Hush by Tal Bauer (review) ADULT title

Hush
ADULT title

by

Tal Bauer

Blurb:

A federal judge running from the truth.
A U.S. marshal running from his past.
A trial that can plunge the world into war.

Federal Judge Tom Brewer is finally putting the pieces of his life back together. In the closet for twenty-five long years, he's climbing out slowly, and, with the hope of finding a special relationship with the stunning Mike Lucciano, U.S. Marshal assigned to his D.C. courthouse. He wants to be out and proud, but he can't erase his own past, and the lessons he learned long ago.

But a devastating terrorist attack in the heart of DC, and the subsequent capture and arrest of the terrorist, leads to a trial that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of America's national security.

As Russia beats the drums of war, intent on seeking revenge, and the United States struggles to contain the storm before it races out of control, secrets and lies, past and present, collide in Judge Tom Brewer's courtroom. With the world's attention fixed on Tom and this case, he suddenly discovers he may be the only person who can put everything together in time to stop the spark of a new world war.


Amazon

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My review:

4.5 stars

Hush by Tal Bauer is a m/m adult contemporary romantic suspense story that features DC Federal Judge Tom Brewer, whose love life has been non-existent for years. He is inspired by the openly gay Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike Lucciano to take a chance, but his careful progress out of the closet he has been firmly entrenched in is aborted when a once-in-a-lifetime case lands on his bench. The danger to his life is only surpassed by the danger to his emotional well-being and he and the man he has fallen for must fight for both their lives and the life they can forge together.

Initially, I was a little disconcerted by the slow methodical introduction of the characters and their backgrounds, but as I have come to learn about this author’s stories, that is just the calm before the excitement! I love the revelation of the events that have brought each man to a point where they are open to new possibilities, and who can resist the charming Etta Mae, let alone sexy Kris and his surprising undercurrents. The fascinating glimpses of the action behind the scenes with respect to the federal court and the vivid descriptions of activities in DC keep one enthralled as the action intensifies and the threats escalate. I was a little skeptical of some of the events at the climax, but they definitely added to the tension, even if they seem a little farfetched. I love the deep emotion that this author adds to his stories and weaves in adeptly with a rollercoaster of a ride and I can’t wait to find out what will emerge from his fertile imagination next!

A copy of this title was provided to me for review