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City of Sin
A second chance enemies to lovers novel
When you play by Vegas rules, you win or die...
Shadow is a contract killer for an agency that does not accept failure, sent to Las Vegas to kill Selene Van’Doren he figures she’ll be an easy mark. That is, until the moment his finger is on the trigger and he finds himself staring into the eyes of a ghost, a woman he once loved desperately who was supposed to have died years ago.
Selene survived the worst kind of hell and has risen to become the most powerful woman in the Las Vegas crime world, but she’s hiding a secret that will rock the city to its foundations. She thought she’d made her peace with her demons until the man she’d loved and lost, arrives in Vegas to kill her.
Forced to confront a past long dead and buried, Selene must decide whether to allow him into her dark world and trust him with her secrets. Her enemies are closing in, someone wants her dead, but will Shadow fulfil the contract or betray his agency to save her life, knowing it may cost him his own…
When you play by Vegas rules, you win or die...
Shadow is a contract killer for an agency that does not accept failure, sent to Las Vegas to kill Selene Van’Doren he figures she’ll be an easy mark. That is, until the moment his finger is on the trigger and he finds himself staring into the eyes of a ghost, a woman he once loved desperately who was supposed to have died years ago.
Selene survived the worst kind of hell and has risen to become the most powerful woman in the Las Vegas crime world, but she’s hiding a secret that will rock the city to its foundations. She thought she’d made her peace with her demons until the man she’d loved and lost, arrives in Vegas to kill her.
Forced to confront a past long dead and buried, Selene must decide whether to allow him into her dark world and trust him with her secrets. Her enemies are closing in, someone wants her dead, but will Shadow fulfil the contract or betray his agency to save her life, knowing it may cost him his own…
396 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2021
8 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read
About the author
W.J. Saunders
1 book36 followersW.J Saunders lives in Hampshire, England with her husband and three children.
She writes contemporary romance, dark romance and suspense under the pen name W.J Saunders.
She also writes supernatural and romantic suspense under the name Wendy Saunders.
She writes contemporary romance, dark romance and suspense under the pen name W.J Saunders.
She also writes supernatural and romantic suspense under the name Wendy Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 2, 2021
This exciting suspense filled romance story will have you on the edge of your seat and the characters will captivate you.Shadow is a contract killer after the girl he loved died while he was on a mission for special ops he kind of lost it.Killing became his way of feeling nothing.When he gets a contract to kill Depend Van Doren the queen of Vegas .Something about the woman in the picture pulls at Shadow.When he gets to Vegas he finds she has more security than the president but that won't stop him.As he gets behind the woman he's supposed to kill he turns her around and its the shock that steals both their breaths away.The mystery and suspense the emotions and so much more will have you breathless.There are so many twists an turns to this story you will be riveted until the very last page an leave you begging for more. I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and you can feel their emotions an their pain. I can hardly wait to see what's next. By this multi talented author. I voluntarily decided to review this advanced reader copy because its a great story an I wanted other avid readers to know its so worth reading.
February 28, 2021
Excellent Beginning to what will be a great trilogy
There are writers and there are authors. Writers write normally in one genre. Crime, love, mystery, erotic. Few have the talent to embrace anything out of their own chosen subject and churn out many books with a distinct similarity to the last with just a slightly different theme and different characters.
Wendy is different. This is her third change of genre. I have read and enjoyed all of her books. She is not just a writer, she is an author. Someone who can move from one type of storytelling to another with equal success.
This latest offering is no exception, and once more she has done her readers proud, leaving us with bated breath and waiting anxiously for the next in the series to be published. I felt empathy for the characters in this book and did not spot the culprit until he was denounced. The story goes on and our enjoyment is not over yet so buy this first instalment and enjoy it, and like me look forward to the publishing of the next
I heartily recommend this author to you all. Read her books and escape. After all, that is the reason why we all buy and read books.
Elizabeth Hawksworth
There are writers and there are authors. Writers write normally in one genre. Crime, love, mystery, erotic. Few have the talent to embrace anything out of their own chosen subject and churn out many books with a distinct similarity to the last with just a slightly different theme and different characters.
Wendy is different. This is her third change of genre. I have read and enjoyed all of her books. She is not just a writer, she is an author. Someone who can move from one type of storytelling to another with equal success.
This latest offering is no exception, and once more she has done her readers proud, leaving us with bated breath and waiting anxiously for the next in the series to be published. I felt empathy for the characters in this book and did not spot the culprit until he was denounced. The story goes on and our enjoyment is not over yet so buy this first instalment and enjoy it, and like me look forward to the publishing of the next
I heartily recommend this author to you all. Read her books and escape. After all, that is the reason why we all buy and read books.
Elizabeth Hawksworth
February 6, 2021
5 Stars!!
What is a man to do when he loses the love of his life?? Shadow is a hitman and has no problem being the best at his job. When he is contracted out to Vegas for a job he has no problem taking it. I mean its Vegas who would have an issue going there. Well Shadow didn't until he lays his eyes on someone who he thought died years ago. Now this is where the story picks up the pace... What is Shadow to do? Kill the woman who has always had his heart, or go against his agency and possibly become a mark himself? Their story is not easy and the deception that lies between these pages will have you on the edge of your seat screaming for more.
You need to hop on this roller coaster of twists and turns to see just how this story pans out. There is action, a tad bit of deception, and lets not forget the mystery and suspense. The ending will leave you needing more!
What is a man to do when he loses the love of his life?? Shadow is a hitman and has no problem being the best at his job. When he is contracted out to Vegas for a job he has no problem taking it. I mean its Vegas who would have an issue going there. Well Shadow didn't until he lays his eyes on someone who he thought died years ago. Now this is where the story picks up the pace... What is Shadow to do? Kill the woman who has always had his heart, or go against his agency and possibly become a mark himself? Their story is not easy and the deception that lies between these pages will have you on the edge of your seat screaming for more.
You need to hop on this roller coaster of twists and turns to see just how this story pans out. There is action, a tad bit of deception, and lets not forget the mystery and suspense. The ending will leave you needing more!
February 6, 2021
City of Sin ● After Midnight Book 1
*ARC Review*
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@wjsaunders
Shadow is a murder for hire killer. He is given the assignment of killing Selene, the queen of the Vegas underworld. When the time comes, she looks like someone from his past & he can't pull the trigger. They join forces to find out who wants her dead & why.
This is a romantic suspense with a deep, intricate plot. I was sucked in immediately, constantly trying to figure out the connections between characters. @wjsaunders had me guessing right up until the end- I still wasn't able to figure it out on my own! I am thoroughly impressed by the complexity of the characters and their story. There were also some amazingly steamy scenes 🔥 We are left with a cliffhanger. Looking forward to book 2!
Triggers: murder, drug use, sex trafficking
*ARC Review*
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@wjsaunders
Shadow is a murder for hire killer. He is given the assignment of killing Selene, the queen of the Vegas underworld. When the time comes, she looks like someone from his past & he can't pull the trigger. They join forces to find out who wants her dead & why.
This is a romantic suspense with a deep, intricate plot. I was sucked in immediately, constantly trying to figure out the connections between characters. @wjsaunders had me guessing right up until the end- I still wasn't able to figure it out on my own! I am thoroughly impressed by the complexity of the characters and their story. There were also some amazingly steamy scenes 🔥 We are left with a cliffhanger. Looking forward to book 2!
Triggers: murder, drug use, sex trafficking
February 6, 2021
"When you play by Vegas rules, you win or die…" OMG, I've been to the City of Sin, but not with WJ Saunders, and let me tell you, I'll follow her to whatever city she want s to take me!
This new to me author blew me away!
Selene and Shadow were such awesome characters!
If I could have read this in one sitting, I would have! But, this author gives you hours upon hours of just unbelievable excitement, entertainment, full of life characters!
I'm finishing this review and looking to add other books from this author to my TBR list!!!
I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This new to me author blew me away!
Selene and Shadow were such awesome characters!
If I could have read this in one sitting, I would have! But, this author gives you hours upon hours of just unbelievable excitement, entertainment, full of life characters!
I'm finishing this review and looking to add other books from this author to my TBR list!!!
I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
June 22, 2021
He needed to kill...only then would his demons lie down and be still.
One assignment.
One target.
And one ghost from the past standing in front of you.
Can you pull the trigger?
“I have no intention of dying, but I will not live in fear.”
If you're not already intrigued by the blurb, then wait until you're reading these pages. This story grips you from the start, you have your main characters Shadow & Selene but then sideline characters POV which helps to keep the story moving and finding out more information.
There is definitely more than meets the eye with this story, each character is holding their cards very close to their chests and when they do show those cards….well you can just bet that someone is going to pay the price.
“But I had to let you go...because loving you was killing me.”
Shadow & Selene…<3 Oh my gosh!! This doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between these two! The sexual tension is thick, raw and fiery. I loved reading the intensity and was engrossed from start to finish!
Shadow is about to lose face his biggest challenge and find out who is really pulling the strings...his demons are about to come out to play.
Selene has crawled through hell to be where is now...and no one is about to knock her crown to overthrow her underground kingdom.
Fear no longer ruled her.
With the roll of a dice everyone's fortunes are about to change...after all there is only one winner...and one bullet...
One way or another this was only going to end in pain and bloodshed.
One assignment.
One target.
And one ghost from the past standing in front of you.
Can you pull the trigger?
“I have no intention of dying, but I will not live in fear.”
If you're not already intrigued by the blurb, then wait until you're reading these pages. This story grips you from the start, you have your main characters Shadow & Selene but then sideline characters POV which helps to keep the story moving and finding out more information.
There is definitely more than meets the eye with this story, each character is holding their cards very close to their chests and when they do show those cards….well you can just bet that someone is going to pay the price.
“But I had to let you go...because loving you was killing me.”
Shadow & Selene…<3 Oh my gosh!! This doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between these two! The sexual tension is thick, raw and fiery. I loved reading the intensity and was engrossed from start to finish!
Shadow is about to lose face his biggest challenge and find out who is really pulling the strings...his demons are about to come out to play.
Selene has crawled through hell to be where is now...and no one is about to knock her crown to overthrow her underground kingdom.
Fear no longer ruled her.
With the roll of a dice everyone's fortunes are about to change...after all there is only one winner...and one bullet...
One way or another this was only going to end in pain and bloodshed.
February 4, 2021
This was really a fantastic book. One of my first from this author and will not be my last. This story was full of angst, lust and love. High energy that never lulled. Selene and Shadow came from bad backgrounds but they overcome and built a better life for themselves even if it was built on sin. When brought together they were combustible and chemistry off the charts. I really loved this couple as well as the rest of the characters. This author truly brought everyone to life. I can't wait for the book.
February 7, 2021
Speechless. City of Sin is my first W.J Saunders book and I can promise you it won't be my last.
To say I enjoyed every moment of City of Sin would be an understatement, this book is incredible.
Mystery, suspense, and so many twists and turns with just enough romance to keep you swooning.
I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for book 2.
A definite must read.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
To say I enjoyed every moment of City of Sin would be an understatement, this book is incredible.
Mystery, suspense, and so many twists and turns with just enough romance to keep you swooning.
I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for book 2.
A definite must read.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2021
I'm so so glad this author is back to focusing on suspense as boy does she write it well and I've missed it.
What a fantastic way to start a series, I was literally on the edge of my seat from cover to cover.
There are so many different moving pieces to this puzzle, your head will be spinning.
Both characters and plot were so well thought out I couldn't get enough of either.
Cannot wait to see what happens next.
What a fantastic way to start a series, I was literally on the edge of my seat from cover to cover.
There are so many different moving pieces to this puzzle, your head will be spinning.
Both characters and plot were so well thought out I couldn't get enough of either.
Cannot wait to see what happens next.
February 2, 2021
4*
Shadow has been offered a contract to kill Selene. Selene is big in Vegas running many organisations but there is no previous history of her other than 10 years previous, what has she got to hide & who is she?
There is something about her that feels familiar to Shadow.
Plenty of twist and turns throughout the book.
This is an new author for myself and I definitely will be reading more from her, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series "Violence & Vice'
Shadow has been offered a contract to kill Selene. Selene is big in Vegas running many organisations but there is no previous history of her other than 10 years previous, what has she got to hide & who is she?
There is something about her that feels familiar to Shadow.
Plenty of twist and turns throughout the book.
This is an new author for myself and I definitely will be reading more from her, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series "Violence & Vice'
February 16, 2021
This is a great suspense that keeps you interested from the first chapter. Shadow lost the one thing that mattered to him. What will he do when he sees she is the target he has been sent to take out? Selene has secrets. Will she be able to trust Shadow with them? I couldn't put this one down! Great job!
February 17, 2021
I loved every minute of this book. So many twists and turns in this story. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
This was a new author for me and can’t wait to read more of her books.
This was a new author for me and can’t wait to read more of her books.
February 10, 2021
W.J. Saunders really served up the whole enchilada! Edge-of-your-seat suspense, heart pounding twists, and a romance that is worth fighting for. City of Sin is a steamy, romantic suspense story that grabs your attention from the start and doesn’t let go! Seriously, that freaking cliffy at the end has me replaying the story in my head days later. Loved it and I’m so excited to see what’s to come in book 2.
February 7, 2021
City of Sin
(After Midnight, #1)
Written by: W. J. Saunders
This book has it all! A love that was thought lost, a potential war between Vegas’s ruling mob families, a paid killer, a beautiful target and so much more.
City of Sin is definitely one of those on the edge of your seat books and at times you feel like you need to keep written tabs on the characters because there is so much history in regards to many of the main characters you don’t want to let anything slip by you.
I found myself going back and reading pages sometimes, because the action moved quickly at some points and I didn’t want to miss anything!
Our handsome and very sexy hit man Shadow oozes confidence and notices everything that happens around him. You can be sure that with Sparrow around, if he is on your side you will be well protected.
Beautiful, brilliant and sexy Selena has risen above what would and did end the lives of other women she had known. There is a huge push and pull going on between Selena and Sparrow and there is good reason. The sexual tension between them on top of the events taking place around them leaves readers wondering how it will all end. Events unfold and you hope that somehow they will stay together.
W. J. Saunders gives us an almost blockbuster style story about loss, grief, captivity, revenge and reunited lovers. One of the best romantic suspense stories I have ever read. This is my first W. J. Saunders books and I have already pre-order the next book in this series. This story isn’t over it’s just begun. I want to continue the ride because it is fantastic!
(After Midnight, #1)
Written by: W. J. Saunders
This book has it all! A love that was thought lost, a potential war between Vegas’s ruling mob families, a paid killer, a beautiful target and so much more.
City of Sin is definitely one of those on the edge of your seat books and at times you feel like you need to keep written tabs on the characters because there is so much history in regards to many of the main characters you don’t want to let anything slip by you.
I found myself going back and reading pages sometimes, because the action moved quickly at some points and I didn’t want to miss anything!
Our handsome and very sexy hit man Shadow oozes confidence and notices everything that happens around him. You can be sure that with Sparrow around, if he is on your side you will be well protected.
Beautiful, brilliant and sexy Selena has risen above what would and did end the lives of other women she had known. There is a huge push and pull going on between Selena and Sparrow and there is good reason. The sexual tension between them on top of the events taking place around them leaves readers wondering how it will all end. Events unfold and you hope that somehow they will stay together.
W. J. Saunders gives us an almost blockbuster style story about loss, grief, captivity, revenge and reunited lovers. One of the best romantic suspense stories I have ever read. This is my first W. J. Saunders books and I have already pre-order the next book in this series. This story isn’t over it’s just begun. I want to continue the ride because it is fantastic!
February 17, 2021
I'm not going to lie, I'm still sitting here in shock that this is a debut because I was blown away by this exciting story! Suspense is my jam, so I'm always happy to come across new authors, and this story one ticked off all my boxes. Shadow is a contract killer, and his newest target is the Queen of Vegas, but when he actually gets a look at her, he realizes that he knows her. And that's all that I'm willing to say about that because the twists & turns are totally f-bomb worthy. Oh, and there's that little second chance aspect with a dark twist that you don't find everyday. I was on the edge of my seat from the jump and didn't move until I had devoured it cover to cover, so after I got over the shock of the cliffy, I started to call this brilliant author many names of the colorful variety because I'm DYING inside for more! I'm telling y'all, you NEED to experience this story, and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
February 16, 2021
This is the 1st on a trilogy and what an emotionally charged story this is! Shadow is a contract killer who is sent to kill Depend Van Doren, only to find out when his finger is on the trigger that he is looking into the eyes of Selene, the women he loves years ago who was supposed to have died. This is a well written story which had me on tenterhooks throughout, and is filled with action, danger, suspense, mystery, twists, and secrets, and with an intricate and in-depth plot. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.
February 15, 2021
Wow, this book was both fast paced and a slow burn all at the same time. I absolutely loved the flow of this book between past and present, it was an extremely smooth transition. I was drawn in by both the writing style and the story of Selene and Shadow. Trying to figure out what was going on, who could be trusted and then there was the combustible chemistry between them. Everything was a whirlwind of constant adrenaline that I couldn’t get enough of. I felt like I spent the majority of my time sitting on the edge of my seat while reading this book with all the suspense and secrets, I even dreamed about it! I cannot wait for the second book!
February 16, 2021
WOW Did this book totally blow my mind and take on an emotional, intense, dark, twisted, and action packed read. Selena and Shadow you pull you right in and won't let go even at the end. These two have a past, but secrets and lies have kept them apart, but someone wants to destroy them will they succeed or will they figure out before it's too late? Absolutely mind blowing read that kept me on my toes and had my feelings going in every direction. I so can't wait to read what this author has next.
February 7, 2021
A dark, mysterious, steamy story filled with so many twists and turns! Every time I thought I had it figured out, another secret was exposed and blew my mind! Slowly uncover the horrible seedy underground of Las Vegas and the people desperately trying to put an end to it. What will happen? Only the author knows! An awesome read, I’ll be reading the next one!
February 17, 2021
This was my first read by this author and what a fantastic exciting suspense filled romance it was ! I love these kinds of stories on the edge of your seat thrilling page turning ride ! Loved the characters loved the plot the twists and turns the intrigue yes this was a fantastic introduction into this authors writing for me the main characters captivated me from the start especially Shadow .
Can’t wait to see what happens next !
Can’t wait to see what happens next !
February 9, 2021
A new author to me and a great first read - the book covered mystery, death, love, hate and friendships! I wonder if Shadow and Selene will get their happily ever after and what will book 2 bring....
February 12, 2021
Wow. This book left me completely breathless. My mind is still spinning from all the shit that happened. It’s my first book by this author and it won’t be the last because I need to know how this ends.
These characters captured my attention from the start, I could almost feel their emotions on my skin and the whisper of their pain in my ear.
They have secrets, they carry their demons and the chemistry between these two is off the charts. It was sexy, dark, twisted, I loved everything about it.
I can’t wait for the next one, and to know what this author has in store for these characters 🖤
These characters captured my attention from the start, I could almost feel their emotions on my skin and the whisper of their pain in my ear.
They have secrets, they carry their demons and the chemistry between these two is off the charts. It was sexy, dark, twisted, I loved everything about it.
I can’t wait for the next one, and to know what this author has in store for these characters 🖤
February 12, 2021
This story had a lot happening. There was a lot of action, danger, death, violence, steamy sex, friendship, and love. I loved the strength Selene showed despite what she had gone through. She kept a tight rein on her emotions to keep her going. Shadow had become just that, a shadow, due to his past history, but Selene brought him back. They were so hot together as well as dangerous. As the story did not end here, only some of the action, I look forward to the next book.
I received a copy of this story through The Hatters, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this story through The Hatters, and this is my unsolicited review.
February 9, 2021
'City Of Sin' is a fast-paced suspense story full of twists and turns, a sizzling undercurrent that makes this a must-read for anyone that likes an edge to their romances.
W.J. Saunders has made an excellent start to the After Midnight series. A dark contract killer with a tragic past moving from one job to the next - but what happens when the next contract is a beautiful woman with many sides who has started to get under this gun for hires skin
W.J. Saunders has made an excellent start to the After Midnight series. A dark contract killer with a tragic past moving from one job to the next - but what happens when the next contract is a beautiful woman with many sides who has started to get under this gun for hires skin
April 20, 2021
Shadow is a contact killer sent to Las Vegas to kill Selene Van Doren. Selene has completely reinvented herself and in doing so has became a powerful force in Las Vegas. When Shadow finally sees Selena something triggers a past memory. But that couldn't possibly be true because she was dead. She died years ago. This is a fast paced suspense novel. The author knows how to hold the reader's interest. I cannot wait to read the next book. Thank you for the opportunity of receiving this book. I have already passed it on.
February 9, 2021
What a brilliant start to a series. And I simply cannot wait to read more from you wj inspired read this book so I could make sure review on time so iam not going to read again as it was so so good.good storyline plot and brilliant characters this book was totally a book I really liked and I am definitely looking forward to more from this author
February 6, 2021
Reads Like a Movie
Like a literal movie script. W.J. Saunders has packed quite a bit with this first book in the After Midnight series. There is a lot of players and a lot of action page after page. This review will be vague to protect the storylines.
"You may kill people for a living, but there's a certain cleanness to what you do. You go in, terminate your target and leave, but once you immerse yourself in my world, it will stain your soul and you'll never be clean again."
The blurb says it all, however there are a ton of minute details and players around Shadow and Selene, the city of Vegas the biggest. Shadow is there to to a job, one he didn't realize he has been so close to. She isn't the girl he once knew and it doesn't take him long to realize that.
The book is well and as I said chock full of details and drama, as well as some sexy and of course angst. There is a lot to digest and at some points it felt a bit draggy, the story could have been tightened up to move quicker. There is a second book to the series, Violence & Vice and it'll be interesting to see where these two end up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Like a literal movie script. W.J. Saunders has packed quite a bit with this first book in the After Midnight series. There is a lot of players and a lot of action page after page. This review will be vague to protect the storylines.
"You may kill people for a living, but there's a certain cleanness to what you do. You go in, terminate your target and leave, but once you immerse yourself in my world, it will stain your soul and you'll never be clean again."
The blurb says it all, however there are a ton of minute details and players around Shadow and Selene, the city of Vegas the biggest. Shadow is there to to a job, one he didn't realize he has been so close to. She isn't the girl he once knew and it doesn't take him long to realize that.
The book is well and as I said chock full of details and drama, as well as some sexy and of course angst. There is a lot to digest and at some points it felt a bit draggy, the story could have been tightened up to move quicker. There is a second book to the series, Violence & Vice and it'll be interesting to see where these two end up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
February 7, 2021
This is an enjoyable rollercoaster of a ride second chance love story set against a backdrop of danger and deceit. Selene and Shadow were young and in love when she died so imagine his surprise when his latest assignment brings her doppelganger into his life. The story has many twists and turns that will have second guessing everyone. The main couple do have a passionate connection and I liked them together. Some of the situations are a little unbelievable but as it is dealing with the underbelly of society they fit the story.
February 10, 2021
Selene and Shadows story was engaging and I enjoyed the suspense of it. Shadow has no idea that past demons are about to haunt him when he accepts a contract that puts him face to face with the love of his life that was supposed to be dead. The second there eyes catch they know everything is about to change but not necessarily for the better!!
October 18, 2021
Great story!
Definitely a different theme and feel than the usual books by this author, but it was a very well thought out story line that stayed true to itself. I can’t wait to get into the next one!
Definitely a different theme and feel than the usual books by this author, but it was a very well thought out story line that stayed true to itself. I can’t wait to get into the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews