Blog Tour: Taken By Cynthia Eden

The hunt for a serial killer just got very personal . . . 

TAKEN

LOST Series #5

Cynthia Eden

Releasing Nov 29th, 2016

Avon Books

In New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s latest novel, the Last Option Search Team (LOST) returns— and for one agent, the hunt for a serial killer just got very personal . . . 

HE SWORE TO PROTECT HER . . .

Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel. But while her physical scars have healed, she can’t stop wondering about a woman she helped to escape, who simply disappeared. When LOST agent Asher Young is assigned to her case, Bailey instantly feels an attraction to the intense ex-SEAL who seems to be carrying dark secrets of his own.

BUT KEEPING HIS PROMISE . . .

Asher can’t afford to let his growing feelings for Bailey distract him from his job. Only she can soothe his horrific nightmares, but the last thing he wants is for the demons from his past to ever hurt her. Bailey has gotten past his guard, and the emotions he feels for her—they’re as dark and dangerous as the past he doesn’t want to face.

COULD COST BOTH THEIR LIVES

When corpses begin surfacing—all marked with the same tattoo depicting the Death Angel’s calling card—Asher must race to stop a twisted killer who wants nothing more than to claim his next prize: Bailey . . . 

“Bailey Jones . . .” Asher said her name softly, as if tasting it on his tongue. “There are a few things you should know about me before we begin.”

            There are things you should know about me, too. But I’m not going to tell you . . . or you won’t help me.

            “First, you don’t have to fear me. Part of my job at LOST—well, let’s just say Gabe hired me on because he wanted a bit more muscle. Protection is my role. I’ll keep you safe and track down any clues about that missing woman. On my watch, nothing will happen to you.”

            She nodded even though—

            I don’t believe you. There is no safety. I learned that.

            “And second . . . you don’t have to bullshit me.”

            Now she blinked in surprise.

            He laughed, a deep, rough rumble of sound that Bailey found she liked to hear.

            “You think I can’t tell when you’re wearing a mask? You’ve got yourself locked down tight, under careful control, don’t you? But you don’t have to do that with me. I’m not one of the North Carolina deputies. I’m not going to judge you. And I’m not some lame-ass reporter who wants to splash your story all over the world.”

            I wear a mask all the time now because something is wrong inside of me. It has been, ever since that fire. That hole. That hell.

            “So let’s put a no-bullshit rule in effect,” he murmured.

            Her hands curled around the steering wheel. “Liking rules, is that more of a military thing again?”

            “Wanting to break rules . . . that’s why I left the SEALs.”

            He’d been a SEAL? She turned to look up at him. “Is there a rule number three?”

            “We’ll get to that rule later . . .”

            She started the vehicle. “I’ll follow you to your place.”

            “Do you have any rules for me?”

            Don’t hurt me. Don’t judge me. Don’t pity me. Bailey cleared her throat. “I’m sure we can get to those rules later, too.”

            He slammed her door shut. Through the window, Bailey watched as he strode away—not to another car, but to a shiny, big monster of a motorcycle. He climbed on, revved the engine moments later, and that rumbling growl filled the parking garage.

            Asher slid the helmet over his head—a black helmet with a dark visor that completely obscured his face. Her heart beat faster as she stared at him.

            Dangerous.

            That had been her first thought when she’d seen him in the conference room.

            But he was on her side. Not a threat to her. He’d help her.

            At least, that was what she hoped. Because if something didn’t change soon, Bailey was afraid that the deputies would be right about her. Her shrink would be right.

            I may go crazy.

Taken is another wonderfully suspenseful story in the LOST series.  Like previous books, the story comes to life from page one, dragging you into it's depths and keeping hold until the very last word. 

Bailey did something that many are able to do, she escaped death at the hands of a  mad man, a serial killer, and though no one believes her, not only did she escape, she knows she helped someone else escape.  Needing to find closure to that haunting ordeal, Bailey contacts LOST in the hopes they can help her find the mystery woman she knows was there that night.  But what Bailey doesn't know is that its far from over and closure isn't looming close. 

Asher felt an immediate need to protect and take care of Bailey when he met her and was assigned the case. Though no one else seemed to believe her, Asher could tell that there might be truth to her story and that he could do nothing but listen to her and help her discover answers, even if the answers proved she had imagined some parts of her trauma.  Though he feels an attraction to Bailey from the start, he doesn't want to hurt her or become involved with a client, so he trys to hold back.   When things take a futher turn for the weird and dangerous surrounding Bailey, Asher finds himself all in. 

Taken delivers us a thrilling story about a murderer after the victim who failed to meet her end the last time she was in the clutches of a serial killer. It gives us a story full of twists and turns and unexpected truths.  The bond forming between Asher and Bailey grows as they face the unknowns of the situation.   I enjoyed the way Eden brought in the secondary characters to build up the suspense and questions in my mind, the way I wondered who the good guys were or what a certain ex was up to.   

Bailey was such a strong character, one determined to rediscover her life and live it, but also one to know when she needed to accept help.  I loved how she stood up for herself with those who didn't believe, how she was determined to find out all the answers.  Asher, dealing with his own past and demons found himself in a quandry, wanting to be there for Bailey, in every way he could, but also thinking he couldn't possibly deserve her or be good enough.  I really liked how he battled himself while trying to keep Bailey safe and figure out where the danger was coming from.  

Taken is definitely a book you want to read in one sitting, because its one of those stories that keeps your attention and forces you to guess and try to piece together the answers.  It's a story that will keep you on the edge and maybe have you want to keep the lights on for a while after you've read.  

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader bestseller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category).

Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written more than thirty novels and novellas. She lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

a Rafflecopter giveaway