Musings and Ramblings

Series: Hot Desert Heroes, #1
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Published: June 7, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 245 pages

I have been on a real Romantic Suspense kick lately, and let's be honest, there have been some outstanding examples available. I found this little gem, and just couldn't resist adding it to my reading list.

The book started a bit slow, with 10 pages of back history on our heroine, Laney before the first line of dialogue is spoken. But what I line it was.  Our hero Beck, has been watching her hide from him and duck his subtle advances for over a year. Now he's done waiting around and decided to go for the gold.

“I’m not givin’ you a chance to run, Laney. No more playin’ around. Today’s the day you and I start to get acquainted.”

Laney is a very shy and slightly socially awkward character.  She didn't have a great childhood, with a mother who constantly belittled her and compared her to her sister. Luckily, her sister had her own issues with their mother and the sisters managed a very tight bond.  However, that lack of self-esteem led her to end up in an abusive marriage, that she did manage to find the courage to escape from. Where this leaves us is with a character who is has a hard time believing that the hot guy she has had a crush on, is crushing on her right back.

Beck and his crew are former special ops Marines. They joined together, each bringing a unique specialty to the table and formed Red Eagle, a security firm. Beck is very much a guy. I know what you are thinking, of course he is. But I mean, like a real guy. Knowledgeable about the physical, but not so knowledgeable about the emotional. Some of his comments came off just a bit chauvinistic, but totally believable for the character and his background.  Honestly, I don't really mind a guy being a guy, as long as he's not a complete misogynist asshat. Or as Laney's friend says to her:

“He’s still just a man,” Colbie said with wisdom beyond her years. “Give him a problem to solve and he’s all over it. Give him a woman and, other than sex, he doesn’t quite know what to do with her.”

There were a couple of times that I thought their relationship seemed a bit rushed, but I had to keep reminding myself that they have this year of history as acquaintances. Due to circumstances the relationship progressed pretty quickly, and even Laney had concerns about how quickly they were moving in together, though Beck had no issues at all.

I did like the dialogue between Beck, Laney and their friends and co-workers. Plus the suspense and action bits were well plotted and paced. I can totally see myself heading back to into this world for the next book. This was an enjoyable read and I gave it 3 stars.

Netgalley and Samhain Publishing provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Their passion burns white hot. But danger is heartless and cold.

Hot Desert Heroes, Book 1

Delaney Murphy has had a stomach-fluttering, mouth-watering crush on Beck since the first time she saw him over the rim of her regular morning latte. But she’s never been long on self-confidence, especially around exceptionally handsome men.

After a year of avoiding him, she’s shocked when he slides into the next chair and wears down her resistance to a first date.

When Laney is laid off from her job, Marines special ops veteran Beck “Gravedigger” Townsend wastes no time hiring the quiet, auburn-haired beauty into Red Eagle Group, his security firm. Keeping her within touching distance—and under his protection.

Laney’s smile and sharp intelligence light up Beck’s life and heat up his bed, yet he hesitates to give her what she really wants: full access to the darkest corners of his wounded spirit. But when danger is delivered right to Red Eagle’s door, the only way to save her—and their love—will be to bleed. Body and soul…

Warning: Adult language and graphic sex scenes between a man locked behind his secrets, and a woman ready to break free of her past. If you think the desert is hot, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.