Laura
Undaunted by Liz Durano {a review}
Laura
CONCEAL by Danielle Pays is a full-length standalone romantic suspense novel with no cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after. This book features these familiar faces: Jackson, Catherine, Ben Pryce (Hulk), Gretchen, and Mark. If you are looking for a second chance romance, then be sure to consider Conceal!
In this book, we have Cody. His current employer is sending him to a college campus where he will offer protective services to an employee. This employee has been apparently receiving threats after an unpopular budget cut occurred. Cody is hesitant about this job because 1) it's close to his hometown, and 2) he was supposed to attend this very college with Lucy. Really he doesn't want to risk running into her. So go figure, when he is at an event with his assignment, he spots Lucy in the background. A short while later Cody finds out that Lucy used to be married to the guy that Cody is now protecting. After talking with Joseph (his assignment), Cody immediately knows this guy isn't telling the complete truth. There is more to the story and he's determined to figure out what it is. And now, whatever it is Joseph is doing, is about to affect Lucy. Cody definitely won't let that happen. She may not be happy to see him, but he will protect her no matter what.
Okay, I know, that was a really brief description of the book. Here's the thing though, there are a lot of characters in this book, and then there is the who-dun-it aspect of the story. It's a lot. Then there's the relationship between Lucy and Cody, there's that little tidbit that Lucy's dad dropped, there's the fact that Cody is about to take another mission that will take him out of the US for a month. Plus What exactly is happening at that food pantry that clearly isn't a food pantry! If you're looking for a quick and easy read that is also a page turner, then I recommend reading Conceal by Danielle Pays. Small town romances are some of my favorites, and when you add in the suspense element, it just ramps up my enjoyment every single time. So it's of no surprise that I enjoyed this book so much. Love the setting, enjoyed the characters, and that storyline had me hooked. Let me just say one more thing...if you think you know who is behind everything that's happening, you may be surprised in the end. I was going through each character, trying to figure out their MO, and what their role was in all of this. At the end of the story, I was a bit surprised by who was revealed. That's all I'm saying.
You may be thinking, "Laura, you didn't even mention the relationship between Lucy and Cody". You're right, I didn't. It was the standard second chance romance situation, but with a class difference. Lucy had every right to be upset about what happened all those years ago. But she didn't know the full story. She didn't know what Cody had to deal with, and what he had lost. The decision he made to leave wasn't an easy one. That decision was made out of necessity. Never in a million years did he want to hurt her. It's just his financial situation was at the complete opposite end of hers. So things she was able to do, and afford, such as college, wasn't something within his financial means. The military offered that to him. So when Cody explained this to her, all these years later, it was as though she still struggled to comprehend what it was he was saying. She couldn't understand that he might have been embarrassed about everything. Plus, as we learn in the book, there is even more to Cody's story than what he initially knew. There were forces working against him. So no, I didn't mention their story, as their love story didn't really stick out to me. What stuck out to me was the suspense, and the mystery. That drove the story. It was the main feature, and the relationship was just a bonus.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about Conceal. If you're a fan of romantic suspense I hope you'll consider giving this book a read.
Laura
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Start the series with SAVAGE!
Continue on with the series in SACRIFICE!
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Meet
Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
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SACRED, the third book in the Savage Falls Sinners MC series, from Caitlyn Dare is coming September 2nd!!
SACRED is a full length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance. This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. It is book three in the series and must be read after SAVAGE and SACRIFICE.
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster |
Blurb:
Sacred is the third book in our Savage Falls Sinners MC series.
Are you ready for more Rhett, Dane, and Wes?
Genre: Dark Romance
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Bully
High school
MC
Reverse Harem
Preorder SACRED HERE!!!
Add to your TBR on Goodreads!
Start the series with SAVAGE!
Continue on with the series in SACRIFICE!
Read for FREE with your KU subscription!
Meet
Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
Author Links
Meet
Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
Author Links
The next installment in the 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 from the bestselling author of the 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘱 series…
Are you ready to return to Savage Falls?
Sacrifice is the second book in the Savage Falls Sinners MC series by Caitlyn Dare. This next installment will be released on August 5th, so be prepared to pick up right where we left off in Savage!
The genre for the series is dark romance.
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster Model: Anthony |
Two dirty-talking tattooed bikers, a pretty boy football player with secrets, and the MC princess who will bring them to their knees...
SACRIFICE is the second book in the Savage Falls Sinners MC series. It’s a full-length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance. This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest.
Add Sacrifice to your Goodreads TBR!
Preorder SACRIFICE!
Start The Series with SAVAGE
Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Meet
Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
Author Links
Do you remember the movie The Bodyguard? It’s from the early 90’s where Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner were the main characters. Why do I bring this up? Well, Xavier Neal’s new book, Bulletproof is similar.
What I mean by that is that Bulletproof has the bodyguard (Bronx) falling for the woman he has been hired to protect (Blake). No Blake isn’t a singer, but she is an amazing woman who creates products that certain groups appreciate. She is intelligent, creative, a bit nerdy, and about to be kidnapped. Her brother works for the same organization she does, and Brandon (aka Number Four) is doing everything in his power to keep his sister safe. Which is where Bronx Bradford comes into play. Bronx has the task to be with Blake 24/7, to keep her safe, and bring her to the conference in Vlasta, Wisconsin so that she can give the keynote address. Blake is immediately against this, and is insistent that she does not need protection. Shortly after meeting Bronx though, she is quickly proven wrong, and shown why she needs him with her constantly. After a quick trip to the “cleaners”, these two are headed to Applecourt Michigan to hide out. Their cover story is that they are newly engaged, and celebrating in Applecourt for a while. Bronx is already struggling with the fact that he’s attracted to his client, and now he’s going to be sharing a home with Blake. How is he supposed to not act on those feelings?
First things first folks, if you’ve read Aleatory by Xavier Neal, then you’ll recognize Applecourt and a few of the characters that pop up. That put a smile on my face. I love when authors tie in other books like that. There was also a mention of Camelot, so that had me thinking of the MC club. Back to Bulletproof...The first couple chapters had me a bit confused, but looking back I realize it was setting the stage for what's to come. Once Blake was told of the plan, and Bronx was brought in to meet with Number Four, I was ready for the action to begin. And friends, it didn’t take long. Not long at all. Oh my word. But then came the questions of who is behind this? When will they attack? Will they actually get to Blake and take her? This book y’all. I tell you, it was so good. I was captivated from about chapter 3, and I could not put my kindle down. I had to know how it was going to play out, and witness Bronx and Blake get their HEA. I HAD TO. Sleep could wait. Absolutely loved this book by Xavier Neal. I love how she has these spectacular female main characters. They are smart, strong, creative, passionate, and powerful. They have no problems being themselves, and it’s spectacular.
If you enjoy forced proximity, romantic suspense, or workplace romance, then you need to read Bulletproof by Xavier Neal. Xavier’s stories draw me in each and every time, and I love the characters/settings/stories she creates.
Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura