“I don’t see a monster when I look at you, Declan. I don’t.”“What do you see?” “The man I want.”

I really enjoyed reading this book! There was everything from romance, thrill and mystery to some emotional moments. Marley was very smart and I admired her will to never back down. She stood strong by Declan's side and definitely wasn't a damsel in distress, which I liked! Declan was a mystery to me intially but as his story became more clear, I found myself sympathizing with him. He was a victim of circumstances and not some kind of monster he thought he was and deserved every bit of happiness in his life. Declan & Marley were great together and I could feel the chemistry between them right from the first chapter! Overall, this was an entertaining read! The pacing was fast and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat! And some side characters were really interesting. Can't wait to see what the author writes next!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

4.5stars-CRUEL ICE is the twelfth instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult ICE BREAKER: COLD CASE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of men and women who work for Ice Breakers, a former online team of crime solvers whose goal it is to solve cold cases. This is billionaire tech businessman Declan Flynn, and junior PI Marley Jones’ story line. CRUEL ICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from three omniscient points of view including Declan and Marley CRUEL ICE follows in the aftermath of the rescue of Declan Flynn. Upstart PI Marley Jones witnessed a possible abduction outside of a local bar. Following the suspect vehicle, Marley goes in search of the potential victim, and comes face to face with her future in the guise of billionaire tech giant Declan Flynn, the man who was drugged and is meant to die but Marley called law enforcement for help, and Declan was struggling with the possibility of a betrayer or someone from his past. Meanwhile, Marley is targeted in the wake of her new found relationship with our story line hero but Marley is determined to prove she is worthy of protecting the man that she loves.

The world building follows several paths including the heart breaking back stories for both Marley and Declan. Declan is the son of a mobster, a psychotic killer and abuser; Marley is a survivor that has left her a little bit broken.

The relationship between Declan and Marley is one of immediate attraction but Declan is a killer, and struggles with his attraction and need for our story line heroine. Determined to protect Marley, Declan claims Marley as his fiancé, in the face of law enforcement accusations directed at our story line couple. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters including Declan’s security team : James, Cade and Hunter, as well as Declan’s brother Royal Boudreaux (Brutal Ice 11). We are introduced to Marley brothers, Ice Breaker agents Jacob and Eb Jones. The requisite evil has many faces.

CRUEL ICE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and murder, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic, action packed and detailed; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, dynamic and twisted.



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Declan Flynn is a man to be feared…or hated or maybe both. When he wakes up in a building, tied to a chair, he has no idea how he got there, but then he hears her voice. Marley Jones, newly minted P.I. saw three men abducting a man and of course she followed while calling the police. When she arrives, she finds the man tied to a chair, but he thinks she is the kidnapper. Finally, she assures him that she is rescuing him, now if only he would put the knife down! Declan knows that she will be in jeopardy as the ones who came after him will now come after her. She insists on taking him to the hospital where she claims she is his fiancé, after all she needs to stay with him, to protect him! He must deal with a disgruntled detective, a visit with his newly found brother and the need to find out who betrayed him and make them suffer. As the case unfolds, Marley continues to convince him that she can find his kidnappers and keep him safe. When she is injured in another attempt on his life, all bets are off! Marley is a truly unique character and one of my favorites! She is a bit innocent, yet strong in her belief that although his world can be a scary place, she is strong enough to handle it…and him. A wild chase from the very first page to the thrilling end! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I love Declan and Marley with their combustible chemistry! This author's voice is one of my absolute favorites. She creates characters that feel real and like people I want to know. There's suspense, tension, and jaw dropping reveals. And insanely sexy romance. Another must read!

Fantastic!

I think this might be my favorite book in the 'Ice" series! Declan and Marley pull you in and they have a beautiful connection. This story is the perfect blend of intrigue, twists, action, emotion, humor, drama and heart.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

The twist!

I enjoyed the twist of Declan being kidnapped and Marley being the one to come to his rescue.
Declan is an anti-hero, sort of. He's grumpy, kidnapped and kind of a bad guy. Marley is the PI who happens to stumble on to his kidnapping. Declan is in denial, but one thing he isn't denying is that he wants Marley and he's keeping her.

A fast paced, smart and steamy read that delivers. Cynthia Eden is fast becoming a go-author for me and boy does she deliver in this book.
Recommend.

You can count on Cynthia Eden to deliver strong heroines and even tougher heroes, even if they don’t think that they are heroes. That is exactly what you get in Cruel Ice with Marley Jones and Declan Flynn. This Ice Breaker, the Cold Case Romance book 12 delivers a complex, intense story that begins freeing a kidnap victim. Yet Declan has trouble admitting that he is the actual victim, but the reader along with Marley know better. He was in trouble in that basement. All of this is in the description so no spoiler, except for the interaction between Marley and Declan which is what makes this such an entertaining story.

Declan can behave like a caveman at times, howbeit a wealthy one but a cave man none the less. It is such a treat to see Marley handle him when needed. While there is lots of action this is still a character driven story. Somewhat like the mouse and the lion characters, though the story is backwards from that fable since Marley helps Declan first. Still Marley is a wonderful rescuer who deserves her own HEA.

Marley is just starting out as a PI when she witnesses a kidnapping. She follows them and manages to rescue Declan. Declan has a reputation, not a good one. Marley is determined to solve his case and keep protecting him. This is a suspense a,one with a romance, plenty of action that will keep you interested. The book is part of a series but could be read as a stand a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I'm kind of surprised that the word Glass isn't in the title. It would have tied in Marley's past perfectly. I'm not sure that I would like Declan's kind of love. His protectiveness would smother me. Marley is like a dog with a bone. She won't let go of being Declan's PI and solving is case. Does she not see and understand that he can get things done faster without having to run things by her first. The ending threw me for a loop. Talk about surprised.

Genre & Tropes : Suspense romance x Suspense plot x Grumpy / Sunshine x Morally Grey Billionaire x Touch her and die x Spicy

Finally the volume with Royal's brother that I was waiting for with such impatience !

Was my cry of joy heard all the way to the moon when I received this ARC ?? Most likely ><

I was super excited to have a book with the mysterious brother of Royal that we had seen in Brutal Ice and unsurprisingly, I LOVED him !! And since Marley is the cousin of Ophelia (from Locked In Ice) that I love, I was over the moon !!

I did NOT AT ALL see the denouement of the plot coming but I was kept in suspense throughout the book by the various attempts against Declan but also by the sexy romance but also terribly amusing (their first meeting which for me totally counts as a meet-cute even with the torture instruments xD) and strangely cute (we love badasses who are helpless in the face of a heroine who hugs them !)

In short, a suspense romance that I devoured and which will delight fans of the series and Cynthia Eden but also fans of the genre !

PS1: I SO need a book with Hunter !! And Marley's brothers =D

PS2: the dedication broke my heart and I'm so sorry for the author's loss ...

“One person’s hero is another’s villain…and another person’s villain…”

Declan Flynn is exactly that. This story just starts off with a bang and keeps that high octane energy until the last page.

“Where have you been all my life?” he wondered.

Marley Jones is one tough cookie. A PI in desperate need of a job. She finds one with Declan and so much more.

“I feel…like I breathe better when you’re near me.

This series is so addictive you’ll be chomping at the bit for more!!