Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Promises, Part 3
SERIES: Bounty Hunters #3
AUTHOR: A.E. Via
NARRATOR: Aiden Snow
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2020
LENGTH: 7 hours and 48 minutes
BLURB:
Bradford (Ford) King was sure he had the rest of his life mapped out. Life was simple, no distractions or complications – at age 46, that’s all Ford wanted. What he didn’t want was his work partner, sniper/watchman Dana, giving him s–t all the time.
Dana Cadby had grown up labeled a roughneck from the wrong side of the tracks. Dana pulled himself up by his own boot straps and made a name for himself in the marksman community. He’d been Duke’s bounty watchman for five years. At 33, he was trusted, well-respected by his peers, his bosses, his friends…so why couldn’t he earn the same respect from his partner?
Dana knew he was bisexual before he graduated high school. He also knew he was attracted to the huge, 6’3″ SEAL from the moment he and his brother came to join their team.
When Duke sends Dana and Ford out to track down their most dangerous bounty yet, they both embrace the fact that they make one hell of a team…but they fight tooth and nail against the powerful intimacy brewing between them.
REVIEW:
Being physically big, muscled and performing a job that requires strength, stamina and endurance does not equate to invulnerability, be it physically, mentally and emotionally. Just because a person looks like a tank and can perform any physical activity does not mean that he can endure mental, physical and emotional abuse or be immune to it! Or could be on the receiving end of it. Having a physically-fit body does not mean that anybody can just abuse a person. In fact, I think they are more vulnerable especially when it comes to emotions.
This is book three of the Promises series, which focuses on bounty hunters led by Duke and his best friend, Quick. In this installment we will learn the love story of Ford and Dana. They are co-workers and they are both really good at their respective roles in their jobs.
Ford, a former SEAL, is over six feet tall, massive and really intimidating especially when it comes to going after their bounties. He is very impressive! He is in his mid-forties and he will give anything for the safety of his loved ones, especially his brother.
Dana is a great Marksman, he has been doing this job for a few years now and he is really good at it, too. Despite his success at his job, he does not understand why Ford dislikes him. He has tried many times to get close to the big man but they always end up arguing about something. And with regards to his love life, he is bisexual and he just got back with his girlfriend whom he broke up with a few weeks ago. He does not really love her, but maybe he is in love with the thought of having a girlfriend or someone with him. Everyone thinks his girlfriend is just using him, but especially Ford. Ford thinks Dana can do better, he deserves better. Dana has not been with a man in a long time.
In one such argument, Ford tells Dana what he thinks. He tells Dana that he deserve better than his girlfriend. And somehow in that same intense interaction, they were able to show a glimpse of how they truly feel about each other. Dana also believe he deserves better. What he thought back then when his “girlfriend” started noticing him and eventually started a relationship with him was a far cry from what he thought it was going to be. His girlfriend doesn’t really want him. She is selfish and takes him for granted.
When Dana decided to confront Ford for what he said, it becomes apparent to both that their attraction to each other is something neither one can ignore. After a few false starts and a little miscommunication, they mutually agree to give it a serious try. And somehow, things just click. It feels like everything just falls into place for both of them, although they had a few hurdles to go through first.
What I love about this series are: one, it features my favorite trope, Strong Alpha Males, who are all about upholding the law and defending people. Two, I love to read about men who are not afraid to show their vulnerability, especially to their loved ones. And three, I love to see brothers-in-arms, or chosen family, to just be there for each other no matter what.
Ms. A.E. Via, I have yet to read something you have written that I don’t love. Mr. Aiden Snow is spectacular! He does an amazing job voicing Ford and Dana, especially during the most intense encounters they have. Even the thoughts of Brian and that of Sway is something that I am looking forward to excitedly. Thank you to both of you for bringing these characters to life!
RATING: 
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