Trusting Laurence

Unchained Duet #1

by Dorothy Ewels

You can only run for so long before the past catches up.

FBI Deputy Director, Laurence “Larry” Keon, is tasked with bringing down a trafficking ring, but leads have run dry. He’s about to give up when help comes from an unexpected source, and he’s shocked to find the evidence may just jump start his case.

Tahlia O’Connor has survived hell on earth, but she’s determined to put it behind her. After finding documents that threaten to drag her past into her future, she reaches out to the one man she feels she can trust: Laurence.

Having denied their feelings for years, when they come face to face once again, they find the spark is still there, stronger than ever. But the documents bring danger for Tahlia, and Larry needs to choose between the case and her safety.

Will Larry digging into the past deliver a fatal blow? Or can he keep Tahlia safe?


***Trusting Laurence is part of Samantha A. Cole's Suspenseful Seduction World.

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2020

About the author

International bestselling author Dorothy Ewels lives in the city of her birth, Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, son, two crazy rescue dogs and a cat with plenty of cattitude. A lifelong love affair with reading got her writing at a young age, but it wasn't until she was retrenched in 2017 that she finally found the courage to write her first book, leading to its publication in 2018. She’s addicted to coffee, books and finding humor in life, not to mention happy endings against all odds.

As well as being a proud and active member of the Romance Writer’s Organization of South Africa (ROSA), Dorothy is also thrilled to be a contributing author in Samantha A. Cole’s Suspenseful Seduction World, Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club and Susan Stoker's Special Forces world.

𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
https://www.facebook.com/dorothyewels...

𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎
https://www.instagram.com/dorothyewel...

𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dsjewels

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of Samantha Cole's Trident Security series, I was thrilled when she announced she was opening a World and inviting other authors to use her characters in their own stories. In Ms. Ewels book, we get Larry Keon's story. I love the fact that this is a story with mature characters. Tahlia had to leave everything behind when she testified against her powerful husband, even her daughter. With her ex husband now in prison and hearing that her daughter was getting married, she decided it was time to come out of hiding. Larry is shocked when she reappears with information about a case he is working on. They always had feelings for each other when Larry was her bodyguard but neither acted on them. Now together again, they work to get Tahlia past her fears of abuse. With Larry being a Dominant, he's going to have to tread carefully with her. But danger is right around the corner and is getting closer. Who is after her and can Larry protect her? I loved the drama, the intensity and I loved how Larry helped her and was patient with her while they did scenes. All in all, Ms. Ewels captured the essence of Larry Keon in this story and it is one I will proudly recommend!!

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book has it all! A mysterious and intriguing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Laurence and Thalia’s story while full of suspense, will also make you fall in love with these characters. They knew each other in the past and when Thalia goes to him for help, the attraction is still there. Laurence will do anything to protect Thalia. But will it be enough? Can he protect her from the outside forces who will stop at nothing to get her? This author also touched on a sensitive subject, but it was handled with great care and finesse. Thalia is a strong woman who refuses to let her past dictate her life and Laurence is there to help her in his own unique way. I truly enjoyed this book and you will too!

[Anne Young-Cronister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Tahlia and Larry make a great couple. I can tell this is just the HFN version. It made me hold my breath in some places anxious to read what would happen next. A couple times tears. Some happy for Tahlia and some sad for her. I absolutely loved that these two weren’t in their 20’s or 30’s. I loved that they were a bit older and I could actually picture what they looked like. We never knew much about Larry’s. Character and this just dug right in and revealed many sides to him. These adjacent characters getting their own stories is so awesome ! Dorothy Ewels did a great job on Samantha A. Cole’s World.


I reviewed a complementary copy of this book.

[Tammy Dangiolillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trusting Laurence, we finally got to learn some things about Deputy Director Keon! Loved all this book had in it, romance, suspense and a lot more. Another great addition to the Suspenseful Seduction World, can’t wait until the second book comes out!

[KnottyGirl Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a bit late with this one, having caught a bad cold amidst the Covid-19 crisis, but I’m sure glad I stayed up all night to read this one. Trusting Lawrence is one of the books in the new Suspenseful Seduction series starring characters from Samantha A Cole’s Trident Security, Doms of The Covenant, and TS Omega team series. This book focuses on Larry Keon, the assistant director of the FBI and Tahlia O’Connor, a woman who suffers abuse at the hands of her ex-senator husband Marcus.
Tahlia testifies against Marcus for years of violence and abuse and has him put away for attempted murder and other charges then goes into hiding only to resurface three years later. She looks up her old bodyguard Laurence Keon, the man who was her protection, her salvation, her heart, for years, until he left her.
Laurence can’t catch a break in his sex trafficking case until the love of his life shows up with evidence that could break the case wide open. But in doing so, it could put all of their lives in danger. Because, danger lurks where no one expects it.
I’m probably not doing justice explaining the plot here, needless to say the storyline was one I just refused to put down, wanting to see the bad guys get their due, but most especially I wanted to see Lia and Larry finally get back together.
And when they did, boy was I unhappy to be sharing my bed with 4 dogs. Hubby fell asleep in the living room. What can you do? I loved this book and I am waiting with baited breath for Liberating Mia!

[Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I have to say I have been waiting for someone to write his book and boy let me tell you this book did not disappoint. Deputy Director of the FBI Larry Keon started his way by protecting a Senators wife ,but what he didn't expect is to fall in love with her and tried to protect her from the monster senator Marcus Forrester,but to no avail he couldn't get her to leave the abuse so he left. Several years later he is now face to face with his past love Tahlia O'Connor and she needs his help ,but can he forget their past and feelings or will they be able to start over? This book was absolutely fantastic and filled with suspense and action pack and chemistry and steamy sex scenes and absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the next book.

[Anne Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning – this is an HFN, which I found frustrating. Larry/Laurence Keon, FBI Deputy Director has been a favorite character of mine after encountering him a few times in the Trident Security books, so I was really looking forward to this. As she’s written, Tahlia is close to perfect for him, with a core of courage and strength, and aware of her need for his help and protection. The politics are fascinating, which I found one of the book’s chief strengths – believe me, you are NOT bored while you read this. It has it all, suspense, hot sex, duplicitous politicians, and the Trident crossover. I hope the HEA comes eventually.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice suspenseful build up with a bit of action along the way, edgy as you just don't know who can be trusted. Great characters that you can easily empathise with and get to know. The main plot is on going so you don't get a conclusion to that, it continues in the next book, what you do get is a reasonable conclusion and settlement to Larry and Lia's story, though because plot isn't complete I still felt she as in danger and would have preferred at least to have her completely safe. It is easy to read and get pulled in, there is some intrigue and conspiracy in the underlying story so just enough to have you wanting the next book to find out more, which I will be looking out for.

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry met Tahlia when he was still a bodyguard. He wanted to get her out of the situation she was in, but she wouldn't leave. After almost dying, she ends up in Witness Protection.
Larry Keon is a FBI agent. He is trying to break a case of human trafficking. They are against a wall. Tahlia's ex is the key.
Tahlia calls Larry when she finds some paperwork. Will these papers lead them in the right direction? Will Larry and Tahlia finally find happiness?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasure it is to read a story with main characters that are older than the norm. Larry and Tahlia reconnect after several years and the circumstances see Tahlia placed in danger from an unknown element. An interesting novel with drama, mystery, corruption, intrigue and of course romance. Look forward to reading more from this storyline and author and would highly recommend to anybody who enjoys the books in this suspenseful seduction world

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I have to say I have been waiting for someone to write his book and boy let me tell you this book did not disappoint. Deputy Director of the FBI Larry Keon started his way by protecting a Senators wife as a bodyguard ,but what he didn't expect is to fall in love with her and tried to protect her from the monster senator Marcus Forrester,but to no avail he couldn't get her to leave the abusive senator so he left. Several years later he is now face to face with his past love Tahlia O'Connor and she needs his help ,but can he forget their past and feelings or will they be able to start over? This book was absolutely fantastic and filled with suspense and action pack and chemistry and steamy sex scenes and absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the next book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully well written book with a great crossover. I love Laurence and so glad he finally gets his happily ever after. Can’t wait for book 2 this July as this one definitely leaves you with a cliffhanger.

[Allena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional and gripping prologue will introduce you to Tahlia, a woman who has a tremendous amount of strength.

We then get to see a side of Keon we never saw before. His brief appearances in the other books didn’t prepare us for the man we meet in this one.

Interesting storyline with just the right amount of mystery, a corrupt politician with international ties, a H that won’t stop until the h is safe and a good dose of romance that made this a joy to read.

I look forward to reading the next book that will take the FBI case to the next level and they can close in on the ones behind the scenes.

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry & Tahlia

Trusting Laurence is part of Samantha Cole’s “Suspenseful Seduction World”, it’s written by Dorothy Ewels and is the first book in a duet. I completely loved reading more about Larry, and his sweet Tahlia, it’s refreshing to read a story with older characters getting their happy ever after. There is a lot going on in this book and now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book to be released. Hopefully soon!! I need to find out what happens!!

[Annemieke Westerbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book got me from the beginning. I loved the story and the suspense was great but the BDSM scenes didn’t do it for me. And the end was a bit sudden I had to look 3 times to see if I was missing something. I was hoping that I also got to know how everything was being solved and who was behind all of it.

[Ilene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful job! Dorothy Ewels took a character started by Samantha A. Cole and wrote a wonderful story for him and his 2nd chance love. It’s always wonderful to have mature characters finding love. Laurence and Tahlia have so much passion. I loved getting into their world. Can’t wait for the next story to see how things with the case turn out!

[Meleaha Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always thought Larry deserved his own book, and now I got it. He used to be a bodyguard for a senator's wife. He fell in love with her then, but had to walk away. Many years later, life throws them back together, amidst a HUGE case he is working. Can they finally find their HEA?

[Julie Gerrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

After surviving an abusive marriage Tahlia is thrown into the middle of a FBI trafficking case . Enter Larry Keon , the storyline was good and enjoyed the read so much that I cant wait for the next installment and see if the bad guys bought to justice

[Cindy Anderson Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I loved Larry Keon's story. This was just beautiful with a wonderful romantic storyline combined with some suspense. Thank you Dorothy, you've made me a fan!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It had action, suspense, an evil politician/ex husband, FBI Agents, an evil sex trafficking ring and a second chance at love. It also has some steamy hot scenes too. Laurence Keon is A FBI Deputy Director. His sex trafficking case gets major evidence when Tahlia O’Connor shows up with papers she recently found in her safe deposit box that could only be left by her ex. He is in jail for trying to kill her. Laurence was her body guard years ago before his FBI career started. He left the job when she would leave her abusive husband because he cared too much to watch her get beat by her Senator husband. These two still have chemistry and now her life is in danger because of those papers. Laurence has to keep Tahlia safe while trying to solve the case. This is a great addition to the Suspenseful Seduction World.

[Yvonne Eason · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so lovely to get Laurence Keons story. He has been a side charcter in Samantha A Cole's books in the Trident Security Series for a while now. To have his back story has been brilliant.

A well written story which I really enjoyed. It is quite suspenseful and I was took along with the great story line.

There were some bits that could have gone a little deeper. I wanted to know a little more about their time together years ago. About his life too.

I am looking forward to the conclusion of this story in Liberating Mia.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Laurence is so DADDY! Spank me!! XD I like this book so much, never thought I would enjoy a book with so mature characters, however this author was able to bring very specific that any person don’t matter will feel if you are in Tahlia’s shoes. I was happy to know that the h felt in control after everything she went through and even enjoyed our H lifestyle, now next Liberating Mia!

[Christi Easter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Laurence makes me feel safe just reading about him! As all of the pieces started coming into place, and Tahlia’s story started to unfold, I couldn’t help but hold my breath waiting! Dorothy Ewels definitely knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat!

[Lee Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chapter book

This was an an unfinished book. There was no warning that it was one of those unfinished serial books that I hate.