Book Review: A Brutal Tenderness (A Terrible Love #2) by Marata Eros

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A Brutal Tenderness
A Terrible Love #2
By:  Marata Eros
Published:  August 26, 2013
Publisher:  Gallery Books
Source:  Publisher


GR's Summary:

There are two sides to every story. In this dark and sexy companion novel to the New York Times bestseller A Terrible Love, experience the sizzling passion and pulse-pounding suspense through FBI agent Cas Steele’s eyes as he hunts down a psychopath...and falls for the killer’s prey.

Cas has been charged with an unsavory task: manipulate the hauntingly beautiful Jewell MacLeod—a woman he has every reason to hate—and slowly gain her trust in order to use her as bait to lure in a killer. But as the killer draws closer, Cas realizes that he can’t deny the scorching chemistry that ignites between him and Jewell, even if giving into his physical desire for her means jeopardizing his mission...and opening himself up to the possibility of a real and terrible love...

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed A Brutal Tenderness from Cas' point of view immensely.  For one, I valued being inside of his head, and seeing how he came to love Jewell so much.  For another, I was completely captivated by his position as part of the FBI, along with his good friend and partner, Luke Adams, (who Jewell knew as Brock), and Decatur Clearwater, (who Jewell knew as Brad.)  It was very fascinating being privy to what happened behind the scenes as Cas, Luke, and Del collected intel, kept tabs on Jewell to try to keep her safe, and staged conflict, in order to draw the killer out.  


I've always been interested in the FBI, and what their job entails.  I loved seeing these guys role play while undercover, and then get to see the "real" men behind the scenes as they joked, hung out, sparred, and acted as good friends.  The more I learned about Cas (Blaine aka Devin), the more I loved his character.  He was highly intelligent, had great instincts, was lethal, and in prime shape.  Cas was an alpha male through and through, and was a force to be reckoned with.  He was also very loyal towards those that he cared about, and had a vested interest in bringing the serial killer to justice before he even met Jewell.  I admired Cas' dedication, persistence, and work ethic.  He was a man on a mission, and he was determined to get vengeance.

Cas knew everything that there was to know about Jewell from a ton of research and intel that he had collected.  However, what he "knew", and "assumed he knew" about her, in no way prepared him from actually making contact with her for the very first time.  The attraction, chemistry, and draw that he felt toward Jewell was intense.  He really did get to know her in a meaningful way.  If he wasn't with her, than he was behind the scenes trying to keep her safe.  When you put A Terrible Love together with A Brutal Tenderness, you end up with a more complete story.  Questions are answered, the story becomes more cohesive, the character development becomes more three dimensional, and you get to experience the best parts of the story twice.

I recommend A Terrible Love by Marata Eros.  The steam factor went up a few notches when I got to experience Cas' thoughts and emotions.  Especially, because he was a man of such few words.  Whereas, in A Terrible Love I thought he came off as a bit closed off and aloof, in A Brutal Tenderness, I got to see that in his own way, he was just trying to protect Jewell.  

My Rating:

I give A Brutal Tenderness 4 Heated, Passionate, Intense, Suspenseful, and Love Filled Stars!  If you are in to Law and Order SUV (like I am), ballet, and enjoy a take charge, mysterious, and sexy alpha male, check out this series.  Keep in mind that it is best if you read book one and two back to back like I did.  I look forward to continuing with this series, and seeing where Ms. Eros takes it.  I'm hoping that some of the secondary characters like Carlie (Jewell's Best Friend), FBI Agent, Luke Adams, and FBI Agent,  Decatur Clearwater get their own story as well.

My Favorite Quotes:

"We're two pieces of the same puzzle, the shapes shifting to fit.  We can fight it, but in the end, they're meant to link together.  No amount of denial or wrangling will change the steady slide toward what the fates have ordained."  (ARC, pg. 78-79)

"The unraveling is beginning.  I understand, for the first time, why people call it falling in love.  It's real.  The falling part.  It's like falling and never landing.  Hope I can survive in one piece."  (ARC, pg. 108)

"I've never felt this level of contentment in my life.  I gaze down at Jewell, who's wearing a grin on her face.  She reaches up and her thumb rasps over the stubble on my chin as wetness squeezes out of her eyes.  Not tears of sadness, but rightness.  This eases the tightness in my chest, as it would with all men when they know they've given a woman all they had to give..."  (ARC, pg. 142)

Purchase At:

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About the Author:

Tamara Rose Blodgett is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of dark, romantic new adult novels, including A Terrible Love and its companion novel A Brutal Tenderness under the pen name Marata Eros. A passionate writer who loves interacting with her readers, Tamara lives in South Dakota with her husband.

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