Jai could do better than her. She doesn’t fully accept that Jai actually is falling for her, believing his feelings are only temporary.

“The faster I fall down this rabbit hole, the harder the impact will be when I hit the cold hard floor at the bottom—and I just know it’ll be the coldest, hardest floor imaginable.”

This third installment wasn’t so action packed as the previous ones. It also wasn’t so suspenseful, so it wasn’t so exciting like the others. Anyway, in this installment we see how Jai and Emily’s relationship progresses and how they try to find out if their relationship existed so far because of the ‘special’ environment they were in. While the other installments were more plot driven, this installment was more character driven. I liked Jai in this installment. He was protective and caring with Emily and I loved his determination to find his brother and also how protective he was with his sister.

Emily wasn’t so naïve like I expected her to be, like she was in the other books in the series. She was also definitely stronger. Overall, I liked her in this installment, but I have to admit she pissed me off one time or two. She was also a little selfish IMO, fact that I didn’t like too much about her. There are plenty of sexy scenes between these two, hot and intense, but there are also some emotional moments.

Overall, a good read and I’m looking forward to know what will happen next with Jai and Emily.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Damaged
SERIES: (Broken #3)
AUTHOR: Skyla Madi
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: July 5th, 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS



How the buggery did I miss the release of this!! GAH!! Obviously my stalking skills suck monkeys balls because I have been hanging out to read this after the previous books cliffy!!

Jai & Emily are on the run, while Emily uses the time to recover, Jai prepares for war.

I only came across this author by a recommendation from a friend on here telling me to give one of her books a go because she thought I would really enjoy it, and that's where my love for this author started from, and I've been a fan ever since..



Skull will come after us, that much is guaranteed

This time we've moved from underground to above ground..

Skyla Madi does it again with BROKEN she just draws you into the story line as soon as you open that first page, this isn't just a fighter book, there is so much more depth to the story..The build up of anticipation, the climax as you reach the end..And that WANTS feeling that you get NEEDING The next BOOK..



This wasn't as action packed as the previous books but it didn't need it for it to still capture my attention throughout,it made me love Jai's character even more and even Emily who didn't come across so naive as we saw of her character in book#1



When I first encountered her I'm not going to lie I did want to jump in the book and bitch slap some sense into her, because this whole journey started with her chasing a stranger down a dark street, to an illegal under ground fighting to survive battle of the strongest, to the previous books escape to the question now of "what's going to happen in the next instalment?"

What I've loved about this series is the unique storyline. As I stated previously it's not a series just about a fighter..The storyline is flawless, the characters are strong, it's about inner strength, family, love and fighting for what you believe in..

[✿kawehi.reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆



Damaged was another phenomenal read by Skyla Madi!! Omigah, I did not put this one down! As cliché as that sounds, it was the darn truth!

With our leads on the run top side, and Skull closing in on their tracks, Emily and Jai find themselves in their toughest battle yet of survival.

Fight or die. That’s the motto of the underground.

And with the battle being brought to the streets, will they be able to find Jai’s brother? Come to terms of their growing affections for the another and their heinous predicament? Or will they be caught and killed for their treachery?

Time is running out...

Blood will be spilled…. Hearts and lives will be on the line….War is on the rise…

Be prepared to be clenching at every page of this, as you will be in a treat of steam, suspense, and surprises!

I can't wait for more!!

[Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Jai and Emily fight flight continues" stars

I fuckin' love this series!!!

After they escaped the underground fighting circuit and having Scull searching for them both, Jai and Emily are in hideout preparing for their next move, anticipating the next event and planning to finally break loose...their feelings are just another bond that can either bring them more together or set them apar eventually...

and shit I need the next book like yesterday...

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts right where the last one ended. I won't give anything away but this one brings the story more to an end, but starts up again.

To be honest I am not sure I will go on with the others.

[Just Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for this series. Which also means I really should get to it and finish the rest of the series. I really adore the fastpaced vibe. The characters are interesting to follow and the bad guys are baaaaad.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - Jai & Emily are above ground this time fighting to find Jai's brother, desperate to run away from Skull. We find out why Skull is so infatuated with Emily & Jai is warned he should leave Emily behind, she is too dangerous. But God, I love Jai for knowing that is what everyone in Emily's past has done to her - gotten her hopes up, swore to stick with her to the end & then they leave. While she is hesitant to trust Jai with her heart, Jai is hell bent on showing her what it feels like to be loved. Most of the book is flipping between long nights hot & sweaty under the covers & busy days trying to help Emily learn how to protect herself. It leaves the girl totally confused but as a reader of alpha males I totally get it. Not as exciting, not enough action in this book but the relationship part of the story really solidifies & I love these two together. Seems like Jai's brother has a lover of his own who is trapped in Skull's web & he needs to go back underground to save her. The series was so unique but this book took a few steps back for me, I still love it don't get me wrong. Jai & Emily aren't being careful & I can see real issues in their future.

[Tinabooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had of known when I started this series that there is 6 books in total not 3. I can't believe I have to wait. I imagine it will take about a year for them to be wrote and released. :(
This was a good 3rd book. Jai and Emily escaped, got to a safe house, and found Jai's brother. Only thing is, Jai's brother didn't want to be found. He going back underground to get back the love of his life, Skull's woman.
I don't know when the next book comes out but I hope it's soon!

[Kelly Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yup. This is my favorite in the series this far!

Jai and Emily made it out... barely. They get to know each other out side the confines of the underground.

Now to find Joel. It's isn't easy, but really, what is?

Definitely a one clicker!!!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Please see Death and Dust for my full review

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oy! I did not realize there are 3 more books of this story to come. I need them all like yesterday!!!!! Loving it!!! 5++++ stars!!!!
*summary* So this starts where book 2 left off. Jai and Emily have escaped Skulls underground fight ring and are running for their lives. They hit up her apartment to grab her essentials then steal a car and head to a lake where Jai used to vacay as a kid. They break into a lake house and hunker down. Jai realizes his sister Jessica is still vulnerable in the city so he heads into the city and tells her to hop on the next flight to italy. he will come for her when he can. He also contacts his cop friend Ted whom he knows he can trust. Ted tries to find out as much as he can about Joels whereabouts. He shows up a few days later with footage of his bro and audio saying skull wants him moved to CA. They have to move fast to get him back.Ted also tells them that Skull wants Emily more than anything bc she looks like his dead wife. Ted brings in a guy names Huss to help recover Joel. With some snags, the recovery mission is a success and Joel is rescued. He wakes the next am to say he has to go back to get his girlfriend Monique who is still under Skulls thumb. Emily isn't happy about this but she knows Jai will donit for his bro. And that is where it ends for now. In this book we also find that Jai is falling in love with Emily and tells her as much and that he is hers. She is struggling with this bc she has never felt self worth or love from someone else.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jai and Emily are finally back above ground and on the run. Knowing Skull could be close on their heels, they have to stay off the radar. Without the shadows and fear, they have to decide whether what they have together was out of circumstance or free will. Jai turns to a trusted police buddy looking for information on Joel. In the meantime, Jai and Emily hide out in a cabin in the woods near where his family used to summer. Jai makes sure to get his sister Jessica out of harms way and tells her to to go Italy, promising when everything is all over, that he'll take Emily there. The only thing to worry about is if/when they get to Joel, they'll be able to keep him from going back underground.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series that has me hooked because I desperately want to know the ending!!! Hot steamy sex scenes (like blistering hot), both characters reveal some real emotions and then finally we get some answers, only to have another spanner thrown in the works. I think this installment really gives the characters some depth and will have you waiting anxiously for more.

[Adriana Buiuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is very good. Although I have to wait a while for the next book to come out, it's ok. I like the story enough to worth the wait.
Jai is very intense and I like his story a lot. Keeps me entertained every time.
Can't wait to see what happens next!

[NC Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underground fighting, literally! No rules, fighting in a cage suspended from the sewer's ceiling on rusted chains and the only way out of that cage is to drop your opponent. Packed with tons of action, violence and steamy sex, this one won't disappoint!

[Alissa Evanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

**review to come***

[Kayleigh Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noooooo!!

How could it end like that??!!!

What do I do now?

...... I may sit in a corner and cry now!

[Just Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read! I am crazy invested in these characters, they rock!
Will I recommend ?: YES!

[Eva Mcfarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://s56.photobucket.com/…/12516825...

With freedom comes the increased stress of not being caught, either by Skull or the cops. Jai and Emily have been through hell and high water. With the danger around them when they finally escaped to the realisation of what is to come. With their relationship growing, Jai’s only option was to get Emily out of that world of death. Finding a place to hide while they recuperate from their escape. The physical exercertion of running to freedom, away from their death sentence, they now face the reality of Jai’s decision.

The violence and death of what they endured while in Skull’s world effects both Jai and Emily physically and mentally. Accepting the choices that have been made, voluntarily or by force, have both character’s trying to find forgiveness for themselves and the ones left behind.

With only themselves to rely on, the stress of failing and the chance of losing someone you love, weighs heavily on both Jai and Emily, not to mention the threat of Skull finding them. The relationship brings them closer, but also has created a chasm between them.

With the strength and determination the plan is made to return, but both have different reasons for returning.

The back and forth between these characters is not just about their will to survive, they have a realistic way of bickering like an actual couple, even during the most intense moments. Their desire for wanting more and better is a sweeter side to this story, even with all the destruction.

[Nikki M (Hot books and Sassy girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoke & Metal by Skyla Madi
Jai & Emily have escaped the underground and are now hiding above ground. What they know for sure is that Skull is looking for them. He will not stop until he has found them, especially Emily. Jai needs time to regroup and then he is adamant on finding his brother Joel. In the meantime he is trying to show Emily how to protect herself and at the same time he is coming to terms with his feeling for her. Emily is confused by her feelings for Jai but she is learning to trust him. When Jai finally finds Joel, not all is as simple as he had hoped. Joel reveals that he needs to go back underground to get his own lover who is entangled in Skulls web. Can Jai forgive his brother and be there for him? Can he understand that Joel has finally found his own love and is willing to risk it all for her? The story was not the most action packed but it did allow us to feel the love grow between Emily and Jai. Joel and the gang have definitely piqued my curiosity and I am looking forward to reading more of the brothers and their friends. Overall this series is holding my attention and I really want to find out how this will all play out.
Hot Books & Sassy Girls Blog

[Kathy Wideman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and they must be read in order. This book picks up right where the last one ends. Jai and Emily have successfully gotten out of the tunnels. But, they aren’t safe. They have to get some supplies, get transportation, and find a safe place to lay low. Joel wasn’t down there and they don’t know where he is but they are pretty sure he is alive. Jai and Emily relationship will face the light of day. Sure, they are still on the run and in hiding but things are different. Jai is determined to find his brother and take Skull down. Things get interesting when Jai brings in someone he knows from his time on the force. Then he brings in someone else. Now they are both forced trust someone they don’t know. Skull has proven that he can get to anyone. The more books I read in this series the more I love it. I am loving these characters and can’t wait to see where the story goes next. Jai and Emily are getting closer and closer. Emily has walls built up all around her and Jai is slowly working on breaking them down so she will let him in and allow him to show her how he really feels and won’t run. Skyla is great author.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

They have done it ! They have escaped from Skull but its not over yet, far from it ! Jai and Emily are on the run, Skull is never going to let that slide he will chase them and claim back what is his!

Jai knows his brother is still alive and is determined to still save him from Skull. They are in hiding and Emily is starting to feel safe, that is until they realize why Skull is so interested in Emily ! They are always going to be looking over their shoulders if they done end Skulls life.

Jai is falling for Emily , he has shown her so much care and attention but she doesn't know how to receive it, she has never had anyone look out for her, show her affection and she doesn't think she is worthy of Jai's affection.

Trust is a huge part and they need trust others to be able to get back Joel and get away from Skull and the dangerous underworld.

This book really gives you story of Jai and Emily relationship. They clearly have a hot sexual chemistry but are they both ready for the turmoil falling in love can bring to them!

This book was less tense but was just as addictive as the first 2. You will be fighting a war for them , wanting them to survive. I am absolutely gripped to this series and cant wait to see what happens next !

[Patricia G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review posted on: Girls Behind the Books

*I received an ARC from Give Me Books Promotions in exchange for my honest review*



Engaging.. ...hot...passionate



Smokes & Metal was another phenomenal read by Skyla Madi!



Hot steamy sex scenes both characters reveal some real emotions and then finally we get some answers.



One of the most touching and unforgettable romances I have ever had the pleasure of reading.



I really enjoyed this one. Jai and Emily's were wonderful characters, complex, driven and charming. I adored them.



I’m a mega fan of this series and it’s not only because I’m a fan of the covers and I think the author is completely fantastic.



I highly recommend this book everyone. You won't regret this, trust me!!!



Smokes & Metal is filled with fighting against emotions, it is intensifying and downright sexy

[Christi Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Dark Romance, Crime
Standalone: No - Read books 1 and 2 first And it's a cliffhanger.
Part of a Series: Yes - Book 3 of the New York Crime Kings Series
POV: Jai and Emily
Steam Level: Warm
4/5

While the writing and story are still gripping, I'm glad that I'm reading this in the box set. Smoke & Metal is book 3 of the New York Crime Kings. At the end of book 2 Jai and Emily escape. Book 3 starts right after. This is them on the run and Jai's continued quest for this brother. The anxiety is catching up to Jai. And so are his feelings for Emily. Overall Smoke & Metal is full of action, humer, heat, and adventure but it still doesn't end the story. While some things are resolved then last chapters opens up for book 4. I'm not sure how many books are planned (Book 7 is coming out in a week) but i'd recommend reading this in the box set and/or maybe waiting for the story to be completed.

[Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fleeing one hell Emily and Jai are on the run and need to take stock before they plan their next steps. Breaking free from the under ground they are now trying to survive being on Skulls radar whilst battling to find and save Jai’s brother. Can they do the unthinkable and win?

Book three maintains the relentless pace of this series as Jai fights to reunite his family and complete his vengeance against the man that caused the ruination of his family. He is a man on a mission that has been blindsided by his Kitten. Their feelings are growing and their connection continues to deepen as does Skulls obsession to have her. This series keeps getting better and better, I’m totally loving the character development and pace of the plot. Edge of your seat drama and action that hooks you in.

A four and a half star read.

~*~ Reviewed on behalf of Obsessed by Books ~*~

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star Kindle Unlimited Read
Was I excited to find Skylab Madi on kindle unlimited? Hell's yes! I loved this series when I started it a couple of years ago.

Everything is heating up even more and I'm eager to continue this journey with Madi at the wheel keeping my engrossed.

Off to read book 4, yeah!!

[Reckless Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Emily and Jai escape the underground fighting ring and have Skull searching for them. Skyla created significant anticipation, waiting to see what would happen next as the bond between them is either going to grow closer or be torn apart. It is captivating, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

***Reviewed by Codie***

[Alura · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better. This was the most intense one so far, the world Skyla Madi creates just sucks you in.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Each book brings both principal and new characters to life. If only these books could be on the big screen!