A Desperate Man
Volume 2
by
Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
Pub
February 17th 2015
By
Authors Self Pub
eARC For Review
Add to Goodreads
Summary
Illusions — we all create them.
For some it’s to project an impressive image to a prospective employer; for others it’s to attract the eye of another.
My illusion is a bit more...complicated.
Years in the making, my secret has the potential to bite me in the ass. And not in the way I typically enjoy.
Sex.
As women, we’re judged for reveling in the same carnal pleasures that men do, but I’ve never been shy about my voracious appetite.
Now, I’m under no illusions that I’ll find love with any of my one night stands.
After all, I have one rule — no repeats — but it’s a rule that’s becoming harder to follow since Evan James came back into my life.
Did I say back into my life?
My name is Reagan Spencer, and you may think you know me, but...
How well do we really know anyone?
EXCERPT 18+
“Walk with me?” Evan asked.
She gave him a small smile and nodded. “Sure.”
Pushing off the rail, she fell in step with him as they walked along the river’s
edge.
“I’d be scared of what you’d see if you looked at me through your lens,” he
admitted.
“You shouldn’t.”
Evan scoffed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t imagine there’s much
good there…”
“You’d be surprised at what I see.”
That comment had him coming to a standstill. “Would I?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” he said, and started walking again. “Tell me what you see.”
Reagan slid her thumbs down the straps of her camera and cocked her head,
looking him over.
“I see a successful man. One who dresses well, even on a Saturday morning. So
that would indicate to me that he takes pride in his appearance. Maybe cares about what
others think also. The fact that you were leaving a therapist’s office makes me think
you’re a man with some issues, but also a man who is willing to work through them.
Again, that comes back to pride. You seem to be able to swallow yours when need be.”
Evan’s brow furrowed, but he said nothing as she continued.
“You also have a certain…air about you. It’s in the way you move. You’re
confident, but at the same time, when you flash that smile, the arrogance disappears, and
you look like the boy you used to be.”
The smile under discussion appeared, and Evan asked, “How do you know what
kind of boy I used to be?”
“Hey? This is my story,” Reagan reminded him before he continued asking
questions she wasn’t willing to answer.
“Oh, my apologies, I somehow thought it involved me.”
“It does, but you’re on the outside listening, so shh. You asked, remember?”
With a serious face, he nodded. “You would be right.”
“Okay. Now I lost my train of thought.”
Evan chuckled. “Well, it’s probably for the best that you didn’t mention any of
my unappealing attributes.”
“Speaking of…” she said, and turned to walk backward, facing him. “How did the therapy session go today?”
“Really great. There was an orgy, a sampling of sex toys, and a dessert buffet
afterward. Very satisfying.”
“Evan…”
He blew out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. “It was fine. It’s always
fine. Today, Dr. Glover brought up behavior triggers, and it helped to figure out where
this whole mess started.”
Curious, she asked, “And where was that?”
“It wasn’t any one event. It was the high off the power I got from my job, it was
being in an unhealthy relationship…my grandparents passing…the worry about
following in my parents’ footsteps. The further things spiraled out of my control, the
more I craved that control in other parts of my life. Well, a very specific part of my life.”
He glanced over at her before continuing. “Obviously that’s the condensed version, but…I think it helps. Knowing those things and hopefully being able to stop them in the future.”
But the urge isn’t gone?”
The look in his eyes was haunted as he replied, “No. No, it isn’t gone.”
Painful Secrets Have a Way of Revealing Themselves at the Most Inopportune Times
Egads!!! They've done it they've done it!! Frank & Blaine have officially made A Desperate Man into my favorites!! As a long time fan of Ms. Ella I knew it was bound to happen but these two ladies really delivered. If you are looking for something short but amazing at the same time this is the perfect series to get into. The way these two authors mesh is seamless and the books are absolutely captivating and addictive. This second installment picks up shortly after that teensy tiny cliff hanger and steadily things progress, until YEP you guessed it another cliff!!! Gah!! I’m dying to get my hands on the Third Installment!! It wont come soon enough Volume 2 was packed with awesome and I can’t wait to find out more!
Evan! Yay he is making major strides. Last we left off he had plenty of issues to address and his behavior was shocking to say the least. In Volume 2 we see a MAJOR change, he has come to terms with his condition and is working hard at regaining some actual control of his life. In the last installment my heart broke for his pain but I knew he had to do something to change and quickly. Thanks to Ms Spencer he has been trying to become a different man. We were able to see a different side of Evan in this installment that was a wonderful treat. I absolutely fell in love with him, and I’m so happy for all of the progress he’s made.
Reagan! You have some splannin to do! Gah! Wow talk about pulling the rug out from under ya!! This super sexy, confident, self assured, kick butt lady has some secrets she’s been harboring. I had to pick my jaw off the floor when some were revealed. Bravo on the twist ladies!! Killer! So I mentioned previously that there were things that seemed shrouded in mystery…I’m happy to report this installment provides plenty of juicy answers but my mouth is still watering for more. I really enjoyed the way Reagan and Evan interacted their banter was endearing while their chemistry was sizzling.
As I mentioned before you will not be disappointed Frank and Blaine deliver in a major way. The end left me wanting more right now there is so much to be revealed and I can’t wait to find out more. Evan still has a way to go but he is on the right path. Reagan is holding on to secrets and I can’t wait to find them! This is a wonderfully written series with surprising twists and the steam factor is off the charts. I’m still fanning myself Evan and Reagan are absolutely captivating and I will be cheering for them from the side lines. Ive def got my fingers crossed that they can figure everything out and come together! I highly, highly, highly recommend this series!!
My Rating
4.5 Nightmares, Best Friend, Coffee, Therapist, Speed Dating, Rain, Sister, Bet, Coffee Message, Emails, Park, Pictures, Finger Food, Dessert, Sleep Over, Family Gathering, Curls, Brunette, Red Dress, Dual Confessions, Shocking Surprises Filled Stars!!
Mikki's Review:
Holy Cannoli my friends!!!
Things are getting intense and extra steamy between Reagan and Evan in this second installment of A Desperate Man. I really loved the first one. It left me at the edge of my seat with one of the hottest cliffhangers EVER!!!!! I could not wait to see what was going to happen next between these two explosive characters.
This installment is told from Reagan's POV. Since the first book was in Evan's POV, I did not get a chance to find out more about Reagan. She was still a mystery by the end of the book, but I was totally mesmerized by her character. I was happy to see that this book was in her POV. Whatever questions I had about her got answered in this book. We get to know who the real Reagan Spencer is. The authors included a twist that I did not expect! *This review may contain little spoilers from the first book.*
I could see that Reagan was trying really hard to build a friendship with Evan. She knows that to ensure his success with a personal struggle that he is going through she needed to be strictly professional. There is only one problem. Evan wants her and he will play dirty to get what he wants.
After an explosive start has boss and employee, Reagan and Evan have developed a friendship that is simply addictive! Their banter was so much fun! When Mr. James speaks, whatever comes out of his mouth will make you melt. Oh my God! This guy knows exactly how to push every single one of Reagan's buttons! I really loved their little coffee exchange. It's little details like these that make me enjoy a well-written story even more.
I'm really not a big fan of serials, but this serial is slowly changing my mind about them. I'm starting to embrace the cliffhangers that leave me at the edge of my seat. I'm living a new reading experience with this serial and I'm loving it! I really enjoyed this installment! The chemistry between Reagan and Evan is so freakin' hot! The first installment left us with a hot cliffhangers, but this book's cliffhanger left me screaming at my kindle NOOOOOOOOOOO! I want to know what happens next!!! I cannot wait to see what will happen the next time Reagan and Evan will come face-to-face. It's going to be EXPLOSIVE! I can feel it!
Things are getting intense and extra steamy between Reagan and Evan in this second installment of A Desperate Man. I really loved the first one. It left me at the edge of my seat with one of the hottest cliffhangers EVER!!!!! I could not wait to see what was going to happen next between these two explosive characters.
This installment is told from Reagan's POV. Since the first book was in Evan's POV, I did not get a chance to find out more about Reagan. She was still a mystery by the end of the book, but I was totally mesmerized by her character. I was happy to see that this book was in her POV. Whatever questions I had about her got answered in this book. We get to know who the real Reagan Spencer is. The authors included a twist that I did not expect! *This review may contain little spoilers from the first book.*
I could see that Reagan was trying really hard to build a friendship with Evan. She knows that to ensure his success with a personal struggle that he is going through she needed to be strictly professional. There is only one problem. Evan wants her and he will play dirty to get what he wants.
After an explosive start has boss and employee, Reagan and Evan have developed a friendship that is simply addictive! Their banter was so much fun! When Mr. James speaks, whatever comes out of his mouth will make you melt. Oh my God! This guy knows exactly how to push every single one of Reagan's buttons! I really loved their little coffee exchange. It's little details like these that make me enjoy a well-written story even more.
I'm really not a big fan of serials, but this serial is slowly changing my mind about them. I'm starting to embrace the cliffhangers that leave me at the edge of my seat. I'm living a new reading experience with this serial and I'm loving it! I really enjoyed this installment! The chemistry between Reagan and Evan is so freakin' hot! The first installment left us with a hot cliffhangers, but this book's cliffhanger left me screaming at my kindle NOOOOOOOOOOO! I want to know what happens next!!! I cannot wait to see what will happen the next time Reagan and Evan will come face-to-face. It's going to be EXPLOSIVE! I can feel it!
Rating:
I give, A Desperate Man, by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine, 4.5 torrid, explosive, wickedly hot stars!
Teaser Pics:
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
About Brooke
You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas. Her first solo novel, a romantic comedy, is due out in early 2015, but first, she thought she’d write a raunchy story with her best friend that would scar her conservative southern family for life. If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find - just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.
Instagram: @brookeblaine1
Email: brookeblaineauthor@gmail.com
About Ella
Ella Frank is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author. She writes both contemporary and erotic fiction and is best known for her Exquisite Series, and Temptation Series. The minute she began her love affair with reading, she became and avid supporter of the romance genre and has never looked back. Ella is Australian born and bred but currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband.
Instagram: @Ellafrank1
Email: ellafrank2012@gmail.com
Great reviews now I really want to know what are Evan issues and Reagan secrets this book looks and sounds fantastic. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnother great review, and a really great post! I really enjoyed reading about this one. Thank you so much for your review!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the banter between them here, and the exchanges with the coffee cups was so fun to read too.
ReplyDeleteIf you were unsure of how you felt about Evan in the previous book, I can assure you that you will absolutely fall for him here.
I really can't wait to see where the final installment brings these two, especially with that ending.
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