GRR Reviews Tycoon Takedown by Ruth Cardello

Melanie, a single mother, just had her son asked where is his father. So she gathered up the courage to travel from a Texas ranch to New York City to find him. Yes, it was only one night. Yes, that's his son. But this emotional journey won't be easy... // Charles, a New York millionaire on top of the investment game, rarely gets asked for a favor by his sister Sarah in Texas. So when Sarah asked him to keep an eye on her best friend Melanie while she's in New York, he can't say no. When Melanie was purse-snatched while on the phone with Charles, he went alpha male protective... only to find Melanie had the situation well in hand... having taken down the armed mugger by herself, and gained the viral moniker "Takedown Cowgirl". Now Charles is totally smitten with Melanie, and Melanie loved the domineering Charles in bed. but Melanie's life and son are in Texas, while Charles lives in New York. Can this relationship ever work? 

Nice, very nice. There is some light bondage in the sex scenes, but it's light sensual bondage. But the more important thing is there is a definitely character arc to both MMC and FMC. Charles started out as the quintessential domineering alpha male who don't want kids or single mothers, and ended up as not only a good father, but also chose to mentor a young man out of a life on the streets. Melanie started out as a woman on a trip of redemption (Must find father of my son) and ended with a father for her child (just not the one she was first looking for) and ended up gaining a family and a lover who did not try to change her (not that she'll put up with it). 5/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn

April's fiancee's mother just kicked her out so her spine-less (now ex-) fiancee can take back the woman she approves. While April has a lot of friends, she doesn't want to depend on them, even with Christmas fast approaching. So when State Department Security Agent Hunter approached her with an extraordinary offer, she was in no position to refuse... Spend a month in Washington DC with King Jozef of Bariavak, because April very much resembles his long-lost granddaughter. April very much enjoys spending time with Hunter, but Hunter has his own secrets and links with Bariavak... And King Jozef is happy to do a little royal matchmaking...

Not quite a comedy as advertised, as Hunter is basically your almost-cliche "strong silent type", being basically a bodyguard, but with a bit more depth to him than you'd expect, and April... her pride was ALMOST her downfall. Still, the characters are nicely nuanced and have character arcs, and the mystery about who is the princess... Will continue. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews It Was Always You by Alexa Rivers

Dr. Avery Brown (PhD) is pioneering a new type of forensic science: soil sample positioning. Give her a soil sample, and with a database of soil from all around New Zealand, she can pinpoint the soil through isotope and trace analysis down to a few kilometers radius, perfect for nailing a suspected serial killer... and no body of the victim (yet). So when her lab was trashed and her home burned down, it was clear she needed protection, fast. But the one perfect for the job was the one boy that broke her heart... Sergeant Gareth thought Avery was the one... They had been together all through school. Letting her go was for her own good... he would never hold her back from her dreams. Protecting her was his duty... and his calling. But he knew he can't blur lines between professional and personal... Even if that means he had to push her away...

Several TSTL moments, not quite enough karma, and the nastiness was all from a misunderstanding? Eeek. 3/5

GRR Reviews Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee

Judy is just a college graduate, except for a very famous brother, actor Michael Wolfe. She moved to LA and lived in her brother's mansion, working an internship hoping it will lead to a long-term job, but so far she's doing secretarial work. However, one bright spot in her day is Rick, one of her brother's bodyguards that would like to court her. Rick likes Judy's spitfire attitude. But when a stalker attacked Judy in her parking garage, and Rick became the primary suspect, it's clear the stalker isn't done with her, and Rick may have to risk everything to save her...

Nice handling of the threat, trying to narrow down the suspect pool, and so on. Police procedural was nicely handled, and the pivot from romance to romantic suspense was again, handled very nicely, which is this author's forte. No obvious plotholes. 5/5

GRR Reviews Fiance by Friday by Catherine Bybee

Gwen is the daughter of an English duke, and schmoozing the rich and powerful for the discrete matchmaking business Alliance (who arranges marriages of convenience for powerful people) is right up her alley. But she secretly lusts after her ex-marine bodyguard Niel, who's handsome, big, and protective. But Neil cannot reciprocate... She's a client, she's also from a different world. But when Niel's past caught up with him, he had no choice but to execute his own bug-out plan... with Gwen in tow. The enemy will target anyone to get to him, even Gwen... and he will have to risk everything to save them both, but will he trust the wrong people?

Interesting pivot from romance to romantic suspense, and kept the mystery and twists coming. Excellent plotting, with no obvious plot holes. 5/5

GRR Reviews Guarding the Broken by Kirsty Moseley

NOTE: This is part 1 of the novel. The full novel is more than 600 pages long, so this does end on a cliffhanger.

Anna is the daughter of a senator running for president. But she's broken three years ago, when her boyfriend was murdered and she was raped and held prisoner by sadistic kingpin Carter for months until her accidental rescue during a police raid. But Carter has somehow gotten a new trial when somehow some evidence in his conviction had been "tampered with". // Anna had run off every "near guard" and the senator took the unusual action of entrusting her safety to an untried (but best in class) SWAT agent, Ashton, young enough to pose as her boyfriend, and handsome enough to be believed, yet lethal and protective. // Anna didn't want to be cold and unemotional, but it was the only way she survived her months of imprisonment and abuse. Ashton made her feel something, but she's still not over losing her childhood sweetheart. Can she learn to trust again?

The background of Ashton really makes no sense. SWAT members don't go to separate schools but are regular police that underwent additional training. And police academy graduates don't get to go into SWAT school immediately. Nor are they assigned jobs across the country, as there is no "national school" or even "state academy" for police or SWAT.  The rest of novel basically is Anna slowly succumbs to Ashton's charms and protectiveness, as he was able to read her like a book without touching her... Until exactly when she needed it. Nothing really exciting happens until book 2.  3/5

GRR Reviews Worth the Risk by JB Heller

Abe has been assigned to protect Kallista, only to realize he had a one-night-stand with her at her friend's wedding months ago. Kallista is a good person and has no idea why she's getting these vague threats or why her father would pay for a 24-7 bodyguard. Nor is she some damsel in distress that's going to swoon over an alpha macho protective guy, even if that guy had known her very well indeed... So who's really after her, why, how can they solve the problem once and for all?

I find the book good at some parts, bad at others. Abe seems to flip between alpha lovable jerk and cold-protective bodyguard, as if he can't be both at the same time. There's a twist when one of the attackers was unveiled, and it's pretty good. But let's just say what followed really made no sense. The big battle was chaos, the multiple viewpoints and time-jumping didn't help. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Rebound by Aidy Award

Warning: HFN ending, sort of a cliffhanger, 3-book series

Angelina hates being a doormat, and finding her fiancee cheating, then being called chubby was the last straw, no matter what her parents say. The only one who seems to understand her is Grayson, her bodyguard. Yes, she has one. She really REALLY want to seduce him, after getting a hint that his tastes run toward the darker side... but for revenge sex? Angelina will get her freak on by finding two hot guys and getting some menage a troi... // Gray knew what Angel wanted, but what he wanted from her will break her, because he's already broken, and he won't be her rebound. But he'll protect her... He'll vet the men she invited into her bed, he'll control the action, and he'll save her from herself... and himself...

Very interesting take on the kink lifestyle. The mythical "gentle dom" and the slow introduction of an ingenue into the kink lifestyle certainly takes a couple interesting twists here. Gray doesn't participate except spectate, yet there's no denying he's the dom, yes, over the guys too. There's certainly some MFM action, and quite a bit of sex. The series continues in Rebellion and Reignite.  If you like the sex, this is 5/5, lots of "reluctant lover" stuff.

GRR Reviews Protecting Her by Hope Ford

NOTE: 40-page short.

Ryder knew he had to protect Sierra, who's naive to the world. Her dead brother's best friend Johnny stole her laptop and her TV to fund his drug habit. She went to Johnny's place of work, only to find that Johnny stole there as well and Ryder, with Alpha Security, was there to help change the locks and implement further security measures. Sierra did not want to involve the police, but Ryder is not taking any chances... Ryder will protect Sierra himself, and buy her replacement stuff and woo her, even if there's an age gap...

Things were sweet and sexy and protective until I encountered the expression "breed her", which seriously turned me off. Breed is NOT a sexy word when used in a sexual context, where it means... f--- her until she's pregnant. It's practically a porn term. Characters aren't that deep, and Johnny, who moments ago was about to turn violent, apparently reformed after a stern talking-to by Ryder (backed up by his fist). Way too convenient. And what's with the ass-grabbing cover? 2/5

GRR Reviews Her Cowboy Billionaire Bodyguard by Liz Isaacson

Beau is a semi-retired lawyer with an inheritance that prefers to take on private legal assistance and professional bodyguard services to people in need. He would never date a client though, esp. since he tried that... and she disappeared in the middle of the night... just left him, without a word, when the case was concluded. // Lily is a singer and is a part of a sister act, and quite famous. But her ex-husband is stalking her and continue to harass her legally for more money, despite signed divorced papers and settlement. She needs Beau's services, while she hides out in Wyoming.  The two met, and there's definitely something between them... But they are too different.... Beau will free her from her ex, and that's it. The rest.. will be up to her.

Okay, the reluctant lovers came across quite clear and loud. My problem is with the ex, who is jobless, yet still has tons of cash and resources to stalk his ex-wife. In fact, he showed up in court in a 2000-dollar suit, yet wanted his ex-wife to keep supporting him. Also, I can find no law that would permit Beau to practice law in California...  It requires special paperwork called MJP Authorization from the California State Bar under MJP rule 9.47. Also, this ex turns out to be kinda lame, despite the resources he displayed. 3/5

GRR Reviews Sweet Seduction Sacrifice by Nicola Claire

Genevieve has had enough of her loser boyfriend. He stole 150K from her (her inheritance from grandma) and somehow, she kept taking him back... four times. No more. She's going to meet with a lawyer and kick him out for good, while protecting her little cafe called Sweet Seduction. Meeting Dominic, one of the partners of the firm, was a surprise, for he's so alpha... and douchebag. But Dominic had fallen in love at first sight, and he will protect what is his... Even when Jimmy turned out o be a much worse asshole than anyone suspected, with ties to the underworld. But when Dom's sister was kidnapped to be traded for Genevieve, he's put in an impossible situation...

Uh, sorry, the villain here really makes no sense. Why does he keep coming back to Genevieve? Why threaten the shop? Neither does Genevieve. In fact, this was pointed out by another character. Anyone theatens the shop, she caves. Even someone who stole 150K from her... merely a POSSIBILITY of losing the shop and she chose to go back to him like a whimpering puppy. TSTL! 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Pretty Daring by Jenn Hype

Paige's dad is a big wig politician and was getting death threats. Since her best friend Clara's brother CJ runs a security business, Paige can't even object to getting a bodyguard, who turns out to be Sebastian aka "Bas". Just as Bas caught a mugger who almost ran off with Paige's purse, she was shot in the head! Okay, it's just a graze, but the threat is apparently VERY serious. Now Bas will stick to Paige like white on rice... which makes for both romantic AND hilarious moments... As Paige won't change her life, even for her safety, and Bas is not the kind to take no for an answer. When Paige ended up in Bas's cabin "as a safety precaution", she decided to throw a party at Bas's place...  Can these... frenemies work out their differences and find out who is after her, and why?

Oh, I like the twist at the end, and while most romantic suspense is well, suspenseful, this one managed to balance the comedic aspects with the suspense. Though it's almost always the MMC being the straight man in comedy. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Protecting Olivia by Riley Edwards

Olivia just needed some fun to escape her stifling life. Her mother, a White House aide, seems to be having unreasonable mood swings. She never had a father. Having been roofied and kidnapped, and spent days in a stinky room handcuffed to a bed made her contemplate death, and how much life she missed. Then she was rescued... by Leo, callsign Panther, and the rest of Red Team... // When the president calls, the Red Team responds. It seems a White House aide's daughter's missing, and the daughter is best friends with First Daughter and her mom is best friends with First Lady. And someone is sending a message... someone with deep connections and deeper pockets. // Leo "Panther" is an ex-SEAL. Conducting an off-the-books rescue was normal. Falling for the rescue victim, however, is not. Yet from the moment she uttered "don't leave me", Leo was captivated by Olivia. Leo has no choice but to take Olivia into hiding while the rest of the team unravel the conspiracy. Will they give in to their attraction for each other? Will Red Team find out about the grand conspiracy gripping the nation? Who is playing whom?

There are a couple more subplots, like why mom's having mood swings, how Olivia's father actually showed up (turns out it's a secret baby trope), and how the grand conspiracy is confusing as heck, as the "bread crumbs" seems just to be "too easy". But the rescuer falling for the rescued, it's basically insta-love. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Red Blooded by Cat Johnson

Three military romantic suspense novellas in a single volume

Trey -- To take down the bad guys, Trey is willing to recruit a bartender/bar owner and have her pose as his wife to help rescue a captured agent in enemy territory. The sex is definitely real. But is the love real too?

Jack -- forced to take leave on the family farm after watching the girl of his dreams fall for his best friend, Jack is intrigued to find the latest ranch hand on his family farm may have secrets... and really needs protection (by him, of course)

Jimmy -- posing as waiter to serve as protective detail on the governor, he didn't expect governor's daughter, the fiery red-headed and gorgeous Amelia hitting on him. But he'll maintain cover... and protect her...

Other than the improbable premise (seems most romance authors don't give a **** about the *posse commitatus* act, which states that US military are NOT to be deployed on US soil, and that soldiers can easily go "undercover" like agents or detectives), the three novellas are actually not bad if you ignore the glaring deviation from reality. But you rate the whole book, not the pieces. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Special Forces Billionaire by Eliza Ellis

Zuri is the daughter of the rebel leader hoping to overthrow the despot "President" in the small African country. She immediately clashes with Daemon, head of Knight Security, hired by her father to be her bodyguard. When an ambush killed her father, Zuri is forced into exile under the protection of Daemon in the US, and became the de facto rebel leader, and target of assassination squads. Daemon can keep Zuri safe, but the feisty young woman, matured by fire and loss, enticed him like no other woman. And Zuri, with nowhere to turn, fell for her protector. When a coup started in her home country, she must return. And Daemon will go with her... no matter the danger...

Eh... not too bad, but military bits just feels slightly off. 4/5

GRR Reviews Savage Protector by Kai Lesy

Layla refused to go into law and follow in her father's footsteps. She went into music and was happy teaching kids to appreciate music. She came to know Hugh when his son Charlie was in her music program, but Charlie was an introvert and Layla was suspicious of Hugh, who's quite intense. When Layla's father, the DA, was prosecuting a local criminal kingpin, the kingpin in turn threatened the DA, and DA daddy hired Hugh to protect Layla... And Charlie treats Layla like a second mom...

Good bodyguard romance, with tender moments. No sex until near the very end, though the kingpin threatening someone personally? VERY naughty of him, and very stupid. And the darkest hour... I don't quite like it. It seems like a vast overreaction for a guy. 4/5

GRR Reviews Defending Danielle by Shauna Allen

Drew is an elite force recon marine. He has done it all. When one of the missions had gone bad, his team was pulled from the hot zone to recuperate... and as a backup to Senator Lytle's security. Senator's daughter was recently captured by traffickers, then rescued by a SEAL team. Senator wanted to honor the team at an event, and the traffickers vowed revenge. Drew didn't want a babysiting mission, then he discovered that Senator's intern is none other than Danielle, his own high school tutor, who had a crush on him (but he didn't notice then). But he's perfectly willing to love her now, as she's beautiful and smokin' hot. But is she a distraction for the mission ahead?

Sorry to say, but the entire premise is implausible. A SEAL would NEVER accept being honored at a black-tie event (unless they are retired), much less a whole team of them.  And pulling a force recon team to run security detail? Any one ever heard of posse commitatus act? That active military forces cannot be deployed within the continental US?  Security is also atrociously bad for such a high profile event. Trying to make regular military guys play bodyguard just doesn't work for me.  The actual plotting is tolerable, but Dani basically fell into Drew's bed pretty darn quickly. And the bad guys aren't that much of a challenge (not that the force recon guys would let a SWAT team do their job)

2/5

GRR Reviews Broken Hero by Aubrey Wright

Natalie is a skilled lawyer, but she chose the wrong boyfriend, Joey. Turns out, Joey's a mob prince, and he won't take no for an answer. When not even the cops are willing to do something, Natalie had to hire her own security, Garrett. And Garrett is strikingly handsome and powerful. But Garrett has a secret... He's actually working for Joey, because Joey is threatening his sister studying in California. Garrett is supposed to dissuade Natalie from going to the cops... because she knew too much about Joey. But Garrett had fallen for Natalie. How can he extract himself, his sister, AND Natalie from Joey's trap? Can his relationship with Natalie be saved? Or will he be betrayed just like he betrayed her?

Pretty good twists and turns. 4/5

GRR Reviews Absolving Amy by RJ Gray

NOTE: BDSM "Daddy dom", "Domestic Discipline" aka spanking

Amy managed to survive foster homes, and she's taking classes. But she's currently homeless, working 3 jobs and summer classes, just living out of her car. She had a one-night stand with a wonderful police detective Ben as a bridesmaid for her best friend, but she can never be with anyone, because nobody would want her long-term after they learned what she had done... // Ben was smitten with Amy after that one-night stand, but she disappeared before he woke up, but he can't stalk her... He's a detective, after all. But having her car skid to a stop in front of police station, car riddled with multiple bullet holes, brought out all his protective daddy instincts. She just witnessed a murder by a high-ranker in the Los Diablos gang, and there's a price on her head. He can protect her, and even love her, but he plays by daddy dom rules. And Amy... wasn't quite sure if she wants to play... esp. when she's caught between shame (I don't deserve him) and defiance (how dare he dictate to me).

Hmmm... I like the twist at the end, which I won't spoil. And this "domestic discipline" thing, is a subset of BDSM, a power exchange where the dominant assumes a "daddy" role, that's NOT sugardaddy nor full-time dom. It's pretty hot, if you're into that sort of thing. OTOH, doing that to a witness he's protecting? Hmmm... Bit of a morally gray area, odd for a cop. :)  4/5

GRR Reviews Faking Ever After with the Bodyguard by Lacy Andersen

FBI Agent Jonathan is banished to desk work after his over-enthusiasm almost exposed an undercover agent. When he stumbled into a beautiful woman claiming she witnessed a prominent dirty politician order a murder in front of her, he's salivating at his chance of redemption, but that means he had to keep her safe... by pretending to be her fake husband. // Bethany always had the worst luck, but this may be her worst yet, when her blind date ditched her to schmooze with the big shots, only to let her witness a prominent politician ordering someone to be killed. Running away as fast as she can, she stumbled into Jonathan and his cop buddy. When she found that someone already tossed her place, she had to enlist the FBI agent's help to keep herself safe... But fake married to him wasn't part of a plan...

Not bad, but not that good either. If the bad guys can magically find her place even when she didn't give a last name to her blind date, why didn't they actually physically find her? And why toss her place at all, if they wanted her? 3/5