Man Law - Adrienne Giordano

Book Blurb:
Security Consultant Vic Andrews lives by his Man Laws:

Never mess with your best friend's sister

Never get caught

Never get attached

But he can't deny his irresistible attraction to Gina Delgado, a young widow with three kids and plenty of strings attached. Even so, having a physical relationship doesn't mean they're "in a relationship."

Gina lost her husband to tragedy; she is not getting emotionally involved with another man in a dangerous profession. Sleeping with Vic is just stress relief.

Until one of Vic's assignments goes wrong and the target selects Gina and her kids for revenge. There's nothing Vic won't do to protect Gina and the children—the family he realizes, too late, he wants. He'll accomplish his mission but will he have lost his only chance at true love?

In My Own Words:
You know when innocent sex starts to feel like something more, and you are the no attachments kind of guy, that you should cut your losses and RUN.  But, what happens when your sex partner is your best friends sister and a widow with 3 kids?  When a mission to kill the bad guys ends with a pissed off bad-guy-brother, Vic scrambles to figure out the angle in which retribution will come.  When he is seen helping Gina take her sick daughter home, the bad guy thinks they are a couple and this is the best way to get back at Vic, by tormenting those he loves.  With him trying to explore feelings he didn't know he had in him, plus trying to protect Gina and the kids, PLUS trying to find the bad guy....is it all to much for the no roots guy to handle?

Notable Quote:
Man Law: Never wonder if you should have thrown the asshole off the roof.

Review:
This is the second book in the Private Protectors book.  I really loved Vic and Gina.  This book had so much attached to it.  You had the family dynamics of a widow trying to reclaim her life, plus her kids not sure how to handle a new man coming around.  Then Gina and Michael's brother/sister relationship.  Plus the "men" on the team that were the bodyguards...all smart asses with a heart of gold.  I felt so many emotions while reading this book.  At one point, during a rescue scene (trying not to give to much away), the rescue goes wrong and I was DEVASTATED.  I felt for the team, Vic and Lily.  I was REALLY mad at the author, and I honestly said "how could she do this to me?"  THAT, is the mark of a good book.  You are so involved with the characters and their lives, that you feel like you are part of it.  I loved the "Man Laws" at the beginning of each chapter.  There was a lot of action, lots of love and tons of entertainment.

Risking Trust - Adrienne Giordano

Book Blurb:
Roxann Thorgesson's world is out of control. After her father suffers a fatal heart attack, she must take over as publisher of Chicago's second-largest newspaper. Then her ex-boyfriend Michael Taylor, CEO of his own security company, shows up needing a favor. The last thing Roxann needs is Michael around causing trouble—and potential heartbreak—but he's involved in a scandalous story she can't pass up.

Twelve years ago, Michael walked out on Roxann without explanation. Now he needs her help. Michael's estranged wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect. He offers something no newspaperwoman could refuse: exclusive access to his headline-making murder accusation, in exchange for her help in uncovering the true killer. When their investigation leads them to a city hall conspiracy, both their lives and their newly reignited flame could be permanently extinguished...

In My Own Words:

The well organized life of Roxann Thorgesson, has been turned upside down.  Her father dies suddenly in front of her...she inherits the newspaper her father spent his life building...her old flame comes to her to clear his name...and her press is sabotaged all in a matter of weeks.  The former Olympian just want organization back, but can't help the thought of what Michael Taylor's story might do for her paper, but being so close to Michael poses problems of its own.

When Michael's soon-to-be ex-wife is found murdered, he is the prime and only suspect the police are looking for.  When he teams up with his old love, things start to point to corruption at City Hall.  When the pressure is mounting and Roxann starts publishing articles about the case and the corruption, all hell breaks loose.  When the puzzle pieces are finally revealed, the game is just that much more confusing...and hurtful.

Review:

This is the first book in the Private Protectors series.  And before I begin with my thoughts on the book, this book was released 3rd in the series, but is the actual start.  If I would have read the other two first, I can't say my thoughts on the book would be all that good.  Key players were introduced in this book, and it would be weird to read out of order and not know the story of the leader of the private protection agency.

That being said...I really liked this book.  The banter between Roxann and Michael was refreshing.  The hurt seemed very real and the pain Roxann was going through about losing her father was heartbreaking.  You could tell the author had her own personal experience to lean on and it showed in the writing.  I really enjoyed meeting some of the secondary characters such as Vic and Gina and the kids.  I was a little upset there wasn't more with Gina's oldest son, it seemed that Michael was a mentor of sorts for him, but after one run away, there wasn't much more said.  I felt if the kid was dealing with the loss of his father, Michael would have been more front and center for him.  I found this book to be very fast to read, probably because I couldn't put it down.  I thought I knew who-done-it early on, but I was very surprised with the ending, which was a bonus for me.  Finding out the villain early on in a book is a real turn off for me.  Adrienne is a new author to me, but I can honestly say, I can't wait for Vic's book.  I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

Because of You - Jessica Scott

Book Blurb:
Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire.

In My Own Words:
A soldier through and through, Shane Garrison is about to deploy again when one last night out with his men yields him one of the hottest kisses he has ever had, and a memory that would have to last him a lifetime.  He is done with the happily ever after crap.  Jen, having her own demons to conquer, is just happy to get through the evening without her form falling out of her bra.  When they meet, by chance, the next day and she gives in to his pleas, she wonders if she will ever see the handsome soldier again.

When a mission goes wrong, Shane is sent stateside and right in to the capable hands of Nurse Jen.  While helping him heal from his outside wounds, she quickly realizes that most of his major wounds are wounds of the heart and soul.

Review:
I was skeptical about reading this book.  As a military brat myself, and having an active duty brother that is currently on his 3 tour overseas, I know what a family feels when loved ones are in harms way.  I know that Mrs. Scott has been in the military, so I knew she would hit the military life but wasn't sure how real the family life would be portrayed.  I am so very happy to say, this is a book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.  The war scenes are expertly written and you feel like you are in the thick of the hell they are going through.  Everything about this book, makes you believe this could very well be a true story.  There are amazing characters that are developed throughout the book, and it ended setting up book 2 perfectly, I know I can't wait until it released to find out....What The HELL?? Jen's spunk and sass gave me many "you tell him girl" moments.  I was also happy (and not trying to give away spoilers) the way that Carponti story was written and came to fruition.  There were lots of highs and lots of lows, an emotional but entertaining book.  My one negative would be, the e-copy I got had a lot of words missing.  I had to guess what the author was trying to say several times.  Didn't really take away from the story, but became annoying after a while.  Knowing that this is the debut book for this author is astounding for me, I love her writing style and she knew exactly how to get her point out there.  I loved it, and am dying for the next book, Back To You, in May of 2012.

Moving Target - Cheyenne McCray

Book Blurb:
Ani King left her entire life behind when the Russian mafia brutally murdered her family. The Witness Security Program has kept her safe for two years, but with one simple phone call her cover is destroyed—and there is only one man left who can save her.

Protecting the brave, beautiful Ani became more than just a job a long time ago for Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker. And now, just days before the trial where she’s slated to give a damning testimony, the criminals who want her dead are on her trail. To keep Ani safe, Daniel has to keep her close—and her enemies closer. Because soon there’s nowhere for Ani to hide…but in his arms.

In My Own Words:

After Ani King's family is brutally murdered by the Russian mob, she goes in to hiding with the help of the Witness Protection Service.  Her plan, to testify and put the murdering bastard behind bars for the rest of his life.  What she doesn't count on is that her heart is just a little to big.  And with one phone call to help a little boy in need, her cover is blown.

Daniel Parker has been Ani's Marshall for over a year and their weekly calls has settled her in his heart.  On this Friday, his call is answered and he learns that Ani has gone against protocol and has contacted someone from her past.  No matter the reason, she is now in grave danger.  A rush against the clock has him speeding through Arizona to get to her before the mafia does.  Once he has her safely with him, now the job is to get her safely to court to testify.  

Review:

In an effort for full disclosure, I have been in a reading slump lately.  Not much has kept my attention, and there have been several books I have started and not finished.  Luckily, THIS isn't one of those books.  I loved this one from cover to cover.  There is nonstop action and hotness between Ani and Daniel.  Up against all odds, she had backbone and gumption and steel determination.  Daniel tried, he really tried to see her as only his charge, but all those weekly phone calls, really cemented her in his life and finally gave up being her Marshall and became her protector, lover and best friend all rolled up in one nice hot package.  There is one big secret that threatens their relationship, it was a secret you can easily figure out early on in the book, but I don't think knowing it took away from the story at all.  This wasn't your normal who-done-it book, as you know who did it, you are just waiting to see if they can do it to her.  An all in all great romantic suspense read.