Cold Dark Heart

Filthy Rich, Book 5

By: Julie Kriss

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Ava Erickson

My life is a mess. My husband left me for another woman, my son is getting into trouble, and I’ve been left with a bar I don’t want and have no idea how to run.

Still, I won’t admit I’m in over my head. Until Damon Blake shows up.

He’s just come to town. He says he’s supposed to work for me. He has a shady past full of bad decisions and the sexiest eyes I’ve ever seen. So, I hire him. What’s one more problem, after all?

Damon should be the worst decision I ever made. So, why don’t I regret it? Why am I not sorry for the dirty things we get up to?

We’ve both locked our hearts away. But when things get wild, we might save each other...whether we want to or not.

©2021 Julie Kriss (P)2021 Julie Kriss

A LOW-ANGST ~ UNCOMPLICATED ~ FEEL-GOOD ~ ROMANCE

The Wild Wild West Bar is the setting for an out-of-her-depth Manager trying to take the reins while also trying to keep her head above water.. Andie’s been jilted and cheated on and is about to become the Bar’s new owner as settlement in her divorce. She’s also a caring loving Mom unaware of her thirteen year old son’s rebellious choices. Damon, a former DEA Agent shot in the line of duty.. it’s still recovering but now he’s just a drifter with a handsome face and a cold dark heart.. until he gets a Security job offer from a former DEA colleague who owns a Bar. Damon gets to the Bar and finds out the bastard has since bolted with his way too young new girlfriend.. leaving him to face the stunning spitfire he left behind and she’s very angry, disillusioned and clearly clueless when it comes to security.

And the Wild Wild West Bar is the stage for where the vulnerable, yet still standing strong, Andie and lone-drifter Damon’s lives will clash, spark and slowly entwine. It’s through respect, through working together, through facing trouble head-on together and through their sizzling chemistry and deep attraction to one another. But things aren’t what they seem and the shady ex comes back to reveal his sinister truths which threatens everything they’ve built.

Worth a credit? Yes, a good solid story and a cozy ending to a great series. It’s got charm, low angst, sizzles and steam, character growth and a whole lotta love. And the dual POV narration by Ava and Jason was perfect and together they brought the book to life and made this a 5 star listen.

Jason & Ava are amazing!

Jason & Ava are top notch in this growly, broody alpha meets single mom rebuilding themselves - low angst, feel good romance! Damon is lost in regret and not sure what to do with himself after the DEA. He has a complex history but has stayed sober and has been trying to make good choices. He fights he demons every day. I would want him on my side. Andie is rebuilding herself as well. In the midst of a divorce, trying to safe a failing business, and raising a teenage boy on her own. She has a lot on her plate. He brings his security expertise and she smartly takes him up on it. I really like how they both worked through their issues to rebuild and they were honest with themselves and each other about everything. This is a great series! This story is low angst but not without plot. It's all about people rebuilding and making good choices and falling in love!

Jason and Ava are ALWAYS excellent performers. I picked this series because of the narrators, so of course I loved the performance aspect of this audiobook. Jason is the perfect growly, broody Alpha antihero!

lily

good story kept me interested good performance by narratives I'm ready for the next one

Finding love

This book has several things going for it. It has a hot former DEA agent that is quiet and broody and smoldering on the sexy side. There is trouble brewing with a teenage kid that is lashing out because of his dad. There is a smart woman that has been beat down verbally her whole life that must now face some tough decisions and there is some illegal activities going on that could cost them all everything.

Damon Blake has had a tough life and has never had a love in his life. When a former coworker ask him to come to Colorado and work for him in his bar he thinks, why not. Upon first arriving in this small town he sees there are things going on but he isn't looking to get involved until he meets his new boss. Andi English hasn't had it easy in her life. Her husband just left her with a bar she has no clue how to run and now she is dealing with an angry teenager. She doesn't want Damon's help but she needs it and after a while she discovers she needs so much more from him.

Great characters and great story. I really enjoyed it and recommend this book.

Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson are so pleasurable to listen to. Jason became Damon and brought all the hot emotion needed for him. Ava gave Andi life and we got to watch her grow and find her happy. Loved listening to both of them.

Eva Erickson and Jason Clarke are a great pair

The story wasn't so predictable and loved how Andy and Cameron came to the door where he lived and wanted to see him. Just wasn't the typical answer from him. He wanted her to admit her reason for coming. It got HOT from there.

Alex’s brother Damon finds lust & love

Alex’s terrible older brother finally develops a conscience and feelings for Andi, a newly divorced single mother and new bar owner. Damon has been asked to consult on security by Ani, ex and Damon’s former DEA colleague which sets up a predictable mystery. Most of the book consists of tackling new problems and reflecting on how screwed up their lives have been. There some lustful glances and eventually some not overly graphic sex, a mystery that is pretty easily solved, a minor some communication issues, and an HEA. Damon is supposed to be a really hot guy yet he has also been described as too skinny, and at the end of the previous book he was emancipated from not eating during recovery from 2 bullet wounds. Andi in the meantime is also in the eyes of Damon, a gorgeous woman but with no self esteem and while married she apparently behaved like a doormat. Also it is not that credible that ex- husband Terry’s cheating was an open secret and yet his father in law the county sheriff did not put a stop to it. The story was slow and predictable but the narration was first rate. Would only recommend if on sale.