Sandy S.
3.5 stars--WALKING THE EDGE is the first instalment in Sue Ward Drake’s contemporary, adult DANGER IN THE BIG EASY romantic, suspense series. This is former army ranger turned bounty hunter Mitch Guidry, and tour operator Catherine Hurley’s story line. Told from dual third person perspectives (Mitch and Catherine) WALKING THE EDGE follows Mitch Guidry as he is tasked with his first assignment working for his brothers at Big Easy Bounty Hunters. His target, Les Hurley, a young man who didn’t show up for court but a young man who is believed to be hiding at his sister’s house. Enter tour operator Catherine Hurley. Catherine knows her brother’s case is upcoming but she had no idea that her brother was wanted for skipping his hearing thus the arrival of the bounty hunters at her front door. An injured man, her brother on the run, and several attempts on our heroine’s life including kidnapping, gun shots and setting her house on fire, force Mitch Guidry to become protector as well as hunter when he witnesses first hand the numerous attacks against the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Mitch and Catherine, and the potential fall-out as the barrage of violence increases catching Mitch in the crossfire. Mitch Guidry needs to prove he is worthy of working for Big Easy Bounty Hunters, and his first assignment is about to spiral out of control. Considered the family screw up for sins of the past, Mitch is forced to prove his he more than capable of working for the family own business. Catherine Hurley owns a company that give ghost tours in the Big Easy but our heroine worries about her younger brother, a deaf man who seems to have gotten himself into a bit of trouble with drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Meeting Mitch Guidry, the man who has been charged with taking her brother into custody, finds Catherine torn between head and heart as the couple work together to stay one step ahead of the people trying to destroy them both. The relationship between Catherine and Mitch begins acrimoniously when Mitch and his brothers arrive to arrest Catherine’s brother Les. A struggle ensues wherein Mitch’s brother is injured, and Les Is on the run. In an effort to find their missing charge, Mitch is told to stay close to our heroine, a proximity that brings our couple up close and personal. The $ex scenes are passionate and spirited without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are introduced to Mitch’s older brothers and co-owners of Big Easy Bounty Hunters-Jack, Kurt, and Hal Guidry, and their aunt Edi; Catherine’s brother Les; her PA Bea Harvey; neighbour Rhonda Owens; former colleague and tour operator Paul DiMartino, and his uncle Lloyd Benedetto. WALKING THE EDGE is a story of family, betrayal, and vengeance; secrets and lies; retaliation, deception, power and control. The premise is edgy; the romance is tender; the characters are colorful and energetic. There are a few rough spots where the story feels jumpy and uneven, but overall a good start to a new series.
Cheryl McCullough
(3.5) Suspense - check, romance - check. Wounded Alpha Warrior - check, snarky tough women - check. The checked the boxes I look for and had the added element of the deaf. The PTSD and for our alpha and the deaf for two of the characters were extremely well done, sharing something we can all use and remember. Thanks for that Sue Ward Drake. I wanted to rate the book higher, after all it checks the boxes, but the beginning had me waffling on finishing the book and it took a little longer to read as I rose and sank with the learning curve. I am glad I stuck with it, as I read I could feel the author become more comfortable in sharing her story and I will be looking for book 2. Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the arc. I freely share my unsolicited opinions.
