Review: Resurrection (Redemption Harbor #1)

Resurrection (Redemption Harbor #1)

by Katie Reus 

Blurb:

She faked her own death…

Skye Arévalo left the CIA and faked her death to protect Colt Stuart, the only man she ever loved. Months later, a brutal kidnapping draws her to quietly infiltrate a dangerous cartel. Just when she thinks she’s home free, things go horribly wrong and she escapes with bloodthirsty enemies on her heels…only to find herself face to face with a bewildered and angry Colt.

He’ll cross every line to save her…

When Colt, a former Marine, finds out the woman he loved betrayed him, he’s shocked and hurt, but it doesn’t stop him from breaking every law on the books to keep her alive. Unfortunately, it might not be enough to stop a powerful enemy who will do anything to see the world burn and Skye dead.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Wow, I did not see this one coming. 

I knew going in that this series was going to be a little bit different, similar to the Red Stone Security series in some ways perhaps, but I had no idea how different it truly would turn out to be.  I have never read a story with Katie’s stamp on it that I didn’t love, but this new series is sure to be one that will capture my heart and keep me coming back for more for a long time to come.  The series ultimately seems to revolve around a bunch of longtime friends that have banded together to right the wrongs and fight the injustices in the world around them, which is one of my favorite premises for all series.  This first book contains a lot of getting-to-know-you moments with the characters while at the same time we get a truly unique and wonderful story for Skye and Colt. Colt has determined that though he lost the love of his life, he is going to do everything in his power to return his friend’s wife to him when he hears a rumor that she might still be alive.  Imagine his surprise when his rescue mission is interrupted because she has already been rescued, by a mysterious woman that refuses to share her identity with her rescuee or the people that she is helping. But there’s no stopping Colt on a mission and when he finds that the women he has been tailing is his lover—his supposedly dead lover—Colt’s heart is shattered all over again.  Skye gave up the love of her life in order to keep him and his family safe, but now that he knows she is alive there is no way to push him away again, and her heart can't truly take the pain of denying herself his love anymore.  Overcoming their hurts is the least of their problems though as an old enemy surfaces and forces them to come to terms with one another enough to work together to stay alive.  I enjoyed getting to see Colt and Skye working together and slowly healing and renewing their love, even knowing that they both still had serious issues to overcome in order to be together again.  While there were some slow moments, as is common in any first book in a series, Katie never leaves you in a lull for long and soon you are right back in the thick of things with danger around every corner.  Colt was a sexy man with some serious heart and seeing him dealing with his pain brought a tear to my eye more than once, but when his anger burned it was just as painful to see.  While Skye understands his anger on some level, she still loves him so deeply that it is impossible for her to truly understand why he cannot understand her reasons for deceiving and protecting him.  I loved both Skye and Colt and of course the passion between them was beyond sexy to experience, leaving me reaching for the ice water more than once.  I also enjoyed getting to know some of the other characters that will be getting books in the future as well as seeing the love between Colt's friends that were already hooked up.  This series will truly be about a family and the open hearts that will be expanding to allow the lovers of the members to join them and I cannot wait to see it happen. Another masterful work of art, Katie!

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