Title: Resist Me (Change Me, #1)
Author: A.O. Peart
Release Date: August 30, 2014
Synopsis
Lisbeth Anderson, the lone eyewitness of a shocking murder, believes the FBI witness protection program may be the only way for her to survive. But when a powerful explosion reduces the safe house to ashes, killing all of the FBI agents on duty, will she turn to a perfect stranger for help?
Ethan McCoy, a former-Marine-turned-
One morning at dawn, Ethan’s fire brigade is called to a fatal house explosion that levels the structure. When he pries open a trap door to the hidden panic room under the house, he finds a gorgeous, though disheveled brunette. Lisbeth instantly turns Ethan’s world upside down, and he’s overcome by the burning desire to protect her, no matter the consequences. RESIST ME IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IN THE STEAMY CHANGE ME (McCoy Raven Boys) ROMANTIC THRILLER/SUSPENSE SERIES. ALL BOOKS IN THIS SERIES ARE STANDALONE AND CAN BE READ IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
Due to mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations, this series is intended for adult readers only.
My Review:
Resist Me by A.O. PeartMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Lisbeth was living in the witness protection program after witnessing the brutal attack and murder of her friend. Her life is thrown into chaos when the safe house she is staying in is blown up. She doesn't know who to trust, but feels that the FBI is obviously not doing a great job of keeping her safe. She meets Ex-Marine and firefighter Ethan as she climbs out of the panic room that kept her alive during the explosion. She feels safe with Ethan for reasons she doesn't understand, and Ethan feels a desire to protect this woman he just rescued. Both are experiencing a variety of emotions, and are unsure how to move forward.
Ethan is an alpha male that apparently comes from a whole family of alpha males. Even as he is requested to help Lisbeth re-enter the witness protection program, he knows right away that he isn't going to get her to change her mind when she obviously doesn't feel safe in FBI custody. His rescuer complex along with his attraction to Lisbeth causes him to take her safety into her own hands, and Lisbeth feels that he is her best option at this time. Their attraction to one another makes it impossible for them to stay apart once they are in close proximity to one another. I read through this story quickly, and was engaged with the characters. I wanted Lisbeth safe and happy. I sort of felt like the couple BDSM references were sort of an after-thought and were just thrown in rather than a developed part of the story line. I did also enjoy the peripheral characters, and would like to learn more about them in the future.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Excerpt
“It might be a bit slippery down there, so careful.” Ethan indicated the damp soil by the collapsed tree.
That little rasp in his voice was distracting. It stirred something in me. Again. Something I shouldn’t have felt now. And his touch—his large, long-fingered hand, grasping mine. He emanated some raw power and decisiveness. This was too much to handle, too confusing. Maybe it was just me? No doubt I was confused and weirded out by all that had happened recently in my life. How could I even think straight anymore?
With a long breath, I concentrated on stepping down from the log. I didn’t want to think about that soothing warmth surging from Ethan’s skin into mine. As soon as I was back on the ground, I pulled my hand back and put both of my hands in my pockets. I looked up at the blue sky visible between the treetops. A few white wisps of clouds were stretched over our heads. They were slowly shifting and reshaping, some of them breaking into smaller pieces.
A distant, sweet memory resurfaced: ten-year-old me, lying in a warm grass, watching similar, wispy clouds constantly change shapes. There was a rabbit, a boulder, a flower, or a jumping cow. I recalled how happy that made me, but now I knew it was only because my imagination took me away from reality of my sad, lonely childhood. Nevertheless, watching the clouds slow-dancing in the sky above me brought those beautiful memories back. And I was thankful for remembering them.
I wanted to feel this enjoyment of freedom and simple pleasure forever. All the worries that bogged me practically every moment of each day have suddenly disappeared. It was as if some distant door opened at the end of a long, dark tunnel, and I was instantly transported into a happy place; as if I stepped over a threshold and onto the sun-filled spot that emanated such positive and soothing energy.
My eyes still closed, I breathed the air fragrant with a tree sap and damp moss, my face upturned to the sky, the sunrays warming my skin. This was what I needed—a moment of a complete quiet, the worry-free feeling that finally uplifted my spirit. A distraction.
I don’t know how long I stood like this, but when I looked around, Ethan was sitting on the log a few feet away, watching me with the tiniest smile on his lips. Did he understand what I was feeling? And just like that, for a flitting moment I believed that we actually gazed into each other’s souls.
He slowly stood up, his eyes locked with mine. Taking a few slow steps, he came very close to me. There was something predatory in his stride, but that didn’t frighten me. Instead, it made me long for his touch. I didn’t move. Ethan’s hands gently ran over my arms. His smile disappeared, and his handsome, masculine features rearranged into an intense, possessive look.
This alone—his expression and his caress—left me breathless, my heart pumping. I froze in anticipation. My lips parted. His right hand came to the back of my neck. His fingers wrapped in my hair, gently tugging my head back until my face upturned toward his. His other hand pressed on the small of my back, bringing our bodies dangerously close.
He kissed me, and I truly welcomed that kiss. No, I actually embraced it.
At first, it was tender, as if he wasn’t sure how I would respond. When I didn’t pull back, his lips skillfully explored mine. His tongue darted from between them, teasing me, testing my reaction. I parted my lips and let him in. He took my mouth with such hunger as if he wanted to kiss me forever.
His sharp intake of breath, send a wave of hot desire through me. I’ve never been kissed like this—so tenderly but intensely and adeptly at the same time. He tasted of mint toothpaste and smelled of a delicious mixture of soap, something musky, and something very male.
I moaned into his mouth. He inhaled again, and his tongue licked deep inside my mouth, sliding over mine, possessing me. This was the sweetest torment I’ve ever experienced. I was lost in this kiss; I was lost in this moment. The feel of serenity and peace I felt just seconds earlier was quickly replaced by the sexual tension; by the pure, shameless desire.
Ethan pulled away, panting slightly, his expression laced with longing and pain. It sobered me in an instant, and I stepped away from him. I hung my head, taking deep, calming breaths. This wasn’t the way. This shouldn’t have happened.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should’ve never done that. It won’t happen again.”
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About the Author
A.O. Peart is the author of the New Adult and Young Adult fiction novels. She writes in multiple YA and NA genres, including romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, and short stories.
She lives in the Seattle area with her family and a chronically curious cat. Angela describes herself as European born, American by choice.
She lives in the Seattle area with her family and a chronically curious cat. Angela describes herself as European born, American by choice.
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