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Review and EXCLUSIVE bonus scene Bad Things by R.K. Lilley

Posted on 26 June, 2013 by in R.K. Lilley / 79 comments

Review and EXCLUSIVE bonus scene Bad Things by R.K. LilleyBad Things by R.K. Lilley
five-stars

Danika hasn’t had an easy life. Being insanely attracted to bad boys has never helped make it easier.
One look at Tristan, and every brain cell she possessed went up in smoke. This man was trouble with a capital T. It was a given.
She knew better. Bad boys were bad. Especially for her. Considering her history, it was crazy to think otherwise. So why did crazy have to feel so damn fine?
For as long as she could remember, Danika had been focused on the future with single-minded purpose. Tristan came along and taught her everything there was to know about letting go, and living in the present. She fell, hard and deep. Of course, that only made her impact with the ground that much more devastating.

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EXCLUSIVE Bonus Scene

TRISTAN

I glanced around the goth themed tattoo parlor, looking for a girl that matched the description Jared had given me. ‘Shows a lot of inked skin’ seemed to be a theme in the place, for obvious reasons, and so I didn’t immediately spot the infamous Frankie.

Luckily, she spotted me, sauntering up with a huge grin on her pretty, over-makeuped face. “You have got to be Jared’s big brother. You look just like a roided out version of him.”

I laughed, instantly like her. “I’m just big boned,” I told her.

“Big boned…” She pursed her lips, studying me. “That one is so easy that I’ll just let it go. So I hear you want a dragon tattoo. Tell me why and where.”

I turned, pointing to a spot on my shoulder blade. “Here is the where.  The why is that I saw the one you did on Kenny, and it was badass. Plus, I’ve always wanted some dragon ink. I like the symbolism.”

“Which symbolism are you referring to? Dragon tats have many different meanings.”

“Well for me it would be that I think of myself as a protector. I take care of my loved ones.”

“Jared told me that about you. You two are close, huh?”

I nodded.

“Well, Tristan Vega, I like your reasons. Let’s go look at some designs.”

She showed me several books filled with different dragon designs she’d done. I looked through them all carefully, but I’d had a pretty good idea of
what I wanted coming in.

I showed her an intricate eastern dragon with horns. It was similar to the one she’d done for Kenny.

“Is everyone in the band going to get one of these?” she asked as she led me to her ink station.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” I mused. I shrugged out of my shirt, laying on my stomach on her table.

I heard her let out a contended sigh as she prepped. “I do love my job.”

That confused the hell out of me. I cleared my throat. “Jared said you were, um…”

“A lesbian.” I felt her moving close to my head. She tapped my shoulder and I lifted slightly to look at her.
She had her micro-mini skirt pulled down to show off a gold star on her hip. “Gold star lesbian, in fact, but that sure as hell doesn’t mean I’m
blind.”

I laughed, laying back down.

The golden dragon was a large, detailed tattoo, and we did it all in one sitting. She worked for hours, and it hurt, and hurt, until the hurt turned
numb with the needle’s vibrations.

“Not making a peep, huh?” she asked at one point. “Tough guy, eh?”

“What am I supposed to say? Ouch? Ouch.”

She chuckled. “You’re a lot like Jared, you know.”

“I would hope so. I taught him everything he knows. We’re best buds. We rarely go more than a few hours without talking to each other.”

“That’s awesome. I’d kill to have a sibling and be close like that. I’m an only child.”

“It’s the best. We’re five years apart, but we’ve always been close. I can remember taking care of him when he was a baby. He was a fussy little
thing, but he would always stop crying for me. I was his favorite. He favored me so much that my mom would get jealous.”

“That’s a strange reaction.”

“Not for her. She’s just like that. She likes attention, and is used to getting it.” It wasn’t something I held against her. It was just the way she
was, and the way she’d always been.

“If she’s as pretty as you and your brother, I can see why.”

That had me laughing hard enough that she had to pull the needle back until I stilled.

“You’re a real ball buster, huh?”

She giggled. “Of course I am. I have no use at all for balls.”

Towards the end of the process, Jared showed up, all smiles, to see the tattoo. I’d known that he would. He’d been excited for me to meet Frankie.

The two of them chatted at my back as she worked.

“Wow,” Jared breathed as she finished up. “That looks amazing. I want one.”

“Sure,” Frankie agreed. “Just let me know when.”

“Will do. Actually, I want mine to be slightly different.”

“How so?”

“I want it on my stomach, and mine will be smoking a joint.”

Frankie snorted, and I rolled my eyes.

 

Denise’s Review
This is Tristan and Danika’s story, secondary characters from Ms. Lilley’s Up In the Air series.  Timeline wise Bad Things starts before the Up in the Air series so this book can absolutely be read stand alone.

I adored this book, it was the kind of story that had me thinking about it when I closed my kindle and wishing life did not interfere with reading.

I am not always a big fan of the bad boy but Ms. Lilley made me fall in love with Tristan through Danika’s eyes.  Their chemistry is tangible but almost as amazing is the bond they develop, the friendship, the ease in which they are in each others space.

The use if secondary characters was so well done, I enjoyed getting to know Frankie better and Tristan’s bandmates; all helped develop the story.  From almost the moment he is introduced I fell in love with Tristan’s younger brother, Jared and I think you will too!
Jared’s nickname is Diet T and the reason behind it is was too cute.

What is love?  It is actions, it is being there for each other, is it understanding and accepting the other person or is it simply saying three little words…. I truly enjoyed Ms. Lilley’s exploration of this complex question.

I will warn you that Ms. Lilley broke my heart with this powerful story so you may cry.

In the end I did close my kindle with a smile on my face and with another cast of characters to hold close to my heart.

If you have not read Ms. Lilly before pick up this book!  It is masterful written, pulling a wide range of emotions from the reader and proving that she is an author to watch.

I am very much looking forward to the next book Rock Bottom; again this book is not a cliffhanger so read it NOW!

 

five-stars

About R.K. Lilley

R.K. Lilley lives in Colorado with her husband and their two beautiful sons. She’s had a lot of interesting jobs, from being a first class flight attendant, to being a stablehand, but swears she never knew what hard work was until she had children. She’s been addicted to both reading and writing fiction since she can remember. She loves to travel, read, hike, paint, game, watch anime, and make the most of every single day. She is the author of the erotic romance novels In Flight, Mile High, Grounded, and the novella, Lana.

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79 Responses to “Review and EXCLUSIVE bonus scene Bad Things by R.K. Lilley”

  1. Robin the Book Nerd

    I loved the Up in the Air series and can’t wait to read Bad Things!

    Reply

  3. pam metz

    I haven”t read anything by this author but would love to! This book looks really good! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  5. PAW

    Oooooh! That was some deleted scene. Frankie is Frankie and I like her, since Up in the Air Series. And Jared? Oh Jared…
    I want to read Rock Bottom soooooo bad. (pawlah15@yahoo.com)

    Reply

  8. Joan

    I love R.K. Lilley’s Up In The Air Series so I can’t wait to read Bad Things!!!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  11. Jenn McElroy

    Looks great! I can’t wait to read this one (once I finish the Up in the Air series). Thank you for the giveaway (McElroyJ@gmail.com)! 🙂

    Reply

  14. Karen G.

    Thanks for your thoughts on Bad Things. I am just finishing Grounded and along with Bianca’s growing interest in Danika and Tristan’s history and these great teasers I am very excited to read this book! I love a book with great main characters and secondary characters as well and R.K. Lilley creates them so well. I also love reading a book that touches all of my emotions so I will be sure to have the tissues handy. =D Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  18. Megan M.

    Love Tristan! Thanks for the deleted scene and the giveaway 🙂

    mg268902(at)ohio(dot)edu

    Reply

  20. Kirsten

    I think this books sounds intriguing. I’d love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  22. Vickie Milizia

    Thi sounds like a great book, I can’t wait to read it!
    vmilizia (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  25. Kim

    I have been looking forward to reading this book.
    Thank you for the giveaway.

    Reply

  26. Dori Wells

    I almost cried!!! The need between these 2 was so great!!! Write fast I’m ready for the next one!!! ” You’ve got mad skills”

    Reply

  27. Denise Fick

    I can’t wait to read about Tristan and Danika. I have wondered about their story since they were introduced in Grounded.

    Reply

  28. maria cantu

    Sounds interesting . Would love to read this. Thanks.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

    Reply

  29. Tracie G

    I have heard so many good things about this book and I can’t wait to read it!! Thanks for the opportunity to win it!!!

    Reply

  31. Joann

    I love that its once again set in Las Vegas, I was just recently there and the whole time was hallucinating seeing James and Bianca. Can’t wait til next time when I’ll be hallucinating seeing Tristan and Danika!

    Reply

  33. Susana Doradoo

    Excited to read Bad Things…based on the blog tour and reviews it sounds like it’s a great read….thnaks for sharing and great giveaway…

    Reply

  34. Erika

    Another great review for this book! I’m going to have to check it out! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  43. Sheila Lake

    This book sounds great. I hope I win, but if I don’t, I’ll probably buy it when I unground myself from amazon. If I win, my email is woowoox@yahoo.com thanks for this great chance.

    Reply

  44. Dawn Bell

    Hi, I can’t believe this a deleted seen it sure got my attention! Can’t wait to read the rest. Sounds like a great read for my vacation. Thanks for the chance to win. Gonna add it to the tbr list.

    Wildirishlass17@gmail.com

    Reply

  46. Mick Murphy

    Thanks for the giveaway! Hope to win! I loved the Up in Air series and I cannot wait to read this one!

    Reply

  48. Jenny Dauksa Schaber

    I don’t know what time tonight you’re gonna pick, but I hope I got in under the wire for a shot.
    I love the excerpt, and I am really looking forward to reading this. I haven’t read the Up In The Air series yet, so I like the fact that this can be read as a stand alone.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
    Jenny
    starznstripes24@yahoo.com

    Reply

  52. Jay B.

    I’m itching to read Bad Things……..! 😀 Ever since Up In The Air, these two just grabbed my attention!

    (bualjay@gmail.com)

    Reply

  53. Jackie

    I have read and given this book a 5 Star review. I looked it as much as all of the Up in the Air Series. It’s a must read !!!!

    Reply

  54. KellyM

    I haven’t read the Up In The Air series, but I am looking forward to reading this one. thanks!
    skoverstreet(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply

  57. Jessie L

    Love this series & I cannot wait to read Danika’s & Tristen’s story! Thanks for the post.

    Reply

  72. Tasnim S

    I’m currently re-reading the Up In The Air series during this R. K. Lilley drought 😕 #sadtimes thanks for rthge giveaway!

    Reply

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