There is no greater joy than when an author delivers a sequel to a seemingly stand alone novel, and Villain was one hell of a second chance.

About ‘Villain’

Nadia Ray is not just a broadcast meteorologist. She’s Boston’s morning television It Girl. Successful and independent, she’s put a past she’s ashamed of behind her and is forging a future she can be proud of. However, when her new boss discovers her secret he blackmails her, intent on using Nadia’s popularity to make them the number one morning show in Massachusetts. He wants her to be part of uncovering the city’s biggest scandal – a secret billionaire Caine Carraway is hiding.

Soon Nadia is thrown into the path of Caine’s best friend: sexy, wealthy bachelor Henry Lexington. But she doesn’t encounter the dashing high society gentleman Henry is purported to be. Instead she’s faced with an insulting and defensive villain who misjudges her at every turn.

When Henry finally realizes the truth, and decides to make amends, Nadia wants nothing to do with him. But she underestimates his determination and charm and soon they find themselves embroiled in an intense, passionate affair.

An affair Nadia knows must come to an end before their feelings grow any deeper and he discovers her secrets.

After all, Henry Lexington isn’t the only one who played the part of a villain once…

‘Villain’ Excerpt

Lexington’s jaw clenched and he cocked his head to the side. There was something about being the sole focus of this man that made me nervous and insecure. I put it down to the fact that I was alone with him in my apartment and he’d politely threatened me.

“I’ve seen you in the morning doing the weather reports.” He dropped his gaze for the first time, deliberately raking it over my body, before moving back up to my face. “You’re hard to miss.”

I kept my expression carefully blank, not liking his derisive tone. Not at all.

“How then,” he took a step toward me, “does a weather girl end up chasing tabloid gossip?”

But he didn’t give me a chance to explain, or to tell him what I’d already planned to tell Carraway. “Tabloid journalists are bottom feeders. Lowly scum on the evolutionary chain.” His upper lip curled in distaste and I hated that it was directed at me. Defiance shuddered through me but I held it together. Who was he to judge me? He’d had money and power his whole life. He didn’t know what it was like to be made to feel like a victim.

I flinched, goddamn him.

And he saw it. His brows drew together as he studied me and his tone softened ever so slightly. “Caine doesn’t know you’re digging, and he doesn’t need to know. Stop.”

He seemed to take my non-answer as agreement because he walked past me to leave.

What was I doing?

Just because this man was an asshole didn’t mean Carraway wasn’t still the answer to my problem with Dick.
I hurried after Lexington, and as he opened my door, I called out, “The story is about his mother’s death and whether the Hollands are connected to it. Alistair Holland. Was he there when she died and did someone cover it up? Is Carraway’s PA Alexa related to the Hollands? And if so, why is she working for him?”

Henry whipped around and barreled me back into the wall before I could even blink, anger emanating from every part of his body as he trapped me. Infuriating heat and expensive cologne engulfed my senses. “How much do you want?” he seethed.

Shock and fear quickly turned to disgust and disappointment.

How stupid was I to think this guy could help me?

How stupid was I to think any man could help me?

I was right before.

I needed to fix this myself. Like always.

“You people think you can do whatever the hell you like, don’t you,” I said, my voice hollow in my ears, “Throw money at the problem and it’ll go away.”

“Don’t pretend like I’m the bad guy here, Miss Ray. I’m not the cruel woman playing journalist, plucking guesses out of rubble and trying to put them together like a puzzle to wound strangers who don’t deserve the consequences of your poisoned pen.”

I wasn’t trying to do that, you arrogant bastard!

I gave him a hard, mocking smile. “How poetic of you, Mr. Lexington.”

“Don’t think seduction will work here,” he bit out, staring at my mouth, surprising me because seduction was the last thing on my mind. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not swayed by every pretty face I see.” He pushed off the wall and stepped back. “You will bury this story or I will bury your career.”

Hurt kept me pinned to the wall. “And here I was led to believe you were the most charming man in Boston.”
“Oh, I am. But some people aren’t worth the energy.”

And on that last well-placed parting shot, he marched out of my home, slamming the door behind him.

‘Villain’ book review

There is just so much to love in an Samantha Young story, and Nadia and Henry’s story was no less enchanting than anything I’ve read from her before. It’s so easy to pick up one of her books and know that you will be put through the emotional ringer, but in all the best ways. I happily volunteer to be emotionally victimized by Samantha Young.

Nadia is a heroine that is oh-so-easy to love. She had been through the wringer through her formative years, but now knows her value and worth and is willing to do what she has to to be taken seriously. She has her insecurities, but she doesn’t let them rule her life. I couldn’t help but love Nadia more and more as I learned more details about how she came to be the powerhouse broadcast meteorologist we get to meet in Villain.

And while Nadia may have stolen my attention, I would be remiss to not sing the praises of Henry Lexington. He’s a fabulous leading man. I am a sucker for a couple that can trade insults and sarcasm with as much good spirit and fun as Nadia and Henry. Their passion and respect for each other radiates off the page and is as infectious as it is fun to read.

I also really appreciated his restraint when Nadia expressed her need to handle her own problems herself. Far too often, heroes in romance want to jump in and solve every problem for their ladies, but sometimes, just being there to support their woman is all that is necessary.

I can’t wait to re-read both Hero and Villain and experience Henry, Nadia, Caine, and Alexa in all their glory. It was such a treat to return to this world after reading Hero as a stand alone title and thinking we would never experience it again.

Villain will be available for purchase on December 5th, but you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. And make sure to add it on Goodreads, too!