All I Ever Needed

Cedar Point, Book 3

De: D.L. Lane

Narrado por: Troy Duran

He’s the beast lurking within the shadows. She’s the beauty living in the light.

Cooper Kane, the big, bad Navy Seal, had it all - honor, respect, the love of a beautiful woman, the unbreakable bond with his team - but a crash cost him everything. Oh, he survived. His heart still pumped, he took in breath, he lived, if that’s what you want to call the reclusive life his had become. Then, he saw her.

Alli Southerland thought her life was perfect until things shattered. And some days, it was so bad, she could barely breathe. Then, she met him. Well, "met" wasn’t technically correct, but the strength of his large hands, the deep, silken-rasp of his voice, and the warmth of his muscled body at her back as he escorted her to safety, she couldn’t get out of her mind.

Is one broken soul capable of coaxing the other out of the darkness? And if so, can they accomplish the impossible and win each other’s hearts? Or will the dangers of the past come back to haunt them both and tear their world apart?

©2020 D.L. Lane (P)2021 D.L. Lane

Amazing!

There is something about the writing of DL Lane that resonates with my heart. Each book is packed with realistic characters and true emotions. This is the third book in the Cedar Point series and it stands alone. Meet Cooper Kane. After a horrific a mission gone wrong, this Navy SEAL has been state side and reclusive. That is until her. Alli needed a job and a purpose. When Cooper reached out to her and became her temporary house manager, life changed for the both of them. History, emotional turmoil, and seeing each other for who they are, this amazing couple takes a journey like no other I have listened to before. It's captivating and is one that I listened to overnight, because who needs sleep when you have a good book? It's a must listen if you love military romance or Beauty and the Beast. I know it's one that is sticking with me.

I know I have said before that I love Troy Duran. He narrates so many different types of characters, but I have to say this kind are the ones I love the most. Damaged, Cooper has a complexity and set of emotions that is difficult to portray. Duran sinks his teeth in and finds the exact personality I expect to hear for Cooper. Emotional, alpha, strong, vulnerable, it's all there. And his voice for Alli, and her ability to see and love him spills out in the inflections of this narration. It's fantastic, one of Duran's best!

So Much More Than 'Beauty and the Beast'

All I Ever Needed is the third book in D.L. Lane's Cedar Point series and it is just as wonderful as the first two. Cooper and Ali have both been fundamentally hurt and find growth, comfort and healing in each other. Their separate journeys are and the development of their relationship as a couple is emotional and intriguing.

This story could have easily fallen into "The heroine must overcome her fear of or aversion to the hero's disfigurement" trap. Instead, we are taken through Ali's discovery of the truth as to why Cooper lives in the shadows as a recluse gradually and the payoff is well worth it. Upon seeing the results of his horrific injuries, Ali accepts him without question, not a hint of doubt, dismay or revulsion in sight. They bring out the best in each other, and the subtle ways Ali encourages Cooper to be among the living and let light into his life again are beautiful to see. They are natural and unforced. More than once I said to myself, "Wow, look how far Cooper's come."

Some may find Cooper's protectiveness toward Ali over the top, since, before meeting her, he was not that extreme. I took it as him cherishing her like no other because he never thought he'd have a loving relationship again, given his physical appearance.

The author also adds a nice bit of mystery into the story, including a connection from the past, and something else I never expected that brought bittersweet closure.

Once again, Troy Duran puts his heart and soul into every word as he brings Ali and Cooper's tale to life. All the love, pain, respect, attraction, wonder, sweetness, etc. are right there in his voice for the listener to revel in and become part of the story in the best way possible. It is a unique, very special experience.