The first in a sexy contemporary romance series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shayla Black.BOUND BY DUTY…Bodyguard and former military man Cutter Bryant has always done his duty–no matter the cost. Now he’s taking one last high-octane assignment before settling down in a new role that means sacrificing his chance at love. But he never expects to share an irresistible … never expects to share an irresistible chemistry with his beautiful new client.
…TEMPTED BY PLEASURE
As the star of a steamy television drama, Shealyn West knows fame well, but it has come at the expense of her heart. With a blackmailer watching her every move and the threat of career-ending exposure looming, Shealyn hires Cutter to shore up her security and keep her safe, never imagining their attraction will be too powerful to contain.
As Shealyn and Cutter navigate the scintillating line between business and pleasure, they unravel a web of secrets that threaten their relationship and their lives. When danger strikes, Cutter must decide whether to follow his heart for the first time, or risk losing Shealyn forever.
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“No one can undo me like you.”
I was so excited to get my hands on Devoted to Pleasure which is the first book in the new Devoted Lovers series by one of my favorite authors, Shayla Black. I’ve not ever been disappointed by any of her books, so I knew before turning the first page that it was gonna be good, but it was even better.
The author did a number on me by letting me in on a secret from the very beginning of the story. And once it was in my head, it stayed there, niggling in the background. I worried. I waited. Knowing that it wouldn’t stay a secret forever and anxious about when and how it would come to light later on. Well done…
Coming from a military background and being raised by a single mother, Cutter fell right into what I would consider White Knight Syndrome. Perfect for a career in the security field, right? Using his protective instincts for good and rescuing damsels in distress should be rewarding, right? But how much is too much? When will his sacrifices be enough? Will he have to sacrifice his chance at love too?
Shealyn has trust issues, but Cutter came highly recommended and she needs someone to help her deal with a blackmailer that is threatening her career. She’s worked very hard to reach her current level of success and it could be over in a minute if the threat is carried out. She knows she made a mistake, but she can’t take it back and now she just wants to keep her secret hidden. When her new security detail shows up for duty she’s not expecting the zing of attraction that she feels. But she’s determined to keep it to herself, along with her secret.
Cutter has never been tempted to cross the line between business and personal with a client, but he’s finding that keeping his eyes on Shealyn is both a blessing and curse. She’s beautiful but also deadly to his self-control. The last thing he needs when trying to protect her is to be distracted by her. Will he be able to resist her once he realizes she feels the same way? I’ll give you one guess, that’s all you’ll need.
While all the sexual tension is building the suspense does too. Both Cutter & Shealyn are hiding things from each other, but not from me. Right, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I was going crazy knowing their secrets and wanting them to let the cat out of the bag. I tried to convince them to fess up, but they ignored me. But I didn’t know all the secrets, the author kept the identity of the blackmailer from all of us. It was fun to guess and process the clues as I waited to learn if I was right.
Some characters I wanted to throw my Kindle at and others I wanted to spend more time with. So much so that I’m extra excited about this being only the first book in the series which means there’s a good chance that will happen. In the meantime, I’m having #HotCop fantasies. The line forms here…
Sometimes one pays a very heavy price for saving your best friend’s life. Brea Bell found herself pregnant and not wanting anything to do with the baby’s father who made her pay a very personal price for rescuing her best friend, her almost brother’s life. Cutter Bryant is alive and well so Brea knew she did the right thing. Cutter loves Brea like a sister and wants to thank her for what she has done by marrying her to save her from single motherhood and the unpleasant gossip in the town about the preacher’s daughter being unmarried and pregnant. But then Cutter goes to California on assignmeet and meets the woman he is hired to protect, TV star, Shealyn West. The attactrion is instant and , well, things progress from there. Now…what to do, what to do!
Shayla Black brings the first full length novel in her new Devoted Lovers series coming out of the gate strong and fast. She is a master at character development and this is seen very much in this story. We met Cutter Bryant before but in this story we get to really know the wonderful person he is. Shealyn’s character is a very attractive one to me, a TV star but down-to-earth and not typical Hollywood. Shealyn and Cutter are the perfect couple! I loved getting the glimpses of past characters too. This is a big win for Shayla Black!
As soon as the call comes in Cutter knows he is latest job is going to be a challenge, a Hollywood starlet that is trying to dodge a blackmailer who is out for blood or money. He takes his job very seriously, abides by all the rules, keeps his clients safe, and never, ever, crosses the line with them… but when Shealyn West comes crashing into his world the lines start to blurry. She is gorgeous, but she is also not at all what he expected her to be, he thought she would be unapproachable, a pampered princess, but she is about as far from that as she can be. She is a down-to-earth girl, with big dreams, lots of ambition, a heart of gold, and a body made for sin… and Cutter wants to explore every inch of it. But that would be so wrong, and SO against all the rules he lives by…
When Shealyn West finds out that their is a blackmailer out to put an end to her successful career by airing her dirty laundry, she knows she is going to have to do something to keep them at bay, so she places a call into EM Security and asks them if they can help. So they promise to send some muscle her way to keep her safe from the danger that is lurking, and she isn’t quite prepared for the hunk of a man that they send her way, Cutter is gorgeous, and so unexpected. He promises to keep her safe, and while she believes that with every ounce of her being, she also believes that they have some serious sparks flying between them, sparks that could bring a whole new kind of danger…
Devoted to Pleasure is a scintillating new installment in the Devoted Lovers series, and it’s centered around a armed and able bodied hunk who is hired to protect a beautiful actress who has managed to catch the attention of a very eager and dangerous blackmailer. From the moment these two wandered into each other lives you could feel the sparks flying off the pages, and it was obvious those sparks were going to lead to something really hot at some point… and boy did it ever!! I thoroughly enjoyed this one it had suspenseful action to keep me guessing, some pesky rules that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering will they or won’t they, and an emotional story line that spoke to my heart…a total win in my book!! Highly recommend!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
4.5 stars
I found myself loving this story but Cutter was too good to be true. He was there to help anyone who needed it and was even going to give up true love and forever happiness to help a friend, someone as close to him as a sister. It just didn’t seem real to me because I haven’t met anyone that selfless in my life.
Cutter Bryant was the all-around good guy, former military, now a bodyguard for hire and his next assignment has him heading to Hollywood. And after this high profile job, he is giving up his chance at love to help a friend. Wait until he meets Shealyn West, the one person he was not expecting.
Small town girl makes it big, Shealyn West is finally living her dream as a Hollywood actress. But what she wasn’t ready for was all the press following her every move. And when a blackmailer sends a text with a steamy video of her and a man that is not her boyfriend, she realizes that she needs someone to go with her to drop off the payoff. She hires a bodyguard at a friends recommendation. When the man shows up at her door, Cutter Bryant was not what she was expecting at all. He leaves her tingling all over and tongue-tied. She has never had these feelings towards any man before. And she wants to explore them more with him.
Can Cutter and Shealyn enjoy their time together and he can keep her safe too? Will the blackmailer give up after she pays whoever it is off? Will they find out who the blackmailer is? Will Cutter and Shealyn end things when he leaves or will they make a future together?
I loved this story and other than Cutter being too good to be true, I recommend it highly. Shayla Black has a way of pulling you into a story and making you feel all the emotions the story has to offer. So I hope you enjoy this story too.
**A copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review**
5 Stars!
I’ve read a few of Shayla’s books and have always fallen in love with them the moment I turned the first page. She’s got a way of pulling you in and making you want to know every little detail there is about the characters and this book was exactly the same way. She had me hooked in from page one and I managed to finish it within a few days. It was passionate, steamy, full of suspense, drama, with danger and twists and turns. It’s the first book in her new series Devoted Lovers called Devoted To Pleasure and it was sure as hell pleasurable! I found myself squirming in my seat at times! She knows how to deliver a hot and spicy plot! I absolutely devoured this book, it was such a page turner, and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. It was a fast-ish paced book, which I loved! I hate more than anything a storyline that just lags on and on, this book didn’t for me! Something was always happening to keep my attention. It left me wanting for more, and I think I’ve found my new book boyfriend! Cutter!
Shealyn West, an actress is being blackmailed with a video that was recorded without her permission. She doesn’t want to bring attention to the situation, for her own personal reasons and would much rather just pay the blackmailer off and be done with the whole thing and hope that this person leaves her alone after she pays them.
Cutter Bryant, an ex military officer now bodyguard is hired just for protection while she drops off the cash to the blackmailer. But he is determined to convince her to let him investigate who is behind the the threat.
Their attraction to each other is instant but the more time they spend together, the more they fall for each other, not just physically but emotionally. But there are things holding them both back from each other. Will they be able to work these things out and be together properly? Will Cutter be able to uncover the blackmailer and stop them before it’s too late?
The chemistry between the two was intense and consuming, I found I could almost feel it as I read, and that’s how I know it’s a damn good book! I love all things hot and steamy and this was just that, plus much much more.
If you were a fan of Shayla’s Wicked Ties series, I highly recommend this series!
There’s not much I can say without giving too much away about the storyline and what happens between the two of them.
It was extremely well written, the characters were well developed and easy to picture what’s happening as you read and an easy storyline, addictive storyline to follow!
I had the honor of getting an ARC paperback copy as a prize from Shayla, and now I’ve started this series, I’m invested and need more, I’ll be sure to buy the rest the moment they release! This was a fantastic read.
Hot.
Passionate.
Suspenseful.
Thrilling.
Drama filled.
Everything I love in a book! It’s a MUST read!
For a man who thrives on control and has chosen duty and honor over any kind of personal life for much of his life and career, bodyguard and former military man, Cutter Bryant, finds himself in a rather precarious position with his newest client, hollywood starlet, Shealyn West, because their attraction is not something they anticipated and when lines blur and pleasure consumes them, it’s unclear if they’ll come out of this assignment with their hearts or even their lives.
Cutter is one heck of an alpha male hero, and, at times, his overprotective nature can be suffocating, especially when it comes to a woman he desires. It’s easy to see Cutter’s conflicting emotions; he commits himself to every job he takes, but there’s added stress in protecting Shealyn because not only are their secrets between them, but the threat to her life is always in the forefront of his mind, which adds further drama to an already crazy situation.
Shealyn is an intriguing character – one who has fought to achieve her dreams, and now that they’re threatened by a past mistake and someone looking to benefit from her misdeeds, she needs to do whatever it takes to ensure that everything works out the way she wants and needs them to, and that’s why Cutter Bryant enters her life and ends up turning it upside down. Shealyn does not trust easily which makes sense given her career choice, but there’s something about Cutter that makes her feel protected, even when things seem out of control.
The sizzling chemistry between Shealyn and Cutter resonates from the pages, so it’s understandable why they both can’t help but give into what they’re feeling, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t further complicate an already complex situation or feel a bit overbearing when Cutter’s protective nature goes a little overboard, and until the blackmailer is dealt with and all of the secrets are laid bare, things are bound to be dicey and dramatic, and that’s exactly what goes down the closer Shealyn and Cutter become and the infinite lengths that Cutter is willing to go.
Devoted to Pleasure is one wild, sensual, and dangerous ride, and the title itself, although it seems contrary to what the word devotion implies, proves to be both a curse and a blessing for Shealyn and Cutter and with the amount of suspense, drama, and twists that occur throughout the storyline, professional and personal relationships become a point of contention for those involved.
4 Poison Apples
HOT. FREAKING. DARN. Devoted To Pleasure was pure temptation with so many of the FEELS and SO MUCH OF THE STEAMY, SEDUCTIVE SEX and two of the FINEST characters you could imagine! Everything about this book made me happy and ULTRA pleased. From the plot, to the great characters to the hot sex and the great, heart clenching romance. This new series, I have a feeling, will be TREASURED by many and LOVED by all Shayla Black fans!
Cutter and Shealyn had the greatest chemistry. Things sparked and flared, sizzled and popped. The sex was SMOKING HOT and I felt like I needed a change of panties and a cold shower more than once. There was also the PERFECT amount of suspense, danger and action that had the adrenaline PUMPING and kept me on my toes. This book is a DELIGHT and a MUUUUST READ!
Devoted To Pleasure gets a PLEASURABLE FIVE POPPING STARS!
The first book in Shayla Black’s new Devoted Lovers series is just as pleasurable to read as the books in her Wicked Lovers series. Cutter Bryan is a former military man who is now a bodyguard and his newest client turns this man’s personal life upside down. Shealyn West stars in a steamy television drama and she needs a bit of help with a blackmailer but she is not prepared for the attraction that threatens all her secrets. These strong, charismatic characters pull readers into their story with lots of electrifying chemistry, super-heated passion and a powerful relationship that readers find fulfilling and stimulating. The romance between these two is only a little sweet as they fight the attraction due to the track that their lives have taken and responsibilities and loyalties that they have to others but when they give in to that attraction, the pages explode with passion and combustible energy. The relationship another words is quite energetic, full of secrets and suspense that keeps readers involved in the story from beginning to end.
The steady to fast paced plot has lots of thrilling suspense as the Cutter tries to determine where the danger is coming from which is made harder by Shealyn’s secrets and lots of excitement with surprising twists and exhilarating danger as the blackmailer ups the ante and startling truths are revealed. There is certainly no way that the readers can become bored during this story the events and timing of those events build the suspense and romance into stirring climaxes.
Truthfully, I love Shayla Black’s books and the worlds that she creates because she delivers each and every story with a passion that really pulls me in and ensures that I want to know the characters and every last detail of their story, so it was no surprise to me that I was completely taken in by Cutter (who is just too sexy for words) and Shealyn’s story.
3.75 stars– DEVOTED TO PLEASURE is the first instalment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult DEVOTED LOVERS erotic, romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Wicked Lovers series. This is bodyguard and former military man Cutter Bryant, and actress Shealyn West’s story line. You do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the new spin-off.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Shealyn and Cutter) DEVOTED TO PLEASURE follows the forbidden romance between bodyguard and former military man Cutter Bryant, and actress Shealyn West. Shealyn West is being blackmailed by an unknown source. A video of Shealyn in a compromising situation is about to be released to the world unless Shealyn’s meets with her blackmailer’s demands. Hiring Cutter Bryant to act as her go-between is but the tip of the proverbial iceberg as Shealyn’s personal life is about to be played out in public for the world to see.
Cutter Bryant knows there is more to the story than our heroine is letting on, but as a personal bodyguard, Cutter’s job means more than a go-between but a position to protect for more than one night. With his own life spiralling out of control, Cutter finds himself falling for the rising star, a star whose own past is as troubling as Cutter Bryant’s. What ensues is the building romance between Cutter and Shealyn, and the potential fall-out as Cutter’s life back home begins to interfere in his relationship and protection of the woman with whom he is falling in love.
DEVOTED TO PLEASURE is a detailed story line where a number of personal issues for both Cutter and Shealyn begin to affect a potential happily ever after. From a prior ‘commitment’ back home for Cutter, to Shealyn’s double life played out for the tabloids, it is only a matter of time before everything begins to implode.
The relationship between Cutter and Shealyn is one of immediate attraction, an attraction that does not go unnoticed by those closest to our story line heroine. From the outset Cutter and Shealyn are keeping secrets from one another, secrets that will potentially affect their future, one way or another. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word that holds no place in a romance story line.
The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Cutter’s brother, police officer Cage Bryant; Cutter’s best friend Brea Bell; Shealyn’s sister Maggie aka Magnolia; Shealyn’s co-star Tower Trent, and fellow actress Jessica Jarrett. The requisite evil has many faces. There are also a couple of cameo appearances and mentions of characters previously introduced in the author’s other series.
DEVOTED TO PLEASURE is an edgy and sexy story line. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the characters are spirited, passionate and charismatic; the romance is steamy, hot and heavy. DEVOTED TO PLEASURE is a spicy and dramatic start to Shayla Black’s DEVOTED LOVERS.
Devoted to Pleasure by Shayla Black is is the First book in the Devoted Lovers Series. This is the story of Cutter Bryant and Shealyn West.
Shealyn is being black mailed with a video that she didn’t know was made. Shealyn just wants to pay the blackmailer and be done with it. When she hires Cutter to be protection as she delivers the money he quickly tells her that is not the right move to make.
There was a instant attraction between the two that made Cutter want to help protect her fully. They both had outstanding issue that should keep them apart but in the end it drew them in.
Great Hot Read!
Y’all know how much I love Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers series, and I was so happy to see the spinoff series, Devoted Lovers come to fruition! And what a start!
I loved the dynamic between Cutter and Shealyn. Their snarky, witty banter and their very sexy times together was a fun romance to read even through the danger that they were working toward figuring out! It was a quick and dirty romantic suspense!!
And of course I got snippets of some of my favorite Wicked Lovers characters including Logan and Heath. Swoon. But Cutter certainly ratcheted up the swoon factor where Shealyn was concerned!
Grab a drink and a snack and a napkin to wipe off the drool and enjoy the ride!
Wow I have had Devoted to Pleasure on my Kindle for a little while now and I have had to work my way through all my ARC’s. So, happy to have made my way to this book!
Devoted to Pleasure is the first book in Shayla Black’s new series Devoted to Lovers. This is Cutter Bryant (bodyguard) and Shealyn West’s (star for a steamy television drama) story.
Shealyn needed a bodyguard because she has a blackmailer about something in her past. Shealyn has a high profile fake romance with Tower Trent. Cutter figures it out, fast.
Cutter is taking his last “high-octane, high dollar assignment before he settles down to a new role. Getting married and settling down with his best friend.
But, what happens when Shealyn after she hires Cutter for her body guard? You will have to read this book to know.
Devoted to Pleasure is a steamy, suspenseful and enjoyable book to read. I can’t wait to read book 2 in this new series.
5 Star reviews of Devoted To Pleasure (Devoted Lovers #1) by Shayla Black
I was excited to hear that Shayla Black had a new series and jumped at the chance to read and review.
I fell hard and fast for former military man and now bodyguard Cutter Bryant. He ticked all the boxes for me and I found him to be totally swoon worthy.
Cutter is a man who always puts every ones needs above his own, including offering to marry his best friend who finds herself pregnant and in danger of being kicked out by her father; but first he has a job to do.
Shealyn West is like all of us, she has made mistakes in the past and it is this that comes back to haunt her with a vengeance. When she hires Cutter to help sort out her security and protect her, she has no idea how her life will change.
There’s a fine line between business and pleasure and both Cutter and Shealyn are trying to decide if it is worth taking a risk. The chemistry between Cutter and Shealyn sizzles so much you are in danger of being burnt.
When Shealyn finds out about his “fiance” she demands he leaves and refuses to listen to his explanations.
When danger rears it’s ugly head, will Cutter be able to save her, will he take a chance and follow his heart or walk away and do what is right by his friend?
There is drama, smoking hot scenes and a few tear jerking moments and as I have come to expect from Ms. Black, Devoted To Pleasure is entertaining and extremely well written.
Cutter is a stand up guy when his best friend Brea is pregnant and not married her preacher father would kill her so he offers to marry her so her father and the small town wouldn’t degrade her. Cutter just had to do one quick job, no more than a week or two but little did he know there is danger and love guarding a TV star.
Shealyn is being blackmailed and all she needs is for Cutter to help her make to drop of 250,000 and they will go away. Well they didn’t go away they actually tried to kill her but Cutter has fallen head over heels and no one is coming near his woman. The problem with being in love with a TV star is everything in your life is open to public scrutiny including the secrets you are both hiding. I love these characters as they were so real and you can see it actually happening to someone.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Shealyn is a Hollywood actress from a small town in Texas. She is being blackmailed over a video showing her in a compromising position. They are wanting two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to keep it out of the press. She is supposedly dating her co-star Tower and she doesn’t want anyone to see the video. She hires a bodyguard to protect her when she drops the money off.
Cutter is former military and works for a security company. He puts everyone’s happiness above his own. His next door neighbor and best friend, who is like his little sister he never had, is pregnant and he offers to marry her so her preacher father won’t disown her. But first he has a job in California to do first. He never expects to fall head over heels for the woman he is supposed to protect. Only she’s keeping information from him and thinks he’ll only guard her at the drop off. Cutter takes his job seriously and stays by her side the whole time.
When they drop the money off, someone tries to kill them and now Cutter is trying to figure out who is blackmailing her and wants her dead. With jealousy from from Tower, the press constantly hounding them , and a killer on the loose, Cutter will do anything to keep her safe. But when the truth comes out about Cutter and his bride to be, Shealyn kicks him out and doesn’t give him a chance to explain. The danger comes knocking at her door. Can Cutter save her in time or will he lose the only woman he has ever loved?
The story was a little hard to get interested in at first but then it keeps you hooked until the very end. Two people afraid to let others in their heart. A blackmailer. Misunderstanding and of course all the drama of Hollywood. The sex is smoking hot and ending will shock you.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
I love all romance novels that have a happily ever after ending.
Good read.
Shayla Blacks’s Devoted to Pleasure is absolutely SMOKIN HOT! The instant attraction between Cutter and Shealyn sets up a steamy secret romance sure to be filled with angst and heart-ache in order to get to that HEA. We met Cutter in Ms. Black’s “Holding on Tighter” and she did not disappoint on this gorgeous private security bodyguard’s story. Shealyn is an up and coming Hollywood starlet with a blackmailer “problem” in need of Cutter’s services. Shealyn is a strong and easy to like heroine – always keeping a small-town vulnerability for such a successful actress.
The story starts out with Cutter making a non-romantic life commitment to his best friend Brea. This was given to keep Brea safe and pay her back for the “sacrifice” she made to save his life. But first he must go to California and complete a job with this actress. (Side note: this sets up a future story for good girl Brea and the menacing “One-Mile” Pierce in “Wicked as Sin” coming soon from Ms. Black.) Shealyn just needs this bodyguard guy to deliver her blackmailer’s money, then he can go home, and she can continue to move up the Hollywood Starlet food chain. Ah, but it is never that easy and the blackmailer situation turns drastically complicated.
Cutter is instantly protective of his charge and their chemistry escalates while Shealyn is bouncing around Hollywood with her co-star boyfriend for show. His internal dialog is intense and considerate at the same time. Throughout the story we are introduced to several characters – each of whom could be the blackmailer. (Ms. Black does a little “bait and switch” on that theme in the end – but I was leaning towards the eventual character who ended up being that villain.)
“We may not be coming up for food – or air – all evening, because I’ve devoted hours to thinking of all the ways I want to pleasure you.”
Once Cutter and Shealyn finally give in to their attraction it’s an instant love match. You are constantly trying to figure out how they can possibly work this out for their forever? How is he going to resolve his “commitment” back home? How will she save face while dumping the Hollywood boyfriend without the PR nightmare? UGH! Well, Ms. Black weaves her story’s conclusion with a dramatic bow, an expected tragedy, and a few sizzling tidbits for future stories.
Shayla Black brings in several of her characters from my favorite “Wicked Lovers” series and she is sure to mix and mingle more of these beloved people with her future tomes. When these characters (Hunter and Logan Edgington and a few run-ins at the Mackenzie-Thorpe Christmas party) pop up – it always makes me want to go back and re-read the series!
Devoted to Pleasure is a super sizzling love story with some explosive chemistry from the start. It keeps you pining for these two to seal the deal and find their forever while all the dramatic surprises take you for a wild ride. Enjoy!
Now I HAVE to read Ms. Black’s next books in the series – Devoted to Wicked (#1.5) and Devoted to Love (#2).
Great read with a twist that you won’t see coming. Shealyn & Cutter are perfect for each other and has an instant connection. When Shealyn is in danger, Cutter will do anything to protect her. If you like an instant love with amazing characters and a twist you want see coming then this book you must read.
Another amazing story by Shayla Black!!
Shaelyn was an actress being blackmailed because of a moment in a dressing room she wishes she could take back. She hires a body guard to help her but he becomes so much more.
Cutter is former military turned working for a security company. He’s super hot and very faithful to his friends. So much so that he’s willing to marry Brea (his best friend) because she’s pregnant. It’s not his kid, but he doesn’t want her father’s fury raining down on her. All that is fine and he has a plan…until he gets a job to guard Shaelyn. Then it becomes complicated.
Lots of twists and turns, very dangerous moments and lots of magical moments!! Great story!! Other than wanting to strangle Shaelyn, the characters were awesome!!