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In his years at Ironclad, Ransom has built a reputation as a hardass bodyguard. He reels in the perverts, wrangles the mangled, and controls celebrities who are notoriously out of control.
So when a world-famous DJ starts slipping into risky habits, he’s hired to keep her on track during a multi-million-dollar tour. He figures he’ll just knock the diva down a few pegs and scare her straight. Problem is, Lola isn’t easily frightened, and “difficult” doesn’t begin to describe their contentious relationship. The only thing more annoying than their daily fights and power struggles is their intensifying emotional connection.
Ransom’s determined to save her…even if she doesn’t want to be saved.
So when a world-famous DJ starts slipping into risky habits, he’s hired to keep her on track during a multi-million-dollar tour. He figures he’ll just knock the diva down a few pegs and scare her straight. Problem is, Lola isn’t easily frightened, and “difficult” doesn’t begin to describe their contentious relationship. The only thing more annoying than their daily fights and power struggles is their intensifying emotional connection.
Ransom’s determined to save her…even if she doesn’t want to be saved.
ebook
First published June 28, 2016
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171 people want to read
About the author
Molly Joseph
8 books51 followersMolly Joseph is the “vanilla” counterpart of New York Times and USA Today bestselling BDSM romance author Annabel Joseph. Annabel and Molly both love to explore deep and complicated relationships on the pages of their books, except that Annabel’s couples have BDSM dynamics, and Molly’s couples don’t.
You can learn more about Annabel (and Molly) by visiting annabeljoseph.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to stay current on upcoming releases. You can also find Annabel/Molly on Facebook (Facebook.com/annabeljosephnovels), and Twitter (@annabeljoseph).
You can write to either Molly or Annabel at Annabeljosephnovels@gmail.com.
You can learn more about Annabel (and Molly) by visiting annabeljoseph.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to stay current on upcoming releases. You can also find Annabel/Molly on Facebook (Facebook.com/annabeljosephnovels), and Twitter (@annabeljoseph).
You can write to either Molly or Annabel at Annabeljosephnovels@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews
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June 28, 2016LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO |
IT’S LIVE!
Stand-alone book 2
Shh… ARC Giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO |
Blurb:
In his years at Ironclad, Ransom has built a reputation as a hardass bodyguard. He reels in the perverts, wrangles the mangled, and controls celebrities who are notoriously out of control.
So when a world-famous DJ starts slipping into risky habits, he’s hired to keep her on track during a multi-million-dollar tour. He figures he’ll just knock the diva down a few pegs and scare her straight. Problem is, Lola isn’t easily frightened, and “difficult” doesn’t begin to describe their contentious relationship. The only thing more annoying than their daily fights and power struggles is their intensifying emotional connection.
Ransom’s determined to save her…even if she doesn’t want to be saved.
✿ ✿ ✿ ARC Giveaway! ✿ ✿ ✿
❀ Shh… Summer Buzz Book ARC Giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
Join for direct links to work. GR redirects all non-members.
❀ Join Shh…: http://goo.gl/OmQUZv
❀ RSVP: https://goo.gl/bvZGC3
❀ Author sign-up: https://goo.gl/uUUetK
IT’S LIVE!
Stand-alone book 2
Shh… ARC Giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO |
Blurb:
In his years at Ironclad, Ransom has built a reputation as a hardass bodyguard. He reels in the perverts, wrangles the mangled, and controls celebrities who are notoriously out of control.
So when a world-famous DJ starts slipping into risky habits, he’s hired to keep her on track during a multi-million-dollar tour. He figures he’ll just knock the diva down a few pegs and scare her straight. Problem is, Lola isn’t easily frightened, and “difficult” doesn’t begin to describe their contentious relationship. The only thing more annoying than their daily fights and power struggles is their intensifying emotional connection.
Ransom’s determined to save her…even if she doesn’t want to be saved.
✿ ✿ ✿ ARC Giveaway! ✿ ✿ ✿❀ Shh… Summer Buzz Book ARC Giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
Join for direct links to work. GR redirects all non-members.
❀ Join Shh…: http://goo.gl/OmQUZv
❀ RSVP: https://goo.gl/bvZGC3
❀ Author sign-up: https://goo.gl/uUUetK
July 1, 2016
1 - "You make me into an awful person." Star!
DNF @ 58%
I have been umming and ahhing as to whether I wanted to continue with this one as I had really high hopes for Diva, I absolutely loved the first book in the authors Ironclad Bodyguards series, but whereas the lead H/h in Pawn actually made the effort to get to know each other, and the chemistry and connection between them was apparent from very early on, Diva displayed very little of that on both counts.
"I’m giving you a hard time because I don’t like you very much…"
"Unfortunately, the feeling is mutual."
The main problem I have with this one is that we have an experienced (in all the wrong things) yet immature, (in everything that’s important) twenty year old woman (I use that term loosely as she acts like a teen-toddler for pretty much all of what I have read), sleeping with her uber mature, by-the-book, thirty-seven year old bodyguard. Yes, you are given the reasonings for her behaviour as the book progresses, and I did feel for her at the beginning, but it just went on too long without any real increase in maturity or improvement in character even after everything that had happened up to the point I stopped reading.
"You’re my bodyguard. You’re supposed to be protecting me from death, not urging me towards it."
Age differences are never usually an issue for me as long as it’s legal, but the gap between these two was so glaringly obvious it really did feel like a Daddy dealing with an errant Daughter a lot of the time unless they were boffing, then it just dipped into horny/lust/anger/insult/revenge territory, but with absolutely no emotional connection being displayed or really portrayed between them in the story-telling.
"You’ll regret this."
However, the writing is sound, which I suppose in a way highlights just how talented the author is in that she did such a good job with Lola Mae/Lady Paradise’s reckless, devil-may-care personality, that I disliked her intensely pretty much from the beginning of the book.
"You’ve convinced yourself you’re some untouchable, irreplaceable genius."
I kept reading as I was expecting some sort of revelation or incident which would then bring about the realization that she couldn’t keep behaving as she was and wise-up to everything around her, which may well happen in the remaining 40%, but by this point it’s pretty much degenerated to angry sex and name-calling between her and Ransom, and I have pretty much lost the desire to see how everything turns out for them.
"As long as you’re with me you’re safe."
That said, this is purely personal reading preferences and me not getting on with the characters than the actual writing, Molly Joseph puts a decent story together, and I would really like to read further books from the Ironclad Bodyguards series, if there are more released in the future. I just on this occasion have no inclination to see how this couple’s story finishes.
ARC provided by the author via Novel Reviewers, in exchange for the above honest review.
DNF @ 58%
I have been umming and ahhing as to whether I wanted to continue with this one as I had really high hopes for Diva, I absolutely loved the first book in the authors Ironclad Bodyguards series, but whereas the lead H/h in Pawn actually made the effort to get to know each other, and the chemistry and connection between them was apparent from very early on, Diva displayed very little of that on both counts.
"I’m giving you a hard time because I don’t like you very much…"
"Unfortunately, the feeling is mutual."
The main problem I have with this one is that we have an experienced (in all the wrong things) yet immature, (in everything that’s important) twenty year old woman (I use that term loosely as she acts like a teen-toddler for pretty much all of what I have read), sleeping with her uber mature, by-the-book, thirty-seven year old bodyguard. Yes, you are given the reasonings for her behaviour as the book progresses, and I did feel for her at the beginning, but it just went on too long without any real increase in maturity or improvement in character even after everything that had happened up to the point I stopped reading.
"You’re my bodyguard. You’re supposed to be protecting me from death, not urging me towards it."
Age differences are never usually an issue for me as long as it’s legal, but the gap between these two was so glaringly obvious it really did feel like a Daddy dealing with an errant Daughter a lot of the time unless they were boffing, then it just dipped into horny/lust/anger/insult/revenge territory, but with absolutely no emotional connection being displayed or really portrayed between them in the story-telling.
"You’ll regret this."
However, the writing is sound, which I suppose in a way highlights just how talented the author is in that she did such a good job with Lola Mae/Lady Paradise’s reckless, devil-may-care personality, that I disliked her intensely pretty much from the beginning of the book.
"You’ve convinced yourself you’re some untouchable, irreplaceable genius."
I kept reading as I was expecting some sort of revelation or incident which would then bring about the realization that she couldn’t keep behaving as she was and wise-up to everything around her, which may well happen in the remaining 40%, but by this point it’s pretty much degenerated to angry sex and name-calling between her and Ransom, and I have pretty much lost the desire to see how everything turns out for them.
"As long as you’re with me you’re safe."
That said, this is purely personal reading preferences and me not getting on with the characters than the actual writing, Molly Joseph puts a decent story together, and I would really like to read further books from the Ironclad Bodyguards series, if there are more released in the future. I just on this occasion have no inclination to see how this couple’s story finishes.
ARC provided by the author via Novel Reviewers, in exchange for the above honest review.
June 30, 2016
Drama and drama and more drama! It was AMAZING! I don't think Ms. Joseph ever wrote a book I didn't like...
Ransom was a stick in the mud and you wouldn't have guessed what was hiding behind that exterior! That dude is HOT! Lola acts like a kid and sometimes like a crazy lady and other times she very mature... She was a great mix of cray-cray and maturity.
I'll definitely re-read this book!
Ransom was a stick in the mud and you wouldn't have guessed what was hiding behind that exterior! That dude is HOT! Lola acts like a kid and sometimes like a crazy lady and other times she very mature... She was a great mix of cray-cray and maturity.
I'll definitely re-read this book!
July 10, 2016
Oh My Word!!!!! What do I love about this authour and her alter-ego, Annabel, is that you never know what you are going to get with a story. I mean, really, I was with Ransom, I had no idea what EDM was and only the overall public view of rave culture. But whether I knew, agreed, participated or promoted the life, Molly took me into the world and made me actually see it
The title of the book is so appropriate, Lola is a Diva, but it is warranted for many reasons. She is young but has a lot of life experience, having had to adjust to her surroundings when finding herself alone in her mid-teen years. She is catered to by those around her, manipulated in that by telling her what they want and shepherding her in directions to help them. Her core is pure to herself, the person she really is, and that is who Ransom is trying to bring to the front
Ransom, oh Ransom, loved you more and more as the story progressed. As his life, his story, came out, everything about him made sense. Everything about him screams control, power and intensity, but his humanity is there as well
We spend a lot of the book getting to know both characters, those around them, and their interactions with each other. The attraction between them was there from the start, but everything else makes the story. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down, and I finally understood why the authour had teased on her twitter account she was talking to a gigolo as research!
The title of the book is so appropriate, Lola is a Diva, but it is warranted for many reasons. She is young but has a lot of life experience, having had to adjust to her surroundings when finding herself alone in her mid-teen years. She is catered to by those around her, manipulated in that by telling her what they want and shepherding her in directions to help them. Her core is pure to herself, the person she really is, and that is who Ransom is trying to bring to the front
Ransom, oh Ransom, loved you more and more as the story progressed. As his life, his story, came out, everything about him made sense. Everything about him screams control, power and intensity, but his humanity is there as well
We spend a lot of the book getting to know both characters, those around them, and their interactions with each other. The attraction between them was there from the start, but everything else makes the story. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down, and I finally understood why the authour had teased on her twitter account she was talking to a gigolo as research!
August 26, 2016
I found the beginning chapters a bit slow, it didn't have the traditional meet-cute, and I struggled a little to try to look pass my annoyance with the Heroine at the beginning.
I found the heroine 'Lady Paradise' annoying and hard to like at the beginning, and I suppose that is the point. The author's intention is creating a unlikable character and shows her character development through out their journey. In that aspect, I think the author does a admirable job with it.
This is a fun book to read with plenty of dirty steamy sex scenes. The author was careful in not to let the sex scenes overwhelm the book and affect the plot, which I am grateful of.
I enjoyed all of Molly Joseph's book thus far and will continue to seek out more books from her.
I found the heroine 'Lady Paradise' annoying and hard to like at the beginning, and I suppose that is the point. The author's intention is creating a unlikable character and shows her character development through out their journey. In that aspect, I think the author does a admirable job with it.
This is a fun book to read with plenty of dirty steamy sex scenes. The author was careful in not to let the sex scenes overwhelm the book and affect the plot, which I am grateful of.
I enjoyed all of Molly Joseph's book thus far and will continue to seek out more books from her.
May 11, 2017
DNF at 50%
This book was intriguing to start with, I like the idea of the bodyguard and the artist. But Lola ruined it for me, she's 20-years-old and acts like a friggin' 13-year-old. She's pawing Randsom, and throwing herself at him. There was no real connection or attraction despite their inner thoughts about the other.
All in all, wouldn't recommend to anyone.
This book was intriguing to start with, I like the idea of the bodyguard and the artist. But Lola ruined it for me, she's 20-years-old and acts like a friggin' 13-year-old. She's pawing Randsom, and throwing herself at him. There was no real connection or attraction despite their inner thoughts about the other.
All in all, wouldn't recommend to anyone.
March 22, 2021
what a rude little self oriented little bitch. I can't stand the h. I won't finish this.
she is selfish, rude, vulgar and egotistical. antipathic in the extreme and a real head of linnet and more. whatever she has experienced in the past, there is no excuse for such behavior. she is unbearable and nothing forces me to endure that. I tried well but I have no interest in continuing this reading.
Did not finish.
she is selfish, rude, vulgar and egotistical. antipathic in the extreme and a real head of linnet and more. whatever she has experienced in the past, there is no excuse for such behavior. she is unbearable and nothing forces me to endure that. I tried well but I have no interest in continuing this reading.
Did not finish.
July 4, 2016
I liked this age gap romance between Ransom , our uptight bodyguard and Lola, the Diva.
This couple had a difficult and challenging start. They started as enemies and had a hard time moving to the friend zone. Despite their lack of friendship the couple had an underlying sexual chemistry that continued until they finally gave into each other.
Ransom was hired for more than Lola's bodyguard. Part of the job was a mentor and a friend to this music diva He had some insight due to his past. Ransom wanted to keep this secret from Lola . Unfortunately, he couldn't keep his past hidden. It followed and shaped his future. Oddly, it helped him become a better man.
Lola reminded me of Miley Cyrus. She was an out of control music star who needed some tough love. Ransom come into her life at the right time. She was immediately smitten with her bodyguard but he wouldn't give in. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.
The pair is able to put the age gap, career goals and destructive behavior aside to forge an everlasting bond. I liked the playfulness that this couple had both in and outside the bedroom.
While I enjoyed the book, I think it needed a bit more to their story. They spent a lot of time fighting each other then trying to work on being a couple.
I received a copy for an honest review
This couple had a difficult and challenging start. They started as enemies and had a hard time moving to the friend zone. Despite their lack of friendship the couple had an underlying sexual chemistry that continued until they finally gave into each other.
Ransom was hired for more than Lola's bodyguard. Part of the job was a mentor and a friend to this music diva He had some insight due to his past. Ransom wanted to keep this secret from Lola . Unfortunately, he couldn't keep his past hidden. It followed and shaped his future. Oddly, it helped him become a better man.
Lola reminded me of Miley Cyrus. She was an out of control music star who needed some tough love. Ransom come into her life at the right time. She was immediately smitten with her bodyguard but he wouldn't give in. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.
The pair is able to put the age gap, career goals and destructive behavior aside to forge an everlasting bond. I liked the playfulness that this couple had both in and outside the bedroom.
While I enjoyed the book, I think it needed a bit more to their story. They spent a lot of time fighting each other then trying to work on being a couple.
I received a copy for an honest review
August 20, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review...
EDM, lightening rod, and a wicked good time. Lola has hit the big time!! She goes to festivals and rocks out jamming her beats. Too bad she can't do it sober. Her label has sent a bodyguard to protect their investment of Lady Paradise her stage name which has become her identity. Randsome comes in just in time. Lady P is in a downward spiral and probably wouldn't make it far. Randsome cleans house and cleans up Lady P and she hates him and lusts him. Oh this is a problem! When she orders her standard hook up in the next city it all goes to crap for for all of them Randsome included. Secrets fly and Lady P is intrigued. Randsome has cut off her pipeline to drugs so she tries to get them on her own and learns the hard way why you can't just take anything. Feelings develop as time goes on. Can this continue or will it all be blown to the wind?
EDM, lightening rod, and a wicked good time. Lola has hit the big time!! She goes to festivals and rocks out jamming her beats. Too bad she can't do it sober. Her label has sent a bodyguard to protect their investment of Lady Paradise her stage name which has become her identity. Randsome comes in just in time. Lady P is in a downward spiral and probably wouldn't make it far. Randsome cleans house and cleans up Lady P and she hates him and lusts him. Oh this is a problem! When she orders her standard hook up in the next city it all goes to crap for for all of them Randsome included. Secrets fly and Lady P is intrigued. Randsome has cut off her pipeline to drugs so she tries to get them on her own and learns the hard way why you can't just take anything. Feelings develop as time goes on. Can this continue or will it all be blown to the wind?
July 10, 2016
The heroine in this story isn't your typical gal meets stud, and I loved her wild spirit. The hero is just as I like them--hot. And there's a really surprising twist to his characterization (which you'll know what it is when you READ DIVA!) Great escape. Great read.
August 18, 2016
I think, because I have no interest in the profession of the book, it just didn't do anything for me.
Pawn was better, but I think I prefer the shock value of Anabel.
Pawn was better, but I think I prefer the shock value of Anabel.
July 3, 2016
Fantastic beautiful sexy as sin, love story...this was amazing!!! Loved Ransom and Lola, and can not wait for more.......AWESOME
July 8, 2025
Reread: 25 June 2020. Can you believe I originally only gave this 4 stars??? This book is amazing!
7-9 July 2025
7-9 July 2025
December 26, 2017
I was immediately drawn into Diva. Lola - Lady Paradise - is a wild diva with a self-destructive behavior. Her label has sent a bodyguard to protect their investment and Ransom come into her life.
She was immediately smitten with her bodyguard but he wouldn't give in. They started as enemies and had a hard time moving to the friend zone.
The pair is able to put the age gap, career goals and destructive behavior aside to forge an everlasting bond
She was immediately smitten with her bodyguard but he wouldn't give in. They started as enemies and had a hard time moving to the friend zone.
The pair is able to put the age gap, career goals and destructive behavior aside to forge an everlasting bond
Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews