Eric Mitchell had only lived with his father, Jeff Kingstown, after his mother's suicide, but being the bastard son to a real bastard has not been easy. The legitimate son hates him, the grandmother won't even look his way but he is expected to be grateful. He makes a break after he tested out of high school and made it to Harvard only to be made miserable by his brother. He joins the service and becomes a Navy SEAL and gets unexpected help there with being a savant. He goes back to school and pays for it on his own. He graduates and works for Grayson Bennett a millionaire and is about to become a millionaire in his own right. Take that dear dad! His only regret is the woman he could never have in his life.

Harper Evans is the only thing connected to the Kingston family that would ever get him to go back. She walks back into his life and he finds himself being talked into going back into that world, but this time on his terms. The only thing he wants from there is Harper and this time he's going to take the princess from them.

THE BASTARD, the first book in the Filthy Trilogy, is one you cannot put down and even when you do it will continue to play on your thoughts. Eric is an amazing mix of many men -- he is hard, demanding, loving, protective and aloof -- but Harper is his saving grace. Harper thinks she knows what is going on but as the book continues even she is afraid she has misunderstood and been used by the Kingston family herself. Working through all that had happened in a short time makes Harper face her own fears and doubts until she knows she and Eric are meant to be.

Readers get a little peek at other favorites from author Lisa Renee Jones' other series. Grayson and Mia (Dirty Rich Betrayal) have befriended Eric, and more so become a brother and friend. It is his presence and the men from Walker Security (also a fan favorite of Ms. Jones') that help keep Eric and Harper safe. Because when it comes down to the real danger they face ... who can they turn to? Each other and these friends.

THE BASTARD begins an edgy, erotic, amazing trilogy that will have readers anxious for the next one. I will warn you, though I am sure it is not necessary, but there is a heart- stopping cliffhanger.