Holding Fire by Annelise Sorrell is a thriller about Rai Takeda, an agent at Nexus Security.
Nexus provides security services to the good citizens of Red Palms. It is often the last line of defense in a city run by numerous criminal gangs and not even the police force can be trusted.
Rai works with a colorful cast of characters, including her boss, Hiro, and his boyfriend Jax. Jax and Rai are best friends, and ex-lovers. Together, they work to protect those who can’t protect themselves from the crime and corruption permeating the city. So when Rai’s next assignment is to protect Sora Hoshino, the heir apparent to one of the biggest crime lords in the city, Rai has a lot of questions.
Sora is the daughter of the Phoenix, the leader of the Flame Born clan-the most ruthless clan in town. This isn’t the first time Rai has interacted with Sora. Their first meeting definitely left an impression on Rei, and she’s not looking forward to their re-introduction. When she sees Sora for the first time in years, however, she’s captivated. It’s hard for her to trust, but there’s a pull towards the deadly woman that she just can’t ignore.
Sora’s father has found himself incarcerated and unavailable to lead the clan, which leaves a gap in leadership. Sora has been trained her whole life to take over from her father. She’s cold, calculating, and will do anything to take up the torch. When Sora finds herself kidnapped and held “for her own good”, she’s furious. When she sees her babysitter, however, she finds she’s not so anxious to escape. Sora finds the beautiful, down-to-earth Rai too good to be true, but wants to see more of her, literally.
Will Sora be able to break down a lifetime of indoctrination and training to learn to love Rai the way she deserves, and will Rai be able to trust Sora after being hurt by her in the past? And even if they can put the past behind them will they survive the upheaval going on in Red Palms with the arrest of the Phoenix?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
This book read like a screenplay, which is no surprise as the writer studied screenwriting. It was action-packed, and very sexy.
I loved how the main and supporting characters related to each other. I wanted to be friends with Rai and Jax. I also loved that the writer didn’t focus too much on any character’s sexuality. Rai and Jax are both pan or bi-sexual, but it’s not discussed. Jax is now with Hiro, and Rai is interested in Sora, and it’s written very organically.
The love story between Rai and Sora has you rooting for them. You want Rai to break down Sora’s walls and you want Sora to wake up and learn who her true friends are.
Sora is one of those ambiguous gray area characters that I adore. She’s a frosty ice queen, her morals are questionable, and you never know how she’s going to react to any situation. I found myself worried for Rai, who I want to be my buddy, while at the same time, you understand that Rai can take care of herself.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss the great steamy sex scenes. The chemistry between these two was off the charts!
The thriller storyline was believable and intense. There’s danger around every corner and some scenes had me gripping my pillow. All in all a very enjoyable read.
Heads Up and Cons
There were many graphic descriptions of violence and torture in this novel. If you are triggered by violent interactions, this is not the book for you.
There’s a lot of graphic sex and light BDSM as well. This is definitely not a novel for the faint of heart.
The story dragged in some places, and could be a little less wordy, but as this is the writer’s debut novel, I will give her a pass. It was a great read.
The Conclusion
This is one of the first lesfic thrillers that I have reviewed, and I look forward to reading and reviewing more in the future based upon how much I enjoyed this book.
Excerpt from Holding Fire by Annelise Sorrell
It’s a difficult thing to simultaneously tell someone I care about you, you infuriate me, you’re a fucking idiot, sure you can make me cum harder than I ever have so what about it, I want you to be rough with me, I want you to be gentle for once, I want you to cum in my mouth, I want you to talk to me, I want to tear you apart, I want you to tear me apart, I want you to stay, I want to heal everything that was ever broken in you, I want you to hurt for every horrible thing you’ve done, I want you to understand you’re better than what the world has tried to make you, I want you to lie still for fucking once so I can look at you, I want you to stop fighting, I want you to keep fighting forever, fighting me, fighting the people who’ve wronged you, and don’t stop what you’re doing, don’t ever fucking stop—
—Yes, it’s impossible to put words to all those things at once, so Rei digs her nails into Sora’s back instead, or bites her shoulder, or tugs at her hair, or lets words fall senselessly from her, or says Sora’s name over and over, hoping each time it will get the point across. Doesn’t even know which point she wants to get across. All of them, somehow all of them.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979845014948
Publisher: Indie Author
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