Customer Reviews

The First Sin: A Lexi Steele Novel (Lexi Steele Novels)

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1 star:		(5)

 

 

Cheyenne McCray's book "Total Surrender" dealt with some of the same themes of dominance and submission and was super sexy. I bought this book hoping for more of the same and was sadly disappointed. More so, I was angry by the time the book was over. Torture is not entertainment. None of the scenes relating to submission were even remotely sexy unless you get off on rape, degradation, and mutilation. Some of the reviewers warn that this book is not for the faint of heart and they are correct. The violence is gratuitous and plentiful. The book resembles Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" more than romantic suspense. Even when the heroine is not being tortured, she is having flashbacks to torture.

If there had been a good story to pull the book together, I might have been able to overlook everything else but that is not the case. The alpha male, Nick Donovan, has been a Dom long enough to be accomplished in the use of a whip with his own sex slave. It is just a horrible coincidence that his sister is kidnapped by a white slavery ring tied to S&M Clubs. If that is not strange enough, as soon as he becomes romantically involved with Lexi Steele all of those desires just go away. They have vanilla sex that doesn't appear to please either one of them.

We are also led to believe that the super-secret government agency Lexi and Nick work for has unlimited resources and is above pesky little things like the law and due process. Even though it appears that everyone in the book is a trained killer, they don't have a lot of common sense. If you can put an entire building and every employee inside under surveillance, wouldn't someone check out the suspect's house? Instead we are subject to a super-violent scene reminiscent of another Tarantino movie.

What scares me the most is the cover of this book says "A Lexi Steele Novel." Please tell me this is not going to be the beginning of a series.

This is a very good, suspenseful book. I had a couple of problems with it on a personal level, it's in first person narrative, which I dislike, and has more than a little BDSM in it, which is not to my taste. But it doesn't change the fact that in my opinion, it's a very well-written book. The action doesn't stop, the tension ratchets up, and the characters are ones you care about after the book ends. Lexi, in particular, is very likeable. Nick is hot and mysterious, and if I have one complaint it's that the first-person narrative (Lexi's) means we don't get inside Nick's head. And I'd love to know more about his motivations regarding Lexi. I get how he felt about his sister, that is very clear. But besides being attracted to Lexi, I didn't get much more.

The subject matter is very dark, and you see plenty of the evil side of human nature. That was tough for me, since this really does happen, and it's tough to think about. Even though Nick and Lexi have success in breaking the one slave ring, you can't help feeling it's not enough. And the revenge they take, also not enough. Lexi kicks all kinds of tail in the book, but she takes a lot of abuse in the process. It made for difficult reading for me.

In the end, I still think the book is excellent. But do be warned that it is dark, there is violence, there is Master and Slave stuff, there is evil. I am glad I read the book, but frankly, after finishing it, I needed a hug.

This is my first Cheyenne McCray book. I am so glad I found this author.
I was totally engrossed in this book,I could not put this book down. The scenes were so well written that I felt as though I were watching from the outside. The book puts you through so many emotions.
I loved Nick and Lexi.
I hated the villains and wanted to kill them myself.

Cheyenne, created characters that I loved and connected with.
Fast-paced. Erotic. Vivid.
I am looking forward to the next Lexi book.

Alexi Steele is no wilting flower. She's a tough-as-nails agent with the Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a clandestine branch of the NSA. Right now, all of Lexi's attention is focused on an operation to uncover a sex slave ring that is kidnapping young women in Boston and auctioning them off. To bring down the bad guys, Lexi has to infiltrate the inner circle of an elite group of BDSM clubs. And she has to do so as a sub for her sexy new partner.

For Nicholas Donovan, this isn't just another op - it's personal. His sister has been kidnapped and will be sold as a sex slave to the highest bidder. Nick's prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue Kristin. What he doesn't count on is the attraction he feels for Lexi. As he and Lexi are pulled farther into their mission, desire takes hold of both agents. But their newfound relationship may not last, as their mission takes a deadly turn and a criminal mastermind closes in on the pair.

Readers be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart. The First Sin is a dark and dangerous ride with heroes who command your respect as they work to bring down the lowest of the low.

Lexi is one of the toughest heroines I've ever encountered and I loved her for it. She's brilliant and strong, and Cheyenne McCray doesn't just pay lip service to these attributes, she shows Lexi proving them again and again. Nick is Lexi's match on every level. He possesses the same intelligence and strength, along with a heightened protectiveness because of the personal nature of this mission. I'm not above saying I appreciated Nick's innate sexuality; that was a definite plus. But what really got me is his respect for Lexi and her abilities. They worked together perfectly, both as RED agents and as lovers. I can't wait to watch both their personal and professional relationships grow as the series continues.

The villains in this story are truly vile, sadistic b*******, and Ms. McCray doesn't hold her punches. However, The First Sin is the stronger for this, as the importance and urgency of Lexi and Nick's mission is driven home. What's more, not only are the RED agents' excellence highlighted by taking readers through the situations Lexi and Nick encounter on their mission, by taking readers through Kristin's captivity, Ms. McCray emphasizes Kristin's strength of character. My heart broke for all the story's protagonists, and I also hope to see Kristin again in the series as she heals from what was done to her.

While The First Sin is not a "happy" book, it does have its lighter moments. Nick and Lexi are also sensual, sexual people and it would be a sin indeed to not mention the heat these two generate. One thing that's a bit different about The First Sin is that the book is mostly, but not entirely written in the first person. The majority of the story is told from Lexi's point of view, and those sections are written in the first person. The parts of the book from Nick and Kristin's perspectives, however, are written in the third person. This took a bit of getting used to, but didn't impact reading experience. I truly enjoyed The First Sin. It's not a light read, but it is entirely captivating and I'm looking forward to reading the next Lexi Steele novel, The Second Betrayal.


Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved her earlier novels. This was too dark and brutal. Can't believe a woman wrote it as "romantic suspense".

At NSA Recovery Enforcement Division (RED) Human Trafficking and Sex Crimes Division, field agent Alexi Steele has been promoted to a team supervisor position. The current assignment, Operation Cinderella, consisting of the former Special Forces sniper and her team is undercover making the Boston S&M scene in order rescue thirteen abducted college age females from being auctioned as sex slaves to the highest bidder.

However, something goes wrong and one of her teammates Stacey Randolph was raped and murdered; her body found in Boston Harbor. Lexi wants revenge against the perpetrators, but to do so must get deep inside. She is partnered with a new co-leader Nick Donovan, who thirsts for vengeance too as this predatory group kidnapped and sold his sister Kristin in bondage. He wants to rescue his sibling and take out the sex slavery ring. To do they must enter the S&M world as a couple with her being his submissive and him as her "Control".

Boston has never looked grittier and dirtier even when Bush 41 accused Dukakis of crapping up the harbor or any Parker case then Cheyenne McCray's exciting but extremely dark portrayal of the human sexual slavery market. The story line is fast-paced from the opening scene when the abductee informs Kristin he would F her, but knows the rules of business starts with not to screw with the merchandise. That sets the tone of a terrific erotic police procedural starring a petit fiery dragon and her beloved Control.

Harriet Klausner

Alexi Steele is a top RED agent. She and her team plan to infiltrate exclusive S&M clubs of Boston's inner circle; young ladies seem to be disappearing from clubs around Boston, never to be seen or heard from again. Word is, the women are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. And Lexi is determined to bring them down.

Nick Donovan's sister is one of those missing young women. His only hope to finding her - join RED. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford, Lexi's direct boss, has been trying to recruit him for years - nothing but the best of the best for RED's clandestine operations. He's turned her down every time, but now he has no choice, for he's sure it's the only way of finding his sister. Plus, he's been eyeing Lexi: he wants her.

Now Lexi isn't happy to end up stuck with Donovan. For her, he's too close, too emotionally involved. Now she has no choice but to include him in the op, and now he's her partner. The man is gorgeous as sin; does she want him as a partner in an S&M club? Only time will tell.

And as they go further under cover, not only are they getting close to who is behind the missing women, but they're getting closer to each other as well, and they can't deny themselves any more. But will this pose a problem for their undercover operation? Time is ticking, and both are afraid they may be too late.

**An excellent first novel!

I've never read a full-length Cheyenne McCray before. Now I'm wondering what the hell too me so long, LOL!

Lexi is a strong woman with a difficult past. Her family has no idea what she went through a few years before. Details of her past capture and torture are what Lexi hold deep - no one knows the full extent. But during her capture and subsequent torture, she was given an option: join them and become their assassin, or die - very slowly and very painfully. To save herself, she did as they asked, never asking questions, yet always looking for a way out. And just when she was close to getting caught, Karen Oxford gave her that way out. Now nightmares plague her. Lexi is one hell of a strong woman, who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done, no matter the cost to her. No one in her family, save her brother who is also another RED agent, knows what she actually does for a living, and Lexi has to keep it that way. I think not being able to talk about her past, holding it so close, is what hurts her the most, and when Donovan arrives into the picture, she may tell him some of it, but he doesn't look at her as a monster; he understands what she went through.

Donovan will do whatever it takes to find his sister. Both, he and Lexi are like pitbulls, never giving up. Both are strong, determined characters, and the heat between them is palpable! Whew *faning myself*! Some of those loves scenes would have fogged my glasses if I was wearing them!

The action is superb. The mystery is great and I'm glad it's not completely over, which means on to Book #2, LOL!

Warning: Memories of Lexi's past torture, her capture by one of the current bad guys, as well as the BDSM aspect of the book, are very graphic and are not for everyone.

I've read several books by CM and really liked them - but this one is depressing. I thought it would be like "Fragile," which was gritty but compelling. Not so. There is no love or romance, just brutality. And the torture is non-stop without anything to redeem it. It's pretty clear from the title that it's meant to be a series, but I can't think of any of her novels that would make for a worse choice.

Read "Beautiful Girl" or "Fragile" instead.

Cheyenne has writen a great book with The First Sin. I loved everything about this book and was glad to see that the next book in the series, The Second Betrayal is with Alexi and Nick. I can hardly wait to read what Cheyenne has in store for them next. I will just have to wait until August 4th to find out.

First in the Lexi Steele romantic suspense series revolving around an agent for RED and based in Boston.

My Take
Oh, lord, this was just disturbing. Okay, yeah, the subject matter, kidnapping young women and selling them as sex slaves is bad enough, but the ordeals that Lexi goes through in her undercover role...euff and then there's the torture when she gets kidnapped. Phew. Definitely not arousing [for me].

If this is supposed to be an undercover assignment, wouldn't it make more sense for Lexi to have an apartment/home to match her undercover identity? Nor did I really feel the passion between Lexi and Donovan. Sure the words were good, but there wasn't any depth to it.

I certainly enjoyed Kristin's vengeance at the end...you go, girl!! I can't fault McCray for the action or the tension. She really cranked it up and I had a hard time putting the book down.

The Story
Kristin Donovan is Nick's sister and just finishing up a psychology paper when the guy she starts dancing with at a club buys her a drink. A drugged drink. He seems/seemed like such a nice guy until he tipped her sluggish body into the panel van.
It's this kidnapping that changes Nick Donovan's mind about joining RED. He's already experienced as a dominant and that is exactly what Operation Cinderella needs to go undercover at three high-end sex clubs in Boston.

It's a major upset for Lexi Steele. It's her op and she had planned on going in undercover as the dominant with Agent Perry as her submissive. It's just not in her nature to submit to anyone. But, for the sake of Special Agent Stacy Randolph whose body was found floating in Boston Harbor and all those girls about to be auctioned off, Lexi will swallow her pride when Karen insists Lexi take Nick on as her partner in this sting.

Each owner requires that Lexi undergo a submissive test and it just goes from bad to worse as Lexi and Donovan appear for the first time in each club. And in each club, they gather more and more information.

The Characters
Special Agent Alexi "Lexi" Steele, a.k.a., Alexi McGrath is her seedier undercover ID, and a.k.a., Alexi Adams for the elite, had been a sniper in Special Forces and then an FAS-blackmailed assassin. Now she's an agent for RED thanks to Karen. She comes from a large Boston-Irish family who thinks she travels for an interpreting organization. There's Mammy, Daddy, Zane who also works for RED, Troy, Sean is the baby, Evan, Ryan on leave from the Marines, and Rori who never eats. Gary was her boyfriend until she caught him.

Special Agent Nick Donovan, a.k.a.,, Sire Dunning, is absolutely hunkalicious and a former Special Ops. He's brought some friends in on this assignment: Mike Freeman, Aaron Lloyd, and Eric Harrison. And they're all big as trees! Even better, Donovan loves to cook! My kinda guy!

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford runs the Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a completely dark organization split off from the National Security Agency. Very few know of its existence. Darlene is Karen's assistant; she hates Lexi. Georgina is Lexi's best friend. Isabella Chavez replaces Randolph. Lexi's three lead agents on her particular team are David Takamoto, Rick Smithe, and Marti Jensen. Seth Taylor is in charge of the technological analysts and hackers. SA Weiss is going undercover as a professor at Harvard while SA Marti Jensen will play his willing coed to snare some pervy professors.

Chancy Yeager is their informant on this case with inside tickets provided by Holly Endicott to the three most exclusive clubs in Boston: the Champagne Slipper owned by Lucca Tarantino, the Crystal Twilight is run by Jason Strong, and the Glass House run by Benjamin Cabot. Mistress Danica, Slave Kathy, and Slave Samuel prep Lexi for her appearance in the Champagne Slipper. Schilling is something of a dark horse in this operation. Professors Michaels, Galsband, Allen, and Grumman.

The Cover
The cover is seductive with two barely dressed people getting up close and personal about to kiss, all in shades of blue with band of gilt pushing the title into view.

The title is...hmmm...I guess if you consider Lexi accepting Nick as a partner, it could be considered the First Sin in their working and personal relationships.