OVERTURE

A young violin prodigy falls in love with the man sworn to protect her in this novel.

At the age of 12, Samantha Brooks endured a horrific tragedy when her father, Alistair, an ambassador, died suddenly of a heart attack. Alistair’s death left her completely alone; her mother was not in the picture, and her brother was not interested in raising her. Samantha was rescued from an uncertain future by Liam North, a former soldier and founder of the security firm North Security, based in Kingston, Texas. Liam never met Samantha before her father died, but he knew Alistair and believed he had a “civic responsibility” to care for her. Liam became her legal guardian and raised her on his Kingston compound where she could develop her talent as a violinist. Six years later, Samantha is on the verge of turning 18 and embarking on a high-profile tour with a tenor named Harry March. Before she leaves for the tour, Samantha tells Liam how much she desires him. Liam lusts for the beautiful violin prodigy, but there are aspects about her father’s death he does not want her to discover. Samantha and Liam give in to temptation, but her impending tour and dangerous secrets from the past threaten their intense connection. Warren’s (The Evolution of Man, 2018, etc.) latest romance deftly mixes music, eroticism, and international intrigue. Liam is a strong and focused alpha male, committed to protecting Samantha’s safety at all times so she can pursue her music career. Samantha grew up in the glare of the media spotlight as a prodigy, but she kept her ardor for Liam a closely guarded secret. The shift in their relationship unfolds slowly in scenes that build a considerable amount of erotic tension. The author is adept at incorporating music into Samantha and Liam’s encounters, particularly in a scene where her violin playing is a prelude to passion (“My limbs feel like they’re made of jelly as I play the opening rise of Beethoven’s 5 Secrets again. Liam’s fingers work with devastating accuracy to bring me to the peak”). A subplot involving the death of Samantha’s father gives the narrative a healthy dose of mystery and provides the groundwork for a sequel.

A racy guilty pleasure that should appeal to fans of erotic romance.