Book Review : Driven by Fate (Serve, #5) by Tessa Bailey

Driven by Fate

Serve Series, #5
by Tessa Bailey

Release Date:
February 16th, 2015

Publisher:
Entangled:
Brazen

Source:
Purchased via Amazon

Synopsis:

The first rule is obey... and she already broke it. 

Francesca "Frankie" De Luca always pays her debts. Even when it means stepping inside Serve, the sensuous Manhattan club that caters to particular adult desires. For Frankie, it's a taste of something she's always wanted—and never received. Until a sharply dressed Brit orders her into his room, and instructs her to undress before delivering the carnal punishment she so desperately needs... 

She wasn't the woman Porter Evans was expecting. Not this wild thing with the pale, silvery eyes. And such cheek. But she violates Porter's strict rules of control. Temptation is a dangerous thing indeed. Yet everything about Frankie cries out for schooling about the tantalizing interplay of pleasure and pain. So Porter offers Frankie a deal she can't refuse—and the only thing she owes him is submission...

Purchase links:

Amazon|B&N|iTunes|Kobo

Serve Series on Goodreads

By Tessa Bailey

 Review of Owned by Fate HERE

Review of Exposed by Fate HERE

By Katee Robert

 Review of  Betting on Fate HERE

Review:

Driven by Fate, which is Tessa Bailey's third book in the Serve Series, kept me up the whole freakin' night! I was anxiously waiting, reading device in hands, for Frankie and Porter's book to appear so that I could start my non-stop reading escape! Once I start reading one of Tessa's book there is nothing that is going to stop me from finishing it! We previously meet these characters in Owned by Fate and Exposed by Fate. I had mixed feelings about Porter when he was introduced in the previous books, but once I finished reading Driven by Fate I understood his reactions and the way he was revealed to us. Frankie on the other hand, I knew she was a tough cookie from the moment she was introduced in Exposed by Fate. I can still remember that scene like I read it yesterday. I told myself that this girl was going to drive a man wild someday, Oh dear Lord! Did she ever!!!! 

The intense and deliciously erotic connection between Frankie and Porter begins when Frankie visits Club Serve to repay a debt. After her meeting with the owner of Club Serve ends, she decides to take a look around. Club Serve is exactly the place where they can deliver the pleasure that she always craved, but never received. Frankie's curiosity leads her to taking a sneak peek into one of the room. What she never expected was to come face-to-face with a man that would make her body come alive.  Porter offers her a deal that she simply can't refuse. Porter is all about control, but from the moment Frankie enters his life he can't seem to stop losing control. Nobody has gotten under his skin until her. Will he be able to let her go after their deal or will he be the one begging for more?

I absolutely loved these two characters! It was so easy to connect with Frankie. I would totally hang out with her and give her a call so she can drive me safely around the city :) Her personality is addictive and she makes her own rules. She has a plan in life and nothing or nobody will get in her way. This determination made her brakedown Porter's walls. Porter was very different from all the other leading male characters that Tessa has written. That is why I also liked him. He was different. I can see why it would have never worked between him and Eliza, which is the main heroine in Exposed by Fate. She was just not the right person for him. Frankie is. She is exactly what he needs in his life and she completely understands his behavior, his struggles and his feelings.  

The important thing for me when I read a story is that I believe and feel the story that I'm reading and, I absolutely did believe in Frankie and Porter's love story. Their chemistry was explosive, all-consuming and addictive! OMG! The sex scenes in this book?? Bow chicka wow wow!!! I know what I will be thinking about the next time I find myself in a cab *Fans Self* I love how Tessa always includes little details in her stories that makes it impossible, for us readers, to forget about her books. Once again, Tessa has exceeded all of my exceptions and leaves me wanting always more! 

Rating:

I give, Driven by Fate, by Tessa Bailey, 5 erotic, steamy, mesmerizing, opposites attract stars!

About the Author:

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. 

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. 

She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband of seven years and three-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

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Book Review : Betting on Fate (Serve, #4) by Katee Robert

Betting on Fate

Serve, #4
by Katee Robert

Release Date:
January 5th, 2015

Publisher:
Entangled:Brazen

Source:
Publisher

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

This time, all bets are off... 

Penelope Carson loves to steal clients from Will Reaver. Yet something in her business nemesis's icy blue eyes makes Penelope...nervous. It certainly doesn't help that the man is the living embodiment of a Norse god. A controlled, powerful Norse god. Which she really should have remembered before she made a bet with him—because losing means becoming Will's personal submissive for a week. 

There's nothing Will would like more than to have Penelope kneeling before him in complicit submission, her fiery dark eyes inviting him in. Challenging him. But their bet takes Will and Penelope deeper than either of them have ever been. Where control is an illusion, and boundaries are pushed aside. And where hearts become the stakes in a game that neither Dominant nor submissive can win...

Purchase links for Betting on Fate:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Serve Series on Goodreads

By Tessa Bailey

By Katee Robert

Review:

If you follow my reviews on the blog or know me personally, it won't come as a surprise to you that I love the Brazen collection from Entangled. It's a decadent reading escape every single time! These stories are written with such passion and they always deliver on the HEA that I want for the characters.

Betting on Fate is the fourth installment in the Serve Series and can be read as a standalone. The previous books in this series (Owned by Fate & Exposed by Fate written by Tessa Bailey, and Mistaken by Fate by Katee Robert) are all pretty steamy and captivating.  I highly recommend them! 

In Betting on Fate, we follow Penelope Carson and Will Reaver. These two are fierce competitors when it comes to business. The chemistry that has been building between them from the moment they met explodes when Penelope loses a bet. She has to become Will's submissive for a week. As days go by, Will and Penelope share moments of passion that will turn their world upside down. Are they ready to lose control and give into their feelings?

I really liked Penelope and Will from the first time I met them in Mistaken by Fate. Penelope only has a brief scene in the book, but she stole the show! I knew that the moment she and Will would end up in the same room, it would be charged with sexual tension. They are both intense characters that know exactly what they want, and they are not afraid to go after it! I am not a big reader of BDSM romance, but the Serve Series is a series that I absolutely loved! Well written stories with strong characters, steamy scenes and filled with romance.

The connection between Penelope and Will was strong. They both dominate in and out of the bedroom and when these two get together ?!?!?! Whoaaaa!!! Their chemistry set my kindle on fire! Katee Robert wrote some pretty scorching scenes. *Fans Self* Out of all the books in this series, Betting on Fate, is the book where we can explore more in detail the world that hides behind the doors of Club Serve. Will was in a constant battle to not lose control. He wanted to dominate every aspect of his life and giving into his feelings was making him run in the other direction and far away from Penelope. Penelope was such a strong heroine. Even if Will turned her world upside down, she never lost control of who she was and she wasn't afraid to express how she felt. 

I have no clue if Sara, Garrett and Will's sister, will get her own story. I really hope so! I love her to pieces and I hope we haven't seen the last of Club Serve!

Rating:

I give, Betting on Fate, by Katee Robert 4 panty-melting, kinky, hot, page-turning stars!

About the Author

Katee Robert learned to tell stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her favorites then were the rather epic adventures of The Three Bears, but at age twelve she discovered romance novels and never looked back. 

Though she dabbled in writing, life got in the way—as it often does—and she spent a few years traveling, living in both Philadelphia and Germany. In between traveling and raising her two wee ones, she had the crazy idea that she’d like to write a book and try to get published. 

Her first novel was an epic fantasy that, God willing, will never see the light of day. From there, she dabbled in YA and horror, before finally finding speculative romance. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to write entire books about the smoking-hot relationships between two people? 

She now spends her time—when not lost in Far Reach worlds—playing imaginary games with her wee ones, writing, ogling men, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

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Book Spotlight : Exposed by Fate (Serve, #2) by Tessa Bailey

Exposed by Fate

Serve, #2
by Tessa Bailey

Released:
October 27th, 2014

Publisher:
Entangled: Brazen

Source:
Author

Synopsis:

He’ll train her to lure another man. She’ll lure him instead. 

When interior designer Eliza Ballas accompanies a friend to New York’s premier BDSM club, she’s taken aback by the sheer want that overruns her body—especially when a sexy Brit assumes Eliza is adept at dark, sensual arts. If she’s going to play, she’ll need an erotic education, and she knows just the man to teach her how to submit… 

Oliver Preston isn’t one to turn down pleasure, but Eliza’s his sister’s best friend, and he’s torn between a sense of duty and his rock-hard need to find out if she tastes as delicious as he’s dreamed. Unable to handle thought of another man owning her body, he draws Eliza deep into his world of exquisite pain and pleasure. He has three lessons to instruct her. Three lessons to drive them both to the brink of ecstasy. And three lessons before he must give her to another man...if he doesn’t lose himself first.

Purchase At:

Amazon|B&N|iTunes|Kobo

Serve Series on Goodreads

My review of Owned by Fate HERE

Review

*Ahem* Please give me a moment .... I'm still doing this ....

Hot Damn!!!!!!!! 

Mr. Oliver Preston ... Where have you been hiding all this time?? In Tessa Bailey's naughty vault of course!!!! What would I give to spend a day in that vault ... Gahhhhhh!!!! I have been waiting to read Oliver and Eliza's story from the moment I met them in Owned by Fate, which is the first installments in the new deliciously addictive Serve series.

Eliza Ballas needs somebody to teach her about the mysterious and seductive world of Club Serve. She knows exactly who that person will be. When playboy Oliver Preston comes face-to-face with his sister's best friend at Club Serve, he can't walk away from her proposition. Three lessons that's all she wants. What Oliver never expected was to fall hard for Eliza. He wants her for himself. Three lessons are simply not enough, especially after he sees the way Eliza's body responds to his touch. Will Oliver be able to reveal his feelings to Eliza or will he let her walk away into another man's arms?

Some words of advice before you read Exposed by Fate ....

Forget about wearing panties .... They are a waste of time ... Mr. Preston said so! And, trust me when I say that they will melt right off of you! You heard Oliver ... Skip the panties! 

Be prepared. Tessa Bailey's newest dirty talker will turn your world upside down! You will be thinking about him for DAYS after reading Exposed by Fate!

I don't even know how to describe the chemistry between Eliza and Oliver. It's so powerful and erotic. They have known each other for years. They both have feelings for each other, but they never said anything or acted on those feelings. He promised her three lessons, but he knows that it won't be enough. He wants to be the man in her life. That scares him and he thinks that he's not good enough for her.  OMG! Oliver's filthy mouth is so DELICIOUS!!!!  The things he says to Eliza?!?!?! It's insanely hot!!!! Don't even get me started on the sex scenes .... they are FIRE!!!! This book has the hottest shower scene EVER!!! *Fans Self*

If you have read Tessa Bailey's previous books you already know that she writes the most amazing characters! Eliza and Oliver stole my heart just like every other character she has written. The story and couple might change, but Tessa's writing style is always PERFECTION! She pulls you into the story and she never lets you go until the very last page is turned! The banter, the romance, the funny moments and the passionate ones. Everything is set up so that you get an unforgettable reading escape every.single.time. 

It's no secret that I am a HUGE Tessa Bailey fan. Her books are the reason I love reading so much! Her stories make me happy. No matter where the story takes place, I feel at home. I read about characters that feel so real that I have a hard time believing that they are fictional characters. She creates a world where I want to live in!

The Serve series has one final installment. It's going to be EPIC! I can feel it! I already know that the two main characters of the last installment will ROCK MY WORLD! Is it February yet?!?!?!

Rating

I give, Exposed by Fate, by Tessa Bailey 5 smokin' hot, page-turning, the-split-gets-a-makeover, no-panties-required stars!

Author Interview

First we want to start off by saying thank you for joining us. We are huge fans and are thrilled to get inside your mind for a little while. 

Hello!! Thank you for having me. You’ve been so supportive of my books and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. Thrilled to be here :)

Let's get this party started!

We want a glimpse into behind the scenes of the Serve series…what was your inspiration for the titles of this series and when was that “aha” moment that you knew you had to put these stories to pen? 

To be honest, when I was first approached about doing this series, it didn’t seem like it was for me. The stories take place at a BDSM club, which isn’t a world I’m overly familiar with, apart from a few research trips. I needed it to be about the characters, like my other books. There is a BDSM theme, but it doesn’t necessarily dominate the storyline, which is where I found my comfort zone. I had the “aha” moment when I did a character outline for Jonah. Once I got inside the characters’ heads, I couldn’t wait to start writing. 

Did writing this series teach you anything about future stories you would like to write? 

Yes, I think I’m definitely allowing myself to take more risks, thanks to this series. I’m taking the sexual intimacy and kicking it up a notch. I wrote blue collar cops for so long that these heroes are a necessary change of pace. If you’d asked me a year ago if I would write a BDSM club owner I would have told you I wasn’t right for the job. But I made him my own by giving him a Navy background, a slightly odd sense of humor, a knack for poker. I think mostly it’s becoming more and more exciting that I get to create whoever I want and bring new characters to life with each book. 

What were some of the challenges in bringing this series to life? 

There is another author (Katee Robert) who is going to release some books with Serve as the setting, so we needed to build a world we both agreed upon, even though our characters/storylines won’t connect. What exactly is located on each floor of the club, the décor, the layout, safety protocol, etc. In terms of challenges, it wasn’t really difficult, though, because Katee is really easy to work with :)

Which song would you say represents best …

Jonah & Caroline

How it Ends by DeVotchka. I listened to this song on repeat while writing OWNED BY FATE and it sunk its claws in. There is a lyric that goes, “You already know how this will end,” which I thought was a major theme in the book. They were doomed to end, but their hearts wouldn’t allow it. AND DAMN. That should have been the tag line.

Oliver & Eliza

Every Night by Jose Salvat. This song is SO SEXY it makes me cry. Sexy tears. It’s just so Oliver. He doesn’t deserve the girl but he can keep her coming back with his body. UNFFFF. 

If you could describe each of the characters of the Serve series with only one word which word would it be? 

Oh my GOD. This is tough. 

Oliver: Hidden 
Eliza: Starved 
Jonah: Enigmatic 
Caroline: Loyal 

Do you have a favorite part from Owned by Fate and Exposed by Fate? 

I’m sure I have favorite parts in both books. When Jonah meets his daughter for the first time in OWNED BY FATE. That was a great moment to write. In EXPOSED BY FATE, I think my favorite scene is a toss-up between Eliza kissing Oliver on the dance floor at the gala. OR when she’s juggling on his kitchen floor while doing the splits :) 

*Ahem* The split will never be the same after reading Exposed by Fate ... lol!!! 

If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your books, who would play your characters? 

OH MANNN. These are such good questions. Good thing I’m prepared! Wait. Can I bring people back from the dead? 

Jonah

A young Marlon Brando, circa On the Waterfront. 

Caroline

Elizabeth Olson (the other Olson sister). 

Oliver

For sure, Chris Pine with darker hair/slightly taller. 

Eliza

Carey Mulligan. 

Great picks!

If any of the Line of Duty characters would meet your Serve characters, who would you think would get along the best and why? 

Haha! I think Daniel Chase and Oliver Preston would definitely size each other up, ex-playboy vs. ex-playboy. Eliza and Story would probably get along well, too, being that they’re both fun-loving, but strong when it’s required. In some ways, I think Jonah was similar to Derek Tyler, actually. Strong, silent type. I’d love to get them all in a room together! 

OMG!!! That would be awesome!!!! Dirty Talkers reunion!!!! Eeeeep!!!

In Exposed by Fate we meet Frankie De Luca the heroine of the next installment of the Serve series. Can you tell us a little about her book? 

All I can say is, hold on to your hats for this one. I’m almost done writing it and – hands down – the sex is the most explosive and daring I’ve ever written. This is a serious case of opposites attract. Controlling Brit meets irreverent tomboy. Something about these two together just works so well – I’d go as far to say the dialogue is just as good as the sex. I hope, anyway! Frankie is edging her way in as one of my fave heroines :)

We are so excited for Driven by Fate!!!!

We can’t let you go before we celebrate your sexy new series.... 

Let’s pretend for a moment that you are sitting at the bar of Club Serve. The barman brings you a Red lollipop-garnished Martini and a shot of Ouzo. Which one do you accept and why?? 

This is the hardest question yet. Is BOTH an option?? LOL. I would probably slam back the shot of ouzo and chase it with the martini. I’ve just outed myself as a lush! 

Both is an option! I think we would have done the same thing!!!! Teehee! ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by Tessa! We can't wait to see what's next! 

Thank you so much for having me – I had an awesome time. Great questions! xoxo 

About the Author

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. 

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. 

She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband of seven years and three-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

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Book Review : Owned by Fate (A Serve Novel) by Tessa Bailey

Owned by Fate
A Serve Novel
by Tessa Bailey

Release Date:
Sept. 29th, 2014

Publisher:
Entangled Publishing

Source:
Publisher

Add to Goodreads

eARC received for honest review

Synopsis:

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint... 

Her mind rejects his world. But her body knows its master. Journalist Caroline Preston arrives at Serve, New York City’s hottest BDSM club, with one goal—to hate it. If her brother wasn’t trying to turn the family’s respectable financial magazine into a publication that features “lifestyle” pieces for the wealthy and adventurous, she wouldn’t even be there, trying to write an article about a world she doesn’t understand. But then she sees him. 

Jonah Briggs doesn’t leave his post for just anyone. As the owner of the club, his sole purpose is to ensure that his clientele get everything they need, but when he sees Caroline, his only thought is what he wants—to dominate the sexy little reporter and give the most exquisite pleasure she’s ever experienced. 

Caroline has no intention of entering that particular lion’s den—not with her family’s reputation at stake—no matter how dark, sexy, and complex the lion in question may be. But with every encounter, she craves more, and with every slide of his lips, she realizes Jonah might just be the man to break down all her defenses…if she’ll let him.

Purchase:

Amazon|B&N|Kobo

Review

When I start reading a new Tessa Bailey book I always have the same reactions ...

Reaction #1 ----> I find out that a new Tessa Bailey book is coming out ...

Reaction #2 ----> I meet Tessa's new heroine and she becomes my new fictional best friend ... lol!!

Reaction #3 ----> I meet Tessa's new dirty talker .... Gahhhhhhh!!!!! *Panties melting*

Reaction #4 ----> Tessa's writing style is deliciously hot and unforgettable! A lot of this is going on while I read her books ... 

Reaction #5 ----> When I read one of her books, my reading escape always ends like this ... 

Tessa Bailey's naughty vault has once again opened. Sweet Pickles!!! What comes out of that naughty vault is always sexy, torrid and memorable!

Owned by Fate, by Tessa Bailey, exceeded of all my expectations! No matter how many times I read her books, I always feel the same emotions every single time! And, I'm not joking around if I tell you that I have read her previous book an embarrassing amount of times. I'm sure the characters are probably whispering '' Her again?!?!'' lol!!! I can't help it!!! I love them to pieces!!!

What do you get when a determined journalist and a sexy dirty talking BDSM club owner meet? An intense and passionate journey where opposites attract, personal boundaries are broken, and sensual cravings are satisfied. When Caroline Preston walks into Serve, the last thing she expected was to meet Jonah Briggs. Every word that comes out of his mouth sets her body on fire and every sensual touch makes her crave more. Will she be able to walk away of club Serve without looking back or will Jonah's promises to fulfill all her fantasies will leave her coming back for more? 

It only took me one chapter to fall in love with Caroline and Jonah. I loved how Caroline reacted to her attraction to Jonah. I don't think that it would have been the same story if she did not fight the attraction that was growing between them. Only somebody like Jonah could make her feel all these different kinds of emotions. These two complete each other to perfection! Jonah knew exactly how to get under her skin and make her step out of her comfort zone. Not only did he awaken her body with unforgettable kisses and his electrifying touch, he also found a way to her heart. He's a dirty talker with a tender and sweet side. Just the way I like them! ;) At at one point of the story my heart twisted and I went into *Swoon attack* mode! God!!! This man would do anything for the woman he loves. 

I have to admit that I haven't read many BDSM related books. The ones that I did read, I really enjoyed. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job at making me fall in love with Jonah's world. It was intriguing, sexy and eye-opening. He's the perfect Dom in my eyes! He knew that Caroline was hesitant about crossing that line and exploring his world. He gave her quite the first experience! He made her feel things that she had never felt before and it took only one night in his arms to have her coming back for more. He never took things to the extreme and that's what I loved about him. 

Overall, Owned by Fate was everything I wanted it to be and more! The next installment will be Oliver (Caroline's brother) and Eliza's (Caroline's BFF) story. These already have a place in my heart. They had me falling for them in Owned by Fate. I can't freakin' wait to read their story!!! Tessa Bailey's books are the reason I love reading so much! The best way I can explain my love for her books is to compare it to my love for Nutella ... Yup! Let me explain ... If there is one thing that leaves me with a smile on my face and happy every single time it's my slice of bread with Nutella ... lol!! It does not matter what kind of bread I use, the glue to this happy sandwich is Nutella. And, Tessa Bailey is like Nutella. She can change the location and characters in her story, but at the end her incredible talent for making me get lost in the story leaves me happy every single time! So ... yeah ... Two things that make me happy in life ... Nutella & Tessa Bailey! lol!!! I highly recommend Owned by Fate and all of her other books. They are PHENOMENAL!!!

Rating

I give, Owned by Fate, by Tessa Bailey 5 scorching, sensual, naughty, all-consuming, red vines stars!

About the Author

Thank you for your interest in my books! I'm Tessa and I live in the crazy, loud, overcrowded borough of Brooklyn, New York. I love it here. This city is a constant source of inspiration, which is why I've decided to set my most recent books in the Line of Duty Series here. 

I moved to New York when I was eighteen, the day after I graduated high school. Threw my suitcase in the back of a Chevrolet Cavalier and drove across the country to find my adventure. I'm still finding it, little by little.

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