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The House of Steele #1
The Paris Assignment
“I didn’t hire you to be my bodyguard.”
It was obviously an inside job-and security expert Campbell Steele figured he’d have to get very close to his new client, CEO Abigail McBane, to uncover the traitor. But when an electronic blip led to a bullet, he had to move fast…
Suddenly the commitment-shy expert is posing as Abby’s lover and jetting off to a conference in Paris. The city of lovers should be the perfect cover to trap the enemy. As the stakes keep rising, they soon realize it isn’t just her company the traitor wants, but Abby herself. And Campbell isn’t about to lose what he’s claimed as his own…
It was obviously an inside job-and security expert Campbell Steele figured he’d have to get very close to his new client, CEO Abigail McBane, to uncover the traitor. But when an electronic blip led to a bullet, he had to move fast…
Suddenly the commitment-shy expert is posing as Abby’s lover and jetting off to a conference in Paris. The city of lovers should be the perfect cover to trap the enemy. As the stakes keep rising, they soon realize it isn’t just her company the traitor wants, but Abby herself. And Campbell isn’t about to lose what he’s claimed as his own…
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
60 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Addison Fox
144 books373 followersAddison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing novels about strong-willed and exciting heroes and heroines – individuals who are meant for each other and who deserve their happy ever after. After she makes them work for it, of course!
First published in 2010, Addison has written across romance genres including paranormal, contemporary and romantic suspense. A romantic at heart, she’ll take her heroes any way she can get them – from ancient warriors to computer geeks to sexy cowboys. She’s not picky - but she is deeply grateful her readers are willing to come along for the ride.
Addison lives in New York. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).
The House of Steele series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense launches in July with THE PARIS ASSIGNMENT.
And two new stories in the Alaskan Nights series will be out - FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Penguin eNovella, July) and JUST IN TIME (Aug).
Addison lives in Dallas. She loves to get email from readers.
First published in 2010, Addison has written across romance genres including paranormal, contemporary and romantic suspense. A romantic at heart, she’ll take her heroes any way she can get them – from ancient warriors to computer geeks to sexy cowboys. She’s not picky - but she is deeply grateful her readers are willing to come along for the ride.
Addison lives in New York. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).
The House of Steele series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense launches in July with THE PARIS ASSIGNMENT.
And two new stories in the Alaskan Nights series will be out - FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Penguin eNovella, July) and JUST IN TIME (Aug).
Addison lives in Dallas. She loves to get email from readers.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 9, 2022
This is the 1st book I read by Addison Fox 🦊. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 3 because it didn't grab my interest.
July 19, 2014
Very good start to the series. Abby is the CEO of a large telecommunications company. When someone breaches their security, she goes to her college friend Kenzie Steele for help. Kenzie puts her brother Campbell on the case. Campbell is a computer geek who is fantastic at what he does. He isn't thrilled about babysitting Abby, but the computer issues make it more interesting. But when the security problems escalate into physical danger to Abby, Campbell moves from geek to bodyguard.
I really liked both Campbell and Abby. Their common interest and expertise with computers helps them bond quickly, even as they try to resist the growing attraction between them. I loved some of the conversations between them as they dip into geek speak. I loved the way that Campbell and Abby clashed at the beginning, but got closer as their respect for each others' abilities grew.
Abby has been at the head of her company for a long time and trusts her employees. She isn't happy when Campbell suggests that her problems are an inside job. But as time goes on she can't deny that he may be right. In order to disguise his real purpose for being around, they put out that he is her boyfriend, which adds another layer to their interactions. She can't deny that she wants him, but she isn't very happy about it, until the threats escalate. Then Abby finds herself leaning on him in ways she hadn't with anyone else. She also discovers a previously unknown desire to have a permanent connection with someone, and her heart has decided on Campbell. He has made no secret of his resistance to any kind of commitment, so she thinks that it will go nowhere.
Campbell has always been more into computers than people, especially after losing a good friend when he was a teenager. He holds himself back as a way to protect himself. He's not happy about being assigned to take care of Abby, especially when his attraction to her starts to interfere with his concentration. When the threats against Abby escalate into the physical, he realizes that she has begun to mean more to him than just a job. He accepts his feelings for her pretty quickly, but has to convince Abby that they have a future together.
The suspense in the story was very well done and kept me hooked from the beginning. We meet the bad guy fairly early, but identity and motivations are revealed a little at a time. Campbell's assertion that it is an inside job is shown early, and that identity is pretty obvious. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse tactics as Campbell and Abby worked to find the culprit without tipping their hand as they got close.The final showdown was intense as Campbell tried to get to Abby in time.
I really liked both Campbell and Abby. Their common interest and expertise with computers helps them bond quickly, even as they try to resist the growing attraction between them. I loved some of the conversations between them as they dip into geek speak. I loved the way that Campbell and Abby clashed at the beginning, but got closer as their respect for each others' abilities grew.
Abby has been at the head of her company for a long time and trusts her employees. She isn't happy when Campbell suggests that her problems are an inside job. But as time goes on she can't deny that he may be right. In order to disguise his real purpose for being around, they put out that he is her boyfriend, which adds another layer to their interactions. She can't deny that she wants him, but she isn't very happy about it, until the threats escalate. Then Abby finds herself leaning on him in ways she hadn't with anyone else. She also discovers a previously unknown desire to have a permanent connection with someone, and her heart has decided on Campbell. He has made no secret of his resistance to any kind of commitment, so she thinks that it will go nowhere.
Campbell has always been more into computers than people, especially after losing a good friend when he was a teenager. He holds himself back as a way to protect himself. He's not happy about being assigned to take care of Abby, especially when his attraction to her starts to interfere with his concentration. When the threats against Abby escalate into the physical, he realizes that she has begun to mean more to him than just a job. He accepts his feelings for her pretty quickly, but has to convince Abby that they have a future together.
The suspense in the story was very well done and kept me hooked from the beginning. We meet the bad guy fairly early, but identity and motivations are revealed a little at a time. Campbell's assertion that it is an inside job is shown early, and that identity is pretty obvious. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse tactics as Campbell and Abby worked to find the culprit without tipping their hand as they got close.The final showdown was intense as Campbell tried to get to Abby in time.
February 19, 2026
If you like a good romantic thriller, The Paris Assignment is certainly worth trying. The plot is a fairly classic one, but the author does a good job of putting her own spin on a much-used trope, resulting in a solid read.
Abigail McBane is no delicate flower, but even this strong executive could use help on occasion. Abby serves as CEO of a company that dominates the communications industry and on the eve of what promises to be a big move for her company, she uncovers a serious breach in her computers. Somehow someone has gotten by her security and spent seven untraceable minutes in her databases and she wants the mysterious culprit shut down.
Confiding in a college friend results in that friend sending her brother, computer genius Campbell Steele, to work on the problem with Abby. Since Abby is determined to carry on with her planned annual board meeting in Paris, Campbell tags along in a role that is part computer guru and part bodyguard. Abby is at first reluctant to work with Campbell and since she trusts her staff completely, she does not appreciate Campbell questioning their loyalty. Even so, each recognizes early on that the other is both skilled and highly intelligent, and that helps them bond. The fact that they have almost instant chemistry doesn't hurt either.
The "heroine in danger and in need of protection" plot comes up pretty frequently in romantic suspense. I'm not fond of weak heroines as a rule, so this is usually not a plot that I seek often. However, Fox throws in some wonderful touches in this book. First of all, we see right away that both of the leads are bright and more than capable; their strengths simply lie in different areas.Campbell knows computers and security so he has ways of picking up on things in these arenas that Abby might not notice right away, while Abby knows her company and her time as an executive has also taught her to read people, a skill that ends up coming in handy more than once in this story.
While the book starts off in the realm of computers, we learn early on that the villain isn’t just a hacker; he has something personal against Abby. This motivation allows for a believable segue from cyberspace to real-life action. Given that the author must juggle corporate intrigue, action sequences and an unfolding romance, she mostly does a very good job of keeping the book flowing smoothly.
There are a few weak points in the The Paris Assignment that bear mentioning. Readers who can’t stand for their characters to be almost unbelievably rich and accomplished might not go for Abby and Campbell. Each of them carries some emotional baggage and they do have flaws, but they are also both rich, super-connected geniuses. In addition, while the villain and his motivations do make sense, some of the twists and turns of his plot stray somewhat over that line between believable evil and ridiculous eeeevilll. I recognized this while I read, but the story was still so much fun that I couldn’t let that pull me out of the action. Because of that, I rate this a B instead of a B-.
If you’re in the mood for some slightly over-the-top – but nevertheless fun to read – romantic suspense, this novel by Addison Fox is action-packed fun. It’s first in a new series, and I intend to follow the rest of the Steele siblings’ adventures.
This review was originally published at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
Abigail McBane is no delicate flower, but even this strong executive could use help on occasion. Abby serves as CEO of a company that dominates the communications industry and on the eve of what promises to be a big move for her company, she uncovers a serious breach in her computers. Somehow someone has gotten by her security and spent seven untraceable minutes in her databases and she wants the mysterious culprit shut down.
Confiding in a college friend results in that friend sending her brother, computer genius Campbell Steele, to work on the problem with Abby. Since Abby is determined to carry on with her planned annual board meeting in Paris, Campbell tags along in a role that is part computer guru and part bodyguard. Abby is at first reluctant to work with Campbell and since she trusts her staff completely, she does not appreciate Campbell questioning their loyalty. Even so, each recognizes early on that the other is both skilled and highly intelligent, and that helps them bond. The fact that they have almost instant chemistry doesn't hurt either.
The "heroine in danger and in need of protection" plot comes up pretty frequently in romantic suspense. I'm not fond of weak heroines as a rule, so this is usually not a plot that I seek often. However, Fox throws in some wonderful touches in this book. First of all, we see right away that both of the leads are bright and more than capable; their strengths simply lie in different areas.Campbell knows computers and security so he has ways of picking up on things in these arenas that Abby might not notice right away, while Abby knows her company and her time as an executive has also taught her to read people, a skill that ends up coming in handy more than once in this story.
While the book starts off in the realm of computers, we learn early on that the villain isn’t just a hacker; he has something personal against Abby. This motivation allows for a believable segue from cyberspace to real-life action. Given that the author must juggle corporate intrigue, action sequences and an unfolding romance, she mostly does a very good job of keeping the book flowing smoothly.
There are a few weak points in the The Paris Assignment that bear mentioning. Readers who can’t stand for their characters to be almost unbelievably rich and accomplished might not go for Abby and Campbell. Each of them carries some emotional baggage and they do have flaws, but they are also both rich, super-connected geniuses. In addition, while the villain and his motivations do make sense, some of the twists and turns of his plot stray somewhat over that line between believable evil and ridiculous eeeevilll. I recognized this while I read, but the story was still so much fun that I couldn’t let that pull me out of the action. Because of that, I rate this a B instead of a B-.
If you’re in the mood for some slightly over-the-top – but nevertheless fun to read – romantic suspense, this novel by Addison Fox is action-packed fun. It’s first in a new series, and I intend to follow the rest of the Steele siblings’ adventures.
This review was originally published at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
October 31, 2014
I was put off by the confusing and unrealistic banter between the characters. The characters also made leaps in their investigation that, while conveniently leading to the right conclusions, were not well-explained. There are far better suspense novels out there.
November 29, 2023
Mixing Work with Pleasure
A super computer investigator is assigned to find out what happened to a highly sophisticated computer network.. He works with the absolutely gorgeous CEO and sparks fly. Someone got into the system and the ceo is also in danger. The two are introduced as a couple for cover, but they ate very attracted to each other. The danger is there and it must be looked into. For the most part the story is good, but it ends too rapidly. It could have been better.
A super computer investigator is assigned to find out what happened to a highly sophisticated computer network.. He works with the absolutely gorgeous CEO and sparks fly. Someone got into the system and the ceo is also in danger. The two are introduced as a couple for cover, but they ate very attracted to each other. The danger is there and it must be looked into. For the most part the story is good, but it ends too rapidly. It could have been better.
October 14, 2018
I was sadly a little bored by this one. There was a lot of shop talk (computer/satellite/important buisness info that went in one ear and right out the other) & I didn't really see/belive the chemistry as much as I was being told it was there.
(Also, the audiobook narrator couldn't do male voices.)
(Also, the audiobook narrator couldn't do male voices.)
January 21, 2021
This was a really great read:)
Will definitely read the next one the series:)
Will definitely read the next one the series:)
August 23, 2024
Predictable
February 5, 2026
Don’t waste your time reading this book.
A stupid and poorly written book. Definitely for a fifth grade mentality. How books this bad get published is beyond me.
A stupid and poorly written book. Definitely for a fifth grade mentality. How books this bad get published is beyond me.
Read
December 29, 2014"An intriguing, psychotic villian - along with strong, efficient writing - will keep readers hooked. Plus, the passion between Abby and Campbell is as hot as the attraction is sweet, which makes this one charming, action-filled read." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
Miniseries: House of Steele
Category: Suspense
Miniseries: House of Steele
Category: Suspense
May 29, 2014
I really enjoy reading romantic suspense. It was Debra Webb who first got me interested in the genre. And Addison Fox is creeping up on my must read list. Love her take on the story of Abby and Campbell. I've already bought books two and three in the House of Steele series (on my Kindle). If you love romantic suspense or a bit of a spy story, then this is for you!
November 9, 2013
I absolutely loved the heroine. She's very smart, analytical and rational and doesn't waste time and energy on unnecessary emoting. I was able to relate to her more than any romance heroine I think I've ever encountered.
April 7, 2014
Really great story and it left me wanting more on the rest of the series!
June 30, 2014
This book was okay. I liked her other books better. I had a hard time getting into this one.
January 1, 2015
A fun quick romance. Computer hackers, corporate sabotage, and death threats.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews