The Seven of Spades is back with a vengeance¿the vigilante serial killer has resumed their murderous crusade, eluding the police at every turn. But a bloodthirsty killer isn¿t the only threat facing Sin City. A devious saboteur is wreaking havoc in Las Vegas¿s criminal underworld, and the entire city seems to be barreling toward an all-out gang war.As Detective Levi Abrams is pushed ever … ever closer to his breaking point, his control over his dangerous rage slips further every day. His relationship with PI Dominic Russo should be a source of comfort, but Dominic is secretly locked in his own downward spiral, confronting a nightmare he can¿t bear to reveal.
Las Vegas is floundering. Levi and Dominic¿s bond is cracking along the seams. And the Seven of Spades is still playing to win. How many bad hands can Levi and Dominic survive before it¿s game over?
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I think all of the romance I’ve been reading (with their HEA policy) has officially spoiled my love for a good old angst-y book. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved “Cash Plays” but boy, was it frustrating. I literally devoured it, mainly because I wanted the painful bits of it to be over and done with, but also because the new case (or cases) at the core of this third book is so interesting and well-done, that I HAD to see what would happen.
I had already read the blurb of the fourth book, so I knew what I was going to have to deal with but ugh, it was still a lot to handle. And I kind of suspect that the next book will be as painful and heartwrenching.
Since all of Dominic and Levi’s interactions in the book are coloured by Dominic’s addiction plaguing him again, I actually prefered seeing them separeted. Levi was kind of fabulous here: dangerous and angry and slowly losing control, but also the same ruthless and single-minded badass we all love. Dominic’s behavior was slightly more difficult to swallow this time around and I know it’s all connected to his gambling but it was so painful to see him being mean and manipulative and ugh, I just want my sunny and charming bounty hunter to be back.
I’m going to start reading the fourth book right away because I really cannot handle how this book ended (AND THAT ENDING *screams*). Wish me luck.
Fuck, I’m addicted to this series!! This book shattered me and then it didn’t fix me back up. It broke me!! Me while reading this book:-
No!!
Nooooooo!!!!
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Probably because I can foresee the shit hitting the fan!
I could feel Dominic’s pain and Levi’s hurt. There were times I wanted shake some sense into Dominic’s head. This book had a lot of significance in their relationship from the three words to well, some stuff.(I don’t wanna say too much)
The suspense kept me hooked. I have no idea who the Seven of Spades is and I want to keep it rhat way. Loved Sergei and Rocco. The twist was unexpected. The author never fails to surprise me. And Rohan, the FBI agent? Stay away from Dominic!! I loved this book and the ending?! OH.MY.GOD!!! The fucking cliffhangers!!
I’m going to go read the next one now!
This book certainly caused a lot of feelings ranging from sappy happy to boiling angry. It was a very enjoyable read but in the end I had a big question: Where do Levi and Dominic go from here?
It started innocent enough: new job for Dominic, new investigation for Levi and somehow it turned into a nightmare. Arrival of Levi’s parents was a pleasant surprise and during their visit Dominic charmed their pant off. It was fun and happy time in their household. But then $$hit hits the fan. New FBI agent looking all gorgeous who causes Levi’s jealousy, Seven of Spades who is changing their MO and no answers in sight. But this is not even the worst. It can only be described one way: Armageddon and Doomsday have just had a baby, and it IS UGLY!!!
Dominic during his case of missing person stumbles on an underground illegal casino ring and his addiction flares up like the fireworks on 4th of July. He thinks he has it under control….nope he does not and his life slowly starts to crumble. He is lying to his family and friends, to Levi, he is stuck in a loop of bets and casino chips. He is distant and cold and is not there when Levi needs him. It all comes to an end when Levi discovers the truth. The emotions were flying high that night and even though they have succeeded in their goals their personal lives were in tatters.
Dominic is back to full addiction and Levi does not know how to help him. But then he only tries one time and then seemingly gives up which is completely out of character and Dominic is so hurtful to Levi, the nasty words spewing out of him like water from a fire hydrant. It was sad to watch: two men in love, one whole broken in two. I totally think that Dominic is in the wrong here. He jeopardized everything when he stepped foot into that casino, he made a conscious choice and now he is reaping his just rewards and it’s not fair to Levi to pick up his slack but then that’s what a relationship is about – to be there for your special person whether in good or bad.
And in the end Seven of Spades again shows their hand…to Dominic and I start to wonder what kind of hold does Levi have over their killer and if this obsession is not going to end with both of the dead. Very intense and enjoyable book! I highly recommend it!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Veronica –
Cash Plays is book #3 in the Seven of Spades series and I can already say this is going to be one of my favourite series ever! I am totally and completely in love with Dominic and Levi. Their relationship becomes more serious and Dominic gets to meet Levi’s parents when they come to town. Levi’s parents are good value with big personalities. But as the story goes on, problems arise between them when work sends Dominic on a downward spiral, and even though I knew Dominic’s troubles were coming, it still killed me.
The relationship issues combined with Levi’s search for the Seven of Spades killer, a gang war in Vegas, and Dominic’s hunt for a missing college student combine to make a gripping story that I loved every minute of, even when my heart was being squeezed uncomfortably when our heroes where doing things that were clearly not going to end well. There is plenty of action in the story and I have to say I hope at some point this series is made into a movie because I’d love to watch Levi’s fight scene brought to life.
Three books into what will be a five-book series, I have a few ideas about who the serial killer might be, but I think they might be too obvious. I want to go back and re-read the series so far before the release of One-Eyed Royals in September (book #4), to see if I’ve missed any obvious clues. Also, I’m totally enamoured with the series and I just want to read it over and over again.
A tip for readers impatiently waiting to get your hands on Cash Plays or any future books in this series, if you pre-order these books directly from the publisher (Riptide Publishing), they give you access to download the book 48 hours before the release.
Avid Reader –
4.5 stars
M/M Thriller
Triggers: Addiction, kidnapping, torture, stalking
WHEW! This is a nail biter and mostly because you can see the train wreck coming and there is nothing you can do to stop it!
If you’re new to these books, make sure you start at the beginning, as you’ll not want to miss anything that leads up to this one.
Dominic and Levi have a great relationship. They just click and even though there are some darker aspects to Levi’s personality that he doesn’t like to talk about or acknowledge, Dominic is able to keep Levi level headed.
Levi’s still being stalked by the Seven of Spades serial killer, but now, with the FBI involved, he has to be content with the agent thinking he’s capable of becoming a serial killer and hitting on his boyfriend. While Levi is having a difficult time coping with the murders, the gangs of Vegas gearing up for an all-out war, and his own personal feelings about his tendencies and what he’s capable of, Dominic is nowhere to be found. Levi is just doing his job as best he can, but without Dominic to help level him out, Levi is kind of drowning.
Dominic is now a PI. One of his first solo cases is searching for a college co-ed who seems to have disappeared. What he finds is a situation that not only tests him professionally, but also tests him on a deeply personal level. He finds himself in a situation that not only he’s unable to walk away from, but it sucks him right back in whenever he thinks he can try to remove himself.
This is an emotional read and even though you know what’s happening, you can’t help but be sad when things do hit the fan. Will Dominic and Levi find level ground again? Is the killer as close as he seems? I cannot wait for the next book as I believe more questions will be answered and hopefully more will be asked. I am anxiously waiting to read book four.
Sarah –
The third book in the Seven of Spades series takes readers into the gangster underbelly of Las Vegas.
This isn’t my favourite book in the series. I enjoyed the action scenes but I’m not sure the book really pushes the series forward. We don’t get much closer to the identity of the Seven of Spades and Levi and Dominic’s relationship is in an uneasy holding pattern that I found frustrating. After all of the character and relationship development in the second book, I was disappointed to get pared down versions of Levi and Dominic in this book.
I finished the story feeling like it was way too short – but at over three hundred pages, it really isn’t. I just missed the more intellectual side to the investigation into the identity of the Seven of Spades and I was hoping for more of Levi and Dominic’s personal and family life.
I’m still hooked on this series but I’m hoping the next book is more like book two.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cash Plays (Seven of Spades #3) by Cordelia Kingsbridge to read and review.
4.5 stars- Cash Plays is the third book in Miss Kingbridge’s romantic suspense series, the Seven of Spades which follows a law enforcement agent and private investigator in their quest to stop a serial killer in Las Vegas. Since each book continues the main plotline and case, this is one that really needs to be read in order. I always wonder if the pace, suspense, and excitement will last through a multi-book series, but this author manages to keep surprising me, and honestly it gets a bit more interesting with each book.
Cash Plays follows another new case for Detective Levi Abrams while continuing the hunt for The Seven of Spades killer. At the same time, Dominic begins his official PI job and one of his cases ends up intersecting with Levi’s, inevitably exposing the couple to a heap of trouble and danger. I was especially surprised that the author not only kept things fresh with the men professionally, but also in their relationship. I enjoyed the challenges the men faced individually and together. It further developed the characters and made their relationship a bit more layered and interesting. I can safely say this is a series I’m not growing tired of at all. And that’s before that crazy ending. Who knew a few pages could pack such a punch, but the final chapter upended things, had me reframing my suspects, and left me hungry for more. If you like your romantic suspense fast-paced, full of twists, and with some angst, Cash Plays won’t disappoint.