Review- Riskier Business by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

One more game. And this time, there are no rules…

After a life of pool hustling and living on the wrong side of the law, Ruby Elliott is living on the straight and narrow with sexy-as-all-hell NYPD detective, Troy Bennett. Now the only trouble Ruby has with the law is the naughty kind, pinned against the wall by Troy's strict and spectacularly hard body. Obeying his every command. Both of them losing themselves in a lust that borders on obsession...

But then her father returns with an offer she can’t refuse: one last hustle in exchange for information. The information she’d die to have. As the pieces and the players of the game reveal themselves, Troy feels the fine edges of his control slipping—control he can’t channel without hurting Ruby. The stakes are high, and the risk higher. Because losing this final game could cost more than Ruby’s heart…it might cost her life. 

Release date: January 5th 2015

Published by: Entangled Publishing: Select Suspense 

Page numbers: 140

Review-

I am a huge fan of Tessa Bailey's. Whenever I'm in the mood for a steamy romance I turn to her books. So I was really excited to get started on Riskier Business. We'd met Troy and Ruby in a previous novella in the Line of Duty series but I had really liked them before so I was happy to get more of them in Riskier Business. This novella can be read as a stand-alone though.

Ruby has finally left behind her life of pool hustling. Now she lives with her sexy boyfriend Troy and she couldn't be happier in life. That is until her father comes back. I really like Ruby. She is strong and stubborn but she still has her vulnerabilities and insecurities. She was head over heels in love with Troy but her horrible childhood and unsolved issues did keep her from completely trusting him.

Then we have Troy. God this man makes me swoon. He was AMAZING! Troy wanted to do nothing more than keep Ruby the hell away from her past. He loves his girlfriend to the point of obsession and he will do anything for her. Troy was extremely understanding in this novella. He was willing to do anything to make Ruby and him work and it showed.

Tessa Bailey knows how to write steamy romance and Riskier Business had tons of it. Troy and Ruby share combustible chemistry. Their intimacy has another level to it but their relationship goes so much deeper than that. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single conversation between them.

The most interesting character I found in Riskier Business was Bowen Driscol and I can't wait to read his book next. Riskier Business was a short, sexy and extremely satisfying novella and I would recommend it whoever enjoys such romances.

Review- Risking It All by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

NYPD detective Seraphia Newsom will avenge her brother’s death at any cost. Even if it means insinuating herself into a rough, Brooklyn street gang and going so far undercover, she’s not sure she’ll be able to get out. Every minute she spends in their midst means the clock ticking down on her life, especially when she overhears something that could get her killed.

Bowen Driscol is the heir to a crime enterprise. He never asked for the job, but with his father behind bars, he has no choice but to step in and keep the operation running. But when the NYPD blackmails him with a piece of damning information in exchange for aiding an undercover cop, he finds himself on the other side of the law for the first time in his life. 

Bowen knows the danger Sera is in, and keeping her safe trumps saving his own ass. The problem? She can’t know he’s on her side. And there's the matter of the seriously inconvenient heat sparking between them that's incinerating his resistance. But Sera only sees Bowen's past, and men like him are the reason her brother is dead. If they're to get out alive, he'll have to risk exposing the man beneath, and hope to hell he doesn't blow the whole operation in the process.

Release date: January 27th, 2015

Published by: Entangled Publishing

Page Numbers: 400

Review-

I have always been a fan of Tessa Bailey’s books. They are the perfect hot and steamy romances which I love to read from time to time. Risking It All is the first book in Tessa Bailey’s Crossing the Line series. It is also a full length novel unlike the last novella. I was really looking forward to reading Bowen and Seraphina’s story and I have to say I quite enjoyed it.

We had met Bowen in the previous book. He has been forced to take after his father’s illegal business. Bowen has no choice but to follow his father’s footsteps. I really liked Bowen. He was strong and smart but had not been given a chance to lead a good life. The world and people around him had made him jaded but Seraphina got light into his life.

Seraphina is our heroine. She is on a mission to avenge her brother’s death and is undercover trying to find out her brother’s killers. She is also a NYPD detective and completely wrong for the brash Bowen. I liked Seraphina but I found the whole pure thing a bit unreal in this case. The way Seraphina trusts Bowen at once, knowing whom he is was also a bit hard to believe.

Sera and Bowen have a case of total insta lust which seems to be a pattern in all of Tessa Bailey’s books. But she makes it work. They share amazing chemistry and though they both have had shitty pasts, with each they almost forget them. Risking it All takes the hotness quotient to a whole another level. Bowen is one of the sexiest dirty talking heroes!

We also get to meet several other characters which make Bowen and Sera seem like fuller, in depth characters. I genuinely enjoyed seeing Troy and Ruby from the previous novella. We are introduced to some new characters who I’m happy to say will get books of their own. Yes, I’m talking about Connor. All in all Risking it All was a solid good read. 

Review- Raw Redemption by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

Disgraced cop Henrik Vance is having a shit year. Banished to a derelict undercover squad, he’s been tasked with hunting down the daughter of Chicago’s most dangerous criminal. His obsession with saving the beautiful girl destroyed his career. And this time, it might cost his life.

Ailish O’Kelly doesn’t need a hero. She’ll save herself from her father’s violent criminal dynasty, thank you very much. Unfortunately, the sexy as sin cop who crashes her hideout isn’t hearing reason—especially not after the kiss that becomes much more.

His boss wants her as an informant. Ailish wants Henrik to keep whispering filthy things against her skin. But she knows too well the evil they’re up against, and when it comes down to protecting the man who owns her body and soul, she only has one choice…

Release date: June 13th, 2016

Published by: Entangled: Select Suspense

Page numbers: 304

Review-

I have been with this series right from the beginning, I mean even before this part of the spin off series started. I actually became a Tessa Bailey fan because of Protecting What's His from the Line of Duty series. I've come to adore all her stubborn characters, so I am a little sad to say that Raw Redemption is the last book in the Crossing the Line series. And I did enjoy Raw Redemption. It was a good read, just not my favourite. 

So this is the story of Henrik. He is the disgraced cop who gave it all up for a girl. A girl, he didn't even know. He just went with his instincts there. It doesn't help that the girl is the daughter of a mob boss. I liked Henrik. He was extremely protective. He was disciplined and always tried to do the right thing except where Ailish was concerned. Overall, there was nothing to dislike about Henrik.

Ailsih is the daughter of a mob boss but somehow she's managed to stay innocent. I liked Ailish. She had always been caged in her home, seeing horrible things being done to others because of her. When she's had a taste of freedom she is not willing to let go of it. She'll fight to stay free and I liked her determination. I also liked how she didn't pretend to be coy with Henrik.

The chemistry between Henrik and Ailish was mind blowing. Henrik is head over heels for the girl, completely smitten since the first page, willing to do anything, harm anyone for her. Ailish is in her own way attracted to him but she obviously finds it difficult to trust a cop. Tessa Bailey weaves an exciting romance with high stakes, one final time for this gang.

What really pulls together everything in Raw Redemption is the glimpse of the previous couples. I loved seeing Austin and Polly from the last book. Connor and Erin were just as crazy and Bowen was just as possessive about Seraphina. These bunch of misfits really came together and formed a deep bond of friendship and love. I also loved seeing Derek, the one person who has been there from the beginning trying to keep everything together. He's an all time favourite for me. So while I am sad to see this series end with Raw Redemption I am looking forward to reading loads more from Tessa Bailey.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

Falling for a con man is the most dangerous game of all…

Con artist Austin Shaw’s been in disguise so long he’s not sure where his fake identities end and he begins. Now that he’s been strong-armed into working for a specialized undercover unit working with the Chicago police—criminals with unique “skills”—the last thing he needs is to risk his iron control. Especially when it comes to a certain stunningly sexy hacker who tempts him with every look of disdain.

Polly Banks will never, ever trust a con man. On the trail of a ruthless crook who destroyed the only family she’s ever known, Polly is unnerved by the shadow who follows her every move. The one who makes her pulse pound and breath short with lust. Austin. He’s infuriating, enigmatic, and pure sex appeal, and she’s determined to resist him.

But an untrustworthy man of disguise can become anyone he wants…including a man that Polly must trust if she’s to escape their dangerous game alive.

Release Date: January 26th, 2016

Published by: Entangled: Select

Page numbers: 352

Review-

I really enjoy reading Tessa Bailey's books. Barring the last one, Crashed Out which was a disaster for me, I really enjoy the banter between characters in her books. So I was really happy that I got accepted for an ARC of Boiling Point. Boiling Point is the third full length novel in Tessa Bailey's Crossing the Line series. I really enjoyed it and I am so happy this one was not like her last book.

Let's start with Austin, our hero. Austin is a con man. He's always lived that way because he's been so very good at it. But he's been in it so long that's he's kind of forgotten who the real Austin is. Now working with the Chicago Police Austin is trying to redeem himself all the while falling head over heels for Polly who won't give him a chance. I really liked Austin. I loved how he had a vulnerable side and that we actually got to see it. Austin was an honourable man inside, he just needed to find himself.

Polly on the other hand, hates all con men. Her family has suffered because of one and she is not willing to risk her heart or anything for another. Polly is on a mission to get revenge but Austin keeps coming in her way. I really liked Polly. She was a strong and smart woman who had her head on her shoulders. Even though she tried hard to stay away from Austin she couldn't help but be pulled towards him.

I loved the chemistry Polly and Austin shared. I also loved how Austin was willing to hand over control to Polly instead of being an alpha male all the time. It was different yet sexy how he was willing to be vulnerable. I also loved all the conversations Austin and Polly shared. Their emotional connection was just as strong as their physical one.

What I love about the Crossing the Line series is the banter the entire gang shares. I love each and every single previous couple to bits and I'm glad that we get to meet everyone in this novel. Each person's style is distinct and unique. We are also introduced to Henrik who seems really interesting. I'm curious to read his book which I think is next. All in all Boiling Point was a great addition to the Crossing the Line series.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided via Netgalley by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.