Roughed Up by Hank Edwards

51KIrXRBZuLTitle: Roughed Up

Series: Up to Trouble 03

Author: Hank Edwards

Genre: Contemporary, Crime, Suspense

Length: Novella (141pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (7th May 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: FBI Special Agent Aaron Pearce and his lover Mark Beecher are taking a well-deserved vacation relaxing on the beaches of Barbados Island. They spend lazy days in the sun, on scooters seeing the sites, or in their room making love.

When Mark sees a young girl in a bar who may be in danger, he begins an informal investigation into her situation, even as Pearce reminds him they are not citizens and have no legal power on the island. Mark is determined, however, and, while investigating on his own, is taken captive by a sex slavery ring.

Pearce panics when Mark goes missing. He has a good idea what happened to Mark and who has taken him, but he cannot prove it. While working with the Barbados Royal Police Force, Pearce realizes he has become the detective’s prime suspect, and understands he needs to conduct his own personal investigation if he has any chance of finding Mark before his lover either sold into sex slavery or murdered.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/up-to-trouble-3-roughed-up.html

Review: This story is part of a series and is best read in order. Aaron/Pearce and Mark are on vacation in Barbados. It’s a time for them to relax and enjoy the sites, but visiting a village and a restaurant sets Mark to wondering about the plight of a young woman who he sees at the bar across the road. Aaron tells him straight that there is nothing they can do, but Mark can’t let it go and storms off after words with Aaron. Aaron is enjoying his time with Mark, although he still has moments of awareness of his surroundings. Aaron begins to worry when Mark disappears. He just knows it has something to do with that bar. Aaron soon learns he will have to find Mark by himself and sets out to locate him, and what he discovers sends dread through him.

This is a great action, suspense story that shows that even when they are on vacation Mark and Aaron can’t keep out of trouble. Aaron is on suspension, Mark is out of work and a week away from all their troubles sounds fantastic. But, Mark is dragged into a sex slave ring when he looks for a young woman he spotted at a bar. Aaron is panicked and has to investigate himself when he can’t seem to get the Barbados Royal Police Force to take Mark’s disappearance seriously. But finding Mark will be harder than he hoped when all he has to go on is the owner of the bar.

Well, how much trouble can one man get into by storming off in a huff? The answer… life and death trouble. I thought this story was brilliant. There was action, suspense, hot sex, arguments, doubts, guilt, recriminations, attempted escapes, rescues and love. Aaron and Mark are very happy together, but they keep having mini blowouts. Each man examines their relationship, but the dangers they face make them realize that the other man is it for him. The storyline is great and keeps you turning the pages. The sex is really hot (I love beach sex). the suspense is a bit of a killer as you chew nails and wonder if Aaron will find Mark in time.

I will admit to having to wonder at times exactly how old Mark really was, because at times he acted like a child refusing to think about the consequences of his actions when he is on a strange island, in a strange country and is sniffing around for answers that even the locals wouldn’t ask. Aaron tried to rein him in and ended up in danger himself, but bless the man; he loves Mark and sets off to find him carefully himself. The relationship between Mark and Aaron is just a touch strained at first. As both of them are still getting used to being together all the time. But, they seem to be coming along just fine.

I will recommend this to those who love action, suspense, with plenty of danger, some very hot loving, great characters, a great storyline and a very happy rescue and ending.  

 

 

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