Forbidden

Welcome to the “Forbidden” world. Forbidden is the first book of a three part series, The House of Sin series. The book opens with Natalie, a midwestern businesswoman, being in New York, scrambling about on her own, looking for clues as to what really happened to her lifelong friend and college roommate, Elane . She stays in Elane’s apartment and applies for work at Elane’s place of employment where she encounters people who are friendly, some not so friendly, some helpful, and some openly hostile, just like anywhere else in the world.

Natalie quickly discovers though, like the little bird that falls from the nest, just because someone dishes out crap, does not necessarily mean they wish you harm. Then Natalie begins to suspect that the fox that is digging her out of the mess, may actually be trying to devour her.

Ms Naughton’s characters are usually fully fleshed out and well developed in her novels, in part, so that the reader can relate to their motivations and trepidations. However in this book, especially initially, we don’t see that as much because these characters are evolving, learning and adapting on the fly as they face new things and new revelations. As the novel continues, the characters find themselves becoming persons other than who they believed they were.

Ms Naughton also pens very intense sexual encounters in her novels. This book is no exception there, but those scenes in this novel are not restricted to the protagonists lovemaking. That will be a bit different for Naughton readers.

The suspense of Natalie’s search for clues to what happened to her friend, and the things that Natalie accidentally discovers ramp up to an exhilarating point where the second novel in the series will take over. Forbidden is different from Ms Naughton’s previous novels, but a change of diet can sharpen the appetite. I highly recommend Forbidden for your reading list. I’m anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.

I have never read anything from this author but after this book I will be a forever fan!!!

Wow, this was a Hot,sexy,steamy book!!!
I just could not put it down!!!

All right, let's all acknowledge that first impressions matter. This cover makes one heck of a first impression. I felt like I was about to knock on the lions' den or something. It was so imposing but welcoming at the same time.

Sometimes you read a book that shakes you to your core. Forbidden is one of those, and that's why I've been watching funny cat videos for the last half hour.  I read most of it, thinking this is kind of sweet then I got to about the 80% point and all I thought was cazzo.

Props to the author for pulling it off. There were hints, but never did I for a second suspect that. So, now I'm sitting here trying to wrap my head around everything that happened at the end of the book. I loved the ending, but I guess I should rewind a little, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm going to be careful not to give anything away here because, the shock is part of the fun and I think it's important to go into this book with an open mind.

In this book we meet Luc, the reluctant CEO of a fashion magazine, and Natalie a strong, independent young lady in New York hoping to find out what happened to her best friend. This book is written in alternating perspectives (my favorite) so we get to know Luc and Natalie both well. At first, I thought Luc was an a**hole, I didn't like him at all. Then I got to know him and I fell in love fast and hard, just like Natalie. I loved Natalie too, obviously. I love anyone who isn't afraid to say no and stand up for themselves, something she has no problem doing. 

Throughout the story we see Luc who is used to being in control surrender little by little to Natalie. We watch as Natalie challenges him and he tries his best to seem unaffected. We get a front row seat to his emotional turmoil over his desire for her and we get to see when that desire wins. He does so many little things to show he cares about her and that's what drew me in. He's dark and brooding, his family is powerful with plenty of secrets. Not to mention his controlling tendencies. Luc is forbidden.  But I couldn't help myself, I totally fell for him. 

This is one heck of a sexy book. Luc and Natalie have amazing passion and chemistry, every time they come together is intense.  The author did an amazing job of capturing both the emotions and actions in those moments which made them wonderful to read. 

I'd recommend this book for anyone looking to read something on the darker side. This book will not leave you with a smile on your face and warm fuzzy feelings, so be prepared for that. It's a well-written, engaging, and beautifully formatted read that left me shocked and itching to read the sequel.

Woah, now this is one hot, steamy romance! Full of intrigue! It’s dark and sexy! It was so hard to put down!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow!

Amazing story!

I was totally hooked on this book and couldn’t read the pages quick enough. I knew Gio was trouble from the beginning, but I just thought Luc was an jerk. Then we see his softer side, the side that wants to protect and save everyone that he can.

I liked Natalie and the strength that she had to try to find out what happened to her best friend. She knows her friend would never overdose, so she has to get close to the people at Covet to see what she could find out.

She ends up catching Luc’s Eye and he knows that she is in over her head, so he takes it upon himself to try to protect her from his family. Then the trip happens and I really start stressing over his family and the danger that Natalie was in BUT it turns out that I was blindsided by whom she should have truly been afraid of.

This is a must read book and I can’t wait for the next book to be released to see what happens next.

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Wow! What an exciting start to this trilogy. This is a story based in suspense, some darkness and intrigue as our heroine is determined to immerse herself in her best friends world to try to find out what really happened to her.

I was a little skeptical as I started reading this thinking that I am in for a very predictable ride. BUT thus was a shocking pleasure to me that they story line took such an different turn than your typical book with BDSM elements would take. There are factors to our hero's world that took me off guard and really made me turn the pages as fast as I could read to see what this mysterious powerful family had hidden. I cant help but root for the anti hero of this book. Luciano was darkness while Natalie was light. Twists and turns throughout right up to the very last sentence.

Looking forward to book 2!

Happy Reading~ Sherry

This is one of the best books that I've read in 2017. It's a smart, intriguing mystery, and I could not put this book down until I finished it.

I really enjoyed this first installment in the House of Sin trilogy. The main characters were very believable if not a little naïve sometimes. I can’t really go into any detail without giving away much so all I can say right now is read it and wait like I am on the next two books.
Thoughts to leave you with…I enjoyed it, will read other books by this author again and April cannot get here soon enough!

An exceptional start to the House of Sin series. Elisabeth Naughton has written a solid winning story. Temptation leads to romance. I found the story to be interesting and unique. Can't wait to read more in this series and about these characters. A+

He mystified her, she intrigued him. Luciano Salvaciti was a man who wanted everything to be under his control. When he caught sight of Natalie James inquiring for a job at Covet, he knew she was trouble. And trouble seemed to follow them both, wherever they would go.

Natalie only wanted the truth about her best friend’s death. Going to Covet could bring her close to her suspects. But what she found was something way beyond the norm. More like an occult. A sin. Something forbidden. Something primal. Something deadly.

I have to admit, this is absolutely the most electrifying, most titillating and most seductive book I’ve read from Elisabeth Naughton. And this is just scratching the surface. Forbidden is the first book in the House of Sin series, and I am already overwhelmed by the amount of super hot, erotic and mindblowing sexy scenes. The pages nearly burned my skin because of the scorching hot details in the story. Luc and Natalie could easily combust and burn the house down. I was speechless while reading the book, and when I came to that astonishing end, I screamed and now I am asking for more.

That’s how good this story is, very very articulate and very very stimulating and very very mystifying. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. Elisabeth Naughton needs to release the sequel immediately!!

I received an arc from Netgalley. Seriously this book grabbed me right from the beginning and Incould not put it down.
So many secrets and once found out there are some Natalie is not sure she can live with but can she live without Luc now that they have grown so close?
I honestly cannot wait for the next book in this series.

When I requested this ARC, I agreed to give a fair and honest review in return. Riveting! Heat and intrigue and danger all in one book. Well actually, 3 books and I can't wait to finish the series if the remaining two are just as gripping.

This is a good hot book to read when you just need to escape. The chemistry is palpable between the two main characters and it makes it easy yet enjoyable to read. I think that this is a perfect example of a book that has everything you could want in it; from the steamy sex scenes to the danger that awaits Natalie if Luc fails her. If you are looking to shut your brain off for a few hours and delve into a steamy fantasy then this is for you.

I NEEEEEEED the next book. Holy Hell. Probably the HOTTEST book I've read in a while. Steamy, achingly so at times, shivers in all the right places, and a damn cliffhanger that I could pant over. Sign me up for the next one! The chemistry between these two is insane, I'm hoping there's a little more backstory about the "Family" in the next book, it's all very cloak and dagger, but this one hit all the right spots. I cannot find a single thing I disliked about this book other than that the next one isn't out yet and waiting for me! Well written, great anticipations and flow, full characters, everything you want in this sort of book. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Forbidden: House of Sin Book 1 by Elisabeth Naughton will take you to the edge of your seat while reading. The author knew where to take her readers imagination and she knew how to tweak and activate it.

Her story was plotted thoroughly and perfectly. I understand doing a three-parts book because a story like these can't be contained in just a single book.

There's so much depth to the story that it's a good thing Naughton writes very well or us, the readers will get lost in the story, and not in a good way.

The scenes depicted were all riveting. I truly can connect with her charaters. The heroine's dangerous search for the truth and the hero's struggle to leash the evil he tries very hard to steer clear.

The chemistry of the main characters is off the charts. You will really feel the sexual tension and frustration around them the author delivered. The pacing was just perfect. It was not too fast, not rushed and most importantly, not stagnant or worst, it did not fluctuate. You can feel the story builds up as the story progresses and it will make you second guess along with the heroine.

I love that this book isn't just about unleasing dark desires but that it delves into a more sinister truth that probably, mostly do exist somewhere. The highs the author will take you is so addictive you wouldn't want to come down from it.

Once again, Elisabeth Naughton proves her writing prowess and this time, she will take us to something only the willing dips into.

I highly recommend this book. This isn't your ordinary mystery and romance. It is really a romance full of mystery and twists and turns as well as secrets, lies and deceptions. And that ending? It was a perfect ending. One I didn't see coming.

Wow, this book was so much more than I expected it to be. The chemistry between Luc and Natalie was so hot and combustible from the very start. It’s clear that Luc was hiding something, but I could have never imagine what it was. This book is full of mystery and suspense, combined with a healthy dose of sexual tension and steam. I can’t wait for the next book to see how this story unfolds.

Wow! This book was like the best kind of crazy, drag you in and hold you hostage wild!

I’m generally not a fan of BDSM and I suspected this story might involve it with a series titled House Of Sin. But I love what I’ve read from this author in the past and the blurb was just too hard to resist. I expected a sex club with friends of the hero who would be dominant and dark. I did not expect what I found within these pages.

Natalie is looking for answers to her friend’s death and ends up in the sphere of the Salvaciti men. As her mind races from one potential suspect to another she finds herself in the company of Luc with all his dominating force. She’s a strong independent woman with no need to submit herself to any man. But what she finds with Luc has her eager and willing…until she realizes she may have allowed herself to become just like her friend.

This book really rocked me. I lost myself down the dark and twisted path that this couple traveled. As a witness to Natalie’s fall, I sensed the traps that could snap up and ensnare her when she didn’t. However, Luc’s point of view was a reprieve from the worse of my concern. Unfortunately, there is a deep dark secret that threatens not only him but Natalie as well and as the reader I was on pins a needles waiting for that secret to loom up and swallow me whole.

I absolutely loved this story, these characters, the darkness of every secondary character introduced because you didn’t know their agenda, and the buildup of tension and angst. It’s not a particularly fast read but you don’t want to skim because every line is full of emotion or needed information. I knew going in it was a cliffhanger so I had braced myself but oh Lord! I didn’t realize how hard it was going to hit me. I need the next book NOW!

P.S. Second book is planned to release three weeks after Forbidden

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Season Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A truly captivating book ! I could not put this down even while I was at work ! I would sneak in readings every chance I got !! It was that good !!! The twist and turns and the major question ! What is Luc’s family is really involved in ?! I cannot wait to continue the series because the ending will drive you crazy screaming NOOO but don’t worry the series continues !!

This is a very good story with some twists -- one of which is that I didn't realize it would end with a cliffhanger! Looking forward to the next two stories. My point of frustration is that Natalie is a bit whiny and her behavior is a bit annoying. The plot advances based on her foolishness -- and I had hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Luc and Natalie are the kind of couple I'd label as 'unexpected'. Coming from completely different backgrounds, socially, culturally and financially, one could hardly expect them to get together. And Luc doesn't want her anywhere near his world. But Natalie is determined to get her foot in the door in Luc's modeling agency 'Covet' because she absolutely must know what happened to her best friend Elena. In order to keep her safe, he at first refuses her internship application then takes her on as a personal assistant once he realizes that Gio, his debauched brother is weaving his depraved web around her.

A trip to Italy makes him realize the attraction is not only mutual but that Natalie has all the power. In spite of being independent and difficult to control, she holds his heart in the palm of her hand and that is when he becomes the biggest danger to her safety. Because his father has plans for him and they most definitely do not include making Natalie a part of his life.

I cannot wait for the second book. The very beginning grabbed my attention. I'm in love with this series.

Forbidden was a decadent treat that I knew would unnerve and scare the heck out of me I could not stop reading because I was lost in the eroticism in the story and the very sexy characters. I thought this story was great. Luc and Natalie were sexy and compelling and I could not stop reading.

When Natalie James decides to go undercover at a leading fashion magazine, Covet, to expose the murder of her childhood bestfriend, she never would have expected the quagmire of epic proportions she immersed herself in. Filled with suspense and intrigue and mindblowing sexual games, she has no idea who is friend or foe. But when CEO Luciano "Luc" Salvatici sets his eyes on her she has no idea what is coming!

Gah! This novel was sexy and so erotic. I loved the touches of BDSM and how Luc opened Natalie's eyes to her secret desires and wants. BUT OMG that ending?!!! I am SO hooked and can't wait for book two.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula

A departure in writing for Ms. Naughton. Forbidden is the first in a 3 book series. This had a slow buildup for me, however things picked up when Luc and Natalie got together. They had great chemistry. I would classify this as romantic suspense. Cliffhanger ending. Looking forward to book 2. ARC provided by author and Netgalley for an honest review.

Wow !!! Totally unlike anything the author has written before ! Dark , captivating , heart stopping.... I can hardly find the words to describe this book. Dominance and submission and BDSM has never been of interest to me , but those are definite themes in Forbidden. That being said, I couldn’t stop reading this book. The characters and story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Even knowing this was only book one and would end in a cliffhanger,which I usually hate! , I was captivated by it. Elisabeth Naughton is a master , and I’ve loved reading her for years. Forbidden is on that list , even though it’s not my usual! Can’t wait for the next one !

From New York Times Bestselling and RITA Award-winning author Elisabeth Naughton, the first book in the House of Sin Series.

She has no idea what lurks behind the forbidden doors of the House of Sin...

He is temptation. Forbidden fruit. A craving I can’t seem to resist.

I went after him in search of answers, certain he had blood on his hands. Now I’ve fallen prey to his seductive looks and commanding charisma.

I know he is a threat. He's entwined in a dangerous world I don't understand. But even that doesn’t stop me from aching for his touch, for the taste of his wicked lips.

Before I can truly surrender to the fire smoldering between us, I need to know more. I have to see behind the doors he keeps firmly locked.

I need to discover what he's hiding in the shadowy world known as the House of Sin...

Review:
First, this ends in a cliffhanger because book two in the trilogy comes out in two weeks. Just wanted to let others know because I know it bugs some people.

Second, I cannot wait for part two, Deceived.

Now to the story. I do not want to give away all the plot points so this might be kind of vague. Natalie is out to find out who killed the sister of her heart, so she travels to New York City to get into the world of high fashion to find the killer and get justice for her friend. When she gets there everything and everyone is not what they seem. She meets Luc, (who comes off as a world class jerk) who is the head of the fashion house Natalie's friend worked at. A chain of events lead to Natalie being Luc's personal assistant and that is where things really start getting interesting. Again, the Author does a great job of being mysterious with the characters and plot. The story is very dark, sexy and had me on edge throughout. That's it, that is all you get because you really need to read it without me giving away things.

I am very excited to read the next installment, come on May 15th.

4.5Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the Publisher.*