The devil in my nightmares is the man of my dreams. For the past three years, I’ve been running from a man I’ve never met. A man who carries a grudge. A man who specializes in revenge. I thought I had it all—a career and a new home in a sleepy small town. My world comes crashing down when a sexy gang member from the city arrives at my job, wrapped in tattoos and sinful smiles. Beneath his … Beneath his flirtatious facade beats the heart of an angry man. I’ve committed the one sin he can never forgive. I stole from him, and he won’t be satisfied until he’s repaid with the money or my life.
They say there are two kinds of power: power derived from fear and power obtained by acts of love. Cash Delacorte holds them both over my head. He’s everything I never wanted: dark, deceptive, and dedicated to a life of crime. He’s determined to pull me into the darkness with him, and the thing is—I want to go. Every kiss, every lie, every punishment propels me into a future I never dreamed possible.
Will I choose the darkness or escape into the light?
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Exciting and thrilling read, with an interesting story line. While I don’t care for Cash, I loved Jagger and her friend Em. They were very likable, and it was easy to relate to them. The supporting characters were well developed and I hated that Cash’s greed and need to make Jagger pay for her sisters crime forced her to involve other people in a live of crime. The book was relatively short and I felt the author could have combined the both books, This is part 1 of the duet and I am exited to read the final part. Definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the Absolute Power duet which is Cash and Jagger’s story. It’s dark and full of drama and all the lust that you would expect from a dark read. The characters are well developed and kept me interested throughout the storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having first picked up Ms.Mann’s work back in March of this year I’ve been looking forward to reading more of her books! As soon as this duet was announced I knew that I needed to pick both books up next! I really liked the way this book caught my attention from the get go. I enjoyed this first book in the Absolute Power Duet!
3.5
This is the first book of the Absolute Power duet and cannot be read as a standalone.
I have not read any of the previous books in this world, and felt like I should have read Ruthless Knight to better know the backstory of Calliope, Jagger, and Cash. It was mentioned a few times in the book, but then sort of glossed over, but the whole plot has to do with Jagger’s sister owing Cash and betraying him. I just feel like reading RK before this one will benefit the reader.
This is a quick read with tons of twists and turns. Cash and Jagger have a complicated relationship. She knows he is bad for her, but she can’t help be attracted to the danger, jewels, and money that he brings to her life.
I’m definitely curious to see how it all ends with that cliffhanger.
This book is for anyone who is looking for a quick fast paced read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolute Power by Jeana Mann. I found this to be a deliciously dark and twisted love story filled with tense drama, personal conflicts, plenty of steam, and strong characters. Looking forward to the conclusion in Absolute Trust. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first installment in the Absolute Duet, an amazing dark romantic suspense, sets in Baxter Corner, a small town. Cash is powerful, controlling, ruthless, dominant, angry, and dangerous. He is seeking for revenge. His entire demeanor exudes danger, power, and sins. Jagger, Calliope’s sister from the Ruthless Knight, is sweet, independent, and a strong warrior and survivor. I love her name. They share an instant attraction, and an explosive chemistry. The storyline is fast-paced, and captivating. Impossible to put it down. The secondary characters are great, and intriguing. I love Emery and Gage. The world building is well done, and intriguing, filled with twists and turns. The story ends with an unpredictable cliffhanger. I enjoyed it, and I HIGHLY recommend it. Looking forward to read the last installment in this duet.
You can read this story as a standalone, but I if you have time, I highly recommend you to read the Ruthless Knight before. This duet is a spin-off of the amazingly dark Ruthless Knight (Calliope’s story). The Exiled Prince Trilogy and The Rebel Queen Duet are also part of this amazing world. You should also consider to read these Series. You won’t regret it. I love these interconnected Series, with intertwined characters. Jeana E. Mann never disappoints.
Reading order suggested:
1) The Exiled Prince Trilogy (Henry and Everly)
2) The Rebel Queen Duet (Roman and Rourke)
3) Ruthless Knight (Calliope and Nicky)
4) and then, Absolute Power Duet (Cash and Jagger)
Absolute Power was an engrossing tale that held my interest from beginning to end. This is the first book in the Absolute Power duet and I enjoyed it, as it was fast paced and entertaining. Here we have Cash and Jagger’s story, two characters with great chemistry. Brooding and mysterious with a hint of danger Cash is not someone you want to mess with and now after having stolen from him, Jagger is in his sight, as he wants his money back. I liked Jagger but she made some questionable decisions that had me shaking my head. The story had some twists and turns, some nail-biting moment and a cliffhanger that left me anxious book 2. I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to all lovers of contemporary romance.
This book had me on the edge of my seat! I loved it, I can’t wait for book 2!
Warning: ends with a cliffie! And it feels like you’ve been running down a hill and are left standing in the very edge of a precipice! Hot and dark: this book is fast, short, twisted and full of lust.
This story is an offshoot of The Ruthless Knight, Nicky’s story, which I loved. Calliope was running cons with Cash Delacorte, and her younger sister Jagger joined in their last coup, which didn’t end well. Both sisters escaped, then Calliope gave Jagger the money they stole and sent her to the US warning her to stay hidden. Calliope’s story with Nicky happens in The Ruthless Knight and Cash remains with vengeance on his mind and a lot of money to recover.
After living in an abusive relation, Jagger escaped with the help of her friend Emeline. They settled and have been living in this obscure little town in Indiana for two years. She used Callie’s money to buy into a partnership with a jewelry store owner and also bought a tiny house. She’s been living a quiet life, but has been running cons, stealing jewelry and substituting for fake pieces she made. At first she did it to prove to herself she was good, then she did it for the love of the game. Until her last heist when she stole in one of Cash’s stores and he came back looking for vengeance. Once he saw who it was, he also wanted the money Callie stole.
Jagger and Cash start on an uneasy collaboration. Cash demands Jagger’s collaboration in his bribery and con schemes and as they spend time together, their chemistry flashes hot. Jagger likes walking on the dark side of the law, and Cash is like fairy dust for her. He is a mobster but for her, he’s more than that.
“Beneath my fear of Cash and my anger at Calliope for drawing me into this mess is a buzz of excitement. Before he walked through the front door, my life had been boring and predictable. With a threat and a kiss, he’s flipped my world upside down. I love a challenge, the thrill of outwitting someone more powerful than me, and Cash Delacorte presents the perfect opportunity to flex my intellectual skills. His granite jaw and soft lips are an added bonus.”
The thing with this story is that when it got going, and I settled down for a good, steamy story, all hell breaks lose and it ends in a spectacular cliffhanger. I was gobsmacked and left anxious for the end. I’m still not sure what to think about these two. Jagger sometimes behaves like the nice girl next door, but other times shows her con artist talents. She makes a great couple with Cash in that they both like to walk on the dark side of the law. About Cash, I could see that he was falling for Jagger but he still wasn’t all there. I have great hopes for Absolute Trust and see how these two perform!
This is NOT your typical HEA, things are not just black and white, this story has many shades of grey. A steamy, twisty read. Fast paced and a duet, book 2 cannot release quick enough for me
This is the first book in the Absolute Power Duet, and the story of Cash, and Jagger. When Jagger sister steals from Cash, and goes on the run, Jagger is left to deal with the consequences, but when Jagger tracks her down, the sparks fly. This was a great read, the characters have great chemistry, and their story kept me engaged. This was steamy, emotional, intense, mysterious, suspenseful, and dramatic.
Absolute Power is book 1 of the Absolute Power Duet by Jeana E. Mann.
This is Jagger and Cash’s story. Jagger is a woman who is trying to live her life quietly. Trying to run from her past and all mistakes that her made..which was working until her sister’s powerful and dangerous ex boyfriend walks into her store. He wants the $ 200,000 that she stole from him. Now he wants his money back or else Jagger will be the one to pay and it won’t be pretty. Even though Cash is super threatening and quite the bad guy, they have this instant chemistry between them. The sexual sizzle is off the charts hot . I felt for Jagger because she was just trying to live her life and move on from what happened but Cash won’t let her and then is quite threatening, demanding . Money or else… the twists and turns in this story will have the reader on the edge of their seat. The cliffhanger had me literally dead!! I couldn’t believe it. I can’t wait for book 2 because I have to find out what happens.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
Steamy And Suspenseful! Cash And Jagger’s Duet Begins As Cash Enters Jagger’s Life Looking For Revenge!
This is the first book in the Absolute Power duet which is Cash and Jagger’s story. It is a spin-off of the stand-alone novel The Ruthless Knight. It is not necessary to have read that book first.
From The Ruthless Knight:
Calliope Jones, twenty-eight, escaped a horrible childhood only to discover the man that saved her was no hero. Abandoned by her father and left to be raised by a mother constantly in and out of rehab for a heroin addiction, Calliope was often left with the various men who came and went in her mother’s life. She was molested, forced into dancing at strip clubs, and finally prostitution. When Cash found her, she thought she found a savior in him. They dated for years and he taught her how to run cons, but she eventually realized he used her the same way she had been used before. She wants out, but he claims she owes him and won’t let go. Silently plotting her escape for a decade, she only needs the right opportunity to present itself to steal away and disappear from his wrath.
Roman Menshikov’s Masquerade de Marquis at his London club is her chance out. Things go awry first when Jagger, her twenty-two year old sister who is supposed to be waiting in their hotel room, talks her way into participating on the job. The sisters had been separated in their youth when their grandmother kicked Calliope out of her home along with their drug-addicted mother, but the sisters had since reunited. Calliope desperately wants to keep Jag away from her criminal life, but Jagger appears to be a natural so she gives in it at the last minute. Athena, Cash’s current squeeze, is part of the team but she isn’t a team player. Calliope and Jagger manage to escape, then Calliope leaves her sister at Heathrow Airport with instructions for beginning a new life and a key to a safe deposit box. She regrets abandoning her sister, but separating is the safest option.
Months into her new life as a bartender in Cleveland, Calliope notices a suspicious man lingering as closing approaches. She is too well-trained to panic, but she knows her cover is blown. Outsmarted, she finds herself held captive not by Cash, but by Mr. Big, as she had called him, from her last job at the London location of Devil’s Playground. The two have incredible chemistry, which is unfortunate given the circumstances. When Sir Nikolay Reznik Tarnovsky takes Calliope to certain death at Valentina’s hands as punishment for a job she participated in years earlier, he feels sorry for her. But Nicky’s family has been threatened and he has no choice. Although he delivers as required, Valentina is not finished with him yet. She sets about a twisted game of torture with Nicky and Calliope.
Months later Cash happens upon the couple as they dine at one of Nicky’s restaurants in Manhattan. He wants the money that Calliope owes him, but Nicky makes it clear that she is off limits before having Cash escorted out.
In Absolute Power:
Cash Delacorte is charming, cunning, terrifying, and merciless. He makes people disappear and he runs cons – mostly cash and jewel thefts. He owns the people that work for him. He does a favor, comes on nice, but soon his targets find themselves indebted with no way out. Calliope had been indebted to him, but she walked away after a dozen years, and she owes him. He wants revenge. Payback. Unfortunately, she is untouchable. But when her younger sister Jagger comes on his radar, all is fair game.
Jagger Jones, twenty-six, hasn’t seen her sister since separating with her at Heathrow Airport four year ago. She feels abandoned, but she understands why Calliope keeps her distance. Jagger moved around a bit over the years and finally made a friend in Emeline – her coworker, roommate, and trusted friend for two years. She went through a particularly difficult time with Kyle, an ex that roughed her up, but with Emeline’s support she weathered it. She made a home for herself in Baxter’s Corner, Indiana. Once settled, she used her sister’s money to buy a modest home and a small part of Mercer’s Fine Jewelry and Art Gallery, the shop in which she works. Mr. Mercer, and older man without family, had become a father figure to her. He also taught her about jewelry. But Jagger had gotten complacent about her situation when she decided to earn some extra cash on the side.
When Cash walks into Jagger’s life demanding his money, Jagger doesn’t consider calling Calliope. She had spent too much time trying to get away from him. And besides, it was Jagger herself who spent the money – she just hadn’t realized that it belonged to Cash. Despite the fear he triggers, Jagger cannot help but feel attracted to Cash, and he seems to feel the same about her.
Cash and Jagger begin a complicated relationship at the end of February. It is a business arrangement, but their personal attraction is very real. Cash struggles with himself when it comes to Jagger. He wants her, but she refuses him. He tells her he never strays from a relationship, but that does nothing to alleviate her concerns. He decides he will have her anyways. He plans to own her by summer’s end. Their story ends with an unexpected twist and a cliffhanger.
Cash and Jagger’s duet begins as Cash enters Jagger’s life looking for revenge. Their story is nicely written and plot-driven. The characters are intriguing. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Cash and Jagger. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jagger finds herself in some serious hot water when she steals from Cash, her sisters ex, and now he not only wants her debt but her sisters as well and he’s not playing around. Cash and Jagger have a instant attraction but even though he wants her he also wants what is owed to him so there push pull was a bit confusing at times. Im looking forward to the second part of this duet to see how this continues to unfold between these two
Absolute Power is the first book in the Absolute Power Duet. 4.5 STARS
This is Cash Delacorte and Jagger Jones story. Cash isn’t a good guy. He is rich but he is a thug that has moved on up the chain. Jagger is just trying to survive and finds herself on the wrong side of the law. Jagger is drawn to Cash like a moth drawn to a flame. She knows she shouldn’t want him but can’t seem to help herself.
Cash demands that Jagger pay him back for something that she stole from him and then he piles on her sisters debt too.
By the way Jagger’s sister is Calliope from The Ruthless Knight another series that’s a must read. Cash was Calliope’s boyfriend in The Ruthless Knight and Calliope has run as far away and cut all ties to Jagger because of Cash. But you don’t have to read The Ruthless Knight to enjoy this book.
Cash is a hard guy to like let alone love. The sexual chemistry is HAWT and heavy. And there is huge cliffhanger. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. Oh wait a minute the next book is on my kindle now! Please don’t hate me! I can’t wait to get started on it!
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for awhile. I wasn’t disappointed!
The story is quick paced, twisty, and STEAMY.
Our story centers around Jagger Jones, a talented jewelry maker (and forgery artist) who is trying to leave her family’s criminal past behind her.
That is, until her older sister’s literal partner in crime shows up in Jagger’s store demanding answers over a ring she’d made, and swapped out, from one of his stores. Cash Delacorte is not a man to be trifled with, stolen from, or tricked. Jagger has managed to do all of those.
Cash decides that Jagger is now responsible for the repayment of the stolen ring AND the high priced debit her sister left with Cash when she left him.
Jagger then swirls into a plot of desperate choices, crazy schemes, and risky actions. All while trying to fight her surprising and strong reaction to Court. Their relationship is truly a one step forward ten steps back situation.
While this story is complex, populated with intriguing and interesting characters, and well described leads, there a few things that poked at me while I read.
Don’t misunderstand. This was a sit and read until the pages are gone story. Knowing it is part one of a duet, the cliffhanger was expected, however Ms. Mann delivered in SPADES! I’m anxious to get my hands on the conclusion to Jagger and Cash’s story. Hopefully some of the things that were discordant to me in part one are solved in part two.
The things I stood out to me were Jagger and Cash’s physical relationship. After all the build up and written foreplay, we don’t get the actual final scene. It fades to black and then the reader is filled in via flashbacks. This is a new plot device that I haven’t run across in other books. I like the thought, however in this book, particularly due to the power play going on between Jagger and Cash, I feel that an outright bedroom scene with more of their power struggle would have suited this story better.
Then there was the one scene where we have physical contact with Jagger and Cash. I felt a little anti-climatic regarding this exchange. Again, after the amazing build up in dialogue, the push/pull of the little physical actions of the characters, coupled with their very strong personalities…I was sad to see Jagger give in to Cash in a quiet moment where she is feeling vulnerable, exposed, and crushed.
I would have preferred their standard argumentative byplay followed by some outrageous action that culminates in a hotel room. I had hoped for a stronger scene for Jagger. Particularly given her position at this point in the story.
Finally there is Mr. Mercer. He’s painted as a critical part of Jagger’s life. The story opens with Jagger lamenting the sales in the store, moves on to her buying into the store, has a touching scene when Jagger visits him in the hospital , but then he’s sort of ethereal presence in the background. We know Jagger has his power of attorney and she’s uncomfortable with that, but we never see Mr. Mercer again. He’s just mentioned to be in severely compromised health which is another weight on Jagger’s shoulders.
While these items stood out to me as a reader, I am a new reader to Ms. Mann’s world. It may be that these characters will continue on or be thriving in another one of her series. I understand this duet is a spin off of a current world. I’m also a new reader to this author so it may also be that she wraps up all of my questions, wants, and desires for these characters in part two.
Regardless, this read keep me engaged and dreading the known cliff hanger. I have set up my notifications for the next book in the duet as I’m a very impatient reader and would like my happy ending now vs later. I’m anxiously waiting for the conclusion to Jagger and Cash.
Jeana E. Mann’s latest offering of strong women pitted against men of power and dubious ethics, Absolute Power is a fast burn, hard hitting read. Ms. Mann jumps right into the action with Jagger, a jewelry designer and store owner and Cash, the man she stole from and someone she has been hiding from for three years.
As the story unfolds, you learn more about Jagger who appears, at first, to be a woman who took a walk on the wild side once but there is so much more to her story. Then there is Cash, a former gang member and current “businessman” will a whole lot of reach and a very dangerous side who has more layers than an onion.
This is definitely a “lust at first sight” story with a good amount of action happening around the building romance between Cash and Jagger. A page-turning, quick read that ends on one heck of a cliffhanger with part two coming July 07. Absolute Power is worth the read if you want hot, intriguing, and exciting story.
Can I first just say, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?! My jaw is on the floor, I am speechless and I am begging for more. The flow of this story is epic. It is fast paced, keeps you on your toes with epic twists and turns. The whole concept behind this book was brilliant and I love the concept. Jagger is sassy, witty and absolutely brilliant. She is a fighter too. But with Cash, those walls break. Cash is hard to like but you so want to know more about him and everything that drives him. But the pull is so magnetic. I was blown away by these two together. Cash is definitely the anti-hero your mom warns you about!
Overall, this story is unputdownable. I devoured it. I need more. And that ending. OH MY STARS!!! I need the second book stat! Jaw dropping is putting it mildly as you are literally put through the ringer with these two. But you will be begging for more. I know I am!
Absolute Power (Absolute Power Duet#1) by Jeana Mann is a spin off of the Royal Secrets Trilogy. It is not necessary to read the books but I would recommend it just because I really enjoyed the stories. Jagger is living a quiet life in a small town when a blast from her past walks into her jewelry store. Cash Davenport is not a nice person. He was Jagger’s sister ex boyfriend and the person she stole 200 thousand dollars from. Now Cash has shown up and he wants his money. Jagger has not seen her sister since the last job they pulled together and was given 200 Thousand dollars. Jagger has no clue how to get ahold of her sister. Cash wants his money and if he can’t get ahold of the sister, Jagger will do. The two embark on a journey that is part business with a real dash of sexual tension. Jagger doesn’t have the money and trying to get it is putting her in dangerous situations. Cash is a the typical alpha male, sex on a stick with model good looks along with the bad boy swagger. This book had me from the beginning to the end. I am struggling on my feelings because 1) Cash is definitely a really a bad person and 2) he is the ex boyfriend. Having a sexual relationship with your sister’s ex is a no no in my book. Plus collecting a debt from a family member is not cool either but if you are a bad boy than everything is far in love and war. The sexual tension between the two was hotter than several firecrackers on the 4th of July. The ending did leave on a cliffhanger and I wasn’t expecting what had happened. So looking forward to the conclusion to Jagger and Cash’s story. It is a toss up. What will Jagger do. 4 stars for me.
Absolute Power was a feast of dark, dirty and dangerous emotions. Jeana E. Mann got me addicted to this enticing world of crime and passion. This was a thrilling adventure of sin of all kinds.
Jagger has made enemy out of a very formidable man. Cash Delacorte was a gang member before getting out and making a fortune from various businesses. And Jagger has stole from him and Cash is determined to get his due. She finds herself in one bad situation after another. But she has no way to escape. And she is so badly attracted to the enigma called Cash Delacorte.
What is this with me and men with questionable morals? Cash is not a good guy. Not by any standard. Ex criminal and gang member, his dealings in night club and jewellery are still shady as hell. He is crude, ruthless, merciless and threatens Jagger without a reason. And still, just like Jagger, I completely enamoured by his bossy and cruel personality. Because this very man protects Jagger from other threats. Because this same man helped her with money when needed. Jagger is an amazing woman. Her past is full of dark secrets but she is determined to live an honest life. And even when Cash is pressuring him, she uses her special craft skills and every other skill she has to survive. Their relationship is the classic hate- lust- love kind. Jagger shouldn’t feel anything positive for Cash but she feels this connection and unfathomable safety with him. Similarly Cash cannot put her out of his mind while she shouldn’t have been anything other than a business deal. They have sizzling hot chemistry that is fuelled by forbidden hate. This was delicate balance and Jeana E. Mann achieved it successfully. I wanted more and then the jaw dropping cliffy came…
Absolute Power by Jeana E.Mann was an intense and heartaching romance full of action and steam. You will not be able to stop once you start!
Received ARC for honest review