SULTRY SPRING SATURDAYS: LOCKED and LOCKOUT (THE ALPHA GROUP #1-2) by MAYA CROSS

"Spring is here, and pollen is in the air. While you're sneezing your way towards Summer, pop those Claritin and lose yourself in a Sultry Spring Read."

Sexy Saturdays is a weekly post we started to challenge ourselves to read more steamy books and have a lot of fun. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews
Insightful Minds Reviews
My Secret Romance
Globug and Hootie Need a Book


**The books featured on SULTRY SPRING SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **





Series: The Alpha Group #1

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Maya Cross

Publication Date: 3/25/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 120
Source: Received from author for review

Who is Sebastian Lock?

The bar Sophia Pearce is in doesn’t look like much. The wine is bad and the decor worse. But when a sudden attack of curiosity leads her to sneak past security and into the back room, she discovers something unimaginable. The most lavish party she’s ever laid eyes on, in the most unlikely of places.

But that’s nothing compared to what comes next, to the man she meets back there. Sebastian Lock. Gorgeous, commanding, and radiating charm, he is exactly the sort of silver-tongued rake Sophia has sworn to avoid. Unfortunately, he doesn’t care much for her promises.

Every instinct tells her to run, but the chemistry between them is as inescapable as gravity. Soon, he’s opening her eyes to a whole new world of pleasures, pleasures she never thought she’d enjoy.

There’s just one problem. Sebastian is more than he seems. Between the famous company he keeps and the almost paranoid secrecy of his employers, he’s a puzzle Sophia can’t quite solve, and his insistence on keeping things casual forces her to confront the demons of her past.

Can she learn to trust again? Or will Sebastian’s privacy tear them apart?

Contains light BDSM, including spanking, restraint, and anal play

Note: This book is the first part of a trilogy that is designed to be read together, much like The Blackstone Affair. Sebastian and Sophia will get their happily ever after, but not until the last book.

Lockout: The Alpha Group Book Two - Due May 2013
Unlocked: The Alpha Group Book Three - Due June/July 2013

I am a lover of erotic romance (obviously) and a fan of novella series, so both those facts made Locked a great read for me, and one I have been anxious to get to since I received it.

I found Locked to be a very well-written and interesting story. It is told by Sophie, and she is a great narrator. She's a fun, witty, and passionate woman, and I loved getting this story through her perspective. Sophie just seemed to be level-headed and I loved that she is passionate without being melodramatic. I loved that she thought the situation through, without overthinking it, and simply went for what she wanted: Sebastian Lock.

Sebastian Lock hit all the prerequisites for the much beloved Alpha: gorgeous, compelling, seductive, mysterious dominant, but he never veered into the jerk territory. Thankfully. He was so charismatic that Sophie never really stood a chance in resisting him. I didn't either. I think there is definitely more to Sebastian than we yet know, and I can't wait for him to reveal himself.

Locked really takes off when Sophie becomes involved in Sebastian life and I loved the development of Sebastian and Sophie's relationship. Their acquaintance begins in a fun and sexy manner, progresses to hilariously awkward, and the steams up to a scorching hot level. Talk about SEXY! *shivers* I'm not ashamed to say that I wouldn't mind imbibing in what Sebastian Lock offers.

Locked is a very quick read and an intriguing opening to this series. It does end on a surprising and admittedly upsetting note, but I'm holding out hope that things are not what they seem. Luckily the next story, Lockout, comes out very soon.


Favorite Quote:


  The fire that had been lit inside me wouldn't just disappear. As frightening as the thought of presenting myself for him -- exposed, blind and helpless -- was, the alternative was even more so. For better or for worse, I had to know.  ~eARC, 86%
 

 

 

Series: The Alpha Group #2

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Maya Cross

Publication Date: (late)5/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 150
Source: Received from author for review

 

 

This is not a standalone story. It is the sequel to Locked, which should be read first. Locked is currently available for just .99.

 

 

Who is Sebastian Lock?

Sophia had never felt attraction like that before. Raw. Electric. Irresistible. Swept off her feet by the dashing, enigmatic billionaire Sebastian Lock, she was taken on a journey of self-discovery, taken to places she never dreamed she’d go.

But things are never as simple as they appear. Sophia’s trust is a fragile thing, and Sebastian seems insistent on testing it. He has his own demons to battle, and nobody has brought them to the fore like she has.

As their relationship deepens, and Sophia begins to break down his walls, all that greets her are more questions. Why is Sebastian fighting so hard to keep her at a distance? Who is the girl on the background of his phone? And why does the strange tattoo on his chest seem so familiar?

These puzzles plague her, but as Sebastian’s mysteries begin to unravel, she must face an entirely different truth. Staying in the dark may be painful, but finding the answers could be deadly.

 

Well, well, well.... I had the opportunity to read Lockout the very day the author sent it to me, and I am SO HAPPY that I did! I really enjoyed Locked, but I have to say that I loved Lockout.

Locked did a really good job of setting up the characters and the story, and in the end, we were left wondering what would become of Sebastian and Sophia's relationship. I loved to see the progression unfold, from casual lovers to more involved romantic counterparts. In Lockout, through Sophia's eyes, we begin to learn more about Sebastian, and what made him into the reserved and in control man that Sophie has begun to care for. And even thought we get to know Sebastian better, more questions begin to arise: Who does Sebastian work for? What do they do? Will he ever let Sophia fully into his life? Lockout turns the series from an erotic romance to an erotic romantic suspense, upping the drama dramatically.

Locked was steamy, but Lockout took that to a whole new level. Sebastian and Sophie's physical relationship was so freaking hot! I loved that these two could not resist one another, and that they were both willing and able to take care of business anytime, anywhere. There was also something really interesting I found about Sebastian's dominant stance in the relationship, in which expresses that yes he is a dominant lover, but that dominance doesn't always necessarily mean bondage and "punishment". I'd never really considered this position, and I'm glad the author brought that into Sebastian and Sophia's discussion. But honestly, the scenes between these two were so hot, with a nice dash of kinkiness thrown in.

Remember how I said that Lockout turns into a suspense? Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events, and it truly amped up the drama and intensity of the story. I will say, the story ends on a cliffhanger, but it's a doozy. Luckily, the third and final installment will be out in July. If you're looking for a smart and thrilling erotic romance, the Alpha Group series should hit the spot!


Favorite Quote:

  "Fuck, you don't know how difficult it was for me to get through those discussions earlier."
  "Oh?" I asked, trying to sound innocent.
  "All I could think about was that I had your panties in my pocket." His hand slid down my stomach, coming to rest provocatively close to my crotch. "You're naked under here for me now."  ~eARC, 45%


  "What's so funny?" he asked.
  "Nothing, I just didn't take you for much of a cook."
  A look of mock offense crossed his face. "And why would you think that?"
  "I don't know. I just assumed you'd have somebody do it for you."
  "Because money means you never do anything for yourself?"
  "I didn't say that! It's just an amusing image. The millionaire dom who liked to cook. It's like a bad erotic book title."
  He grinned. "Even us sadists have to eat."  ~eARC, 61%

 

Purchase Locked at:

Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |  Barnes & Noble  |   Kobo

About the author

Maya Cross is a writer who enjoys making people blush. Growing up with a mother who worked in a book store, she read a lot from a very young age, and soon enough picked up a pen of her own. Her previous work spans many genres including horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and she has now started this pen name as an outlet for her spicier thoughts (they were starting to overflow). She likes her heroes strong but mysterious, her encounters sizzling, and her characters true to life.

She believes in writing familiar narratives told with a twist, so most of her stories will feel comfortable, but hopefully a little unique. Whatever genre she's writing, finding a fascinating concept is the first, and most important step.

The Alpha Group is her first attempt at erotic romance.

When she's not writing, she's playing tennis, trawling her home town of Sydney for new inspiration, and drinking too much coffee.

She loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to follow her on any of her social media channels. And don't forget to check out her website. You can sign up to her mailing list there, to hear about new releases and any promotional sales she might be running.

Connect with Maya at:
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