DIE SLOWLY FOR ME – T.L. Gray
A Perfect 10
Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 978-1-41991-536-9
June 2008
Romantic Suspense

Fort Bragg, California – Present Day

Marshall Eastwood is a sharpshooter with the Delta Force, and he’s one of the best. Every mission is a battle for him to fight the demon within that simply wants to open fire on vicious enemies and kill them -- but so far, he’s fought the demon and not become judge, jury, and executioner. However, that may all change when his control is tested off the battlefield, and he finds himself fighting the urge to kill those who threaten the woman he’s falling for.

Nikki Jones is the first woman to become a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the Delta Force and to fly the team in and out of dangerous situations. Having a woman on the team doesn’t sit well with most of the team members, but the brass on high is calling the shots, and Nikki is their poster girl.

Nikki has worked hard to get where she is, and she isn’t going to let any of the men intimidate her into leaving. She’s fought and bled and she never forgets it. Nikki is not overly friendly with the team members off base, and one in particular she tries to stay away from, Marshall Eastwood. Nikki is attracted to Marshall, but getting involved with him is not a possibility. It would ruin her career, and she has so much personal baggage she doesn’t allow anyone to get close. That all changes, however, when her past comes back to haunt her, and she begins to fear that no matter how hard or how far she runs, she can’t escape her past. When Marshall learns that Nikki is being threatened and her life may be in danger, he immediately steps in, and not only tries to take over, he moves into her home and her bed. But if Nikki isn’t honest with Marshall, he can’t protect her...and both of them may pay a very high price.

DIE SLOWLY FOR ME is an incredible novel. From the first page, the reader engages with the characters and is inextricably drawn into the story. The character development is superb, and each character is meticulously crafted. Nikki is a woman who has led a hard life beginning with the murder of her mother and then being shuttled through the foster care system. It is only sheer grit and determination that allow Nikki to overcome her past and attain the success she has today. However, she has also isolated herself, never letting anyone get too close emotionally, something she’ll have to overcome if she is going to trust Marshall and allow him into her heart. Marshal is the ultimate hero. In the beginning he is all alpha male -- the big tough soldier with an attitude. However, as more of his character is revealed, readers will fall in love with him. He’s tough, hard and brave, but his heart is tender and he’s not afraid of showing tenderness to those he cares for.

A tale of romance and high adrenalin suspense, DIE SLOWLY FOR ME is a novel you will not want to miss. I highly recommend DIE SLOWLY FOR ME to fans of authors such as Linda Howard and Suzanne Brockman. A terrific read and an RRT Perfect 10!

Terrie Figueroa