Need Me (Dark Obsession #3) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24, 2015

Innocent…or guilty?

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself.

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

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REVIEW: NEED ME is the third installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Dark Obsession romance suspense series focusing on three friends who run VJS Protection. This is tech expert Devlin Shade and Julianna Smith’s storyline. NEED ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from third person point of view the focus of the storyline is protecting Julianna Smith. She is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder; all clues point towards Julianna’s guilt; but Julianna remembers nothing about the night her husband died. With numerous threats and attempts on her life, Julianna is in need of a bodyguard and protection. Enter Devlin Shade, the ‘S’ in VJS Protection and the man who isn’t so sure Julianna is free of guilt.

The relationship between Julianna and Devlin begins when Devlin names himself Julianna’s protector. VJS Protection was recommended to Julianna for their high end protection and anonymity, as well their ability to get the job done but the more Devlin begins to dig into Julianna’s story, the more holes and lies continue to emerge. If Julianna didn’t kill her husband, why are there so many people trying to end her life? Julianna and Devlin’s attraction to one another is immediate and intense; a case of insta love/insta lust that does not go unnoticed by the people in charge. The $ex scenes are impulsive, hot and steamy.

Julianna is a woman possessed to prove her innocence but is she truly innocent of the crime she has been accused of committing? At every opportunity Julianna refuses to expose the people she loves to possibility of danger but in doing so, she lies by omission and bending the truth; and runs at every opportunity placing herself and Devlin in danger. Devlin is unable to put his complete trust in the woman he has been hired to protect with his life. Some of Julianna’s actions are difficult to accept and understand.

The secondary characters include a brief appearance by Devlin’s business partners Chance and Lex, as well as Detective Faith Chestang and Ethan Barclay-all of whom we met in the previous storylines and installments. WE are also introduced to Julianna’s sister Carly-a woman both Ethan and Julianna are trying desperately to protect; and of course the requisite evil-who may or may not be someone Julianna knows.

NEED ME is a quick read; a fast paced and suspense filled storyline with twists, turns, and accusations all directed at destroying Julianna’s life. Cynthia Eden builds the storyline momentum with action, tension and doubt proving that a true detective should never stop looking for every possible clue. There are moments of drama and suspense; passion and romance; anguish and the destructive nature of jealousy and greed. Cynthia Eden pulls you into a roller coaster of ..did she or didn’t she?

Reading Order

Watch Me
Want Me
Need Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy