Review: An Absolute Masterpiece!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 12, 2014
If you have read any books in the Dartmouth Cobra series by Bianca Sommerland, then you know her stories are so much more than just your typical romance novel. She writes epic tales of love and romance; pain and healing; anger and forgiveness. I always buy her books on the day they are released.When Iron Cross, the sixth book in the series was available, I grabbed it immediately. But I must confess I held on to it awhile before reading. Why the hesitation? There were actually two main reasons. The first is that I wasn’t sure if I would be interested in Chicklet, Laura and Tyler’s story. This trio had never really grabbed my attention in the previous books and I just wasn’t sure they could carry their own book. Second, I am not typically interested in stories featuring Dommes and male subs. It’s a dynamic that I just don’t understand and I much prefer my men to be alpha.I began reading with a bit of trepidation but it soon became apparent that Iron Cross would be just as engrossing as any of the other books in the series. Ms. Sommerland hooked me almost from the first page and didn’t let up until the satisfying conclusion.Iron Cross focused on Tyler and his different relationships with lovers and friends. His relationship with Chicklet and Laura was difficult for me to understand before reading Iron Cross. But the book helped show me what each one was getting and giving to this fascinating trio. Then add in the alpha sexiness of Raif, and wow! I loved how Ms. Sommerland was able to fully show the love and passion between each of the members of this unique group whether it was Chicklet with Tyler or Laura, Raif with Tyler or Laura, Tyler and Laura together and even Chicklet with Raif.Ms. Sommerland wrote these characters with so much authenticity and heart that they came alive for me on every page. It was so easy to forget that I was reading about fictional characters. Each one was human as they made mistakes, cried tears of joy and sadness, caused pain or dealt with the consequences of their actions. Even the scenes between friends showed the love these Cobras have for each other that makes them into a family unit.Speaking of family, we were also able to spend time with characters from previous books that we have come to know and love. Their stories continued as their relationships grew and changed. I fell further in love with some characters and grew to love others that I didn’t expect to. That’s what makes this series so amazing. Ms. Sommerland pulled out emotions from me that I wasn’t expecting and I was surprised to find a few tears falling as I was reading.It’s her ability to make me feel so much emotion that keeps me coming back to Ms. Sommerland’s books. Just like in real life, there is drama mixed with humor and happiness mixed with pain. The sex scenes, no matter who was paring up, were so erotic and hot, yet filled with love and caring. The relationships that the adults have with the children were endearing and so sweet that I couldn’t stop smiling. I absolutely loved the bromances between the team players.You cannot nor should you read Iron Cross as a standalone novel. The Dartmouth Cobras books are a true series and each book expands on the previous one. In order to understand the different relationship dynamics in Iron Cross, you will need to have read the others in the series, in order.  But since this is one of the best series you will ever have the pleasure of reading, it won’t be a hardship to read them all. Each one has been a five star read for me. And while it’s hard to believe, Ms. Sommerland’s writing just gets better and better with each book. So make sure that Iron Cross is on your to be read list. You won’t regret it.