Title: Diversion
Series: N/A
Author: Eden Winters
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel
Publisher: Amber Allure (March 18th, 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5+Hearts
Blurb: Drug dealers aren’t always on the streets; sometimes they sit in offices and boardrooms, selling merchandise in official-looking bottles instead of little cellophane bags…
When given a choice between eight more years in prison or using his “expertise” to assist the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau’s Department of Diversion Prevention and Control, convicted drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter takes the sentence with the illusion of freedom. Cynical and unwilling to admit he’s begun to care about his job, he counts the days until his debt is paid. His sole obstacle to getting his life back is the rookie he’s assigned to train before he leaves—a rookie, who quotes pharmacy texts, hasn’t paid his dues, and has the obnoxious tendency of seeing the good in everyone, including the target of their investigation.
Former Marine Bo Schollenberger dreamed of becoming a pharmacist, but watched the dream turn into a nightmare of PTSD-fueled prescription drug abuse. Battling his demons daily, he wakes up every morning, wondering, “Will this be the day I give in?” To keep his license, he must now put his skills to use for a diversion control task force, deal with a crude partner with too much attitude and no brain-to-mouth filter, and take down a drug lord who reminds him of his favorite cooking show hostess.
The bad guys don’t stand a chance—if Lucky and Bo don’t strangle each other first…
Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Diversion.html
Reviewer: Thommie
Review: Lucky Lucklighter, what a name, is an accomplished thief. He is the best in his field. Law enforcement agencies teach classed on his techniques, and his case files are in textbooks, but his serving time is nearly over and he’s tired of the life. Yes, he might not be serving time in jail anymore, he might be somewhat free. He might have a job that gives him money, but he’s still not a free man. In two months he’s not going to be obligated to wake up and go in a job he hates (or so he says), he will have full access to his accounts, his name will be on his car and house and his head will be once again out there for every drug-dealer once associated with his past to try to take it off his shoulders. They have a long memory after all. But before all that happen, he must train his replacement.
Bo Schollenberger seems in some very strange ways to be Lucky’s younger self. Past mistakes haunt him, too, and he’s not willing to stand down when Lucky’s being the usual prick. Like Lucky, this is Bo’s second chance to life with the difference that Bo actually likes his job and takes it seriously.
From day one he and Lucky don’t hit it well. So what if Bo is stunning. So what if his backside has Lucky ogling like he hasn’t done in years, they seem hell-bent in knocking each other off. Who would have guessed that a good argument was an aphrodisiac for Lucky? Things don’t stay that way though. As they’re assigned together, living in the same house while trying to get the Intel they need to get the job done, things change. They get to know each other, they get intimate, and even if the arrangement is that this intimacy will last for only as much as the job’s on, Lucky’s finding himself drawn to his partner more and more. His past collides with his present and confusion leaves Lucky faltering for his future plans for the first time in 8 years.
I don’t know what I loved more about this book. Lucky is a brilliantly written character, snarky, arrogant, witty and so damn the “man” it was like the author had him in front of her and did a damned good job portraying him. His demons were so realistic and his acts wonderful. I’m not even mentioning his sense of humor that had me laughing time and again. I felt happy for him, sad and proud, as if he were my brother. And Bo, wow what a character he was, sweet, caring, and loyal. I adored their flaws, their weaknesses. It made them even more real in my eyes. Their “fraternizing” was fantastic; the evolution from a simple hook up to “God, I love you” was perhaps the best I’ve read so far.
But, that’s not just it. I liked all characters, they were all so well written. And the plot, oh my, this story is one of those, you know deep in your heart, should hit the Hollywood screens, but at the same time you know they’ll just screw it up and never be able to convey it properly. Not the least tiresome, it slowly reveals the reasons behind Lucky’s sentence, the demons that haunt him, Bo’s own mistakes, all this while having incredible action, as they try to solve their narcotics case.
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. It’s one of those that I’ll definitely re-read again, and if you’re the least interested in action/crime you will be thrilled to read this one.
Wholeheartedly recommended!