The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.But who said the devil was a he?In my world, she was out to cause havoc on all our lives. She’ll use the one thing I care most about to control me—force me into her Elite world, filled with sin, deceit, and power. And under her spell, I’ll lead a sinister brotherhood of seven at one of the most prestigious … most prestigious universities in New Orleans.
Seven tasks set forth by the devil herself, promising nothing less than the forbidden fruit of power. What they don’t understand is it will all end in bloodshed and regret.
They call me the alpha. The one in charge. The one with pride bigger than any task I could be given. And my pride won’t let me be anywhere but at the top of the food chain until she gives me what I truly want.
My task is Meghan Benedict.
She’s too pure for me to touch, too good for me to ruin—and the only thing standing in my way to freedom.
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak…they’re for The Elite.
As they say, pride comes before the fall.
I am Mason Blackwell.
I am Pride.
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Pride, the second book in The Elite Seven series, packs an amazing amount of suspense, steam, humor, and chaos into its pages, using every paragraph, sentence, and word to not only move the series’ storyline along, but to also delve deeper into Mason Blackwell’s, Pride’s, backstory and just how much his past still affects his present when it comes to what he’s willing to do to protect those he loves.
Each member of the Elite Seven fits a certain mold – has a set of characteristics that allow them to epitomize the sin they’ve been chosen to represent. As the leader, it makes sense that Mason’s moniker is pride, but as JD Holyfield further examines who Mason is and how he secured his front and center position, readers understand that despite the less than legal and ethical tasks he needs to complete for the Elite, his reasons for doing what he does are more honorable than one would think given the fallout that could occur.
Meghan Benedict is an interesting heroine, especially given her profession and also where she fits into the tasks of the Elite. She is way more than she appears to be, but her ‘other side’ is only brought out by Mason, and boy does he know how to unleash her inner vixen. Even though her position at the university could be in jeopardy for her actions, the potential fallout is worth it, given the connection these two seem to share from their first interaction.
While there is romance and steam in Pride; in my opinion, the focus is more on the brotherhood and the secret society that seems to control the players way more than they thought possible. Mason’s leading lady may be older and in a position of authority, but it’s clear that the Elite calls the shots and it seems they don’t care who is used as a pawn just as long as it benefits the society in the end.
With each book/each sin, readers become privy to an essential piece of the Elite Seven puzzle, but while the information obtained helps make the big picture a bit clearer, nothing will make total sense until all the members’ backstories and exactly how their personalities fit the names they were given are completely laid bare. And I, for one, can’t wait to unravel it all!
4.5 Poison Apples
Pride (The Elite Seven #2) by J.D.Hollyfield is the next series in the 7 deadly sins. Mason is forced into this role as Pride even though he is the epitome of that particular sin. His life has been turned upside and shaken to his very core. His main focus has been trying to keep his sister safe. That has been a hard task especially when he has a spiteful and vindictive person playing puppet master. This story was good but it had so much stuff going on for me. He had so much stuff to deal with and the one time he does something for himself, he ends up really in trouble. It was not as good as the first book. It might have been me and how the book ended didn’t help the cause. Regardless of this review please read this book because the premise for this series is juicy and I look forward to the next book which is Wrath. I wonder what his life story is. I am especially looking forward to Gluttony’s story. We met him the first book Lust. 3 stars.
This is book 2 in the Elite Seven Series and you really need to read book 1, Lust first to gain full insight into the story. Not only are the stories interconnected but you gain perspective as to what is going on with these characters.
That said, WOW!
This installment had me on the edge of my seat!!
Intense, emotional and heart wrenching, this is Mason’s story, who is destined to execute the sin Pride. In this installment the story takes a detour and offers background information about how these 7 very young men came to be chosen. Initially, I was taken aback with how the story developed but then it was an aha moment!
Twisted!
How Mason interpreted his assignment, what he had to do, and what he endured, made the story more complex and intriguing.
While there was hot steamy romance this story was more about his struggles, his own demons, and how he was going to execute his sin rather than romance.
Things are not what they seem and I’m ready for more!
I am so into this series I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Pride by JD Hollyfield is exciting, dark and very thrilling!
Mason and Megan’s story was thrilling, tense, dramatic, dark and absolutely incredible! I loved the darkness of the novel, and it never once bored me.
The steam. Let’s talk about the steam of the novel. It was hot. Seriously hot. Palpable. I loved it.
Mason was so awesome! His love for his family, his pride for his elite family, and I loved his tenacity and strength.
As for Lillian… It’s yet to be decided… NOT!
Pride was dramatic, steamy and dark. A Dark romance enthusiasts paradise.
WOW! This book was my favorite read this week—and since I have finished 8 others, that should speak highly for it! I have read some of JD Hollyfield’s previous books, but as of now, Pride is my favorite. As JD Hollyfield is not a new author for me, I knew that she is an immensely talented storyteller and I was beyond excited when I saw Pride hit my kindle. I LOVE the concept that seven authors are coming together to write a series—a series that I have quickly become fixated on! Pride is book two in the Elite Seven books. This story is deeper than its processor yet still the events are completely interwoven with Lust. It’s important to note that while these books are standalone romances, written by individual authors, the stories are very much interconnected with a progressive plot and they should be read in order:
Lust (The Elite Seven, #1) by Ker Dukey
Pride (The Elite Seven, #2) by J.D. Hollyfield
Wrath (The Elite Seven, #3) by Claire C. Riley
Envy (The Elite Seven, #4) by M.N. Forgy
Greed (The Elite Seven, #5) by Amo Jones
Gluttony (The Elite Seven, #6) by K Webster
Sloth (The Elite Seven, #7) by Giana Darling
Mason is Pride and although he was loath to become the alpha of the new crop of the Elite Seven, become the alpha he did. The Elite is a secret brotherhood that gives members lifelong prestige, money and power but at a very steep price—Initiation that destroys them for the betterment of the Society. Mason’s backstory is tragic and the depths of my hate for the antagonist within this series grew exponentially as I read Pride. The story will suck you in within moments of beginning to read it. And I could not have put this book down if I tried. The story is very gripping—the suspense and intrigue kept me up all night long. (I am starting to think it would behoove me to just buy stock in Starbucks !) JD Hollyfield did a remarkable job digging into Pride’s character and developing the romance as well as fleshing out events that took place in the previous book—Lust—all the while giving readers a very entertaining story. Be prepared, this book is super seXXXy, have your spouse on standby or those batteries charged because this story will definitely turn you on! Meghan and Mason have amazing chemistry and I loved both of their characters—individually as well as a couple. Dark Romances are my kryptonite and with each book I read in this series, I am becoming more and more obsessed. Wrath cannot come soon enough—and I will be dropping EVERYTHING to dig in to it once it hits my kindle!!! I cannot recommend these books enough. Don’t waste another moment reading reviews—buy the books and find out why those of us lucky enough to get early blogger copies are raving for these new dark and decadent stories!
Quotes:
They didn’t create these for scholars to rise above the rest educationally. They were created to build a dark path to the forbidden side of evil: hazing, law breaking, bizarre traditions that went back centuries of disorderly conduct and destruction. These clubs weren’t for the innocent, the good faith and good hearted —no, they were built and constructed for warriors.
My heart was dead inside—only beating for the love and survival of my sister—And then this beautiful spark of life revived me.
I’m to unite and bond with six other members. Six lives I will single handedly help destroy. My conscience doesn’t exist here. I will, take part in stripping them of their virtue to earn their rightful place in The Elite.
I couldn’t give a fuck if it’s to visit and test out torture equipment. I’d do anything in this moment to spend more time with her. Surround myself in her scent of cherries and sweet vanilla. My hands ache to hold her, and my cock even more so to violate her, but most importantly, I want to just be next to her. Hear her voice as she tells me stories about her life. A life I was less than fortunate to have. I want to hang on to every word she speaks as I imagine I’m in her world, living her life, peaceful and beautiful.
Second book in this series. I am loving the Elite. Mason goes through hell right from the beginning. The mother that adopted him and his sister has it out for him. But being a part of the Elite changes him. Hold on because you are taken on another intense ride with the Elite boys. It just keeps getting better and better with each book. I can’t wait to read the next one. Amazing well written intense. Loved every minute of this book.
Epic!!
The Elite Seven Series just keeps getting better. I have been waiting anxiously for Pride and as soon as it showed up I was hooked. It was hard to put it down bc once I started to read I was hooked. I loved seeing how his story unfolded and how it mixed in with Lust (book 1).
We finally got to see why Mason aka Pride was giving that sin and it fits him perfectly. As we read his story you definitely feel for him and hope he just gets a chance and a good life, specially one for his sister who he’s always trying to protect.
But what can you do when the one person who holds the key to you life and will make you do anything to protect the ones you love. You find a way to shift the power.
There more to the story and I can’t wait to see what unfolds in all the other books. WRATH is next and I can’t wait for him.
Much better than the first! What a complex story that is brewing! There wasn’t one thing I didn’t like about this book. I enjoyed that there’s a bit of an explanation as to where everything is coming from regarding the Elite. The elusive Pride, the leader, has quite a story that not only drives this novel forward but really drove the first one and sets up for the next one. We know that she isn’t the only giving orders to the new Elite members and based on how the one guy is acting (Wraith, I think) I suspect he’s linked up with someone high on the chain as well and we will see a challenge arise.
Both characters are fairly well designed. Mason is….my goodness. He has such a heartbreaking backstory that continues on through this one. It drives this whole series forward and is so powerful, even as its continuing in the present. Every time something goes wrong for him, I wanted to scream at my screen. Megan is oblivious to all this. And I love how she’s the good, proper professor who has a passion for wanting more sexually and is willing to go out and get it. So many times we see the guy be the one to awaken this in the woman, but I love how she initiated it all.
On that note, the romance is much better developed than the first book. There was a better beginning between them that moved into a super hot teacher-student romance. Nothing felt rushed and it all felt well-paced. With Mason’s story leading up to the Elite, plus his task of her, I felt that this novel was well developed, paced, and not rushed
Mason and Evelyn Blackwell have been in the foster care system for years. Mason is almost out when the siblings are placed with the Griffin family. Lillian Griffin decides that Mason will be the perfect leader for her secret society since he has so much to lose if he doesn’t do exactly as Lillian says. Holding Evelyn as a bargaining chip, Lillian puts Mason through hell until he agrees to lead the initiates of the Elite. Mason must delegate evil deeds to the other members to complete as well as complete his own. Mason’s task is to expose the dark secret of the new Theology professor at St. Augustine University. However, once he finds out who the unlikely professor is, Mason’s task becomes much more difficult.
The second book in The Elite Seven series focuses on the group’s leader, Mason who has been given the sin of pride. So far, books one and two have meshed together really well, keeping characterization and timeline all in sync. In Pride, the evil nature of The Elite Seven becomes apparent as Mason is a very reluctant initiate. Mason’s life has not been easy, so his character is more relatable than Rhett in book one, Lust. Through Mason, we find out a lot more about LIllian’s character, her motivations and how much pull she has within the Elite. Mason’s story line is as much seated in revenge against Lillian as it is his relationship with his target, Meghan. Mason and Meghan’s relationship was explosive, dirty, hot and incredibly sexy. These steamy scenes also happened a lot throughout the book, so this one has a high heat rating. Pride’s story pushes along the plot of the Elite Seven society and leads into the next story of Wrath.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I have to admit that when I started this book I really didn’t like Sabastian/Envy. These characters are so well written that they flow into each book seamlessly. Had not read much about Envy except the last few chapters in Wrath so he caught me off guard in his first few chapters. I tried to feel sorry for him but he gives off a really nasty vibe. The whole book proves my feelings about him. Instead of having his brothers backs he in a way stabs them in the back. While I hated Sabastian/Envy I loved most of this book. Trying to get the low down on a few yet. I can`t wait to get into the next book, Gluttony.
I was absolutely hooked from the very beginning of this book. The vile treatment that Mason had to endure before finally being broken down to nothing was sickening and made me want nothing more than for him to get his revenge. When you dance with the devil, it can be a long time until you gain the upper hand. I was fully committed to being along for the ride as he found his way to redemption. I had no idea Hollyfield could be so dark and ruthless, but I love this side of her and couldn’t put this book down. Everything that came together at the end was shocking and has me already grabbing for the next book in the series.
I loved Pride and the continuation of the Elite Seven series. Just as I thought it was with the first book, Pride seemed to be more about the overarching storyline of the Elite Seven rather than the romance between Megan and Mason however this one did have more of the couple’s story then the previous book. I felt maybe it was like 65% about the Elite Seven storyline so there was a good portion of romance once you got past the halfway mark in the book. But as it was with Lust, it didn’t bother me. I was very interested in the story line of the secret society so it didn’t really take anything away, but don’t go into this book expecting it to be all about the love story. I can’t wait to see what happens in Wrath.
The Elite’s are back with this twisted second book! This book is about Pride aka Mason and Megan. Lots of twists and turns that you won’t want to miss! Great book and really good writing!
“Pride is more than the first of the seven deadly sins; it is itself the essence of all sins.”
-John Scott
And this comment says it all and probably should have been the first in this awesome series by multiple authors. Just like in Lust we learn what has happened to the main character to bring him to this point in his life and how he became apart of The Elite Seven. It was a great second read and I cant wait till I get book #3.
I loved this book so much! This series is completely addicting, each story pulling you further and further in to this world full of secrets and deception and suspense. I loved Mason and Megan together. They fit each other perfectly. The storyline was fast paced and action packed. The villain was created so perfectly that I wanted to kill her. I can’t wait to get my hands on more stories in this series.
new author for me and wow amazing.
Mason is the alpha of the elite 7 and he is everything you
could want for their leader. strong, determined and loyal.
Secrets are unravelling slowly, giving you a bit more of a peek
at the rest of the brotherhood, luring you in to their world so you cant
get enough and you don’t want it to end.
I cant wait for more, bring on wrath.
Just finished up the second book in The Elite Seven series…I’m loving how they are connected – kind of like the Saw movie series – although that happened in the span of like 24 hours, this is giving me the same vibe. There is so much going on, but surprisingly it’s not confusing and flows well. I’m hesitant to start the next one because being an instant gratification girl, I’m gonna want to finish the whole thing at one time to find out what’s really going on.
Loved this book!!!
I’m loving this series.
How the authors just flow into the books.
This is Pride, Mason’s story.
Lilian is Satan. She uses mason little sister Evelyn as blackmail material!!!
This book pulls your heartstrings and made me feel impotent with rage at what was done to them!!
Highly recommend!
I am loving this series so far! J.D. Hollyfield is a new author to me and her writing is stellar. I loved Pride (Mason). His childhood is heartbreaking and now he is practically forced to be in the Elite. Meghan’s character is fun. She seems so sweet and innocent yet she has a bit of a naughty side. There is suspense and intrigue as well as twists and turns. I definitely plan to read more of this author’s books and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series
They say pride comes before the fall.
I am Mason Blackwell.
I am PRIDE
You can’t help but you’ll be obsessed with this series, I know I am!!! I am getting immersed in the story of the Elite society.
Mason’s story is an ugly one but we learn more about the liaison with the new Elite recruits.
But I wonder about the tasks, are they real or just the means to an end?