Bea Reviews Rendezvous in Rio by Danielle Bourdon

Series: The Inheritance #2
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Challenges: Finishing the Series | NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Danger finds Madalina Maitland when a letter from her late grandfather arrives on her doorstep, bequeathing her his treasured Rain Dragon, an ancient stone figurine. But first, she’ll have to find it through a series of clues scattered across South America.

Charting a course for passion and adventure, Madalina and her boyfriend, Cole West, a private security specialist, soon discover they aren’t alone. Hot on their trail is a cabal of Chinese agents, and these deadly adversaries will stop at nothing to get their hands on the prized dragon.

From the posh communities of Southern California to the favelas of Brazil to the gorgeous beaches of Ipanema, Rendezvous in Rio is a sexy, thrilling tale that travels the world to stay one step ahead of danger.

Bea's Thoughts:

"Rendezvous in Rio" brings back Madalina and Cole from the first book, "Escaping Vegas". Also back are the adversaries from that book and I still had a hard time believing in them and accepting them. Before I saw the blurb I thought perhaps the next book might focus on one of Cole's brothers. I should have paid more attention to the series title, lol. But I would still like to see them get their own books, especially Samuel. I have a crush on him. :D

Cole is still hot but less grouchy, and scarily good at his work. Madalina has grown since the first book, become more adventuresome and more willing to travel. In part that's due to her adventures in the first book and in part due to letters from her late grandfather. The letters were a bit much at times and his games not always believable, but the letters were sweet and I could feel the love he had for Madalina. Her love for him was also obvious.

Unfortunately, Bourdon is also obvious. Her writing at times was simplistic and patronizing:

Lit by several overhead lights, it looked to be a private office for someone of importance. He knew by the carved mahogany desk, matching bookcases, and expensive chairs.

He took the time to search for more guns (it wouldn't do to be shot in the back)...

The romance between Cole and Madalina has progressed nicely. They don't always agree but there's no drama or big miscommunication, just the natural ups and downs of a relationship. The drama in the story comes from the dragon statue and the lengths certain parties are willing to go to in order to acquire it. 

I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the story even when it stretched credibility, there was lots of action mixed with characterization, but this time around Bourdon's writing style irritated me. The ending of the book was open-ended so I'm uncertain if there will be more books and I'm just as uncertain whether I'll read more in this series if it continues.