“Every leap of faith is a judgment call.”Kelly’s leap took her far from the home she loved and hated. Freed from the tentacles of her dead mother’s life-destroying choices, she bravely takes on New York City. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the walls to close in and test her in ways she never dreamed.Matty, on the other hand, burst from his introverted shell like a torpedo and reveled in … and reveled in everything the city offered an endlessly curious, four-year-old boy. He took the idea of a surprise big brother in his stride too and was over the moon with joy about
the family being created right before his eyes.
Their leap of faith also impacted Liam Ashforth and his fiancée, Rhiann Baron-Wilde. In one fell swoop the starchy, uptight businessman had a grown up sister who wasn’t at all impressed with his nonsense and a little brother who thought he walked on
air. And poor Rhiann—she was left in the middle juggling Liam’s reaction, Kelly’s confusion, Matty’s exuberance and Roman’s surprising behavior.
But what about Roman?
Driving at full speed off a cliff and free falling into a life-changing love wasn’t what he had in mind when Kelly Anne James tumbled into his path. But that’s what happened. And if that wasn’t enough, a critical situation from his complicated past that sat quietly simmering on a back burner was starting to boil. Soon, he’d have to bring his old life into the present and introduce the two.
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Could not put down Suzanne’s storytelling shines like a beacon here
Could not put down Suzanne’s storytelling shines like a beacon here.
When an author can surprise you no matter how many times you read her books you know that she is a keeper. And Suzanne is my go to for all my Happily ever Afters.
Every time I open up a book with her name on it I know from the first page that she has not disappointed in anyway. Her characters are always strong, sexy, snarky and honourable.
Checkmate is the followup to Bishop’s Pawn and takes up from where we found Roman back in New York with Kelly and Matty. Adjustments have been made and Matty is soaking it all up with the childlike wonder that you’d expect. He has slotted right in amongst these alpha males and has cemented his place with ease. But Kelly, she is struggling. Big time. Used to the spaces and freedom that rural Oklahoma offered. She finds herself at a loss and does not know what to do with herself.
Roman can see her struggling and is trying to lay out the future that will take them from the heart of New York and into a family home in the burbs.
But now there is a new threat looming. Roman’s past and that of the Justice Squad is catching up with him. And its not something that is going to be easily fixed. Even though that time was years ago he knows that the oath that they all made was not a one time deal. Once your in, your in for life regardless if you are no longer serving.
New faces are arriving on the scene and one in particular will have you entranced. Domineau she is the bodyguard assigned to both Matty and Kelly and she is off the hook in your face amazing, if you can picture Sarah Connor from Terminator but add another of her on top and there you have her in all her glory. She is someone I’m thinking you wouldn’t want to take on.
All of these new faces have their own stories, ones that I am dying to know about it. Her relationship with Roman is also telling and she is part of the original Justice. I am dying here as I type with more questions brimming then answers. But we will have to wait and see what’s up with her. You get a glimpse but that’s it. Did I mention that Suzanne does that? Torture us that us with these little insights and then bam! Nothing, well until the next book. But I think thats what I love, these new people are introduced and she takes the time to develop them and make you want more.
Liam and Rhiann are busy planning their wedding. And the steaming hot sexiness they have going on is off the hook hot. Suzanne brings the on fire to their love-life and it literally burns the pages.
The only downside Liam has is his relationship with Kelly and that is still on a low simmer. But his connection with Matty is off the hook. They have bonded and Liam is over the moon at this development. If only he could get Kelly on side his world would be perfect. But these things take time and for a man like Liam he’s not handling this too well. All he wants is a family.
There are some touching moments, ones that will have you choking up as you witness several special moments. But the moment with Kelly, Matty and Roman is really one that I am still thinking about now. That scene there will cue the tissues big time. Just a heads up.
The door that Suzanne has left open here for us is one I am dying to open and lose myself in. She is a master storyteller. Her ability to create memorable characters and stories that leave you begging for more after the last page has been turned, is unique and not something you find with a lot of authors. Her words just get better with each new book And Checkmate is no different. I can’t give this book enough praise or her for that matter. I find myself growing right along side her with each new story.
The continuing story of Kelly & Roman; it was a good read but would have liked a more involved story.
Since I read all the Justice books first it feels like something is missing.