Release Day Review ~ A Fallen Heart by Cate Ashwood

Release Day Review ~ A Fallen Heart by Cate Ashwood

Title: A Fallen Heart
Series: Zero Hour: Book Two
Author: Cate Ashwood
Release Date: August 29, 2016
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 200

GoodReads ~ Dreamspinner


Blurb:

After his last disastrous relationship, Joseph Ford has absolutely no interest in getting attached again. Concentrating on working as a trauma nurse and keeping his life as simple as possible are his only goals. Unfortunately, his plans could be derailed by the charming, sexy Nash.

Things are looking up for paramedic Ridley Nash when he transfers to Station 217. He gets along with the crew, likes his partner, and is finally on a team willing to accept him—gay and all. It’s everything he’s always wanted, but when he meets Ford, Nash knows his life is about to get very interesting.

As Ford and Nash find themselves stuck in the middle of a homicide case, things become more complicated. For the last year, the mutilated bodies of teenage boys have been showing up all over downtown. With no leads, the police are getting desperate. One of the victims is found alive, and he’s the best chance the police have to catch the killer—if only they can get him to talk.

Will Nash be able to catch Ford when he falls, or is there too much standing in their way to make it work?

4.5 Stars

**copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review**

Ford is Dex's best friend, and an ER nurse. He meets Nash, Adam's new paramedic partner at the hospital when Nash and Adam are dropping off a patient and again later at Dex and Adam's housewarming party. Nash is attracted to Ford, but Ford is resistant to the attraction.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, "A Forced Silence", and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. The storyline of the murdered boys continues on in this installment. The mystery portion of the story is very well-written and kept me turning the pages and guessing.

While I loved Adam and Dex and thought they had an amazing chemistry, I found Nash and Ford were missing that chemistry. I just wasn't feeling it when it came to them. Nash was a very likable character. Strong, patient, kind and just an all-around great guy, but Ford was very immature. His push and pull/hot and cold routine annoyed me, and I just wanted to shake some sense into him throughout the entire story.

This was an enjoyable read, well-written and paced well. The story was heartbreaking at times, but it's also packed with mystery, action, romance, friendship, love and friendly banter. Even without the chemistry, this was a great story. Definitely recommended and I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!!

**copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review**

This is Book Two in the Zero Hour series by Cate Ashwood.  You could probably read this book without reading the first one, but why would you do that?  You should absolutely read the first one!

In this book, Joseph Ford "Ford", who we met in Book 1, is a nurse in the emergency room of the local hospital and best friends with Sam, from Book 1 (see, you really want to read Book 1!!).  Ford's last relationship was disastrous and caused him to have no interest in anything outside of one night stands.  Ford's life revolved around being a trauma nurse until Nash pushes his way in.  Ridley Nash "Nash", is a paramedic who just became partners with Adam, from Book 1 (again...).  Nash is happy to finally find a crew and partner that accept him for being gay.  

I absolutely love this series!  Ford hasn't had an easy time with men and has no experience with what a real relationship is like.  He's well loved by his fellow trauma nurses and is always going above and beyond to help.  He's worked hard and has made a life for himself.   I think Ford is a great character, who, even though he was so successful at his job, did not have the same success with men and really struggled to accept what he'd found with Nash.  Nash was that perfect guy that everyone wants to find.  He had a happy childhood with doting parents, he works a job that he loves and though he wasn't necessarily looking for love, he was accepting of it when it came.  

I love the cast of characters in this series and that the author has brought them into this book.  It was great getting to see Sam and Adam and where they are in their relationship. And I think the author has done a great set-up for future books with characters I already love.

The mystery from the first book continued in this one and will continue into Book 3.  I was surprised and delighted by the mystery portion in this installment, the author keeps the suspense alive throughout the story without it being too much or too little.  This is not an easy crime that is continuing through the books, it's heartbreaking and I'm sure as it goes on and the more that's learned about what's going on, it will just get even worse.  I mean, with that cliffhanger and the person we now know is involved with the crimes, Jack's head is going to explode!

The entire story flows great and pulls you into the story.  And as with the first book, this book was hot!  There were no lukewarm sex scenes to be found in these pages!  I can't wait to read the next book (the sooner the better!!).

This series will be one that I will read multiple times, a true sign of my love of it!

Rating:  5+ stars

**copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review**

     Trauma Nurse Joseph Ford has no interest in any more relationships, but can the new paramedic Ridley Nash change his mind while they find themselves in the middle of a homicide investigation?

     The sexual tension between these two builds slowly due to Ford's reluctance. Can he give his heart again only to have it ripped to shreds? Nash, on the other hand, slowly chips away at the walls Ford has built but when disaster strikes, will either of them survive, emotionally and physically?

     There are secondary character throughout this installment that were introduced in the first book "A Forced Silence", but there is enough back story given so the reader is not lost, but intrigued enough to go back and read that one if they chose to read this book as a standalone.

     The author's writing will keep you locked in with the emotions and suspense while these two navigate their relationship and a murder case.  I will tell you that this does end in a huge cliffhanger and I can not wait for the next book.  It will have you trying to figure out who did it.

Rating: 5 Stars