New Release Review | Love in Spades by Charlie Cochet

Love in Spades by Charlie Cochet
Four Kings Security #1
M/M Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Cover Design: Reese Dante

About the Book: Ex-Special Forces soldier Anston “Ace” Sharpe is fighting a different battle these days—one involving the world of private security across the state of Florida. As part owner of Four Kings Security, Ace and his fellow Kings tackle everything from armed transport and investigations to cyber intelligence and executive protection. Cocky, fearless, and brash, Ace isn’t afraid to take risks.

After years of working alongside his father, Colton Connolly is ready to take the helm at Connolly Maritime, but his father’s retirement is put on hold when Colton begins receiving death threats. If that isn’t bad enough, his father signs a contract with Four Kings Security to provide Colton with round-the-clock protection, despite his adamant refusal. Colton’s life has been turned upside down, the last thing he needs is a shadow, especially in the form of infuriating, sexy-as-sin Ace Sharpe, who seems to be on a mission to drive Colton mad.

Sparks fly the moment Colton and Ace meet on a sultry night club dance floor. But getting involved with a client, even one as fiery and beautiful as Colton Connolly, is a line Ace is unwilling to cross. Colton might be attracted to Ace, but he’d been burned before. He might be willing to put his life in Ace’s hands, but not his heart.

As the Florida nights heat up, so does their passion, and Ace and Colton are faced with a difficult choice—take the plunge and risk it all, or play it safe and walk away?

If Ace can keep a deadly threat from robbing Colton of a future….

Until now, the only series by Charlie Cochet I’ve read has been THIRDS. Oh boy, do I love THIRDS. That love made me feel like it was time for me to try something else by this author, and with Love in Spades releasing soon -and the similarities between the two series- I thought it was a good place to start.

So, right off the bat, I can tell you I already like the camaraderie between the men who work for Four Kings Security. They are brothers in arms, from the same Special Forces unit, and you can tell they are devoted to each other even when they’re driving each other insane. That bond between characters, especially in a formulaic series like this one, always helps me invest in the characters. It’s so important when I read a story, because I’m 100% a character/relationship driven reader. Connections make or break whether or not I’m going to enjoy a read, and brotherly bonds are one of my favorite type

In fact, I’m pretty interested in each of the Four Kings individually. There’s something about this group that reminds me of THIRDS, obviously, but they also remind me of the Troubleshooters -probably because they’re a security firm made up of ex-Special Forces with names like Ace, King, Red, Joker, etc. For whatever the reason, the set up of this new storybook world felt very familiar, which is definitely a good thing.

I also didn’t mind Colton and Ace as a couple. I was completely entertained. I usually like my relationships a little more drawn out, where Colton and Ace were nearly instantaneous, however they both tried to hold back -because Colton was a client- even though their chemistry was apparent from the beginning. I din’t love them quite as much as Dex and Sloane, but I still enjoyed their banter.

Not a lot of time was spent on the case and whoever was after Colton, but I think maybe that wasn’t supposed to be the prominent part of the story. I think I anticipated more of a ‘case’, since it is about a security firm, and they were being paid to protect Colton, but the story ended up focusing more on the relationships than on the whodunit. Instead, much time was spent on these two men falling in love, with the suspense picking up in the later part of the second half.

Finally, I am definitely interested in reading about the other members of Four Kings Security, I only wish Ms Cochet had kept more secrets in her pocket. I think I’ve already figured out where at least two other couples are going, one of those being Red. His book is next, and I feel like so much happened between them in Love in Spades already. I’m hoping there’s more coming to keep the story moving… which shouldn’t be a problem, because momentum is what Charlie Cochet does best. I never put Love in Spades down. I read the entire book in a day. She definitely knows how to write a novel that’s addicting!

Thank you to Charlie Cochet for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

“We’d be honored to represent you and Connolly Maritime. First, why don’t you tell us a little about your son,” King said. “I’m assigning your son’s protection to Ace, Lucky, and Red.” He motioned to the three of them. “But one of them will personally provide round-the-clock protection to your son. To determine which one of them would be the best fit, I need to know a little more about Colton.”

Paxton nodded. “I love my son. He’s a good man, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. Speaking frankly, he can also be a little shit. Stubborn as the day is long. I wish I could say he gets it from his mother, but that would be unfair of me since he gets his stubbornness from me. From his mother, he gets his temper. His business sense is second to none, and he has a way with people, but when you get on his bad side, look out. He despises insincere flattery and personal questions, warm one minute and freezing your balls off the next. I already approached him with the idea of hiring private security for him over this, and he was completely against it. This is going to piss him off to no end. If there’s one thing my son won’t stand is loss of control. Whoever you send in, he’ll see as a threat to that control, and he will fight it with everything he has.”

Ace cleared his throat. “Permission to speak freely, sir?”

“Ace,” King warned.

“It’s okay,” Paxton said, putting up a hand. “You boys say what you need to say. No minced words.”

“Your son sounds like a pain in the ass.” Ace ignored King’s heavy sigh and the way he closed his eyes, clearly summing patience.

Paxton scoffed. “Understatement.”

“That’s why I’d be perfect for the job.”

King sat back and moved his gaze to the ceiling. It was clear he agreed, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. The room was quiet, all eyes on King. Several heartbeats later, he leaned forward, his gaze meeting Paxton’s and his fingers laced together on his desk.

“I won’t lie to you, Mr. Connolly. Ace’s methods are somewhat… unorthodox.”

“Meaning?”

Ace grinned. “Sir, I’m an asshole at the best of times, but I’m damn good at what I do. My job will be to protect your son, not coddle him or kiss his ass. If he wants a fight, he’ll get one, and believe me, he won’t win. I will protect him, by any means necessary.”

“In other words, you’re not going to take his bullshit.”

“Not if it interferes with me doing my job.”

“Good. We’ve already established a way to make this contract watertight, with an added clause stating he can’t fire you or cancel the contract. Anything and everything will have to be authorized by me.”

“Yes, sir.”

They all turned their attention to King, and Ace held back his smile. He could see the exact moment King made the decision. His friend actually flinched. It was subtle, but it had been there.

“Ace is correct. If your son is difficult to work with, Ace is the best King for the job. He’ll take lead on this, be your son’s personal security, assemble a team, and get started as soon as the contract is signed.”

“Excellent. I’ve forced him to take some time off under the guise he’s got vacation time he needs to use, but because he’s a stubborn pain in the ass, he’s informed me he’ll be working from home a good deal of the time. For all I know, he’ll show up at the office. Kid’s always done whatever the hell he wanted anyway.”

Ace liked the guy already. Too bad Colton was going to hate Ace. It seemed like the guy had finally met his match.

Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.