Book Blurb:
She’s a distraction he can’t resist…
A spark ignites the moment security specialist, Hamilton Crosby, meets stunt woman, Dakota Sherrod. She’s like no other woman he’s ever met. But Hamilton never ignores his gut, and his gut tells him to stay clear of the enticing beauty.
Dakota is an adrenaline junkie. Leaping off buildings and running through fire is just another day at the job. Hence when she sets her sights on Hamilton, she goes after him full-force. Their attraction is fierce, but he thwarts her advances at every turn. He’s the strong, silent type who operates by a set of rules, but he’ll soon realize she rarely follows rules.
Falling for Dakota catches Hamilton off guard. So does the fact that she’s attached to part of his past. A past that indicted him with shame and loss. But when Dakota becomes the target of an unknown enemy, Hamilton stops at nothing to protect her. In turn, vindication is his reward, except it comes with complications.
Vindicated is book 1 of the Atlanta’s Finest Series.
Release Date: April 27, 2018
Rating:
Sensuality:
Review:
I knew this would be good after reading Sharon’s Reunited series years ago.
If you read the Bennett Triplets series then you’ve briefly met Hamilton. He worked at their Atlanta night club in that series. An Ex police officer who now works for a security firm, he is a father and not ready to be in a relationship.
Dakota is Hollywood royalty, kinda. Her father, is a successful Hollywood agent, but definitely not father of the year. She’s a stunt woman and celebrity in her own right, but wanting to transition to the next stage in her life, a relationship, marriage, and family.
I loved Dakota. She is confident, secure, and not afraid to ask for what she wants. Her interactions with Hamilton before they “got together” were so much fun. She was written perfectly. You never knew what she was going to say. I just wanted to give Hamilton a hug. He has such a mistrust of women and if wasn’t for Dakota’s persistence he would have missed out.
The secondary story line of who was trying to kill Dakota and her father wax pretty good, I have to say, I didn’t figure it out until the reveal. I was also glad that there wasn’t any malicious drama between Dominic’s mother and Dakota. It was nice to read a story where women who have been involved with the same man, can have a rational conversation without the cattiness.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Favorite Scene: Chapter 13
“Um…damn, Hamilton. Why the hell do you walk around with fucking clothes on?” she yelled.
“What?” he asked, confusion in his tone.
She turned and stomped away from the door, ignoring him when he called her name. He was right yesterday when he said they might have to keep their distance while at the house. Anything else was just torture. He must’ve had willpower of steel.
“No one who looks like you should cover up all of that…that perfection! Urgh!” she growled and stormed into her bedroom, trying to slam the door behind her, but he caught it before it closed.
“You care to tell me what’s wrong with you?” he asked and leaned against the doorjamb, shirtless.
“What’s wrong with me? You’re what’s wrong wit me!” She poked his chest with her finger, feeling as if she was jabbing a brick. “I’m weak, all right. I’l admit it. I’m so frickin’ weak and turned on right now, I’m about ready to jump you.:
The corner of his lips tilted into a sexy grin, and her body tingled as warmth spread through her. But when he pushed away from the door jamb, every sexual nerve in her body went on high alert.
“I suggest you not come any closer because I can’t be responsible for what I might do to you,” she said. He probably thought she was kidding, but now he was playing with fire whether he knew it or not.
“That’s right. You have a mean right hook and from what I hear, you have the ability to kill a man with your bare hands and feet.”
She gave an unladylike snort. “Killing you is the last thing I have in mind. What’ I’d rasher do is-“
“Just stop talking.” Hamilton tugged on the tail of her T-shirt and pulled her closer. Than he shocked her when he lifted the garment over her her head and tossed it to the floor.
For the first time since meeting him, Dakota stood speechless. Their gazes collided and she shivered when the back of his chilly fingers grazed her bare breast. Her senses were on high alert as he dragged his large hand slowly down her side, dipping at her waist before sliding over the curve of her hip. All the while their gazes never wavered from each other.
She had a feeling anything she experienced with other men in the past wouldn’t compare to whatever happened between her and Hamilton. The thought thrilled her to the tip of her toes, sending waves of heat pulsing through her veins.
“You talk about my body…” He unfastened her shorts and they slid down her legs and puddled around her ankles before she kicked them off. The tiny pair of lace panties went next. “I’ve been dreaming about yours and that was before I saw all of…all of this.” He waved his hand up and down at her body the way she’d done to him moments ago.
“Well, um…I guess we’re on the same page. So, what are you going to do about it? And um…what about your rules?”
“Fuck my rules.”
~Vindicated / Sharon C Cooper
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