Altered by Lead

Undercover Sinners #2

by C.M. Stunich, Tate James

My life will never be the same, altered by lead, damaged but not broken.
I’m becoming a new me.
I won’t run any longer; this time, I’m the hunter instead of the prey.

But it takes hard work, skill, and a bit of luck to catch a mob boss.
I’m going to need all three to survive this.
Especially when I’ve got five gorgeous a**holes for teachers—and occasional bedmates.

The Blackbirch Company.
The organization my new lovers work for, it’s just as dangerous as the criminals they’re paid to hunt.
So why am I so desperate to become one of them?

Either way, in their arms, I grow.
I thrive.
And I’ll become a force to be reckoned with.

**ALTERED BY LEAD is Book Two in the UNDERCOVER SINNERS trilogy. This is a romantic suspense with unapologetic anti-heroes and is fully intended for a mature audience.**

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Why Choose, Dark, BDSM, Crime

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2020

About the author

C.M. Stunich is a self-admitted bibliophile with a love for exotic teas and a whole host of characters who live full time inside the strange, swirling vortex of her thoughts. Some folks might call this crazy, but Caitlin Morgan doesn't mind - especially considering she has to write biographies in the third person. Oh, and half the host of characters in her head are searing hot bad boys with dirty mouths and skillful hands (among other things). If being crazy means hanging out with them everyday, C.M. has decided to have herself committed.

She hates tapioca pudding, loves to binge on cheesy horror movies, and is a slave to many cats. When she's not vacuuming fur off of her couch, C.M. can be found with her nose buried in a book or her eyes glued to a computer screen. She's the author of over thirty novels - romance, new adult, fantasy, and young adult included. Please, come and join her inside her crazy. There's a heck of a lot to do there.

Oh, and Caitlin loves to chat (incessantly), so feel free to e-mail her, send her a Facebook message, or put up smoke signals. She's already looking forward to it.

Stalk me, please!
www.cmstunich.com
www.facebook.com/cmstunichauthor
www.twitter.com/CMStunich

I'm also on Goodreads, Spotify, Google +, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Reviews

[Carolina]

𝑬𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐 𝒋𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒐𝒔 𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒎í𝒐𝒔. 𝑬𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒐 𝒅𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒐.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALTERED BY FIRE (Undercover Sinners #1) REVIEW

All Work And No Play Makes Natalia THAT BITCH
*self-purchased on Amazon. No need of sugar daddies called promo teams*



“Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
Choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I, we were born to die.”
Born To Die – Lana Del Rey

What’s this book about? (I'm trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Natalia Petrova is done being a pushover. She’s becoming a new and improved version of herself. She’s out on the hunt for revenge and she’s accumulated her own band of elves (INSIDER between Natty and me), five dangerous men who share her bed and her mind.

“Lost, but now I am found
I can see that once I was blind
I was so confused as a little child
Tried to take what I could get, scared that I couldn't find
All the answers I need
Don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don't know why.”
Born To Die – Lana Del Rey

I read this right after I finished ALTERED BY FIRE (Undercover Sinners #1). This story was a continuation of the dark, fun, steamy and entertaining ride that the first one was. There was less kink here, but it was made up with other types of steam. LOL. I kind of got the feeling that this was the calm before the storm instalment and in book three, all hell will break loose.
Natalia kept her position as my ultimate fav in this story. I love her. Her tenacity in this book was wonderful. I loved her strength and her attitude once again. The dynamics between certain characters changed here and I enjoyed (even though it tortured the characters LOL) how it all played out. Natalia showed growth here. Yes, she did. DON’T FIGHT ME ON THIS. LOL. Occasionally, she got on my nerves when she was telling the guys to get over themselves, but, hey, she got over it real quick and went back to her usual badass ways.



If the steam in Altered By Fire was hot, I don’t know how to describe it here. Addictive? Scorching? Sends you straight to hell? Let’s just say, this reverse harem lives up to its title.
While in book one I had my preferences in the male characters, in this story, everything changed once again. All the guys came out swinging here, bringing their A game. Arsen was a legend, after I disliked him in book one. Weston and Colt caught my attention; Weston is AWESOME. Mace lacked a bit in book 2. Hawke grabbed my attention for being a total douche. I grew to love the five of them even more than in book one. As expected, the chemistry and steam between all of the characters was intense and magnificent. Occasionally, it felt like this book was there to cement the relationships amongst the group and honestly, I DIDN’T MIND IT ONE BIT.
I recommend this read to anyone who loves themselves a steamy and thorough REVERSE HAREM story that LIVES UP TO ITS NAME, a Bratva daughter turned undercover badass and five hot anti-heroes that will make you go broke with their panties-destroying ways. THIS ENDS IN A CLIFFHANGER. I can't wait for book three!



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[Jasmine Hoisington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh such a bad cliffy

I seriously hate cliffys. Like I get it, keep us coming back for more, but seriously?!?

Anyway the writing is amazing as it is normally with both of these amazing authors.

[Abby J Capps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed book one a lot more. It had more suspense/ build up than this one. I feel like this book went off the plot line and focused more on the sexual relationship between Natalia and the guys. I love a dirty book but I still need some plot. Nothing happened until the end.

[Janee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come together

I love when team comes together write a book. This was great time pass the time away. I wished it didn't take so long to next book to come out.

[Alda Horne-Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully sinful!

The first book was hot but the second installment was even hotter! I wasn’t sure what to expect in the second installment since it was so far out from the first. However, it was even better! Wanting more of Natalia and her men! That ending was hell!

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

With that cliff hanger of an ending and learning that this book has been revamped.... I'm almost dying to look for the old third edition just to see how it all plays out! I mean come on... How can you leave a reader hanging like that on a revamped saga???

[Cozybookbabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really bothered by how Hawke treats Natalia and she just let's him get away with it. He never even apologizes or changes or anything. He always just says "I'm the leader". Well trust in leadership is earned and he hasn't done anything to earn her trust. It really bothered me that that was never brought up.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollercoaster

This book was good maybe even better than the first. And while this one still has some of that dark and gritty it felt to me like a more normal level of it this go. The whole story was a rollercoaster of emotions, events and surprises; just when you think things have leveled out you realize your just at the top of another hill about to go down in a kid of both good and bad ways. This story definitely peeled back another layer that made these characters more real and by the end I loved them more. I'm hoping we get even more personal and into about each of the guys in all aspects of their lives. Two of my favorite things happened closer to the end one was a talk about the actions of female cats and another had to do with a team bonding experience and I'm definitely hoping we see more moments like that. This story while leaving us happy and satisfied with some things does end on a little cliff but I would not let that stop you because these first two books are so good. I'm also hoping not only to get anything unresolved get fixed or mostly fixed in the next book (because a girl could dream there will be more than 1 more); but I'd also love to see a little downtime or maybe even get an epilogue eventually where we could see what happens to this group after retirement of just slowing down and how the make those changes. But those are just my hopes of what we may get in future. Overall this book is filled with action, suspense, romance (reverse harem yay!) & passion, finding ones self, dealing with the last and a whole array of emotions. Very good book would recommend!

[H N M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant find the 3rd book & read that there wasn't enough interest in it? WTH? This could just be a nasty rumor but i couldn't find the book. I have learned as of this instance that i will NEVER start another series that isnt completely finished. I absolutely adore both of these arthur's & think they are amazingly talented but when you give a date to your readers to release something you should get it out as close as possible or even sooner, not a year later (on different book - CMS). Sorry for the rant, & I am not going to give up on her yet. The other ive had zero issues!
5 stars because we are judging the book & It deserves only the best of course. If you didn't like my rant, you didn't have to read it. I don't care what you think & i won't be back to follow up on your remarks either so keep them to yourself if you don't like them. I hate cliffhangers but realize that's how to keep people interested but when its been so long nobody can remember what it was about in the first place it's useless!! Ok im finished, there's just another book with another past due deadline & its getting old really quick because i read alot. Im sorry ... Make that 2 books that should have already been released of hers. GRRRR

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series so far. The undercover priest scene was a really unique idea. The mission to kill Natalias father seems a bit bizarre, I still feel that there isn't really an explanation for this. Were they hired to kill or are doing it as a personal choice for the death of Portia, this woman is constantly mentioned throughout to book but again I want to know more about where she came from, how she died, why revenge is necessary.

I absolutely adore Mace, the giant with the soft touch and seemingly has the most compassion. Arsen is a nightmare come to life. Sexy, psychopath, dangerous but oh so tempting, he strikes me as emotionless. I'm still undecided with Hawke, as team leader he can be quite the manipulative arsehole so I'm still debating. As for Cole & Weston, they are so sweet and work as a team, quite literally inside and outside the bedroom.

The cliffhanger ending was to be expected, it was all going so well! I was ready to Natalia to be accepted as part of the team but alas...cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to a release date!

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast Paced and Full of Action

Natalia is learning to become a better fighter and team member for the others under Hawke's aggressive training. She is also learning how to deal with all five men and their personalities. They are still after her father, the Russian mob boss who killed their previous love interest, but its proving to be difficult with the addition of a new mission.

First and foremost, Hawke became my least favorite character for the majority of this book. He is aggressive for no reason and almost downright abusive towards Natalia. It is understood that he has trouble dealing with emotions, especially after Portia, but this is borderline psychopathic. I love the different ways each of the men interact with her and how she gets to interact with them. The plot line is still strong and it keeps you interested throughout the entire story.

The only reason this is 4 stars is due to the fact they left it on a cliff hanger and are not planning on continuing for the foreseeable future.

[Marce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever!

I love Tate James and CM Stunich books, the character development in most of their books is just amazing, but in this two was just a filler for sex, sex and sex. SPOILER ALERT... There's 0 relationship content, you not even get the chance to like or at least understand Natalia's character, they only have sex and that's it, the story core is just weak. Redemption and true sacrifices for each other are a must for me and in this book you just can't find it. Plus the lack of background: Arsen is crazy? Why? He seems just a tiny bit out of place, but saying again and again how crazy and reckless gets old, Mace is just such a cliche, the big guy with the heart of gold, Hawke the annoying alfa all of the sudden is in love.. What, why, what did she do? He is mean like... pretty mean with her, 0 redemption and that's it and don't get me started with Colt and Weston, such a fillers just for the purpose of the harem and the fact that they always compare her with their ex... really??? That's just wrong. Long story short, don't recommend this series.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Natalia ran. Now she hunts. The Blackbirch Company, specifically Arsen, Colt, Weston, Mace, and Hawke may not be your typical good guys but they can teach her everything she needs to know. How to survive. How to take down a mob boss. How to live.

This writing duo never disappoints and always produces pure unadulterated hotness. This is one of their most provocative, sexy, enthralling, and sinfully delicious series. Never has the term anti-hero been more appropriate. Or sexier. I will never understand how they make a legitimate psychopath appealing. I didn't think the turmoil could be increased after book one but I have been proven wrong. It takes darkness to a new level and it's excitingly addictive. it's a true game of Russian roulette. It was great to see Natalia start to come into her own. She is being shaped into a stronger woman and is proving that she is worthy of these men in every way. And that ending! Wow/Ugh. Looking forward to more.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book made me feel a bit different compared to the first book. It felt like it took me longer to read this book compared to the first one even though it was just over 150 pages.

This book also was more plot heavy which I enjoyed however it made it feel like a completely whole new book compared the 1st one but it’s weirdly throwing me a bit? It also felt like near the end when they’re all on the assessment for Natalia, there was some plot holes as she’s having doubts ending someone’s life like she’s never done it before yet she did in book one to save Wests life? It brought my rating down for that just because it did feel like a completely different book compared to the first.

I will say you can see in this book how both writers have evolved with their writing styles in this compared to book 1 which I prefer as it was less immature, mainly for the inner thoughts of the characters and more serious

[Lauren Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cliffhanger Batman!

If you’ve read books by either of these authors, you know you can count on a cliffhanger. They love to feed off of the dramatic gasps and torture of their readers, I’m convinced. I’ve been dying for this book to finally come out, and I was not disappointed! If there has ever been a character to be jealous of, it’s Natalia. Good lord, every one of her guys are perfection- Mace with his rocktroll body-type and loving persona, Arsen with his literal insanity and insatiable lust, or Colt and West with their tag teaming hotness! And Hawke? Oh my heavens, don’t get me started on him or I’ll start sweating again. Now I’m going back to panting until the third book comes out!

[Shelby E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy moly!! Again, a really good book! We kinda pick up after the ending of the first book, but we see some big personality growth from Natalia! She has been training for a while now. So her confidence is slightly more positive.

What I liked about her growth is that she realizes that she wants more from the guys not just sexual. She realizes she deserves more and demands that of the guys. So yay!

Harem of guys: Hawke, Mace, Colt, Weston, and Arsen. All of them super super sexy and gorgeous!

Their is multiple POVs.
Sexiness: 4.5 out of 5

But the cliffhanger, the bloody cliffhanger! Just a swerve to a 180 and BAM surprise type of one!


I want Book 3 ASAP!

This review is of my own opinion.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious

The writing duo of Stunich and James never disappoints and always brings the steam, but this series is one of their sexiest and most provocative. They really make us love the anti-hero, the psychopath, the alpha-hole with this series. Picking up right where the first book left off, Natalia really starts to come into her own a bit more with this one as she trains to become an official part of the team. While still submissive in this installment, she begins to find her own voice and starts to stand up for herself. And then that ending! Can’t wait to read more of these characters!

[Beth C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy, intense and all sorts of messed up

Great follow-up to the first book. Still as crazy and dangerous as you would expect from a team of mercenaries. Especially when you throw in some sex addiction issues. The team is now lying low, recuperating and waiting for Natalia’s father to resurface so they can complete their mission. But they have other jobs happening too, all the while trying to figure out their relationships. It’s really just a chaotic mess.
And the cliffhanger at the end of this book is a hook that you just wouldn’t have expected. Can’t wait for the enemy book!

[ListenWithNic · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about fu*kng & fighting, fighting & fuc*ing. I mean not much else happened other than the last few pages of the book. I’ve noticed that this series really just hasn’t progressed at all and kind of lost the plot. I also cannot find Book 3 AT ALL, nothing on Goodreads, the authors site, KU, NOTHING! I really hope I didn’t just royally waste my time 😩

UPDATE: So I did just royally waste my time! From what I researched, the authors decided for whatever reason not to finish the series, um what?! You send the book on a cliffhanger and then say oh well WOW 🤦🏻‍♀️ DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME LIKE I DID 😤

[Nadine Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin has never felt so good

I love so many things about this series...the grittiness, the dark depths of the underbelly that is the Russian mafia and the off the books not so good guys trying to save Konstantin’s precious daughter from a fate much worse than death. The way Tate and C.M. write this series draws you into this world of dirty secrets, death, mobsters, assassins and fathers who are far from holy men. Another five star read from this dynamic duo that leaves your heart pounding, palms sweating and you lip biting for more of these sexy men and their latest recruit.

[Daphnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin never looked so good

Tate James and C.M. Stunich create magical, sinful, dirty, heart pounding pages that suck you into their playroom and never let you go. Natalia is growing up, shedding that Russian princess and proving she's much more hard core than that. Her group of broken men plus one psycho are also mending, forming a bond through her. This read was a well played game of Russian roulette - you knew there was a bullet in the treacherous game but you weren't sure where it was going to blow. Well played ladies.....

[Talarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty, rough, gritty and oh so good.

I enjoyed reading this second installment to this series.

The characters are exposed a bit more and we are shown the dynamics of the team.
This book is very gritty, raw and dirty as hell but if you enjoy reading about a$$hole men and a women with a lot of fight in her then you will enjoy this book.

There was on point where I did get annoyed at the FMC for not just sticking it to the guys but she does I'm her own way.

I am looking forward to the next book.

[Linda G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than book 2 from a storyline but still somewhat unreasonable for the sex addiction aspect of the elite group of men and that they constantly need to blow off steam by f*cking and if they really are going to be alpha doms - then let's see it vs just rough f*cking. The whole concept around the bet from book 1 and then doubling it to break her heart.... so weird again for a group of mercenaries.
Book 3 is no where to be found though and not allowing for any pre-order. I read book 1 and 2 today so ready to see how book 3 will pick up from the cliffhanger.

[Dee Kap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The angst and sexual tension was a whole new level! The continuation of this series does not disappoint. These authors write so well together and I really love this series! The cliff hanger.....let's just say I will be doing some serious socials stalking to find out when the next book is coming.
Why you should read this book, if you love watching a strong female lead take and own her life and continue to grow and be a bad arse with some seriously sexy weaknesses this is a book for you! It has drama and heat and darkness and each of the males are so different I just love it!

[Jane Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say this duo never disappoints!! Together their writing is hotter than hot. I absolutely love every single guy in this series. Can I also say in each chapter my favorite changed? Mace, Hawke, Colt, Weston, and last but certainly not least Arsen are just all so likable. They are all hot bad boys with such different personalities but lovable in their own way. This book was so good and I’m excited (especially after that ending) for the next one.

[LolaLovesRH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why am I like this

Y’all I’m a little worried about how obsessed I am with Arsen? He’s a bonafied nut case and I sort of love him all the more for it. It’s kind of messed up because more than anything I find his antics amusing and charming? I’m a little sad I read through this so fast and am dying to find out what happens next. I really liked Tate and CM’s writing in this book, because I found that their words blended together seamlessly.

[Tara Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So effing good

If it's been a while since your read it I definitely recommend rereading the first book before starting this one . Cause they hit the ground running and just don't stop! It's so good though. The feels in this book are real, and I can't wait to see how they develops more in the next book. Especially Arsen *swoon* I love the fucked up ones. And that cliffhanger! Ugh, I love y'all but you kill me, in the next ways. Eagerly awaiting book 3!!!

[Margaux Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell, this series just gets more and more sexy, I’m talking soak your panties steamy. It also keeps getting more dangerous. The stakes are high and the tension higher. But wow I cannot get enough. Then that ending, I mean talk about left field, I was not expecting that at all. I seriously cannot wait until the next book!!!! If you like sexual tension, sexy as hell naughtiness, and bloody action packed endings then this is definitely a book to read!

[Amber Brydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt different from the first one.
I can’t decide if I like the difference or not..

There were parts that kind of felt like rinse and repeat from the first book, moments that were pinnacle feel less so now, because of it.

Still a good read, writing style flowed well and the HOT moments were hot! I guess the second book feels like the filler for the final book, which I hope blows me away otherwise it will just be another series that couldn’t live up to the first book.