Evidence of Desire

4.25 stars--EVIDENCE OF DESIRE is the second instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult COURTING JUSTICE erotic, romantic suspense series. This is attorneys Isla Shayne, and David Cormack’s story line. EVIDENCE OF DESIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Lawless Series, and her Masters and Mercenaries series. Told from dual third person perspectives (Isla and David) EVIDENCE OF DESIRE follows the building relationship between attorneys Isla Shayne, and David Cormack as they are tasked with proving their client’s innocence. Isla Shayne represents the Adams family, a family engulfed in a personal and private war but a war that now focuses on the murder of Portia Adams, apparently by the man she loved. When one-time football great Trey Adams is the number one suspect in the death of his beloved wife Portia, all bets are off as Isla must battle the district attorney and the media as the vultures begin to circulate for scraps. Hiring defence attorney David Cormack opens Isla’s eyes to the possibility of her own happily ever after, a happily ever after that is threatened in more ways than one. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Isla and David, and the potential fall-out as our leading couple are targeted when they get too close to the truth. Both Isla and David have loved and lost but none more-so than our story line heroine. Meeting David Cormack means a second chance at love but David begins to wonder if there is any future based on what he knows, and what may never be. The relationship between Isla and David begins as a business arrangement but soon turns into something more. Threats against our heroine’s life push David into a protector and guardian role, a role for which he was willing to die. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters several who become prime suspects in the death of Portia Adams. We are introduced to Portia’s husband Trey, and their adult children Miranda and Oscar; Guardian’s football owner Carey Kendrick and his wife Amber; fellow attorneys Noah Lawless and Margarita Reyes. We are reintroduced to Henry Garrison and Win Hughes (Order of Protection #1). The world building focuses on the search for the truth. Isla Shayne knows that Trey Adams did not, and would not murder his wife. The story line will focus on CTE –Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy-a brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries, and numerous concussions suffered by athletes in contact sports. EVIDENCE OF DESIRE is a story of heartbreak, secrets and lies; friendship, family and betrayal: second chances and falling in love. The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is seductive and sexy; the characters are colorful, engaging and lively. EVIDENCE OF DESIRE is a dramatic, moving and tragic story of passion, and the potential vulnerability for those unable to protect or defend themselves.

4.5/5 For some unknown reason I tend to jump on the Lexi Blake romantic suspense train on the second book, it happened with the Lawless Series and now the same thing with the Courting Justice Series *weeps* Luckily the books can be read as standalones even though you wish you had read the first one. Evidence of Desire is a masterful piece of romantic suspense with added emotional torture just to mix things up a little bit. Due to the nature of the narrative, dealing with CTE and Dementia, and having personal experience with watching a loved one fall victim to its clutches, there were times when I had to step away from the story as it dredged up some painful memories. However, I will say Lexi portrayed the horrors of the diseases portrayed with sensitivity and understanding without sugarcoating the devastating effects it has on the inflicted person as well as the family and friends close to them. David is a fantastic, flawed character with a huge martyr streak. Having been a professional football player before becoming a lawyer, he lives with the daunting possibility that he may fall prey to CTE. Coupled with the horror of alzheimer’s present in his family, David feels like a ticking time-bomb he doesn’t want to burden anyone else with. Hence his penchant for hook-ups as opposed to relationships. There are a significant number of plot threads within Evidence of Desire. David’s personal story is only a small part of the overall picture. The main focus and the way in which David and Isla are introduced is via a murder charge against one of Isla’s estate law clients and former football player, Trey. There is no denying the connection between Isla and David from the very beginning although a number of factors are working against them the whole time. Trey’s mental condition exasperates David’s fears for his own sanity. While Isla has her own issues regarding family and friends, firmly keeping her emotional barriers in place as to avoid the risk of emotional devastation. The murder plot had a lot of tangents adding layers to the plot while aiding the development of both the relationship between Isla and David as well as the character development of each individual character. I have to say I did guess the culprit 😉 I adored Isla’s ability to find the positive in people and maintain her optimistic outlook even when all the chips are stacked against her #lifegoals. Isla helps David find the much-needed balance and acceptance in his life. I am going to go out on a limb here and say Lexi Blake is for me, up at the top of the romantic suspense pyramid alongside KA Tucker 😍

What an addictive read I couldn’t put it down. When David Cormack was woken up to go and protect a murder suspect Trey Adams, a football hero who now suffers with CTE. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (every Athlete’s nightmare). One David has a chance of getting CTE as a retired Baller. Sorry back to the review, just to say CTE is something that David fears everyday and this case brings it to the fore. When he arrives with his team, he meets Isla Shayne the attorney that requested him personally. The attraction grows as they work together to protect Trey and find the real killer. This has it all murder, suspense and love. It was so beautiful to watch Isla and David fall in love and stay together with help from friends and family who love them. As the ADA goes through the Adams children as suspects. We don’t find out who done it near the end, and plenty of action to keep you gripped to your book. This is only book two in the Courting Justice series, so I can’t wait for more.