Damage Control
(Dirty Money, #2)

by Lisa Renee Jones

Released February 21, 2017

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Blurb

Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy in Damage Control, the smoldering, scorching next novel in the explosively sexy Dirty Money series.

The only thing more dangerous than a dark secret is a damaged heart…

Shane Brandon has been pushed to the brink, torn between his corrupt family and his explosive, all-consuming desire for Emily Stevens, who he now knows is not who, and what, she seems. Has he trusted the wrong person? Will she, not his brother Derek, be the ultimate destruction of his family Empire?

Emily tries to run from Shane, but he will stop her, confront her, force her to reveal all — one hot touch and kiss at a time, under every intimate detail of who this woman is, and what she wants, is exposed. But as he tears away the dangers of the unknowns with the woman in his bed, and in his heart, The Martina Cartel has set their sights on his company, his family, and the one piece of leverage they believe he won’t gamble with: Emily.

Find Damage Control on GOODREADS

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Review

4 stars!

The Dirty Money series by Lisa Renee Jones continues with the second book, Damage Control. Once again we are thrown back into the world of secrets, lies, and deception. This book picks up immediately from the ending of the previous book, Hard Rules. Shane wants answers and he wants them now, but Emily isn’t quick to reveal her secrets.  It doesn’t help that Shane has a lot of shady dealings going on with his business leaving Emily with questions of her own. In this book, Shane and Emily quickly find out that not everything is as it seems.

I really enjoyed Damage Control.  Though it started out a bit slower than I would have liked, the answers we got and then the questions that developed pushed this book along at a quickening pace and by the end I couldn’t put it down.

I loved that Shane and Emily are more open with each other in this book. Shane doesn’t let Emily push him away. He wants to fight for them, even when Emily things she will only bring danger to his doorstep. We know Emily isn’t who she said she was and when the truth that she has be hiding comes to light, you understand why Emily is the way she is and the fears she has are understandable.

In this book, we get a better glimpse at what Shane has to deal with to bring the company on the right side of the law and there are some major key players standing in his way. The power struggle and drama within the family is crazy and the hatred runs deep.

How do it protect her when [they]… are basically two tornadoes about to sideswipe us at any moment, or worse, collide, with devastating results?

This story has a large focus on the connection between Shane and Emily and their relationship. Written in dual POVs, we get both sides of the story. I loved the safety they feel within each other. The ferocity of Shane’s love and the extent that he wants Emily in his life despite her past and the fact that it was catching up to her was amazing. No matter the dangers, Shane wasn’t going to let her go.

“You’re the future, not the past. You’re the good that I need while I get rid of the bad.”

Emily understands Shane in a way no one ever has and I loved that she was there for him when he needed her most. I loved her determination to help him and the strength of her love.

The chemistry between Shane and Emily is still amazing and when they are together, it’s scorching. The fact that there is danger at every corner does nothing to hinder their sexual desires, it only makes things hotter and more intense.

They both want what is best for the other and what keeps them safe and I loved when they realized that they may be stronger together. Even when Shane and Emily decide to go all in, things are difficult and the many obstacles make a HEA difficult to fathom.

His demons and mine are alive and well, two poison kisses, which could too easily turn out sweet hello into a brutal good-bye.

Damage Control is more than just a sexually charged romance. This story is very much a mystery, with suspense that keeps the pages turning. This book is a complex game with a lot of players. The secrets are locked tight and though we get some answers, this book leaves us with even more questions and confusion. We don’t know all the details and have no idea who is on Shane and Emily’s side and who are against them. New alliances seem to form, but only time will tell if they are real or just another play in the game.

Overall, Lisa Renee Jones has spun a wonderful web of mystery and suspense, deception and lies, and this installment in the Dirty Money series kept me on my toes. The story is full surprises and the anticipation of what will happen makes me excited for the next book, Bad Deeds.

*ARC generously provided by the author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

 

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Dirty Money series

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Excerpt

“You make me remember I need to be good and right in my choices.”

“Do you ever question doing what is good and right?”

“There have been times when I felt like my hand was forced.”

“When you were a lawyer?”

“No,” I say. “I manipulated the law, as does every attorney, but I never broke it. I’m talking about when I’m with my family.”

“Did you go where they lead?”

“Not so far.”

“That sounds like you might.”

“I don’t want to be them.”

“You aren’t them. You don’t have to be them.”

“I know that,” I say. “But you just keep telling me so I don’t forget.” Her legs hit the bed frame and she grips my arms.

I lean into a kiss and she pulls back, her hand pressing on my chest. “Wait. Now it’s my turn to say talk to me. Are you okay?”

“Death happened. The one thing I can’t control. It’s not the night to push me to stop protecting you. Not tonight. Can you do that?”

“Yes. We can.”

“We,” I repeat, “and that word sounds as good on my tongue as I know you’re going to taste. I’m going to make love to you properly. The way I plan to many times in our future.” I reach down and untie her robe, letting it fall open; my fingers sliding underneath just far enough to tease her nipples. They pucker beneath my touch, and her lashes flutter, settling on her cheeks. “But when it’s over, I’m going to fuck you hard and fast again.”

I tug gently on her nipples and she bites her lips. “Look at me,” I order gently.

She opens her eyes, and there is desire in their depths, but there are shadows there too,. I do not think she intends for me to see doubt or uncertainty that wasn’t there before. That I do not like or wish to know ever again. I want it gone. Now. Tomorrow. Forever. I reach up and rip the silk tie from her robe, wrapping it around my hand, before I reach up and caress the robe off her shoulder, letting it tumble to the ground.

“Give me your hands,” I order, but it’s really a question: Does she still trust me?

She studies me for several beats, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, and I do not know what she sees in mine, but she offers me her hands. I wrap the silk around her wrists then lean in close to her, my cheek against her cheek, my body touching her nowhere else. “Now you’re at my mercy.”

“Yes,” she agrees. “I am.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“Warm.”

My lips curve with the answer that is every bit the combination of sweet sexy honesty I’ve come to expect from her. “I’m going to make you warmer.”

“Promise?”

I go still with that question, which on the surface is innocent, but I wonder if it truly is or if it’s about those shadows in her eyes. “I promise,” I say. “And you know, I never—”

“Make a promise you don’t keep.”

“Exactly,” I say, and her reference to my previous words tells me that I am not the only one on a mission of trust, and I intend to deserve hers.

I bring my hands to just above her shoulders, letting them lightly touch her before beginning a slow caress downward. She makes a soft little sound that has my cock thickening and my blood running hot, but I won’t rush this. My lips follow, tracing a line down one of her arms, then the other. I lean and caress my lips over hers, a feather light touch that teases me, if not her.

I take her hands in mine, pressing them behind her head. “Hold them there, for me, so I can see all of you. Understand?”

“You intend to tease me incessantly,” she says, without so much as a hint of hesitation. “Yes. I understand.”

I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her naked body against me, my free hand on hers above her head, our mouths a breath apart. “I intend to lick every part of you, and then do it again, so yes. If that’s the definition of incessant teasing, then yes. I am going to tease you incessantly.” I close my mouth down on hers, my tongue licking into her mouth, a deep, hungry tasting I force myself to end far too quickly. “That was the beginning. Should I could continue?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Please,” I say. “I like that.”

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Giveaway

2 $25 Amazon gift cards, 3 signed copies of Hard Rules and 3 Dirty Money tote bags

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The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway.

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About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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