FROM NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELISABETH NAUGHTON“Suspense, intrigue, action, scorching sexy times… This story has it all!” –Obsessive Reading DisorderHe is temptation. Forbidden fruit. A craving she couldn’t resist.When Natalie James leaves her small town for Manhattan, she hopes to find answers to her best friend’s death. Instead, she finds him.Luciano Salvatici.Dark and commanding, Luc … Salvatici.
Dark and commanding, Luc radiates power and heat, yet protects sinister secrets. Natalie knows she needs to keep her distance, but despite the danger, she can’t help falling prey to his seductive looks, to his forceful touch. Can’t stop aching for one sinful taste of his wicked lips.
Their desire is wild. Intoxicating. Dangerous. But before she can surrender to the fire smoldering between them, Natalie must discover what Luc’s hiding behind the forbidden doors of the House of Sin…
Books in the House of Sin Trilogy:
FORBIDDEN — Book 1
DECEIVED — Book 2
UNDONE — Book 3
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Wow! This book was like the best kind of crazy, drag you in and hold you hostage wild!
I’m generally not a fan of BDSM and I suspected this story might involve it with a series titled House Of Sin. But I love what I’ve read from this author in the past and the blurb was just too hard to resist. I expected a sex club with friends of the hero who would be dominant and dark. I did not expect what I found within these pages.
Natalie is looking for answers to her friend’s death and ends up in the sphere of the Salvaciti men. As her mind races from one potential suspect to another she finds herself in the company of Luc with all his dominating force. She’s a strong independent woman with no need to submit herself to any man. But what she finds with Luc has her eager and willing…until she realizes she may have allowed herself to become just like her friend.
This book really rocked me. I lost myself down the dark and twisted path that this couple traveled. As a witness to Natalie’s fall, I sensed the traps that could snap up and ensnare her when she didn’t. However, Luc’s point of view was a reprieve from the worse of my concern. Unfortunately, there is a deep dark secret that threatens not only him but Natalie as well and as the reader I was on pins a needles waiting for that secret to loom up and swallow me whole.
I absolutely loved this story, these characters, the darkness of every secondary character introduced because you didn’t know their agenda, and the buildup of tension and angst. It’s not a particularly fast read but you don’t want to skim because every line is full of emotion or needed information. I knew going in it was a cliffhanger so I had braced myself but oh Lord! I didn’t realize how hard it was going to hit me. I need the next book NOW!
P.S. Second book is planned to release three weeks after Forbidden
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Season Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Forbidden is Book One of Elisabeth Naughton’s newest series, House of Sin. I’ve found over the years authors devote so much into building the back story that the first in a series tends to start out a bit on the slow side. It seemed like once the details were out of the way, I found myself being drawn more into the story.
Initially I didn’t expect to like Luc’s character and instead thought Natalie’s had it all together.
However, the farther into the story I got, I found my opinion changing. Luc seems like a genuinely good guy mixed up in a really bad situation with his family and he was doing his best to protect Natalie. Natalie however started to act young, naive, immature and by the end of the story I stopped counting how many times I said “how dumb can one person be?”
Overall though this was extremely well written and the story line is definitely more different than what I typically read but once I got beyond the details I finished it very quickly and am eagerly waiting to see how this all plays out.
Amazing story. Natalie is one strong spitfire. Luc is one hot complicated man. He has many layers to his personality. He doesn’t let many people close. Natalie is drawn to Luc from the start. They have a connection like no other. Loved the twists in this book. Could not wait to see what would happen next. Can’t wait to read the next book.
4.5 Stars!
Have you ever tried reading a book while covering your eyes, peeking through your fingers, the way you might watch a horror movie at home or at the movie theater? I don’t recommend it, it’s not something that’s easy to do, so I spent the last 25% of Forbidden trying not to hyperventilate while reading and whispering “It’s going to be okay!” to myself. Forbidden, the first book in the House of Sin series ends in a cliffhanger and it kept me up all night wondering in what fascinating way it will go, when the second book comes out. This well written story is fast paced and had me guessing who the good guy and/or villain was the entire time.
Two weeks after her best friend/sister, Elena “Laney” McCabe, died of an apparent drug overdose Natalie James flies to NYC to box up the contents of Laney’s apartment and look for answers. Natalie’s convinced her friend, a successful model, never would’ve touched drugs so it couldn’t have been an accident. The only clue she has is an email Laney sent her, hours before her death.
“I don’t want to listen, Nat, but I can’t seem to stop. It’s like I’m two people. The innocent model from Montana everyone knows by day, and the seductive bad girl at night who says ‘yes, sir’ and is willing to do anything he commands.”
Natalie can’t understand how Laney could have fallen under the spell of someone who would have such utter and complete control over her life. And there lies the mystery to her death; she’s sure the “he” Laney was referring to was someone she knew from working at Covet, the fashion magazine owned by the Salvatici family.
Luciano Salvatici, at thirty-two, is the president and CEO and his younger brother, Giovanni, is a world renowned fashion photographer. After meeting them both she’s convinced one of these two handsome brothers holds the answer to Laney’s death.
Lucian hates running the family business, but his domineering father has forced him to take his rightful place as the heir to the dynasty. Covet is a front for something much larger, a sinister business the Salvatici family has dealt in, going back generations. When he realizes Gio has shown an interest in Natalie, Luc knows he needs to scare her off while protecting her at the same time.
“The things I required from a woman—submission, surrender, obedience—were not things Natalie James was built to give.”
So, after hiring Natalie as his assistant, they fly to Italy to attend fashion shows; but Luc’s plan backfires when they can’t deny the attraction they feel for each other. Natalie sees past the domineering and standoffish persona Luc portrays to everyone, to appear unaffected by the life he’s been obligated to live.
“You like to dominate because so much of your life is out of your control.”
Yikes, and wait until the rest of the Salvatici family are introduced to the story! Natalie should’ve listened to the warnings Luc kept giving her. At this point, I wanted to slap Natalie and yell at her to do as he said! I can’t wait for number two (and three!) to come out.
Forbidden by Elisabeth Naughton is the first book in the House of Sin series. This is the story of Luciano Salvaciti and Natalie James.
Natalie’s best friend Elena, died of a drug overdoes but Natalie thinks there more to it. Natalie knows that her friend never did drugs and wouldn’t…watch she does know is that she started a new job emailing her some clues of what she was into. Natalie is out to find out what happened to her and she goes to get a job at Covet where she feels will help lead her to the answers she needs. Luc runs the company and he knows there is something different about Natalie….an attraction that can’t be denied.
Please beware this is a dark romance that may have trigger issues for some. In addition, this does end with a cliffhanger to set us up for the next installment in their story.
Books in the House of Sin Series:
FORBIDDEN — Book 1 — April 24, 2018
DECEIVED — Book 2 — May 15, 2018
UNDONE — Book 3 – June 5, 2018
First, let me tell you that this story definitely has a cliffhanger and it is my understanding that it will take 3 books for the author to tell readers the whole story. That being said, let’s get to the review of the first House of Sin story – Forbidden:
Elizabeth Naughton always creates wonderful characters full of depth and characteristics that ensure that readers really want to get to know them and learn their stories, so you can be sure that while this book is different from her other paranormal or romantic suspense stories, the characters will captivate you from the very beginning and hold you hostage until the end. There is wonderful electrifying chemistry between the hero and heroine and the story if full of anticipation building suspense that keeps readers engaged and on the edge of their seats with twists and turns to keep them guessing.
Although, I must say that I found Forbidden to be a bit on the slow side in regards to the pace of the story, the House of Sin serial is off to a great start as I was completely caught up in the events taking place and getting to know the characters, so I am definitley looking forward to reading the rest of the story, luckily the release schedule means I don’t have to wait too long in between the three parts, so until next time….
Forbidden by Elisabeth Naughton
Series: House of Sin book 1
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I find it hard to write this review, as I am left with mixed emotions, and I don’t want to give away spoilers. The author’s writing is fantastic and honestly, that was the major reason I kept reading. I have to add though, whenever there was talk of a “punishment,” I felt that part was sorta cheesy, and didn’t seem like Naughton’s writing style at all. Thankfully there were not too many of these moments.
The characters are fully developed, which I love, as I feel I know them well enough, that when things seem out of the ordinary for them, I end up questioning it. Halfway in, the content and plot line, made me put the book down and leave it for a while. I started to dislike both the main characters, this was just a personal opinion and due to my aversion to someone having to be in control of someone else in a relationship, and the other person allowing it. Once I got over myself and picked the book back up, I was glad I did, as there was superb suspense in the last quarter of the book, which was awesome!
Luc and Natalie – Honestly, they have great chemistry together. Do I wish that she would continue to stand her ground and not let Luc excuse away his behaviour?.. Yes. Do I wish that he would respect her wishes, and not demean her?.. Yes. Do I think that if these things changed in the book, would the story be just as good?.. I don’t know, it would be a different story then and perhaps wouldn’t fit the plot as well.. so I can see the point to some of it, but as sadly there is a cliffhanger!!!!.. Ugh.. I don’t know what is going to happen, I have to assume, it all has a purpose, though at this moment, I don’t see how Luc will earn my trust back enough for me to feel it is ok for Natalie to have an HEA with him. I have faith, even though this is a new direction for this author, and is not one I would normally seek out. Naughton has never let me down, so I can’t wait to see how she wins me back! I bet it will be epic.
*Arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
~ Paragraphs and Petticoats ~
I just finished Forbidden, book 1 in the House of Sin series. Fair warning, there is a cliffhanger at the end and going in I knew this, but was “shocked” because the last half of the book really got going.
Brief synopsis: Natalie has come to New York to find out what happened to her best friend. She doesn’t believe that she overdosed as everyone thinks. She gets a job at the same modeling agency and immediately is being played between two brothers, Gio and Luc. The question is which one truly has her interests at heart? This leads her down a road that she wasn’t ready to go and puts her in all types of danger. I don’t want to leave any spoilers, but I will say the cliffhanger is a full circle moment for our heroine, Natalie, as to why she started her quest to begin with.
The is a very adult and dark story. It is told from both Luc and Natalie’s point of view. It starts a little slow so you have to be patient, but the payoff is worth it. There is a little bit of everything, suspense, action, and some very intense scenes. These characters run the spectrum. They are flawed, confused, entitled, naive, dangerous, possessive, caring and loving.
I am intrigued by the storytelling and look forward to the next book.
ARC received by author in exchange for an honest review.
This book isn’t Ms. Naughton’s best work. Natalie is just too disappointing. Luc goes mushy too quickly.
I know some people have a problem with cliff hangers but I don’t. It left the story open for more emotional conflicts in future installments.
(If you’re wondering, Ms. Naughton’s best work is the 3rd book in the Eternal Guardian’s series. Of course, you have to read the first two before the third.)
Windows
WOWZA!!!! this is the most intense, sexy, suspenseful, exciting, keeping on my toes, page turner book I have ever read of Elisabeth Naughton.
Natalie is out to find who murdered her best friend but to do so, she will have to get down, and dirty in a world she never thought or dreamed of ever being in. She is willing to do whatever it takes, even lose her soul. She gets caught up in a adventure with Luc, a man who can crush her with his looks, and words that can destroy her. But it isn’t those things that has taken her to an abyss, it is his touch.
Luc, didn’t want to be with her, but he most definitely didn’t want his brother Gio with her either. But she needed his protection and the only way to do that was to be with her. He has secrets, secrets that will make her run for her life, and never look back. What are those secrets, what can absolutely make her run?
They both want more, more of what they feed off each other, and that sensual desire that will have them both lost in within themselves. Until…..
This story is so very intense, and so enthralling, that it will make you want more, so much more.
I honestly cannot wait for the second book to come out. Yes, that’s right it is a three part story, but I am telling you it is worth it, and I do not say that lightly. I do recommend this story.
I was given this by the author and I am giving an honest review with my free will.
Forbidden fruit is always so enticing…
Get ready for something entirely new from this author. I have never really been a big fan of BDSM, in particular, dominance and submission. The whole premise of one partner needing to dominate the other is not my typical read and although I have read several other authors that write in that genre I was totally surprised to find that Ms. Naughton was indeed taking me down that dark and twisted road in Forbidden. Let me tell you, Luciano Salvatici should definitely be on the forbidden list, he absolutely should not be considered boyfriend material. That being said, as always I’m quick to get caught up in the tale that is being spun by this exceptional author, she has a way of drawing me in even when I’m thinking what the heck is going on here? And, is she really writing what I think she’s writing about?
But I digress, let me give you a quick breakdown, the main character Natalie James is very quickly caught up in this dark and twisted tale when she arrives in New York bound and determined to find the person responsible for the murder of her best friend. Before she knows what is happening she is quickly drawn in by the handsome, yet exceptionally dangerous Italian Luc Salvatici and their affair is nothing short of hot and very naughty as Luc strives to dominate her in every way possible in and out of the bedroom. I found the sex scenes to be incredibly riveting, steamy, and very tastefully written even if I’m not one to get into the whole dominance and submission thing. All I can say is, wow! I don’t think that reading this book in a public place is a good idea, but then again I’ve gotten distracted. Back to Luc, on the surface, Luc is all business as the CEO of Covet in the fashion industry, he is domineering, and at times nothing short of a total dick, but all may not be what it seems when family secrets come to light. I will warn the reader here that this series is definitely geared toward adults and ends on what I think of as a huge cliffhanger, but fans of the series shouldn’t have to wait very long to get their hands on Deceived Book 2 of House of Sin. I for one can not wait to see what happens next in Natalie and Luc’s story.
Last but not least, I received an ARC of Forbidden for an honest review, which in no way influenced my review. Thank you, Elisabeth Naughton, for once again engaging me in a truly amazing tale, and I have no idea as to how this story will play out.
Forbidden by Elisabeth Naughton is the first book in her ultra hot new House is Sin series. As a long time fan of Mrs. Naughton’s works let me start by saying this new series is unlike anything she has written before. This new series is on the cutting edge of the rules of dominance and submission in the BDSM world. If this is the first time you’ve read anything involving the genre go into it with an open mind. There is a depth to the story that will surprise you. It is full of suspense, intrigue, danger, sex, lies, friendship, family and love but it is so much more. It is filled with grit, passion, betrayal, backstabbing, drama, lust, sex, domination, control, submission and a twist on the BDSM lifestyle that’s unheard of before in any of Mrs. Naughton’s other works. The storyline is amazing. The Salvatici bloodline goes all the way back to the Roman Empire. The power and world dominating control the family has goes way beyond owning the fashion super house Covet. Natalie has no idea what she is getting involved with by coming to New York to solve the death of her childhood friend Elena. To say that Natalie couldn’t be further out of her league is a gross understatement. With all the secrets and hidden agendas between Natalie and Luc watching their relationship grow and change at times is like watching a train wreck happening but being unable to turn away. Their love affair is such a rollercoaster ride that by the end of Forbidden you can not possibly believe so little time has actually passed. Thank goodness Mrs Naughton understood that all of us were going to be on pins and needles when Forbidden ended on a huge cliffhanger and intends to release Deceived less than a month later. I know I could not have waited months for the rest of the series. I can’t imagine what it’s going to take place in the rest of the series, but I have no doubt that it will continue to grab hold to and surprise everyone. I received an ARC from the author. This is my voluntary honest review.
Dark. Daring. Dangerous. Compelling. Intense. Spellbinding. Suspenseful. It is Forbidden…the first book in a new series by the wonderful Elisabeth Naughton. She steps out of her comfort zone and dives into the wicked world of power, dominance and submission in this pulse-pounding sensual thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are captivating and the storyline so mesmerizing you will be swept away in the pages. With alternating viewpoints between Natalie and Luc you are able to get a better feel of the characters, what drives their decisions and the emotional turmoil they each face. This book will push you to the edge of your comfort zone and the shocking cliffhanger will leave you wanting…craving more. I am dying to learn what is next for Natalie and Luc. I can hardly wait for the next book. *I received an ARC of this book and am providing my honest review.