#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh is back—with a vengeance—in her latest novel of passion and intrigue, Dagger’s Edge, featuring the men of Brute Force.Ivan Resnova wants nothing more than to escape his hard, brutal past. Starting over is not so easy once you’ve been a powerful crime boss but now, instead of being punished for his alleged crimes, Ivan fears that the one woman he … that the one woman he can’t forget is in danger of paying the price.
Crimsyn “Syn” Delaney thought the danger she’d faced was over, and that she could resume her life. She never imagined it would return with a vengeance and throw her back into Ivan’s world. But when an attempt is made on her life, she needs Ivan more than ever to keep her safe—even if she is in danger of falling deeply and dangerously in love. . .
“Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.”—RT Book Reviews
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Journey comes from a very rich, influential, and the worse type of people on Earth. They had sold Journey to a man to marry when she turned of age. She didn’t want to and after being kidnapped by her father and grandfather, she’s rescued and then goes on the run. Her father and grandfather are in prison but someone still wants her dead, so she hides for four years,. Until she become friends with Amara who is the daughter of her family’s worst enemy.
Ivan is a Russian and has not been able to keep away from Journey. But Ivan at first doesn’t know she’s Journey he knows her as Crimsyn. He is drawn to her and has sex with her. When he returns the next morning she’s gone. It takes a couple of weeks to find her but when he does he brings her to his home. Journey has been in love with Ivan for years. He has a plan to bring her family down. She becomes his fiancée but she wants the whole illusion, a man who loves her. What she doesn’t believe is that he really does love her. When it’s announced that they were secretly married, her family has to turn over the companies to Ivan. That’s when the person responsible for almost kidnapping her and having her and Ivan shot, shows their face.
A totally sexy, suspenseful story. With surprises and secrets. I don’t want to give to much away. This is an excellent story with some old friends from previous books. The sex is out of this world and the action will leave you on the edge of your seat.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
Great series – very believable characters.
This fabulous book is second in the Brute Force series and it features Ivan Resnova and Journey Taite. Journey has been helping Amara for six months. When it’s all over and Amara is safe, they end up at Amara’s fathers home. She doesn’t think he recognizes her but she’s wrong. How could he not recognize the daughter/ granddaughter of the men who murdered his mother and raped his aunt. Will his plan for revenge using Journey as a way to drive his enemies even more insane than they already are, end with something else entirely different?
This story is exciting, full of action, suspense and a beautiful erotic romance that this author is well known for writing.
The beginning was a little rocky. Also, switching between different “first person” paragraphs needed to be noted somehow. All in all, when the story got going, I was riveted and couldn’t put it down. If not for the confusing start this would have been a 5-Star read for me. I can’t wait for the next book in this fantastic series!
Ivan and Syn’s story is a great addition to Lora Leigh’s Brute Force series. Full of action and romance, Dagger’s Edge will keep you glued to the page.
Just so good. Everything Lora Leigh does is amazing.
This is Book 2 in the Brute Force series. Journey is on the run from her family, who are very high up in the British Empire. During the danger of her running from them, she gets caught up in the danger involving Ivan. There’s a lot of action and hot, hot chemistry between Journey and Ivan. You are held on the seat of your pants keeping up with everything that’s happening. I was so excited to read enough because I really enjoy Lora Leigh’s books. This was just another good book by her. She always keeps you on the edge as you read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book that I received from Netgalley.
4 Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Dagger’s Edge is installment two in the Brute Force series by Lora Leigh. If you love suspense with your romance this book is just for you. It takes a few pages to grab your attention and once it has you it will not let go.
Journey (Syn) has been on the run from her family and fiance for four years. After a near death experience at their hand, she is afraid they will eventually catch up to her. Enter Ivan, a fierce Russian crime lord, and father to her friend, Amara, and anything is possible.
When Journey comes face to face with Ivan four years after him saving her, she does everything she can to make sure he does not recognize her. Needless to say, he does recognize her and they have one night of passion before she runs.
Ivan has been at war with her family for years and when he has her in his house, what will he do?
Dagger’s Edge is full of so much suspense you will not see anything coming. Not to mention the romance is amazing!! Journey and Ivan have this chemistry that you cannot defuse no matter how much people try.
I will say this though, as you make progress in the book it gets confusing a bit. The POVs switch with a snap of a finger and it is a bit difficult to follow. I found myself having to start the book over to try and understand what was happening. If you can keep up with it then I applaud you!
Even though it was a bit confusing to me at times, give it a shot. You will love the book and the way Lora has written it, it is wonderful. You will fall in love with both Journey and Ivan.
Dagger’s Edge (Brute Force 2) by Lori Leigh is a romantic crime thriller. The events begin directly after Collison Point’s ending. Information relevant to current affairs is summed up when necessary, but there is a depth to the relationships if one reads both.
Crimsyn, on the run and desperate to escape her corrupt, powerful family befriends Ivan’s daughter. Ivan is a dominant man possessing a significant Russian family legacy. Having ties to Ivan from her past, she knows he can help her maintain cover. Syn, as Ivan calls her, realizes it is a risky request due to a violent feud between their families. After a passionate night in Ivan’s bed, Syn runs again with the intent of leaving Ivan behind permanently. Several weeks after Syn’s escape, Ivan catches up with her. Together they devise a plan to stop Syn’s family from causing more horror in their lives.
Ivan persuades Crimsyn they must get engaged. He hopes the betrothal going public will lure those trying to abduct Syn in the open. When that occurs, he intends on striking them down permanently. Syn’s only requirement for participation is Ivan helps her believe the love she wants for them is real. Ivan’s passion for Syn is apparent, and the love between them feels authentic. It’s fulfilling Ivan accepting he needs Syn. Even more satisfying is Syn accepting her fairy tale has become a reality.
Ivan exudes power. He doesn’t give excuses regarding possessing and shielding those he loves. Nor his drive to complete those tasks by any means necessary. Rising above his treacherous past gained Ivan a vast empire, which ensures Syn can remain by his side and protected. Syn has a tenacity to her. Her strength comes from within. Moments passed I saw a week woman who needed rescuing, but never so much so that I was totally put off by her.
Dagger’s Edge is a great addition to the Brute Force series. Ivan and Syn were well paired, and quite sexy together. There was a great amount of mystery and suspense. I am enjoying piecing the character’s background stories together. I was granted an ARC copy of this book by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley for my honest opinion. I encourage all readers to come to their own conclusions.
I am a lover of Lora Leigh and her various series. This just happens to be my first read in this series. Ivan was hot and sexy and could be a very cruel and brutal man. One way to see that side of him was the threatening the one person in the world he loved more than life, Syn. Syn found herself able to breath again. To live life like it should have been, but someone does not want her to step too far in to freedom and light. Syn soon finds that she was not away from the life she left behind. She finds that she must return to continue to life. Brute Force was a novel that I could get deep into. There was an intensity, a touch of suspense, and romance. The characters were good, the plot came along, the pacing was so-so, and sensual steamy connection between Ivan and Syn were all in place.
Dagger’s Edge was not a quick read but it was one that would engage you and take you on an adventure that was not so pleasant for Syn or Ivan. Then again it depends on which side of this dangerously intense adventure you were on. I will not say that my heart was stolen, but I did find a series that has peeked my interest a bit more. I will seek out and read book on of the Brute Force series.
I have been waiting for Ivan to get a story and Dagger’s Edge did not disappoint me! It truly begins where Collision Point left off. I recommend reading Collision Point and Live Wire (Elite Ops 7) before starting Dagger’s Edge. Yes the book stands alone but these characters have been interacting in stories and it will bring so much more to your reading experience. Ivan has always been a shady character. We were never sure where he straddled the lines of criminal activity versus legal business. And the woman Syn that is his daughter’s friend turns out to be Journey the cousin of Tehya from the Elite Ops team! It was so great to see where this story was headed behind who is after Journey and what a strong young woman she has become after 4 years on the run from her family. And Ivan has always had such a tough shell be we knew that the right woman could pierce his armor! That’s all I am giving you. If you enjoy hot, exciting romantic suspense then Dagger’s Edge is the book for you! It’s told from dual POV and I not only recommend it but the entire series going back to the Elite Ops books and the Navy Seals series.
Sorry but I’m tappin’ out at 20%. I don’t think I have ever DNFed a Netgalley book, but I honestly can’t take anymore of this. I wanted to quit as soon as I got 3 pages into the prologue because I had no clue what was going on. I held out and read 3 more chapters. When I got to chapter 4 and I was still bored, and uninterested I knew it was time to give it up.
The fact of the matter is this book confused and bored me to death. The whole prologue I was thinking what the hell is going on. Who are these people, and why should I care? The start was like being thrown into a wreck. Chaos everywhere. Then chapter one started and I was still trying to figure out what was going on. It was so frustrating. I had no back story for the main characters. No connection to them. It was a hot mess.
Then when I finally did get my bearings of who these people were, I didn’t care because there was no depth to them. No back story, nothing to connect me to them. I seen some names from another series by Lora Leigh that I read a few years back. The Elite ops series, but that just confused me again. How the hell do they tie into this series. The plot had no depth either. Ivan and Syn jump into bed in chapter 1. I felt no chemistry between them at all. Therefore the sex felt like flat words. Still I forced myself to keep going. I never got into it. I was bored and didn’t care what happened to the main couple. On top of that I don’t feel this book can be a stand alone read. It was evident that I was missing things that were either touched on in book one or maybe even The Elite Ops series. Either way it felt like I was punishing myself by reading this book. So I quit. Sorry there are Lora Leigh books that I own and love but this one isn’t gonna work for me. Maybe if I didn’t spend so much time confused, I would have connected but either way I’m out. DNF @20% chapter 4!
First, let me say that I feel you need to read Book 1 in the series in order to understand the characters & the background without being lost. With that being said, this was a very complex plot with violence & erotic undertones. The characters are intense & complicated. Their chemistry & affection are over the top. They have both escaped from horrible situations & thought the worst was behind them. Unfortunately their past comes calling again. Can they survive?
Hot, steamy, fast paced…and maybe a little confusing at times. I enjoyed it overall. I do think you should read the first book in the series before reading this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
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~~ 4.5 RAVISHING STARS!~~
“To kill a monster, you need a monster.”
I became entranced by Lora Leigh’s writing after reading COLLISION POINT, the first installment of her heart-palpitating Brute Force series. And when I discovered that ruthless crime boss Ivan Resnova would be paired up with Crimsyn “Syn” Delaney in book two, DAGGER’S EDGE, I was GIDDY with excitement!!!
THE STORY:
For new readers to the series, Ivan is the fiercely overprotective “poppa” of Amara, the heroine of book one, and there’s a forbidden twist here because Crimsyn is not only his daughter’s friend but also has blood ties to his most vile enemies!!!
The prologue opens with Journey Taite in dire straits. Refusing to honor the engagement to Beauregard Grant, the distant cousin her father has sold her to, she is fleeing for her life when she finds herself kidnapped and in grave peril. When all seems lost, Russian kingpin Ivan Resnova —her family’s fiercest foe and the man she secretly worships—swoops to the rescue like a dark avenging angel. She spends the next four years running from her past but Ivan never forgot the flame haired beauty and has been scouring the earth trying to track her down.
Fast forward to the present day where fate reunites then in the most unlikely of ways. Journey, who now goes under the alias Crimsyn Delaney, has been living at Ivan’s Colorado estate with her bff Amara—Ivan’s daughter–for the past six months. But due to her new name and radically changed appearance, he has no reason to suspect her true identity.
Crimsyn is no longer a scared, naive 22 years old girl who he rescued four years prior, but a 26 year old woman with ACHING DESIRES, and after a recent bloodbath involving Crimysn and Amara, which they’d both thankfully survived, she knows she can’t be his responsibility anymore. And besides, there’s no doubt the cold-hearted crime lord will throw her to the wolves once he discovers he’s been offering sanctuary to his enemy’s duplicitous daughter. .
But, alas, there’s a twist …
Ivan has no clue what to do about his forbidden desires for the flame haired spitfire who is still in grave danger and hiding things that he may or may not be privy to. One thing is for certain though–blood WILL be shed if the bad guys catch up with her. After a night of passion that rocks both their worlds, she runs off, but when her fit to be tied protector finally catches up with her and whisks her away for safekeeping, and all their closely guarded secrets are finally laid bare, who will shield the innocent beauty from the primal beast that lurks within her dark, SAVAGE protector?
MY MUSINGS:
I devoured this titillating second book in the Brute Force series, which revolves around a top secret Elite Operations unit that has tentacles in the some of the darkest corners of the world. This erotically charged romance has the perfect blend of steam and spine-tingling action/suspense to keep the reader glued to the page, with our hearts in our throats and our girly bits THROBBING!
Lora Leigh’s atmospheric, vibrant prose is absolutely RESPLENDENT, and I was captivated from start to finish! I truly felt very single shivery sensation down to my morrow as torrid passion and heart-palpitating peril become delectably intertwined when the heroine finds herself caught in the bloodthirsty family feud and must seek shelter in the arms of her father’s fiercest enemy.
Sighhhh…Ivan is an all-powerful, potently seductive anti-hero YOU CAN’T HELP BUT LOVE! Every glorious inch of this tall, dark and predatory Russian emanates danger and delicious dark dominance. And he is NOT a man to be crossed!
“Ivan wasn’t known for playing with his enemies. He was known for striking hard, fast, and with utter mercilessness.”
And Crimsyn, the much younger, but unflinchingly brave “little wildcat” who breaches his iron defenses, also proves to be a TRUE WARRIOR with an aura of fragility that just touches you to the core! She is wracked with guilt over her tainted bloodlines that brought so much despair on Ivan’s family and does not want to be a burden. Of course, her ferocious protector has something else to say on the matter!
But is the man she’s loved since she was 16 simply using her as a pawn to exact vengeance, or is his fierce carnal possession born of raw, unbridled devotion? For as much as Crimsyn yearns for Ivan with EVERY FIBER OF HER BEING, surrendering her heart and soul to this cold, merciless man, who rescues her over and over again and makes her quiver and quake every time his ravenous gaze meets hers, is as treacherous as the dark danger closing in.
I RELISHED the combustible discord that crackles in the air as these two are swept up in the throes of red-hot carnal passion, while also keeping toxic secrets from each other. Their scenes are fueled with torrid desire, roiling emotion, and high voltage sparks…and each and every time these two hit the sheets—which is often!—you WILL feel the sizzle and burn!
At its core, DAGGER’S EDGE is a darkly sensual tale of love and vengeance, where only the strong survive in the ultimate power struggle that no one will emerge from unscathed! This tautly woven plot has many fascinating layers that are slowly but surely peeled away, and as the lines become blurred between illusion and reality for Crimsyn and her tall, dark and deliciously sinister savior, I fell HOPELESSLY under their spell!!
A MUST READ!
Dagger’s Edge by Lora Leigh is book Two in the Brute Force series. This is the story of Journey “Syn” Delaney and Ivan Resnova. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Ivan worked his way out of his criminal past but then he meet up with Syn again. Syn is on the run to save her life after being betrayed. Along the way she runs into Ivan her friend Amara’s father Ivan. Syn has always had a slight crush on Ivan. Now, with danger closing in on her moves to isolate herself from him and others to keep them safe. But Ivan moves forward to help her and their feelings grow. This was a page turner for me and couldn’t put it down.
Ivan and Syn are both trying to forget their past but enemies won’t let them. The chemistry between these two was scorching and intense. Another good read for the second book in the series.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
Dagger’s Edge is exactly the kind of book I love. Full of action, suspense & steamy romance, it was impossible to put down. Not having read Collision Point, the first book in the series, I was confused at the beginning but the plot had me so mesmerized that I decided to continue it and read the first after. I’ve already purchased Collision Point and it’s #1 on my TBR list! I would highly recommend this series and look forward to the next one. I received an advanced copy through NetGalley for my honest review.
At first when I entered this one and the blunt action started I was not too sure. Syn captures your attention but then right away you are blown away by the brutalness. When Ivan and her cross paths again then you become a goner because you have to see where this goes. The skill in this that has woven around you and tied you up at times you are given some excellent reading. Power is displayed with you sucking it up too. The heat is searing but this is one that you will finish just to see if nothing else.
This was much more thrill and suspense oriented than I anticipated. From the very beginning it was one wild race for safety after another as Journey tries to run from her past and the dangers that still threaten her present. When Ivan steps in, she knows that he will kill her once he learns who she really is but perhaps making a deal with the devil could save her in the end, even if she doesn’t believe in fairy tales.
I enjoyed this story despite not remembering the details of the previous one. Initially, it was a bit complicated to follow and I was tempted to set it aside. However, I pushed through and I’m so glad that I did. While Journey was trying to find her way in a world that she had never felt safe in, it was Ivan’s determination to give her a soft place to land that really snagged my heart. He was all alpha, all protective, and completely possessive of her. When they come to an understanding, I could see the writing on the wall even if Journey could not and I was even further gone for this hero.
This is a fast paced read with plenty of hot steam and even more characters. I never knew which direction it was going to go and in the end was taken completely by surprise. If you enjoy a thrilling ride of suspense and danger, death hovering at the doorway at any given time and uncertainty over who to trust even as two people fall in love amidst the chaos, this is definitely a read you will want to check out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m new to this series, but I am a big fan of the author’s previous books, so I was excited to read this story.
Journey Taite is an isolated pawn that is being used by her family, through a forced marriage, to keep their power and money intact. On the run from this fate, she is eventually forced to accept help from her family’s greatest enemy (and her secret crush), Ivan Resnova. From this point on there is tons of suspense, angst, and plenty of hotness.
I love the way these characters were written. Journey is very fragile and hides her weakness behind a cloak of false bravado. Ivan is a strong older man that is surprised that he can easily be felled by love. I also really enjoyed the fast pace way the story developed. Never a dull moment in this book!
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.