Review: Well done Ms. Duke, you did it again!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 3, 2014
4.5 StarsAuthor Violet Duke takes us back to Cactus Creek, Arizona and I couldn't be happier to be back in this crazy albeit nutty as hell town.  Love, Tussles, and Takedowns pairs two people who have way more in common than most unfortunately some of the things they have in common could very possibly keep them apart.  These are two individuals who have both been touched by violence that haunts them, they had seen tragedy, and they both have trust issues.  However from the minute Liana Lin and Hudson Reyes actually touch, their lives are changed forever.  Emotional and sensual yet sexy and fun, Ms. Duke has added another fantastic book to the Cactus Creek series.So Hudson Reyes...yeah, he is one tough alpha male on the outside with a big old teddy bear heart on the inside.  I fell fast and hard for this man.  There was so much to love about him I can't even list it all but the high points; he's a veteran to has issues but he works every day to get better both mentally and physically, he recognizes Lia's strengths and he admires her for every one of them, he doesn't back down from Lia's brothers or the town as they try to warn him off, and he is patient and honestly sometimes a little too nice because he always wants what is best for her even when he's convinced he's not it.  This man has some real issues but they just make him even more amazing.How can you not admire at kick-ass female heroine who can take down a grown man with some fancy kung-fu moves?  Lia Lin is just this completely amazing woman who overcame not one but two huge personal tragedies that have really only made her stronger.  Of course her brothers will all try and tell you different (and man oh man, I can't wait for them to get their stories) but the fact remains she's pretty well adjusted considering everything and most of all I love how open she is about her life.  Soon after meeting Hudson she just lays it all out there and lets the chips fall.I get some serious goose bumps thinking of all the getting to know you moments between these two.  Hudson flat out refuses to sleep with Lia because he deems himself not good enough but the friendship and trust that builds between them is so special.  For Hudson it's surprising to him to actually need another person almost as much as he needs air and just being around Lia hell even talking to her makes him feel better about everything in his life.  Lia will be the first to admit that Hudson makes her feel like no other man and so she does want more from him that Hudson thinks he has to give.  I loved watching her spin her magic web and keep Hudson off balance; it really was funny and a little bit sneaky.Simply put Love, Tussles, and Takedowns will make you laugh (a lot), make you cry, have you cheering, and make you believe that when two people are meant to be together nothing can stop them.  Well done Ms. Duke, you did it again!Review copy provided for an honest review