Elect (Eagle Elite #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

Synopsis: Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .

4.25 Stars

Review: This second book in the Eagle Elite series picks up where the first left off. Nixon and Trace's pasts are connected and there is still question about whether or not Nixon's father murdered her parents. Her grandfather made a quick decision, however, that now prevents Nixon and Trace from easily being together. Chase, Nixon's best friend, right hand man, and cousin, has always stood in for him and watched over Trace. Nixon has even purposefully pushed Chase and Trace together, at times, as he selflessly tried to protect her, at the expense of his own wants and desires.

Chase, always the proverbial playboy, has begun to really care for Trace, though. In fact, he has betrayed Nixon in the worst way - he has wished to take Nixon's place and be there for Trace to love as he loves her. The leaders of some of the other mafia families are investigating recent actions, however, so it is not safe for anyone at this time. Not to mention, one of Nixon's own betrayed him in the worst way, and he must figure out how to deal with the one that betrayed him, as well as to figure out secrets from the past in time to save them all.

I enjoyed the love triangle that Nixon, Trace and Chase fell into, as that always provides a lot of angst and chaos to the story, but I began to have issues with the story in this book, as it just seemed like these guys went from being bully college students to mafia hit men within the matter of days. The story makes it seem like they have always been that way, too, but you really don't see that in the first book. So, I did struggle with that transition quite a bit. Otherwise, I enjoyed seeing more of the lies, deceptions and betrayals from decades past re-play themselves in the present.

Jessica