Review: Delayed Penalty – Bianca Sommerland

All choices have consequences, only sometimes they’re . . . delayed.

Cortland Nash fled Dartmouth to avoid being arrested for murder, but his best friend, Ford Delgado, is in danger. Cort returns, prepared to keep his head down, and do whatever it takes to keep Ford breathing, but when he finds a beautiful young woman out in the snow, frozen in fear, his plans change. He needs to make sure she’s safe—even if the greatest danger is him.

Akira Hayashi never thought she’d overcome her fear of men, but the care of an experienced Dom helped her achieve so much more. She’s embraced her submissive side, and found her strength as the captain of the Dartmouth Cobras’ Ice Girls. There’s nothing she can’t do—except function when she’s mugged in a parking lot. The intimidating stranger who rescues her makes her feel things she never thought possible. The only problem is his connection with Ford, a man she’ll hate forever because she refuses to feel anything else.

With the constant threats from the crime lord he once called “Dad,” Ford Delgado has no room in his life for love. Unfortunately, Akira already has his heart—which is split in two when he discovers Cort is dating her. The betrayal has him lashing out, trying to move on, to grow as a Dom, and free himself from Kingsley’s criminal empire. He tries to forget what Akira means to him, but one look into her eyes shows him the last thing she needs is for him to let her go.

Series: Dartmouth Cobras #5
Release Date: October 9th 2013
Publisher: Self Published
Source: Provided by Author/Publisher via Manic Readers
Reviewer: Iris
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

Although I knew form the previous book that the relationship between Akira and Dominick was only temporary, I have to admit to hoping that in each other they would find that missing piece that would make them truly happy. They were so good for each other and found healing in each other’s arms. Alas that was not meant to be.

Those familiar with the series know that there is something undefined that sparkles between Ford and Akira. She seems to have a love/hate relationship with him. So it should come as no surprise that in a ménage series, one of the men in Akira’s love triangle is Ford. What did, however take me by surprise was the lack of balance in this particular ménage. If there is one thing I’ve been able to count on in the previous books in the series was that the characters manage to balance each other out perfectly. Not so in this case. Sommerland paired up a barely healed (she is still damaged emotionally on so many levels) with two thugs. Granted, Ford is trying very hard to redeem himself, although how he thinks doing a scene with Akira’s roommate will seem the least bit redeeming is beyond me, but let’s face it… He’s a reformed thug in a suit. Cort on the other hand is a thug with a heart of gold and a soft side, but still a thug. How these two men in particular can be paired up with someone like Akira who is afraid of men, I’ll never know.

Unlike the other books in the series where the reader can see why the characters would choose to be together, I couldn’t see that here. The reason why Akira would agree to a ménage relationship isn’t clearly defined. I could see the reasoning for the relationship between Akira and Cort. The feeling and love between those two was palpable. You could feel it in every action, every word. But other than Ford being like a brother to Cort and Cort refusing to do what he has always done and stepped aside when they are both interested in the same woman, I could see no reason for Ford to be a part of the relationship. Sure, Akira is physically attracted to Ford, but it’s plain to see that no matter how often she says she cares for Ford, the one that truly owns her heart is Cort.

So although I enjoyed Delayed Penalty, I have to say that for the first time, it didn’t quite do it for me. I loved Cort and Akira. They were perfect together. Adding Ford to the equation just felt as if the author just needed to add a third person to make it a ménage. Not really necessary to the story and romance, he just happened to be single and convenient.