Once A Hero by @AriMckay1 @torquere #REVIEW

Once A Hero, Ari McKay, Torquere Press
Herc's Mercs #4
Ezra Levin spent years as a soldier, just as his father had wished. But after stints in the Israeli military, the Mossad, and finally as a member of Hercules Security, the man once known as “Ghost” decides to retire and pursue his own dreams of being a chef. At forty-five, he knows his yearning to have a partner and a family of his own are probably unattainable, but as a private chef for Judge Mason Whittaker and his young son, Jamie, Ezra finds some measure of fulfillment.


Unfortunately, Mason’s past as a District Attorney has made him a lot of enemies - one of whom seems to be looking for payback. When a series of unsettling events disturbs the Whittaker household, Ezra immediately steps up, wanting to protect Mason and Jamie. He calls upon his old friend, Cade Thornton, for help, as a cunning criminal plays a game of cat and mouse that endangers Mason’s life. Ezra realizes that Mason has come to mean far more to him than just an employer, and that he’s going to have to use all his old skills to stop a killer - or else he just might wind up losing the man he loves.


REVIEW:
This is the fourth installment in the Herc's Mercs series and my favorite so far. When the story begins  Ezra has been working for Mason for a while so their relationship didn't feel rushed or contrived but the sexual tension between them was palpable.

Ezra has done the military/mercenary thing and now wants nothing more than to create things in the kitchen and take care of a family. He has found that with the Whittakers. So when events start to unfold that could jeopardize them he doesn't hesitate to dust off his old skills and call in reinforcements.

At first Mason doesn't see the danger and feels that Ezra is over-reacting and overstepping, but when it comes to the safety of his son, Jamie, he doesn't want to take any chances.

The author does a great job of giving each character their own voice. Ezra's is much more formal, which given his background made sense and read true for me. It made it easier for me to recognize their different voices in my head. It also read true when it came to Jamie's character, his voice and mannerisms were that of a 12 year old boy.

The mystery unfolds quickly and creates that sense of urgency that makes the book read quickly, and also makes it impossible to put down once you get started. So if you are looking for something hot and fast, Once a Hero is one to grab.



RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. This book was given to us by Torquere Press. Many thanks.