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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Mason Blackwell made me fall in love with JD Hollyfield!!!! Prior to this book, I had only read one short story by her which I thought was decent, but Mason’s story is on a whole other level. I literally only got 3 hours of sleep because I could not put this book down! The storyline is clever, captivating, consuming and sexy!!! It was also fascinating to see how seamlessly these authors collaborate. It was easy to forget that these books were written by different authors; I felt like I was still reading book #1!!!! My only complaint is that Hollyfield repeatedly misused the word PASSED when she should have used PAST (for example, “People race passed me…”). Otherwise, this book is phenomenal! I can’t wait to read the next book in this fantastic series!!!
~Teachers can open doors to their student’s minds~
—>>> Named for the vice, Pride, Mason rises from a hellish childhood, taken away from him and his sister by his adoptive parents. However, his life does not end where he believes it will. Instead, he is thrown into a different hell, but this time, his sister is close but remains a lure used to manipulate him.
Meghan becomes another important person in life, and now he is learning that he has the rest of The Elites’ group of seven brotherhood to watch his back.
More twisted than the first installment of this series, with the reader being able to see more of how the diabolical mastermind behind the character Lillian worked and pulled the strings for her gains.
Wowza!!! Intense and exciting!! Full of angst and chaos!! Loved everything about this book!! Brilliantly written and captivating!! Hot as hell! Fantastic read!!
As soon as this book landed on my kindle I was all in. My Do Not Disturb sign was up and I was fully invested in Pride aka Mason Blackwell.
Sure his story is devastating and the process of events that made him into the man that he is, is shocking.
With the concept of the Elite 7, secret society I was totally intrigued with the story but with Pride I just felt that the whole iniation process in which Mason – Pride had to do was overshadowed by the romance factor. Not that I begrudge romance in the book. I totally get that it was needed and was valid but for me, in my opinion, it was heavy on the romance and light on the whole, discover the secret and ruin the person, become a solid member of the Secret Society.
I did feel a connection with Mason, Evelyn and Megan. The storyline flowed nicely and it was woven nicely with the turn of events that happened previously in Lust.
Of course this series must be read in order starting with Lust by Ker Dukey then Pride. I’m chomping at the bit for the 3rd instalment Wrath by Claire C Riley
Pride is the second book in The Elite Seven series and the overall story just keeps getting better and better. While this was my first read from this author it will not be my last because she nailed it. Mason is dark, sexy, tattooed, loyal, and fierce. His heroine is secretly seductive, intelligent, caring, and kind. When these two come together it’s explosive. The chemistry between them is insane! If you’ve read Lust I’m sure you’re dying to know what’s going on with the Elite and if you haven’t started this series, why??? I highly recommend Pride, but you need to start with Lust to avoid spoilers.
Pride is the second book in The Elite Seven series, and although this book can be read as a standalone, I would not recommend it. You will enjoy the series to its fullest if the books are read in the order they are written. I love the way the books are written by different authors, and how the books are interconnected by the secret society storyline. The characters from book one so far have kept true to themselves through the second book.
Mason Blackwell is Pride.
Mason is not like the other guys in the brotherhood. He didn’t grow up with a silver spoon or a trust fund or wealthy parents. He has had a difficult life. After his parents died, it was just him and his sister, Evelyn, alone in the world. They were put into the system, and Mason vowed to take care of Evelyn at all cost. Maybe because of his different life circumstances he is put in charge of all the other six brothers and is responsible for relaying the task that will get them into the Elite Society. I really like our hero, Mason, he is strong, loyal and tender-hearted all at the same time, not all your typical manwhore, that is typically found in books like this.
“Fuck, I want you.
Not just your sexy body, but your mind.
I wanna own your fucking soul.”
Megan, Megan, Megan…she presents herself as the perfect little college professor, NOT! She is just so cute, smart, and sweet, but with a dark erotic side that Mason didn’t see coming. I felt a great connection with this character, she felt very genuine, if not a bit naïve.
“He makes me feel so… wanted.
I could be risking everything by going forward with this.
But what if I take a chance someone on who has never made me feel
so cherished, needed, happy, fulfilled?”
“What if?”
Ms. Hollyfield has really captured the essence of this series, she kept me guessing with her twists, turns, and deceit. The intensity she infuses between the two main characters is pure magic. She has taken this series to the next level, we learn so much more about the Elite Society, and so much comes to light in this book. And, of course, my favorite character who I love to hate, Lillian. She is pure evil. Things are revealed about her past, and for a moment you feel bad for her, but then she does something else, and you are reminded just how nefarious she really is.
Be warned this book does end in a bit of a cliff hanger, leaving the reader excited for the next book in the series. Time to bring on WRATH.
Pride. Dang! His story is rough! Makes me want to strangle Lillian myself! His story is super sexy though. Makes me ever more curious what is going on with this whole Elite thing!!
So this book was so much more intense than the first one, I actually really loved this one compared to the first one!
Mason was so intense. I really liked his character, how protective he was of his sister as well as his new “brothers”. Although we saw him as strong and fit we saw the sensitive side that Mason did have and I really loved that. Mason and Evie’s story was so heartbreaking I felt so bad for both of them.
I really loved Megan and Mason together, they were so cute. I felt they had a really good connection and I also loved the student professor thing, although there wasn’t much emphasis on it. I loved their relationship.
I felt like mason had a lot of responsibility with his brothers and I like how he took care of them. I love Evelyn and I love that she just wants her brother safe.
The sex was very well written. The story was very well written with a very compelling storyline it kept me hooked and gripped all the way through. The ending, what an ending! I cannot wait for the next one. I don’t really want to go into really full detail about the plot because I think you should go into it not really knowing much!
We follow Mason in this book. Where do we find Mason and Micah? Who is Daliah? How does Mason know her? Who is Evelyn? What happens when the boys go to tell Evelyn where Mason will be for the weekend? Who is Lillian again? What does she have to do with Mason’s issues? I have to say, “I H.A.T.E. her!” The more I read, the more “I” want to personally put my hands around her neck and kill her. I know she’s just a character. Jesus, I want to do that before I even hit Chapter 1?!?!? Mason is a tease! Wowzers! What happens in this story kept me on my toes on the edge of my seat as I was able to read. Enjoy it!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.
In this installment, we meet Mason. He’s had a rough childhood and adolescence, and as we find him on the cusp of adulthood he is hit with several challenges. When the trouble takes a turn for the worse, Lillian threatens Mason and finds herself in a position of power over him. Mason embodies “pride,” so Lillian knows she can get him to do anything to protect his pride, and his sister.
As Lillian pushes him further toward her ultimate goals, Mason finds that his heart is battling his pride — can he actually follow through and do all the things that are being asked of him? Will his task be worth it? Can he be the leader that he’s being pushed to become, as well as stay true to himself?
Pride was a good read. I think the story was interesting and added to the series. There were some parts that I wasn’t sure about: I wanted a bit more, was a little confused, or thought things could’ve been handled a bit differently within the storytelling. Overall, though, this was a good addition to the series and I really liked Mason.
Book Boyfriend Material!
This is the second book released in the Elite Seven series and I loved it just as much as the first. It can be read as a complete standalone but I am happy that I am reading them as they release. Mason Blackwell is perfect as the Alpha leader (Pride) for this years selection. The first few chapters had me feeling sad and angry but Mason comes back with a vengeance showing heart and intelligence. He is a naughty domineering young man and I loved every bit of it. His relationship with Meghan had me swooning. He has a huge heart as a brother, friend, and lover. I can’t get enough of the Elite Seven. These boys are not people you want to mess with but be loved by.
This is book two in the Elite Seven series. This book definetly helped give me more answers to a lot of the questions I had at the end of book two. It left me throwing my kindle and getting mad at certain characters for the crazy twists and turns that were being thrown. I felt so many emotions reading this book for Mason and all the crazy shit that was put on him. Once again at the end of this book your literally left going OMG what is about to happen next in the next book of the series Wrath! I highly recommend this series! I have been absolutely sucked in from the start and I LOVE IT!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Shannan –
Pride is the second installment in The Elite Seven series. The Elite Seven HAS to be read in the order that the authors intended. Each book ties in with the next. You will be missing important information if you try to read them as standalones.
Pride – Mason Blackwell
Mason was forced into this elite society. He was manipulated into being the alpha of the group. He didn’t want to be there, but he was doing what he had to do. The angst and anger that Mason feeds off of is intense and written so well. There are so many twists and turns, the suspense factor is huge. The secrets are being reveled and you want more. I am loving every minute of it. You get a little taboo treat which, boom instant favorite.
I can’t wait to see what’s next from these authors!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Pride (The Elite Seven #2) by J.D. Hollyfield to read and review for this tour.
Really dark and mysterious with a hint of romance. This series has me checking my calendar every other day to see when the next book is coming out.
P L O T
How far are you willing to go to protect your own? This book is a great sequel to the first one, Lust. Where Lust was seeing The Elite as how an outsider who knows they exist and seeking them out, Pride is through the eyes of someone who has no idea what it’s all about and is being forced into their world.
How deep does one’s pride go? No matter how difficult life has become for our main character he isn’t willing to give up one cage for an even bigger one because it would mean shaking the hand of the devil.
Full of twists and turns and there are lesser theories for each sinner than there are questions for the rest of the series. The pacing is not too fast and not too slow and it’s just enough to tell the story in the right way. That new cliffhanger though was so exciting. There really isn’t much happy ever afters in this series.
C H A R A C T E R S
Mason Blackwell / Pride
Mason is such a strong character. He has lived a portion of his life getting physically tortured everyday and has stood on the edge of death more times than he bothers to remember. Despite it all he has risen again and determined to get his life back in track.
Megan Thorne
I can totally relate myself to Megan’s character. She’s such an angel in the streets but a total little devil in the sheets. She loves her job but like everyone else she just wants to be happy and to have someone to share it with.
W R I T I N G
Wonderfully written. I mostly love how the two lovebirds met because as ordinary as it was, while I read the scenes all I felt was epic. Besides the romance, there were the mysteries hanging on every corner of the room on the air that our characters walked around on.
O V E R A L L
I was expecting to see that one girl again but I guess it turns out she was just a person in the past, irrelevant to the present.
This series has got me hooked. I just want to dive into their world and discover all The Elite’s secrets. Who else is a member? Who has all the cards? Can’t wait for all the revelations in the upcoming books. Wrath is up next and I am ready for all the chaos!
Sinful, sexy, scary and sensational. Oh my gosh! After the ending of Lust I knew Pride’s story would be epic but this is beyond mind blowing. Pride’s backstory is so devastating and down right wrong on so many levels. What he went through was awful but it made him so strong and resilient. That nasty Lillian! Her reach was certainly long and wide but don’t under estimate Pride and his revenge. Besides the dastardly Elite and the new Seven’s wonderful brotherhood there’s also the steamy romance between Pride and teacher, Meghan, who has a naughty secret. When Meghan becomes Pride’s task what will he do? Expose her or deny Elite’s order. And his sister is in the mix. Above all the swoon-worthy characteristics of Pride/Mason protector is at the top. He’s proven he will do what it takes for those he cares for. And the blood covered Pride at the end of Lust? Killer reveal! And, two new tasks were given out and we don’t know what they are! Tease deluxe. The ending was another “what the hell” moment. I loved the way the storylines for Lust and Pride are somewhat parallel and there are glimpses of things to come. Terrific writing in this one with lots of emotion and great character development. A fabulous series so far and I can’t wait for the next story. Bring on Wrath! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
The Elite is a secret society with power unimaginable. To be a member, is one of highest honor. Follow their rules and you will have endless: WEALTH, POWER, and FAME. Once you are selected, you must pass initiation. And meet the brotherhood. Your brothers in arms. A bond so lethal it is unbendable and unbreakable. The Seven Sins.
LUST, PRIDE, WRATH, ENVY, GREED, GLUTTONY, SLOTH
In this book we have Mason Blackwell, Pride has a long story in his short life. I didn’t like what he went through at the beginning of the book at all. Lillian is pulling all his strings. I wasn’t happy at all with what she was stable to pull off and what happened with Mason.
Mason and his younger sister were separated for 2 yrs while Mason was put away because of Lillian. Mason didn’t know what was happening with his sister who he cares so much for. His sister was also kept from him. She didn’t know where he went or where he was. She was just as worried for him.
Mason starts college after Lillian pulls more of her strings. He also comes into the Elite as well. Mason’s task to expose a teacher, Megan, who is an innocent in Lillian’s game. Lillian was t counting on Mason and Megan to fall for each other.
Mason is trying to protect his sister and Megan. Will he be able to keep them out of Lillian’s claws?
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving a honest review.
Pride. Probably the hardest sin to avoid. Because who are we without our pride. And who are we if we don’t dabble in a little sin every once in awhile. Mason is sin wrapped in a tall, dark and very masculine package. Every woman’s wet dream brought to the pages. He’ll do anything to get back what he lost and he won’t let anything stand in his way. Megan is your everyday girl next door who realizes she wants more out of her life. And who can not relate with that. It’s not everyday we set our pride aside, step outside our comfort zone, and go after what we want. Megan is my spirit character! And Mason is everything I dream of. These two together are unstoppable and hotter than the sins themselves. And this secret society gets deeper and deeper. It really makes one think how possible this all is. Fiction isn’t too far from fact most the time. And I do love a good book that makes you go “hmmmmm”. But so far these women are doing a fantastic job with this series. Different voices telling different sides of the same story. And a tiny bit more gets revealed with every book. I can not wait to turn more pages, learn more about these men and their secrets and the women that bring them to their knees. You think you know what you want. You think you know where you are going. But what are u really willing to give up and tear down to get there?
Holy shit Pride you killed me. Mason you poor thing, I felt for you the minute I started reading your story. If anyone deserved a woman to love and a happy ending god it is Mason.
Mason is the leader of the Elite. Alternatively, at least that is what he is letting everyone thinking. However, his strings are being pulled just like everyone else. However, will his pride get in the way when it is time to protect everyone he loves? Alternatively, will he lay his life on the line for them?
I can not get enough of these books! Each one brings a new level of depth to this series. Nothing is the same. Love it!
An intense, enthralling and enjoyable story and part of an amazing series!!
Mason and Meagan are great together, and they connection and chemistry are palpable. I don’t go into details because this story is kind of short, but well developed, and I love the pace of relationship built. I love how protective Mason was of his sister.
I’m really enjoying this series, and can’t wait for what comes next!!
Another winner in this ELITE SEVEN series!! In continuing the journey of these seven young men being chosen and tested to enter into the super secret society we learn that Mason Blackwell’s story is much different than Rhett’s from LUST (The Elite Seven #1).
This is a a choice that is forced upon him, but as his story progresses it’s quite evident that it’s a role he was born for. He’s a natural at being the leader of these initiates and the author does an incredible job of showing how fitting his assigned sin, PRIDE, is with his personality.
Book two in this series of seven is much more suspenseful with way more action than the previous book and it had my full attention from the moment I began. I’m SO looking forward to the next installment to find out what is in-store for WRATH.