Title: Dantes Unglued
Series: Ward Security: Book Two
Authors: Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott
Publisher: Self-Published/Kindle Unlimited
Length: Novel
Category: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
At a Glance: From the beginning of Dantes Unglued, the storyline is gripping. It’s another exciting mystery to add to the Ward Security series.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: When private investigator, Shane Stephens, is hired by the mayor of Cincinnati to track down the hacker who has been threatening him, Shane is sure this is the opportunity to launch the Merleau Detection Agency into the big time. He even convinces Rowe Ward of Ward Security to loan him one of his best IT specialists, Quinn Lake.
Shane, a man who prefers casual intimacy, is surprised by his attraction to the moody computer geek, but when Quinn suggests they have fun for the month he’s on loan, Shane happily agrees. Both men are expecting nothing more than a good time.
But the investigation takes an unexpected turn and they quickly discover they are facing more than a hacker out to ruin the mayor’s re-election chances. And as they spend more time together, they realize their relationship may be a lot more than just a good time.
With only weeks until the election, Shane and Quinn race to gather the proof they need while dodging bullets and possibly…falling in love.
Review: Shane Stephens and his business partner, Ethan, own the Merleau Detection Agency. Their agency doesn’t provide bodyguard services or IT expertise, but instead, forensic accounting. When a new client, who is a high-profile politician, comes on board, Shane realizes he needs the best, and the best just happens to be employed by Rowe Ward, who owns Ward Security.
Quinn Lake is at home at Ward Security. He spends more time there than anyplace else, though he does share an apartment with two other guys he doesn’t always feel comfortable with. Quinn is the best in IT, especially hacking, but when Rowe hires him out to Shane, he is not happy at all. He feels like Rowe is trying to get rid of him, but Quinn also can’t afford not to have a steady income. He works hard to support and care for his mother. The first time Shane and Quinn met, Quinn felt an attraction to Shane, but now it’s up close and personal. Accepting the job with Shane puts Quinn in a predicament—he’s stuck in an office all day with Shane.
Shane is only into casual hook-ups and hunky guys. Quinn is not. Being young and having some not-so-good experiences with the few dates/sexual encounters he’s had, Quinn makes a deal with the more experienced Shane. What did Quinn have to lose? Once the case is over, they just go their separate ways.
From the beginning of Dantes Unglued, the storyline is gripping, with Shane witnessing the murder of a young man, and how the mystery all connects in the end. The story is fast-paced, tense and action packed when Shane and Quinn are out in field, and Quinn shows another side to his personality. I liked Quinn, but I felt bothered that he thought a committed relationship was never to be and that he was only good enough for a casual hookup.
I don’t know if it was the casual thing, and knowing Quinn was young and accepted the deal, but I’m just not sure how I felt about Shane. One thing I like about Drake and Elliott, though, is that if there’s a character you might not necessarily care for, there’s always one or more who will always pique your interest. I liked Abe, Shane’s father, who’s very supportive of his son. Both of them lived through a difficult experience with Shane’s mother, and I like that Abe accepted Quinn and that he wanted Shane to realize he had a good thing in Quinn.
What I really found interesting is the bond that’s been forming between Royce and Quinn. Royce has the subtle, protective thing going on when it comes to his “Squirt”. They both seem like they know how to read each other, and it’s turned into a real and solid friendship.
The Unbreakable Bonds cameos were fun, especially with Hollis and that snarky sense of humor; the man just has no filter. This is another exciting mystery to add to the Ward Security series. There’s also a sneak peek of the next installment, Deadly Dorian, and it starts out gripping. Can’t wait!!
You can buy Dantes Unglued here:
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