Hard Rules

This was my first Lisa Renee Jones book but it will not be my last. This book has the mob, the Feds, too many manipulative people to count, lies, deceit, intrigue and a few good people attempting to clean up the mess that is Brandon Enterprises. Jones weaves an intriguing, suspenseful story full of well defined characters and just the right amount of really hot sex.

Emily and Shane have secrets. They both question the wisdom of getting involved. Emily can't even tell Shane (or the reader apparently) who she really is. When Shane finds Emily working for his dad shortly after they meet, he can't help but wonder if their initial encounter was truly random. Is she a corporate spy? Can he trust her? When she realizes Shane is her new boss's son, Emily tries not to break off their still very new relationship. Ultimately, they can't keep their hands off each other and their sexual and emotional attachment quickly grow deep.

Surrounded by a ruthless family Shane, the prodigal son, is fighting for control of his father's business empire. As the situation devolves and becomes increasing dangerous, Shane tries to shield Emily but she refuses to quit. She continues to search for damning evidence to help Shane which is just one of the ways that she proves that despite her secrets, she cares for and is loyal to Shane and believes in right and wrong.

The cliffhanger ending left me almost angry because I wanted more, now. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.

reviewed by Jem Stone

This book is another 5 stars by Lisa Renee Jones. This book is different from the others that I have read and wow I think this is her best of all. You will fall in love with the characters of this book.I can't to read the next book.

~5~ Checkmate stars for the first book of the series!!

Wow!!! This story was like a chess game, clearly waiting for a checkmate move and that created a lot of suspense and the same time keeping your breath for something big to happen.

The author once again created a masterpiece were many secrets were scattered all over the book, Emily was a true enigma she has many secrets i was very confused for what was going on with her, she wanted to give into her attraction and her feelings for Shane but something was holding her back and the same time she was determined to help him and provide whatever advantage could find to help him against this whole game with his family. Well she fell hard for him i can tell but she remained the big question mark in the story.

Shane on the other hand grew up in a very "strange" family were his father, mother and brother each making moves for the sake of their game, another question mark is "What is going on in the company???" ...and the secrets are pilling up. In spite of all that i truly loved Shane's personality he was the complete opposite of his family, he is a gentleman and despite his good efforts for keeping Emily safe he fell for her gentle personality.

After leaving us with a huge cliffhanger, i really can't wait to see what the second book will reveal next, what secrets are about to burst and most importantly what twists will have to change the whole game.

Holy smokes what a ride! Lisa completely nails yet another kick ass read. I loved this book! Its the beginning to a new series and I am already nearly begging for book two since the ending of book one was completely effed up! What a cliffhanger!

Shane is by far one of the most amazing men Ive read in a while. Hes caring, attentive, and even a bit meticulous. He wants what he wants when he wants it and how he wants it. What he wants is to save the family empire. But with all the cards stacked against him I don't know if he will get it. He also wants Emily.

Emily is a sweet little thing. My suspicions about her are not the best. I think shes a devil in disguise. But...... I know she cares about Shane. A lot. I'm confused at her angle, but that's what Lisa does best. She makes you love her characters so much and throws in some angst that leaves you reeling. Just as I am right now.

This is a super great book with angst and high tension. I was hooked from beginning to the end and was gasping when I reached that last page. I am in desperate need to get book two. The characters are completely charming. Shane and Emily are perfect together, although the odds are definitely not in their favor. Once again I'm reeling from another Lisa book and I couldn't be happier about it.

Secrets... Lots and lots of secrets.

Shane Brandon is trying to take make his family business more legitimate, but it's kinda hard to do when his father is only pitting him against his own brother, which forces his brother to pull it further down. Shane has plans, but is doesn't include Emily.

Emily gets caught up in the Brandon family drama and even though she wants to help Shane out, she has secrets of her own that seems to be catching up to her. I have a few theories about her, but I guess I'll have to wait for the next book to see if I'm right.

I'll admit, at times, the business talk was confusing for me to keep up, but I figured I don't NEED to understand everything in order to get the gist of the story.

I was happy with the suspense feel of this also. Certain scenes had me cringing and reading faster just so we could move to safety. I am quite anxious to see where the story is headed.

excellent read

This is the first installment to a new series. I gotta say, I’m already in love. It was a very refreshing read that had me flipping pages to see what happened next. Absolutely love how Lisa’s mind works when she’s writing a series. She draws you in and keeps you right on the edge to the very end.

Emily is on the run, new city, new identity. With little to no money and no job she is desperately searching for work. Stopping at a local coffee shop to get her morning, wake me up, she accidently takes the wrong drink. Mortified at what she’s done Emily apologies to a devastatingly handsome stranger. Who shocks her system even more by drinking the same cup of coffee her lips were on. {Somebody fan me now}

Shane Brandon is a sexy hardball lawyer. He’s trying to turn the family business around. Leaving the Brandon legacy with a good name. Unfortunately everywhere he turns there seems to be dirty money. And his dysfunctional family is no help. His father is dying of cancer, asked Shane to save them yet he pitting him against his brother to see which is the smart/cut throat one to take over the Brandon empire. His brother Derek keeps digging them deeper with his shady deals, and his mother is manipulating everyone. Meeting Emily brought light into the darkness that is surrounding him. He wants her but knows he can’t have her. She’ll be a casualty he’s not willing to risk. In a different life these two would be perfect for one another but right now, in the middle of his family’s war, he wants Emily as far away as possible. Only now that she has strong feelings for Shane, she won’t let him do this alone.

4.5 Stars

Holy Crap, she did not just leave me hanging like that! This book ends in a cliff hanger that has me wanting to shake Shane Brandon so hard he sees stars. And now I must wait…. I knew this book was going to be addictive just by reading the prologue.

This is not my first rodeo, I know how Lisa works her books. She creates a story that holds us captive, takes us all the way to the end and then has us on pins and needles waiting for the next book. While we wait we try to figure out what she has going on in her head and re-read to see if we missed any hidden clues as to what will happen next. I love the suspense but this book had so much more than just the average book by Lisa. This book is scorching hot, tantalizing, terrorizing, suspenseful, passionate, and brings so much drama it will make your head spin trying to keep track of who did what to each other.

Shane Brandon has been burned by those he trusted most. Now he is faced with a father that is dying, a company that is on the verge of disgrace because of a twisted brother that thinks his way is the best way even though he has no moral compass. And his mother, she is doing anything she can to survive, but he truly didn’t know the depths of her betrayal and I still don’t think he has hit the surface. His frustration level is a DEFCON 10 and he needs a release. Agonizing over leaving his life in NYC as a promising lawyer for this mess he is now in with his family. Righting the wrongs and leaving a promising legacy for his family is his goal but will others break him before he achieves it?
Enter Emily Stevens, a mistake at the coffee shop has her accidentally taking Shane’s coffee. The chance encounter leads to immediate sparks. But she walks away because she is hiding from her own trouble, that we don’t truly know anything about other than she is fearing for her life. When the two collide again the sparks jump off the pages. They agree to one-night, but they won’t be able to stop with just one. The passion is too intense and the feelings that surround the two of them are different than anything either of them has experienced.
Will they be able to make it work? Will Shane’s family drive them apart? Will one end up in harm’s way? Will they be able to trust one another with their biggest, deepest, darkest secrets?

Shane is handsome, confident, alpha male that knows how to push people but not too far. Emily is on the run and he wants to know more but he is willing to go at her pace. She is sassy, strong, but not as confident as she appears on the surface. But will her troubles catch her and will Shane run when he finds out the truth?

Another well written book by Lisa Renee Jones. Hard Rules consists of a great story line, great character development, plot twists, suspenseful tension, and a cliff hanger. Lisa's books are very addictive and she engages the reader emotionally. You feel the passion be it in the bedroom or the boardroom jump of the pages and ignite a fire within. I am invested in the story of Emily and Shane, I can't wait to see what will happen and now I will patiently wait to get my hands on the next installment because we can't rush a masterpiece.

I received Hard Rules (Dirty Money #1) as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Lisa Renee Jones has done it again. She has written another series full of suspense, mistrust, passion, and family drama. In this Sons of Anarchy (SOA) meets Wall Street novel, Shane Brandon fights for control of his ailing father's company. His competition is his older brother Derek. Emily, who has secrets of her own, takes a job as Shane's father's assistant. There is instant chemistry between Shane and Emily, but whose side is she on? What's her story? While Shane is trying to position himself to be his father's successor, Derek has plotted ways to destroy him. Can Shane trust Emily and those in his inner circle to gain control? Just a warning for those who don't like cliffhangers. This ends with a big one between Shane and Emily. Is his trust and need for her compromised who n he learns she may not be who she says she is?

4.5 Crowns Hard Rules follows the story of Shane Brandon as he tries to purge his family’s company of the duplicity and immorality that has plagued their family business and Emily as she attempts to run from her past for an unknown reason. They are truly two characters that are right for each other but are meeting at the wrong time.

The characters of this story are interesting. All of them are battling between good and evil. Shane desperately wants to purge his family’s company, but he may have to cross some lines to get it done. So, he is left with the question, do the ends justify the means? Then he struggles with his emotions for Emily. He wants to be with her, but will she become a causality of the Brandon war? His dilemma with the company and Emily develops his complexity as a character. The heroine of the story, Emily, is an interesting character as well. She is described as being sweet but is clearly hiding a secret. This secret has the potential to rock Shane’s world, so she tries to sever ties with him. The reader is given snippets of information that draws him/her into her character. These two are clearly right for each other but are meeting at the worst time. The main aspect of their relationship that I like is that they are both dominant and submissive, which is really an accurate reflection of a relationship. They both stand up to each other and give into each other when it is necessary. Everything they do is for the benefit of the other, even if it seems ridiculous to the reader. Jessica, Shane’s secretary, is another character I truly enjoyed. Her sass and strength and her ability to stand up to Shane while supporting him is fantastic. I completely love the scenes she is a part of. Overall the characters are intriguing, as the good guys aren’t all good and bad guys are truly heinous individuals.

The plot of this story is complex. The whole way through the story I was trying to figure out who was on whose side, what Emily’s secret is, and what would be the outcome of Emily’s secret. Usually, I am able to figure out the plot of stories based on foreshadowing or a general understanding of basic tropes, but I haven’t figured out the major plot points of the story. I honestly have no idea what is going to happen, and this makes the book that much better!

I really enjoyed Hard Rules by Lisa Renee Jones. The reader feels just as embroiled in this war to save Brandon Enterprises with Shane as he/she is trying to figuring out who to trust and what information every is hiding. I definitely cannot wait for Damage Control.

A great start to what's shaping up to be another awesome series by one of my favorite authors! Lisa Renee Jones writes erotic suspense like no other - she is so good at twists and turns and don't even get me started on her ability to write erotic scenes! Looking forward to continuing with this series! Cheers!

Wow! This book completely entranced me from the very start and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. There was many twists and turns throughout the book which I enjoyed. I loved the characters, Emily and Shane. Their chemistry was intense and makes for many passionate moments between the two. This was such an enjoyable read

I was graciously given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and honestly... this book is phenomenal!

Hard Rules is positively sizzling! It's skillfully written, intense, edgy, raw, unpredictable, heartbreaking, and oh so hot. This book is absolutely breath stealing! Lisa Renee Jones weaved a story that once I started reading, I was captivated and couldn't put the damn book down. She has a unique talent of giving her readers exactly what they want and so much more. She has the ability to pull you into the story and keeps you on the edge until the very end.

I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher.I have read all of Lisa Renee Jones' books and this book like all of them is one of her best!!! Hard Rules is an exciting, dangerous, romantic, thrilling book that has you thundering thru page after page to see what is going to happen next!!! It's not as simple as one good brother against one bad brother. Lisa has a way of describing with so much clarity feelings, thoughts, ambience, and surroundings. I felt so many emotions, fear, suspense, anger, laughter, romance, sadness, friendship and wanting so much more at the end. I'm in love with Shane and in some ways feel he is the primary in the book. Emily is shrouded in secrets and it's consuming her in a bad way. I want so much for this couple in the midst of so much chaos and turmoil. I can only imagine more to come!!! I absolutely recommend this book and cannot wait for the release of the second book in the Dirty Money Series.

another hot winner by Ms. Jones. Awesome story.

"There isn't a cure for corruption."

Well, I confess that seeings Sons of Anarchy in the blurb got me excited, since that's one of my favorite shows and I'm a lover of MC Romance. But let me answer the question for you, it has nothing to do with bikers. It's more about the internal workings of a legacy and the hidden agendas of the players. There are secrets and surprises, ending in a big cliffy that will have you gasping, but not regretting the journey that brought you there. It was too good to give up, too exciting to miss, and too sexy not to savor.

Shane is sex in a suit, he is "Silk and seduction, a magnificent man who no doubt has so many women lining up that I'm a mere flicker on the screen." Emily wasn't the only one drooling and melting into a puddle every time he showed up. I was having a virtual case of lust too!

Emily is a mystery. She has a dark past that she keeps hidden throughout the entire book. Leaving little clues, just enough to keep me following the trail of crumbs, hoping for answers. All I know is that's it's something big and if discovered by the wrong people her whole house of cards will fall. But what the hell is it? I want to know NOW!

Shane is the youngest of the Brandon sons. He has a very strained relationship with his brother, Derek. While they battle for the control of the Brandon Enterprises empire, Shane finds it hard to let go of his memories of the childhood relationship he had with the brother that he once respected. He's determined to turn things around and make their business something to be proud of rather than ashamed of. But time is running out and trouble has come calling... again. Will he be able to get them out of it this time, or will his house of cards fall too?

Get ready for a nail-biting, panty-melting, head-scratching, eyebrow-raising roller coaster ride that will have you anxious for more as soon as it's over. The line forms here...

A great opening of a new romantic suspense series…

This is the first book in the Dirty Money series, the ending, a cliffhanger, will leave you wanting more.

There is a power struggle going on within the Brandon family business empire, two brothers at opposite ends of the moral spectrum and a father who takes satisfaction pitting them against each other. To save the family legacy from an inevitable downfall Shane Brandon, an attorney from a prestigious firm has taken on the task of legitimizing the family business interests. The playing field is a dark one and he’ll have to walk a fine line between right and wrong to achieve his endgame. But how far can a person delve into the shadows before they become too entrenched in it? Sometimes to win you have to become your opponent to be able to block and countermove.

Very much alone Emily Stevens arrives in town, she’s feeling the repercussions of a decision not of her making and must keep her past hidden. The chemistry she has upon meeting the sexy Shane has her assenting to one night of companionship, to just once not have another night of restless solitude. But the connection between them is a rare one and runs deeper than either intended, the chemistry, the passion of their joining is like an electric storm. Fate soon has their paths crossing again in a way that will make their ever meeting questionable. Yet the strength of their desire and need for each other brings an inherent trust that may not be wise for either of them but neither can now walk away.

I loved this! What a great opening of a new romantic suspense series. A family dynasty in transition, there’s corruption, betrayal, deceit, and a drug cartel to captivate the reader’s attention. We learn so much about Shane and the battle he’s waging yet Emily remains a shrouded mystery that is slowly unraveling and sure to provide many complications.

The author has deliciously woven an intricate plot with many threads, giving us lots of angst, sexual tension and suspense, the writing style sexy and seductive, drawing the reader in from page one. There are many secrets being kept, hidden agendas to uncover and intriguing complex characters with strong emotions. Shane and Emily are fascinating, they fulfill a deep-routed need each other has but can it last?

This reader was left wanting the answers to many questions: Can Shane protect Emily from the hell that is his family? Can Emily protect Shane from the reality of what she’s hiding from? A chess game is being played with people’s lives, who will prove the master of this game? Can Emily keep Shane grounded enough from the dark path he has to walk? I’m so looking forward to book two.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

The first book in a new series by Lisa and I’m so glad that I got a copy of it to read in advance. This book is the story of Shane and Emily.

"There isn't a cure for corruption." 

Oh those words are so true and yet I love reading it. There’s something so deliciously naughty about it and I can’t help but just want more and more of the words. Shane sets my senses on alert, he is bold, he’s dangerous and he’s so charming. Those characteristics on their own are dangerous but put the three of them together in one alpha male and you have a book that is going to be so hot and steamy to read. He’s so delicious and dangerous, can we just clone him so all females can have their own Shane?

Emily is a mystery in herself as well. She has a past and there’s times where you do not know where this story is going. There are small bits of information and when you think you know what is going on, something else pops up. I promise you your head will spin in confusion but you’ll love every single second of it. Someone tell me already because the waiting will surely kill me, I’m not even kidding!!

The ending of this book had me literally gasping for more, I need more, I need it now, Lisa please get it out soon!! AMAZING BOOK!

5 STARS!

If you asked me what is the best thing about any book written by Lisa Renee Jones is I would say that it's her way of depicting the all too perfect alpha male. Ambitious, intelligent, attractive, domineering, dominant in the bedroom...these are just a few of the many characteristics that describe Shane Brandon . Sounds like your kind of guy, am I right?

I thought so but my tune changed once I came to realized just how dysfunctional Shane's family is. The intricate lies, conspiracies, and constant manipulation that is occurring amongst the family members are unfathomable. The crazy thing is that even with the tension and animosity Shane cares enough that he will do just about anything to save his family.

The only thing that keeps him sane is his supposed one-night stand/turned loyal employee, Emily. And although their relationship starts off as one hot sexual pursuit you can tell that their connection then was remarkably deep and profound. She was his calm in the midst of a storm, someone tailored perfectly for him. Too perfect that you can't help feel this paranoia considering a number of secrets that she is harboring.

Another thing Lisa Renee Jones is good at is leaving us wanting MORE. Yes, ladies, not all too surprised here - the story ends with a major cliffhanger. Personally, I didn't mind one bit. The intrigue combined with a degree of complexity was damn well worth it. The compelling ending will certainly have you reeling and begging for more!

Shane...battling with his brother, trying to pull his family's company on the straight and narrow......who is frankly sick of it all.

Emily....crime family daughter/sister who is frankly sick of it all.

A by chance coffee shop meeting.....and then it begins! Oh and it is excellent!

So many secrets and surprises and these had me on the edge of my seat......I was reading and turning those pages like a mad woman...GIVE ME THOSE ANSWERS!!! Love books like this!

I know I havent given much away here...and that was my intention. YOU MUST READ! But holy hells bells with a cherry on the top.....what a cliffy....I was looking at my kindle with an open mouth shouting in my head wtf???...like noooo....I need more and I need it now!