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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This author is new to me but I am definitely going to be reading more from her in the future as I really enjoyed this first half of the duet.
Jagger Jones is a complicated character, while she desperately wants to lead a simple life after having had an extremely traumatic past, she still finds herself making silly decisions that end up with her meeting Cash Delacorte, a criminal who basically takes over her life. I like Jagger and want the best for her but also wanted to shake some sense into her at times. My word, she is a gutsy young woman, she has a sassy mouth and an inner strength and resilience that has helped her to survive so far. She is also a very caring and compassionate person. Cash isn’t as clear to readers in this half of the story seeing as it’s mainly written from Jagger’s point of view with the odd chapter being Cash’s point of view. I suspect we might get to know him better in the next half. Even so, he also is quite complex yet has a caring nature too.
Disciples of Rage are a scary crew, intentionally, of course, the descriptions vivid, and let’s just say I was very pleased I was reading about them not anywhere near them. Likewise, Jagger’s ex-boyfriend is a super cad of the worst kind, described bit by bit in the story building an awful picture of this character, one that makes you want to shake her and say “watch your back, that Kyle could sneak up on you!”
I enjoyed the storyline, even if it is a bit on the short side, it truly kept you guessing about what was coming up around the corner with the twists and turns in the plot. The things I felt might happen didn’t but maybe in the next half , that’s the beauty of a story being unpredictable, I love it.
Bring on book two, Absolute Truth!
Reviewer: Robyn
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
This book is a quick read. We meet the king of the town Cade and then a manager of a gift store – Jagger. There’s lots of secrets in this story. Not all of them are answered so you will have to read Absolute Trust to figure it all out.
These two are hot hot hot together but that still doesn’t answer the question of what in the world has Cade drug her into and how does she get out of it?
Golly Pete that’s a loaded question. Looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. The follow up is going to be a doozie.
3.5 stars
Absolute Power is my first entry into the writing of Jeana E Mann. I didn’t realize this was a spin off of another series (Royal Secrets. While this book can definitely be read as a standalone book, I do wish I had some of the backstory that surely exists in the other series.
Jagger Jones is a girl trying to outrun her past but in doing so, she makes some bad choices, including creating a forgery of a high end piece of jewelry and stealing the original… from a very bad man. She didn’t realize who she was stealing from at the time but now he’s come to collect.
Cash Delacort is a bad guy, no one would care disagree so when he shows up at Jagger’s store to collect his money, he has no qualms threatening her. What he didn’t expect was to feel anything for her. She’s a means to an end but he can’t stop thinking about her.
These two had sexual chemistry for days and they were definitely intriguing. Unfortunately I felt like there was so much lacking with the development of the characters. I wanted to know more about each of them, what made them who they are, why he’s such a bad guy but seems to operate with a sense of honor and is protective of Jag, why Jag has no relationship with her sister, etc. I enjoyed the story very much (I love an antihero) and will probably stick around for it’s conclusion (since it’s a cliffhanger)but just wish the author had taken it further.
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
At the beginning of this story, you are under the impression that Jagger has a boring, predictable life and has somehow, mistakenly, found herself in a whole lot of trouble. But she’s no innocent, and she’s in for way more than she bargained. Her forgery success attracts gangster Cash’s attention, and he finds himself interested in more than the repayment of the debt.
Cash Delacorte is an intriguing dichotomy. He’s a mysterious, bossy, bad boy who demands repayment of Jagger’s debt plus more, but he also takes the time to send her flowers.
The chemistry between these two is clear but the foundation for their feelings beyond lust isn’t. There’s less steam than I’ve come to expect from this author. I trust that all of this will be addressed in the next book.
Absolute Power is fast-paced and ends in a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting to know what’s next. Anyone else starting the countdown for the release of Absolute Trust?!?!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 1st part of this fascinating duet. Jagger lives in a small town where she manages and part owns a jewellery store where she designs her custom jewels, and she is shocked when someone from her past walks in. Cash is a former gang member and is now wealthy and the owner of a nightclub amongst other businesses. Jagger’s sister is his ex-girlfriend and she betrayed Cash and disappeared with a large amount of money, and now he wants retribution and she will do to pay her sister’s debt plus more. The chemistry between these two is explosive. This is a well written story which is a thrilling, dark, and steamy tale. I cannot wait to read the 2nd part, and I highly recommend this for all readers.
3.5 Stars
This was a crazy wild high octane ride from start to finish. Cash is the bad boy you really don’t want to catch the attention of so when he pops up in Jagger’s life I was screaming at her to run. Jagger is a skilled jewellery thief who is trying to turn her life around ( well sort of ) she is also the sister of Cash’s ex who stole from him. This is like a game of cat and mouse with Cash pulling all the strings. I liked all Cash’s alphaness mixed with his very dark side. Jagger is a smart resourceful young woman with a steely backbone.
I love a good revenge story so this premise appealed to me, it is fast paced and the reader feel like they are reading in real time. I liked the suspense of not knowing what was going to happen next. There is no denying the chemistry between the two main characters but apart from that I didn’t feel much of a connection which I’m hoping we get more of in book two. My other issue is Jagger, she is a skilled thief so has nerves of steel but she basically rolls over and is letting him destroy every part of her life and right now I can’t see why, for a sister who has in effect abandoned her. Which takes me to my next issue he is her sister’s ex ! I am hoping we see her fighting back against him hard in the next one, maybe there is a twist coming because no orgasms no matter how good are worth having your life destroyed.
Dark, intense, and hot! Absolute Power by Jeana E. Mann is the first in her new Absolute Power Duet Series and is sure to make any dark romance reader a happy camper.
Jagger Jones in hot water, her sister, Callie, has taken money from a man she should not have messed with. As a new manager to her own custom jewelry store, one where she can finally design her own jewelry, she must now find a way to make things right for her sister.
Cash our “hero” if you will, tracks down not only Callie, but Jagger as well, for she took something of his as well. Cash is an alpha man that is not meant to be crossed, a former gang member who now has his fingers in just about every business out there. Jagger took a ring, one she made a replica of and replaced it with the real, simply to see if it was good enough to pass as real. Now Cash wants revenge.
Now our man main Cash, he’s hotter than hot and he wants Jagger, but he wants her to also pay back the money her sister owes him. Now their relationship is one I had some trouble keeping up with, one second he is all hot and heavy with Jagger and the next he is one rude S.O.B. He threatens her with just about everything to make sure she pays back the money that her sister owes.
The cliffhanger is going to wreck you, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!
The suspense between Cash and Jagger along with their steamy chemistry is a good quick read. Jagger finds her way in the path of the ruthless billionaire that seems to know her every step. They didn’t expect to fall for each other but it’s not that easy. They have a love hate relationship and Cash is not to be messed with. But then that ending will test his trust for Jagger and also it will test Jagger’s loyalty and love for Cash. Book 2 will be very interesting.
This author is new to me but I am definitely going to be reading more from her in the future as I really enjoyed this first half of the duet.
Jagger Jones is a complicated character, while she desperately wants to lead a simple life after having had an extremely traumatic past, she still finds herself making silly decisions that end up with her meeting Cash Delacorte, a criminal who basically takes over her life. I like Jagger and want the best for her but also wanted to shake some sense into her at times. My word she is a gutsy young woman, she has a sassy mouth and an inner strength and resilient that has helped her to survive so far. She is also a very caring and compassionate person. Cash isn’t as clear to readers in this half of the story seeing as it’s mainly written from Jagger’s point of view with the odd chapter being Cash’s point of view. I suspect we might get to know him better in the next half. Even so, he also is quite complex yet has a caring nature too.
Disciples of Rage are a scary crew, intentionally of course, the descriptions vivid and let’s just say I was very pleased I was reading about them not anywhere near them. Likewise Jagger’s ex-boyfriend is a super cad of the worst kind, described bit by bit in the story building an awful picture of this character, one that makes you want to shake her and say “watch your back, that Kyle could sneak up on you!”
I enjoyed the storyline, even if it is a bit on the short side, it truly kept you guessing about what was coming up around the corner with the twists and turns in the plot. The things I felt might happen didn’t but maybe in the next half , that’s the beauty of a story being unpredictable, I love it.
Bring on book two, Absolute Truth!
Cash Delacorte is charming and dangerous. A man on a mission. It is hard to say if he is the hero or antihero. Only his wealth matches his hot and sexy appeal. Wealth that may or may not be legit. Cash is a powerful man. He is on a mission. And her name is Jagger Jones. He seeks her out so that she can pay her sister’s debt that is owed to him. Jagger Jones is living a simple life. One that she has created from money that was not hers.
Absolute Power is a fun, fast, sexy summer read that leaves you wanting more! There was a bit of mystery that surrounded both Cash and Jagger that I felt could have been explored, but, this is a duet so I am sure it will be part of the conclusion! The only thing I would have liked would have been a little more content and detailed sexy times. Jeana Mann certainly leaves you wanting more of the chemistry between Cash and Jagger. There is so much that we don’t know and I can’t wait to read the conclusion in Absolute Trust!
* I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review *
Jeana E. Mann has this way of knowing exactly what I want to read. Absolute Power is another great book to add to her collection. After reading book one I can only imagine that after reading book two this duet will be added to my favorites list.
I am not sure whether as the reader I was supposed to like Cash, but I just cannot hate him no matter the horrible things he does. I was very disappointed that the first night Jagger was with him we did not get all the details. We got some flashback but that was only part of what went down. Not going to lie that build it up for me though and when they met up in Vegas that made it even hotter!
At times I wanted to shake Jagger and tell her to just call her sister. This was her problem and she was dating a rich powerful man who probably could have fixed the situation for them both. She had to know that Cash knew where she was since he seems to know everything. The thing about Cash I did not like was how he seemed to want her, but he was basically ruining her life and was like I must do it. He could easily have let it go.
I am so anxious to read book two and I hope that we do not have to wait too long. Of course, we are left on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait see what will happen next. I need to know if Jagger and Cash can find a way to be together. Great job as usual Jeana E. Mann.
ABSOLUTELY INTENSE!
A fantastic powerfully intense story right from the start. It’s hot with a dark side that possesses my sense and every bit of my attention. The storyline keeps me guessing with secrets and nail biting suspense. I definitely want more from the heart pounding cliffy that will keep me on pins and needles as with any of Jeana’s story’s knowing the wait will be worth it and more.
Holy crap this book was hot and intense!!! Jagger is the manager of a jewelry store that isn’t doing too hot financially. Cash comes in one night to confront her about a piece of jewelry she replicated with fake stone and then stole the original and replaced it with the identical fake at one of Cash’s stores, sparks fly from the get go. Not only does he want his money back but he also wants the $200,000 her sister stole from him… plus interest! Things get hot and heavy between them although she continues to try to get him out of her life. She comes up with a plan that’ll get him all of his money but Cash finds out and wants in on the deal.
I DEVOURED this book in one sitting! It was sexy AF! The story was really well written and everything flowed exactly how it should! I think I’ve found a new author to stalk and devour all her books!! I need book two in this duet yesterday!!!!