Downtime: A Titan World Novella

Titan World

by Karyn Lawrence

From New York Times best-selling author Cristin Harber and USA Today best-selling author Nikki Sloane writing as Karyn Lawrence comes an exciting collaboration…

It’s a romantic getaway for the newlyweds. Or is it?

Parker Black’s brilliant computer skills keep Titan Group running, but now he’s getting some much-needed downtime. He’s taking a break from the war room to spend it in the bedroom with his brand-new wife Lexi, and whisks her off to a historic resort nestled in the hills of West Virginia.

Only, there’s a secret buried beneath the hotel. What’s hiding in the converted bunker threatens a lot more than just his romantic weekend, and he’s going to need Lexi’s help to crack inside. Cut off from his own security team and facing a ticking clock, Parker’s about to realize there’s no such thing as downtime when you work for Titan.

Genres: Suspense, Romance

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2017

About the author

Karyn Lawrence is an author, graphic designer, and screenwriter. She published the nonfiction book for children: “Techniques of Color Guard” after an editor discovered her color guard blog; way back in the infancy of the Internet and long before blogging was a thing.

She has been a screenplay writer for more than fifteen years, with rather mild success, and grew tired of her stories only reaching a handful of readers. The decision was made to try fiction in early 2013. “Stay” is her first novel. It will be followed by “Keep” which is due to release in winter 2014.

She is a Chicago native who currently lives in Owensboro, KY with her epic husband and two adorable sons.

Reviews

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why does it seem that I'm always the last to know??? Did anyone else know that Karyn Lawrence and Nikki Sloane are THE SAME PERSON??? Dang it, it's so hard to keep up with all of the aliases of all of these authors sometimes!! Anyway, I saw that this was a collabo and jumped right on the train because Nikki Sloane... oops I'm sorry... Karyn Lawrence has never steered me wrong!!

DOWNTIME was quick and super exciting. Park and his new wife, Lexi, are off for some R & R. See, most of us when we see that think "Rest & Relaxation". Nope. Not this team dynamo of white-hat hackers. They're off for some "Reconnaissance & Raid" because Parker needs his wife to help him pull of his latest job for Titan.

I didn't expect such intense suspense scenes but they were just as entertaining as the loving and erotic scenes between the couple. I enjoyed witnessing how in love they were with each other and I definitely had a few laughs from them as well.

I'm really intrigued by the excerpt I read at the end from Stay by the author. It's book one of The Command series and I've already added it to my tbr list ;)

Release Date: January 24, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Steam: 3 out of 5
Series or standalone: Standalone in the Titan World series but there is character crossover

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Almost Heaven, West Virginian stars!

Lexi and Parker Black are happily ensconced in their geeky hacker world, but a mission from Titan has them traveling to a resort in WV to hack into their system. Unfortunately, it isn't an easy mission, and all the newlyweds want are a few days of downtime together. When another group comes after the info they're there to steal, Lexi and Parker will have to think fast to survive.

DOWNTIME is a novel by Ms. Lawrence in the Titan World series by a variety of authors writing in and around the world of the Titan series by Cristin Harber. This story featured the MC's from Ms. Harber's book Black Dawn, which I LOVED. I was excited to continue Lexi and Parker's story, plus I have the added bonus of being VERY familiar with the inspiration behind the Sycamore Springs hotel in WV. This was just a short little catch up of my favorite Titan duo, and it had a little something for everyone...sex, suspense and a fast paced storyline. This was a quick read, and a perfect steamy read for a cold winter afternoon!

Bottom Line: No OM/OW or sharing; no condom use; no BDSM/kink; no sexual assault; violence, murder. - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...

- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...

[Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4 stars. This was a good, quick, romantic suspense read! I read this because it was written by Karyn Lawrence, who is the alter ego, of one of my favorite writers, Nikki Sloane. I had not read any of the other books in the Titan series before, but I definitely will now. This book focuses on newlyweds, Parker and Lexi. They are both white hat hackers and work for Titan security. The couple goes undercover for a mission at a resort in West Virginia. This little novella packs a punch of suspense and some really sexy times. I wanted more from Parker and Lexi. Romantic suspense books are sometimes too heavy on the suspense for my personal taste, but that was not the case in this book. There was lots of sizzle; they are newlyweds, after all. I will definitely be going back to the beginning of this series to see how Parker and Lexi got together, as well as the rest of the Titan crew!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Elizarey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Downtime was a cute read. I liked the two main characters a lot. It was written in third person so I am surprised I liked it so much!! The author did a great job of keeping me interested!! There was some action in this book and I really liked that, this book was really different to what I usually read. Even though the third person was good, I still would have preferred it to be in first person! For me I needed more romance, since that is all I read Im always wanting more of that! overall it was a great story!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventures with Parker and Lexi

I love the Titan series and was excited to see it expand into Titan World. This is a fun short story focused on Parker and Lexi, who just can't quite escape the adventure even on vacation. Loved how it stayed consistent with the characters Cristin Harber brought to life. Spicy moments, giggle moments, and suspenseful moments abound in this quick read. And of course, when my favorite Titan man Colby Winters arrived, I loved it even more!!

[Strzykar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read anything else from this series, but I love a 'complete' novella! Yes, you're thrown into an already established world, BUT you get a whole side story that you don't need any more information for! The couple is established, and the mission that they go on is the action of the story, so you don't have to worry about anything else. It's like a little pocket world, or side quest. I enjoyed it! I might just need to look into the rest of the books!

[Evie Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Downtime
Author: Karyn Lawrence
Series: Titan World
Genre: erotic romantic suspense
Themes: secret agent
Heat: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

This is the sort of novella I can get behind. I'm usually not a fan, finding the pacing off and full of insta-love, but due to this being part of Kindle Worlds' Titan World, Lexi and Parker's relationship was already established, meaning we could indulge in some wonderfully erotic scenes, alongside the tension of their mission.

Karyn Lawrence is a favourite author of mine, and absolutely a one-click, and her ability to write so well in someone else's world simply solidifies this for me. Her action sequences are easy to follow and absolutely kick-ass, and although there was a fair bit of hacker jargon used within this novella, I never once felt lost.

If you're a fan of the Titan World, or of Karyn Lawrence (or, hell, of Nikki Sloane) you won't want to miss out on this little gem. With just over an hour of reading time, it's perfect for a lazy morning. And you don't even have to have read the original series - but I will be doing so now.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downtime is a novella set in Cristin Harber's Titan World written by Karyn Lawrence. I've never read any of the Titan books and decided to read Winter's Heat before reading Downtime. Let me clearly say that it is NOT necessary to read any of the Titan books before reading Downtime. Downtime is enjoyable for readers familiar with the series or new readers.
It's not easy to perfectly blend suspense/action with romance, but Karyn nails it. (Also, if you haven't read The Command series by Karyn, get on it!)
Parker Black is the hot computer (hacker) Alpha at Titan Group. Lexi is his new computer programmer wife. They team up for a little mission and a little vacation at a fancy resort in West Virginia.
Downtime is fun and action-packed, very enjoyable and a great read!

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was reviewed for Summer's Eve Reads ....... This is a great thriller/romance, a really exciting, quick read with a sexy man in love with a beautiful, smart woman and a mission fraught with danger and suspense; all the elements required to make the reader keep going to the end without a break.....which is exactly what I did.

The relationship between the two main characters is loving and oh so hot between the sheets...and out of them, for that matter, and felt totally believable. Although the supporting cast only gets a quick look in I am so going to search out their stories in the series.

I have not read a Titan series book before but they have definitely gone on my to be read list after this awesome introduction....a short, hot thrilling read...

[Sheila'S Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downtime

Karyn Lawerence

What a great read. It’s a quickie but so much fun and super hot. Parker and Lexi are just amazing together. Karyn writes these characters flawlessly. 

“It hadn’t taken him long to figure out he was in love with her, but it had taken even less time to understand what he’d been put here on this earth to do.  How good he was at satisfying her. “

A fun badass hacker adventure awaits you when you pick up this story. Full of adventure and PLENTY of steam and laughs. Just be careful your kindle doesn’t catch on fire with all this hotness.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really quick, fun read...only takes an hour and a quarter (or so) but it is fantastic. It's suspenseful, funny and sexy. Fans of Cristin Harber's Titan series are going to love it...especially those Parker fans. The characters sound and act just as you'd expect if Cristin was writing it, which I think gives testament to Karyn Lawrence's writing and skill. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Lori DeSisto-Sarat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. It's a quickie but so much fun and super hot. Parker and Lexi are just amazing together. Karyn writes these characters flawlessly.
A fun badass hacker adventure awaits you when you pick up this story. Just be careful your kindle doesn't catch on fire with all this hotness xoxo enjoy ladies

[Samantha Ortegon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not familiar with the Titan World series, but I am a big Nikki Sloane fan and in this novella she is writing as Karyn Lawrence which totally threw me for a surprise. I could not even find a hint of Sloane in this short story, that might be the reason that it took me a little longer to get into the read. The moment I could picture the action and love in the story, I began flipping the screen on my kindle like a mad woman.

This newly wedded couple is a powerhouse, both Parker and Lexi's computer skills, and Parker's muscle and his love for his wife will be just what they need to accomplish their mission at a historic resort to retrieve information that is buried beneath the place they are spending their romantic weekend. This mission has more than just action in the bedroom, this couple finds themselves fighting for their lives.

Downtime is a quick action filled read with some steamy as hell scenes. There is a character in the story goes by Winter, Parker's partner and friend at Titan that has me wanting to know more about this series. I hate the fact that this is my first 4.5 Stars for one of my favorite authors, it was the difference in the writing style that threw me off but once I got over that, it made for a sexy action filled read.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this title at my request, and have provided this voluntary review*

I am new to the Titan word, but still enjoyed this quick read from Karyn Lawrence, aka Nikki Sloane. I love all of Nikki’s writing and this was just a fun and quick read about a couple, Lexi and Parker, and their weekend retreat to West Virginia that is mixed with a little bit of suspense and action as well as some smoking hot between the sheets! She was even able to incorporate a few suspenseful twists. Great job Karyn and I can’t wait to go back and start this series now as I’m excited for a new type of story that this is.

[Mandy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

Its always interesting having your favourite characters written about by a different author but Karyn did the Titan team justice. Loved the writing, the action, suspense and the heated tension between husband and wife was written really well. Mother corker!!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've never read a book from this author before, I must say I was impressed with the quality of her writing and how good she was able to capture Lexi and Parker's relationship. I definitely enjoyed reading this book, suspenseful and romantic at the same time.

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this couple. Parker is one of my favorite of Titan. I love Lexi and her fierceness i liked seeing them have their own op

[Nomims · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Meh ... didn't make me curious to know more about Titan world but it was quick and easy.

[Kathryn Linke]

4.5 Stars

I am a huge fan of Cristin Harber's Titan series, and was so excited to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of Downtime, as it features one of my favorite Titan couples Lexi and Parker.

This is a quick, steamy, exciting and sexy novella length romantic suspense full of action, intrigue and erotic love scenes.

Lexi and Parker are both computer geniuses, and are extremely compatible inside and outside the bedroom. Their story is well written, engaging and entertaining and had me hooked from the very first page and included a few other Titan favorites.

I look forward to checking out the rest of the Titan World novellas, and thoroughly recommend Downtime to lovers of romantic suspense or the Titan series.

[Linda Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

I loved this book!

This is one of those stories that you have to read in one sitting. It’s that good. Jessie Lane has you smirking at Chase’s adorable, funny, sexy personality. She also has you feeling impressed, proud and happy for Billie Jean’s feisty, independent and amazing outlook on her talented skills as a sniper.

These two talented people pair up to come to the defense of the biggest law enforcement organization in this country. Together, their skills on the job will save numerous lives and bring justice where it is deserved. They have a very close connection to the fabled Titan Team. This could be a future they are both looking for. Together, their passion for each other will tantalize and consume their every breath. I loved the plot in this book. Chase is the typical playboy hitting on a beautiful woman with the most cheesy pick up lines. He doesn’t realize that he’s a goner when it comes to being able to walk away from Billie Jean. Billie Jean is not a girly girl. She is proud. She is elite. She is one of the best in a man’s world. She is also totally hot for sexy Chase.

If you have read any of the Titan books, you will love the premise of this story. It is all that one loves in a military romance. It’s sweet, funny, intense, suspenseful, sexy and hot all wrapped up into a quick story.

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker and Lexi Black may be newly married, but the one thing they are old pros at is the high tech world of computers and programing. And as one of the world's two best hackers gone legit, Parker Black is the man that Titan group calls when its time to get down and nerdy.

Determined to keep things hot and heavy between himself and his new wife. Parker wants to take her to a very beautiful historic hotel in the hills of West Virginia. But the two soon find that R&R are going to mean something totally different than rest and relaxation on this vaycay.

This one sitting wonder has all the romance and computer based badassery that any techie will love.
Parker and Lexie are hot, hot, hot, both in the sheets and out. And whether in a love scene, or one filled with nerdy action. Each turn of the page gives readers a piece of this smoldering story that is better than the last.
Authoress, Karen Lawrence, has a wonderful understanding of the devil of details in both her scene setting and her dialogue. As such she is careful to add just the right touches to create a realism that one can't help getting lost in.

Downtime is a little story that packs a big and very suspenseful punch. A perfect addition to the romantic laced action that is a hallmark of Titan World

[j white · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titan World.

This book will keep you on edge from start to finish. Married couple Parker and Lexi must work together to complete a mission linked with the CIA. A smooth suspenseful read.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think one of the hardest challenges with a novella is developing the characters (and stories) enough that the reader gets invested in them. This is only more of a challenge when the novella is part of another author’s fictional world. Karyn Lawrence exceeded my expectations with this. I had never read a book in Cristin Harber’s Titan World before and decided to pick up the first one because it was free on Amazon. This one involves other characters, but I wanted to get a feel for Titan World and Cristin Harber’s characters. After that, I picked up Downtime, mostly because I love Nikki Sloane (Karyn Lawrence’s alter ego).

This novella is so well written and so well developed. I was invested in the characters and the story. I was not confused at all (i.e., it is a complete standalone) and it was a lot of fun. I am excited to read more of Karyn’s books. I love her voice and although this was more suspense- the hotness I’ve come to expect with a Nikki Sloane book was definitely there.

I enjoyed this novella a lot and recommend it.

[Cheryl Whitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Downtime is a novella set in the Titan world. This book is about Parker and Lexi, who I gathered had both been super hackers, and Parker worked full time for Titan, but for this novel it’s really newly married couple who go undercover at hotel that has a decommissioned government bunker underneath.
To be honest I haven’t read any of the Titan novels, so to me it was a Romantic Suspense novella with hot sex thrown in. I read the novella that way, and I enjoyed the action in and out of the bedroom. Lexi and Parker were a loving couple, you could feel it all through the pages. Lexi and Parker had been apart while he was on a mission. When he came home, and they were straight away to this hotel for the job. Well nothing is as easy as it should be. There was quite a lot packed into the pages, it kept me glued to the pages. I look forward to more from Nikki Sloane writing as Karyn Lawrence. I received this in exchange for an honest review.

[Dimple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about two of favorite characters from the Titan World! Parker & Lexi are super hot and also downright adorable. Their hacker brains move faster than the speed of light in this cute novella. We also see the Westin's Ave a little Colby action, too. Color me very happy!

[Treena Ross - Rockstar Book Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read!!!

This is a short novella so it is a quick read with lots of humor, suspense and sexy moments. If you know the Titan Series then you must read this.

I am a huge fan of Parker he is my alpha geek and when him and Lexi are together on DOWNTIME man the sparks fly!!!

I love a book when both,main characters are strong on their own but a power house together and this book had it. The writing was excellent and I recommend this book to anyone who knows the Titan Series or wants a small intro to the series with this quick novella!!

I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Rockstar Book Muse

[Pop Fizz Clink Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh so hot & steamy! Perfect little getaway!
I have not read any of the Titan World novels but am a huge Sloane/Lawrence fan & couldn't miss the chance for something a little different. This is an action packed quickie. A short but sweet novella of newlyweds off on a adventurous exciting working trip together as computer hackers seeking heavily guarded information. You can never get enough of the swoon worthy sexiness she writes in all her books. This is no exception! -read by French Sparkle with Pop Fizz Clink Read

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

From New York Times best-selling author Cristin Harber and USA Today best-selling author Nikki Sloane writing as Karyn Lawrence comes an exciting collaboration…

It’s a romantic getaway for the newlyweds. Or is it?
Lexi and her husband Parker getting away to a 5 star complex for the long weekend. But not to relax. They working for thr Titan group, are hacker and have a job to do.
This is a novella, a( to) short read who I enjoyed very much.
5 Stars and Thank you Karyn Lawrence.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seamless

Parker and Lex are perfect. You would never know it was someone else writing about them. Can't wait to read more of this author.

[Gucci 35 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Downtime features Parker and Lexi Black. They have a weekend away for a little R & R. Lawrence does a great job writing about this favorite Titan Couple. So if you love Parker and Lexi from Cristin Harber's Titan Group then grab a copy of Downtime. Happy Reading!!