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NEXTUS Security #2
Grumpy Protector
To uncover the cause of my sister’s death, I must team up with a grumpy…
Tantalizing jerk.
My sister and I were inseparable.
Her death is labeled natural causes.
But I say it’s not...
And I have no one to talk about it with.
Then I meet Marcus Howard.
A brilliant, tall, and strong Ex-SEAL working with the local police force.
He’s the man I need. But he doesn’t want to take part in it.
Until he sees the suspicious behavior of my sister’s boyfriend.
He doesn’t agree with my method. But he does it for me.
Sleuthing with Marcus makes it hard to ignore our chemistry.
I feel I shouldn’t cross the line.
I wish I could resist him.
Soon, we’re tangled deep in each other’s arms and the web of my sister’s secrets.
And I discover Marcus is keeping secrets of his own…
Grumpy Protector is a Contemporary Romantic Suspense with a hint of Mystery...
Featuring an ultimately not so grumpy man and the woman he will do anything for.
It's a full lenght novel, standalone, and ends with Happily Ever After.
No cheating. No cliffhanging.
Tantalizing jerk.
My sister and I were inseparable.
Her death is labeled natural causes.
But I say it’s not...
And I have no one to talk about it with.
Then I meet Marcus Howard.
A brilliant, tall, and strong Ex-SEAL working with the local police force.
He’s the man I need. But he doesn’t want to take part in it.
Until he sees the suspicious behavior of my sister’s boyfriend.
He doesn’t agree with my method. But he does it for me.
Sleuthing with Marcus makes it hard to ignore our chemistry.
I feel I shouldn’t cross the line.
I wish I could resist him.
Soon, we’re tangled deep in each other’s arms and the web of my sister’s secrets.
And I discover Marcus is keeping secrets of his own…
Grumpy Protector is a Contemporary Romantic Suspense with a hint of Mystery...
Featuring an ultimately not so grumpy man and the woman he will do anything for.
It's a full lenght novel, standalone, and ends with Happily Ever After.
No cheating. No cliffhanging.
387 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2022
44 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 21, 2022
Grumpy Protector is another romantic suspense novel set in a small town. Marcus has come to town to work for the police department. Allie grew up in town, but had moved a short distance away some years ago. Her mother and sister still live in town. At the beginning of the story, we are told that Allie's sister has recently died and left behind her daughter Charlotte. She is in the care of the man that her sister was living with at the time, Jeff. Jeff is determined to keep Charlotte, so much so he refuses a paternity test and tries to keep Charlotte away from Allie. Allie suspects that there is more to the story that Jeff tells about the day that her sister died, but there really isn't any proof. She enlists Marcus' help to investigate and he does help with that. While they are investigating, they fall in love. But will the secrets and the investigation come between them?
I liked the pretty much insta-love that happened in this story. These are two more mature characters so they knew that they were finding a good match in each other. The secrets they kept were for legitimate reasons and even though they were hurtful, it made sense. They also had a lot of great talks and were open (for the most part) with each other. I also loved that almost from the minute he met her, Marcus wanted to shield Allie from anything bad that might happen, whether it would be in Jeff's behavior or what might have happened to her sister. He understood her grief and just wanted to take the burden on himself for her.
I liked the pretty much insta-love that happened in this story. These are two more mature characters so they knew that they were finding a good match in each other. The secrets they kept were for legitimate reasons and even though they were hurtful, it made sense. They also had a lot of great talks and were open (for the most part) with each other. I also loved that almost from the minute he met her, Marcus wanted to shield Allie from anything bad that might happen, whether it would be in Jeff's behavior or what might have happened to her sister. He understood her grief and just wanted to take the burden on himself for her.
February 16, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It had me going back and forth trying to guess who killed her and who is the father of Charlotte — if the two things were tied together or not. I like how it seemed predictable but yet there were curveballs thrown in. I was saddened to hear about Troy in the epilogue. I am somewhat happy that Jeff is getting a happily ever after even though you don’t really like him throughout the entire book ;)
Just a couple minor things that are really only my opinion….I like that Allie and Marcus are still together but the romantic and old fashioned one in me loves the solidifying their commitment through marriage or at least an ending proposal. Also, I don’t feel like the title matches Marcus. He’s not really that “grumpy” if you ask me and I didn’t get that impression of him throughout the book either. They have that one scene where he is trying to keep information private but I don’t feel the title matches him and the personality you had established for him. Something like “Loyal Protector” or “Devoted Protector” — since he really stuck with her till the very end despite meeting under sad circumstances and entering into an investigation and paternity search too. I feel like most guys would go running but he stood by her and with her.
Overall though I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend!! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just a couple minor things that are really only my opinion….I like that Allie and Marcus are still together but the romantic and old fashioned one in me loves the solidifying their commitment through marriage or at least an ending proposal. Also, I don’t feel like the title matches Marcus. He’s not really that “grumpy” if you ask me and I didn’t get that impression of him throughout the book either. They have that one scene where he is trying to keep information private but I don’t feel the title matches him and the personality you had established for him. Something like “Loyal Protector” or “Devoted Protector” — since he really stuck with her till the very end despite meeting under sad circumstances and entering into an investigation and paternity search too. I feel like most guys would go running but he stood by her and with her.
Overall though I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend!! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2022
For a book that is listed as a romantic suspense, this one packs a brilliantly woven punch. Lacey Kendrick takes and makes a whole town come alive with the death of a loved sister.
Allie, is determined to find out who killed her sister. Marcus is the new corporal in the town. After Allie asks him to help her, because things do not feel right about how her sister died or what is being said about her death. The adventure begins.
Encountering grief, love, lies, unhappiness, secret upon secret, more questions keep developing with very few answers in sight. In the middle of all of this can they take the chance at happiness that is being waved at the two of them?
The characters are not always loveable or endearing, and it gives them more life. In the journey everyone begins to question how well one person really knows another. Even when they are supposed to be close.
As a reader, you can find yourself being quite reflective as you read the book. Could and would you make the same choices? Why? The devil is always in the details, and in this story that devil is confronted.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Allie, is determined to find out who killed her sister. Marcus is the new corporal in the town. After Allie asks him to help her, because things do not feel right about how her sister died or what is being said about her death. The adventure begins.
Encountering grief, love, lies, unhappiness, secret upon secret, more questions keep developing with very few answers in sight. In the middle of all of this can they take the chance at happiness that is being waved at the two of them?
The characters are not always loveable or endearing, and it gives them more life. In the journey everyone begins to question how well one person really knows another. Even when they are supposed to be close.
As a reader, you can find yourself being quite reflective as you read the book. Could and would you make the same choices? Why? The devil is always in the details, and in this story that devil is confronted.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
October 22, 2022
This is the second book I have read by Lacey Kendrick. I really enjoy her style of writing. The characters are very likable as well as relatable. You will find mystery, suspense, lack of proper communication, compromise and romance in Grumpy Protector. Lacey's plots are intriguing and have a way of drawing the reader in making it almost impossible to put the book down.
Allie is devasted after the unexpected death of her sister. She believes the boyfriend murdered her and wants to investigate to prove her theory. Allie realizes she has no idea how to go about getting the answers. At the funeral she meets Officer Marcus Howard. After he rescues her from causing an embarrassing moment at her sisters funeral she asks him for help. He originally refuses to help, but after noticing the unusual behavior of the boyfriend he comes on board. The book only continues to get better after they begin working together. Want more answers.....join Lacey on this incredible adventure and find out.
I received an ARC for Grumpy Protector and I am voluntarily writing this review.
Allie is devasted after the unexpected death of her sister. She believes the boyfriend murdered her and wants to investigate to prove her theory. Allie realizes she has no idea how to go about getting the answers. At the funeral she meets Officer Marcus Howard. After he rescues her from causing an embarrassing moment at her sisters funeral she asks him for help. He originally refuses to help, but after noticing the unusual behavior of the boyfriend he comes on board. The book only continues to get better after they begin working together. Want more answers.....join Lacey on this incredible adventure and find out.
I received an ARC for Grumpy Protector and I am voluntarily writing this review.
October 23, 2022
This was a fantastic crime solving drama.
Marcus is new police officer in town and Allie has just lost her sister leaving a baby girl behind.
They both met at her sisters funeral.
Allie is certain someone killed her sister but her sister lived a very complex life and hard to pinpoint one suspect.
Marcus had agreed to help Allie with investigating even though death wasn't suspicious..
Her current partner seems dodgy and so do all others..
As they work together they both start to fall for each other.
They had some great Steamy moments.I loved their chemistry.
But as they keep hitting dead ends and Allie isn't giving up, will it be the reason they break up for good? Or can they find love amongst all this drama.. I enjoyed trying to find clues and see what could have happened.
An easy enjoyable read.
Marcus is new police officer in town and Allie has just lost her sister leaving a baby girl behind.
They both met at her sisters funeral.
Allie is certain someone killed her sister but her sister lived a very complex life and hard to pinpoint one suspect.
Marcus had agreed to help Allie with investigating even though death wasn't suspicious..
Her current partner seems dodgy and so do all others..
As they work together they both start to fall for each other.
They had some great Steamy moments.I loved their chemistry.
But as they keep hitting dead ends and Allie isn't giving up, will it be the reason they break up for good? Or can they find love amongst all this drama.. I enjoyed trying to find clues and see what could have happened.
An easy enjoyable read.
October 21, 2022
This is the second book I have read by this author, and once again she has written a well thought out story which grabs your attention at the start and keeps you engrossed throughout. Allie meets Marcus at her sister Dawn’s funeral, Allie is convinced Dawn did not die of natural causes, and is about to confront Dawn’s boyfriend when Marcus stops her and manages to get her outside, where she tells him of her fears. As he helps her put together what happened their relationship grows stronger and stronger - but will it survive as they discover what really happened? Well worth your time reading, looking forward to the next in the series.
October 21, 2022
This was a good book that held my attention from the first page. It was a mix of a romantic suspense and murder mystery. This story is told in the first person POV, which I really enjoyed.
I loved the instant attraction between the characters first meeting. I loved how Marcus was instantly fueled to help and protect Allie from the beginning. I loved that Allie felt safe with Marcus from the first moment. Their chemistry was great as well.
I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what else Lacey has in her creative mind to share!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the instant attraction between the characters first meeting. I loved how Marcus was instantly fueled to help and protect Allie from the beginning. I loved that Allie felt safe with Marcus from the first moment. Their chemistry was great as well.
I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what else Lacey has in her creative mind to share!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2022
I really enjoyed Allie and Marcus's story. The action starts from the very beginning and keeps you guessing to the end. The book starts off at Dawn's funeral, Allie's sister. Her sudden death is suspicious and she was murder by her current boyfriend. Marcus steps in to keep her from doing something stupid. And from there, they beginning trying to put the pieces together. I love the way their connection grows over the course of the book and their personalities balance each other out. The suspense element played well in the plot and kept it flowing nicely. I won't tell you how it ends, but I believe it was wrapped up very nicely and not what I was expected. Good read!
October 22, 2022
Marcus moves to town to work for the local police force. Allie doesn't live in town anymore, but her mother and sister do. When her sister dies, she comes back to take care of her niece, but the man her sister was living with doesn't want to give up custody or prove he is the father.
Allie meets Marcus at her sisters funeral and asks him to look into her sisters death as she thinks something suspicious happened, this means they end up spending more time together and they end up falling for each other.
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Allie meets Marcus at her sisters funeral and asks him to look into her sisters death as she thinks something suspicious happened, this means they end up spending more time together and they end up falling for each other.
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2022
This is a great read from Lacey Kendrick.
Allie is struggling with the death of her sister Dawn and confronts her live in boyfriend at the funeral.
Before she can say too much she is pulled back by Marcus.
Marcus is a police officer and new in town but he feels an instant attraction and connection with Allie. He decides to help her look into her sisters death with her and also find out who is the father of her two week old baby daughter.
So much intrigue and at times no answers but also plenty of drama and the pair get closer.
A must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Allie is struggling with the death of her sister Dawn and confronts her live in boyfriend at the funeral.
Before she can say too much she is pulled back by Marcus.
Marcus is a police officer and new in town but he feels an instant attraction and connection with Allie. He decides to help her look into her sisters death with her and also find out who is the father of her two week old baby daughter.
So much intrigue and at times no answers but also plenty of drama and the pair get closer.
A must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
November 1, 2022
Allie and her family are struggling over her sister's death. Marcus is a new cop to the area and knows Allie's mom. When he comes to pay his respects to them at the funeral, he manages to pull Allie away before she causes a scene. As they talk, he agrees to help her look into things. As they work together things slowly start to heat up between them. Will they figure out what really happened?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2023
This was good but I was a little disappointed by the ending. The whole time I was expecting a big shocking reveal about how Allie’s sister died, and there wasn’t any. I was also kind of disappointed that we never got any full details about who was for sure the father of Charlotte.
I had a hard time liking Allie. I thought she was too demanding and always had to have things her way. And it irritated me when she made the comment that because Jeff wasn’t Charlotte’s real father he wouldn’t know how to behave and she couldn’t believe he’d really want to be her father when he knew he wasn’t biologically her dad. There was a lot that really nerved me about her, she was like a dog with a bone.
I had a hard time liking Allie. I thought she was too demanding and always had to have things her way. And it irritated me when she made the comment that because Jeff wasn’t Charlotte’s real father he wouldn’t know how to behave and she couldn’t believe he’d really want to be her father when he knew he wasn’t biologically her dad. There was a lot that really nerved me about her, she was like a dog with a bone.
October 22, 2022
An interesting,intriguing,steamy with mystery and suspense..this is Marcus and Allie's story..when Allie's sister died unexpectedly and left behind her daughter,Allie didn't believe that the caused of death is natural and that she thought that there is a foul play and her main suspect is her sister live in partner and with the help of Marcus whos working at the police department to find the truth and once and for all to get closure for them to move on and have peace..I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book
October 22, 2022
Allie strong arms Marcus into helping look into her sister’s death. But the more they uncover, the more confusing it gets. When she turns her sights on her newborn niece, the case gets even more complicated when they uncover more and more of her sister’s life that she had never known. What happens when Allie pushes too far? Will her determination to find answers where there may not be any cause her to be blind to everything else around her? Will she push Marcus away and risk losing everything she has ever wanted with him?
November 18, 2022
This was awesome book. The story of Allie and Marcus was heartwarming. I only was investigating her sister's death because she believed she had been killed my boyfriend. When she met Marcus and realized he was a cop she asked him to help her prove that her sister's boyfriend had caused her death. If you want a book that is full of suspense and unpredictable and this is a book you want to read trust me. It also has the best characters in the world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2022
This suspenseful small town romance drew me in with the strong characters each struggling towards keeping Allie’s niece after Allie’s sister dies. Allie is so determined to figure out who killed her sister, because she doesn’t believe it was natural causes. Marcus is the cop who is dragged into helping Allie with her investigation. It’s well written and worth the read to see if you can figure out the ending.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
October 28, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book and spending time with Marcus and Allie. The author created an original story with a slew of characters involved with a death and a newborn baby. I could not put this book down!
"Let's see how long we can make this moment last."
"...the most sensual woman I've ever laid eyes upon."
"I'm melting with each kiss, each touch."
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Let's see how long we can make this moment last."
"...the most sensual woman I've ever laid eyes upon."
"I'm melting with each kiss, each touch."
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2022
Allie's sister is dead, and she wants answers. Determined to find the truth she embarks on a journey that could well push her to her breaking point. Realizing she needs help she asks a member of the local law enforcement for help. At first Marcus is reticent, but soon joins her in the pursuit of the truth. This book was an ideal blend of intrigue, secrets, and the unexpected, which I enjoyed very much. The characters had dimension, and the plot was well paced.
November 12, 2022
This is Marcus and Allie’s story. Marcus is a police officer who is new in town, and when Allie’s sister passes away, she is suspicious about her death, and persuades a reluctant Marcus to help her. This is a well written enemies / lovers romance, with suspense, intrigue, secrets, family, friendships, mystery, undeniable chemistry, and is an entertaining page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2022
This story intrigued me and held my attention all the way through, the author has written a story which pulls you in and keeps you engaged. The characters are well drawn, especial Allie whose frustration at her sister's death is palpable.
The connection formed between Allie and Marcus is well done and their chemistry is undeniable, will they get to the bottom of Dawn's death, was it murder?
The connection formed between Allie and Marcus is well done and their chemistry is undeniable, will they get to the bottom of Dawn's death, was it murder?
October 22, 2022
What I loved most about this compelling story is how ordinary the characters were and it was easy to relate to there circumstances.
Left me emotional at times as the story unfolded as so many things happening.
Loved the ending as no question I had was left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Left me emotional at times as the story unfolded as so many things happening.
Loved the ending as no question I had was left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2022
Marcus seems to be conflicted a lot on his feelings & the case. Allie had tunnel vision & it got annoying to a point of her being selfish as she only mainly cared about what she wanted. The end line kept shifting. In all a decent story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2022
Lacey Kendrick has woven together a mystery and romance that ends in a HEA. While Allie and Marcus have a trusting and romantic relationship it is woven around Allie's sister's mysterious death. You'll want to read this story to see if you can anticipate the outcome and solve the who done it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
November 1, 2022
Dawn had a husband, a boyfriend and a new baby and now she is dead. Her sister Allie just knows it couldn't have happened the way the boyfriend said and she's going to prove it. Marcus is a policeman and a friend of her moms. Allie enlists his help to find out what really happened to Dawn, after all he is a cop and a super hot one at that.
November 4, 2022
Allie's sister dies but she thinks it's suspicious and starts investigating. Marcus helps her but some things are better left alone. Very good story of finding out if there was foul play in her sister's death.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2022
Allie's sister passes away and leaving a newborn with a supposed boyfriend, but Allie thinks something happened to her,but will Marcus help her figure it out? This book was absolutely heartbreaking and filled with suspense and mystery and romance.
October 25, 2022
Allie and Marcus’s story has them meeting when she needs his help finding out what actually happened to her sister. Along the way they get close but when his secrets come to light what happens to their hea.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2022
This was one of the best romance and the hottest book I have read this year! I devoured this story in a single sitting and will be reading everything by this author immediately. This is definitely a must read! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2024
Reviews
My sister and I was inseparable and her death was labeled natural causes but I couldn't believe it. I ask Marcus Howard to help me investigate it. He was a brilliant, tall, and strong ex- Navy Seal. We find out the sister had secrets but we found out
My sister and I was inseparable and her death was labeled natural causes but I couldn't believe it. I ask Marcus Howard to help me investigate it. He was a brilliant, tall, and strong ex- Navy Seal. We find out the sister had secrets but we found out
December 30, 2024
Set aside a day for this steamy contemporary military SEAL murder mystery, a second chance suspenseful enemies-to-lovers romance set in New Burne, where Corporal Marcus Howard is new to the Police Department and Dawn Riston-Phelps has just died.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews