Synopsis:
Emma decided to skip the gym and went home early. It was the last easy decision she made because she found her roommate being raped by the boyfriend. She had two choices. Call the cops and be killed by his family’s mafia connections or kill him first and hope to survive. There was no choice to her. She killed the bastard first and went to the one person who could protect her. Carter Reed. He’s a weapon for the rivaling mafia family, but he’s also Emma’s secret. Not only was he best friends with her brother, but she’s the reason he became that weapon in the first place.
My Review:
Carter Reed is lethal - both the book and the man. He is a gorgeous, badass, cold, dangerous killer. He is also protective, possessive, tender & sweet with the best heart & soul I've seen in a hero in a long time. He is loyal to friends and those he loves and protects them with his life. I loved Carter Reed and will remember him and this book a long time. Carter had an abusive childhood, often taking refuge at Emma & her brother's house. Emma's brother has died but Carter has not forgotten Emma and has been "watching" her most of her life. Once she asks him for help, Carter goes about making sure she will be safe. Somewhere along the way, he realizes that he needs her as much as she needs him.
Emma is in trouble. As the book opens, she walks in on the brutal rape of her friend & roommate by a Mafia goldenboy. She does what any true, loyal friend would do - she shoots him dead. I know some people found Emma to be a little whiny but I didn't. I saw her as strong, loyal, caring, & protective of those she cared for. She was a little naive but I don't see that as a flaw. I liked that Emma had a backbone and stood up for herself and her friends. I also loved that while she made some questionable decisions, she did them in protection of those she cared about - including putting herself in danger in a misguided attempt to protect Carter a couple of times.
Emma realizes the Mafia will kill her & her friends if they find out what she did, so she goes to the only person with the power to help her - Carter Reed. He agrees to help her only if she stays with him...and so a precarious relationship begins. Carter is both hot & cold and can turn it on or off in the bat of an eye. It both fascinates & confuses Emma. She is never sure of his feelings for her but she realizes that she is falling for him. Unbeknownst to her, Carter needs her as much as he needs air to breathe. They have a long, dangerous road ahead of them.
Carter Reed had some good secondary characters. Noah is a friend of Carter's, and I'd love to read his story. Amanda's story would also be great. This book has some surprises and twists & turns in it. I found my heart racing as I read it. The romance & sex was well written and not over the top. I loved it. A Must Read!
Rating: 4 Beautiful ♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra
Synopsis:
It’s a dog eat dog world for Ava Martinez. On the surface her life seems charmed – beauty, brains, a successful veterinary practice – but Ava harbors a secret. And one rash act on a foggy night threatens to destroy it all. The niece of one of the most ruthless crime lords in the country, Ava has lived her life as an unwilling pawn in her uncle’s illegal game. When Ava accidentally stumbles upon an unknown man lying unconscious in the trunk of a car – a man destined for death at the hands of her uncle’s men – she risks her life to get him to safety and to thwart her uncle’s nefarious scheme. Little does she know that lifting the lid of that trunk will be like opening Pandora’s box. When Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington – the man she rescued – brings his dog to the door of her veterinary clinic, she does her best to thwart his amorous intentions, but fate has a different idea. When a walk in the park, a friend’s blind date, seemingly everything throws them together, the normally strong-willed Ava finds herself irrevocably drawn into a seductive and deadly game. Because if Jordan ever regains his memory of that night, both of their lives could be in danger.
My Review:
I wasn't sure what I would discover when I opened the cover of Serendipity. Certainly, I expected some romance and suspense. What I discovered was a delightful story of a man and woman who meet in the worse of circumstances - he doesn't even remember what happened or meeting her, when they meet again later. I found this book to be incredibly romantic and witty as the dashing Asst. District Attorney, Jordan Wellington, meets (for the second time) and pursues Ava Martinez, a Veterinarian and niece to a Crime Lord. Jordan doesn't remember Ava rescuing him from the trunk of a car where her uncle's goons had left him until they could finish him off. He falls hard for Ava as she fights to resist the very handsome ADA. But fate has other plans.
Ava is a strong, feisty heroine with a lot of spunk who is making it on her own. She has loved and lost in the past as a result of her less than desirable family ties. She shored up her heart after that relationship disaster and vowed never to trust or love another man...never to risk her heart or endanger another person by exposing them to retaliation for her secrets. But that was before she dragged Jordan out of that car trunk and looked into his eyes.
Jordan is everything a hero should be...gorgeously alpha male with a beautiful smile and heart. He doesn't remember Ava rescuing him because of the hit on his head. When he rescues a dog in the park and takes him to the vet, he meets Ava. I loved Jordan's persistence in pursuing Ava, in spite of her constant brush offs, and his sense of humor. The banter between these two is both funny and romantic. The dynamics of their family backgrounds is a major difference standing between them - perfect loving family vs. broken mob related family. Jordan is determined to pursue the relationship & Ava doesn't believe she can have a happy ever after. She is carrying secrets & knows that if Jordan remembers what happened that night, both their lives will be in danger.
There are some great secondary characters in Serendipity also. I loved sassy, eccentric, funny Lou Ellen. She is Ava's friend and landlord and simply outrageous. Lou Ellen backs down from no one and more than once, she takes on the goons sent to watch Ava and sends them packing. Great secondary character!
The suspense in the book does take a backseat to the romance. I felt it was well-written but would have enjoyed a little more of the suspense side. Ava fears retaliation from her Uncle against her, and those she loves, throughout the book. There is also a murder mystery to solve. I felt that side was wrapped up a bit too quickly at the end and would have enjoyed a more in depth resolution. But it doesn't distract from this being a solid 4 heart read for me. Romance/Suspense/Humor - A perfect trio! I look forward to continuing the series.
Ratings: 4 Beautiful ♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! I hope you spend it with the ones you love! Thank you for visiting my blog and supporting me as I venture into the world of writing and reviewing books! Visit our Goodreads Group, Nancy Gideon By Moonlight, to enter to win a $20 gift ecard. For an extra special treat, check out Nancy's special Valentine to group members! You will find it at this link: A Special Valentine from Nancy
Synopsis:
A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.
Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He's cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he's paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it's hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliche: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.
Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer's knife.
My Review:
I had heard so much about this series & the relationship between the characters - FBI Agents Tyler Grady & Zane Garrett. Romance/Suspense is one of my favorite genres so I was excited to start Cut & Run. I was quickly drawn into the book and loved the introduction of both characters and the immediate clashing of personalities. They are indeed quite the Odd Couple - polar opposites right down to their clothes and personalities - but they must find a way to work together to stop a serial killer who may be one of their own.
The developing relationship between Ty & Zane takes front & center in Cut & Run. Both men are drowning in emotional baggage and are quickly off to a love/hate relationship. The banter and slapping at one another is well written and obviously covering a sexual attraction that both men are afraid to act upon until their emotions finally explode, and they cross a line. Their relationship is filled with angst as both are in denial of the deep emotional bond that is developing between them. I loved both characters and would have a hard time choosing one over the other.
The suspense side of the story is not as strong as the character development and apparently is not meant to actually be the focus of Cut & Run. I knew who the killer was early on and quite frankly, couldn't understand how two veteran agents could have been so careless and clueless - both of them are injured at different points because of their failure to make the case the priority. While I understood the destructive turmoil they were in emotionally, I feel like the book portrays them as being inept as agents. That is the only reason for the 1 star/heart deduction for me.
Cut & Run is a good, emotional read. The character development & relationship building is outstanding. I was drawn into the banter & anguish, and shared the mixed feelings both characters were experiencing. The authors did a great job making these characters the focus of this book. I look forward to reading the next one to see where the relationship goes and what happens along the journey Ty & Zane have undertaken. A must read!
Rating: 4 beautiful ♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra
