High Bet: Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard #3

At night he invades my dreams… during the day I can’t forget the way he made me feel during those dreams.

Lauren
I’m the leader of a rogue band of vixens, who left our origin skulk to live our dream—owning a catering company. The problem is our dream costs money, and we don’t have any. The solution is doing what foxes do best… steal. Now I’m way in over my head. The only thing standing between us and real danger is Jace Evans.

Jace
I am the leader of the Calos Syndicate and the Florida Panther clan. I deal in gambling, arms dealing, smuggling, and a lot of legitimate businesses that aren’t nearly as much fun as the illegal ones. In the next few weeks, I’m opening a luxury casino featuring a roulette wheel that once belonged to the Marquis de Sade. Bonding dreams with my fated mate has been an unexpected delight and has revealed the truth of who she is. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! She is neither panther nor human; she’s a sexy fox-shifter with a nasty temper and a rebellious streak a mile wide. Turning her is forbidden and she’s determined to fight me. But what do I care? I love a challenge, and if it’s illegal, so much the better.

In the end I’ll win everything. She’ll come to me, and when she does, I’ll make all her deepest, darkest dreams come true.

The Syndicate Masters are in the US! They were assigned as Guardians by the goddess over six centuries ago. Each generation brings new and different challenges. These ruthless and wild dons are the protectors, the Guardians of their territories.

On the Eastern Seaboard the Masters control horse racing, casinos, and gambling among other things. Get ready for over-the-top, possessive mob bosses who will do what is needed to find and protect their fated mates.

The Reviews

Donna L
5.0 out of 5 stars SIZZLING AND INTENSE. TRULY ENTERTAINING
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
Nothing is more satisfying than relaxing while reading a shifter story by Ms. James.
This cracker of a story was fast-paced, action-packed, and had a solid storyline. The
characters were well-developed and realistic despite their paranormal abilities.

Jace was progressive in his attitude to his mate. Their link was established before they
met. A powerful Panther shifter and alpha to his clan. Head of the Carlos syndicate. He
connected with Lauren through Dreamtime on an astral level. He was content with the
knowledge that he would recognize his fated mate on sight and did not actively seek her
out. Once Jace found Lauren and her vixens, he offer them the protection of his clan.

Jace plagued Lauren’s dreams. His presence soothed her and left her feeling content.
Lauren and her small group of vixens turned to stealing to gain independence. This put her in the firing line of the Albanian mob. Keeping them safe took its toll. I feel that Lauren danced on a fine edge of fear and vulnerability, and was happy to hand the
responsibility over to Jace.

I loved this story with its larger-than-life characters. I liked the twist and turns that kept me glued to the pages. Entertaining from start to finish.
Redrabbitt
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars I AM YOUR DESTINY—YOU ARE MY FATED MATE
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
While the story is part of the Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard, it will read as a stand-alone story. The story was set up at the end of High Stakes and I was fascinated with what little teaser was shared. The story did not disappoint this reader. I loved the characters and their interactions. I loved how Jace and Lauren had a deep connection before they met—even if it began in the dream world. The role that Lauren acquired as Alpha of a rogue band of vixens was never her intent, but she took her responsibilities seriously and did the best she could.

“You can’t hide forever little one. The link between us is growing stronger, and in the end, it will lead me to you.”

The story is full of mystery, suspense, danger, intrigue, and yes, definitely romance. I love the chemistry between Jace and Lauren and really hated to see their story end. The story has the good, the bad, and the evil in people and shifters. But, gladly, those who deserve retribution for their evil ways will find it in the end. Jace never really forces Lauren to accept his claim of fated mates—because they had shared on a higher plain with their erotic shared dreams. I think she was shocked to actually find him in person, and running away, but that won’t stop him from finding her. Every girl needs a strong man in her corner—even if she doesn’t think she does. I think that with all the responsibilities and burdens of leading the other vixens, giving over control to Jace was liberating.

“Be careful what you wish for, little one. You have a deal.”

When Jace and his soldiers come to the aid of Lauren and her vixens, they are kind, with reasonable options and solutions. There was no force, only realistic acquisition of the girls.
Lauren: Do I have a choice?

Jace: You always have choices, Lauren. It’s just that today I’m the best choice out of what I’m sure you see as a lot of bad options.

“Make no mistake, Lauren, you belong to me—heart, mind, body, and soul.”

Lauren: You’re impossible.
Jace: I am alpha and your fated mate. The whole kit and kaboodle of you will mind me.
What happens when evil comes to destroy? Has Lauren’s determination to make a stand from her skulk become her downfall? What will Jace do—or his team?
Jace: Little one, are you all right?
Lauren: I am now.
Jace: Then let me get you home.
Lauren: I am home. The minute you put your arms around me, I was home.

The story does have an epilogue—and the end of it is a setup for another book—probably another series.
	Auburn1234
5.0 out of 5 stars Goodness!!! One of the Best Yet!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved this story! Anxiety, check. Suspense, check. Alpha shifters, check. Fated mates, check. Set in one of my favorite parts of the U.S., South Florida a panther shifter and his fated mate, a fox shifter find fated love. Don't miss this one!

High Roller: Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard #2


Axel gave Victoria an impossible choice, and she chose him.

Victoria
My brother is dead. He’s been dead for five years and no one seems inclined to bring those who killed him to justice. Well, no one except me.

Axel
I’m in negotiation with the Albanian mob. They think I’m going to stand with them against the others. They’re wrong. Atlantic City is my town… or at least it’s going to be. And then I see her across a crowded bar at one of the city’s best casinos.

When Axel saves me from a drunk at the Blue Eye, I let myself have a wonderful weekend of indulgence and pleasure. When Axel wants me for arm candy at a high stakes poker game I figure why not?

Only that poker game is about far more than I knew and now I’m caught up in it with no way out.

The Syndicate Masters are in the US! They were assigned as Guardians by the goddess over six centuries ago. Each generation brings new and different challenges. These ruthless and wild dons are the protectors, the Guardians of their territories.

On the Eastern Seaboard the Masters control horse racing, casinos and gambling among other things. Get ready for over the top, possessive mob bosses who will do what is needed to find and protect their fated mates

The Reviews

Irene Talbert
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS SERIES....
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the second book in the Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard series. It's a fast-paced and standalone book that will keep you engaged from start to finish. There's action, adventure, drama, danger, suspense, twist/turns, enemies, survival, intrigue, humor, mystery/secrets, surprises, family, friends/friendships, anger, fear, pain, conflict, resolution, confusion, confidence, strength, courage, trust, truths, stubbornness, struggles, protection, kidnapping, tension, arrogance, doubts, turmoil (emotional), annoyance, complications, threats, confrontations, trauma, possession/possessiveness, compromise, treachery, conspiracies, acceptance, corruption, frustration, determination, patience, revenge/vengeance, betrayal, chaos, murder, grief, justice, mayhem, happiness, romance, passion/lust and love.
This is a story about a h who is looking for her brother's killer(s) and all she can think about is the revenge that she wants to deal out to said killer(s) and the H is the leader of the Scimitar Syndicate, a Scimitar cat shifter and in need of a mate.
Read to find out what happens. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and this review is my own opinion
Jen B.
4.0 out of 5 stars A Mobster and a Greiving Sister
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 31, 2022
Axel leads his clan and he loves it. He wants to find his fated mate because he understands it's time and he's ready. He even has a good idea who she is so he's delighted when he sees her in a bar. Tori is grieving the murder of her brother and is determined to avenge his death. She gets swept away when she meets Axel in a bar. The two of them find themselves in danger and have to solve a mystery to find their happily ever after.

Axel is an alpha, a gangster, the head of his clan, and he is trying to modernize his people (but only a little bit because he's still an "alpha"). I like that he was willing to let Tori get used to his world before he forced her to become a shifter. Tori is smart and capable. I like that she taught herself how to avenge her brother's death. They are a good couple. They do fall in love immediately and both accept that they are fated mates. The author did give an explanation for how they fall in love so fast.

I enjoyed this book. I think you can read this without reading the other books in the series but I would suggest reading the prior book first since the events take place at the same time. This is a contemporary romance that takes place in New Jersey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Redrabbitt
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars YOU ARE NO LONGER ALONE
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 30, 2022
The story is the second in the Syndicate Masters—Eastern Seaboard series. While it will mention some of the people from the first book, this book will read well as a stand-alone. The story will mainly focus on the two main characters, Axel Crane and Victoria ‘Tori’ Houghton.

The story will have some back story of Tori and her late brother David. It is his death that sets Tori in motion for revenge, and she begins to execute her plans. Axel knows it is time to lay claim to his fated mate—something that will make his clan very happy to see happen. When Tori and Axel meet and decide to have a hookup, they sizzle. Axel knows who she is, and she knows him and his reputation—but not that he is about to claim her. The erotic chemistry between them sizzles off the pages. I liked them together, but I will say that one scene was shocking but eventually resolved.

Tori: I’m not sure what to do with you, Axel.
Axel: I have a whole list of items I’d like to do with and to you.
Tori: Do I want to know what they are?
Axel: Depends on how lucky I’m going to get with you tonight.
Tori: Just tonight.
Axel: Oh, yeah. I’m going to get plenty lucky with you.
Tori: You’re sure of that.
Axel: I am. The only question is when that’s going to happen because you and I are inevitable—some might even say fated.
Tori: Does that no strings attached drink transfer to a hot anonymous night with you?
Axel: It wouldn’t be anonymous, but it would be hot, righteous, and nasty sex. I’ll have you naked before I get you on the bed and I’ll be at you all night.
Tori: Yeah? I think I could do with a night like that, but come tomorrow morning, it’s neutral corners.
Axel: Neutral corners in the morning, but you agree to have dinner with me and come to a high-end poker game with me tomorrow night.

The story is a fast-paced tale with things from the past and present intertwining. The chemistry also has angst besides passion. Not everyone is what they seem, some will betray those they call friends. The story has the good, the bad, and the dangerous. Life and death issues, murder, revenge, and resolutions are all part of this tale. I found the story exciting and the characters likable

High Stakes: Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard #1

A lone shot rings out, changing everything…

Killian O’ Neill controls the pulse of the vibrant horse racing world in the Finger Lakes region of New York. He also has ties to a powerful Syndicate in Ireland. Carlyn Murphy is the investigative reporter who took comfort in his arms for one night and then walked away.

On the trail of a story that could rock the thoroughbred racing industry and has far larger complications, a lone shot rings out. Instead of it hitting its intended target, Killian takes the bullet for Carlyn.

Saving his mate brings chaos, sizzling heat and enough chemistry to melt both your panties and your kindle.

The Syndicate Masters were assigned as Guardians by the goddess over six centuries ago. Each generation brings new and different challenges. These ruthless and wild dons are the protectors, the Guardians of their territories.

On the Eastern Seaboard the Masters control horse racing, casinos and gambling among other things. Get ready for over the top, possessive mob bosses who will do what is needed to find and protect their fated mates.

The Reviews

	Irene Talbert
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT START TO A NEW SERIES....
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is the first book a new series called Syndicate Masters: Eastern Seaboard. It's a fast-paced and sequel to the book called The Pledge, that will keep you engaged from start to finish. There's action, adventure, drama, danger, suspense, twist/turns, enemies, survival, intrigue, humor, mystery/secrets, surprises, family, friends/friendships, anger, fear, pain, conflict, resolution, confusion, confidence, strength, courage, trust, truths, stubbornness, struggles, protection, kidnapping, tension, arrogance, doubts, turmoil (emotional), annoyance, complications, threats, confrontations, possession/possessiveness, compromise, trauma, conspiracies, treachery, corruption, acceptance, frustration, determination, patience, happiness, romance, passion/lust and love.
In this story, the h and H have a history between them and someone wants her dead. The H is the head of the Firean Syndicate in upstate NY, the alpha of his black leopard shifter clan and controls the pulse of the horse racing world. The h is an investigative reporter and trying to learn what is happening to horses competing in the races.
Read to find out what happens. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and this review is my own opinion
	AP
5.0 out of 5 stars Delta James Writes A Winner
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Syndicate Masters series is simply fantastic. Ms. James has written a shifter romance that makes the reader fall in love with the characters, drama, and hot steamy sex. I would like the author to write an update novella on the other couples. In addition, James's stories need expanded in certain areas--Let the hero gangsters show some claws so the heroines can be the light to their dark and add some life or death drama at the climax. After the claiming, the story wraps up without a big ending. A big ending is needed in future books. One area James does fabulous is creating characters that leap off the screen and writing stories that are irresistable
	Donna L
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT START TO THIS SERIES
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
This story was refreshingly entertaining and was set between New York
and Ireland. I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game between Killian and
Carlyn. It was obvious that they were fated mates; the air crackled and
sparked between them. Killian had more patience than most Alphas
allowing Carlyn to follow her career as a reporter seeking answers to
her father's death. Killian did not overwhelm her until he took a bullet
meant for her. He was then possessive, protective, and determined to
make her his. Carolyn initially struggled when confronted with Killian
in all his glory but faced each challenge with playful enthusiasm. Her
initial attempts at shifting were laughable.

The story spanned ten years, with intrigue and danger set amongst a
background of horse racing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Ms. James,
and if this is the standard, we can expect, than we are in for a treat.
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