BRUTAL ICE (Ice Breaker: Cold Case 11) by Cynthia Eden-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

He was never meant to be anyone’s savior…and then he found her.

Royal Boudreaux isn’t interested in being a hero. Quite the opposite. Darkness clings to him, and he lets that darkness out by hunting and catching the most dangerous killers who roam the streets. Everyone needs a hobby, right? During his latest hunt, Royal expects to take down his prey. He doesn’t expect to find a beautiful woman trapped in the trunk of a car.

Save the woman. Then walk away…

He intends to drop the gorgeous victim at the nearest police station and then get the hell away from her. Only walking away isn’t an option for Royal. Not this time. Because there is something about dancer Violet Murphy that calls to him. A driving, primitive pull. Royal finds that he can’t stay away from her. Scratch that–he doesn’t want to be away from Violet. What he does want? Her.

Determined, fierce, and unwilling to give in to the fear that he sees in her eyes, Violet slides right past Royal’s guard. Fragile on the outside, but with a core of steel in her soul, Violet is a fighter. But she can’t fight this battle alone.

She needs protection. Lucky for her, Royal has experience at playing bodyguard.

When Royal saved Violet, the killer escaped. Somewhere in the hot Savannah night, the killer still lurks. Royal intends to protect Violet and take out his prey. But Violet has uncovered the dark truth about Royal, and instead of being repelled, she’s determined to be at his side in order to get the justice she seeks. Being a victim again? Not on her agenda, thanks.

An unlikely alliance. A desire that can’t be contained.

Danger. Lust. Need. Desire burns brutally hot on a Savannah night. But the killer isn’t the only one closing in…because a very unexpected ghost from Royal’s own past is heading to town. Everything Royal knew about himself is about to be completely upended. Hero, monster…which one is he? With chaos reigning, there is only one certainty for Royal…protect Violet.

Save the woman. Then never, ever walk away.

Because you don’t walk away from the woman who holds your battered heart in the palm of her hand.

Author’s Royal’s hobby is dangerous, diabolical, and definitely not ordinary. But then again, he’s all of those things, too. When he discovers Violet, his entire world shifts focus. She matches him, she scares him, and…she just damn well might complete him. But in order to have a life with Violet, Royal has to first hunt down and stop the man who abducted her—and killed three other women. Lucky for Royal, he’s not hunting alone. The Ice Breakers are back. Passion, twists, and hot romance are coming your way.

••••••

REVIEW: BRUTAL ICE is the eleventh instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult ICE BREAKER: COLD CASE romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Ice Breakers, an online team of crime solvers. This is billionaire Royal Boudreaux, and ballerina Violet Murphy’s story line. BRUTAL ICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from three omniscient third person perspectives (Royal, Violet, killer) BRUTAL ICE follows Royal Boudreaux, as he hunts for a serial killer, Royal Boudreaux is a billionaire with a penchant for taking down the society’s evils but his most recent case brings him up close and personal with his future in the guise of dancer Violet Murphy. Royal found Violet locked in the trunk of an abandoned car, the woman bound and gagged as the killer’s next victim. Vowing to protect Violet with his life, Royal becomes guardian and protector of the woman he loves as he hunts for the person responsible for targeting our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Royal and Violet, and the potential fall-out as Royal becomes the prime suspect in the case he is desperate to close.

The world building focuses on the hunt for a killer. Royal Boudreaux and his ‘brother’ Beau were once street kids who were one another’s protectors and family. Royal’s need to destroy the people who take the lives of others makes him the perfect foil for law enforcement but Royal’s ability to track down the killers is often in opposition to the people in charge. When someone targets dancer Violet Murphy, Royal is determined to uncover the truth but

The relationship between Violet and Royal begins as a rescue but Royal doesn’t do relationships; is a man who keeps to himself but a man with the ability to uncover the truth. Falling for Violet was never his intention but he will protect Violet with his life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Royal’s ‘brother’ Beau; Detective
Curran Barlow: stage director Micah Wright: dancer Simone; Dr. Leo Barnes, and the return of Dr. Antonia “Tony” Rossi and Aidan Warner (Touched By Ice 4), and Declan Flynn. I hope the author has future plans for Declan, and Beau.

BRUTAL ICE is a story of secrets and lies, obsession and madness, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and compelling; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, strong and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Frozen in Ice
Falling for the Ice Queen
Ice Cold Saint
Touched by Ice
Trapped in Ice
Forged From Ice
Buried Under Ice
Ice Cold Kiss
Savage Ice
Locked In Ice

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy