Title: Swordfall
Author: Kate Pavelle
Series: The Fall Trilogy, #2
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Dreamspinner (January 9th, 2015)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: On Christmas break in Denmark to meet Asbjorn’s family, Sean almost dares to relax again—until the news of Frank Pettel’s sensational jailbreak hits the web. Sean played bait to put the serial sex offender behind bars, and now Sean feels the target reappear between his shoulder blades. He could keep hiding away in Europe, but college won’t wait, and Sean was never the one to take the coward’s way out.
Using his military and martial arts experience, Asbjorn assesses the major failure of the justice system that led to Pettel’s escape. Yet removing one problem introduces another: Asbjorn has never dealt with his own post-traumatic stress. As he goes hunting for the man who is a direct threat to his loved one, his grasp on reality slips.
Watching Asbjorn’s change, Sean’s confidence erodes. To further complicate things, Asbjorn’s deadly silence creates secrets that test the bond of trust that binds them. An older, wiser voice helps them understand that behind the bloodstained veil of secrecy, there is space enough for love.
ISBN-13: 978-1-63216-311-0
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5923
Review: Sean and Asbjorn have been through a lot in their young lives, both as individuals and even more so since becoming a couple. When they vacation together in Denmark, Asbjorn’s home, then Ireland, Sean’s home, they learn more about each other and their pasts. But while they are away the man who sent them across the ocean in the first place escapes from prison, and Sean is scared. Frank Pattel promised Sean he’d kill him if he ever got out, well, now he’s out and eluding capture, all while taunting Sean and Asbjorn.
Asbjorn is determined to protect the man he loves, regardless of the cost, and in doing so, he sends himself into a downward spiral of regret and painful memories of a past he has never fully overcome. Sean mistakes Asbjorn’s withdrawn attitude as him having second thoughts about their relationship and makes a few mistakes of his own, only surmounting the inevitable. If Asbjorn can’t be honest with Sean and himself about who he is, what he has done, and then Frank Pattel is the least of their worries.
I had some issues with this story. Let me start with what I enjoyed. I really liked the journey to both men’s home and the insight into how and where they were raised; it gave them a little more depth and explained their personalities somewhat. I was intrigued by the dynamics of the two couples, Asbjorn and Sean then Don and Adrian, and how they played off of each other, how they connected in a way.
And just as with the first book in this series, I love the way Pavelle has woven this tale of mystery and suspense into a world of martial arts, the two main characters so flawed and co-dependent on each other it’s almost frightening.
Unfortunately, there was too much going on in this story and I was confused at times. The flow wasn’t cohesive either when jumping from Asbjorn to Sean and back, again, I was confused. I didn’t get the connection with the fight toward the end either unlike the similar situation in the first book.
Even with the hiccups along the way, I’ll tune in for the next installment in this series because I’m invested in these characters and their story now. I have to know if they are going to get their happy ever after or at least their happy for now.
If you like books with a lot of action and suspense you should try the Fall Trilogy, there is romance as well it’s just not in your face romance. Start at the beginning though or you’ll really be confused.