Review: Very good addition to the series :D
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 7, 2014
**This was an ARC copy given by the author for a honest review**4 starsThis was a very good story. I liked Marissa and Viktor together and am happy that Viktor decided not to let his woman get away from him (again).Marissa is a CIA agent that works in black ops. She's the daughter of a shipping tycoon that tried to control her life so she grew up having to be strong. She's never let anyone run her life and is very protective of her autonomy. Marissa had been involved with Viktor 8 years before but things happened on a mission that tore them apart. Since then, she's immersed herself in her job and doesn't date much.Viktor is the leader of a private security/secret operations firm named AGS (Artemis Guardian Services, aka the Guardians). Viktor had a troubling childhood and still has some guilt and issues left over from that. He entered the military and that helped him get his life on track. Viktor's company, AGS, now works closely with many government agents on cases and Viktor is known as a very cold, emotionless and dangerous man. He's never been able to get over his time with Marissa (although he doesn't like to show it) and when a case (from the previous book, Silver Fire) brings Marissa back in to his life he decides he wont let her walk out of it again.The story starts out with a bang! There is plenty of interactions with the characters from previous books and this is shown in the beginning as the first scenes are concerning an attack that caused issues for both Maia and Jack. Things get worked out but it starts a case that brings Marissa and Viktor in close contact again. They've had some interaction over the last few months and Marissa isn't pleased that Viktor seems to be flirting with her. After their relationship 8 years ago Marissa isn't prepared to get involved with Viktor again. She's even more reluctant to even consider it when he tries to order her in to the relationship (basically telling her "it's happening...deal with it") instead of asking or coaxing her into it. Viktor does manage to push his way in to her life as some bad guys seems to have a vendetta on AGS and the CIA for some old Ops. Marissa becomes a possible target and Viktor convinces her to (aka pushes her in to) staying with him for safety reasons while they search down for clues on the whereabouts of the bad guys. Although Marissa is a pretty strong woman in general, she's not so strong when it comes to Viktor and he uses his sexual mojo to get past some of her objections. While they have a lot of heat in the bedroom, they have a lot of heat outside of it too as they fight over relationship control issues. Marissa doesn't mind giving up control in the bedroom but fights him when Viktor tries to push in the way of her job and such. This causes much strife between them as they try to work their way through the through the obstacles in their way.As the case progresses there are a number of times when Marissa is in danger and Viktor has to confront the changes in him as he discovers he has feelings for Marissa. He tries not to show it but Marissa isn't willing to just let him make her a convenient sex buddy that has no emotional ties. There are a few times when Viktor messes up and says stuff that hurts Marissa but he is smart and figures out his mistakes. Viktor is rough and kind of messed up but he does show the capability of being sweet and a good partner if he can just keep a leash on his controlling nature when it comes to Marissa outside of the bedroom. He does make an effort though and I was pleasantly surprised with how Viktor made himself share intimacies with her he normally wouldn't allow (knowing that she needed that from him and trying to give her what she needs). They have to deal with issues from all sides, even her brother and dad decide to cause issues in their relationship (I liked the way she reacted to her families interference). I liked Marissa through the majority of the story, she came across as smart...someone who knows herself pretty well. She stuck up for herself, even to Viktor, and wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. There was one point that Marissa had a serious bout of relationship stupidity though and just about threw away her relationship with Viktor over pure stupidity. Fortunately Viktor is willing to fight anyone needed to keep Marissa in his life, even Marissa. I'm happy things worked out in the end and liked Marissa and Viktor's HEA.This was a very enjoyable read. I liked both Marissa and Viktor and was happy they worked things out. The story had a good balance between the relationship story line and the action/suspense story line. It did pretty good at keeping me engaged and interested throughout the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up. :)* note - While I did get this as an ARC I liked it enough that I went ahead and bought it from Amazon since it's on special for $.99 right now. :D