Review: A View to a Thrill

A View to a Thrill by Lexi Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I was first told of the Masters and Mercenaries series, I was skeptical in how a civilian defense contractor/private security firm could incorporate BDSM without it being ... clunky and ridiculous.  I stand corrected, over and over again.  When it comes to sexy kink, with a Glitterkink club, Ms. Blake delivers consistently and frequently. In book 7 of this series, it features another burned agent, this time from serving the UK in MI6.

It does make person wonder, what does happen to these agents when they make a career limiting move?  In real life, what does it mean for them?  What options do they have now that their specialized skills are no longer wanted?  No stranger to office politics, I would like to think that what Ms. Blake creates in her world of post government intelligence agencies is a real life possibility.  Because people need a second chance.

For Simon Weston who feels as if he lost everything including meaning to his life, Ian Taggart is an answer.  I love Ian's company because at the heart of it, he creates a safe environment for former agents to still provide value through their knowledge and expertise.  He brings together those who have been thrown away due to betrayal, burn out or other damage and builds them up again.  I do find it amusing that he is also gossipy and loves to matchmake his men.  He pretends to not be involved and that it pains him, but really, he's a bit softie in the middle.

With Simon who is trying to adjust to civilian life, matching up with Chelsea, a woman who spent her formative years on the opposite side of the law, it completely throws him.  Their interactions are real and their experiences causes them to see things differently.  Ms. Blake does a great job of showing the other side and persuade her characters to become empathetic and more open minded.  Her characters go through a growth within the story which makes it so appealing.  I love character progression stories and they always make me feel like everyone can reach their potential if just someone gave them a chance.

The kink aspect to the story is nicely done as always.  I find it to add a spice to the romance.  This romantic suspense is recommended to readers who like to see a life rebuilt after it crashes and burns.