The Asset by Anna del Mar Pages: 265
Published by Carina Press on February 22nd 2016
Series: Wounded Warrior #1
Genres: adult, Romance, Thriller, Action & Adventure
Source: eARC from Publisher
Anna del Mar’s explosive, sexy debut novel in the Wounded Warrior series, perfect for fans of Lisa Marie Rice and Lora Leigh—the story of a woman desperate to escape her dangerous past and the navy SEAL who would lay down his life to save her.
Ash Hunter knows what it is to run. A SEAL gravely injured in Afghanistan, he’s gone AWOL from the military hospital. Physically and mentally scarred, he returns home to his grandmother’s isolated cottage—and finds a beautiful, haunted stranger inside.
Like recognizes like.Lia Stewart’s in hiding from the cartel she barely escaped alive, holed up in this small Rocky Mountain town. Surviving, but only just. Helping the wounded warrior on her doorstep is the right thing to do…it’s loving him that might get them both killed.
Soon, Ash realizes he’s not the only one tormented by the past. Pushing the limits of his broken body, testing the boundaries of her shattered soul, he’ll protect Lia until his last breath.
The Asset is the first book in the adult thriller romance series, called the Wounded Warrior series by Anna del Mar. This is one of those books that is not my normal read. But there was something about the summary that was mysterious enough for me to really want to give it a try. The whole Lia hiding aspect intrigued me enough that made me want to see what was going to happen. And I am very pleased that I did. This book had so much more action in it than I was expecting. Yes it is a very nice love story as well, but this book would make a kick ass, high budget, let’s blow things up action thriller.
Lia is living in a cabin in the middle of no where. Ash shows up to this cabin looking to be her roommate with a dog, and oh yea he is very very hurt and very very defensive about it. It was a very bizarre start to the story. I didn’t know what to make of either of the characters. Lia was frazzled to the extreme and I thought Ash was going to die in the first chapter. Talk about a bumpy start between the two of them. But soon Lia proved herself to me to be a ballsy lady that deserved respect. And Ash wormed his way into my heart very quickly after. I really, really liked the combination of them when they are together. Ash is gruff and very regimented, but he is just so darn observant that he seems to always know exactly what is going on, and what Lia needs. And Lia is such a sweetheart, but oh my goodness, the girl is a crazy runner. She bolts from everything, even if it is the dumbest thing she can possibly do.
The plot of The Asset veers a lot throughout the story and the way it all comes together is pretty cool. I don’t want to ruin any of author Anna Del Mar’s plot twists, but know that this book had strong enough characters to appeal to character driven readers and a very strong plot as well. Something for everyone.
The one thing that irked me about the book is a very strange thing. In fact, I think it might be my weirdest complaint I have penned in a review. Are you ready for it? I don’t like the placement of the Carina Press “C” on the cover. It makes it look like Ash has a strange man earring. What? I told you it was weird, but for the life of me, that is all I think about every time I see the cover.
Bottom line: Whether you are a character driven reader, or a plot driven reader- the Asset will appeal to you. This is a kick butt book with a strong romance, strong characters and action galore. Check it out.
Okay, I’m interested! Definitely checking this out when it comes! And yeah that C is so annoying! Lol!
Hi Michelle! I stopped by to say hi and to thank you so very much for your kind review. I’m so glad that you liked The Asset! Authors like me, who write for the pure joy of telling the story, are incredibly motivated by readers like you. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with your readers.