Lauren Dane

Saul Kerrigan was a thug and if, after the dressing down he’d received for nearly a standard hour, he did not change his behavior and stay the hells away from Ms. Haws, Roman would punish House Kerrigan severely, no matter what connection existed between them.

A man did not use his size and power to harm a woman. It simply wasn’t done. Roman’s wife had been such a sweet and fragile woman, he couldn’t imagine having touched her in anger even if she’d been as tough as the petite Abigail Haws was.

He shoved that line of thought far away. Lindy had been gone twelve years and it wouldn’t do to think on that just before he was due to meet with Ms. Haws.

Once Marcus announced her arrival, Roman terminated his comm immediately and told his assistant to send her in.

He stood and met her at the door. “Ms. Haws, are you well?”

She sighed out and the tension vibrated from her, concerning him deeply.

“Marcus, will you please bring us some refreshments? And hold all comm traffic please.” He looked back to her. “Please, sit down.” When he touched her arm she jumped. He slowly moved away, taking a seat after she did.

“I’m fine. I take it this is about the scene Saul Kerrigan made today in the hall?”

He nodded. Her voice was so flat, the spark in her dimmed. There was something wrong with her just then. She wasn’t her usual combative self. “I saw the footage, Ms. Haws. Is your arm all right?”

She winced holding it close to her body. He had to know.

“Did he mark you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Indeed it is. This is my damned ‘Verse and I take care of my people. You’ll show me your arm because I asked.”

She jerked back, brown eyes flashing, face flushed and satisfaction roared through him that she showed signs of her spark.

“I’m not one of your peasants as if you are a fief lord in the oldest sense. If you saw the vid, you saw an Affiliate House leader act inappropriately. Security came and he left. I went to the rest of my hearings and came back to the office. By the way, thank you for speaking to Administrator Cushing. Gretel Mortan is now home with her family. She’ll still have to endure trial but at least the credits won’t be an issue. Her case has been taken up by my office and paid for by an anonymous donor. Now, would you like to speak about the Movement for Representative Democracy?”

Marcus chose that moment to glide in and place a tray heavy with food and tea on the table between Roman’s and Abigail’s chairs.

While her attention was on Marcus leaving the room, Roman leaned forward and pushed her sleeve up. The creamy pale skin was marred by an ugly thumbprint bruise.

All he heard was a gasp before he found himself flat on the carpet with her scrambled atop his chest, teeth bared.

Her hair had come unmoored from the nest at the back of her neck and her spectacles sat askew on her face. The uptight barrister had been replaced by a wild woman with a river of dark hair and big, flashing eyes. Her lips, why hadn’t he noticed them before? Plump and juicy. And he certainly didn’t miss the heaving breasts. He’d pretended not to notice she hadn’t been wearing a bra the evening before but with them only inches away from his face, he couldn’t pretend they weren’t there. Large, fleshy and mouthwatering. The upper curve of her right breast was exposed at the neck of her blouse as she leaned over him.

The moment stretched between them. He knew Marcus must have heard but the door had not opened. Madness took hold in him chasing all rational thought away.

His control slipped, replaced by fascination at what she’d feel like. His hands found her thighs as she straddled his body, slid up until the edge of her stockings alerted him to bare flesh. Her breath hitched and then she froze.

“I…” She blinked as if awakened from a dream.

“You have very soft skin,” he murmured, his thumbs sliding back and forth along the band separating bare, velvet thigh and the stocking.

She scrambled back, legs akimbo giving him a perfect view of the slice of her body he’d started to yearn for. Red. Bright red panties and stockings underneath the sensible suit. Abigail Haws had a bit of insensible and a lot of sexy.

“I’m so sorry.”

He moved, slowly on his hands and knees, until he reached her. “I shouldn’t have startled you. I’m the one who’s sorry.” Clearly something had happened to her to make her respond that way. He wanted to know, wanted her to trust him to tell him but it wasn’t the time.

“You make me feel…this shouldn’t be happening,” she whispered and the shadow of fear slid from her eyes, replaced by something else.

He caught the dark shadow of her nipples against the front of her blouse, even through her bra. A deep breath as he sought control brought her scent, her arousal, into his system. It had been a very long time since he’d felt this sort of raw need.

“It is.” Reaching toward her very cautiously, he tucked some of her hair behind her shoulder. And fell. Fell into her, into her spell, into whatever delicious thing that had built between them. The soft, cool silk of the dark strands caressed his hand and arm until all he could do was lean in and kiss her.

Shannon at The Romance Studio gives RELENTLESS five hearts: Once again, Ms. Dane brilliantly transports her reading audience to the fascinating and turbulent Federated Universes with this tale of complex political intrigue and scorching hot sexual desires. The emotional pitch alone in this book is delectable but by adding the powerfully yummy rip-the-clothes-off sexual thrills and the danger of political reality, this is a story the reader will savor and enjoy long after they close the book.

Lori at Don’t Talk Just Read says: I felt Relentless was a flawless romance. The characterization was excellent, the world-building perfect. I loved every minute of this story that, by all rights, should have been outside my comfort zone, but instead felt like reading an old favorite.

Two Lips Reviews gives RELENTLESS five lips and says: In Relentless, Ms. Dane once again returns to this futuristic world, showing us how two people from two entirely different classes of society can work within the system to bring about change. After you finish this wonderful story, you’ll be like me, begging Lauren Dane to return to this futuristic world soon.

A 10 from Eye on Romance!!
The sexual tension between the pair is electric and the reader can see that this couple is destined to be together. I enjoyed this otherworld story.

4 1/2 stars from Manic Readers: Lauren Dane’s Relentless is spectacular. The sequel to Undercover, Relentless continues to lead the reader through the worlds of the privileged upper class and the downtrodden unranked to a place where opposites meet in harmony. Hitting on all the old hot buttons that caused our country to be formed, Ms. Dane handles the subject of class distinction and political equality with a deft touch. The characters are, as in all of Ms. Dane’s books, absolutely brilliantly written.

Limecello gives RELENTLESS an A at The Good, the Bad and The Unread: Ms. Dane wrote the perfect romance for Roman and Abbie – one that fit their personalities and situation exactly. [Oh - and I suppose I should mention the physical aspect. There's heat. A lot of it. And it's all good.](…) ! I think it’s clear that I really enjoyed Relentless. I can only hope that more romances will be like it. Not the genre or plot – but the focus on the characters and their relationship.

Regardless of whether or not you like futuristic novels (because I don’t particularly), I think you should read this book. It’s a great story, and very well written. Reading this book made me happy.

Azteclady says of Relentless (and boy was it hard to choose a quote because her review is detailed and lovely and of course I’m biased but it’s better read in its entirety!): Relentless is indeed a worthy follow up for Undercover, and gets an 8.5 out of 10 from me.

Stephanie gives RELENTLESS five hearts: Once again Lauren Dane has created a world that draws me in and keeps me enthralled from beginning to end. Relentless is the second book set in the other ‘Verses. After loving Undercover, I couldn’t wait to read Relentless and it lived up to my expectations.

Leslie gives RELENTLESS an A: WOW, what a wonderful book! The hero and heroine, Roman and Abbie, were so well developed. Not only in the relationship between the two of them but in their lives with regards to their families, friendships and business associates. This was such a full, well rounded story from beginning to end.

Top Pick from Nightowl Romance: Fiery, erotic, and rich with plot, this book is definitely a keeper on my shelf.

4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times Booklovers: Dane delivers yet another erotic story with a quick-moving plot, detailed worldbuilding, emotional conflict and impossible love that will tug on the heartstrings. Pulled in from page one, readers will enjoy the delicious sensuality between Abbie and Roman and crave it long after the story is over.

Recommended Read from Jo at Joyfully Reviewed: Relentless is a do not miss, stand in line when the bookstore opens book. It is also Joyfully Recommended by me to you as one you won’t want to miss.

Leontine at Realms on our Bookshelves says in part: Relentless is a bittersweet yet a beautiful romance set off by a high-octane of fiery sex play and political scheming, turning it in to a heated story from beginning to end! A great but also different sequel to Undercover and surprising in every way!

Riley’s Reviews gives RELENTLESS five happy readers and says in part: If I had to think of one phrase to describe this book, it’s “a sweeping romance.” Lead characters Abbie and Roman call to mind other seemingly impossible lovers like Lara and Zhivago. It’s amazing how a simple thing such as love can become epic in the hands of the right author — and this is most definitely the case with Ms. Dane’s creations in Relentless. (…) Achingly poignant romance, principled ideals, and some truly spectacular love scenes all add up to one thing: a sweeping romance that’s simply perfect. I’ll let Lauren Dane sweep me away any day of the week.

Chrissy Dionne gives RELENTLESS 5 Blue Ribbons at Romance Junkies: Emotionally charged, passionate and at times volatile RELENTLESS once again proves that Ms. Dane is a first class author who is fully capable of delivering exactly the sorts of storylines that readers crave.

Darque Reviews says: Ms. Dane takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions as two people from different sides of the tracks fall in love. Relentless provides readers with a passionate tale that’s filled with joy and heartache along the way. This is a fabulous read for fans of sci-fi with a generous helping of erotic romance. I hope that we’ll be seeing more installments in this futuristic world.

Kris at the Reading Spot says: I had a hard time putting this one down, I give this story an A.

Julie says in part: In some ways this is almost a Romeo and Juliet kind of story starring Roman and Abigail–two people who shouldn’t be together, yet can’t stay apart. The story is set in an interesting melange of the future yet socially structured much like the dynastic, medieval past. (…) I loved “Relentless”. If paranormal, romantic, fantastic, erotic stories with a hint of mystery set against a science fiction backdrop sounds interesting to you…pick up a copy of “Relentless” by Lauren Dane, coming out in May09. I won’t even laugh when you run out to buy “Undercover” when you’re done!

Mad at Novel Thoughts says of RELENTLESS: RELENTLESS is a definite keeper and one I know I’ll reread many times. Filled with everything I (and other romance readers) want in a romance book, RELENTLESS is a MUST read!

Literary Escapism says in part: I finished it in a day and I can’t wait to see what Dane gives us in a third installment.