After Hours Series by Elle Kennedy + Giveaway

Three nights. Three gorgeous men. Three sexy books that will take your breath away. 

WARNING: Drowsiness might occur due to the lengthy post that follows. Revert sight back to sexy book covers for instant revival. If symptoms persist, revert to aforementioned images again. Thank you.

After Hours series

by Elle Kennedy

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen Imprint)

One Night of Sin (After Hours #1)
by Elle Kennedy
Date Published: August 4th, 2014

ADD TO GOODREADS

Sometimes it’s good to be bad…

When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.

Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again. 

As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skylar’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

READ AN EXCERPT

He rummaged in his pocket for his e-cigarette, lifted his head—and froze.

His blue-eyed angel sat eight feet away. Slender body up on the wooden crate next to the staff door, chestnut-brown hair falling over one shoulder, dress riding up her thighs to reveal long, silky legs.

He sucked in a breath. Lord, she was even more appealing up close. Not beautiful in the Hollywood sense, but intriguingly attractive in a very real way. The enormous blue eyes were her best feature, and her mouth was just pouty enough to conjure up the image of plump lips wrapped around his dick.

Gage cleared his throat. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice, head swiveling and gaze flying to his. She instantly hopped off the crate, smoothing out the front of her dress as a frown creased her lips. “Why not?”

“A pretty girl all alone in an alley at midnight—I don’t think it needs much more explanation than that.” He inhaled a quick drag of the e-cigarette. The mint-flavored vapor was no substitute for a real smoke, and he wasn’t sure why he even bothered with it.

“I just needed some air.” Her voice was huskier than he’d imagined it would be. Sexier. “I’ll go back inside soon.”

Wait—she’d only come outside for air? And her date had been asking about prostitutes in her absence? Wow. Real stand-up guy.

“It’s so crowded in there,” she added.

“Nightclubs usually are,” he said dryly.

“Yeah, I guess they are. I’m not much of a clubber, but Mick wouldn’t take no for an answer. He said I haven’t lived until I’ve gone to Sin.” A sigh slipped out. “It’s our first date…”

Gage waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, he filled in the rest. “And you’re not at all into him.”

“Why do you say that?”

His gaze slid back to hers, slow and purposeful. “Because if you were, you wouldn’t have been eye-fucking me all night.”

Her breath hitched, cheeks growing the most appealing shade of pink.

He had to laugh. “Am I wrong?”

The denial he’d expected didn’t come. “No, you’re not wrong.”

MY REVIEW

(Reviewed: August 4th, 2014)

IT'S ANOTHER BRAZEN!!! And because I am a Brazen addict, I sure had high hopes for this book, even if it's just a novella. It's been on my "To Read" list for quite some time, and thanks to the gracious publishers, I now have an ARC of it!

One Night of Sin is a short romance... but it will surely leave you squirming! This is the first of an upcoming series called "After Hours", and it's got a subtle sexiness to the title. Like, what does happen "after hours"? 

Adorable and sweet Skyler Thompson is ready to get some smokin' hot sugar lovin' when she sets her eyes on Gage Holt, the hunk of pure deliciousness at the bar. The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew she was ready to get down and dirty with this sex god, even though she wasn't the type of girl to. There's just something about Gage that got her thinking dirty. Gage is the kind of guy that can definitely make them good girls go bad. Now when will we ever find a guy that will make us feel the same way, huh?

But Gage... he's got his secrets and his demons, and he doesn't want to drag anyone else in. But after a sizzling hot encounter with Skyler, he can't deny that he wants more of her. But he's terrified he'll break her any minute.

Skyler is such a lovable character. She's the typical girl next door sweetheart that everyone will surely love. A little too much of a goody two-shoes, but for Gage, oh only for Gage, she's sooo ready to be bad.

Gage may be secretive and broody, but guess what? He's a family man. He's always on the lookout for everybody's safety, probably because he guards as a bouncer in his own bar. He's protective and always true to his word.

Skyler and Gage are definitely two contradicting characters and they bring out the best and worst of each other respectively. Opposites do attract and they're like a hot time bomb ready to explode of extreme sexual tension. She's a bright ray of sunshine to Gage's dark, broody stature. But when they stumble in bed, oh damn, they both turn into animal freaks, they're bound to be marked by tons of bruises and hickeys. Hah!

But let me tell you... Even if this is a Brazen and a sizzling hot novella, this book also has its right amount of drama going on. It's not just the boom-badabing-boom-bam-wham sex all day, every day. (But I sure won't mind that. Teehee) Gage's past and life makes up for a good storyline, bringing about a story of trust and promises, whether within the relationship or the family.

I can't wait for the next book of the series to come out, I'm really excited!!!

****

One Night of Scandal (After Hours #2)

by Elle Kennedy

Date Published: September 8th, 2014

ADD TO GOODREADS

The wrong man never felt so right...

Ex-fighter Reed Miller has been secretly lusting over his best friend’s girl for months, but he refuses to jeopardize a friendship over a woman—especially one who doesn’t like him all that much. Now that Darcy’s on the market again, it’s even more imperative to stick to his strict hands-off policy. But the sizzling attraction between them is too powerful to ignore, and once he’s had a taste of her…all bets are off.

Darcy Grant is tired of walking the straight and narrow path. She’s on the hunt for passion, and there’s no denying Reed is just the man to give it to her. Although she has no interest in dating a bad boy, and certainly not her ex’s best friend, it’s impossible not to melt beneath Reed’s skillful touch. Now it’s just a matter of setting a few ground rules—and hoping her rule-breaking, sweet-talking bad boy agrees to follow them. But if she lets Reed into her bed, does she stand a chance of keeping him out of her heart?

READ AN EXCERPT

“Last night you said that you have to act like a jerk towards me because it’s the only way for you to…” She eyed him sternly. “Finish that sentence, Reed. To what?”

Reluctance dug a deep groove into his forehead. “It’s nothing. Forget I ever said it.”

“I can’t forget. It’s been bugging me all day. I need to know what you meant by that.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Sounding frustrated, he gently uncurled her fingers from his arm. “Nothing good can come out of this conversation, baby.”

Darcy frowned. “Don’t baby me. And PS? I never took you for a coward. You’ve always struck me as a man who says exactly what’s on his mind.”

Something hot and dangerous moved through his eyes. “Why are you pushing this?”

“Because I’m curious.”

“Curious? No, I don’t think that’s it.” His voice was silky now, deep and mocking. He eased closer, his arm brushing hers as he shifted so they were facing each other. “This is more than curiosity. 

You’re blushing. You know what that tells me?”

Her breathing went shallow. “What?”

“It tells me you know exactly what I meant last night.”

“I…” Her next words were barely over a whisper. “I need to hear you say it.”

Her body grew tight and achy as she searched his face, waiting for an answer. God, why was she pushing him? He was right, nothing good could come of this. Nothing good at all.

“Don’t do this.” A warning note crept into his husky voice. “Don’t make me say it.”

Darcy’s heart was no longer beating at double time. It had skipped right over triple and was now veering into cardiac arrest territory. The air in the alcove became stifling, rippling with the tension she’d only begun to notice last night. And now it was impossible to ignore.

Reed was standing so damn close to her. Close enough that his addictive scent was once again wreaking havoc on her senses. Close enough that all she had to do was lean in slightly and their lips would be touching.

“You’re right,” she stammered. “You shouldn’t say it.”

“I shouldn’t.” Yet even as he voiced his agreement, his hand had risen to her face, his thumb delicately sweeping over her bottom lip.

Her breath hitched. God. Her entire world had reduced to this one moment, this one man. Her lips were actually trembling from the crazy urge to kiss him.

“Fuck.” The expletive tore out of Reed’s throat, his frustration thick between them. “I want you, Darcy. I. Fucking. Want. You.”

Shock slammed into her, along with a burst of arousal that seized her core. Oh God. She couldn’t believe he’d said it. Couldn’t believe she’d pushed him to.

Because now there was no way to unhear those blunt words. No turning back from them.

“Is that what you wanted to hear?” he said angrily. “I’ve wanted you forever. Every goddamn time I see you, I’ve had to force myself not to blurt it out. I can barely even look at you, for chrissake, because I’m scared you’ll see it in my eyes. Is that what you want to hear?”

The confession sizzled through her body like merciless flames ravaging a dry forest. Her thighs clenched, breasts tingled, heart stopped. She wanted to dive through the curtain and pretend she’d never seen the raw lust in his eyes, never heard those gruff, honest words tumble out of his mouth.

But she was rooted in place.

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, neither one speaking. Darcy had stopped breathing a while ago, and now her lungs burned, almost as painfully as the desire burning in her blood. Reed’s hand was still on her face, his calloused fingertips tracing the edge of her jaw. Her skin felt tight and prickly, the flames traveling south and tingling between her legs.

Reed’s blue eyes blazed with accusation. “Why are you still here?” he burst out. “Go, Darcy. Just go.”

“No,” she whispered.

He took another step closer, crowding her, his broad body dominating every inch of the tiny space. Their mouths were so close she could feel his warm breath fanning over her lips, mingling with the sudden rush of air that seeped out of her lungs.

“You have to go.”

She swallowed. “No.”

“This is wrong.” Half mumble, half moan. The anguish in his voice matching her own.

He cupped her cheeks with both hands, groaning when their eyes locked again. “Just once,” he muttered. “I just need to know.”

Her voice wobbled. “Know what?”

“What it would feel like.” A determined glint lit his gorgeous eyes. “Maybe it won’t be as good as I imagined.”

A laugh shook out. “It might be awful,” she said helpfully.

He groaned again. “Worse than awful.”

“We’ll probably hate it so much that—”

Reed’s mouth crashed down on hers before she could finish.

And there was nothing awful about it.

MY REVIEW

(Reviewed: September 8th, 2014)

*ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Remember anti-social Reed and cute and bubbly Darcy from Skyler and Gage's story in One Night of Sin? THIS IS FINALLY IT. Ever since I've read the first book, the relationship between Reed and Darcy had intrigued me so much. And I am so in love with this book, from that sexy cover to every page turn. Because Elle Kennedy writes abso-frggin-lutely HAWT books. 

Notorious is Reed Miller's middle name. He's a playboy, a kind of a laid back guy, impulsive and definitely not the type to take anything seriously, especially relationships except for the business he co-owns with his best friends... Well, sometimes, he does forget to stock the bar. But there's nothing more notorious than lusting after your best friend's girl, and wanting more upon finding out about their break up. And he's never wanted anyone else until she came along.

Darcy Grant is on the lookout for passion. She's cute, adorable, goody-two-shoes and an elementary teacher at that. After a mutual breakup with AJ realizing there hadn't been any sparks at all, Darcy is ready for that casual fling, and Reed might just be the perfect candidate. But is sleeping with your ex-boyfriend's best friend a rational thing to do?

I seriously love how this book just oozed with sexual tension from beginning to end. In the first installment, One Night of Sin, we witnessed a little bit of tension breaking out between these two, with Reed acting as if he disapproves of her of being AJ's girlfriend. Well boy, was he not wrong, because he definitely wanted her as HIS girlfriend instead. 

"I've wanted you forever. Every goddamn time I see you, I've had to force myself not to blurt it out."

I'm also basically in love with these two characters, but the reason I couldn't give it a whole FIVE stars? Darcy. I seriously disliked how she just focused on being judgmental, labeling Reed as someone who can't stand a relationship when all he needed was to find the right girl. 

And my Reed. Oh my sweet, poor Reed. He was just a heartbroken soul waiting to be fixed up. Although the story had been a little too fast to elaborate more on Reed's past, there had been more or less a couple of entries about it. The boy who was never good enough, always a mess up. I love how it wasn't the female character with the insecurities this time, because let's face it, boys and even GROWN MEN get insecure and their feelings get hurt too, probably not in the same way as we girls do. (Although he wallowed in self-pity almost the whole time, it's a debatable act. He was going through things.)

You know what I'm excited about now? AJ's book. He's described as a sweetheart and a lovable character, but I'm so sure that he's a monster in bed, even if Darcy doesn't seem to think so. He just wasn't the right guy for her. 

****

One Night of Trouble (After Hours #3)

by Elle Kennedy

Date Published: January 5th, 2015

ADD TO GOODREADS

No More Mr. Nice Guy…

The moment AJ Walsh sees the sexy, tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it's lust at first sight. He's always been labeled the "nice" guy―opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands. But with this wicked little angel with red lips and unfathomably dark eyes? Oh, yeah. Tonight, "nice" has nothing to do with it...

Brett Conlon is trying to convince her family that she's put away her reckless wild girl side for good. Nothing―and no one―could be better for her reputation than golden boy AJ Walsh. So they make a deal: if he plays The Good Boyfriend for her family, he can be a very, very bad boy with her. Now their one naughty night is about to turn into a whole lot of trouble...

READ AN EXCERPT

AJ pulled a cell phone from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s eleven fifty-eight. Looks like you’re about to turn into a pumpkin. Did you drive here?”

She shook her head. “I’m calling a taxi.”

“Or…” His eyes gleamed recklessly.

Brett’s throat went dry. “Or?”

“Or I could drive you home.”

Uh-oh.

Big uh-oh.

The awareness that had sizzled between them earlier returned in full force, leaving pinpricks of heat along her bare arms. The air was cool and she’d left her coat inside, but she wasn’t cold. Not by a long shot.

She knew exactly what would happen if she let AJ drive her home. She might have willpower when it came to alcohol, but around this man? With his sandy-blond hair and chiseled features and sparkling green eyes? And that incredible body? And throw in the fact that she hadn’t had sex in six months?

Willpower? Fat chance.

“What do you say, Brett? Do you want a ride?” No missing the way his voice went husky at the word ride.

Oh boy. Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

This was not the AJ Walsh she remembered. Back then he’d come off as a gentleman.

Right now there was nothing gentlemanly about him. His expression was downright smoldering, broad body radiating pure sex appeal. If he took her home, she knew it wouldn’t end with her walking up to her apartment alone.

But she still had to make sure she wasn’t misinterpreting that look on his face.

“What are you really asking me?” she said bluntly.

“I’m asking if I can take you home and screw your brains out.”

Her thighs clenched so hard she almost keeled over.

Okay, well, that certainly left nothing to interpretation.

“Judging by your response, I think you like the sound of that.” There was something smugly male in his voice.

Hers was embarrassingly squeaky and as weak as her attempted ignorance. “What response?”

He flashed a knowing smile. “What, you think I can’t tell when a woman is attracted to me?”

Nope, this was not the AJ she remembered. The golden boy was gone, replaced by a primal creature teeming with raw sexual energy. The electricity in the air was liable to burn her alive.

“Y-you…” She swallowed hard. “You don’t seem like the kind of man who does stuff like this. Sleeping with someone you’ve just met…”

“Why do women always take it upon themselves to decide what kind of man I am?”

“Am I wrong?” she challenged.

After a beat, he gave a sheepish grin. “Fine. I haven’t had a lot of one-night stands. But…” His eyes burned. “I have a feeling not going home with you tonight would be the biggest mistake of my life.”

MY REVIEW

*ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I had been so excited to read about AJ's story because he's the different one among the bunch, but this book wasn't anything I expected to be. In fact, it was BETTER than I expected. 

If you've read the previous books or my previous reviews, you'd definitely understand that AJ is the different one among the bunch, and he's definitely not someone you'd expect to be a night club owner. I mean, you know how most guys are; dark, brooding, notorious...? But no, AJ is definitely none of those. You know the type of hot preppy looking guys who smile a whole lot, act like a real gentleman, and isn't a player? That basically sums up who AJ Walsh is. Smart. Sweet. Sexy. SWOON. Definitely the dream boy that you can take home to meet the parents, and would surely get along so well with the Daddy. 

All the while I had thought of AJ as someone who's boring and such a goody-two-shoes -- I stand corrected -- HE IS NOT. In fact, what shocks me the most is the fact that he's actually a "closet bad boy" because the moment I read the blurb, I just toppled over because WOAH. This was not the AJ introduced in the previous books, and my god, not only is he of pure deliciousness, but he is also one hell of a dirty talker. 

For this one night, he could drop the good-guy mask and act on the primal urges he'd been fighting his entire life.

I have a major fascination with tattoos, and getting one (or maybe two... or three) is chilling on my bucket list, and the moment Brett came in the picture, I knew I was going to love her. She's cool, she's badass and definitely a hot chick at that. But despite the idea that she's a character with a sassy tongue and doesn't take crap from anyone, she's actually pretty much inferior to her family as the only girl among the siblings and had practically grown up in a family of burly men with thick bears and covered in tattoos (She's definitely not the type of girl you want to mess with, because her brothers will surely hunt you down). 

Pretty much in this book, she tries to right her wrongs by leaving behind her reckless ways in order to convince her father that she's mature enough to run her own tattoo parlor. The thing is, she's not even exactly a wild girl, rather it had been her ex-boyfriends that dragged her down that path in the first place. I'd prefer to think of Brett as a misunderstood passionate woman. 

Despite the instantaneous romance, everything about this story is just so explosive, from their relationship to their personal drama, especially with the "self-acceptance" theme. This is what I love about Elle Kennedy's romances. No matter how steamy and sexy her books are, they hit straight right in the gut. It's not all just a book that's all about sex, but it's a book that connects and gives you the feels. 

However, I did find a few parts lacking, especially with the confrontation between AJ and his parents, in lieu to his confession about being untrue to himself, just because he didn't want to disappoint and also, because of a heartbreaking back story that I'd rather not spoil (I feel you, AJ). I had been expecting that moment to be intense and dramatic, but let's say it didn't reach my expectations in that department. I, however, wouldn't deny that it was a touching scene. 

Regardless of my negative commentaries, I swear, this series is one of the best yet and definitely a favorite. Pick it up, and you'll thank me later on. You're welcome. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELLE KENNEDY
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A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Elle loves to hear from her readers. Visit her website www.ellekennedy.com or sign up for her newsletter to receive updates about upcoming books and exclusive excerpts. You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter (@ElleKennedy).