Rating: 5 stars out of 5
When the cards are stacked against you, the Kings will even the odds.
Ex-Special Forces soldier Anston “Ace” Sharpe is fighting a different battle these days—one involving the world of private security across the state of Florida. As part owner of Four Kings Security, Ace and his fellow Kings tackle everything from armed transport and investigations to cyber intelligence and executive protection. Cocky, fearless, and brash, Ace isn’t afraid to take risks.
After years of working alongside his father, Colton Connolly is ready to take the helm at Connolly Maritime, but his father’s retirement is put on hold when Colton begins receiving death threats. If that isn’t bad enough, his father signs a contract with Four Kings Security to provide Colton with round-the-clock protection, despite his adamant refusal. Colton’s life has been turned upside down, the last thing he needs is a shadow, especially in the form of infuriating, sexy-as-sin Ace Sharpe, who seems to be on a mission to drive Colton mad.
Sparks fly the moment Colton and Ace meet on a sultry night club dance floor. But getting involved with a client, even one as fiery and beautiful as Colton Connolly, is a line Ace is unwilling to cross. Colton might be attracted to Ace, but he’d been burned before. He might be willing to put his life in Ace’s hands, but not his heart.
As the Florida nights heat up, so does their passion, and Ace and Colton are faced with a difficult choice—take the plunge and risk it all, or play it safe and walk away?
If Ace can keep a deadly threat from robbing Colton of a future….
Charlie Cochet’s stories are usually piled on my TBR list, so getting to listen to them is a wonderful way for me to enjoy this author’s writing. Love in Spades is the first in Cochet’s new Four Kings Security series and based on my total enjoyment in this story, I’m highly anticipating the next tale to be released.
The four kings of the series are ex-military men, a tight band of brothers, who have gone into the security business together after their military service ended. The “kings” tag each is given comes from the deck of cards and the full story behind the names is slowly revealed over the course of this action/adventure tale.
The first “King” up to get his story and HEA is Anston “Ace” Sharpe. The Four Kings Security firm is well known in high circules for their discretion, superb ability to get things done, high attention to detail, and 100 percent accuracy. They get the job done. So their skills are known and wanted by corporations and individuals around the world. Their newest assignment is one Colton Connolly, who’s father has hired them to guard him against every increasing threats. To say Colton is resistant to their hiring and protection, is mild indeed.
Cochet does the meet and clash of personalities beautifully between Ace and Colton. The dialog sparkles and pops with testosterone and sex, the scenes snap with instant attraction, irritation, and amusement, and the characters solidify before our eyes. Or should that be ears?
This push and pull between the two men continues throughout the story as they learn to work together as discover more of each other’s pasts as well. This is where the reader learns more about the Four Kings start up, revelations about Ace’s past along with his “brothers” like Lucky, Red, and King.
I want to stop for a moment and talk about the amazing job that Greg Boudreaux does as a narrator. He swings between characters so easily, capturing different personalities with changes in voices,even accents and languages, that you would think you were listening to multiple actors, and not just one. I have to laugh out loud at his “Lucky”, I can see him so clearly, from his love of clothes to his accent. But it’s also Red, King, Laz, and other important (and even strong fleeting characters) that Boudreaux voices so well that makes an impact on the reader and pulls this story forcibly together as an audiobook.
As the mystery unfold as to who is stalking Colton and the passion intensifies between the men, the action ramps up. The suspense and action go up tenfold, with Greg Boudreaux keeping pace, making our pulse race with anticipation and a little fear.
The final scenes are just out of control. I just loved them. I did nothing but lay in bed listening to this story unfold and hoping for the best outcome. Which came of course.
Terrific ending. Great story. Love, love the narrator. Now I can’t wait to see what the next King brings. I’m gong to wait for the audio version. This has quite spoiled me.
I highly recommend it. For all you fans of Charlie Cochet, I’m sure you will have picked up the eBook first. For M/M action/adventure romance, if you haven’t done so, I recommend this version too. I just loved it.
Cover art is perfect for the character of Ace. It’s eye catching and works for the story too.
Audiobook Sales Links:
Audiobook Details:
7 hours, 52 mins
Audible Audio, 8 pages
Published June 20th 2018 by Charlie Cochet (first published April 21st 2018)
Original TitleLove in Spades
ASINB07DVXHWYT
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttps://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Love-in-Spades-Audiobook/B07DVXHWYT
SeriesFour Kings Security #1
CharactersAnston “Ace” Sharpe, Ward “King” Kingston, Russell “Red” McKinley, Eduardo “Lucky” Alejandro Morales, Jacopo “Jack” Lorenzo Constantino, Sacha “Joker” Wilder