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Men Out of Uniform #14
The Closer
Griffin Wicklow, aka "The Closer"
Current To protect stunning jeweler and a priceless piece of…lingerie?
Ranger Security has just assigned former ranger Griff Wicklow to protect a priceless diamond-encrusted bra. And while Griff has more experience removing bras than protecting them, his job is about to get even more complicated. Because Temptation just walked in disguised as Jessalyn Rossi, the drop-dead delectable jeweler who is escorting the piece….
The attraction between them is immediate…and irresistible. And Jessalyn's learning that there's a lot to be said about—and done with—a wickedly hot security agent like Griff. But once the job is finished, will their bedroom antics come to a close, too?
Current To protect stunning jeweler and a priceless piece of…lingerie?
Ranger Security has just assigned former ranger Griff Wicklow to protect a priceless diamond-encrusted bra. And while Griff has more experience removing bras than protecting them, his job is about to get even more complicated. Because Temptation just walked in disguised as Jessalyn Rossi, the drop-dead delectable jeweler who is escorting the piece….
The attraction between them is immediate…and irresistible. And Jessalyn's learning that there's a lot to be said about—and done with—a wickedly hot security agent like Griff. But once the job is finished, will their bedroom antics come to a close, too?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 20, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
I’ve been reading Rhonda Nelson’s Men Out of Uniform series since its inception and I always find myself smiling during them. Of course now I know how they will always turn out but getting there is half the fun and she always manages to make the journey fun. The Closer is no different and it’s one of those books where I love the heroine and much as I love the hero. They are both pretty fantastic people with interesting lives and that makes for a very lively story.
Griffin “Griff” Wicklow didn’t leave the military on his terms but he did it for honorable reasons. He feels fortunate to have secured a job with Ranger Security but when he’s given the details of his first assignment he wonders if it’s all a big joke. After being assured it’s not he’s then told he’ll have an escort on his assignment something he’s not happy about especially when he meets her.
Jessalyn “Jess” Rossi is just has happy under the hood of a car and she is racing behind the wheel. A jewelry designer in the family business, she would just as soon take apart an engine. However when she’s asked to accompany her father’s latest creation to New York she can’t say no. This is the piece that will help their struggling business; she just has no idea how much she’ll have to give of herself to make it happen.
From the start I found myself completely enamored with both Griff and Jess. Griff because of his unwavering selflessness to his family even family he doesn’t want and Jess because she’s her own woman. I love that she’s strong and independent and doesn’t take crap off anyone. At the beginning Griff was so unemotional towards Jess and I just love how she kept needling away at him until he opened himself up and showed his true self. Although they both have suffered a great deal in their own lives, I admire who they’ve become and how they chose to live their lives. They challenged each other and that made for some very entertaining scenes. I loved watching the admiration between these two grow throughout the story.
With a well known thief makes it known he plans to steal the item Griff and Jess are transporting things get really interesting. I found this part of the story to be quite intriguing given that one of the founders of Ranger security knows the thief well. With this threat very real, Jess finds herself agreeing to something she never wanted to do to save the family’s business. In addition when Griff comes to Jess’s defense the heat between them explodes and they find themselves trying to figure out how to balance personal and business.
Overall I loved this story but I would have liked more closure between Griff and his half brother. I felt a big ole’ can of worms was opened up between them towards the end of the book that left me with questions that will probably drive me crazy for a long time to come.
An entertaining story, great characters, and a surprise ending make The Closer another winner in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
I’ve been reading Rhonda Nelson’s Men Out of Uniform series since its inception and I always find myself smiling during them. Of course now I know how they will always turn out but getting there is half the fun and she always manages to make the journey fun. The Closer is no different and it’s one of those books where I love the heroine and much as I love the hero. They are both pretty fantastic people with interesting lives and that makes for a very lively story.
Griffin “Griff” Wicklow didn’t leave the military on his terms but he did it for honorable reasons. He feels fortunate to have secured a job with Ranger Security but when he’s given the details of his first assignment he wonders if it’s all a big joke. After being assured it’s not he’s then told he’ll have an escort on his assignment something he’s not happy about especially when he meets her.
Jessalyn “Jess” Rossi is just has happy under the hood of a car and she is racing behind the wheel. A jewelry designer in the family business, she would just as soon take apart an engine. However when she’s asked to accompany her father’s latest creation to New York she can’t say no. This is the piece that will help their struggling business; she just has no idea how much she’ll have to give of herself to make it happen.
From the start I found myself completely enamored with both Griff and Jess. Griff because of his unwavering selflessness to his family even family he doesn’t want and Jess because she’s her own woman. I love that she’s strong and independent and doesn’t take crap off anyone. At the beginning Griff was so unemotional towards Jess and I just love how she kept needling away at him until he opened himself up and showed his true self. Although they both have suffered a great deal in their own lives, I admire who they’ve become and how they chose to live their lives. They challenged each other and that made for some very entertaining scenes. I loved watching the admiration between these two grow throughout the story.
With a well known thief makes it known he plans to steal the item Griff and Jess are transporting things get really interesting. I found this part of the story to be quite intriguing given that one of the founders of Ranger security knows the thief well. With this threat very real, Jess finds herself agreeing to something she never wanted to do to save the family’s business. In addition when Griff comes to Jess’s defense the heat between them explodes and they find themselves trying to figure out how to balance personal and business.
Overall I loved this story but I would have liked more closure between Griff and his half brother. I felt a big ole’ can of worms was opened up between them towards the end of the book that left me with questions that will probably drive me crazy for a long time to come.
An entertaining story, great characters, and a surprise ending make The Closer another winner in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 4, 2013
A very entertaining read and one where the characters are as well developed as any book I have recently read. A man with an unhappy family past and a woman who is completely willing to buck any social system in order to be who she is. She plus-sized and beautiful but dealing with a society who chooses to believe that Size 2 in normal. He's a former Army Ranger and she's an expert jeweler/creator of beautiful things. Together they are prepared to set the fashion world on its ear, but the story unfolds in a way that surprises not only them with their mutual and overwhelming attraction to one another but it is a surprise when then discover that the fashion public loves seeing a "normal" woman who is gorgeous and willing to strut her stuff. Another really readable and enjoyable short novel in a series that makes all of us look with affection on those intrepid men both in and out of uniform.
August 6, 2013
This series has been really good and this one was no exception. The heroine was awesome, a designer, mechanic, racer, really different. The hero had to leave the military after donating his kidney to a half brother he never knew and who was the cause of his family's break-up. Both of them are thrown together, escorting a diamond encrusted bra and sparks fly. The heroine's dad designed it, the hero is the security guy. I loved how the heroine cut through the BS, setting the hero straight about his family so many times. I also loved the whole thief angle, who will well be the next hero in this series.
August 16, 2013
This one is going on my keep shelf, (most romances don't) I love the female, being curvy and real, having out of the box interests. The Hero also rings real with me and is humorous enough to keep it interesting even if the plot is a little strange, I was able to suspend my disbelief, which is all i want from a steamy romance novel.
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August 14, 2017Received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Men Out of Uniform
Miniseries: Men Out of Uniform
February 12, 2025
Category Romance
October 23, 2013
The Closer is the 14th book of the Men Out of Uniform series by Rhonda Nelson, but my first. I never felt left out or like I was missing out on anything never having read any of the earlier stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, fast paced story.
Griff Wicklow may not be able to serve his country anymore, but he can still protect and serve as a security agent for Ranger Security, his new civilian job. It's in his blood to protect and take care of others. After his dad abandoned them, he took care of his mom and sister. When he found out his half brother, a brother he had never met, needed a kidney he gave it. It's never occurred to him to not give his everything. He's seen it all, at least that's what he thought until he got his first assignment. He would be guarding a bra! Okay, granted this is a very expensive bra, but still a bra? The jeweler that would be accompanying the bra to the show would surely be a pain in his butt, too. Wrong, again. Jess is nothing like he thought she would be when he first met her. Not only is she smart and funny, but she's sexy as hell and completely unaware of it.
Jessalyn Rossi would do anything for her dad, including missing out on a race she's been training for to escort his masterpiece across the country and make sure it not only makes it safely to the fashion show, but everything goes off without a hitch. When she meets the security agent assigned to guard her and the bejeweled creation she wonders how her luck can get any worse. Sure, he's sexy and her ideal, but he's stuffy and follows the rules to the letter. She is sure this trip will be a nightmare. Things definitely don't go as planned and she couldn't be more wrong about Griff. Sure, he's a "follow the rules" kind of guy, but he's so much more.
I really, really enjoyed this story. It was fun and light. Sure, there was intrigue, but it wasn't anything I would consider romantic suspense or mystery. The characters were fun and I have every reason to believe the future books will be just as enjoyable. I'm looking forward to them.
This book was provided to me by NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
Griff Wicklow may not be able to serve his country anymore, but he can still protect and serve as a security agent for Ranger Security, his new civilian job. It's in his blood to protect and take care of others. After his dad abandoned them, he took care of his mom and sister. When he found out his half brother, a brother he had never met, needed a kidney he gave it. It's never occurred to him to not give his everything. He's seen it all, at least that's what he thought until he got his first assignment. He would be guarding a bra! Okay, granted this is a very expensive bra, but still a bra? The jeweler that would be accompanying the bra to the show would surely be a pain in his butt, too. Wrong, again. Jess is nothing like he thought she would be when he first met her. Not only is she smart and funny, but she's sexy as hell and completely unaware of it.
Jessalyn Rossi would do anything for her dad, including missing out on a race she's been training for to escort his masterpiece across the country and make sure it not only makes it safely to the fashion show, but everything goes off without a hitch. When she meets the security agent assigned to guard her and the bejeweled creation she wonders how her luck can get any worse. Sure, he's sexy and her ideal, but he's stuffy and follows the rules to the letter. She is sure this trip will be a nightmare. Things definitely don't go as planned and she couldn't be more wrong about Griff. Sure, he's a "follow the rules" kind of guy, but he's so much more.
I really, really enjoyed this story. It was fun and light. Sure, there was intrigue, but it wasn't anything I would consider romantic suspense or mystery. The characters were fun and I have every reason to believe the future books will be just as enjoyable. I'm looking forward to them.
This book was provided to me by NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
November 16, 2013
This book tell the story of Giffin who recently joined Ranger Security after leaving the Military. For his first assignment, he is to protect the priceless jewellery for an exhibition and he is ensure the safe delivery of the jewel to the designated destination. The daughter of the creator, Jessalyn or Jess will also accompanying him during the journey. Jess is a jewel designator who shows keen interest in car racing and this fascinate Giffin. While they were on the journey, Griffin’s boss received a threat from his boarding mate who is a well-known thief. Knowing that it is not an empty threat, Griffin was informed to be more vigilant to protect the jewel. Hence, he suggested that Jess to model the jewel instead of other model. Knowing the risk involved, Jess has reluctantly agreed to it. Besides taking care of the jewel, both Griffin and Jess have to deal with their curiosity and feeling for each other.
I like Griffin’s character very much who selflessly given his kidney for his stepbrother despite the fact that he is the reason for the breakup of his family. It is also because of that, he have to leave the military to work in Ranger Security. Besides that, the scene where Griffin tried to maintain his contact with his stepbrother and the way he come to Jess’s defence shows just what a caring person he is. Overall, this is entertaining story with a surprise twist in the ending that I love reading it.
I like Griffin’s character very much who selflessly given his kidney for his stepbrother despite the fact that he is the reason for the breakup of his family. It is also because of that, he have to leave the military to work in Ranger Security. Besides that, the scene where Griffin tried to maintain his contact with his stepbrother and the way he come to Jess’s defence shows just what a caring person he is. Overall, this is entertaining story with a surprise twist in the ending that I love reading it.
September 8, 2016
I liked a lot of things about this book: What a strong sassy heroine. She brought out the best in our hero. Making him realize his self-worth while at the same time he was a great boost to her, showing her she didn't always have to be strong alone.
I like the dual view of the grass is not always greener... By showing that Griff's dad left but didn't make the perfect life the second time around either.
And I loved the spin on the storyline with The Owl and how that wrapped. I was genuinely surprised and loved it!
A few things bothered me about the book to…
I would've liked to have seen some expanding of the brothers relationship and I would've liked to see their sister be given the opportunity to prove she could do the right thing and build that relationship too.
While I'm always glad for my HEA the way this wrapped up in regards to Jess and her father was a little bit abrupt and unexpected to me...
Bottom line I discovered another new-to-me author and I look forward to continuing to read her work and getting to know more of her style!
I like the dual view of the grass is not always greener... By showing that Griff's dad left but didn't make the perfect life the second time around either.
And I loved the spin on the storyline with The Owl and how that wrapped. I was genuinely surprised and loved it!
A few things bothered me about the book to…
I would've liked to have seen some expanding of the brothers relationship and I would've liked to see their sister be given the opportunity to prove she could do the right thing and build that relationship too.
While I'm always glad for my HEA the way this wrapped up in regards to Jess and her father was a little bit abrupt and unexpected to me...
Bottom line I discovered another new-to-me author and I look forward to continuing to read her work and getting to know more of her style!
September 1, 2013
It looks like this is book 3 in a series from Rhonda Nelson, and I hate when this happens.....I love a book so much that I have to go and get the rest of the series! This is a great romance with an interesting lead couple. They are both intriguing, interesting, quirky fully dimensional characters. This was a couple I could really connect to and I was totally invested in their happily ever after. Ms. Nelson brings the funny, the passion and the reality. I commend her on creating a female lead that had such a wide range of interests and passions. Her male lead was so much more than just a military alpha male, and his actions were always true to his character. The story was evenly paced, the setting well drawn, the characters (secondary as well) engaging, and the story well-plotted.
Can't wait to read the rest.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Can't wait to read the rest.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2013
I got this book to review from the publisher through net galley. This is my first book by Rhonda Nelson. I must say I enjoyed it a lot, Griff had to leave the military after donating a kidney. To his half brother by the way and has taken a job with Ranger Security. Which is run by some old military guys. His first job is to accompany a jeweler to deliver a expensive bra her father designed. She is also not just a jeweler but a mechanic also this chick is cool. I love how Jessalyn and he collide/clash is the most sexy kinda way. She helps him get his act together about his family problems. Along the way there is some romance and danger. Along with a happy ever after. All in all my kind of book.
September 6, 2013
In every book I read the characters are most important. There can be a great story, but if I don't care about the people in the story, I'll stop paying attention.
I really liked Griff and Jess. I could tell the author was thorough in creating their backgrounds and personalities. I loved watching the two characters get to know one another on the drive to New York and although there was serious attraction between the two, they didn't take it further until they truly knew each other.
Having Griff and Jess protecting a diamond covered bra also made for a great story. A quirky twist of plot line for sure.
I really liked Griff and Jess. I could tell the author was thorough in creating their backgrounds and personalities. I loved watching the two characters get to know one another on the drive to New York and although there was serious attraction between the two, they didn't take it further until they truly knew each other.
Having Griff and Jess protecting a diamond covered bra also made for a great story. A quirky twist of plot line for sure.
September 5, 2013
Really enjoying this series of books the men are hot hot hot and at times you wish you were the heroine good strong sexy romance can't wait for the next installment. If you love romance read this you wont be disappointed
June 18, 2013
Enjoyed it. Now I've gonna have to go back and read the first three books in this series (Men Out of Uniform) and hope she's does one more. Wish I had a man on a leash.
August 28, 2013
3.5 stars review to follow
September 4, 2013
And the race?
September 4, 2013
I t was ok
May 27, 2014
Sexy, fun read! Great characters, too!
January 31, 2014
This book kept me going it was a nice smooth touch not too much and not too little
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews