Watch Me (Dark Obsession Book 1)

Cynthia Eden always draws me in. Every book I have ever read of hers I have to finish right then because I can't put it down. They are always so good. I binge read her novels because they are that amazing. I need more!!!!

Just a typical Cynthia Eden book, it has many twists and turns, plenty of alpha males. Lots of action and yet you can still have sympathy for Daniel. I usually can't wait for her books to come and this series is going to be the same thing. I can't wait for Lex,s and Dev,s books, hopefully she'll have someone for Ethan, also.

3.5 stars
Watch me was a short mystery read. After of years of being Gwen personal bodyguard Chance is back in her life. This time he cannot hold the attractions toward her down. But he is not honest and truth sooner or later comes out. So does the crazy stalker.
Story full of desire hot scene and suspense.

Was fast paced, enjoyable, and exactly what you expect it to be. The hero is a bad ass former military body guard who gets a second chance with his former bosses daughter when he finds out she's in trouble. Some parts were a bit derivative and predictable, but still a fun read.

Short novel well written. Fast paced. Could have been even better if author had given more time to the beginning of the love story instead of mass production to get as many books on market instead of putting out a 5+ novel. as the author has the talent.

Characters you will love and some you will loathe. Great relationships and back stories. A twist at the end has your mind reeling,but the author spins it out for you. Unraveling the bits and pieces. Great love and hot sex, good friends and devotion. Fast read

Chance Valentine was Head of Security at Gwenk’s father’s firm. That’s where he saw her for the first time and fell in love with her. Not that Gwen didn’t feel the same about him - she did. But neither of them acted on their feelings. A simple misunderstanding drove her into the arms of another man but now Gwen is being stalked and Chance is presented with the opportunity to be her 24/7 bodyguard. How could he turn down that opportunity ...

I liked the book. Yes, it was the usual mix and yes it was slightly predictable. However, one twist in the plot made the difference and saved this book. I loved how clear Chance was on his feelings for Gwen. Contrary to other books of the genre, where there’s a big back and forth between the main characters, these two knew what they wanted and went for it. This left more space for plot development in the suspense part.

Nice book that off offered good entertaining.

Cynthia Eden is one of those writers churning intense, intoxicating, dark and soul consuming stories in her sleep!!!! She never ceases to amaze me with her fascinating paranormal or hot alpha males totally obsessive of their ladies, walking on the wild side.

Her new series "Dark Obsession" is a trilogy surrounding three bodyguards and their intense passion and consuming love for their mates. Guarding 24/7 and close proximity only deepens their desire.

Watch Me champions the trilogy, with Chance Valentine trying very, very hard to stay away from his obsession Gwen Hawthorne. Working for her Senator Father as security, brought him close to Gwen, and his consuming desire and professionalism takes him away from Gwen before he loses himself in her.

But fate is not done taking a chance with Chance, and when Gwen's life is in danger, he gets hired by the Senator to guard his daughter. A proximity that brings to fore all his love and passion for Gwen and a desire that refuses to bite the dust. As Chance and Gwen ignite their passion for each other and set fire to their love, a killer is lurking in the shadows, threatening Gwen and bringing a past to collide with the present.

Cynthia Eden skillfully takes her readers on a seductive and sensual ride into the dark obsession and leaves them panting for more!!!

Look out for "Want Me" in January 2015 and "Need Me" on February 2015

Receive a copy from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

www.alimalivzletlivz.com

Oo another new series frm this author who always seems to hit all my favourite buttons ! I adore her paranormal offerings but I'm more than happy to give this new contemporary series a go and what a joy to read this was. From the first page I was hooked on the uber protectve Chance and I love it when I'm dragged into a story and hit the ground running. This author takes her readers into a world rife with intruigue and deceit and no small amount of danger! Chance walked away from Gwen once but he has never really been completely out of her life. He may no longer work for her father but he has kept a close eye on Gwen and finding out she has a stalker is just the excuse he needs to walk back into her life and hopefully her heart!
Gwen knows her father loves her but he stifles her with all his over the top protection but it looks as if this time Gwen mght actually need it! Someone is making nuisense calls and Gwen has a creepy feeling that she is being watched . Her ex boyfriend and her hardly parted on good terms and Gwen can't help but wonder if he is playing tricks on her. When a crazy mugger attacks her it's Chance who comes to her rescue but Gwen threw herself at him before only to be cast aside so she has no intention of getting close to him again but as trouble escalates there's only one man who makes Gwen feel safe and that's the one man who can hurt her beyond all reason , Chance!
I love this author and have yet to read a story by her that I don't enjoy. I read this book in one go and if honest found it a little shorter than I'd like. I think this is the first of this series that follows tough men working as bodyguards and already the seeds are planted for the next book and I would describe this as romantic suspense . Red herrings abound as the author leads her readers through ths story and even though there are surprising twists in this book the bad guy is always capable of underhand tricks. It's very easy to second guess mysterys and like a lot of readers I enjoy working out just who the villain is and why the action takes place and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in ths story .
I received an arc f this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Shorter than I like so a four and a half from me

Watch Me
Dark Obsession, #1
by Cynthia Eden

Released December 9, 2014
$2.99 - Kindle, Nook, Kobo

*** Provided by NetGalley in Exchange for an Honest Review. ***

-- From the Cover --
Watch Me…The first book in New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden’s sexy new romantic suspense series…DARK OBSESSION.
He was hired to protect her.
Watching gorgeous Gwen Hawthorne wasn’t a hard job—but it certainly was tempting. Chance Valentine had tried to keep his distance from the sexy socialite for years, but when her father hired him to keep watch on her—as a twenty-four, seven bodyguard—Chance knew his control was about to be pushed to the limit.
He’d never wanted another woman the way he desired her. Hot. Intense. Consuming. Being so close to Gwen, Chance knew that he wouldn’t be able to resist her. So he gave into his need, her need, and he took them both to the edge of a dark and consuming desire.
But Chance soon realizes that he isn’t the only one watching Gwen. Someone else is out there, a stalker who won’t rest until Gwen is destroyed. Every day, every moment…Gwen is in danger. And Chance knows that if he can’t unmask the stalker, then he may just lose the only woman he has ever loved.

Coming soon:
WANT ME (Book 2)
NEED ME (Book 3)

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Heat Level: 3.75
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After working security for years, Chance and two of his closest friends open their own business. His former boss comes in telling Chance that his daughter is in danger and wants 24/7 protection on her. But Gwen is an independent, head-strong woman who does not like the protective cage her father keeps trying to imprison her in. Soon it becomes clear that there is a seriously disturbed individual watching and following her and she's more than happy to have Chance guarding her body - if only she can remember to guard her heart.
The characters are well-written, diverse and strong. The interaction and dialogue between them is excellent. The plot is gripping, intense and written in a way that flows freely and smoothly. My only negative comment about this book was that I'd pegged the bad guy/girl the moment the character was introduced (literally, I knew immediately) and, dammit, I hated being right! The story's conflict resolve with perfect timing creating a solid, satisfying conclusion. I can honestly say I have no idea what took me so long to read this author. Her writing style is exceptionally smooth and the story flows so fluidly that you're at the end before you know it. I will definitely be looking for more books and the rest of this series - next book is WANT ME as is due to release in late January 2015.

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Score: 4.6
Stars: 5
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Tina J / Unbound Passion
Reviewing for:
Tangled Hearts and Boxer Briefs
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Chance Valentine has tried to stay away from sexy socialite Gwen Hawthorne for years, but when someone is determined to destroy Gwen he knows he won’t be able to resist her but if can’t unmask the stalker, he may lose the only woman he has ever loved in this thrilling romantic suspense.

Gwen is tired of her overprotective father sending bodyguards to shadow her every move which won’t work in Chance’s favor when he shows up to protect her from a threat. The reader can’t help but get caught up in the story as the chemistry between Gwen and Chance explodes off the pages into an intense consuming need but their relationship has a few issues left over from the past getting in their way, not to mention the secret Chance is keeping. The strong captivating characters grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning and ensure that the reader wants to know their whole story and the fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on the edge of their seat with lots of suspense, excitement and passion.

The author keeps the reader’s guessing with lots of surprising twists and the well orchestrated suspense draws the readers in while the well written scenes and details capture the imagination. There is never a dull moment as Chance and his friends race to find out who the stalker is to keep Gwen safe and spine tingling anticipation builds throughout the story as what started off as a simple stalking (if you can call stalking simple) case becomes even more complicated.

Cynthia Eden held me hostage with this very intriguing and complex plot full of passion and engaging characters that ensure that the reader comes back for more, so obviously with that being said I certainly can’t wait to read the next story in this thrilling series.

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Washington, D.C.

Chance Valentine has spent years trying to keep his distance from Gwen Hawthorne. Now he has been hired to protect her. While the job isn’t hard itself it is most definitely tempting. Her father has hired him to keep a twenty-four, seven day watch on her as her bodyguard. Chance knows that this time his control is going to be pushed to the very limits.

Chance has never wanted a woman the way he wants Gwen. His desire for her is hot, intense and consuming. Being this close to her he knows that he has no chance of resisting her. So Chance has given into the needs of them both and took them to the edge of a dark and consuming desire.

It doesn’t take long for Chance to realize he isn’t the only one that is watching Gwen. There is a stalker out there that will not rest until Gwen is destroyed. Every moment of every day Gwen is in danger. Chance knows that if he can’t figure out and unmask her stalker there is every chance he will end up losing the only woman he has ever loved.

This takes suspense and ratchets it up to unbelievable levels. The suspense lasts until the very end and makes for a book that readers won’t want to put down for any reason. The action is fast and furious and keeps coming throughout the book. It will also keep readers guessing as to who the stalker is and just what they are after. With all the twists and turns in this story it will keep reader on the edge of their seats and guessing what will happen next until the very last page. It will also have readers wanting to read the other two books in the trilogy and have them mourning the fact that they aren’t out just yet. This is another amazing book from an author that proves over and over that she can deliver some fantastic romantic suspense that will keep readers coming back for more.

Historical romance novels were always my favorite. I love everything about them. But then I got into the romantic suspense genre and this book is a perfect example as to why. I think that these might be my new favorite!

I've never read anything by Cynthia Eden but I would most assuredly read something by her again. I was kept on my toes the entire time with Watch Me. There were so many twists and turns that it really kept me interested from the beginning all the way to the last page.

The characters were really well written and while I wished to know a bit more about Gwen and Chance and their past, I was okay with just the info that I was given. But I wouldn't mind a little novella about these two. I really liked the chemistry between them but it felt like Gwen sometimes let Chance off easy. A bit more ... conflict ... between them would have been nice. The secondary characters were awesome as well and I like how it was setting up the next novel in the series. It really hooked you and made you want to know what was going to happen next.

I really don't have much more to say about the book. I think that I'll probably pick up the next in the series because I want to know what is going to happen ... Cynthia Eden left a few things open-ended and I'm wondering if little subplots will open up because of that, I sure hope so!!

Gwen Hawthorne is a heiress and Chance Valentine used to be father’s bodyguard. Now he’s a partner in a security agency, when Gwen’s father hires him to be Gwen’s bodyguard for a while.

Gwen and Chance both have in love with each other for years back when Chance still used to work for Gwen’s father. Chance’s rejection led Gwen into an arms of another man which turned put to be the biggest mistake Gwen has ever made and resulted in the two parting ways. Now Gwen’s in danger and Chance would do anything to protect her and maybe finally get a second chance to be with her.

Quibbles: It felt a little too easy and the suspense part which is usually really good in Cynthia’s books fell a little off mark for me. I just felt that the book was missing something, it was good but not great and missing that something extra that I have come to expect from Cynthia.

It makes for good light romantic suspense if you are looking for nothing too dark or just starting getting into this genre.

Overall, Cynthia Eden is a must read author for me and this is a good addition to her romantic suspense books.

ARC generously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gwen grew up protected. Being the daughter of a very wealthy man, there were always threats surrounding her family. But until Chance was the man that was put in charge or her safety, Gwen no longer felt the need to escape her bodyguard. The only problem – Chance didn’t return her affections; at least not then.

Chance has branched off and started his own security company with the help of two friends. When Mr. Hawthorne shows up demanding he take on the job of protecting his daughter, Chance can’t say no. He walked away from his feelings towards Gwen because he couldn’t cross that line again, but now things have changed. And with someone after Gwen, there is only one man that is going to protect her.

I enjoyed this story and have come to love the romantic suspense series that Ms. Eden gives us. Chance is a great hero and protector. I love the type of story that gives you a bit of a second chance romance mixed in with a forbidden affair. Chance was restrained by his job when it came to giving into his feelings for Gwen, but now there isn’t anything that is going to stop him from taking what he knows is his.

Gwen could have ventured easily into the helpless heroine role or even into that “I can’t believe she’s so stupid!” space, but she was neither. I loved that although Chance had to prove something to her, she still understood there was danger and didn’t foolishly place herself in the middle of it out of pure stubbornness.

The story itself was much more complex than I originally expected based upon the length of the story and that allowed for the storyline being much less predictable. I do wish that we had a chance to see more of their past rather than just a few mentions. This would have allowed me to gain a bit more of a connection with these two and might have made their feelings seem a little more stable, especially given the pace they move at. But in the end, this was another enjoyed title by Ms. Eden and I can’t wait to read the two books that will follow in this series.

In Watch Me (Dark Obsession #1) by Cynthia Eden, Gwen's father just wants to keep his daughter safe. He wants to protect her to the point of smothering and overprotecting though, and it's something Gwen wants no part of. When her father finds out someone is watching Gwen, stalking her, he'll do what ever he has to do to keep his daughter safe.

Chance has started his own security company, having worked hard to get to where he is today. When his former boss approaches him about protecting his daughter, Chance can't say no. She's the one woman he's never been able to forget or get over. This is his chance to have his second chance with Gwen and to keep her safe. Chance will do whatever he has to do to keep Gwen safe...even if it means not being completely honest with her.

Gwen has her own suspicions and they involve her ex boyfriend. One who would never be the one because all she could think about was Chance. Now Chance is suddenly back in her life and he's just as irresistible as ever. The magnetic pull between them has only gotten stronger. As Gwen and Chance become close again, so does danger. Can Chance keep Gwen safe and have a second chance with her? Or will the dishonesty and danger prove to great a force?

Watch Me is a very fast paced romantic suspense where the sizzle between the main characters burns up the pages. It was very easy to become absorbed in Cynthia's writing as danger lurked. I really liked the plot twists she threw into Watch Me, ones I did not see coming at all! This kept me hooked, wanting to see what happened and find out who.

The main characters, Gwen and Chance, have been together in the past, so the speed of their relationship was not unexpected or unbelievable. However, I just could not get a good, detailed feel for these two characters. Right from the start of Watch Me I felt like I had missed something somewhere, and it took me a while to feel like I'd caught up with what was going on with them, and what had happened with them. I feel like I would have liked to know so much more about the background of Chance and Gwen to understand them in the present.

I did like the way relationships were explored, especially the one between Gwen and her father. It is a complicated one, and as Watch Me progresses, it is easier to understand why it is this way.

I will read Cynthia's next book in this series, and would recommend Watch Me to romantic suspense readers who like to be kept guessing!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Originally Reviewed for Tea and Book.

One of the things you can rely on is the fact that Cynthia Eden will write an intense, edge of your seat, passion laden book! With a surprising twist... Yeah, romantic suspense doesn't get any better than Ms. Eden.

Want Me is the first book in her new and ever so edgy series, Dark Obsession. And in typical Cynthia Fashion books 2 & 3 are not far behind. Book 2 Want Me will be released on 1/27/15 and Book 3 Need Me will be released on 2/24/15. I can not wait!!

Gwen Hawthorne was the only child of a powerful man. She knows he loves her but as many parents can be, his love is smothering. After somehow managing to move out of his home and start a new life, the last thing Gwen wants is his "help" in managing some weird instances in her life. But when the true love of her life, the man who rejected her just happens to be there when she is being mugged, she allows him to help her. Never knowing that he was sent by dear old dad.

Chance Valentine came from nothing but managed to make himself into a top of the line security man. After years of working for others he has finally set up his own business. No ties to the past, that is until an old employer demands his assistance. Although threatened to help or else, Chance is working this case for one reason. Gwen Hawthorne.. The woman he stupidly walked away from. Now he has a chance to redeem himself in her eyes AND to help her with at best a stalker, at worst a crazed killer. If only she will let him in.

Romantic Suspense at it's best.. I think I may have already said that but it bears repeating!

Ms. Eden drags out intense emotions, both good and bad. As a reader this story kept me on the edge of my seat. Brought intense joy and overwhelming anguish.. and surprisingly enough a lot of sympathy.. A story that shows that true evil comes not from something that goes bump in the night but from the human spirit. While we are capable of doing great things, there are those who command the opposite and are capable of doing truly evil things!

It is because of these conflicting things that we are brought to the precipice and manage to not fall over. To truly indulge in the power of love.. and yes forgiveness. Just a wonderful book!!

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of Watch Me, provided by netgalley

Sometimes I feel like someone is watching me, and it's usually one of my children. Or the cat. They are curious creatures and wait for me to do something so they can laugh at me. I usually try to help them out once or twice a day. However, in this book, watching takes a more sinister tone as we find out Gwen Hawthorne, our heroine, has got watchers GA-lore. And not all of them are the fun kind.

Ever since buffed-up security specialist Chance Valentine turned her advances down, Gwen's been in a funk. At a night club a few months after, she tried to move on with a guy named Ethan that sort of resembled him, but it didn't help. He wasn't Chance enough. So she broke up with him. But waking up a few weeks later to find him hovering over her bed sort of made things worse, especially when the next thing that followed was Chance showing up and beating the crud out of him. Who knew stalkers had watchers? So a restraining order was placed on Mr. One-Night-Stand Ethan Barclay; and a chastened Chance, taking her averted eyes and whispered "leave me alone" seriously, left the employ of her dad, William Hawthorne, and struck out on his own with two friends and a shingle announcing their own security business.

Six months pass and strange calls are happening at Gwen's house. So many, in fact, that she's had to change her number... twice. But it still hasn't helped. Creepy. And she keeps refusing the bodyguards and security that her dad keeps sending to watch her. So on the down low, Dad calls Chance at his buff new digs and asks him to watch Gwen, knowing that because they have feelings for each other that one--Chance will do it and two--Gwen will let him. Case closed. It happens as planned and now Gwen has a bodyguard. Problem is that she thinks she's hired him. He played it that he really missed her and wanted to come and see her and find out if they could work things out. He was totally serious, and he never intended to take money from her dad.... but he did not disclose this information UP FRONT. And she'd even asked him, more than once--Did my father ask you to do this? And he prevaricated. Obfuscated. Lead a path around the garden gate. Which means he LIED. He didn't tell her because he loved her and didn't want her to send him away--it was too important to him--but seriously. Just tell her the truth! Gah!

After several attempts are made on Gwen's life, even when she's with Chance, it becomes apparent that the killer is out to get her no matter what. But why? When they confront Ethan, the likely suspect, he is aghast at the news. He's terrified and starts babbling that he'd come to warn her, even going so far as to get arrested attacking Chance while trying to get near her to 'explain.' It sounds like conspiracy theories run amuck. Really? Could someone actually be targeting the women he's loved through the years, determined to make sure he's never happy? And if that's true, why haven't they ever targeted his friend and lawyer, Sophie? And if history holds true, then the killer isn't going to stop until Gwen is dead.

When the killer strikes again--trying to run Gwen down in the streets near her apartment--while Ethan is in jail, they all begin to wonder if his story is true. Is there another watcher out there? And is so, who is it? What's their agenda? And how can they stop what they cannot see?

It's a whopper of a surprise.

Since I so enjoy reading her novels and love that she can write very well in different genres shows the gift of writing that she has. I am also a lover of intrigue and romance combined in one book. It is even more exciting when it is a honest to goodness thriller. This has a catchy prologue that has you introduced to Chance who has his own business with two others and they have been contacted to guard someone whom he has never been able to forget. He doesn't need to be paid for this one does not even want it. This could also be a second chance if he doesn't mess up when this is all said and done. Wow by that opener I was only going to quickly check to see what this was about and get into it only a little because I was in the middle of reading two other novels. Oh but that was not what happened had to keep on-curiosity and being grabbed by it helped alot too. Fast pace because next Gwen herself steps in and that was all it took-before I knew it I am half way done. This author has the pages filled with danger, the heart of a real alpha man who gives his all to protect the woman he wants and loves from the fanatical actions of a nut job who is after her. The flow has you also dipping into the heat these two create while they are together that potholders from the kitchen could of been used to hold novel while reading. Characters that blend in so well with the story that at times you would not mind having these guys near by if any trouble brewed. Before you know it also you are down to the wire and it is a showdown and breath is being held on who will walk away alive. You really and I do mean really do not see it coming on who the guilty party is either and the reason behind all the drama and danger to begin with.