Shelly Bell packs a powerful punch (#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Ellen Malpas) in this enemies-to-lovers forbidden romance. Ryder McKay may be a playboy, but he’s never been a fool. Not until he met the woman he simply knew as Jane. For one night, he dropped his guard, but in the morning she disappeared—along with a copy of his top secret technology. When it ends up in the hands … technology.
When it ends up in the hands of his biggest enemy—his father—Ryder knows without a doubt he’s been betrayed. And when he finds Jane again, a year later, he can’t decide what’s worse—that her mother is marrying his brother, or that he still finds Jane irresistible, despite the fact that she’s a liar, a thief, and his father’s latest protege.
Jane Cooper does have a secret, but it’s not the one Ryder thinks. As their rekindled passion changes into something deeper, they’ll have to work together to untangle a web of lies and corruption that will shatter everything they thought they knew about their pasts. Because Jane’s not the only one with a secret—and this secret is getting people killed.
asts. Because Jane’s not the only one with a secret—and this secret is getting people killed.asts. Because Jane’s not the only one with a secret—and this secret is getting people killed.asts. Because Jane’s not the only one with a secret—and this secret is getting people killed.more
His to Claim by Shelly Bell is book Two in the Forbidden Lovers Series. This is the story of Ryder McKay and Jane Cooper. I haven’t yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book.
This was my first book by Ms. Bell and I plan on reading more of her books after reading this one. This was a great suspenseful romantic story with some light BDSM theme. Once I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. My heart went out to Ryder when he was so small and what he witness and I can understand his feelings toward his father. Jane too was a good heroine and loved them together.
Really enjoyed their story.
I highly recommend His to Claim by Shelly Bell. It is the second book in A Forbidden Lovers series, but can be read as a standalone book. This is the story of Ryder McKay and Jane Cooper. His to Claim is a story of suspense, sex and intrigue.
The main character Jane Cooper is a wallflower who doesn’t realize her full potential. She was separated as a newborn from her mother and grew up with an older aunt and uncle. She never felt wanted by her mother and grandparents thus resulting in self-esteem issues. She excelled at college and earned a top position at McKay Industries.
Ryder McKay has his own childhood trauma that affected him to this day. Due to observing something he wasn’t supposed to, he grew up thinking his father had killed his mother and ordered him to forget about it. This caused a lifelong rift in the relationship between father and son and resulted in estrangement once Ryder became an adult.
Ryder and Jane meet at a conference. Ryder is interested immediately, Jane is smitten from the first glance. Jane decides no one knows her at this conference and she is going to live for once in her short life and lose her virginity. They have a one night stand and Jane sneaks out without exchanging more than first names with Ryder.
Eventually, Ryder and Jane meet again at Ryder’s brother, Finn, and Jane’s mother, Ciara’s wedding. They still can’t get enough of each other. Ryder jumps to conclusions about his father when he discovers Jane is his employee, especially after Ryder reveals that someone stole his designs while attending the conference where he met Jane. Coincidence??? Jane has kept some secrets from Ryder. When he discovers them, will it cement her guilt or vindicate her?
Ryder and Jane continue to try to build their relationship in the midst of murder, mystery and mayhem. Several people end up dead! What will happen to Ryder and Jane? Or Finn and Ciara? Will Ryder’s father be the mastermind behind all of this as Ryder believes or is it someone else? The truth comes out in the end but this book will have you on the edge of your seat as the plot thickens and time runs out for Jane and Ryder!
Five Stars
**Review by Kara, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books**
Ryder McKay was an ordinary child. He is afraid of the dark, lived with his older brother and was raised by his father, Keane McKay, who told him his mother died at childbirth. Until, at age four, he has a nightmare with all the lights on, that will exchange his relationship with his father. Forever
Jane was a rejected and unwanted child. Abandoned by her mother, who after many years does not care to engage in any relationship with her, she was raised without much love for her uncle and aunt. She becomes an intelligent and successful woman. And very grateful to her mentor, the perfect Keane McKay.
When Ryder and Jane knows each other the chemistry between them is explosive. When BDSM comes on the field you ask yourself if the book will stay focused on that alone. And the answer is no. The book also brings elements of police suspense, psychological thriller and parts filled with tenderness. Something that surprised me.
The deeper we dig into the plot, the more new mysteries appears. No one is trustworthy. We have a couple with an absurd chemistry and many traumas that seek a relationship that is much more than just sex.
Sex scenes are descriptive, but not exaggerated. It has BDSM, but nothing too scandalous or scary. The way the author shows out the vulnerabilities and needs of Jane and Ryder turn the storytelling interesting. Shelly Bell changed my concepts and prejudices a bit.
A dramatic turnaround very well built and exciting. With shocking secrets coming to the surface and changing the way we see all the characters. An ending that lacerated and then warms your heart. An intense romance. With love, dangers, mysteries, babies and BDSM. A mixture that does not seem right, but is very well developed by the author and results in an excellent reading.
The moment Ryder McKay’s eye land on Jane he knows he has to have her, there is a pull between them that can’t be ignored, and he wants to explore whatever it is that is swirling around in the air between them. But she seems to be a little reluctant at first, but with a little talking, and a little bravery on her part, they soon find themselves exploring every inch of one another behind closed doors. Then just as quickly as she breezed into his life, she breezes out in the middle of the night, without so much as a phone number or a goodbye. And everyday since he has been searching for her in the face of every women he comes across, it’s almost as if he dreamed the whole thing up… then she unexpectedly appears at his brother’s wedding and things take an unexpected turn!
The magical night Jane Cooper spent with Ryder has been on repeat in her mind for the last year, every movement, every caress, and every heated glance is etched in her mind. She would love nothing more than to relive that moment with him, but she doesn’t know his last name, where he lives, or how to find him. Then out of the blue, at her mother’s wedding, he waltzes through the door, and turns her world upside down all over again with just one look…
His To Claim is a cleverly crafted tale that will have you smitten from the first page, and falling madly in love with every page that comes after. With each page you turn you will feel the emotion, the passion brewing between the characters, and the suspense that is constantly hanging in the air… and at times it is so powerful that it will leave you overwhelmed. This newest offering to the Forbidden Desires series packs a serious punch on all fronts, it has the erotic allure I’ve come to expect from this author, the suspenseful nature that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the emotional depth that will inspire a serious case of the feels… it was downright amazing!! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, the moment you crack the cover you will be hooked!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Jane was left with an aunt and uncle when she was little, her mother wanted nothing to do with her. She graduates from college and gets an internship with McKay, set up by her mother. She moves up the ladder to VP of innovations. She is at a conference when she meets Ryder. They have wild sex and she sneaks out next morning. Now months later they meet again at her mother’s wedding. She is marrying Ryder’s brother Finn.
Ryder has been estranged from his family for years but comes to his brother’s wedding. He has been looking for Jane everywhere because he thinks she stole a code from his computer. He develops automaton kitchens for bakery’s and restaurants. He believes his father set her up to do it because he just happened to start with automaton kitchens and she’s head of it. But when she drops a bomb on him, nothing else matters but her.
People are being killed and Jane was run off the road after she found a SD disk left for her by one of the victims. Then her best friend and roommate is almost beaten to death and Ryder has her move in with him until they figure out what’s going on. The more time spent together, the harder they fall for each other but neither is used to having someone care for them.
Excellent story. Very hot sex. Surprises. Suspense. It will keep you reading late into the night. Be prepared for a cold shower and a cigarette. I cannot wait for the next book.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *