This is packed full of back story and an introduction to all the characters that we are going to see through out the series. It's definitely piqued my interest and I'm very excited to see how this story plays out.

This is a new author for me, but I enjoyed the read. This is a prequel novella. It was short, but had tremendous details that will lead up to I hope much more action. Overall, a great quick read!

This was a very unique novella that had me intrigued from the beginning. This author introduces us to a world that sounds like it’s going to be an epic tale and unpredictable things that may come. We have Marcus and his Devyn who are in the process of trying to take over a secret society that has controlled the underbelly of New Orleans for ages and now they are looking to expand and bring this into the modern age, but it almost seems that Marcus has a hidden agenda of his own. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this new world, it’s cruelty, and I definitely will pick up the next ones to continue the story because now I’m sucked in.

An action packed story located in the great city of Las Vegas.

There’s gun fights, cowboys, sex, & more.
Certainly what I would consider a “mans-man” book - if you’re a 007 fan this ones great for you.

I received a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Play The Hand You Were Dealt
By: M. Jay Granberry

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

Play The Hand You Were Dealt is not so much a story perse, rather, it's an introduction to the bigger picture. It is a prequel novella and is a fast read. This getting acquainted idea is interesting and useful, but I think some readers will not like it. If you want to begin a story with no information about it, prequels are definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you like to have an idea of where the story is going, prequels are ideal for you. Honestly, this comes down to personal preference. I can take it, or leave it.

This was a quick novella read. 88 pages long but don’t let that deter you, this is still a great book for the intro to the new series. It was an intro to all the characters that are going to be part of the new series she is writing. Reading this has interested me, I cannot wait to read this series.

Play the Hand You Were Dealt is an interesting read. It had me hooked. It's a short quick read that gives you n introduction to the players in this series. I'm intrigued and can't wait to see where this series goes and what all the characters are up to.

I enjoyed the plot and premise of this prequel Novella, very intriguing, some interesting sex characters were introduced and left me craving more

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Intriguing and well developed characters. The plot line flowed smoothly with a very descriptive background. This is a great read!!

This was an interesting novella introducing the roles and characters of a new series. I sense a dark theme running in this series. The characters are all leaders in the underbelly of Las Vegas where the veneer is shiny and the bones are ruthless. The foundation of Le Millieu has been shook and let the best person fill the shoes. I am intrigued to read the series and see how all this plays out.

Wow, This is one action packed, sexy read with added suspense as well. This is definitely what a prequel novella is supposed to be like. All the characters are so intriguing and I can't wait to read more from them. This story line just makes you want to read more. This author has done an amazing job of bringing you interesting characters and an intriguing plot line in this novella.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars
I was really intrigued by this cover and i must say i'm even more intrigued now that I've read this novella. I can't give it a higher rating because everything is still very unknown we only got a glimpse at the characters. That said the plot was very gripping for such a short book I'm looking forward to read the serie.
A great novella set in a kind of mafia setting with mysterious and sexy characters that gets you longing for more.

tags: new orleans and then las vegas setting, mafia family, power couple, some good smut with light undertones of dom/sub, interesting sexy characters for the serie
content warning: death of a character by shooting, violence

This was what a prequel novella should be:
-it gave background and history
-it introduces future characters
-it left off in a way that has me craving the first full book

I have no idea what this series is going to be about or in what direction it’s going to go. I’m just buckled in and I’m ready for this crazy ride. My appetite has been whetted and I’m so ready for more!

Overall rating 4 stars

CW: Although this is short, it deals with the unsavory underbelly of the city so violence does happen.

I love different kinds of stories, especially one that's not a typical read for me. And when it's by an author that I'm already familiar with and enjoy their writing style, even better. With that said, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading M. Jay Granberry's previous works and I felt confident going into her new novella series, Tales of the Naked City, that this was one I could connect with. Not to mention, I love all things about Vegas, the good and the bad, so I couldn't wait to dive in.

From the book's description, there's not a lot of information about Play the Hand You Were Dealt. Granberry makes it sound intriguing, almost mystery-like, but I basically went into the story scratching my head, trying to figure out what was going on and where things were headed. And even after the first couple chapters, I was still scratching my head because there was just so much information pumped into the story. For a novella, I was almost overwhelmed with detail, yet I still felt like I was missing something. Almost that I was in over my head because what was happening was a very complex story. I sort of wish the first book had been full length just so I could have a better understanding, but knowing that it's all spanned out over multiple novellas, I'm now vested with some interesting characters. Devyn and Chacal are unique and I don't think I've ever read anything with characters even similar to them.

I don't think I was prepared for the intensity of the overall story, but once everything started to fall into place, the darkness literally consumed me. There's some serious stuff going on behind the scenes and Granberry just kept stringing me along. If you like complex with an almost twisted-like theme, you might find yourself hooked.

Intrigued and ready for more!

'Play the Hand you were Dealt With' is the prologue Novella of the upcoming series 'A tale of the Naked City'. Told in dual perspectives , this book did the perfect job of building my anticipation of the main series!!

The book introduces us to a lot of characters , with the main ones being Chaval and Devyn. The book starts with them both taking over and starting a game. However this is no normal game. They hire people to play it , and those people will be the main characters of the upcoming books. Each of them will have their story.

The concepts in this book confused me a bit and I have tons and tons of questions. The author did the perfect job of trapping me in and I really won't be able to leave this series until the very last book. I am so excited to meet these characters and to see what game are they going to play.
The author even told us , which character will have the first book and I am so excited!!

I already know this series is going to be a blast , so full of games and suspense !! An amazing prologue story , absolutely to the point and amazing!

“Quite a unique story. Somehow different from the previous stories I’ve read of this author. From the very beginning the story hooked me. A story of suspense and intrigued that had my attention. New Orleans was always a place of mystery and secrets but Play The Hand You Were Dealt showed an insight of the organization and how the criminals work. I cannot wait for the next book.”

***I received an ebook copy from the author at no cost***

This is an action-packed beginning to what I'm sure will be a sexy, suspenseful, and heart-thumping series.

Le Chacal—or The Jackal—is determined to conquer Las Vegas and run the city. He's cunning, smart, and cutthroat, and will do whatever it takes to gain the power and control he's looking for.

Play the Hand you Were Dealt lays the groundwork for Granberry's Tales of the Naked City series. Granberry introduces us to the main players of the series—La Chacal and his partner in crime/significant other, Devyn. Together, the two are a deadly combination, powerful, confident, and able to outsmart even the cleverest of masterminds. There's a powerful connection between these two, in and out of the bedroom, and I can't wait to see them carry out their plans in coming books.

We're introduced to the other "players" in this book as well. Each seems intriguing, and it's clear there's much more we have yet to learn about them. I liked the introductions and the fact that Granberry didn't give too much away with this book. I got just enough to get invested and wanting more of the story and the characters.

This is a quick and exciting read. I love La Chacal, even though I didn't get to know him too well yet. I enjoy powerful alpha male leads, and he fits that bill perfectly.

This series seems to have all the right things: a sexy alpha male, secrets, and a dark and intriguing cast of characters.

Let the games begin!

Five stars to this novel.

This is the prologue to the series, an introduction to every characters that's going to be in the series. And it really captured my attention. From just reading this one, I could tell the series is going to be so fun. I'm so intrigued how this series is going to go, what's going to happened with each of the players!

Copy received from The Next Step PR and I am reviewing it voluntarily and objectively.

This is the first book of this author I have read, and so far I am impressed with the author’s ability to weave a complicated, but interesting plot.

This is the prequel novella set to introduce us to a select group of people and the ones designing the game. All characters of the future novels were given a playing card to be their identity. As for what they have to do....we do not know yet.

Overall, extremely intriguing and I look forward to the first book.

Play The Hand You Were Dealt is a very enticing beginning to what I'm sure will be an excellent series by M. Jay Granberry. It's action-packed, with a suspenseful and intriguing plotline that immediately caught my attention. It offers a lot of insight into a criminal organization that for many decades has ruled New Orleans and now is looking to expand to Las Vegas. There are quite a lot of characters presented and we get a bit of backstory for each one. All of the 'players' in this story have an interesting life and I'm beyond intrigued to know more about them. Although a short, quick read, this novella served its purpose, I can't wait to read the next book in the series.


*I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.