I knew this day would come long before my parents informed me of my engagement to Shaw LeBlanc. I was brought up with the knowledge I’m nothing more than a pawn in my father’s game. This wedding is about money and political gain, the exchange of power and sex. Not love or an inability to spend our lives without each other.
During the planning of the wedding, I brainwashed my heart into believing I loved a man I hardly knew. I had to. My father needs Lou LeBlanc’s money. Lou wants my father’s ties in Washington. His son wants me.
Destiny sealed.
I was prepared to sacrifice my freedom and happiness for my family. Then I overheard something I shouldn’t have. Now I'm aimlessly wandering barefoot through the streets of the French Quarter, scared, alone, unsure of tomorrow…
Until I see a sign that’ll change my fate forever.
This is a standalone novel in a series of standalones.
18+ MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. This book contains sexy situations, bad words, and heavy subject matter.
Fate directed Reagan's footsteps into Black Magnolia on the night she ran out of her wedding. Greier took one look at the bedraggled woman in a tattered wedding gown and knew she needed him. If nothing else a drink, a meal and a roof over her head. With no money, no job and no place to go, Reagan agrees to accept Grey's kindness. She is determined to become independent as soon as possible so she tries to keep her distance from Grey. Only one problem, neither of them want to keep their distance. An old ex resurfaces to cause problems and Reagan's husband shows up to claim her. Reagan's connection to Grey and her husband is startling. Grey takes her to his bayou home for safety until they can figure out a solution. Things come to a dangerous climax the night of the Black Magnolia masquerade ball. Both Reagan and Greier's lives are endangered. Fate steps in again and they are safe. They get their HEA.
This is a good evenly paced romantic suspense. I loved the two main characters, Greier and Reagan as well as Izzie. Lena Black's finally detail writing gives you all the flavors of New Orleans. Great storyline keeps you interested and wanting to know what happens next.
I've been reading teasers about this book for what feels like forever, and even though it was supposedly delayed, I think it's as close to perfect as you can get with this story.
As the story unfolds, Reagan and Grier grow closer, and when the truth comes out, I'm simply amazed with this story.
It's not often that a story catches me off guard, especially with how much I read, but there are parts of this book that completely did me in, surprised me, and completely surpassed what I thought was going to happen. This is going on my To Be Read again shelf, and I highly encourage you to get this book!!!
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Ok, now maybe it's just a me thing, but I found it so hard to connect with he characters. The storyline itself had promise but it was the execution of it that was lacking for me. The characters were underwhelming.....my opinion, it could have been so much better!!!!!! The characters and their story held potential BUT yet it fell flat in my opinion.
Will I give this author another chance in the future, yes! Just because this didn't quite resonate with me, the next book just might so I never give up with just one book by an author and especially one who is new to me.
Can I just say Lena you did an amazing job !! You always know how to keep us on our toes , once you start to read you just can seem to put it down. The chemistry between the characters is simply beautiful and so romantic. I love how it starts so Edgy and with suspense You always keep wondering what’s going to happen what’s going on in Jesus Christ the steaming encounters between Rae and Grier’s so sexy and steamy and so classy, I love the twist at the end amazing . I loved it 😘❤️
Have you ever walked into a place and thought to yourself, this place is going to change my life?
When Reagan ran after her big day, she just wanted to escape. A life that had been dictated to her. One of no freedom. One of never getting a say in. One that she had been bred and raised like a prized thoroughbred. By parents that were itching to cash in on their prized horse aka daughter.
Greier has always been the saving guy. Tries to save all the lost puppies. A loving, caring, man who has been burned more than once. When the damsel in distress arrives at his bar at closing time, something tells him to let her in.
What a web that has been woven here! Can these two who have been led to one another in an unusual way, tackle the forces that are holding them apart and make it work? Or will the family that purchased this prized possession come to repossess their prize?
I knew this day would come long before my parents informed me of my engagement to Shaw LeBlanc. I was brought up with the knowledge I’m nothing more than a pawn in my father’s game. This wedding is about money and political gain, the exchange of power and sex. Not love or an inability to spend our lives without each other.
During the planning of the wedding, I brainwashed my heart into believing I loved a man I hardly knew. I had to. My father needs Lou LeBlanc’s money. Lou wants my father’s ties in Washington. His son wants me.
Destiny sealed.
I was prepared to sacrifice my freedom and happiness for my family. Then I overheard something I shouldn’t have. Now I'm aimlessly wandering barefoot through the streets of the French Quarter, scared, alone, unsure of tomorrow…
Until I see a sign that’ll change my fate forever.
This is a standalone novel in a series of standalones.
Reagan's entire path has been paved out first since she was young by her parents. Her father being a politician wanted his daughter to marry whom he chooses, This marriage will be one of convenience and breeding, carrying on the name and bloodline. On the day of her wedding Reagan walks out and ends up at The Magnolia. That's were she meets Greier, he helps her out with a job and a place to stay. It's plain as day that these two are ment for eachother, but Reagan's past wont allow it. I loved Izzie's character. That girl is something else. Great read
Wow oh wow, after all the teasers and anticipation of waiting for this book I was not disappointed.
From the beginning you can’t help but fall in love with Greier. The minute Reagan walk into his bar he knows he wants to protect her and save her from what she is running from. As the story continues there is plots twists and turns and you will be hooked and never want to put the book down.
I was given this book as an ARC and this is my honest. Opinion.
Fantastic read!! I look forward to any Lena Black book but this one has been much anticipated and it didn't disappoint. I highly recommend this one -- it's sexy, mysterious, and so well put together (like all of this author's work). Pick up your copy today!
If I could give 10 stars I would. Reagan is raised to be arm candy to a rich powerful man and to please her parents. However, on her wedding day, something snaps and she runs away and takes refuge at The Magnolia in the French Quarter, she is broke, homeless and can’t reach out to anybody. There she meets Greier, restaurateur and living above The Magnolia. He will offer her refuge, a job an from there everything develops. Their story is powerful, dramatic and suspenseful. Can Greier save her from Shaw LeBlanc and have an HEA? It is an amazing story.
Lena Black has blown me away with this wonderfully written, amazing story line that will grab you, wrap itself around you, embed itself into your mind and your heart. In true Lena Black style, the story is intriguing, haunting, suspenseful, and a love story for the ages that will have you totally engrossed in the story, the lives of the characters and have you praying for things to end the way you want them to end.
The characters, oh these characters will embed themselves in your heart. Greier is brutally handsome and ingrained with the need to help and protect. And that is what he feels when first meeting the beautiful raven haired Reagan when she steps into his bar wearing a wedding dress, but looking nothing like a happy bride. She is beyond beautiful but she is also lead a sheltered life, one of grooming for the southern society, sent to boarding schools and raised and loved by nannies her entire childhood. Her adult life was spend being readied to become a trophy wife to the son of the man her father needs to help finance his political advancement. She has never done anything that she has wanted to do, made any decisions for herself and has never worked a day in her life. Now, broke, alone, and so afraid that she will be found and brought back to the gilded cage that was her home, she sits and drinks to numb the pain. Shaw...the man she is meant to marry is abusive, he is evil incarnate and after she overhears a conversation between him and his father, after he beats her for hearing what she heard, she does the the only thing she can do...she runs....right into the man who just might become her savior.
Now there is Izzy...Greirer's best friend who soon becomes her friend as well, is a sharp cajun tongued beauty who will have Greirer's back no matter what. And when Reagan is forced to tell her her secret, Izzy is a little angry but is more concerned about Greirer and urges her to tell him the truth. But you know secrets, they have a way of coming out before you are ready, and when this one comes out Greirer is taken aback, but goes straight into protection mode.
This is an absolutely amazing book and if you don't get it...well I just have no words. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!
Black Magnolia is a good second chance at love romance read. I was definitely hooked with the beginning of the story and it starts off with suspense. Regan is on the run and we don't actually find out why until about the middle of the story. However, I enjoyed her character a lot. I also enjoyed Greier's character; from the very beginning of the story he was kind, caring and sweet. Izzie is that funny but truthful best friend that every person should have. There was no way for Shaw to redeem himself, he should have been happy with Charlotte and went about his business. However, he wanted everything and he got what he deserved. I finished this book in one sitting and it had an epilogue that was worth all of the trouble Regan and Greier went through. I would definitely give other books from this author a try.
Reagan has done everything her parents wanted all her life, including going to marry a man that see doesn’t love, but when she finds out something that changes everything she runs. When Reagan runs she ends up at a bar and sees Greier. Both seeing there’s a spark between them Reagan decides to take some control back in her life and sleeps with Greier, although the next day says it can’t happen again. Greier, although he can’t deny the attraction between them, wants to help Reagan get back on her feet and offers her somewhere to stay and a job, although they do some heavy making out they don’t cross the line again. Everything changes when Reagan sees Greier’s ex and believes the worst, and when she finds out exactly who the ex is it takes an interesting turn that keeps you hooked till the end.
Fate led Reagan into Greier's bar, and from the moment he first sees that haunted look in her eyes, he wants to save her. From the beginning, we know that Reagan is on the run, but we don't why. At first she is leery of Greier's kindness, but as she slowly gets to know him, she realizes that he is truly a beautiful soul. He is beyond compassionate and sweet, and, oh, we can't forget sexy! The chemistry these two share is off the charts!
This story is fantastic! It starts off with some suspense, and the twists and turns just keep on surprising you until the very end!
This is a new author to me, but my word, this will definitely not be the last time I read her work. Reagan has had her whole live mapped out for her, and when she walks into a bar dressed in her wedding dress, she is anything but looking like a happy bride. The owner of the bar Greier takes one look at her, and his instincts to help and protect kick in. This story is filled with twists, suspense, intrigue, and is a steamy and dark novel. This author has done an amazing job in writing this story, which had me totally captivated throughout. I will certainly be looking out for this authors work in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it's my joint fave alongside Secondary Colours (written under her pen name, Aubrey Brenner). I think Lena describes New Orleans excellently, so that the reader gets to feel the dark underbelly, along with the jazz and Mardi Gras atmosphere. I liked the dark, brooding Greier and from the moment Reagan, the runaway bride, enters his bar, we are aware that there is a lot of angst. The suspense was well written, and even though I had worked out the twist before it was revealed, it didn't spoil the story for me. His friend Izzie was an interesting character, who deserves her own book. And the 'cherries' scene!!.
Lena Black made this book certainly worth the wait. In this book we are down in the Big Easy and if you think the weather is hot, wait till you meet Greier, then it will become scorching! This book is a wonderful story of fate, love, and steaminess that will keep you fanning yourself and you kindle as you read. As you continue through the pages and watch the story unfold, Lena will throw in some surprise to keep you on your toes. This story is one word…..AMAZING!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book.
After the long wait the book didn’t disappoint!! Couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to spoil it but their was a few popcorn moments and a few ‘oh my gosh!’ From the start You can see that Greier and Rae have that spark, it’s as if they have just been waiting for each other to fix....you won’t be able to put it down! Enjoy!!
I loved this book. It was suppose to be a day everyone dreams of but it didnt turn out that way. Love all the characters and the way Reagan learns to grow and love herself.
Wow! This was truly a book I could not put down! Greier just draws you in and Reagan, you just want her to win. It was a beautiful story and I can't wait to see what Lena gives us next!
I absolutely love Lena's work because of that I couldn't wait for this new one to come out. It was definitely worth the wait. Greier was definitely all I had hoped he'd be,and I love Rea. I highly recommend this book.
I stayed up late then woke up early so I could finish this book. I fell in love with the characters and the plot. Even though I had an idea of what would happen, there were still a couple of surprises I wasn’t expecting. I loved watching Reagan become her own person! Greier…I’ll always think of him whenever I see cherries!
I truly enjoyed getting to know Rae and Grier❤ Lena has a talent for developing characters and creating stories that make you feel as if you know them and are joining them on their journeys.
BLACK MAGNOLIA is the story of Reagan, the daughter from an influencial family in the south. Feeling pressured to marry Shaw - from another affluent family, Reagan flees on her wedding day and ends up in a bar owned by the delicious Greier. Greier is recently single and takes pity on Reagan giving her a job and place to stay. Soon they end up in bed together but people from their past and present threaten to destroy what they have. I really enjoyed this book. Lena Black has written a story centreing on characters that you can't help but love. The love scenes are scorching ( you will never look at cherries the same way again!), and there's a bit of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Read it!
Amazing book! This is the first book I have read by this author and I plan to read more in the future. I love the storyline and the characters. Grier was my favorite character and I fell in love with him. A sexy and mysterious read that I highly recommend! I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review. *Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog*
I liked this book a lot! It was set in New Orleans and with the way it was written it felt like you were actually there yourself (despite never actually having been there). This was my first time reading anything by this author so I didn't quite know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a little dark, nice suspense, sexy as h.. I loved how strong the characters were and how well developed.
Wow what a read. I've enjoyed Lena's books before but this story I couldn't put down. Set in one of the places that I would most like to go, New Orleans is described beautifully. This story is fast paced, sexy and intriguing. A twisted fate is set out for the main characters that I did not expect or even guess. There are some heartwarming moments and also some heart pounding moments.
This is part of the Opposites Attract series, so far each story has been a standalone and yet I feel that Izzie could totally have her own story, she is a fun character that is more than meets the eye.
"Black Magnolia," the story of Greier and Reagan, was a great read. After a devastating event, Reagan, barefoot and in her tattered wedding dress, blindly stumbles into Greier's place, the Magnolia, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Not knowing what was wrong, Greirer offers her refuge. After a steamy first night together, they drift into friendship then love. But secrets and the devil are on their backs...