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Her Dark Protector
Florida state prosecutor Gail Malloy may have a death wish, but she has no idea how close she is to having it fulfilled. In charge of the case against a notorious drug lord, she's become the target of everyone on the man's payroll—and corruption has permeated the highest ranks. Fortunately for Gail, a stranger is keeping watch...
Haunted by tragedy and seeking revenge, business tycoon Jason Hawke joined the Justice Hunters, a secret organization dedicated to maintaining law and order. He'll do everything in his power to make sure Gail stays alive long enough to put the crime boss away for good. Even if it means keeping her with him day and night...
Haunted by tragedy and seeking revenge, business tycoon Jason Hawke joined the Justice Hunters, a secret organization dedicated to maintaining law and order. He'll do everything in his power to make sure Gail stays alive long enough to put the crime boss away for good. Even if it means keeping her with him day and night...
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Carol Stephenson
16 books15 followersAward winning author Carol Stephenson lives in southeast Florida with her beloved Shih Tzu. She's an attorney by day and author by night. She's best known for her emotionally drawn, hard-driving romances. In her free time this sports fan indulges in travel, photography and competing on a trivia team.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2017
Sometimes you just need a tough guy with a tender touch to make things feel right again. I like that this story's heroine is emotionally strong and smart. They make a great team.
March 27, 2012
Review originally published at: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/03/27/...
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley
Florida state prosecutor Gail Malloy may have a death wish, but she has no idea how close she is to having it fulfilled. In charge of the case against a notorious drug lord, she’s become the target of everyone on the man’s payroll—and corruption has permeated the highest ranks. Fortunately for Gail, a stranger is keeping watch…
Haunted by tragedy and seeking revenge, business tycoon Jason Hawke joined the Justice Hunters, a secret organization dedicated to maintaining law and order. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure Gail stays alive long enough to put the crime boss away for good. Even if it means keeping her with him day and night…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
***Even though the blurb says Justice Hunters the book calls the organization Justice Alliance.*** I was browsing NetGalley when I came across this book and I liked the look of the blurb. It spoke of a trope that I have enjoyed in the past so I was interested in seeing how Ms Stephenson handled it. Her take included secret organizations, drug lords, massively corrupt members of the judiciary system, explosions, vanishing evidence, motorcycles, a rather large subplot and lots of dead bodies. In my opinion that combination provided me with a bit too much to completely enjoy.
Gail Malloy was very honest and dedicated to her job. Her evidence against the drug lord kept mysteriously disappearing leading her to suspect that something wasn’t right with the Florida State Attorney’s Office so she joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s covert investigation into them. When Gail arrived for a meeting with a snitch who had video evidence of murder against the drug lord, she instead entered a trap. She escaped being raped and killed by the oh so fortuitous arrival of a man dressed all in black. They share some moments of instant physical attraction, and Gail finds out that he is watching to keep her alive so she can bring down the drug lord. This mysterious man then vanishes into the shadows and Gail’s troubles really get started. She figures out rather quickly that Jason Hawke was the man all in black, but since she is dealing with some unexpected turns, and she would prefer to live, she goes along with his assistance.
Jason is a member of the Justice Alliance, which is a group of vigilantes that are not supposed to mete out justice but rather provide information to honest cops and prosecutors so justice can be served. He is struggling with that limitation and would much rather take direct action against the murderers of his wife and unborn child along with the police who protected them, but he abides by their code. However not all of the members of the Justice Alliance feel the same way and some of those individuals didn’t mind making some very questionable deals to achieve their own goals. Some of those deals included providing opportunities for the drug lord to remove Gail and Jason from the picture.
While all of the various conspiracies seem fascinating they suffered in the execution. The identity of the traitor from the Justice Alliance wasn’t revealed until late in the book but I figured out who it was about a quarter of the way into the story so I kept wondering why the main characters didn’t see some of the coincidences were just too perfect. I also found that while I could buy the physical attraction and lust between the hero and heroine as a result of their several close brushes with death, I didn’t quite see their emotional attachment. I also got the sense that if a character was not a member of the Justice Alliance then the character was certainly a bad guy or was going to die rather quickly. Granted not that being a member guaranteed that the character was a good guy but there was a better chance. My major pet peeve is under the spoiler tag.
Given the extent of corruption in the Florida Justice system and the several threads that were not completely tied off, I am guessing that Ms Stephenson is going to continue to write in this world. I am interested in seeing what comes next with that organization.
I give Her Dark Protector a B-
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley
Florida state prosecutor Gail Malloy may have a death wish, but she has no idea how close she is to having it fulfilled. In charge of the case against a notorious drug lord, she’s become the target of everyone on the man’s payroll—and corruption has permeated the highest ranks. Fortunately for Gail, a stranger is keeping watch…
Haunted by tragedy and seeking revenge, business tycoon Jason Hawke joined the Justice Hunters, a secret organization dedicated to maintaining law and order. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure Gail stays alive long enough to put the crime boss away for good. Even if it means keeping her with him day and night…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
***Even though the blurb says Justice Hunters the book calls the organization Justice Alliance.*** I was browsing NetGalley when I came across this book and I liked the look of the blurb. It spoke of a trope that I have enjoyed in the past so I was interested in seeing how Ms Stephenson handled it. Her take included secret organizations, drug lords, massively corrupt members of the judiciary system, explosions, vanishing evidence, motorcycles, a rather large subplot and lots of dead bodies. In my opinion that combination provided me with a bit too much to completely enjoy.
Gail Malloy was very honest and dedicated to her job. Her evidence against the drug lord kept mysteriously disappearing leading her to suspect that something wasn’t right with the Florida State Attorney’s Office so she joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s covert investigation into them. When Gail arrived for a meeting with a snitch who had video evidence of murder against the drug lord, she instead entered a trap. She escaped being raped and killed by the oh so fortuitous arrival of a man dressed all in black. They share some moments of instant physical attraction, and Gail finds out that he is watching to keep her alive so she can bring down the drug lord. This mysterious man then vanishes into the shadows and Gail’s troubles really get started. She figures out rather quickly that Jason Hawke was the man all in black, but since she is dealing with some unexpected turns, and she would prefer to live, she goes along with his assistance.
Jason is a member of the Justice Alliance, which is a group of vigilantes that are not supposed to mete out justice but rather provide information to honest cops and prosecutors so justice can be served. He is struggling with that limitation and would much rather take direct action against the murderers of his wife and unborn child along with the police who protected them, but he abides by their code. However not all of the members of the Justice Alliance feel the same way and some of those individuals didn’t mind making some very questionable deals to achieve their own goals. Some of those deals included providing opportunities for the drug lord to remove Gail and Jason from the picture.
While all of the various conspiracies seem fascinating they suffered in the execution. The identity of the traitor from the Justice Alliance wasn’t revealed until late in the book but I figured out who it was about a quarter of the way into the story so I kept wondering why the main characters didn’t see some of the coincidences were just too perfect. I also found that while I could buy the physical attraction and lust between the hero and heroine as a result of their several close brushes with death, I didn’t quite see their emotional attachment. I also got the sense that if a character was not a member of the Justice Alliance then the character was certainly a bad guy or was going to die rather quickly. Granted not that being a member guaranteed that the character was a good guy but there was a better chance. My major pet peeve is under the spoiler tag.
Given the extent of corruption in the Florida Justice system and the several threads that were not completely tied off, I am guessing that Ms Stephenson is going to continue to write in this world. I am interested in seeing what comes next with that organization.
I give Her Dark Protector a B-
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2012
4.5 stars
I completely fell in love with this book. It was non-stop suspense from the very beginning. The author had a wonderful way with her writing to make sure that you always wanted to know what happened next.
Gail is an attorney who is always trying to put the bad guys away. She got involved in one of the major drug busts and is trying to put the drug lord behind bars. Little did she know, her life was going to be turned upside down because of it? She no longer knew whom she was going to trust or who was against her putting the criminal in jail.
Jason is apart of a private justice group who helps police capture the bad guys. He also has a private agenda for revenge on the same drug lord Gail is after. His group has been brought into protect Gail while she gathers her evidence. Jason is the type of person who puts his vows before everyone. Even those who he is sworn to protect.
Gail, while gathering her evidence, learns about the secret justice group and why Jason is her personal bodyguard. Jason is trying to convince her to give it up just so that she can stay alive to prosecute another day. He also promises to help clear any damage that was brought to her name because of her investigation.
Throughout the whole book, Gail and Jason became closer. They told each other things about their lives that no one knew about. They became intimate to scratch an itch, at first. The closer to each other they got the more their feelings developed towards each other. Jason tries to convince Gail that she is not responsible for all of the deaths happening around her. While that is happening, Gail is trying to convince Jason that he should live in the present and not the past.
I think that the book was written extremely well. The action and adventure was non-stopped and kept you at the edge of your seat until the very last page. I loved how everything came full circle for our main characters. In the end they both got the justice they were looking for. The even found love as well.
I loved this author so much that I decided to read her other books as well. I highly recommend this book to the readers who love suspense to read. The romance is involved but it is more of a suspense book, which is a good thing in the end. It kept the book moving. This book definitely deserves to be read.
NOR
I completely fell in love with this book. It was non-stop suspense from the very beginning. The author had a wonderful way with her writing to make sure that you always wanted to know what happened next.
Gail is an attorney who is always trying to put the bad guys away. She got involved in one of the major drug busts and is trying to put the drug lord behind bars. Little did she know, her life was going to be turned upside down because of it? She no longer knew whom she was going to trust or who was against her putting the criminal in jail.
Jason is apart of a private justice group who helps police capture the bad guys. He also has a private agenda for revenge on the same drug lord Gail is after. His group has been brought into protect Gail while she gathers her evidence. Jason is the type of person who puts his vows before everyone. Even those who he is sworn to protect.
Gail, while gathering her evidence, learns about the secret justice group and why Jason is her personal bodyguard. Jason is trying to convince her to give it up just so that she can stay alive to prosecute another day. He also promises to help clear any damage that was brought to her name because of her investigation.
Throughout the whole book, Gail and Jason became closer. They told each other things about their lives that no one knew about. They became intimate to scratch an itch, at first. The closer to each other they got the more their feelings developed towards each other. Jason tries to convince Gail that she is not responsible for all of the deaths happening around her. While that is happening, Gail is trying to convince Jason that he should live in the present and not the past.
I think that the book was written extremely well. The action and adventure was non-stopped and kept you at the edge of your seat until the very last page. I loved how everything came full circle for our main characters. In the end they both got the justice they were looking for. The even found love as well.
I loved this author so much that I decided to read her other books as well. I highly recommend this book to the readers who love suspense to read. The romance is involved but it is more of a suspense book, which is a good thing in the end. It kept the book moving. This book definitely deserves to be read.
NOR
April 5, 2012
I um'd and ah'd over what rating to give this one, provided by netgalley. 2 stars seemed a bit mean really, since the plot was pretty good, but 3 stars seemed a bit generous since I had a few issues with it. So I guess it's somewhere between the two..
What did I like?
I though the plot was strong, much stronger than most thriller-with-good-guys-battling-drug-lord type stories. It just seemed like it was a bit more credible than most, and the suspense part was pretty good. I also liked that none of the characters were perfect, and actually had some pretty serious issues, which they had confronted, kinda (which I also really liked).
I liked the pace (it didn't waste time, but just got on with it), and I really liked that it was pretty well-written for a romantic suspense type book (some of the writing for this genre can be pretty dire, let's admit it).
So what didn't I like so much?
Well, the big problem I had was that I didn't get why the hero and heroine were totally smitten straight away. There was never any reason given that they either lusted, or loved each other. They just were. I hate, hate, hate it, when I see this. OK in real life it can be difficult to express why you fancy the pants off someone, or why you love them, but this is Romancelandia, right? I read this stuff so I can be convinced. Well, I wasn't.
And my other gripe, which annoyed me, was the awful Tingling Fingers crap going on. You know, electricity when they touch and all that nonsense. It was happening so often (particularly early on) that I wandered if they both had carpal tunnel syndrome. And it annoyed me more because it almost seemed like Tingling Fingers was the justification for being in love.
3 stars. I'm feeling nice and the sun's out.
What did I like?
I though the plot was strong, much stronger than most thriller-with-good-guys-battling-drug-lord type stories. It just seemed like it was a bit more credible than most, and the suspense part was pretty good. I also liked that none of the characters were perfect, and actually had some pretty serious issues, which they had confronted, kinda (which I also really liked).
I liked the pace (it didn't waste time, but just got on with it), and I really liked that it was pretty well-written for a romantic suspense type book (some of the writing for this genre can be pretty dire, let's admit it).
So what didn't I like so much?
Well, the big problem I had was that I didn't get why the hero and heroine were totally smitten straight away. There was never any reason given that they either lusted, or loved each other. They just were. I hate, hate, hate it, when I see this. OK in real life it can be difficult to express why you fancy the pants off someone, or why you love them, but this is Romancelandia, right? I read this stuff so I can be convinced. Well, I wasn't.
And my other gripe, which annoyed me, was the awful Tingling Fingers crap going on. You know, electricity when they touch and all that nonsense. It was happening so often (particularly early on) that I wandered if they both had carpal tunnel syndrome. And it annoyed me more because it almost seemed like Tingling Fingers was the justification for being in love.
3 stars. I'm feeling nice and the sun's out.
March 6, 2012
I enjoyed her Dark Protector by Carol Stephenson, and liked the main characters, Gail and Jason. I did think the premise of Jason belonging to this ancient, secret organization that helped the police to capture bad guys was a little strange, but I enjoyed the suspense and action in the plot. Both Gail and Jason had baggage, and I liked the way they semed to help one another to find strength in themselves.
Gail is a prosecuting attorney who has become a target while trying to put away a drug lord. Jason, a man who belongs to an organization that helps to try to provide information to law enforcement so that justice can be served, arrives in time to provide protection to Gail when she most needs it. Many of the officials that she works with and should be able to trust are corrupt, and it is up to Jason to keep her safe from them.
This book had lots of action, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Ail an Jason. They were both likeable characters who had known hard times. I liked the fast pace of the story, and will be interested in reading more by this author. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
Gail is a prosecuting attorney who has become a target while trying to put away a drug lord. Jason, a man who belongs to an organization that helps to try to provide information to law enforcement so that justice can be served, arrives in time to provide protection to Gail when she most needs it. Many of the officials that she works with and should be able to trust are corrupt, and it is up to Jason to keep her safe from them.
This book had lots of action, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Ail an Jason. They were both likeable characters who had known hard times. I liked the fast pace of the story, and will be interested in reading more by this author. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
April 16, 2012
This set a fast pace right from the very first page and didn't let up so left me gasping for breathe by the end. The heat between Jason and Gail was so hot it could melt the page and the action was so intense it could make your head spin. I really did enjoy this because it to the adage power corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely and then ran with it.
I am hoping that this will become a series as I think this story has still more to say where the Justice Hunters is concerned it would be nice to find out how that situation panned out and if the outcome was permanent, trying very hard not to add spoilers here!! If you are a fan of tense emotional drama's you will love this as it has it all , love, betrayal, intrigue and a hero with slightly tarnished armour, what more can you ask of a plot!!
This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm
I am hoping that this will become a series as I think this story has still more to say where the Justice Hunters is concerned it would be nice to find out how that situation panned out and if the outcome was permanent, trying very hard not to add spoilers here!! If you are a fan of tense emotional drama's you will love this as it has it all , love, betrayal, intrigue and a hero with slightly tarnished armour, what more can you ask of a plot!!
This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm
April 23, 2012
Gail Malloy is a state prosecutor in Florida who is working to bring down a drug lord who has everyone on his payroll…ok, maybe two people aren't…which needless to say makes her job extremely dangerous. Jason Hawke works for a secret society called the Justice Hunters, and he's sworn to protect Gail because she's the only one who can bring this crime lord down. Jason Hawke is a little Bruce Wayne (rich playboy fighting crime to avenge family's death) and come on…Justice Hunters….Justice League. The only thing that separates them is the fact that no one has actual super powers. It was a quick read, had some elements of excitement (none of which were about the romance), and I liked the intrigue with who might be a traitor to the JH and who wasn't. Ok, I admit it, the title made me think it would be more supernatural and yes I was let down that it wasn't.
August 27, 2012
Scrolling through my kindle while on vacation I stumbled upon this book. Having nothing to go on but a title (I really wish Kindle books had synopses at the front) I decided to dive in. Not sure what I was expecting here but overall I did enjoy this novel. I need to do some research to see if it is part of a series cause if it's not I am really confused at the ending but it was a nice read.
The story was well developed, though I did feel it to be a bit rushed at times. I liked the fact the heroine was a recovering drug addict, it is so nice to read about people struggling with real problems and not people with perfect lives. I am on a conspiracy theory kick right now so the secret society story line was really nice and I did enjoy that part of it. All in all I enjoyed it, am interested in reading more if it is a series and now on to the next book.
The story was well developed, though I did feel it to be a bit rushed at times. I liked the fact the heroine was a recovering drug addict, it is so nice to read about people struggling with real problems and not people with perfect lives. I am on a conspiracy theory kick right now so the secret society story line was really nice and I did enjoy that part of it. All in all I enjoyed it, am interested in reading more if it is a series and now on to the next book.
May 30, 2012
Fast paced thriller that will keep you up late into the night!
The story was full of suspense and intrigue that kept me guessing up until the last page. The romance was sweet and addictive just like the characters themselves.
Gail was tough prosecutor who would do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is a strong character that many readers can look up to and doesn’t take crap from anyone, but she met her match in Jason.
Jason has a mysterious past, but he doesn’t let it stop him from doing what he believes is right. Jason and Gail are both stubborn characters and seeing their relationship grow was fun and exciting!
A thrilling new mystery with a bit of romance that mystery lovers are sure to enjoy.
The story was full of suspense and intrigue that kept me guessing up until the last page. The romance was sweet and addictive just like the characters themselves.
Gail was tough prosecutor who would do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is a strong character that many readers can look up to and doesn’t take crap from anyone, but she met her match in Jason.
Jason has a mysterious past, but he doesn’t let it stop him from doing what he believes is right. Jason and Gail are both stubborn characters and seeing their relationship grow was fun and exciting!
A thrilling new mystery with a bit of romance that mystery lovers are sure to enjoy.
March 19, 2012
Gail Malloy wants to put drug-lord Hernandez in prison and he would prefer her dead who will win? When Gail finds herself in a situation in a dark alley that could be her end her guardian angel swoops in and saves her. Sexy Jason Hawkes a member of the Alliance takes on the job of protecting Gail. Together they investigate the drug-lord and everyone on his payroll, including politicians and corrupt cops. Along with the trials and tribulations they find love. If you want to read a fast-moving mystery/love story then try this one.
Thanks to Net Galley and Carina Press for allowing me to read/review this book
Thanks to Net Galley and Carina Press for allowing me to read/review this book
February 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! I am fairly new (about 1 yr) to the romantic suspense genre & Carol Stephenson is a new to me author! The story had great flow & energy.....
For more please check out the full review on my blog
I am a book addict...and proud of it
http://romanceinthehighlands.blogspot...
For more please check out the full review on my blog
I am a book addict...and proud of it
http://romanceinthehighlands.blogspot...
April 20, 2012
Non stop action and compelling characters you can't help but love. Another great story by Carol Stephenson. Full review to come...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews