Intense

by B.B. Hamel

It’s never too intense for her.

I built my empire the way I live: fast, hard and unrelenting. I’m ruthless and I have no intention of slowing down.

When it comes to sex? There are auctions for my preferences.
I’ve been through too much sh*t in my past to let anyone inside.

At least until I meet her, my pet, my Aria.

Aria radiates innocence, but I sensed the darkness behind those gorgeous eyes and tempting curves the second I saw her. And now I can’t walk away.

I’ll take her, spoil her, and make her beg.

But my enemies are always watching, and they’ll use her against me if they find out.

I can’t stop though. I’m in too deep, too addicted.
I’ve already signed the contract.

And the moment she wrote her name, I just knew it. She was mine to keep.

Intense is a dark romance with steamy scenes and bad language. It’s only recommended for readers 18+.

Intense is a STANDALONE, full-length novel. No cliffhanger. Guaranteed HEA. Includes bonus content!

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Dark, Erotica, Adult, Erotic Romance

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2017

About the author

I'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.

I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.

Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter

Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup

Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense
By B.B. Hamel

Another amazing story that had me hooked from the start.I love this author. She draw you in wouldn’t release you until very end

This book has it all
Two lose broken Souls
Each with their own dark secrets to hide..Touch of suspense & drama plenty of sex & sexual tension a pinch of love..We even have auction, also we have The Syndicate & we can’t forget blackmail

Ethan is a CEO of a multibillion dollar company & was bored with the women he was currently seeing & upon receiving a text message & then talking to a friend he decided to attend an auction, Where they auctions of women that are of course willing , for a given period of time.

Aria desperate for money so she could pay her old debts before trying to start over…. Deciding to sell herself was the best way to get the money that she needed. Aria had no clue what to expect. All she knew is that whomever brought her wasn’t happy she wouldn’t get paid.. So Aria was going to make the best of her situation so could get her paid so she could start over, but Lil she know that she was going to fall for the sexy Ethan Locks

This was intense, action packed & exciting read.
Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
**" "*ARC provided by the author for an honest review*"..**

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan Locks is the owner of World Line soon to be one of the largest manufacturing tech companies in the world. He has worked long & hard to get to this point at the age of thirty-two. He is called the most eligible bachelor under forty & has his pick of women whenever he wants. He is not interested anything long term & doesn't have any free time away from his business. Ethan receives a cryptic message on his phone inviting him to an auction to bid on beautiful women only for men of means & power. Ethan isn't sure what to make of the message but contacts a friend to find out more. He eventually responds to the message with a positive interested reply. Aria Taylor is in dire straights to get herself out of debt & has decided to be auctioned off by The Syndicate to the highest bidder. She is naturally nervous but doesn't see any other way to come up with the money she needs so quickly. When Aria is presented to the bidders, she does as she is told & then asked to leave the stage. When taken to a back room she thinks that maybe no one bid on her, but she pleasantly surprised to find Ethan is now her client. Ethan didn't intend to purchase anyone at the auction but when he saw Aria he couldn't let anyone else have her. He decides that he is going to seduce her & make her want him before he takes her. When they arrive at Ethan's home, Aria is shown to her room & given a few rules. She can do just about anything she wants but she cannot leave her room without Ethan's permission. Thus starts their game. Ethan teases & punishes Aria but doesn't let her have relief. When Ethan neglects Aria for a couple of days she acts out to get his attention. And get his attention she does but after they talk some he pulls away again. This is all so very confusing to Aria because she feels herself growing close to Ethan but she can't tell if he is feeling the same way. Meanwhile Ethan has been trying to close a deal with a business associate to acquire a building from him. He is a difficult person to deal with & out of no where he makes demands of Ethan & tries to blackmail him into giving him what he wants in the business deal. Will Ethan be able to work out his business problems? How will all of this affect Ethan & Aria's arrangement? Do Ethan & Aria stand a chance at a real relationship?

Intense is just that, intense. The seduction of Aria by Ethan is that & more. But it's when the two of them begin to open up to each other & share about their pasts, they find they've had really similar experiences. When Aria's past comes to threaten what is between them, Ethan makes it clear he will not back down. Neither of them was looking to find a lover, she just wanted out of debt & he just wanted to possess her yet they both got so much more. This book is meant for mature readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books by B.B. Hammel. I enjoyed this sexy, steamy read.

Aria wants to start over and move on from her past but needs money so she decides to sell herself at a auction she's quite surprised and happy when she sees who bought her Ethan, he's young and handsome and that's not what she expected.

The next Ethan spots Aria he knows she has to be his. Aria is given everything she wants from Ethan and is living in luxury but, she can't leave the room so she becomes desperate for the moments she gets with Ethan.

Ethan refuses to sleep with Aria even though that's what he paid for. He genuinely wants her to want him. I loved reading the progression between Aria and Ethan it was so sweet and even though they both have a haunted past they'll do whatever they have to for each other.

I voluntarily reviewed a arc copy of this book

[Evil Mommy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not dark at all

First of all, this book should not be considered a "dark romance". The guy, Ethan, was not dark at all. He wasn't even kinky. I thought we would get some kinky pet play, but the author doesn't seem to have a clue what that is. Ethan wasn't keeping her as a pet, but as a toy. Know your kink.
Then the timing/pacing was off. The way the author wrote the first few chapters made it seem like Aria had been there more than a week before her temper tantrum. It really was poor writing.
On to the characters, there was no...depth. They were about as two-dimensional as you can get. It sometimes read like a mad libs for romantic novels.
The whole thing fell flat and I am wondering about all these 5-star reviews. Did I get a different book?

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/8/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
It’s never too intense for her.

I built my empire the way I live: fast, hard and unrelenting. I’m ruthless and I have no intention of slowing down.

When it comes to sex? There are auctions for my preferences.
I’ve been through too much sh*t in my past to let anyone inside.

At least until I meet her, my pet, my Aria.

Aria radiates innocence, but I sensed the darkness behind those gorgeous eyes and tempting curves the second I saw her. And now I can’t walk away.

I’ll take her, spoil her, and make her beg.

But my enemies are always watching, and they’ll use her against me if they find out.

I can’t stop though. I’m in too deep, too addicted.
I’ve already signed the contract.

And the moment she wrote her name, I just knew it. She was mine to keep.

[ViolinVixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate to escape the demons of her past and start a new life, Aria signs up to be auctioned off at a high-end escort auction. She needs a large sum of money quickly and this opportunity could change her life.

Ethan, a young, handsome billionaire gets a mysterious invite to this auction. He has no trouble picking up women on his own, but he just doesn’t have time. He’s a workaholic and obsessed with the success of his business. Although Ethan is skeptical about the kind of women who would agree to such an arrangement, the ‘program’ seems safe and professional. Maybe if he had someone waiting at home to please him, he’d leave work and actually sleep in his own house once in a while instead of crashing on his office couch.

Aria is pleasantly surprised when she finds out that not only was she bought at her first auction, but for a very large sum of money and to an extremely handsome young man. She had prepared herself for the worst possible scenario, but instead she lucked out. Once Ethan laid his eyes on Aria, he had to have her. No one else was taking her home. She would be his. No matter what it took.

Aria has lived a rough life and has been on her own for a while now, just barely scraping by. So when she is put up in a luxurious room/suite and pampered with room service, an exquisite ensuite, a private balcony, her own sitting area, she can’t believe her good fortune. She’s waiting for the other shoe to drop, but while she waits, she waits in comfort.

Ethan has decided that if he and Aria are going to be intimate, it will be because she begs for it, not because he’s paying her. He tempts, teases and confuses her, but she quickly realizes that she lives for the few moments in the day when he visits her in her gilded cage.

The two of them start to open up to each other and gradually become more intimate with each other, but they are both scared to hope that there might be something between them, beyond the signed contract. When Aria’s past comes back to haunt her and threatens to tear them apart, they quickly have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay together. Is what they have real? Can a relationship so new, with a chemistry so intense, withstand the pressures of their lives or will it collapse before they realize their potential?

Standalone. HEA. No cliffhanger.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.

[diana marcela Ballestas · Rating 4 out of 5]

First a small introduction, this book is about a young billionaire CEO who buys a girl's company at an ultra-secret auction and takes her home for a month, not knowing how much this will change his life.

I must admit that the fact of the 'auction' I did not like much, since the fact that one person sells to another, so be it voluntarily, is still something a bit taboo. That said, the story itself seemed great, very well elaborated and worked, showing how everyone on their own tries to find that what happens between them is real and which is coerced by the contract that both signed. (Note: if you want something real, do not pay for it, simple)

In developing the story you can find some bondage and some very light bdsm situations, but in itself, it is more about knowing the other. As observations I could let the scene narrated in the prologue as occurring a week after the beginning of the story does not coincide with those narrated in the development of the rest of the text, and that ultimately the attitude of the butler is extremely strange and something out of place. Beyond that, I enjoy quite.

I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book.

[Sheri Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's only one word to describe this release by B.B. Hamel - HOT! This book has it all - sex, mystery, action, hot sex, comedy, twists, turns, hot hot sex. As always, B.B. did not disappoint. The story twisted and turned and held my attention from start to finish.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I couldn't get enough of Ethan & Aria. I had a hard time putting this one down...Loved it!!!!! Another winner!!!!!

[Mary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria is desperate and willing to do anything to survive; she needs money and fast, it is as simple as that and then she will be free. The Syndicate offers her the opportunity to work for them, but entering the auction is her choice. Ethan has sacrificed a lot to get where he is; he works hard and he plays hard. He lives to win and to dominate everything around him, but his current negotiations with Richard Taylor, a notorious businessman, are proving ominous. When Ethan receives an invitation to a secret auction, he wonders if accepting it is the right decision. The minute he sees Aria he knows she is perfect for him. Attractive, intelligent and funny, Ethan wants to get to know the real Aria, not the one she is pretending to be; he wants her submission, obedience and genuine seduction, and to dominate but not break her. Aria finds Ethan interesting, attractive, smart and funny and wants to be around him, but not just because she is getting paid. Aria knows that she is keeping secrets from Ethan, but he would not like the truth; Ethan too has his own secrets, things about his childhood he has never divulged. Given her own room, and told not to leave without permission, Aria becomes upset with Ethan when he leaves her alone for long periods of time; he has bought her so why isn’t he using her. Eventually Aria causes a commotion, not realising there is someone out there following Ethan’s every move, looking for an excuse to manipulate and blackmail him. When Ethan understands the connection, he wonders if this is a ruse. Has Aria somehow betrayed him? As matters spiral out of control, there is no option but to involve The Syndicate. This was an excellent story that has a surprising twist I never saw coming and I thoroughly enjoying read the book. It is certainly one I would have no hesitation in recommending. A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

[poppysocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Enjoyed this book brilliant characters Rachel has signed up to the syndicate to get money to pay her debts off what she isn’t prepared for is the man who has bought her for a month. Ethan wasn’t going to bid but one look at Rachel and he knew he had to have her but what to do with her. He wants her to want him not because he bought her for a month to do so. Rachel wants Ethan so bad but he just keeps torturing her with his sex games pleasure and pain which she likes but would like him more. Ethan is being blackmailed as photos where taken and they won’t be good for his reputation and firm the man is Rachel’s father it neither of them know that until the syndicate come to take her away. Rachel hates her father he was abusive when she was little and ran away she hates that she is Ethans Achilles heal and will do anything for that not to happen even if that means she has to back to her father but Ethan won’t allow it. Rachel comes up with a plan to take her father down she first needs the info which means she goes back to the syndicate when their she tries to get one of the girls to help her but it leads to a different but better path to take her father down. The plan is set Ethan has put the money where it was requested to be left and now waits for Lorraine from the syndicate. Rachel gets out of the car first and jumps into Ethans arms where she belongs. The trap is set they just need to wait for Rachel’s father to turn up and be trapped therefore finishing her fathers blackmail over Ethan. Now they can start living their lives together even keep the kinky sex going for a while

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by BB Hamel.
Ethan is a driven billionaire who lives to work. His company is his focus and he has worked with everything in him to make it a success.
Aria is a girl with a secret who is in debt and needs to get out of it. her job isn't giving her enough money to crawl out of the hole she has dug for herself.
Aria decides to "sell" herself as an escort for a month and she will receive 70% of what she "sells" for which will help her pay off her debt and just maybe give her a chance to pursue something she wants to do.
Ethan is told about the "sale" from a friend and decides to go just to see what it is about. Then he sees Aria and he wants her.
The author develops the characters well. You understand the drive that made Ethan;s company a success.
Anyone could be Aria who made one bad mistake that she almost paid for with her life and then when she decided to get out of it put herself further in the hole.
Etan and Aria have an interesting relationship. Their chemistry does come out on the page.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, it isn't full of over the top sex though there is some explicit sex in parts. Mostly this is about a young women who due to her life spiraling out of control a few years before needs to make some money to clear her debt and get back on track, and a man who is rich but extremely busy not having time to find company, even being someone to just greet him at home and enjoy a meal with. But he does like control. An invitation changes life for them both. A few twists to this sometimes intense read that keep you on edge and the interest high, I found the games interesting and they did build the sexual tension of the couple. There is some dirty talk during the encounters but overall not as full on as most of BB Hamel's books so it was quite a nice change, both main characters are strong but have their own family issues which have caused some vulnerability that for me make them more human and relatable. Great read and I almost made it in one sitting but sleep got in the way.

[Tracie Simister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this Book a rating of 5 ✩’s
Title: Intense
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Dark Billionaire Romance
Author: B. B. Hamel
Format: Kindle Edition
Published on: Jan 21, 2017

I voluntarily reviewed a Courtesy Advanced Reader Copy of this book
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Character’s Descriptions:
Aria Taylor has been drug free for two years and she is now in the hands of The Syndicate
Ethan Lock is the CEO of World Line Inc and he built it from the ground up
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What I liked/Didn’t Like: The title says it all. This was a very Intense Romance with twists and turn galore. The Steamy scenes are Hot!!!. Both Characters have troubled pasts but can they find a new beginning for them both? B.B. Hamel Does it again with another Awesome read sure to be a hit for anyone who likes Dark Romances.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

The book was good, but there were some definate problems with it. There's 3 stories which was good or it would have been a very long boring book. The sex in all three books was basically the same other than location. Here's the thing, in the 2nd story you got a Navy seal. If the guy in this book was actually protecting our country we would all have been dead years ago. The 3rd book is a really smart ex FBI serial killer task force guy turned PI. I figured out clues before he did that were so obvious it was a joke. Again, we're lucky that the FBI is actually MUCH better. The 1st story was just a joke, but that's why we read fiction romance. That's fine with me, but if your gonna write about the SEAL's or the FBI please do a little bit of thinking before you write your stories. It's embarrassing for our country.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of Ethan and Aria! After Ethan buys Aria for 28 days in an auction, he challenges himself to get to her to want him for real, not as part of the contract. I could see this relationship blossom naturally under different circumstances. It ends up being a bit of a tease and a slow burn-between Ethan's need to get past the escort Aria, and their mutual baggage, it takes a bit to get to the hot and dirty sex scenes. Well worth the wait! Don't want to put any spoilers out there, as I didn't pay enough attention and had a "Whoa!" moment. Loved the trust Ethan put in Aria, and his willingness to let her strength shine through to help them get their HEA.

I am a long time BB Hamel fan, and have come to appreciate her consistent, well written stories. I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Lieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense is the perfect title for a perfect read . I 'm always looking forward to BB Hamel's books and this one certainly didn 't disappointed . No one writes hot , racy and dirty like she does ! It's an amazing dark romance and the author did a real good job by depicting the unimaginable and not so usual situation Aria has put herself into during one month to pay off her debts. Intense is a story that keeps you engaged with all the twists and turns . I loved Aria and Ethan's story while going through a lot of intense emotions at the same time .
This is a must read if you are into a dark , twisted and intense romance . I 'm looking to whatever book of BB Hamel comes next and voluntarily reviewed this one as an advanced reader copy .

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifty Shades Fans Might Enjoy This

On a whim, Ethan Locks, a CEO and Christian Grey type leading man, purchases Rachel Taylor for one month at a secretive auction for escorts. It is entertaining to see the couple come together, both emotionally and physically.

I would rate this 3.5 stars if possible. One reason for this rating is the prologue. Although it is a great hook, as I read I kept it in mind and waited for the scene to come up at the time specified - but it didn't. It never comes up, and it doesn't feel like it fits into the sequence of events and timeline either, which is a shame because it was good, and also because it distracted me while I tried to make sense of it.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of story rich guy buys girl desperate for money. I thought oh no here we go again another book by the a different author with the same plot. I was very wrong, this book kept me wanting to know more about aria and ethan. They both have had rough childhoods with abuse in many forms. It seems to have made them stronger adults as they vow to be better than what they were taught. Even though Evan bought her at an auction , he is expecting Aria to be different that she was instead they start to fall for each other. The plot was a solid 4 for me . The sex was a 5, the characters were also a five. i will be reading more by this author.

[Barrie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, this is one HOT read that just about set my kindle on fire! I love BB Hamel and this was another awesome read! Arai has a shady past and is in debt due to it. Her waitress job isn't making a dent in it so she decides to auction herself off to a man. He can do anything to her, as long as she's ok with it, for one month. Ethan doesn't have time or the effort to put into a relationship so when someone recommends a club to him, he realizes this is perfect for him. What happens is explosive sex with a great storyline. This story is NOT to be missed!

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't "get" Ethan's motive--he is big on control and never paid for sex, sets out to seduce the escort that he has seen once, then proceeds to pay an obscene amount for a month (comparatively long, I was told) of her company...and *then* he is determined to seduce her?!? So the foreplay is extra lengthy, to a tedious point. Anyway, it turns out that both have a lousy father, thus a "special" connection is established.

The only memorable thing is that Aria was once a junkie, where she used drugs, as a means to escape her father's abuse.

Bottomline: it's an okay read, and I can't complain especially when the book was free.

3*

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title is very apt in a way to describe this storyline. Ethan is a billionaire who can have any women he wants. Aria is up to her eyeballs in debt, and puts herself up for auction, where she meets Ethan. No spoilers from me though, you really need to read this book for yourself!!
This is a great, well written storyline, which is thrilling, sexy, and exciting. As with all of this authors work, she never disappoints, and has me intrigued and hooked throughout each and every book. I cannot wait to read more of her work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for the author!

[Emma Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fabulous book by BB! Great storyline and great characters. Ethan the billionaire can have any woman he wants and gets invited to an auction of women. Aria has signed up to be auctioned off to pay off her debts. Sparks definitely fly between the two of them and they certainly have their fair share of problems to overcome.... can they overcome them together?!?
Really great read and highly recommended.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Christy M. Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book and only one word can describe this masterpiece and that word is marvelous! As usual B.B. Hamel has left my jaw on the floor with my heart racing. This book is a heated sexual rollercoaster. I have no idea where she comes up with all these stories that she just keeps putting down on paper.
her books are my guilty pleasure they take me to a sweaty sexy place far from here… Loved this book!

[Terotha L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1) A Billionaire Romance: Loved it. Book 2) Bastard Seal: Loved it. Book 3) Stiff: A Stepbrother Romance, confused for a minute, but liked it.

Each story different. But in each story, I was happy to find that all the women were strong and not weak. They knew what was going on and they were not afraid to engage in whatever was going on around them. For that, I am extremely grateful.

[Klaire Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this author but this is probably one of my favorite books by them. Was a bit darker than they normally write but I loved every second of it and was really impressed with the depth of the story. There is so much more I want to say but I think if I say much more I will end up spoiling the story. If you have never read anything from B.B. Hamel, this is a great first book. If you are already a fan, please don't overlook this one.

[Meluvbooks2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I love this author. She has a way to pull into the story. Very Descriptive. Second, all her books are very sexy and entertaining. Ethan is looking for excitement and he finds his match with Aria. Drama, twists, passion and romance. The connection is instant, neither is looking for love but it all changes over the 30 day contract. Won't be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed this advance reader copy of this book.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Intense!!! Relationships can be found at the strangest places...even an auction. From the moment Ethan saw Aria he knew he had to have her. He wanted her to beg him!!! Ethan is very Intense and all alpha!! He has enemies watching him. They would do anything to get to him. Even use Aria!! Such a fantastic read!! Would highly recommend!!

[Quen Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This is another great story that is filled with action and a great love story.
Ethan has overcome his past and is now helping Aria do the same. But will Ethan be enough to help Aria get over the past. Will there love be enough when both of there past comes back for them both.

[Eva Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this author really has a way with words. The way the romance builds with the two characters is nice. Aria didn't have a great childhood and a very medeoker love life when it comes to boyfriends and such. Also she really needed money to support herself and start her life over. i wont say much else but story is well written and this is a standalone with a HEA.