Desire

Dark Christmases #2

by Z.L. Arkadie

Christmas is over, the new year has begun, and I still can’t get Jasper Christmas out of my system. Here he is in my life once again. I don’t know if he’s playing me or if he’s genuinely falling in love with me. As a top investigative reporter, I have to keep my head in the game. The Christmases secrets are dark indeed and each discovery more unbelievable than the former. If only Jasper Christmas would go away. His desire for me is insatiable as is mine for him. And then the one story that could destroy the Christmases forever falls into my lap.

Genres: Romance

252 pages, ebook

Published February 26, 2019

About the author

Z.L. Arkadie is stepping into a new era of emotionally rich, upmarket romance that sweeps you away and thrills your heart in the best possible way. Her upcoming stories promise the kind of passion, longing, and intensity that pull you out of the everyday and into something unforgettable. For readers who crave stories that ache, soar, and stay with you—this is where it begins.

Reviews

[deannaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is seriously addictive. Z.L. Arkadie keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire series. Once you start reading you will not be able to put this book down. There was only a few more layers of Jasper revealed in this book. Jasper and Holly still have chemistry of epic proportions but he still will not let her in. He is so frustrating!! Holly keeps investigating the Christmases, it's in her nature to find out what they are hiding, she is in too deep now to turn away. But she still has faith in Jasper, go figure. I guess the heart knows what the brain cannot process yet. I can't wait to read the last book. I am chopping at the bit to find out what happens next. Intriguing, suspenseful, alluring and fantastic book. Definitely a must read!!

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... Wow... Curve ball Thrown...Desire

This book 📖📚 is definitely intriguing. The twists and turns Z L. Arkadie has me feeling. This book 📚 is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. I don't really know how to really describe this second book, but I am definitely pulling for Jasper Christmas and Holly Henderson, even though it seems just when I think 🤔 they are going to work it out something happens. Arthur Valentine is one determined wealthy old man who thinks he is still living in the roaring twenties or something. I still don't understand how Jasper is going to get out of what Arthur must feel the Christmases owe him. I actually got scared for Holly at one point. I feel like this story is a little rushed but I am still Interested.

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Holly delved deeper into the mystery of Randolph Christmas and his family, she realized that his story was filled with secrets upon secrets and none of them good.
Her love affaire with Jasper was equally disturbing as he refused to give her straight answers and remained enigmatic and vague all the while professing his devotion to her. I empathized with Holly as Arthur Valentine had a huge unnatural hold over Jasper and the marriage to his daughter Julia was still on.
I loved Holly’s strength of character throughout the entire story even though she was habitually weak when it came to her attraction and passion for Jasper.
Fast paced with intrigue and mystery in every step as Holly delved deeper into the dirty past of the Christmases.
This cat and mouse story had me guessing from start to finish. Just who can Holly trust? She was surrounded by friends and colleagues who had hidden agendas and suspicious motives.
The only thing that’s inconsistently constant is Jasper’s intensity for her.
Another doozy of a cliffy at the end of this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shirley Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this very intriguing and exciting story. I really love Jasper even though he is very secretive and really not telling Holly his plans regarding Julia and the board of directors and executives. He is protecting Julia from Arthur (very bad man) Valentine but he is not telling her everything. Plenty more questions than answers and I keep falling off the edge of my chair with the anticipation and fanning myself like a Victorian maid with the hot sex between Jasper and Holly. I do wish he wouldn't keep disappearing like he does which really p****s Holly off. A super seconf book and can't wait to have all the questions answered in book 3.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well the title of this book caught my attention and wow did it not disappoint. This book held my attention and I just could not put it or the others that follow down. I read all three in two days. I was just hooked. Each book ends in a sort of cliff hanger moment which keeps you motivated to read the next one. The characters are really intense and there is a lot of mystery and deception. You will be surprised at the skeletons in the closet in these books.

Overall these books are addictive and highly recommended reads. They have lots of triggers that readers should be aware of like: kidnapping, prostitution, abuse both physical and mental, pedophilia, rape, etc. It is not a light read. It is very dark with very scary situations. I am totally in love with Holly and Jasper.

[Joan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you spell POSSESSIVE? Holly wanted to move on even though it was extremely hard. Jasper would show up from out of nowhere. He really wanted to protect her and to keep her safe, but he also had alternative motives. Holly was his drug of chose. He was tormented by his father (including his brothers and sister). Jasper was mentally strong handling the bad treatments his father installed on him because he would not turn out like him. The father was able to turn Jaspers brothers into sex addicts. Jasper was not used to someone treating him like he was very important and loved and to deal with his strong sexual needs. I'm really enjoying this trilogy.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like this series could have been 2 books, lump more into each of the 2 books ...not sure why it was stretched into 3??! i don't like how passive Jasper is with Holly, the saying is he wants his cake and eat it to, i think that is the saying??! ...do men and ladies treat each other like this when they are intimately (shared each other's uglies, LOL!!) involved like this??! hoping that book 3 pulls it all together, i am curious what the older verion of these looks like ...what did the author change??! i don't get it?? book 3 i started and it says that the author has gone in and change this or that??! where? curious.

[Kylie Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed with the second book compared to the first book. There was so much mystery in the first book and it left on a real cliff hanger. I expected the whole book to be about the journey to finding Bryn but it was hardly about that at all. By the end I just couldn’t wait for it to be over. I felt like screaming, okay we get it they have a lot of sex but get back to the mystery. I will still read the third book in due time even though I didn’t like the second very much but am definitely going to take a break before jumping in. I’m eager to know the rest of the story with Brynn.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly is in deep with the mystery that is the Christmas family.

Christmas is over and it’s two weeks later. Holly is a mess but still investigating the Christmas family and the mystery of Bryn.

Jasper only gives Holly crumbs. Is he going to marry Julia?
He’s cryptic in his communication to Holly and still she has faith in him.

Told in first person from Holly’s POV.
Ends in a dozy of a cliffhanger.
Recommend

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance between Holly and Jasper heats up, they admit their love to one another. I really don't like Holly's friend Kylie, don't understand why Holly is telling her things and letting her undermine what she knows about Jasper. What is Kylie hiding and how does it impact on the Christmases? Waiting for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot keeps twisting and more and more questions need to be answered. Following on from the first book in this series, Holly is still investing the Christmases and trying to get to the bottom of how their family is made up. Jasper is an enigma and I want to know all the secrets he is keeping for his family. This ends on a cliffhanger and has you wanting more. Can’t wait for the next book

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What just happened? The steamy sex scenes are still there but the danger, secrets and nail-biting tension are what keeps Book 2 hard to put down. The plot thickens and I just really need to read Book 3 to see how it all connects. Who to trust? [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]

[Mary Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t started this series, this is a must do! If your interests are danger, intrigue, mystery, and steamy romance, this is the series to read. The only thing I missed was the dysfunctional siblings. I hope they are in the final book of this series. Absolute terrific read!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Brostek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy Dark Mystery/Romance!
Compelling story that just keeps getting better. What a convoluted mess of lies, deceptions, intrigues, and suspenseful drama involving the Christmas and Valentine family secrets. Still no HEA for Holly and Jasper with twisted ending. Anxiously awaiting the next book. Enjoy!

I received an arc copy and am happy to leave my honest review.

[Corinne Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire

Holy cow! I have not figured this one out yet, but it’s intriguing as heck!! I have found that I am seriously into this storyline between the Christmases and the Valentines - and all the drama going between Holly and Jasper has my head spinning! The way this book ended, I need to find out what’s going to happen next immediately!! I loved this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lesley Badham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to agree with the (review form deannaf)

This series is seriously addictive. Z.L. Arkadie keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire series. Once you start reading you will not be able to put this book down. This book is definitely intriguing. The twists and turns from Jasper. Arthur Valentine is so determined to get to Jasper.

[Valerie Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need change in the will he, won't he narrative

Continuing to enjoy this series except for Holly's wishy washyness. The story is going great, didn't need her so influenced by others. She could've used some trust and he could've given more reason to. I wish authors wouldn't use the jealous girlfriend so much

[Sammie Shorter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Agaiin, so many questions, but one thing is certain, Raymond Christmas was a depraved soul. There seems to be no end to his depravity. Looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

[Cindy Rippentrop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace under Fire

The heat is turned up in the 2nd book of this trilogy. There are way more questions than answers and twists and turns abound thrusting you toward the answers promised in book 3.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bet Holly feels like a hamster on a wheel

This is the middle part of the story. There was a lot of nothing going on. For every step forward, the author kicked the story two steps back. Holly is not making as much sense to me anymore. Hope the third book is better.

[Alyssa Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense again! Can’t wait to read the 3rd book about Jasper and Holly! Ended on a cliff hanger but I have the 3rd book ready to read! Loved it! So much suspense, emotion, weird characters and tones of different plots to tie together.

[Aleesha Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book, I wish it would have been longer and that the situations between them had more conflict and slow burn to them but other than that I loved this book and can't wait to read the third. I would give this 4.5 stars.

[Marcia Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I found this series on Facebook the first book was free. Now I am hooked on Jasper and Holly. As the secrets unfold it keeps getting better.

[Candee Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Pete Woollven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant absolutely loved this book couldn't put it down superb will read more from this author well written and a great cast of characters

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the first book, the writing was horrible in spots. But the book over all was a little better than the first.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book! This story is completely addictive. Where can I meet my Jasper?

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire

Holy Hell this series is good. Full of intrigue, now I just have to read on. What the hell is this big bad family secret!

[minda2galangatt.net · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Book 1 but so much mystery so I bought Book 2 expecting the mystery wil be solved but I was disappointed it's almost the same story though there's some twist in the story but I just gave up and lost my interest in finding the ending.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to see where the story went and this book was better then the first.