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Taken #1

Taken by the Billionaire 1

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Tess Knox’s wedding day was the happiest day of her life. Her best friend, Marissa, who had been by her side since forever, was right beside her on her big day. Tess knew, if there was one thing she could depend on, she could depend on Marissa’s loyalty and love. Their friendship meant the world to Tess, since she lost both of her parents a year ago and Marissa had been her rock. She even introduced her to the man she would marry. Amiri Knox came into Tess’s life and took her heart by a storm. He was her knight in shining armor. He completed her and she completed him. But there was something Tess didn’t know about those closest to her. Nothing could have prepared her for a dark secret that was hidden by Amiri and Marissa’s smiles. This secret will have Tess struggling to salvage the crumpled pieces of her heart.
Jake Weaver lives a carefree life trying to right the wrongs of the justice system. He doesn’t mind complicating things, if it’s worth it. When he sees a gorgeous lady walk out of Lexington Enterprises looking torn, he knows she’s worth risking it all. A man comes running after her, trying to talk to her, and Jake figures the man is the cause of her pain, so he steps in to help. Once Jake finds out what Tess’s husband has done to hurt her, it’s game over. She’s his for the taking…and Jake has every intention to get what he wants.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2018

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156 people want to read

About the author

Shani Greene-Dowdell

77 books343 followers
This girl loves a good book--especially books that suck you into the pages and take you to new worlds, providing a much needed break from the everyday hustle. I'm obsessed with happily ever after and feel good romances that serve up a strong dose of reality.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
379 reviews7 followers
September 6, 2018
If your best friend is looking sad on your wedding day, that's a red flag.

A little background. Taken by the Billionaire...the title is a bit misleading. When you're introduced to the hero, Jake Weaver, he's a bail bondsman. I was going to myself, 'wow I didn't know that profession was so lucrative!' In all seriousness, Jake is a bail bondsman who encounters the heroine Tess after she frantically leaves her husband's office, because she caught him cheating with her best friend Marissa, who also gave Tess away at her wedding. Tess unloaded her pistol and bounced, shaking and crying where she draws Jake's attention where he offers her aid. And so it goes.

I want to start off with the positives and say that chapter one of this story really did begin with a bang. It was high drama which was like taking a jolt of pure adrenaline to the heart; and I say that because the last maybe 10 or so romance books I've read, they've just been slow, unable to really grab and hold my attention. Tess was not someone who was going to let anyone walk over her and I appreciated that fire she had. As a heroine she didn't frustrate me at all.

The book moves on, things develop, but I was taken out of the story on more than one occasion. Why?

This was told from Tess and Jake's POV. I had no issues with Tess' voice, but Jake...Jake sounded like someone's auntie ready to lead prayer and/or host the book club meeting. I understand how difficult it can be to capture a man's voice. Plenty of female authors think by dropping a ton of f-bombs will convince readers they're in a man's head. I liked that that wasn't the case with Jake who didn't need to use the f-word as a noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, etc. However, my man's came off mad cheesy and dated. For example:

"...I walked beside her, soaking in the serene setting of nature into my being."

"I'd curse the day anyone harmed a hair on her head."

"The last thing I wanted her to do was cover them up with petty garments."

All that would be fine if this were 1918. Presumably its 2018 when the story takes place. So yeah, dude was sounding like he came fresh out of a Bronte or Austen novel, which again I'd have no problem with. But seeing this is a modern world story, the language and dialogue needs to fit the times.

There was also a lot of misused words/phrases. When Jake was joking around with his business associate Lou, the word jousting, which is a medieval sport was used instead of jesting. Candy coated when it should have been sugarcoated, brooked no pretentious when it should have been brooked no argument. There were commas, abundantly, in the wrong places. It was little mistakes like that a good editor should have caught.

Those things aside, this book wasn't bad. The courtship between Jake and Tess didn't pack any heat or chemistry for me. Jake decided he wanted her and that was a wrap. They were pretty much together before she even signed her divorce papers and long before the ink dried. There could have been a bit more buildup for believability. The other subplots of the book were wrapped up nicely.

And this last comment before I end this review is not just directed at this writer but just a general statement. I read a lot and the heroines pretty much all look alike because they share the same skin complexion. Where differences might occur is eye color. But honestly if I have to read about one more mocha, honey, caramel black woman I'm gonna scream. Skin complexion in literature mimics the foundations you find at the drugstore. A hundred shades of beige with just three darker shades to fit everyone else. There are so many different variations of brown that can be used if someone would take the time to Google a color chart: burnt umber, raw umber, russet, desert sand, kobicha, smoky Topaz, Taupe, Peru (its not just a country but a color as well; who knew!), chestnut. Yes, us black women come in a myriad of shades from the lightest of beige to the darkest obsidian. It would be nice to read about a woman who doesn't fall under the trinity I mentioned before and has dark brown eyes. Just saying.

Other than that, this book was okay. If you don't mind a little cheese in the prose and dialogue I say go for it.
Profile Image for Cammyjoe.
1,425 reviews8 followers
July 29, 2018
Lawwwd!

Love me some Jake! Mhmm...
Read is one feisty woman, she is smart,beautiful,loyal but,Please don't puss her off. Lol, she gets me laughing a lot, and Make and Tess 's love are dynamite.
I'm so glad that Tess encouraged Jake to have a relationship witness his father, (I told you she was smart), not for his father's sake,but for his own healing.
That horrible Rachel, my goodness! And Marissa and Amiri ... Karma is such a bitch! Lol.
I was hoping for an epilogue,😢 oh well!
Great 👍 read!
Here is what Tess said to Marissa (her ex-bestie/sister) when she tried to reasoning her sleeping with her ex-husband:
“I just didn’t want him to get sick.”
“And by riding his dick, I’m sure you warmed him right on up. That’s as effective as a cough drop from what I hear. You know what, why am I on this phone with you?”
Profile Image for Arlena.
3,480 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2018
Title: Taken by the Billionaire: A BWWM Romance
Author: Shani Greene-Dowdell
Publisher: Nayberry Publications
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Taken by the Billionaire" by Shani Greene Dowdell

My Thoughts....

This was definitely one story that had me shaking my head and saying what in the world? For poor Tess who thought she had it all...a good husband [Amiri] and her good friend [Marrissa] but to find out that she had been betrayed by both of them in the worst way on her wedding day! Well, I can say is that Tess didn't leave this situation so well [bringing a gun to confront Amiri and Marissa] where she had to later fix the problem [through anger management] of what she had done but thanks to her new friend Jake things did go OK for her. I will say sometimes when things seem to knock you down right around the corner can be a new path for you as it was for Tess in how she met Jake. Did Jake have feeling for Tess after the first meeting? This story will bring in some twist and turns as it seems that Jake's friend Frank who really had some real problems with his wife Rachel who did try to bring in problems in her marriage[ by hitting on Jake]. Then as the story goes on we see that Jake's father comes into the picture. I did like how well Tess kept after Jake about meeting with his father. All in all this was a good love story where each of the main characters helped each other and in the end one could see the love that Tess and Jake had for each other was definitely there. Definitely in the end the reader can see that karma was a bitch for these two...Marissa and Amiri and no amount of asking for forgiveness would change the fact to what both of them had done to Tess. I enjoyed this fast read that had some interesting and believable characters that was presented with the right amount of angst that will keep your attention till the end.



Profile Image for Nene.
1,783 reviews25 followers
July 29, 2018
Good Read!

This was a really good read about love and heartbreak. I loved Jake and Tess story , I only wished their story didn't end so soon.
85 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2018
Good read

This was a good story. The H came on a little strong in my opinion. I think the h needed a little time to heal but he rushed her.
356 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2021
True love

This was my first book by this author, but I will be reading more. This was a beautiful story about forgiveness and not turning your back on potential love because of hurt.
Profile Image for Adalle.
1,609 reviews8 followers
June 14, 2019
WOW!!!

I thought I was a fan before this book. But I have to say, that this book has definitely made me a F4L.

Tess and Jake are both awesomely paired. Their chemistry is so magnetic, it pulls you in and keeps you wrapped up into their life.


At one point, I wanted to give Tess a high five and a fist bump... she’s a real woman about her $&@#. She’s a true ride or die chick.

I look forward to seeing more.

Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely written by me and I am happily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Nicola Dryden.
21 reviews
August 15, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book,

I could not put down this book, the plot sooo good. The character are great and stayed true to themselves. I would suggest this book for anyone that wants a good book to read.
Profile Image for Qua'Tesha Ratliff.
300 reviews15 followers
November 16, 2019
Amazing!!

This book was so good. I couldn’t put it down! I loved Tess and Jake!!! I hope it’s a part two to this story!!
3 reviews
Read
October 19, 2019
Cliche

Very cliche, unimaginative. A waste of time. Save your self and spend your time on something else. This is not worth it
Profile Image for Jackie Bragg.
417 reviews12 followers
July 29, 2018
Love found in a unexpected way

When the book started I was feeling all Tess was feeling.. Why is he not home, is he were he say he is, and if so with whom. When she caught her cheating Husband Amiri having sex with her so called best friend Marissa, the anguish, and pain Tess was going through it was a wonder she didn't shoot anyone. In stepped Jake the Gorgeous, Rugged bountyhunter to the rescue. It took one look at Tess and he was Hooked, Line, and Sunked. And when Amiri stepped to Jake I was LMAO, Really Shani. Its was like Dick van dyke Fighting the Rock 🤣🤣🤣🤣. And what had me truly ROLLING, is when Marissa called Tess and tried to explain for the first time. She told her she was trying to clear her conscience, Tess told her:

If you are trying to clear your conscience, I suggest you find a church to join. It won’t be done through a heart to heart with me. You go girl, I feel you. Just Trifling, SMDH. And what is up with his friend Franks wife Rachel. Man is she a piece of work. I mean she is just low class, first she belittled Frank in front of Jake and Tess, plus flirted while her husband was present.. What a heifer. And the first time that Jake got a taste of taste of Tess was Explosive. Shani you have outdone yourself. The ending was amazing on how Tess Convinced Jake to sit down and have dinner with his Dad, and the sex didn't hurt either☺☺. Thank you love for giving Tess and Jake life in this phenomenal book. But what did we expect, its you💕💕💋💋💋
Profile Image for Cherryl.
2,153 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2021
What goes around comes around

Amiri Knox and Marissa Murray soon found out that what you do in the dark comes to the light and it has consequences. Once that trust was broken Tess wanted nothing to do with either of them. Trying to clear her head and mind of all that happened sent her into seclusion until Jake found her to help her out with charges brought against her. He knew from that first night of meeting Tess that she was a beautiful good person and a queen and needed to be treated as such, but her husband Amiri did not. One man's trash is another man's treasure and Jake planned on treating Tess as his treasure.

Jake was a kind hearted person who helped all those who needed help and who had no one to depend on. He knew about that life since his mother and father rejected him at birth. Tess knew what it was like to have both of her parents and missed them dearly everyday. She wanted Jake to have closure with his father and encouraged to meet him with his father came looking.

Shani wrote a story that depicts the anguish a young women went through with the aftermath of dealing with an unfaithful spouse and the betrayal of her best friend to find love again. The kind of love she wished she could have found the first time around. Now Tess and Jake have their HEA together with their family in tow.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lovins.
1,057 reviews4 followers
November 18, 2019
Second chance at love

Tess thought she married the man of her dreams. She starts to get suspicious when he is constantly working late. One night she investigated and find him and her best friend in a compromising position. Is this end of her marriage? Can she ever forgive them? Tess runs of to her family home in Alabama. Unbeknownst to her she is wanted for shooting up her soon to be ex-husband’s office. Jake a bondsman sees her in the paper and decides to track her down and try to help her. Will she let him? Will something grow between them that they are not ready for? Once I started this book I didn’t want to put it down. By the end of the book someone is going to be a billionaire, but who will it be?
Profile Image for Ka-Bee Brown.
346 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2018
What's Lost, Now Found

Jake fell head over heels for Tess when he first layed eyes on her crying her eyes out in the parking lot of his building, he tries to offered her help but she turns him down. A situation arises, and Jake seek Tess out, knowing that he can help her, and this time Tess doesn't turn him down. Jake actively pursues Tess, even though technically she still married, but Jake considers her, his already.
Profile Image for colleen.
160 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2018
I loved this book Jake and tess was a good couple loved Jake he showed tess what true love was so glad Amari and Marissa got theirs in the end they say karma is a bitch get the book people you won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Wendy Gines.
59 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2019
Be careful who you call your friend

I really enjoyed reading this book, I had something similar happen to me but after you get over the pain you show them 1that you are better off with out them, and that's what she did
Profile Image for Michelle.
889 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2018
Worth every accolade received.

I love when good things happen to anyone that was wronged. This book kept that fact strong. Tess AND Jake both deserved something good. As I stated Taken by the Billionaire was worth every accolade it received.
854 reviews3 followers
November 30, 2020
Taken by the Billionaire

Way to start a week (love blossomed out of infidelity and betrayal from the last two people expected but nothing but happiness was gained) Be careful of the seeds you plant.
Profile Image for Bree.
471 reviews33 followers
March 2, 2021
Not what I expected

So based on the title this wasn’t what I expected, but it was an entertaining read. After Tess suffers the ultimate betrayal by her husband and best friend she runs away to spend some alone time and get herself together. Enter bail bondsman Jake who wants to help her out of a situation she got herself into. From there their romance begins. This instalove was lit but I allowed it because I wanted her to get her groove back lol. That Amiri and Marissa were the WORST! Especially Marissa with that phone call! The billionaire part came in later and didn’t necessarily add to the story or detract from it. I assume it will have more of an impact on the next book.

Everything seemed to wrap up too nicely and I don’t trust that a lot of background players aren’t waiting in the shadows so we’ll see. I also loved that there weren’t any grammatical errors that I noticed which was a breath of fresh air after some of the books I’ve recently read.

Profile Image for Tracyann Boyle.
25 reviews
January 26, 2019
Good

Liked it very much. Very engaging. But more should have gone 9n with the ex husband and tess. But good.
Profile Image for Tanika.
35 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2018
Quick read

Loves the storyline and plot but, the grammatical errors took away from the story to me. Otherwise good short read.
Profile Image for Lorice DeBlanc-Brim.
1,468 reviews11 followers
July 29, 2018
It's good but could have been better.

Wow! This is a good book, don't get me wrong but it needed an editor. One minute Amiri is having an affair with Marisa the next his wife. Really confusing. The wording had me pulling my hair.
Anywho, I understand Jake's hesitance when it came to his father, money can't buy love when you abandon it. I know it will take time for Tess to forgive Marisa but really Marisa needs to give Tess some time. If it was me I wouldn't spared her any of my time on the phone listening to her side of the situation. It's not like she was going to get brownie points for her transgressions. Wrong is wrong and you can't get over it or around it. I'm glad to know that Jake didn't disappoint.
Profile Image for La Vida Rose.
605 reviews22 followers
August 14, 2018
This is my first time reading a book from Shani Greene-Dowdell and it was such a splendid experience. I am a new fan! She's a great writer and had me hooked within the first few chapters to find out how the love story between Jake and Tess unfolds. I did something different and didn't even bother reading the premise/intro for this book on Goodreads, I just jumped right in. Tess gets cheated on by her husband. It's a pretty standard tale at this point. I mean, the thing about these cheating ex stories is I think authors feel the need to really demonize the ex and that is no exception here. Tess's husband is the dirtiest of dogs. Anyway, this actually ignites in a chance meeting with bounty hunter, Jake and from the first moment he sees her, he just feels the need to protect her. Jake has a bit of a savior complex due to his past as a foster kid. But this actually makes him extremely endearing. The character of Jake is pretty much the perfect alpha-type male. I mean, even Tess jokes around and calls him caveman lol Their relationship is very sweet, passionate and adorable. Very believable that these two would be drawn to one another after what each has been through in their lives. So where does the whole billionaire thing play in all of this? Well, you'll have to read to find out, but I'll give you a hint, it's not even touched upon until the last 1/3 of the book lol So at that point, I had no idea who was the billionaire of the two; Tess or Jake? Either way, it doesn't even matter because you will have so much fun reading about how these two fall in love and reading the sexy love scenes between them, you won't care! How's that? Great book! Read this in one day! I'm excited to read more from Shani's catalogue.
Profile Image for Lisa Tetting.
Author 4 books68 followers
August 10, 2018
This novel started out with a bang, literally. The author hinted in the opening scene what was to come, but soon we find out the full fledged truth about Tess' so called best friend, only friend and only "family". Like they say, sometimes family will do you worse than a stranger.

Tess married who she thinks is the love of her life, but he who shall not be named, turns out to be a low down piece of a man. Tess suspect he is cheating so she goes to his office where is "working" late. Oh he was working all right. Tess finds him, with not only his hand, but his mouth in the cookie jar and shoots up the place.

When I tell you I lived for that scene. I am so tired of heroines whining and blubbering when faced with their husband's infidelity. I was so proud that Tess stood up for herself. She maybe should have thought about the cameras, but she was too hurt to think logically.

Jake is the epitome of hero in this novel. He comes to Tess' aid even when she refuses his help. He even comes back when he sees her husband come out to confront her. Jake was not leaving, hunty. He was making Tess his business. The man was a goner from the first glance. Jake was the ultimate protector.

I liked how the author weaved Jake and Tess' stories together, giving them a reason to reunite. Their love story is a whirlwind affair, but Jake was about the business of claiming Tess as his own. The man was persistent and had zero chill. IMO she needed more time to heal, but old boy said he would heal her aching heart and claim her soul. I loved how he cared for her and didn't let anything or anyone deter him.

I enjoyed this story very much.
696 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2018
Typical

The best part of this book was the Prologue. It went downhill from there. The story was typical of romance books. Heroine, Tess, catches husband. Amiri, with best friend, Marisa. Enter Jake, the hero who instantly falls in lust/love with Tess. A month later, he takes over her life.

The book was poorly written with underdeveloped characters. It was full of grammatical errors to the point that some sentences made no sense. The editing was none existent. It wouldn't have helped this book. The dual POV was the worst written of any book I've read. The sex scenes were laughable.

Had I read this book immediately upon buying it, I would have returned it for a refund. That's not something I do lightly. This book is not worth the time I invested which is sad because it could have been better. This goes in the delete from Kindle pile.
Profile Image for Tera L. Kirksey.
749 reviews21 followers
July 30, 2018
Taken By The Billionaire

The deceitfulness and betrayal of Tess's husband,Amiri and supposedly best friend Marissa led her to a place of never wanting to trust again. But then Jake enters the picture to show her a real man love. Will they survive?
This story was so good! I didn't expect no less from the author. Please tell me there's going to be another part.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews

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