Beginning of the End by Alane Hotchkin

Book One of the Blackhawk Series.

Nikki McLoud had endured a traumatic childhood. All she yearns for now is to find happiness. She wants a happy ever after, just like something straight from a romance book. Nikki hasn’t found it yet. She finds hell, or hell finds her. She has to move past it, move on to better things. So she gives her heart again, hopefully for the last time.

Detective Alex Canton is a rebel at heart. She’s had a childhood most can only dream of having. Alex is the apple of her father’s eye, anything Alex desired was hers for the asking.

Alex’s dream is to protect others. She is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps. Unfortunately, Alex uses violence far too often. She controls women through fear and sex. Will Alex ever break the never ending cycle?

When Alex and Nikki meet, they are both smitten with one another. Alex tries hard to resist the allure of her attraction, knowing full well what her track record is like. Will living with Nikki change Alex or is she too set in her ways to change?

Alex is deeply and profoundly in love with Nikki. Nikki feels the same. Alex would give Nikki anything, but is the price too much to pay? When reality snaps and all hell breaks loose, what is next? Who will be making the sacrifice and who will experience the beginning of the end?

This is the first book in a wonderfully well written new series. It is off to a flying start. There is excellent character development, they all interact really well together and play their parts to perfection. The scenic descriptions allowed me to feel a part of the action and there is a great dark and gritty storyline.

I had already read the free short story, The Ball, which gave me an insight into some of the characters and a little knowledge of them. I really enjoyed it and was looking forward to this first book being published. I have not been disappointed.

The book is a page turner from start to finish with plenty of twists and turns and very hard to put down once started. So allow plenty of time for a one sitting read.

I’ve no intentions of putting in any spoilers, so I won’t dwell on the storyline. But.....If you like a good story, one that is really hot and spicy in places, then I would highly recommend this book.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series. Hopefully, I won’t have to wait too long.