LOVE IN SPADES
CHARLIE COCHET
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 04.24.18
COVER DESIGN: REESE DANTE
BLURB
Ex-Special Forces soldier Anston “Ace” Sharpe is fighting a different battle these days—one involving the world of private security across the state of Florida. As part owner of Four Kings Security, Ace and his fellow Kings tackle everything from armed transport and investigations to cyber intelligence and executive protection. Cocky, fearless, and brash, Ace isn’t afraid to take risks.
After years of working alongside his father, Colton Connolly is ready to take the helm at Connolly Maritime, but his father’s retirement is put on hold when Colton begins receiving death threats. If that isn’t bad enough, his father signs a contract with Four Kings Security to provide Colton with round-the-clock protection, despite his adamant refusal. Colton’s life has been turned upside down, the last thing he needs is a shadow, especially in the form of infuriating, sexy-as-sin Ace Sharpe, who seems to be on a mission to drive Colton mad.
Sparks fly the moment Colton and Ace meet on a sultry night club dance floor. But getting involved with a client, even one as fiery and beautiful as Colton Connolly, is a line Ace is unwilling to cross. Colton might be attracted to Ace, but he’d been burned before. He might be willing to put his life in Ace’s hands, but not his heart.
As the Florida nights heat up, so does their passion, and Ace and Colton are faced with a difficult choice—take the plunge and risk it all, or play it safe and walk away?
If Ace can keep a deadly threat from robbing Colton of a future….
4 Stars!
Ace Sharpe is part owner of Four Kings Security, he's ex-special forces and can deal with almost anything, but when he's sent to protect Colton Connolly, his patience and his resistance as he fights his inconvenient attraction for his client will be put to the test.
Colton Connolly is used to doing things his way and isn't happy that he has to rely on Ace for anything, not that he's given a choice with someone going after Colton.
I absolutely loved Ace! He was amazing! Strong, fun, reliable and very alpha. I liked Colton, but truly, there were times in which I just wanted to punch him. He was supposed to be independent, but he came across as difficult and bratty, instead. He was so stubborn about his own security and I just wanted to scream. *sighs* Other than that, well, I have to admit Ace and Colton seemed to work well together, they were certainly hot and sparks flew whenever they were together.
Overall, this was a very good start to the series! I loved getting to meet the rest of the team and I'm intrigued by whose story we're getting next. The case was interesting, fast-paced and I really enjoyed seeing it play out. I just have a small complaint, and it's that the Spanish parts had some grammar and spelling mistakes that to me, as a native speaker were a bit grating and that I hope were resolved in the final copy, other than that, the writing was great and I have no trouble recommending this book.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
4.5 Stars!
It's no secret that I’m a huge Charlie Cochet fan. Her books are pretty much on auto-buy for me now (I even read and enjoyed a historical she wrote). I love her writing style and can’t get enough of her characters. I’ll admit though that it took me a bit to get into Love in Spades (which had me a tad scared) however, once I did, I was totally hooked.
This is the first book in the new Four Kings Security series. The Kings: Ace, Red, Lucky, and King served in Special Forces together but after the loss of most of their unit the came together to start a prestigious security company. When their company is hired by Paxton Connolly to protect his son, Colton, they realize this is an opportunity to take their company even further. Of course, it’s made clear that Colton will not be easy to manage since he’s adamant about needing personal security. Ace, however, is immediately up for the challenge and it’s clear to everyone he’s the perfect fit.
Colton refuses to let anyone run his life and the last thing he wants is a team of bodyguards who will be following his every move and never leaving him alone. Trying to talk his father out of hiring the men doesn’t work so he decides to drive Ace away another way. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tries, Ace pushes back and soon it becomes obvious both men are drawn to one another.
But as Colton and Ace grow closer, they can’t forget why Ace is there. Someone wants to hurt Colton and it’s going to take Ace and his team to stop them.
Like I said, I wasn’t connecting to the story right away. Things moved a bit slower than I prefer but I’m not a hundred percent sure it wasn’t just my mood holding me back. Once things really got going, though, I found myself laughing out loud and anticipating what would happen.
I loved the banter. Ace and Colton had me laughing over their antics as they found themselves butting heads. There’s a scene where the go shoe shopping and honestly, I adored it. Colton was funny and cute and Ace was simply hilarious when he was angry and annoyed. They were at times immature but they were hilarious.
When the men actually got over themselves and gave in to their attraction, they were hot together. They had great chemistry and a very believable connection. The story was well written and I definitely found myself engrossed in the plot. I enjoyed all of the Kings and can’t wait for more stories in this series. I definitely recommend Love in Spades.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
EXCERPT
“We’d be honored to represent you and Connolly Maritime. First, why don’t you tell us a little about your son,” King said. “I’m assigning your son’s protection to Ace, Lucky, and Red.” He motioned to the three of them. “But one of them will personally provide round-the-clock protection to your son. To determine which one of them would be the best fit, I need to know a little more about Colton.”
Paxton nodded. “I love my son. He’s a good man, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. Speaking frankly, he can also be a little shit. Stubborn as the day is long. I wish I could say he gets it from his mother, but that would be unfair of me since he gets his stubbornness from me. From his mother, he gets his temper. His business sense is second to none, and he has a way with people, but when you get on his bad side, look out. He despises insincere flattery and personal questions, warm one minute and freezing your balls off the next. I already approached him with the idea of hiring private security for him over this, and he was completely against it. This is going to piss him off to no end. If there’s one thing my son won’t stand is loss of control. Whoever you send in, he’ll see as a threat to that control, and he will fight it with everything he has.”
Ace cleared his throat. “Permission to speak freely, sir?”
“Ace,” King warned.
“It’s okay,” Paxton said, putting up a hand. “You boys say what you need to say. No minced words.”
“Your son sounds like a pain in the ass.” Ace ignored King’s heavy sigh and the way he closed his eyes, clearly summing patience.
Paxton scoffed. “Understatement.”
“That’s why I’d be perfect for the job.”
King sat back and moved his gaze to the ceiling. It was clear he agreed, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. The room was quiet, all eyes on King. Several heartbeats later, he leaned forward, his gaze meeting Paxton’s and his fingers laced together on his desk.
“I won’t lie to you, Mr. Connolly. Ace’s methods are somewhat… unorthodox.”
“Meaning?”
Ace grinned. “Sir, I’m an asshole at the best of times, but I’m damn good at what I do. My job will be to protect your son, not coddle him or kiss his ass. If he wants a fight, he’ll get one, and believe me, he won’t win. I will protect him, by any means necessary.”
“In other words, you’re not going to take his bullshit.”
“Not if it interferes with me doing my job.”
“Good. We’ve already established a way to make this contract watertight, with an added clause stating he can’t fire you or cancel the contract. Anything and everything will have to be authorized by me.”
“Yes, sir.”
They all turned their attention to King, and Ace held back his smile. He could see the exact moment King made the decision. His friend actually flinched. It was subtle, but it had been there.
“Ace is correct. If your son is difficult to work with, Ace is the best King for the job. He’ll take lead on this, be your son’s personal security, assemble a team, and get started as soon as the contract is signed.”
“Excellent. I’ve forced him to take some time off under the guise he’s got vacation time he needs to use, but because he’s a stubborn pain in the ass, he’s informed me he’ll be working from home a good deal of the time. For all I know, he’ll show up at the office. Kid’s always done whatever the hell he wanted anyway.”
Ace liked the guy already. Too bad Colton was going to hate Ace. It seemed like the guy had finally met his match.
Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
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