Driving Force

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it. Wow, this book just opened with a bang. She wakes up in a smelly cell. She can't remember anything but she has been badly beaten. She manages to escape and make her way back to the US by hiding in a cargo ship. The symbol on her wrist gives her a clue as to her identity. She needs to speak with Charlotte (Charlie) Halverson. Yep, this is how the story just grabbed me in and wouldn't let go until I finished. Charlie gives the woman the name of Jane Doe. Gus is tasked with protecting her (he doesn't trust her and is trying to protect the others by staying close to her.) Jane and Gus grow closer as the danger closes in. Can Gus and the Declan Defenders protect Jane? Who is Jane really? That and more questions seem to arise. Then the Trinity symbol tattooed on Jane's wrist matches the other Trinity symbols that have been appearing throughout the series. Will we finely find out what John Halverson (Charlie's deceased husband) was involved with? This book was written in my favorite dual POV format. It was wonderful to see inside the characters' mind as they were going through and trying to unravel the tangled mess that they had fallen into. When Jane's identity was finally revealed, we see Jane struggle with the true as to who she really is. Gus also has some really great internal struggle when it happens as well. This is slightly steamy but nothing in great detail. Still that may offend some so on that note I highly recommend to anyone over the age of 18. If you love romance with mystery and intrigue then this one is for you. I would also suggest to start at the beginning of the series to get a more thoroughly understanding of the plot in the series. This book can be read as a stand-alone but the other are great books as well.

Jane wakes up on the dirt floor of a hut. Not knowing where she is, how she got there, or even her name Jane vows to escape. When an explosion rocks the hut, Jane is able to pick her beaten body up off the ground and run. While on the run, Jane notices a tattoo on her wrist that appears to be coordinates. Jane stows away on a boat, makes it stateside, and heads to her destination-Charlie Halverson’s house hoping to finally find out who she is. Realizing she’ll never make it by security (Declan’s Defenders), she devises another plan... Gus, a former Recon Force Marine, has joined his former teammates as a Declan’s Defender. Tasked with guarding Charlie during a benefit ball, Gus spies a possible threat to Charlie. Charlie is almost “kidnapped” by Jane. With the attempt thwarted, Gus makes it out the back door with Charlie when they are attacked again. This time, Jane comes to Charlie’s aid. Although Charlie trusts Jane and vows to help her, Gus doesn’t trust her. In order to keep Charlie safe, Gus has been assigned to “guard” Jane while the Defenders figure out who she really is and why someone is trying to kill her. This is book 4 in the Declan’s Defenders series. Although each novel can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading this series in order. The overall theme focuses on the Trinity Syndicate and the extent of Mr. Halverson’s involvement. I think this is by far the best novel in the series-so far! It’s suspenseful, realistic, mysterious, romantic, and funny. I LOVE that Jane is strong, not a pushover. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

ARC for honest review with no compensation received from Prolific Works Driving Force is book 4 in Declan’s Defenders series by Elle James, a standalone but reading the prior books gives you a better understanding of the series! Augustus “Gus” Walsh, former elite Force Recon marine and part of Declan’s Defenders are attending a gala with Charlotte “Charlie” Halverson, their boss when he sees a beautiful, sexy woman in a black dress watching Charlie. Something tells him she is trouble and when she approaches Charlie and tries to usher Charlie out of the gala Gus is determined that is not going to happen... A woman wakes up with no memory, been severely beaten, locked in a cell and in Syria but not knowing how or why...after an explosion takes down a wall in her cell she escapes and makes her way back to the US with her wits and a tattoo on her wrist leading her to Charlotte Halverson...name...Jane Doe... What happens next will keep you on the edge of your seat, humorous, drama, action, suspense and will Gus and the team get to the bottom of who Jane really is??