Lisa Renee Jones is awesome at what she does and she proves it here with Damage Control. In book 2, this book continues where it last left off with Shane and Emily. Secrets are slowly unraveled and all the players are fleshed out and known. This is jam packed full of family drama, steamy romance, and mysterious backgrounds to slowly reveal danger that is slowly closing in on our main characters.
There is secrecy surrounding Emily and Shane is determined to get to the bottom of it. In fact, he plans to protect her from the danger she is most likely fleeing from. So strong is his belief in that although he may not know who she truly is, he knows she is not part of the family coup that backs his brother in the fight to win his father's company. But his advisors are not so sure and continue to investigate her. Is Emily the innocent she appears or is she out to screw Shane over royally? Just what kind of trouble is Emily involved in?
Lisa Renee Jones continues to weave an even deeper plot in book 2 with the people tied to Martina Drug Cartel and then Shane's Father, and even Shane's Mother with them ALL playing prominent roles in both the future of Shane's family's business and with the fate of Shane's and Emily's love. Then to add flames to an already toxic mix, Shane’s brother continues to evolve and cast questions which add to the mix.
This is one action packed and suspense laden book with a steamy romance layered on. I loved every moment and couldn’t believe the cliffhanger that I was left with. I cannot wait for Bad Deeds to answers the questions left with this phenomenal read.
My Rating: 4.6 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

After reading Hard Rules , I immediately started Damage Control , the ending of book 1 was a cliff hanger so I was very happy that I started this series when the first two books were out lol . We are once again following Emily and Shane and I just loved these two together! , In a lot of ways it felt like these two were becoming closer and I just love that , they really started sharing more each other and if it wasn't obvious in the last book there bond with each other is just so strong , the things that they are willing to do for each other, just showed how devoted these two are to each other ,Lisa Renee Jones has done such an excellent job with the romance in this book .Now that I have gushed about how amazing the romance is I wanted to now talk the other things that happened in this book omg! there was just so much .Shane is trying to get his family company out of bed with the Martina Cartel and through this we find out so much , I felt like in book 1 we got an introduction to everything however in book 2 we go beneath the surface and we got deeper and deeper into the web of deception and the race and game for power . I just loved every minute of it and I am so excited to jump into the 3rd book. If you read the first book in this series and you are wondering if you should read book 2 the answer is yes ,go get this book as soon as you can .

Shane Brandon knows Emily Stevens is not who she says she is. Angry for her betrayal and afraid he might have trusted the wrong person, he demands she comes clean. But even when Emily's secrets are revealed, he isn't willing to give her up. She is his addiction and losing her is not an option. Emily did everything she could to keep her identity a secret, now that Shane knows what a liability she is, she needs to move on and disappear. But instead, a new understanding is shared between them and letting go becomes too much. Shane is fighting for his family and his company, but the truth is he will fight the hardest for the woman he fell for. Too bad that makes her a target for every one of his enemies - his family and the Adrian Martina. Knowing that his own blood is as dangerous as hers, Shane will do his best to keep her safe. The second installment of the Dirty Money series has enough intrigue, betrayal, danger, and mystery to keep readers on edge. Plus the twists and turns added to the sexual chemistry between Emily and Shane are enough to keep fans hooked. It's a good thing Bad Deeds is out already!

Emily and Shane. Wow. Emily has been a bit deceptive in the past and now Shane wants no more lies between them. Shane had his brother to run a background check on Emily and Shane wants answers. However, Emily is appalled that he had a background check done in the first place and contends that her secrets are hers, alone. I really was expecting a big whopper of a secret, but the nature of it revealed she saw something that could get her killed and possibly him, if found out. So, she’s protecting him. On the other hand, Shane is trying to save Emily, his family, and more. After all, his family’s corruption has been the bane of his existence. The question is: how many lives will be destroyed because of deception? Can Shane save Emily them all?

Lisa is one of my favorite erotica/suspense authors to read. I find it difficult to find authors that are good at blending these two genres seamlessly. I love the storyline of this series and the criminal references as well as the legal references are very well researched which I appreciate. Lisa keeps perfecting her craft with each book she pens!

AN ACTION-PACKED EROTIC THRILLER THAT KEEPS YOU GUESSING!,

“The people closest to you can hurt you the most.”

Omg! What a BREATHTAKING read! I am totally enthralled by the DIRTY MONEY series, and though I am not typically a binge reader, DAMAGE CONTROL was so riveting I could not put it down! With precision and prowess, the mega talent Lisa Renee Jones serves up a fusion of heart palpitating drama, scintillating passion and thrilling suspense, which left me deliciously satiated yet still hungry for more!

Since books one and two were spaced pretty far apart can I say how APPRECIATIVE I was that the author added a recap of book one, HARD RULES, in her acknowledgement section? It saved me the trouble of having to reread! So muchas gracias for that, Ms. Jones!

Picking up right where book one left off, we are thrown immediately into the action in this second installment, as an incensed Shane confronts, Emily, the beautiful and mysterious woman who he has let into his company fold—and into his heart--who clearly isn’t who she claims to be. He fears everything she’s told him is a lie and that the woman he entrusted implicitly has been aligning herself with his greatest enemies.

“How is it that I didn’t taste your lies? I wonder if they’ll taste differently now that I know they exist.”

Even after he presents her with tangible incriminating evidence that exposes her deception, Emily tries to keep her guard up—and her lips sealed—to protect the man she desperately loves from being thrown into the path of destruction. Which further incites Shane’s ire. But then he sees the genuine terror in her beautiful eyes and is thunderstruck with the very real possibility that her very life could be in jeopardy, and realizes deep down she is not a traitor. Nevertheless they are both at loggerheads. The woman he’s falling in love with is trapped in her own lies and he is just as desperate to unravel her secrets as she is to keep them under lock and key.

“I can taste her fear, her guilt, but more so, I can taste her submission, not to me, but to us. To a bond neither of us expected, or looked for, but it happened, and while it’s indefinable, it is also undeniable.”

The last thing Emily wants is to drag Shane into the kind of trouble that she knows could cause them BOTH to crash and burn, but like a dog with a bone, he refuses to let her run away from him—or the soul-shattering truths that have been dogging her for so long. And as their passion reaches a fever pitch and Emily finally gives him the answers he seeks, Shane vows to protect her at all costs, even as he fights valiantly to save his family's dynasty from corruption, looming danger from the Martina cartel, and financial ruin. But deceit, treachery and unspeakable danger would be the final straw that brings the entire Brandon Empire tumbling down--and decimate their love in the process… and it’s a race against time to salvage everything they hold dear!

As with book one, I was swept up into the perilous lives of Shane Brandon and Emily Stevens, his devious, filthy rich family and all the other friends and foes!! This action-packed erotic thriller is filled with a plethora of spine-tingling twists and turns and the electrifying chemistry between Emily and Shane just OOZES off the page. As their bond deepens in this book, I was even more invested in this beleaguered couple surviving amid all the danger, deceit, backstabbing and treachery! Shane is in full throttle protector mode in this book—and OMG I was swooning like CRAZY over how this sinfully sexy corporate hotshot will stop at NOTHING to safeguard what’s his!

"He is power. He is passion. Everything about him is too much. Too extreme. Too mighty. Too right and wrong at the same time."

And holy smokes can I say how explosively hot and INTENSELY EROTIC their love scenes were?! I am still fanning myself off!

My only slight disappointment in an otherwise stellar novel is that overall this book was more suspense/mystery driven than romance-centric and I would have liked to have seen the developing relationship between Emily and Shane to be more in the forefront at times for a better balanced read. There was a ton of push-pull between them in the first third but then once Emily bared her secrets they kind of slipped into a pattern of domestic bliss and the main focus of the plot shifted to the external drama. I loved this couple—HARD!—and just wish we had MORE emotionally-charged Emily and Shane scenes, and a little less of the cloak and dagger stuff.

But as for the drama and intrigue, Lisa Renee Jones was at the top of her game! The stakes are higher than ever, war is still raging for control of Brandon Enterprises, murder and mayhem abounds, loyalties are sorely tested, and it's unclear who Emily and Shane can REALLY trust. And of course, by book’s end, the author dishes out another cliffy that keeps us dangling! Fortunately, book 3 is hot off the presses and we can dive right in….

Eeeeep…can’t friggin wait!

Damage Control by Lisa Renee Jones is the second book in the Dirty Money series and takes up right where we left off with Shane and Emily in Hard Rules. I love this book and this series. This author can keep you on the edge of your seat with the suspense and the twist and turns that keep you so involved with the story. I can’t wait for the next book!!

It's been a minute since I've read Ms. Jones. I loved her If I were you series but have not really read her since. I am loving this Dirty Money series. I read Hard Rules and Damage Control back to back so this review is basically for both books.
I was a tab bit lost with Hard Rules prologue. I was not sure who this was talking, I'm stilll a bit unclear. I am hoping that it is the characters that I assume it is, because if it is my other suspension, well that will make me crazy!
This is an incredibly smart series, the writing is very intriguing. I find myself hanging on to every word when something is about to happen. Sometimes it can get a little confusing with two major storylines going on at the same time. Subplots are happening as well, but by book 2 I had everything figured out. I think. Sometimes it can be too much and you have to take a second and make it all sync up in your brain.
I enjoy Shane and Emily as a couple, a little "insta Love" for me , but it worked . They are trying to make a relationship work with a mountain of secrets shared between them. He thinks he is protecting her and she thinks he is being shady and wants the truth even if it is hard to take. Emily, has absolutely zero room to talk, her baggage is pound for pound tons! Her need to protect or think she is protecting Shane is noble, but unnecessary. This all builds and thank the lord , Ms. Jones did not let it hang and linger on for book after book.
The characters in this series are plentiful, almost too many. But you have a company that is about to lose it's founder and head guy, so people are coming out of the woodwork to lay claim. The war between the Brandon family will continue to come back for more of these books.

45.*

Now things are starting to get really good!
When I finished Hard Rules, the first book in the Dirty Money series, I was a little concerned with where the story was going. It felt a little all over the place to me, and I had a bit of trouble connecting all the dots. But with Damage Control, I'm so happy to say that finally the dots all started connecting and things were coming together for me!

I have to say, I love how Ms. Jones summarized Hard Rules at the beginning of Damage Control- that was so helpful! With the summarization there was no need to go back and skim through HR to get a refresher before diving into DC. And dive right back into it we do- DC picks up right where HR left off, with secrets and lies and mystery and intrigue, and more Brandon family drama than you'd ever find in Dallas!

Finally we're learning what Emily's big secret is, and why she's in hiding. Even with everything Shane has going on with his family and their company, he can't let Emily go and makes it his mission to protect her and do whatever he can to keep her safe. As things start to really heat up between Shane and Emily, so do they with the his brother and the Cartel.

Damage Control is a great, fast-paced read that had me hanging on the edge of my seat.

Book two in the Dirty Money saga is just as crafty and “dirty” as the series title suggests! And just as the cover suggests, this is a book that has family members pitted against each other. It’s a deadly game of chess and everyone involved is in danger of losing. In this installment, the reader finally gets more insight into Emily’s crazy predicament. We also see how Shane becomes the rock that Emily can lean on. But when it comes to the underhanded, devious members of his family, it’s also clear that Emily is the glue that holds Shane together. And I have to say how much LOVE that! I absolutely adore a strong heroine who can hold her own not only within her relationship with Shane but also within the Brandon family and the Brandon company. In this book, Emily is the shining star! Just like in book one, this part has plenty of mystery, danger and intrigue but there’s still a lot of unanswered questions. The best part for me though was the strengthening, passionate (hot!) relationship between Shane and Emily. Told from dual POVs with a TO BE CONTINUED ending.

Book 2, Damage Control, it becomes very apparent (if you didn’t already know) that LRJ is a mastermind when it comes to writing angst. This book had me on edge from page 1 because the secrets are finally slowly but surely revealing themselves. I wanted to cover my eyes and hide at times, because I swear my heart just couldn’t take it!

Elder Brandon’s illness is back with a vengeance and Derek’s unsavory relationships are really starting to heat up and cause trouble for the Brandon empire. All this on top of Emily’s whopper of a secret.. It’s a lot of stuff piling up and for Shane it’s getting harder and harder not to become pulled in all directions.

My favorite aspect of this book is seeing how the superior alpha male that is Shane show this huge soft part of him when being with Emily; they are perfect for one another, but are the secrets big enough and bad enough to tear them apart?

“I wonder,“ I say my gaze finding hers, heat simmering low in my limbs, one part lust, another part fury, “how it is that I didn’t taste your lies. I wonder if they’ll taste differently now that I know they exist.”

Both have a lot they are fighting against and a lot of distrust starting out in this book…the game is getting more and more twisted, and as a reader it was a ride of a lifetime to take. LRJ really knows how to keep you engaged and emotionally connected, and that’s exactly what I am…emotionally connected to these characters in a big, big way.

If you follow my reviews, you know that I completely loved the first book in the Dirty Money series and immediately jumped into the second one. I just needed to find out what happened next with Shane and Emily. And I can honestly say that I think I enjoyed the second book, Damage Control, even more than the first one, Hard Rules. There is just more of everything. More danger, more suspense, more hotness. Just more Shane and Emily. That doesn't mean I got enough though :D

Similarly to the first book, the romantic suspense lover like me will find everything they crave. There is danger and betrayal, hope and sizzling hotness. And all that is sprinkled with love and romance and the occasional touch of romance. I am not going to repeat my praises on the masterfully developed characters or the exquisite story line. That simply something such a virtuoso like Lisa Renee Jones does on daily basis. But I am going to say that I loved reading about the developing relationship between Shane and Emily. Of course, it is not an easy one but with every hidden danger or cruel betrayal, they become closer and closer. And their love for each other grows with every obstacle they overcome together.

I don't think I have enough words to express how much I love reading Lisa Renee Jones' books. They are the perfect read for every romantic suspense junkie like me out there. And Shane and Emilie's story is one of the best I've read in recent times. It is fast-paced and so intriguing that once you start reading, you simply can't stop. So if you haven't started the Dirty Money series yet, be sure to do so asap. It is definitely worth it.

This review was originally posted at Living In Our Own Story Book Blog. I received an ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

*thank you to the author and publisher for providing an arc***

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Each book of the Dirty Money series keeps getting better! Just when you think that everything will be okay Lisa Renee Jones spins another twist that has you wanting more!

Emily decides that Shane has enough to deal with and doesn't need to deal with her skeletons also. But Shane feels differently, he can't let the one good thing pass through his fingers.

After finding her and convincing Emily that they are better together then apart, he not only makes sure that she will be okay but is also trying to figure out how to get his family out of trouble with the cartel. But he can't rely on anyone except for Emily.

As more and more information and lies come to light, Shane will struggle with who he can trust and what he must do. And hopefully in the end that will lead to Emily. But is she willing to let go of the past and start over? Or will doubts continue to surface to make her wonder if she wasn't better off on her own...

Finally read the entire book. Realized I had read the first one and was in line to read the second one. I found the book boring. I like a story with my sex scenes. Not ex scenes without a descent story line. Not putting up a review because it will be negative.

Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy in Damage Control, the smoldering, scorching next novel in the explosively sexy Dirty Money series.

The only thing more dangerous than a dark secret is a damaged heart…

Shane Brandon has been pushed to the brink, torn between his corrupt family and his explosive, all-consuming desire for Emily Stevens, who he now knows is not who, and what, she seems. Has he trusted the wrong person? Will she, not his brother Derek, be the ultimate destruction of his family Empire?

Emily tries to run from Shane, but he will stop her, confront her, force her to reveal all — one hot touch and kiss at a time, under every intimate detail of who this woman is, and what she wants, is exposed. But as he tears away the dangers of the unknowns with the woman in his bed, and in his heart, The Martina Cartel has set their sights on his company, his family, and the one piece of leverage they believe he won’t gamble with: Emily.

Review:

This is the second book in the series by Ms. Jones and like the first is full of backstabbing and intrigue all centered around Shane Brandon's family business empire. This second book picks up exactly where the first book leaves off. This book ends with a open ending so if that bothers you, luckily the third book came out this week so you can read two in a row. Now that the truth behind Emily has come out, she and Shane must work together to protect her and save his family's company. Full of intrigue, you never know who to trust as you read the story. The excellent drama continues in this installment and kept me enraptured throughout. Shane's and Emily's united front makes them a couple that you keep rooting for. Their chemistry is super hot and there are lots of sexy scenes to keep the blood pumping.

Again, this story is not wrapped up at the end of this book and continues in the next book in the series.

4Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

This story was action packed and full of danger, sexy times and romance. I loved book 1 (Hard Rules), so I absolutely had to read this. It had been a while, so a huge thank you to the author who did a massive recap in the beginning of the book to refresh my memory, thank goodness! I have the worst memory.

The story continues with Brandon trying to deal with his corrupt family, but now he also had to protect Emily at the same time. This was a game with many players and many dangers. I was always waiting for something to happen, and was never able to predict any of it. From Shane's brother, father, mother and their business partners, to Emily's own brother, there was so much back stabbing and maneuvering. It still seems impossible that Shane will be able to turn things around to remove the corruption from his family's company, and I assume he will do it, but it won't be pretty getting there. We only learned how much worse it was in this book. With so much at stake and organized crime involved, Shane still had to tread very lightly. I loved the danger of all of it!

Silly me, I worried the romance would be lost since I did not read this book right after finishing the first one. But, kudos to Ms. Jones because the chemistry was definitely there. So very there. Maybe even more than before. As the book opened Emily and Shane were dealing with a trust issue, but it was explained in the most refreshing and realistic way...and all of a sudden I really believed that Shane and Emily were trying to work things out. I was in the moment in a matter of pages. Now their connection was more than physical, and the physical one was a way to feel closer. It was so well done.

Emily and Shane were once again fabulous main characters. Both were very strong, although in different ways. Each one truly completed the other. They learned here how valuable they were to each other, and while it built very quickly, the powerful feelings were too big too ignore.

Like the first book, this one was also very heavy on the detail. I just did not need to know that much about the ins and outs of the business and all the wheeling and dealing. It was just a little over the top and I found myself skimming those parts. Too many technicalities, and I did feel a little guilty because I'm sure the author did a lot of research to make it seem realistic. However, it was too much (for me).

You want to know about the ending? It's a cliffhanger!

Rec this? Yes! A page turner full of danger, romance, sexy times and betrayals. I cannot wait to start the next installment STAT.

Happy reading!

This book started where Hard Rules left off, with Shane questioning Emily's true identity. We finally find out Emily's secret. And what a doozy it is. This book really keeps you on your toes between Emily's secret and Shane's family and business problems. There is so much going on but in true Lisa Renee fashion it is so wonderfully written. The words are just so captivating. Another hit series!

So many secrets revealed. Now we know more about Emily and Shane now has to protect her from both fronts. But Emily is no delicate flower and has no problem doing what she can to protect Shane. She knows she's a chess piece and the key players have yet to reveal how they would intend to use her, but that doesn't stop all the boundless threats from Shane's brother.

And while Shane is trying to build something with Emily, he's also trying to save the Brandon empire from falling into his brother's hands and the criminal element he's in bed with.

This series just keeps getting more intense as the chess pieces move around the board. Looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Book #2 in the Dirty Money series doesn’t disappoint, except for the fact that there is more to the story . . . in the next book! Lisa Renee Jones can write such intense and spell binding scenes. You feel like you are looking through the eyes of each character, and cringing when you know something is about to happen. I enjoy each and every book of hers and can’t believe I didn’t find her sooner!

This story has Shane and Emily at odds with each other, she wants him but she is afraid of what that means. She’s got secrets and so does he. There are family members who want to hurt them and in between that are friends that want to help. If you’ve read Hard Rules, you know that nothing is as it seems. The story continues with lots of twists and turns, steamy sex, a little violence and a lot of unanswered questions. Plot thickening is only the beginning!

Another fabulous read from the author! None of her books are to be missed!

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was received for this review.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. I really like how this second book picks up so seamlessly from where book one leaves off. And of course the fact that Ms Jones gives a recap of book one helps a lot. In book two we finally learn what secrets Emily is keeping from Shane and how they affect his thinking as far as the family business that he is trying to save from a possible takeover. Emily we find out is trying to survive from people who are threatening her and doubting if her brother is actually on her side or not. Shane is also still continuing to have trouble brought on by his own brother and wonders if Emily was brought into the company to cause him more trouble. Until she reveals all her secrets Shane can only think the worst. Emily on the other hand doesn't want him to know because she feels it would only put Shane in danger. He is already dealing with the danger his brother Derek has brought to his family and company. Shane explains to Emily that he needs to know all that she is keeping from him so that they can deal with it and he can protect not only her but put to rest the fact that she poses no direct threat to the family business. The real threat comes from the Martina cartel that Derek has involved himself with. The intrigue of this story is so intense. Not only are there outside forces to deal with. You also have internal family conflict. Two brothers at war over the family business, a father who even though very ill still seems to be pulling all the strings. A mother who is just as manipulative as the others. Then there are Shane an Emily two people falling in love amongst all that is going on and dealing with it all. I can't wait to see what the next book holds in store.