Review: Taken by Cynthia Eden

In New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s latest novel, the Last Option Search Team (LOST) returns—and for one agent, the hunt for a serial killer just got personal…
He swore to protect her…
Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel. But while her physical scars have healed, she can’t stop wondering about a woman she helped to escape, who simply disappeared. When LOST agent Asher Young is assigned to her case, Bailey instantly feels an attraction to the intense, ex-SEAL who seems to be carrying dark secrets of his own.
But keeping his promise…
Asher can’t afford to let his growing feelings for Bailey distract him from his job. Only she can soothe his horrific nightmares, but the last thing he wants is for the demons from his past to ever hurt her. Bailey has gotten past his guard, and the emotions he feels for her—they’re as dark and dangerous as the past he doesn’t want to face.
Could cost both their lives.
When corpses begin surfacing—all marked with the same tattoo depicting the Death Angel’s calling card—Asher must race to stop a twisted killer who wants nothing more than to claim his next prize: Bailey…

Excerpt

“Bailey Jones . . .” Asher said her name softly, as if tasting it on his tongue. “There are a few things you should know about me before we begin.”
There are things you should know about me, too. But I’m not going to tell you . . . or you won’t help me.
“First, you don’t have to fear me. Part of my job at LOST—well, let’s just say Gabe hired me on because he wanted a bit more muscle. Protection is my role. I’ll keep you safe and track down any clues about that missing woman. On my watch, nothing will happen to you.”
She nodded even though—
I don’t believe you. There is no safety. I learned that.
“And second . . . you don’t have to bullshit me.”
Now she blinked in surprise.
He laughed, a deep, rough rumble of sound that Bailey found she liked to hear.
“You think I can’t tell when you’re wearing a mask? You’ve got yourself locked down tight, under careful control, don’t you? But you don’t have to do that with me. I’m not one of the North Carolina deputies. I’m not going to judge you. And I’m not some lame-ass reporter who wants to splash your story all over the world.”
I wear a mask all the time now because something is wrong inside of me. It has been, ever since that fire. That hole. That hell.
“So let’s put a no-bullshit rule in effect,” he murmured.
Her hands curled around the steering wheel. “Liking rules, is that more of a military thing again?”
“Wanting to break rules . . . that’s why I left the SEALs.”
He’d been a SEAL? She turned to look up at him. “Is there a rule number three?”
“We’ll get to that rule later . . .”
She started the vehicle. “I’ll follow you to your place.”
“Do you have any rules for me?”
Don’t hurt me. Don’t judge me. Don’t pity me. Bailey cleared her throat. “I’m sure we can get to those rules later, too.”
He slammed her door shut. Through the window, Bailey watched as he strode away—not to another car, but to a shiny, big monster of a motorcycle. He climbed on, revved the engine moments later, and that rumbling growl filled the parking garage.
Asher slid the helmet over his head—a black helmet with a dark visor that completely obscured his face. Her heart beat faster as she stared at him.
Dangerous.
That had been her first thought when she’d seen him in the conference room.
But he was on her side. Not a threat to her. He’d help her.
At least, that was what she hoped. Because if something didn’t change soon, Bailey was afraid that the deputies would be right about her. Her shrink would be right.
I may go crazy.

Review:

This is the latest book in Cynthia Eden's LOST series. And I believe that Bailey is my favorite heroine in this series so far. Seems like every time I read one of her books I say that but her heroines are so doggone fantastic. They are smart, strong, stubborn and snarky which are my favorite type of heroine. Yes they are usually traumatized or scarred  or both but they don't know the meaning of the word quit. And I like it. Bailey is the one that got away but there was another and she's determined to find out what happened to her. But as always things are not as simple as that.  When she hires the LOST team to help her she meets Asher and sparks fly right away.

But Asher has issues of his own dealing with his and his sister's abduction as teens. He tries putting Bailey off because he doesn't want her hurt if he fails her. Don't think that would happen. Asher takes being protective to extremes and I think the only thing that would stop him would be his death. And with the killer on the lose and looking to rectify its mistake in letting her get away that just might happen.

I will say that Ms Eden got me with parts of this story. I've been reading her stories for a while now and she just gets better and better at the suspense part of her stories. She's always rocked the romance part lol. If you've not read this series what are you waiting on. I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for consideration of fair and honest review. I give this one 5 stars. You can click below and purchase you own copy but if you've not read this series i'd start with the first one

Spotlight and Giveaway: Unorthodox by S. Peters-Davis

Unorthodox

A Kendra Spark Novel

Book One

S. Peters-Davis

Genre: Paranormal Suspense-Thriller Romance

with a good dollop of Supernatural

Publisher: Books We Love Publishing

Date of Publication: September 15, 2017

ISBN 978-1-77362-303-0

ISBN 978-1-77362-304-7

EPUB 978-1-77362-300-9

Kindle 978-1-77362-301-6

WEB 978-1-77362-302-3

Number of pages: 153 pages

Word Count: 63,000

Cover Artist: CoverUp.Net

Book Tagline:  Kendra’s ability of communicating with the dead is requested by her FBI criminal analyst friend to stop a killer from murdering agents.

Series Tagline: Kendra sees ghosts, and then her BFF, Jenna, becomes one. The two friends and FBI agent Derek Knight fight for justice to the victims of heinous crimes.

Book Description:

Kendra Spark, suspense-mystery romance author and communicator with the dead, is requested to hop on the first flight to D.C.

Jenna Powers, FBI criminal analyst and estranged best friend of Kendra, gets ghosticized in a fatal accident before relaying all the details of the FBI killer case.

Derek Knight, a dedicated FBI Special Task Force agent, takes lead on the case.

The investigation into the FBI agent killings continues as Kendra, Jenna – yes, even after death – and Derek work together on the case before Director of the Special Task Force Jackson Powers’ number is up. He’s Jenna’s father and the end-game of the killer’s target list.

Somehow the elusive killer remains undetected, until Kendra’s unique ability produces results and a final possibility at stopping his killing spree before it’s too late.

Amazon

Excerpt:

From the Author Review Copy: The scene – Derek has Kendra in a casual interrogation room inside the FBI building – D.C. location

The door opened and Jackson Powers entered before I could respond.

He glanced around the room stopping when he saw me; his red rimmed eyes spoke volumes. I clearly remembered his presence, a straightforward man, full of confidence and direction, but in this moment he appeared like a man broken. I rose and reached for a hand shake. Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a big bear hug.

“I’m so very sorry about Jenna. Sorry for your loss, for my loss…” Muscles tensed around my vocals and cut off the words.

Tears spilled from both of us. Derek stepped out of the room, clicking the door closed.

“Jenna told me she was meeting with you today, going to show you the city sights.” Jackson held me for a few more minutes, patting my back and telling me it wasn’t my fault.

The thought of the accident initially being my fault had never entered my mind. Why would that thought cross his? I stepped back. Obviously he hadn’t received the latest details of the accident, but even so why would he consider that I’d feel responsible. Even if I questioned that maybe I could have done something to stop her in some way, she did save that boy. “Not sure what you mean…in thinking it could be my fault?”

His eyes widened, maybe a little startled at my blatant question. “I assumed Jenna ran after a little culprit that grabbed your purse or something much worse. She must have gotten caught up in the chase to run in front of on-coming traffic.” His face softened. “Kendra, I know Jenna, there was nothing you could have done to stop her. She’s always been head-strong…was always

head-strong,” he corrected himself, then his voice cracked, and suddenly something occurred to me.

Jackson isn’t privy to Jenna and Derek’s manhunt for the FBI killer, nor the reason I’m here. Of course. Jenna had tagged along to certain crime scenes while she was still in college, but from all that I remembered, Jackson wanted her profiling cases strictly inside the building. She had access to all the crime scenes from pictures and files on her laptop. At least she always used to complain about his restrictions, and I couldn’t imagine he would allow her in the field on a serial killer task force, unless things had changed in the last couple years.

There’d been a few close calls on other cases, some of the agent’s family members being abducted or being used for negotiation, leverage. While in college, Jenna told me all the rules her father had enforced if she were to join in any of the FBI cases. He protected her, and now she had returned the favor…to her demise.

Jenna and Derek were hunting the serial killer behind Jackson’s back.

There was a tap on the door and Derek stepped in. His brows were drawn close, eyes narrowed, perhaps his expression of concern. “Sir, I thought Kendra might be hungry. She hasn’t eaten all day.” He smiled at me, and then looked back at Jackson. “I’m headed out for a late lunch and thought I’d take her with me.”

Jackson’s lips pressed together. He finally lifted his chin toward me. “Well, of course. We certainly wouldn’t want anyone going hungry now, would we,” more of a statement than a question. He patted my shoulder. “Go on, Kendra. We can continue our talk later. I’d like to hear exactly what happened to my daughter from someone who was there to witness it.”

Derek grasped my elbow and led me toward the door.

Instead of following, Jackson released a long breathy sigh and sat on the couch. “Shut the door behind you, Derek. And tell Darla I don’t wish to be disturbed.”

My heart swelled huge behind my ribcage, again the confining weight pressing in on my ability to breathe. I couldn’t imagine the emotional maelstrom Jackson was going through. I knew only my own turbulent ride. Now I needed to get some facts straight; it was my turn to interrogate Derek.

About the Author:

S. Peters-Davis writes multi-genre stories, but loves penning a good page-turning suspense-thriller, especially when it’s a ghost story and a romance. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she’s hiking, RV’ing, fishing, playing with grandchildren, or enjoying time with her favorite muse (her husband) in Southwest Michigan.

She also writes YA paranormal, supernatural novels as DK Davis.

Website – http://suda788.wixsite.com/spetersdavis1     

Twitter – https://twitter.com/spdavis788   

FB – https://www.facebook.com/susan.petersdavis

BWL Author Page – http://bookswelove.net/authors/peters-davis-s/

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Review: Before the Dawn by Cynthia Eden

The Killer Instinct series from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden continues as an FBI profiler tracks a case that resurrects ghosts from his past. 

Ex-SEAL Tucker Frost knows that the world is full of evil. He saw it in the face of his own brother, Jason Frost, a cold, methodical, sadistic killer. A killer Tucker put down with his own hands in order to save Jason’s final victim—Dawn Alexander, the only girl who got away from the infamous “Iceman.”

It’s Tucker’s up close and personal experience with evil that’s made him perfect for Samantha Dark’s experimental profiling division in the FBI. Samantha wants agents who have personal ties with killers, who have unique insights into the minds of monsters. And when women start turning up murdered with the same MO used by the Iceman, Tucker is sent back to Louisiana to investigate.

The last person he expects to see is his ex-lover, Dawn. Ten full years have passed since the night that Tucker faced down his brother…and since he last saw Dawn. But the dark need still burns just as hot between Tucker and Dawn. As they grapple with a desire that never died, they must also face the shared shadow from their pasts. Both Tucker and Dawn have the same question—has Jason Frost come back from the dead to hunt again? And this time, will he succeed in killing the victim who got away?

Excerpt

Dawn took a step forward and she shut the door behind her.

Tucker kept his hands at his sides. He tried to figure out just what in the hell he was supposed to say to her. The silence stretched a little too long—uncomfortably long. Her gaze was on his face, sweeping over his features one at a time, and he knew what she was thinking.

I look even more like him now. Time had thinned his face more, hardened him, and when he looked in the mirror, most days Tucker swore he saw his brother staring back at him.

He cleared his throat. “You…you look good, Dawn.”

She blinked.

Shit. That had been the wrong thing to say. He wanted to yank his hand over his face or pace or do something to get rid of the fierce energy pulsing through him.

“That’s what you have to say to me? After all this time?” Her voice was still husky but he could have sworn he heard an echo of pain in it.

He’d always hated her pain.

“Why didn’t you come in there to tell me about this case?” She put her hands on her hips as she stared up at him. “Why send in your partner?”

He wouldn’t lie to her. “Because I knew you didn’t want to see me.” That was the same reason he’d left her so long ago. Why he hadn’t talked to her in the last seven years.

“You know bullshit.” She shook her head. Her blonde hair hit her sharp cheeks. “No, you just know your own fear. You don’t know anything about me or what I want.”

Her words surprised him and he took a quick step toward her. But…

She tensed. He saw it and the telling movement knifed right through him.

No, Dawn. I do know you. Better than you know yourself. I always knew you.

The problem was that she hadn’t truly known him. He’d been afraid for her to know the truth. He was still afraid. You won’t like who I really am.

“What’s happening in this city? Who killed that poor woman?”

“I don’t know.” He’d be finding out soon. “We thought you had a right to hear about the crime first, before any news leaked to the media.” He hadn’t wanted her learning about this killer when she turned on the five o’clock news.

“Maybe that’s true, but I also think you wanted to see my reaction. You know, just in case I’d gone psycho and started killing like Jason.” She pursed her lips, as if thinking about that situation. “What would that be? Some serious PTSD shit, right? Your buddy Macey sure acted as if it were a possibility.”

“Dawn…”

“He didn’t break me.” Her eyes glittered at him. “I get that you think he did. I get that you think I was so shattered by what happened that you left—”

“That wasn’t what—”

“But I’m stronger than he was. I’m stronger than you gave me credit for being.”

He’d always thought she was the strongest woman he’d ever met.

“I’m strong,” she said again, “and I want in on this investigation.”

It took a moment for her words to register. Then he could only blink and shake his head. “What?”

She pulled her ID out of the small bag that was slung over her shoulder. She advanced toward him and her scent—soft, vanilla—wrapped around Tucker, reminding him of things he should forget. Of things he had no business remembering right then. “I’m a PI now. A damn good one. I know this city, I know the people here, and I want in on the investigation.”

He glanced at her ID, but he’d already known she was a PI. He’d researched her… He’d peeked into her life many times over the years. He’d always thought that, one day, he’d check up on her and discover that she was married. That she had a family. That she was happy.

He’d both longed for her happiness and feared it. Because I couldn't imagine her with anyone else.

“I want in,” Dawn said again, her expression determined.

I love romantic suspense and this was a fantastic read and something of a tear jerker. My favorite type of romantic suspense is when we don't know who the killer is because I am pretty good at figuring out who done it. Buy Tricky Tricky Author you almost got me on this one. I kept dithering back and forth between two people and with one of the twists she almost fooled. Almost.  But I was right in the end. 

Dawn was a real survivor to the bone. And Tucker whoa nelly he is a fantastic hero. He gave Dawn what she needed no matter the cost to himself. Not sure how he didn't turn out to be a monstrous freak like the rest of his family. It was really surprising since Tucker was raised the same way as his brother "The Iceman". I am so glad that these two folks were able to get together in the end.

I give this story 5 stars and was given this book via Netgalley in consideration of a review and this in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

I've been reading Ms. Eden's romantic suspense since she started publishing it and she just keeps getting better and better. I look forward to reading all her books no matter the genre. 

You can purchase your own copy of this one here. 

Book Tour and Interview: Chasing Shadows by Bernadette Marie

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: June 13, 2017

Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing

Someone has decided to become the moral compass for the women in town, and now they're turning up dead. It will be up to Detective Lacy Pratt to find their killer before her relationship with Declan Matthews, brother to one of the victims, marks her as a target.

INTERVIEW:

Where do you get inspiration for your stories? Luckily inspiration is all around for me. This story was specifically inspired by spot on a path that I walk often. The story seemed to just come to me then.

Do you have another profession besides writing? Aside from being an author, I own a publishing house and an events services company. My day is filled with editing, promoting, and publishing books as well as setting up promotions though my other company. I’m also the very busy mother of 5 sons. I work from home so I am always on duty.

Do you write every day? I try to write each and every day. I have specific word counts to meet. Some days I get it met and some days I exceed. Once in a while, I get in 3 words.

Favorite meal? I love a steak with rice and peas. It’s a childhood memory that I adore.

Favorite Vacation Spot? Disneyland! Hands down my most favorite place to ever be.

About the Author

Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011. Since then she has authored and published over thirty books. The married mother of five sons promises romances with a Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it because she lives it.

Bernadette is also the CEO of 5 Prince Publishing and Illumination Author Events and Services.

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Coveted Kiss by Karen Tjebben

Psychological Romantic/Suspense

Date Published: June 2017

Bella Chan is a good girl surrounded by alpha-males who aren’t afraid of danger. Unfortunately, that danger comes back to bite her. She can still feel the deadly grip of Hazeem’s hands wrapped around her neck. If Jack hadn’t shown up at Savage Security, she’d be dead. Then, in pure alpha-male fashion, Jack appoints himself her personal bodyguard, but Bella soon realizes that Jack isn’t there to protect her. He’s there to win her heart.

And now, in the aftermath of the attack, the men of Savage Security band together to hunt down the terrorists living on American soil. As they navigate through the intrigue and deception that camouflages their assailants, they also confront the treason that threatens the Nation’s defenses.

Review:

Bella looked so uncomfortable standing there, like she didn’t know what to do. He hated the insecurity in her eyes and the tense rigidity in her face. She was a woman who should never feel insecure or unsure of her talents and abilities. He did the only thing he knew to do.

Never breaking eye contact, he walked to her and slid his hands gently over her cheeks. He hated the purpling bruises around her eye and cheek. He wanted to make Eric look a thousand times worse than she did, but he wouldn’t get that pleasure. Instead, he’d have to settle for the pleasure of Bella’s touch and taste.

When his fingers brushed over her cheeks and threaded into her hair, Bella’s heart rate soared. She stood there, staring back into his eyes as his lips descended towards her. Ever so gently, he brushed a kiss to her swollen eye and then over her bruised cheek. The tenderness in his touch melted her heart and rocked her to her core. As his warm breath gently puffed against her face, she reached out and gripped his shirt at his waist. He adjusted his stance, and his tongue slid along the seam of her mouth. She closed her eyes and relished the tsunami of feelings that flooded her. She let go of her fear, of her concerns for how this may affect her at work, and she opened her mouth to him.

Jack eased the tip of his tongue along her lips and then gently explored her mouth, rubbing his tongue against hers. He made sure every movement was gentle so that he wouldn’t hurt her battered body.

         Stepping closer, he brought his body flush with hers as he explored her mouth. She tasted sweet, like chocolate and soda. One of her hands settled on his chest, and her other hand wrapped around his waist. The heat from her hands ignited his blood and sent it racing through his body like lava. His cock strained against the tight cotton fabric of his boxer briefs. And when she moaned, he deepened the kiss

About the Author


Karen Tjebben lives in central North Carolina with her wonderful husband, twin daughters, and two hamsters. When her girls left for kindergarten, Karen discovered that she needed to fill her days with something, and that was the beginning of her writing career. She loves to create worlds filled with unique characters that she hopes will delight and raise goose bumps on her readers. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and seeing the world through her daughters' eyes.

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Review: Abduction by Cynthia Eden

Once the town troublemaker, Sheriff Hayden Black became the teen hero who saved young Jillian West from a savage kidnapper. He never got over their brief affair. Now the ex-SEAL and the burned-out FBI agent have reunited in their Florida hometown and rediscovered their powerful attraction. But as they hunt down a long-forgotten killer, will they get a second chance at happiness? When a series of accidents begins to plague Jill, Hayden won’t let her fall victim again. There’s too much history between them…and too much desire.

Excerpt

“So what’s a hotshot FBI agent like you doing in a small town like this?” His index finger slid along her inner wrist, a careless caress.
Or maybe a very careful one. Even he wasn’t sure about that.
“Hiding.” And this time, her smile broke what was left of his heart. “Because I’m really not so much of a hotshot.” She looked down at their hands. “I’ve got too much blood on me.”
Alarm pulsed through him. “Jill?”
“Let me go,” she said once more.
Another caress, a gentle touch right over her rapid pulse point, and his hand slid away from her.
“I need to head home,” she said, then seemed to catch herself. “Head to the cabin. I rented a place on the beach. The beach is supposed to be good for the soul, right?”
He wouldn’t know. The only thing that had ever been good for his soul…well, that was Jill. She’d changed him, though he didn’t think she realized just how much. He didn’t think Jill even realized how influential she’d been in his life.
She’d always thought that he’d saved her.
Oh, baby, that could not be further from the truth.
She slipped by him and started walking toward the parking lot.
“Jillian West.” Her name pulled from him.
She hesitated.
“We’re not kids any longer.”
Jill glanced over her shoulder. “I haven’t been a child since I was thirteen years old.”
No, she hadn’t been. He knew that. One terrible act had changed her world.
“I came back to Hope for many reasons,” Hayden said. Maybe she deserved that warning. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“So soon? Why expect to see me at all?”
Ah, now that was just cold. “Do you ever think about us?”
She faced the front again. “I try not to.”
He took that hit straight on his heart. “Really? Because I pretty much think about you every single day.” Though the nights were the worst. When he’d been fighting, when he’d been in one hell after another, memories of Jill had always come to him at night.
But a memory wasn’t walking away from him right then. No memory, no ghost.
He’d watched her walk away before, but this time, things were going to be different. This time, he was fighting for Jill.
She just didn’t realize it yet.

REVIEW:

This was an excellent read. It was fast paced right out of the gate. The beginning chapter sucked me right in and the book kept me engrossed throughout. I couldn't put it down. I read this book in one sitting and that is unusual for me. Jill was an intriguing heroine. Tough but with with issues. Of course you couldn't really blame her. Now Hayden was my kind of hero a total badass but a softy inside for his lady.

I couldn't believe who the bad guy was in this book. I am pretty good at figuring out who it is but in this book I really didn't want it to be who it was. So I tried to find someone else lol I loved the ending I give this one 5 stars and if you've not read this one give it a try. I was given this book via Netgalley in consideration of a review.

Review: Lost Summer by M.T. Stone

Stole Her Innocence And Then She Vanished, So Everyone Blamed Me.Now I’ve Been Given A Chance To Save Her…  Hopefully It’s Not Too Late!

Dylan
We had the time of our lives and I finally stole her innocence.  Then someone stole her.  Now I’m stuck in the hot seat, being grilled under the bright lights.  Sitting here, all I can think about is going out there and finding her.  At this point, however, it’s going to take a miracle just to get out of jail.  Unfortunately, I’m not the type who attracts miracles or even luck for that matter.

Carson
Olivia Bennett is the only woman I’ve ever loved, but I lost her after choosing the Marines over college.  Now her daughter is missing and the blame has been pinned on my only nephew.  With twenty years of military and DEA experience, I know I can hunt down the bastard who took her and bring her back alive.  If I succeed, it will heal some old wounds with my family and give me another shot at winning back the woman of my dreams.

Summer
I return to consciousness face down on a stinky piece of cheap, prickly carpet.  My head is pounding.  I can’t open my eyes.  I try to move my arms, then my legs, but both are tightly bound.   All I hear is the sound of tires humming against the pavement.  I try to scream, but my lips are pressed so tightly together that I can barely muster a moan.  My mind goes blank as I scramble to think of any way to improve my odds.  I have no idea where I am, where I’m headed, who has taken me or why?  My heart races out of control as tears soak the blindfold that relentlessly keeps me in the dark.  I find myself spiraling into utter despair.
**Lost Summer is a full-length (92,000 words) stand alone Romantic Suspense with No Rape Scenes, No Cheating and No Cliffhanger.  If you like a fast-paced book that you can’t put down, you will love this one!

Review:

Not sure where or how I first became aware of this book but the cover certainly got my attention at the beginning and then I read the blurb and I had to read it. Luckily for me at the time it was a free read so I one clicked it. I had other books that I wanted to read but this one had grabbed me so I read it and I wasn't disappointed. This book was an attention grabbing fast paced rocket ride to the finish.

I'll preface my next thought with I don't normally read YA or NA a lot and this one was a NA and it showed. Some of the ways the hero and heroine thought or did things was WTH hell moments for me but as I said that was probably me since I'm considerably older than they are. Actually my kiddos are a little older than them lol. The story and writing were excellent and I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for more stories by this author.

As I said I got this book on my own and I give it 4 stars. So if this one grabs you the way it did me go and one click It's still a bargain at $.99.

Book Tour and Giveaway: Deceiving Bella by Cate Beauman in The Bodyguards of L.A. County series

Book Details:

Book Title:  Deceiving Bella: Book #11 In The Bodyguards of L.A. County Series

Author:  Cate Beauman

​Category:  Adult Fiction, 588 pages

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Publisher:  Createspace

Release date:  October 13, 2016

Tour dates:  May 22 to June 16, 2017

Content Rating:  R (Sex scenes, language, some intense moments)

Book Description:
 

Isabella Colby has always yearned for normalcy. Now that she’s settled in LA, she finally has it. Good friends, a pretty home, and her thriving career as the Palisades’ top skincare specialist are a dream come true. Bella is content until she meets her hunky new neighbor, but her attraction to the blue-eyed cutie is the least of her worries when contacting her long-lost father threatens to destroy her happy life.
 

Reed McKinley is more than ready to forget the past. His seven-year stint as an NYPD detective nearly got him killed. His wounds have healed and he’s starting over as Ethan Cooke Security’s latest recruit. With sixty-hour workweeks and little time to himself, the last thing on his mind is a relationship. Then he bumps into the gorgeous woman next door.
 

Reed and Bella become fast friends. Before long, Reed discovers that Bella is keeping dangerous secrets. Bella may have the answers to decades-old questions he’s been searching for. Reed will risk it all to uncover the truth, but he soon realizes that the deeper he digs, the direr the consequences.
 

“This book captured my attention from the very beginning. The author did an excellent job of developing the characters and helping the reader feel like he was along for the story. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, but I must say Deceiving Bella is one of my favorites!”

- Amazon Customer

 

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Deceiving Bella is the eleventh book is the Bodyguards of L.A. County Series. Check out the first ten books here!

Book One

Morgan’s Hunter, the story of Morgan and Hunter.  (4.2 Stars!)

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Morgan Taylor, D.C. socialite and wildlife biologist, leads a charmed life until everything changes with a phone call. Her research team has been found dead—slaughtered—in backcountry Montana.

As the case grows cold, Morgan is determined to unravel the mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite the dangers of a murderer still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even the bodyguard her father hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter Phillips.
 

Sparks fly from the start when no-nonsense Hunter clashes with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their endless search for answers proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.
 

On the run and at the mercy of a madman, Morgan and Hunter must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.  

"One thing I noticed right away was Hunter is smoking hot. This author captured his attractiveness well. Many romance authors have said their main character was good looking, but this was one of the very few times where I thought, "Wow. He's hot!" And let me tell you blonde-haired blue eyed guys are not my type. The author deserves some serious props here."

- Raven Reviewer
 

​Book Two
 

Falling For Sarah, the story of Sarah and Ethan.  (4.5 Stars / Award Winner!)

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Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart.  After two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee…until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing moonlight kiss.
 

Sarah’s world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband’s memory.  But when blue roses and disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop until he has what he prizes most.
 

"This story, although starting sad with Jake's death, goes zero to sixty from there. A creepy, insane , psycho thrown in with HOT manly men always make for an awesome ride."

- Inside BJ's Head
 

Book Three

Hailey’s Truth, the story of Hailey and Austin.  (4.4 Stars!)

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Hailey Roberts has never had it easy. Despite the scars of a tragic childhood, she’s made a life for herself. As a part-time student and loving nanny, she yearns for a family of her own and reluctant Austin Casey, Ethan Cooke Security’s best close protection agent.
 

Hailey’s past comes back to haunt her when her long lost brother tracks her down, bringing his dangerous secrets with him. At an emotional crossroads, Hailey accepts a humanitarian opportunity that throws her together with Austin, taking her hundreds of miles from her troubles, or so she thinks.

What starts out as a dream come true quickly becomes a nightmare as violence erupts on the island of Cozumel. Young women are disappearing, community members are dying—and the carnage links back to her brother. 
 

As Austin struggles to keep Hailey’s past from destroying her future, he’s forced to make a decision that could turn her against him, or worse cost them both their lives.
 

"WOW. My head is in a whirl from this one. From the high intensity of Suspense, down to the oh-so yummy Romance, by far, Hailey and Austin have the hottest freaking scenes of the three books! ~ It's so good... or I'm so bad because--I hate to admit it--I reread the hotter than Hades scenes! I could read the entire novel again, and that's rare for me." 

- Hammy 

 

Book Four

Forever Alexa, the story of Alexa and Jackson.  (4.4 Stars!)

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First grade teacher and single mother Alexa Harris is no stranger to struggle, but for once, things are looking up. The school year is over and the lazy days of summer are here. Mini-vacations and relaxing twilight barbeques are on the horizon until Alexa’s free-spirited younger sister vanishes.
 

Ransom calls and death threats force Alexa and her young daughter to flee their quiet home in Maryland. With nowhere else to turn, Alexa seeks the help of Jackson Matthews, Ethan Cooke Security’s Risk Assessment Specialist and the man who broke her heart.
 

With few leads to follow and Abby’s case going cold, Alexa must confess a shocking secret if she and Jackson have any hope of saving her sister from a hell neither could have imagined.

"FOREVER ALEXA is a book that is impossible to put down. I loved the first three books in this series, Morgan's Hunter, Falling for Sarah and Hailey's Truth, but FOREVER ALEXA is far and above my favorite in the series. That being said, I not only recommend but encourage readers of romantic suspense to give Ms. Beauman's books a try.....you will not be disappointed!!!"

​- NicoleMD
 

Book Five

Waiting For Wren, the story of Wren and Tucker.  (4.6 Stars!)

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Wren Cooke has everything she’s ever wanted—a thriving career as one of LA’s top interior designers and a home she loves. Business trips, mockups, and her demanding clientele keep her busy, almost too busy to notice Ethan Cooke Security’s gorgeous Close Protection Agent, Tucker Campbell.
 

Jaded by love and relationships in general, Wren wants nothing to do with the hazel-eyed stunner and his heart-stopping grins, but Tucker is always in her way. When Wren suddenly finds herself bombarded by a mysterious man’s unwanted affections, she’s forced to turn to Tucker for help.
 

As Wren’s case turns from disturbing to deadly, Tucker whisks her away to his mountain home in Utah. Haunted by memories and long-ago tragedies, Tucker soon realizes his past and Wren’s present are colliding. With a killer on the loose and time running out, Tucker must discover a madman’s motives before Wren becomes his next victim.

“I loved the book, the chemistry between all the players, always love it when a man knows what he wants and goes about getting it. Of course I did cry some tears and my spine tingled not just the suspense but the intimate times Tucker and Wren spent together and not just between the sheets.” 

- Seawitch Reviews

Book Six

Justice For Abby, the story of Abigail and Jerrod.  (4.6 Stars / Award Winner!)
 

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Fashion designer Abigail Harris has been rescued, but her nightmare is far from over. Determined to put her harrowing ordeal behind her and move on, she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life while eluding the men who want her dead.
 

The Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring is in ruins after Abby’s interviews with the police.  The organization is eager to exact their revenge before her testimony dismantles the multi-million dollar operation for good.

Abby’s safety rests in the hands of former US Marshal, Jerrod Quinn.  Serious-minded and obsessed with protocol, Ethan Cooke Security’s newest agent finds himself dealing with more than he bargains for when he agrees to take on his beautiful, free-spirited client.
 

As the trial date nears, Abby’s case takes a dangerous turn.  Abby and Jerrod soon discover themselves in a situation neither of them expect while Jerrod fights to stop the ring from silencing Abby once and for all.

“I really thought this would be a routine bodyguard/subject book, boy was I wrong. Cate Beauman's characters popped! By the end of this book (which I read in one sitting) I was exhausted but replete… From paragraph to paragraph this story shifts and changes. The betrayals and surprises come at the reader at a furious pace. And while this story revolves around a very dark occurrence, there are enough moments that will make you smile, chuckle, snort and go "awwwww."

- Sebella Blue
 

Book Seven

Saving Sophie, the story of Sophie and Stone.  (4.7 Stars / Award Winner!)

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Jewelry designer Sophie Burke has fled Maine for the anonymity of the big city. She’s starting over with a job she tolerates and a grungy motel room she calls home on the wrong side of town, but anything is better than the nightmare she left behind.

Stone McCabe is Ethan Cooke Security’s brooding bad boy more interested in keeping to himself than anything else—until the gorgeous blond with haunted violet eyes catches his attention late one rainy night.
 

Stone reluctantly gives Sophie a hand only to quickly realize that the shy beauty with the soft voice and pretty smile has something to hide. Tangled up in her secrets, Stone offers Sophie a solution that has the potential to free her from her problems once and for all—or jeopardize both of their lives.

“Saving Sophie is truly a beautiful story... Cate has woven a meaningful story about a courageous woman who overcomes domestic violence to build a life for herself…The author beautifully shows the readers the struggles and fears that Sophie goes through to break free. There is pain in sorrow and beauty in the tears. The heroine is broken and whole. She survives to show us that if you have the courage and the will you can overcome all odds... Saving Sophie is about abuse, courage, romance, honor and so much more.”

- Rebecca
 

Book Eight

 

Reagan’s Redemption, the story of Reagan and Shane.  (4.5 Stars / Award Winner!)

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Doctor Reagan Rosner loves her fast-paced life of practicing medicine in New York City's busiest trauma center. Kind and confident, she's taking her profession by storm--until a young girl's accidental death leaves her shaken to her core. With her life a mess and her future uncertain, Reagan accepts a position as Head Physician for The Appalachia Project, an outreach program working with some of America's poorest citizens.

Shane Harper, Ethan Cooke Security's newest team member, has been assigned a three-month stint deep in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, and he's not too happy about it. Guarding a pill safe in the middle of nowhere is boring as hell, but when he gets a look at his new roommate, the gorgeous Doctor Rosner, things start looking up.
 

Shane and Reagan encounter more than a few mishaps as they struggle to gain the trust of a reluctant community. They're just starting to make headway when a man's routine checkup exposes troubling secrets the town will do anything to keep hidden--even if that means murder.

“Cate Beauman's eagerly anticipated book Reagan's Redemption the 8th book in her Bodyguards of La series did not disappoint! I have not found a book in a long time that I just could not put down. I literally stayed up until 2am reading. This book had it all, suspense, great hero, heroine, mystery, and romance. I believe Cate definitely knocked this one out of the part.”

​- Jeannie K​
 

Book Nine

Answers For Julie, the story of Julie and Chase.  (4.6 Stars! / Award Winner)

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Julie Keller relishes the simple things: hot chocolate on winter nights, good friends she calls her family, and her laid-back career as a massage therapist and yoga instructor. Julie is content with her life until Chase Rider returns to Bakersfield.


Bodyguard Chase Rider isn’t thrilled to be back in the town where he spent his childhood summers. His beloved grandmother passed away, leaving him a house in need of major repairs. With a three-week timetable and a lot to do, he doesn’t have time for distractions. Then he bumps into Julie, the one woman he hoped never to see again. Chase tries to pretend Julie doesn’t exist, but ten years hasn’t diminished his attraction to the hazel-eyed stunner.

When a stranger grabs Julie’s arm at the grocery store—a woman who insists Julie’s life isn’t what it seems, Chase can’t help but get involved. Julie and Chase dig into a twenty-five-year-old mystery, unearthing more questions than answers. But the past is closer than they realize, and the consequences of the truth have the potential to be deadly.
 

“This series just gets better and better! I loved Answers for Julie - as with the whole series, it's a careful balance between suspense and romance, the characters are really well developed, and the plot moved at just the right pace with a fair number of surprises thrown in!”

- LCF
 

Book Ten

Finding Lyla, the story of Lyla and Collin. (4.7 Stars!)
 

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Principal Dancer Lyla Markovik-Avery is always on the go. Grueling practices and endless performances rule her busy days--and things are about to get more hectic. Russia is rolling out the red carpet for their beloved star, despite the string of violent terrorist attacks that have rocked the nation.

Bodyguard Collin Michaels' life is falling apart. His long-time relationship recently ended. He's trying to start over, but that's easier said than done. Luckily, Collin has a new assignment on the horizon: keeping a beautiful ballerina safe for the next three weeks.
 

Collin finds comfort in Lyla's easy friendship, but that all changes after a night out on the town. Simple feelings become complicated--something Collin can't afford, especially when tragedy strikes and Collin realizes Lyla's caught in the middle of a dangerous plot for revenge.

Collin and Lyla are forced to flee. They need to reach the border before it's too late, but the odds are stacked against them in a country that wants them dead. With time running out, Collin formulates a risky plan that might be their only chance of making it out alive.

“In reading the synopsis, I wasn't sure how I would like this although I love all of Cate's books. Boy, was this a surprise for me. This book is wonderfully written with so many twists and turns, it was hard to put down. Such a beautiful love story with action, suspense, drama, and a bit of sadness too. I loved Lyla and felt sad because of how she felt she had to live her life. I also loved Collin and how he recognized the journey that Lyla needed to take. Of course, being a man, he is on his own journey of self realization as well. Wonderful story that I KNOW I will be reading again.”

- Ree Ree

Meet the Author:

International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.
 

Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on her twelfth full length novel.​

Connect with Cate: 

​Website ~  Twitter  ~ Facebook  ~  Goodreads  ~  Instagram
 

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