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Lazarus Rising #2
Keep Me Close
Flynn Haddox is a dead man. Literally.
As a highly trained Navy SEAL, Flynn once worked covert missions for the U.S. government, but then his life was stolen away. Killed and placed in the secretive “Lazarus” program, Flynn was brought back from the dead and turned into a super-soldier. Now he has increased strength, enhanced senses, and a few psychic bonuses that he fights hard to keep hidden from the rest of the world. He also has no memory of his past…and a new, twisting darkness seems to be growing inside of Flynn.
Cecelia Gregory escaped death once. Can she do it again?
Dr. Cecelia Gregory was supposed to help the Lazarus test subjects. They didn’t have control of their emotions after the experiment, and her job as a psychiatrist was to break through the walls that the men had created. Too late, Cecelia realized that the Lazarus subjects were far more dangerous than she could ever imagine. The men came back from the dead, but some of them came back…wrong. Now one of the subjects has a dark obsession with Cecelia. The man known as Subject Five is hunting her. And he wants her dead.
One man wants to kill her, but another just…wants her.
Flynn feels a connection to Cecelia that he can’t deny. Not some sweet, innocent attraction—a consuming lust that makes him crave her all the time. Flynn knows that his feelings aren’t normal, but protecting her is his mission now. The man hunting Cecelia is just like Flynn—all the same enhancements, all the same strengths. And no weaknesses.
One big difference, though—Flynn doesn’t plan to lose Cecelia. And he’ll fight his own darkness to prove his worth to her.
As a highly trained Navy SEAL, Flynn once worked covert missions for the U.S. government, but then his life was stolen away. Killed and placed in the secretive “Lazarus” program, Flynn was brought back from the dead and turned into a super-soldier. Now he has increased strength, enhanced senses, and a few psychic bonuses that he fights hard to keep hidden from the rest of the world. He also has no memory of his past…and a new, twisting darkness seems to be growing inside of Flynn.
Cecelia Gregory escaped death once. Can she do it again?
Dr. Cecelia Gregory was supposed to help the Lazarus test subjects. They didn’t have control of their emotions after the experiment, and her job as a psychiatrist was to break through the walls that the men had created. Too late, Cecelia realized that the Lazarus subjects were far more dangerous than she could ever imagine. The men came back from the dead, but some of them came back…wrong. Now one of the subjects has a dark obsession with Cecelia. The man known as Subject Five is hunting her. And he wants her dead.
One man wants to kill her, but another just…wants her.
Flynn feels a connection to Cecelia that he can’t deny. Not some sweet, innocent attraction—a consuming lust that makes him crave her all the time. Flynn knows that his feelings aren’t normal, but protecting her is his mission now. The man hunting Cecelia is just like Flynn—all the same enhancements, all the same strengths. And no weaknesses.
One big difference, though—Flynn doesn’t plan to lose Cecelia. And he’ll fight his own darkness to prove his worth to her.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2017
276 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Eden
309 books6,813 followersAward-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
September 16, 2019
Navy SEAL, Flynn Haddox and Dr. Cecelia Gregory
Flynn and Cecelia are well known characters from the first novel of the series.
Flynn is another super-human, super-soldier who was brought up in life when he was wrongly and disturbingly assassinated during a mission. Although he doesn't remember much! he is Sawyer's best friend.
Cecelia was the shrink of the faculty where the experiments took place and she knew nothing about the Lazarus project in the beginning.
Apparently Flynn has been obsessed with Cecelia from the first time he met her, but at the same time another very dangerous super-soldier ( was obsessed with her.
I think I enjoyed this story more that the first one.
Mostly I loved Cecelia! Truly badass.
And with two ex lovers and a new lover to juggle.
And with an obsessed serial killer after her.
It's truly refreshing discovering heroines in paranormal romance who are not TSTL.
Also Flynn's ineffective efforts to protect Cecelia while she was fine protecting herself were fascinating in a cute kind of way. I was laughing al lot with his macho attempts.
“I decided to wait, as long as it took, for you. If you didn’t want to be my lover, then I was just going to be your friend, your protector. But, sweetheart, you’re the one who protected me today.
Flynn and Cecelia are well known characters from the first novel of the series.
Flynn is another super-human, super-soldier who was brought up in life when he was wrongly and disturbingly assassinated during a mission. Although he doesn't remember much! he is Sawyer's best friend.
Cecelia was the shrink of the faculty where the experiments took place and she knew nothing about the Lazarus project in the beginning.
Apparently Flynn has been obsessed with Cecelia from the first time he met her, but at the same time another very dangerous super-soldier ( was obsessed with her.
I think I enjoyed this story more that the first one.
Mostly I loved Cecelia! Truly badass.
And with two ex lovers and a new lover to juggle.
And with an obsessed serial killer after her.
It's truly refreshing discovering heroines in paranormal romance who are not TSTL.
Also Flynn's ineffective efforts to protect Cecelia while she was fine protecting herself were fascinating in a cute kind of way. I was laughing al lot with his macho attempts.
“I decided to wait, as long as it took, for you. If you didn’t want to be my lover, then I was just going to be your friend, your protector. But, sweetheart, you’re the one who protected me today.
December 13, 2018
Strong, self-confident, intelligent heroine.
Write such a character and I would enjoy reading assembly instructions *lol*.
But write such a female character plus highly interesting and adventurous book and I will love it! 😎😊
Hell yeah to a strong woman with brain!
He was immortal, but she was a badass 😜.
I usually don't read paranormal, but this one was perfectly mixed - not OTT. Liked it a lot.
The hero was a great guy. Caveman is not my favorite character development, but this one was on the level I still enjoyed it.
Floved how he worshipped her.
Hmm, if he worshipped me this way, I wouldf*ck him let him worship me more intimate at least 3 chapters earlier #Alexshamelesswoman
Looking forward to the 3rd book.
P.S. The only thing I didn't quite get: was she in bdsm relationship with her ex Benjamin?
Write such a character and I would enjoy reading assembly instructions *lol*.
But write such a female character plus highly interesting and adventurous book and I will love it! 😎😊
Hell yeah to a strong woman with brain!
He was immortal, but she was a badass 😜.
I usually don't read paranormal, but this one was perfectly mixed - not OTT. Liked it a lot.
The hero was a great guy. Caveman is not my favorite character development, but this one was on the level I still enjoyed it.
Floved how he worshipped her.
Hmm, if he worshipped me this way, I would
Looking forward to the 3rd book.
P.S. The only thing I didn't quite get: was she in bdsm relationship with her ex Benjamin?
October 26, 2017
4.5 - "We all have secrets..." Stars!
The second book in Cynthia Eden’s Lazarus Rising series; Keep Me Close gives us Flynn and Cecelia’s story.
Both played large parts as secondary characters in the first book, so you know that their coming together is pretty much a foregone conclusion, especially as Flynn goes all growly alpha on pretty much everyone who tries to get near the secretive Doctor.
"I’m supposed to bare my soul for you, but you’re gonna keep holding back from me..?"
No one writes Romantic Suspense with a twist, quite like Cynthia, and this series is giving me all the good feels the same way most of her previous ones have. You absolutely need to have read the first book, because Sawyer and Elizabeth are very much a part of this instalment, and we also start to learn a lot more about Jay and just how deeply he was involved with the original experiments.
"I’ll be with you… I’ll take care of you."
Some questions are answered, but many more are raised, with the introduction of several new secondary characters that I think will likely play more pivotal roles in the forthcoming books the author releases. Action, adventure, suspense, thrills & spills, all told around a sexy-hot love story, what more could you ask for!
"We thought we were safe, but we were all wrong."
I very much think the first two books have now set the scene, I am interested to now see how everything plays out going forwards, with a seasonal novella up next; Stay With Me, is due for release in December, and I cannot wait to read it.
The story wasn’t fully over…
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.
The second book in Cynthia Eden’s Lazarus Rising series; Keep Me Close gives us Flynn and Cecelia’s story.
Both played large parts as secondary characters in the first book, so you know that their coming together is pretty much a foregone conclusion, especially as Flynn goes all growly alpha on pretty much everyone who tries to get near the secretive Doctor.
"I’m supposed to bare my soul for you, but you’re gonna keep holding back from me..?"
No one writes Romantic Suspense with a twist, quite like Cynthia, and this series is giving me all the good feels the same way most of her previous ones have. You absolutely need to have read the first book, because Sawyer and Elizabeth are very much a part of this instalment, and we also start to learn a lot more about Jay and just how deeply he was involved with the original experiments.
"I’ll be with you… I’ll take care of you."
Some questions are answered, but many more are raised, with the introduction of several new secondary characters that I think will likely play more pivotal roles in the forthcoming books the author releases. Action, adventure, suspense, thrills & spills, all told around a sexy-hot love story, what more could you ask for!
"We thought we were safe, but we were all wrong."
I very much think the first two books have now set the scene, I am interested to now see how everything plays out going forwards, with a seasonal novella up next; Stay With Me, is due for release in December, and I cannot wait to read it.
The story wasn’t fully over…
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.
October 25, 2017
I Loved it.
Celibate hero and celibate heroine.
A heroine who had plenty of ex lovers. That's right. That's why I love this author she doesn't write heroines who are weak or get wet for the heroes. We get strong women in this author's books.
The heroine annoyed me a bit but the hero makes up for it.
I can't wait to read the next one. bring it on.. I'm so ready!!!
Celibate hero and celibate heroine.
A heroine who had plenty of ex lovers. That's right. That's why I love this author she doesn't write heroines who are weak or get wet for the heroes. We get strong women in this author's books.
The heroine annoyed me a bit but the hero makes up for it.
I can't wait to read the next one. bring it on.. I'm so ready!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2017
And the super soldiers continue.... We have Finn (he was called subject two inside the Lazarus facility). He was Sawyer's best friend and wingman in every mission before Lazarus. He was the second person to be brought back from the dead to be the ultimate weapon. Designed to hunt, to strike, to kill.
Dr. Cecelia Gregory, a psychiatrist who study the mind of killers. She was recruited to work in the Lazarus facility and there met Flynn. She helped him control the darker impulses that ran in his blood.
Another exciting read. The search for other test subject continues. I can't wait for Jay and Willow's book cause I am pretty sure there will be.
Dr. Cecelia Gregory, a psychiatrist who study the mind of killers. She was recruited to work in the Lazarus facility and there met Flynn. She helped him control the darker impulses that ran in his blood.
Another exciting read. The search for other test subject continues. I can't wait for Jay and Willow's book cause I am pretty sure there will be.
October 21, 2017
Cecelia escaped the compound that held the Lazarus experiments with the help of Flynn, a super soldier, her patient, and by all accounts, a dead man. One of the rogue experiments is still on the loose and Flynn refuses to leave Cece’s side until he can be caught and dispensed with. In Flynn’s mind, he is a monster, a freak of nature but he will do whatever it takes to ensure her safety.
Cecelia survived a nightmare as a young girl which set her on a path that led directly to the program that housed Flynn. Her fears are a real and breathing thing. But just what exactly is her deepest fear?
Flynn has no memory of his past. All he has is what the Lazarus project has left him with and a strong hope that one day Cecelia will trust him.
I am really enjoying this series and all the twists and turns that are revealed along the way. Flynn, as a super soldier, is one incredibly strong, protective hero with a streak of jealousy toward the men who are a part of Cecelia’s lives. Cecelia, while apparently frightened of the things that go bump in the night, is actually so much stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Together, they were incredible.
Fast paced, full of action, suspense and drama, this is an intense read that answers questions even as it leaves the reader wanting to know more. I absolutely love these Lazarus men and the women they have staked a claim on. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Hocus Pocus Publishing.
Multi POV
Safe with some other man drama but the heroine has long since been out of the relationship and the men are not forcing themselves back into her life.
Stand alone – While I believe this covers enough ground from the previous book to stand alone, I would recommend you read Never Let Go first.
Possible triggers
Cecelia survived a nightmare as a young girl which set her on a path that led directly to the program that housed Flynn. Her fears are a real and breathing thing. But just what exactly is her deepest fear?
Flynn has no memory of his past. All he has is what the Lazarus project has left him with and a strong hope that one day Cecelia will trust him.
I am really enjoying this series and all the twists and turns that are revealed along the way. Flynn, as a super soldier, is one incredibly strong, protective hero with a streak of jealousy toward the men who are a part of Cecelia’s lives. Cecelia, while apparently frightened of the things that go bump in the night, is actually so much stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Together, they were incredible.
Fast paced, full of action, suspense and drama, this is an intense read that answers questions even as it leaves the reader wanting to know more. I absolutely love these Lazarus men and the women they have staked a claim on. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Hocus Pocus Publishing.
Multi POV
Safe with some other man drama but the heroine has long since been out of the relationship and the men are not forcing themselves back into her life.
Stand alone – While I believe this covers enough ground from the previous book to stand alone, I would recommend you read Never Let Go first.
Possible triggers
October 24, 2017
I’m a total sucker for this series storyline. I love the idea that these soldiers are being brought back to life and becoming super solders with enhanced abilities. Each one is unique and has a special talent. It’s kind of like reading a super hero book, except these men think they are the monsters and not the hero.
The Lazarus serum has enhanced aggression along with strength and senses. For some of these men, that aggression has made them too dangerous. In others, that aggression has turned into obsession and protective instincts for their women. Now that these super soldiers have broken free from their cages, we have them battling each other and the founder of the program who wants to cage them once again.
I’m completely hooked on these very dominant Alphas that Cynthia Eden has created and can not wait for the next in the series!
The Lazarus serum has enhanced aggression along with strength and senses. For some of these men, that aggression has made them too dangerous. In others, that aggression has turned into obsession and protective instincts for their women. Now that these super soldiers have broken free from their cages, we have them battling each other and the founder of the program who wants to cage them once again.
I’m completely hooked on these very dominant Alphas that Cynthia Eden has created and can not wait for the next in the series!
December 24, 2017
Really loving this series, Cynthia Eden knows how to write an alpha male - she really does. I absolutely loved Flynn, sadly Cecelia sort of took the shine off this one for me. I'm not her biggest fan.
December 18, 2022
DNF at 55%
Take a shot every time a new guy introduced in the story is someone the FMC has fucked already💀
I really like Cynthia's books and have read a majority of them, but I'm at the end of my rope with the ex-lover drama that she drags into EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK.
Ever experienced the nightmare where you're trapped in a room full of your crushes and/or exes with your current partner? That's all of Eden's books in a nutshell when it comes to the romance. All the intricately woven plot points are obliterated when an "ex-lover" pops up at every corner. How come every key player has to be someone from the heroine's past? And how come they still want her even after so long? And why the actual hell is every man referred to as lover and not ex-boyfriend or something, that shit grates on my nerves. I don't have a problem with the word, but when the FMC thinks of every other man except the MMC as her lover, my gag reflex works double time🤮
I'm sure ANY woman pawing at the H would wreak havoc, so why not the same for the h?
If I don't like reading about someone from the H's past, then you bet I don't like reading about the h being more chummy with her ex than the guy she's supposed to be in love with.
Nor do I like her siding with the OM over the H even though the H's behaviour is justified. Some introspection is required as to why these exes and the FMC's weird behaviour towards them seems necessary in a story that's supposed to be about her and the MMC.
I felt zero connection between the leads and that's majorly because of Cecelia. I don't know what Flynn saw in her, because she was pig-headed, fucking annoying, sat on her high horse and tbh was fucking crap at her job. I can't believe she landed a job as a profiler with the FBI when she can't even deduce when Flynn is so obviously being jealous. And even when she does manage that great feat, she forgets it in the next chapter and acts like a deer caught in the headlights.
She's such an imbecile that she thinks a puny FBI agent (also her ex, because, of course 🥰🔪 ) is the person to call when two enhanced, deadly super soldiers are fighting, all the while having access to another super soldier who's better equipped with handling such a situation. She didn't respect Flynn and I don't think saw anything beyond his hot body.
And even though Flynn was dangerous he was too much of a simp over a person who didn't deserve it.
There's also so much repetition.Yes, we already know that the enhanced soldiers can be killed only with a headshot. You don't need to mention this in every chapter, we've already established that thrice before. All the characters also seem to have short term memory loss because they'll be on a mission to find things that have already been dealt with, have conversations that have already been had before.
The only highlight was when Flynn goes down on her and even that was lacklustre at most. The past lover bullshit needs to stop because I can't continue with that. There are officially 8 billion humans on this planet, please find other people to bring into the story, preferably that haven't exchanged bodily fluids with the MCs.
Take a shot every time a new guy introduced in the story is someone the FMC has fucked already💀
I really like Cynthia's books and have read a majority of them, but I'm at the end of my rope with the ex-lover drama that she drags into EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK.
Ever experienced the nightmare where you're trapped in a room full of your crushes and/or exes with your current partner? That's all of Eden's books in a nutshell when it comes to the romance. All the intricately woven plot points are obliterated when an "ex-lover" pops up at every corner. How come every key player has to be someone from the heroine's past? And how come they still want her even after so long? And why the actual hell is every man referred to as lover and not ex-boyfriend or something, that shit grates on my nerves. I don't have a problem with the word, but when the FMC thinks of every other man except the MMC as her lover, my gag reflex works double time🤮
I'm sure ANY woman pawing at the H would wreak havoc, so why not the same for the h?
If I don't like reading about someone from the H's past, then you bet I don't like reading about the h being more chummy with her ex than the guy she's supposed to be in love with.
Nor do I like her siding with the OM over the H even though the H's behaviour is justified. Some introspection is required as to why these exes and the FMC's weird behaviour towards them seems necessary in a story that's supposed to be about her and the MMC.
I felt zero connection between the leads and that's majorly because of Cecelia. I don't know what Flynn saw in her, because she was pig-headed, fucking annoying, sat on her high horse and tbh was fucking crap at her job. I can't believe she landed a job as a profiler with the FBI when she can't even deduce when Flynn is so obviously being jealous. And even when she does manage that great feat, she forgets it in the next chapter and acts like a deer caught in the headlights.
She's such an imbecile that she thinks a puny FBI agent (also her ex, because, of course 🥰🔪 ) is the person to call when two enhanced, deadly super soldiers are fighting, all the while having access to another super soldier who's better equipped with handling such a situation. She didn't respect Flynn and I don't think saw anything beyond his hot body.
And even though Flynn was dangerous he was too much of a simp over a person who didn't deserve it.
There's also so much repetition.Yes, we already know that the enhanced soldiers can be killed only with a headshot. You don't need to mention this in every chapter, we've already established that thrice before. All the characters also seem to have short term memory loss because they'll be on a mission to find things that have already been dealt with, have conversations that have already been had before.
The only highlight was when Flynn goes down on her and even that was lacklustre at most. The past lover bullshit needs to stop because I can't continue with that. There are officially 8 billion humans on this planet, please find other people to bring into the story, preferably that haven't exchanged bodily fluids with the MCs.
December 27, 2017
3.75 stars.
The heroine annoyed me but the hero makes up for it. Loved Flynn 😍
Off to the next...
The heroine annoyed me but the hero makes up for it. Loved Flynn 😍
Off to the next...
December 17, 2017
Umm.
Why didn‘t I love this book? I kinda was expecting to, but ... I just didn‘t. I can‘t even really say why, just that it was really hard for me to connect with the characters, a problem I realized I had with all of the few books I read by Cynthia Eden.
Perhaps I was a little prejudiced, because I didn‘t really like the heroine in the first book, were I rembember her doing a lot of trembling and being unimpressive. The trembling I understand, I mean talk about a fucked up situation, but that I didn’t find her more intriguing, I don‘t understand myself.
She is a psychiatrist, a job I love, because you have to be really good at reading people and I always like when a character can do that. She makes some pretty smart decisions and stands up for herself - backbone, another trait I love.
The more I think about it, the more confused I get why this book didn‘t connect with me. Well I know at least part of it: I found the antagonist rather boring. I would have wished he wrecked even more havoc, he was their equal, perhaps even better developed in certain ways, his manipulative behavior could have done even more damage.
But He was this personified evil and personally I would have found someone who was in a battle with himself, his good and evil side fighting way more interesting in this context. But well, freaky scary serial killer will have to do.
Another point was, I found the hero absolutely interchangeable. Who was he? I don‘t know, he doesn‘t either. And he obviously wasn‘t curious to know more. The only thing he seemed sure of, was his love for the heroine. He was this faceless person that said overprotective shit and not really more for me.
And I have another thing. A problem I had even in the first book: everyone of these subjects see themselves as monsters. But ... why? They wake up without memories, detect that they are different and go all like? Ahhhh ... I am not normal ... this has to mean I am a monster!!!! I didn‘t do any bad shit, but doesn‘t matter.... I don‘t really get it.
I hesitated rating this. From a purely objective point of view, this story had a lot to be absolutely great. Suspense, a nice heroine, Good writing...
But I simply couldn‘t enjoy it as much as I wanted to. So I give very subjective 3 stars and am left a little baffled. Perhaps it was simply not the right time for this one.
Why didn‘t I love this book? I kinda was expecting to, but ... I just didn‘t. I can‘t even really say why, just that it was really hard for me to connect with the characters, a problem I realized I had with all of the few books I read by Cynthia Eden.
Perhaps I was a little prejudiced, because I didn‘t really like the heroine in the first book, were I rembember her doing a lot of trembling and being unimpressive. The trembling I understand, I mean talk about a fucked up situation, but that I didn’t find her more intriguing, I don‘t understand myself.
She is a psychiatrist, a job I love, because you have to be really good at reading people and I always like when a character can do that. She makes some pretty smart decisions and stands up for herself - backbone, another trait I love.
The more I think about it, the more confused I get why this book didn‘t connect with me. Well I know at least part of it: I found the antagonist rather boring. I would have wished he wrecked even more havoc, he was their equal, perhaps even better developed in certain ways, his manipulative behavior could have done even more damage.
But He was this personified evil and personally I would have found someone who was in a battle with himself, his good and evil side fighting way more interesting in this context. But well, freaky scary serial killer will have to do.
Another point was, I found the hero absolutely interchangeable. Who was he? I don‘t know, he doesn‘t either. And he obviously wasn‘t curious to know more. The only thing he seemed sure of, was his love for the heroine. He was this faceless person that said overprotective shit and not really more for me.
And I have another thing. A problem I had even in the first book: everyone of these subjects see themselves as monsters. But ... why? They wake up without memories, detect that they are different and go all like? Ahhhh ... I am not normal ... this has to mean I am a monster!!!! I didn‘t do any bad shit, but doesn‘t matter.... I don‘t really get it.
I hesitated rating this. From a purely objective point of view, this story had a lot to be absolutely great. Suspense, a nice heroine, Good writing...
But I simply couldn‘t enjoy it as much as I wanted to. So I give very subjective 3 stars and am left a little baffled. Perhaps it was simply not the right time for this one.
October 24, 2017
Well book two in this series catches up with the couple that previously had a more supporting role. Reanimated super soldier Flynn might not remember his past but he does know that he wants psychiatrist Cecelia. They escaped the lab together and after laying low Cecelia is positive she wants to get back to work but everything starts going wrong when a murderer starts playing games. This serial killer might have slipped through the net before but now he's back and even more determined to reel in his victim but this time he's enhanced ! Yes it's clear that Flynn isn't the only one obsessed with Cecelia.
I'm loving this mixture of suspense and paranormal with it's highly original plot. There are several characters of note here so clearly the author has numerous different definitions in which to take the overall story arc. However as much as I liked Flynn there was just something about Cecelia that didn't gel well. Yes she's a survivor but her numerous exes that show up just didn't add much to my understanding of her character. We are told she's a woman who enjoys flirting with the dark side but honestly the hints and lack of any evidence just felt odd. Still it did mean Flynn could get all growly and possessive which was highly entertaining.
Why a four ? This would have been a five but I hated the end ! Oh it's a good story and I really enjoyed the emotional pull not to mention the very twisted past that Cecelia clearly has but after so much thrown in with such a lot are of baggage to traverse the ending seemed so flat ! Still I will look out for the next book and hope for another thrill a minute romance.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
I'm loving this mixture of suspense and paranormal with it's highly original plot. There are several characters of note here so clearly the author has numerous different definitions in which to take the overall story arc. However as much as I liked Flynn there was just something about Cecelia that didn't gel well. Yes she's a survivor but her numerous exes that show up just didn't add much to my understanding of her character. We are told she's a woman who enjoys flirting with the dark side but honestly the hints and lack of any evidence just felt odd. Still it did mean Flynn could get all growly and possessive which was highly entertaining.
Why a four ? This would have been a five but I hated the end ! Oh it's a good story and I really enjoyed the emotional pull not to mention the very twisted past that Cecelia clearly has but after so much thrown in with such a lot are of baggage to traverse the ending seemed so flat ! Still I will look out for the next book and hope for another thrill a minute romance.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 21, 2018
"Keep Me Close" is the story of Flynn and Cecilia.
Picking up some time after book 1 ended, we know Cecilia is the psychologist who specializes in serial killers, and has helped the Lazarus subjects. Flynn has always been fixated on his pretty doctor, but with a psychopath stalking her, his protective instinct come to surface and he finally claims what is his.
The book was absolutely fanatastic. With likable, strong characters to mysteries which keep you hooked, this is filled with sexy lovemaking, angst and shocking reveals.
We are also given update about the developments after Sawyer and Elizabeth's book, and introduced to new, potential characters.
I might have been tiny bit disturbed with the Cecilia's ex overloads, but Flynn was just perfect for her and acted as her shield- helping her finally death with, both for her nightmares and her insecurities. Im so glad these two broken people found each other!
So happy this got me out of my 19+ book rut! The review is vague, as otherwise would be ridden with spoilers!
Safe
4.5/5
Picking up some time after book 1 ended, we know Cecilia is the psychologist who specializes in serial killers, and has helped the Lazarus subjects. Flynn has always been fixated on his pretty doctor, but with a psychopath stalking her, his protective instinct come to surface and he finally claims what is his.
The book was absolutely fanatastic. With likable, strong characters to mysteries which keep you hooked, this is filled with sexy lovemaking, angst and shocking reveals.
We are also given update about the developments after Sawyer and Elizabeth's book, and introduced to new, potential characters.
I might have been tiny bit disturbed with the Cecilia's ex overloads, but Flynn was just perfect for her and acted as her shield- helping her finally death with, both for her nightmares and her insecurities. Im so glad these two broken people found each other!
So happy this got me out of my 19+ book rut! The review is vague, as otherwise would be ridden with spoilers!
Safe
4.5/5
December 19, 2017
Keep Me Close is the second book in the Lazarus Rising series, and I recommend reading the first book before this one. You are introduced to these characters and they provide some helpful background. I was excited to read Cecelia and Flynn’s story, especially since Cecelia has such a dark and twisted past, and it is already established who their biggest foe was going to be. And everything I hoped for happened in this book. It was hot, action-packed and full of suspense. I definitely recommend to fans of the first book.
October 26, 2017
Review posted on Got Fiction?
Hot on the heels of reading book one Never Let Go, I needed more. And I got so lucky that this book dropped the day I needed more!
In the last book, the Navy SEALs who were killed on a certain mission were given the Lazarus serum...and brought back to life. The creator of the formula never wanted it to be used in that way, and even though it wasn't ready, even though the formula had had some unforseen complications, it was ordered to be used anyway. On their own guys.
Enter Flynn Haddox.
Flynn was kept in cells with his fellow teammates, and with their reanimation came some problems. The first being that none of them remember their lives before waking in their cells. The second (among many) was increased aggression. Adding to that, these new supersoldiers were rapidly developing talents beyond the enhanced strength and quick healing. They had telepathic abilities and each man has his own talent that he's just better at.
Cecelia Gregory is the doctor brought on to help the men adjust to their new lives, and to help with the increased aggression. However, she's never really given the whole truth. She's going in blind so to speak. The moment Flynn walks into her office, he knows she's it for him. He may not be able to remember his name, or even that of his mom, but he knows she's his.
Cecelia has her own secrets and those secrets have led her to a career in psychiatry. She wants to figure out why killers kill. And she understands those monsters a little too well. She is supposed to fix the soldiers. But what if some of them don't want to be fixed?
One of the soldiers who escaped in the last book isn't a good guy. He's also begun to get his memories back. One person he remembers? Cecelia. He fixates on her...and her fear. And he exploits it using his psychic talents he hid while in captivity. But he's free and he's coming after her.
Flynn and Cecelia can't keep fighting an enemy they can't see, especially if he can get into their minds. Sawyer and Elizabeth, also of Project Lazarus, join them, but will two supersoldiers be a match against
This book is just as fantastic, and just as heart-poundingly intense as the first one. I had heart palpitations during certain parts! Ms. Eden has done it again! With her intense looks into the mind of a killer, and her amazing characters who aren't always 100% perfectly good, living somewhere in the gray areas of good and bad, she shows how the monsters aren't always the bad guys.
***ARC courtesy of the author through Netgalley
Hot on the heels of reading book one Never Let Go, I needed more. And I got so lucky that this book dropped the day I needed more!
In the last book, the Navy SEALs who were killed on a certain mission were given the Lazarus serum...and brought back to life. The creator of the formula never wanted it to be used in that way, and even though it wasn't ready, even though the formula had had some unforseen complications, it was ordered to be used anyway. On their own guys.
Enter Flynn Haddox.
Flynn was kept in cells with his fellow teammates, and with their reanimation came some problems. The first being that none of them remember their lives before waking in their cells. The second (among many) was increased aggression. Adding to that, these new supersoldiers were rapidly developing talents beyond the enhanced strength and quick healing. They had telepathic abilities and each man has his own talent that he's just better at.
Cecelia Gregory is the doctor brought on to help the men adjust to their new lives, and to help with the increased aggression. However, she's never really given the whole truth. She's going in blind so to speak. The moment Flynn walks into her office, he knows she's it for him. He may not be able to remember his name, or even that of his mom, but he knows she's his.
Cecelia has her own secrets and those secrets have led her to a career in psychiatry. She wants to figure out why killers kill. And she understands those monsters a little too well. She is supposed to fix the soldiers. But what if some of them don't want to be fixed?
One of the soldiers who escaped in the last book isn't a good guy. He's also begun to get his memories back. One person he remembers? Cecelia. He fixates on her...and her fear. And he exploits it using his psychic talents he hid while in captivity. But he's free and he's coming after her.
Flynn and Cecelia can't keep fighting an enemy they can't see, especially if he can get into their minds. Sawyer and Elizabeth, also of Project Lazarus, join them, but will two supersoldiers be a match against
This book is just as fantastic, and just as heart-poundingly intense as the first one. I had heart palpitations during certain parts! Ms. Eden has done it again! With her intense looks into the mind of a killer, and her amazing characters who aren't always 100% perfectly good, living somewhere in the gray areas of good and bad, she shows how the monsters aren't always the bad guys.
***ARC courtesy of the author through Netgalley
October 26, 2017
In ‘Keep Me Close’, Flynn Haddox and Cecelia Gregory battle an old nemesis whose powers and ‘unkillability’ seem to stake the odds against them. Like the vampire that can only die with a stake through the heart, Bryce the villain torments the hell out of everyone before he finally dies, but not without the menacing laughter echoing in his wake.
Cynthia Eden’s ‘Keep Me Close’ is no doubt, an overload of the senses: a popcorn throwing mish-mash of zombie and vampire lore, serial-killer-type suspense with top-secret military experiments—and is a return to the sequel that’s typically known to be bigger, bloodier, more brutal (and sometimes cheesier) than ever.
But it’s a hell of a ride that reads like part horror and suspense with some erotica thrown in to amp up the steam level, where most male characters, because of the nature of the experiments, are given free rein to be over-the-top alpha super-soldiers who are very in-tune with their primal side, with single-minded beliefs that narrow down to protecting the woman at all costs.
With Flynn/Cece’s story, there are some similarities with Sawyer/Elizabeth’s one and at some parts, it does feel like rehashing of what we’ve gotten thus far, as a super-soldier hitting the ground hard with his female doctor, then fleeing before taking the fight to the enemy. But as with any Eden book, there are also some twists and revelations that have given more depth about the experiment these soldiers have undergone, the long-term effects that we don’t know about, as well as the introduction of additional characters that have given this series scope for expansion. I’m intrigued to see where Eden will take the direction of this narrative arc in fact; it seems as though Eden herself is aware of the similarities between these 2 books, and the vein of change that’s hinted at is more than welcome.
Cynthia Eden’s ‘Keep Me Close’ is no doubt, an overload of the senses: a popcorn throwing mish-mash of zombie and vampire lore, serial-killer-type suspense with top-secret military experiments—and is a return to the sequel that’s typically known to be bigger, bloodier, more brutal (and sometimes cheesier) than ever.
But it’s a hell of a ride that reads like part horror and suspense with some erotica thrown in to amp up the steam level, where most male characters, because of the nature of the experiments, are given free rein to be over-the-top alpha super-soldiers who are very in-tune with their primal side, with single-minded beliefs that narrow down to protecting the woman at all costs.
With Flynn/Cece’s story, there are some similarities with Sawyer/Elizabeth’s one and at some parts, it does feel like rehashing of what we’ve gotten thus far, as a super-soldier hitting the ground hard with his female doctor, then fleeing before taking the fight to the enemy. But as with any Eden book, there are also some twists and revelations that have given more depth about the experiment these soldiers have undergone, the long-term effects that we don’t know about, as well as the introduction of additional characters that have given this series scope for expansion. I’m intrigued to see where Eden will take the direction of this narrative arc in fact; it seems as though Eden herself is aware of the similarities between these 2 books, and the vein of change that’s hinted at is more than welcome.
October 30, 2017
Really enjoying this series. Eden gives us passionate love stories with intense action. I'm so excited to see where the rest of the series takes us.
I really loved this one but not as much as Sawyer and Elizabeth's book. I think their history with each other and with Sawyer forgetting about Elizabeth really added to the story, the intensity. It just had more for me. However, this one still had some great scenes between Flynn and CeCe.
I will definitely continue with this series. Looking forward to the novella that releases at the end of the year.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ Did she have any idea of just how much he enjoyed holding her? Touching her?
♥ He’s coming after you. He’s hunting you.” The gun was so heavy in her hand. “But I’ll fucking never let him have you,” Flynn swore. Then he kissed her.
♥ Flynn gave a little growl. “You look fucking perfect. You don’t need to fix anything.” A pause. “Ever.”
♥ “The first time I saw you, something happened to me. I walked into your office, took one look at you, and knew you were the only thing I’d ever want.”
♥ “I knew I wanted you, and it wasn’t long before I knew I loved you.”
♥ “I’d fucking follow you to hell and back.”
I really loved this one but not as much as Sawyer and Elizabeth's book. I think their history with each other and with Sawyer forgetting about Elizabeth really added to the story, the intensity. It just had more for me. However, this one still had some great scenes between Flynn and CeCe.
I will definitely continue with this series. Looking forward to the novella that releases at the end of the year.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ Did she have any idea of just how much he enjoyed holding her? Touching her?
♥ He’s coming after you. He’s hunting you.” The gun was so heavy in her hand. “But I’ll fucking never let him have you,” Flynn swore. Then he kissed her.
♥ Flynn gave a little growl. “You look fucking perfect. You don’t need to fix anything.” A pause. “Ever.”
♥ “The first time I saw you, something happened to me. I walked into your office, took one look at you, and knew you were the only thing I’d ever want.”
♥ “I knew I wanted you, and it wasn’t long before I knew I loved you.”
♥ “I’d fucking follow you to hell and back.”
November 23, 2017
Cecilia and Flynn met when she as the doctor in the Lazarus program, helped Flynn cope with being something new, improved, but back from death.
When the program ended, they both tried to go back to real life, but it´s not going that well..
Now Cecilia finds herself targeted because of her old work, and Flynn knows he´s the only one who can protect her. When feelings flare between them, everything will steam up.
PNR action, suspense and smutty fluff in that awesome combo that Cynthia Eden always brings <3
Love it!
Disclaimer; I got myself a free copy on Netgalley, and I´m reviewing it because I want to.
When the program ended, they both tried to go back to real life, but it´s not going that well..
Now Cecilia finds herself targeted because of her old work, and Flynn knows he´s the only one who can protect her. When feelings flare between them, everything will steam up.
PNR action, suspense and smutty fluff in that awesome combo that Cynthia Eden always brings <3
Love it!
Disclaimer; I got myself a free copy on Netgalley, and I´m reviewing it because I want to.
January 24, 2018
After loving
Stay with Me
, the third book in this series, I decided to go back and read the other books in this series. Because I love reading romance series out of order, I decided to read the second book, Keep Me Close, next. Keep My Close by Cynthia Eden is an action-packed paranormal romantic suspense that I enjoyed, but not as much at Stay with Me.
Keep Me Close focuses on Dr. Cecelia Gregory, a psychiatrist who was originally hired to help the Lazarus Subjects (men that were given a special serum that turned them into super soldiers) when they were struggling. Now the Lazarus Subjects are free, and while that is great for many of them, some of these super soldiers are dangerous, and one has set his sights on Cecelia. Flynn, also a super soldier, has a special connection to Cecelia, and he is determined to protect her and take down this threat. During it all, of course Cecelia and Flynn fall for each other.
Flynn grabbed my attention right away, and I was totally smitten with him within the first few pages. While he can be a bit brash, he is a good person, and I just loved him. I just loved seeing him want to protect Cecelia and how devoted he was to her. I loved how strong and determined he was. Like I said, I fell for him very quickly.
I liked Cecelia. She's so intelligent and I liked that she also had this connection to Flynn. I even liked that she was conflicted with starting something with Flynn, because in a way he was her patient at one time. But I also never completely connected with Cecelia. I liked her, but I never felt like I completely understood her.
Because I liked Flynn so much, I was definitely rooting for Cecelia and Flynn to get together. But it was more because I loved Flynn so much and wanted him to be happy. Maybe if I had read the first book, I would have better understood Cecelia and their connection.
As with Stay with Me, there was a lot phrases repeated often enough that it stood out and took me out of the story. But overall, I really did enjoy Keep Me Close by Cynthia Eden, and I need to read more from this series. If you're into romantic suspense (particularly with strong alpha heroes devoted to their women), I would look into this series.
***As an aside, what do you think of this cover? Because, whoa, those are some veiny arms, huh?***This review was originally posted on Quinn's Book Nook
Keep Me Close focuses on Dr. Cecelia Gregory, a psychiatrist who was originally hired to help the Lazarus Subjects (men that were given a special serum that turned them into super soldiers) when they were struggling. Now the Lazarus Subjects are free, and while that is great for many of them, some of these super soldiers are dangerous, and one has set his sights on Cecelia. Flynn, also a super soldier, has a special connection to Cecelia, and he is determined to protect her and take down this threat. During it all, of course Cecelia and Flynn fall for each other.
Flynn grabbed my attention right away, and I was totally smitten with him within the first few pages. While he can be a bit brash, he is a good person, and I just loved him. I just loved seeing him want to protect Cecelia and how devoted he was to her. I loved how strong and determined he was. Like I said, I fell for him very quickly.
I liked Cecelia. She's so intelligent and I liked that she also had this connection to Flynn. I even liked that she was conflicted with starting something with Flynn, because in a way he was her patient at one time. But I also never completely connected with Cecelia. I liked her, but I never felt like I completely understood her.
Because I liked Flynn so much, I was definitely rooting for Cecelia and Flynn to get together. But it was more because I loved Flynn so much and wanted him to be happy. Maybe if I had read the first book, I would have better understood Cecelia and their connection.
As with Stay with Me, there was a lot phrases repeated often enough that it stood out and took me out of the story. But overall, I really did enjoy Keep Me Close by Cynthia Eden, and I need to read more from this series. If you're into romantic suspense (particularly with strong alpha heroes devoted to their women), I would look into this series.
***As an aside, what do you think of this cover? Because, whoa, those are some veiny arms, huh?***This review was originally posted on Quinn's Book Nook
November 3, 2017
It was fine but the hero and heroine were not working for me. Mostly because the heroine kept cock blocking the couple in the first book and the hero is seen chasing after a different woman thats not the heroine in the first book.
November 21, 2017
3.5 stars.
December 4, 2017
3 1/2 stars
April 24, 2020
2.5 stars
Note: Content warning in spoiler tag at the end of review.
The first book in this series was meh, but the plot was interesting enough that I decided to pick up the sequel. And as it turns out, I disliked book 2 more than book 1 😂
Unlike book 1, the hero and heroine here are a bit more tolerable. Just a bit more. But the plot that was initially interesting eventually got convoluted, with a plethora of characters running around like headless chickens in the climax. As for the writing style, a couple of the dialogues were weird and awkward. The hero also bugged me when 1) he kept forcing the heroine to share all her secrets with him, sometimes at the most inappropriate moments, and 2) he kept calling her 'baby' ten times in a row. Dude. Come on.
It looks like the next book's main characters are new and haven't been introduced yet. So it might be more enjoyable than Keep Me Close. I don't know if I'll pick up book 3 anytime soon though.
Content warning:
Note: Content warning in spoiler tag at the end of review.
The first book in this series was meh, but the plot was interesting enough that I decided to pick up the sequel. And as it turns out, I disliked book 2 more than book 1 😂
Unlike book 1, the hero and heroine here are a bit more tolerable. Just a bit more. But the plot that was initially interesting eventually got convoluted, with a plethora of characters running around like headless chickens in the climax. As for the writing style, a couple of the dialogues were weird and awkward. The hero also bugged me when 1) he kept forcing the heroine to share all her secrets with him, sometimes at the most inappropriate moments, and 2) he kept calling her 'baby' ten times in a row. Dude. Come on.
It looks like the next book's main characters are new and haven't been introduced yet. So it might be more enjoyable than Keep Me Close. I don't know if I'll pick up book 3 anytime soon though.
Content warning:
July 23, 2020
5 "WOW"stars
I was not a fan of Sicilian the previous book. However this book open my eyes and I saw someone who was fragile and at the same time pray does Julia compliment each other and now that I've seen Willow and Jay I can't wait for their story.
I was not a fan of Sicilian the previous book. However this book open my eyes and I saw someone who was fragile and at the same time pray does Julia compliment each other and now that I've seen Willow and Jay I can't wait for their story.
March 19, 2018
Book 2 picks up just a little while after book 1. This story focuses more on Flynn & Cecilia, but we still have some of the other same players from the first novel. There's a stronger correlation fleshed out between Cecilia and one of the other Lazarus test subjects and we meet another that was held at a different facility. This story arc is fleshing out nicely. I really liked that she portrays Flynn as a bit more fallible and that Cecilia finds her strength to save herself.
October 27, 2017
A hot new series by Cynthia Eden, Keep Me Close book #2 in the Lazarus Rising.
When we last saw Flynn…. He escaped a facility that was holding super soldiers. Humans that were brought back to life, with the formula that was made by Elizabeth Parker. Whose story was told in Never Let Go, whereas, Never Let Go surroundings was mainly in the facility. Flynn’s story has us readers out in about.
When a murder is committed all fingers points to a serial killer. Which leads the FBI to seek out Cecelia a top-notch profiler and the psychiatrist who was hired to help the Lazarus’ test subject.
Keep Me Close wasn’t as thrilling as Never Let Go. This story was more mysterious then thrilling. If you read the first book, there wasn’t a mystery. It wasn’t about the Who did it, or Why did they. The reason and who was placed right in front of you. Whereas, this book had different players. You may think you know who, but everything or everyone may not be as what they were playing to be.
I enjoyed Keep Me Close just not as much as Never Let Go. When I reviewed Never Let Go, I did say that Cynthia Eden set the bar too high…..this book may not have surpassed Never Let Go, but it does sit comfortably at #2
When we last saw Flynn…. He escaped a facility that was holding super soldiers. Humans that were brought back to life, with the formula that was made by Elizabeth Parker. Whose story was told in Never Let Go, whereas, Never Let Go surroundings was mainly in the facility. Flynn’s story has us readers out in about.
When a murder is committed all fingers points to a serial killer. Which leads the FBI to seek out Cecelia a top-notch profiler and the psychiatrist who was hired to help the Lazarus’ test subject.
Keep Me Close wasn’t as thrilling as Never Let Go. This story was more mysterious then thrilling. If you read the first book, there wasn’t a mystery. It wasn’t about the Who did it, or Why did they. The reason and who was placed right in front of you. Whereas, this book had different players. You may think you know who, but everything or everyone may not be as what they were playing to be.
I enjoyed Keep Me Close just not as much as Never Let Go. When I reviewed Never Let Go, I did say that Cynthia Eden set the bar too high…..this book may not have surpassed Never Let Go, but it does sit comfortably at #2
January 11, 2018
4 Stars
I loved Flynn in this book he was so protective and possessive of his Cece which is exactly what I want from a big bad growly alpha. I love that the heroines are also strong in their own way and not the normal push overs. Looking forward to more from the Lazarus team ♥
I loved Flynn in this book he was so protective and possessive of his Cece which is exactly what I want from a big bad growly alpha. I love that the heroines are also strong in their own way and not the normal push overs. Looking forward to more from the Lazarus team ♥
November 6, 2017
I have read almost everything Cynthia Eden writes because it is action pack, the story packs a lot into a few pages, the romance is hot fast and the characters are interesting.
Just like all of her other series this one can be picked up on book 2 and readers will not feel lost but feel they are writing a new story with just enough background to understand the secondary characters who might have stared in the first book or will in the series.
Keep Me Close has the same feel as many of Cynthia Edens other stories Alpha male who takes control of the female with a very caveman feel. It works in this series because the men been turned into killing machines so they are not to have normal responses but more basic response to people, Kill, Fight, Win and claim woman.
The story moves fast and readers of Cynthia Eden will love this series and its perfect to curl up to a fire place and enjoy a night alone.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc. for the Copy.
Just like all of her other series this one can be picked up on book 2 and readers will not feel lost but feel they are writing a new story with just enough background to understand the secondary characters who might have stared in the first book or will in the series.
Keep Me Close has the same feel as many of Cynthia Edens other stories Alpha male who takes control of the female with a very caveman feel. It works in this series because the men been turned into killing machines so they are not to have normal responses but more basic response to people, Kill, Fight, Win and claim woman.
The story moves fast and readers of Cynthia Eden will love this series and its perfect to curl up to a fire place and enjoy a night alone.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc. for the Copy.
January 9, 2024
I LOVED this one!!!
A man with no past; fighting for a future. A woman with a past better forgotten; fighting to move forward with her life. When these two come together it is brazenly HOT.
I love that the Lazarus abilities are evolving; unveiling tons of possibilities. These super soldiers might be enhanced, and gifted with special abilities but, it is the romance that will keep me coming back to this series.
I can't wait to see what Cynthia Eden has planned for these characters.
A man with no past; fighting for a future. A woman with a past better forgotten; fighting to move forward with her life. When these two come together it is brazenly HOT.
I love that the Lazarus abilities are evolving; unveiling tons of possibilities. These super soldiers might be enhanced, and gifted with special abilities but, it is the romance that will keep me coming back to this series.
I can't wait to see what Cynthia Eden has planned for these characters.
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