REVIEW: Dangerous Grounds by Shelli Stevens

I am a Shelli Stevens fan and knew that this was going to be a great fast read for me. I wasn’t disappointed. Dangerous Grounds is book four and the latest release in The Seattle Steam Series. I thought this book for one was funny. Madison is truly a nutcase in my book, but lovable all the same. She is a spoiled woman who just opened her own espresso shop (Ooo La Latté- love it!), where I find the humor is that she hasn’t made a cup of coffee in her life (at least not a drinkable one!), she just likes to drink it! Now, who could blame a girl for trying, but while she was in Italy working in a coffee shop she wasn’t actually making the intoxicating brew, so she recruited a Barista, Sarah, to do it all for her. She is all grown up and ready to start her business but days after she first opens when she is robbed by a serial thief out to hit all the coffee shops in the Seattle area. This is where the sexy Gabe comes in. Gabe is Madison’s brother Eric’s best friend and we all know what that means, he has the hots for the all grown up Madison but has vowed to stay away from her out of respect for his friendship with. He dilemma, he just can't keep his hands off her, and to keep her safe since the thief took her wallet and now knows where she lives is for her to move in with him. And we all know what that means, some hot, steamy sex. And it is oh so delicious, I really liked Gabe and Maddie together, although her being so brazen at times was slightly annoying, I didn't dislike her in the least. Maddie has a dark secret, but the stunner is, she can't remember, all she knows is that she has a fear of trunks, she won't even open hers on her own car! As the thief works his way into Maddie's life and finds her, Gabe is no where to be found Maddie believes. He has left her alone to fend off the their who is now working his way to a murderer if he has his way. Maddie feels abandoned by Gabe when she needed him most and in turn abandons him. Gabe is so torn it breaks your heart, but he doesn't understand the trauma that she experienced and how her past fear has caught up to her. She retreats back to the safety of her parents coddling arms. I have to say this was an excellent read for me, I do enjoy the main characters having to work for trust and love over many many misunderstandings and miscommunication. It is almost like it makes it all worth it in the end.

SNIPPET: "Madison’s needs are simple. All she wants are two things: Make Ooo La Latté the newest trend in espresso, and seduce the sexiest cop in Seattle. But things aren’t going exactly as planned. First, Gabe’s a little hung up on the fact that she’s his best friend’s little sister, and he’s determined to keep his hands off. Second, her shop gets robbed by the increasingly violent Espresso Bandit, and now she’s the only one who can identify him. Gabe whisks her into hiding for her own protection, but soon finds his heart is under assault by the luscious—and persistent—Madison. But no matter where they hide, danger follows. On such dangerous grounds, the trick will be to live long enough to keep the flame alive."