Sudden Impact (Crimson Point Protectors 3) by Kaylea Cross-Review & Excerpt
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2022
She won’t let him in.
Psychologist Mia Ramos is over dating—especially players like the tall, dark and sexy Asher. He’s all wrong for her, and getting involved with him will only end in heartbreak. Yet she can’t stop wanting him, and every time he shows her another glimpse of the real man beneath the slick front he shows the rest of the world, it hooks her more. She’s determined to keep her distance—until disaster hits. Everything changes in an instant, forcing her to rely on the man who tempts her to break her own rules. A ruthless killer wants her dead, and Asher is the only one who can save her.
He can’t let her go.
Air National Guard Pararescueman Asher “Groz” Grozinski knows all about keeping secrets, and he can tell that sexy, confident Mia has some of her own. She also seems completely unaffected by him, which delivers a swift kick to his ego—and intrigues him more. What starts out as a challenge soon turns into something so deep and intense, he can’t walk away. Because beneath that aloof exterior she has a bigger heart than anyone he’s ever met. Now he’s in uncharted territory, falling hard for the first time in his life and ready to do whatever it takes to claim her for his own. So when an unseen killer strikes, he’ll risk everything to protect the only woman he’s ever given his heart to.
•••••
REVIEW:SUDDEN IMPACT is the third instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT PROTECTORS romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Crimson Point series. This is firefighter/National Guard Pararescueman Asher ‘Groz’ Grozinski, and psychologist Dr. Mia Ramos’ story line. SUDDEN IMPACT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Several characters from the original Crimson Point series cross over between series.
WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including suicide and murder, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from third person perspective, as well as first person (killer) SUDDEN IMPACT follows the building but acrimonious relationship between firefighter/National Guard Pararescuerman Asher ‘Groz’ Grozinski, and psychologist Dr. Mia Ramos. Asher Grozinski doesn’t do relationships, and his reputation as a player precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but Asher is determined to make a play for our storyline heroine, even though Mia continues to be always on guard. Mia Ramos knows what it is like to have loved and lost, and in the ensuing time struggles to trust including the man that calls to heart. After a couple of harrowing and heart breaking weeks at work for Mia, Asher offers Mia a weekend away, a weekend that barely begins when a disaster sweeps away our story line heroine. Rescuing Mia is all Asher can think about but waiting in the wings, someone else is hoping to take away it all. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Asher and Mia, and the potential fall-out as Mia’s past demands reparation seeking revenge for a perceived betrayal and lies.
Asher Grozinski doesn’t want to talk about his past, a past mired in betrayal and hurt but when Mia persists in knowing the truth, Asher is willing to push Mia out of his life in an effort to forget about what happened and why. Mia continues to have issues of trust, and with Asher’s rejection, Mia knows it is time to go into the future alone.
The relationship between Asher and Mia begins acrimoniously. Mia doesn’t trust men, and Asher’s reputation as a one-night stand kind of guy, is something with which Mia wants nothing to do but Asher is persistent, and a few ‘not-dates’ quickly turns into something more. Asher is looking forward to their weekend together but Mia’s past refuses to stop until Mia is no more.the $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters include Mia’s grandfather Paolo, and Former Delta operator Callum Falconer, as well as Asher’s ‘mother’ Peg; several of Mia’s patients and clients, and a number of victims of a mountain landslide. We are reintroduced to Kerrigan and Travis (Falling Hard 1), Jaia and Brandon (Cornered 2); Tiana and Mac ( Rocky Ground /Crimson Point 4); Ember and Boyd (Dangerous Survivor Crimson Point 7)-the camaraderie between friends is furious and fun. Callum Falconer’s story line is next.
SUDDEN IMPACT is a story of obsession, perceived betrayal, vengeance and madness; acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and energetic; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are strong, intelligent and determined.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Falling Hard
Cornered
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
Surprised at his directness, she raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you?”
His gaze was steady. Measured. Sincere. “I might be open to more if the right person came along.”
She stared at him in astonishment. The look he was giving her, direct and unflinching. Good God, he could not mean her. Her ovaries did an ecstatic little dance in her pelvis. “Mostly it’s because we want completely different things.”
One side of his mouth tipped up. “Sure it’s because you’re not scared?”
She blinked, alarmed by how much she liked him already. “Scared of what?”
“Scared that you might not be able to resist me.”
It should have been the moment she’d been waiting for. Should have proven her theory and won her private bet all at the same time. Instead, the endearing grin he gave her, the slightly self-deprecating humor behind it, disarmed her.
She shook her head at him, unable to fight off the answering smile. Damn him, he was way too smooth and charming. “Your ego needs to be deflated a few PSI before your head explodes.”
“This might surprise you, but some women consider me quite a catch.”
“Yeah, but only if they’re into catch and release.”
His low laugh slid through her, settling right between her legs to start a pulse. “I’m not all bad, Mia.”
Ooh, the way he said her name was too sexy. “No,” she agreed. “And you did save my life earlier on the wall,” she teased.
“I was honored,” he said in a deep, intimate tone that made the pulsing worse. Reminding her of every single instant of what it had felt like being trapped against his body and sliding down it.
She shook her head, as much at herself as him. “You’re bad.”
“Not bad. Experienced though,” he allowed with a nod.
It took everything she had to suppress a ripple of longing, her mind now conjuring up all sorts of dirty thoughts, imagining exactly what all that experience had gained him in terms of sexual skills. And damn the devil for making her do it, but she couldn’t resist baiting him.
“Fortunately, I don’t require anyone’s…experience to get my needs met,” she said.
He cocked an eyebrow, looking intrigued. “Really? Why’s that?”
Time to go. But not before she gave him one lasting parting shot to think about.
She stood and stepped up next to him, leaned down until her lips hovered inches from his ear. His scent teased her, filling her lungs. “Because I have a particular favorite toy with a one-hundred-percent success rate. Guaranteed orgasm every time, no man required,” she murmured, taking a perverse pleasure in the way he suddenly stiffened.
She couldn’t believe she’d said it, but she wasn’t sorry. She enjoyed the hell out of throwing him off his game. “So yeah, I’m all good there.”
Straightening and stepping past him before he could get out a single word, she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as he twisted in his seat to stare after her. “Thanks for the non-date, Asher. See you around.”
In other news, we just received confirmation last week that Big Weasel will be attending the gorgeous and historic Durham University in the northeast of England this fall to study astrophysics! (He did NOT get that mathematical part of his intellect from me. lol)
We’re thrilled for him. Many tricky steps to be completed before we’ll be able to get him over there in time to start, so please cross your fingers and toes that all goes smoothly. It’s going to be tough to have him living so far away, but what an amazing opportunity this is for him. Plus, I LOVE DURHAM, and the UK in general. Can’t wait to explore more historic sites when we’re there this fall.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
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