Last, and perhaps most importantly, is the emotional connection, not just in the romantic sense, but that runs throughout all the relationships in these books. They're always there for one another, especially in their darkest times, they'd never let each other down no matter what, and they'd even die for one another. Even though Beckett, Cole, and Blake aren't related by blood, their sense of family runs deep and true. Third, is the family drama, which is something I've always enjoyed in my reading. These characters just seem to grab me by the throat and don't let go from beginning to end, and if one isn't quite to my liking, there's always someone else to latch onto. Second are the compelling characters who are presented in more of an ensemble cast. I can't say that I've ever read anything quite like them in the contemporary romance genre.

The best reasons I can figure for this are, first, the uniqueness of the stories. There are so many things about this book and the series in general that shouldn't work for me and yet somehow it does, not just in an I like it kind of way, but in an I love it and can't get enough of it kind of way. The rough love scenes between Beckett and Eve aren't precisely my cup of tea either. Also, an alpha female like Eve doesn't usually work well for me as a romance heroine, because I prefer them a little (well, actually a lot :-)) softer and gentler. While most readers are wild over Beckett (and I do like him too), I've fallen more in love with his brothers, Blake and Cole. These are fairly dark, gritty stories, which is a theme in romance that sometimes works for me and sometimes doesn't.

Since finishing Return to Poughkeepsie, I've been trying to figure out exactly what it is about The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood that keeps me coming back for more. Real love finds a way-for better or worse until death does part. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it's messy, not magical, true love perseveres. In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he's struggled to become. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia's been taken. Set up with happy lives to live, they're better off without him, right?īut all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake's frantic voice on the phone. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation-whether he wants it that way now or not.

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia