Black List (Black's Bandits #1)
by Lynn Raye Harris
Blurb:
Jace
Kaiser is a man without a country, without connection. His only loyalty is to
the group who saved him, and the man who leads them.
Until
her...
The
assignment should have been easy. Capture a deadly assassin and take her to HQ.
But flawed intel leads to disaster, and Jace abducts a beautiful art appraiser
instead. Intrigued by her courage, he's drawn to her in ways he can't explain.
Dr. Madeline Cole stood up to him, fought for her identity, and never backed
down. She's the kind of woman he could fall for if it wasn't so dangerous--for
her.
Then
Maddy is targeted for elimination because she's the sole person who can
identify the mysterious female assassin--and the only thing standing between
her and certain death is the sexy mercenary who swears he'll die before he lets
anything happen to her. As the passion between them ignites, it seems clear
that keeping Maddy safe has become the most important assignment of Jace's
life.
Even
then, protecting her might not be enough--because Jace has secrets that could
destroy them both. And someone is determined to unmask them all...
Themes: Contemporary
Rating: 4.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
So,
for fans of the HOT series, we have long awaited the mysterious Ian Black and
his team getting their very own spin-off series and while many of us kind of
hoped that Ian's might be the first book, we knew that would be a slim
chance. Not to be let down at all, the
first book in the series revolves around one of Ian's long-time operatives Jace
and his fall, as he finds the love of his life in the most unexpected of situations. I loved getting a chance to read this story
early and to see Jace find that sometimes what he thinks is best for him is truly not and that the love he thinks he doesn’t deserve and doesn’t need is
the one thing that can redeem him. This truly is a story about two people,
meeting at a time that neither of them is even thinking of love, and not really
liking one another at first glance by feeling the connection and chemistry that
is sometimes undeniable between two people.
I loved the connection that developed slowly between Jace and Maddy,
even though the time they were together was intense and filled with
dangers. If you are looking for a slow
paced and sweet romance, Black List might not be for you, but if you want the
danger, heat and suspense of a Lynn Raye Harris masterpiece, look no
further—and the plot twist on this one was just a little bit heartbreaking I
have to admit. I cannot wait for what
comes next.
Jace
has led a dangerous and deadly life already and he has no desire to add to the
drama by bringing a woman into it or returning to his former homeland, but when
his boss, the man who saved his life, asks a favor he cannot deny it. Returning to stalk an infamous assassin, in
hopes of bringing her to justice, seems like a good enough reason to risk his
life, but when he comes face to face with her there is no denying the magnetic
pull between them, even as he knows she is evil. Dr. Madeline Cole is minding her own
business, trying to do her job appraising the art of a Russian Oligarch when
she is kidnapped and accused of being a killer, spirited away back to the US
and faced with the devastatingly sexy Jace as her captor. Jace and Maddy spark off one another, even
when she is cleared of any wrongdoing, and he is drawn to her despite knowing
that he should leave her alone for her own safety. When it becomes more than clear that Maddy is
no longer safe from danger, Jace will do anything to make sure that she is
protected, even if it means giving her up.
But an old enemy is stalking him and realizes just what Maddy means to
him, leaving them both in a position to decide if their love is strong enough
to win the day, or if the villain of this story might just be devious enough to
defeat them all.
Knowing
Lynn, I knew her characters were going to be amazing, but I had
no clue what to truly expect from one of Black’s Bandits, as in the past we
have gotten hints at their semi-dark natures and somewhat shady
associations. That being said I was glad
to find out that Jace was a truly honorable man that had been screwed in the
past and came out a better man in the end. Jace was definitely a sexy guy to be
sure, but his integrity and willingness to give his all to those he defends is
what made him such a good guy in my eyes.
While he definitely has a past that would make a woman second guess her
thoughts, her instincts will always tell her to trust him and her heart will
fall into his hands every time. I loved
getting to know him and see him struggle with himself as he fell in love with
Maddy despite his best efforts to prevent it.
And boy did he try his level best to prevent it! Maddy on the other hand
is the most practical woman you will ever meet. She is that friend who will drop everything to
run to you and talk you out of whatever crazy decision you are about to make
with your life. But she knows the minute
she meets Jace that she can trust him, despite the way they meet, and it
confuses the hell out of her. I enjoyed
watching her spar with Jace AND with Ian (that was hilarious!) and her spunk
kept her from being too staid. While she
is definitely not the bubbliest of people because of her past and her current
emotional dramas, her natural sweetness and loving nature is just what Jace
needs to balance the darkness that has haunted him. I loved seeing the balance they brought to
one another when their guards were down, and they just let themselves be.
Black
List is definitely the beginning of an all new adventure, hinting at some of
the characters that have peeked out in the HOT series (which you should
absolutely read!), and I am really looking forward to reading more. Harris again shows us that sometimes the
truth of a man lies not in simply the black and white of the world, but in the grays of our natures that we have to explore in order to do what is right. Jace is a man that I could easily see myself
falling for; strong, brave, loving, and devoted to those he gives his loyalty,
Jace is willing to do whatever he needs to protect those he sees as in need of
protection and there is no truer definition of a hero to me. Maddy is a woman pulled into a shadowy world
she really never knew existed and she is blind to how to survive in it, but she
refuses to let it beat her down. She
will defend herself, her man, and those she loves with the strength and courage
of the lioness she never knew lived in her heart. The heat and chemistry between these two is
off the charts, even when they are at cross-purposes and you can tell that will
last forever. I really enjoyed seeing
Maddy and Jace heal one another and find their path to walk together in
life. I am dying to see where this
series goes and hope to see some of my favorite HOT operators perhaps cross paths
with Black’s Bandits in future novels, but even if not, just glimpses of Ian are
enough for me…until he of course is brought low by his own sexy, sassy,
heart-stealing woman! Keep the magic coming, Lynn.
*eARC provided by author for the
purpose of an honest and unbiased review.
No compensation was provided.
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