{"id":41459,"date":"2019-03-26T08:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T12:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=41459"},"modified":"2019-03-25T06:32:56","modified_gmt":"2019-03-25T10:32:56","slug":"blog-tour-arc-review-giveaway-cruel-sanctuary-wages-of-sin-duet-1-by-tara-leigh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=41459","title":{"rendered":"Blog Tour, Excerpt, ARC Review & Giveaway: Cruel Sanctuary (Wages of Sin Duet, #1) by Tara Leigh"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Kindle Ebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 <\/strong>Paperback<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/b><\/h4>\n
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Synopsis<\/strong><\/h4>\n

They say New York City is the Devil\u2019s Playground.
\nThey\u2019re wrong.
\nThis city belongs to me.
\nAnd so does Aislinn Granville.<\/p>\n

She is a pampered politician\u2019s daughter.
\nA decorative ornament, <\/b>raised to smile and nod and do what she\u2019s told.
\nExcept\u2026 she doesn\u2019t. Not with me. Ever.<\/p>\n

In this city full of thugs and thieves, I\u2019ve kept Aislinn safe.
\nFrom my enemies.
\nFrom me.<\/p>\n

Until now.<\/p>\n

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Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cDamon King might reign over Manhattan, but I will never bow to him.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

A deliciously darker romance from Tara Leigh, this is the first book in the Wages of Sin<\/i> duet, and it\u2019s an exciting, engaging, twisty ride with a sexy and intense romance. I\u2019m completely hooked, and I loved it.<\/p>\n

Aislinn Granville is a Political Strategist working for her father in his bid to become Mayor of NYC. Independent, intelligent and well respected, she has the world at her feet, until that world is tipped on its axis. Not only does she learn that her father and his campaign manager (her sometimes lover) aren\u2019t the men she believed them to be, but now thanks to them she has become the target of a dangerous Mexican drug cartel.<\/p>\n

Enter Damon King. Wealthy, powerful, and oozing sexy alpha vibes, King is the whispered-about powerhouse that controls NYC. He is a master manipulator \u2013 keeping a tight rein on different power players within the city, and maintaining the delicate balance between good, bad, and badder.<\/p>\n

New York City isn\u2019t the devil\u2019s playground \u2013 it\u2019s mine. You might think it\u2019s the politicians and police that control just about everything that goes on in this city, but you\u2019d be wrong. To bring a pail and shovel into Manhattan\u2019s sandbox, my permission is required.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With Aislinn\u2019s life in danger, Damon takes her under his protection. He has secretly watched over for years, for reasons that unravel throughout the book, and now that he has her, he has no intention of letting her go until he\u2019s ready. And he plans to spend that time making her submit to him in every way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need you, King.\u201d
\nA low chuckle rattles inside my throat as I stare her down. \u201cYes, you do.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love the dynamic between these two! Damon expects Aislinn to be a pampered princess who will bow to his every whim, but she is anything but. She is strong and feisty and she gives back as good as she gets, and their bickering and bantering is fantastic, especially as it is underpinned by an almost palpable attraction that heightens each and every interaction between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever been fucked by a man who knows what you want better than you do? I promise it\u2019s worth begging for, princess.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He\u2019s dirty, crude and domineering, and though he\u2019s everything Aislinn should stay away from, she can\u2019t help but be drawn to the enigmatic alpha.<\/p>\n

What would it be like to have sex with a man like Damon King? My self-loathing reaches a new low as my mind dips into the gutter King dominates. Surely it wouldn\u2019t be the straightlaced, polite, pleasant-with-a-chance-or-orgasm variety I\u2019m accustomed to.
\nI imagine \u2013 even though I shouldn\u2019t \u2013 that sex with Damon King would be filthy, sweaty, break the bed, multi-orgasm, no holds – or holes \u2013 barred.
\nDamn him. <\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Their chemistry is irresistible, and when they do finally act on it, it\u2019s hot as all hell. But as they learn more about each other and figure out exactly who the other is, they find themselves drawn closer and closer together. Aislinn discovers the caring, protective side of the big badass, and Damon finds a woman who not only makes his blood simmer, but who also challenges him and is strong enough to stand by his side. Feelings begin to develop, and against all odds, they begin to fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think. For once in your life, just let yourself feel. Feel me.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got you, Aislinn.\u201d<\/em>
\nYes. He most certainly does.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But Damon knows that simply being with him will put her in a dangerous position, which makes a relationship impossible. Added to that, the threat against Aislinn is already very real, and the suspense comes as the full extent of that is revealed and Damon goes all out to protect his girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would have happened if you hadn\u2019t come for me? Would I have been taken to Mexico? Would–\u201d
\nI answer with complete certainty. \u201cNothing. Because I will always come for you. No one will hurt you, Aislinn.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Through it all the story twists and turns, there are reveals and surprises, and it\u2019s a bumpy ride as it all unfolds. It’s beautifully written and I loved watching both Damon and Aislinn navigate it all, and there are still so many mysteries to be uncovered. The book does end on a cliffhanger, but the next book isn\u2019t too far away, and I can\u2019t wait to get my hands on it!<\/p>\n

She is the spoils of a war I never knew I was fighting.
\nAislinn Granville is my victory.
\nAnd I claim her.
\nAs mine.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4 stars.<\/p>\n

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<\/i.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Wages of Sin Duet<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

Cruel Sanctuary (#1)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Kindle Ebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Corrupt Savior (#2)<\/strong>
\nTo be released 13 May
\nPre-order:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Excerpt<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cPut me down.\u201d I keep my cool, making the demand as stiffly as if I\u2019m asking him to pass the salt.<\/span><\/p>\n

But my show of composure crumbles as he angles his head to look at me. Barely an inch separates the tips of our noses. I stare, entranced by the fine scar that marks his left eyebrow. I want to kiss it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOr what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One corner of his mouth tics up, his eyes flicking away from mine. \u201cYou look damn good in my arms.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I follow his stare and am met by our reflection in the bathroom mirror. I blink, taking in the sight of my naked body held against King\u2019s broad chest, the tanned, inked forearms I\u2019d practically drooled over earlier now wrapped around my back and behind my knees.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am naked. King is dressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is something indecently erotic about our image. I look like the heroine of an old Harlequin novel\u2014a down on her luck maid or secretary about to be ravished by her big, bad boss. A powerless woman soon to be stripped of her virtue.<\/span><\/p>\n

I know what it\u2019s like when a man overpowers a woman. When he uses force to take what\u2019s not his. To hurt and abuse and terrorize.<\/span><\/p>\n

And I know that <\/span>this<\/i> isn\u2019t <\/span>that<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It may not look like it, but I have the power in this situation. Damon King came to me. First at my apartment and now in his. He broke down two doors tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

I may be naked, but the only reason he\u2019s touching me is because he knows I want him to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emboldened, I look away from our reflection and directly into King\u2019s eyes again. Leaning in, I brush the tip of my nose against his. \u201cKiss me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve barely pushed the words out when his lips are on mine. The taste of him is an explosion inside my mouth. Smooth and potent, but with a hint of mint. As if he swilled some of that Balvenie from his bar and then sucked on a peppermint candy.<\/span><\/p>\n

He kisses like a conqueror. Stealing my breath along with the last of my reservations.<\/span><\/p>\n

He kisses like a king. Staking his claim, demanding his due.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Giveaway<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Tara Leigh is giving away a signed paperback copy of the Legacy of Lies Duet and jewelry<\/h4>\n

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway<\/em><\/p>\n

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About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Tara Leigh is a multi-published author of steamy contemporary romance. A former banker on Wall Street, she graduated from Washington University and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, but she much prefers spending her days with fictional boyfriends than analyzing financial spreadsheets. Tara currently lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut with her husband, children, and fur-baby, Pixie. She is represented by Jessica Alvarez, of Bookends Literary Agency.<\/p>\n

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Become a VIP<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Facebook<\/a> |\u00a0 Instagram<\/a> <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Goodreads\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Bookbub<\/strong><\/a> |\u00a0 Book + Main<\/a><\/b><\/h4>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback   Synopsis They say New York City is the Devil\u2019s Playground. They\u2019re wrong. This city belongs to me. And so does Aislinn Granville. She is a pampered politician\u2019s daughter. A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41023,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[179,47,52,95,9,29],"tags":[59,48,800,978],"class_list":["post-41459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-billionaire","category-dark-gritty","category-drama","category-mystery","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-review","tag-tara-leigh","tag-wages-of-sin"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Cruel-Sanctuary.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-aMH","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41459\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}