From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series… feel so empty?
Nina Blunt is pretty sure she’s cursed. She worked her way up through the ranks at Interpol, fighting for every step with hard work and discipline. Then she lost it all because she loved the wrong person. Rebuilding her career with McKay-Taggart, she can’t help but feel lonely. It seems everyone around her is finding love and starting families. But she knows that isn’t for her. She has vowed never to make the mistake of falling in love again.
JT comes to McKay-Taggart for assistance rooting out a corporate spy, and Nina signs on to the job. Their working relationship becomes tricky, however, as their personal chemistry flares like a wildfire. Completing the assignment without giving in to the attraction that threatens to overwhelm them seems like it might be the most difficult part of the job. When danger strikes, will they be able to count on each other when the bullets are flying? If not, JT’s charmed life might just come to an end.
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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What a fantastic little side story in from the Masters and Mercenaries series. This book still holds all of the intense action, danger and romance that we get with the other books in the series, but the author really focuses on a character that I wasn’t sure would get his own story told. I love how JT and Nina meet and the struggles they face as they not only work to solve the crime, but traverse the muddy waters of their relationship. The author holds true to form and keeps you totally engaged as she clears the water and brings us to an ending you won’t want to miss. I look forward to more books by this author.
I loved this novella about JT and Nina. He was so worried about her, and she was so competent at her job. I loved that he was so sure about her. I loved the spy jinx. I also adore Ian. I could read all day about these characters.
Charmed by Lexi Blake is book 20.5 in the Masters and Mercenaries Series. This is the story of Nina Blunt and JT Malone. I have read the previous book, but felt this can be a standalone book if you wish to do so. Nina had a bad experience in the love department that cost her to start her career over which has lead her to work at McKay-Taggart. JT has everything at his finger tips but he is still finding something is missing. But for now he is just trying to solve who is spying in his company. This leads him to McKay-Taggart for help. Nina is assigned JT case since everyone is on leave or handing other things. Nina is a good agent but she feels a connection to JT pretty quickly which is a bad thing because she isn’t going down the love road again. But the more they work together the more they can’t stop or avoid their feelings. Loved this book!
Overall Grade: 1/2
It doesn’t matter that I entered Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series with her spin-off, Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten. There are clearly books to be read and stories to inhale, but jumping into this series midstream has only whetted my interest in the series as a whole. Charmed, the newest novella from 1001 Dark Nights, is the type of story that feels like an extra cherry on a huge hot fudge sundae. Without having read the other Lexi Blake novellas in the 1001 Dark Nights series, Charmed reads as essential, but also tertiary to the Masters and Mercenaries world, and it’s perfection in its ability to grab your attention from the first page.
I read this novella in an afternoon, caught in the grasp of Nina and JT’s sultry romance. What does Lexi Blake do well with this story and the other Masters and Mercenaries stories? For one, she grabs your attention with the suspense side of her plot. Nina is a former agent for Interpol who has begun working for the security firm of McKay-Taggart. She has been brought in to help JT’s family’s company determine who has or is committing corporate espionage. Initially, she is tasked with acting as the CEO’s assistant during a corporate retreat; however, when the CEO falls ill, his son, JT, must step into his father’s role. Without having met JT or seen pictures of him prior to her meeting, she doesn’t realize that the one-night stand from the night before is JT, complicating their mission. Even more, when a mix-up occurs, their relationship becomes characterized as a fake engagement, not an assistantship. This makes Nina question her ability to complete the mission.
Secondly, Blake keeps you engaged in the progression of her story. Charmed is equal parts suspense and romance. This means the characters are either hitting the sheets or seeking out the bad guys. This is unendingly riveting. Thirdly, there is an emotional gravitas to the story in the characterization of Nina. This woman is complicated because her past has changed her perspective on life, her present is complicated by a hero who wants all parts of her, and as a woman, she fights for her equality in a male-dominated career. Blake uses Nina to engage in a discussion about agency and due respect when the alpha-JT tries to undermine it. This feels key to liking Charmed.
From start to finish, Charmed is (1) $exy, (2) suspenseful, and (3) entertaining. I ate up this story, hoping for JT and Nina to find their happy ending. Even more, many of your McKay-Taggart agents are found in the pages of Lexi Blake’s Charmed. It’s everything you love about her books in a bite-sized form.
Exciting and intense romance that is full of intrigue and suspense. JT needs help to find the person trying to sell his latest invention. What he doesn’t expect is for the woman assigned to work the case to be so attractive and captivating. He boldly makes a move at the hotel bar because he needs to have this woman. Nina is an incredible agent; driven to do what it takes to solve the case. She is prepared and ready to take on this new case to find the traitor at Malone Oil. What she didn’t expect is to be teamed up with the sexy man she picked up at the bar. As the sparks fly, will they find a way to balance their chemistry and catch the bad guy? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I completely enjoy the McKay/Taggert world! It doesn’t matter if they’re in London, or back in the States, these characters always exceed my expectations. I couldn’t put this story down, it is full of mystery and suspense, action and intrigue and chemistry that is off the charts. Just when you think you’re following where all the paths are leading, the author shakes it up and makes it even better.
This new book by Lexi Blake was perfection! Blake fans will love the circle of interconnections sprinkled throughout the story and all readers will love the intense story between JT and Nina.
JT Malone needs help to flush out a corporate spy and a snitch hidden within his own personal. Something that is above his pay grade, but luckily he happens to have the family connections and knows who to call. Simon West is his cousin so McKay-Taggart is on the case, but his cousin has also moved on to new adventures with his wife. So they send in a lovely female agent, Nina Blunt, and she is ready to take down the person who is threatening JT’s company, but he wasn’t quite ready to meet the sexy woman himself.
Nina normally works out of the London offices, but everyone seems to be on maternity/paternity leave lately. Her mission is to find the spy who wants to buy JT’s prototype and weed out the snitch within his company who wants to sell it. It should be an easy case, that is until she meets the man himself. When JT and Nina find they have strong connection from the get go, but when danger begins to move in JT doesn’t like the fact that she places herself in front of it. However, Nina holds firm that if he can’t support her in her job that he doesn’t support her period. Their overall relationship is powerful and has a wonderful dynamic.
I love these novellas. They feel like Christmas, birthday, and every holiday present all wrapped up in one. They are a gift from Lexi, a glimpse into how characters are doing, sometimes a catchup of storylines, or a look into what’s ahead. Charmed was like eating my favorite cake – I couldn’t get enough and I wanted more.
Finding a connection with a hot man across the bar turns out to be so much more when after a night of passion Nina learns that he is part of her undercover operation. Will JT be able to put his feelings for her aside and let the woman do her dangerous job? Or will he get in her way and destroy the chance to arrest the bad guys? With action that hooks the reader in and characters that make you swoon and laugh out loud this was a great story.
JT Malone has been around, well, forever it seems. He is Michael’s brother. He is Simon’s cousin. He is the heir to the Malone oil fortune. But we really didn’t know a lot about him personally until now. He is a wonderful guy! No great intrigue, horrible back-story, shattered heartbreak, just a guy, living his life, and looking for someone to share it with. He hasn’t been lucky that way, until he lays his eyes on Nina
Nina has been burnt by a workplace romance, fired, and shot. She has got over all that and is willing to move on and have some fun, finally. But fun gets serious quickly, and she isn’t in the mood for half-truths and power struggles. She also wasn’t looking for an emotional tie, but, whoop, there it is! Everyone has some advice for them both, but all that matters is what they think and want for each other. Fun and flirty, mistake ridden and sexy, these two keep tripping on their way to their HEA, but they keep moving forward
5 Stars
If you know the M&M series, then you know JT Malone. The man helps run a multi-billion dollar company, while being connected to the Dallas team was being he is the twin of Michael Malone. Of course we have seen him get involved in books here and there, and there is no doubt he oozes sex appeal with the best of them! So when you mix him with a strong sexy Brit from Damon’s team the results are absolutely combustible! As usual, there is plenty of suspense, action, passion and sarcasm (Gotta love Big Tag) along the way to this couple’s happily ever after. JT is, without a doubt, the alpha, cowboy, indulgent Dom we have been waiting for…and Nina is his perfect match!
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series is a favorite of mine and this latest book, Charmed is a real winner. There’s lots of intrigue, action and suspense. I can honestly say this was a heart-pounding, edge-of-my-seat reading experience. It was great seeing JT Malone get his woman in his own story after getting a decent glimpse of him in Ms. Blake’s story, Enchanted. Nina Blunt is such a cool, calm character. I think Nina and JT make a lovely couple. And there’s plenty of Ian Taggert in this story and I just love him – the words that come out of his mouth… I can’t wait to see what Lexi Blake’s fertile imagination coupled with her super writing talent comes up with next for her fans.
I love this series and this was a great addition even though it was a novella
I love this JT & Nina! Lexi Blake wrote such a great book with Charmed. I’ve loved the Masters and Mercenaries series and this is a fabulous addition!!
I love Lexi Blake books and I love her Masters & Mercenaries series. Her characters are smart and witty and who wouldn’t love a cute, classy Brit hooking up with her sexy, sweet cowboy/engineer. It’s hot, it’s steamy and it’s another fun adventure (complete with some classic moments from Ian and the gang). Charmed is definitely another Lexi Blake winner! I loved it!
3.75-4 stars. This was a good book! Charmed is a Masters and Mercenaries novella and is JT and Nina’s book. JT is an oil company executive for his family company. Someone on the inside is selling their company secrets as a corporate spy. JT’s family has gone to McKay-Taggart for help. They send in Nina, to pose as an employ on their corporate retreat and helped find the spy. But the night before they are supposed to leave for the retreat, JT and Nina meet in the hotel bar. He knows who she is, but she has no idea that he is not a stranger and is actually her client. . They have an instant connection and spend the night together. Right away, they both really like each other and they definitely want to see each other again. But before JT can tell her who he really is and that they will be working together, his employees find them together in his hotel room. They must think fast and Nina tells them that she is his fiance and she is attending the retreat with him. JT really wants to be with her, but she is reluctant to start a relationship with a client. But as they spend time working together with her undercover and finding the spy on the retreat, the two find they are a perfect fit and fall for each other.
This was a good, interesting story and a fast-paced easy read. I really liked JT and Nina. I really loved the way he saw that Nina was perfect for him and was all-in with her right away. I wanted a little more discussion and resolution at the end after the conflict. But, overall, JT and Nina were a great match with an instant connection and lots of chemistry. Also, there was a really sweet ending. I was happy to the two of them get their HEA.
Overall, this was a good book! I really enjoyed it and I still love this series. I look forward to whatever Ms. Blake comes up with next!
Charmed indeed
Another good story to disappear in from this author. It has it all, sarcasm, love, laughter, action and suspense.
Well described characters that you cannot help falling in love with and secondary characters that are familiar in addition to some new ones.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
Sizzling chemistry and hot love
Love it all. 5 stars.
I love this whole series and all of the books she’s written.
Heir to Malone Oil, JT is about to go undercover to help root our a corporate spy with his new “assistant” McKay Taggert operative Nina Blount. But when a one night stand attraction goes sideways and Nina discovers she has slept unknowingly with her client, the game changes and Nina is up upgraded to fiance rather than assistant.
JT Malone is a man used to getting what he wants, and he wants Nina . . . and for more than just one night! He’s definitely a charmer and will lay it on as thick as he needs too in order to make sure she sticks around after the job is done. But, Nins isn’t so sure. She’s been burned before, and badly. She’s not sure she can ever risk her career or her heart to another man and trusting JT won’t come easy for her. And, since JT is a protector at his core, can he step aside and let Nina do what she needs to on the op or will his heart get in the way of his head?
Charmed was a fabulous romance with a great suspense element as JT and Nina navigate their attraction while ferreting out a corporate spy. As always, Lexi Blake has given readers truly fabulous characters. While you don’t have to read any other books to enjoy Charmed, there is a ton of history and past characters woven into the tale like little Easter eggs for fans of her Masters & Mercenaries series. Ian and Alex are pure gold in this book as they help JT understand that while his instincts are to protect Nina, it’s not who she is or what she needs. And, Sandra . . . OMG bwahahaahahaha!
I adored this story and couldn’t get enough of the charming JT Malone and the sexy, sassy and utterly capable Nina Blount. 5 stars!
Confession: I’ve been binging the Masters & Mercenaries for the past two months so I was STOKED to have the chance to review Charmed. My goal was to be completely caught up with the series (plural) before I dived in to this one. Usually that’s not a problem with 1001 Dark Night books because they work well as standalones, but I will say that this was a itty bit spoilery, so be forewarned (even though I’m not mad about it personally). All that being said: I’m OBSESSED with this world (though it could do with a bit more color) and since most of the books that I’ve read thus far in the series are a few years old, it was cool seeing how Lexi Blake is keeping up with the times with her characters and themes. I’ve been looking forward to JT’s story ever since he and his twin Michael were introduced in Simon’s book, A View to Thrill. I thought that the mysterious Dana would wind up being his love interest, but instead we got some more insight into their relationship, and I’m very happy with JT and Nina’s pairing. And any opportunity we have to see more of Mama Malone on the page the better (so I hope she features heavily in Michael’s book). This story moved a little quicker than I anticipated and I would have loved another 50-100 pages, but that’s probably because I’m so enamored with the McKay Taggart and Knight crew and relish any chance I have to be a part of their world and shenanigans. Charmed didn’t have as much D/s play as other books in the series have had, but the steam is there, as is the emotion that I’ve come to look for in Lexi Blake’s books. If you couldn’t tell, I can’t wait to continue with the series and I HIGHLY recommend taking the deep dive into this world if you haven’t already. 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
CHARMED is the 20.5 instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES erotic, romantic suspense series, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is thirty-two year old, billionaire oil businessman JT Malone, and former Interpol agent and McKay Taggart’s newest operative Nina Blunt’s story line. CHARMED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from several third person perspectives including Nina and JT, CHARMED follows the building romance between thirty-two year old, billionaire oil businessman JT Malone, and former Interpol agent and McKay-Taggart’s newest operative Nina Blunt. Nina Blunt’s latest assignment with McKay-Taggart is working undercover to ferret our a potential spy at Malone Oil but a one-night stand with JT would bring Nina face to face with a number of suspects thus ensuring their one-night stand becomes something more. A fake romance and engagement ensues in an effort to smoke out the person(s) responsible for trying to steal industry secrets, and sell them to the highest bidder. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between JT and Nina, and the potential fall-out as JT and Nina’s relationship begins as a lie, a lie between our leading couple.
Someone is trying to steal secrets from Malone Oil, and the group at McKay-Taggart is on the job. Going in as a happily married couple, Nina and JT must remain in character as Nina continues to do her job but all does not go according to play when our couple are targeted, and JT struggles to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. As a Dominant both in and out of the bedroom, JT battles between head and heart when Nina places herself in the direct line of fire, doing her job.
The relationship between Nina and JT begins as a one-night stand, an affair wherein Nina had no idea as the identity of the man with whom she would fall in love. Caught the morning after by the people involved, JT and Nina would quickly label their relationship as the newly engaged, an engagement that was suspect by on so many levels. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, with some light Dom/sub sexual scenarios.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Big Tag and Charlotte, Alex McKay, agent Sandra Croft, JT’s brother and McKay -Target agent Michael Malone, as well as JT’s assistant Dianna, and several Malone Oil employees.
CHARMED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power, money, and control; secrets, lies, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are charismatic; the romance is frenzied, seductive and hot.