Ante Up

High Stakes, Book 1

By: Christina C. Jones

Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Wesleigh Siobhan

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

I know exactly why it turns you on...because you're messed up too.

Asha's life is no fairytale, by any stretch of the imagination. There was no kind, generous father to care for and protect her from the Vegas that exists beyond the glitz and glamour of The Strip. No wise, doting mother to look over and guide her, passing down essential lessons and leading her to the right path. And certainly, no Prince Charming just around the corner, ready to rescue her from working late nights to cover steadily mounting bills.

You're not born to sharks without becoming one yourself.

In Vegas, King is exactly what his name implies. Born into money and influence, but respected - and feared - in his own right. The privileges of wealth have afforded him many things, freedom, power, massive eligibility - while simultaneously leaving him exposed to others: betrayal, exploitation, and manipulation.

Like attracts like...

Her poker face has kept her alive all this time, and he keeps his cards close to his chest. Neither is interested in gambling their hearts, but when they can't stay away from each other, there's only one choice...ante up.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Christina C. Jones (P)2019 Tantor

Even Better

This is 1 of my favorite books by CCJ and for her to bring it to an audio book. . . .my Gawd!! Excellent listen!!

Yaassss

Loved it from first to last chapter. Expertly told love story and a thriller to boot.

Kingston is my new book Bae

This is a sizzling story set in Vegas and the glitz is the backdrop! The story is detailed as if written by a seasoned Vegas poker player! The heat between the two characters is well illustrated by Wesleigh Slobhan and the incomparable Jakobi Diem. Hats off to the author for this riveting story. If only Kingston Whitfield was real! Jakobi, you’re amazing!

Narrators made the book

My two eye rolling moments were (1) The fact that he was a member of the most powerful black Vegas family, handsome, single, she grew up in Vegas, and she didn't recognize him throughout their entire first encounter? And (2) she was beautiful, had the gorgeous red locks, worked in his bar for months, and he never saw her before? C'mon man! Om the other hand, Jakobi and Wesleigh are among the very BEST at narrating urban erotic fiction.

loved it

jakobi's female impersonation voice is terrible. sounds like a Newport smoker. like a pack a day. every time he does the female voice the character sounds corny and spoiled and needy

Whew...drink please (sparkling grape juice though)

One of my new favorite authors and of course my favorite narrating duo!!! I absolutely love this book. It's so juicy and detailed. I kept wanting to stop listening but I needed to know what would happen next. This played out in an entire motion picture in my head!!! My heart rate is still trying to return to normal.

Excellent storyline

I always enjoy Ms. Jones books, but found this one to be maybe her best. Great story and character development. The performance...well as always Jakobi Diener was the “TRUTH”! Both performances were excellent. Can’t wait for book 2&3 to become an audiobook.

My first Christina C Jones book

I didn’t enjoy this book at all, maybe I’m too used to Alexandria House who writes really great stories on black love. Coming from the McClain stories, this felt dragged, abit boring, the story seem forced and the supposed connection btw the characters wasn’t exciting at all. I was already tired of book by Chapter 5, I honestly expected more since It’s my first Christina C Jones book. The only thing enjoyable about this book was Jakobi Diem’s voice which is always a good idea

my favorite Audible

I love the story, characters, narrators, and author. one of the first audibles l listened too and I know it's one I will listen to over and over again.

One the best

I enjoyed the storyline and how “thuggish” & “gansta” the main characters are. Ready for the sequel. This author does it with the right pace and story development that raises the bar in this genre. Once again the narrators are my favorites and bring the characters to life. I read almost everything that they do.

10/10 book

10/10 book with so many twists and turns. I was hooked from the very first chapter but I didn't know what I was getting myself into. This book kinda gives me Mafia romance vibes even though it's not that genre.

Really enjoyable

It makes a nice change to have a female protagonist who has agency over her life and isn’t portrayed as a weak, tiny, helpless woman- child.

The usual romance tropes are all there but she has skill, savvy, relatable struggles and emotions, strong family ties and friendship. A well rounded character in a well written story.

Best narration, made the story even better

I picked this book mainly because of the narration. I will listen to anything that Jakobi Diem and Wesleigh Siobhan narrate, they have the most sultry, enchanting voices and their performance is always amazingly good, enhancing the story even more.
Saying that, we can not go wrong with a Christina story either. Christina writes the most delicious MMC and I can't get enough of them. The steam levels are of the charts with the MFC as the focal point and I love that. In this story they come from extremely different background and they have trauma in their past that still governs their actions. They can't ignore the pull they feel and have to overcome hurdles and let go of the past in order to have a future. Great story with many sad and tragic themes, lots of drama, and hot hot hot 🔥🌶

Really enjoyed this book

Loved this book from the beginning to the end, little bit of steamy sex, little bit of humour with a great story line.

Took a chance and really enjoyed it!

I really like the characters in this story. They are very imperfect but all deserving of respect.