The Pawn

I started reading this book last night and could NOT put it down! Skye Warren kept my attention as she described the intricate characters she created throughout the book. I loved the sexy scenes and interesting twists. An absolute pleasure to read! Warren is a great author and I look forward to reading more of her work!

Ah man!!!! What is it not to say about this book? It's exciting and mysterious all at the same time.... I couldn't put it down!!! I love the dynamics between the two characters. Their from entirely different circles, yet their more familiar than she thinks. It's was a great read....

All together a good book. Just have to purchase two more books to complete the story. I don’t like having to purchase three to four books to find out the end of a story. This just keeps you paying money to read.

This book had me from the beginning with its twists and turns. When you think you have it figured out the plot twists and thickened leaving you wanting more. Gabriel is unpredictable and conflicted with his feelings for this woman. Excellent writing I want more

I rated this book for five stars because I enjoyed it so much i can't wait to read the next book. I totally recommend it 18 years + with suspense and thrill that gets you hooked once you start reading and you would not be able to put it down!! ????????. Enjoy!!

I was very happy with this book. The characters were believable and relatable and the storyline was intriguing. I’d reccomend to anyone. I’m dying to read the second book, but am having problems downloading it for some reason.

This book is merely the tip of what is going to be an epic story, imo, eventually. It is the compounding of conflict over conflict, layer over layer and twist upon twist. I can’t wait to dig into the rest of this series!

As I was browsing books I came across this one.
The beginning lead you to believe that it was going to be a fairytale, however as the characters started to materialize I could not stop reading... Can’t wait to start the second books in the series.....

Mesmerizing, like a predator's eyes at night. That's how I felt when reading this beautifully dark story. Mesmerized.

Gabriel Miller exudes dangerous power and his prey is a vulnerable, desperate damsel-in-distress. She is so innocent and strong, and he is darkness personified. OMG, that combo gives me so many kinds of thrills! And is masterfully crafted by the author.

The writing flows, impeccable and soulful. On the verge of total ruin and degradation, Avery agrees to an outrageous ultimatum that will lead her into a maze of wrongs and betrayals. Auctioned to the highest bidder, she ends up as the prized possession of her father's enemy. I was trembling along with her , so helpless and beautiful and pure when she's exposed and sold in front of merciless rich people.

The subject matters of this novel contrast so sharply with the delicacy of the emotions in the narrative. There is a strong sense of threat in every scene, yet also a pulsing bonding between Gabriel (gorgeous name) and Avery. I relished his foreboding presence, laden with furious and conflicting reactions to his human purchase.

Interwoven with the duel of wills, references of art, myth and longing for the unattainable mark this story with stunning depths. It's a game of chess that bleeds into real life. Avery and Gabriel play with fire, so sensually, so poignantly. I was enthralled with the secrets, the shocking manipulations, the tender intelligence of Avery facing a hardened strategy master like Gabriel. I've never seen chess played like that!

I also laughed at what happens the first night after the auction, and I literally screamed my throat raw at the ending of this first book in the Endgame series. Amazing. I need some redemption here. Like air itself.

Favorite Quote: If you have to change to be loved, then how much is that love worth?

(I'm so happy to be able to share my honest opinion of this book I first reviewed on my blog Literaria)

This books was steamy and well written! Though I know it's the first in a series, I just wish it had had more of an ending so that it could stand alone. But overall, I can't wait to read more by this very talented author.

Like the title , I can't help but feel it's somewhat of a copy cat of "50 Shades " . Very predictable, rich guy gets whatever he wants. The book hints at Gabriel as having a dysfunctional childhood, that has damaged him in some way. Avery is the damsel in distress. The ending is a huge disappointment, as it was intended, I imagine, to get the reader to buy into the series. It's a good read if you like Romance Novels with lots of steamy sex. Half the time I felt like I was reading a book that took place in the 1700's in London, Royal society.

"The Pawn" is a naughty, dark and sexy romp that keeps you guessing! If you like some mystery, intrigue, and heartbreak with your romance then this book (and series) is the one for you. Skye Warren's weaves a tale that will make you hot and bothered . "The Pawn" is a terrific introduction to Avery and Gabriel and I cannot wait to see what the next book holds.

A very quick read. There characters aren't developed enough, this mostly a superficial read. I found the plot and motivation of the characters confusing. I wish we weren't stuck with just Averys perspective.

This would've been best if finished. The smut is easily bypassed in leaving it from being read. Graphic sex I can do myself... better to have a completed board story than another Chess piece of story smut, then another Chess piece story of smut, then another Chess piece story of smut...

A dark romance with a cliffhanger. The story line being "I sold my virginity". There were some hot scenes and it was a pretty fast read. It was enjoyable but I wish I had a warning about their being a second book.

It was an ok book. I wish the story had an ending rather then leaving you in the dark about what happens next. You have to read the next book to find out. In my opinion the books in a series should be sold all together (if one wants them all) in order to experience an ending.

I just couldn't get into this story. The idea of contacting the mob for a loan made no sense tome. I did not finish the book and won't check out the others in the series Also really selling your virginity??? Just poorly plotted all together

I have a hard time with the whole premise of the story here. A rich girl falls from riches and drops instantly to the level of whore because that's the only possible way to make ends meet. I instantly lose respect for the character. While many women over history have in fact sold their bodies through various forms (I.e protitution, as well as stripping), here we have a protected, Catholic raised, virgin who seems to think that's her only option. She's either mentally challenged, a push over, or a quitter, or all.

The author fails to set the stage properly in order for me to believe the main character is destitute enough (with her background and upbringing) to drop to that level so quickly. She still has clothes. Isn't living on the streets, freezing to death, etc. It is only vaguely touched on as to why she needs the money. The author does convey that the mc believes she is separate and that her father needs the money due to health reasons, but I can't relate. It's the authors job to make that relational connection of reader and character to forge a bond that will make me care about the plight of the main character. This doesn't do it for me. And it would seem that yet another romance book shoves aside some very important writing mechanics in lieu of setting up some juicy, pornographic sexcapades.

The writing itself is decent. Narrative and voice are interesting, but it's rather a huge turn off to not be invested in the character right out of the gates.

The Pawn (Endgame #1) by Skye Warren
4.5 stars!!!

“A little bird in a gilded cage. Why keep one except to hear her sing.”

OMG, what a tangled web Skye Warren has weaved with The Pawn. I am still in shock and desperate for the next book, is it January yet? Skye Warren is a new to me author but she will no longer be a stranger. This book had me captivated from start to finish, going in with the misconception of just another “virginity auction” book Skye Warren brings a lot more to the table with an intriguing plot and one intense mind f___. I adore my dark reads, I love trying to understand the characters, trying to see through the layers and peeling back the onion one layer at a time. While our heroine is an easy read, and wears her heart on her sleeve our anti-hero is a totally different kettle of fish.

“Be careful. I’m more dangerous than you know.”

Avery James led an affluent life, a father she worshipped, private school and more money than she knew what to do with, but she was grounded. Her father was super protective and his daughter was his life. Avery had her life sorted, she was nearing graduating, with a degree that she was passionate about, she was engaged to be married to a potential senator and life was good...until it wasn’t.

“You’re innocent. And I’m going to ruin you.”

When her father is up on charges of fraud and embezzlement and subsequently found guilty, the life she knew disappeared. Her fiancé dumps her for fear of his reputation and all of her family’s assets are stripped and sold. It seems her father’s criminal conviction and punishment is not deemed as sufficient and when one of his victims takes his retribution into their own hands, her father is left near death and needing constant medical attention. With bills mounting, suffocating under overwhelming desperation and no more assets apart from her mother’s beloved house, Avery takes the matter into her own hands and sells the one thing she still possesses…her virginity.

“You’re effing perfect. An angel. A sacrifice on a marble altar. You’ll give up every part of yourself just to save your precious effing father, won’t you?”

Gabriel Miller is an enigma, he is one of the bad guys errrr good guys errrr bad guys…hell I don’t know what or who he is. He is as complex as they come and shrouded in secrets. Despite his outward persona during this story you see the chinks in his armour or are those part of the game too? This is where Skye Warren weaves her worst, you know you shouldn’t care about him, you know you shouldn’t like him, hell you shouldn’t even love him but there is something about the man with swirling golden orbs that lures you into his web like a helpless fly, just waiting to be eaten alive and quite frankly, Avery didn’t stand a chance.

“Everything he says is designed to scare me. Everything he does is designed to knock me down.”

As secrets are revealed and pasts are seemingly intertwined everything you thought you knew is blown all to hell and you are left reeling. This though is what this type of read is all about, I love the rug being pulled out from under me, I love being sideswiped. I am sure there is more to this story than meets than eye and I am sure that Skye Warren is going to make us wait…so with baited breath I’m waiting…NOT SO PATIENTLY WAITING.

Although the book is listed as a full-length novel, what the note neglects to tell you is that this is the start of a serial. Yup folks, this ends in a cliffhanger. A very interesting one but a cliffhanger nonetheless.

As for the story, I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. It was just, ok. I was drawn in by the blurb but once I got to the meat of the story I wasn't so sure it was as interesting as it promised anymore. I didn't understand Gabriel, the "alpha male lead." He was too contradictory and not enough information was revealed about his character for me to really like him. He was interesting just enough, mysterious just enough and definitely sexy enough to make me want to read the next book, but I am still on the fence with whether or not he is a redeemable character. Avery, on the other hand, is just straight up naive. She is only 19 and as a formerly privileged young lady, she has no real life or job skills to help her stay afloat so what does she do...sells her hymen. WTF!?! Who does that? Well, it's not that far-fetched considering prostitution is the oldest profession in the book, right! Only thing is, girlfriend doesn't know how to work it, and that may end up being her downfall. However, we won't know that until the next book. Which I will admit, I totally plan to read. I want to know more about how Gabriel pulls off the..... well you'll have to check it out to see what I mean.

3.5 stars for this. It is interesting but I am not sure exactly why...if that makes sense.

Any reader that gave this book five stars has no taste.. This is complete and utter rubbish. I truly dislike any book that gives the idea that a virgin can enjoy sex when it's virtually rape. The sex is described in intimate detail, is his what sells the book, how sad. Then when we reach the end of this sordid tale, because there is no story, no luck, there is no ending it's a cliffhanger, and we are expected to WANT to buy the follow up. I see that costs seven dollars, unbelievable.
The rubbish that is being printed right now in the USA is what, a sign of our times, where are the brilliant authors of yester years., Instead we get garbage and how can avid readers give this trash five star reviews.

Read and reviewed on behalf of 2 Girls Who Love Books.

WOW! The Pawn just left me with my heart ripped out, tears in my eyes and my jaw on the floor! This story earns a very solid 5 stars from me. It kept me intrigued from beginning to end, had my toes curling and thighs clenching in sexual anticipation, several times, and it holds many twists and suspenseful scenes. Now I’m anxiously awaiting The Knight which will be book 2 in the Endgame Series by Skye Warren.

The Pawn is the story of Avery and Gabriel – her fall from grace and attempted rise from the ashes, and Gabriel’s attempt at seduction and revenge. By no fault of her own, Avery has been thrown from her ivory tower in the sky and she is ready to face the ultimate sacrifice to honour and protect her father, no matter his crimes Gabriel comes to her rescue, or so she thinks, but what are his true intentions? Has he been affected by the sweet Avery more than he ever imagined possible? I think perhaps he has, and even though he may be in denial over the power she carries, he forces himself to carry on with his plan of revenge, ignoring the pain and heartbreak it causes to both of them. Gabriel may be a chess master but Avery is an excellent player as well, so I anticipate some high stakes and favourable exchanges to come with more pieces falling into place in future matches.

The relationship between Gabriel and Avery may have begun in an unconventional style, forced by circumstance, but the seductive dance they both play that leads to the giving and taking of Avery’s most valuable commodity is absolutely fascinating and provocative. Never before have I been so captivated by the thought of having sex and the possibilities that lie ahead while the virgin remains intact. Gabriel is playing his game to the fullest, using all his defensive tactics, teasing Avery by enticing her to enjoy the pleasures of the game and to give in to the desire to feel good.

Gabriel and Avery have danced the dance, played all the pieces until the final checkmate. No matter how the game began or who made the first move, they have a connection that can’t be denied or toppled like the King and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the games play out. Gabriel may have intended for Avery to be just a Pawn, but I think, ultimately, she will be his Queen. A queen that is worthy to stand beside her loyal King and protect him. Of course, this is all just in my imagination, the way I want the story to play out but what the author has in store for us, we do know.

When The Pawn finished, I was left with questions about Gabriel’s intentions for Avery’s future. How far is he willing to take his revenge if it will mean he loses her forever? Answers are on their way as The Knight will be available soon! I can’t recommend The Pawn enough and I hope you give into your desire to play chess with the master.

The Pawn by Skye Warren was off-the-wall amazing! What I have found from reading Warren’s book is that I am left with a book hangover from H@ll!!!! It’s so hard to start a new book after hers, especially this one. It moved me so much. This shows you what a person will do to keep what they love. How far they are willing to go to protect their family? How far would you go? Would you give your body to the highest bidder to help keep a roof over your (possibly) dying father’s head?

The Pawn also shows us that we may never really know those closest to us. People hide secrets and their true thoughts and wants from even those closest to them. I knew as soon as Gabriel suggested his idea that he was going to be the winning bidder. It felt fated with those gold cat-like eyes passing her on her birthday to get to this moment. For as dark and dangerous as we feel or think Gabriel is, I think there’s more to him. I think there’s a lot he is getting blamed for that he didn’t do. He also didn’t rush things, most would have. He was a great alpha male character! One that you can end up liking, not just lusting after!

This is the first book in the Endgame series and I’ll be honest when I say that I don’t think I’ll be able to mentally take the waiting game for The Knight. January seems so very far away!! I can’t wait to see how this game of chess is going to play out with Avery and Gabriel. I’m just hoping that Gabriel is the black knight I know he is!! I’ve been following Skye Warren’s books for a while now and she never fails to please my imagination. Warren is able to brilliantly weave darkness into a beautiful love story. Skye Warren has a definite gift for the written word and bringing people on a gripping ride that leaves us with one heck of a book hangover!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so excited to bring you the most amazing story of this century, The Pawn, an edgy, sensual and seductive story that will have you at the edge of your feet and give you the most illicit shivers ever. Damn, I was so in love with this book. It was that book that just oozed dark romance perfection at its finest. I was simply in love with everything in this book. I am a huge fan of Skye Warren and she definitely outdid herself with The Pawn. Wow, I am in awe.

The Pawn is about the story of a naive girl, Avery who is led into a dangerous game with a billionaire Gabriel Miller. Wow, this story was so mind blowing. The Pawn was a dangerous, gritty and suspenseful book that had me reeling. I felt like I was in a movie. I am telling The Pawn gave me the most amazing goosebumps that I could feel it my skin. Wow, I was so addicted like a person who is addicted to alcohol and drugs. The Pawn was my own personal drug and I wanted to live in the high it gave me. The Pawn was pushed to its greatest heights. I was captured from the first page to the last. The Pawn was like a cat and mouse game but with a dangerous and high stakes. Skye Warren truly wrote a magnificent book. She is a genius. I would love to go into her brain and know how she comes with stories like this. (I am fangirling here a bit lol). The Pawn oozed dark and grit in its beautiful form. Not only was it suspense but there was a story of sacrifice. How far are you willing to go to help the ones you love even though you know it will cost you your reputation and also a piece of you?Yep, this story will cripple you and bury you but in a good way.

Avery is such a naive girl. I mean there were times I wanted to shake her to her senses. But she had a quiet strength to her that made her such a likable character. I loved her journey as a woman. I always love when I read a woman discovery her sexual self. I saw her developing chapter by chapter. It was such delightful process to read.

Gabriel, Oh my Gabriel. What a man. My gosh, I absolutely fell in love with me. He was dangerous, unpredictable, harsh and so secretive. I wanted to know more about him. He had that swagger and edge that was just so sexy. Aaa, I want to have his babies lol. Gabriel also had moments of vulnerability that I wanted to know more. There is more to him and I cannot wait to know a bit more in the next book.

The Pawn is one of those books that will forever be etched in my ind. I really cannot wait for the next book because there is so much I want to find out. With Skye Warren, I know it is going to be a wild epic ride.

A calculating sinful and devious story that erotically blends lust, romance, desire, and revenge into one palpable addictive read. Skye Warren has masterfully crafted a story that begs readers to enter into a world where deception, knowledge, power, and control is a must. So are you ready to make your move and outsmart The Pawn?

“As Gabriel Miller pointed out, I have one thing left of value. My body. My virginity. Maybe the man outside wants that.”

It’s no secret that I am a fan of Skye Warren and when she decided to write a story that dealt with a heroine auctioning off her virginity, you gotta know that I will be all over this book. And let me just say Skye had me hooked. I was a pawn in her masterfully orchestrated game of love, survival and revenge.

Avery James is the princess who fell from the graces of the elite and privileged. She once lived an enchanted fairytale life where she was spoiled by her father and had it all but that all came crumbling down when everything of value was gone. Penniless and no money to help pay for her father’s medical expenses, Avery is forced to auction off the only thing that has value. Her virginity.

So when Gabriel Miller bought Avery James, she became not only his possession for one month but he owned her in every sense of the word. His command. His touch. His wants. His needs. His game. And Avery James was just the pawn in this calculated move of revenge and power.

Gabriel Miller knew that Avery James is an innocent virgin. She was his for the taking. And once he set his eyes on something, he claims it. As much as he is drawn to her, she was a temptation that he must resist.

Avery’s virginity is for the taking. It is only a matter of when Gabriel will claim it. But what Avery never expected was to be attracted to him. She wants and needs him in such a primal manner. But what happens when Gabriel finally claims her virginity, will Avery find her lose her upper hand in this game of control? In this game of knowing what move to make first, will the pawn outwit the king?

The Pawn is hands down one of my favorite books that Skye Warren has written so far. Each action, characters, and prose were meticulously and flawlessly delivered to heighten the erotic chemistry between Avery and Gabriel. I love that Skye Warren didn’t hold anything back when it came to this calculating game of power, control, and lust. She had readers on the edge as she drops a few twist and turns along the way. And let me just say that ending, has me wanting the next book stat. So if you are looking for a book that was masterfully and erotically orchestrated then this dark romance is the book for you.

WOW. this is such a fantastic and dark sinful romance story that blends revenge along with lust, romance, and desire into a read that grabs you from the first page. Ms. Warren has taken a story and made it one that makes you invested into knowing the outcome of what happens to the MC ; she takes what is going on along with the romance of the MC and makes this into one pulse pounding read. Avery James is 18 and thinks she has everything going for her. She is the highly protected daughter from a father from the right side of the tracks who is her father’s princess in every way. Suddenly her life is uprooted when her father is left beaten and her life is destroyed by one man- the mysterious Gabriel Miller. He left her family penniless and at his mercy. She has one thing left to bargain with and she did. She gives him herself for one month with the one thing of value she has to give. Gabriel takes and she is supposed to get enough money to save her home and take care of her dad… She thinks Gabriel will play with honor but by the end of the book we find out that isn’t even true. Avery is dealt a harsh blow and left reeling. Who is the real Gabriel and what game is he playing with Avery and why?
There were a lot of twists and turns that went on in this story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the sexual tension and the passion between Avery and Gabriel. The mysteries that plagued the story and the revenge element that is there which Avery is involved in but has no part of. I loved how she is determined to be the adult and take care of her family. I felt so bad for her, being targeted by Gabriel when she had nothing to do with whatever went down. Gabriel is one sexy and mysterious man who used humiliation A LOT in this book. When you read it, you will know what I mean. It is weird, normally I wouldn’t like it but how Ms. Warren wrote this story, it seemed to fit in just right. I cannot wait for book 2 because this ended on a epic cliffhanger.

My Rating: 4.9 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Avery James' life has completely imploded. She was once an American princess with her whole life in front of her, a year later she is destitute because her father's fall from grace. She is trying desperately to keep her father alive and also keep the family home. Without much to her name she seeks out a loan shark and finds herself face to face with Gabriel Miller, the man who brought her father down. Gabriel doesn't take too kindly to people who steal from him, and that is exactly what Avery's father did. Big mistake. Avery is a little girl caught in a web and the only bargaining chip she has is her innocence.

I went into this one blindly, I didn't even read the blurb, because I wanted to experience this completely organically and I'm glad I did. This story packs a punch. You may think you have read this particular trope before, but, trust me, you haven't read one quite like this. I love the push and pull between Gabriel and Avery. One steps forward, the other takes a step back. One will have the upper hand, then the it shifts and the other has the power. Both of them are a contrast of light and dark. The chess game analogy is fitting, it's like a game of chess but instead of game pieces, it's people being played. It felt like the bottom was going to fall out any minute and that added a tautness that made this a real page turner. I read it straight through with no breaks, it's that good.

I have been a Skye Warren fan for a while now and she never fails to amaze me with her brilliant story telling abilities. She is a master at creating the perfect Anti-Hero, people who are dark and unsavory but by the end of the book you are totally and completely in love with them. She has a way of shining a light into the darkest part of human nature, unvarnished and unapologetic.

I am so looking forward to the next book in this series, I just know the anticipation is going to kill me! Who needs Christmas, is it January yet?

Wow. Just wow!

This book was amazing! It was intense, it was misterious and it kept me on edge the whole time!
This is definitely a dark romance and the hero is actually the opposite, he is an anti-hero. I was constantly surrounded by conflicting emotions during the story. I was drown to Gabriel, I was was wary about him; I was attracted by him, I was angry at him; I thought he was sexy and imponent, I felt him dark and dangerous.

I wanted more but I was afraid, and I am just the reader, I'm not even Avery!

And Avery is something special. She is the typical naive girl but with a backbone! She is used to many and privilege, she was spoiled, but she is not a brat. She is lost now that everything fell apart but she is strong enough to put herself in a trap.
She could find another way, maybe, but she was desperate and she lives another reality, that so soon was taken away from her without warning. She is a warrior considering all!

During the auction, I felt so humilliated, as if I was the one on display, and even that was amazing, because it was proof that Skye could write such a terrible moment being sensitive enough to make it sound real.

Gabriel, the epitome of the anti-hero you love, has his own secrets and skeletons on his wardrobe. He is misterious, dangerous, but somehow, in a twisted way, he is sweet and caring.

And this is what a dark romance must be (at least to me): you gotta love and question everything, because everything feels so wrong, but you can't feel in any other way.
I need the next book!

Skye Warren's stories are nothing short of brilliant. The Pawn was mesmerizing, emotional and sexy, with unforgettable characters and a superbly written storyline. No one does dark romance as fluidly and authentically as this author, and this book was no exception. I was pulled in from the very first pages and could not put the book down until it ended. The Pawn tells the story of Avery, a sheltered and innocent girl who is thrust into a dark and dangerous game with a thrilling and enigmatic man who holds secrets of his own.

"I'm the pawn, and he's my triumphant captor. And yet there are those moments of tenderness that I can't quite turn away from. Drops of water that I'm thirsty enough to drink."

I was so drawn to both Gabriel and Avery, two people from different worlds who found themselves face to face due to their circumstances. Warren writes her heroes in a way that makes me long to get into their heads to find out what they are thinking and what motivates them. Gabriel had such an air of mystery surrounding him, and despite her reservations, Avery was fiercely drawn to him. He was smooth and confident, dark and dangerous, yet had a gentleness towards Avery that came out only rarely, when his guard was down. The push and pull between them was captivating, and I found myself wanting more confrontations between them.

"There's a threat inherent in him, like a lion stalking his prey. It's mesmerizing even while it terrifies me."

Avery's innocence and Gabriel's dangerous demeanor made for some amazing scenes between them. I loved their chemistry, and the inexplicable pull that had them unable to stay away from each other. Once they became intimate, things went from hot to a blazing inferno, culminating in some incredibly erotic encounters.

"I can't stop shaking, made so vulnerable by this position, by his command. Made naked by his very will. This is what it means to be owned by someone."

With a plot full of suspense, hidden truths, and multiple players with their own agendas, The Pawn was as engaging as it was sexy. I absolutely cant wait until the second part of this series comes out. Things between Avery, Gabriel, and the people surrounding them are precarious to say the least, and I know that Warren will amaze her readers once again with the continuation of their story.

-----------------Reviewed for 2OCC Reviews--------------------
Skye Warren has written a sexy, intense and edgy story that had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what was going to happen next within the story. At the start of the book I knew that this would be one that would stay with me even after I finish reading it. It reminded me why I love Dark romance reads and would have to be one of my top favourite dark romance reads. The Pawn shows you the lengths that someone is willing to go to save someone they love.

Gabriel Miller is the bad guy of the story and also the hot, sexy guy that is such a mystery. Throughout the book there is many times where I think I have Gabriel figured out only for him to do something that shocks me. There is so much I wanted to know about him and hopefully in the next book readers get to learn more about him. He had this sexiness and way about him that drew me to the character. Gabriel is one of those characters that stays with you well after you finish reading the story.

Avery is someone that has lost everything and trying to keep the things that she has left. She has a strength within her that I find admiring and the way that she’s willing to do what she has to do in order to help her father. Throughout the story it is obvious that Avery grows as a person within the book. At the start of the book Avery was a naïve girl that had everything she could ever want, but she loses it all and it forces her to open her eyes to what is really going on around her. I really enjoyed Avery though and enjoyed the growth that she went through within the story.

The Pawn is about Avery James who was a rich young woman that loses it all and has to sell he only thing she has left of value. During all these moments there is one person that is there for all of it and that is the dangerous and sexy Gabriel Miller.

Overall, I loved this story and found that I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I read it. Skye Warren has written an emotionally gripping story that was much more then I originally thought. I was drawn in from the first page to the last and couldn’t help yell in frustration when it finished because I cant wait to see what’s going to happen next. This is a definite must read for fans of dark romance.

Today is Gameday! Are you ready to play?
I was not prepared for this match. Score one for author Skye Warren. The Pawn will move and capture your excitements at its core. What an intellectually invigorating dark romance!! It’s complete with sophisticated characters jumping from the page and striking you in the heart. Prepare yourself for a world of secrets, lies and deceit.
The Pawn is told from the female’s POV, Avery James. She had the perfect life until the unthinkable happen. Now she is left to risk everything to help save her father. The story’s strength lies in Gabriel’s disturbing battle between lust and vengeance toward Avery and her father. I desperately hope we get Gabriel’s POV in the future.
The title of the series, ENDGAME is derived from the concept of a chess game as you may now know. It’s a tale of fiction that oozes with brilliance, emotion and intrigue. The concept and the execution of the drama is perfectly timed like the game itself.
Chess players know the pieces of the game: KING, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook and Pawn. The gameboard represents the battlefield where the piece’s fight. The king is the most importance piece in the game. You always protect the King. Therefore, the goal of the game is to checkmate the opponents King, meaning the king is put into check and cannot get out of the check.
Huh? What? Yeah that’s what I think. I am not a chess player. I wish I was a chess player. I am in awe of the concept. This latest release from author Skye Warren has me adding a chess game to my Christmas wish list. Like me, you will crave to understand the game of chess itself to take this epic journey with Avery and Gabriel.
The Endgame Series will be one of the most well-crafted highly anticipated releases for 2017. It excites me just thinking about it. We will crave more of the character’s actions and how they intersect metaphorical with the game pieces. The ending will reveal an unexpected plot twist. The Pawn will illustrate how to never underestimate what a woman can do.

Skye….Skye!!!.....SKYE!!!!!!!!! I have read a lot of Skye Warren books, and this is my top fave!!!! I have been a fangirl of Skye for a long time, and I always enjoy her books. She is one of the best dark romance writers, in my opinion, and she has outdone herself with this book! All of the feels! The plot is just genius. This story has been written before, but not Skye Warren. When Skye writes it, it’s just better.

This is the type of book where the only reason you put your kindle down is to jump up and down because the characters said or did something so awesome that you can’t help but fangirl in the moment.

"I look up at him, searching his eyes for some hint of kindness, of mercy. There’s none. I find only fire – and the thought that comes next makes me shudder: this is vengeance. It’s not a feeling he’s had, a fleeting thought for revenge. This what he’s made of, cell by cell, atom by atom. He’s pure fury, and he’s coming for me."

Avery has grown up with everything she could ever ask for. After a terrible scandal with her father’s company, she and her father are left with close to nothing. In order to do anything she can to save her house and care for her father, Avery goes to the one man who might give her a loan. Little does she know that she will meet the man who ruined her father and give her a proposal that she cannot refuse in order to save her house and her father’s life.

This girl stands her ground. She may be naïve but she has got b*lls of steel! She gives back as good as she gets with Gabriel and I was rooting for her the whole time. She only has herself to depend on, but she doesn’t need anyone else because she does it all. She is willing to sacrifice everything to do the right thing.

"…this man of precious metal and revenge, of carved wood and heartache."

GABRIEL. That’s it. Just his name sends shivers down my body. Gabriel is mine. Seriously. Back up, ladies! My kinda man. He treats Avery with nothing less than disdain. She is the daughter of the man that cheated him, and he is willing to put her through h*ll and humiliation to get his pleasure. I loved the glimpses of compassion in his character, but he inevitably shows his true colors and is true to his inner bad self.

I can’t say much about the plot without spoiling, but I will say I could not put this book down. It was emotional and fast-paced and intriguing, and I want more! This book is beautiful and broken and genius.

Yes, there is a cliffhanger. Should you care? No, for 2 reasons. 1. Because you enjoy this book so much that is doesn’t even matter. 2. Because the next book, Knight, comes out next month so you don’t have to wait very long. And let me tell you, I am going to be pouncing on that book as soon as my grabby little hands can get a hold of it.

Wow! The Pawn by Skye Warren left me speechless for about 15 minutes after I was done reading the book. I didn't know what to say or think. My mind was on overdrive trying to come to terms with what happened and hours later, I am still trying to wrap my head around the total mind scramble.

Avery James lost everything. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and within a year of graduating high school, her world came crashing down around her. Everything that she though was the truth she soon finds out is anything but. Driven to desperate measures, Avery is brought to the doorstep of the most notorious criminal in town. She must sell the only asset that she has left in order to save her family. However, she gets more than she bargained for in the very dangerous and mysterious Gabriel Miller. Avery thinks she is successful in her arrangement until she learns some very terrible truths about her family and everything comes crashing down around her.

The Pawn wove a very tangled web of deceit, mystery, and strategy. I am so excited to get my hands on the next book when it comes out. I love Avery as a character. Although, right now, I feel kind of sad for her. I don't know how I feel about Gabriel. I am hoping that the mystery gets more intricate and we learn some new things as the story goes on. A GREAT READ.

You get a certain idea of a book in your head from reading the blurb, so of course I knew kind of what to expect... But the delivery was something else on this one. I always feel like I over-gush when I read books by Skye Warren, but I'm genuinely blown away each and every time.

Avery is broke and desperate with no options left until she goes to see a loan shark and gets an offer to auction off her virginity instead. We meet Gabriel early on and there should be nothing remotely redeeming about him, but in true dark romance style, of course we're drawn to him. He's dark, feral, mysterious and he offers crumbs of kindness that Avery so desperately craves.

I loved the raw honesty between the characters. I think ultimately it made me feel that much more sharply the moment when Avery, after feeling like she may have finally figured things out, gets the rug ripped out from under her all over again.

And the surprise cameo from past Stripped characters was so cool.

I'm a bit sad to have to wait until January to have some answers, but the hangover was worth it.

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

I loved Skye Warren's Beauty series, which is what introduced me to her writing, and while I have yet to read her other series and standalones, this new series starter is a reminder that I need to do exactly that. Avery is a girl whose naivete lends to this aura of innocence that she has. Maybe her being naive wasn't a big deal before but in the world she finds herself in now, she's at the mercy of those who seek to take advantage of her desperation. To many people, her father is a criminal, but to her, her father was the one who loved and took care of her, so in his time of need, she wants to be the one to be there for him. There's a lot more going on her than one man wanting to stake his claim on a young woman's purity. Gabriel and Avery aren't friends but I don't see them as enemies either. It's like they're in some sort of limbo, a purgatory of sorts. There are hints of Gabriel being more than he may seem, but with The Pawn ending in a cliffhanger (gah!), I'm guessing his true or changing intentions will be revealed later on. I'm excited to see how much Avery changes in The Knight. Five out of five stars go to The Pawn. ♥

The Pawn, by Skye Warren, is definitely more of a dark read that I was expecting. That doesn't mean I disliked it, No! I liked it all that much more. Avery and Gabriel have parents who are shady, at best, and do business with one another. The central conflict involved the father of Avery James cheating Gabriel Miller in a deal. The result was a most deadly consequence. He was beaten within an inch of his life and was bedridden, barely hanging on. Avery needs money to care for her father, keep their house and there's only one way she can earn that kind of money....auction off her virginity. Gabriel Miller "buys and owns" her for one month. There are times when Gabriel treats her with kindness and understanding but others when he is most menacing. Avery doesn't know what to make of him because she's never been in a real relationship. Even though she was engaged, it was a relationship of convenience. The core of this story is the game of chess. Avery used to play every night with her father and it's obvious that Gabriel is very good at it, too. They are headed for a checkmate when Gabriel decides it's time to collect his "prize." Afterwards, he literally sends her away. What a spot for a cliffhanger! I just have to get my hands on The Knight immediately! Skye has done a superb job of keeping this story going without a break in the action. Avery and Gabriel are written in such a way that you think they're right in the room with you. The minor characters play a large enough roll that you know what they are thinking and whether they are friend or foe. I can recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a romance on the darkside!

“Never fear, little virgin. You’ll make plenty selling your wares.”

My mind has officially been blown!! THE PAWN, book one in Skye Warren’s brand new ENDGAME series, was spellbinding!!!!! Brilliant! Absolutely phenomenal!!!! So step aside Philip and Blue....there is a new King of Cruelty and I am WILD about him!!!! Gabriel Miller is absolutely magnificent in all his feral, savage male beauty, and the alluringly innocent object of his nefarious desires is his perfect opponent!

This is the story of Avery James, a virginal young heiress, torn asunder by circumstance, ruined by fate, who enters the lion’s Den. Literally.

“These aren’t men, they’re animals. They’re predators, and I’m prey. Why would I willingly walk inside?”

Well, the answer to that is simple. Because she’s in dire straits, with nowhere else to turn, after she’s stripped of everything—her fortune, her dignity, everything she once cherished—and is drowning in debt. Bills. Devastation. And the fall from grace is oh-so-humbling. It was mere months ago when Avery was the toast of society, dripping in wealth and fancy clothes, celebrating her high school graduation and pumped with excitement about her acceptance into a prestigious all girl’s college.

But that girl does not exist anymore.

As chapter one opens, she throws herself on notorious loan shark Damon Scott’s mercy, begging for a loan, but he needs her as collateral and she is forced to auction off her virtue to the highest bidder to keep the house creditors at bay and to pay for her father’s medical care after suffering a vicious beating that leaves him clinging to life. But the last person on earth she imagined who would cast the winning million dollar bid is the dark and sinister Gabriel Miller.

“He’s the one who orchestrated my family’s fall. He’s like a puppet master, moving me faster and faster until I come apart.”

Gabriel set out to make an example of her father for cheating him, for daring to double-cross him, but it wasn’t enough to turn over state's evidence and strip her father of all his power and wealth. Now he sets his sinister sights on Avery, the broken man’s precious, virginal daughter, to extract more payment. And the price for survival is high indeed. For Avery knows that once her dirty little secret comes out, that she exchanged “sex of money”, she will be ruined in Tanglewood. She will never be accepted in upper crust society again.

“He could see every part of me. Touch every inch of my skin. Invade every place in my body.”

But as much as she wants to revile this unsavory, predatorial man who is fueled by revenge, power and lust, who’s out to HURT her, steal her innocence, cruelly mark her as his, she is not exactly recoiling from his searing touch. Every time his amber eyes gaze meets hers, blazing with passion, fury and raw, primal possession, a ripple of traitorous desire and dark need courses through her untouched body. Still, she knows better than to fall into a false sense of security with Gabriel. Everything he does has a purpose. To break her. She is his pawn in every sense of the word.

“I’ve met a million men in my life. Shaken hands. Smiled. I’ve never felt as seen through as I do right now. Never felt like someone has turned me inside out, every dark secret exposed to the harsh light. He sees my weaknesses, and from the cruel set of his mouth, he likes them.”

And even though he quietly relishes owning every single part of her achingly innocent body, he hadn’t counted on developing a begrudging respect for his “little virgin,” who would more than hold her own in the fierce battle of wills, and, as it turns out, she is not so easily manipulated. She is beautiful and brave, resilient and strong, with an aura of angelic purity that nearly brings him to his knees. She dangles her brilliant mind and untarnished soul in front of him—uses it as the ultimate leverage.

Now with the stakes higher than ever and their contemptuous passion reaching a shattering crescendo, who will emerge the victor in this cunning game of love and war?

HOLY WOW!!! I have marveled at every book that I've read by Skye Warren but the THE PAWN is in a league of its own. It’s her piece de resistance, her crowning achievement. This darkly entrancing enemies-to-lovers tale where the virgin princess is locked in the tower with the fire breathing dragon is teeming with rage and revenge, betrayal and lust, and such passion and pathos it is absolutely spellbinding.

The chemistry between the Dark Knight and his Pawn was BLAZING HOT!!! Every encounter pulsated with so much dangerous, wanton desire, filthy innuendo, churning emotion and bristling tension I was left quivering! Gabriel is tall, dark, intimidating and DOMINANTLY sexy, and Avery is way out of her depth with her formidable new master.

“He’s a giant of a man, rough-hewn and hard as stone. Except he’s not here to protect me."

The angst in this book was OFF. THE. CHARTS! My heart ached for Avery so intensely that it felt as if there was an unbearable weight pressing down on my chest, and there was an ever present burn of tears prickling behind my eyes. Yet my feelings were all over the place. As much as I wanted to loathe the unscrupulous lord of the manor for putting sweet Avery through such degradation and public shame, for mocking her and coldly dismissing her after she’s dutifully “served” her master, I knew deep down that he was not the monster he pretended to be because there was a glimmer of gentleness beneath that steel of armor.

“He made it clear that he’s my enemy, if I still had any doubt. I’m the pawn, and he’s my triumphant captor. And yet there are those moments of tenderness that I can’t quite turn away from. Drops of water that I’m thirsty enough to drink.”

It was in those achingly tender moments after he took her to the height of ecstasy, when he cradled his beautiful conquest so gently in his arms and soothed her trembling with his deceptively soft whispers in the dark, that I knew there was more to Gabriel than met the eye. But who was the man behind the poker face? Was he her ally or foe, her savior or her tormenter…or perhaps all of the above?

The prose is breathtaking…shimmering with such grace and sophistication and SOUL-SEARING metaphorical beauty it left me in a literary trance! And I found the plot to be brilliantly executed, and well-paced (TRULY NOT A DULL MOMENT!), the supporting characters all serving a vital purpose. There were so many riveting twists and turns, a virtual roller coaster of emotions, I was constantly on pins and needles awaiting the next bomb to detonate.

Speaking of explosions…

Holy moly…That FINAL MANEUVER!! It was shocking and brutally raw, and it totally obliterated my heart!! I felt like one of those hand-carved chess pieces, moved around with calculated precision around the board, and just when I felt that sweet victory was in my sights…BOOM!! Checkmate!

Ultimately, as I kept getting lured deeper and deeper into this dark, deliciously twisted labyrinth it really stuck me that this is truly a tale “…about war. About opposition. About standing tall in a rain of bullets” and that ultimately “life isn’t about what you deserve, it’s about making the best of what you have.”

Well, I can say one thing for certain...Skye Warren delivered the best of the best with THE PAWN. It is a literary triumph, a tour de force to be relished and revered, and I cannot wait for the second installment, THE KNIGHT, to conquer our hearts come January!

Checkmate The word comes from ancient Persian. Some say it means the King is dead, but the translation is a little less dire--depending on how you look at it. The King is helpless. The King is defeated. When there are no moves left, the only option is surrender.
There’s a reason why Skye Warren is one of my favorite Dark authors, in a genre she excels at. Ms Warren’s a Master Storyteller, spinning an intricate, delicate web, always shocking and complex, that reels you in. The Pawn is no exception. For those of us that love this genre, The Pawn combines a double treat! Two words that will have us hooked, before the story begins: Virgin and Auction.
Avery James is her Daddy’s only child. Her mother died when she was younger. A pampered and sheltered young girl, she attended an all girls Catholic school, an eighteen year old innocent virgin. Avery was her school’s Salutotorian, her major was classical studies with a focus on ancient mythology, and her graduation speech was about the way the things we do now are the myths of the future. Her future looked bright. With a handsome, future Senator boyfriend, Justin, Avery was looking forward to attending Smith College. Until, almost overnight, everything she knew and believed to be true was wiped away with her father’s deceipt,when he’s convicted of fraud. Disgraced, ostracized by their friends and the society they ruled, Avery’s desperate for money, not for her, but to help her father. So desperate, she goes to the Den, officially a gentleman’s club, looking for Tanglewood’s notorious loan shark, Damon Scott. The Den is unofficially where the most powerful criminals and dangerous men hang out. There she introduced to Gabriel Miller, a man who she fears but feels, inexplicably, protected by. The man, she finds out, who turned in evidence to the Attorney General, so that her father could be prosecuted for stealing from him. After being turned down by Damon for a loan (she has, after all, no collateral), she’s offered a chance to earn money. By auctioning her virginity, for a month, to the highest bidder. Desperate, Avery accepts.

That’s excellent, trust me.
Said the spider to the fly.
This particular fly is going to get a very nice payday for her time in the web.

When Gabriel makes a final, winning bid, Avery is both scared and relieved. He repeatedly warns Avey “I’m not your friend”. Unfortunately, as we all know, words can be deceitful, so Avery is confused. Is he, or isn’t he? His actions seem to speak louder than words. There’s a reason Gabriel reminds Avery to the mythological Minotauer, a half-man, half-beast. Why she needs to be constantly reminded that he’s not her friend, despite his actions. Because actions are deceiving.

“Death would have made him a martyr, though. I wanted him alive. Alive and suffering, so that everyone in the city would see what happens to someone who effs with Gabriel Miller.”
“Is that why you brought me here?”
“You play chess. Surely you know the many uses of a pawn.”

I won’t say any more about the story. I felt for Avery, for the life she should have had, and what she was forced to do for love; for her father and the memory of her mother. “Love is a game of war”. I was so desperately wishing that Gabriel was more man than beast, and I still don’t know what he is. I really do hate spoilers and don’t want to include any here. The Pawn is played out just as complex as a game of chess. Just when I had a theory about someone, it played out another way. One wrong move and it’s game over, checkmate. I will say this: I can’t wait for the game to continue, bwahahaha. Read into that what you will! I. Can’t. Wait.

It was a cliffhanger!! Aaaaarrrrgh! No one warned me about this! How cruel is Skye Warren? I was drawn into the world of corruption that is Tanglewood. I was seduced by a man that appeared to be equal parts monster and savior, and I was ensnared in a web of desperation and longing.

Only for my journey to come to a screeching halt to be continued in February!

My only consolation is that this amazing story is not over and I know I have a treat waiting for me in a few months.

The Pawn was fantastic. It was thoughtful and seedy and featured characters where no one was what they appeared. For each new person I met, I had to question whether they were truly the good or evil person they appeared, or if they were wearing a mask that would soon be removed. Were their motives pure or were they looking to gain something. This described the confusion I had with Gabriel Miller more than any other character.

As the man that bids on Avery at an auction to sell her virginity so that she can raise money to save her father and family home, Gabriel is the quintessential underworld boss. He is quiet and dominant and can control with a glance. But despite his role in the downfall of Avery’s family, he is surprisingly generous and thoughtful. I found myself confused by him and his true intentions. Was he falling for Avery? Or was everything a master plan to destroy her? And why?

Avery was a character that I truly felt badly for. She was in a situation that was not of her own making, where everyone around her that she felt she could trust turned out to be a shark circling in the blood filled waters. She was young with no one to help her and she did what she thought was right in order to survive. I found it heartbreaking each time she discovered the true intentions of those around her and wanted her, despite the odds, to find security in Gabriel.

Skye Warren is such a fantastic writer. Everything she puts out to read is sexy and wrong and slightly diabolical. There is a dark edge to all of her romances and it explores the seedy side of romance. In this case, Gabriel and Avery are terrific together and physical attraction jumps off the pages, even if their minds aren’t there yet. I devoured this story and wouldn’t change a thing about this book!

Well, except that cliffhanger thing….

ARC provided with no expectations.

The Pawn
By: Skye Warren

5 Star Review by Kristie K

A pawn is a player of little value, one that can be used to further the purposes of another, but used in a strategic game of intelligence, wit, and cunning…they’re a player that has the potential to be queen.

Avery James has grown up in the upper crust of Tanglewood society, a trust fund baby who has wanted for nothing, and attended an all-girls private high school. When her father cheats the wrong man, Avery’s world as she knows it comes crashing to the ground around her. As her fathers nefarious dealings come to light, her family name no longer holds any respect, and her once blissful innocence is quickly being lost. Stripped of all worldly belongings, broke, and her father now in a hospital bed, Avery offers up the only thing she has left to save her family home…her virginity. At a private auction, Avery is primped and paraded like a piece of meat, until bought by the highest bidder.

Gabriel Miller is a ruthless businessman. When he is double crossed by Avery’s father, his retribution is swift and complete. Putting every play into motion to bring down the man that wronged him, his game of heartless strategy continues with the auction of little Avery James. Every move is calculated, and Gabriel has come to win…

Holy Hades, THIS BOOK!! I literally read it in one day. A soul shattering, adrenaline fueled, mind-blowing game of moves and counter-moves. A mind-numbing roller coaster ride of secrets, lies, redemption, and truth. This story contained ALL THE FEELS, and left me with the biggest book hangover I’ve had all year. The painful story of innocence lost in a battle between titans…the relentless, callous, and sadistic maneuvers used to win the ultimate prize. This story was amazing from beginning to end. The plot was flawless, the storyline well thought out and seamlessly executed. The character development was on point, giving just enough to keep you wanting more. I will be dreaming of these characters, this story, and what could happen next for a good many nights to come…until The Knight comes out in January, at least. Very well played, Ms. Warren…Check and Mate…

Kristie K.

So, this is the first book in a new series from this author. Don’t let that scare you off. It is totally going to be worth the wait for the next book.
I didn’t find this book so much dark, but there was more of a head game going on. There was lots of suspense. It didn’t drag or get boring and there were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
There was a bit of an edge for me. It was kind of chilling in the way that I could feel what Avery was going though as she awaited her fate. I could almost feel the battle that Gabriel was having in his mind when it came to how he treated Avery and what he was really feeling. I would have loved getting things from his POV. I love a book that can pull a reaction from me the way this one did.
I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the rest of the series. This was totally a five star read for me!

Edgy and intense!
Skye Warren outdid herself with this book. Her writing is always captivating and dark, but in this book I feel as if she put her entire soul in the pages. The descriptions, the feelings of her heroine were so achingly real that the book had me glued to my seat.
This is the story of Avery James and how she fell from grace. She grew up as a princess but after her father's bad decisions she is left floating in an endless sea of debts. Her father is bedridden after being brutally hurt and now the only person Avery can count on is herself.
In a desperate effort to save her house and her father, she gambles the only thing that she owns; her innocence. Her body is the only tool she has in her power in a world that is cruel and unfeeling.
Two men will auction her to the highest bidder. One man will own her for a month.
Can Avery survive the fear and humiliation? Can she endure selling herself for the sake of her father? How many secrets does her father hide? What happens when the perfect world she had envisioned in her innocent mind is proven to be a lie?
And the biggest question of all: Can she trust Gabriel Miller? Can she trust the man that will play her like a pawn? Read to find out!
The writing, the characters and unbelievable chemistry made this book! It was fast paced, detailed where it counts and full of captivating sensuality. The author has incorporated quite a few themes from Greek mythology and I seriously fell on love with how perfectly they suited the storyline.
I adored every sentence and I seriously cannot wait for the next book.
Are you ready for a game of chess?

5 Stars!!!

From the moment I started reading "The Pawn" I couldn't put it down. I loved everything from the prologue until the end. The only thing I don't love about it is having to wait for the next book, but luckily it will be released in January, so it's not too long. I guess if it was released right away I'd be incapacitated for a while and incapable of doing anything but reading. So maybe spreading the books out is a good thing.

"The Pawn" reminded me more of some of Skye Warren's older books. While I've read and loved the newer books I fell in love with Skye's first books. "The Pawn" is part dark and part thriller. It reminded me a lot of Aleatha Romig's books (another of my favorite authors). It is the story of Gabriel and Avery. Avery grew up in luxury, but has now lost everything. Her father is in need of constant medical attention and Avery can't pay for it. The only thing left of value that she posseses is her virginity. Gabriel is the man who took everything away from Avery. He suggests that she auction off her virginity and sell herself for 1 month to the highest bidder. He's cunning and calculating, but then we see him vulnerable and caring. I'm not yet sure if Gabriel is the good guy or the bad guy. Will he be the Knight in the next book in the Endgame series or is he truly evil? I can't wait to find out and read more.

"The Pawn" is definitely one of my favorite books of 2016 and since it's almost the end of the year I've read a lot of books. I give "The Pawn" FIVE STARS!

The Pawn is a game of chess that bleeds into real life.
This is my favorite book by Skye Warren. She has really grown in her writing as an author.

Gabriel Miller this guy is so dark and mysterious. You never know his true motives. He exudes raw power and traps Avery in his paws. "A little bird in a gilded cage. Why keep one except to hear her sing?"

Avery was a girl with the perfect life; good school, friends and wealth but now she is on the verge of financial ruin. She is about to lose her childhood home, the only thing not taken from her father as yet. Her father was a bad man who messed with the wrong people and now he is just a shell of the man he once was. Avery has only one thing of value and decides to sell it to the highest bidder. She experiences humiliation and degradation at the auction. Her father's so called friends and business associates also play a part in her humiliation.

The setting is in Tanglewood from Skye's Stripped Series, so we get to see Candy and a glimpse of Ivan.

This one is a page turner about deception, power, control, humiliation, revenge, lust and seduction in the game of love.
*It ends in a cliffhanger*

The blurb snagged me on this one - so Beauty & The Beast-esque, no?
Girl sacrifices herself to save the life of her father.

The opening quote SAYS IT ALL:
"Every pawn is a potential queen - James Mason" I LOVE THIS! And I read that sentence and my excitement ratcheted up even higher. I hadn't read a Skye Warren in a while, and I'm not sure why that is. This book caught me up, kept me reading long after I should have been, you know, doing that all important thing they call sleep.

I would say more, but I don't dare. You don't want this spoiled for you. You will be ready to slam that one-click for book two though, I can tell you that much.

YAAAY for an early ARC! I DID A MINI DANCE WHEN THIS ARRIVED ON MY KINDLE!

Well Skye, you out-did yourself with this one - a fabulous read!!

Avery has lived the life of a princess, until everything comes crashing down around her and she has to sell everything to pay for her father's medical expenses. But even that is not enough, she is forced to sell the only thing she has left - her virginity to the highest bidder.

Gabriel buys her for a month, but doesn't just buy her, he owns her, in every way possible. Avery is literally a Pawn in a cat and mouse game. Gabriel is harsh, dangerous and very secretive. The push and pull between these characters is just fabulous. The story just flows in this very calculating game, dark and addictive, I couldn't put it down. Seriously I can't wait for the next book.

Avery is a rich princess spoiled by her dad until one day she looses everything. Avery's dad stole from people you never steal from and now he's in a hospital bed. Avery is at her last straw she goes to meet a money shark and begs for help well Avery has nothing but her virginity to sell. Avery meets Gabriel the man her dad stole from and there's something about him that she trusts but Avery is just a pawn to Gabriel. Will Avery give Gabriel what he wants? Will Gabriel take his pawn and checkmate? Wow this book right from the beginning draws you in! You feel the tense from Avery with every word. Gabriel such a evil man but there is something about him that he's hiding. 5/5 stars ****Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Read provided for a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****

3.5 Stars
This is not a bad 3.5 stars there were just a few things that I felt could have been stronger in the writing. I didn't have a real sense of what Gabriel looked like other that big, or how old he was. As a reader I want to be able to connect to the characters and it was harder to connect to him in some ways because I couldn't get a good picture of him in my mind. I felt a bit the same way about Avery. There was also a little issue with continuity, it sounded like from the prologue to chapter 1 it had been one year but in actuality it had been two but we aren't told that until almost the end of the book. Just a little more clarification on a few point like that I think really would have cleaned this book up.
I also get that we are show more and more about her daddy as the book goes up but I was surprised but the pedestal she had him on before the trial after we learn about the chili juice, that seemed just a little off. I feel like a little hint in the beginning about about how maybe he was not the perfect father would have been better at giving us more character development.

My heart breaks for Avery in this book, she has hard choices to make and I can understand why she does what she does and from her point of view it's the only way to keep what she views in the most important thing in her life. Though as someone from a completely different class, selling my very expensive house to care for a very sick family member would be on the top of my list as opposed to my virginity.

I could feel something coming from Gabriel but I wanted more, I don't feel like we got enough of him.

Of course he did what he said he would do in the end and warned her against even though she called him out on it and didn't believe it. He'll have some major groveling to do and I hope she makes him work for it and doesn't just give in as soon as sex is used, I hate that but only the next book will tell.

I liked some of the side character enough that I went and bought the books that pertain to their series so I was drawn in enough to want to read more by Ms. Warren until the next book in this series is out.

I do recommend this book, I think a little refining would have helped and maybe another 25-50 pages to add a bit more depth would have helped as well.

My addiction is dark romance. Skye Warren has truly given an amazing book that gives you everything you want in a dark romance. Avery finds herself in a situation she never pictured for herself and when she doesn't have a hand to play she decides to auction off her virginity. These type of books are always exciting and I love the twist and turns that the author put into this story. This isn't your average storyline Skye Warren knows how to captive your thoughts and twist all your emotions up. Gabriel is the ultimate bad boy, he destroys every Avery knows and than plays her and her emotions so well that she doesn't know what to expect. I love the chemistry between the two and I can't wait for the next book.

Avery grew up in a family with good connections and lots of money. Pretty dresses and elegant parties were all part of her sophisticated life. Her life tuns upside down when her father is brought up on fraud charges. The trial leads to the loss of all of their money and the near death of her father.

While Avery tries to put the pieces back together she has to make some hard decisions to find the money needed to care for her father and keep their house. Selling her soul to those involved in the crime scene was her last choice. An auction determines her fate for 1 month. She is shocked when Gabriel is the one that purchased her. Although she wanted to hate him for everything he was putting her through there was a connection between them. She is released early to find her father's health has declined and their house is being taken away. What will she do now?

I was not ready for this book to end when it did.... I need more now..... Can't wait for Knight....

I feel like this book should be getting more love and attention. It's a great dark take on the game and battle for wits, honor, and possibly love.

Despite the modern setting, this could've easily been a historical novel as well with its premise. Avery James, our heroine, is a pampered heiress whose life was turned upside down when her father's fraud crimes were exposed and everything they have, from their material possessions down to their dignity and honor, were taken away. On top of that, her father was brutally attacked leaving him as a vegetable. With seemingly no other choice left, she resorts to asking money from the biggest loan shark in town and ends up agreeing to auction off her virginity (her only thing left of value) and be the winner's "property" for a month. During the arrangement for the auction process, she meets the richest and most powerful guy around, Gabriel Miller. A guy she knows is downright dangerous and yet she can't help but be drawn to. And this is even before she finds out that Gabriel is the one responsible for exposing her father. He was the last one her father conned and he brought about her father's ruin. It should come as no surprise then that he ends up winning the auction and here begins the mind games with each move a parallel to the game of chess... Is this yet another layer to his revenge? Why are there moments when he shows her kindness and vulnerability? Is it all just an act or is he trying to hide some feelings for her? Does he want her as a person and not just as a pawn for his game? He claims he wanted her from the beginning. Is this true? And just to what lengths can he go to get what he wants?

Avery is a good heroine. With her POV in the entire book, you can see that she's young and naive but she's trying her best and she's learning fast that she too can play the game. You see glimpses of growth and maturity in her that I think will flourish with time. Seen through her eyes, Gabriel is one dark, mysterious, and sexy hero. As a reader, you can't get enough of him. You want to know more about him especially his thoughts. There is more to him than what he lets on and that is a huge part of his appeal. You'd want the kindness and sweetness he shows to Avery to be real but yet you know that the wheels are spinning on his head and there is most likely something sinister going on in his head.

And finally, as a note, this ends on a cliffhanger and I for one, can't wait to devour what's next.

Skye Warren's latest novel The Pawn is dark romance at its finest. I am sitting here in my reading nook absolutely slayed by this woman because The Pawn just tipped my world on its axis.

This author owns me; I am a huge fan of her work so the moment that The Pawn hit my kindle I put *everything* on hold and immediately dived into this gem. I knew that I would be in for a wildly entertaining ride that would keep me turning the pages until I had consumed the entire book.

I was right, because The Pawn left me stunned and mesmerized by the events that occur in this novel, particularly as the book came to a surprising, unexpected conclusion!!!

Skye Warren blew.me. AWAY with this epic tale of seduction and a true battle of wills that left me emotionally shaken and immensely hooked on this book!!! This beautiful love story is my new brand of crack and I am hopelessly, shamelessly addicted!!!

Avery James is the daughter of a highly successful businessman and grows up living a life of wealth and privilege. Her world comes crumbling down when she loses everything after her father is convicted of fraud and forced to pay millions in restitution to his victims. Faced with the possibility of losing her home, she decides to put her virginity up for auction. The prize is won by Gabriel Miller, a sexy, brooding criminal who pays $1,000,000 for one month to enjoy the "benefits" that come along with his purchase.

This author never fails to amaze me with her brilliant writing. One of the things that I loved about this novel was the clever way that Ms. Warren incorporated Greek mythology and the tale of the Minotaur into the plot of The Pawn.

Skye Warren has a way of holding your emotions hostage as you read her work, and that is mostly due to the strength of the characters. For instance, I *adored* Avery. She is gorgeous, young and inexperienced but she is strong, courageous and brave. Her loyalty to her father in spite of his actions tremendously endeared her to me.

And then there is Gabriel Miller. Damn, damn DAMN this man is sexy. His innate sex appeal practically jumps from the pages. He is powerful and wealthy in the extreme, but he also exudes an air of mystique that kept me riveted. At the same time, there was a vulnerable undertone to his character that made him irresistible to me. Gabriel Miller can seduce me any day of the week and twice on Sunday!!!! *fans self*

It is important to note that there is a cliffhanger at the end of The Pawn, and my stomach dropped and my heart wept because of it. I fear that I will expire from wanting the next book, because I want it so bad that it is *killing* me to wait for The Knight!!!!!!!! However, I am happy to wait, because Avery James may be a pawn in Gabriel Miller's dark games, but I have a feeling that by the end of the series she will end up becoming a queen. ?

The Pawn is a true work of art. It has so many deep, profound layers that it is hard for me to put my awe of this author into words. The games, the secrets...GAH!!!! This book set me on FIYAH and I am eager to continue to feel the burn!!!

READ IT!!!!

I am willing to bet money on the fact that you will LOVE it!!

That is this bookworm's final word.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heat: ?????

Avery James, 20, is in dire straits. (She seems to have a flair for the dramatic so that description seems fitting.) Gabriel Miller is the very dark knight who comes to her rescue. Or does he?

The book description pretty much gives you the plot. Girl is desperate. Girl seeks out help from the bad guys. Girl meets man. There’s an auction. Girl gives up virginity. Man is holding all the cards.

This is a hard one to rate because there are literary aspects to the story that have merit and to some degree it keeps you guessing right up to the very end. But then the end is part of the difficulty in rating. I really wish authors would be more upfront when not providing a complete story. Because essentially that’s what a cliffhanger end makes it—only part of the story. So it’s hard to rate on that fact alone. But there were other literary issues I struggled with.

As indicated by the title, the theme of a game/chess game is strong as well as mythology, which the heroine majored in. These aspects make the story fuller to some degree while at the same time bogging it down in places. Overall though, my biggest difficulty lied in connecting with both of the main characters.

Told solely from Avery’s first person POV, I can understand to some degree why Gabriel was difficult to connect with. For one, I’m sure it’s intended that way to keep a certain mystery about him. But also Avery herself doesn’t really understand him. Avery, and I think this was my big issue with her, is really naïve, really inexperienced, and not entirely in a likable way. Honestly, I felt like she was a character out a Dicken’s novel. She was just that destitute, that impoverished, and the people around her that apathetic to her suffering despite her innocence in it all. And I, myself, had trouble in certain places garnering sympathy for her. It felt like the novel really was set in the 1800’s the way a girl’s virginity was revered as well as bought and sold. Seeing as how I assume it is set in 2016, Avery needed to move to another town, get a job, gain some independence, and quit looking for the good in people who probably don't deserve it.

I suspect the story is headed in a romantic direction at some point, albeit a dark one. But from this segment of the story, there really isn’t any romance despite Avery’s attempts, much like a young foolish girl, to romanticize their encounters. It’s definitely more of a dark and erotic suspense. There is dubious consent and a prostitution-like way that their sexual interactions occur. You’ll definitely want to check any feminist beliefs at the door because this story is centered around the premise that a helpless girl needs a man, even a corrupt unsavory one, to save her from the more unsavory males in society.

The continuation of this saga releases in January 2017 with The Knight.

Avery is a young girl who's whole world fell apart and she and her family fell from grace. Before Avery's world exploded she had everything, she was on the right track. She had just graduated from high school, she was her class salutatorian and she had the perfect boyfriend, was the apple of her father's eye, and she was on her way to college.

Avery is desperate in her sistuation and she needs help and fast. Avery knows it is a bad idea to visit a loan shark, Damon Scott in her time of need, but she has no other choice. She wants to save her father. She's willing to do just about anything in order to accomplish her goal, nothing else matters. There she encounters a golden eyed man who happens to be Gabriel Miller.

Gabriel Miller is viewed as a god, a very dangerous one. He deals in everything and should never be crossed, crossing him is like asking for a death wish. One should tread cautiously when conducting business with him. He doesn't take to kindly to the people who betrays him.Gabriel has history with Avery's father and you will find out what type of history in the beginning of the book so you won't have long to wait.

Avery despises Gabriel at first for good reason. Gabriel seemed to already know who she was when she showed up at a gentlemen's club known as the Den to see Damon Scott. Avery had no inkling of who Gabriel is upon meeting him. All she knew was that she was highly aware of him. She also demanded to know who he was if he was to decide her fate.

Avery had no other choice but to auction off her virginity to the highest bidder, the most valuable thing that she has to her name in order to gain what she wants. She doesn't want to at first, but she is desperate, and in need of that favor. Her young body comes alive under Gabriel's beautiful golden eyes, he's able to see into her soul, to point out all her weaknesses, and he relishes it. He knows she's willing to play along because she has no other option. He has her cornered and out of moves.

Avery isn't normally so defiant but Gabriel makes her that way, he challenges her, causes her to react in certain ways. She's a shadow of her former self, she sees no reason to stay silent. She has every intention of fighting back. Gabriel wants Avery and he makes it clear to her. Gabriel is complacent and already concludes that the auction is over and declares himself the victor to Avery's horror. Gabriel is cunning as he is dangerous and wants to possess her, seeing her as his.

Gabriel masterfully enjoys goading Avery at every turn, loved getting a reaction out of her. Avery calls him out on it. She doesn't know if she can fully trust him, but she can't ignore how his touch and very appearance electrifies her body. He's inside her head and that confuses her. She's drawn to him for some inexplicable reason even though he's a dangerous man and she can't consider him a friend.

The Den is a scary place but she feels little comfort in Gabriel's beautiful golden appearance. I loved how Gabriel takes to giving her a nickname. It suits her, becomes her. There is no escaping him. Begrudgingly, Gabriel has a soft spot for Avery and it is shown throughout the story and he becomes somewhat of a protector and I loved it, especially seeing as he's a shrewd man who supposedly hates her family.

At every turn Gabriel tells Avery that she can't trust him, that he's dangerous, and that she should remain cautious around him. Of course Avery doesn't understand why he would say these things about himself. In her own way she ends up understanding him more than Gabriel realized.

Avery is often at times trying to figure out how Gabriel knows so much about her. He knows her habits, private things about her. He knows things that he shouldn't. Skye Warren does a great job at playing this out and you won't be disappointed. There are twists and turns that keeps the readers engaged in the story. You will even experience different emotions as the story draws to a close. I was left shaking my head and feeling a little angry and sad, but I still liked this incredible book and I can't wait for the next one in the series, The Knight.

The Pawn was my first read by Skye Warren and what an amazing introduction to this author it was for me. I loved this novel and the mystery leading this story. There’s a notable aura of something bigger and darker than what you see all along the read.

To help save her family house and take care of her bedridden father, Avery desperately enters an auction for her virginity. Many rich men bid on her, but the enigmatic Gabriel Miller captivates her at first sight. But this man is known to be dangerous. Their relationship is very interesting. There’s a boiling attraction between them, but the hurt he caused her family makes Avery apprehensive toward him. The sensuality explodes between them to make some intensely hot scenes.

I couldn’t help but be fascinated with Gabriel. Behind his dark and mysterious attitude is hiding a surprisingly thoughtful and complex man. I can’t help but want to discover his secrets. I’m sure there’s more to the whole story.

The twists The Pawn takes are thrilling and the way it’s flawlessly written is beautiful while being unique. I can’t wait to uncover more about Gabriel and Avery’s family secrets in the next books of The Endgame Trilogy. Definitely a sensual ride into mystery, secrets, manipulation and searing chemistry.

I'm not usually a fan of the darker romance books. I'm a HEA, NO cliffhanger, romantic comedy kind of reader. My friend and avid reader, likes these kind of books, and she recommended I read this. She said, " Try THIS one! I think you'll love it!"
Boy was she right!
I was in love with the plot and characters from the start. Skye Warren got me sucked in from the first page, and I read this book in one sitting not realizing I was so engrossed!
Avery James comes from a very privileged upbringing. Lived in a mansion, went to preparatory school, and a private college after that...best clothes and surrounded by the richest of people...you get the picture. Everything is taken from Avery in what seems like a minute. Her father loses everything ( no spoilers here as to HOW ) but Avery fights to survive and won't lose her beautiful home and fights to protect her now dying father.
This is when Avery decides putting her virginity on the market will pay all the bills that are piling up, and save her home.
Gabriel Miller is a man of wealth, power and control. He's the one who Avery is going to depend on so she can save everything near and dear to her heart...but, everything comes at a price! You want to hate Gabriel, you know you should! I personally see so much good in him. He has secrets that we won't learn until the next book.
During Avery's time in her newfound dark world, a woman named Candy giver her some words of wisdom, advice if you will.
***"All you have to give them is your body. Your mind, your soul—that’s your leverage.” That’s my ball of string, I realize. A lifeline, so I can find my way out of the maze at the end.***
Unfortunately , this book ends on a serious cliffhanger ( and like I said, I despise cliffhangers! ) and we won't know what happens to Avery or learn the secrets of Gabriel's life until the next book, The Knight which doesn't come out until January 31, 2017. I'm anxiously awaiting!
I highly recommend this book! Ms. Warren's writing is descriptive and flows so easily.

I was a virgin!

I was a Skye Warren virgin before I started reading this book. But she popped my cherry, oh boy did she ever. It’s not because she wasn’t gentle, she was in a way, but the first time always hurts, right?

She didn’t just throw me on the bed and ravished me, oh no, she was kind of devious that way. She teased me and played with her muscles, showing me how much strength she had, letting me know she could easily overpower me and bent me to her will, but she didn’t.

She seduced me into her world of amazing characters, letting me see just a hint of what could be and then withdrew, letting me come to her, begging her for more.

She seduced me with her absolutely amazing writing that left me wanting more. She showered me with kisses from her pen, telling me stories of scary but yet so beautiful men. Whispered sweet words into my ears about betrayal, lies, revenge, and hate that would turn into a love so profound that it left me breathless!

She told me a tale about a young innocent woman, caught in a web of love for her father, realizing that all she had to offer, in exchange for money to keep him alive, was her virginity. She told me about how everyone turned their back on the young woman and she was left all alone to take care of her father and herself. How the wolves descended on her, how everyone wanted a piece of her. She told me that in the middle of the stormy sea, the young woman found calm in the shape of the man who wanted to hurt her the most. The little gazelle found protection in the arms of the greatest predator of them all. He wanted to make sure that he was the one hurting her, and not anybody else.

When she finally took me, it was amazing, and I’ll never forget it. The way she caressed my mind and how she knew exactly how to touch my soul and give me the satisfaction my brain screamed for. She did it so good that all I’m left with is the urge to ask for more, and I know now that it’s true; you never forget your first time.

Thanks to the author for this amazing advanced copy.

The Pawn is an incredibly unique contemporary dark romance that isn’t a light-hearted read but completely enraptures you with the connection and back and forth of power and lust between the two characters. This is only the first part of the series and does end with a bit of a cliffhanger so if that isn’t your thing, you won’t enjoy this book.

Told solely from Avery’s perspective, the relationship between Avery and Gabriel is one of mystery and intrigue and just like a game of chess has you anticipating the next move that will be made. As the book gets darker and the plot thickens, watching the characters evolve was fascinating as you didn’t always know how they would go. Avery was a strong and fierce heroine who is really likeable and has you rooting for her from the very start. You also know you are reading an incredible book with great characters when you actually really like the dark characters that you shouldn’t, in this case, Gabriel.

The Pawn is outstandingly written with it’s strong plot and complex characters. The book is a dark and thrilling read about power and lust and everything in between but with an overwhelming sexy edge and emotional undercurrent to the book. It’s one of those books that you just can’t figure out fully where things will go and how it will end, keeping you hanging on to see what move will come next. I personally loved the way the ending came full circle back to the beginning, despite it being a cliffhanger, and will have you desperate to get your hands on the next book in this series. I won’t say anything else to avoid any spoilers.

If you enjoy thrilling dark romances and don’t mind a cliffhanger, definitely give this book a read!

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Panty Scorching- 5
Storyline-5
Angst- 2
Tissues-0
Value-5
Overall Rating- 5
Received an ARC for review
Reviewed by Joanna

I want to say some DIRTY WORDS… but can’t, or it won’t get posted on social media. So I will just say I am sad that this is over… and I am left hanging until the next story comes out.

I didn’t know this was a 1 of 2 stories when I signed up to read it. I love the author, and usually sign up for anything she writes. Usually she writes the stories to where you don’t have to read the first one…to be able to read the next. Even though they are a series, the can still be left as a standalone. Well… let me tell you, there is more to come, and you are not going to want to miss it.

This is a story of Avery… she lost her mother when she was younger and was raised by her father. He is a very strong and influential business man. Avery has a great boyfriend, saving herself for marriage and he is willing to wait. He loves her that much. Justin wants to get into politics when he graduates, and wants Avery by his side.

Then, Avery’s world comes tumbling down. Her father is accused of criminal acts, was found guilty, and then beaten to a thread of his life. Avery is desperate, trying to take care of her father, paying all the bills, and trying to keep her family home.
She does something desperate and goes to seek help, from the man who hates her father the most…Gabriel Miller.

There is a history between Gabriel and Avery, but Avery isn’t aware of it, she just knows there is a pull towards him.

This is a HOT sexy story, but leaves you wanting and needing more.

I could not put it down. The way it is written, leaves you panting and pissed all at the same time.

Loved it, and hated it. LOL... but need and want more.

Avery sold the only asset she had to offer in order to help save her family from financial ruin. Gabriel ends up winning Avery at the auction, and all he sees is a chance to exact revenge. Lies, deceit, and secrets abound in this very sexy thrilling romantic suspense. Avery appears to be a pawn being played here. Who is lying, and who is working behind the scenes to hurt them? The dynamics between Gabriel and Avery were a little dark and steamy, but not as spicy as other books I've read. It ends on a cliffhanger, so hang on to see how the chess game plays out.

Arc provided for an honest review.
"I'm the Pawn and he's my triumphant captor"

The Pawn is the first book that I read by Skye Warren. When I started reading it , I didn't really know what to expect. Yes I had read the blurb ... I was intrigued.

Avery is the perfect young woman, she belongs to the elite and has all her future planned. However, once her father lost everything - his money, his businesses and nearly his life- Avery has to learn to survive alone. She's willing to do anything in her power to save her house and provide medical support to her daddy , even if it Implies selling her soul to the devil Gabriel.

"You can have my body, I think. But you can’t touch my heart."

Avery sells her virginity and the man who destroyed her father bought it. Can Avery go through with it? Is Gabriel really the monster everyone thinks he is ? Is this just a game for him?
I know that's a lot of questions! Desperate times call for desperate measures... I love Avery and Gabriel. She's a strong innocent heroine who discovers herself through Gabriel who makes her feel alive and questions everything she believed in.

Their story is addictive, erotic and sensual. I was fascinated by the way Skye Warren has managed to write such a dark highly erotic story so successfully and to some extent in a romantic way. I was mesmerised by the characters and so attracted by Gabriel, by his tortured and enigmatic soul. And now I'm desperate to read the second book because this cliffhanger.. it's torture!

"There’s only one thing I’m going to call you. Mine.”

Wow. Just wow. This book had me from the start and I could not put it down. What would cause a woman to sell her virginity? She would have to literally have hit rock bottom, right?

Avery James had it all. She lived a life of privilege. Her needs and wants met at every turn. Her father loved and doted on her. Nothing could ever go wrong, until it so badly did. Now she has nothing left, they lost everything, but her father needs her more than ever. What does she have left of worth? Her virginity. So, she decides to auction it to help her father.

Gabriel Miller is a man of means and always gets what he wants. He plays to win and his game is a very dark one. When he wins the auction, he owns Avery for a month and plans to enjoy every minute she is his. But what are his real intentions? What secrets does he hide? There is so much of Gabriel we just do not know.

I was so intrigued with the fight for control and all the twists and turns in this story. The games being played, the secrets, fear and heartbreak are felt every step of the way. I repeatedly held my breath waiting to see what would happen next.

The chemistry between Gabriel and Avery was off the charts. And even though Avery was on the naïve side, she could hold her own against him at times. And Gabriel. What can you say about him? He is the type of character you love…and hate.

This book was wonderfully written with surprises along the way that had me captivated. This dark romance was erotic and addicting. Just when you think you know what is happening, the author leaves you reeling. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I give The Pawn by Skye Warren 5-stars.

The Pawn took me by surprise! It was my first read by Skye Warren, and I didn’t know what to expect. If I had to find three words to describe this book, it would be riveting, intense and sexy. This twisting spiral of lies, mind games and darkness was compulsively readable and sinfully addictive, but beware of the cliffhanger!

Avery James’ life as the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman is over. Her father was a crook and the last businessman he stole from has turned him in to the authorities. Avery urgently needs money to keep creditors at bay and pay for her father’s medical care. Desperate, she accepts to trade her virginity to the highest bidder. The winner is the man who has caused her family’s downfall, Gabriel Miller. He is a ruthless and implacable enemy who intends to stop at nothing to get revenge. There is obviously more to Gabriel than meets the eye though, this character is utterly complex and remains an enigma in this first part of the story. He is a master manipulator, cunning and mercurial, but appears conflicted.

Avery is inexperienced and has been sheltered all her life by her father. She fears Gabriel, but she has no choice. She is a fighter, though. Avery and Gabriel have explosive chemistry, the push and pull between them was mesmerizing! The sense of impending doom in the background was thrilling. Avery is a pawn in Gabriel’s mind games, and he obviously wants to stop at nothing. But he is also playing with his own feelings.

I didn’t want this book to end… The ending left me reeling! I’m hooked and dying to read the next book in the series “The Knight”!

I received an advance copy of this book.

The Pawn is part of a series, you will be left with questions at the end of this story, I am so glad we only have to wait until January for The Knight – you have been warned.

I was deflated upon finishing as I was not ready to leave Gabriel and Avery. The last word of the book – perfect and what an ending – so many questions.

Will Avery make her move and jump ahead in The Knight? I cannot wait to see her surprise move.

Gabriel is the devil and Avery is goodness and perhaps a bit naive especially when it comes to her father. When Gabriel takes Avery in the physical sense it is raw and honest however upon reflection I have some inner thoughts on what could happen to Avery going forward – I hope I am right.

The whole auction scene had my stomach turning and her awful Uncle Landon made my skin crawl.

The Pawn flows perfectly, we are given moments of devastation and turmoil and I love the cover. The Pawn is not a love story however I can feel the foundations building and for a Queen to make her move in more ways than one to capture the King.

The supporting characters of Justin and Harper gave another layer to Avery to help me understand her upbringing and her innocence.

I am left with many questions that I want answers to, is the Den playing another part to this story, where any why the photos?, who was the intruder, is Uncle Landon going to try and claim again, where is Justin and has Gabriel left Avery with a gift?

Quote: I flinch because I know exactly what I am to him It’s my role in this game: to fall when the time is right, to protect the king until I’ve run out of time. To sacrifice myself at the perfect turn.

Book hangover and so many questions left unanswered. Ugh. The wait for the next installment which is due in January is going to be looong… What a bloody brilliant story. Unique and intense.

Avery James life changed drastically the moment her father was convicted. After they quickly lost everything and her father being assaulted to a point where he is left bedridden, she is fast out of options as to how to get money to take care of her father. In her despair she asks for a loan, only to be offered something completely different and much more sinister and dangerous: To let her virginity be auctioned off to the highest bidder who on top of that gets to own her for a month.

Gabriel Miller, one of the many men that Avery’s father deceived, is the one to come up with that brazen idea. Not only that, he is also the man that turned him to the authorities – and in the end the highest bidder of the auction…

What other secrets might her father be hiding? What will the humiliation of it all do to Avery? What is Gabriel’s end game? And why can’t she deny the pull toward him – the man she should trust the very least?

This book is full of twists and turns, heartbreak, manipulations, surprises, betrayal and sensuality that will keep you captivated and on edge throughout. While Gabriel does not hide is general intentions, it is clear that this is all a macabre game to him… or isn’t it?

The ending threw me for a loop! Another intense and dark story extremely well written by Skye Warren. I need more!

The pawn had me enthralled from the very beginning. Avery St. James was born into a society where she had everything she ever wanted. Then she had to deal with a change from her perfect life , because her father had lied and cheated his way through business with the wrong man Gabriel Miler. He was sued and they lost almost everything. Avery had to drop out of college, sell what ever she could and to make matters worse her father was jumped in an alley and was beaten for his transgressions. Avery even had to take care of her ailing father. She was going to lose the house that her mother left her if she did not get the money to pay the mortgage. All Avery had to offer was her virginity, and it was auctioned ff to the highest bidder who just happened to be Gabriel Miller. Avery is scared but also intrigued with the man who bought her virginity and want to know so much more. The way that Gabriel treats her is difficult due to his mercurial emotions, she never knows what he will want from her. Skye Warren is a masterful writer that keeps that reader intrigued until the very end and leaves them wanting more..after the novel is done..it has a cliffhanger but continues with The Knight. You will not be disappointed when you read this book!

One word. Perfect.

I had a mild panic attack because book 2 hasn't been released yet. Where has Skye Warren been all my life? This was incredible. The pace, the sexual tension, the characters... BRAVO!

I shelved this book into my favorites section, but now I'm scared. I hope I didn't just jinx it. Don't you hate it when the first book was absolutely mind blowing, and then the second book just wasn't as thrilling? And then you just want to cut your heart out with a dull blade because you've been waiting forever for the rest of the story but all you ended up with was disappointment? (I'm just joking... not really)

The story is about Avery. She's the perfect daughter and has it all. Good school, good grades, wealthy father, engaged to a young man going into politics. Her amazing life ends when Gabriel Miller comes into the picture.

He takes everything away from her.

No more money. No more college.

On top of that, her father is sick and needs expensive medical care.

So she sells her body and soul to the devil himself.

Gabriel has the upper hand. He's older, experienced, and calculating. There are moments when he is like a savior, and then he suddenly becomes cold. He is such an enigma, and I can't stop thinking about him.

Gabriel and Avery play each other like a chess game. Avery's inexperience and innocence is sometimes a disadvantage, but the game isn't over. I can't wait for book 2. This is a must read!

The Pawn was my first taste of Skye Warren's writing and she's brilliant!! It was a riveting, flawless, and dark emotional roller coaster ride! It kept me on the edge of me seat from page one! I was completely addicted and read the book in a day! The plot was completely unique and exicuited phenomenally well! It's like no book I have read before! The characters was developed to a T! Strong female leads are a must for me and Avery slays it! I couldnt even imagine the turmoil and devastation her character faces. And yet she holds it together the whole time! And Gabriel is the most dark, dominating and mysterious character I have ever read. You feel like a moth to a flame you want to hate him but can't stop yourself from swooning over him no matter how hard you try! His mystery and secrets keeps you entranced waiting for his next calculated move! You feel absolutely connected with the characters of as if you're standing right there with them! Skye doesn't make you love just the main character she makes you want more of them all! Take my money women I've got my preorder in and I'm on pins and needles for The Knight! Most definitely one of the top 5 books I have read in 2016! They say they save the best for last and1 Skye made sure she ended the year with a bang! 5 stars well earned, I wish I had more stars because I would give them to this book! Its a dark thrilling high stakes game of Chess with the ultimate prize, LOVE!

The Pawn is overwhelmingly one of my favorite books of the year and it's not over. The story is very well written and masterfully draws your focus away from the final move. There's plenty of twists, turns and intense moments that lead to surprising revelations. The ending left me gutted.

Avery James life changed the day her father was convicted. They quickly lost everything. After the conviction her father was viciously beaten leaving him bedridden. Avery has been taking care of her father but they are running out of money fast. She decides to ask for a loan but instead is offered the opportunity to be the prize at a forbidden auction. Having no other reasonable options Avery choose to sell her virginity to the highest bidder.

"You're innocent. And I'm going to ruin you."

Gabriel Miller had been one of Avery's father's victims and the person to turn him in to the authorities. He's also the person who not only suggested the virginity auction but also the winning bidder. Now Avery is in debt to Gabriel for a month. Their relationship is intense. It's a well calculated game of chess with every move carefully selected. Gabriel makes his intentions clear, although he and Avery seem to be developing a connection. The ending threw me for a loop. The heartache, the betrayal and the lose is intense. Ugh! So many questions left to be answered. So my stalking of Skye Warren begins. Love this book! 5 Stars

Skye Warren has an amazing talent and I am so glad she shares it with the world! She never fails to deliver an amazing plot (or leave me hot and bothered). In her newest installment of mind-blowing-fuckery, The Pawn, she introduces us to a new favorite couple of mine, Avery and Gabriel. I started this book before bed one night thinking that I would read a few chapters before falling asleep... I should have known better! Four hours of missed sleep later, checkmate. It was 100% worth being dog-tired at work the next day!

Avery's father was convicted of fraud and shortly thereafter, beaten to a pulp and left to dead. Since then, it's been up to Avery to take care of him and the bills. Unfortunately, even after selling off all of her family's belongings, she has no money left and is facing eviction. In an effort to get money to help her stay afloat, she ends up at The Den, where the high-class, powerful men of Tanglewood come to play.

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"Officially the Den is a gentlemen’s club, the old-world kind with cigars and private invitations. Unofficially it’s a collection of the most powerful men in Tanglewood. Dangerous men. Criminals, even if they wear a suit while breaking the law."
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When the front door to The Den opens, Avery is met by Gabriel Miller. As soon as she lays eyes on him, she is struck by both his beauty as well as the power that emanates from his body. He is a dangerous, cunning man that once you cross, you may pay for it with your life. She was about to find out just how true that was.

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"I’m struck by his eyes, a deep amber color—like expensive brandy and almost translucent. My breath catches in my throat, lips frozen against words like please and help. Instinctively I know they won’t work; this isn’t a man given to mercy. The tailored cut of his shirt, its sleeves carelessly rolled up, tells me he’ll extract a price. One I can’t afford to pay."
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Once inside The Den, Avery meets Damon Scott, the notorious loan shark. She pleads with him to give her a loan, but he insists that he can't help her. Until Gabriel reminds him that there is one way he can help...

<b><i>
"They’re talking about selling my body for sex. My virginity. “No,” I whisper. “I won’t do it.” “You see,” Damon Scott says. “She won’t do it.” Gabriel’s gaze sweeps over my body. He meets my eyes, his expression intent. “She doesn’t have a choice. It’s the most valuable thing she owns.”"
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Avery might have been a meek, little virgin at the beginning of this book but oh, the sizzling, sinful things that Gabriel does to Avery's body... she finds out very quickly how amazing letting herself go, letting herself feel, can be. Gabriel takes her to places that she was previously too scared and ashamed to go before.

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"Then his lips are on mine, hot and soft and persistent. I’m helpless to his demands, opening to him, a sigh of acceptance drifting from my mouth to his. I know that everything happening here is inevitable, almost fated, but this part doesn’t hurt. It feels almost like pleasure, his tongue swiping across mine, his teeth grasping my lower lip in carnal warning."
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It doesn't take long for Avery to believe that Gabriel sees more in her than a prize won at an auction, but a part of her had forgotten who he really is, what he is capable of. For as much as he is helping her, she doesn't realize that he has her entire life by a string. Until one day, everything that she sold her soul to save comes crashing down around her. Gabriel is there to remind her that she is just pawn in his game and he has checkmate.

I don't know what I'm going to do until January when the next installment, The Knight, comes out, but I can tell you that I will be counting down the days until then!

Skye Warren does not disappoint with The Pawn, in fact she makes me want to reach for the next book or any one of her books. In this story we have two strong characters that seem to be in a game or dance of who's going to make the next move.

Avery James returns home from college after her father is left beaten and bedridden, the one man she believed in who handed her the world lost everything, leaving them in debt. Avery finds that she will soon lose her home and believes the only way to save something that is a part of her family is to take a deal that could break her. She is a strong character but finds herself falling for a man that at times seems like he will help her but could also destroy everything she has left.

Gabriel Miller is powerful, sexy and dangerous and may be the only person to help Avery, but will his moments of kindness lead to confusion. I found myself drawn to him, he has a inner turmoil that leaves me questioning his motives.

Warren brings you into a story of high society, the dark underground of powerful men and what could happen when you lose it all. It's a page turner and an end that I didn't see coming, it was a moment for me that I took a deep breath and had a moment of love/hate for the author. The Pawn is sexy, dark and intense, you will wish you had the next book in your hands. 5 Stars

The pawn by Sykes warren
Care for a game of chess? Or has this game ended before it has begun? Avery has had to give up her life, to help her ill and bankrupt father. Financially pauperized she has no alternative but to go to the very man that ruined her family. Gabriel Miller is a monster; however he is a very sexy, intriguing dark monster. He is cunning and has played Avery like a game of Chess. Gabriel is sensually dark, perfectly calculated and oozes power and dominance. What can she offer him except to sacrifice her virginity? Can she play the game and can she out smart him? This story is gripping and will imbibe you. The story has more twists than a tornado. When you surmise what is about to happen, it takes a turn in a different direction, causing havoc along the way. While Avery is young and naïve, she has shown great poise. You will enjoy her character as she grows and you will find her likeable. Gabriel’s character is complex. He shows a softer side at times, only to diligently bounce back as the stealthy, cunning, scary and revengeful man. This story is devious, sinfully erotic and a highly addictive read. I cannot fault the writing, Ms Warren shrewdly draws you in, and I am patiently waiting to see who really the pawn is. Highly recommended.
Reviewed for Hot Books and Sassy Girls Book Blog

I really enjoyed this book, there are twist and turns throughout the story, not sure who is an enemy or friend. Avery is a young, innocent virgin but I like how strong she ends up being, how smart she is on certain topics, how she is loyal to her family, and how she tried to take care of all of her father's mistakes. Then there is Gabriel, hot, domineering, dangerous, but tender too. I wanted to learn more about why he wanted her, more about his dealings, his past. I want to learn more about her father, what was he really involved with, was he in the business of selling and buying people? I liked the whole cat and mouse thing between Avery and Gabriel and I liked his name for her, it was cute and funny. The scenes between them were super hot but I was not thrilled with the lackluster performance in the end and I hated what she ended up coming home to. I am quite confused by this ending, not sure what Gabriel's end game is, on one hand he wants to help her but he keeps taking everything away from her, I am anxious to see what happens next.

I'm at a loss for words right now. I've just finished the book not more than 2 minutes ago and I'm in shock. Wow! Deliciously twisted, Warren delivers an unstoppable force.
Avery James had it all and in a moment it's all gone. Determined to take care of her father and save her home, she puts her virginity up for auction. Gabriel Miller, a key player in both her's and her father's fall, is an enigma. One moment seeming like her savior and the next, like the devil himself.
This story, much like the game of chess, was complex and brilliant. Complicated does not begin to describe a man like Gabriel. He was intense and manipulative. It was hard to figure out his motives. Always a step ahead. I'm still trying to decide how much of what Avery saw of him was actually him and how much was strategy.
I couldn't help but love Avery. She was naive and innocent but she was also incredibly brave and fiercely loyal. It broke my heart watching her struggle. I want good things for her. I want to see her prevail.
In addition to Warren's bold characters, the fast paced storyline, clever storyline, and strong writing add to the allure of the story. The Pawn is storytelling at its finest. It played with my emotions, completely pulled me into the story, and left me begging for more.

Oh My God!!!! I am totally speechless after reading this , it was soo soo good from start to finish. This was my first Skye Warren read and I am now totally hooked!!
Avery James had it all - money, friends, happiness, a beautiful home, a loving fiance and a doting father, until their fall from grace. Now Avery is doing her best to keep the only home she has ever known and try take care of her sick father. She has officially hit rock bottom and ends up doing the only thing she can think of and has to offer - her virginity.
Gabriel Miller is a well known business man and co-founder of The Den, he has wanted Avery since the first time he saw her. Hell bent on revenge he sets out to win Avery at an auction exact his revenge on her father by taking his little girls virginity. As he takes the only thing she has left he totally and 100% avoids the amazing sparks that fly between these two even though Avery wants nothing more than to hate him.
The suspense and tension throughout this read was brilliant!! it definitely kept you turning the pages all the way to the end. I was totally caught off guard with the ending and was like WHAT!! Where is the rest of it??? And that makes me really excited for the second book!!
Awesome brilliant read would definitely recommend this

This book got in my head like nothing else. If the plot was happening in real life, I'd have my social worker hat on so fast, Avery wouldn't know what was happening before I whisked her away to safety. But because this is a romance- even if it's a dark romance- I can be relatively sure all will work out well in the end and because of that, I fell head over heels for Gabriel. Just as Avery isn't sure what to think or how to feel about him, I kept recalibrating my opinion over this complicated, twisty man. Did he actually care about Avery? Did he have some bigger plan for her? Just how long has this plan been in action?! Is it wrong for me to dream about finding my own Gabriel? (Don't answer that.)

And if that wasn't enough, Warren added a hefty dose of ancient mythology and chess to take the story to the next level and I was completely fascinated by it all. Then there was the cliffhanger and all the questions left unanswered and I cannot dive into the second book fast enough. I hope Avery shreds some of her naivety and develops her confidence and I really hope Gabriel takes off his mask and lets us- I mean, Avery- in.

Absolutely loved it but it was over way too soon. Over 300 pages that felt like 100! Loved every thing about it: Gabriel & Avery; the plot which thickens; the pace which is relentless; the dark and deliciousness of it.

It's a total mind game and I wanted to cry for Avery at the end. There's a huge cliffie but one that demands I go for round two; except it's 7 weeks till The Knight is published. Oh dear me lol. The wait's gonna kill me. I've already preordered it. Can. Hardly. Wait. I just have to see how this ends up. I'm looking for Avery to be kicking some butt next time; taking no prisoners. Gabriel doesn't deserve her IMO. I hope she runs rings around him. It's obvious he's fallen for her; now she just needs to get on with the Chess rematch. Game on!!

What the heck is behind Gabriel's hatred for the James family? He is a dirty, no good scumbag for what he has done to Avery. I'm so angry on her behalf. He deserves to be totally brought down. Avery is just the woman to do it.

I've read quite a few of Miss Warren's books. Wanderlust is a fav of mine. Her writing is getting better and better. Lots of lovely lyrical prose here too. I will deffo read it again - soon. I recommend it to lovers of the dark, dirty and devious. (less)

So this is a new author to me and I can not believe I have not read anything from her before!! This is a phenomenal 5 STAR Read!!!

This story is one of conflict after conflict and twist after twist that keeps you glued to every page from beginning to end. It was a longer read but I did not top to put it down.

Gabriel Miller is a hot sexy man with a questionable past. Along comes Avery from a well known family and good upbringing,,,but things have happened she is in dire need of money to help look after her dad and keep the house she grew up in. With nothing to offer, she sells the only thing left that she has and that is her virginity. The problem is Gabriel is everywhere, everyone wants a piece of her for revenge. Like I said early so much conflict and so many layers in this story!

Gabriel and Avery play chess with their lives. Who can outsmart the other, who can win, who can say checkmate or are they smarter then THE PAWN? You must read this story that is written with perfection it will have you on the edge of your seat and I so look forward to what is next as I believe The Endgame Series is going to be epic!

I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Rockstar Book Muse