These pages sizzled!

Passion meets suspense once again in Lora Leigh's Dagger's Edge, the second book in the Brute Force series. I have been reading this author for years and you are always guaranteed chemistry off the charts between the hero and heroine and Ivan and Journey's story does not dissapoint. However the plot was a little too complicated and unless you've read a number of her previous books I think it would be hard to really understand all that was going on.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

Lora Leigh is great at steamy and this book won’t disappoint.... this books grabs you by the throat and takes you for a hell of a ride. Can the criminal save the corrupt businessman daughter......why yes he can!!!!
I received this book from St. Martins Press. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Bored and confused.

Those two words pretty much sum up this book for me and it honestly pains me to admit that, but it’s the truth. From the very start I was confused as to what was going on, though I will admit that it is my fault for not reading the first book in the series, but even after some explanations are given, I never got into the groove of things. The boredom comes from the characters. I just didn’t care about Ivan and Journey, which really sucked because their story is one that I would normally be all in for no matter what, but the flow, the connection between them wasn’t really there for me and when it looked like it would happen it was washed out by sex. NOW, I love my smexy times, I do. But here it just interrupted the flow of not only Ivan and Journey’s story, but the plot of the book...hence the boredom.

As I said I did not read the first book in the series, though I did see that this is a spinoff of another series I have not read and I can only imagine that I’d more than likely be lost regardless, but the story just didn’t hook me and that just really sucked in the end. I love dark romance, I love mafia/crime family style stories, so this one really looked like it be a perfect fit for me, but it just didn’t. It’s been a while since I read a book by this author, but I have enjoyed what I’ve read, so maybe this is just a one off? Maybe? So while I cannot recommend it, I will say check out the other reviews before making a decision.

Dagger's Edge was an enjoyable story. That although slow to start soon picked up and easily kept me engaged throughout. As the story had intrigue and mystery and the characters were likable. Not to mention it was seriously hot!!! And I did enjoy it more than the first book Collision Point, mainly because this one wasn't as confusing for me. Yet, I did still feel like there was a back story I was missing out on having not read the Elite Ops series. Which this is a spin off from, and which does seem to feature characters and events that are heavily connected to it. But this was a good read, and the last couple of chapters had me on the edge of my seat. Plus, it easily kept me guessing and so I would recommend Dagger's Edge to others, particularly to anyone who enjoyed the Elite Ops series.

This is the first book that I have read by Lora Leigh so I wasn't sure what to expect. This is a book that I have mixed feelings about. Since I didn't read the first book in the series, I missed some background, but I was still able to follow the story along. Both Ivan and Journey come from major crime lord families. Journey has been on the run for four years from her family and an arranged marriage. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. First, what I didn't like about the book was the main characters spent so much time in bed. I did like their relationship outside of the bedroom. With Ivan's support, Journey was able to become stronger. This book did keep me reading until the end. The mob connection and their dysfunctional family background was interesting.

When I read the first book in this series, I was kind of lost. This book was better although I still felt confused in a couple of spots. Journey or Syn has wanted Ivan since she was a teenager. He is much older and more experienced. How can she compete with the other women he has been with? Ivan doesn't know much about love, but he knows he feels something for Journey. Even if she is the daughter and granddaughter of his enemy. When he discovers that he isn't the only one looking for her, he knows that he will do everything in his power to protect her. Even give his own life.

I was a little concerned when I found that this was going to be about Ivan and Syn I mean Syn was his daughter Amara’s friend and though I don’t have a problem with some age difference I was concerned. Then I found out that Ivan created Amara when he was just 13 oy. If you like a story that is high energy and keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what could happen next you are certain to enjoy Dagger's Edge.

Love this story!!! Interesting and somewhat intense. I love how I was easily pulled in into the story and I love how it got my attention. Tho, there's something that I was looking in the story. Overall, the book is good.

Great story full of passion and suspense. Definitely read book 1 first!
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I have to say it took me a few chapters to get into the story. The prologue completely lost me. I actually thought about not continuing the book because I had no idea what it was trying to say. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of a scene. This book is obviously a part two in the series.

Thankfully, I decided to put aside trying to find follow plot and just read. Once I did that and opened myself up to the writing, the story turned out to be awesome.

The author gave us a story of family feud, hate, control, violence. I’m sure that doesn’t sound intriguing on its own. However, she also gave us a story of amazing heat, fire, passion, and intrinsic love.

Balanced together, story was one that was complex and very hard to put down. It also made me realize that I definitely have to read book one and then come back and read this again.

One thing I’ve seen many times in a series of books is that it’s not clearly stated that reading the prior books is critical to the full enjoyment for the reader.

While the author did a good job blending and giving you some of the backstory throughout this book, it’s obvious that so much more is missing. Definitely read book one first.

I’m glad I found a new romantic suspense author to add to my one click list. Lora Leigh has fabulous storytelling abilities that stand out amongst the crowd.

* copy received for review consideration

this was fantastic! i'm kicking myself i've not read the Elite-Ops series, it's on my TBR and i wish i'd read it first instead of starting this series. this was super steamy, loved it. it was also very suspenseful and well written so it kept my attention.

This is the second book I have read by Lora Leigh, and I enjoyed it for the most part. Thanks go to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the chance to read and review in advance of publication. Dagger’s Edge is an action-packed romantic suspense novel that walks the edge of erotica.

Ms. Leigh writes fantastic suspense scenes that had me nibbling on my nails, waiting to find out what would happen next. It quickly drew me in, and I had a hard time putting it down. This is a plot-driven story, and for anyone who loves hot, steamy, sexual scenes, there are plenty of those.

Regarding the characters, I never truly became vested in either of them. I would have liked more inner thoughts from both of them. The relationship was all about sex with very little emotional connection between the pair, so as a romance this book didn’t work for me. At times, the sexual scenes seemed out of place. I found myself flipping through them to get onto the action. I’m sure other readers may not agree because reading is very subjective.

What did work for me, is the high suspense and the startling surprise at the end when I found out who the villain was. I could feel the heroine’s pain at this realization. If I were to give two ratings for this book, I’d give 5 Gold Crowns for the suspense and 2 for the romance, hence my 3.5 rating.

If you love high suspense and lots of sexual scenes, then you will enjoy Dagger’s Edge. While the romance didn’t work for me, the suspenseful aspect of this novel kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat and made it a worth-while read. Happy reading!

I hoped, when I started this, that I would like it more than the first book in the series but sadly that was not to be. It's definitely a steamy read. Those looking for a new hot couple will likely enjoy the story of Ivan and Son (seriously?) but I wanted more. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC.

Occasionally a book comes along that will have me completely consumed, no just hooked to the point that I will not put it down. I mean it consumes every waking thought, dreams, and it is all I think of for a few days after finishing it leaving me with a severe book hangover. This was one of those books. There was danger, twist, a who is responsible that I never saw coming, and scorching heat. The chemistry between Ivan and Crimsyn is so hot that I swear the pages would have caught fire if they could. This is book two in the Brute Force series and I would recommend reading book one first or there will be pieces missing that will make you go huh. Just my opinion.

So many secrets that it is tough to talk about this book without spoilers.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Loved it! Lots of action, suspense and sexy times. The story was great and draws you in. The characters are awesome! Some books by this author are hit or miss but this was definitely a hit! I would definitely recommend it!

In this novel by Lora Leigh we follow the relationship between Journey Taite who, in order to stay hidden from her family, is known as Crimsyn Delaney and Ivan Resnova a Russian crime lord.

It's a story of deep feeling between two people who seem fated to be together despite their family histories.

However, the story is obviously part of a series of novels and a large amount of information needed to truly understand all aspects of this novel is missing making it difficult to appreciate it fully.

3.5 Stars Action, danger and steam that will melt the pages, Dagger’s Edge is the second book in the Brute Force series. The characters interaction is enjoyable, and the interesting storyline make for a good weekend read. I look forward to reading more

This was at least as enjoyable as book one in the series! I will admit, I still feel like I'm a little lost, like this is a spinoff of a previous series and a bunch of events and couples I didn't read about. But if you can look past that, and I could, this was spicy and hot, action-packed and filled with suspense.

Ivan is a scary guy-with a mushy center for his daughter and for the woman he loves. He's definitely not someone you want on your bad side. But he is someone you would want in your bed! "Syn" breaks my heart with her flat out refusal to believe someone could really love her. These two had some rough upbringings and won't have an easy life ahead of them. I'm SOOO curious who could have a story next!

Lora Leigh is amazing with her brand of edge of your seat suspenseful romance. Her books are so spellbinding & scorching that she leaves you breathless. The topics she chooses are riveting, as is the topic of this series, kidnaping of young girls & women for sale into sexual slavery & torture. Ivan & Syn’s (aka Journey) story is definitely my favourite out of all of her books I’ve read so far. Their chemistry is a definite explosion waiting to happen & when it does the pieces scattered create a new reality for the both of them. They’ve belonged to one another even before they actually did, despite the difference in their age. When Syn’s (Journey) life explodes around her she has no idea who she can trust anymore & befriends Ivan's daughter using a different name hoping that he might be able to help her, though she’s not exactly sure what to expect. What she doesn’t realize is that Ivan knows exactly who she is & that she’s been the object of his obsession for many years. With her running from a prearranged marriage & family members who would be happy to see her dead or handed over to the sex slave ring, she runs right into the arms of Ivan the man her family has tried to destroy for years. The fight for her life continues but with Ivan by her side Syn’s chances are greatly improved, as are her chance for finding love for the first time in her life. Unexpected surprises greet them along the way, good & bad but Ivan & Syn are determined to meet any & all head on. Definitely recommend this book!!!

This is book 2 in the Brute Force series. I would suggest that you read book 1 so that you can understand some of the things talked about along with the characters in this book. I would also recommend that you read the Elite Ops series as it introduces these characters as well. And it might make this story make more sense if you haven't read those books. This book is about Ivan Resnova and Crimsyn "Syn" Delaney AKA Journey. Ivan is still trying to move on from his past and the things his family has done. Along with trying to take care of his enemies so that he and his family can live freely and safely. Syn never knew the things that her family had done. And when she found out, she ran. She thought that part of her life was over, until an attempt is made to kill her she now knows that they won't let her go. But can she put her trust and faith in the one man who she has always been attracted to? Especially knowing that their families are enemies and if he finds out who she truly is, he will make her pay for just being related to them?

I loved this! Like I said, if you haven't read any of the other books then you won't really understand and the prologue especially will be confusing to people. Ivan is definitely all alpha male and will do anything to make sure his daughter is safe and happy. Syn is an innocent who has been caught in the crossfire but she manages to learn how to stand up for herself and what she feels is the right thing to do. I love how even though there are so many things that happened in the past that hurt so many people they still manage to to move on and fall in love. For me, it was a great read. A lot of people may not like it, especially if they haven't read any of the others to know the backstories that have happened to lead to this. After this one I really want to know more about Syn's former fiance!

Ivan Resnova is a hard man, he has had to be to survive his life. He has his daughter back in the previous book and her friend came home with her. This book begins where the last one ended and Syn wants to leave Colorado. She has secrets and wants to keep her identity a to herself and to keep running. She has been on the run for the past 4 years but Ivan sees through her "disguise" and their chemistry cannot be denied. Virgin no more after that night snowed in, Syn/Journey still runs at the first chance she gets until Ivan tracks her down a month later in California just before a strike team gets her. Now she is back with him and again the chemistry is just as strong. What starts as a bargain, or an illusion, turns into so much more when Ivan puts his grandmother's ring on her finger to seal the deal. So much snark and sex and fighting. A score card is needed at times to keep the players straight to figure out who is who but the sex is outstanding.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**