BLOG TOUR STOP: REVIEW, EXCERPTS, AND TEASERS: Sins and Mistrust by Isabel Lucero

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This novel contains M/M, M/F/M, M/F, M/M/F scenes. If any of those kinds of sex scenes bother you, I wouldn’t suggest reading this one. This novel also contains explicit language, and some mild sadomasochism.  Nothing too extreme, just kinky. Meant for readers over 18.

While this is book three in The Escort Series, it can be read as a standalone. There is no need to read Living in Sin and Unforgivable Sin first, as this one starts in the time that Living in Sin did, and then follows through the series without giving much away about the first two. You may get some information regarding the other stories, but not much. Marc was scarce in those books, and we now get to see what he was up to.

Marc Edwards has been quite the mystery man since readers first met him at the beginning of Isabel Lucero’s Escort series, and he became even more intriguing at the end of book 2 when he was keeping Emilie safe, and she met two people who Marc has been keeping a secret from his friends for quite some time, Nathalia and Lincoln.

For 10 years, Marc has been in the escort business, making a living wining, dining, and romancing a plethora of ready and willing women. But the Marc Edwards who his clients and his friends see is not who he truly is; a lot of his tastes and desires, he keeps hidden from everyone – afraid that if word got out that he would not only lose his job but his friends – the ones who have been in his life for many years. Things begin to change, though, when one of his clients, Nathalia LaBelle, starts to become someone he can confide in and be himself with; someone who he’s willing to show some of his darkest desires and truths to and help her live out some of her own as well. But as much as it’s freeing to show Thalia who Marc really is, it’s also exactly what makes their situation a lot more complicated because in helping her live out one of her deepest desires, Marc is going to have to decide if he’s willing to expose his true sexual nature and deal with the potential fallout from it as well as put his trust in a complex relationship that could lead to jealousy and mistrust.

I loved Marc’s story. There weren’t really any outside forces interfering in Marc’s burgeoning relationship with Nathalia and Lincoln; it was all on Marc and his insecurities and worry about others finding out due to his profession and friendships. I liked that Isabel Lucero didn’t make their relationship seem easy; all three of them struggled to define what they were and how they saw everything playing out. Plus, both men had very different relationships with Nathalia from the start, so it makes sense that Marc would have misgivings. Because readers get Marc, Nathalia, and Lincoln’s points of view throughout the text, it helps us to understand where all three are coming from. Lincoln’s frustrations when Marc backs away from them…Nathalia’s sadness in being apart from Marc…Marc’s need to take a step back and figure out what he truly wants – all of these are clearly understood because the main characters are able to voice their own opinions and provide readers with the necessary insights.

Sins & Mistrust is an erotic story that illustrates how unconventional relationships can be ruined before they even really start by insecurities and doubt. But it also shows just how good it can be when people can freely be who they are and take what they want and need to make their lives whole. I definitely hope to see more of Marc, Nathalia, and Lincoln’s relationship explored in future books because there’s definitely a lot more to hear and see when it comes to these three.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4 poison apples

“How are you, Lincoln?”

“I’m well. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good, just a little busy.”

“Well, let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

“I have plans tonight, Lincoln. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, well, how about tomorrow night?” he asks, unperturbed.

“I also have plans for tomorrow night.”

“Hmm,” he grunts. “Is this new guy the one taking up all of your time?”

“I’m not really sure why that’s any of your business.”

“You know why.”

“Lincoln, we’ve discussed this before. Any reason why we aren’t anything is because of you.”

“But that could be changing now, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Nathalia, you know I want you, and I know you want me too.”

“We’ve tried.” I rub my hand across my forehead.

“We only tried once and it didn’t work out because we didn’t agree on…”

“I know why it didn’t work!” I snap, cutting him off.

“I think we can both agree now, though.”

I can almost hear him smile through the phone.

“I think we both know it takes more than just us to agree.”

“I do,” he states firmly.

There’s a brief moment of silence as we both wait for the other to say something.

“I have to go, Lincoln.”

“I expect to hear from you later.”

“Don’t expect to hear what you want to hear.”

His deep laugh rumbles through the phone. “Oh, Nathalia. I always hear what I want to hear. Sometimes it just takes longer than I’d like it to. This will work, my darling. Just you wait and see. When it does happen, both of our fantasies will become reality. Isn’t that what you want?”

I take a deep breath and blow it out loudly. “You know it is.”

“Good. I’ll speak to you soon. Enjoy your evening.”

He hangs up before I can respond.

With my vision partially blocked, I can’t see what Marc is holding in his hand because he’s keeping it fairly low. From all the objects he showed me moments before, I’d be happy with any of them. My body thrums with anticipation, and excitement shoots through my veins. I’ve been begging him to give me all of him for a while now. Perhaps he was too concerned about scaring me off, but I don’t think he realizes how much I love the pleasure and pain combination. I think he’s still stuck in escort mode, thinking he could cross a line with a client and get in trouble.

My body is begging for him to touch me. I can’t keep still, even with my arms and legs strapped down. I squirm, wanting his hands all over me.

Isabel’s love for reading is anything but new, she’s been reading since before she was a teenager. She started reading books by Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson before being catapulted into the indie author world thanks to a little somebody named E.L. James.

She currently lives overseas and is working on a couple new stories to share with you. Book three in The Escort Series is coming soon. Isabel loves connecting with her readers and fans of books in general. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.