Review: 4.5 stars! Jarod is a new Hamden Hottie!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 28, 2014
(Quote) Her defense mechanism might just be his self-destruct button.We met CeCe in Three of Spades as she is Dylan's long time friend and pseudo-sister. He introduced CeCe and Jarod when they were younger, and those two shared some significant moments that completely shaped the way their lives would play out.Thirteen years later CeCe's business is broken into and she is getting gifts from an unknown source. Dylan and the police cannot find the perpetrator. So Dylan brings in their old friend, Jarod who is now a Private Investigator/Security Specialist. Dylan has no idea what happened to them back then or the storm he has just unleashed. CeCe is far from thrilled to be in Jarod's presence again. Jarod has regrets and demons that haunt him. But he sees this as a second chance with CeCe and he is going to pursue her despite her resistance.(Quote)  She was a double edge sword; she was his talisman, but also his trigger.  She was certainly going to make this job harder than anything before. The question was, would he be willing to face the demons he has avoided for years and if he did, would he live with the fall out?Jarod and CeCe...Oh My! He pushes. She pushes back. He pursues. She runs. He falls back. She pursues. They spark and combust. They're afraid to open up and show vulnerability since their past is too painful and feelings are so raw. She has huge walls up due to his past actions. He has regrets. They are both unaware of the depth of feeling of the other. She was totally broken so she closed down. He had his reasons for leaving. But their communication and tolerance is impaired making it difficult for them to be on the same page at the same time.I loved Jarod. He is damaged and guilt ridden, but strong and commanding. He has a good sense of humor, is sexy as Hell, but has an underlying vulnerability and insecurities too. Once you get past his cockiness and flirtation, you can see he was broken and truly needed a connection."I may have climbed my way out of hell, but for you, I'm willing to go back at a moment's notice."CeCe is tough, feisty, guarded, and closed off. She is determined to be in control and not break. She does not want to be hurt again so she resists, denies, and runs. And in protecting herself she just keeps hurting them all. I seriously wanted to shake her at times and make her really see Jarod.(Quote)  She couldn't allow him to weave his way back into her life, in any form. If she gave him an inch, he would take a mile, and she just couldn't go back to that vulnerable girl again. She hadn't allowed anyone to alter her course, so why should the one man that made her choose it, be the one to implode it?In the midst of their sexual tension and emotional drama, CeCe is still being stalked. It escalates and that irritates their already frayed nerves. The tension builds not only between them, but with the case.  A swirling mess of love, lust, jealousy, guilt, denial, longing, miscommunication, and pain affects them both and causes more confusion and challenges. There are twists, turns, and surprises. This couple has chemistry, passion, and past demons.  But before they can move forward, they not only have to face the past, but also deal with the present threat and personal insecurities. There were times when my heart just hurt for each of them. But I was rooting for them all along.Can Jarod keep her safe? And if he does will she ever allow herself to truly be his?I loved getting more with Dylan, Natalie, Seth and Mae. Seeing the overprotective friend/adopted big-brother side of Dylan just melted my heart. And seeing Natalie come into her own and be able to manage her husband, Dylan made me smile. I love the Hamden community and network of friendships. They push each other and support each other. They always make me laugh. This was another sexy, engaging story in this series with added suspense and intrigue. And Jarod is another Hamden Hottie for sure.Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review