Hard Rules: A Dirty Money Novel

Everything you want in a book. Love, sex, drama and intrigue! I loved this book. Can't wait for Book two to come out. I am hanging here screaming no! More please! I love everything Lisa Rene Jones writes and so will you!

Everything I have ever read by this Lisa Renee Jones is 5 stars. She hooks you from the first line and takes you through event after event on a story line you couple never predict. Excellent book. I am on the third book in this series and they are just as awesome!

This author always writes stories that grab me from the start and this was no exception. I woudn't say it's my favorite of hers, but it's a well-plotted story with character development that sucks you in.

I have fully enjoyed reading this book and I cannot wait for the rest of the series. The seduction and the background each character has makes the read intense and not wanting to put it down. I read the book in less than 9 hours. I'm super excited for the rest of the series. I love that is set in Denver, Colorado. I'm a Colorado native and can relate.

This was my first time reading this author and won't be my last. I loved this story and the characters and the POV back and forth. The ending! I am dying here already to see what happens next with Shane and Emily! I would love to see this book as a movie, that's for sure! Great writing as well

Didn't really live up to my expectations. It was rather slow moving for my taste and I did a lot of skimming towards the end. The cliffhanger didn't leave me anxious for Damage Control. By that time, I'll have forgotten the plot.

From the beginning to the end, this book keeps your attention. Shane and Emily are made for each other, secrets and all. It's intense, sexual, and suspenceful, and had me rooting for Emily. I am really looking forward to the next book. Thanks, Lisa.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book Addicts for an honest review.

Wow!!! Is what I say about this book it's romantic suspense at its best. Secrets, lies, family fueds, drug cartels and hot sex all make for a fantastic read from Lisa Renee Jones.

Shane Brandon is a successful attorney that's found himself thrust back into his family's business ready to make all their dealings legitimate but with a brother determined this business will be anything but, the darker side of Shane will have to show through throwing his life into turmoil.

Emily Stevens is running from something. When she meets Shane he evokes feelings in her she never thought were possible. As they both fall deeper and deeper for each other will Shane discover Emily's secret and will it be the one thing that will destroy them.

This is definitely a 5 star read for me and February can't come soon enough, I totally need more Shane and Emily.

A new series that is amazing! The blurb is perfect and summarizes the main players perfectly. The cover too….at first it didn’t grab my attention, but I love the chess image. That is really the perfect way to describe this book….a complex chess game. The good guys and bad guys aren't black and white.

I totally adore Lisa Renee Jones’ writing style. She is able to create a story filled with complex characters and just the right amount of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. We know that Shane or Derek will take the reins of Brandon Enterprises when his father passes on, and they are at complete odds as to what will happen with the company. Shane is an attorney and wants the company to be 100% legitimate, but Derek is more interested in the money and power. When Emily meets Shane, she is instantly connected with him, but will she be able to help him or will her secrets hurt them both?

We never learn what Emily is hiding in this book, so yes there is the cliffie factor, but we get small bits of her past which seems to allude to family issues which are similar to what Shane is currently dealing with. I love the way Shane is so confident and controlling of everything around him. Emily is smart in her own right and is just the right person to stand up to the Brandon men. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this story.

Hero 5 Stars / Heroine 5 stars / Steam 5 stars / Plot 5 stars / Overall 5 Stars
Designation: part of a series, cliffhanger
Keys: Dual POV, MF, Unforgettable 1st meeting, Intense, Page Turner.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Starting with the short glimpse into a behind closed door dirty deal, one of the two sides of this story coin gives readers a chance to dip a toe into the dangers to come. From there, with no real sense of how much time has elapsed, we are thrust into the world and challenges of Emily and Shane, and the dance between attraction, trust, power and secrets.

Shane is the ONLY person in his family with a moral compass, even if he battles with his own memories of the family he wants with the family he has. And OH what a complete spider web mess his family is: a father who is grasping, controlling and not above blackmail to achieve his goals; a mother who will manipulate situations and people around her to gain ‘insight’ and knowledge; a brother who is consumed with power, money and his ‘use one to get more’ attitude. I’m not a huge fan of the family he’s been saddled with, and can empathize with his own struggles with loyalty, trust and wanting their approval and love.

Emily arrives as a bit of a question, her own identity is a new one, she has secrets that could destroy her and those around her. I’ve got my suspicions about just ‘who’ she really is: but her ability to empathize with Shane from an “I’ve been there” angle is intriguing. She’s multi-faceted with each facet opening to the light as she and Shane get closer physically. What intrigues me most about these two is their similarities that fuel their connection. And they are electric, with Emily able to provide Shane with something to chase even as he wants to push her off to save her from the ticking bomb that is his family.

Told in alternating first person, I wanted a bit more from Emily. While this story carries much of the feel that I had in the Inside Out series, Emily is a different sort of girl altogether. She’s not innocent and untried like Sara, she understands the manipulations and machinations of family and she’s also hiding several secrets, many not as well as she thinks. Shane is so focused on making Brandon Enterprises a name to be reckoned with in all the best ways, something he’s got to rebuild after keeping his father out of jail after a federal investigation. I loved his passion and determination to grow the company and his role, while trying to manage and protect his family members- a full time job plus with that group. Fortunately he’s got dedicated and loyal people on his side – from his assistant Jennifer: who takes zero guff, speaks honestly and openly and always has his back to his own personal security/pi guru in Seth.

Overall, there’s a sense of having seen the relationship trajectory between Emily and Shane before, and while that’s not a huge issue, I hoped for a bit more between them. This does end on a cliffhanger that may bring Emily to the forefront of suspicion and revelation in the next book, these characters, the Brandons and their twisted manipulating ways demand you read on. Sure to please fans of the Inside Out series, this is a great start to a new series that is unconnected to that world, and the perfect option for readers who want to try the work of Lisa Renee Jones.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Hard Rules started this series off with a scorching and passionate beginning. I completely found myself seduced by the characters and completely captivated by the background mystery going on. Lisa created a cast of characters that were unique and filled with vibrant life. I always find myself swept away by my heroes and Shane definitely gave me everything I want in a leading male. He oozed sensual power and he had an aura of authority.

I felt he had that vulnerable layer when dealing with Emily that showed he had a heart within that stone cold facade he portrayed for everyone else.

Emily was shrouded in suspenseful mystery. Her story is barely addressed yet I felt her character was honest..just afraid. So many secrets and so many enemies that no matter where you look someone is there testing their trust.

I was holding onto my kindle with a death grip at the end. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment because Lisa you have really jerked the rug out from underneath me with that ending. Some cliffhangers are painful and some are so explosive they just leave you breathless. This one was both and it hurt so good

#SafeRead #AlphaAlert #OneClickNow #Series
*copy provided for honest review

I received this book via the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Holy Crap, she did not just leave me hanging like that! This book ends in a cliff hanger that has me wanting to shake Shane Brandon so hard he sees stars. And now I must wait…. I knew this book was going to be addictive just by reading the prologue.
This is not my first rodeo, I know how Lisa works her books. She creates a story that holds us captive, takes us all the way to the end and then has us on pins and needles waiting for the next book. While we wait we try to figure out what she has going on in her head and re-read to see if we missed any hidden clues as to what will happen next. I love the suspense but this book had so much more than just the average book by Lisa. This book is scorching hot, tantalizing, terrorizing, suspenseful, passionate, and brings so much drama it will make your head spin trying to keep track of who did what to each other.
Shane Brandon has been burned by those he trusted most. Now he is faced with a father that is dying, a company that is on the verge of disgrace because of a twisted brother that thinks his way is the best way even though he has no moral compass. And his mother, she is doing anything she can to survive, but he truly didn’t know the depths of her betrayal and I still don’t think he has hit the surface. His frustration level is a DEFCON 10 and he needs a release. Agonizing over leaving his life in NYC as a promising lawyer for this mess he is now in with his family. Righting the wrongs and leaving a promising legacy for his family is his goal but will others break him before he achieves it?
Enter Emily Stevens, a mistake at the coffee shop has her accidentally taking Shane’s coffee. The chance encounter leads to immediate sparks. But she walks away because she is hiding from her own trouble, that we don’t truly know anything about other than she is fearing for her life. When the two collide again the sparks jump off the pages. They agree to one-night, but they won’t be able to stop with just one. The passion is too intense and the feelings that surround the two of them are different than anything either of them has experienced.
Will they be able to make it work? Will Shane’s family drive them apart? Will one end up in harm’s way? Will they be able to trust one another with their biggest, deepest, darkest secrets?

Exquisitely written and masterfully plotted, Hard Rules was an addictive story filled with suspense, intrigue, and sensual romance. With its smart dialogue and richly written characters, Shane and Emily's story pulled me in and did not let go until I read the final words. This book tells the story of two people coming together with an intense passion amidst hidden truths, dangerous secrets, and a feuding family on the brink of war.

"There is something going on between me and this man. Something I don't understand."

Jones did such a remarkable job with these characters, making them richly layered and deliciously complex. Emily is someone with closely guarded secrets and a reluctance to let anyone into her life. She is sweet yet strong, and is running from something in her past. She did not plan on someone like Shane coming into her world and turning it upside down, but that is exactly what he ended up doing. Shane is such an incredible character. Intelligent, hardworking and driven, he is a person who operates with a strong moral code and is determined to pull his family's business out of the shady dealings that it has been immersed in for years. He is a man who cares about his family but refuses to stand by and allow them to continue operating through corruption, greed and lies. He wasn't looking for a relationship either, but when his path collided with Emily's, he found that he couldn't resist her. The pull between the two of them was so strong and I loved the chemistry that existed between them. These were two people who were so different, yet so similar at the same time. Their reservations about letting someone in didn't stand a chance against the inexplicable, burning connection they both felt.

"She was strong, but sweet and soft in all the ways this life, and my family, has made me hard."

The intimacy between Shane and Emily was unbelievably hot, and only got hotter as they got to know each other further. Jones knows how to write a great romantic scene, and I absolutely loved the dynamic between the two of them when they came together in the bedroom. Shane is incredibly sexy, possessive, and passionate, and holds complete control and doesn't let Emily forget it.

"We are one in this moment, two people lost and found in each other, both of us fighting a battle the other understands in ways no one else can."

There was so much happening in this story with Shane and his family, and Emily and her past, and there is so much more that will surely unfold in the upcoming books. There are many players involved, and everyone has their own agenda. We were left with one heck of an ending, and I am dying to see how things are going to play out. I am not sure how I will be able to handle the wait until the second book releases. This was a fantastic start to what is looking to be an unforgettable series, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Shane and Emily in the next installment.

Lisa Renee Jones gives her readers a BRAND NEW SERIES to DEVOUR with Dirty Money! An enticing romance laced with passion, mystery, and seduction…there was NO putting this one down for one second! THIS is romantic suspense at its finest! I would love to quote this book all throughout this review, but I can’t give anything away. I will give you just a taste though. But believe me, HARD RULES was brimming with heat, seduction, and passion and with each turn of the page brought on a new emotion. I absolutely LOVED this experience…AND…it’s only the beginning!

“I want you to leave with me, but be clear. That means I will **** you every possible way, with the full intent of ensuring that I’m the man you compare all others to.”

Yeah, there are sexy gems like this from our intense and swoonworthy hero, Shane Brandon, all throughout this romance. From the very beginning, in the prologue, you know there is tons of mystery afoot! This is how the author reels her readers in. She did this with the incredible INSIDE OUT series and I was a goner from the very start. From Chapter One, you get a sense of how powerful, gorgeous, and unrelenting Shane Brandon really is. It’s sexy as hell! From the moment he sets his eyes on Emily Stevens in a coffee shop…his mind will not go anywhere else. The pursuit is on! The author gives us a dual POV story so as soon as Emily pipes in, there is even more mystery behind her story. She’s intensely attracted to Shane Brandon, and she knows she can’t afford to be. You get the sense she is running from something or someone. I had my theory at the beginning, but as each chapter passes, a new puzzle piece comes into the fold, and I’m back at square one. Emily has her secrets…Shane wants them all. They are both playing a dangerous game, but neither one show signs of stopping. Emily can run all she likes, but no one gets away so easily from a Brandon.

“I’m quickly falling hard for this man and I will destroy him in the process.”

At the beginning of the synopsis, the author states that this series is Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy. Well, THAT is NO JOKE! it’s a perfect description for HARD RULES! This was one HELL of a start for a new series! Lisa Renee Jones has a way with words that gets to me every single time. The secrets, lies, and deception mixed with the passion, seduction, and angst, makes book one in Jones’ DIRTY MONEY SERIES an ultimate WINNER for me! I can’t wait to see what happens next! The ending of this first book….WOW!!! I definitely need more FAST!

*Gifted copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

**I received an ARC via NetGalley**

This book had me swiping until I devoured every word of this story. I am a little sad that I have to wait for the next book, but I will be stalking the author waiting for any little tidbit of information.

Like all of the other books that I have read by this author, it is filled with a lot of suspense, great characters, sexy sexy bits and a plot that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I just knew that the faster I read, the faster I would find out all the secrets, but talk about a book hangover. I am really really looking forward to more of this series.

I am so intrigued and curious about Emily. I want to know everything about her and the author did an amazing job in the way she wrote her character. Just giving the barest amounts of information to keep me hooked and impatiently waiting for more. I also love that Shane just put's almost everything out there, there really isn't any guessing at what motivates him. I love that everything is so transparent with him, which is a huge contrast to Emily's life.

The ending of this book has me really wanting and needing that next book in the series. I really need and want to know what will happen next. Even though cliffhangers are bit of a pain, I really like that this author writes them in a way that will not let you forget about this series and will have you on the look out for more. This book is the start of a great series, I just feel it. I definitely recommend this book to all of my book reading friends.

A family at war...A girl in between... Collaterall damage or a perfect tool? Lies and betrayal combined in one mega freaking chaos meant to ruin their life and empire.

"Blood doesn't mean loyalty."

Hard Rules by Lisa Renee Jones is book one in Dirty Money series featuring Shane Brandon and Emily Stevens. They both have secrets, they both fight their battles, they are perfect for each other but will they survive together or will they be each other's end?

Shane Brandon is the only link connecting Brandon Enterprises to morality. He tries desperately to save his family's Empire and bring it to prosperity. But his cunning father and brother don't want it to happen. One enjoys the show, the other thinks only about money. He is at war and he never loses. I liked his boldness and the will to get what he wants. Despite his crazy family, he knows what right is and he goes for it. And I loved the way he treated Emily because it was obvious how much he cares about her.

Emily Stevens is a giirl with lots of secrets. Her present life is a bunch of lies and secret identities. She cares for Shane but she's afraid he would be devastated if he learns the truth. She wants to help and does it every way she can but telling her secrets is a hard line for her.

I loved this book. Like all Lisa's book this one was fantastic. It has everything one needs in a book - romance, secrets, action. I so want to know all the secrets and lear how Shane manages to rule all this mess because I'm sure he will do it.

" Everything is not black and white, son. If you want to defeat those walking in the gray, you have to go there with them."

The Brandon Family empire has been dealing on the illegal side of things far too long and as the heir to the family business Shane Brandon thinks it's high time, they make the move to start doing things on the up and up. But his plan to take their business to a more reputable side of things is met with a lot of adversity from his brother, so in order to get his way he may have to dabble a little on the crooked side of things to get it done. At the same time he happens upon a beautiful and oh so tempting woman in a coffee shop that he just cant seem to forget, and soon finds himself embroiled in a passionate little affair with her... and the darker his life gets, the more he depends on her to become the only bright spot in his life... his saving grace!

Emily has found herself in danger, and after meeting Shane Brandon she knows he is the only man who can help her, the only one she can trust to keep her safe. As danger settles in, the closer she sticks to him, and the more time she spends with him between the sheets, the passion they share in mind blowing, and something she has never experienced before. She is becoming addicted to him, but she also knows she can't let that cloud her judgement or stray her focus..

This thrilling little introduction to Ms. Jones new series, was off the charts sexy and oh so suspenseful... I can't wait to see what she has in store for these characters next!! The minute Shane appeared on the page I knew I was in trouble, he had me hooked and willing to follow him to the ends of the earth, move over book boyfriends there is a new sheriff in town!! If you like your fairy packed with smoldering between the sheets action, and spine tingling suspense then I highly encourage you to consider picking up a book by this author, she is a true master at her craft!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

Wow what just happened! This intense, suspenseful, steamy, crime thriller had me going on all cylinders and then it ended!
I was totally captivated by this intense story of a family business dominated by secrets, murder, drugs, cartels, betrayal, alliances and acquisitions. Blood only goes so far and it doesn't guarantee loyalty. Shane already knew what he was up against with his family, but when he meets Emily, his business and his life take on a whole new meaning. Is it coincidence or did Emily have something to do with it.
When Shane and Emily met, something seemed off. Was it staged and by whom? But they decided to hook up and even though it was just sex, it wasn't Unfortunately, both have family secrets, and are struggling with their own demons.
Who's the enemy and who isn't.
Who are they? The stage was set on this suspenseful crime thriller to make us wonder are they lovers or enemies spying on the other for control or revenge. Are they the right people for each other at the wrong time, or something more sinister?
A solid 4.5 since I didn't get more background info on the characters.
I. Cannot. Wait. To. Find. Out!!

"Trust has to be earned. Control can be taken."

The author had me at "Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy in the smoldering, scorching first novel in the explosively sexy new Dirty Money series". Normally I tend to stay away from series where each book isn't a stand-alone but something about the cover and synopsis had me drawn to it. Especially the description of Shane gave me that last push to request an ARC from Netgalley. Shane is one of the good guys that has to go into the gray area to save the family business, but the odds are against him when he can't trust any of the members of his family. Shane is a very strong and alpha male that knows what he wants and goes after it. I liked him from the start, he didn't play any games and was very straight forward.

"..this woman who has taken me by storm and managed to be the cool breeze in the midst of my personal hell."

Shane and Emily's first meeting was light and fun. I really loved that Emily could get this broody workaholic to smile. They affected each other in a very positive way. Both have their secrets and struggles but when they are together they can relax. Emily has more secrets than Shane and I was on the edge on my seat to find out more about her. I have a couple of theories about her but I have no idea if they are correct or not. I really liked Emily's character, she isn't a pushover and doesn't take orders from anyone. She is a strong and independent woman and that is what I loved most about her. Shane and Emily are in my opinion a perfect match.

"Everything is not black and white, son. If you want to defeat those walking in the gray, you have to go there with them."

Hard Rules is an amazing start to a new series. The pace of the story was perfect and gave me the right amount of time to really connect with the characters. It does end with a cliffhanger but I am super excited to see what will happen in the next book. I need ANSWERS!!!

Ahhh! So many secrets and lies!

This is the first book by Lisa Renee Jones that I have read, and since this was a cliff hanger, it definitely won't be the last!

We start our story off with Teresa in Martina's Casa, but we don't stay with her for long.

We move on to Shane dealing with his new role in his families corrupt business. He's trying hard to right the wrongs that others have brought into his life. The only problem is does he truly know who he should be trusting. Who is trying to help him and who is actually trying to help themselves? Running a pharmaceuticals business, what could possibly go wrong?

Then Shane meets Emily and they have their kismet moment in a coffee shop. Their attraction is instantaneous and fate brings them together quickly once again. Little does Shane know that Emily has secrets of her own. Secrets that she is not willing to share with someone she isn't quite sure how she is feeling about quite yet.

I love this story because I was never quite sure what would happen next. Do Emily and Shane actually share more than just this torrid love affair? Who does Shane truly have on his side? Is blood thicker than water? What the HECK is Emily's secret???

Those are some of the many reasons I will be on the edge of my seat until the next book in the series comes out!!

If you like mystery, corruption, secrets, and a quick paced romance, then THIS is the story for you! If you like super detailed smutty love scenes you may slightly disappointed. I will say that Ms. Jones definitely kills it in the foreplay department! This book didn't need super detailed smut to be great in my opinion, so don't count it out if you normally need that.

All in all a great read!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review!*

What can I say about Shane & Emily other than WOW! These two are both full of secrets and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Lisa Renee Jones makes you think and wonder what is going to happen. What is Emily hiding from and is Emily really her first name. Shane and his brother are fighting to take over their father's empire and they are going to fight each other tooth and nail. I read this book twice because I loved it so much and I was trying to see if I could find and clues where the next book is headed. Thank you Lisa for another series that has me hooked.