Life seems to be going good for Dominic Russo and Levi Abrams. Dominic’s sister is going to have a baby, his longtime friend and neighbor is getting married, he’s got his PI license, and they finally get a much-needed vacation.

But with Levi’s lingering nightmares, the Seven of Spades, and Rohan Chaudhary, FBI profiler, now entering into the case, things are taking a downward spiral. During a meeting, the profiler takes Levi and Martine through a step-by-step breakdown of the Seven of Spades, and Levi sees himself.

Dominic has caught a missing persons case with McBride Investigations. While investigating, he finds himself falling into the black hole of his gambling addiction, but he has convinced himself that he can deal with his addiction. But, after he gets the innocent party, Jessica Miller, away from the abuse and corruption of the Collective, Los Avispones and the Parks known crime gangs, his addiction drags him down to the point of lying to and berating Levi. As Dominic is fading from their relationship, Levi also finds himself investigating Stanton, his ex, something he hates doing as the emotions are still raw.

No matter what Levi and Dominic do, good or bad, it’s a double edge sword. Their lives are turned upside down and their relationship is now in jeopardy. Levi’s connection with Seven becomes more serious and almost consoling. With Seven, the orchestrator of an all-out gang war between the Collective, Los Avispones, and the Parks, the death rate rises. Dominic and Levi, still at odds with one another, team up with a lot of emotions and jump into the fray that leads to some shocking results.

With this third installment of the Seven of Spades series, Cordelia Kingsbridge expertly creates another power-packed plot. This storyline has so much going on, with family, friends, emotions, addictions, gang wars and murders; it’s fast paced and loaded with explosive action. Seven has gotten even more gruesome, and his MO for murders starts to change and throws more confusion into the mix. I have to say that when I got to chapter twenty, I had to stop and take a breather and prepare myself for not only heartache but a hair-raising ending.

Cash Plays has me seeing Levi becoming very vulnerable, not only with the Seven of Spades case but in his relationship with Dominic. Dominic I liked from the start of this series, but I’m so disappointed in him. He just didn’t take the time to use his head and think about all the consequences that his actions and addiction could cause. He forgot about his family and friends, and hurt and neglected Levi. Even though there are only some slight instances, I also felt he also was neglecting Rebel and put her in a dangerous situation.

Kingsbridge’s Seven Of Spades series is even more mind boggling with all its twists and turns, with every new installment. The mystery of who the Seven of Spades is enthralling, and there’s not even a hint of who it could be. I think One-Eyed-Royals is going to be another thrilling installment to the series, but it’s going to get harder to read with the emotional upset between Dominic and Levi. And what other devious plans does Seven have in his diabolical mind?

Reviewed by Maryann

5 brilliant, Fantastic Stars!!! Kingsbridge is quickly becoming one of my favorite author's--- this series is a MUST read!!!!

“Everybody has a dark side…it’s okay to take that side out for a drive every now and then. Healthy adults have this crazy thing called impulse control that tells them when and where to do that. It’s what separates us from psychotic serial killers. And teenagers.”

*Thump….thump…..thump* we’re sure you can hear the sound of our hearts beating wildly after finishing Cash Plays! What an exhilarating, addictive and compelling read! The Seven of Spades is readily becoming one of our favourite series delivering a heady mix of suspense, intrigue, mystery, romance and intense emotion, not to mention an absorbing, enthralling and very clever storyline brilliantly brought to life by uber talented Cordelia Kingsbridge. This author sure knows how to grab our attention, ensuring we remain riveted from start to finish! This has been a 5 stars series so far!

“…there have to be boundaries. There have to be lines the good guys won’t cross no matter what. Otherwise, what’s stopping us from becoming monsters ourselves.”

We’re now at book three and Cordelia Kingsbridge seems to delight in taking us right to the edge, toying with us in the most delicious way possible by spiking our adrenaline to stratospheric levels! We’re consumed by the Seven of Spades series, absolutely fascinated with the Seven of Spade’s serial killer, constantly second guessing ourselves as to whom it may be! Whilst we may have many theories as to their identity, we’re no closer to solving this puzzle and love that we’re continually being tested, relishing being treated to teasing morsels and red herrings this far into this series!

There’s a fine line between bravery and carelessness, and Dominic and Levi constantly straddle these line making decisions that put their relationship and their lives on the line. These guys own our hearts. The dynamic between them, their friends and their families feel so real, never forced.

“Levi Abrams is damaged goods.”
“So am I.”

From the police department bullpen to the neon lights of Vegas, to the seedy underground, loyalties are tested, suspicions are cast as Cordelia Kingsbridge introduces us to a raft of characters and continues a plot that always moves forward. Nothing is added to simply fill the pages. Every word contributes to the overall heart stopping pull of the story; the dialogue feels real, the dramatic effect pushes us to our limits, and the hypnotic and brilliant prose leaves us breathless.

The beautiful relationship between Levi and Dominic is tested, at times with heartbreaking results, yet the droll mirth and endearments between these two powerful characters, bring the biggest smiles to our faces. We love both these characters. They each have baggage, each tests their own, and each other’s limits, yet underneath is a true, passionate and heartfelt love. The sex, whilst extremely hot and physical, doesn’t overwhelm the emotion, instead intensifying every feeling.

We’re so incredibly invested in this story, our knuckles white as we grip our Kindles. The psychological aspect is potent, and as other crimes are introduced in each book, the Seven of Spaces serial killer is always in the background, always provoking and providing a menacing atmosphere throughout; just waiting to strike. It’s knife-edge stuff people, and we can’t get enough!

“I can’t invite that kind of darkness inside myself. I don’t know what it would do to me, and I can’t risk finding out…”

The ending!! OMG! The ending! It was powerful beyond explanation and left us in a state of anticipation and eagerness for the next book! We know that when this series is complete, we’ll be devouring every book – in its entirety in one go. Such is the pull of the story and its characters.

It’s been three months since the serial killer known as the “Seven of Spades” resurfaced, and the Las Vegas police aren’t any closer to catching them than they were in the beginning. For Detective Levi Abrams, the accompanying frustrating days and nightmare-filled evenings are definitely taking their toll. In stark contrast, however, his relationship with his newly-licensed PI boyfriend, Dominic Russo, is better than ever. But, if living in Vegas has taught them both anything, it’s that more than fortunes can change in an instant, and sometimes not even love is enough in the end.

While both of the previous novels in the Seven of Spades series had tough moments, Cash Plays was rough all the way through. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, because I did. I just spent most of the story cringing over the actions of one of the main characters, the whole situation turning into a downward spiral which he never recovered from. When things start to go wrong, they go very, very wrong, and traversing the worst of it was admittedly more difficult than I thought it would be. Rather than being a deal-breaker, however, I firmly believe that the series needed the darkness, and I’m hoping that the final two stories will guide both Dominic and Levi back to an eventual happy ending.

Romantically, the early chapters of Cash Plays are as sweet as any harbinger of doom could ever wish to be. Dominic and Levi are perfect for each other, and Levi’s happily awkward discomfort with the open affection is endearing. That the relationship is about to undergo an onslaught of some kind is clear, however, and watching the hits come one after the other was downright painful in a way that obligated me to continue reading to the end.

Far from being a romance, though, Cash Plays builds on the already psychologically intriguing premise established in the earlier stories. Encompassing not just the main characters, but the public as well, it is an interesting exploration of the most twisted kind of hero worship and the moral dilemma inherent in vigilante justice. It’s not quite a modern-day Robin Hood with a body count, but there are some definite similarities.

Though there were a couple of issues that tested my faith in the narrative, Cash Plays is a solid addition to the Seven of Spades series. And while Levi and Dominic have never had it easy, the author is relatively brutal to them here—which made the story even harder to put down. Not for anyone who likes their fiction concise and tidy, this series is going to need all five stories in order to resolve itself, and I strongly recommend that any new readers start from the very beginning. I have no idea what else might be in store for us as the series starts drawing to a close, but I can’t wait to find out.

And the evil author award this month goes to... Gah! I knew going in that this book wasn't going to be an easy one to read. (I may or may not have taken a sneak peek at a couple of reviews... just a peek - but that was enough...)

Through a good portion of Cash Plays, Levi and Dominic were in a very good place. They loved each other, they supported each other, they met and had gained the respect of each others' families. Things were great... until they weren't.

The relationship between Levi and Dominic wasn't the only drama in Cash Plays, but it was a huge part of the story. The Seven of Spades was still playing games, but he wasn't the only bad guy in Vegas.

As good as things were between Levi and Dominic, they were both fighting inner demons. I was terrified for both of them in Cash Plays, but Dominic more than Levi brought out all my protective instincts. Don't get me wrong, protective or not, I still wanted to knock some sense into him.

I wasn't kidding when I said that Cordelia Kingsbridge is a strong contender for evil author award. Cash Plays is definitely a turning point in the series. I trust that she has a plan and that things will turn around. In the mean time, One-Eyed Royals can't come soon enough...

Wow! I love this series but I am finding myself extremely anxious about the future of these men. I love them apart as well as together and I just don’t want to see unnecessary drama and angst throw in just because. I would rather know that they were a strong unbreakable couple ready to take on the SOS and not have to worry over gambling addictions.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so intense!!! I could hardly stand to read about what Dominic was doing. I was always so afraid he would relapse but I didn't know what the circumstances would be. This wasn't by any means a good reason, however it can be understood because Dom was put into a situation because of a client he was NOT anticipating and gave in. He told himself it was to save his client, but we all knew that deep down once Dom gave in, rational thought left.

Dom and Levi's relationship takes such a beating, literally!! The Seven of Spades isn't giving Levi a rest, and now the FBI has become involved. With things not going well between Levi and Dom, Levi is under a tremendous amount of stress. It was really hard to see Levi start to fall apart. Things between Levi and Dom are on the outs at the end of the book, and of course it ends on a cliffhanger all the way around. I have always looked forward to the next book in this series and I can't wait to see how this all ends, who the Seven of Spades is, if Levi and Dom will be ok in the end, because as much as I want to believe they will, it's not a guarantee. :/

The writing, holy moly, this was wonderful writing. The action scenes, the crime and detecting, the giving in to temptation - it was all written in such a descriptive and clear way, it was frankly just brilliant. When a book can bring me to the edge of my seat in anticipation and fear, that is an amazing talent to possess. I can't recommend this book or series enough, and I guess it goes without saying but I will anyway - this is not a standalone series and they must be read in order.

5 big stars!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Cash Plays is book #3 in the Seven of Spades series and I can already say this is going to be one of my favourite series ever! I am totally and completely in love with Dominic and Levi. Their relationship becomes more serious and Dominic gets to meet Levi’s parents when they come to town. Levi’s parents are good value with big personalities. But as the story goes on, problems arise between them when work sends Dominic on a downward spiral, and even though I knew Dominic’s troubles were coming, it still killed me.

The relationship issues combined with Levi’s search for the Seven of Spades killer, a gang war in Vegas, and Dominic’s hunt for a missing college student combine to make a gripping story that I loved every minute of, even when my heart was being squeezed uncomfortably when our heroes where doing things that were clearly not going to end well. There is plenty of action in the story and I have to say I hope at some point this series is made into a movie because I’d love to watch Levi’s fight scene brought to life.

Three books into what will be a five-book series, I have a few ideas about who the serial killer might be, but I think they might be too obvious. I want to go back and re-read the series so far before the release of One-Eyed Royals in September (book #4), to see if I’ve missed any obvious clues. Also, I’m totally enamoured with the series and I just want to read it over and over again.

A tip for readers impatiently waiting to get your hands on Cash Plays or any future books in this series, if you pre-order these books directly from the publisher (Riptide Publishing), they give you access to download the book 48 hours before the release.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/M Thriller
Triggers: Addiction, kidnapping, torture, stalking

WHEW! This is a nail biter and mostly because you can see the train wreck coming and there is nothing you can do to stop it!

If you're new to these books, make sure you start at the beginning, as you'll not want to miss anything that leads up to this one.

Dominic and Levi have a great relationship. They just click and even though there are some darker aspects to Levi's personality that he doesn't like to talk about or acknowledge, Dominic is able to keep Levi level headed.

Levi's still being stalked by the Seven of Spades serial killer, but now, with the FBI involved, he has to be content with the agent thinking he's capable of becoming a serial killer and hitting on his boyfriend. While Levi is having a difficult time coping with the murders, the gangs of Vegas gearing up for an all-out war, and his own personal feelings about his tendencies and what he's capable of, Dominic is nowhere to be found. Levi is just doing his job as best he can, but without Dominic to help level him out, Levi is kind of drowning.

Dominic is now a PI. One of his first solo cases is searching for a college co-ed who seems to have disappeared. What he finds is a situation that not only tests him professionally, but also tests him on a deeply personal level. He finds himself in a situation that not only he's unable to walk away from, but it sucks him right back in whenever he thinks he can try to remove himself.

This is an emotional read and even though you know what's happening, you can't help but be sad when things do hit the fan. Will Dominic and Levi find level ground again? Is the killer as close as he seems? I cannot wait for the next book as I believe more questions will be answered and hopefully more will be asked. I am anxiously waiting to read book four.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
The third book in the Seven of Spades series takes readers into the gangster underbelly of Las Vegas.

This isn’t my favourite book in the series. I enjoyed the action scenes but I’m not sure the book really pushes the series forward. We don’t get much closer to the identity of the Seven of Spades and Levi and Dominic’s relationship is in an uneasy holding pattern that I found frustrating. After all of the character and relationship development in the second book, I was disappointed to get pared down versions of Levi and Dominic in this book.

I finished the story feeling like it was way too short – but at over three hundred pages, it really isn’t. I just missed the more intellectual side to the investigation into the identity of the Seven of Spades and I was hoping for more of Levi and Dominic’s personal and family life.

I’m still hooked on this series but I’m hoping the next book is more like book two.

“Everybody has a dark side…it’s okay to take that side out for a drive every now and then. Healthy adults have this crazy thing called impulse control that tells them when and where to do that. It’s what separates us from psychotic serial killers. And teenagers.”

*Thump….thump…..thump* we’re sure you can hear the sound of our hearts beating wildly after finishing Cash Plays! What an exhilarating, addictive and compelling read! The Seven of Spades is readily becoming one of our favourite series delivering a heady mix of suspense, intrigue, mystery, romance and intense emotion, not to mention an absorbing, enthralling and very clever storyline brilliantly brought to life by uber talented Cordelia Kingsbridge. This author sure knows how to grab our attention, ensuring we remain riveted from start to finish! This has been a 5 stars series so far!

“…there have to be boundaries. There have to be lines the good guys won’t cross no matter what. Otherwise, what’s stopping us from becoming monsters ourselves.”

We’re now at book three and Cordelia Kingsbridge seems to delight in taking us right to the edge, toying with us in the most delicious way possible by spiking our adrenaline to stratospheric levels! We’re consumed by the Seven of Spades series, absolutely fascinated with the Seven of Spade’s serial killer, constantly second guessing ourselves as to whom it may be! Whilst we may have many theories as to their identity, we’re no closer to solving this puzzle and love that we’re continually being tested, relishing being treated to teasing morsels and red herrings this far into this series!

There’s a fine line between bravery and carelessness, and Dominic and Levi constantly straddle these line making decisions that put their relationship and their lives on the line. These guys own our hearts. The dynamic between them, their friends and their families feel so real, never forced.

“Levi Abrams is damaged goods.”
“So am I.”

From the police department bullpen to the neon lights of Vegas, to the seedy underground, loyalties are tested, suspicions are cast as Cordelia Kingsbridge introduces us to a raft of characters and continues a plot that always moves forward. Nothing is added to simply fill the pages. Every word contributes to the overall heart stopping pull of the story; the dialogue feels real, the dramatic effect pushes us to our limits, and the hypnotic and brilliant prose leaves us breathless.

The beautiful relationship between Levi and Dominic is tested, at times with heartbreaking results, yet the droll mirth and endearments between these two powerful characters, bring the biggest smiles to our faces. We love both these characters. They each have baggage, each tests their own, and each other’s limits, yet underneath is a true, passionate and heartfelt love. The sex, whilst extremely hot and physical, doesn’t overwhelm the emotion, instead intensifying every feeling.

We’re so incredibly invested in this story, our knuckles white as we grip our Kindles. The psychological aspect is potent, and as other crimes are introduced in each book, the Seven of Spaces serial killer is always in the background, always provoking and providing a menacing atmosphere throughout; just waiting to strike. It’s knife-edge stuff people, and we can’t get enough!

“I can’t invite that kind of darkness inside myself. I don’t know what it would do to me, and I can’t risk finding out…”

The ending!! OMG! The ending! It was powerful beyond explanation and left us in a state of anticipation and eagerness for the next book! We know that when this series is complete, we’ll be devouring every book – in its entirety in one go. Such is the pull of the story and its characters.

*screams from cliffhanger hell*

That's it. That's my review.

Another book, another cliffhanger that makes me wonder why I'm not waiting until the last book comes out so I can read them all at once. But I am terrible at reading spoilers. SO. Here I am. Waiting for the next book to come out.

After the shocking ending of Trick Roller, this book started out...kind of boring, to be honest. The first 30% was a bit of a slog to read. A few months have passed, more people have died, but I still almost DNF this book. The rest of the book makes up for it, but the first part is kind of slow-paced and does not hit the ground running.

This book is ANGST and a series of bad decisions. BUT YOU CAN'T LOOK AWAY BECAUSE BY NOW, YOU'RE IN TOO DEEP, AND THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.

I love the characters, and I especially love one of the new characters introduced into this book. Is he an asshole or not? Time will tell. Because guess what? This new character pretty much accuses Levi of being the Seven of Spades.

Levi fits the profile. A serial killer's profile. The new FBI agent, Rohan, doesn't hesitate to point this out to him. and he definitely wants to make some moves to seduce Dominic from Levi.

This book is intense, because everyone's keeping secrets. From the beginning, we've seen that Levi has only managed to work well at his job so far because he's been keeping his rage in check. Now, with the added stress of the Seven of Spades back, and how he looks more and more like a serial killer's profile, Levi is under a lot of pressure to do well. He needs Dominic at his side, but when he needs him most, Dominic is nowhere to be found.

Dominic is struggling with his own demons and reading what happens to Dominic and seeing him lash out at his friends is HARD to read. This is a very stressful part of the book, because we can see Dominic start spiraling and keeping secrets from Levi, and you just KNOW that nothing is going to end well.

The story picked up after a while, and worked to keep you on your toes until the end. And what do you know? At least SOMEONE agrees with me that Stanton might be the Seven of Spades. He's probably not, but I'll keep saying he is until the last book is released and we find out for sure who the Seven of Spades is.

Honestly, a lot of the card games and gambling lingo go over my head in these books. This one had a smidgen more references and terminology than the other books, because it deals a lot more intimately with the games. It's fine really. I think I had more of an issue in this book where abbreviations weren't spelled out often, or early enough, in the book to get across what the abbreviations were. I did read an ARC for this book, so hopefully, the final version has these written out a bit more clearly.

Overall, I thought the beginning was very slowly paced after the intensity left by Trick Roller. This book did get back up to speed like the mystery and pacing of the other two books soon enough. I'm worried where this story will go in the next book, because Levi and Dominic will have a lot of reflecting and apologizing to do (more so from one character than the other, I think).

I not really sure where Levi's story is going to go, to be honest. He has all this rage building inside of him, and the only way he lets that out is through Krav Maga and sex. The next book sure will be interesting. It's the penultimate novel in the series, so I'll just say it now - it's going to leave us with a shocking cliffhanger.

***Thanks to Riptide Publishing for approving me for the ARC on NetGalley***

I love the Seven of Spades series and I was super excited to dive into Cash Plays. And oh boy was the book full of feelings and emotions. Dominic gets a case that makes him face his gambling addiction and sends him down a spiral while Levi is struggling with his demons and rage more than ever - all when Seven of Spades is getting more and more vicious and murderous. FBI has also send an agent to help with the serial killer, which stirs up trouble within the Las Vegas Police Department.

Cash Plays suffered a bit from the middle book syndrome; Levi and Dominic hardly spend any time together and you just know there's going to be plenty of problems in their relationship. It's not necessarily all bad as Kingsbridge is a very good writer and all previous books have had high stakes. Personally, I'm not a fan of middle book syndrome when it comes to relationship problems, and that's the reason why I'm knocking one star off the rating. I wanted to see Levi and Dominic together and work on their connection and relationship, but that didn't really happen here. Most of the old secondary characters were amiss and there were a lot of new interesting ones such as Russian crime boss Sergil Volkov and Rocco, but I missed seeing Dominic's family and friends.

Cash Plays continues the stunning and captivating series, and stakes rise even higher. I definitely need the next one - to find out more about the Seven of Spades and his/her obsession with Levi, and what happens with Levi and Dominic's relationship. I need to see the things that were messed up in this one to be fixed in the next sequel. I still recommend the Seven of Spades series.

4 stars.

F*cking hell.

You're an idiot, Dominic. But I love you so can you please get your shit together.

I neeeed the next book now, pretty please.

CASH PLAYS is an outstanding third installment of a series that is delivering a great mystery plot, keeping the reader guessing and on the edge most of the time. It was a perfect mix of action, love and a serial killer who is taking justice in his hands.

Levi is trying to keep his rage under control but the constant inability to stop the Seven of Spades and the increasing disputes between the bigger names in the underworld crime scene keeps giving him more frustrations than he can handle. The comfort he could find in Dominic has been taken away from him as Dominic starts becoming more and more secretive and the distance between them begins to risk their relationship.

I had an amazing time reading this book. I just couldn't stop reading. It was thrilling. I loved every bit of it. One of the things that I found more interesting was getting to know little details about The Seven of Spades, not enough that the mystery is gone but also not too little that we are in the shades about him. I was surprised although pleased to see a little weakness in him.

The mystery is again the strongest part of the story and even though it didn't lack romance, this has been, sadly, the less romantic of the installments, but the relationship between Dominic and Levi keep being an important part of the plot and I enjoyed so much the moments they share. As much as I loved their moments together, I also loved the struggles they had. I love their flaws, they're so far from being perfect, that makes them the kind of character I like to read about, one that can make mistakes and learn from them.

Overall this was a magnificent book. The more I get myself into this series, the more in love I fall with it. The author's writing is amazing and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the book to any reader who enjoys reading mystery.

While I don't like picking a favorite, even within a series, I have to say that I enjoyed this installment the most.

I also have to admit that I wish there'd been more deaths, blood and mayhem in this one! =D It was all a bit mellow and absolutely not in a bad way, since I was constantly dying to reach the next chapter.

It's amazing how much more I fall in love with Levi every single time. I adore his character, love his passion and totally dig his dark side. It was interesting to see how he struggled with the accusations and the pressure, the freaking mystery evolving the Seven of Spades... Yeah it really was fantastic.

Not that I want him to suffer, at all - I totally love the guy! But it makes everything all the more interesting.

The whole thing... It was intense in a way I can't explain. Levi and Dominic fell into this romance quite fast in the previous installments. It always felt true and exciting but they finally reached some hurdles in their relationship and I totally dig it. It's almost frightening how much I adore Levi and root for Dominic.

It's a bit heartbreaking how the book ends but I have high hopes for the following two installments!

I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

Highly Recommended!!!

▽

Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review

Cash Plays is book 3 in the Seven of Spades series and it needs to be read in order. And really, the first two books in the series were nothing less than stellar, so don't miss out.

That said, I'm so torn over how to rate this book. For one part, Cordelia Kingsbridge is a masterful writer, capable of eliciting all kinds of emotions in her readers. For another part, while the previous two books have had cliffhangers in the end, this one was especially bad. Never mind that seeing Dominic spiral into his addiction in that way was both painful and heartbreaking. Up until this book, he'd been my favorite, now I'm not too sure he can be redeemed in my eyes. The worst part is that I don't think this was needed in the story, I know Ms. Kingsbridge needed to move the plot along, but this did nothing but make me think Levi is better off without Dominic.

While the case was interesting, the book barely had anything to do with the SoS, which was a bit disappointing.

So, all in all, this book for me was not one I'd reread, but that doesn't mean that I'm giving up on the series. I'm too invested in finding out who the SoS is for that, even if I'm not as invested in Levi and Dominic's relationship any longer. I do hope Ms. Kingsbridge proves me wrong and manages to make me fall in love with Dominic again.

* Copy provided to me by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley, a review wasn't a requirement. *

God where do I start? I'll admit I held off on reading until release. I didn't want to read this book alone. One of the author groups I'm in read book one together a few months ago. That's how this series came on my radar. Romantic Suspense isn't something I normally gravitate to because I'm good at the "whodunit" game. I can't with this series, the Seven of Spades, Cordelia Kingsbridge, is too good.
So once we started our group read of Cash Plays I dove in and didn't come up for air until I devoured every word. God this book scared me. And for good reason. Levi and Dominic go through it. With the Seven of Spades, Levi's new case, Dominic's new case, and their own personal demons. The biggest thing is, they need to work together, the need to face everything head on because they're stronger together. Did that happen? Sure in the beginning. And then chaos descended.
I wanted to shake Levi at times. With how he dealt with certain things, I understood it. I loved him for how much he loved Dominic and wanted to protect him, but he also pissed me off with how he handled it internally.
Dominic needs his ass kicked. I wanted to beat him up and then hold him until things became semi-okay. Because I'm not naive to not know that things will only go downhill before they get better.
These two loved each other so much and it showed so much. The fierce love they harbored, however, made them both stupid.
How Cordelia Kingsbridge was able to weave this story, I never want to know. From Levi and Dominic, to the Seven of Spades, each and every piece of not only this book but the entire series is so well thought out it's obvious it was written by an evil mastermind.
I'm scared for book four for the fact that I know there will be a lot of pain, a lot of love, and a lot of heartbreak. And I don't think it'll go the way any reader of this series prays it does. Not until these characters break down to their rawest forms. And as beautiful as that will be-- as it takes a whole lot of skill to do that-- it'll hurt like hell at the same time.
I may have to reread the entire series, something I never do. Because I know I'm missing something, and I have a feeling I'll need whatever insight, no matter how small it is, before I get the next book.

This has become one of my favorite series. This book was the best (so far). It starts with the guys in a good place and the feelz......oh the feelz. So romantic in places.

Unfortunately for Levi and Dom the Seven of Spades is done with their vacation and they're back with a vengeance. SoS has become even more violent and brutal in their kills and that combined with a newly assigned FBI agent, throws everything into turmoil.

There's not much I can say about the plot without spoilers so just know that this one is action packed from beginning to end. It's fast paced and entertaining as far as the murder mystery aspect. Levi & Dom's relationship is also a wild ride.

And the ending? Omg....that ending. So good.

I *think* I know who the killer is. I can't wait till we get to the end to see if I'm right. This is not a standalone. You need to read all of the books in order. If you haven't read this series I highly recommend you start it right away.

**ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley**

Holy moly, does this author know how to do a cliffhanger! The prior two Seven of Spades books kept me riveted, and Cash Plays was no different. My only complaint is the wait between books!

Not only does the author kill it with the cliffhangers, but she also rocks at suspense, drama, action, and gore; three things I love in a mystery/thriller story. Oh, and let me not forget the romance and sizzling hot chemistry between Levi and Dominic. Is there nothing she hasn't mastered?

The attention to detail in every aspect of the story blew my mind. Every kick, punch, swing, and maneuver is laid out in such explicit detail that I'm sure one would have no problem executing each fight scene just as the author imagined. It isn't only the fight sequences that thoroughly laid out. The author does an excellent job of setting each scene and depicting an array of emotions.

We get more insight into the Seven of Spades and their evolution as a vigilante for justice. I have an idea who might be this elusive killer, but I'll keep mum because just when I think I know what's going to happen, PLOT TWIST! Yeah, the author is badass at those too. Several new characters are introduced without becoming overwhelming or muddling up the story.

In short, this installment of Seven of Spades did not disappoint. It's intense with each turn of the page, and had me wanting more.

I'm just gonna be over here lamenting having to wait for book four...

Cash Plays by Cordelia Kingsbridge smashed it out of the park with her third installment in the Seven of Spades series. This one is going to tear you up inside and you’re still going to come begging back for more.

One of the great things about this series is that the main relationship between Levi and Dominic is always shifting and evolving. In this one, expect for things to flip-flop and go sideways. Levi’s exterior is starting to crack. I mean, I wouldn’t expect anything less when a serial killer is finding kinship with you, all these cases are pulling you and your significant other in opposite directions and on top of that, your temper is pretty much at a constant boil.

Even I’m getting itchy thinking about it. I wanted to scream and rage while crying and squee-ing. There wasn’t one moment when I wasn’t 100% invested.

Dominic doesn’t have it easier, though. He has a new job as a PI and wants to make a good impression on his boss. But when it leads him directly into the path of one of his weaknesses will he be able to hold it together?

This installment went deep and dark, and I loved every moment. I also love those moments of humor that always catch me by surprise. It’s always at a moment where it’s just delightful. These characters come alive in a way that I haven’t felt in quite some time, and I’m going to remember them long after I finish the last page. And that ending?!? OMG. WHY, CORDELIA?!? WHY?

Welcome to your new addiction, folks.

5 stars!

4.5 stars- Cash Plays is the third book in Miss Kingbridge's romantic suspense series, the Seven of Spades which follows a law enforcement agent and private investigator in their quest to stop a serial killer in Las Vegas. Since each book continues the main plotline and case, this is one that really needs to be read in order. I always wonder if the pace, suspense, and excitement will last through a multi-book series, but this author manages to keep surprising me, and honestly it gets a bit more interesting with each book.

Cash Plays follows another new case for Detective Levi Abrams while continuing the hunt for The Seven of Spades killer. At the same time, Dominic begins his official PI job and one of his cases ends up intersecting with Levi's, inevitably exposing the couple to a heap of trouble and danger. I was especially surprised that the author not only kept things fresh with the men professionally, but also in their relationship. I enjoyed the challenges the men faced individually and together. It further developed the characters and made their relationship a bit more layered and interesting. I can safely say this is a series I'm not growing tired of at all. And that's before that crazy ending. Who knew a few pages could pack such a punch, but the final chapter upended things, had me reframing my suspects, and left me hungry for more. If you like your romantic suspense fast-paced, full of twists, and with some angst, Cash Plays won't disappoint.