Review: Taking Fire (One-Eyed Jacks #4)

Taking Fire (One-Eyed Jacks #4)

by Cindy Gerard

Blurb:

Betrayal. Retribution. Redemption?

Six years ago, tough-as-nails military contractor Bobby Taggart met the woman of his dreams in war-torn Kabul—a sexy, whip-smart war correspondent who approached him at a local bar, took him to bed, made him fall in love…and then mysteriously disappeared. In her wake, the terrorist leader he’d been mining for valuable intel was assassinated—then Bobby discovered his phone had been bugged. And he’s pretty damn sure he’s been played for a fool...

Themes: contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The final one-eyed Jack has finally found his mate and earned his HEA with this newest installment of the wonderful series by Cindy Gerard.  Bobby’s story is one that I have been anticipating a long time now and I am thrilled to have been given the chance to share my opinions about it.  This story is full of heartbreak, pain, and trauma to be sure, but there is also an enormous amount of love, forgiveness, and acceptance in the lives of Bobby and Talia.  For long-time fans of the series, Bobby is a familiar character that has had his ups and down, but ultimately remains a good guy, but in this story we get to see why he is hard-hearted and cynical when it comes to women.  After all, what causes a man to give up on women more than the ultimate betrayal by one when he has finally given his trust and opened his heart?  I loved Bobby, even understanding why he was so hard on Talia, and seeing him interacting with her son was a bit tear-inducing.  Talia was a woman that I had to work hard to actually like, mainly because I will never understand a woman that can betray a man that she has come to feel deeply for, even if it is her duty.  I understand duty as much as the next military brat, but I know there were other ways she could have handled things.  Obviously the way readers immediately connect and start analyzing motives of these characters is the true measure of Ms. Gerard’s skill and ability at developing her characters and her world.  I am dying for more of these sexy alpha males and can’t wait to see more of Talia and Bobby growing closer in future novels.  The only objection I have is that the time they were able to be together, without buildings exploding or guns going off was too short for my tastes to allow for love to redevelop, but luckily they have been in love since the first moment they met, so it wasn’t too much of a stretch.  Another hit, Cindy, keep up the awesome writing.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.