Reviewed by True
TITLE: Artifacts
SERIES: Intrinsic Values #1
AUTHOR: Bailey Bradford
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 215 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 13, 2021
BLURB:
Aldric Beamer thought working in an antique shop would be safe and boring. He never expected to find his life—or his heart—in danger…
Being the low man on the totem pole is nothing new for Aldric Beamer. The youngest of three siblings, he was always the afterthought in his family, but Aldric’s trying hard not to let the little confidence he has sink any lower.
Aldric loves the job he manages to land at Intrinsic Value, so much so that he often works off the clock—or maybe he just doesn’t want to go home to his empty apartment. Just as he’s slowly learning to trust his boss and co-workers, he’s attacked outside the store, and all the security he thought he had vanishes with the force of a blow to the head.
San Antonio cop Darrell Williams takes one look at the beautiful, bruised man he finds in a dingy alley behind an antique store, and something in his heart melts. This weakness scares him, making Darrell gruff and indifferent when he should have been—and longs to be—compassionate and caring.
Aldric’s no pushover, though. He’s had enough of being ignored and treated like he doesn’t matter as much as everyone else. And he’ll make damn sure Patrol Officer Williams doesn’t dismiss him, in any way…
REVIEW:
Aldric Beamer is a very shy twenty-one-year-old guy, he feels inferior with low self-esteem. He’s surprised when antique shop owner Elliot Douglas hires him. Aldric is fast learning and loves his job, finally, he can eat more than once a day. Elliot cares about the young guy.
One night, Aldric was closing up the backdoor of the store, he suddenly got attacked and found in blood by some passengers.
That’s how police officer Darrell Williams meets Aldric for the first time.
Patrol Officer Williams is the one who got the call about a bleeding guy in the alley behind the antique shop. While in blood the guy is attractive, somehow Darrell is rude and questioning the situation.
After offering his excuses he also offers to bring Aldric home.
Oh, that escalated quickly. Just a few sentences and already a confession and a kiss… oh well.
What follows is an intriguing mystery, it wasn’t just Aldric at the wrong place or time, it was on purpose and this part of the story was nicely put together.
There was a mention of Dan Brown’s books, I must say it felt sometimes like it, in a good way, no copying or something, just bits of the content.
Besides the mystery in this story, there is the part about Aldric and Darrell their relationship. It’s quite instant.
We learn some parts about Darrell’s reluctant motives to come out and be open with their relationship.
While Aldric is quite shy and withdrawn he has a backbone, he stands up for himself, I loved that!
The whole story together was slightly developed and felt here and there a bit unfinished. I’m not sure if the next one of this series will be a continuation.
Overall it was entertaining and certainly, the thrilling mystery was intriguing and captivating. I enjoyed reading it.
RATING: 
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