This story did something I thought was impossible... I actually think that it's an even better story than Faith & Fidelity, and that story is still among my top favourites. Just goes to show how wonderful an author is Tere Michaels.
In many ways this story was grittier? It had more of an edge than I remember from F & F, but that in no way detracted from the story; if anything it heightened what was happening between Jim and Griffin.
There were so many instances where I was nearly overcome, okay I actually had to put the book aside 'cause I coulnd't see the pages; so much emotion that scenes and events evoked. All in a marvelous way though. There was an incredible emotional connection with the characters ~ Ed Kelly... I loved that man! And Jim and Griffin ~ wow. Watching them as the freight train of attraction came their way was... stunning. I could feel how at sea they felt, but I could also feel the lightness, the joy that began to seep into their hearts.
The story would not be complete without Jim's friends: Terry and Mimi, oh those two cracked me up ~ especially the text messaging and subsequent phone calls. Love them both!
And when I realized that Jim was actually connected to Matt from Faith & Fidelity I was tickled pink... 'cause I remember him!
Now both these books are on my re-read list and I don't think that I'll be waiting too long to do so.
If you've never read Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels and you pick up Love & Loyalty, good for you. But don't cheat yourself out of an experience that will leave you feeling all wonderful inside. And both books do that fantastically well!
Enjoy!
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Book Info:
Tere Michaels; Love & Loyalty; Loose Id; September 2009
Book Description
Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father.
Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea.
Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance.
Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.
The stories in this series ~ I've read the first six ~ are not for the faint of heart... or those who don't enjoy erotic romance. Lora Leigh writes a LOT of romances with an eroticism almost unparalleled and everytime I start a new LL story I'm reminded of this. Her stories in the Bound Hearts series are almost extreme ~ at least to my untutored palate ~ but in each one there is an emotional committment between the H and h that really gets to my heart. The basis of the series is a group of men who belong to the Trojan Club. These men are extremely and highly sexual; their sexuality demands that they give their women ~ to whom they are totally and completely committed ~ all the pleasure they can. This includes ménage, light bondage, anal sex, spanking and liberal use of sex toys.Now first off, this is not anywhere near to anything in my own life, but I sure do love to read these stories. Yes, the titillation factor is high, but what keeps me coming back are the romances, each and every time.Each story is very much character driven; it's the people that take these stories to where they go. But in the last two that I've read ~ Sacrifice and Embraced ~ there is an extra element added.In Bound Hearts 5: Sacrifice, Kimberly Madison is the beneficiary of a long-term family trust:
"(The Trust) was established generations ago. It states that she must marry a man her father approves of and that she must be a virgin to inherit Briar Cliff, the estate that has passed down in her mother’s family for generations." (page 20, Sacrifice by Lora Leigh)The Trust has been going for generations and Briar Cliff is an extremely valuable estate; in each generation the oldest female has to follow the rules outlined or the entire thing will revert to her father or other male heir. In five years the conditions of the Trust become null and void, and Kimberly could inherit the whole thing... but only is she holds to the rules:
She is to remain a virgin, submitting to a tri-monthly physical exams ordered by her father, until she marries as he dictates.
However once the five years is up, the Trust will no longer exist. Enter Jared Raddington. His father was one of the foundering members of the Club; his mother has fairly recently married Kimber's Senator father; Jared has been chasing her for the last year with no success. He finally realizes the reason she runs from him is that he is her weakness. And oh boy, the story rockets from here. I was entranced and very emotionally involved in Kimberly's dilemma. But Jared was a wonderful man for her and the story was very nicely done.In Bound Hearts 6: Embraced, Marey Dumont has been very attracted to Saxton Brogan for many years. But her very violent ex-husband has had her running from her attraction knowing very well that Vince would have no qualms at all committing murder.
Certainly a darker story and; for a fair bit of it I was pretty ticked with Marey and her vacillation, but it all worked out ~ eventually. Not my favourite of the six stories I've read to date, but I did enjoy it. Especially Sax's committment and love for Marey; he was perfect!In the series I have one more ebook ~ Shameless ~ to read and then two print books to follow. The 7th book is Forbidden Pleasure, the 8th is Wicked Pleasure: I definitely have my reading cut out for me... but I think that I'll be taking a break.... *whew*
