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Devils & Rye

(Top Shelf #4)

Alta Hensley (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 296 ratings · 135 reviews

Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest.

It had been years since I had seen her.
Years since I last saw those eyes with pure, raw innocence.
So much time had passed since I lusted after what I knew I should resist.

But she was so right.
And I was so wrong.

To claim her as mine was breaking the rules. Boundaries should not be broken. But temptation weakens my resolve.
With the pull of ...more

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Kindle Edition, 306 pages

Published March 27th 2018

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4.14 ·

Rating details

· 296 ratings · 135 reviews

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Mar 14, 2018 Eve Recinella (Between The Bookends) rated it liked it

~WRITING - PLOT - PACE~
So where do I start? Sigh...OK, so I enjoyed this one for the most part but as this series goes on I am left feeling like I need MORE from these stories and these characters. They are just way too short to feel fully developed and the heroes that when first introduced seemed like they were going to be these twisted f-cked up alpha men have gotten weaker each book. I do really love this author's writing, and this one was marginally better than the last, but something was ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Natalie The Biblioholic rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, arc, dual-pov, suspense

There’s a secret organization that grants favors, but not without something in return. Names are drawn and trials are endured. Makayla’s name has been chosen and she needs to be protected because her father has no intention of giving her up. That’s where Alec fits in - protector and seducer combined. Makayla has lived a pretty sheltered life and never really got to sample a true taste of freedom, but she’s a know-it-all. No one can tell her what to do. Rather than stay in the safety of someone w ...more

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Mar 18, 2018 Bex (Beckie Bookworm) rated it really liked it

Shelves: age-gap, bdsm, book-reviews, contemporary, dark, erotic, romance, spanking, dark-freebie-challenge-2018

⭐⭐⭐⭐STARS
ARC REVIEW COPY.
Release Date-27/3/18

So I enjoyed this instalment in the series, I loved that it featured an age-gap romance.
I've got to admit I am a sucker for this trope.
Mainly because I have been in this type of relationship for the last 23 years myself (20 years age gap for us)
So I was really looking forward to Devils &Rye to see what it had to bring to the table for this series.
It was very much swings and roundabouts for me.
I enjoyed the first half of this book much more than ...more

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Mar 22, 2018 Shabby -BookBistroBlog rated it really liked it

.....And another one gets enticed!
The men of Spiked Roses drink Expensive Liquor and indulge in Expensive Pleasures. It's Alec's turn now. His tastes for Aged Rye and Kinky sex makes it an exhilarating read

Only he's Uncle Alec now. What with his best friend and ex business partner, Rhett's daughter, Makayla, coming in his club, seeking refuge. She's not aware of it but the Iron Colts of Brotherhood have usurped her life. Both her father's and her life has been decided, the verdict writte ...more

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Mar 21, 2018 Kathy West rated it it was amazing

Wow! That’s all I can say about this book.

This book made me tense in my seat. It made me cry. I had to put it down a few times and then come back to it a few minutes later. The ride this book takes you on is totally worth it!

This book was more than I could have asked for.

Alec is one of the owning members of the Spiked Rose. When an old friend send his daughter to work there, Alec is asked to watch over her.

Makayla is excited for this new opportunity she has been given. After living a very shelte Wow! That’s all I can say about this book.

This book made me tense in my seat. It made me cry. I had to put it down a few times and then come back to it a few minutes later. The ride this book takes you on is totally worth it!

This book was more than I could have asked for.

Alec is one of the owning members of the Spiked Rose. When an old friend send his daughter to work there, Alec is asked to watch over her.

Makayla is excited for this new opportunity she has been given. After living a very sheltered life for the first 20 years of her life, Makayla is ready to spread her wings and fly. But life won’t be that easy.

After receiving a letter from Makayla’s dad, Alec is asked to do more than just watch over her, he is asked to protect her and keep her safe. Why? Her dad’s past has caught up to him. A past that Alec knows all too well, The Iron Colt Brotherhood. A secret society of rich southern men.

Makayla is stunned when Alec says they have to leave. She doesn’t understand why. All she knows is that Alec was asked to keep her safe and that’s what he plans on doing.

Alec and Makayla have an instant connection. Alec has known Makayla since she was a little girl and knows her dad would not approve of his feeling towards her, but he can’t help it, he wants what he wants.

What happens when Alec’s plan to keep Makayla safe doesn’t work the way he wants it too? What happens when Alec has to turn into a person he always told himself he would never be?

THIS BOOK!!!! The feels this book gave me were crazy. There were times I wanted to yell and scream at Alta because her writing was driving me crazy. A good kind of crazy. The kind of crazy where you say “NO WAY” or “WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING” but you can’t stop reading because you have to know what happens next.

This book has a quick time line and an insta-love, but it works. I don’t feel like it was rushed. I think the story ran very smooth and everything clicked.

This book is dark. This book talks about subjects and has scenes that could be hard for some to read. If you even doubt that you could read this book, this book might not be for you. ...more

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Mar 19, 2018 Philomena Callan Cheekypee rated it really liked it

Shelves: loved-it

Devils & Rye is book four in the Top Shelf series. As these books are so good I do recommend you read them all :)

When Alec is asked and agrees to take care of an old friends daughter, Makayla, he doesn’t know what he’s let himself in for.

I enjoyed this read and read it in one sitting. It wasn’t my favourite of the series but I still enjoyed it. If you enjoy a Insta love read then you’ll enjoy this story.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this authors books and am looking forward to what else she has ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Dani rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alpha-male, coming-of-age, billionaire-romance, dark, suspense

I didn't think anyone could knock Kenneth off my fave alpha in this series, but Alec certainly did. He was everything I wanted in a character. I love Alta draws you into the dark world of Spiked Roses and leaves you begging for more once you've turned the last page. This series keeps getting better, hotter, and just more delicious with every tantalizing sip!

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Mar 26, 2018 Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading rated it really liked it

Makayla has been sheltered for most of her life. She’s finally ready to be on her own nd has her first job as a hostess at Spiked Roses, thanks to her connection with one of the owners. Before her new life even has a chance to begin, however, the past catches up with her and she is whisked away to to keep her safe from a threat that could end her life.

Alec has known Makayla since she was a child, so when his old friend and business partner reaches out to him to protect her, he has no choice but Makayla has been sheltered for most of her life. She’s finally ready to be on her own nd has her first job as a hostess at Spiked Roses, thanks to her connection with one of the owners. Before her new life even has a chance to begin, however, the past catches up with her and she is whisked away to to keep her safe from a threat that could end her life.

Alec has known Makayla since she was a child, so when his old friend and business partner reaches out to him to protect her, he has no choice but to do so and ener a life he left behind years ago. As Alec takes Makayla to an old vacation property their families used to share, their taboo attraction grows. While Mackayla may call him Uncle Alec, she’s not a little girl anymore and both are seeing one another as forbidden fruit.

While she may be naive, once Makayla realizes what her father is up against, she decides to throw herself into the fray in hopes of saving him without Alec’s help or permission. What she doesn’t understand is that it’s too late to take her father’s place in a secret ritual and now both of them, and Alec who tries to save her as best he can all all in extreme danger.

What follows is a secret society’s ritual that can only be described as barbaric and deadly. Women are chosen and used and abused as sexual slaves in the worst of ways and mean are forced to play a deadly game of roulette all because they’ve asked for a favor from the powerful members that have made up this secret group for generations. Lives will be put at risk. Relationships will be tested and no one will leave the ritual the same once it’s through.

While the entire Top Shelf series has been dark erotica, I found this to be the darkest book yet. The somewhat taboo relationship was pretty juicy, considering that even though they are not truly related, Alec and Makayla have always thought of one another as family and Alec is truly old enough to be her father. The secret ritual, however, was extremely disturbing. It definitely contained a shock factor I was not expecting.

I didn’t connect as well with Alec and Makayla as I have with other couples in this series. Makayla was ridiculously sheltered and naive, yet threw herself into danger with no assistance from the one man her father sent to protect her. I also felt Alec lacked some of the depth the other owners of Spiked Roses have had in prior books in the series.

If you enjoy a dark erotic thriller, Devils & Rye should be an enjoyable read for you. While it is easily read as a standalone, I do suggest picking up the other books in the series to get the unique flavor and storyline that each presents. 3.5 stars.
...more

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Mar 22, 2018 Hanan rated it really liked it

Devils & Rye is a bit different than the rest of the past books.
This one is an almost immediate lust/love relationship between Alec and Makayla.
There’s also an added taboo element in this one that I loved!
I loved Alec.
He’s a strong sexy level headed man.
He also is commanding and domineering in his business and his bedroom.
I didn’t really care for Makayla like I did the other heroines in the previous books.
I did try to keep in mind her age and her being sheltered all her life.
But her actio ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 April Symes rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018, 2nd-chance-romance, taboo-romance, action, adult-romance, age-difference-older-man-younger-w, alpha-male, alpha-overload, alternating-povs-shown, angry-sex

Devils & Rye by Alta Hensley is 4TH book in the Top Shelf Series. This is the story of Alec and Makayla. This can be read as a standalone but if you haven’t read the other books in this series, give them a whirl and give them a read.
Alec is part owner in the Gentleman's Club called Spiked Roses. The book gives the backstory on how Spiked Roses got started. Alec’s best friend and ex business partner, Rhett has sent his 20 year old daughter Makayla to his best friend Alec to keep her safe. Mak ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Cindy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-books-2018

This series just gets better and better!
Devils & Rye by Alta Hensley is book 4 in the Top Shelf series. And this series is A MUST READ!!!

When Alec receives a letter from his old business partner to protect his daughter, Makayla he agrees to hire the innocent young woman. But circumstances change and Alec needs to get Makayla out of harms way.

Uncle Alec as Makayla knows him is 20 years older then her. Yet being together in a secluded cabin has made her have feelings unknown to her.

Alec and ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-read, 4-star, arc-author-publisher, contemporary, kindle-sent, give-me-books-promotions, series, trt, older-hero-younger-heroine, amazon-unlimited

Devils & Rye by Alta Hensley is book Four in the Top Shelf Series. This is the story of Alec and Makayla. I haven't yet read the other books but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Alec is part owner in the Gentleman's Club called Spiked Roses but he once was a business partner with Rhett back home. But when danger threaten Rhett left and started a new life and business that became Spiked Roses. Rhett chose to stay behind and they remained friends but now in the present day Rhett has ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Erika PBookHavenBookBlog rated it really liked it

I loved this series to pieces, each character strongly alpha, and this was no question one of my favorites. The innocence of the female lead, the older man falling helplessly, and as always the action and danger intermingled with the romance. I was held transfixed as I devoured and will lovingly remember each member of the Spiked Roses Club for a long time to come! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!

~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog

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Mar 20, 2018 Rebecca Whaley rated it it was amazing

OMG! I loved it! Some parts were a little shocking but I couldn't stop reading. I was totally drawn in and loved every second of it. This series just gets better and better. Alec is awesome! Dark and dangerous and oh so hot! So intriguing and full of dark delights. You'll definitely want this book!

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Mar 27, 2018 Tyi rated it liked it

3.5/5

This isn't my first time reading a book by this author and I know it won't be the last. But.... I don't know what to say about this book. I liked the first 40% and then it went downhill. The detail within the story was really good but the characters were utterly annoying more MacKayla than Alec. I might be in the minority but I have to go by what I feel...

I know characters do dumb things but MacKayla just had me shaking my head half the time. Alec's feelings went from not wanting MacKayla ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Meredith Wilson rated it really liked it

In Devils & Rye, we meet Alec, who is one of the owners of Spiked Roses. He is surprised when he receives a letter from his old friend Rhett, asking him to watch over his daughter Makayla. It turns out, the past has finally caught up to him. The Iron Colt Brotherhood, a secret society of rich men, has drawn Makayla's name for their yearly ritual. She will be one of six women who are to be sold to the highest bidder as slaves. They are to do as their master commands and for these women, they ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Kathy Heare Watts rated it it was amazing

Shelves: abuse, adventure, anal-play, arc-read-review, advanced-reading-copy, authority-figure, billionaires, breath-play, control, corporal-punishment

HERE’S TO THE HOUSE, TO THE LAKE, TO OLD MEMORIES AND CREATING NEW ONES

Once again, Ms. Alta Hensley has penned a story that is spine-tingling, on-the-edge-of-your-seat, I can’t look, but I can’t look away page-turning tale. There is a unique cast of characters, some you will hate, some will have you hot and bothered, and some, you just aren’t sure about. The characters and situations are explicated detailed. The story is not for those who want wine and roses with a sweet storyline. The story is HERE’S TO THE HOUSE, TO THE LAKE, TO OLD MEMORIES AND CREATING NEW ONES

Once again, Ms. Alta Hensley has penned a story that is spine-tingling, on-the-edge-of-your-seat, I can’t look, but I can’t look away page-turning tale. There is a unique cast of characters, some you will hate, some will have you hot and bothered, and some, you just aren’t sure about. The characters and situations are explicated detailed. The story is not for those who want wine and roses with a sweet storyline. The story is raw, edgy, dirty, painful, intense, explicit and erotic. If you don’t like a splash of shock, a dash of taboo, and a heavy dose of sex, then don’t take a sip of this TOP SHELF cocktail.

Alec is one of the owners of Spiked Roses, he has done well for himself, still single, but doing well financially. He is shocked when he hears from his former business partner and longtime friend, Rhett Knox. In a letter, he asks Alec to please take Makayla to their lake house and keep her safe. Makayla, twenty-years-old, had just come to New Orleans and was to start working as a hostess in the club. The letter brings up old demons, ones that Alec walked away from but once again; they have made their presences known and not only will it affect Rhett, but Makayla and her innocence.

It all revolves around the long-standing Iron Colt Brotherhood, which has been around since before the civil war, and most of the well-to-do families were born into it and passed down from generation to generation in families like it was for Rhett and Alec.

“I know that being part of the society can help make every man’s—who is willing to pay the price—dreams to come true. The power of the men involved, the connections, the favors that can be granted. Politicians have gained their positions because of the brotherhood. Investments that have formed multi-billion dollar companies from nothing originated out of the brotherhood. If a member asks for a ‘favor,’ then the favor is granted by the other members of the brotherhood. But no favor comes for free. For every favor you ask, you have to put your name on a rock that goes into a large urn.”

“That every a year, rocks are pulled, and the names on those rocks have to participate in a ritual of some kind. A ritual that could be deadly. “

Rhett will leave his most precious item, his sheltered daughter, Makayla, in the care of Alec because he refuses to allow her to be part of the ritual when her name is drawn and instead, forfeits himself. But will that be good enough?

Alec and Makayla at the lake house are attracted to each other, and he is fighting his desires to claim her. For Makayla, she wants Alec, and their desires will take over. Alec is old enough to be her father, he and her father were business partners, and he should resist, yet she wants this too. What they have at the lake house is sweet, but that is going to change because of her impetuous decision, the very one these men are trying to protect her from.

Makayla can’t let her father’s life remain in jeopardy, and she will take off to try and rescue him, and the story will take on a matter of life and death danger. Now it isn’t only Rhett, but Makayla who will be part of the ritualistic games. Will Alec be able to save them, and what will be the cost of returning to the Brotherhood? Six women are going to be sold off to the highest bidder as slaves, and their Masters are allowed to do whatever they chose, for the women, they will endure a living hell of humiliation and pain.

“There was no Makayla and Alec. There was only Master and slave. It decimated all that was good left inside. All that was left was evil as the demons watching on. All that was left was rape, conquer, demand, hate, and hope. A dark, awful, alluring hope that if we played along, maybe—just maybe we could save my father and walk out of her alive.”

The rituals of the Brotherhood are all a game to many of them, and that is why Alec walked away. The treatment of the six women and six men, one of whom will die, all for greed and power. Will Alec, Rhett, and Makayla survive the ritual and walk away? If they do, what will become of them when this ordeal is over?

“To have to sit at a table and wish for another man’s death turned me into the living and breathing Devil—evil, sinister, and a pure monster.” ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Badh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: noncon, dubcon, alta-hensley, secret-society, spanking, all-about-that-ass, virgin, erotica, 2018-dark-challenge, arc

Alta Hensley. Oh Alta. What can I say about Alta Hensley that I haven't already said before? She writes books that are dark, delicious, and go down smooth. For me, it's like the very, very best dark chocolate, rich, tasty, and almost black. And I'll take that kind of chocolate any day.

Devils & Rye brings us back to Spiked Roses, the premier gentlemen's club in New Orleans. You can go there to have a nice drink and look at the pretty girls, go there and get friendly with the pretty girls, or Alta Hensley. Oh Alta. What can I say about Alta Hensley that I haven't already said before? She writes books that are dark, delicious, and go down smooth. For me, it's like the very, very best dark chocolate, rich, tasty, and almost black. And I'll take that kind of chocolate any day.

Devils & Rye brings us back to Spiked Roses, the premier gentlemen's club in New Orleans. You can go there to have a nice drink and look at the pretty girls, go there and get friendly with the pretty girls, or participate in a Tasting and play with a pretty girl. Spiked Roses has a very specific set of rules that members must follow, rules set down by the founding members and owners.

Alec, a very successful and powerful man, is one of those founding members. He came from Georgia, but left to get away from his past, and has made his life in NOLA now. When his best friend, Rhett, sent his lovely daughter, Makayla, to NOLA, he arranged for her Uncle Alec to watch over her while she worked at Spiked Roses. The problem is, on her very first day at work, Alec got a letter from Rhett telling him that she isn't safe and that he needed to get her away and hide her at their special place, a house on a lake called Home.

Makayla has been hidden away and sheltered all her life by her father. At almost 21, she's finally been freed and is able to go to NOLA. Of course, she still has to live under the watchful eye of Alec, but she still gets to have some life going on. Tennesee is getting her all dressed for her first night of training when Alec walks in on them with her dress around her waist, and hands her a letter from her father which tells her that she needs to run and hide with Alec so that she can be safe. But Makayla is worried about her father and isn't always the most careful and cautious person out there, which can cause a lot of problems.

OMG, this book was steaming hot for so many reasons. I mean, we have a sneaky, nasty secret society that does sneaky, nasty, and dangerous things. We have a man who tries to be honorable. We have another man who thinks he's a monster but doesn't want to be. We have a young woman who ends up in over her head. We have all kinds of sexy and yummy sex, from sweet and gentle to not sweet and not gentle, and since we're reading an Alta Hensley joint, there's a whole lot of spanking. And lest we forget, there's one very cold lake.

I lost myself in this book from the beginning to the end and had a hard time switching gears when I was finished. Alec and Makayla stuck around in my head, rattling around and having sex, which can be extraordinarily distracting, let me tell you. They are supposed to be Alta Hensley's imaginary friends and talk in her head. I guess this means that I found them to be real, living, breathing people.

This is another one of those books I wish I could give a gazillion stars, because It really deserved it and I loved it. I was almost sad to finish reading it because that means I can never read it for the first time again. ...more

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Mar 28, 2018 Suey_Library rated it it was amazing

Totes my goats...

Before I dive in, I am going to do it - I'm flipping going to say it! Even though I sound like a broken record I have to be honest with you comrades... here be the disclaimer, though if you don't read this series, I will still say you are missing out on the jilling inspiration. Just putting to you straight. But alas, be aware that if you do pick up the Top Shelf Series (which I recommend you do) is a dark romance. It is jammed packed with mouth watering taboo, sexual experimenta Totes my goats...

Before I dive in, I am going to do it - I'm flipping going to say it! Even though I sound like a broken record I have to be honest with you comrades... here be the disclaimer, though if you don't read this series, I will still say you are missing out on the jilling inspiration. Just putting to you straight. But alas, be aware that if you do pick up the Top Shelf Series (which I recommend you do) is a dark romance. It is jammed packed with mouth watering taboo, sexual experimentation that would make a grown woman blush, and steamy violence that only encompasses the questionable moments I find myself turned on when I should probably be a little scared. So I say this as always, if you aren't ready to sit at the bar with me, I understand; but if you opened this, I promise that cocktail shot will be smooth as fuck.

Whew - safety words established, lets get cracking.

I got my wish - thank you Hensley. You are a goddess, you are my everything. I wanted Alec and I got him. After the short mention of him in Scoundrels & Scotch, with his 'not really' niece applying for a job at the lustrous Spiked Roses, I had to know where this would lead. I mean, were they really related? And if so, how turned on weird would I be if this was incest? I mean, lets be serious, I have read VC Andrews, nothing scares me at this point of the possibilities. Seriously, I HAD TO KNOW!

Alec is Makaylas father's best friend, he watched her grow up for many years until losing touch, not coming face to face with the most taboo of situations he wants to admit he lusted for - queue the beaver drool. God did I flipping love Alec. He was different than the others so far. He was a closet sweet heart with a kink to add to the drool worthy sex appeal. Not only was he basically a closet sweet heart, but his compassion and romancing skills was five by five ladies. Southern gentlemen, which was strange after getting the first three men.

Makayla on the other point was just a naive, very much innocent female lead. Up until this point, I feel like all the female leads have had this already established kinky side to them, yet Makayla developed as the story developed. She wasn't afraid to be upfront with her feelings but also her innocence never took a back seat to the romance growth. That is probably why the chemistry worked so well, in my opinion, this time around. Aside from my obsession with the chemistry in Bastards & Whiskey, I haven't felt that the other two books had the flare connection that made the situation so believable.

Let me explain...

Though in book one there was definitely an insta-love/lust connection occurring, the build was beautifully flowed. As for the next following two, I felt the insta-love/lust was more or less overly established too quickly without enough development to the characters themselves. Not that I didn't enjoy in the least bit, just would have preferred more. Now rearing our lustful dirty minds back to Devils & Rye, the chemistry was off the pages sexy as hell. The romance definitely happens steadfast once introduced but there is already an established connection that makes the scenario more believable to the feelings developing. I loved it.

Strictly speaking in terms of the sexual encounters.... from the tension of the wrong verses right conflicts until the point of giving in - I wanted to dive myself into the pages and watch it. Call me a porn lover if you must, but all I could do was sweat myself off the chair and think "Well hot damn..." because it was delicious.

Something else that I have started to notice, which really has no reason nor rhyme of mention to the rating, but the covers! I have every physical copy of this series and I love the covers. I love the rough, rugged bar aged look, the characters plastered on the covers that really convey what might be expected from the personality. I love it. Amazing covers.

Overall, I love this series. I honestly think Alec was just the sweetest version of the owners up until now, and it was a nice change of pace. I highly recommend checking out the Top Shelf Series, you are missing out if you do not start this now!And though you could read them out of order, I will ask to steer away from doing it, read them in order. I promise it makes the evolution of these powerful men working at Spiked Roses so much more, just more delicious. Speaking of which... who do I think might be next? Please give me Roman. ...more

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Mar 30, 2018 Lacrymosa Quiñones rated it really liked it

So much happened with this book so much personal emotions and not all of them good. I honestly do no like writing "bad" reviews or ones that can come off as negative but let me explain as best as I could without it being either. First the book started with a boom, like here is danger let's find a way around it, the chemistry with the main characters was almost instantaneously. Which is fine it's a book it happens, but then one of the characters goes off and does the (what I call) "dumb horror mo So much happened with this book so much personal emotions and not all of them good. I honestly do no like writing "bad" reviews or ones that can come off as negative but let me explain as best as I could without it being either. First the book started with a boom, like here is danger let's find a way around it, the chemistry with the main characters was almost instantaneously. Which is fine it's a book it happens, but then one of the characters goes off and does the (what I call) "dumb horror movie move" aka the bitch went to the basement and got herself fucking killed! I'm sorry that move made me want throw my kindle to the floor! Or at the very least stop reading but I dislike half-assing things so I kept reading. This book got dark and it irked the living fuck out of me, so much wrong but the book was intense I'll give the author that. THIS book was taboo as hell, so bravo to her.

Character breakdown;

Makayla; first of all when someone keeps insisting she's grown but then acts so damn naive should never be allowed to be an adult. Lol I'm sorry maybe it's because as a young adult I was too cautious (I had paranoid parents) or that I never claimed to be grown when I acted like a child. But Makayla nearly undid me with her decision, but I pushed on hopefully with this she'll learn not everyone trying to shelter you is doing it for all the wrong reasons. Guess that's good you learn right?

Alec; I kinda liked him at first honorable man doing what he can for his best friend and his daughter. That's awesome but then he decided to become another martyr, self sacrificing is only noble when you how it will have a good outcome (in my opinion) too much gamble taken. I also kinda hoped he wouldn't try to also "take care of" Makayla. She leaves one overprotective father to go with a overprotective boyfriend.

So why did I give the book 4stars? It's more of 3.5 stars despite all I said (which was my opinion on how I saw the book) it might be a good book for those into dark and twisted with bad decision making characters. Up to you I still say give it a shot form your own opinion.

(Also to clarify I love taboo, dark and twisted it's the bad decisions part that made it bitter for me.) ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Read.Review.Repeat Blog rated it liked it

"Devils & Rye was a little different from the first three books and I've read them all. This one was a little difficult to get into. Some parts had me turning the page as fast as I could, but others left me scratching my head. The insta-love usually doesn't bother me, but Makayla went from calling him Uncle to wanting him sexually immediately. It felt rushed and a little unnatural, even for a book. Overall, this book was ok. I kept waiting for the story to pick up, but it never happened. I f ...more

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Mar 30, 2018 Liz ~ Liz's Reading Life rated it it was amazing

Makayla Knox thought her life was finally getting started after years of life in the gilded cage her father kept her in. Getting to reconnect with someone from her past is just welcomed plus. But the last thing she expected was the danger that would threaten her life and that of her father.

Alec Shelton walked away from the life he grew up in and never expected to be thrust back into it again. But when his past comes knocking on his door, he'll do what is necessary for his friend and the woman th ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Donna Louise rated it it was amazing

ByDonna Lon March 27, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
This book will tear your emotions apart in every way possible.Its dark,raw,
brutal and oozes with forbidden arousal.It was beautiful in its brutality,with
just enough hope for a happy ever after. I felt a mix of emotions while reading
this story.It portrays a dark,shadowy world where death and human deprevity
still exsists and thrives.Alec dark past catches up with him,his best friend asks
him to protect and keep safe his daughter.Twenty year old,Makayl ...more

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May 09, 2018 Melanie Marnell rated it it was amazing

Iron Colt Brotherhood is an antiquated, sadistic society that has been in existence for multiple generations in the South. Both Alec and Rhett have been members through their family connections but Alec walked away years ago. Now, Rhett has to pay the piper for all the favors he called in when his beloved wife, Minka, became ill. He needs to shelter his daughter Mikayla and keep her from having to go through a degrading, painful and what could be fatal ritual. Instead he chooses to sacrifice him ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Michelle Austin rated it really liked it

Shelves: alpha-book-club-reviews

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Devils & Rye was a good 4 star read.
There is an age group between MaKayla and Alex which I didn’t mind at all.

My emotions were all over with this book as well.
MaKayla is sent to work at the Spiked Rose and Alec has been asked to watch over her. This is the first time that MaKayla has been able to do something on her own and she is excited.

When MaKayla’s safety becomes a concern, Alec has to take her somewhere safe. What they didn’t expect was the ins ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Allyson rated it really liked it

4.5 Brotherhood Stars

Darkness comes in different forms when you least expect it. It takes you by surprise.

This edition was different than the others, but make no mistake it still holds true with the dark, twisted, mind numbing Top Shelf tradition. Devils & Rye takes you out of Spiked Roses, but into a Brotherhood of the unknown.

"This storm was going to be epic and we were about to enter the eye of the hurricane."

Makayla and Alec have known one another for a time, but now McKayla's life is ...more

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Mar 30, 2018 Lisa Gonzales rated it it was amazing

Devils & Rye By Alta Hensley is suspenseful, dark, steamy, & dangerous, you have its specks of taboo & lets just say TONS of SEXY, HOT, scenes. You have people who will say this book is too much for them, which of course this isn't for everyone. If you want the wine and dine and fall in love sweetly storyline, you came to the wrong place.. This is hot steamy over the top, have some liquor on the side because lets just say your mouth will be savoring every scene..

Alec is this one of ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Sarah Reads "Reading in Sarah's Corner" rated it really liked it

Shelves: alpha-males, taboo, suspense, alphas, love-story, love, series

This is book 4 of the Top Shelf Series by Alta Hensley. Each one of the books gives us a glimpse of one of the owners of the Spiked Rose. These men are powerful, hot as hell and take what they want. Each one has a past laced with mystery and something that they are running from or trying to forget. Alec is no different.

Alec is trying to outrun the Iron Colts Brotherhood and protect his best friend’s little girl Makayla Knox. Only Makayla isn't a child any longer is has turned into a beautiful y ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 SBee Reviews rated it really liked it

Review Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

“Another exciting and engaging read from this series!”

I received an Advance Reader Copy for DEVILS & RYE (Top Shelf, Book #4) written by Alta Hensley and voluntarily reviewed this book. A desperate plea to help protect the daughter of an old business partner pulls Alec right back into a dark and twisted past he had left behind long ago. Makayla has no one else she can rely on but her Uncle Alec, only she is no longer the little girl he remembers…at all. Hidin ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Sassy Southern rated it really liked it

Alec Sheldon has started an exclusive club in New Orleans called Spiked Roses. He hopes to have left his past behind him but when he receives a letter from his former business partner and best friend, Rhett Knox, asking him to watch his daughter Makayla, he knows he can’t say no.
Alec must now protect Makayla against a powerful club which may end up in the death of her father. Will Makayla listen to Alec and respect his need to keep her safe or will she try and save her dad, knowing that it may c ...more

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About Alta Hensley

Alta Hensley

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Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, taboo undertones, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.

Alta also loves to connect with her readers ...more