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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DEVOTED TO PLEASURE (Devoted Lovers Book #1) by Shayla Black is a sexy contemporary romance with the added subplot of the hero being the bodyguard for the heroine. This is a page-turning start of a new series with as many twists and turns in the romance as in the suspense.
Shealyn West is the sexy, beautiful and down to earth co-star of a steamy nighttime TV drama. Her fame came quickly and it is not everything she wished for. To help her friend and co-star, Shealyn fakes a relationship with him. In a moment of emotional weakness, she makes a mistake which could be career ending and is now being used to blackmail her. She hires a bodyguard to protect her for the money drop and finds a real attraction that is too powerful to avoid.
Cutter Bryant is ex-military and believes in duty above all else. He loves his high-octane job in private security, but he is a small town boy at heart. Cutter’s childhood friend is in trouble and Cutter wants to solve her problems for her out of obligation, but it means sacrificing his own chance for love. When he is sent to Hollywood to work for Shealyn, he cannot believe the chemistry between them. He has never crossed the line between work and personal before, but there is something between them that is worth trying to find a way to be together.
As Shealyn and Cutter work together to discover who is blackmailing Shealyn, their attraction becomes as explosive as the secrets they need to expose. Will Cutter be able to protect Shealyn from the mounting danger? Can Shealyn believe in and trust a real HEA is possible?
I feel this is a very solid start to this new series. Cutter and Shealyn complimented each other very well. I found the background information on both the H/h’s troubled childhoods which impacted how they behaved in the present compelling. I did have a problem with how often Cutter’s situation back home came up. I found the friend in trouble an immature whiner, not sympathetic and Cutter too self-sacrificing even though it worked out in the end. The blackmail and physical danger had enough twists to keep me anxiously turning the pages and the sex was explicit and smoking hot. I will be looking forward to more books in this series!
Thanks very much to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Great new series. Spin off of Wicked Lovers and we get to see favorite characters. Cutter meets the sexy Hollywood star Shealyn and sparks fly. This was a great story of two damaged souls finding each other. I love a story full of emotion and suspense. Another favorite series this will be.
Five Stars This was a roller coaster ride. So much suspense and heat. I felt my stomach drop so many times it was insane. Shayla is an amazing storyteller. Devoted to Pleasure was no different. I highly recommend this book because it was a fantastic read that will have you wanting more and more from these characters. I can only hope we get more from the supporting characters because I’m not ready to leave this world yet. Cutter was strong and deliciously alpha and Shaelyn had an underlying strength that was just the right amount to keep up with the broody dominant male. Great read! – By Cat
Secrets always have a way of coming out! An interesting story of finding love when you least expect it in the midst of a scandal about to happen! The main characters are both fairly complex with their own backgrounds telling their own story while their futures are both in turmoil playing out with them pretending things they don’t want to be doing anymore. I enjoyed it!
Actress Shealyn West has experienced great success in her career, but her fame has also had consequences. No privacy, having to pretend to date a costar for the good of her image and show, and the latest downfall is a blackmailing scheme come to light about a past mistake she’d do anything to take back. She decides to hire a bodyguard to shore up her security before this all plays out.
Former military man turned bodyguard Cutter Bryant is planning on making the ultimate sacrifice of his own happiness for a friend after he settles this upcoming job. When he steps into the middle of Shealyn’s life, he quickly realizes that there’s more to her story than she’s told him. He sets out to find out the details of what’s going on and figure out a way to take down the enemy. In the midst of doing so, he and Shea are drawn to each other and start a relationship … but when she finds out he’s promised elsewhere, it all starts to fall apart!
I’ve read my fair share of Shayla Black books and I’m VERY sad to say that this one just didn’t do it for me. I tried. I REALLY tired to fall for these characters, for the story, but there was just “something” that kept me distant. And I still can’t pin point it. (sigh)
Cutter is former military, now working security. He’s a small town “hero” and has a problem with always wanting to help those in need. Probably why the security thing works for him. But it’s messing with his personal life. Why? Because he’s promised his life to local girl, just so that she can save face with her family (and THIS is probably what’s kept me at arms length). But before he can marry the local girl, he has a job to do in LA.
Shealyn is the job in LA. She’s a big time actress, who’s living the dream. Right? Well, sort of. Although she’s this huge actress, she’s also “fake dating” her co-star and is currently being blackmailed. So she’s hired Cutter to help her with the blackmail issue. He may be helping her out with the co-worker issue too.
Like I stated earlier, this just didn’t mesh for me. The fact that Cutter is the wholesome local town hero who saves the day, sacrificing his own needs for others, really through me. The chemistry between the two main characters is good. But it seemed to run hot and cold due to Cutter predicament. All in all, it’s still a good read because the author is good at what she does. This one just wasn’t for me.
Devoted to Pleasure is the first in a new series by Shayla Black. It’s book 1 of the Devoted Lovers series, so obviously there’s not a previous book you have to read to understand the characters and their backgrounds.
This book follows Cutter Bryant and Shealyn West’s love story. He’s a good guy from a small town, who’s making a name for himself with a security company. She’s a small-town girl who’s made it big (and is trying to stay that way) in Hollywood. Shealyn is being blackmailed and threatened by an unknown, and Cutter is assigned to be her temporary bodyguard. And as with most things in Hollywood, Shealyn’s love life is NOT what it’s portrayed to be. Unfortunately, the blackmailer knows this and is using that knowledge to extort money from Shealyn and cause her shame. Can Cutter figure it all out and save her in time?
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Devoted to Pleasure 3.75 stars. The story is well written and flows easily. However, the characters just seemed a little flat. But, there are enough little nuggets dropped about minor characters to leave you guessing and wanting more (bravo Ms. Black!). And maybe it’s because I do read a lot of romantic suspense, but I was able to figure out the culprit early on, so that was slightly disappointing. With that said… it’s still a great love story with plenty of sexy times. I’ll be looking forward to the next book, as I feel like I really want to know some of the minor characters’ stories now that I am somewhat invested. If you don’t care that the suspense isn’t very… uh… suspenseful, you’ll like this book. If you like your suspense to keep you guessing until the very end, you might not care too much for this story. All in all, it’s a good book, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed you spent your time or your money on it.
First in a series by one of my favorite authors! **eeeekkk** ~ to say I was excited when this hit my kindle is an understatement! I would have devoured it in mere hours but, life! LOL Imagine my surprise when I realized I knew the name Cutter Bryant from some place …. Yeah, you know … Wicked Lovers, the series that hooked me to Shayla for life!
The chemistry between these two was instant. It bounced of the pages and I swear my kindle zapped me a time or two! *yikes* They of course fought it while they could, but chemistry has a way of winning every single time, amirite?! They were passionate and fit together like a two puzzle pieces. Cutter was the perfect protector, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. And I don’t mean soft in a bad way. He was compassionate and understanding and the love he held for his best friend was just endearing. He had layers and depth and made for a really swoony hero! And I felt the same for Shealyn. She was the perfect combination and held her heart guarded but was also open to the possibility ….. I just loved these two so much!
The story has pretty much everything you could ask for in a bodyguard romance. Sexy alpha hero with a matching heroine. Mystery and intrigue with a bit of lies and deceit and a ridiculous amount of sexual chemistry 🙂 ALL THE #WINS
Cutter is ex-military working as a bodyguard. He’s a southern gentleman who is bound and determine to help his loved one. Which is why he ends up proposing to his best friend because she found out she was pregnant. Since they live in a small town, she will be the talk of the town since she’s also the preacher’s daughter. Cutter leaves to go to Los Angeles to protect Shaelyn, an actress who is also from a small town in the south but has made it in Hollywood with her tv show.
Shaelyn doesn’t believe she really needs protection. It seems she only hired Cutter to help her out with making a payment to her blackmailer. Cutter can’t believe Shaelyn is so naive as to think that the blackmailer will go away after getting his payment. Since Shaelyn won’t share much about what she is being blackmailed for, Cutter does his own investigation to find out what is going on. Cutter is bound and determine to protect Shaelyn and try to fight his attraction to her. Shaelyn is also attracted to Cutter but her past experiences has her hesitant to trust anyone with her emotions.
Both Shaelyn and Cutter agree to a temporary relationship since Cutter will be leaving to go back home once his assignment is over. But life just never goes as you plan and they both realize that they are in love with each other. Cutter wants to have a life with Shaelyn so he knows he must talk to his best friend and tell her he can’t marry her but will help her out in any he can with the baby and her. Shaelyn and Cutter are thrilled to be together until misunderstandings get in the way and Shaelyn “dumps” Cutter. Then her blackmailer reveals the real plan that they have for Shaelyn and Cutter must save Shaelyn.
Cutter and Shaelyn must figure out and work through their past and their insecurities and decide if they want to be together! This is such a great read with a little suspense.
4.35 stars
I love Shayla Black’s character driven storylines. Here the reader gets Cutter’s story. Cutter is an alpha male with a strong sense of duty and a willingness to help those in need. He is charged with protecting Shealyn West, a well-known actress who has been receiving some blackmail threats. The more time he spends with Shealyn, their attraction begins to boil but Cutter has already promised himself to another. Is Cutter willing to sacrifice his life to keep his word to his best friend or will he let her step up and learn how to live her own life? This is one steamy read filled with suspense and drama although it is not one of my favorites by this author.
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
I was so excited that Ms. Black wrote a spin-off to her series Wicked Lovers. I fell in love with Shealyn and Cutter! Being ex-military and now a bodyguard, Cutter is all alpha male. On a side note he can guard my body anytime. Shealyn just wants to pay the blackmail money and be done with it, no investigation or anything. Cutter advises her to investigate further but he is only hired to “guard” her while she pays. There is undeniable chemistry between the two but Cutter never mixes business with pleasure.
Captivating story from the first page. This story is action-packed and kept me on the edge of my seat guessing who the blackmailer was. Can’t wait for the next installment of this series!
As with all these authors books I’m never disappointed. I’ve been so excited to read this story and it was everything I wanted and much more honestly. The characters and storyline so detailed they jump off the page and play out in front of you. It’s got everything a reader could want from romance to mystery. I’m excited to see where this series goes because if this book is anything to go by the rest is going to be absolutely incredible. I’m giving this book a five star review and highly recommend it to everyone and if you’ve never read this author here’s a great place to start then get the rest!
“Kiss me. When you do, everything else falls away for me and there’s only you.”
Shayla Black is back with a sexy and passionate contemporary romance series and you are going to fall head over heels for these characters! DEVOTED TO PLEASURE, book one in her Devoted Lovers Series, gives off a definite Wicked Lovers (another Shayla Black series) vibe and I’m absolutely LOVING IT! It had me all nostalgic because the Wicked Lovers series is one of my all time favorite series and I have a feeling this new series will give it a run for its money!
DEVOTED TO PLEASURE follows gorgeous and brooding Cutter Bryant as he is tasked to protect up and coming famous actress, Shealyn West. Sparks fly immediately and sexual tension flares excessively. When Cutter finds out that Ms. West is keeping some dangerous secrets from him, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe…in his arms and in his bed.
OMG! These two were ON FIRE! I loved their connection, their back and forth, their push/pull dynamic just made turning each page an absolute pleasure! Sexy, passionate, suspenseful, and oh so entertaining…I can’t wait to see what Ms. Black brings us next! I’m loving this world, and I definitely want MORE OF IT!
Shayla Black starts off this series with a one-two punch right in the solar-plexus, we are not only gifted with the hot and steamy insta-love story of Shealyn and Cutter but it is also filled with a ton of mystery and suspense.
Shealyn and Cutter weren’t supposed to fall for one another, he was there to do a job then return his home in Louisiana and follow through with his commitments. He needed to find out who was blackmailing Shealyn and stop him/her before they leaked an extremely damaging video to the public and ruin Shealyn’s image, the only problem with that was Shealyn just wanted to pay the person and be done with it hoping that they would never blackmail her again.
The attraction was instant although they both tried to fight it, but with chemistry as strong as theirs fighting it was a futile attempt to prolong the inevitable. What would you do for love? Would you leave your career behind and move to be with the person you loved? Would you break promises to some you cared for? These questions and many more are addressed in this first book of the Devoted Lovers Series.
Devoted to Pleasure was a great start to the series, there is a novella Devoted to Wicked that was released last year that is a cross over between the Wicked Lovers Series and the Devoted Lovers Series which is based on Cutter’s brother Cage. I really enjoyed that read as well. While that book came out before this one did the events actually take place after so you can read the books in whichever order you prefer.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is a fan if Shalya Black’s and if you haven’t read any of her books yet, what are you waiting for?!?! Her books are HOT and filled with likable characters, great story lines, and secondary characters that have you wanting to know more about them as well. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary –
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 friend’s 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.
Mary Jo –
The characters in this book are well defined and each are seeking some form of redemption. In Shealyn’s cases it takes the form of striving to be perfect and not causing her family members heartache. For Cutter it’s to right a wrong, to be better than he was to let no one get hurt in his watch ever again.
Shealyn is being blackmailed and just wants to pay the money with no one being the wiser. When the drop goes south she realizes that she has to trust Cutter with her secrets. Cutter’s first instinct is to put her in a safe house but that’s not realistic.
As their lives become intertwined, both Cutter and Shealyn must figure out what is more important: their careers or each other.
Lee’Anne –
I didn’t love this book – I didn’t feel invested in Shealyn and Cutter, their chemistry just didn’t do it for me. I’m giving three stars because I did enjoy the storyline and I love Shayla Black’s writing, I always breeze through her books very quickly.
Cutter works private security now that he’s out of the military. In his hometown he’s known for helping anyone who needs it – even at the expense of his personal life. Cutter has committed to marry his best friend when he returns from his next job so that she doesn’t look bad to her family. This one last job before that can happen is with Shealyn, a big time actress who is being blackmailed and needs Cutter to provide security for her to make the payoff. From their first meeting they’re attracted to one another, but neither is willing to cross the professional/personal line. Then, Shealyn’s blackmailing becomes more and Cutter swoops in to save this damsel.
I think the part that had me not loving this book was that Cutter lets everyone walk all over him. He doesn’t seem to have an alpha bone in his body but at the same time, he’s a security guard so he’s strong. It was just weird, and I struggled with that and him having promised himself to his best friend before leaving on the job with Shealyn. Though this one wasn’t for me, I still applaud the author for writing a book that kept me reading through to the end even though I wasn’t invested in the main characters.
Ruthie –
This is a really good first book in a new series – although any Wicked Lovers fans will find some familiar names to smile about too. If you haven’t read that series, well you have a treat waiting for you when you do!
Cutter is in security, and first we find him talking to his all-life friend Brea, and she is in a major jam. Then we watch on as he is assailed by intense desire for his latest client, Shealyn, an actress on a hit TV show. This sets up the underlying plot issues perfectly and had me trying to work out just how he was going to resolve a fairly massive problem that he has created… let’s just say that Shayla Black is brilliant at writing men who should think less and say more! I cannot tell you how many times I said to Cutter “now?” and rolled my eyes when the page turned and the moment had passed!
Add in a blackmail mystery with some clever turns and use of Facebook and social media to divert attention, and this is a great combination of very hot, steamy, and quickly intense romance, and well-paced drama. I don’t really want to say anymore for fear of giving anything away. Rest assured you will enjoy the ride, find out more about the repetitive nature of the role of TV star, and how just about everything written about celebrity is nonsense. Another winner, thank you and can’t wait to read the next installment – there are some big hints about who should be involved, and I am looking forward to unravelling all the negative comments about him soon.
Avid Reader –
M/F Romance with some thrills
Triggers: murder, stalking
This is a great start to a new series. It has the makings of a great series with all of the hints at secondary characters.
Cutter is a great guy – he is too good to be true, in all honesty. I wish that he had some flaws throughout, since he was so “perfect,” it was hard to believe his character or to even really relate. He is in security and when he’s called to protect a Hollywood star, he takes his job very seriously… until he meets her. Not only is he insanely attracted to her, he is also in a personal pickle with what he left behind.
Shealyn is an actress who is set on protecting her private life. She is now in need of protection, but she’s not willing to divulge what is really going on until it’s almost too late. She meets Cutter and knows that her life is complicated already, but just this once, she wants something real – for herself.
In true romance fashion, the lack of communication is prevalent and rears its ugly head. I think that Black has an amazing talent for writing characters that suck you in and who you want to root for.
This is a great story with a lot of intrigue and a ton of chemistry between the main characters. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for more.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Devoted to Pleasure (Devoted Lovers #1) by Shayla Black to read and review.
An exciting start to what promises to be an amazing new series. This book has it all, suspense, a hunky, sexy hero and a feisty heroine. Definitely recommend this book. Can’t wait for more in the series.
Devoted to Pleasure is the first book in her new Devoted Lovers Series.
Cutter Bryant is a good guy. He loves and cares deeply for his friends and family. Brea Bell is his best friend since forever and now she needs his help. Yes, Cutter didn´t like the small town gossip and moved away as soon as he could, but his roots are deep and he´s willing to sacrifice his future love for his friends reputation.
But every changes in the blink of an eye when he gets assigned to a bodyguard job for Shealyn West, the famous actress. It takes him one look at her and he´s a goner. Shealyn has her own issues and secrets – secrets that threaten her life – what a mess.
I loved thge Wicked Lovers Series and was sad when this series ended. But yay, now here´s the spin-off and I couldn´t wait to get my hands on this book and I wasn´t disappointed. The writing is great and I loved meeting Cutter and Shealyn. I give 4,5 stars.
Devoted to Pleasure is about two small town people in the big city. She is the Hollywood starlet and he is the bodyguard. Both of them are compensating for pasts that weigh them down. Secrets and emotions are dangerous combination in this book. What you don’t know could get you hurt!
I enjoyed Devoted to Pleasure. It was a nice easy going read. With the occasional adrenaline spike, Devoted to Pleasure mad it more interesting. I just had a hard time staying in the story. I couldn’t connect with the characters on a deeper level so it left me drifting through the book.
review on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
Cutter Bryant feels like he has to be responsible for everyone. Shaelyn West needs help but what puzzles me is that she seems to fight it. She reminds me why I never wanted to be in “the business”. It’s not for everyone, sometimes you have to change your name and even have to do so much just to stay in that career.
The mystery of “who” is very prevalent in this story but the author still has time to create some very steamy scenes. They fit perfectly into the storyline – don’t feel that they were placed there for the sake of adding in something sexy. It’s that sense of mystery and suspense that carries this book and the romance is just icing on the cake.
There are some secondary characters that if you have not met before you may want to check out the crossover series titled Wicked Lovers. At the very least you should check out Cutter’s brother’s story titled Devoted to Wicked. Two more to check out is Logan Edgington’s book You Belong To Me and Hunter Edgington’s Surrender To Me. And I certainly won’t stop you from reading the rest in that series. Especially since this author is an addiction.
This story has my head spinning. There were times where I just didn’t know if I was coming or going. Our author starts me off in one direction and then sends me in another. You would think I would get frustrated and give up but that frustration is what drove me on. I’m terrible at solving mysteries so this was a perfect fit for me since no way would I have been able to solve this one. What pleased me is that our author gave me a climactic ending. On the downside, I got no hint as to the next book – I had suspicions but now I have to wait until the reveal. Don’t go to her website because I already tried that one. Good thing I want to check out the Edgington brothers.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Devoted to Pleasure is the perfect kick to the new Devoted Lovers series. Cutter is a sexy alpha security man tasked with protecting Hollywood starlet Shealyn West. It’s his last job before his life changes forever. But what he never expected was her. He never expected this woman to tempt him, to be a down-to-earth sweet and sexy soul that makes him want to ditch his misplaced honor and devotion. Yet, the same goes for Shealyn, she wasn’t expecting this man, who makes her think about leaving her dream behind, her dream that she’s finally achieved. But Cutter makes her realize that she’s lost a bit of herself along the way to that dream, and Shealyn make Cutter realize he’s about to risk losing himself if he returns to his hometown with the aforementioned misplaced honor and devotion.
These two find something they would much rather be devoted to… each other. In the midst of a suspenseful storyline, these two steam up the sheets and made me fall in love and root for them so hard. Cutter is an amazing character that is sexy personified, while Shealyn is sweet, and sassy. Together, their passion cannot be denied, and once they give in, there’s no going back.
This book is a perfect weekend read. It sucked me in, and had me engrossed in not only the two main characters, but the characters that are to come in this series, and I CANNOT WAIT!! I highly recommend Devoted to Pleasure!
Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Wonderful and thrilling book from one of my favourite authors.
* The storyline was great with a little twist in the end.
* Characters filled with emotions and struggles that’s somewhat realistic
* There’s a instant connection between Shealyn and Cutter that only grows throughout the story
* No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and dialogues that keeps the story going.
* Love scenes are filled with emotions and is steaming hot.
5 stars