Title: Ace’s Redemption(Devil’s Despair Book 1)
Author: A.C. Bextor
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 2, 2014
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Synopsis
Cherry
Memories alone can ruin you. Fear has a paralyzing effect, and love isn’t always enough to keep you safe.
Ace was the gateway to a freedom I hadn’t known since I was fifteen. He offered his protection from the demons that haunted me; both living and dead.
Although I knew I wasn’t enough to keep him, this didn’t deter my hope that one day he’d love me for who I was, not the broken girl he tried so desperately to save.
In the end, the ghosts of my past found me. Their malevolence knew no bounds, and I was forced to succumb to their will of darkness. Each threat named against those I loved made any escape impossible; choosing my life for theirs became my desolate absolution.
Inevitably, it was my own weakness and self-doubt that became my undoing.
Ace
Emotional ties are sometimes severed. Friendships don’t always endure their hardships, and love offered isn’t always returned.
I was in love once. For me, leaving her back in Ohio was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. For her, moving on with her life that included her son and the man she loved was no less than she deserved — unconditional happiness.
My reasons to bring Cherry home to California were obvious. I needed help with my family, and she needed help staying clean and convincing her parents she was ready to give her son the life he deserved.
It was a perfect plan. However, the best laid plans often get lost amidst their best intentions.
Cherry fell in love with me, and in return my love for her acted as the catalyst to her destruction.
Authors Note: This novel contains material that is not suitable for individuals under the age of 18. Content includes: drug use, explicit language, violence, rape, and other scenarios with content that readers may find offensive. Please use caution when deciding on this book, as every reader has the right to understand the product before purchase.
Ace’s Redemption is the first standalone novel in the Devil’s Despair series. Although the main character of Ace was introduced during the Lights of Peril trilogy, you do not need to read that series in order to follow this one.
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Excerpt
Turning around, giving me his back, he takes his boots off with one thud, then another, throwing them on the linoleum floor at the doors entrance. “I’m just trying to…”
No longer having his eyes bore into me or having to fear the face that’s so angry all the time, I momentarily lose my temper. It’s rare that I do, but at times when I feel safe enough, I let it go. I finish his thought for him. “To protect me! You’re trying to protect me! All the time, as if that’s the only purpose you have. I get it, I do, but I’m not yours to protect. Give yourself a rest, Ace. Let someone else take the load off for a while.”
Whipping his head around first, his body immediately follows. He stalks toward me and, it has to be said, when Ace stalks, his large frame comes at you and he stalks. He’s angry.
Putting my hand out to stop him from coming any closer, he runs his chest into it. “Ace, I don’t want to sound ungrateful…”
“Know what I did all day today? Do you have any fuckin’ idea the day I had today, worrying, waiting, wondering? I thought, for six fucking hours, of ways to protect you. How I could keep you safe from all the Greysons, Vinnies, and bar idiots of this world. You have me going nuts here. Last night, Cherry…” His voice changes octaves, anger to concern, “you were so scared and I was helpless to save you from those nightmares. Nightmares that those kinds of men caused you.”
I don’t say anything; he’s calming down, and anything I may say to try to make this easier for him could upset him further.
Before I can think of anything to add, he shocks me with his statement. “Sadey’s gone.”
Since I don’t know where this is coming from, I stand still in front of him, looking up. His eyes are glassy; evidently, he’s thought about a lot today while I was gone.
“I can’t have her. I never could.”
His hand reaches out to touch my neck, his fingertips tracing the dip at the bottom of my throat. Finally, a small tear releases from his eye and drops down his face, quickly falling to his shirt.
“I’m letting her go, Cherry. I am. But…” he smiles, but it’s a stressful and upsetting smile hiding his sadness. “I’m doin’ it knowin’ I was the only one holding on.”
“I’m sorry.” He’s broken. This large man in front of me is so broken, by mostly self-inflicted hurt, but in so much pain nonetheless. Realization is dawning that no matter what he does, he’s powerless. Ace doesn’t do well with the feeling that goes along with being helpless.
Powering through his tortured admission, he continues. “I thought, while you were out with Trav, that I would have to let you go, too. It’s stupid and ridiculous, but it’s the truth. I swear, I’m telling you the truth.”
My Review: 5 stars
Man, this was good. Unexpected, which I always love and it just drew me in. I will admit at first I really wanted to punch Ace, just because he was so oblivious to what Cherry/Reagan was feeling. Then we find out he's not, and he's trying to decide what he feels for her, other than a protector. Cherry/Reagan went through some serious shit, and I'm so glad that she did have Ace along with their buddies to help her out when she got to a place she didn't feel she could get out of. I loved the story line, and the characters were pretty awesome too. I loved Travis and the instant connection he had with Reagan. Also loved that Reagan had someone besides Ace to turn to, as a friend. I can't wait for the next book. I'm already intrigued.
About The Author
Man, this was good. Unexpected, which I always love and it just drew me in. I will admit at first I really wanted to punch Ace, just because he was so oblivious to what Cherry/Reagan was feeling. Then we find out he's not, and he's trying to decide what he feels for her, other than a protector. Cherry/Reagan went through some serious shit, and I'm so glad that she did have Ace along with their buddies to help her out when she got to a place she didn't feel she could get out of. I loved the story line, and the characters were pretty awesome too. I loved Travis and the instant connection he had with Reagan. Also loved that Reagan had someone besides Ace to turn to, as a friend. I can't wait for the next book. I'm already intrigued.
About The Author
I love to read! I will read anything, literally. It may be a magazine, book, advertisement or even a cereal box. Specific authors that I follow have moved me to start writing. Before long that inspiration had produced a final product that I wasn’t even sure what I was going to do with. Obviously I hit publish and here I am.
Blessed with a great family that includes my husband, four kids, two dogs, and one hedgehog, I’ve lived in the Midwest all of my life. We currently live in a small town outside of Omaha, NE. My day job affords the ability to work from home and I’ve worked for the same lending company for nearly 19 years.
When I’m not reading, I try to be outside as much as possible even if it is just sitting on my deck with my reading device. I enjoy fishing, swimming, hockey games, and watching football with the family.
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