Book Review: Strip Search (Sexy Capers #2) by Shayla Black

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Strip Search
Sexy Capers #2
By:  Shayla Black
Published:  Nov. 5, 2013
Publisher:  Berkley Romance
Source:  Publisher
Mature Content: 18 & Up


GR's Summary:

If the Feds want to nail a Mafia kingpin, they need a trap. Enter Mark Sullivan, totally built for the job-to go undercover as a male stripper in the mobster's Vegas club. The club's owner, Nicki, is an unexpected perk. But Mark and Nicki have more in common than sizzling sexual chemistry. They each have their share of secrets, and with the mob closing in, what gets exposed is as irresistible as it is dangerous.

 My Take on this Journey:

Strip Search, by Shayla Black, was a phenomenal and titillating novel.  Nicki DiStephano is the main character of this thriller/suspense/romance novel.  Nicki has been on her own since her parents dies and her uncle, Pietro, is the head of the Gamalini mafia ring, but she doesn't know it.  Nicki is frustrated because she has sunk all her money into a strip joint and her uncle helped bank role her, so now he thinks he can do what he wants.  He puts one of his goons, Blade Bocelli, in as an accountant, and Nicki is hard pressed to get rid of him, but women have to keep their mouths closed and know their place in the family.  Nicki has a knockout, half sister, named Lucia, a very intelligent professor home for the summer.  Nicki wants to get rid of Bocelli, but the only way out of the situation is to first pay her uncle back. 

Mark Sullivan owns an undercover investigation agency with his brother in law, Rafe.  They are doing a job for the feds, and have to bring down a thug with connections to the mafia, Blade Bocelli.  In order to do this, Mark, must act as if he is a stripper to infiltrate the business and find out who is laundering money and where it's going through the strip joint.  Mark used to be married, and his wife, Tiffany, destroyed his life, setting him up for embezzlement and prison.  The man that helped bring him down was Blade Bocelli, and now he is in this job deep for the ultimate pay back.  He has never been the same again once he found out Tiffany never really loved him, and he was just a patsy for her greed.  Mark got cleared, with the help of his sister, Kerry, left Florida for New York, and never looked back.  He has had a tough life, including the death of his parents, the loss of Kerry for three years to foster care, stage two melanoma, and chemo therapy.  Mark eventually petitioned to get Kerry back and they were very close from that point on.  He has a lot of one night stands, but never repeats, till him and Nicki get together, and both have an undeniable attraction to each other. 

Bocelli was a voyeur, waiting around every corner.  Always lurking and giving Nicki the creeps.  She tried to stay clear of him as much as possible.  He was definitely attracted to her little sister Lucia, and that was a problem for Nicki.  Mark and Nicki begin a mutual sexual relationship, but every time Nicki thinks that they are getting closer, Mark is long gone once the deed is done.  Mark has a lot of conflict, and trust issues due to his past experience with Tiffany, and he never wants to fall prey to another woman.  He over analyzes everything.  Mark just needs to earn Nicki's trust, which she has a hard time doing also, so he can get a chance at doing the books for her to see what is really going on.  Does Nicki know what is going on?  Is she part of the illegal crime going on?  Is she outsmarting and outwitting Mark like Tiffany did?  Will Mark find the answers before someone kills Nicki or him in the balance for power?  These are all questions the reader will find themselves asking.

This novel was fantastic!!!  It was fast paced, non stop action, near death accidents, coincidences or not, and the hottest...swoon worthy...love scenes ever!  Mark is some yummy eye candy on a stick, and it takes a beauty like Nicky a whole lot of time and effort to melt the ice around this man's heart.  Ms. Black has just made it to the top of my list for sexy and erotic novels.

I give Strip Search, by Shayla Black 4 Intriguing, Scary, Enticing, Swoon Worthy Stars!!!

My Favorite Quotes:

"His voice was like warm honey, sliding down her skin, seeping inside her.  Addictive, powerful-like she suspected the rest of him could be."  

"The kiss shouted desire, his intent to touch her all over, even as it claimed.  She'd been kissed  plenty...but not quite like this.  'You look beautiful with your lips all red and swollen.  I can't wait to see how the rest of you looks in that state,' he whispered.  Then his mouth found hers again.  His slow invasion  made her toes curl, as he licked her lips, enticing her to part them."  

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About Shayla Black:

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat…but if you still want to know, read below.

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 30 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print, electronic, and audio 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’s work has been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

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

Have something to say? Contact Shayla or visit her on her Facebook page.

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