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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It must be said that Lillian is f√¢#|=¥ twisted. This book dives deeper into the madness that the Elite.
Getting Pride’s story is filled with far more tragedy that I ever expected. Lillian pulls his strings.
Megan is Lillian’s niece but also a teacher at the school.
One random night between Megan and Pride aka Mason fills fantasies but life always has a way of making crap hard.
Mason is my favorite character so far. And I’m ready to see what the Elite those at them next.
Meghan and Mason lit up the pages with there chemistry. Love the drama love scene story plot was explosive. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
J.D. Hollyfield has created a new alpha for me to fall in love with – PRIDE, aka Mason Blackwell. Motherf*cking SWOON.
This man owned me… I fell in love with all of his broken pieces that stemmed from his broken past. But his loyalty, his strength, his determination to uncover the truth and cut the strings from the psychotic puppet master who holds his sister’s safety over his head is why he is PRIDE. The alpha. The leader of the Elite Seven.
I love the continuous plot with this series. The mystery, the suspense and the devious tasks being assigned to these guys by the demented she-devil heading the Elite keep me turning the pages almost faster than I can read them. And this time, Mason is tasked to expose and corrupt Megan Thorne. And we get a little taste of the forbidden with Megan and Mason. These two were smoking HOT! I loved Megan. She was a kinky little vixen underneath that sweet and innocent exterior. And the way Mason took control in the bedroom…. ahhhhh!!!
J.D. Hollyfield absolutely nailed it with all the twists in PRIDE and with all the heat between the sheets that had me stopping to fan myself in between chapters. I loved every bit of it and was completely hooked. And I’m dying to know each man’s story in this series because it keeps getting better with the setups into the rest of these characters’ plots.
WRATH by Claire C. Riley is up next and I can’t wait to see how his sin is gonna play out.
Pride is full of twists and turns, plenty of suspense and scorching hot sex. With moments when you can’t believe the burden that Mason carries on his shoulders and the responsibility he feels he has for his brothers in the Elite. Mason was a character I love, his story has given me so many more questions, which makes me more eager to continue the series with Wrath. The Elite Seven has sucked me in completely, add in the romance it’s just gives the guys something to lose and heightens the tension.
For a world where each book is written by a separate author, they seamlessly piece together and the characters feel well represented in each book. Pride was well written, well paced and the inner monologue’s from Mason about his role as Alpha, his emotions about the position he finds himself in with the Elite, helped me get to know him more. Meghan as a heroine on the surface, seems like the total opposite to Mason, however together they couldn’t be more right. Another hit for me in the Elite Seven series, starting the countdown for Wrath now!
All I can say is holy cow!! This series is going to be EPIC!
I was consumed with Lust and I have to say that I think each story is just going to keep getting better and better.
I thought I was in Lust with Rhett but hot damn, Mason was all kinds of deliciousness and HOT. The chemistry between him and Megan was out of this world H.O.T!!
Meghan was shy and innocent as a professor but when it came down to her personal time, she was a feisty and kinky little kitten and when her and Mason got together, my kindle was also burning up with how HOT the scenes were.
I’m so intrigued by the tasks they keep getting and why they’re getting them. These guys intrigue me and I just can’t wait to keep reading each story because like I said, each story just keeps getting better and better.
The mystery behind the tasks is what has piqued my interest here and I’m so looking forward to finding out each of their stories.
The continuation of The Elite Seven Series continues to amaze me.
The way all this characters interconnect is what I love and look forward to in a series. As a reader I’m one happy camper!
Pride, Mason, was an enigma. Talk about underdog. His background story was plotted out carefully and done justice. Having the whole world on his shoulders, carrying so many burdens, yet still doing right from wrong. I almost didn’t want his story to stop. I felt his character completely.
With this book we get the double POV and see into the mind of the heroine. Not equally but enough. I couldn’t connect with Megan. It wasn’t her kink, her desires or passion. Those were okay on my end. Emotionally she lacked a lot of depth. Mason did make up for that. At the end she did act badass but it wasn’t enough for me. Now Evie, her I want to know!!
In true Elite Seven fashion, we are left with a cliffie. Is it March yet??? I need all these books like yesterday!
Book two exposes more secrets but also raises some new questions that keep us at the edge of our seats.
Unfortunately, I did struggle with Pride a bit. Lillian I obviously hated from the previous book Lust, and Mason I couldn’t even like when I started this one because of his selfish choices. There were also a few scenes that felt a bit over the top.
Still, Hollyfield did a great job showing how pride affects a person even though it made it harder to sympathize with Mason.
Nonetheless, I really did enjoy reading all the scenes Lillian wasn’t in and liked all of Megan and Mason’s moments together. They definitely helped me love Mason as their story progressed. I adored the other characters, especially Megan, Evie and Micah.
The thing that has me intrigued the most though is definitely the relationship between the seven. I’m looking forward to Wrath and curious how this whole story will play out with The Elite.
I LOVED this story!!! Severely! I’ve read Lust and Pride and what I’m getting from these books are these are going to be stories about the men invited to join the Elite. There might be some romance added here and there but in the end, Pride is a story about Mason. Pride pulls and tugs at my heart. He’s an amazing man with a beautifully caring heart. His one weakness, his sister, and the devil is fully aware of this. The devil uses Mason as his/her puppet and so the story begins.
JD Hollyfield is beyond talented. She can create these fabulous romantic comedies that tickle and delight me. She can make me swoon with her beautiful contemporary romances. Pride is neither of those. Even then, this is a darkly delicious story that seriously caused my heart to ache and my thighs to clench. You naughty, naughty woman you… that first scene after the bar. I needed a cold shower after those chapters!
I am enjoying these books so much and how each book carries the same themes throughout. I love meeting up with all the guys and getting to know them slowly before their stories plus getting to see more from the previous book. The more I read of these men, the more I get excited for the upcoming books. I feel something building here and I’m loving it!!
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
OMG what an emotional ride with the Pride story. Elite Seven series is getting better with every book, darker and more twisted with each sin. Mason story just blew my mind and affected all my emotions. There was everything I love in dark romance.
I love Mason for his braveness, strength and confident attitude. He was born leader.
Even though he was so young and so damaged inside, he knew how to fight for people he loved and cared. His whole life was like one big fight to survived. Now he was dragged into cruel game by the “devil in the skirt” and need to prepare for the most important battle of his life.
There was profound story in this book with hot steamy but forbidden romance.
Maison and Meghan were bonded by huge desire but they didn’t realized how many things will divide them and tear them apart. It was real emotional rollercoaster and I felt it with every part of my body.
So many puzzles pieces split and put back together in the book but there is still a lot more to discover, since author left us with the huge cliffhanger.
This series, especially Pride story grabbed me and make me addicted to their world.
J.D. Hollyfield created my favorite hero by far and It will be interesting to see who can take his place. I can’t wait for next book Wrath, in Elite7 Series.
WOW!!! I don’t even know how to put into words just how amazing this book is. Like my mind is blown!!! Pride, book 2 in the Elite Seven series, is Mason’s story and oh what a story!! Mason is the alpha of the group. He’s tasked with revealing someone’s deep, dirty secret. Something he has to do to keep his sister safe but it’s not something he wants to do. This book is rollercoaster ride of intrigue, feels and steamy hot sexy times. This is the first book of JD Hollyfield’s that I have read and I can tell you now, it will not be the last!
Pride is the second book in this series and like the first one, I was left sort of mixed on my feelings.
I definitely enjoyed the writing more and felt the story on this one was more fleshed out than the first. However, the romance and relationships between everyone stood out way more than the reason behind the “Elite Seven” plot. I will just need to keep this in mind as I read the rest of these books that the romance is more prominent that I had expected and not so much the story of the Elite Seven. Not a bad thing – just not what I anticipated at first.
I won’t give much away as the blurb gives you an idea on to what expect in this book and revealing anything else will spoil the story as these are fairly quick reads. Just know that there are some hot and sexy scenes in this one – so don’t read in public. LOL
The relationship building between Mason and Megan definitely takes the forefront of this book with the background being who the Elite Seven are and all the happenings around that. I can honestly say that if you read a lot of suspense and mystery books, don’t go into this plot looking for anything amazing to stick out. For romance readers this book will definitely be delightful to them and keep them intrigued with the suspense; the rest of us, not so much as it will be obvious.
Overall, I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It’s extremely well-written and flows really well. You must read these books in order because while they do center around a specific sin, each book has an underlying plot that is played out throughout each book.
Mason is a teenager trying to keep his sister and him safe as they move from foster home to foster home. His sister Evie is just trying to survive until they can get out of foster care. When they get placed with Lillian and her husband, they don’t realize their hell has just begun. Lillian uses her connections to separate them. Mason resists her plan until he has no choice. He’s gotta be in charge of Elite and do Lillian’s bidding. Will his sister and him ever be free? Can he break free of Lillian?
4.5 Stars
Pride continues the story of The Elite while getting his own story and let me say, JD Hollyfield nailed it! I was so engrossed with this story! I couldn’t put it down! I love how it intertwined with The Elite story, gave us more details into the secret society but also his story. It’s like two stories in one! I was so invested with this story and I just wanted more! I thought the writing was good and I loved where the story went. One thing that distracted me from the story was the amount of sex in the story. Maybe it was just my frame of mine at the time and I just wanted the story! But overall I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next!
The 7 Deadly sins just got deadlier. Pride is the second book in the Elite Seven series, in this series each book is written by a different author but follows along the story line of the seven deadly sins. With lots of angst and betrayal this story will literally tear you apart. I felt so much pain for the main character Mason and his utter helplessness. It was so well written that I just wanted to cry for him and do bodily harm against those that hurt him. After reading about the trials of the initiates and the drug/alcohol fueled parties, and the kinky sex, you just might be needing a little redemption for the All Mighty. Pride follows Lust as being another 5-star read. Grab your rosaries and start praying for when Wrath is released.
St. Augustine College is one of the most prestigious colleges in New Orleans and has a secret society that selects seven people every four years that they groom to be what they want them to be. The selected must be willing to do anything the Elite tell them to do to pass the test and become a full fledge member. Pride- AKA Mason Blackwell has had a hard life growing up and just before turning eighteen it doesn’t get any better. Mason’s most recent foster mother, Lillian Griffin, is determined to recruit Mason into the Elite Seven and Mason has no idea what his is in for. Mason will do anything to keep his sister Evelyn safe, but will his Pride allow him to bow down to the evil that resides inside of Lillian and the Elite Seven?
The Elite Seven series is going to be a milestone in author collaboration work. I am on the second book and it is already something legendary. Author J.D. Hollyfield just raised the stake in this high risk game with Pride, the story of Mason Blackwell.This deep dark and violent read made my heart race. She lured me into a world full of mystery, betrayal, danger, forbidden passion and mind games.
You have to read the first book Lust by Ker Dukey before picking this up. Because the story of the choses seven not only continues in this book but also intertwines with the first one. The story starts in early life of Mason Blackwell and his sister Evelyn while they were going from one foster home to another. By sheer misfortune they enter a monster’s home and their bad luck starts. They get separated, Mason goes to prison and the devil never stops playing the cruel game. After a horrible experience in prison, Mason finally gives up and agree to play the twisted game to save his sister. And it begins by entering the Elite Seven as the leader, the alpha, Pride. Soon he gets his first task and that is to destroy the reputation of Megan Griffin, Theology Professor of his esteemed college where he was given entry under false pretense. He realises he can’t do this as she is special. She is the calm to his chaos, peace to his hell and a perfect companion to his dirty deviant mind. Can they beat the devil in it’s own game?
I am totally obsessed with both the lead characters. Megan is a sweet, innocent and perfect teacher outside. But she has this sexy siren’s soul deep inside that craves exhilaration and adventure. Mason’s personality got shaped by his life. And he is just gorgeous. A bad boy with broken darkened soul with exquisite gentleness and protectiveness. I was awed by his actions to protect Megan. Their chemistry is over the top sexy. They suffer so much in hands of the devil but I am so glad they stayed together.The story progressed and the plot gets very complicated in Pride. J.D.Hollyfield expertly put together all the twists and turns. The game has turned more interesting as the brothers try to outsmart the ancient corrupt and evil secret society.
Pride by J.D .Hollyfield will take you to a breathtaking journey full of dangerous passion and mindblowing power games. I could not stop reading. My pulse raced, my head exploded and my heart was deliciously tortured. I want answers and the series just got a lot more interesting. Do not miss it. At any cost.
Received ARC for Honest Review
5 STARS FOR PRIDE!! This Elite Seven is blowing mind on how addicting this series is. I need my next fix already….I NEED BOOK #3. Mason….oh Mason this hot sexy as sin boy they call Pride…is EVERYTHING. Mason and Meghan story is forbidden and that is what makes it juicy with lots of sexiness, suspense, drama and love. Another page turning story for this series. This was my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read more books from her.
Oh My God! Oh My God!
I don’t even know where to start. Y’all this is going to blow your mind. I’m sitting here trying to find a way to tell you about Pride but I don’t want to give anything away. There is some messed up stuff going on and it’s pulling me in… like deep in. If you haven’t started this series do it now! You’re not going to regret it. I’m hooked!
*Review by Michelle
Oh My God! Oh My God!
I don’t even know where to start. Y’all this is going to blow your mind. I’m sitting here trying to find a way to tell you about Pride but I don’t want to give anything away. There is some messed up stuff going on and it’s pulling me in… like deep in. If you haven’t started this series do it now! You’re not going to regret it. I’m hooked!
The twists keep coming! Secrets and mystery and suspense all rolled into one pleasurable package! I’m addicted!
The second book in the The Elite Seven Series, you must read these in order, start with Lust by Ker Dukey. This series is more about the secrets that surround the elite, in my opinion, the romance is just a bonus. And I’m ok with that. I want all the answers, peeling back each layer is exciting, every gritty twist leads to another.
Pride isn’t cut from the same cloth as the other elite, as far I know, anyway. Forced, manipulated to take part in a devious game. His anger jumps from the pages and grabs you by the throat. Me likes it.
“I’ve gone completely mad with hatred and revenge. I bare my teeth, ready to rip the veins out of her neck and watch her bleed to death.”
AND there’s taboo, Y’all. A forbidden thing, can’t say what. No spoilers from me. Hehehe! I loved every dirty second. I could do without all the abrupt love, because I didn’t feel that. But, I sure loved their smoking affair. And a happy for now, would’ve felt more real to me. I know, this is fiction. Whatever.
Anyway, there’s so many more twists and turns and hot elite guys to come! I went back to Lust and searched key words, trying to find Easter eggs. It’s a seven story web and I’d be happy to ride in the trunk for the rest of this twisted ride. I want all of them. That little wait between books will fuel my need for answers.
Pride was one of those reads that made me wish I could jump into the story and do some seriously bad things to one of the characters, i.e. the villain. Is it possible to hate someone THIS much?! I mean, argh, I so wanted to hurt them for what they were doing to not just Mason and his sister but to a whole host of other characters. I can’t get into the whos and the whys haven’t been fully divulged, but I’m now rather invested in seeing this series through given that the lives of the seven guys and their significant others are entwined. This book isn’t my first J.D. Hollyfield read, but it was definitely a surprise given that it was her 2 Lovers series, which was co-written with K. Webster, that I had previously read and those were romantic comedies. Clearly, Hollyfield does well in the romantic suspense genre, too, packing Mason and Megan’s story with loads of both romance and suspense. Pride gets 4.5 stars and has me excited for the next one.