As usual, Nicola Claire has given us another steamy, action-packed adventure with the Sweet Seduction crew. Sweet Seduction shield takes us back into a story that began in Sweet Seduction Shadow, and includes my two faves Ben and Abi.
Summary:
Marie Cox has spent five years with a shroud of confidence and ice surrounding her to keep her never ending fear at bay. With one visit from an Auckland CIB detective, her shield crumbles and her heartbreaking past comes back to haunt her in real time. Marie used to be married to her college sweetheart. She had hopes and dreams, a bright future to look forward to, but it slowly seeped away. Her husband became a man she didn't recognize as the one she fell for and his actions on behalf of a New Zealand drug lord were what made it that way. That part of Marie's life ended tragically and filled with danger and fear, but before she found herself clear of that world, she guaranteed herself a little insurance and a way to get payback. Unfortunately, she never followed through after the warning she was given, and now she doesn't have just herself to worry about. She also has a five year old daughter, Daisy, that depends on her to keep her safe, healthy, and happy. Never imagining her past will come back in the way it does, Marie's perfectly put together existence shatters with the entrance of Detective Ryan Pierce. Ryan Pierce is a dedicated and loyal cop. He's spent his career seeking out those in need and helping them to achieve protection and justice after experiencing his own tragedy and the fallout. He started the case on Roan McLaren, getting Abi to work with him, and now he thinks Marie will be able to provide even more evidence with the details of her husbands grisly murder. Ryan and Marie didn't anticipate the whip lash of attraction they feel for each other, though. Ryan has a job to do and justice to seek out without complicated emotions getting in the way. Marie isn't alone in anything she does. Daisy has a stake in what happens and is just as easily harmed if not more so if things go wrong. Getting involved would be inappropriate and seemingly a bad idea with Ryan having such an honorable profession and Marie coming from a past filled with criminal dealings by way of her husband. But both their worlds are turned upside down when Ryan has to protect Marie and Daisy and sift through the massive amount of evidence Marie was able to take with her from McLaren's operation. Protecting a witness means time spent with said witness, and time in this particular case means the already blazing attraction is heightened to unbearable levels. Passion, lust, and the beginnings of love bond them in an intimacy neither one saw coming. For the first time in a long time, both Ryan and Marie see a future bright with family and love. But before their peace and contentment can take hold, danger again unfolds and Daisy's life hangs in the balance. Ryan will do everything in his power to protect the family he's come to love, and Marie will find herself staring straight into her past and the demons that always seem to be on the edge of her vision only with so much more in the balance.
First, I love, love, love that Ben and Abi were back for this story. They are my favorites (mostly because of Ben) and it was great to see what they have achieved together. Now, Marie...I'm sorry to say that I didn't like her much at first. As a mother I could understand why she thought to just rid herself of everything and move on for the sake of Daisy, but I also feel she was being selfish in order to not face what she went through. If I knew turning over something I had would be dangerous but be for the better good and had someone like Ryan, I wouldn't hesitate to do what I could. Luckily, as the story progressed, I found her more appealing. Ryan was definitely the night in shining armor. I liked him for a hero, but I wish we saw more of his alpha behavior outside of the bedroom. I liked him, from the beginning, but wasn't able to connect with him as well as I did with previous heroes in Nicola's books. Still he made for one hell of a fantasy man, and the added storyline and conclusion to the McLaren case made this book unput-downable (???). Haha. I fell in love with Nicola's writing in Sweet Seduction Sacrifice and it only keeps getting better. Now I'm frothing at the mouth to read Kelly's story. We've known her from the beginning and she's been one of my faves throughout. Great job Nicola and keep 'em coming!! <3