Lacey Silks

BLACK CHRISTMAS BY JC ANDRIJESKI:

This complete story in a very few pages made me want to know more about both Miri and Quentin. Miri is having a rough time and her friends are helping out – except for the person she is avoiding talking to and yet wants to spend time with. Very well written and a wonderful contribution to this anthology! Thank you to JC for the copy to read and review.

4. 5 Stars

Le Moulin by JC Andrijeski
(An Allie’s War Short)
Part of the Red Hot Candy Bundle

What an interesting short story! I have read a number of the segments of Allie’s War but have never seen this side of Terian before. I liked the idea that even really BAD guys might have a softer side and that all of them start out young and innocent at one point in time. I wondered after this story if Terian might be redeemable…

I have not read the other books in this bundle but look forward to doing so. show more Great value pack and plenty of reading for any time of the year!

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this story show less

[b:When Things Go Wrong|24689035|When Things Go Wrong (Cheaters, #0.5)|Lacey Silks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422230487l/24689035._SX50_.jpg|44307172] by [a:Lacey Silks|6585383|Lacey Silks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1521118734p2/6585383.jpg]
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Romance
3.5 Stars (Maybe 3.75)

Since I round down I gave this 3 stars. But it is really better than that. If I made it 3.75 stars I would have to round to 4 & I just show more can't go that far.

I don't remember any typos, etc. It is well written and flows beautifully.

Loved the main characters. There is some steam, but it gets a lot hotter in the actual novel for these two.

Very different in the humor department. Very Ballsy!
I will definitely be reading a lot more of this series and this author.

End result, I recommend! show less

Allie Green is a police officer looking to avenge her mother. When the opportunity to join Cross Enterprises comes her way, she knows it means revenge will be at her fingertips. Looking forward to applying for the coveted position she stumbles on the application when she locks eyes with the owner and suddenly she fights the attraction. Tristan Cross has his reasons for recruiting a police officer for undercover work with his security firm. He needs an in to save a woman from his past, but he show more wasn’t counting on encountering Allie. Together they fight a mutual attraction, but when Tristan helps Allie in her time of need, Allie realizes she needs to return the favor. Will they give into temptation and save the important people in their lives?

As for characterization, we have good character development. Allie is a police officer who lost her father at a young age and witnessed her mother’s rape. She’s tough and protective of those close to her. Then we have Tristan, oh boy! You’ll be smiling when he makes an appearance and of course he keeps his past a secret. We have a few secondary characters that play a role including his brother Julian and Allie’s mother. The real scene stealer? Emma! I adored her and she’s so much fun and I can’t wait to see more of her in the second book.

Narrative is first person via Allie and in many ways, this is her journey. She witnessed a terrible incident that no child should ever watch and she’s blamed herself for not stopping it. As a narrator she’s likable and trustworthy. While I’m not a big fan of first person narrative because it limits what you know, I really did like getting to know Tristan the same way Allie does. The writing is engaging and if you’re one who likes to feel the sexual tension between characters, Tristan and Allie can light a room on fire.

I debated with the rating between a three and four. In the end, I went with a three because LAYERS DEEP ends on a cliffhanger and there are still some unanswered questions mostly regarding Wright and what his fate is. Furthermore, while I really enjoyed LAYERS DEEP, the whole operation regarding saving Kendra happened too fast. We spend so much time leading up to the reason why Tristan wanted to hire Allie and when it finally happens, it was all pretty much over in a blink an eye. Also, I’m wondering about Tristan’s past with Kendra. Mostly, I’d like to know what happened that put her in the situation she was in.

I have several favorite scenes, but I loved the advice Allie’s mother gives her regarding her need for revenge especially when it comes to Tristan. I can’t help, but agree with her mother and for a moment I worried especially when you see what Tristan sets up. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil things, but all I can say is I breathed a sigh of relief and knew Tristan was worthy of Allie right then and there. I also really enjoyed Allie’s mistaken identity of the Cross brothers! The banter between Julian and Allie was great. My real favorite scene includes Allie arriving at the Cross family residence and the Flintstones references.

Overall, Lacey Silks’ LAYERS DEEP is a satisfactory read and I’m eagerly anticipating the second book in the series. show less