For the first time in her life, social worker Lucia Lewis is ready to live. And the masquerade ball in Las Vegas is just the place to find a ridiculously hot guy to complete her wicked to-do list. The only rule? Her elegant Venetian mask—which conceals the scars that have always held her back from the life she deserves—stays on.
Navy SEAL Cade Daniels heads to Vegas on a mission to keep his best friend’s little sister out of trouble. Except the woman he’s sent to find is all heat and flame…and perfectly capable of handling herself. And him. But the moment Lucia’s mask slips, the need to heal her, body and soul, is complete and absolute temptation.
But revealing himself could cost him the one thing he isn’t willing to risk…his heart.
Cade,” she moaned.
“Hold on tight, gorgeous. We’re just getting started.”
Sara Jane Stone is a new to me author and one I didn’t know what to expect from when I started reading this book. All I knew is the title had “SEAL” in it so I was sold. What? I never said I wasn’t easy. After finishing it I can definitely tell that this author is definitely one I would read in the future and this series has fully sucked me in and I can’t wait for more.
I love a romance that is a bit outside of the norm with it’s story line. Although the set up is not unlike ones I’ve read in the past, I loved that the heroine wasn’t your typical beauty. Scarred by her foster father as a young girl, Lucia has never seen herself as beautiful. She’s never been the one to get any attention besides the uncomfortable stares that her facial scars induced. After losing weight and donning a masquerade mask, Lucia hopes that this bit of anonymity while at a party in Vegas will give her exactly what she needs; a night of scorching hot sex with a man that will cross off all 3 points on her sexual to-do list. And the best part about it is she wouldn’t have to lose her mask throughout the entire process.
Navy SEAL Cade Daniels notices the striking beauty in the gorgeous dress right away. He’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been before. But as much as he wants to give into the obviously crackling chemistry that sizzles between them, he’s also on a mission. His best friend and Lucia’s older sister, Natalie, sent him there specifically to ensure that Lucia doesn’t accomplish hers. A little distraction goes a long way, but before Cade knows what hit him, the attraction between them proves too much and when he gives into the inevitable and falls into bed with the woman, he knows that only one time won’t do.
Cade has seen first hand through his parents and fellow SEALs what a relationship with a military can do and he wants to part of it. But even knowing that all he can offer Lucia is temporary, he can still give her the best few nights of her life. Things don’t always go according to plan though and it’s not long before Natalie finds out what happens and keeping his true identity from Lucia becomes harder and harder.
This was a super steamy read and while I found the characters had quite a bit of depth for the type of story it was, I also craved something a little deeper. (No pun intended) While their chemistry was off the charts, I found their primary connection to be more on the physical then emotional sense. I suppose that I just needed something a little bit more on that end. Also I found the way it resolved to be just a little too easy and perfect. Considering how everything took place and Cade’s lies by omission, I wanted him to work a little harder for his forgiveness. Lucia forgave him way too easily in my opinion. Overall, this was a sweet and sexy romance and one I’d definitely recommend to readers that enjoy a story about a sexy SEAL and the woman that brings him to his knees.
