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REVIEW: Promises Part 3 by A.E. Via
The Bounty Hunters: Promises Part 3 – A.E. Via
A bounty hunter’s partners to lovers’ story.
The hunt is on… and he’s the prey.Bradford (Ford) King was sure he had the rest of his life mapped out. Though he was no longer a SEAL Lieutenant, his brother was home safe and he had a job that still allowed him to satisfy his hunger for hunting bad guys. Life was simple, no distractions or complications – at age forty-six – that’s all Ford wanted. What he didn’t want was his work partner, sniper/watchman, Dana, giving him s**t all the time.
Dana Cadby had grown up labeled a roughneck from the wrong side of the tracks. He’d fought, scrounged, and survived despite a father that constantly told him he couldn’t. Dana pulled himself up by his own boot straps and made a name for himself in the marksman community. He’d been Duke’s bounty watchman for five years. It was his job to ensure their safety, watch their backs. At thirty-three, he was trusted, well respected by his peers, his bosses, his friends… so why couldn’t he earn the same respect from his partner?
Dana knew he was bisexual before he graduated high school. He also knew he was attracted to the huge, 6’3”, SEAL from the moment he and his brother came to join their team. It wasn’t easy for him to tamp down his immediate reaction to Ford’s thick muscles, full beard, and dark eyes. Still, Dana exhibited nothing but professionalism towards him, not wanting to make his ‘straight’ partner uncomfortable. So why did Ford constantly give him hell?
After Dana took back his ex-girlfriend, he’d noticed an intensification in Ford’s bad attitude. One that turned aggressive and downright antagonistic, and Dana was damned if he’d just lay down and take it. He was gonna make that man respect him if it was the last thing he did.
When Duke sends Dana and Ford out to track down their most dangerous bounty yet, they both embrace the fact that they make one hell of a team… but they fight tooth and nail against the powerful intimacy brewing between them.
Beware: If Ford and Dana connect completely, god help the fugitive who’s in the sights of the hunter and his watchman.
This story is a part of a series but can stand alone. It does not end on a cliffhanger and has a HEA.
They were a couple of idiots but at least their story was better than Quick and Cayson’s.
Idiot #1 is Ford. A stubborn fool who refused to acknowledge his feelings for his partner.
Idiot #2 is Dana. Who needs to grow a pair and dump his snobby user of a girlfriend.
The on-again-off-again girlfriend was annoying as fuck but I wasn’t annoyed with Ford and Dana. They were actually kind of amusing in the way dumb asses are amusing. Ford made a big deal about the age difference between them but he was as immature as the younger guy.
Yep, they deserve each other.
We get the usual ratio of 90% relationship woes/romance stuff, 10 % action/suspense. At this point, I already know what to expect so no sense complaining about the lack of bounty hunting procedural and other case-related scenes.
We also get the usual not-so-deep plot and character development but despite all this, the author is especially adept at making you care for her characters. Sure, I roll my eyes at the OTT-ness of it all but at the end of the day, I really, really want her alphas to get their HEAs. Even the idiots.
The next book is the one I’m most excited to read about. Based on the teasers, Brian’s book is going to be the best. I just know it!
P.S.
The best way to get to know these tough guys is to read The Bounty Hunters books in order.
Promises Part 1 review here
Promises Part 2 review here
A.E. Via books hereRating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: I Wanna Be Yours
Artist: Arctic Monkeys
Album: AM -
BLOG TOUR: T.A.G. You’re Heard by A.G. Carothers (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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RELEASE BLITZ: Everyday History by Alice Archer (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Biker Daddy by Gianni Holmes (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Boiling Over by Thea McAlistair (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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AUDIO REVIEW: Promises Part 1 by A.E. Via
The Bounty Hunters: Promises Part 1 – A.E. Via
Duke Morgan owns and operates one of the largest bail bond companies in Atlanta. Not only does he bond criminals out of jail, he and his notorious group of bounty hunters will also track them down and ensure they show up for court.
Roman ‘Quick’ Webb is Duke’s business partner and best friend. Both men are in their forties and have given up on the happily ever after with the ranch-style home, and white picket fence. They’d both tried it and failed miserably. But they have their friendship and they have the business.
When Quick’s son, Vaughan Webb returns – after seven years – from studying abroad with his law degree in hand, he’s back to claim what he’s always wanted…his fathers’ best friend… Duke Morgan. Vaughan has always claimed to be a classic gentleman with an old soul. He didn’t party and screw up in school like his buddies. He was focused and dedicated to becoming the man worthy of Duke’s love.
It’s a complex and messy situation as Duke and Quick figure out how to still be best friends when one of them is sleeping with his friend’s one and only son. But when Duke is hurt on the job, all the unimportant trivialities fall to the wayside and Vaughan and Quick put their heads together to save Duke.
Part I of the Promises story is about Duke and Vaughan. Part II will be about Quick and his realization that it’s not too late for any of them to find love.
You got to hand it to Vaughan. He really knew how to woo a man.
The lawyer fell in love with his father’s bestfriend, Duke when he was 16 and since then, he embarked on a single-minded pursuit of the bounty hunter. But before he can make his move, he had to grow up and make Duke see him as a man.
I love Vaughan’s determination and devotion! He literally gave a piece of himself to the one he loves just so they could be together. He’s my favorite character here.
Duke was this big bad bounty hunting boss. Is really a big, needy softie. Nothing against him. He’s alright, I suppose.
Quick is Duke’s bestfriend and Vaughan’s father. He has long since accepted his son’s crush and is very supportive of his son and his bestfriend’s romance. He has some potential romance of his own with a handsome doctor if only he admits the attraction to himself before it’s too late.
I loved the first parts. It was more dramatic especially when Duke was injured and he only had weeks or months to live unless he undergoes an operation. This is where Vaughan went above and beyond the usual love declarations and made a sacrifice without telling Duke. He swore the doctor and his father to secrecy knowing Duke would refuse if he knew.
There is little conflict between the characters, apart from initial reactions. I wouldn’t mind it if the story revolved around Duke’s job and his recovery. However, as with most of A.E. Via‘s works, it is very romance-centric. Which means a lot of cheesy lines and couple downtime that I usually skip to make the story go faster. The plot is thin and the latter part where Duke and his friends went after the man who injured him seemed like rushed attempt to wrap up a loose thread.
Aiden Snow, who narrated Via‘s Nothing Special series, also did the reading for The Bounty Hunters. He is one of the reasons I stuck with the author’s works. He voices alpha males to perfection. Nothing Special has a big cast and I had no problems distinguishing the voices of the characters. Same with The Bounty Hunters. The voices were very apt for each character and emoted well. I recommend getting The Bounty Hunters in audio because Snow is eargasm!
All in all, this is a book you go for if you want steamy, entertaining stories about alpha males getting in touch with their emotions. Suspension of disbelief may be necessary but the author certainly knew how to hook her readers because I’m eagerly awaiting Quick and Doc’s story.
P.S.
A.E. Via books here.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible for providing the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: For Your Love
Artist: Josh Record
Album: Pillars -
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Stick to the Script by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: What Works for Us by Colette Davison (Excerpt)
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REVIEW: Sadistic Sherlock by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Ward Security: Sadistic Sherlock – Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Ten years ago, Dominic Walsh faked his own death. With no true identity, it wasn’t hard. But if he’d stayed, he would have been drawn further into a life he’d never chosen. He has friends and family at Ward Security now and has managed to escape his dark past. There is only one thing he truly wants.
Abraham Stephens.
When Dom was first tasked with watching over his friend’s father, he didn’t expect to fall so hard for the gorgeous silver fox. But Abe is interested in friendship only. He’s at a point in his life where he wants something permanent, not a romp with the sexy redhead who happens to be the same age as his son.
But Abe finds himself drawn deeper into Dom’s life when cryptic messages start appearing—ones that frighten the skilled security specialist. The more Dom tries to hide what’s happening, the more Abe wants to help him.
And maybe, just maybe, he’ll find a way to trust the strength of the bond Dom understood from the start.
Ward Security is the spin-off series of Unbreakable Bonds. This features Ward Security employees from the bodyguards like Dom to the tech specialists like Quinn. Ward Security is like a family to many of them
I think Ward Security rule #1 should be: At the first sign of trouble, tell Rowe.
Yet another Ward Security employee is neck-deep in trouble and failed to tell the boss. Dom, whose cheeky personality reminded me of Rowe, saved an A-list movie star from a stalker. His heroic act was caught on cam and became a viral video. This led people he ran away from and who thought he was dead to track his whereabouts. And then, these people threatened him and Abe via ciphers.
At first he tried to handle it himself. But he was caught and had to be rescued. Stupid, stupid move, Dom.
I enjoyed the unveiling of Dom’s mysterious past. Because of his goofy personality, you would think he had it easy but his childhood was spent thieving and conning. I especially liked the meeting with the last of his family. His brother was a ruthless psycho, though I’m kind of interested in him and his boyfriend. Too bad he was almost 100% evil so it’s a no go on more appearances.
Abe and Dom’s slow-burn romance began in book one. Abe was the mysterious person the bodyguard was so hang up on. And Dom, who was normally a playboy, had been pursuing him for a year.
I pictured Abe as a Henry Rollins lookalike because the punker is THE silver fox. Abe had known he was bi since his younger days but had never really acted on his attraction to men. Until Dom.
Truth be told, this is the book I’m least looking forward to read. The romance had the age-gap, silver fox trope. It’s not really something I go for. I find it kind of awkward that Dom is same age as Abe’s son, Shane. I’m ok with mature MCs. I just prefer them with love interests close to their age.
Still, I rate this a notch higher than the previous book, Deadly Dorian. Even if the romance was not my cup of tea, I liked Dom and Abe individually. Also, the troubled past had been done in the series before with Royce’s story, but, Sadistic Sherlock was able to offer a different take while still having the usual elements we love, like the missions, the humor and the OTT action scenes. This was also a more fun story with more involvement from the other guys.
This series has been hits and misses so far, but I’m pretty much committed to it. The characters feel like old friends and I love catching up with each of them every time there’s a new story. Here’s hoping the next one would be better.
P.S.
Ward Security is best read in order. WS books here
Unbreakable Bonds hereRating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Bury It
Artist: CHVRCHES
Album: Every Open Eye -
COVER REVEAL: What Works for Us by Colette Davison (Excerpt)
