Iris Bolling has given us another phenomenal series-but has its conclusion left pandora's box opened or closed?
BOOK ELEVEN
Publisher: Siri Austin Entertainment LLC
Publication Date: March 22, 2022
Genre: AA Romance/ Romantic Suspense
The life of his family…his future…his everything is in her hands…the hands of a stranger.
The world knows Luke Lassiter as Earthquake, all-star pro wide receiver. A powerhouse both on the field and between the sheets, Luke leaves women in a frenzy just for a taste of the sexy Lassiter. Little does anyone know he has an intimate relationship with the United States government as a classified secret weapon.
Sasha Coles lived a simple life. In the blink of an eye that all changed for the United Nations translator. Family ties she thought were permanently severed surface. Sasha finds herself whisked into a life brimming with fast-paced action, suspense, and the threat on her emotions when she meets the irresistible Luke Lassiter.
The attraction between the two is immediate and addictive as Luke discovers an uninhibited woman who needs the love of family. Sasha sees a man with layers no one has dared to unearth and wonders what will be uncovered if she digs deeper.
Luke needs her special skills to protect his family. Sasha needs his love to accept her family. Will the family ties bond them together or will the danger separate them forever?
MY THOUGHTS...
Reading an Iris Bolling book is always an intriguing and captivating event. This author is a true wordsmith, and her every pen stroke is not to be disregarded, but revered.
"Family and Country" are clear in each installment of the Gems and Gents books. Luke Lassiter is the last one in the clan to take center stage, and what a spotlight it is. If you have followed the series, you have knowledge of the intelligence, skills they process, and all the resources they have in their arsenal. Because of the debt of gratitude their country has for them, anyone looking to destroy or harm any member of the Lassiter family should think long and hard or be willing to die for their efforts.
On the surface, Luke is that of an all-American athlete and successful NFL player, but under the surface is a man of multiple layers. Like, a few of his siblings, his intelligence, inventions, and vision are what induct him into the world of government as a secret weapon. It is a threat to his family that has him seeking help to interpret essential information to eliminate those responsible. This mission is the most difficult and time is of the essence and has him at the mercy of a stranger.
It is in “A Piece of Her Heart” that we meet the intriguing Sasha Cole, and oh do not let the last name fool you, she is a Day indeed. She drops (literally) in Luke’s life with the initial intention to help with a very intense mission but let me say there is nothing like fate coming in and stirring a pot of lava.
We all have had that point in our lives where we need a change, sometimes we do not know what that change looks like, and clarity comes in many forms; for Luke, Sasha matched him in many areas making her his perfect mate and for Sasha, Luke came with a family package that rivals no other. It offered all the things she was missing and did not understand when it came to being part of a family unit, love, support, acceptance, and protection.
While EARTHQUAKE offers steamy and sensual moments, it is the action that kept me on the edge of my seat. In this fight to save his family, the brilliant strategies, fighting techniques and the resources at this family’s disposal are what keep you engaged from the first page. Knowing this is the last book in the Gems & Gents series its ending might bring about mixed feelings, but is it really the end? I suspect with all the connected puzzle pieces as well as newly revealed pieces there may be something else on the horizon. One thing to know about this author, with every ending, there is a beginning just waiting to happen.
There was so much to enjoy about this book and if you are still on the fence about taking an adventure with the Lassiters, let me assure you it is well worth the time. However, might I suggest you start from the beginning to understand your mission, should you choose to accept it? You will thank me later.
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From the bottle:
"We call it the Phantom...a ghostly figure that wanders the Bogle cellars at night. Fleeting glimpses of muddy work boots and blue jeans-then gone. Does the Phantom really exist? Yes. Has it inspired us? Absolutely."
Phantom Red Blend hails from the vines of Bogle winery in Clarksburg, CA. Like the Lassiter family, the Bogle family has something to be proud of and a legacy to keep it going. The Bogle Phantom is a blend of 43% Petite Sirah, 44% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spends 24 months in 1 and 2-year-old American oak.
The bottle itself offers the intrigue of mystery, but when you pop the cork, you will get the tantalizing aroma of dark berries, oak, licorice, spices, and more. The palate pretty much matches its aroma with unmistaken notes of black pepper.
I found this wine to be full-bodied and on the dry side. It is well-balanced in tannins, acidity, and alcohol. With its smooth delivery, there is a long spicy finish that keeps you sippin.
It may be the cover and the label that draws you to this pair, and if that is the case, I assure you it will be the story and the taste that captivates you. Of course, we recommend enjoying them together, but whether together or separately, do enjoy. And as always, sip responsibly.
The cost of this treat will run you between $18-21 and can be found in most of your local wine & spirits and grocery stores.
Bonus nugget: for a little extra fun consider downloading the Augmented Reality Wine Label App from your mobile device. Once you have the app, use your device to scan the label on the bottle to unlock hidden features.
If you want to try your hand at aging, this one might be a great one to start with. Just buy one for now and one for future tastings. Be sure to store properly.
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