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Blurb

As the Sheriff of Malus, Texas, JW takes his oath to protect its citizens very seriously. Born from an ugly past, he swears no child, woman, or man will ever endure what he and his brothers have. As he seeks retribution of the ones who have wronged him, his past and his present finally collide. Secrets are laid open. Ones that are so heinous, they’ll rock the very foundation of JW’s life.

When Eden blazes into town, hot with her own threatening troubles baring down on her, JW steps in as her protector. It’s not only his duty, but a need he can’t ignore. The chemistry between the two is instant and all too tempting.

Giving in was easy, but the consequences were high.

Little does JW know, the disturbing destruction that would rain down on Malus by getting involved with the red-headed gypsy.

Danger lurks just around the corner–it’s dark, terrifying, and malicious.

JW is bitter because of his gruesome past. Eden is sweet despite hers. Together, will they create a beautiful future, or will it all end in bitter sweet hell?

 

 

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Review

4.5 stars

The second book in the Hell Night series, this book is everything I was hoping it to be! Dark, gritty and violent with a suspenseful edge and a sexy and intense love story, I was glued to my kindle from start to finish. The first book in this series floored me with its dark intensity and its raw, gritty subject matter, and this book is no different we are taken back to the town of Malus, and the four badass boys hellbent on vengeance who run it.

The four main characters of this series are a group of men who, along with all of the other children in their small Texas town, were the victims of ‘Hell Night’ – a night once a month where they were subjected to unthinkable sexual abuse and assault. It’s incredibly disturbing, and scenes are revisited in flashback on the page so beware this massive potential trigger. The ‘tradition’ ended in a night of destruction and murder, and after making their escape, the boys returned to their home town as adults to turn it into a place of peace and safety – and they do that by meting out their own form of justice to those who inflict abuse on others.

JW is the Sheriff of Malus. He takes pride in his work, protecting the people who live in his town, and working with his ‘brothers’ to continue their mission of vengeance as they hunt down those who hurt them so badly. The town isn’t at all welcoming to strangers, but when JW pulls over a woman for speeding outside of town, he can see that she has been assaulted and he feels an instant protectiveness over her and brings her into the fold.

Eden is a woman on the run after discovering the man that she was seeing is an abusive, psychopathic killer. His family’s criminal connections keep him protected and she has no option other than to run and hide, knowing that he is tracking her down in the belief that she has something of his. Getting pulled over by a cop is the last thing she needs, but it turns out that meeting JW is the best thing that could have happened to her as she is brought into his town, given a place to stay and seemingly has the gorgeous Sheriff at her beck and call as he learns her story and goes all out to protect and defend her.

There’s no slow and steady with these two. Their attraction is strong from the moment they meet, and though neither of them have any intention of diving into a relationship, they can’t resist their pull to each other and the chemistry sizzles with every glance, every meaningful stare and every seemingly innocent touch. They flirt and banter, and there are moments of sweetness as they open up to each other, and JW holds nothing back as he goes all possessive and protective alpha.

“He had his hand on you.”
“It was just a simple handshake,” I scoff.
“He had his hand on you and looked like he wanted to do a fuck of a lot more than shake your hand. No man touches what’s mine or looks at you the way he did.”
“I’m not yours,” I retort irritably.
“Like fuck, you aren’t. Every single Goddamn inch of you is mine. Deny it all you want, Gypsy. It won’t change that fact.”

They don’t mess around or play games, they just follow their hearts – and their libidos – into a hot, emotionally intense relationship, holding nothing back as they dive in, and I loved that! JW is a fantastic alpha hero, and though he is damaged, he doesn’t let his past stand in his way of fighting for the woman he wants. And Eden is so accepting of him. They’re a great match, and I loved watching everything progress between them.

But Eden’s ex is still determined to find her. He has followed her to Malus, making his presence, and his intentions, known. He will stop at nothing to have her, bringing fear and violence to the small town once again, and before it’s over, nothing will ever be the same again.

Life can be ugly and it can be downright nasty at times. It’s left to the good people to fix those parts that the assholes of the world have destroyed. Murder is wrong, no matter why it’s doled out or who it’s against, but I recognize in dire circumstances, it may be a necessary evil.

I loved this book. It’s creepy and dark, and there are moments of sheer horror as the story unfolds, but I couldn’t put it down! The subject matter is really intense, and it’s not glossed over. It’s revisited over and over again, as is its lasting impact on the four men who suffered so badly. It’s definitely not an easy read, but it’s balanced by the emotional, and sometimes light-hearted, bond between the ‘brothers’, and the beauty of the unfolding love story, which completely captured my heart. It’s swoony and emotional (and yes, it’s steamy), and the twists, turns and surprises all build to an ending that left me completely satisfied and with a big smile on my face.

After the events of this book, I can’t wait to see what will happen in Judge’s book up next, and the intensity continues to build for Emo, whose tragic story will finish off the series. Bring it on!

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Hell Night