Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that – at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past … haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined…
Alexander Stone was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He understood the value of finesse, and the importance of patience and diligence to achieve the desired result. He was successful and wealthy, relying on his naturally sharp instincts to guide him through life. But a chance run in with Krystina Cole quickly turned his world upside down. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude was the complete opposite of what he wanted in a woman, and his instincts failed him at every turn…
However, both Krystina and Alexander are clinging to the secrets in their past, and neither of them are willing to compromise. Krystina’s hardened heart makes emotional surrender a hard limit. But for Alexander, revealing his past could have devastating results.
more
Heart of Stone (The Stone Series Book One) by Dakota Willink. This is the start of a new series featuring heavy drama, hot steamy scenes, great cast of strong characters, and plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. I enjoy the author’s writing style and the way she draws you in with her captivating storytelling. Krystina and Alexander have quite a story to share. Looking forward to Stepping Stone to find out where this leads. I would recommend this book and author to others. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story reminded me of the Fifty Shades series, yet with its own unique characters. I loved the steamy angst-driven scenes that kept me shivering anticipating what was to come! Having the play list of music that inspired this book was the icing on the cake that really helped immerse me in the story. I can’t wait to dive into the second book and it’s music.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He’s a billionaire and a Dom who is use to getting what he wants that is until Krystina comes on the scene. She is feisty, outspoken and nothing like the women he is use to but he wants her all the same. This is one hot read that will have you thinking about EL James and Fifty Shades of Grey but a word of caution, this one ends on a cliff hanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book from Dakota Willink I have read and I plan on reading more from this author. The book drew me in almost the instant I started reading. The attraction between Alex and Krys is hot as they are two completely different people who have trust issues. Alex is a Dom and normally doesn’t do anything outside of a few nights with the same woman and always gets what he wants. Krys is somewhat naïve, but not a virgin. She is also very curious and questions everything. There is a lot about Alex’s world she knew nothing about. Both Alex and Krys have are broken as they issues from the past that they cannot seem to get past. Krys wants to give Alex a chance and Alex really wants to be with her, even though that goes against every rule he has set for himself.
If you like things a little dark and steamy, then this is a good read for you. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy through Booksprout ARC’s for an honest review.
This book was amazing. This is the first book I’ve read by author Dakota Willink but I definitely will be reading more in the near future. I couldn’t put my kindle down for a second. Alexander Stone and Krystina Cole were complex characters. They both have a past that they don’t like to talk about. Kudos to Willink on this erotic story that will leave you breathless. This is the first book of The Stone Series. This book is a must read and I highly recommend.
POV: dual
HUMOR: not really
SEX SCENES: Yes BDSM
F BOMBS: Yes
CLIFFHANGER: Yes
SERIES: Book 1 of 3 Stone Series
New author for me. Krys and Alex are like Anastasia and Christian. Hints of Twilight. Lots of 50 Shades. Easy to read but I didn’t feel the chemistry, excitement, nor humor that I got from the other books. Had this come out before the others, maybe it would rank higher? I struggled to finish reading to the very end. This story might work for others, it’s just not for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Heart of Stone is a dark, steamy romance about two people with ott hot chemistry. Alexander Stone is used to getting what he wants and when he sees Krys she doesn’t make it easy for him. This story takes the reader to the darker side but it’s a fun ride. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
What a great start to a story about two totally different people that can’t help but be pulled to each other. The story is full of angst, tension, and longing. It also has some hot scenes and some others that had me screaming at my screen. It definitely kept me on edge.
ONE INTENSE THRILL RIDE
Explosive! Dakota rises to the challenge, exceeding every expectation, thought and degree, showcasing such unique insight, inclination and style, delivering this baby in all its stunning wonder, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat. Embroiled, entangled and tightly entwined, unveiling the explosive ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it’s simplicity and inspiring in it’s depth, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. Traversing the formidable trials and hard fought triumphs, alongside the daunting twists and intricate turns, launching this jewel to staggering heights. Limitations are heightened and strengthened, exposing the harsh facts, deals and debacles, booting this baby into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a tailspin with an astonishing culmination. The attraction and chemistry collides with such intensity, exposing profound emotions, drawing our characters closer, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Amazing job Dakota, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Great start to a new series.
two broken and nearly put together people come together and fight between their past, their present, and their future.
They slowly find common ground, and are putting the pieces back together, when each of their pasts come back to wreck havoc on their new relationship.
I can not wait for the next book.
Book 1 in the Stone Series and a good start to the trilogy. Alex and Krys were good together. The chemistry and attraction between them was hot. They both have secrets which always leads to obstacles in any relationship and theirs is no different. If you like FSOG and the Crossfire series, then you will like this story. It does end on a cliffhanger but that just means I get more of their story.
Heart of Stone had a bit of everything. Secrets, intrigue, drama, and some hot sex! I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more.
When Kristina met Alexander Stone, little did she know how much her life would change. He is captivated by her, he wanted to make her one of his submissives, but she was special. He wants to give her everything, but if she accepts, at what price? Both have demons that they won’t share with each other. She doesn’t want to be controlled, she needs to keep a piece of her freedom for her sanity.
Lacy Laurel and Jeffrey Kafer tell the story with such emotion. Both are outstanding narrators. They bring the angst, raw emotion and personality to each character.
audiobookobsessionreview
I hesitated with this book at first because it was a new author and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the chance. But after hearing rave reviews for this book from friends, I thought that I’d give it a chance. Then I learned that the second book wasn’t out yet, and I decided to hold off until I could read them together. But, curiosity killed the cat. It got the best of me and I decided that I didn’t want to wait, even with the knowledge that the first book would end with a cliffhanger.
Now that I’ve read it, I can see what all the fuss is about. This book blew me away! It was everything that I love in a steamy romance – intriguing characters, mystery, humor, angst, and smoking hot sex with a touch of BDSM. This book literally had it all.
The story is written from a 2 person POV, but centers around Krystina Cole, the heroine with a tragic past that prevents her from trusting the opposite sex. But when she meets Alexander Stone, the hot billionaire alpha, she decides to take a chance. And ladies, you’ll be happy that she did. You won’t be able to get enough of Stone’s sapphire blue eyes.
Alexander took on more than he bargained for when he decided to go after Krystina Cole. His killer instincts fall short, and he grapples to find a middle ground with her as he tried to introduce her to his kinky world. His patience are put to the test as she fights and questions everything, but together their chemistry is off the charts. The sex and steam factor is way up there, but it’s not written in a trashy way (which I liked).
What I liked most about this book was that the characters were so human. Krystina was sarcastically funny in a “no-shit-sherlock” kind of way. I could easily put myself in her shoes, feel her pain and her struggles, as well as understand the desires and frustrations of Alexander. Both characters have a dark past, but I can only guess about Alexander’s since the author doesn’t reveal too much about his history in this book.
Although this story was a little slow to get going for me, once it took off, I couldn’t pull myself away from it. I was completely absorbed, like the kind of book you can’t wait for the work day to end so you can go home to read. It got into my head and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. But know that I’ve finished it, I’m going to be stalking the authors website for details on the next book release.
As far as cliffy’s go, this one was well done. There is closure, even if a lot has been left unsaid. I didn’t see it coming, and definitely wasn’t prepared for it when it happened. I literally felt like my heart had been ripped form my chest. But alas, what happened needed to happen. If you read it, you’ll see what I mean.
This book is definitely a new favorite of mine. I loved it and I’d die to get my hands on the sequel early. The wait is going to be killer, but it’s soooo worth it. You must add this one to your TBR list!
FSOG was my favorite until I got my hands on the Crossfire books. And I thought it couldn’t get any better. Then I read This Man and thought okay this is it. Boy was I wrong!
I loved everything about Heart of Stone. I loved the length of the book – I won’t read anything under 200 pages. I like to get to know the characters and see them, and their relationship, develop and this book certainly did that with 458 pages. The story made me laugh, fall in love with Krystina and Alex and ache with them. And the sex. OMG! Then there was the club scene. Is that place for real? So many times I wanted to grab Alex and shake him and scream at him and make him tell Krystina his story and then I wanted to take him home… I cried as I read Krystina’s story, and by the last few chapters I kept saying to myself – it can’t finish like this!!!! But I got so excited after reading the last two lines when I realized that there will be more. And now I can’t wait for the next book…but I’m going to have to. Release date please? I’m a series kind of gal and like to read them all right in a row. This was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down. Just beautifully written. I’ve had two very late nights, finished reading today at 2 am. I’m officially HOOKED! And now to catch up on some house work and sleep and start reading again.
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This is the first book in this series. I like Krystina is a bold and strong female character and she questions what is going on around her. Alex is a good character, but there where times that he was just a little to over the top at times. I want to see how their relationship develops in the books to come. I think is just a look into their world and have to see what the rest of the series has to offer.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read written by Dakota Willink; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The amount of sexual content in this book is the reason I gave this a 3 star rating instead of 4. Though the %ge of the content ties in with the storyline, I personally found it over the top.
Warning: For those not into reading about or those who simply don’t like the concept of BDSM please avoid this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a great start to the series, and I look forward to book two! I love Dakota Willink’s work! Each read is so different from the next. This one has intense emotions, suspense, and steam. A must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don’t know how to explain my impressions of the book.
I liked the story and it was a good read after the curiosity started by FSOG.
At the same time, it reminded me too much of that same FSOG.
So it is a good experience if you have that in mind.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.