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Masters and Mercenaries #22.5
Treasured
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…
David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.
Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South America to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing.
But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.
Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South America to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing.
But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2021
258 people are currently reading
2765 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Blake
182 books6,377 followersNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
June 21, 2021
3.5 STARS
This series can have a million books and I will never grow tired of it. Never.
Now while I love Lexi's bad@ss mercenaries, there's just something about a sexy nerd that just hits the spot. And David Hawthorne was everything I had hoped he'd be. Kyle is Sean's stepson and the exact antithesis to his brother, Kyle. Kyle is the bad@ss protector with a tortured past, but David is the handsome professor with a secret kink for dominance. He's the perfect gentleman with some hangups from his childhood that he still works through.
Tessa and he meet at a party and share an instant spark, but Tessa is gun shy after a failed engagement so she ghosts him when he tries to contact her after. Of course fate has other plans when Tessa is hired to be his bodyguard on a trip for a treasure hunt. Forced proximity at it's best here.
Now admittedly, I wasn't as interested in the treasure hunt and mystery around it. It was interesting but didn't have me totally engrossed either. I loved the romance between David and Tessa. She never sees this quiet and charismatic man coming. He's unassuming in a way but in such a way that he totally sneaks up on her. I loved watching their connection grow. I also love the addition of spending more time with Sean, and of course my favorite, Ian. Now I'm super looking forward to Kyle's book next.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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You want me to call you ‘Sir’?”
“While that would be appropriate, what we have is special, so I think we’ll use a different, special, term.”
“David, I told you. This is just sex. Maybe we shouldn’t be so…”
“Professor,” he said, ignoring her outburst. “You will call me Professor when you’re submitting.”
This series can have a million books and I will never grow tired of it. Never.
Now while I love Lexi's bad@ss mercenaries, there's just something about a sexy nerd that just hits the spot. And David Hawthorne was everything I had hoped he'd be. Kyle is Sean's stepson and the exact antithesis to his brother, Kyle. Kyle is the bad@ss protector with a tortured past, but David is the handsome professor with a secret kink for dominance. He's the perfect gentleman with some hangups from his childhood that he still works through.
Tessa and he meet at a party and share an instant spark, but Tessa is gun shy after a failed engagement so she ghosts him when he tries to contact her after. Of course fate has other plans when Tessa is hired to be his bodyguard on a trip for a treasure hunt. Forced proximity at it's best here.
Now admittedly, I wasn't as interested in the treasure hunt and mystery around it. It was interesting but didn't have me totally engrossed either. I loved the romance between David and Tessa. She never sees this quiet and charismatic man coming. He's unassuming in a way but in such a way that he totally sneaks up on her. I loved watching their connection grow. I also love the addition of spending more time with Sean, and of course my favorite, Ian. Now I'm super looking forward to Kyle's book next.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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June 17, 2021
5 Star Review of Treasured (Masters and Mercenaries #22.5) by Lexi Blake
Another great addition to one of my all time favourite series. Whenever I pick up a book by Lexi Blake I know that I am in for a captivating read and Treasured was just that. This is David Hawthorne and Tessa Santiago’s story. David is the step son of Sean Taggart and over the series we have seen him grow into a strong focused college professor. But underneath the surface there is so much more to him than he lets on.
I really love the relationship that he has with Sean, it is truly heartwarming to see the mutual respect, love and admiration they have for one another. Add in his Uncle Ian Taggart and you know that there will be some witty and snarky banter. The chemistry and passion that sizzles between David and Tessa was intense and as their relationship developed I became more and more invested.
Treasured is not a long book but it is a fast paced story filled with suspense, danger, intrigue and emotions that had me on the edge of my seat. Lexi Blake had me fully invested from the first chapter to the last and I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series.
Another great addition to one of my all time favourite series. Whenever I pick up a book by Lexi Blake I know that I am in for a captivating read and Treasured was just that. This is David Hawthorne and Tessa Santiago’s story. David is the step son of Sean Taggart and over the series we have seen him grow into a strong focused college professor. But underneath the surface there is so much more to him than he lets on.
I really love the relationship that he has with Sean, it is truly heartwarming to see the mutual respect, love and admiration they have for one another. Add in his Uncle Ian Taggart and you know that there will be some witty and snarky banter. The chemistry and passion that sizzles between David and Tessa was intense and as their relationship developed I became more and more invested.
Treasured is not a long book but it is a fast paced story filled with suspense, danger, intrigue and emotions that had me on the edge of my seat. Lexi Blake had me fully invested from the first chapter to the last and I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series.
June 23, 2021
Another great novella in the Masters and Mercenaries Series brought to us by 1,001 Dark Nights and Lexi Blake, I love this collaboration because it allows readers of the series to get stories for characters we wouldn't otherwise have and it allows new readers to the series to jump in and see what it's all about without the pressure of starting from the beginning.
In TREASURED we have David Hawthorne (hot nerd alert!, College Professor, Dom, and Stepson to Sean Taggart) who is the next generation of Taggart's and Tessa Santiago (works for McKay-Taggart and recently broke off engagement to Michael Malone). They meet by chance and have an instant connection but when Tessa figures out that David is a Taggart she ghosts him. I felt so bad for him but thankfully we don't have to wait long before fate intervenes and Tessa is assigned as his bodyguard when he travels to a private island in South America to do some research on a biography he is writing.
This book has it all...chemistry for days, tons of suspense, a great couple that you are rooting for right from the first chapter, and of course tons of Ian Taggart's words of wisdom.
If you haven't read any of the M&M series yet I highly recommend you jump in now.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an Excerpt Here - http://bit.ly/NBReviewT22
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
I also preorder a copy
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
In TREASURED we have David Hawthorne (hot nerd alert!, College Professor, Dom, and Stepson to Sean Taggart) who is the next generation of Taggart's and Tessa Santiago (works for McKay-Taggart and recently broke off engagement to Michael Malone). They meet by chance and have an instant connection but when Tessa figures out that David is a Taggart she ghosts him. I felt so bad for him but thankfully we don't have to wait long before fate intervenes and Tessa is assigned as his bodyguard when he travels to a private island in South America to do some research on a biography he is writing.
This book has it all...chemistry for days, tons of suspense, a great couple that you are rooting for right from the first chapter, and of course tons of Ian Taggart's words of wisdom.
If you haven't read any of the M&M series yet I highly recommend you jump in now.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an Excerpt Here - http://bit.ly/NBReviewT22
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**I also preorder a copy
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
June 18, 2021
I’ve always liked Sean and Ian, and I wondered how David would end up from the very beginning of this series. I wasn’t disappointed. While it was a little sad at first to see how clearly David feels he doesn’t belong, I also felt a pang at how Sean and Ian obviously both tried to connect with him. Add Tessa, an almost-was, and a need for a bodyguard to the mix and you’ve got the makings of either a disaster or the perfect opportunity to save the day in every way. I especially liked David’s low-key Dom. It was almost unexpected and that made it all the more enjoyable.
I must say, though, that Marta was my favorite. Her snark, her integral role in all of this, and her ability to hold her own against Ian and everyone else made me want to know more about her. Maybe one day I will. Until then, I was content with seeing David finally feel a connection with his family and finding happiness with Tessa. After all that they went through, they both deserved their HEA, for sure.
I must say, though, that Marta was my favorite. Her snark, her integral role in all of this, and her ability to hold her own against Ian and everyone else made me want to know more about her. Maybe one day I will. Until then, I was content with seeing David finally feel a connection with his family and finding happiness with Tessa. After all that they went through, they both deserved their HEA, for sure.
June 20, 2021
Would you believe this is the first book I have read in the Masters and Mercenaries Series well it’s not going to be the last, friends have been telling me for years to pick this series up and now I know why.
This is David Hawthorne and Tessa Santiago’s captivated tale and now I know why everyone loves the Taggart family because David is the oldest son of Grace Taggart stepson of Sean which means his uncle is Ian Taggart ( I hope I got that right). He is a history professor who also happens to be a bit of a loner but when he travels to a remote island all sorts of excitement comes into his life….
Tessa works as a body at one of the Taggart’s security companies, she is getting over a break up, she is lonely so a job on a remote island watching over a hot professor seems just about perfect.
Treasured ticked all my boxes, it was captivating with characters I fell in love with, it’s steamy with the perfect mix of suspense and passion. Looking forward t playing catch up with the previous books in the Masters and Mercenaries Series.
This is David Hawthorne and Tessa Santiago’s captivated tale and now I know why everyone loves the Taggart family because David is the oldest son of Grace Taggart stepson of Sean which means his uncle is Ian Taggart ( I hope I got that right). He is a history professor who also happens to be a bit of a loner but when he travels to a remote island all sorts of excitement comes into his life….
Tessa works as a body at one of the Taggart’s security companies, she is getting over a break up, she is lonely so a job on a remote island watching over a hot professor seems just about perfect.
Treasured ticked all my boxes, it was captivating with characters I fell in love with, it’s steamy with the perfect mix of suspense and passion. Looking forward t playing catch up with the previous books in the Masters and Mercenaries Series.
June 18, 2021
I love every chance to I get to go back to the Masters & Mercenaries world. It’s wild to me that we’re already reading the original crews kids books. We didn’t see a lot of David in the original books so I loved getting to learn more about him. He’s extremely intelligent, so sweet & I loved seeing him connect with the Taggarts. I’m so looking forward to all the books to come for the kids of McKay-Taggart.
Tessa was bullheaded, strong & I love that she had the alpha female role in this book. Protecting her professor. 😉 Although my favourite part was the treasure hunt. The clues, mystery & reward are so exhilarating & I got sucked in trying to figure it out. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of what happened at the end.
This was a great addition to the series & I can’t wait for more to come!
Tessa was bullheaded, strong & I love that she had the alpha female role in this book. Protecting her professor. 😉 Although my favourite part was the treasure hunt. The clues, mystery & reward are so exhilarating & I got sucked in trying to figure it out. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of what happened at the end.
This was a great addition to the series & I can’t wait for more to come!
June 24, 2021
Treasured is a fun little Novella with a different type of hero. When Sean Taggart’s stepson, David, meets Tessa at an anniversary party for some friends, the two become friends really quickly and make plans to meet again. But when Tessa discovers that David’s family is related to her employer, she ghosts on him. When history profssor David eplans a trip to South America to the island home of a man he admires, his family insists that he take a bodyguard with him-and Tessa is the only one available. When she explains her history with family entanglements, David realizes he still wants her-but knows he will have to be patient. And Tessa realizes that the friendly laid-back professor is a Dom who will give her what she needs. The longer they are together, the m ore they realize how well they suit. When David is kidnapped, can she push past her hang-ups to develop a relationship with the sexy professor? I loved both Tess and David. They were complex characters, who learned a lot about each other and about themselves during the course of the story. And as always, I loved Ian Taggart- and his brother. Some of the dialogue was hysterical. Not a long or complex book, but a delightful read with intriguing characters, a page turning story line, and touches of laugh out loud humor. --
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
June 18, 2021
I never get enough of returning to Lexi's M&M world and now my excitement levels are extra high that I'm getting to delve into the love lives of the children of some of my favorite characters.
David Hawthorne is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the fact that I'm not only getting Sean's advice as a father, but getting a double dose of Ian as David's uncle and Tessa's employer it was like having all the holidays bundled together all at once. Over the moon didn't even begin to describe my happiness levels.
Tessa Santiago and David Hawthorne are both rich with history within the Taggart-McKay world. Tessa was engaged to Michael Malone, the wealthy oil billionaire, and David Hawthorne is Sean Taggart's step-son. Both Michael and Sean are prominent men, which makes this story so much sweeter.
Tessa had already broken an engagement to a man who ran in the elite circle of an elite world. While the break up was amblicle between Michael and Tessa and they have remained friends, she refuses to put herself back in the position where money and social status is everything and the relationship comes second.She hated the pressure of always being "on" and living in the spotlight.
When she meets David there is an instant connection, but she doesn't connect him with the Taggart family, he has a different last name after all, but when she discovers who he actually is, she ghosts his advances. She has no desire to live in the spotlight again, but she also can't stop thinking about him.
David has never really felt that he fit in with his family, his brother Kyle is more of a Taggart and speaks his step-fathers language than he does. David is a professor and currently working on writing a biography for his tenure when Tessa is assigned as his bodyguard. It wouldn't normally be a problem, but she'd rejected his advances once and he doesn't need the rejection again, especially when he has work to do.
These two blaze with chemistry and could set the jungle on fire, but there is a mystery to solve. Could David solve the puzzles that lead to a treasure and also solve the mystery of the woman assigned to him before it's time to leave the island?
For fans of this series, there are several dropped hints to Lexi's upcoming books without giving too much away, but personally each one made me giddy. I love the 1001 Dark Night novellas for this very reason. The other joy of reading these short novellas is because new readers get a taste of an author's writing, we get introduced to new characters and while it may be part of a series, you don't necessarily need to be fully versed in the world, but just one small taste and you will want to read them all.
David Hawthorne is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the fact that I'm not only getting Sean's advice as a father, but getting a double dose of Ian as David's uncle and Tessa's employer it was like having all the holidays bundled together all at once. Over the moon didn't even begin to describe my happiness levels.
Tessa Santiago and David Hawthorne are both rich with history within the Taggart-McKay world. Tessa was engaged to Michael Malone, the wealthy oil billionaire, and David Hawthorne is Sean Taggart's step-son. Both Michael and Sean are prominent men, which makes this story so much sweeter.
Tessa had already broken an engagement to a man who ran in the elite circle of an elite world. While the break up was amblicle between Michael and Tessa and they have remained friends, she refuses to put herself back in the position where money and social status is everything and the relationship comes second.She hated the pressure of always being "on" and living in the spotlight.
When she meets David there is an instant connection, but she doesn't connect him with the Taggart family, he has a different last name after all, but when she discovers who he actually is, she ghosts his advances. She has no desire to live in the spotlight again, but she also can't stop thinking about him.
David has never really felt that he fit in with his family, his brother Kyle is more of a Taggart and speaks his step-fathers language than he does. David is a professor and currently working on writing a biography for his tenure when Tessa is assigned as his bodyguard. It wouldn't normally be a problem, but she'd rejected his advances once and he doesn't need the rejection again, especially when he has work to do.
These two blaze with chemistry and could set the jungle on fire, but there is a mystery to solve. Could David solve the puzzles that lead to a treasure and also solve the mystery of the woman assigned to him before it's time to leave the island?
For fans of this series, there are several dropped hints to Lexi's upcoming books without giving too much away, but personally each one made me giddy. I love the 1001 Dark Night novellas for this very reason. The other joy of reading these short novellas is because new readers get a taste of an author's writing, we get introduced to new characters and while it may be part of a series, you don't necessarily need to be fully versed in the world, but just one small taste and you will want to read them all.
July 2, 2021
I think what made this one so interesting is that it was with David, who has come off very standoffish through the series. He's part of the family, yet not and that is all due to him. Getting to know David better was good, he wasn't what I expected at all. Sure he's a geeky Professor by day, but man...at night he can out kink anyone. lol
I really liked the first meeting between Tessa and David, liked how they clicked and was excited for them to see where things would go. I didn't like it when Tessa put 2 and 2 together and realized who David was and how that related to herself. Hated it more when she ghosted him, the least she could do it chat with him and let him know why she was backing off.
The two of them being forced to go on David's trip ended up being a good thing. They were forced to talk about things and I liked how given the chance David took control with his sneaky DOM ways. It made for some fun times to read about.
I also liked how Tessa kept seeing that things were off around the island and how in the end she was calling the trip short to keep David safe. Of course that meant that when the bad guys moved things up, it was surprising at all. The one thing that did surprise me was who ended up helping Tessa and how these 2 worked together.
I loved the helicopter at the end, the big guns coming to save the day, too bad it had already been done. The name was a big clue as to who was on the flight.
I was glad that David figured out the treasure at the end, it was fun to see what was hidden and where. But for me the whole highlight of this book were the quiet conversations that David had with Sean and another with Ian. Those two men let David know without a doubt that they considered him family, no matter what!
I really liked the first meeting between Tessa and David, liked how they clicked and was excited for them to see where things would go. I didn't like it when Tessa put 2 and 2 together and realized who David was and how that related to herself. Hated it more when she ghosted him, the least she could do it chat with him and let him know why she was backing off.
The two of them being forced to go on David's trip ended up being a good thing. They were forced to talk about things and I liked how given the chance David took control with his sneaky DOM ways. It made for some fun times to read about.
I also liked how Tessa kept seeing that things were off around the island and how in the end she was calling the trip short to keep David safe. Of course that meant that when the bad guys moved things up, it was surprising at all. The one thing that did surprise me was who ended up helping Tessa and how these 2 worked together.
I loved the helicopter at the end, the big guns coming to save the day, too bad it had already been done. The name was a big clue as to who was on the flight.
I was glad that David figured out the treasure at the end, it was fun to see what was hidden and where. But for me the whole highlight of this book were the quiet conversations that David had with Sean and another with Ian. Those two men let David know without a doubt that they considered him family, no matter what!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is book 22.5 of the Masters and Mercenaries series - and if you have never read them, then I highly recommend you get started! This would be a fun place to start, with just enough drama, and plenty of sexy romance.
Tessa is feeling a little vulnerable now that she has called off her engagement to Michael, and her work life is a bit more complicated - hence she has been taking more overseas assignments. Then she sits in a bar and meets a guy who unsettles her, in the very best of ways. Until she finds out that he is related to her boss, and therefore completely out of bounds too. Of course fate means that they are now going on a trip together, with her as his bodyguard.
I loved the mystery of the island and the opportunity that they had to get to know each other better - even if Tessa insisted that it was only for the time they were on the island... I think we all knew that she was kidding herself, as the chemistry between her and David was off the charts. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how they assimilate into the M&M family. I did have to laugh when he explained that he did not go to Sanctum, given his Mum did, haha!
A very enjoyable catch up with the gang and a happy ending for Tessa who deserved to find the right one - even if it did knock down Charlotte's success figures.
This is book 22.5 of the Masters and Mercenaries series - and if you have never read them, then I highly recommend you get started! This would be a fun place to start, with just enough drama, and plenty of sexy romance.
Tessa is feeling a little vulnerable now that she has called off her engagement to Michael, and her work life is a bit more complicated - hence she has been taking more overseas assignments. Then she sits in a bar and meets a guy who unsettles her, in the very best of ways. Until she finds out that he is related to her boss, and therefore completely out of bounds too. Of course fate means that they are now going on a trip together, with her as his bodyguard.
I loved the mystery of the island and the opportunity that they had to get to know each other better - even if Tessa insisted that it was only for the time they were on the island... I think we all knew that she was kidding herself, as the chemistry between her and David was off the charts. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how they assimilate into the M&M family. I did have to laugh when he explained that he did not go to Sanctum, given his Mum did, haha!
A very enjoyable catch up with the gang and a happy ending for Tessa who deserved to find the right one - even if it did knock down Charlotte's success figures.
June 18, 2021
Okay, let’s be honest here, David Hawthorne, along with his brother Kyle, are the original next-gen kids of the MT world. I mean, they were in the very first book and the first family members any Taggart, Sean to be precise, had to win over. Seeing them here, together, with their Taggart kin, was a thing of beauty and gave me all the warm and fuzzies <3
David Hawthorne made me cry, there, I admit it. In the world he and his family live in, he feels he doesn’t fit in. He is intellectual in a world ex-military mercenaries. Even in his tight, incredibly close family, he feels set apart, not unloved, just not part of the crowd. He had felt this way most of his life, so it isn’t new for him, but he still feels it sharply. Tessa is sure of her place at work, much the same as David is at his work, but she feels separated by class. She is working class, came from working class, and walked away from a billionaire fiancé whose world she didn’t fit into. Tessa and David meet by accident and hit it off. Then Tessa runs scared, and then fate put them together again. Lot of doubt, figuring out oneself, and the other, and some great sexy times follow before the suspense part of this romantic suspense kicks in. Then I started to giggle and laugh, especially when the fun began when David’s family, and Tessa’s boss, attempt to rescue them after the fact. I mean, really with lines like these, how can you not chortle?
"And she would come out with a supple anus."
"Ah, misogyny, her old friend."
“You probably watched my pornographic movies. You look like the type.”
By the end of this book, I felt happy, satisfied, and comforted by how things all worked out. My only issue is I could read more about these two for a few more hours!
David Hawthorne made me cry, there, I admit it. In the world he and his family live in, he feels he doesn’t fit in. He is intellectual in a world ex-military mercenaries. Even in his tight, incredibly close family, he feels set apart, not unloved, just not part of the crowd. He had felt this way most of his life, so it isn’t new for him, but he still feels it sharply. Tessa is sure of her place at work, much the same as David is at his work, but she feels separated by class. She is working class, came from working class, and walked away from a billionaire fiancé whose world she didn’t fit into. Tessa and David meet by accident and hit it off. Then Tessa runs scared, and then fate put them together again. Lot of doubt, figuring out oneself, and the other, and some great sexy times follow before the suspense part of this romantic suspense kicks in. Then I started to giggle and laugh, especially when the fun began when David’s family, and Tessa’s boss, attempt to rescue them after the fact. I mean, really with lines like these, how can you not chortle?
"And she would come out with a supple anus."
"Ah, misogyny, her old friend."
“You probably watched my pornographic movies. You look like the type.”
By the end of this book, I felt happy, satisfied, and comforted by how things all worked out. My only issue is I could read more about these two for a few more hours!
June 22, 2021
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
I love this series, it has a little mystery, a little dom/sub action, and a lot of chemistry between Tessa and David.
David is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the son of Grace. He is a college history professor and needs a bodyguard to go with him on a trip. Tessa is that bodyguard, she met David at a party a few weeks before and the sparks between them were off the charts. She has to keep her mind on the job and not on what could happen between them.
While staying on the island of a family friend to get the information he needs to finish the book he is working on, things seem to turn. People on the island seem suspicious of Tessa but David is covering for her as they pretend she is his girlfriend.
Can they pull it off and find what he is looking for and escape the island with more than just their lives? Will Tessa give the chemistry between them a chance to grow?
This is a great addition to the Masters and Mercenaries series and I can't wait for more.
I love this series, it has a little mystery, a little dom/sub action, and a lot of chemistry between Tessa and David.
David is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the son of Grace. He is a college history professor and needs a bodyguard to go with him on a trip. Tessa is that bodyguard, she met David at a party a few weeks before and the sparks between them were off the charts. She has to keep her mind on the job and not on what could happen between them.
While staying on the island of a family friend to get the information he needs to finish the book he is working on, things seem to turn. People on the island seem suspicious of Tessa but David is covering for her as they pretend she is his girlfriend.
Can they pull it off and find what he is looking for and escape the island with more than just their lives? Will Tessa give the chemistry between them a chance to grow?
This is a great addition to the Masters and Mercenaries series and I can't wait for more.
June 22, 2021
Treasured (Masters and Mercenaries #22.5) by Lexi Blake
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Kidnapping, blackmail
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Tessa is amazing at her job. What she doesn't feel amazing at is the rest of her life. When she calls off her engagement, she knows she made the right choice, but seeing her ex-fiance at work is tough. When she needs to get away from the happy almost family, she heads to the bar. It's there that she meets Professor David.
David loves his job. He knows that his mom is happy and that also makes him happy. What he isn't thrilled about it having to take security with him in order to finish his book. But, since he doesn't want him mom to worry and knows that there isn't much danger, he relents.
While David and Tessa figure out whether or not they can make a go of their relationship off island (I mean, come on, Tessa is just kidding herself if she thinks she can turn off her attraction to David.), the mystery behind David's book and it's prior inhabitants comes to light.
With a mystery to solve and lives at stake, it'll take David's witts, Tessa's smarts and their combined strengths to figure this out.
It's a quick read with a fun story. You won't be disappointed.
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Kidnapping, blackmail
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Tessa is amazing at her job. What she doesn't feel amazing at is the rest of her life. When she calls off her engagement, she knows she made the right choice, but seeing her ex-fiance at work is tough. When she needs to get away from the happy almost family, she heads to the bar. It's there that she meets Professor David.
David loves his job. He knows that his mom is happy and that also makes him happy. What he isn't thrilled about it having to take security with him in order to finish his book. But, since he doesn't want him mom to worry and knows that there isn't much danger, he relents.
While David and Tessa figure out whether or not they can make a go of their relationship off island (I mean, come on, Tessa is just kidding herself if she thinks she can turn off her attraction to David.), the mystery behind David's book and it's prior inhabitants comes to light.
With a mystery to solve and lives at stake, it'll take David's witts, Tessa's smarts and their combined strengths to figure this out.
It's a quick read with a fun story. You won't be disappointed.
June 26, 2021
Treasured may be on the shorter side, but it still has all the great things that Lexi Blake adds to her stories but just compacted. David is a college professor who is trying to finish a book to get tenured when his life takes a surprising turn. Tessa works for his family, and somehow ends up being the one to keep David out of trouble in South America which she's not happy about. She's not interested in any sort of relationship with anyone, much less the son of her boss, but these two do have sparks flying like crazy. As she's doing her best to not get involved with his sexiness, they end up in a dangerous race for an artifact that had the twists coming in hot. To see how it all ends up, you know what to do! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 23, 2021
4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶
There could be a hundred books in this series and I would read them all. I don’t know what Lexi Blake puts into this series but now I read the new books on release day without fail! All these characters feel like home now, I loved reading about Grace’s son (who was the heroine in book 1!) and seeing how her children perceive her relationship.
With the masters and mercenaries series you are always guaranteed three things - action, steam and Ian Taggart. All three of which were very much present in this novella, I did not expect David to be as kinky as he was, no complaints here though! Bring on September for the next full length novel!!
3/5 🌶
There could be a hundred books in this series and I would read them all. I don’t know what Lexi Blake puts into this series but now I read the new books on release day without fail! All these characters feel like home now, I loved reading about Grace’s son (who was the heroine in book 1!) and seeing how her children perceive her relationship.
With the masters and mercenaries series you are always guaranteed three things - action, steam and Ian Taggart. All three of which were very much present in this novella, I did not expect David to be as kinky as he was, no complaints here though! Bring on September for the next full length novel!!
June 26, 2021
I have to admit this is one of those series that captured my heart years ago and has held it.
There is just a feeling of magic to the couples that makes them tangible and I have always gotten a kick out of the families as well - Each story is filled with characters that stay with you long after the closing scene
Tessa - Sweet Stubborn Tess
David - Smexy professor with a secret - you know that saying about the quiet ones...
A chance meeting
Instant chemistry (that kiss...)
Tessa's stubbornness
Ian's insistence (did he know?)
An island
A villainous plot
A midnight rendezvous
All the ingredients necessary for heart-pounding action, high heat romance, and naturally a HEA
Looking forward to Kyle's story
There is just a feeling of magic to the couples that makes them tangible and I have always gotten a kick out of the families as well - Each story is filled with characters that stay with you long after the closing scene
Tessa - Sweet Stubborn Tess
David - Smexy professor with a secret - you know that saying about the quiet ones...
A chance meeting
Instant chemistry (that kiss...)
Tessa's stubbornness
Ian's insistence (did he know?)
An island
A villainous plot
A midnight rendezvous
All the ingredients necessary for heart-pounding action, high heat romance, and naturally a HEA
Looking forward to Kyle's story
January 3, 2022
This was one of the best novellas in the series for me. I really liked Tessa and David and how much they just worked together and complemented each other. David not even fighting Tessa's professional judgment was great and very much appreciated. I also loved the family stuff with David and Sean, and how respectful Sean was of David and Kyle's father. Really my only complaint here is that there was plenty here for a full book and I would've liked to read more of this.
June 24, 2021
I enjoyed this quick, sweet and steamy read. It's filled with suspense and action but at the same time, it can be funny too. Tessa and David have amazing and intense chemistry. Another great addition to the series that I really enjoyed.
July 4, 2021
A hot professor
I liked this story, it was easy to read, had some action and some romance.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Well described characters
The storyline progresses nicely to a happy ending
4 stars
I liked this story, it was easy to read, had some action and some romance.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Well described characters
The storyline progresses nicely to a happy ending
4 stars
June 24, 2021
Enjoyed
I enjoyed this story but then I usually love all of Lexi's books. I loved the moment between Sean and David and the moment he was there at the end..
I enjoyed this story but then I usually love all of Lexi's books. I loved the moment between Sean and David and the moment he was there at the end..
June 25, 2021
Check out our full post for TREASURED on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book 22.5 of the Masters & Mercenaries series – and if you have never read them, then I highly recommend you get started! This would be a fun place to start, with just enough drama and plenty of sexy romance.
Tessa is feeling a little vulnerable now that she has called off her engagement to Michael, and her work life is a bit more complicated – hence, she has been taking more overseas assignments. Then she sits in a bar and meets a guy who unsettles her, in the very best of ways. Until she finds out that he is related to her boss and, therefore, completely out of bounds too. Of course, fate means that they are now going on a trip together, with her as his bodyguard.
I loved the mystery of the island and the opportunity that they had to get to know each other better – even if Tessa insisted that it was only for the time they were on the island... I think we all knew that she was kidding herself, as the chemistry between her and David was off the charts. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how they assimilate into the Masters & Mercenaries family. I did have to laugh when he explained that he did not go to Sanctum, given his mum did, haha!
A very enjoyable catch up with the gang and a happy ending for Tessa, who deserved to find the right one – even if it did knock down Charlotte's success figures.
Mary – ☆☆☆☆
I love this series, it has a little mystery, a little dom/sub action, and a lot of chemistry between Tessa and David.
David is the stepson of Sean Taggart and the son of Grace. He is a college history professor and needs a bodyguard to go with him on a trip. Tessa is that bodyguard; she met David at a party a few weeks before and the sparks between them were off the charts. She has to keep her mind on the job and not on what could happen between them.
While staying on the island of a family friend to get the information he needs to finish the book he is working on, things seem to turn. People on the island seem suspicious of Tessa, but David is covering for her as they pretend she is his girlfriend.
Can they pull it off and find what he is looking for and escape the island with more than just their lives? Will Tessa give the chemistry between them a chance to grow?
This is a great addition to the Masters & Mercenaries series and I can't wait for more.
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Hidden because they may contain spoilers.
Tessa is amazing at her job. What she doesn't feel amazing at is the rest of her life. When she calls off her engagement, she knows she made the right choice, but seeing her ex-fiancé at work is tough. When she needs to get away from the happy almost family, she heads to the bar. It's there that she meets Professor David.
David loves his job. He knows that his mom is happy and that also makes him happy. What he isn't thrilled about it having to take security with him in order to finish his book. But since he doesn't want his mom to worry and knows that there isn't much danger, he relents.
While David and Tessa figure out whether or not they can make a go of their relationship off island (I mean, come on, Tessa is just kidding herself if she thinks she can turn off her attraction to David.), the mystery behind David's book and its prior inhabitants comes to light.
With a mystery to solve and lives at stake, it'll take David's wits, Tessa's smarts, and their combined strengths to figure this out.
It's a quick read with a fun story. You won't be disappointed.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
June 22, 2021
TREASURED is the 22.5 instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES erotic, romantic suspense series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is university professor David Hawthorne, and bodyguard/security specialist Tessa Santiago’s story line. TREASURED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. David Hawthorne is the step-son of Sean Taggart.
Told from third person perspective TREASURED follows the building relationship between professor David Hawthorne, and security specialist Tessa Santiago. Tessa Santiago had been invited to her ex-fiancé’s sister’s anniversary celebration but found herself sitting in the bar with a handsome stranger. David Hawthorne stopped by for a drink at the hotel where his mother was head chef but never expected to meet the woman with whom he would fall in love. A lingering kiss lead to an exchange of numbers only for David to realize he had been ghosted by the stranger at the bar. Fast forward a few weeks wherein David, about to embark on a South American research trip discovers his extended family aka the Taggarts, has secured his protection in the guise of security specialist and McKay -Taggart employee Tessa Santiago, the woman who has starred in his fantasies and dreams. Believing Tessa wants nothing to do with our story line hero, David opts to go it alone only to be told there was a rumor of trouble on the horizon. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and David, and the potential fall-out as the rumored threats come to fruition as our couple find themselves captives of a man man in hostile territory.
Tessa Santiago thought she had found the one only to discover that David Hawthorne was related to her current employer. Having walked away from a relationship with a man whose family was rich and well connected, Tessa knew she would never be part of that wealthy lifestyle, including a possible future with our story line hero but threats to David’s life found Tessa facing the wrong end of a gun, and it would take some help from an unlikely source to rescue the man with whom she would fall in love. David Hawthorne trip to South America was to research the life and death of a South American billionaire who was ahead of the world when it came to environmental causes. David was well aware of the rumors regarding a buried treasure on the island jungle, a treasure that many people were desperate to find and recover.
The relationship between David and Tessa is a second chances, of a sorts. Tessa and David met at a bar but David never revealed his family connections, and Tessa believed she was in no position to pursue a relationship with our story line hero. David took it personally when Tessa ghosted after their night at the bar, but our heroine’s reaction and refusal to take on her latest assignment meant David was willing to go it alone, even if he had to face the danger, by himself.
Meanwhile, David is a Dom, and recognizes the submissive in Tessa Santiago.Offering a one-time only night together, Tessa quickly discovers there is more to David than the mild-manner professor of history. Shortly after their arrival, David and Tessa take their relationship to the next level only to be literally caught with their pants down. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
TREASURED is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and greed. The premise is intriguing, engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are energetic, animated and spirited.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from third person perspective TREASURED follows the building relationship between professor David Hawthorne, and security specialist Tessa Santiago. Tessa Santiago had been invited to her ex-fiancé’s sister’s anniversary celebration but found herself sitting in the bar with a handsome stranger. David Hawthorne stopped by for a drink at the hotel where his mother was head chef but never expected to meet the woman with whom he would fall in love. A lingering kiss lead to an exchange of numbers only for David to realize he had been ghosted by the stranger at the bar. Fast forward a few weeks wherein David, about to embark on a South American research trip discovers his extended family aka the Taggarts, has secured his protection in the guise of security specialist and McKay -Taggart employee Tessa Santiago, the woman who has starred in his fantasies and dreams. Believing Tessa wants nothing to do with our story line hero, David opts to go it alone only to be told there was a rumor of trouble on the horizon. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and David, and the potential fall-out as the rumored threats come to fruition as our couple find themselves captives of a man man in hostile territory.
Tessa Santiago thought she had found the one only to discover that David Hawthorne was related to her current employer. Having walked away from a relationship with a man whose family was rich and well connected, Tessa knew she would never be part of that wealthy lifestyle, including a possible future with our story line hero but threats to David’s life found Tessa facing the wrong end of a gun, and it would take some help from an unlikely source to rescue the man with whom she would fall in love. David Hawthorne trip to South America was to research the life and death of a South American billionaire who was ahead of the world when it came to environmental causes. David was well aware of the rumors regarding a buried treasure on the island jungle, a treasure that many people were desperate to find and recover.
The relationship between David and Tessa is a second chances, of a sorts. Tessa and David met at a bar but David never revealed his family connections, and Tessa believed she was in no position to pursue a relationship with our story line hero. David took it personally when Tessa ghosted after their night at the bar, but our heroine’s reaction and refusal to take on her latest assignment meant David was willing to go it alone, even if he had to face the danger, by himself.
Meanwhile, David is a Dom, and recognizes the submissive in Tessa Santiago.Offering a one-time only night together, Tessa quickly discovers there is more to David than the mild-manner professor of history. Shortly after their arrival, David and Tessa take their relationship to the next level only to be literally caught with their pants down. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
TREASURED is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and greed. The premise is intriguing, engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are energetic, animated and spirited.
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 22, 2021
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lexi Blake’s Treasured is more of her fantastic Masters and Mercenaries series. This novella is a quick read filled with her brand of romantic suspense mixed with a little D/s steam. This is David Hawthorne and Tessa’s story. As we’ve found in other stories in the series, Tessa was slated to marry Michael Malone of Malone Oil. However, their engagement fell apart when Tessa and Michael realized they were better as friends than lovers. As Tessa enters Treasured, she’s carrying the weight of guilt associated with calling off the relationship with Michael. As such, she has a huge wall built up emotionally.
David Hawthorne, the stepson of Sean Taggart, is a prolific professor who is studying an Argentinian mogul. Friends with his son, he’s heading out on his Spring Break to visit the island of this man as a way to write a biography about him. Unfortunately, he is related to a Taggart, so his family wants him protected. David and Tessa meet earlier in the story and feel deeply attracted to each other; however, Tessa realizes David’s background and believes it will be the same type of relationship as the one with Michael. She ends up ghosting him until she becomes assigned to be his bodyguard for his trip. Reticent yet required, Tessa and David journey to the island of his friend’s father only to be met eventually with danger. Will Tessa drop her walls? Will David make it out of the danger on the island?
I think it’s a requirement of a Lexi Blake book to make you work for her couples’ happy endings. Everything you love about this series is here: a keen attraction between her hero and heroine, a hero who falls fairly quickly for the heroine, a heroine who is reticent to develop a relationship with the hero but she can’t deny her attraction to him, a suspenseful story that keeps you turning the pages, and a D/s relationship between the hero and heroine that spices up the suspense of this story? There is a reason that Big Tag reminds his operatives about protection because, over and over again, Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries characters’ attractions cannot be denied. Tessa and David are more of this.
I love the complex characterization of David in this book. He struggles with his position in his family. He’s a true academic who gets lost in his work, and he’s the opposite of his persona in the bedroom. If there is one thing I love the most about Blake’s development of him is his willingness to accept Tessa as she is. This man is tenacious, and it’s wrapped in a professorial package. He sees Tessa in a way that Michael would have never been able to see her, and therefore, they are fated for each other.
The frustration of Treasured is the complications that Tessa makes for the two of them. I think Blake let Tessa sit too long in her reticence. That being said, she is a strong, independent, willful woman which is important in any story.
Overall, Treasured is the type of story you expect of Lexi Blake. It’s a quick read that has a fulfilling happily ever after for her David and Tessa.
Lexi Blake’s Treasured is more of her fantastic Masters and Mercenaries series. This novella is a quick read filled with her brand of romantic suspense mixed with a little D/s steam. This is David Hawthorne and Tessa’s story. As we’ve found in other stories in the series, Tessa was slated to marry Michael Malone of Malone Oil. However, their engagement fell apart when Tessa and Michael realized they were better as friends than lovers. As Tessa enters Treasured, she’s carrying the weight of guilt associated with calling off the relationship with Michael. As such, she has a huge wall built up emotionally.
David Hawthorne, the stepson of Sean Taggart, is a prolific professor who is studying an Argentinian mogul. Friends with his son, he’s heading out on his Spring Break to visit the island of this man as a way to write a biography about him. Unfortunately, he is related to a Taggart, so his family wants him protected. David and Tessa meet earlier in the story and feel deeply attracted to each other; however, Tessa realizes David’s background and believes it will be the same type of relationship as the one with Michael. She ends up ghosting him until she becomes assigned to be his bodyguard for his trip. Reticent yet required, Tessa and David journey to the island of his friend’s father only to be met eventually with danger. Will Tessa drop her walls? Will David make it out of the danger on the island?
I think it’s a requirement of a Lexi Blake book to make you work for her couples’ happy endings. Everything you love about this series is here: a keen attraction between her hero and heroine, a hero who falls fairly quickly for the heroine, a heroine who is reticent to develop a relationship with the hero but she can’t deny her attraction to him, a suspenseful story that keeps you turning the pages, and a D/s relationship between the hero and heroine that spices up the suspense of this story? There is a reason that Big Tag reminds his operatives about protection because, over and over again, Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries characters’ attractions cannot be denied. Tessa and David are more of this.
I love the complex characterization of David in this book. He struggles with his position in his family. He’s a true academic who gets lost in his work, and he’s the opposite of his persona in the bedroom. If there is one thing I love the most about Blake’s development of him is his willingness to accept Tessa as she is. This man is tenacious, and it’s wrapped in a professorial package. He sees Tessa in a way that Michael would have never been able to see her, and therefore, they are fated for each other.
The frustration of Treasured is the complications that Tessa makes for the two of them. I think Blake let Tessa sit too long in her reticence. That being said, she is a strong, independent, willful woman which is important in any story.
Overall, Treasured is the type of story you expect of Lexi Blake. It’s a quick read that has a fulfilling happily ever after for her David and Tessa.
June 25, 2021
5 Stars
“Like I explained before, I’m going to study you. If you let me, I’ll study you all week long.”
David has always been a bit on the outside looking in, a member of the Taggert family, but never fully accepting his place. He is the intellectual, the professor, the man who takes after his father in so many ways. Unfortunately, he has never figured out how to continue to be Hawthorne and accept Sean Taggert as his stepdad in more than just name. His younger brother even went into the military, so David truly feels as if he cannot relate to anyone from the McKay-Taggert crew. Then, he meets a woman who is beautiful, intelligent and funny, but she ghosts him and he decides to throw himself into his latest academic endeavor.
Tessa has not had it easy. She loves her family, but her job is her life. She amicably broke off an engagement to a wonderful man, who also happens to be a coworker at McKay-Taggert. While attending an anniversary party for her ex-fiancé’s brother, she wanders off to get some space and while sitting at the bar meets a sweet, respectful academic, who reminds her of her youth with two parents who were teachers. She also cannot deny he is extremely attractive and she thinks maybe she will take a chance at a date with him.
A short time later David and Tessa are thrown together by chance. She must fill in for David’s injured brother as his bodyguard on a trip to South America. Since David pursued Tessa, and she ignored his messages, after finding out who he was related to, it appears as though the entire operation could be awkward and uncomfortable for them both. Each of them come to a personal decision of how they will proceed, of course not on the same path initially. Upon arriving in South America each of them must learn to rely on the other’s expertise to stay safe. David also reveals to Tessa that he is interested in studying much more than history, and in ways she never would have expected.
Readers can expect a fast paced novella that is perfectly suited to a character we have met throughout the M&M series in bits and pieces. I loved discovering details of Grace Taggert’s family, prior to the death of her first husband and meeting Sean Taggert. David is the perfect blend of intellectual professor and intense Dom. Tessa is shown to be his perfect match as well. This couple balances one another in a way you cannot help but love and adore. Readers be prepared for a passionate, suspenseful adventure! And of course, snippets of Ian and Sean Taggert that fans have come to love end expect...true family members with a pinch of sarcasm as well!
Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
“Like I explained before, I’m going to study you. If you let me, I’ll study you all week long.”
David has always been a bit on the outside looking in, a member of the Taggert family, but never fully accepting his place. He is the intellectual, the professor, the man who takes after his father in so many ways. Unfortunately, he has never figured out how to continue to be Hawthorne and accept Sean Taggert as his stepdad in more than just name. His younger brother even went into the military, so David truly feels as if he cannot relate to anyone from the McKay-Taggert crew. Then, he meets a woman who is beautiful, intelligent and funny, but she ghosts him and he decides to throw himself into his latest academic endeavor.
Tessa has not had it easy. She loves her family, but her job is her life. She amicably broke off an engagement to a wonderful man, who also happens to be a coworker at McKay-Taggert. While attending an anniversary party for her ex-fiancé’s brother, she wanders off to get some space and while sitting at the bar meets a sweet, respectful academic, who reminds her of her youth with two parents who were teachers. She also cannot deny he is extremely attractive and she thinks maybe she will take a chance at a date with him.
A short time later David and Tessa are thrown together by chance. She must fill in for David’s injured brother as his bodyguard on a trip to South America. Since David pursued Tessa, and she ignored his messages, after finding out who he was related to, it appears as though the entire operation could be awkward and uncomfortable for them both. Each of them come to a personal decision of how they will proceed, of course not on the same path initially. Upon arriving in South America each of them must learn to rely on the other’s expertise to stay safe. David also reveals to Tessa that he is interested in studying much more than history, and in ways she never would have expected.
Readers can expect a fast paced novella that is perfectly suited to a character we have met throughout the M&M series in bits and pieces. I loved discovering details of Grace Taggert’s family, prior to the death of her first husband and meeting Sean Taggert. David is the perfect blend of intellectual professor and intense Dom. Tessa is shown to be his perfect match as well. This couple balances one another in a way you cannot help but love and adore. Readers be prepared for a passionate, suspenseful adventure! And of course, snippets of Ian and Sean Taggert that fans have come to love end expect...true family members with a pinch of sarcasm as well!
Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
June 22, 2021
Opening up a Lexi Blake Masters and Mercenaries book is a bit like coming home and being greeted by friends and family. Treasured, the newest novella from 1001 Dark Nights, hits all the marks. There’s romance and suspense, a visit with the Taggarts, and a big dose of Ian Taggart’s sarcasm, which seems like a necessity for me!
What makes Treasured standout is the main characters. David Hawthorne is Sean Taggart’s stepson, but as an academic, he never felt like he fit in with the rest of the military-minded family. Throw in his concern that his dead father has been all but forgotten has kept David at arm’s length. McKay/Taggart bodyguard Tessa Santiago was once engaged to Michael Malone, an operative for McKay/Taggart. When they mutually decided to part ways, Tessa was left feeling like an outsider. Convinced that she would never get involved with a co-worker again, Tessa balks when Ian tags her to watch over David on a research trip in South America. The problem? Tessa and David had met weeks ago and immediately had a connection. When Tessa found out who he was, she ghosted him. While Tessa fears this particular job, David sees it as an opportunity to win her over.
Their romance is sweet and sexy, as expected. What I loved was the outsider-looking-in perspective we get with David and Tessa. Honestly, I didn’t know I needed to see how Grace Hawthorne Taggart’s sons had managed after she drove into the sunset with Sean, but I did. I almost felt bad that I never considered what David and his brother, Kyle, went through when Grace remarried. David’s struggle to fit in was a bit heartbreaking. As the ex-fiancée of a MT operative, Tessa believed that she had to set limits on her professional relationships in order to avoid any awkwardness. So, here we have two outsiders that don’t realize how much their wanted by those that avoid.
Their story is touching. It’s also pure Lexi Blake romantic suspense with a side of BDSM. The unassuming professor David as a Dom? Bring the fire extinguisher because you will need it.
Thank you to the author for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
What makes Treasured standout is the main characters. David Hawthorne is Sean Taggart’s stepson, but as an academic, he never felt like he fit in with the rest of the military-minded family. Throw in his concern that his dead father has been all but forgotten has kept David at arm’s length. McKay/Taggart bodyguard Tessa Santiago was once engaged to Michael Malone, an operative for McKay/Taggart. When they mutually decided to part ways, Tessa was left feeling like an outsider. Convinced that she would never get involved with a co-worker again, Tessa balks when Ian tags her to watch over David on a research trip in South America. The problem? Tessa and David had met weeks ago and immediately had a connection. When Tessa found out who he was, she ghosted him. While Tessa fears this particular job, David sees it as an opportunity to win her over.
Their romance is sweet and sexy, as expected. What I loved was the outsider-looking-in perspective we get with David and Tessa. Honestly, I didn’t know I needed to see how Grace Hawthorne Taggart’s sons had managed after she drove into the sunset with Sean, but I did. I almost felt bad that I never considered what David and his brother, Kyle, went through when Grace remarried. David’s struggle to fit in was a bit heartbreaking. As the ex-fiancée of a MT operative, Tessa believed that she had to set limits on her professional relationships in order to avoid any awkwardness. So, here we have two outsiders that don’t realize how much their wanted by those that avoid.
Their story is touching. It’s also pure Lexi Blake romantic suspense with a side of BDSM. The unassuming professor David as a Dom? Bring the fire extinguisher because you will need it.
Thank you to the author for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
August 26, 2021
I know that this is really strange, but my initial reason for buying this book was the intro at the end of the last one. David talking to his sister, who has been ‘shamed’ by school ‘friends’ about who she loves.
We all know that Carys, Tristan and Aiden have been an item since they were children and I wanted to double check that it was these two young lads that she was still ‘involved’ with. I really do hope that we see them in the future happy together.
Having said that, I really did enjoy this book. There was no real angst between Tessa and David other than her internal monologue about why she could not be with him, which I thought was a bit weak. She states that
She couldn’t go through another relationship that involved work. Work was all she had.But if as she then states,
The good news was she rarely ever worked with Kyle, and David Hawthorne didn’t frequent McKay-Taggart circles.So, for me it seemed to be just a plot device to add a bit of tension to the story, which was a shame, cos I did not think it really needed it.
It was sad that David felt the odd one out in his family and I loved how that all turned out. Ian's conversation with David where Ian yet again demonstrates his insensitivity to other people’s feelings (not), and let’s not even talk about David and Sean’s conversation.
Damn, the Taggart brothers seemed determined to get him emotional today.Tell me about it (😢hanky in hand). Ms Blake can certainly write a scene.
But the best bit for me was David, though a strong Dom, knew his woman’s strength. Possible spoiler
Brill
June 23, 2021
History professor David Hawthorne never quite felt like he fit in with his new family once his mom Grace married Sean. He is good as a tutor or a shoulder to cry on, but he doesnt fit in with the Taggarts. And, he has baggage. What if he isn't good enough? Maybe he is only good as a starter husband since he is often compared to his father and Grace found an amazing love again with Sean after his dad passed away.
Tessa Santiago could have had it all, but broke off her engagement to Michael Malone, oil heir and coworker. What if she isn’t meant for love and only for taking bullets? She never felt like she fit into Michael’s world surrounded by those with more money than she could ever dream of earning.
David and Tessa meet unexpectedly and hit it off. But, when Tessa realizes David's connections to the Taggarts, she ghosts him without explanation. Now David needs protection on a historical trip to South America and Tessa is assigned as his close cover bodyguard. David is brilliant but too trusting. Tessa is definitely distracted by David. And, because this is a Lexi Blake book, nothing is as it seems and all hell breaks loose!
I adored David! He is more Taggart than he thinks. I love how Sean connects with him once he finally lets it happen. David is so intelligent, so determined, and so in love with Tessa! And, he’s kinky! A spanker and a cuddler. Tessa has her own emotional baggage and pitfalls but is still a badass.She is absolutely perfect for David. And, her inner thoughts as they played, . . . so fun and sexy with their new shared kink!
This book was classic Lexi Blake! Sean was fantastic and readers will enjoy some of the best Ian moments in a while. Treasured was pure magic and Masters and Mercenaries at its finest!
Action. Suspense. Romance. Kink. Sarcasm. And, a treasure hunt! What more could readers ask for? 5 stars
Tessa Santiago could have had it all, but broke off her engagement to Michael Malone, oil heir and coworker. What if she isn’t meant for love and only for taking bullets? She never felt like she fit into Michael’s world surrounded by those with more money than she could ever dream of earning.
David and Tessa meet unexpectedly and hit it off. But, when Tessa realizes David's connections to the Taggarts, she ghosts him without explanation. Now David needs protection on a historical trip to South America and Tessa is assigned as his close cover bodyguard. David is brilliant but too trusting. Tessa is definitely distracted by David. And, because this is a Lexi Blake book, nothing is as it seems and all hell breaks loose!
I adored David! He is more Taggart than he thinks. I love how Sean connects with him once he finally lets it happen. David is so intelligent, so determined, and so in love with Tessa! And, he’s kinky! A spanker and a cuddler. Tessa has her own emotional baggage and pitfalls but is still a badass.She is absolutely perfect for David. And, her inner thoughts as they played, . . . so fun and sexy with their new shared kink!
This book was classic Lexi Blake! Sean was fantastic and readers will enjoy some of the best Ian moments in a while. Treasured was pure magic and Masters and Mercenaries at its finest!
Action. Suspense. Romance. Kink. Sarcasm. And, a treasure hunt! What more could readers ask for? 5 stars
June 28, 2021
I adored this book
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are no grammatical or editorial errors.
I do have a couple of criticisms, the first is concerning the plotline so ***potential plot spoiler alert** at the start of the book there is speculation over a string of bad instances in the world of Top, that there is more to them than coincidence. That's just left hanging, no further mention despite the dark web rumours of kidnap, and the faces behind David's situation are also left hanging.
These are supposedly the ones orchestrating David's original kidnap but Tag either knows nothing about the backstory or the author forgot about the plot devices.
I dislike an author planting red herrings and it's not like Lexi Blake to do so, which leads me to wonder if the plotline got lost a little along the way.
I always enjoy Lexi's stories, but I gave four stars because parts of the book felt rushed, and other parts felt unfinished.
As ever, the characterisation is outstanding, we have moved along fifteen years or so since meeting David and Kyle Hawthorne, Grace's sons from her first husband, and I'm fairly certain BOTH sons went into the Navy yet in this book only Kyle did.
I don't mind a little leeway for the sake of the story but I can't stand it when an established history is rewritten.
I did enjoy the storyline, but did feel David's naivete was overplayed a little, and I thought Tessa wasn't as aware as a seasoned ex military bodyguard at the top of her game working for a premier company would be.
However, it's all about the romance and you get pages and pages of excellent romantic thriller with some kinky sex scenes and some swearing.
I will certainly recommend the book especially to existing fans of the Masters and Mercenaries series, and for those new to the author I would advise starting the series at the very beginning to obtain the best reading experience.
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are no grammatical or editorial errors.
I do have a couple of criticisms, the first is concerning the plotline so ***potential plot spoiler alert** at the start of the book there is speculation over a string of bad instances in the world of Top, that there is more to them than coincidence. That's just left hanging, no further mention despite the dark web rumours of kidnap, and the faces behind David's situation are also left hanging.
These are supposedly the ones orchestrating David's original kidnap but Tag either knows nothing about the backstory or the author forgot about the plot devices.
I dislike an author planting red herrings and it's not like Lexi Blake to do so, which leads me to wonder if the plotline got lost a little along the way.
I always enjoy Lexi's stories, but I gave four stars because parts of the book felt rushed, and other parts felt unfinished.
As ever, the characterisation is outstanding, we have moved along fifteen years or so since meeting David and Kyle Hawthorne, Grace's sons from her first husband, and I'm fairly certain BOTH sons went into the Navy yet in this book only Kyle did.
I don't mind a little leeway for the sake of the story but I can't stand it when an established history is rewritten.
I did enjoy the storyline, but did feel David's naivete was overplayed a little, and I thought Tessa wasn't as aware as a seasoned ex military bodyguard at the top of her game working for a premier company would be.
However, it's all about the romance and you get pages and pages of excellent romantic thriller with some kinky sex scenes and some swearing.
I will certainly recommend the book especially to existing fans of the Masters and Mercenaries series, and for those new to the author I would advise starting the series at the very beginning to obtain the best reading experience.
June 24, 2021
Another 5 STARS for Lexi Blake!
David and Kyle are truly the first next-gen in the rebooted series, we just had to wait until book 21.5.
David is all grown up from that young college aged kid we met in book 1. He's a mix of sweet, nerdy millennial and sexy hot Dom. He's not your typical Sanctum Dom full of military types from Ian's crew (but Kyle is and I can't wait for his story since there's been a healthy dose of Kyle hints from Submission Impossible and this book, Treasured.) This guy definitely has some leftover issues about his dad who died and also feeling left out of the 'inner circle' since he's a college professor.
Tessa is also mentioned in Hutch's book and recently broken up with Michael Malone (dare we hope he has his own love connection in a future book? 🙏🙏) She is a confident and put together bad ass team member of Ian's spin off company, Close Cover. However, her confidence in the romance department has taken hit since breaking things off with Michael.
They both happen to meet at Topped during a party and hit it off, but Tessa is gun shy and ghosts him. Thinking she dodged a cupid connection bullet, she ends up being his bodyguard.
They end up in a forced proximity situation on an Island and Tessa finds out her good guy, vanilla professor is actually a freak in the sheets and a certified Dom at The Club (because, eww, he can't get kinky at Sanctum while his mom and Sean are there!)
Love that 1001 Dark Nights shines a spotlight on an author's series and gives the reader a glimpse of what makes the books so special and unforgettable.
Treasured was a perfect blend of Lexi's intrigue and romance and I have already pre-ordered the audio because I love Ryan West narrating these books!
David and Kyle are truly the first next-gen in the rebooted series, we just had to wait until book 21.5.
David is all grown up from that young college aged kid we met in book 1. He's a mix of sweet, nerdy millennial and sexy hot Dom. He's not your typical Sanctum Dom full of military types from Ian's crew (but Kyle is and I can't wait for his story since there's been a healthy dose of Kyle hints from Submission Impossible and this book, Treasured.) This guy definitely has some leftover issues about his dad who died and also feeling left out of the 'inner circle' since he's a college professor.
Tessa is also mentioned in Hutch's book and recently broken up with Michael Malone (dare we hope he has his own love connection in a future book? 🙏🙏) She is a confident and put together bad ass team member of Ian's spin off company, Close Cover. However, her confidence in the romance department has taken hit since breaking things off with Michael.
They both happen to meet at Topped during a party and hit it off, but Tessa is gun shy and ghosts him. Thinking she dodged a cupid connection bullet, she ends up being his bodyguard.
They end up in a forced proximity situation on an Island and Tessa finds out her good guy, vanilla professor is actually a freak in the sheets and a certified Dom at The Club (because, eww, he can't get kinky at Sanctum while his mom and Sean are there!)
Love that 1001 Dark Nights shines a spotlight on an author's series and gives the reader a glimpse of what makes the books so special and unforgettable.
Treasured was a perfect blend of Lexi's intrigue and romance and I have already pre-ordered the audio because I love Ryan West narrating these books!
August 30, 2021
I started out giving this book four stars but had to move it down to three. There were too many things that were lacking.
* How did the book make you feel?: I enjoyed this story. It was entertaining. The suspense was good. I took a break from the Thieves series because it doesn't have any BDSM within the stories. I was missing that aspect of Lexi's books. So I decided to read Treasured and then finish the Thieves series. Although it does have some BDSM, there was very little.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: The last few books I've read have been in the first person POV. This book was told from the POV of the main characters. It was nice to get back to this type of writing. I once again could really feel a connection with the main characters when the story is told this way.
* What did you think about the main characters?: David was surprising. You first see the professor but are given much more. I loved his perseverance. Kelsey was kind of annoying. There was too much whining for how short the book was. Maybe if there wasn't so much whining the book could have had more depth and be just as long.
* What did you think about the ending?: The story ended abruptly, it didn't feel complete. I was so disappointed.
* What is your impression of the author?: I love Lexi Blake. I'm working on reading everything she has written and I am close to be done, which is depressing. I highly suggest everyone read Lexi Blake's books.
I saw these questions on another reviewers post and thought I'd use them.
Serial Romance Librarian
* How did the book make you feel?: I enjoyed this story. It was entertaining. The suspense was good. I took a break from the Thieves series because it doesn't have any BDSM within the stories. I was missing that aspect of Lexi's books. So I decided to read Treasured and then finish the Thieves series. Although it does have some BDSM, there was very little.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: The last few books I've read have been in the first person POV. This book was told from the POV of the main characters. It was nice to get back to this type of writing. I once again could really feel a connection with the main characters when the story is told this way.
* What did you think about the main characters?: David was surprising. You first see the professor but are given much more. I loved his perseverance. Kelsey was kind of annoying. There was too much whining for how short the book was. Maybe if there wasn't so much whining the book could have had more depth and be just as long.
* What did you think about the ending?: The story ended abruptly, it didn't feel complete. I was so disappointed.
* What is your impression of the author?: I love Lexi Blake. I'm working on reading everything she has written and I am close to be done, which is depressing. I highly suggest everyone read Lexi Blake's books.
I saw these questions on another reviewers post and thought I'd use them.
Serial Romance Librarian
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