Title: One Wrong Glance
Series: The Citadel Series
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Deanndra Hall
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Parents are supposed to love their kids, not kill them. Right?
At least that's what Malcolm Collins thought,
but when a string of racially-motivated hate crimes bears his father's
signature quotes from over the years, what is he supposed to think? One clue
after another pile up to threaten him and his Citadel bodyguard, Wendy Ryan,
even as they struggle to forge a love relationship. Everything gets derailed
over one crazy, kinky night, and they both think things couldn't get worse.
Unfortunately, that's before one simple glance between them in the presence of
his parents ignites a firestorm. It won't be easy to snuff out, and it may even
cost someone their life.
Join Wendy, Malcolm, and the entire group of
Walters friends and family in a steamy, kinky end to the Citadel series. One
Wrong Glance is a
heartbreaking tale that shows you how powerful simple words can be--power
that's not always for the good.
Finish off Citadel and get ready for the
Legacy series - grab this emotionally-charged read today!
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. As
long as that machine kept beeping, Nikki knew things would be okay. If it
stopped, so would her world as she knew it. Once was enough to go through that;
a second time was completely unnecessary for her happiness.
“Waking up yet?” a voice
asked from the doorway, and Nikki reached up to place her hand on Vic’s as it
came to rest on her shoulder.
“Not yet. And I wish he
would. Every minute that his eyes are closed is another minute that I’m afraid
I’m going to lose him.”
“Nah. He’s strong.” Rounding the bed, Vic sat down in the other
turquoise vinyl chair and leaned forward, elbows on knees. “He’ll come around
in just a little bit.” A nurse hustled in and checked some of the machinery,
then stepped back out. “You okay?”
Her golden curls bobbed as
she shook her head. “No. I feel like I’m reliving one of the worst times of my
life.”
“No. You’re not. He’s going
to be fine." Vic’s voice was forceful but sweet, and Nikki knew what he
was thinking. He didn’t want her going down a memory lane that would send her
into a tailspin. She had to stay focused and positive for Tony’s sake. The
medical personnel didn’t have to tell her that helping him stay optimistic was
important; he’d heal better if he wasn’t stressed, upset, or depressed. As far
as she was concerned, she was now his gatekeeper and it was her job to make
sure things that would take him down were laid to waste.
“He will be. I’ll see to it.”
She could feel that resolve building down deep in her chest. Her sweet husband
stayed right by her side when she was so sick and she’d be right there for him.
“I’m glad Clayton and John
Henry decided to kind of put the Ashland expansion on hold for a few months so
they’ll be available to help out if you need them. And you know if you need me,
I’ll be right . . .” A groggy voice interrupted Vic and he and
Nikki both focused their attention on the man in the bed.
“Nik?” Tony’s voice was
little more than a drugged-up whisper.
“Baby, I’m right here. It’s
okay. You’re in CCU.” Nikki leaned closer to the side of the bed, then stood
and bent down over him, dropping a soft kiss on his forehead. “How do you
feel?”
“I don’t know,” he murmured
back. “I . . . what happened? I don’t remember how I got here.”
“You had a heart attack. At
the farm. They brought you to the hospital in an ambulance and you talked to
Vic and me before they took you in for the angioplasty. Do you remember any of
that?”
“Yeah. I do now.” There was
this weird look on his face, almost like he was contemplating global warming or
poverty in inner city Detroit. Finally, he came out with, “Can I have something
to drink?” Before she could answer, he snapped out, “And when can I sit up?”
Nikki almost laughed. She
could tell right that minute – she’d have her hands full with him.
Review
If there's one thing Deanndra Hall does well it's weave an emotional tale that will bring her readers to tears.
I'm happy to say I've read more than ten books by this author and never been disappointed.
One Wrong Glance is Malcolm and Wendy's story.
Two people attracted to each other yet too afraid of rejection to give it a shot.
It begins simply enough, racial graffiti on their homes and business but quickly escalates leaving no doubt that Malcolm is the target.
The Walters assign Wendy as his bodyguard giving them a chance to spend time together as well as keep him safe.
This is the little push they needed to get them together. As they find themselves quickly falling for each other the threats escalate putting Malcolm's life in danger.
With no clue who is after him the family once again bands together to protect their own, only the invisible threat isn't all Malcolm needs protection from.
His parents are horribly racist. His father has never been proud of any of his accomplishments; his degree, career choices and now his love life. His father berates him and puts him down constantly, treating him more like a problem than a person. Lucky for him he has the Walter's and their extended family at Citadel.
While dealing with the threat to his life he realizes he's got family even if their not blood related, that even if his father never approves of him and his lifestyle that there are people who do.
And just when everything seems to be running smoothly between Wendy & Malcolm, they run into a personal issue. Words are said and hearts are broken.
Wendy hardens herself against the pain as best she can and attempts to separate her work and personal life, while still guarding Malcolm she pushes him away.
Malcolm refuses to give up, he loves her and wants to fix whats broken but it may not be that simple.
And then the end, the family is dealt yet another blow that will tear your heart out.
As always I easily fell in love with these characters. The Walter's and their extended family all appear in this book reminding me just what I love about the author. The strong family bonds along with the need to provide for and protect everyone one they love is just one reason I adore these books.
Deanndra Hall has touched on many painful subjects in her books, some hard to read and all have made me tear up or full out bawl, but the hate shown in this one shredded my heart. It's hard to read, I wanted to wrap Malcolm up and hide him from the world. It's a horrible, sad reality of the world we live in. As much as I wish racism was not a part of all our lives, it is to some extent.
So while this is a love story, a story of two people overcoming their differences & insecurities to have a loving relationship, it's so very much more.
International
Bestselling Author Deanndra Hall lives in far western Kentucky with her husband
of 30+ years and three crazy little dogs. She spent years writing advertising
copy, marketing materials, educational texts, and business correspondence, and
designing business forms and doing graphics design. After reading a very
popular erotic romance book, her partner said, “You can write better than this!”
She decided to try her hand at a novel. In the process, she fell in love with
her funny, smart, loving, sexy characters and the things they got into, and the
novel became the Love Under Construction series.
Deanndra enjoys all kinds of music, kayaking,
working out at the local gym, reading, and spending time with friends and
family. And chocolate’s always high on her list of favorite things!
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