By: Melissa Foster
Releasing July 11, 2017
World Literary Press
World Literary Press
Carson
Bad Boys After Dark series
As the founder of a multimillion-dollar international security business, Carson Bad exposes secrets for a living. He knows better than to forge relationships built on them. But for years he did just that with his best friend, and secret lover, Tawny Bishop. She brought a sense of calm and understanding to his life–in and out of the bedroom. Until one fateful night when a knock at the door changed everything.
Tawny is no longer a naive college student. She’s a sought-after perfumer living in Paris. She has plenty of resources at her fingertips, and lots of lonely nights to think about the only man she’s ever loved–the one she ran away from all those years ago. She needs to move forward with her life, but how can she when Carson still owns her heart?
Maybe showing up in the middle of the night unannounced isn’t the best route to unraveling the past and figuring out her future, but Tawny has played it safe for ten long years, and it’s only made her long for the man she never should have walked away from. Now she’s back in Carson’s life, and he’s determined not to make the same mistake twice. If only he knew what that mistake was…
With her heart in her throat, she lifted her gaze, and lost her breath at the sight of the strikingly handsome man who had once been her lover and best friend standing a few feet away with his brother, Brett. She’d met Brett once when he’d come to visit Carson at college.
Her attention moved swiftly back to Carson, and she was unable to look away. His white dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms, and tucked into perfectly tailored dark slacks. He was broader now, tall, and sturdy. A big, beautiful man with the classic good looks of a 1950s movie star. He raked a hand through his short hair, laughing at something Brett must have said.
Please look over.
No. Don’t. Her heart might explode.
Wait. Yes, look over.
Oh God.
What was she doing? She was a professional, educated woman. She should not be weak-kneed over the sight of a man. But apparently her body didn’t get the memo, because her pulse skyrocketed, and she could barely breathe. She gripped the handle of her suitcase tighter, using it for balance. Carson turned, his chiseled features softened by the hint of a five-o’clock shadow. Their eyes connected, and his brows knitted, his jaw tensed.
Disappointment clutched her. Didn’t he recognize her? Or did he? Was he angry? She should walk away, but she was pinned in place by his riveting gaze.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the previous novels in this series and eagerly anticipated Carson's story. Verdict? It doesn't disappoint.
Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop made a decision which she instantly regretted. Now, she's back, clinging to hope that the man she rejected all those years ago is still free. On a whim she turns up at a fund-raiser he's attending and devastated because she's arrived too late. Fortunately, the man she seeks is stood chatting in the hotel foyer. Their eyes meet. Giving renewed hope of a reconciliation.
Carson Bad was left reeling after his college best friend and secret lover left and married someone else straight after graduation. Since then, he's concentrated on building up his security business as well as keeping his heart safely intact from further heartache. When the woman he has always loved makes a surprising appearance, Carson instinctively seeks her out. Only he needs to know the reasons for her departure ten years ago before he can think about moving on with the woman he still loves.
The pace and feel of this novel very much reflect the quiet personalities and calm characters of the protagonists. Like his brothers; Mick and Dylan, Carson, is a sexy, alpha male. Unlike his brothers, he prefers to live his life more discreetly, keeping his private life under the radar. Tawny, after years of regret and the death of her father, has a sense of determination she's never had before with no idea if her courage will be enough.
The time-line for this novel is short, yet a lot is packed into the pages as Carson and Tawny begin to unravel the past. They must satisfy their need for closure for old, emotional wounds before moving forward. These are two people with a second chance, who already love each other, and thankfully, the narrative doesn't deliver an insta-love vibe. I appreciated Carson's cautious manner and his sense of honour as he tries to make sense of Tawny's return into his life before his physical desires take over. The sparks between them are combustible, igniting urges Tawny has subdued since she walked out of Carson's life. Only now she's frustrated until neither can resist temptation.
Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop made a decision which she instantly regretted. Now, she's back, clinging to hope that the man she rejected all those years ago is still free. On a whim she turns up at a fund-raiser he's attending and devastated because she's arrived too late. Fortunately, the man she seeks is stood chatting in the hotel foyer. Their eyes meet. Giving renewed hope of a reconciliation.
Carson Bad was left reeling after his college best friend and secret lover left and married someone else straight after graduation. Since then, he's concentrated on building up his security business as well as keeping his heart safely intact from further heartache. When the woman he has always loved makes a surprising appearance, Carson instinctively seeks her out. Only he needs to know the reasons for her departure ten years ago before he can think about moving on with the woman he still loves.
The pace and feel of this novel very much reflect the quiet personalities and calm characters of the protagonists. Like his brothers; Mick and Dylan, Carson, is a sexy, alpha male. Unlike his brothers, he prefers to live his life more discreetly, keeping his private life under the radar. Tawny, after years of regret and the death of her father, has a sense of determination she's never had before with no idea if her courage will be enough.
The time-line for this novel is short, yet a lot is packed into the pages as Carson and Tawny begin to unravel the past. They must satisfy their need for closure for old, emotional wounds before moving forward. These are two people with a second chance, who already love each other, and thankfully, the narrative doesn't deliver an insta-love vibe. I appreciated Carson's cautious manner and his sense of honour as he tries to make sense of Tawny's return into his life before his physical desires take over. The sparks between them are combustible, igniting urges Tawny has subdued since she walked out of Carson's life. Only now she's frustrated until neither can resist temptation.
Part of the joy of reading a Melissa Foster novel is getting re-acquainted with familiar faces and getting introduced to new ones. The camaraderie and playful banter add a fun contrast to the hot and steamy romance between relatable and likeable protagonists. Carson can be read as a standalone, but with equally sexy brothers, why stick with just one!
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher World Literary Press***
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