Jackie Wright
4.5 Stars for Wicked as Seduction : Trees & Laila Part 1 (Wicked & Devoted #5) If you love erotic, romantic suspense look no further that Forest “Trees” Scott and Laila Torres story. Trees is a tech genius and although he does have the skills to protect and act as a bodyguard he wasn’t prepared for his new assignment guarding Laila. From the moment these two meet sparks fly, an instant attraction could put both their life’s in danger so will lines be crossed in this emotional, steamy, captivating tale. Laila has built walls around herself and on the face of it she comes across as a woman scared of her own shadow but this is a woman that when the chips are down and her life is threatened she finds a determination and strength to save herself. But will she allow Trees to see the side of her life she has chosen to put in the back of her mind, will she ever trust enough to love ….. As you would expect from a duet this book does end with a cliffhanger, it’s an emotional journey that’s full of twists and turns and I understand Book 2 is not far away so we won’t have long to wait for the conclusion to Trees and Laila’s journey. I haven’t read every book in the Wicked & Devoted Series so I can honestly say, this book can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. Looking forward to what’s to come for this couple that have taken over my world.
Sandy S.
4.5 stars—WICKED AS SEDUCTION is the first instalment in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult WICKED AS SEDUCTION: TREES AND LAILA erotic, romantic suspense duet, and the fifth instalment in the author’s WICKED AND DEVOTED series. This is former elite soldier and tech six Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and Laila Torres’ story line. WICKED AS SEDUCTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommended reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion. Trees was first introduced in the author’s Devoted Lovers series. NOTE: If you are a fan of Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers, and Devoted Lovers series, you may recognize some of the characters as Wicked and Devoted crosses over with both of the aforementioned series. WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers. Told from third person perspective WICKED AS SEDUCTION focuses on the building but acrimonious relationship between former elite soldier and tech wiz Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and Laila Torres. Laila Torres spent the majority of her life forced into sexual slavery by the Mexican Cartel but several months earlier our heroine and her sister Valeria were rescued by the team at EM Security, a team that included Forest ‘Trees’ Scott. The Cartel is demanding the return of Laila, her sister Valeria, and her sister’s son, and begin a search for our story line heroine. Hoping to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Trees Scott becomes guardian and protector of Laila Torres, a woman who struggles to trust, and believes every action is a prelude to bargaining or a payment. While her sister Valeria and young child are taken into protective custody by the EM Security Team, Trees and Laila find themselves on the run, barely one step ahead of the Mexican Cartel. What ensues is the building but embattled and cautious relationship between Trees and Laila, and the potential fall-out as Laila’s inability to trust, and her need to find her sister, continue to place our heroine in the direct line of fire. Laila Torres does not trust Forest ‘Trees’ Scott, and makes his life miserable by trying to escape at every opportunity. Laila believes it is only a matter of time before our hero demands payment for her rescue and safety, and Laila refuses to owe anyone including the man who offers up everything else. Trees Scott fell for our heroine from the moment of rescue but Laila was in no position for a romantic relationship. With the Mexican Cartel on the hunt, Laila finds herself working with EM Security, and a man she refuses to accept regardless of his promise to keep her safe. Meanwhile, all is not well at EM Security when the team suspects a mole in their midst. From One-Mile and Trees most recent missions, information is leaked, and one of their own is suspected of betrayal and deceit. The relationship between Laila and Trees is cautious, acerbic, emotional and intense. Laila Torres is broken, and is unable to trust our story line hero. Rumors continue to circulate about a betrayer at EM Security, and Laila begins to suspect it is the man hired to protect and hide her from the Mexican Cartel. Trees Scott struggles to prove he is trustworthy; that he is not the mole, but the only man for our story line heroine. Laila’s need to run makes her a little TSTL, as she continues to push Trees closer to the edge, an edge from which he may never return. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate, erotic and seductive. WICKED AS SEDUCTION is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, coercion and blackmail, an inability to trust, family and love. The premise is captivating, gritty, and heart breaking; the romance is provocative but struggles in the face of Laila’s history of capture and abuse; the characters are broken, energetic, charismatic and lost. WICKED AS SEDUCTION ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned
Erin Lewis
5 Star review of Wicked As Seduction by Shayla Black (Trees & Laila Part 1) (Wicked & Devoted #5) by Shayla Black Having read the previous books in the series, I could not wait to read Forest “Trees” Scott’s story in Wicked as Seduction. It was everything I was expecting and so much more. From the instant he set eyes on Laila Torres Trees was attracted to her. There was something about the woman that called to his dominant soul and he wanted to protect her at all costs. Laila has survived immense horrors and still although terrified she hold her head high and refuses to give in to the darkness of her past. Frankly my heart broke for all she has had to endure since she was fourteen. I loved how all in Trees was once he realized the feelings he had for Laila were real and the tenderness and love that he showed her even with his dominance; it just melted my heart. There were times that I was on the edge of my seat as the action heated up and there are some parts which were emotional and hard to read as Tree’s job comes in to play. All in all this was a captivating read with strong writing and characters that you cannot help but become invested in. Their enemies are all around them but Trees will do all he can to keep the woman he cares for safe. The question is will it be enough? Or is the woman he loves destined to be destroyed once and for all? After the way this book ended, I cannot wait for the conclusion to their story coming in April in Wicked and Forever. Frankly it can’t come fast enough.
