An alpha among the wolves of Wall Street, Kennedy Dawson rose to the top of the pack by striking the right contracts at the right times. But there’s one deal that’s been giving him a run for his money—a pact to never again let his assistant, Kate, get under his skin. She may be smart, gorgeous, and sharp as a whip, but she’s definitely off-limits.

Kate Henley isn’t a banker, but she knows a thing or two about risk management—specifically, about managing her attraction to her smolderingly sexy boss. She already fell once, and Kennedy showed no sign of paying a return on her investment. So when Kennedy’s brother starts pursuing her, Kate figures she has the best of both worlds. Jack is charming, rich, very attentive, and the spitting image of his older brother.

It’s also making Kennedy think twice. But to win Kate’s heart, he’ll have to broker the deal of a lifetime…and prove he’s worth the risk.

Buy (Kindle, Print and Audio):

HUGE DEAL: https://laurenlayne.com/books/huge-deal 

HOT ASSET: https://laurenlayne.com/books/hot-asset

HARD SELL: https://laurenlayne.com/books/hard-sell

About LL: @laurenlayneauthor

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in nine languages. Lauren's work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She’s based in New York City.  

„American Psycho“ von Bret Easton Ellis ist einer der weltweit umstrittensten Romane aller Zeiten. In Deutschland erschien das Buch 1991, 1995 setzte es die Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien auf den Index. Über 5 Jahre war es nicht frei erhältlich, bis der Verlag Kiepenheuer & Witsch (KiWi) vor dem Oberverwaltungsgericht gegen die Indizierung klagte und gewann. In Australien und Neuseeland müssen Käufer_innen bis heute mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Ellis erhielt Morddrohungen, wurde massiv angefeindet und musste sich Misogynie und Sadismus unterstellen lassen. 27 Jahre später ist die Aufregung abgeebbt und „American Psycho“ hat seinen Weg in die Popkultur gefunden. Obwohl er ein Geschöpf der 80er Jahre ist, treffen die vom Protagonisten Patrick Bateman verkörperten gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen den modernen Zeitgeist. Bateman ist eine Ikone, ein Halloween-Kostüm. Höchste Zeit, ihn kennenzulernen.

Patrick Bateman verbirgt sein wahres Gesicht nicht. Er hat es nicht nötig, sich zu verstecken. Perfekt in der belanglosen Unpersönlichkeit seiner Existenz eingerichtet frönt er seinen abscheulichen Neigungen, ohne fürchten zu müssen, entdeckt zu werden. Er mordet. Er foltert. Die dünne Fassade, die seinen Wahnsinn von seinem Leben als erfolgreicher Banker an der Wall Street trennt, reicht aus, um sein Umfeld zu täuschen. Geblendet von seinem makellosen Körper, seinem teuren Haarschnitt, seiner vollendeten Garderobe und dekadenten Restaurantbesuchen vermutet niemand, was Pat Bateman in Wahrheit ist: ein Schlächter, ein Psychopath. Niemand ahnt, dass sich mitten unter ihnen ein Monster in der Sicherheit der Anonymität eingegraben hat…

„American Psycho“ ist Bret Easton Ellis‘ Kritik an der kapitalistischen Wertentleerung in den USA der 80er Jahre. Der kontroverse Autor gestand lange nach der Veröffentlichung seines Skandalromans, dass dieser in vielerlei Hinsicht autobiografisch ist. Er lebte in den 80ern selbst in New York und befand sich damals in der paradoxen Situation, Teil einer Gesellschaft sein zu wollen, deren Ideale er ablehnte. Sein Protagonist Patrick Bateman personifiziert die Albtraumvorstellung seiner selbst; er ist eine Figur, mit der er sich identifizieren konnte, obwohl er sie fürchtete. Ich respektiere Ellis‘ gerechtfertigte Missbilligung und die persönliche Note, dank der „American Psycho“ entstand. Dennoch frage ich mich, ob dieses Buch in dieser Form tatsächlich nötig war. Es ist menschenverachtend, brutal, widerlich und wenn es nicht gerade Brechreiz provoziert, langweilt es und liest sich wie besonders dreistes, langatmiges Productplacement. In der unerträglichen Ich-Perspektive des reichen, attraktiven Investmentbankers Pat Bateman quälte ich mich durch seitenlange pedantische Beschreibungen materieller Güter, durch unbedeutende Essen mit austauschbaren Narzissten, durch den Alltag eines Mannes, dessen Dasein völlig von Oberflächlichkeiten bestimmt wird. Eine Handlung im herkömmlichen Sinne war für mich nicht erkennbar. Weder hat „American Psycho“ einen richtigen Anfang, noch ein befriedigendes Ende. Ich zappte auf der ersten Seite in das Leben von Pat Bateman hinein und am Schluss wieder heraus. Dazwischen litt ich sehr unter der leidenschaftslosen Monotonie seiner inkonsequenten, distanzierten Litanei und gerade, als ich dachte, schlimmer könne es nicht mehr werden, begannen die Morde. Natürlich wusste ich, dass Bateman einen Dachschaden hat. Die angespannte Aura aggressiven Wahnsinns, die ihn umgibt, war nicht zu ignorieren. Aber was ich seinetwegen zu erleben gezwungen war, werde ich ihm niemals verzeihen. Pat Bateman ist mehr als ein psychopathischer Serienmörder. Er ist ein abscheuliches Monster. Die Mord- und Folterszenen in „American Psycho“ sind das Furchtbarste, das ich jemals lesen musste. Ich wünschte, ich könnte sie aus meinem Gedächtnis löschen. Mich erschütterte nicht nur die kreative Grausamkeit des Protagonisten, mich verstörte auch Bret Easton Ellis‘ Inszenierung der gewalttätigen Abschnitte. Der Autor arbeitete mit sehr harten Kontrasten, sodass das Buch ständig zwischen einlullenden Belanglosigkeiten und explosiven Gräueltaten schwankt. Batemans Gewaltpotential durchläuft dabei eine alarmierende Abwärtsspirale, seine Verbrechen werden von Mal zu Mal dreister, intensiver und abstoßender. Es wirkte, als wollte Ellis den größtmöglichen Effekt erzielen und auch noch die letzten Leser_innen aus ihren Komfortzonen katapultieren. Er musste immer noch einen draufsetzen. Neben diesen plastischen und plakativen Schilderungen spielte es für mich beinahe keine Rolle, dass sein Protagonist ein sehr komplexer, widersprüchlicher Charakter ist, der all das symbolisiert, was in unserer Gesellschaft schiefläuft. Ich verstehe, was er darstellt. Ich begreife, dass Ellis zunehmende Anonymität, Isolation, Konsumorientierung, Maßlosigkeit und Gleichgültigkeit anprangert. Ich erkenne seine Absicht. Doch wer solche Mittel verwendet, muss sich nicht wundern, wenn die Botschaft negativ überstrahlt wird.

„American Psycho“ entzieht sich einem einfachen Urteil. Es ist ein Buch, das sich schwer in Worte fassen lässt. Ich weiß, dass es als moderner Klassiker gilt und kann nachvollziehen, dass Bret Easton Ellis‘ Kritik noch heute Resonanz erzeugt. Meiner Meinung nach ist der kritische Aspekt jedoch zu schwach, um die krassen Extreme zu rechtfertigen, auf die der Autor zurückgreift und das Buch als lesenswert auszuzeichnen. Ich bin nicht gewillt, eine Empfehlung auszusprechen. Ob ihr euch diese Gewaltorgie geben wollt, müsst ihr selbst entscheiden. Vielleicht wäre „Fight Club“ von Chuck Palahniuk die bessere Wahl: thematisch ähnlich, aber harmloser und bekömmlicher.
Ich werde meine Erinnerungen an „American Psycho“ jetzt jedenfalls in einer tiefen, dunklen Ecke meines Hirns wegschließen. Ich möchte nicht länger daran denken.

Hard Sell

21 Wall Street

By: Lauren Layne

Releasing Sept 4th, 2018
Montlake

Blurb:

He’s a Wall Street wolf. She’s been hired to tame him. From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne comes a wildly sexy novel of business and pleasure.

Twenty-eight and filthy rich, Matt Cannon is the youngest broker on Wall Street. He may be a “boy wonder,” but he’s every inch a man. Ask any woman—any night. But when Matt’s latest fling makes scandalous headlines, his clients get anxious, and his bosses at Wolfe Investments level an ultimatum: keep his assets zipped, get a “real” girlfriend, and clean up his act. Only one woman can help Matt with something this hard.

For PR genius Sabrina Cross, the best fixer in Manhattan, playing Matt’s steady is going to be a challenge, even if it’s just for show. They already have an explosive history, she can’t stand the cocky party boy, and worse—she can’t stop thinking about him. So who’ll dare to break her “no touching” rule first? Because when that happens, Matt and Sabrina’s game of let’s pretend will get so hot it could set both their reputations on fire.

“Layne can always be counted on to create an engaging, steamy, and thoroughly rewarding reading experience.” —RT Book Reviews

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32978572-hard-sell

Buy Links:

KINDLE: https://amzn.to/2PnfWdV

PAPERBACK:  https://amzn.to/2C2Uedr

AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/2PQCS6k

MP3 CD: https://amzn.to/2C1RvAV

I narrow my eyes, because there’s something just beyond the usual stubborn determinedness in her eyes. Something . . .

She starts to move away, and I grab her arm as I realize what that something is. “You’re scared.”

Sabrina scoffs. “Of what?”

I have no idea, but I do know her well enough to know what’ll spur her into action—the action I want.

I lean forward slightly. “You’re terrified that you can’t do it. That you can’t pretend we’re a couple without wanting it for real.”

This time I get a snort. “Reverse psychology? Really?”

I give her a slow, taunting smile. “Prove it. Prove that you’re not completely terrified you’ll fall in love with me.”

“Oh my God,” she says on a laugh, tugging her arm free. “That’s so not going to work on me.”

I shrug, letting my expression go deliberately skeptical as I sip my drink.

The silence stretches on, and she lets out an indignant huff. “You’re not that irresistible, you know. This whole I can’t break the little lady’s heart routine is a bit nauseating.”

I ignore this and go to her fridge, even though I’m not hungry. “Got anything to eat?”

Exactly as I expect, Sabrina stomps toward me, slaps her palm against the fridge door, and glares up at me. “You’re the last person I’d ever fall in love with.”

“Have you ever been in love?” I ask, a little curious.

“Of course not,” she says.

“You don’t believe in it?”

She bites her lip, as though unsure of her response. “Not lasting romantic love like you see in the movies, no.”

“Excellent.”

“Why is that excellent?”

“Because it means there should be no problem with you posing as my girlfriend.”

She laughs a little and rests the side of her head against the fridge. “You’re relentless.”

“And you’re stubborn. Seriously, though . . . What are you so afraid of?” I ask it quietly.

For a moment, her expression’s unreadable. Then she gives a slow smile and leans in slightly. “You know, for someone so decidedly antirelationship, you’re pretty obsessed with the idea of my falling for you.”

She’s clearly not going to answer my question, and I shove aside my disappointment. Figuring out what the hell makes Sabrina tick was never going to be easy. I’ve always known that.

“What can I say, the apocalypse fascinates me.” I lean a shoulder against the fridge, mirroring her posture.

“At least you acknowledge that it’ll be the end of the world before I feel anything other than tolerant loathing for you.”

“Or I you,” I say, lifting my glass in a toast.

She clinks her glass to mine, even as she frowns, a tiny line appearing between her dark eyebrows. “You really think I can’t do it? Spend a month as your companion without falling all over myself?”

I push away from the refrigerator and go to the counter, setting aside my drink. “Doesn’t matter what I think.”

She follows me, fingers wrapping around my wrist. “Could you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Spend an entire month in my company without falling for my charms.” She says it mockingly, but the question is clearly a challenge.

I’ve never been good at backing down from a challenge, and one issued by her? Forget it.

“I think I’d manage.”

“You know,” she says, studying my face, “you’ve got me thinking.”

“Dangerous,” I mutter.

“Perhaps this could be good for us.”

My heart tightens in my chest as I realize that she’s actually considering going along with my plan. “Yeah?”

Sabrina nods. “This weird thing between us . . . the fact that we can’t coexist without tearing each other down or tearing off each other’s clothes—”

“For the record, I’m always a fan of the last one.”

Hard Sell by Lauren Layne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book #2, in the 21 Wall Street series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment, and to avoid spoiler, I recommend reading this series in order.

Matt is good at his job. He also good at playing in his down time. The only real woman he is interested lately is Samantha. Now he needs her help or he could lose everything.

Samantha wants Matt. All the time. She hates that she does, but cannot turn it off. The sparks between them are strong. If she agreed to help him, can they build the trust that can bring the joy of a future as well?

This author never ever disappoints. This story has the heart, heat, and suspense to make you turn each page eagerly. I know I did. I loved the banter and sexy times that this couple could not resist. They are so drawn to one another that their future just seems inevitable. I am excited to see the next book in this incredible series.


***This ARC copy was provided in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Author Info:

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in eight languages. Lauren's work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Author Links:   

Website:  http://www.laurenlayne.com/

GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6969772.Lauren_Layne

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laurenlayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauren-layne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LLayneAuthor/

Lauren Layne Library: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/

This is book #2, in the 21 Wall Street series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For reader enjoyment, and to avoid spoiler, I recommend reading this series in order.

Matt is good at his job.  He also good at playing in his down time.  The only real woman he is interested lately is Samantha.  Now he needs her help or he could lose everything.

Samantha wants Matt.  All the time.  She hates that she does, but cannot turn it off.  The sparks between them are strong.  If she agreed to help him, can they build the trust that can bring the joy of a future as well?

This author never ever disappoints.  This story has the heart, heat, and suspense to make you turn each page eagerly.  I know I did.  I loved the banter and sexy times that this couple could not resist.  They are so drawn to one another that their future just seems inevitable.  I am excited to see the next book in this incredible series.  I give this book a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This ARC copy was provided in return for an honest review.

I was not sure what to expect with a Ponzi Wall Street money scheme story.    This is not my normal reading material, usually, I would pass on it but since Randy Susan Meyers wrote the book and I am a fan of hers I gave it a try and love it.    I was in a reading funk and it got me right out of it.   I devoured each page, couldn’t stop reading and felt connected to the characters.     I needed Phoebe to stand up for herself and do what was right for her.   The children were a small part of the story but I love that they were strong, smart, and willing to protect themselves.   I wanted Jake to realize he messed up and admit it.  

Randy Susan Meyers takes the young love of two 15-year-olds and shows how it can grow stronger as they marry, have kids, and grow old together.     Phoebe and Jake wanted it all from a young age.   They wanted true love, successful careers, amazing kids, and a life together.   While they got it all there was also secrets, darkness, and trouble in their relationship.    

This is a love story, the story of a man wanting to have it all and share it all with his family.   But it is also a look at the trouble that money can cause.   Once Jake got a taste of money he just wanted more and more.   He was always thinking he’d catch up, have enough, be happy enough but it just never happen and he got caught.    Jake was portrayed as a guy who didn’t start out to be shady, he wanted to be successful and provide for his family and then it just snowballed on him.    Yet, he never admitted he was wrong.    He never accepted that he messed up and because of that he never let his wife go.   He expected her to stand by him and to go down with him.   

Phoebe was wonderful.   She stood by her man, took the brunt of the world outside of prison, and stayed strong.    I want to believe that was love but I really think it was because she didn’t know who she was without Jake.     She was always Jake’s girlfriend or Jake’s wife.      She didn’t know how to be Phoebe.  I enjoyed seeing her becoming strong, becoming self-sufficient and figuring out how to be without the man who gave her everything.  

The Wall Street Widow is a story about money, greed, love, betrayal and so much more.    I loved the entire story from beginning to end.    Pick up your copy immediately.