COUNTING ON COLE (Wilde Ways #8) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 28, 2020

She was the one who got away. The one who ripped out his heart and took it with her when she left.

Cole Vincent never expected to see Evangeline Lake again. Back in the dark and bloody day, he’d been hired by her brother to save her in a mission that went straight to hell. Evangeline had been kidnapped and held for ransom, but he’d been sent in with a covert team to get her out. Thrown together in the dark, a stunning attraction burned through them. But she wasn’t meant to be with an ex-soldier who had a past that was littered with secrets and death. She went back to her fancy world. He went back to hunting. Tried to forget her. Case closed.

There are some people you can never forget.

Evangeline “Evie” Lake fell hard and fast for her tall, dark, and dangerous rescuer. Then he flew her back to her home, kissed her goodbye on the doorstep, and walked his sexy self away with looking back. He broke her heart into a million little pieces, and she swore off the “bad boys”—they were just trouble she didn’t want. Case closed.

She needs help. The kind that only someone like Cole can give to her.

The past is coming back to attack. Evie’s kidnapper was never caught, and when she’s nearly abducted in New York, her brother calls in the one man that he knows he can count on…the one man who has proven he can protect Evie from the worst threats out there. The one man that Evie absolutely, positively does not want to see again…

The only man she’s ever loved.

Cole takes the case. Becomes her bodyguard. Gets far too close to her and stirs memories that should have been dead and buried in a six foot hole. The white-hot attraction burns ever brighter between them, but Evie will not fall for him again. Will not. Except…

She is. He is. They are…falling.

Cole wants Evie more than anything, and this time, he won’t walk away. This time, there is nothing that can keep them apart. He’ll fight like hell for the woman he’s always loved. He finally has a second chance with Evie. He won’t screw this up. And he will not let her go again…he will prove to Evie that she can always count on him to keep her safe.

She is the only one he wants. The one who owns his heart. Anyone who wants to hurt her? They have to go through him. Case closed.

•••••••••

REVIEW: COUNTING ON COLE is the eight instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary,adult WILDE WAYS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Wilde Ways Security. This is former Delta Force soldier Cole Vincent, and choreographer Evangeline ‘Evie’ Lake’s story line. COUNTING ON COLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cole and Evie) COUNTING ON COLE follows the rekindling relationship between is former Delta Force soldier Cole Vincent, and choreographer Evangeline ‘Evie’ Lake. Approximately two and half years earlier, Cole Vincent was hired by Evie’s step-brother Harrison when the woman in question was abducted and held for ransom. Evie Lake fell in love with Cole Vincent but upon her return home, Cole disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to present day wherein Cole is once again hired by Evie’s brother when threats against our heroine’s life become dangerous and real. With the reappearance of Cole Vincent, Evie struggles with long buried emotions when Cole promises he will never run again. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Evie and Cole, as Cole and the team at Wilde Ways battle an unknown enemy but a enemy that is coming from several different angles.

Evie Lake has never stopped loving Cole Vincent but struggles in the face of betrayal and loss. Having disappeared immediately upon their return, Cole remained in the background while Evie went on with her life. Cole Vincent never forgot about the woman that stole his heart but our hero was forced to walk way by threats of another nature.

The relationship between Evie and Cole is one of second chances; a spirited, intense and rekindling romance between two people pulled apart by distance and time. The $ex scenes are passionate erotic and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Evie’s best friend,Leo and her brother Harrison; Broadway director Robert Demakis; producer Stephen Lowe, and artist/Harrison’s ex girlfriend Gia Eastman. We are re-introduced to several agents at Wilde Ways Security : James ‘Ghost’ Smith, Chase Durant, and Eric Wilde.

COUNTING ON COLE is a fast paced, energetic and engaging story line. The characters are dynamic and spirited; the romance is tender, provocative and captivating. COUNTING ON COLE is another welcome addition to Cynthia Eden’s WILDE WAYS romantic, suspense series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Protecting Piper
Guarding Gwen
Before Ben
The Heart You Break
Fighting for Her
One Hot Holiday
Ghost of a Chance

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy