Books & Spoons Review & Excerpt INNOCENCE & BETRAYAL by Brittney Sahin

3/3/2016

Innocence & Betrayal
Hidden Truths #2
By: Brittney Sahin
Releasing March 1, 2016
Self-Published

Reserved biochemist Ava Daniels has spent the last six months working on a top secret assignment for Homeland Security. One morning, after a night of finally letting loose, she discovers her lab empty and her boss missing. Interrogated by the very organization she works for, followed by unknowns, and attacked, Ava finds herself in search of answers as the clock winds down.

Aiden O’Connor, Irish born and raised, attempted to put his past behind him when he opened a bar in the heart of Boston. Until one night, when Ava Daniels shows up asking for help. She is like no other woman he has ever met—breathtakingly beautiful, brilliant, and in terrible danger. Once he learns the true nature of her problem, Aiden realizes she is the key to unlock his past . . . and perhaps to get a second chance.

Innocence & Betrayal, Book 2 of the Hidden Truths series, is a stand-alone novel that features appearances from some of your favorite characters in Book 1: Silenced Memories.

Hidden Truths is a new romantic suspense series, which features ex-Marines in these stand-alone novels--no cliffhangers. To avoid spoilers though, it is recommended that the books be read in order, as characters make cameo appearances in other novels. Each book in the series is riddled with mystery and romance, as lies and corruption are unraveled to reveal the truth.

“But maybe I need the protection.” Ava swallowed as his eyes glinted at her.

Aiden steadied a hand under her chin, tilting her head up to face him. “I have to be honest. I don’t give a damn about Henry. I don’t know the man. But I don’t like the idea of something happening to you.”

“And why is that?” She couldn’t breathe. His mere presence had captured all the oxygen in the room.

“Call me crazy, but I’ve got a weakness for a damsel in distress.” There was a hint of a smile in his eyes as his thumb brushed over her lips.

“Who are you?” she whispered.

He took a step back; his hand dropped. “I own the pub, you know.”

“And before that?”

He opened his mouth for a brief moment before snapping it closed. “You should get some rest. We’ll brainstorm a plan in the morning.”

She looked down at the bed and back at Aiden. “Um.”

“No worries, love. I’ve got the couch.”

The hideous blue couch beneath the window didn’t look comfortable at all, but she didn’t argue, because she knew she’d never be able to sleep if they shared the same bed. “I wish I had some clothes.” She pressed her hand against the side of her jeans. Her thighs ached from being constricted all day.

Her eyes widened as Aiden removed his white T-shirt from over his head.

“It’s long enough to cover your arse. And more comfortable than your jeans, I’m sure.”

Ava’s gaze was glued to his hard, rippling flesh, no matter how much she knew she should look away. The memory of his body, fighting at the gym, flashed into her mind, and she finally pulled her eyes up to meet his. Without realizing it, her fingers reached to touch the scar on his brow. “Is that from boxing?”

His hand caught her wrist and he removed her touch. “Something like that. Now get some shut eye.”

“What will you sleep in?” she asked before heading to the bathroom to change. He’d already seen her in her “knickers,” as he would call them, but that didn’t mean she was going to parade around nude.

“Boxers, if that’s okay? But I’ll wait ’til the lights are out to drop my pants.”

She turned around to find a smirk on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes; no doubt connected to a mischievous thought. “I think it’s only fair that I get to see you undressed, since you’ve seen me basically naked.” Where had that come from? Had her twin sister just leaped inside her head and taken control?

“I don’t exactly play fair.” Aiden quirked an eyebrow.

A genuine smile on her own lips caught her off guard. And then she shut the bathroom door.

Review:

The nightmarish start for the tale, the panic, fear, and utter chaos drew me into the story from the first page.
And from there on the story took off, being filled with conspiracy, black ops personnel, cover-ups gone crazy, failed undercover work, terrorist plots, chemical weapons, murder, kidnaps, and near escapes. Yes, it is filled with action and theories of the possible reasons why everything is coming down at the moment, and how, oddly, everything is connected to each other in one or other way.

The turmoil never really comes into order, no one seems to know whom they can trust, who is behind all that is going down, and why is it happening right now.
The characters are fun, a little over the top, Michael Maddox seems to rule the world as we know it, there's absolutely nothing Aiden can't do, even sing like a rock star, Ava's twin sister is a famous underwear model, and all the male characters picture her in lingerie, when they first meet Ava. The attraction between Aiden and Ava is palpable, they can't keep their hands off each other, even when it's obvious, Aiden is not truthful about his past, and who he really is.
Lots of action, mystery and disarray through the story, mixed with attraction and steamy, lust filled moments, while Ava and Aiden are in hiding to save their lives.

Pure conspiracy entertainment
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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Brittney Sahin began writing at an early age, with the dream to be a published author before the age of 18. Although academic pursuits (and, later, a teaching career) interrupted her aspirations, she never stopped writing--never stopped imagining.
It wasn't until her students encouraged her to follow her dreams that Brittney said goodbye to Upstate New York in order to start a new adventure in the place she was raised: Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, she decided to take her students' advice and begin to write again.
In 2015, she published her first novel, Silenced Memories. When she is not working on upcoming novels, she spends time with her family. She is a proud mother of a spunky toddler and a lover of suspense novels, coffee, and the outdoors.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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