REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Be Still My Heart
SERIES: Four Kings Security
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: N/A
RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2018
BLURB:
Former Special Forces medical sergeant Russell “Red” McKinley knows a thing or two about wounds, like the fact some can take a lifetime to heal, if they heal at all. The scars Red carries run deep, and living with PTSD often means battling the memories of his past. Injuries he received while working an executive protection case with fellow Kings and co-owners of Four Kings Security, have once again forced past heartaches to the surface, but Red is determined not to let it derail his blossoming romance with sweet and sexy fashion photographer Lazarus Galanos.
Laz can’t deny there’s something special developing between him and Red, but Laz has wounds of his own. He’s hesitant to jump into a new relationship after his recent explosive breakup. Experience has taught Laz to doubt his judgement when it comes to men. Guys who seem too good to be true, usually are, and no one appears more perfect than Red.
When an attempt is made on Laz’s life, Red is determined to keep him safe. Laz may not be a client, and Red is still off duty, but Laz is one of their own, and nothing means more to the Kings than family. While an investigation is underway, Red and Laz are growing closer, but can they find a way to help each other heal and take a chance on love, or will their fears and insecurities cost them more than their future together?
In this second installment, we have Red and Laz, who met towards the end of Love in Spades when Red saved Laz after his then horrible bf caused Laz to slip and fall. This is a bit of an opposites attract sweet story. A bit sweeter than what I was hoping for, but that’s ok every now and then. However, this doesn’t have quite the fire of the previous book. It still has the same fabulous camaraderie that Ms. Cochet is so good at creating – giving readers a group of guys to get to know and love.
Things get a bit over the top when the bullets start flying, which becomes the focus of the story – who is after Laz. As for the relationship, they each have their demons. Red suffers from PTSD and though he has it mostly under control, it still shows its face now and then. It destroyed his previous relationship, so he is afraid it will have the same result with Laz. And Laz is getting over the abusive relationship he had with his miserable excuse for a boyfriend. When they decide to trust in one another, things start moving for them. But they have to go through a few things before the trust can really take hold and they allow themselves to be exactly what each other needs.
This didn’t have quite the pizazz for me as the previous book, but, as I said, it’s sweet and has the rest of the crew and their antics in it. I love getting to know everyone a bit more with every chapter. Ms. Cochet is very good at making you care about her guys, and this one is shaping up the same way. I cannot wait for the next installment. I’m ready for the explosive chemistry that Lucky and Mason have and am intrigued by the hints of a third thrown into their mix. I’m equally as excited for Ace and most definitely King’s stories!
