A Texas Heroes Novel Attraction sizzles when Danny Jones sets eyes on Deputy Jake Perez, despite meeting over the discovery of a mutilated corpse. But being with Jake could cost Danny his family, and being with Danny could cost Jake the very thing that brought him to Everness, Texas—revenge against the man who killed his brother. How much will Jake sacrifice to take down a psychotic criminal and … criminal and finally see justice served?
After college, Danny thrived as a gay man in Houston. But when his mom’s cancer brings him back to small, conservative Everness, he must go back into the closet or risk the wrath of his abusive father—a choice made even harder when Danny starts to see a future for him and Jake.
As the body count rises and Danny becomes a target, Jake is caught between his vengeance and protecting the man he loves. He never wanted to end up in a backward town like Everness, but Danny is the best thing that ever happened to him. Jake needs to keep Danny safe as his secrets catch up to them—especially when the threat might be closer to home than they imagined.
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Gotta love being kept on your toes til the end!
This is book one in the Texas Heroes series, I have already read book two so reading out of order but I don’t think it makes any difference, just spoilers from book one in book two.
I really enjoyed the way the tale tangled itself around Danny and Jake, the way I was kept on my toes with the whodunnit. I didn’t actually put the pieces together fast enough and all was revealed before I did! Loved that! The revenge that is Jake’s driving force isn’t fully laid out immediately in the book, but the blurb gives it away. I liked that very quickly it took a step back behind Danny’s safety.
I’m not giving anything away by mentioning Danny’s abusive father, it’s in the blurb, but that man is a nasty piece of work!
I didn’t think it was as explicit as book two, and it’s not really needed but the level of violence is much higher and quite graphic in places. It is, though, needed, I think, to get the point across.
Both men have a say, in the third person, and both voices is clear and distinctive, showing their very different upbringings.
I like the way Ms Anastasi spins her tales, be one to watch I think. Found some M/F books this author writes too, might try them!
4 good, solid stars
**similar worded review will appear elsewhere**
Trigger note: this book contains physical violence
Danny Jones left his comfortable job in Houston to return home to the small town of Everness to help his mom who has cancer. In Houston, he was out and comfortable, but when he returns, he has to go back into the closet or risk the wrath of his abusive father. Then he meets Deputy Jake Perez, a new resident who is on the trail of a psychotic killer. They meet when Danny runs his truck into a disabled car (at a blind curve) and Jake saves his life. There is instant attraction, but Danny doesn’t dare do anything about it. Then the bodies start piling up and everything points to Danny.
This was a story that started intensely with the accident and subsequent explosion. And it didn’t let up.
The characters of Danny and Jake are three-dimensional with issues, both internal and external that makes them realistic. The secondary characters, especially the sheriff, are there as strong support rather than just background. There was a strong attraction between the two main characters and grew organically as the story moved forward. I loved Jake’s sensitivity to Danny’s wish to keep his father from finding out about them and Danny’s determination to help his mom even though all he wants to do is get away from his father.
Although it’s pretty obvious who is doing all the killing, it works for the story because this is a romantic suspense and not a solid murder mystery. The author does a good job of building the suspense and keeping you on the edge of your seat when Danny disappears. Jake is the only one who believes Danny is still alive. Danny’s father is truly nasty—but the author introduces a bit of humanity to him when he realizes Danny is gone and everyone thinks he killed him. That was an interesting scene, well thought-out and well-done.
Details: the setting is a small town in Texas near Houston. But we really don’t know any details about it other than that – oh, and that there’s one bar in town. Still, the lack of details isn’t a big problem, but a little more would have been nice.
So… romance, suspense, murder, acceptance, and more combined to make a compelling read that keeps you turning the page. I definitely recommend this book.