Review: Violent, dark, and frightening at times!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.The Jacobson brothers, Mark and Gregg, had an emotionally absent father growing up, so Gregg being 10 years older took on the role after Mark's birth. They own a bookstore ....that's it I'm in love, it's official I'm hooked!Gregg is married and their first child is on the way, whereas Mark is a bachelor and a little more guarded when it comes to matters of the heart, that is until Rachel moves into the neighborhood and visits the bookstore almost daily!There's a spark between them initially which intensifies each time Rachel is in the bookstore....can't wait to see how this pans out and Rachel has secrets ...Rachel and her friend/roomate volunteer at a shelter for battered women, and I think a lot of its got to do with their past.  Poor Rachel is haunted by nightmares that wake her up screaming :OHer past is lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce!  I wish she'd tell Mark, he already senses she's hiding something and he'll protect her, she just needs to trust ♥Things are starting to heat up!  Mark and Rachel reached a milestone in their relationship and truths are starting to surface. Trouble is on its way to Kansas .... Rachel's dark past ....Slowly little pieces of the puzzle are falling into place.  I think its time Rachel starts talking, people are starting to make assumptions which can have some dire effects.  I appreciate that James is looking out for Mark but honestly its between him and Rachel, and he shouldn't go into a situation with preconceived ideas.  Anyhow, Rachel is going to tell Mark about her past, and he seems prepared to stick with her and love her through her nightmares and healing process.  As fate would have it "they" get to him first to get to Rachel :(I nearly fell off my chair, these guys are BAD ASS!  I'm not sure if we're allowed to cuss, but Donovan is one sick #$@*!!!!  A psychopath with gentleman tendencies, my skin crawls at the thought of what he has in store for Mark and Rachel!Poor Mark wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, bruised and battered and recovering from a drug hangover!  So he's imprisoned by people that are beyond frightening, with no idea who, what, where, or why.  He's just seen somebody being killed in cold blood and where's Rachel?!  The suspense has me walking on a tight rope ...eeeeek!  Fortunately, one of these douche bags have a conscience and is on Mark's side and is devising a plan to save their lives!Mini cliff hanger as Paul is about to reveal all to Mark we hit rewind to 16 years earlier and I'm like???? Oh well no place to start like the beginning ....16 years ago .......My heart breaks for Rachel the little girl, sitting at school, crying and orphaned :'( all I want to do is pick her up and cuddle her and tell her it will be alright.  After the funeral she moves to California with her uncle Paul.  I fell in love with the estate as soon as I was introduced to the library (what a surprise that these philistines have some culture) just listen to this " .... bookshelves built into the walls. ...several leather reading chairs....wooden ladders set on rails .....slim spiral staircase reached for the second floor" I think I've died and gone to heaven lol.  I still despise Donovan, but I love his library♥its only now that I realize Donovan is older than Rachel.  I thought they were the same age.  Warning bells are going off when she's not allowed to return to mainstream school, she doesn't even leave the estate, she's being isolated!As she grows older her real education starts, a frightening one at that!  She goes on a very important job for Donovan, but it feels like she's walking into the lions den!So the cycle of abuse starts. ... a back hand, justification, remorse, and guilt .  Donovan is extremely possessive and to him, Rachel is a trophy, he owns her.  This girl has officially started the dance with death.The last few chapters are suspense filled and nail biting!All in all a good read. Violent, dark, and frightening at times!★★★★4-BombsReviewed by Heidi