Series: Signal Bend #1
Published by Self-Published on January 26th 2014
Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
Amazon
Lilli Accardo moves to the dying town of Signal Bend, Missouri, where the citizens have made a devil’s bargain to stay afloat. Lilli quickly garners the attention of the whole town, particularly Isaac Lunden, President of the Night Horde Motorcycle Club and de facto protector of the town and its citizens.
When it turns out that Lilli is there under murky circumstances, Isaac decides to get close and try to figure out what she’s hiding. Their chemistry is instantaneous and electric, but each is a potential danger to the other.
Action, sex, and drama ensue as Isaac and Lilli try to navigate the rocky terrain between trust and threat.Note: explicit sex and violence.
I take it back; I like biker books after all. I’ve heard Susan Fanetti’s praises sung over and over, so I was eager to read one of her books. A friend suggested I start with this one, but I don’t consider myself to be a fan of Motorcycle Club books so I was braced for disappointment. Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! I enjoyed the heck out of this novel.
I honestly think it’s best if you read this book knowing nothing other than what you read in the book blurb. I will say that the story alternates between the present and the protagonist’s past. I think I enjoyed the process of discovering Lilli’s motivations more because I went into it blind. I’m one of those pesky readers who can frequently predict the path a plot will take and accurately guess the stupid things a character is about to do. I can see a plot twist coming a mile away and figure out whodunit long before the detectives solve the case. The fact that Lilli’s backstory and intentions weren’t obvious to me is a testament to Susan Fanetti’s writing skills and execution. She also took the sting out my objections to any given character’s actions by addressing them immediately after I raised them. Mad skills I tell you!
Lilli Accardo in three words: focused, sexy, badass. She is, hands down, one of my top five favorite book heroines. There isn’t an ounce of deception in her character. Yes, she is secretive; however, she refuses to lie which makes her a woman of integrity. Lilli is determined and scary smart. She knows what she wants—in bed and in life—and she doesn’t ask for it or even demand it; she just takes it. She’s tough and maybe too hardened but I like her. I want to be her when I grow up.
Isaac Lunden in three words: dependable, sexy, badass. Wait. Did I just describe Lilli? Practically; they’re perfect for each other. Isaac is a stereotypical biker dude in many ways. He’s got that whole leather jacket, beard, long hair, outlaw, tough guy thing working for him. He’s also warm, funny, honest, and extremely sensitive. Isaac asking Lilli to talk to him about her feelings took me by surprise yet seems perfectly natural.
Lilli and Isaac together? Can you say, “spontaneous combustion?” These two have hot and dirty sex all over Signal Bend: on the floor, in a public restroom, against the wall, under a tree, in an office, in a lake, on a yoga mat. You get the picture. There’s definitely insta-lust here which normally bugs me, but for some reason it works this case. I love that in the middle of all the action, suspense, and sexy times there are many moments of humor between the pair.
“Who even came up with a stupid word like falafel? Sounds like a frog with tonsillitis.”
“It’s Middle Eastern, and you are a being a big baby. At least try it. I promise you won’t turn into a vegetarian if one meal you eat in your life doesn’t have an animal in it.”
He pulled his plate back. “Yeah, something tells me this is a gateway sandwich.”
Consider me a Fantetti fan. I didn’t think twice about rating this book five stars. Isaac and Lilli’s story continues in Behold the Stars.
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