Beware of Me (Dark Obsession #4) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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

Beware of Me

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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.

••••••••••••••••••

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

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Need Me (Dark Obsession #3) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Need Me (Dark Obsession #3) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Need Me

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24, 2015

Innocent…or guilty?

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself.

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: NEED ME is the third installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Dark Obsession romance suspense series focusing on three friends who run VJS Protection. This is tech expert Devlin Shade and Julianna Smith’s storyline. NEED ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from third person point of view the focus of the storyline is protecting Julianna Smith. She is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder; all clues point towards Julianna’s guilt; but Julianna remembers nothing about the night her husband died. With numerous threats and attempts on her life, Julianna is in need of a bodyguard and protection. Enter Devlin Shade, the ‘S’ in VJS Protection and the man who isn’t so sure Julianna is free of guilt.

The relationship between Julianna and Devlin begins when Devlin names himself Julianna’s protector. VJS Protection was recommended to Julianna for their high end protection and anonymity, as well their ability to get the job done but the more Devlin begins to dig into Julianna’s story, the more holes and lies continue to emerge. If Julianna didn’t kill her husband, why are there so many people trying to end her life? Julianna and Devlin’s attraction to one another is immediate and intense; a case of insta love/insta lust that does not go unnoticed by the people in charge. The $ex scenes are impulsive, hot and steamy.

Julianna is a woman possessed to prove her innocence but is she truly innocent of the crime she has been accused of committing? At every opportunity Julianna refuses to expose the people she loves to possibility of danger but in doing so, she lies by omission and bending the truth; and runs at every opportunity placing herself and Devlin in danger. Devlin is unable to put his complete trust in the woman he has been hired to protect with his life. Some of Julianna’s actions are difficult to accept and understand.

The secondary characters include a brief appearance by Devlin’s business partners Chance and Lex, as well as Detective Faith Chestang and Ethan Barclay-all of whom we met in the previous storylines and installments. WE are also introduced to Julianna’s sister Carly-a woman both Ethan and Julianna are trying desperately to protect; and of course the requisite evil-who may or may not be someone Julianna knows.

NEED ME is a quick read; a fast paced and suspense filled storyline with twists, turns, and accusations all directed at destroying Julianna’s life. Cynthia Eden builds the storyline momentum with action, tension and doubt proving that a true detective should never stop looking for every possible clue. There are moments of drama and suspense; passion and romance; anguish and the destructive nature of jealousy and greed. Cynthia Eden pulls you into a roller coaster of ..did she or didn’t she?

Reading Order

Watch Me
Want Me
Need Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Watch Me (Dark Obsession #1) by Cynthia Eden-a review

WATCH ME (Dark Obsession #1) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Watch Me

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: December 9, 2014

Watch Me…The first book in New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden’s sexy new romantic suspense series…DARK OBSESSION.

He was hired to protect her.

Watching gorgeous Gwen Hawthorne wasn’t a hard job—but it certainly was tempting. Chance Valentine had tried to keep his distance from the sexy socialite for years, but when her father hired him to keep watch on her—as a twenty-four, seven bodyguard—Chance knew his control was about to be pushed to the limit.

He’d never wanted another woman the way he desired her. Hot. Intense. Consuming. Being so close to Gwen, Chance knew that he wouldn’t be able to resist her. So he gave into his need, her need, and he took them both to the edge of a dark and consuming desire.

But Chance soon realizes that he isn’t the only one watching Gwen. Someone else is out there, a stalker who won’t rest until Gwen is destroyed. Every day, every moment…Gwen is in danger. And Chance knows that if he can’t unmask the stalker, then he may just lose the only woman he has ever loved.

1. Watch Me – available now
2. Want Me – January 2015 release
3. Need Me – February 2015 release

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: WATCH ME is the first book in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Dark Obsession romantic suspense series. This is security expert Chance Valentine and Gwen Hawthorne’s storyline-a second chance at love for two people who have never stopped loving one another.

The premise finds Gwen’s wealthy father (Will Hawthorne) hiring his former bodyguard Chance Valentine, and Chance’s elite security agency VJS Protection to guard and watch over his daughter. VJS Security specializes in high end protection where anonymity and secrecy is guaranteed. Gwen has a stalker-a former boyfriend who has a history of obsession-and a man who is willing to do anything to protect the woman he had once hoped to marry. But things go from bad to worse when the threats against Gwen become violent and the danger begins to point in another direction. A restraining order does not appear to be working and the danger is coming from an unknown source.

The relationship between Chance and Gwen is one of second chances. There is no denying their attraction to one another and, in this, Gwen’s father makes use of Chance’s feelings towards the woman that he has never forgotten. Chance was once employed as Will Hawthorne’s bodyguard and dating the boss’s daughter was completely out of the question. Gwen tries to keep her distance but circumstances find the couple together 24/7. The sex scenes are intimate and seductive.

The supporting and secondary characters include Chance’s security team partners Lex Jenson and tech expert Devlin Shade; and Detective Faith Chestang who has an unknown but interesting connection to Gwen’s father Will. We will be introduced to Gwen’s former boyfriend Ethan Barclay and his sometimes bodyguard Daniel Duvato-two men who continue to frighten Gwen with every encounter; and Sophie Sarantos, Ethan’s lawyer and childhood friend whose story will be told in the January 2015 installment WANT ME. The ensemble cast of characters and VJS Security are the building blocks for Cynthia’s Dark Obsession series and sets up the next storyline installment.

WATCH ME is a short story; a romantic, suspense filled, fast paced novella that introduces the partners at VJS Security and the people and friends with whom the agency will come in contact. The storyline is quick to build; the character history and background information is interspersed throughout the story allowing for a smooth transition between past and present. I wish there was a little more information about the partnership between Chance, Lex and Devlin (VJS Security) but perhaps more information about the connection will be revealed in Lex and Devlin’s storylines.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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