Wicked Intentions

Wicked Games #3

by J.T. Geissinger

Ex special-ops officer and security expert Ryan McLean is getting a much-needed vacation. In the Caribbean for his best friend Connor’s wedding, his plans include nothing more strenuous than working on his tan. Until he meets a beautiful woman in the hotel bar. Their connection is immediate and intense, and they spend a passionate night together with pleasure as their only goal.

Until Ryan wakes the following morning to discover the beautiful woman has vanished, along with millions worth of jewels from the safe of the Saudi prince staying in the suite next door. Realizing he was duped, Ryan becomes determined to find the mystery woman and bring her to justice. If only he could forget how explosive their chemistry was, how her kisses drove him wild like no other woman before.

A notorious thief known to authorities only as the Dragonfly, Mariana Lora has made redistribution of wealth her life’s work. She only has one more score to settle until she can retire, but the sexy-as-hell Marine she spent one explosive tropical night with is hot on her heels at every turn. She has to outwit him to stay out of jail, but fighting their magnetic attraction soon becomes a game neither one of them can resist.

When Mariana’s last job goes dangerously wrong and she needs Connor’s help to survive, he has to decide if their game of cat and mouse is only a game, or if he can trust this beautiful thief with something no woman has ever his heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Audiobook, Military Fiction

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2017

About the author

J.T. Geissinger is a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty-five novels and novellas. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over twenty million copies and been translated into more than two dozen languages.

She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.

Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za

Reviews

[Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

**5 Wicked stars**

It bears repeating that JTG writes enthralling and smart stories, which are oftentimes over laced with humour and suspense.

She is also unapologetic in eschewing the usual gazillionaire hero/poverty-stricken untouched heroine (let's not forget the BDSM trope) in favour of characters that are multi-faceted with prose that is fast-paced and clever. Wicked Intentions does not disappoint. Highly recommend.

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely INCREDIBLE to read cover to cover! I never wanted it to end! Ryan McLean has got to be one of THE BEST heroes I've ever come across in my years of reading romance. He was undeniably sexy, incredibly sweet and charming, and oh so cocky and gorgeous! It makes me smile just thinking about his sweet ways and his southern charm, and we can't forget the dirty-talk! Everything about WICKED INTENTIONS pushed my buttons - AMAZING writing, INCREDIBLE characters, enough ACTION and SUSPENSE to keep me on the edge of my seat. Once I picked this book up, I knew there was no going back! 

"After dinner, you and I will go up to my room, we'll talk, we'll have a drink, we'll pretend like you're not already madly in love with me and wild to have my babies."

I have to say, this ex special-ops officer and security expert does NOT mess around when he sets his eyes on something he wants, and when he sees a beautiful woman across the pool, it's game time. Instant attraction. Instant combustible chemistry. These two were just having a chat and fireworks were going off! The back and forth between these two...the flirtatious banter was just EVERYTHING throughout this book. At first sight, these two were a match made in heaven, but the gorgeous woman who brings Ryan to his knees (more than once, might I add) is FAR MORE than what she seems.

Sex, secrets, deception, action, suspense, romance - this book HAD IT ALL!

"You're not the boss of me, you know that, right?"

"As soon as you get those goddamn panties off, I'm gonna prove you wrong, darlin'."

OMG! Ryan is just so damn swoon-worthy and sweet and dirty! He makes more than my tooth ache, if you know what I mean! I'm going to be honest and say I had no idea who J.T. Geissinger was before I started this read. But now, I want nothing more than to read every single thing she's ever written! Since each book is a stand-alone, I'm going to start with the first two books in the Wicked Games Series because I'm so IN LOVE with these characters and I just want MORE! I'm also addicted to Geissinger's writing, so she definitely scored a HUGE FAN with the awesomeness that is WICKED INTENTIONS!

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I start a J.T. Geissinger book I know that I am going to be blown away by an amazing story, a hot Alpha male and the sassy, strong woman that will bring him to his knees. This is exactly what we received with Wicked Intentions. I FLOVED every minute of this book. It was fastpaced, filled with exhilarating action and SCORCHING sexy times. Ryan and Mariana had COMBUSTIBLE chemistry that would not quit. J.T. seriously broke the mold with Mariana and Ryan. They were amazing and I was left mindblown and wanting more.

Wicked Intentions was the third book in the Wicked Games series. While it is a complete standalone I would recommend you read the prior two books in this series as there are recurring and familiar characters alongside Ryan and Mariana. 

When Ex special-ops officer and security expert Ryan McLean meets a mysterious and gorgeous woman on vacation in the Caribbean, the attraction is instant and intense and his interest is picqued. But after a passionate night of pleasure, he discovers the beautiful woman has vanished, along with millions worth of jewels from the safe of the Saudi prince staying in the suite below him. When he realizes his mysterious woman is Dragonfly - a notorious and world wanted thief who used him - what follows is a game of cat and mouse where Ryan is on the tail of the mysterious woman who blew his mind and moved his heart. 

I absolutely FLOVED this book. I was lost in Ryan and Mariana's passionate love story and adventure to stay one step ahead of each other and their quest to capture the monster of Mari's nightmares. I loved their sexy story and how Mari kept Ryan on his toes the entire time. It was fantastic and i never wanted it to end. It was seriously J.T.'s best book and I know it will stay with me for a very long time. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula

[Dilek VT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the WICKED GAMES series. I fell in love with Book 1. Loved Book 2 very much. And once again, I fell in love with Book 3.

This is an awesome series… my type of books. This book has everything. It is emotional, hot and funny. My kind of emotional. My kind of hot. And my kind of funny. There is intelligent and fun banter wrapped up in vulnerable sweetness and nuclear chemistry. Yum. It is also a bit action-packed. The book balances everything, the emotions, the steam, the humor and the suspense.

The heroine is a sassy, smart woman with an awesome sense of humor. She is sweet. My type of heroine.

And the hero is THE BEST. Can a guy be more adorable than Ryan, I don’t know… No, no one can. I had already fallen for his charm in Book 2. Again, my type of hero...

*********************************************

Our hero, RYAN, is not only a hot protective alpha male but also a big softie with his sensitive side. His boyish charm is off-the charts. Ryan is a very intelligent guy - a genius. He is an ex special-ops officer and a security expert. He is also a mercenary now. He reads people like a book. He is undeniably beautiful and sexy. He is loyal, caring, and determined; when he sets his eyes on something he wants, he doesn’t mess around, he goes after it. He is confident and cocky but even his swagger is adorable. He is such a sweet guy, just gorgeous! Everything he does and everything he says made me grin and giggle and swoon… Just thinking about him makes me smile with hearts in my eyes. yeap, I am definitely fangirling now.



Believe me, Ryan is the TOTAL PACKAGE. One of the best heroes ever! He is now at the top of my “Best Book Boyfriends” List.



With his blond hair and blue eyes, he is the Golden Boy you cannot resist. And his wicked sense of humor just increases his appeal. Oh my, he is everything I would want in a man…
Gah… swoooooooonnnn…


I could go on and on and on about Ryan 😊 but I think you've already got how enoamored I am by him so now let’s talk about our beautiful heroine.

*********************************************

I loved Mariana so very much. She is a sassy, strong woman with a vulnerable side. Perfect combination.


Mariana is a notorious thief, known as The Dragonfly and she is on the Interpol's “Most Wanted List”.


She is clever, resourceful, educated and intuitive. She has an exotic beauty and a very witty sense of humor. She is such a good match to my beautiful Ryan.


Mariana is a genius, too. She is the best. When she has to steal something, nothing can stop her. And no one has been able to catch her so far. She has countless identities and she changes her appearance all the time.

Mariana is this bad-ass female character and she makes impossible missions possible. Her skills are mind-blowing. She has a cunning side but we soon see that she has no time or luxury to be her real self. She has always had to live a life that has been forced to her. She hasn’t chosen to be a thief, she has had to steal to stay alive. She can’t be anything else no matter how much she wants to. Her hands are tied by a much bigger force. Mariana has lived such a horrible life that it is a miracle she is still alive.

Mariana meets Ryan when she is on a mission to steal jewels from the safe of a Saudi Prince. Ryan becomes Mariana’s target because his room is the only way she can use to enter the Prince’s room because the front door of the Prince is heavily guarded. Mariana plans to seduce Ryan and go to his room making him think that they will get intimate. Then, she will drug him so that she can climb to the Prince’s room from that of Ryan’s. However, there is instant real attraction between them. And instant combustible chemistry. They collide and they burn. Some nuclear chemistry it is!





The interaction of Ryan and Mariana begins with a flirtatious banter and Ms Geissenger writes the best banters. They are incredibly funny and witty. There are hilarious conversations filled with sweetness and I was laughing out loud with a swooning smile on my face all the time.

Ryan is first intrigued by Mariana’s beauty and smart-ass personality but he also quickly sees that there is more to Mariana than she wants to show to the world. He can see her tortured soul through her fearful eyes at her vulnerable moments. He is knocked off his feet by this puzzling woman and he wants to have her, he wants to help her and he wants to save her.



Mariana had initially decided not to get intimate with Ryan but Ryan has this irresistible charm and she is infatuated by him so she wants to do something she wants at least for once in her life and she gives herself a few hours of freedom with this delicious man. Then, of course, she drugs him, steals the jewels and vanishes. Think of how shocked Ryan is in the morning!

From then on, a cat & mouse game begins. He finds her, but then, she vanishes again but soon, she begins to trust him. Still, there is too much at stake and she has to do things she doesn’t want to do.

*********************************************

There are good plot twists in the book. It keeps your attention. Some of the events may feel as over the top but this is a fantasy world where I didn’t feel like questioning the probability of everything so I just sat and enjoyed the ride.

We see our beloved characters from the previous books and they try to help Ryan to save Mariana from the helpless situation she is in. When finally Mariana agrees to let them help her, something awful happens and she is thrown into the rabbit hole once again.

Ryan never gives up on her. He is this guy you want to hug; he is one of those rare guys who loves with his whole heart and soul. He is ready to sacrifice his life to save hers but in the end, it is Mariana that saves herself: one kick ass lady she is!.

*********************************************

The book is entertaining, colorful and heart-warming but at the same time, it is scorching hot.



I loved how emotional and passionate all their intimate scenes are. When they kiss or make love or just hold hands, there is this undeniable connection and chemistry between them. They are such a good couple in bed and all sex scenes are passionate, intense, emotional, steamy-hot and most importantly, very tastefully-written.
There was one moment when she said he wasn’t the boss of her as a joke and he said “who is your daddy now?” when they were in bed, again as a joke. Well, I could have done without that sentence, it is one of my pet peeves, actually but it was just one moment, one sentence and in a funny and entertaining mood so I tried not to be bothered by it.

*********************************************

There is one more pet peeve of mine in the book, unplanned pregnancy and I usually hate it when this situation brings a couple together but in this book their love was so real and their feelings were so convincing that there was not one moment I hesitated about their reunion being because of it. They were destined to be together and after a lot of pain, they finally have their sweet HEA. So, I could have done without the unplanned pregnancy but it didn’t make me love the book any less.

*********************************************

Writing:

Dual point of view.
Awesome writing.

*********************************************

Safety:

It is safe with no cheating. The woman is not a virgin, the guy is not a man-wh*re. They are the perfect match.
There is a separation of 2 months not because they wanted to but because they had to. There is a HEA that will melt your heart.

*********************************************

Recommendation:

I love this series and I recommend you to read all 3 books in the series in order to enjoy the characters and their friendship more. Still, if you want to, you can read this as a stand-alone.

*********************************************

QUOTES from the book

“Hi,” he says, staring at me with blazing intensity. Here’s the part where I need to figure out his type. Does he prefer dumb and bubbly? Smoldering seductress? Girl next door?

There’s a key that unlocks the door to every man’s libido. And once his libido is engaged, his brain takes a nap for the duration.

I’m so grateful I’m a woman. We can get turned on without completely losing our intellect to our genitals.



When his eyes flash with desire, I know how I’m going to play him. He likes a challenge. Which means Earth Mother, Girl Next Door, and Dumb and Bubbly are all out the window, and Smoldering Seductress is in the house.

I moisten my lips with the tip of my tongue, lower my chin, and look up at him from beneath my lashes. He sets his empty beer bottle on the counter and slides onto the barstool next to me, all without taking his gaze from my face.



I lean closer, wrap my hand around her arm, and give it a squeeze. When she looks at me, I speak softly.
“The way you move. The way you look at me. Your laugh. That kiss. I’m thirty-four years old, Angel, and I’ve had my share of women. Not a single one has ever challenged me, made me laugh, called me on my shit, looked at me like they understood me, and given me a boner that could cut glass while at the same time makin’ me feel like a teenager with his first crush. I wouldn’t care if you lived in fuckin’ Antarctica. This is gonna happen. … Even if you are lying to me about who you are.“

After a long time, she simply says, “Wow.”
I grin at her. “You just fell in love with me, didn’t you? You’re totally in love with me now.”
Her laugh is disbelieving. “Or I’m wondering where the nearest police station is so I can file a restraining order!”
“Nah. I’m tellin’ you, it’s love. A year from now, we’ll be back here on our honeymoon.”
She drops her face into her hands and groans. “Mon Dieu, please stop talking.”

***

I’m dreaming. This can’t be happening. Obviously, I took a bad fall somewhere and am lying in a hospital bed in a medically induced coma.
This man is a mercenary. He was trained by his government to hunt, maim, and kill. His paranoia is such that he carries a concealed weapon even on vacation and rigs his hotel room with spy gear like something out of a Bond movie. He obviously knows I’m not being truthful about a lot of things, yet he’s handling me like a fragile piece of expensive china. Like a treasure. Like a gift.

***

“You’re not the kind of woman who’d be here by accident, no matter how different this is from what you usually do.”
My chest rises and falls in rapid bursts. “How do you know what kind of woman I am?”
Looking into my eyes, he speaks deliberately. “Because I see you. And I know that’s what really scares you. No one ever gets to see the real you, but I do.”

***

When I speak, my voice comes out husky. “You’re not in danger from me in any way.”
She turns her face to my neck. “Silly man,” she whispers. “You’re the most dangerous thing I’ve run across in years. Maybe ever.”

***

I lift my eyes and I lie again, because I have to, because the notion of honor among thieves exists in the same place as Tinker Bell. Neverland, where children never age, and all it takes to keep you alive is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.

***

“You think this kinda shit happens every day? You think two people meet and have thermonuclear chemistry and make each other laugh and have mind-blowing sex, and then one of them steals a fifteen-million-dollar necklace and disappears and the other one finds the first one within a few days and breaks into her hotel room and almost gets stabbed but ends up on top of her in bed?”

***

After a pause, he says, “I’m jealous of all the people who haven’t met you. ... For the love of all that’s holy, I have no idea what she sees in you! You’re proof that evolution can go in reverse!”

***

“I bet your brain feels as good as new, seeing as how you never use it,” I grit out.
His shoulders shake silently. While I’m over here steaming, the bastard is trying not to laugh!




“I’m not playing any game, Reynard. I’ve never been more serious in my life. Someone hurt my girl. That shit doesn’t stand. He’s lucky if I leave him breathing.”
He blinks rapidly, as if clearing his vision. “Your… girl ?”
I make a dismissive gesture, then park my hands on my hips. “She’s not a hundred percent on board with the program yet, but I’ll get her there. I’m irresistible, as you can tell.”

***

“We need to talk about your American.”
“He isn’t my American.”
“Oh-ho! Really? Perhaps someone should inform him of that fact. The man is completely infatuated with you!”
“He’s probably taken a lot of hard hits to the head. He’s a soldier.”
“Good God!” he scoffs. “If what you know about men was made into a book, it would be filled with blank pages! He was a soldier. Now he’s a hired gun with a hard-on for a woman whose life is beholden to one of the most dangerous criminals who’s ever lived. It’s a Shakespearean tragedy in the making!”

***

I do belong to this man, no matter how much I might try to deny it, no matter how much my rational mind might scoff. No matter how crazy it is. How impossible. I’m his.
Then he’s laughing. Loudly, with his head thrown back, a wild, crazy laugh like he just broke out of prison. “Yes, you are,” he says, still laughing, which is when I realize I’ve said it aloud.



*********************************************

You can follow my instagram page from here

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➦This series has been thoroughly entertaining and this book certainly did not disappoint! A kick-ass hero AND a kick-ass heroine? Yes, please!


➦When these two badasses meet at a resort, they know they are both lying to each other about who they are but they both play their little game.


➦She wants to be in his hotel room because, well, it's very conveniently located. She has a job to do and she never fails. Because she's a most wanted thief! She will stop at nothing even if it means seducing this sexy stranger, then be it!


➦She might like him more than she cares to admit, though. And he juuuuuust might be able to find her after she escapes. Because he's awesome. And he states so on numerous occasions.


➦I really enjoyed this story! It had romance and steam but also tons of action and a pretty interesting plot with some twists. Some were pretty unexpected and took me by surprise, but, you know, I might just be easily fooled :D I was going with the flow and got immersed in this world of crazy excitement for a little while! Recommended to those who like their romance with a side of humor, action and suspense.

[Alex ♈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the story, rounded to 4 because of this quote:

"I’m so grateful I’m a woman. We can get turned on without completely losing our intellect to our genitals."

It happens when I have high expectations…
I floved previous book and I anticipated this one for months!
Well, it was good, but not brilliant.
She wasn’t weak, but she wasn’t a badass!!!



I don’t have an IQ of 156 as a hero (but I also don’t make jokes like: nuns don’t ovulate), so I kinda got lost in the story…

Last 20% were aka mafia-meets-soap-opera. I understand that the books are fiction, but my brain still needs a bit of plausibility.

For a strong and apparently wise woman she had too many silly moments.
I’d rather not to scrutinize how he and his team could “fool” all others with the robbery of the diamond. Why wasn’t she searched through before she faced the mob aka villain? Yeah, FBI couldn’t get him for years and she shot him like a sniper…
Before I embarrass myself by questioning all the things which were supposedly self-explanatory and confirm the lack of my IQ… I’d rather move to romance.

Insta. Insta. La-la-la!
I actually liked their first encounter, but unfortunately not their first sex.
Warning! Personal preference!
The man who wants a woman to submit in bed - it’s getting old, IMO.
What’s wrong with f*cking as equals?
Pardon! Excuse my French! *shame on me*
What’s wrong with having sex as equal partners?
The whole scene with him trying to break her walls and other "counseling" stuff… – people, you just met, it was your 1st time, probably ONS!
She even lost a tear…
This scene were perfect for later, like at-least-one-month-together-let-me-in-your-heart-babe.
It wasn’t bad or disturbing, I just needed a connection.

I guess he was funny.
Ok, I didn’t get the joke about nuns and also the flashbacks about how he was “scared” of period blood.
But when he told her “Who’s your daddy now?” while fu, ups sorry, while making love to her…, I chocked on my coffee…

But it was safe!!! Not many details about his past, but it was mentioned that he had his share of women.
He was instantly in lust/love with her and instantly wanted to have more than ONS.
Many sweet moments.
Heroine stronger than average in CR. She was sassy, floved some of her witty comebacks.

He didn’t use condom when they had sex for the 2nd time, and she wasn’t on birth control. You’ll never guess what happened…. *lol*

Did I mention that I didn’t quite understand the actual story?
Sweet ending, but the solving of the mystery/misery was…

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic read. I've not been disappointed by this author so as soon as I got my hands on this, I dived right in. To say she outdid herself is an understatement! This book checked off so many of my book wants/needs that I could have easily re-read it as soon as I finished.

This whole series has been such a great ride and to know an author just gets it better with each book, is icing on the cake. I think it's pretty obvious I would recommend this book to everyone. It has suspense, action, a little bit of dark, but also fun and humor. That is not an easy combination to make. JT Geissinger not only makes it work, she perfected it. My greedy little hands are asking for more! ARC provided by author.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED it!!! <3



Oh my sweet god! This series gave me the best days of my life... I loved all 3 books so freaking much!!!
:D

------------------

@Dilek, thank you sooooo much for recommending this series to me, my love. :)
You're the best! <3

Please give a chance this awesome series and before that pls read Dilek's awesome review! ;)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked Intentions is action packed, sexy as sin, and sprinkled with humor. What a thrilling read!! It's the perfect mix of action, adventure, espionage, grit, humor, and steam. It grabs the reader's attention from the very beginning and doesn't let up until the very end.

Here's the breakdown: Ryan meets Mariana while vacationing. He immediately reads her body language and deduces she's not who she seems. Likewise, Mariana does the same with Ryan. It doesn't matter that they both lie to one another because the instant attraction can't be denied. Their passionate one night stand sets off a chain of events that are thrilling.

What I loved: The main characters. Marianna is beautiful, strong, compassionate, and loyal. She's the total package. Ryan is cocky, conceited, completely over the top, and an alpha-badass! His over the top antics were simultaneously sweet and crazy.
"That's what heroes do baby, we save the motherfuckin' day."
He's completely over the top and falls instantly for Mariana. I love sexy bad-boy alphas who take charge, so he's definitely a favorite.
These two together are so much fun!! Mariana doesn't take crap from Ryan and gives as good (or better) than she gets. The secondary characters are a motley crew of misfits that are closer than family. They're funny and extremely inappropriate at times. I loved seeing Marianna integrate into the fold.

The storyline is brilliant. It blew me away! There were so many unexpected twists and turns. By the end, I had no idea what to expect. It's not often I'm caught off guard, but this book took me by surprise.

The ending is fantastic! I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happened, so go read the book. Recommended to fans of insta-love/lust, suspense, mystery, and action.




For more of my reviews:
My Blog: Book Twins Reviews
Facebook Blog Page
Twitter
Subscribe to Blog

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come...


when I'm not feeling so lazy. But basically? I FREAKING LOVED IT!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Million Dragonfly Stars!!!!

If I could give only ONE BOOK RECOMMENDATION this whole year, it would be THIS BOOK. Holy Book Perfection. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, JT Geissinger is a genius. You know those authors that are underestimated and not nearly enough people know about them or read their books? That’s JT Geissinger.



I read Wicked Sexy last year and was blown away. After reading Wicked Intentions, my brain and heart and body are bursting!! These books are the whole package (pun intended). What I love about this book? EVERYTHING. It seriously has everything you ever want in a perfect book. The feels. The humor. The sex. The dirty talk. The amazing story. The words. The dark. The light. All wrapped up in one perfectly packaged book.



I discovered love was nothing like a fairy tale. It was more like a bad poem written in indecipherable meter by a drunken poet who couldn’t keep a job, so he lived with his mother his whole life while writing the most outrageous roadblocks and outcomes, based on nothing but the whims of his own inebriated brain. It had an awkward beginning, a wildly improbable middle, and an awful, painful end. And nothing rhymed.
Love was the worst.
Inconveniently, it was also the best.



Mariana. BAD. ASS. HEROINE. It’s impossible for JT to write a weak heroine. Mariana is a genius thief. The best. She has a sordid past and was raised to become the best thief the world has ever known. Riddled with secrets, she steals in order to keep herself safe. She meets Ryan when she is on a mission, and she has to seduce him, but the tables turn and he ends up seducing her instead, and THE CHASE IS ON!!!



“Wrap your legs around my back,” I say, panting too, “and tell me how much you hate me while I make you come.”
Her thighs become a vise around my waist. Her eyes burn. “I do hate you.”
I flex my hips, and her lashes flutter. She whispers, “I do.”





Ryan. BEST. HERO. EVER. JT writes the best heroes!! I loved Ryan’s natural humor and laid-back personality. But at the same time, he is a genius. I love all the geniuses!!! Ryan is irresistible. I am just grinning and giggling thinking about him. He is part of a top-notch security firm that is very well-connected. Mariana continues to underestimate him in the book, but Ryan doesn’t give up on her. His confidence. His swagger. His humor. Gah! He melted my mind



He comes like he does everything else, one thousand percent committed. Crying out until he’s hoarse, praising me, making me feel beautiful, like fairy tales could be true and happily every afters might be an actual possibility. When it’s over and he’s spent, lying motionless and panting, his chest slick with sweat, I sit back on my heels and just look at him. I drink him in with my eyes, memorizing every golden line of his body.

Because in some dark part of my heart, no matter how much I want to believe in them, I know that fairy tales aren’t true.



Ryan chases Mariana in this book, and this chase is delicious. Mariana cannot resist him every time he catches her (who could?!). It’s a game of trust issues. The beginning of this book is perfect. The middle is perfect. The end is perfect.

Are you annoyed yet about how much I love this book?

My work here is done.


ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Find me on

[❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Dragonfly stars

It's_not_hoarding_if_it's_books Ig page

Love Love Love this series!

Last book we have Ryan's story. He is vacationing with his best friend wedding occasion in a resort where he meets this alluring woman he cannot resist.

"She tastes like strawberries and sunshine and secrets that go deep, and kisses like it’s her last day alive.Whoever this siren calling herself Angeline really is,she’s sexy as fuck.
She’s also clearly dangerous."

They spend a hot night together,they have an undeniable connection, but it ends with Ryan roofied and passed out on the floor and Mariana leaving in the night with a stolen thing.

“Can I ask a favor, Ryan?” I ask quietly, holding his gaze.
He answers without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Can we pretend, just for tonight, that nothing bad has ever happened to either one of us? That we still have faith that the world is a good place, filled with good people? That all our tomorrows can be as good as today?”

Well, as angry as he might be for the drugged and left part , he is intrigued and pulled by this woman more than anything, so Ryan is dead set on finding her no matter what. He tracks her down, and pays her a visit,which leaves him being dumped again, because Mariana is much more than she initially presented herself to be.

"I’d never spent time considering what my dream woman would be like, but apparently she’s on Interpol’s Most Wanted list."

This two were sooo hot together. Ryan is a jokester and makes fun of everything, but deep inside he is a big romantic and totally emosh. Of course this was insta love, they spent a night together and they are totally enamored with eachother, but that's not the point, it was acceptable here:)).
They have good chemistry, hilarious banter, hot steamy scenes, emotional moments and a good balance of action and fighting baddies.

“Please don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
I swallow a sob. “Make it sound like a hypothetical. Like it could actually happen. I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago.”
Ryan takes my face in his hands. “Maybe they didn’t stop believin’ in you,” he says softly

I would totally recommend this series because is entertaining, funny but hot, with good plots and interesting twists and amazing writing.
And as I said in my previous review I would totally wanna hang out with this group of people.

[Antonella · Rating 5 out of 5]

SERIES: Wicked Games- it can be read as standalone
GENRE: romantic suspense
TROPES/THEMES: dark, mafia, human trafficking, mercenary, insta love, action
CLIFFHANGER: no
TRIGGER WARNINGS: loss of a loved one (of page talk), beatings, murder, human/sex trafficking
HOTTIE METER: 4🌡
RATING: 5 ⭐
SONGS: you should see me in a crown
god is a woman


favorite in this series however, as mentioned above, you can read this series out of order!!

I expected skillful writing from this author but every once in and while she brings me magic How often can you say "both hero and heroine of the book enamored you"? But that is exactly how both Mariana and Ryan make me feel.




“Life isn’t always unfair, Mariana. Lots of bad shit happens, but good things happen, too, and you need to be able to recognize the good when it comes along. You need to be able to accept it and deal with it, same as you deal with the bad. Love is as real as hate. You know how to survive. But that’s not the same as living.”

Anyways, this book has all the spices that make it a delicious read:

🔥 badass heroine
🔥 banter
🔥 alpha hero
🔥 steam
🔥 twist & turns
🔥 humor
🔥 action
🔥 emotional moments




Our heroine is a jewelry thief, known as Dragonfly. She meets Ryan, ex-marine, now mercenary in a Mexican resort while he is there on vacation with his friends. Imagine his shock when he wakes up after their one-night stand and realizes she roofied him, but not only that, she stole ruby from a suite above his.




Their chemistry was undeniable. And Ryan will not stop until he finds her. That she is on Interpol's most-wanted list doesn't deter him. But Mariana's life is filled with darkness, troubles, and evil. Even though she is one job away from retirement, Mariana will realize that is not so easy to escape the ruthless monster.




“My point is that I’m aware of my shortcomings. Because I know I’m not perfect, I don’t expect other people to be perfect, either. The only thing I demand from anyone—whether they like me or not—is that they’re real. Whatever and whoever they are, they own it. They don’t make fuckin’ excuses. I hate excuses.”

I highly recommend it!!

[Melanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS!

"Love is as real as hate. Trust is as real as hunger. You know how to survive. But that's not the same things as living."

Wicked Intentions contained flashes of signature JTG brilliance, but ultimately this one fell a bit flat for me.

I'll start with the positives:

There were moments when the banter between Ryan and Mariana sparkled . . .

"So don't be sweet, and don't be observant. You want a clueless asshole, is that it?"

"They're generally a lot easier to handle," she grouses.

. . . and their chemistry sizzled . . .

"Wrap you legs around my back,"I say, panting too, "and tell me how much you hate me while I make you come."

. . . and the writing was incredible . . .

I fall in love with him the way the dying give up their last breath: irrevocably, with both hope and terror for what lies on the other side.

Isn't that quote amazing? And there was also a great twist in the action near the end.

Unfortunately, there were a lot negatives for me. I felt like Ryan and Mariana's relationship was built on sand. Their initial meeting was fun but their conversation and resultant inner thoughts were based on a lot of crystal-ball guesswork and unlikely leaps of logic. The author even admits this at one point.

"This telepathy of yours is spooky."

Actually, it didn't find it spooky, I found it expedient; it created intimacy out of thin air and I felt that the scenes necessary for the characters to bond early on were missing.

And I hate to say it, but I didn't find Ryan charming like I was supposed to . . . unless of course he had his mouth closed . . .

I glance at him. He's shirtless and barefoot, wearing only a pair of faded jeans, leaning against the door frame with his arms folded over his chest and a wry smile on his lips.

But now I'm just being mean . . . which is how Mariana and Ryan treated each other at key moments, and these key moments really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm rounding up though. JTG is just such a great writer:

You'd think the sound of your heart bursting would be like a wet, messy, booming thing, but really, it's the gentlest little plink.

Thanks, Leila, for reading this one with me! 🥰

[Bindi Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It's Thomas Crown Affair'ish with a side of the A-team. Great writing, GREAT smouldering,intense attraction between the main characters and a great plot. I absolutely adored Ryan..for everything he did and felt for Marianna. His laid back, sunny disposition made him that much more charming. And that plot twist... my heart broke for Marianna! HIGHLY recommended!

[Radd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago.”
Ryan takes my face in his hands. “Maybe they didn’t stop believin’ in you,”

Synopsis:
“When sizing up a potential mark, a thief of any intelligence must answer one crucial question before committing to the job.
Is the risk worth the reward?”

Well, Mariana sized him up alright, and he was not found wanting.......🍆🍆😂😂

Anyway, Mariana needs to steal something and Ryan is an obstacle in the path of that goal.
-“Of all the men in all the world who could’ve been staying in that room, he’s a mercenary. A knife-wielding, kidnapped-daughter-extracting, goddamn mercenary.”

So, Mariana thinks seduction seems like an appropriate way to eliminate that obstacle. Unfortunately, Ryan’s a great guy and quite incredible in the sack and not someone she’s going to forget. And, Ryan......well, no one gives him an amazing night in bed, uses him and gets away with it. He's on the hunt to find her and when he does, well let's just say he has a few things in mind he would like to do to her (it might involve his 🍆🍆😂😂)

My Thoughts: The following are my thoughts about this book:
General:
- Trigger warning: human trafficking is mentioned, murder (on page)
- Setting: they meet in St. Croix but then the story moves to different places around the world

Characters:
- Ryan (34, mercenary, badass security dude):
- Parents killed in a drive by shooting years ago. Graduated high school top of his class, received a football scholarship to Georgia State. Graduated college and went into the Marines where he received commendations galore, rose rapidly through the ranks and selected for Special Ops. After leaving the corps, he was recruited by a private security firm where he primarily does extractions (Retrieving the Russian oligarch’s kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Serbian Mafia, that kind of thing.) 🙂
- The following words/phrases were used to describe Ryan: Golden Boy, sexy, straightforward, no-bullshit style, wacky sense of humor, intelligent, macho, Marine with cocky swagger, strong, gentle, has a sensitive side, masculine, irresistible, tender, watchful, observant, lionlike

- Mariana (thief that goes by the name Dragonfly):
- ”Has a lisp. Has an Irish accent. French. Italian. Spanish. You name it. She’s no one. She’s everyone. She’s impossible to pin down. Apparently she’s known in criminal circles as The Golden Hand. But my Interpol friend says law enforcement calls her the Dragonfly.”
- Orphaned at six when her parents (and almost everyone else she knew) were murdered in a midnight raid. Lived for years like an animal in the hills, filthy, starving and hiding from guerrillas who’d sell her to the highest bidder. Ultimately caught and ended up with the Italian mafia where she was forced to steal to pay off a debt.
- Who is Mariana?: strong, determined, intelligent, resilient, a survivor, resourceful, longing for love and a family

Story Thoughts:
- From the beginning I was fanning myself with Ryan. He oozed sizzle and hotness wrapped up in charm and swagger. He had it all 🔥🥰
- I loved the first encounter and how they were really sizing each other up. It really showed off Ryan’s skill at reading people and right away showed how intelligent he was.
- A guy playing piano......be still my heart. Unfortunately Ryan never had time to sit down at the keys but I’m sure I would have liked that side of him too. ”......my hands, which have spent near equal time on the keys of a piano as they have on an M16 rifle.”
- I’m not a fan of insta love but I guess it had to be that way because otherwise there wouldn’t be much reason for him to chase after her and help her out of her situation
- Mariana started off pretty badass but I felt that slipped a little as the story went on.
- The twist was good, but the final conflict was very anticlimactic
- Getting on the wrong ship?? For the resources they had it seemed highly unlikely
- I didn’t understand Mariana’s reasons for keeping Ryan in the dark for TWO whole months. I mean, c’mon. It’s Ryan and the team who has a gazillion resources and even some geniuses. Hello!!!!! They can help!! That was just cruel to do to Ryan. 😡

Overview:
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: No, but some of the side characters were from other books and there was this feeling that I “should” know them (which I did because I read the previous books 😉)
- POV: dual POV
- H likable? Yes. I loved Ryan and he might be my newest book boyfriend
- h likable? Yes. I liked Mariana in the beginning, but somewhere along the way she became less impressive. Still a good match for Ryan, but I think she got lost in the shadow of his awesomeness
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 5%
- First time they sleep together: 21%
- First time they say I Love You last page
- steamy? Yes
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? 2 months
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? 74% Mariana finally reveals her past to Ryan and the reader. Big twist at 84% that takes Mariana and the reader by surprise.
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? I chuckled here and there
- Did I swoon 🥰? You bet!!
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? Yes
- Recommend? Yes

Quotes
“There’s a key that unlocks the door to every man’s libido. And once his libido is engaged, his brain takes a nap for the duration.
I’m so grateful I’m a woman. We can get turned on without completely losing our intellect to our genitals.”

So I smile and toss my hair and pretend to be someone I’m not, stuffing my longing for a different life into a dark, abandoned corner of my heart where all my other useless yearnings go.”

“I wish I could forget all the sins that led me to this moment.
But I can’t. They follow me like a shadow, dogging my every step. My only path to freedom is repayment of my debts”

“I don’t do small talk. When I want a woman, I go after her. So unless you tell me right now you don’t wanna play this game, I’m comin’ after you.”

“I lift my eyes and I lie again, because I have to, because the notion of honor among thieves exists in the same place as Tinker Bell.
Neverland.”

[vee]

3.75✨

“There is something seriously wrong with you, Ryan McLean. Are you aware of that?”
“Yeah, but you still think I’m cute. Which means there’s somethin’ seriously wrong with you. Which makes us a perfect match.”

🪂 angel

”I’m so grateful I’m a woman. We can get turned on without completely losing our intellect to our genitals”

🪂 ryan

“You’re crazy.”
“Crazy for you.” He smiles into my eyes, and I’m so floating and light, I must be hooked up to a helium tank.

“I’m not playing any game, Reynard. I’ve never been more serious in my life. Someone hurt my girl. That shit doesn’t stand. He’s lucky if I leave him breathing.”
“Your…girl?”
I make a dismissive gesture, then park my hands on my hips. “She’s not a hundred percent on board with the program yet, but I’ll get her there. I’m irresistible, as you can tell"

He cradles me close, his feet tangling with mine, a low sigh slipping from his lips. “Angel,” he whispers gruffly, “you’re a miracle. I’m so grateful you lived. And for as long as you do, I want to be beside you."

🪂 them

’He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and this one has a taste for blood. Which brings me back to my original question.
Is the risk worth the reward?
Of course it is. Wolves are no match for me’

few moments later

’I watch him go, convinced I have made a miscalculation.
I’m dealing with something far more dangerous than a wolf’

i just love couples that see through each other's bullshit, kinda reminded me of logan/lana when they first met (mindfuck series)

I lift my head and stare into her eyes. “Can I trust you, Angeline?”
“Of course you can,” she says, staring earnestly back at me.
I throw my head back and laugh. “Fuck, I love the way you lie!”

ok so their story was a bit insta, but i dig it

“You think this kinda shit happens every day? You think two people meet and have thermonuclear chemistry and make each other laugh and have mind-blowing sex, and then one of them steals a fifteen-million-dollar necklace and disappears and the other one finds the first one within a few days and breaks into her hotel room and almost gets stabbed but ends up on top of her in bed?”
I don’t respond because I’m too mind-fucked to answer.
“The answer to all that is no,” Ryan says. “Now get on board, Angel, because this train has already left the station.”

“Ah, darlin’,” Ryan sighs, squeezing my hand. “It’s not what you’re forced to do to survive that shows your character. It’s what you do when no one’s looking. Perfect example? You puttin’ that pillow under my head after you roofied me. That was fuckin’ sweet, Angel.”

“You’re like a dream that’s so good, I don’t want to wake up,” she says, her eyes shining. “But I know eventually that I’ll have to. And the longer I stay dreaming, the worse it’ll hurt when I’m finally awake.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an outstanding story! I absolutely loved this book and these characters. It’s no secret that I’m a huge J.T. Geissinger fan but she outdid herself with Ryan and Marianna.

Marianna is unlike any heroine I’ve ever read before. Strong, resolute, wounded, but able to love and committed to do whatever it takes to protects those she cares about. She’s had an abysmal life and should be pretty much damaged beyond compare. Yes, there are other heroines in other books that have these traits, but there was just something about Mari that pulled me in.

Ryan has that down home country boy charm. You’d never know that he’s a genius. Until he gets serious. Then anything goes and there is no question that the person you’re dealing with doesn’t mess around. He was a total alpha that had to be held back from acting on his instinct when it came to protecting Marianna. It was quite a struggle.

There was so much to this book – intrigue, suspense, mystery, action, romance. It was fast paced and never slowed down or became repetitive. I highly recommend it to anyone, anywhere that’s looking for something with a little bit of everything.

ARC provided

Dual POV
Safe
Possible Triggers - Deals with the subject of human trafficking.

[Somia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the series gives us the charming, funny and hotly protective alpha Ryan and the fiercely strong-willed, resourceful and resilient internationally wanted thief Mariana. Mariana is trapped in a blood oath that has her tethered to the dark underbelly of human life/society, an encounter with Ryan and one steamy night, has her life taking an unexpected turn – one she does not see coming, but which gives her hope that darkness is not the only thing in her future. Ryan is the Golden Boy, Mariana can’t resist, no matter what her mind says.

The banter between Mariana and Ryan was funny and sweet – it had me smiling like an idiot. The dual POV helped me feel the emotion and connection between these two main characters.

I also enjoyed the action in this and the suspense, it added a nice layer to the story. There are some over the top moments but I found it so easy to leave reality at the door and just sink into the book, so much so that I lost track of time.

I can so see myself re-reading this.

Acquired via KU.

[Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely do I encounter a book that gives me more than just something to pass my time. One that gives me an experience more than a story.

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THOSE.

The heroine here almost rivals the badass-ery of Lana Myers. Almost - because Mariana Lora is not on the level of knife-cutting, skin-peeling revenge business... but on stealing the most coveted jewelries around the world from the most guarded places. So... I say, they're *close* on some level.


✨ MARIANA LORA ✨
She's no one. She's everyone.
She's dragonfly, the professional thief wanted by international law enforcement communities. She can give Lupin a run for his money.
She's a survivor and she heeds no one's advice.


✨ RYAN TIBERIUS MCLEAN ✨
Served in the Marines and Special Ops
Blue-eyed. Tattooed. Mr. annoyingly perfect smile.
Specialization: Reconnaissance, close-quarter battle tactics and edged weapons

idk about you but he really reminded me of Chris Hemsworth in the movie, Extraction.


You're welcome for the visuals, btw.

Perfect description of this man?


He goes from being a romantic -

For me, Mariana holds an allure I’ve never encountered, something elemental, a pull as strong as gravity and just as impossible to resist. She makes me wish I had a talent for sonnets or sketching so I could capture the essence of it on paper, put it down for others to marvel over the way I do, the way people marvel over the magnificence of the Grand Canyon or the Taj Mahal.
She makes my pulse quicken, my blood run hot, and every cell in my body and soul come alive.
She moves me.
And I'd move mountains for her."

...to being the cocky, overbearing ex-Marine, knife-fencing expert that he is.

In his supremely casual, confident, infuriatingly-vague-yet-dripping-with-overt-sexual-innuendo-Ryan-like way, he drawls, “You just worry about how you’re gonna show your gratitude when your man’s done fixin’ all your shit that’s
broke, okay?”

“That’s what heroes do, baby. We save the motherfuckin’ day.”

I swear, I love this guy. 😂😍


As I've said, this book was an experience because it was very cinematic for me. The suspense, the thrill and action - they're James Bond and Mission Impossible material. The leads are also very Lana and Logan-like especially what happened to them towards the end!! They're both good at what they do and they enjoy outsmarting the other every time. Seriously, you wouldn't want to cross any of them.

The romance was as great as an insta-love could be which was not bad. I actually dgaf about how fast they've developed feelings for one another (within two weeks, to be exact) because so much has happened in about the same amount of time I lost track of how quickly they fell for each other because -

The plot? KEPT ME ON MY TOES
The banter? THE BEST
Side characters aka friends? SQUAD GOALS
Plot twist? EXPECT IT
and the freaking ENDING? AHHH... the last couple of chapters broke my heart and made it whole again all at once. 💔💓

What an end to a series. I just wish the couple in the first book, Victoria and Parker, also made an appearance here though and that we're given more RyanMariana moments. Nevertheless, consider me impressed and wowed, Ms. JTG. 👏🏽🙌🏼

~4.75 stars

[Princess under cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 rounded up because the writing is intelligent and there aren't any glaring errors.

BUT, despite the delicious cover (I want to lick it) - the story just wasn't as engrossing as book 1 (before the anti-climax) and certainly not book 2. Maybe I'm getting numbed to this author's writing style. It would be nice if her heroines didn't all blend into the same personality, as well as her Heroes.

She could have taken a different tack with Mariana - someone more cosmopolitan, more femme fatale. But Mariana started speaking pretty early on like any other AMERICAN, despite being Moroccan in origin and fluent in several languages and an international thief.

The men all became the same person. What I found so special about the guy being sensitive to the girl's every word and gesture because the same exact thing the author uses in every book. And because they are all smart, good looking alpha males, they all became the same man after a while. So I got bored.

The plot had a twist that was predictable. Right from the start it was obvious. How the heroine resolved her conflict in the end by herself was nice and clean and quick (and almost too easy). The suspense just wasn't there like in Book 2. And the intelligence was less too. Book 1 wowed me with the sharp writing. Book 2 wowed me with everything. Book 3 became same ole', same 'ole and nothin' special.

I probably need to take a break from this author.

I hate it when a good author only has ONE speed...

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When you let me see you, the real you, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but this series just keeps getting better and better. Suspenseful, unexpected, irresistibly erotic, yet deeply romantic too, this book is truly the full package in every possible way, and as hard as I tried to savour it for as long as I could, I ended up devouring it in a single sitting. A sensual, gripping page-turner that starts off with a ruse, but then turns into a high-stakes chase around the globe that leads a woman to believe in the promise of a better tomorrow, this was one of my most addictive reads of the year, and it only made me fall even more in love with J.T. Geissinger’s superb writing.

Continue reading this review...



Follow me on Facebook! | Follow me on Twitter!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3.5 stars

I enjoyed the beginning of this book but found the middle dragged. I did enjoy the reveal at the end.

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'Dragonfly wings' Stars!

I am a freaking MESS after reading this! Wicked Intentions is definitely my favorite book by J.T. Geissinger to date. I loved this series and I knew she would not disappoint with the conclusion. But, holy moly! What an emotional ending! Ryan and Mariana's story was just perfect. Full of back and forth, sexual tension, suspense, burning chemistry and a whole array of feelings.

This couple has stolen my heart, both are just incredible characters, so different from each other, with opposite backgrounds, but they just work so well together. And it was beautiful to read their love story and the ending of this series. I loved all the installments but this one is my favorite for sure! I will miss this crew but I am oh-so-ready to read more books from this author! If you enjoy intense, passionate, suspenseful romance, be sure to check the Wicked Games series!

[alana ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing story in this series that i couldn't recommend more. Ryan and Mariana's story has everything you could want in a book: suspense, wit, comedy, and nail-biting angst, plus romance, passion, and heat. it's the kind of story that grabs ahold of you from the first page and doesn't let go. i had a hard time putting this one down. fabulous writing. the words flow so smoothly across the page, that you don't realize that you've blown through several chapters when you look up. i loved the storyline, so unique and different, and the characters were fantastic! truly a pleasurable read.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romantic suspense that hits the ground running and never lets up. Brimming with action, intrigue, betrayals, never-ending pursuits, sexual tension and nail-biting clincher. It couldn't have been a better all-around perfect reading experience. Simply stupendous -- extraordinarily outstanding!

For me, Geissinger represents the feel of a newer updated version of Brockmann, and she's making a powerful statement with her superb writing skills and dynamic characters. Watch out for this one -- she'll win you over before you're even aware of the magnitude of her many talents.

Geissinger writes with a flair seamlessly combining a fast and furious well-constructed plotline with an emotionally charged love affair. The story is told in contrasts -- a tender new love affair beautifully portrayed, against a dark, violent and haunting danger. With passionate love scenes and plot twists that keep the suspense going up to the very end, readers are in for an instant addiction and pure escapism that makes it a real treat!

Edge-of-your-seat from the first word to the very last. From page one to the stunning climax, this book is a roller-coaster ride of action, humor, romance and violence. The pace is so relentless that you'll feel like it's you -- and not the character -- who is running for her/his life. And even with the ultra fast pace, this author manages to flesh the characters out so they are real, and infuse the story with compassion and heartbreak. Leaves you breathless.

With splashes of perfectly placed song quotes and an uncanny ability to keep the dashes of banter, chemistry and wit at a high even amid the most desperate of situations, she totally rocked the plotting with a kickass heroine and a charming but lethal hero. No question, JTG is an intelligent writer.

Ryan is the total package. As a hero, he is just the best of the bestest. He's a gorgeous addition to the top of the book boyfriend list without a doubt. His attributes in and out of the bedroom are innumerable. Wicked sense of humor with the best of intentions. A super hero that will assuredly put a smile on your face and a flutter in your heart.

And Mariana is breathtaking with her multiple "talents" and a life story that will leave you gasping for breath and reeling. She's a heroine who easily won my admiration, awe and respect. And the way she brings our hero to his knees is beyond romance -- it's a masterpiece of heart and soul. Indeed, she's a Wonder Woman.

There's never any need to guess or wonder if they are the real deal -- even though introduced as one of those insta-love situations -- because every word proves it, you feel it, and you see it. If only the wicked intentions of dangerous and evil characters were not about to sabotage their thriving relationship.

Pet peeve alert: If you've read my reviews, you know I detest those silly, irritating, and easily fixed editing problems. I am thrilled and pleased to say that not one single editing blip popped up on my screen. Kudos to the product management team in delivering an exceptionally well-edited product!

Part of a series but each book is a complete stand alone. Dang -- this one is the whole enchilada packaged into one story. Will this third be the end of the Wicked Games Novels? I'm seriously hoping not, and that it's only the beginning! Come on JTG -- make my wishes come true!

WOWZA! I would have to say this book is one of my favorite reads from the romantic suspense genre in a long time. With a totally unexpected surprise ending that just blew me away! If you're looking for the ultimate, unforgettable adventure, Wicked Intentions is unrivaled in my opinion. It gets my highest recommendation.

[Bex | TotallyBex.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★ 4.5 stars! ★★

This is my second book by JT Geissinger and I am just as blown away by Wicked Intentions as I was Wicked Sexy ! I’m totally buying her brand of suspenseful romance—it's sexy, it's intelligent, and it's addicting. With a storyline steeped in intrigue, secrets, lies, action, smarts, and HEAT, this book is a roller-coaster ride from beginning to end. Once I picked it up, I never wanted to put it down. Ryan and Mariana’s story is unexpectedly emotional, despite both of the main characters being total badasses, which is why I believe it was so impactful and alluring.

Mariana has been a thief almost all of her life, as circumstances have forced her to steal to survive. Trust isn’t a word in her vocabulary and she doesn’t do one-night stands. When a job requires her to seduce a gorgeously cocky yet dangerous Marine, Mariana is forced to admit that there is way more than meets the eye with this guy.

Ryan is security expert with a genius IQ, but he uses his Southern charm to throw off his opponents. He works for an elite security agency and saves people on a regular basis. One look at Mariana and he knows that she isn’t who she claims to be, but it doesn’t matter to Ryan. He’s a goner where she is concerned.

What I loved most about this book was the element of the chase. Ryan doggedly pursues Mariana from the beginning to the very end. He makes up his mind that she is the one and he never gives up, no matter what is thrown at them. Ryan is a Kristen Ashley-level alpha and he isn’t afraid to show it. His wit and humor help to keep the angst low and offset the darker aspects of this story. Mariana isn't lacking in the badass department, either. She’s fiercely independent and loyal to a fault. I liked her spunkiness, her smarts, and her will to stay alive.

Geissinger’s writing is top-notch and I believe more people need to be reading her books. I have so many beautiful passages highlighted on my Kindle, something you might never expect from a romantic suspense/action thriller. If you haven’t picked up this series, I highly recommend it. I don’t think you will be disappointed!


ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

▸ Purchase: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Nook

▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.nightowlreader.com

[TJ ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We're creatures of the underworld, my darling. We have no business in the dealings of heroes."

Best in the series, maybe the best in ALL her series, this was so freakin gooooood!! Mariana is one of my fav heroines of all time, she's such a goddamn badass, has overcome so much and emerged stronger from it. I loved her balance between soft and hard, cynical and hopeful, tactical and passionate.

He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. This one has a taste for blood. Which brings me back to my original question.
Is the risk worth the reward?
Of course it is. Wolves are no match for me.



Ryan was so so adorable and I couldn't stop picturing him as a wavy, golden haired Hemsworth brother.



He was the perfect balance for Mariana, he never took life too seriously and just loved her for all her fire ahhh they were too cute.

I'd never spent time considering what my dream woman was like, but apparently she's on Interpol's Most Wanted list.



"Don't be a cliche. I'n not a damsel in distress, and you're no knight in shining armor."
"Not to toot my own horn, Angel, but my armor is so fuckin' shiny, it'd blind the sun."



Such an amazing couple. The one thing I didn't really like about this was the plot twist and the abruptness of the ending. It felt like the two of them barely had any time together in this story. I was shocked by the plot twist, but the more I think about it, the more I think that I was only shocked because it made zero sense at all. Why would I predict something that narratively is just ridiculous lol If Reynard wanted Mariana to take over as Capo, he should've made her into a stone cold assassin instead of a thief with morals. She is disgusted by blood, human trafficking, murder, etc. She has a bleeding heart, not even close to the soullessness needed to head the Cosa Nostra. It's so senseless that he would ever think she'd be a good candidate for the job that it almost makes me laugh Aside from this though, this was *chef's kiss* and it's gonna be hard for her to match it for me moving forward

[Rafaella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I enjoyed this a lot, but if I could, I would change a few things about it. For starters, the way he came on too strong and romantically persistent after the first day of knowing each other. Both the female mc and subsequently the reader momentarily thought of how stalkerish he was being despite his intentions. I get the appeal of having all this intensity and surety directed at you — trust me I do, but it demands time to develop so that both parties will know each other more, feel more safe in their decisions concerning one another, reciprocate to the same level, and basically be on the same page. I’m not talking about his behaviour throughout the whole book, just the stage before he fell in love. It’s not the pursing her that bothered me, but the way. Meaning his proclamations and the way he was pissing all over the place marking his territory a tiny bit too soon. There’s a big scene towards the end which was confusing to say the least but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. I was invested in both the main characters and the story which I found exciting, sweet, sexy, and overall, it took me by surprise in the best way. I’m going to end this review with my favourite quote:

“Lots of bad shit happens, but good things happen too and you need to be able to recognize the good when it comes along. You need to be able to accept it and deal with it same as you deal with the bad. Love is as real as hate. You know how to survive. But that’s not the same as living.”

[My Pink Fairytales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading it, I wasn't sure i would rate it 5★.
First of all, it took my 3 days to finish it. Then, I got thinking that after 4 J.T. Geissinger books, things start to look familiar, as in same jokes, same wording and so on.
But i knew I why declared I'm this author's biggest fan. She managed to surprise me and stop my breathing for the last 20% of the book with her "fancy lies", that I completely forgot about everything thing else.

In this story, the heroine is a thief. Think Catherine Jeta-Jones in Entrapment.



And the hero, the most amazing alpha badass ex-Marine, southern drawl, big smile and blue eyes.
She steals and disappears, he loves her and keeps running after her. That's it.

I cried when I read about Mariana's life story. I laughed at their banter. I was on the edge of my seat in the end, not being able to breathe and I swooned hard in the end.
That's it.

It would be an absolute honor to have you as my guest on my blog too. Stop by anytime you want :)