red_enigma_94's review
4.0
I'm a Cynthia Rayne newbie. Honestly, Black and Blue is a very well-written story, and I absolutely look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. I love stories like these that have the perfect blend of romance and action. I was engaged right from the beginning and just could not put this book down. Annie and West were awesome together, and I enjoyed their little push-pull, "battle of the wills." Clearly sparks were flying everywhere--no matter how hard they tried to deny themselves.
Annie and West both carried around some serious guilt and pain--rightfully so--that truly pierced my heart. A crucial mistake Annie made as a U.S. Marshal agent cost her partner his life. But Mike wasn't just any partner, he was her best friend, and the pain of losing him went deep. Ms. Rayne really did this scene justice. When I tell you I was in tears, I was literally sobbing.
Then we have West who lost a son, and that too, cut very deep. As a parent, I can only imagine the anguish and heartache I'd feel if I lost one of my children the way West did, or any way for that matter. But he vowed to make up for his shortcomings by being the best father he could be to the one child he had left, his daughter Katie.
What I also loved about this story was the camaraderie between the boss man, West and the rest of the crew at Black Star Security. They could joke and play around with each other one minute (the were some laugh-out-loud moments), but in the next, be there to have each others' backs in the most dangerous of situations. I admire the way they seem to truly care about one another. They're not afraid to be blatantly honest with each other when the occasion calls for it.
I thought the plot that centered around hunting three escaped fugitives was exciting and flowed beautifully within the story. I felt like I could be watching an episode, or even a movie of this book on tv.
There were minimal grammatical errors, but not so much so that readers get distracted. This was a really awesome book!
Annie and West both carried around some serious guilt and pain--rightfully so--that truly pierced my heart. A crucial mistake Annie made as a U.S. Marshal agent cost her partner his life. But Mike wasn't just any partner, he was her best friend, and the pain of losing him went deep. Ms. Rayne really did this scene justice. When I tell you I was in tears, I was literally sobbing.
Then we have West who lost a son, and that too, cut very deep. As a parent, I can only imagine the anguish and heartache I'd feel if I lost one of my children the way West did, or any way for that matter. But he vowed to make up for his shortcomings by being the best father he could be to the one child he had left, his daughter Katie.
What I also loved about this story was the camaraderie between the boss man, West and the rest of the crew at Black Star Security. They could joke and play around with each other one minute (the were some laugh-out-loud moments), but in the next, be there to have each others' backs in the most dangerous of situations. I admire the way they seem to truly care about one another. They're not afraid to be blatantly honest with each other when the occasion calls for it.
I thought the plot that centered around hunting three escaped fugitives was exciting and flowed beautifully within the story. I felt like I could be watching an episode, or even a movie of this book on tv.
There were minimal grammatical errors, but not so much so that readers get distracted. This was a really awesome book!
thebookdisciple's review
3.0
Good action. I liked the security team (very diverse group of people!) and I liked the hunt for the escaped prisoners. West and Annie were okay. I'm not entirely sure I fully believed their romance. Maybe I just didn't get enough development in that area? I'm not sure. Whatever the reason, I never really connected with them.
nikkisbooknook's review
4.0
Jackson West is a former SEAL. But when he loses his son, he leaves the Navy and opens his own fledgling Security Agency. Things are tight as they don't technically have any clients yet so they take on some Bounty Hunting to get their name into Law Enforcement circles.
Annie is a former Marshall. When she and her partner were involved in a prisoner escape, he was injured and she was kicked out of her job. Now looking into the escape on her own time, she and West's investigations cross and she finds herself with a new freelance job!
There is an instant attraction between them but Annie wants to get the escapees and thinks getting involved with West will just destabilise her objective. West similarly is still hurting from the loss of his son and his divorce and Annie...well she is not a one and done kind of girl!
Great mix of action, romance, and humour. I loved meeting the other members of Black Star especially a certain transplant from California whose biggest moan is the non healthy food LOL! I can't wait to get the next book!!!
Annie is a former Marshall. When she and her partner were involved in a prisoner escape, he was injured and she was kicked out of her job. Now looking into the escape on her own time, she and West's investigations cross and she finds herself with a new freelance job!
There is an instant attraction between them but Annie wants to get the escapees and thinks getting involved with West will just destabilise her objective. West similarly is still hurting from the loss of his son and his divorce and Annie...well she is not a one and done kind of girl!
Great mix of action, romance, and humour. I loved meeting the other members of Black Star especially a certain transplant from California whose biggest moan is the non healthy food LOL! I can't wait to get the next book!!!
elylibrarysec's review
4.0
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The action starts almost right from the beginning. Our author is so good in creating the scene that she had me glad that I wasn’t there but sad for the people involved. I had no trouble whatsoever having the scene play out in my head. It’s the type of scene where you have to respect how far these people go for their job. The author doesn’t glorify the job but might give a little food for thought. It’s a very emotional scene, and it might be just me, but having tissue close by may not be a bad idea. Even though it was emotional, it was a scene that let me know that I’m going to love this series.
Where Annie Foster’s situation was very serious, Jackson West will give you a little chuckle. This was a scene that I could see playing out on TruTv’s Top Funniest. He may think he’s alpha but that may have been before Annie – she’s not one to back down. I did find myself making a wish that I could be a part of the background when these two were going at it – and no, not for “those” scenes. Our author also created the perfect belly laugh moment – my only hint for you is the word breakfast.
Some first books, in a series, can seem a little long but that’s because the author has to build the whole world first. This author made her world very entertaining, while at times being very serious, which left me looking forward to meeting the whole team. What was a little different about this one was instead of a well-established group; this was more of a startup. The author creates an ending that doesn’t disappoint either – I got one last laugh. And I get to look forward to next month when Black and White comes out.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The action starts almost right from the beginning. Our author is so good in creating the scene that she had me glad that I wasn’t there but sad for the people involved. I had no trouble whatsoever having the scene play out in my head. It’s the type of scene where you have to respect how far these people go for their job. The author doesn’t glorify the job but might give a little food for thought. It’s a very emotional scene, and it might be just me, but having tissue close by may not be a bad idea. Even though it was emotional, it was a scene that let me know that I’m going to love this series.
Where Annie Foster’s situation was very serious, Jackson West will give you a little chuckle. This was a scene that I could see playing out on TruTv’s Top Funniest. He may think he’s alpha but that may have been before Annie – she’s not one to back down. I did find myself making a wish that I could be a part of the background when these two were going at it – and no, not for “those” scenes. Our author also created the perfect belly laugh moment – my only hint for you is the word breakfast.
Some first books, in a series, can seem a little long but that’s because the author has to build the whole world first. This author made her world very entertaining, while at times being very serious, which left me looking forward to meeting the whole team. What was a little different about this one was instead of a well-established group; this was more of a startup. The author creates an ending that doesn’t disappoint either – I got one last laugh. And I get to look forward to next month when Black and White comes out.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
cheryls's review
5.0
This fabulous book one in the Black Star Security series features West and Annie. The intense feelings of guilt these two feel over separate events of their pasts is tremendous and tragic. My heart truly breaks for each of them. They NEED each other. The suspense and action couldn’t have been written any better. It was captivating! The characters were fantastic. Knox was perfect! Literally! He has no shame and I mean that in a good way.
I found this book to be highly entertaining, intensely suspenseful, containing tons of testosterone and very, very sexy. I am very excited it is a “rapid release” series. I can’t wait for the next one!
I found this book to be highly entertaining, intensely suspenseful, containing tons of testosterone and very, very sexy. I am very excited it is a “rapid release” series. I can’t wait for the next one!
More...