Saturday, March 28, 2015

His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9) by Shayla Black


Racing against time, NSA Agent Joaquin Muñoz is searching for a little girl who vanished twenty years ago with a dangerous secret. Since Bailey Benson fits the profile, Joaquin abducts the beauty and whisks her to the safety of Club Dominion—before anyone can silence her for good.

At first, Bailey is terrified, but when her captor demands information about her past, she’s stunned. Are her horrific visions actually distant memories that imperil all she holds dear? Confined with Joaquin in a place that echoes with moans and breathes passion, he proves himself a fierce protector, as well as a sensual Master who’s slowly crawling deeper in her head…and heart. But giving in to him might be the most delicious danger of all.

Because Bailey soon learns that her past isn’t the only mystery. Joaquin has a secret of his own—a burning vengeance in his soul. The exposed truth leaves her vulnerable and wondering how much about the man she loves is a lie, how much more is at risk than her heart. And if she can trust him to protect her long enough to learn the truth.

 4 Sexy Suspenseful Stars
His to Take is a standalone novel and is part of the Wicked Lovers series.  I started this series years ago. I read Wicked Ties and Decadent. I enjoyed both books.  I don’t usually skip around in series, but I wanted to see how much Shayla’s Black’s writing has changed.
Just like me, tastes do change. I love my sexy reads, but I’m into suspenseful plots lately and His to Take hit the mark for me.
I think a lot of the disappointment in some of the negative reviews steams from readers expecting an erotic novel. His to Take isn’t overly steamy, but there’s plenty of sex to keep any reader happy.  Let’s just say there are chapters of just sex.
Joaquin and Bailey
Joaquin’s bestie dies and Joaquin wants to avenge his death. His friend’s death is linked to Bailey’s well-being. Joaquin must protect Bailey before the killer kidnaps and tortures Bailey to death.
Joaquin is kind of like that loner hardcore sexy broody Hero. He doesn’t keep ties to anyone and he doesn’t have any friends, well except for the one that got killed. He’s main objective is to keep Bailey safe until he can track the killer.
Bailey is a ballerina.  She has a traumatic past, but the trauma caused her to block it from her memory. She has reoccurring dreams of herself as a child, but doesn’t know where it comes from.
Joaquin kidnaps Bailey. I know, totally funny and 100% cute. Joaquin thinks it’s easier to kidnap Bailey, instead of reasoning with her and explaining the situation. Bailey later wakes up and is bound to the bed and is wondering what is going on.
I really enjoyed Joaquin and Bailey’s interaction. I liked that she just wants to go home, but she’s crazy attracted to Joaquin.  Joaquin just wants to have sex with Bailey, but he knows he needs to deal with the main problem. Finding the killer. 
Other Plots
Joaquin believes Bailey is more than just the killer’s target and tries very hard to get Bailey to remember her past so they can get clues to finding the killer. I think some readers found this difficult to read, but I really enjoyed these parts. I wanted to know more about Bailey’s past, like where did she come from, who is after her, why can’t she remember?
Throughout the whole book there’s tension with Joaquin and Bailey and also the killer getting closer to Bailey.
I’m not aware of the past characters, but a lot of the character from the previous books interact and are a focal point in His to Take. I really enjoyed this and it didn’t take away from my reading experience. I’m actually going back and I’m going to read the series so I can read their stories.  There’s some light BDSM scenes and as a hardcore dark reader, I was perfectly connect with this.
He kissed like a man who knew how to make a woman melt. He spanked like a Dom who had a point to make. He was insistent. Sure of himself. He was nothing like any of the boys she knew.
I found it cute what a novice Joaquin was.  It made me smile reading how new both Joaquin and Bailey are new to the BDSM world.
Overall, I enjoyed His to Take. I found it a touch suspenseful, sexy and fairly entertaining. I’m a fan of the series.


Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the national bestselling author of 40+ sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla has won or placed in over a dozen writing contests, including Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. Romantic Times has awarded her Top Picks, a KISS Hero Award and a nomination for Best Erotic Romance of 2007.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every book.



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