Name: The Professional
ISBN: 9781471113871

Kresley Cole

He makes the rules . . . Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan's loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss's long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well-on his own wicked terms. Rules are made to be broken . . . PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell. Are you ready to play? Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy's reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest-and most forbidden-fantasies can come true… Previously released as The Professional - Parts 1, 2 and 3 as eBook exclusives.

The Professional

Lover of Romance 

Summary

Natalie Porter, is a college grad student, and she has had to work hard for her schooling, working multiple jobs, making her own way. But even though she was adopted by a loving family, there is still one things that she needs…to find her birth father. After searching and searching, giving up thousands of dollars, to find him, she is at a lost when her investigator stops communication. But she hasn’t given up hope that one day she will find him. At a bar with her best friend, she is dared to flirt and take home a stranger, and have fun and dirty sex with him. The man she picks, is bad boy all the way. Danger seeping out of his pores, tattoos, and a dark brooding stare that she finds compelling. But he warns her off, and she didn’t think that she would ever see or hear from him again. Aleksi, was found on the streets as a teenage boy, starving and doing what he could to survive, and was picked up by the Mafia boss. That mafia boss raised him and taught him everything, and was the father he always wanted. But when he is asked to watched over his daughter, he is more than willing. But the longer he watches her, the harder it is. Then their enemies are after her, and he must protect her and bring her back to her father. He knows that he can’t touch her, but she is temptation itself…and will Aleksi be able to resist her body and her heart?
The Hero

Aleksi, has a past and that past has haunted him. At thirteen he was left on the streets, forced to abandon his brothers, and barely surviving the streets, by learning to fight and defend himself. He is then brought into a Mafiya group, and the head honcho, practically adopts him, and teaches him everything he knows. Aleksi, is a killer, and has had to do things he will always regret, but always to protect himself and those he is loyal to. He has always obeyed every order, without question until he meets the woman to bring him to his knees. Aleksi is one sexy bad ass of a hero. And yes he is a hero. But it took time before I believed that. :) He was quite intense and complicated at times, and you see from the beginning how mysterious he is. He is dangerous but only to his enemies. He does have certain singular tastes, and delights in them. He loves being in command, especially in the bedroom. But as the story progresses you see so much more depth to his character, than that which he portrays. I loved seeing each layer being peeled off and boy did he give me the shivers and tingles–in all the right places.
The Heroine

Natalie is a fun and sassy heroine. Natalie, is one of those heroines that you can’t help but love from the beginning. She is very bold and daring. She has the spirit of a tiger, and wow does she have passion all boiled down inside her. What I really loved about her character was how she gave back just as much as she got. Alekski is pretty intimidating, but she doesn’t let him frighten her. She does have a strong personality that seems to meld with her hero quite well. I felt like she matched him on any playing field, and she seemed to be able to still give off a sweet personality to. She was very likable and so easy to relate with. She is willing to try anything and has a sense of adventure, that I am not sure I would feel if I was her. But she won me over from the first chapter, as I am sure she will with you as well.
Plot and Story Line

The Professional is a story that will sear you completely. This story was super HOT and way hotter than I was expecting. This author has definitely picked up the heat since I first read her. Which was a few years ago when I tried her historical romances and the first of the Immortal series. I knew that this would be more erotic, but wow this blew my mind away. Despite all the heat it had quite a plot to the story. Much more than you would ever think with an erotic romance…but in my mind this story will still be considered a romance novel—just blazing hot. Because there is still so many positive elements that makes it so much more than a simple erotic novel. Now from the very beginning these two have had fireworks, and he kidnaps her and puts her on a plane, but not before one hell of a kiss and some fondling that just had be getting a fever. Whew…first chapter, and it was always HOT…I knew I was in for one hell of a ride. But it doesn’t stop when they arrive at her father’s home and sanctuary, the safest place on the world for her to be…except from Aleksi. Natalie already knows that she could easily fall in love with him, but Aleksi doesn’t believe he can return that, or dishonor her father that way. But soon Natalie will be like a dog with a bone, never giving up. She is tenacious and stubborn, and Aleksi is danger personified but he surely knows how to show a girl a good time. There are BDSM elements. Now those that know me, know that I am picky about this. There are times I like it and times I don’t. But I knew it had some elements so I was prepared. But Kresley Cole did a tremendous job of writing a story that is engaging and erotic, and has plenty of romance for romance lovers. It is way more intense and dramatic, but there are things that occur that totally shock me, and really pick up the pace of the story. There were some aspects that had me reaching for my tissues…but in a way it was a good thing. I felt all over the place with the story, but I found it one hell of a ride. Now I do want to say one thing. I have heard comparisons from this story to Fifty Shades of Grey (there is no comparison. they are totally two different themes and story lines. They may both have BDSM elements of a sort, but they are as alike as fire and ice. I found I loved this story and it had me from the beginning.
Cover

This cover is so yummy. I don’t even know what it is, but the whole man in a suit, and I don’t know what he is holding (maybe vodka or brandy)…but sure is sexy. The model did a great job in portraying a total russian bad ass.
Overall View

A story that is bound to set you to aflame….a story of passion, unique sexual drama, dramatic characters, and a thrilling plot leaving you breathless for more!!!

Are you ready to play? Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy's reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest - and most forbidden - fantasies can come true…

JoLee

Spoil Free Review

Is there anything Kresley Cole can not write about. Instantly became a fan girl with her Paranormal Romance series Immortals After Dark. She has wowed readers with her Historical Romance series Sutherland Brothers , Highlander series MacCarrick Brothers and Young Adult series The Arcana Chronicles now she has ventured into Erotic Romance with The Game Maker series and nailed it. 

Perfect timing as I was in need of a good new author in a Mafia theme Romance. Been searching and digging to get this Mafia theme itch and well known author Kresley Cole's The Professional scratched it with a well written novel and a specific wicked-sexy dominate-arrogant-alpha male-Tattoo Mafia Enforcer hero, Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan. He is cold and hot and in know means like to be teased. He is one who acts on his promises. He is a bit jealous and possessive when it come to Natalie, he might not like it, but she is his. He also can be bit on the tender side, not really with words but more so with his actions. He likes to dominate in the bedroom as he is not one for surprises. 

Natalie is his biggest surprise yet and she is not one to hold back and play fair. Neither is Aleksandr with his dirty talking mouth and WOW does he know how to use his mouth. Alexsandr has met his match when it comes to Natalie. Loved her inner thinking as she had me giggling a few times on what she had in store for him and his wicked teasing ways. Love the banter between them and Kresley Cole is to date the Queen of sexually teasing. The professional is one scorcher-panty-changing read that will leave you hot and bothered on so many levels. You will be right there with Natalie screaming for release and plotting some kind of payback. 

Thank you Kresley Cole and Pocket Star publishing for a well done cover that is wickedly delicious and not just an object. It might not be a shirtless or sexy hunk on the cover but love that it has the heroes semi face. Goes really well with the Mafia Theme Romance. If I was not already a Kresely Cole Fan girl, the cover alone would catch my attention enough to have to check out the synopsis. 

It is hard to find a good serial series. Too many authors like to shorten their serial where there is not enough to get a feel of the characters or right away rush their relationship with insta love. The Professional is perfect and it is how I love my reads, good length, no insta love but two characters that are infatuated with each other and look forward to when they will fall in love. Love that Kresley Cole stayed true to her writing style. She was able to bring an erotic tale with humor. I for one am a huge cliffhanger fan. Love the anticipation for the next novel. Kresley Cole wrote the best jaw-dropping cliffhanger of all time. I am still in shock, can not stop thinking about The Professional and on how it ended. Kresley Cole that ending is wrong on so many levels and that is why I love it and am a huge fan girl of yours. Freakin Brilliant. You all know what I will be buying on Jan. 6, 2014 and a great way to start of the New Year, The Professional: Part 2 (The Game Maker 0.2). 

ARC Provided by publisher, Pocket Star for an Honest Review

Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog

The highly anticipated complete novel of The Professional—the first installment in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole's scorching Game Maker series, an erotica collection that has readers asking: How hot is too hot? Get lost in the sultry world of the Game Maker series with The Master, book two, and The Player, book three! Meet the Professional. Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr “The Siberian” Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss's long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Aleksandr will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms. He makes the rules. Grad student Natalie Porter has barely recovered from her first encounter with the dark and breathtaking Siberian when he whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. In the game of obsession, two players are better than one. Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Aleksandr spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-rich in Paris, the two lovers tempt each other’s boundaries to discover whether their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies really can come true... Previously released as The Professional—Parts 1, 2, and 3 as ebook exclusives.

Hannah Picken

I am in two minds about this book. The smut scenes, fantastic. The ending was my favourite part however for the majority of this book, I felt like the relationship between the two main characters was toxic. Upon finishing this book, I understand a little bit more of why it was like that but I do wish the communication was so much better because this ended up being more of a character-based book than a plot-based book but it took so long for anything to really progress.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes The Professional—the first scorching installment in her Game Maker series, an erotica collection that has readers asking: How hot is too hot? He makes the rules . . . Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms. Rules are made to be broken . . . PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell. Are you ready to play? Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true…

The Professional:

NaTasna Jiggetts

Omgosh she left me hanging in the sauna....NNNOOOOO..I finished this book fast and have the other two on preorder..I love Kresley Cole's other books as we'll and now she takes a dive Into erotica and she nails it!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes The Professional—the third scorching installment in her Game Maker series, an erotica collection that has readers asking: How hot is too hot? He makes the rules . . . Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms. Rules are made to be broken . . . PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell. Are you ready to play? Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true…

FINALLY..The Siberian has shared something..I swear I wanted to bang him upside his head and just say spill it already. I am so happy that they have finally made a break through and I would love to see how their future turns out. I wonder if we will hear more about the brothers..very interesting.

Samantha Emery

★Book Basics★ 


  Genre
: - Cont Romance 

  Series
: - Book 1 in the series. 

  Love triangle?
 - (view spoiler)[No (hide spoiler)]

  Cheating?
 - (view spoiler)[No (hide spoiler)]

  HEA? -
 (view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]

  Would I read more by this author/or in this series? 
- Yes

  Rating 
- 4 stars.


★Review★

I actually read this in the 3 separate parts, but one after the other, as on Amazon at the time, it was cheaper to buy it in 3 separate bits as opposed to 1 entire book. But since I cbb to review each individual bit, I shall just review it as a whole. (I assume the story remains the same, although I am not 100% if there were any changes at all when it was published as a complete book)

I really enjoyed this book. Loved both main characters, really liked Natalie's friend. 

I enjoyed their story. Aleksei's past being hinted at throughout, and giving tiny glimpses into why he is as shut down as he is.

And Natalie needed more out of the relationship, and did not want to sit back and just accept the admittedly amazing sexual connection, while being kept at arms length emotionally from Aleksei. It was clear how much Natalie meant to him, she is his air, his life, and when he talked about his past it is truly heartbreaking.

As I say, I really did enjoy it, so why not a 5?

Well, for me Natalie seemed to forget about her adoptive parents/family very quickly, especially her adoptive Dad who had died a few years before. I can understand her need to know he birth family - but she seemed to adjust to the role of Mafia princess very quickly almost forgetting the life she had had before.

But all in, a great hot read, that kept me interested in the characters and in wanting to continue the series.

b.andherbooks

Definitely a situation where I feel almost bad for reading this book? So utterly ridiculous, what with the virgin yet sex-expert college girl and the super stalker, abusive, alpha Russian who is a walking cliche, but I still finished it. Basically all sex interspersed with very unbelievable (and lite) character development. Poor mafia hitman-millionaire. Puh-lease.

Upon re-reading The Professional and being able to listen to the Fated Mates podcast episode discussing it, I've rounded up my rating to three stars! I appreciate what Kresley was trying to do here, and the sex is H-O-T hot, but I'm still kind of bored when they aren't having the sex. What does Natalie do all day? More character development please!

I also learned this was a serialized novel, in three parts! May explain some of the pacing issues. That said, still a darn good time and introduced me to some THINGS. Phew.

It's so tough to rate a serial like this. I think it set up the forthcoming story well. It was smoking hot. I'm still trying to get a full grasp on all the characters, but I'm also just interested in enough in them that I'll definitely be jumping into the next part ASAP. Good stuff! I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.

Chantale

I had heard of Kresley Cole but never read any of her books until now.
I am so glad I picked this one to review because I absolutely love it. I read this on yesterday and I couldn't put it down! Now I can't wait to read next part of this book.

I highly recommend.

I had heard of Kresley Cole but never read any of her books until now .

Since I read the first part of The Professional and I absolutely loved it I couldn't wait to get my hands on the full book.

WOW!! I absolutely love this book and I couldn't put it down. I read it on the weekend and I just was hooked on this one and right away after I was done reading it I just had to pre-order this book.

Very well done. I highly recommend The Professional.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I freaking LOVE Russian mafia books (and the HOT Russian men in them), but I was a bit disappointed with Kresley Cole’s The Professional. This is actually the first book I’ve read by KC, and I’d been so, so, so excited to read it, but it fell a bit short of my expectations. I was expecting to be swept away by the mafia story and a sexy, alpha-male Russian hero, but I wasn’t. I can see why people loved this book, but for me, The Professional was an okay read – it just missed the mark for what I was expecting to get in this book.

Natalie Porter thinks she’s just a regular grad student when she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Aleksandr Sevastyan, until he takes her away from all that she’s known and thrusts her into the dark world of the Russian mafia. Turns out she’s the long-lost daughter of a powerful boss, who has assigned his enforcer the task of bringing her home by any means necessary.

Dangerous, deadly, and powerful, Sevastyan is the loyal and dedicated enforcer of the Russian mafia. But of all the things to knock him off his feet, Natalie is the only person to make him crazed with lust and out of control. The intense and instant attraction between them is unexpected, but this alpha knows what he wants and he’ll do anything to have her.

“If you became mine, I wouldn’t let you go.” His words were clipped, as if he was biting back frenzy. “Understand me, if I’m your first lover—I will be your last.” The ringing tone of finality chilled me. “And I would kill any man who thought to touch what was mine.”

In between the fiery chemistry and hot sex in The Professional, we’re swept away to the mafia world in Russia. There’s action and suspense, and pretty much never a dull moment for Sevastyan and Natalie. So I’m pretty bummed out that I couldn’t love this book more. The premise of it had me in love, but as I kept reading, I just couldn’t really get into the story or the characters, mainly because of the ridiculous amount of kinky sex. This book pretty much made me realize that I’m not the biggest fan of BDSM, so sadly, the sex – while hot – just wasn’t my type of thing. Plus, it felt like Sevastyan used sex to manipulate Natalie, so that was a big no for me.

In all honesty though, I did enjoy the book for the most part. We have an obsessed alpha-male who’ll do anything for his woman, and the chemistry between them was well-written and off the charts. I liked the romance, minus all the crazy sex, and the mafia world was interesting. I just didn’t connect that well with the characters – but if you’re a fan of over-the-top heroes and BDSM, this book might be for you!

“Concerns beyond you no longer matter. You’re at the center of my life”—he frowned—“no, you are my life.”

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1SrVoui
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1YoHDBb
Audible: http://amzn.to/1Sb776K

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