Too Hard to Handle (Black Knights Inc. #8)
by Julie Ann Walker
Blurb:
Dan
"The Man" Currington is back in fighting form with a mission that
takes him four thousand miles south of BKI headquarters, high in the Andes
Mountains of Peru. He's hot on the trail of a rogue CIA agent selling
classified government secrets to the highest bidder, when Penni DePaul arrives
on the scene. Suddenly the stakes are higher, and keeping Penni safe becomes
Dan's number one priority.
And
this time she's ready
A
lot has changed since former Secret Service Agent Penni DePaul last saw Dan.
Now a civilian, she's excited about what the future might hold. But before she
can grab onto that future with both hands, she has to tie up some loose
ends-namely, Dan Currington, the man she just can't forget. And a secret that's
going to change both their lives-if they can stay alive, that is.
Themes: contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Dan's
story has come full circle bringing love back into his life and reminding us
all that the heart has an infinite capacity for love and affection. Readers of
this series have watched as Dan's life was almost lost when his beloved wife was
killed pushing him into the darkness found at the bottom of a bottle, all the
way through his battle to return to the light and find a way to continue to
serve his country and live his life. But
when he met Penni in the previous novel we saw the spark in him come back for
the first time in years. Penni never
knew just how important their time together in Malaysia was several months ago,
but when she returns to Dan to have an important talk with him she never
imagined she'd be pulled into his work as much as his arms. Walker has an ability to tug on your heart
just as much as your libido with characters that are as varied and intense as
they are sweet and sassy. The story continues as the Black Knights find
themselves facing new enemies and dealing with old threats. I am really looking forward to the future
stories in this series, but I can foresee an end in sight soon if we don’t bring
in some fresh blood and new knights. *hint hint, nudge nudge*
Dan
and Penni had their encounter a few months earlier when they were on assignment
together in Malaysia, but Penni still desires and needs him in her life. When she heads to BKI to find him, she instead
learns he is on assignment in Peru and sets out to find him there. Dan is beyond surprised, and slightly
terrified, when Penni stumbles into the middle of his mission, placing herself
in direct danger from a madman out to kill them all. As they battle together and repeatedly
succumb to the outrageously intense attraction between them, Dan and Penni both
come to understand that their connection means more than anything either of
them have felt in a while.
Unfortunately, when Penni learns of Dan's tragic past, she is unable to
accept that she could ever fill the hole left behind by his beloved wife, even
though she brings a little something extra to the table with her. Now Dan really has his work cut out for him,
proving to Penni that she owns him heart and soul, and finding a way for them
to build a life together.
Dan's
tragedy and subsequent withdrawal from life scared both his friends and the
readers that have followed his crisis of faith, but seeing him finally come to
life as he comes to terms with his desire for Penni was beyond amazing. Truly heartwarming, Dan's desire and
affection for Penni ultimately brings him back to life. Dan is a serious bad-ass in the field, but
seeing Penni place herself in danger again and again brings up serious issues
for him as he comes to terms with the fact that his love for Penni is just as
or maybe even stronger than the love that he had for his beloved late wife. Falling in love has never been so painful, but
seeing her in danger reminds him that life is short and he needs to protect and
claim his woman if he ever hopes to have a moments peace again. The sweet and funny side of Dan is apparent
in the banter between himself and Penni, as well as his interaction with his
brothers and sisters in arms. In the end
Dan must dig deep to find every ounce of his strength and power to keep himself
and Penni alive so they can have the future together they were destined
for.
Penni
never knew that Dan was the one man that could dig deep into her heart and find
a home that she could never eject him from.
She desired him from the first moment they met, but passion can be
quenched without a woman falling in love...right? Unable to deny her need to see him again,
Penni throws herself into his path and unknowingly into the path of
danger. Determined to prove her worth to
him, Penni works with him and his team to bring in a traitor while keeping
everyone safe and sound. But the best
part is that the passion continues to burn hot and true between them, leading
to some sexy and fun moments, even at the most inappropriate of times. Penni has her own insecurities, sure, but her
determination to have Dan and share a life with him leads to some interesting
choices that force them both to face and deal with some very intense issues. Her sassy mouth and sweet heart are a perfect
foil for Dan's gruff sensuality and ability to sweep Penni up into the
maelstrom of his passion and intensity. As the full truth of their future comes
to light, Penni's stubbornness draws a line that I didn't agree with, but
thankfully they are able to get past their fears to find their love and
happiness.
Dan
and Penni's story was one filled with anxiety, passion, regrets, and the beauty
of love leading to rebirth. There are seldom stories that show the way a person
can come back from rock bottom, where a man has truly lost all will to live, to
find a way to love again and devote his life to his work and the woman that has
captured his soul. Dan has found a way to do the almost impossible and giving
his heart to Penni is the final step for him.
His connection to her has been obvious since their first meeting and
while he never quit thinking of her, he never imagined she would slam back into
his life like a chambered .45 and lead to so many changes in him. Dan's
sweetly silly moments have been few and far between, but Penni brings out the
softer side of this hard-edged and deadly operator. Penni, the kind of woman that never imagined
she'd fall in love, has found herself softening as she falls in love with Dan
deeper and deeper. Her sassy mouth and
deadly skill set are just what she needs to make her life with Dan and keep
them both alive. I cannot wait for the
next story, which I assume with be Chelsea and Zoelner's story, one that has
been hinted at for a little while now, and if so that one stands to be even
hotter and more dangerous than Dan and Penni's story. Walker strikes gold again with the operators
and their allies as these men find their mates and give their hearts in the
ultimate war, the battle of the heart.
*eARC provided by publisher (via
netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.
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