Title: Casting the Dice
Author: Sue Ward Drake
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
This should be easy…
Former Navy deep-sea diver turned bounty hunter, Hal Guidry, needs to collar a fugitive now. Not yesterday. Right now.
But inside the New Orleans mansion, he instead finds a woman who fires his blood. A woman who knows only her name. A woman definitely in danger.
As her memory returns, girl-next-door librarian, Annie Swanson, questions how she knows the oh-so-handsome hunk calling himself a friend. Then she discovers he’s a bounty hunter like the men who killed her father, and she flees…
…only to be nearly kidnapped…in broad daylight…in the French Quarter.
Annie runs to Hal with questions, but when they’re both nearly killed in a fiery explosion, he needs answers of his own.
As the attraction between them heats up, can Annie cast the dice in his favor? Or will they become victims of the deadly forces intent on keeping secrets?
Hal and his brothers have the skills to keep dangerous criminals off the streets and protect the women they love. They don’t need easy. Casting the Dice, set in New Orleans, is a standalone romantic suspense with steamy scenes and heart-wrenching revelations as Hal and Annie learn to overcome prejudices and pride while fighting for their lives and their Happily Ever After! Praise for Sue Ward Drake and her novels: “…simmering sexual tension…” —Publisher’s Weekly
“Fast-paced suspense, a great romance, and a vivid setting”—Jackie Ashenden, national bestselling author
5 STARS! “These 4 brothers and their stories may be my newest faves for book boyfriends. I can’t wait to read this entire series.”—Kay BRC, Authors on the Air Book Review Crew
5 STARS! "This story started with an adventure that kept going."--Bec, Goodreads
5 STARS! “… an engaging, exciting and entertaining novel of love, intrigue and family. [Sue Ward Drake] pulls you into the story on page one, with an edge of your seat thrill ride.” —Dianamcc, reviewer, Romance Junkies
My Review:
Bounty hunter Hal rescues Annie, not realizing both their lives are in danger. Casting the Dice is a romantic suspense filled with explosive chemistry and danger at every turn. The descriptive narration blends with the world-building to create an intoxicating read. But the real reason why I couldn’t put it down is the characters.
Let’s delve into the characters first. Annie is a heroine suffering from memory loss. She doesn’t remember who she is or why she’s being hunted by some very dangerous men. Slowly, her memory returns but it doesn’t make sense to her. The only person she can trust is Hal, a bounty hunter. I connected with her and kept cheering her on as she stumbles through to find the truth. Hal may be a bounty hunter but he’s also a caring, compassionate man who’s drawn to Annie. He must break through Annie’s walls if he has any chance with her. What makes these characters (and the rest of the cast) so wonderful is how realistic they are. They have backstories, stress, emotions, and tension. They’re easy to relate with. Plus, they have inner strength.
The plot is two-fold: romantic and suspenseful. With the storylines overlapping, it’s impressive how well the plot progresses. It’s balanced and allows the reader to just sit back and enjoy.
The descriptive narration and world-building are flawless. The narration is emotional with just the right amount of intrigue. Each scene is detailed with immersive POV. The setting is New Orleans which I found to be fascinating. Sue Ward Drake takes great care in describing everything so the reader can transport into the story. The world-building for the suspense subplot is immense. I was so taken in, I read late into the night.
Brilliant from start to finish, Casting the Dice is a romantic suspense you won’t soon forget. I look forward to the next book in the series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/38rCXbf
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3sSz1tv
KOBO: https://bit.ly/3Ae9L2W
Apple: https://apple.co/3fxkkX
Author Biography:
Award-winning author Sue Ward Drake has published with Harlequin and Sourcebooks as well as indie-published. She loves using her experiences living in a farmhouse in Greece and her years in the French Quarter as fuel for her stories as often as possible.
For news of the next thrilling Big Easy Brothers romantic suspense and other romances, visit www.SueWardDrake.com
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Social Media Links:
Website: www.SueWardDrake.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/suedrakeauthor/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SueWardDrake
Reviewed by: Nancy