BEWARE OF ME (Dark Obsession #4) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2015

Criminal. Killer. Monster. Ethan Barclay has been called many things in life, and he usually doesn’t care what people say about him. He’s tough, hard, and brutal when he needs to be. But even the most dangerous of men can have a weakness. Ethan’s weakness has–and always will be–Carly Shay.

Their pasts are tied together–twisted and melded by blood and death. Walking away from Carly was the hardest thing that Ethan ever did, but it was also his one good deed. He knew Carly deserved far better than him, and he wanted her to have a perfect life, a life that didn’t involve paying for Ethan’s sins.

Only now the secrets from their past have been revealed, and Carly’s life is on the line. Ethan’s enemies, Carly’s enemies–the predators are closing in on them. But Ethan isn’t going to let Carly be threatened. He will move heaven and hell to protect her. He won’t lose Carly, not again, and for those foolish enough to try and take her from him…they are about to see just how deadly Ethan truly can be.

Author’s Note: BEWARE OF ME is a complete, stand-alone story. All of the books in the Dark Obsession series are stand-alone titles.

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REVIEW: BEWARE OF ME is the fourth installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Dark Obsession erotic, dark romance, suspense series. This is businessman Ethan Barclay, and PR employee Carly Shay’s storyline- a story of second chances, dark secrets and dangerous pasts. Carly is Julianna Smith’s step sister (Need Me #3) and her tale began to unravel in the previous story. BEWARE OF ME is a stand alone storyline where some of the previous storyline characters plays a secondary or supporting role although for cohesion and history between the characters I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from third person point of view BEWARE OF ME follows Ethan Barclay as he vows to protect Carly Shay from the evil that threatens to destroy her life. Years before Carly and Ethan found themselves the victims of a psychotic crime boss wherein the mantra kill or be killed was the reality of their situation. Fast forward to present day where Carly becomes the target of someone seeking revenge for the sins of years ago-a missing crime boss whose minions want something in return. Carly will become the victim of more than one stalker when reputation and money are on the line.

BEWARE OF ME is a story of second chances for Ethan and Carly. Following their horrific ordeal Ethan pushed Carly out of his life to protect her from the darker side of his criminal past. But both of their pasts have come seeking revenge, and Ethan is determined to protect Carly-no matter the cost. Ethan is a wanted man by the FBI, and the FBI want to uncover what it is Carly is hiding. Ethan is an alpha male and an anti hero-an unscrupulous hero whose own moral code is a series of shades of grey and doesn’t have time to worry about collateral damage. Ethan has vowed to protect Carly with his life when the past comes seeking vengeance and retribution.

The relationship between Carly and Ethan is intense and dramatic; they share a dark and secreted past that has left both with physical and emotional scars. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative; the sexual chemistry is hot and heavy. Ethan is a businessman whose legitimate enterprises hide a criminal past; Carly is a woman whose emotional fragility is tested time and time again. From unsympathetic law enforcement to questionable medical ethics, our heroine finds herself re-victimized at every turn.

The secondary and supporting characters include Sophie Sarantos (Want Me #2) and Detective Faith Chestang-both of whom were introduced in previous storylines-Faith has had a recurring role throughout the series. We are also introduced to FBI special agent Victor Monroe whose own life will become entrenched with Ethan Barclay when an infamous crime lord’s daughter is somehow connected to our next storyline hero. Dr. Keith Nelson is a questionable psychiatrist whose professional relationship with Carly begins to cross the line between right and wrong; Ethan’s personal driver Charles may or may not be what he proclaims to be; and Curtis Atkins, a man who is determined to make Carly pay-once and for all.

BEWARE OF ME is a fast paced storyline of mystery and suspense; betrayal and revenge; romance and love. There are moments of regret and heartbreak coupled with a profession of love but a promise for the future comes with an entirely different set of rules. Cynthia Eden adds a few twists and turns to a storyline that is as unpredictable as the characters we have grown to love.

Reading Order

Watch Me
Want Me
Need Me
Beware of Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy