I think we all have a series where, you meet a character that you kind of become obsessed with. Let’s say you meet that character pretty early on in the series, say book one or two. That’s nice isn’t it? And then the author proceeds to TORTURE you, giving you little pieces of the character and possibly introducing a love interest a couple of books before said lusted after character. Are you still with me? Good.
In case you haven’t caught on yet, Roman Hart, is that character for me. I wanted his story from the moment he jumped off the page in Garrison’s Creed. Actually, he didn’t jump off the page, so much cuss right off of it. That’s how we meet him, cussing at Cash. Ha! Roman is surly. He’s been through a lot, everything with Nicola and now it seems it’s his turn to fall head over heels in love with a woman who is going to challenge him every step of the way.
Beth. Our girl Beth is formidable and yet quite vulnerable down deep and she has wrapped herself in her work to function in her life. Beth carries a huge amount of sadness and guilt around and I really just wanted to hug her. (Actually, I really wanted her to let Roman hug her) She knows that Roman is her Achilles Heel but feels the undeniable pull towards him. It’s almost comical the dance the two of them do around each other.
Like all of the Titan women, she is no slouch and Lord knows she has to be a badass in some way to be able to deal with Roman. Let’s face it, he can be kind of jerk and he makes no apologies for that and it’s rather endearing to me in a “I’m an alpha giving you a hard time because I care about you” way.
“I didn’t say you were a booty call, Beth.” He left the door open and walked down the hall.
“Come in or leave. Either way, shut the door.”
Freakin’ attitude problem. “You’re a jerk.”
“Surprise.”
“The asshole routine isn’t a good look for you, just so you know.”
Though, the shirtless look was. Carefully, she stepped into his house and prayed that he’d put a shirt on.
Well, kinda.
To say that there was a fair amount of verbal sparring in this one would be an understatement. (Also the kind of verbal sparring where you just want them to finally throw down and get naked) I enjoyed the give and take of Roman and Beth, they were well matched and complemented each other. Professionally, they worked well together too and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. (I’m not even going to go into how hot the sexytimes were. Just trust me.) Oh and there’s Roman suit porn. YES. Roman in camo and cargos is one thing but the thought of Roman in a dress shirt and suit jacket makes MAH knees all wobbly. Good googly moogly.
Let’s talk about the Titanverse. Yes- that’s my new name for it…I’m trademarking that name. TITANVERSE. The whole gang showed up and I freaking loved it. Sugar, who I enjoy more and more made a memorable appearance and of course, cracked me up. Hell, they all made an appearance! I love Titan family reunions. Ahhhhh.
Can we take a moment to appreciate the bromance between Cash and Roman?
“Doesn’t your wife feed you?”
Cash ignored him. “So who was the lucky lady?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Man, you broke out the crescent rolls. Of course it’s like that-” Cash pivoted, head tilted. “Is a Beth thing?”
“No”
“Not a thing? Or not Beth?”
Roman stared at the rolls. “If you choked and died this minute, I’d be okay with it.”
Awww see? I love these boys. Oh…so um I kinda got to ask Roman my favorite 10 questions (from Inside the Actors Studio) and he DID NOT disappoint.
Hey, Straight Shootin’, thanks for letting me drop by. *rubs hands together* Ten questions, I’m ready. Whatcha got?
1. What is your favorite word? Favorite word… Well, let’s see.
Favorite word? Easy, it’s “dude.” It’s the perfect word. It means what the hell, or it gets someone’s attention. Or it shows a serious level of annoyance.
“Dude, that’s awesome.”
“Dude, let it go.”
“Dude…”
I guess it could sound kind of like I’ve gone all Cali-surfer guy on you, but trust me when I tell you, that word works the military-black ops scene well.
2. What is your least favorite word?
Special. It’s awful. Whoever thought of special never wanted a guy spouting it off. “Oh, that’s special, Beth.” See what I mean? Doesn’t work. Not unless I say, “Oh, he’s special, Beth.” And it generally goes hand-in-hand with some job she’s working and I pretty much hate the asshat who she happens to work with. Gregori Naydenov—he’s special. In a I-wanna-kick-his-butt kind of way. Maybe that makes me a brute, but that’s fine. Long as I’m not special.
3. What turns you on?
*Laughs and shakes his head* There’s a certain feisty, curly-haired spy that can do anything, and I think it’s hot. But, general terms, a chick that can throw back a beer and shoot some pool? Hot. A woman who knows how to sway her ass to get my attention? It’s been known to work. But, God, give me a smart lady with a sassy mouth and it will kill me not to kiss her.
4. What turns you off?
Appletinis.
5. What sound do you love?
*tilts head, gives a look* Not sharing that. But let’s just say when I hear it, the world could be falling apart and I won’t give a damn. (And neither will Beth.)
6. What sound do you hate?
There was a time when nothing would slow my roll if a Titan job was on the line. The second I had the go order, I was running toward the helicopter. But, things have changed. If my girl’s in my arms and the phone rings with a job, I’ll cringe a little before letting go. Don’t get me wrong. I love my job—I live and breathe Titan. But, I also live and breathe someone else now too.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck. Not very creative but gets the job done and fits almost every situation.
“Fuck, I’m in a tight spot.”
“Fuck, my woman looks good.”
“Fuck, Straight Shootin’ probably doesn’t want me eff-bombing all over their page.”
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
No idea… Oh, man, let me think… I could rate and review tactical weapons. But I don’t know if there’s much of a career in that.
Hmm. Totally outside the military spectrum, I could probably fake my way through a chef’s job. I can cook the hell out of some grub. That’s a little known fact about me. So a chef.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
I couldn’t sit at a desk. I couldn’t counsel the grieving. *rubs a hand over my face* If I can’t blow something up in the general course of business, it’s probably not a job for me. So desk jockeying or sales would send me to the grave faster than an IED.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates
I’d love him to say, “Job well done.” Whenever there’s a Titan job, that means someone’s getting hurt and someone might die. Truthfully, I enjoy taking the bad guys out. I’m a protector. A soldier. I do what’s right, even if it’s messy. That is why God put me on this earth, and I hope to get a high five from the Big Guy when I get there.
