Fear For Me by Cynthia Eden

Fear for Me: A Novel of the Bayou Butcher
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
356 pages

Warning! Lovers of straight romance, this is not the book for you. That being said, lovers of romantic suspense, pull up a chair and enjoy.

Lauren is a District Attorney in Baton Rouge. She always fights for justice for the victims of violent crimes. Not only is it her job but it’s also her purpose. Her sister disappeared at age 16 and has never been seen again. She misses her sister every day and uses the energy to find closure and peace for other families. She had an affair five years ago with Anthony that ended with him walking away from her. She tried to move on but Anthony owns her heart.

Anthony is a United States Marshall who is very good at his job. He helps track and apprehend serial killers. A recent case almost killed him, making him realize what really matters in life, Lauren. It happens that he gets a case in Baton Rouge that involves Lauren and himself. The Bayou butcher escaped from prison and murdered a woman in Lauren’s home. He has to protect Lauren at all costs.

This is a good, solid read. Romantic suspense but very heavy on the suspense. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse chase in the story. You were kept guessing until the end. Just when you thought you knew who it was, you didn’t. I picture Cynthia Eden sitting back and laughing maniacally at the readers as they try to figure out this plot twisting mystery. She helps you feel the characters’ pain and at one point, I was brought to tears. I really needed a break from the so-so books I’ve been reading and this was just what I needed. I probably would’ve given it five stars I’d there would’ve been more sex. What sex there was, was hot but not near frequent enough for me.

                      

Reflection by Elene Sallinger


Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level- Moderate Kink
Series-Chrysalis Series #2
Genre-BDSM
Reviewed by Kate
240 pages

Reflection is the compelling story of Bridget and Connor. Bridget is a professor and is still dealing with a rape that happened 20 years ago. She hasn’t let herself invest in a relationship since then. Connor is a janitor at the university where Bridget works and is a hobby photographer and artist. But when Connor and Bridget run into each other, Bridget finds herself wanting more in her relationship with Connor than she’s ever dreamed.

I cold not stop turning pages while reading this book. The emotional pain that both Connor and Bridget have to travel through to reach  their happily ever after is gripping while their budding relationship is tender and sweet and hot and steamy. A perfect combination. There’s even a secondary plot that adds a bit of suspense to the story. I would highly recommend this book (as well as the first book in the series, Awakening) to anyone who enjoys an emotional journey on the way to happily ever after and doesn’t mind some mild-moderate BDSM thrown into the mix. Elene Sallinger has me eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

Ivan by Roxie Rivera

Ivan (Her Russian Protector, #1)
Grade-C+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Her Russian Protector #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
99 pages

Erin has been solving her druggie sister’s problems for a while. Now her sister’s missing and Ivan may be the only one who can help her. But Ivan’s rumored to be a part of the Russian mob. Will Erin end up making a deal with the devil?
 
I struggled with this read a lot. I understand that Erin loved her sister more than anything else in the world. I’m just not sure that I can believe she would jump into a sexual relationship so quickly with such a shady character, especially since it wasn’t part of a deal to find her sister. Ivan was one of those heroes who is rumored to have been involved in anything and everything secretive and dirty. And I know that it is a personal preference of mine, but I have trouble falling for a hero who is/was a mob boss and drug dealer.
 
Personal preferences aside, I liked the writing. It was sharp and the plot moved quickly. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by Roxie Rivera, but probably not more of this series.
How about you? Is there such a thing a too bad of a bad boy?