Review: Sexy alpha heroes lead Titan in this sizzling series by Cristin Harber
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 9, 2014
Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling, do what your intuition tells you, take a chance . . . I never thought I'd say that about a book series, but having a few friends recommend a new author to me almost I new that this is one I have to read.The author is Cristin Harber and the series is called Titan. For readers who get easily hooked into a series it's like Christmas and birthdays all together to have all five of these stories in one set! You don't have to wait months (or a year) for the next installment.The first book, Winters Heat, quickly set up the Titan Group - retired military alpha heroes who have banded together to form a black ops/bodyguards service for the government or "good" corporations/individuals. The story combines a lot of sex to heat up the sheets (if Harber's protagonists reach the bed) and a lot of action, along with showing the human side of these alpha heroes we all love. Each time I thought the action and story had reached its climax another twist ensued and it was nail biting time again. I have to admit it seemed a slightly rough read to me. I understood Harber's premise, liked her characters, but some of her prose seemed forced and just seemed like an editor could have, should have, taken a little more time with it. That said, I would definitely recommend it as she has a very good story to tell.The second book in the series, Garrison's Creed, picks up with a few of the characters we met in Winters Heat (and if you're wondering, each title features the last name of the main protagonists - Colby Winters, Cash Garrison, etc.). Cash, a sniper par excellence, has his sights trained on a gun runner in the opening chapter, when he recognizes someone with his target. That someone was pretty special to him it is quickly revealed and their relationship - Nicola's and Cash's - is the foundation of this book. There are the predicted twists and turns and steam began to rise from my Kindle as I read some of these scenes. (Believe me, these books are HOT, but don't, I feel, cross into erotica.) I quickly became wrapped up in the story and found it a much smoother read than the first book and really enjoy Harber's sense of character, in particular, Sugar, who we first saw in Winters Heat, plays a more dramatic role here. And at this point, I'm beyond grateful that I don't have to wait for the next installment as my Kindle doesn't have to power down, but just opens up the third book in her series.The third book, Westin's Chase, tells the story of the head of Titan, Jared Westin, and Lilly Chase, also known as Sugar, the proprietor of GUNS. A daring rescue in Afghanistan opens this book and the pace never lags. Corruption, traitors, trust, love - all are on the table here. And of all the books in the series, I think this was my favorite. Lilly ("Sugar") well I just grew to love her. She gives kick-ass new meaning and, well, Jared. Hey, he's the guy. I have to admit that I wasn't sure going in that I was going to like them (last scene Jared was coming from a tryst with two gals, and Lilly was, hmmm, taken believably for a madam in the first book, and not very sympathetic in the second). But here, Harber brings them to the forefront and they just are perfect together. Her writing is now seamless and this book was impossible to put down. At the end, I have to admit a few tears for families that were seemingly torn apart by betrayal, but I promise, no spoilers. You have to read this!The two novellas - Gambled and Chased - are fast reads. Find out what happens after betrayal in Gambled and Lilly's (Sugar's) actress sister Jenny is the focus of Chased.I'm so glad Harber added Gambled to the series as I really, really wanted to know what happened to Brock Gamble and his family at the end of Westin's Chase. No, his road back isn't easy, but alpha heroes do have to work for it, don't they. And with some help from the female alphas of Titan, it seems that Brock & Sarah's story might have a happy ending. But like any hero (and heroine), they'll have to be tested. And they are. I really enjoyed it and Harber has a real gift for making you "feel" for her characters. A quick read that drives the series forward while adding depth and humanity to the Titans.I really enjoyed Chased, the fifth installment to Cristin Harber's Titan series and the characters of Jenny Chase (Sugar's sister) and Archer, a rising politician. The story was interesting and, of course, the Titan group was drawn in as bodyguards for Jared Westin's sister-in-law, but the focus was really the romance between Jenny and Archer.Reading all five books in the series together, I found this one to be like finding a huge Hershey's kiss when you're jonesing for chocolate. It just hit the spot. And Harber has a deft touch with romance.I look forward to seeing what is up next for Titan and, as a reader, can only applaud Cristin Harber, but fair warning you might experience addiction to Titan and its alpha heroes!