Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc.
Featuring: Ben Wilde; Courtney McKenna
300 pages ISBN: 1942840608 EAN: 9781942840602 Kindle: B07P8G4HQK Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
BEFORE BEN is the third book in
Cynthia Eden's Wilde Ways romantic suspense series. Although some
of the same characters show up in each book in this series, each
installment works as a standalone story with a different hero and
heroine in each. Each book in this series also takes a classic trope and
puts a Cynthia Eden romantic suspense spin on it. In BEFORE BEN, this story starts out like
a classic "enemies-to-lovers" story, but quickly takes a different turn.
Courtney McKenna and Ben Wilde are both divorce attorneys who
battle each other in court. Courtney has always believed that Ben
dislikes her and vice versa. Ben has always harbored a secret attraction
for Courtney. Courtney, blissfully unaware of Ben's true feelings, has
always put an emotional distance between herself and any men she's
dated. Over the course of the book, Ben convinces Courtney that the
image she has of him is wrong and his feelings for her are deeper than
she would've ever guessed.
Ben Wilde is a good brother, good best friend, and good at his career.
One thing Ben has never been good at is creating a favorable
impression on fellow attorney Courtney McKenna. In the opening scene
with Ben trying to hit on Courtney, I was as unamused by his display as
she was and didn't think I would like him. I'm glad Cynthia Eden tells
this story from alternating perspectives. Ben and Courtney keep their
true feelings hidden from most people. Their relationship evolves as the
story progresses and the trust between them increases. It's not far into
the story before Courtney becomes a woman in danger and Ben takes
on the role of protector -- whether Courtney wants him to be or not. As
with most Cynthia Eden suspense novels, the identity of the true villain
isn't revealed until near the end. Readers and the good guys are kept
on the edge until the people pulling the strings behind the scenes
reveal themselves. Ben grew on me throughout this book and by the
end, I really was rooting for him and Courtney.
BEFORE BEN has an unlikely
knight in shining armor and plenty of adrenaline-fueled action and
passion to satisfy romance fans. After showing up in the previous
books in this series, I hope to read more about Agent Julia Slate her
partner Rick Williams. I'm also really hoping that that the ever-
determined Detective Layla Lopez gets a book of her own too.
Enemies make the best lovers.
It was a one night stand with her worst enemy. Ben Wilde was
cocky, charming, and sexy as the best sin. He was also
Courtney McKenna’s weakness. Every single inch of his
muscled perfection was trouble and temptation. They’d
sparred in the courtroom more times than she could count,
and the tension between them had always been red-hot. One
night should have been all she needed to get the guy out of
her head and her dreams. Only…it wasn’t.
Because before Ben, life was easy. Life
after Ben? Hot. Dark. And dangerous.
Courtney tries to fight her scorching desire for Ben even as
they plan to face-off in court once again. Even as they
fight for power. But once you cross some lines, there is no
going back. And Ben doesn’t plan to let her go anywhere.
He’s had a taste, but Ben wants a whole lot
more.
Ben Wilde has never believed that opposites attract, but
there is something about button-downed, prim and proper
Courtney that has always driven him wild. And when he gets
her in his bed, the attraction he feels for her changes into
a sensual obsession. Sure, they can be enemies in the
courtroom, but in the bedroom, they are meant to be
something else entirely.
Be careful what you want…
Someone out there doesn’t want Ben to have Courtney. Someone
who will do anything to stop their attraction. But that
predator in the dark is messing with the wrong man. When it
comes to Courtney’s safety, Ben will break every rule in the
book. He will stop pretending to be nice and show the world
just how wicked and dangerous he can truly be. Because
Courtney is his, and Ben will play dirty, he’ll
play rough, and he will destroy anyone who threatens her.
I think this is going to be a n excellent read. Great review, especially including what else you'd like to see. Thanks. (Kathleen Bylsma 8:40pm May 27, 2019)