I am both a sinner and a saint, but I bleed vengeance.For years, I’ve lived in the grey… until her.Avery Washington didn’t belong in the shadows, but I dragged her into the darkness anyway.One kiss, and I would stop at nothing to possess her.One caress, and my need to destroy wavered.Our attraction was poison and pleasure.They say the devil recognizes his own, but I never saw Avery coming.She’s … say the devil recognizes his own, but I never saw Avery coming.
She’s determined to light the matchsticks, and I can’t resist going down in flames…
Defied is the final book in the Blood Duet and should not be read before Sworn.
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Ahh… everything is revealed from both Lincoln and Avery. And it’s not what you expected. What a shocker this book was. A great duet that shouldn’t be missed.
What a ride!!!!!
This duet was so freaking amazing!!
I was not expecting all the twists Maria Luis gave us in this story, but it only kept me more on the edge.
I am simply blown away by this book!
Lincoln and Avery were left dangling off an almost-literal cliff in the first book, and boy do they have an adventure climbing their way out of it! When Lincoln demanded that Charlie pull his gun, I almost lost my mind! Lincoln is Large and In Charge and pity the fool who thinks he can best him.
This book is all about peeling back the shadows and getting to the truth. So many secrets revealed – who it was that saw Lauren running away all those years ago dropped my jaw to the floor! And the paternity issue? The aunt? The real suicide? The roommate? Hoo boy – this book takes you on a steam-filled roller coaster of emotions and doesn’t care if you hang on or not!
Through it all, Lincoln and Avery forge a bond that fuses their entire futures together, come what may. These two are so perfect for each other it made my heart hurt to think of all they’ve gone through, and so very thankful they did it all together and came out on the other side with their love intact.
Despite dancing sooooo close to the edge, the author kept the body count to a minimum and showed an underlying respect for law and order, even when her characters really didn’t want to. That kept the book so much more believable and honest, never quite crossing the line into “that couldn’t really happen or they’d never get away with it.”
Lincoln is more than a book boyfriend; he’s everything we want in a tortured hero and Avery is absolutely his perfect match. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
As soon as I finished the first novel, I ran to KU to get the second. Thank goodness both were KU. Usually I hate cliffhangers and series, but this one was really excellent. Characters, plot, setting… all were fantastic. Highly recommend.
Asher and Avery’s tale comes to an exciting and action packed finale! The loyalty, friendships, family; blood and chosen, and passion make you fall in love with the Lieutenant and his Savior. It was such a good read, definitely going on the re-read list!
How in the world am I supposed to move on from this Duet?!? Lincoln and Avery GAH! I am not ready to part with them. I devoured their story duet in less than twenty-four hours but they will remain with me for so much longer. The conclusion to this duet was EVERYTHING!
So, as this book dove deeper, and the layers of lies and deceit kept unfolding I was literally awestruck. As soon as I finally thought I had my head wrapped around what in the world was going on Maria would throw something else at me and my mind would be in a tailspin. I loved this suspenseful puzzle she built up. The pieces that were being revealed little bits at a time in each chapter. I couldn’t wait to see what it would reveal when we could finally see it all put together. Would things work out for our Lincoln and Avery?
There were so many obstacles standing in the way. The violence, the deception, the corruption, the list of people who wanted Lincoln’s head on a platter was as long as the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
When everything came to light would it really be possible for both Lincoln and Avery to be left standing?
If you thought you book one had you grasping the edge of your seat. You.Just.Wait! From every frustratingly kindle flinging, sweat dripping, heat fanning, nail biting second. This was a fantastic conclusion to The Blood Duet!
My friends, this couple though. They had to claw, kick, scratch, punch, potentially kill for the other, for their chance at HEA. But in the end would love be worth all those sacrifices? I guess you will have to read to find out.
Cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book/duet!
– DEAD Y’ALL!! This book O-M-G.It was like a delicious sundae of books and then Maria went and started throwing cherries and chocolate chips and tons of extra whipped cream on it! It has everything you could want and more. Action, secrets , suspense, angst, hot sex, so much heart, banter, blood and sweat, tears, fight scenes, forgiveness, revenge, and frustration, lies on top of lies! Former Enemies become allies, twists and turns around every corner. These characters are LIFE!!
-HOSE ME OFF Y’ALL! Cause Mama is HOTT! Lincoln and Avery are pure fire.
Cliffhanger Warning-No Cliffhanger! There is resolution. I’m a happy girl. I think you will be too!
Trigger Warning-This book is a Gang romance and does have scenes that could be considered triggers for some. If you have concerns you can PM for more information.
I loved this series. I read both books in two days as I was so excited to see how the story would finish. I love how Maria brings the story alive and it becomes as though you are able to jump in to the story and watch everything unfold. I am looking forward to reading more of her stories.
I don’t write a lot of reviews, but couldn’t help but to with this duet. There was nail biting suspense, sexy scenes, and sigh worthy romance. Loved this duet and will continue to read Maria Luis!
Defied (Blood Duet #2)
By Maria Luis
You MUST read Sworn before reading Defied now with that being said lets get to the review.
Wow just wow talk about twist and turns! I thought I had some of it figured out then WHAM nope everything was turned upside down. Nothing is as it seems, there are secrets, lies, betrayals at every turn. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. It was suspenseful, intense,intriguing, dark, raw,gritty, emotional yet had me laughing at times at the back and forth banter between Lincoln and Avery. It truly was incredible storytelling with complex plot twist that will keep you shaking your head till the end. I loved this duet and highly recommend it.
Five blow you away
I loved this book. I admit, this one took me awhile to get fully into, but when I did, I didn’t want to put it down.
The conclusion of Avery and Lincoln’s story is everything you expect after reading Sworn.
Bravo to Maria Luis for writing such an awesome romantic suspense.
Defied (Blood Duet #2) by Maria Luis is a dark, contemporary romance told in first person, dual POV. It follows the relationship between tarot reader and runaway, Avery Washington, and NOPD police sergeant, Lincoln Asher. It’s a gritty tale of two characters with very dark pasts, and many secrets. As part two of a duet, it picks up where the previous book ended and concludes the story.
This book was as much of a page-turner as the first. We get to know both characters better and get a deeper look into Lincon’s past. We also find out more about Avery’s mother’s death. The story was full of suspense, danger, corruption, twists and turns. All secrets are revealed, betrayals are exposed, and all conflicts carried over from book one are resolved by the end. I enjoyed it.
This story has so many twists and turns that you can’t put it down until you get to the end. Lincoln and Avery have so many demons but together can they find some light at the end of the tunnel. Great characters and storyline Highly recommend
DEFIED (Blood Duet Book #2) By Maria Luis
This is the 2nd book in the Blood Duet series and it is a most satisfying follow up to Sworn. We find out much more about Lincoln (things are not always as they 1st appear). Lincoln and Avery are getting much closer and things around them are heating up. They are very explosive together, we get our questions answered. This is another 5 star read from Maria Luis.
This is the conclusion of Avery and Lincoln’s story. Murder, sex, lies, secrets, this story had it all. A thrilling ride and awesome read!
Defied is Book Two of the Blood Duet, and it is the highly-anticipated conclusion to Lincoln and Avery’s story. Defied picks up where Sworn’s one heck of a cliffhanger leaves off. Please note: You MUST read Sworn before reading Defied!
Defied is filled with suspense, anger, tension, and some pretty shocking twists you may not even see coming. And it is also filled with a whole lot of sexy.
“Sometimes good people do bad things.”
Lincoln Asher may be dangerous, and he may have done some pretty bad things, but he is oh-so-delicious. In Defied, we get to see so much more of this bad boy – he is raw and stripped bare – and that makes him even sexier and oh-so-very swoon-worthy.
Something that I absolutely loved about Defied is that we get to see more of Avery. She may be innocent, and she may have spent the last decade hiding in the shadows, but there is so much strength within her. In Defied, she shows us that she is more than capable of saving herself.
“I won’t go down in that fire with you. I’ve got my own flames to put out.”
Lincoln and Avery are two people whose paths were meant to cross. But as they each set out on the road before them, you can’t help but to wonder if they will be able to rise above the flames, or if the corruption and fire will eventually consume them.
I voluntarily chose to review an ARC of Defied!
As a reader of all things Maria Luis. I was hesitant at first to read this duet. However, she did not disappoint. Lincoln & Avery each have so much emotional baggage, and so many secrets, yet they can’t seem to stay away. Avery is a spitfire thing who knows what she wants and what’s she’s not willing to give up. Lincoln is an alpha thru and thru, especially his need to protect. Reading this duet was great because you get to see them work thru their personal issues, navigate whatever their relationship is, but also work to destroy an unknowingly mutual enemy.
I was so excited to read what happens with Lincoln and Avery and this book did not disappoint!! Excellent character development and a wonderfully rich and gritty story made this Duet a fantastic read. The perfect mix of intrigue, sex and sin. Can’t wait to read more by this gifted storyteller!
I cannot tell you how much I loved Defied! When I saw the blurbs and covers for Sworn and Defied, I straight up went into stalker mode to get my hands on the blogger’s copies of these books. Defied is the conclusion to the Blood Duet by Maria Luis and let me tell you, it was a truly fantastic read! Of course, as a duet, it must be read in order and I would not attempt to read the second book without first reading Sworn. If you like reading about a criminal underworld, sexy bad boys, and heroines who aren’t afraid to save themselves, then you need to get your hands on this duet and start reading asap!
The Blood Duet is simply too great to pass up. I’ve been reading Maria Luis for about a year now and I love her words… all of her books have been at least a 4-star read for me and I often recommend her to others. I find that her books are sexy as hell and expertly written. I can get lost in the words and before I know it, hours will have passed. Defied was all these things and more. It’s absolutely a 5-star read. I would even argue that when read in conjunction with Sworn, so that the full dimension of the characters and plot can be realized, it’s a 5+ star read. In Defied, Maria (again) departs from her norm – contemporary rom-coms and hockey romances – for a slightly darker romance. The keyword being slightly; it is not categorically a dark romance. The mystery in this duet is multidimensional and just when I thought I had it all figured out, Maria would throw in a curveball that would literally leave me gaping at my kindle! I loved how well she layered the sexy with the suspense as it was the perfect combination.
Another reason I just loved the Blood Duet was the characters – Lincoln and Avery. Their complexity and growth was fantastic. I love heroes and heroines that I can really get to know as we did with Lincoln and Avery over the course of the duet – I saw them come to life before my very eyes! As far as heroes go, Lincoln was top tier. He’s just what we all love in a book boyfriend – he’s mysterious, dirty and delicious in the bedroom, protective of his woman, has his ‘asshole’ moments , and more… so much more! I love the side of him that only Avery gets to experience. The secrets he keeps weigh on him and broke my heart. And Avery, oh gosh, did I love Avery!!! She’s stronger then I would have guess with Sworn and so we’re clear, she was not a pushover in it! She’s lived a life that would break so many and still she stands tall. Her perseverance and determination really pay off by the conclusion of the book and justice is served. Together the pair were simply fantastic! Full of passion and chemistry and just enough angst to have me in love with them long before I put down my tablet with the end of the story.
I hope that if you had any doubts about Sworn and Defied, I have helped you settle them. Obviously, I am routing heavily for you to read the Blood Duet! I can’t name a single book that I have read by Maria that wasn’t wonderfully entertaining and downright deliciousness and the Blood Duet is my favorite stories she’s written to date. I’m excited to see where her characters lead her next because one thing is for sure… She’s got a stalker for life!
Exciting and erotic conclusion to Maria Luis’s Blood Duet series. Couldn’t put this book down – a few surprising plot twists as we get to the bottom of Lincoln and Avery’s stories. Another must-read!
WHEW. I needed to take a deep breath after that ride! Lincoln and Avery opened themselves up to each other in the dire of circumstances. And the payoff was amazing. I really loved this story, but I did have a hard time keeping the “badies” straight in my mind. I had to stop a few times and go over things internally to make sure I was thinking of the correct person. I would still highly recommend this duet.