Sandy M’s review of The Trouble with Temptation (McKays, Book 2) by Shiloh Walker
Contemporary Romance published by St. Martin’s 3 May 16
I’m thoroughly enjoying this latest contemporary/romantic suspense series from Shiloh Walker. This second book in the series picks up where the first left off with Brannon and Hannah, the aftermath of a car accident which has left Hannah in the hospital. Here we learn she’s in a coma, and all Bran can do is wait to see if she wakes up while he wrestles with his realization he loves her, but he may have blown everything with her with the way he walked out after their one night together. Brannon, my man, you have a difficult road to travel to guarantee a happily ever after for both of you.
As he waits, Brannon does realize the work ahead of him to make Hannah really know how he feels about her. He botched it up good when he left her that night, telling her marriage isn’t for him and all kinds of things to get her to also walk away. However, he’s in for a huge surprise, because when Hannah awakens, her memory is nearly gone. She remembers small things about herself, foods she likes and such, but her name? Nope. Nor her friends and family. And not Brannon. Another realization dawns – this is his chance to show his love for Hannah, to woo and court her slowly before owning up to his colossal mistake. And to top everything off for these two – Hannah is pregnant.
Even without her memory, Hannah is a no-holds-barred heroine. Says what she means and means what she says. And doesn’t take any BS from Brannon as they get to know one another again. This also works well for her when she refuses to let the mystery man who killed a local blackmailing resident and who knows Hannah saw him that fateful night dictate her life. Brannon and Gideon, the sheriff, want to keep her behind locked doors to keep her safe. She’s having none of that, wanting to work instead to help catch whoever it is. The book is divided into two parts, Before Memory and After Memory. The sweet and the suspenseful is all Before Memory. But once her memory returns, Hannah has a whole new issue to deal with as her heart breaks over the lies she perceives Bran has been telling her all along. This is the second time the man has broken her, and she’s pissed. More groveling is in store for Bran. I love the dichotomy of this alpha who takes care of everything and everyone, but he can’t bring himself to utter a few regretful phrases when he knows that’s the best thing to do. He’s scared spitless of the consequences, which he should be, of course.
Moving the story along in varying POVs, we are given different angles also from Gideon and, of course, our killer, whose identity has yet to be revealed.That will happen in the last book, which is out in August. So far he’s quite cagey, I haven’t been able to figure out who it is. I’m looking forward to Gideon’s and Moira’s story. They try to avoid one another as much as possible, but their history and love for each other brings them together to tantalize us with what could be between them. August can get here anytime soon for me to find out.
This is another series hit for Ms. Walker. She pulls you in with not only a mystery, but intriguing characters she makes you love before you even get a chapter deep into the book.
Grade: A
Summary:
Love is the greatest risk of all.
After seven days in a coma, Hannah Parker remembers nothing about the accident that landed her in the hospital—or how she ended up pregnant with Brannon’s baby, the man she’s loved since high school. Her body and heart have burned for him for years, and when she wakes up, he’s sleeping by her bedside, anxious to keep her safe at all costs. But as Hannah struggles with her amnesia, a threat looms closer—one that could have deadly consequences if she recovers her memories. She will have to trust Brannon completely if she is to keep what haunts her at bay…and their baby safe….Brannon McKay spent the last ten years fantasizing about Hannah. In his mind, he’s explored every passionate scenario he can think of while, in real life, Brannon took their budding relationship and threw it away with both hands. Hannah doesn’t remember what happened but now that she is awake, Brannon would rather die than watch her walk away again. When Hannah and his unborn child’s lives are threatened, Brannon must stake claim to the woman who has held his heart captive for years…or risk disaster tearing them apart…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
