Books & Spoons Review for KING OF CLUBS by Sandra Owens

In the second novel in acclaimed author Sandra Owens’s Aces & Eights series, passions—and tempers—flare as one star-crossed couple gets a second chance at love.

Covert FBI agent Court Gentry loves his brothers, his job, and his Harley-Davidson. Once he loved a girl, too, but when she broke his heart, he put his emotions on lockdown…until she crosses his path again.

On vacation six years ago, free-spirited Lauren Montgomery fell hard for Court Gentry. She returned home happier than ever, only to descend into a spiral of abuse by her ex-husband, Stephan. When Stephan threatened to kill any man who touched her, Lauren cut Court from her life—but not from her heart.

When Lauren and Court reunite after her friend marries his brother, Court guards himself against the person who made him feel such intense passion and pain. Except the undeniable spark between them is impossible to contain and heating up fast. Six years ago, it was love. Now, it’s just lust. Keeping it merely physical is a foolproof plan…right?

When Stephan is released from prison, Lauren can’t outrun her past anymore, and Court vows to protect her. But with Lauren in imminent danger, Court must question his heart and risk his life to save the woman he never stopped loving.

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Whereas in Jack of Hearts the Gentry brothers won me over, in King of Clubs I fell in love. 
Court Gentry is an amazing hero. He is as alpha as they come, with a strong protective strike. He has inner depth, deep feelings, he is vulnerable, considerate, kind, generous, and hardworking.  Sexy beast of a cuddly bear describes his complex character well, he is sensual as well as romantic, passionate and sincere. 
Court's heart has been broken twice, by his mother and by Lauren Montgomery. To trust Lauren again is not going to be easy, but to turn his back on her when she is in danger and in need of help, that would be unthinkable.
Lauren's ex-husband did his best to break her, to destroy her will, mind, and heart. She would rather sacrifice herself, than let her ex hurt those she loves, including Court. 
Lauren is the perfect match for Court. She is independent, feisty, caring, loving, protective, family oriented woman who loves life and laughter, until she is nearly broken by the monstrous ex-husband and his family. 
The battle of accepting the past, forgiving the hurt and daring to love and live in the moment is palpable with Lauren and Court in the story. They have an uphill road ahead of them with many obstacles in the way, both physical and mental. But they are willing to work on those obstacles while I was rooting for them to find a way home to each other. 
I loved how Lauren and Court talked and worked on their issues, their fears, and hopes for the future. The story gives a more in-depth look at the brothers' past, their childhood, and the troubling abandonment by their mother, and the abuse they faced in the hands of their father. The story demonstrates great character development and growth, the whole cast filled with characters I want to spend time with, to get to know better. 
The suspense in the story is intense, the constant present danger giving the tale an edgy and skittish vibe. The tangible threat in the air lurks around, the kind that sneaks up on you on the death of night. Every time you think they are safe, something sinister lay in wait for them. 
The story is well built with a great balance of romance, danger and action, as well as the past still haunting in the minds of the brothers. The story comes to a satisfying, very pleasing full closure with Court and Lauren yet leaves an intriguing teaser about things to come and left me a bit worried about the oldest brother, Nate. I can't wait for him to find peace of mind and happiness like his brothers now embrace. 
With a heartfelt family bond, an ardent romance, and disturbing, traumatic malice with constant threat and vulnerability, the author binds a story that was easy to get lost in, submerge in and forget your surroundings. Aces and Eights is a series that I can highly recommend! 
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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An award winning author, Sandra Owens lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her family and friends often question her sanity, but have ceased being surprised by what she might get up to next. She’s jumped out of a plane, flown in an aerobatic plane while the pilot performed thrilling stunts, has flown Air Combat (two fighter planes dogfighting, pretending to shoot at each other with laser guns), and rode a Harley motorcycle for years. She regrets nothing. 

Sandra is a 2013 Golden Heart® Finalist for her contemporary romance, CRAZY FOR HER. CRAZY FOR HER is the first book in her bestselling series about the men of K2 Special Services. Book two, SOMEONE LIKE HER, is available now, and book three, FALLING FOR HER, is due out this fall. In addition to contemporary romances, Sandra writes Regency romances. 

Learn more about Sandra at www.sandra-owens.com
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