This story is about Mazzy and her twin Suzie who live in the small town of Old Town, N.J. They have had jobs since they were 16 and currently work as bartenders at a resort for the wealthy. Their dream is to open their own breakfast restaurant but know they may be retirement age before they save enough for it. That changes when Mazzy meets Drew, who is running for governor, at a resort event she is working at.

Drew's numbers are slipping in the poles because he is single so to get voters support Drew offers Mazzy a business proposition to be his fake fiancee until the election is over. Since he is willing to pay her $100,000 Mazzy can't pass up the chance to get the money for the restaurant and agrees to his plan.

Mazzy moves into Drew's parent's summer house with him and meets Drew's brother, Austin. Austin is the black sheep of the family and is only there because he was summoned to give the appearance of a united family while Drew is campaigning.

This fun story gets complicated when sparks fly between Mazzy and Austin. They can't keep their handle off each other but try because they don't want anyone know how they feel.

The big question is why does gorgeous Drew, who was voted the Most Eligible Bachelor, need a fake fiancee? You will want to read this book and find out Drew's secret. Trust me. You really will want to read it.

The characters are terrific in this book. Mazzy and Suzie were quite naive but driven by their goal of opening their own restaurant. Drew was an interesting character but I felt sorry for him because he was trying to live up to his parent's expectations and not always doing what he wanted. Austin tried to make himself and others believe he didn't care (about anything) but that changed when he met Mazzy. She saw that he was a kind and caring person and brought out the best in him. Drew's mother was a witch. One of those characters you love to hate. She only cared about appearances for political reasons.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to romance readers.

Please note I received a complementary copy of Another Mazzy Monday in exchange for my honest review.

by Dakota Madison (@karenmbryson) 

“There’s no such thing as perfect. We're two damaged people, but when we're together I think we make each other a lot less flawed. Somehow our broken pieces seem to be coming back together again.” ~ Roxie

So, the premise of this book is amazing. I read the blurb and a little excerpt and I was hooked. It has everything I could ever want in a thriller, and the fact that it has that NA feeling didn't bother me at all, even though I don’t like nor read NA.
We are introduced to two main characters and the story is told through each of their POVs. That is something I’m not used to nor I appreciate much on books I enjoy but the plot and story was so well developed that it didn't take anything away from this one. Roxie Bailey has a past that she'd rather keep hidden from the world and feels that the best way to do so is to keep to herself as much as possible. Alexander Grant has suffered a great ordeal and not only has decided to alienate from everyone but also take justice into his own hands.


“I was burned very badly in a fire. I like to keep my scars covered. “
“Everyone has scars,” Luci says. “You just wear yours on the outside. And I will be too.”


The beauty of these two characters is that they are so emotionally (if not physically) scarred that you can't help but feel sympathetic for each of them from the start, even for Alexander who tended to be a bit cold-hearted at the beginning. And even though they are young they don’t come across as foolish or immature. Their relationship has a much deeper meaning and is more truthful than I've seen in many other romantic stories, and although is not a long novel, their love connection does not feel rushed.


“’We’re together’ […]
The two words are simple, but when Alexander says them they seem to hold so much meaning. Not just that we're a couple, but god help the person who tries to come between us, or hurt me.” ~ Roxie


The second characters add a lot of depth to the story. And, of course the thriller itself is superb. What brings Alexander and Roxie together is not roses and poems, but a serious, horrible, damaging situation that will change their lives forever more. Rape, violence, threats, terrorism, and even death, all become part of this story that had me biting my nails and wanting to punch somebody and sometimes even at the brink of tears! Does the end justify the means? Can you be both judge and jury? Is friendship and love truly enough to keep going after life has thrown you that horrible blow and that curveball that you just were not able to avoid? Those are questions that will pop in your mind as you read The Nines.
Truthfully, this would have earned 5 shining stars in my book, however the fact that it was written in present tense was a bit distracting for me and in the end it did affect how much I enjoy it.


Other favorite quotes:

“But I'll take what I can get, whatever you're willing to give me. I'll take leftovers, scraps, whatever. I’m yours. But I don’t expect you to be mine. It was ridiculous to even suggest.” ~ Alexander

“You deserve to have all of me. You don’t have to settle for anything less.” ~ Roxie


*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review ***

Book Description: 

At a prestigious university members of a secret fraternity known for gang rapes believe they can get away with murder...only THE NINES can stop them.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison and Sierra Avalon team up to bring readers a new breed of antiheroes...THE NINES.

At a prestigious university members of a secret fraternity known for gang rapes believe they can get away with murder...only THE NINES can stop them.

Vengeance is mine not the Lord's. It's what I breathe for. It's what I'm still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It's been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I'm not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don't want to get their hands dirty or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don't have any reason to worry. I'm meticulous, so I'll never get caught. Just one thing stands in my way: The mysterious young woman without a past who desperately wants to be part of my future. I just need to figure out why... 


THE NINES is an ongoing romantic suspense series. Each book can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as PART OF THE SERIES. 


Due to mature LANGUAGE and CONTENT, THE NINES is recommended for adult readers. 

UPCOMING BOOKS in the THE NINES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE series: 
Blood Sings (Hector's Story) 
Brooklyn Justice (Julio's Story) 
Bite Hard (Ash's Story) 
Big Empty (Ivan's Story)

Book – The Nines

Author – Dakota Madison & Sierra Avalon
Publication Date – April 13, 2015
Genre – Thriller/Suspense Romance

Type – Stand Alone Series
Cliffhanger - No
Rating – 3.75 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison and Sierra Avalon team up to bring readers a new breed of antiheroes…THE NINES.

Vengeance is mine not the Lord’s. It’s what I breathe for. It’s what I’m still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It’s been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I’m not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don’t want to get their hands dirty or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don’t have any reason to worry. I’m meticulous, so I’ll never get caught. Just one thing stands in my way: The mysterious young woman without a past who desperately wants to be part of my future. I just need to figure out why…

THE NINES is an ongoing romantic suspense series. Each book can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as PART OF THE SERIES. 

My Thoughts - Story
This is the first book I have read from this author and I have to say that this book was so fast paced, I was able to complete it in no time. So much was going on from the minute you read the first page until the last.

I did have a bit of a problem connecting with the characters until further in the story but it didn’t take away from the plot and the outcome.

Definitely a series I will continue to read!

Re-Cap
Is it fate that brings Roxie and the masked man together?

Is it a way to let go of the past and make a future together?

Roxie is the sister of a high school bomber and she runs away to college, changes her name and tries to put her past behind her. Until a mysterious man who wears a mask gains her curiosity. What is his connection to her brother and the bombing?

Along with this, there are a slew of murders and rapes going on around campus and Roxie’s roommate is one of them.

They race against time trying to find a way to bring justice to the hurt girls.

 
Reason for Reading – Blog Tour

Story Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

Steam Rating – 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Angst Rating – 4.25 out of 5 Stars

Writing Rating – 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Content Flow Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

Would Read More from Author? Yes

Recommend To – Anyone who loves a great suspense --- need to know what’s gonna happen next.

Would you spend ten days traveling the country with someone you despised if he promised to pay off your student loans?

Recent college graduate, Harper Leigh, can barely make ends meet working as the books editor for a new online entertainment magazine, Chatter. With $85,000 of student loan debt about to go into repayment, she has no idea how she’ll get by.

Just when she thinks things couldn't get worse, Harper’s boss decides to embed her in the North American tour for the hot rock band, Always Rayne. Ten days on the road with the band for her to get an exclusive story. But Harper’s a homebody and the last thing she wants to do is go on the road with a rock band. And she definitely doesn't want to spend ten days with the notorious bad boy and band front man, Nic Rayne.

When Nic proves to be too much for Harper to handle and she threatens to quit the assignment, Nic decides to sweeten the pot. If she stays with the tour for all ten days, he’ll pay off all of her student loan debt….but there’s one small catch.

Harper also has to sleep in his bed every night.

“The guy reads lines in front of a camera and sings in a band. It’s not like he’s written a word that he recites or sings. He’s a pretty face with limited talent and not much going on upstairs, apparently.”

Book editor, Harper Leigh, can barely make enough money to pay off her college loans. She catches the eye of singer/actor Nic Rayne and is given an offer; she's not sure she can refuse.

I was sucked into Always Rayne the moment I read the blurb. I would suggest reading it. Heck skip the blurb and go straight to the book.

There are similar stories out in the marketplace but Always Rayne is exceptionally well done. There are interesting situations in the plot, and the characters are well-developed and likeable.

Harper is smart and not very out-going. She is so out of her element; it makes the story all the more interesting. I love that she is fashion challenged. The description of her wardrobe choices cracked me up.

Nic is fascinating. He has the bad-boy image that everybody believes is the real him, especially Harper. The more you find out about him, the more captivating he becomes.

I’m excited that there are two more books in the series telling the rest of the band mates and Harper’s best friend’s stories. They are all so likeable. I can’t wait to read their tales.

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.