BLOG TOUR REVIEW AND EXCERPT: THE KINGMAKER by Kennedy Ryan

“Powerful, gripping, unflinchingly honest and sensuously gorgeous writing.”

— Kristan Higgins, New York Times Bestselling Author

The Kingmaker, the first book in the addicting All The King’s Men Duet, from RITA ® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

Power. Passion. Betrayal.

Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition.

In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.

My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and will do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.

And neither will I.

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Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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My Review

Kennedy Ryan’s writing, once again, captures the human experience and paints it in all of its necessary colors, in her newest release, The Kingmaker, examining the idea as well as proving that the world is not solely black and white…that there’s an in-between where life is messy, difficult, but also rewarding, and it’s that area between where decisions are both provoked and promoted, depending on one’s role in society and the gains or losses that can be accrued.

Timing seems to always be an issue when the hero and heroine, Maxim Cade and

Lennix Hunter, cross paths, because of the positions that they both are in due to their backgrounds, familial obligations, as well as their perceptions of the world; the reality of their lives is not easily overcome regardless of how much they want it to be, partly due to the extenuating circumstances that seem to divide them no matter how much they don’t want them to. But what’s also made abundantly clear is that while each situation doesn’t allow them to fully examine/explore the intense feelings they have for each other, the connection these two share is a living and breathing part of both of them, which is why it remains steadfast, why it still grows and expands with every interaction/connection, making what they have very much a risk worth taking…if only it was that easy and only their decision.

Both characters want to evoke change, to be someone who changes the world and the people around them for the better; that’s what continually drives them, pushing themselves every step of the way for the good of mankind. And while their methods and even their financial situations differ greatly, when Lennix and Maxim’s personality is stripped bare to only the most essential traits that they have, it’s clear that they complement each other extremely well, indicating just how natural a relationship between them would be if their circumstances were different.

The diversity of the subjects explored as well as the depth of Kennedy Ryan’s authentic characters allow readers to gain insight into matters of importance – those of the heart, the mind, the soul, and the body. And while, there will always be a learning curve when it comes to understanding people’s actions and rationalizing why people do what they do, the fact that Ryan elicits those necessary conversations, serving as a mouthpiece for social injustices and the need for diversity in all areas and aspects of life. Through her chosen medium of books, she explores those social topics that urgently require action and begins the process through her writing for her readers to understand the process of acquiring the necessary knowledge for change.

Her stories are character-driven in a way that no two couples are alike; each hero and heroine are their own people; there’s nothing cookie cutter about them. They are uniquely them in every sense of the word and that’s why it’s so easy to be captivated by Ryan’s books…she seems to have the pulse on what matters…on what needs to be explored and discussed so that readers understand the magnitude of these situations and feel resolved to bring focus to ways to solve these issues instead of creating new ones due to apathy and prejudice.

The Kingmaker explores the idea of passionate pursuits, both in life and in love, and through her characters’ drive, perseverance, and intelligence, Kennedy Ryan truly captures the human spirit and what can occur as long as obstacles can be overcome and life can be lived on their terms and no one else’s.

I’m dying to get my hands on book 2!!

5+ Poison Apples

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Pre-order the stunning conclusion, The Rebel King!

Releasing November 17th

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Be notified FIRST when The Rebel King goes live: http://bit.ly/2oRuDhf

Excerpt

“What do you want?”

The look he pours over me is hot oil, burning me even through serviceable layers of cotton. His heated perusal caresses my face, sluices over my breasts and hips, and then pools at my feet.

“Oh, that you won’t ever get again,” I say, my voice a soft, certain promise. “I don’t screw liars. I’m particular that way.”

“Never say never,” he drawls, tilting up my chin with his finger.

“Nev–”

He crushes the word between our mouths. It falls apart in the scorching, sweet tangle of lips and teeth. With one hand, he digs his fingers into my hair. The other splays across my lower back, his grip on me almost convulsive, urging me up and closer. I’m in stasis. I’m completely startled by the kiss, unable to respond. I send a desperate message to my brain.

Move. Pull back. Push him away.

But the urgent glide of his hand down my spine to cup my ass melts my thoughts to liquid and they swim in my head. I can’t pull back, and all hope of resistance dissolves when he presses his thumb to my chin, prying me open. He stalks my tongue, hunts down a response, licking and sucking and groaning and growling. His hands tighten on me until I strain up to seek him, yanking his hair, pulling him even closer.

“Dammit, Nix,” he mutters between kisses. His hand wanders down my neck and across my shoulder, and cups my breast, twisting the nipple through flimsy barriers of cotton and lace. He shoves up my skirt, pulling my legs wider, and pushes my panties aside, his fingers invading me. My body remembers this mad craving that claws out of my bones—that wants out. That wants him. Under his rough touch, my body blooms and my hips rock.

“That’s it,” he says, taking my earlobe between his lips.

My head falls back and I moan. It’s so damn good. His touch awakens me. His hands, his kisses bring me to life. It feels like I’m taking my first deep breath since we were last together, and it fills my lungs, seeps into my pores.

“I missed you,” he says, sucking my lips and kissing the corners, quick, hungry. “I’m sorry. Baby, I—”

“Stop talking.” I reach between us to loosen his belt, catching his zipper and dragging it down, dragging him out. “Shut up.”

About Kennedy

A RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

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