Reviews of Deacon (Starkis Family #1) by Cheryl Douglas

When Deacon Starkis sets his sights on the gorgeous young model gracing the pages of his glossy catalogue, he knows he has to have her. One problem. She’s not available. But that won’t stop Deacon. He’s a man used to getting what he wants and he wants Mia.

Mia is stunned when she receives an email from the elusive billionaire who owns the lingerie company she models for. He tells her he’s intrigued. He’s not the only one. But she knows she’d be a fool to throw away an eight year relationship for a brief affair with the head honcho. He doesn’t do relationships and she doesn’t do casual sex. It seems they’re at an impasse.

Who will come out on top in this battle of wills? The dominant one or the woman intent on teaching him the meaning of submission?

Note to readers: No cliff-hangers! Mature content, 18+

Cheryl began her professional career as a nutritionst, but she didn’t find her happily ever after until she made a career change.

An avid reader of the genre she loves and self-proclaimed workaholic, Cheryl does manage to tear herself away from her computer to spend time with the other two loves of her life, her husband and son.

Carla’s Review:

*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from Stephanie’s Book Reports in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in the Starkis Family series, and it is the story of Deacon and Mia.

What a great start to what I am sure is going to be a great series! Deacon Starkis is an elusive billionaire who is well known for his playboy status. He goes through women like water. When he fist catches a glimpse of Mia modeling for his lingerie company, he is instantly drawn to her. At first, his only goal is to sleep with her, but as he and Mia email and text for a few months, his feelings for her develop.

Mia has been in a relationship with Drew for eight years. Even though her best friend, El, repeatedly tells her what a loser he is, she refuses to break up with him. When Deacon starts emailing her, she believes that he is just out for one thing-sex. When she finally realizes that she has only stayed with Drew out of comfort, she decides to end things. Once she spends time with Deacon, it doesn’t take long for her to fall in love with him. She knows that in order to maintain a relationship with him, she will have to accept his past. While she may be able to get past his previous “manwhore” ways, Deacon is keeping a secret that has the power to destroy their new found relationship. When his secret finally comes out, both he and Mia must decide if they are willing to do whatever it takes to hang onto one another.

As I stated earlier, this is a great debut for this new series! Cheryl Douglas is an excellent writer who really knows how to create a great story! This is a standalone with no cliffhanger! Yay for that!! If you are looking for a great love story filled with some hot and steamy moments, this is the perfect book for you!

Renee’s Review:

I received  a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.

Deacon is the first book In the Starkis Family Series by Cheryl Douglas. This is the story of Mia and Deacon.

Deacon is a billionaire owner of a lingerie company with a reputation for going through women like most people go through three meals a day. Mia is a model for the catalog for Deacons lingerie company. He sees her in proofs of the catalog and knows he has to have her. He starts by emailing Mia to tell her she’s done an amazing job for his company. From that point the emails keep getting more personal turning to text and then a call. Mia is in a relationship with Drew and has been for the last eight years. Drew though refuses to work while Mia works her butt off to support them both. What will Mia decide to do? Can she deal with Deacon and his playboy past? Will Deacon tell her the whole truth about who he is.

I was drawn into this book from the very beginning and really liked all the characters in the book. Mia has a worthless boyfriend that lives with her and a best friend that’s always giving the best advice. Deacon is a Greek god. He’s got the looks, the billions of dollars, and woman at his disposal twenty four hours a day. He’s got his eyes set on Mia. He wants her as more than a lover, he wants her as a wife and mother of his children. Can they fight there way to be and stay together against his past? Ahhhh…. That you have to find out when you read the book. If you like a good love story that brings the heat this is the book for you.