carleneinspired's review
5.0
Immediately following the events in Damage Control, Shane Brandon is having a weak moment, his feelings for Emily and for his parents are leaving him unfocused. The desire to get Brandon Enterprises away from the cartel and back into the green is stronger than ever, he's desperate to save the business, and to find a way to save his girl and his family in the process. Even when they find a moment to sneak away for an erotic moment, Emily can tell is haunted by the what ifs and she fears he'll change himself in order to save everyone else. The only way to escape the cartel's grips is to play a better game, but the Brandon family must find a way to come together if they want to team up against the Martinezes. Secrets and lies may make their separation even wider though and they may all go down with the business.
"...and those demons of his aren't whispering now. They're shouting. Actually, I'm pretty sure they're holding knives and jabbing them in his chest and mine right along with it."
The developments and the twists in this book! Family drama, cartel danger, and plenty of lust fill the pages of Bad Deeds, book three in the Dirty Money series. Told from multiple POVs, readers are graced with the viewpoint of not just Shane and Emily, but also of Derek and his companion, Teresa Martinez. The character development is astonishing in Dirty Money. Shane became a three-dimensional character for me, more than this man driven by his goal and his lust. We see a more emotional side of him, which works perfect with Emily beginning to show the strength her old self possessed. Emily carried the story a lot this time, her research and drive to bring the family together showed her devotion to Shane, but also took away this vulnerability that wasn't becoming of her previously. She shows her wits and courage and I loved that. Then there's Derek and Teresa, who move out of low secondary positions in the story line into much more prevalent and important character roles. Though their POV chapters are sparse, they give reader an alternate look at the drama that surrounds the Brandons and the Martinezes. Continuing to grace us with their presences is also the Brandon parents, Shane's hot security team, and Adrian Martinez with his band of merry thugs.
"She moans. She sighs. She whispers my name and everything else fades."
Bad Deeds takes us out of the big picture, getting Brandon Enterprises away from the Martinezes, and focuses on the tiny details that got the Brandons in the mess in the first place. I really enjoyed the extra details Lisa Renee Jones included when writing scenes with the Brandon family, their dynamic is unique and really drives the story forward. It's obvious that wealth, greed, and revenge has taken this family and turned them upside down, pitting siblings against parents and each other. While progress is made with Shane's goals, it is done through dissecting the Brandon family, gaining knowledge on the Martinezes, and in Shane finding more than romance in Emily, but rather an ally and partner as well. The family, the business, the ties to the cartel, it's all twisted up in a tangled web, but it makes for a stunning series.
"I'm stunned by her words, but more so by how much this woman loves me despite all I have let myself become, and all I have done to her."
I was hooked with this release, could not put it down, and it's a heck of a release from LRJ. I could feel my heart racing when things went from bad to worse and my emotions were all over the place as we jumped from one character's view to another, gaining perspective on the full gamut of trouble the Brandons will face as a family. It's addicting. Plus, Bad Deeds ends in another cliffhanger and readers won't see this one coming. I am desperate for the next release and know LRJ is going to deliver a stunning conclusion. Fans of suspense, romance, and erotica will once again find that Lisa Renee Jones is the queen.
"...and those demons of his aren't whispering now. They're shouting. Actually, I'm pretty sure they're holding knives and jabbing them in his chest and mine right along with it."
The developments and the twists in this book! Family drama, cartel danger, and plenty of lust fill the pages of Bad Deeds, book three in the Dirty Money series. Told from multiple POVs, readers are graced with the viewpoint of not just Shane and Emily, but also of Derek and his companion, Teresa Martinez. The character development is astonishing in Dirty Money. Shane became a three-dimensional character for me, more than this man driven by his goal and his lust. We see a more emotional side of him, which works perfect with Emily beginning to show the strength her old self possessed. Emily carried the story a lot this time, her research and drive to bring the family together showed her devotion to Shane, but also took away this vulnerability that wasn't becoming of her previously. She shows her wits and courage and I loved that. Then there's Derek and Teresa, who move out of low secondary positions in the story line into much more prevalent and important character roles. Though their POV chapters are sparse, they give reader an alternate look at the drama that surrounds the Brandons and the Martinezes. Continuing to grace us with their presences is also the Brandon parents, Shane's hot security team, and Adrian Martinez with his band of merry thugs.
"She moans. She sighs. She whispers my name and everything else fades."
Bad Deeds takes us out of the big picture, getting Brandon Enterprises away from the Martinezes, and focuses on the tiny details that got the Brandons in the mess in the first place. I really enjoyed the extra details Lisa Renee Jones included when writing scenes with the Brandon family, their dynamic is unique and really drives the story forward. It's obvious that wealth, greed, and revenge has taken this family and turned them upside down, pitting siblings against parents and each other. While progress is made with Shane's goals, it is done through dissecting the Brandon family, gaining knowledge on the Martinezes, and in Shane finding more than romance in Emily, but rather an ally and partner as well. The family, the business, the ties to the cartel, it's all twisted up in a tangled web, but it makes for a stunning series.
"I'm stunned by her words, but more so by how much this woman loves me despite all I have let myself become, and all I have done to her."
I was hooked with this release, could not put it down, and it's a heck of a release from LRJ. I could feel my heart racing when things went from bad to worse and my emotions were all over the place as we jumped from one character's view to another, gaining perspective on the full gamut of trouble the Brandons will face as a family. It's addicting. Plus, Bad Deeds ends in another cliffhanger and readers won't see this one coming. I am desperate for the next release and know LRJ is going to deliver a stunning conclusion. Fans of suspense, romance, and erotica will once again find that Lisa Renee Jones is the queen.
leatherboundriot's review
4.0
I wasn’t as impressed with this one. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it just fell a little short for me. Maybe it’s my mood or the timing of reading this or perhaps I’ve simply outgrown the story and characters. Whatever it is, I can’t pinpoint my issue, but I’m hoping the final book will bring me back.
wendylynnm's review
4.0
Story- 4 stars
Narration- 2.5 stars...I'm hanging in there, only one book left in the series and I am really enjoying the story. LRJ, writes great stories.
Narration- 2.5 stars...I'm hanging in there, only one book left in the series and I am really enjoying the story. LRJ, writes great stories.
modernoperafan's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tfail24's review
5.0
You can never go wrong with Lisa's books.
I have loved Shane and Emily since they met in the coffee shop. Bad Deeds, I think, is the best of this series so far. It keeps you hooked from the very beginning and you have to keep reading to see what happens next. But O.M.G..., that ending, I didn't see that coming.. WHAT THE HELL!!!!!
I can't wait to get my hands on End Game and to see what happens next.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review. Will definitely re-read this once I get my paperback copy.
I have loved Shane and Emily since they met in the coffee shop. Bad Deeds, I think, is the best of this series so far. It keeps you hooked from the very beginning and you have to keep reading to see what happens next. But O.M.G..., that ending, I didn't see that coming.. WHAT THE HELL!!!!!
I can't wait to get my hands on End Game and to see what happens next.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review. Will definitely re-read this once I get my paperback copy.
nikkil521's review
5.0
What can I say.. Lisa has done it again.. there was so much I just didn't see coming ... but this is what I love so much about these books and all the ones that Lisa writes.
I don't wanna give too much away, but the twist at the end!! Oh my god.. now I have to wait till Jan to see how it ends!!
Shane is just as protective of Emily, if not more. What he wouldn't do for the women he loves. He's intense.. so intense!
And Emily is fierce. I love a strong heroine.. and Emily does not disappoint.
The chemistry jumps off the pages with these 2! And the suspense will keep you turning those pages until the last one!!
So if you love intrigue and a steamy story.. GRAB THIS SERIES ASAP!!
I don't wanna give too much away, but the twist at the end!! Oh my god.. now I have to wait till Jan to see how it ends!!
Shane is just as protective of Emily, if not more. What he wouldn't do for the women he loves. He's intense.. so intense!
And Emily is fierce. I love a strong heroine.. and Emily does not disappoint.
The chemistry jumps off the pages with these 2! And the suspense will keep you turning those pages until the last one!!
So if you love intrigue and a steamy story.. GRAB THIS SERIES ASAP!!
beereading's review
5.0
Oh come on !!
I have to say that Shane and Emily are some of my favorite characters ever. I love a good push and pull because lets face it happily ever after is BS. But this cliffhanger 😱😱 I am NOT going to get over this one anytime soon. Thank you Lisa this book was amazing.
I have to say that Shane and Emily are some of my favorite characters ever. I love a good push and pull because lets face it happily ever after is BS. But this cliffhanger 😱😱 I am NOT going to get over this one anytime soon. Thank you Lisa this book was amazing.
bobosbookbank's review
5.0
GAH!! The cliffhang-ing torture! What can I say about book three in the Dirty Money series? Lisa Renee Jones has managed to capture me hostage in this sticky web of intrigue and deceit. It's a dark, alluring, sexy story that keeps getting better and better with each book. Unlike with book two, which focused more on Emily's problems, this one has the reader trying to untangle the Brandon family from the Martina cartel. But of course, LRJ still keeps the intensity high and the sex hot! I've mentioned before that I love the relationship between Shane and Emily and that hasn't changed. These two strong characters bring out the best in each other. But what I haven't said yet was how much I adore the secondary characters. Yes, even all the "evil" members of the Brandon family! It helps that we get a few chapters with Derek's and Teresa's POV which gives us a chance to connect better with these important players. This story is brilliantly written, layered with secret maneuvers and the strength of love. It's a series that's definitely making space on my READ AGAIN E-SHELF! Told from dual POVs with a nail biting, "OH MY GAWD" cliffhanger. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
caffeinatedfae's review
5.0
Where to start... Oh where to start...
First off, this is a cliffhanger and not a minor cliffhanger. If that isn't your thing than wait for the next book to come out. But definitely read this series.
The characters in this series have slowly grown to become so much better. The first in the series made me like them, the third made me respect them, and the third made me want to propose. The characters have all shown great growth and I really like the fact that there are so many three dimensional characters. I love that everything is so complex in this story.
I typically hate mysteries but this romance/suspense kept me engaged and questioning the whole time which is not normal. The story is extremely complex and it keeps you guessing the entire time.
I want to rate this book 1 star for the ending that is making me want to scream out into the abyss (I am kidding). I had such a strong reaction, that it makes me love this book. It just shows how invested in this series I am.
Ultimately, this is a great series that anyone who enjoys romantic suspense will love. Seriously, just pick up the books. You can thank me later.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, this is a cliffhanger and not a minor cliffhanger. If that isn't your thing than wait for the next book to come out. But definitely read this series.
The characters in this series have slowly grown to become so much better. The first in the series made me like them, the third made me respect them, and the third made me want to propose. The characters have all shown great growth and I really like the fact that there are so many three dimensional characters. I love that everything is so complex in this story.
I typically hate mysteries but this romance/suspense kept me engaged and questioning the whole time which is not normal. The story is extremely complex and it keeps you guessing the entire time.
I want to rate this book 1 star for the ending that is making me want to scream out into the abyss (I am kidding). I had such a strong reaction, that it makes me love this book. It just shows how invested in this series I am.
Ultimately, this is a great series that anyone who enjoys romantic suspense will love. Seriously, just pick up the books. You can thank me later.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.