DNF

Just couldn't get into the book which was disappointing because it was a decent plot.

Amara(nth) arrives home to find her baby-sitting friend severely beaten and her autistic son missing. She's able to quickly identify the perpetrator as her ex-boyfriend, Roberto who purposely leaves behind a business card with the name of his (half) brother Nick, now a Private Investigator. Nick is Amara's childhood friend and long ago, one-time one night stand.

Frantic and worried about her son Kenyon, she follows Roberto's breadcrumb directly to Nick. Upon her arrival to see Nick, she immediately slaps him, a person she hasn't seen in 10 years, in the face, without warning or provocation. Which makes her no better than Roberto!

Amara mentions wanting to reconnect with Roberto's old running buddies --particularly, Benny. Nick expressly, and clearly tells her to stay away from him Benny because he's dangerous. Does she listen? You already know the answer to that question! Though she is desperate to find her son, she thwarts Nick at every turn. She sets up a meeting with Benny to meet at his apartment on the seedy side of town. Upon arrival, Amara is thoroughly searched for weapons by one of Benny's goons before she is allowed access to him.

Amaranth hesitated for a moment as she drew in a shaky breath. Nicholas’ warning about Benny waved like a red banner in her mind. Any other time, her meek, mild-mannered personality would’ve complied with someone’s recommendation to stay put, but Kenyon’s life was at stake and she couldn’t afford to sit idly by and wait for something to turn up through Nicholas’ contacts.

No, that would make too much sense to wait for Nick to call in favors and gather intel from people that orbit this type of environment. People who understand the players and the game and what can happen when strangers start nosing around stirring up suspicions and paranoia.

Once she's inside Benny's apartment, she quickly realizes that Nick was right about Benny who shows her his mean side on a dime. She is literally seconds away from being raped and carted off to be sold as a sex slave when Nick comes to her rescue. Good thing he knew she'd do something stupid!

In the guise of trying to get her son back on her own, instead of working with Nick, she put people's lives in danger -- including her own. This happens time and time again, she acts rashly without forethought to consequences.

The many arguments for the justification of Amara's behavior(s) -- past and present -- doesn't pass the litmus test. This heroine was extremely difficult to like because there is a big difference between strong and independent vs. stubborn and obstinate. Most often her behavior and responses to situations and people were counterproductive given what was at stake.

Nick: “What all do you know about him?”
Amara: Amaranth looked at him, an eyebrow rose in question. “Aren’t you inquisitive?”
---->ME: I'm shouting ... he's an investigator!
Nick: Nicholas shrugged. What could he say? As a private investigator, it was his job to be curious and leave no stone unturned.

I didn't like the heroine, but I like the writing style of this author and plan to read her next book as soon as it's written.

a good emotional romantic storyline. I enjoyed the book. Good solid writing.

This exciting novel delivered suspense and romance in an entertaining way! Well developed characters drew the reader into this harrowing abduction of an Autistic child with refreshing depth.