His Wicked Games (The Cunningham Family, Book 1)

What a delicious adventure in eroticism. Great story line. Lily and Calder are enticing on every page. Love their wicked games.

Makin’ The Love Monday - His Wicked Games by Ember CaseyWhen this tale began I was a little fearful it was about to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling and as much as I really love updated fairy tales, I wasn't in the mood for one in the moment. Lily Frazer has tried every other means to get Calder Cunningham to fulfill his late father's commitment to her family's community center. All her attempts have received the same brush off, Calder's dispassionate claim that he will not be resuming prior support of their art center. Lily, desperate to convince him otherwise, decides to beard the dragon at his lair and stalks him at his family estate. When she is refused entry and ignored she first flashes his security camera. When that doesn't work, she tresspasses. When bodily apprehended by someone she assumes is security she demands to see Mr. Moneypockets, only to find it is Calder himself, presenting her the perfect opportunity to present her case.From that point Mother Nature steps in to strand them at the remote estate and during this joint imprisonment a game is suggested: whoever can seduce the other to give into passion for the other first will claim their prize. If Lily wins he will pay the promised amount of support. Of course there is always a secret to be revealed to end the game just when it appears that the winner might be them both, that finds the game moot and all sore losers.As the story picked up pace I began to be as intrigued as Lily in Calder and his mysterious persona as well as susceptible to his often most naughty seduction. As for Lily, she often had me on her side and then quickly drove me to want to kick her in the shin. I do have to admit that if I were in her position the constant feeling of manipulation and sense of being thrown off balance might also make me act like a mentally deficient boob.This is great read for fans of enigmatic heroes. If you enjoy an air of mystery to your romance Calder is probably going to suck you right in. Although it is an NA novel, Falling For The Ghost of You by Nicole Christie might be another good book for you and The Marriage Trap by Jennifer Probst also interest you. (This review was originally written for my blog, All The Things Inbetween at Alicrean.com)

This book deserves at least 2.5 stars but since I cannot rate it 2.5, I will give it a 3. I liked it more than I disliked it. It gets a 3 because I think that the story it itself was well written and it flowed nicely. There are just enough supporting characters to make it interesting. I did not skip pages and it held my attention. Another reviewer stated that this book lacked something. It did. It lacked heart. I was not totally invested or convinced of the feelings of these two characters. The lead female character (Lily) is trying to solicit money for a community center that she runs. Lily is selfish and her behavior to meet this man (Calder) was just too way over the top persistent and stalker like. Once she meets him she is condescending, rude and just down right unpleasant. He starts out being gracious but there is this creepiness about him that I cannot put my finger on. He is lonely, bitter and desperate. Although he is a little creepy I do like how the author wrote his character. There was a cadence in how he seemed to speak that he is from old inherited money and that he was very worldly. Needless to say things get heated between them very quickly. Now I don't want to give anything away but when "the misunderstanding" comes it involves her ex. Honestly, I still can't figure out why she is so angry with him when he uncovers the truth. I think maybe she is more mad at herself then anything.There is a sequel to this book. I think this was meant to be one book and she probably just put this version out to get feedback. The sequel will probably be a rehash of everything that you already read in this book with the additional chapters that should have completed this book. The author does state it on the Amazon website. I am not sure what I hate more the 3 part sequels or the teaser version of a longer book to come. Sorry, I digress.This book is listed as erotic so I am trying to figure out just what that means now. The sex is just ok. There is more talking about it then doing it. In the case of Lily and Calder there are no feelings so I am thinking if there is an attraction let them at least have some hot sex. I understand that this is this author's first book and I really think she may have a bright future ahead of her. I will reserve further judgment for if/when I buy the sequel.

This is an ok read - but yet again, a free book that ends in a cliffhanger to entice you to buy more.I liked the writing style, but I neither liked nor engaged with the two main characters. I found both Lily and Calder selfish people - each only focused on what they want, and how to manipulate it out of the other without giving ground. Each so blinded by their own wants and situations they miss huge clues to how the other is feeling. I totally lost respect for Lily when she gave in to Calder's sexual harassment - she basically thinks she can whore the money she wants out of him, but he has no money and no intention of ever honouring the bets he makes even if he loses. Horrible people!I don't think I'll bother with the rest of the series.

I can’t quite make up my mind on this book, it was an ok read, which is why only three stars.I found myself irritated while reading……In the beginning Lily came across as a confident, tenacious woman and was all about saving the art centre. There are so many people depending on her, what should she do?………sleep with the enemy? Yes, Calder was sexy hot, confident and a little broody, but please, really, all of a sudden she became indecisive, weak willed and threw everything away! AND Calder’s story basically screamed at you. How could she not guess? Obviously lust for brains!!There is more to the story than I have moaned about but this is why I only gave three stars. It is fiction, I know, but it just didn’t ring true to me.Having said all that…..The book was free and I actually liked the story enough to finish it, but not sure if I will continue with the series.

This was an averagely enjoyable story. Characters I liked at times, but annoyed me at others.By the end, I find there’s no conclusion but a next in the series, which I find annoying.Quality of writing was good with very few errors. Good three stars but not quite four in my opinion.

After spending a good hour on the net looking for the next book to read I came across this debut by Ember Casey and decided to take a chance. I was not disappointed as this turned out to be a fun romantic read. The story moves along at a nice pace with "His Wicked Games" taking place in a number of locations including the hidden passageways of an old mansion. This book is a slightly different twist on the usual billionaire romancing a younger women story, even though I workout the twist quite early on in the story. I would recommend this book even though there is a second book yet to be published(which was not mentioned until the end) as there is no real cliffhanger. So if you wanted you could leave Calder & Lily story at the end of this book. I for one will be reading the second

Could have been done so much better. I didn't feel there was any depth of character. The plot was completely predictable. I agree with a previous reviewer that the lead female started out as feisty but very quickly turned into an angst ridden, snivelling wimp. Yes I did read right to the end in the hopes that things would improve but unfortunately they didn't. I certainly won't bother with any more by this author