The Ezra Klein Show Reading List: Books Recommended By Guests On The Podcast (part 1 Of 3)

Life can be cruel. One moment you’re on the verge of reaching the peak of your career, your sweetheart of five years finally down on one knee, promising forever. The next, your world burns to ashes—literally. Now, I’m not just a prisoner; I’m the plaything of the most feared man in the country. I told myself I hated him, that I’d never break. But what kind of woman starts to crave the way he owns her body, the way his touch sets her on fire? How do you survive when the man who owns you is as ruthless as he is captivating? How do you escape a man who makes you question everything, even your sanity? ~~ When her father’s PTSD causes a catastrophic accident, Lucia Castellano finds herself at the mercy of Dante Romano, a man whose name strikes fear into the heart of Chicago’s criminal underworld. Taken as a slave to pay for her father’s alleged crime, Lucia is thrown into a world of power, control and dangerous seduction. Dante’s control is absolute, his touch both punishing and addictive. What starts as a fight for survival turns into a dangerous game of submission and trust. But as the lines blur between captor and captive, Lucia begins to unravel a dark truth: Dante is haunted by a past that binds them more deeply than she ever expected. Together, they must uncover a web of lies to uncover the truth behind the fire that changed both their lives forever. Author’s Note: This book contains explicit content, strong language, violence, and other adult themes that may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Devin King was my first—well, everything. They say you never forget your first. Whoever said that was right because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get him out of my head or my heart. I foolishly thought my heart wouldn’t miss what it couldn’t see, but I was wrong because I never forgot, not for one moment. You’re not supposed to kiss your best friend. You’re not supposed to give your virginities to one another, either—but we did. We were kids, teenagers, full of hormones and mixed emotions, but it felt right. He was the first boy to kiss me, the first boy to touch me and taste me in a way only a lover would. “Say you want to be mine….” He whispered while I shook in his arms. And I did. And then he wrecked me. After I trusted him and gave myself to him, he disappeared, left me in my , the scent of him still lingering on my skin, the taste of his kiss still fresh on my lips. He left me after the amazing night we shared after we became one another’s and disappeared without a word. Until one day ten years later he pops up like a rash as the newly appointed CEO of our firm. Was I shocked to see him standing in the office after a decade? Yes. Did I almost faint? Hell yes. My heart may have melted a little when he smiled right at me, but he wouldn’t ever know that—because I hated him. But here I am, the VP of an established publication firm standing in the CEO’s office handcuffed to the pompous face. Why are we handcuffed you ask? Well, that's a funny story...

Ryan, a stripper, had spent years dreaming of revenge. The night his mother was gunned down, he swore he’d make Ricardo Covallo… a ruthless mafia boss responsible, pay in blood. When the chance came to heal Ricardo of the impotence Ryan had secretly caused, he disguised himself as a doctor and took it without hesitation. One injection, one quiet death, and justice would finally be his. But Ricardo Covallo is nothing like Ryan expected. Dangerous, yes. But also magnetic, intoxicating, and far too perceptive. A single heated night between them throws Ryan’s plan into chaos. Ricardo, drawn to something he can't quite name, refuses to let Ryan go. Trapped in a deadly game of deception and desire, Ryan finds himself torn. The man he came to kill now holds him in a cage lined with silk sheets and whispered promises. And the worst part? Ryan isn't sure he wants to escape. Because maybe revenge isn’t the only thing worth dying for.

"Tonight, is the coronation ceremony of the Alpha King's sons. Rather than presenting you as an option for their mate choice, your twin sister will be presented, instead.” My father spoke coldly to me. Every fiber of his being expressed hatred for me, and while I was a little used to being treated that way, it was painful that as the older twin sister, I was skipped for an opportunity like this. When the ceremony started, we all stood as a family, with my sister dressed really pretty, and waiting for the Alpha King's sons to meet us. But the moment I noticed them walking towards us, my heart skipped a beat and my whole body charged up with adrenaline as I realized one thing. They were my mates. Not just one, but triplets. Alyssa is an omega in the family and pack of betas, and was treated as a nobody by her father, sister and the pack, when her mother died. But as vibrant soul, she endured all she went through in their hands until she met her mates who were triplets. While she was happy to have finally met the ones whom she felt would show her love and care, little did she know that it was the beginning of worse misery in her life that led to her desiring revenge. As time goes on, she would find secrets that would break her soul. Would Alyssa torture every single person that made life worse for her or would allow love to ease her grieving heart?

After being sold to the cruelest alpha king of all time by her stepfather, Yennifer reluctantly accepts her fate. In order to secure her freedom, she must bear the cursed alpha king a son. However, what she doesn't expect is that the alpha king is her true mate. Unfortunately, he remains ignorant of this fact. Despite this, she waits, confident that the alpha king will eventually recognize their bond. Tragically, she discovers that she is nothing more than a tool to him. Devastated, she flees with her unborn child. The cold and domineering alpha king finally realizes his true feelings for her and deeply regrets his previous indifference. Driven by his desire to right his wrongs, he swears to do whatever it takes to find and reclaim her, even if it means facing off against numerous rival alphas. Can the alpha king locate Yennifer and recognize his own child? Will Yennifer, now a single mother pursued by several powerful alphas, allow him back into her life? Find out in the gripping tale of love and redemption.

BLURB The once peaceful city of Toronto is now filled with werewolves and humans, and you can't differentiate between the two parties. With her life in danger and enemies emerging from every corner, Ella is forced to rely on the mysterious stranger who’s usurped the throne of her pack. and the new pack king--have other plans. Ella Dixon made the choice to leave her pack for five years. Now, she’s back and fully committed to becoming the werewolf she was destined to be. WILL SHE BE ABLE TO FULFILL HER DESTINY

*Kidnapped and desired so badly by the ruthless mafia* *** "Amanda, I think it's time for you to head upstairs to maybe release some "Stress." He slowly licked his lips, coating them with his salvia. I watched it happen, my core was basically shaking. I nodded my head innocently, I gently pushed past him but before I could leave he gripped my wrist. "I don't want to see you in this room ever again, understand my darling?" He leaned in towards me, whispering against my ear. "Because you won't like what will happen next", I felt my pussy wet as soon as I heard his words.

Ameera has always wondered why her father was so determined to give her away to the most powerful Alpha in the province, Alpha Keith. She had heard a lot about the ruthless Alpha Keith, but never met him in person. On her 18th birthday, her life took a different turn when her father was murdered and her mother told her the hard truth about her existence. Now she has to find a way to win Keiths heart and get him to fall in love with her. But how will she get him to love her when it is said that the Alpha of the full circle pack, Alpha Keith has been cursed never to be with a woman. And even if he decides to chose a mate, why the hell would he settle for a spoilt brat like her. Why would he chose an arrogant daddy's girl that has never toiled for a penny in her life, and yet spends money so lavishly? Will she ever find love in the arms of the bad Alpha, will he ever look past her arrogance and see the true beauty hiding beneath her stubbornness?

Estella is set to go in for her interview, she walks into the lobby where she is going to have sex with the boss. It turns out to be Adrian, her boyfriend of three years ago who raped her and carted away with all the money in her account. He is now a charming, sexy and billionaire boss, he looks at her with great lust and is more than eager to make up to her but she is double-minded. She seeks revenge but at the same time is deeply desiring Adrian, she can't get enough of his cock after the interview. Luckily, she is appointed and she becomes his escort, fake girlfriend upon attending events. Adrian drives her into the world of lust and unquenchable passion until she has forgotten all her plans to revenge. She is now drowning deep in the river of passion, not wanting to be saved. What happens when two formidable enemies, another ex of Estella and the secret wife of Adrian resurface and are determined to make sure they don't continue their love and lust.

"Who are you?" I ask, gawking at this ugly man who looks like the devil himself. "Your savior." savior? I may not remember anything from my past, but one thing is for sure, according to my judgment: this monster-lookalike can't be a savior. And from whom did he supposedly save me? "And if you are done ogling me, now, on your knees. Time to serve the purpose for which I saved you." I am snapped out of my thoughts by him tearing his shirt and walking closer in a pretty unnerving way. "Whi...ch is?" I whimper, trying to stand up from the bed and perhaps run for my dear life. Unfortunately, he grabs me viciously before I can take a step. A loud growl slips from my lips as he slams me back on the bed and hovers atop me. "To please me, little dove." He hoarses, embarking on his evil, dirty mission.