Aced by Ella Frank, Brooke Blaine Series: PresLocke #1
Published by Self-Published on July 10th 2016
Pages: 372
Amazon
From Ella Frank’s Sunset Cove series and Brooke Blaine’s L.A. Liaisons series comes a scorchingly hot novel that blends humor, passion, and romance.
What happens when these two worlds collide?
Ace Locke is Hollywood’s hottest action hero. Women across the globe fling their panties in his direction, but Ace isn’t interested in those—he’s more of a boxer briefs kind of guy. Specifically, those of the nearly naked male model on a billboard he drives past every day.
Though he recently made headlines for his public coming out, Ace is wary about pursuing a relationship, fearing what the court of public opinion will do to his career. But there’s something in the model’s expression that intrigues him and has him wondering what if?
Dylan Prescott just scored his biggest modeling campaign yet. One that has him plastered all over L.A. in not much more than what he was born with. And when he’s cast in Ace’s latest blockbuster, it puts him in close proximity to his ultimate fantasy.
Outwardly confident, Dylan has no problem with his sexuality or his pretty-boy looks, and uses both to his advantage to get what he wants. And what he wants is the impossible—Ace Locke.
*Although Aced is a spin-off of Ella and Brooke's series, prior reading of those novels is not required.*
Ho-ly hell! Put authors Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine together, and you get one lethally talented writing team. Aced showcases their combined strengths beautifully in a seamless M/M story that’s romantic, witty, and sinfully hot.
Aced is a crossover between Brooke Blaine’s L.A. Liaisons series and Ella Frank’s Sunset Cove series. Ace Locke is the Hollywood action star/Shayne’s client in Hooker by Brooke Blaine. Dylan Prescott is Derek’s roommate in Devil’s Kiss by Ella Frank. If you’re unfamiliar with either series, don’t worry. You’ll be able to follow this story just fine.
The men themselves are irresistible. Ace seems to be the ultimate macho man, but inside he’s an insecure person coming to terms with living as an outed celebrity. He’s also a complete softy at heart. Dylan is extremely compassionate and agreeable, yet very forward. He boldly takes what he wants, and what he wants is his dream man: Ace. They smoothly trade Alpha roles, and it’s all kinds of sexy. Oh, and they both speak dirty talk fluently. Mmm-mm good.
This book has a little something for everyone. Are you a fan of comedy? The flirting is funny, and Dylan’s hippie parents are absolutely hilarious. Are you a sucker for sweet romances? Ace’s romantic gestures will definitely detonate your ovaries. Does erotica get your blood pumping? Get your fire extinguishers ready because my Kindle practically burst into flames. This is a thigh-clenching, extra-panties-required, not suitable for public reading kind of story—if you know what I mean.
The writing style is marvelous, but I did feel like the plot was a bit stagnant at times. Perhaps I’m just a drama junkie, but I would have appreciated a little more conflict. Only the surface of the characters is scratched, and I wanted a deeper connection. Still, my interest was captured throughout, and I consider Aced a winning read.
I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is this book isn’t a standalone. Nope, the ending leaves you gently hanging. The story continues in Locked, so I guess the good news is there’s more Dylan and Ace to look forward to in August 2016!
Recommended for fans of:
M/M romance
Erotica
Secretive romance
Romantic comedy
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
Excerpt
“WAS THIS YOUR plan?” he asked, his voice low and husky. “Invite me over…get me in your bedroom…”
My racing heart could’ve answered that question for him it was beating so hard, and I almost wished it would, since being this close had every thought fleeing my brain. Especially when he leaned in like he was going to whisper in my ear, his words a silky breath across my chin.
“What happens next?” Dylan fingered the buckle of my belt, and I immediately reached down to still his hand.
“Hang on a second,” I said, and could feel my chest tightening at what he was implying. <em>Jesus,</em> I wanted this so bad, wanted <em>him</em> so bad, yet at the same time I was utterly terrified.
“No,” Dylan said, removing his hand from mine. I caught my breath as he slid his finger over the buckle once again. “Not this time. You have a nasty habit of starting things and never quite finishing them, Ace Locke.”
His teasing tone made me want to kiss the smirk off his face, but I was caught between all the things I wanted to do and everything I’d always held myself back from.
“Kind of like yesterday in your car. You corner me somewhere and then seem to think better of it.” As Dylan angled his head to the side, he slipped his fingers behind the buckle and took a step backward. “Why is that?”
His fingers had frozen in place, and I knew if I wanted anything else beyond this to happen, I needed to say something—and fast. So I said the first thing that came to mind: “Because you make me fucking forget myself.”
Clearly that answer was more than okay by the man whose fingers had now tightened around the top off my pants, because Dylan continued moving backward, this time drawing me with him until his back was against my bedroom wall and I was crowding him in.
“And this is a bad thing?” he asked, and even in the darkness of the room I knew his eyes were on mine.
“No…” I said, and took in a shaky breath before admitting, “It’s a dangerous thing.”
“So this”—Dylan pulled the end of my belt from its loop—“would be too dangerous.”
I cursed under my breath as he tugged my hips closer, and his other hand went to the side of my neck. His thumb grazed my lower lip, and instantly it took me back to the first time I’d seen him, seen that same thumb brushing against his lip, and I let out a soft moan.
“Just a taste,” he whispered, his head angling toward mine. “That wouldn’t be too dangerous. Right?” He didn’t wait for me to respond before his mouth skimmed the line of my jaw. As I held my breath, he planted light, feathery kisses down my neck, and I had to put a hand on the wall to steady myself.
“I think it’d be very fucking dangerous,” I said, but I didn’t move away. No way in hell was I going anywhere, no matter how many red flags were waving, telling me I was going too far. I wanted this, wanted him, and only the devil himself could drag me away.
Dylan’s lips left my neck and he leaned back to look me in the eye. “So stop me.”
I shook my head. “No.”
Purchase links for Aced
Aced will be on sale for $3.99 for release week only!
Ella and Brooke are giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card in celebration of this release.
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About Brooke Blaine
You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.
Brooke enjoys writing sassy contemporary romance, whether in the form of comedy, suspense, or erotica. The latter has scarred her conservative Southern family for life, bless their hearts.
If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find – just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.
About Ella Frank
Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR.
Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips. Contact Ella via email: admin@ellafrank.com.
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