5 Smooches!
Synopsis
Benjamin Stone has an unrealistic determination to rid the streets of New York from any and all drug dealing scum. That determination quickly moves him and his partner, Rob Withers, up the ranks to Senior Narcotics Agents within their precinct. A new case assisting the FBI has Ben facing the ghosts of his past. Those same ghosts are the very reason he moved to New York to become a cop.
Ella Parker is bright, beautiful, kind, and severely damaged as a result of one tragic night in her past. Having lived an idealistic life, that horrific night sent her pretty castle of cards crumbling down. Forced to start over, she leans on her best friend, Andrea Hensen, to help her move on. With Andrea’s help, Ella quickly settles into her new life in New York City. It’s a safe and comfortable existence, albeit very boring.
Their paths may have never crossed, if it hadn’t been for their meddling best friends. Rob and Andrea believe that Ben and Ella are soul mates that were meant to be together, a perfect match. There’s one slight problem. Ben and Ella want no part of this matchmaking scheme. Funny thing about fate, it’s inevitable.
Or is it?
Can a truth cause the possibility of a happily ever after to crash and burn? Ben and Ella learn that sometimes truth isn’t the best answer. Sometimes ignorance is most definitely bliss.
Review
I’ve heard of A.M Madden about the indie author world but shamefully I’ve never sat up and taken notice but after having read Stone Walls in a day, I really wish I had. This superb book has everything a reader could possibly want, action, murder-mystery, the mob, angst, hope, survival and above all else a spectacular love story.
New York City cop Ben Stone and reclusive and independent Ella cross paths during a blind date set up by mutual friends Rob and Andrea two of the best and well constructed side characters I’ve come across in a long time, they aren’t just there as background noise or distraction they play an integral part in both protagonists lives as confidantes, family and sometimes the voices of reason and clarity. Ben had me hypnotised from the beginning, his acerbic wit and sarcasm mixed along with his self-confessed commitment phobia and straight shooting modelled him into an ideal aloof leading man and did I mention he’s a cop? With a sexy uniform and everything. The subtle transformation his personality goes through as he and Ella become friends was executed perfectly, there was no instant love connection or schmaltzy romance, in fact there was a fair bit of hostility and animosity from both parties as each has their own constructed fortresses round their hearts. Lust is a heavy factor and a sparking sexual tension plus the fact that their best friends never tire of meddling so it’s a beautiful steady progression of a romance rather than an instant gratification one.
Ella’s personality was simple perfection to witness, when she got angry or annoyed with Ben’s arrogant demeanour she let him know, if he over stepped his bounds, she let him know. She was fiercely guarded and independent but had a strong, tough exterior that held within it a heart of gold and one that seemed to kick start whenever Ben Stone was within reach and it’s the banter and back and forth between these two that also portrays some more light hearted moments.
‘I move to stand directly behind her. “Ella, being a royal bitch won’t make me like you any less. It also won’t change how I feel about you. Letting me in doesn’t make you weak.” I wrap my arms around her with my lips on her ear, I add, “Admitting you want me doesn’t make you weak, either. Take my word for it. I’ve admitted the same about you.”’
The storyline was a work of brilliance. Two wounded souls with a past that is tragically connected though neither of them knows it. The police work, mob connection and the attention to detail in all things make the plot realistic and edgy add in the beautiful romance and sterling characterization with a stunning sexual chemistry and likability factor with the two strong leads and Stone Walls is a definite winner.
~Nicole
