Title: Semblance
Author: Chris E. Saros
Publisher: DSP Publications
Length: 230 Pages
Category: Mystery/Suspense
At a Glance: This was my first time reading Chris E. Saros, and Semblance was a fairly good read. The pace and writing are good, and the plot isn’t too complicated but definitely has grit.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Drake isn’t looking for justice. He’s not interested in doing what’s right. He’s after one thing and one thing only: revenge. That means taking down the Boredega drug cartel—and the shadowy, seemingly invincible man who heads it—even if he goes down with them.
Drake plans to destroy the cartel from within, and he uses his nightclub, Semblance, as a front for money laundering and drug trafficking. He’s sacrificed almost everything to complete his mission, and just as he’s getting close, he’s derailed by flirtatious bartender Scotty, who offers Drake a glimpse of the happiness he’s missed by pursuing a personal vendetta. Scotty might be irresistible, but Drake has come too far to turn back now. He’ll have to find a way to keep Scotty safe, fend off persistent prostitute Natasha, feed tips to the authorities, and edge his way closer to the upper echelon of the cartel, where he can finally strike. He’ll need to do it all while keeping his intentions covert—and he’s not the only one at Semblance with secrets.
Review: Drake Clane is a man out for revenge against the Boredega cartel. He’s the owner of Semblance, a bar where the back rooms are used not only to deal drugs—but death. Drake is also a man who carries the weight of guilt and disappointment in himself, and it’s driving him to alcoholism.
Scotty Harden has been working the bar since he was hired by Drake. Scotty is sweet and flirty with Drake, but that’s as far as things have gone. When Drake is faced with the deaths that evolve with trying to get deeper into the cartel, he turns to booze. Scotty always serves him, knowing when to cut Drake off, and is very concerned about his welfare. Feeling that Drake drinks too much, Scotty decides to come to Drake’s rescue, and drives him home. Things get a little steamy between Scotty and Drake, but Drake has to be careful—he’s Scotty’s boss; plus, he doesn’t want to bring anyone into the dark side of his life. Drake has to keep the mission against the cartel his first priority. He can’t afford to put more lives in danger, not to mention he’s still dealing with the guilt of losing his family.
As the relationship grows, Drake starts to trust Scotty and reveals the truth about himself. But not all goes smoothly between them. When the cartel catches up with Drake, he looks to Scotty as his betrayer.
This was my first time reading Chris E. Saros, and Semblance was a fairly good read. The pace and writing are good, and the plot isn’t too complicated but definitely has grit—lots of action, danger and violence, and it does get bloody. I liked both Drake and Scotty. I thought they were good, solid characters and their chemistry really meshed well. There’s a secondary group of evil characters who are up to no good from the start.
At the end, I wondered if this is headed towards a sequel. The situation with the cartel still seems to be questionable, and there’s not a solid HEA. I would be interested to see if Scotty and Drake have a future together and am definitely going to watch out for this author again.
You can buy Semblance here:
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