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The House of Steele #3
The Rome Affair
Two security experts must work too closely for comfort in Addison Fox's The Rome Affair
Jack Andrews has once again snatched a covetable job from the House of Steele. But now that the assignment has gotten complicated, he must call upon the last person he wants to ask for help: Kensington Steele. Jack never flinches at danger, but working side by side with his fascinating, sexy competitor might be more than he can handle.
When the assignment brings them to the Italian vineyard of a corrupt diplomat, Kensington vows to keep things professional, even if working as a team fans the flames of their mutual desire. But once a murderer begins stalking them, they realize getting close may be the only way they'll survive….
Jack Andrews has once again snatched a covetable job from the House of Steele. But now that the assignment has gotten complicated, he must call upon the last person he wants to ask for help: Kensington Steele. Jack never flinches at danger, but working side by side with his fascinating, sexy competitor might be more than he can handle.
When the assignment brings them to the Italian vineyard of a corrupt diplomat, Kensington vows to keep things professional, even if working as a team fans the flames of their mutual desire. But once a murderer begins stalking them, they realize getting close may be the only way they'll survive….
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Addison Fox
143 books372 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
March 4, 2014
Really good book. Kensington starts off the book really ticked off. The House of Steele security firm has just lost another job to Jack Andrews. So when Jack shows up at her office she's not inclined to listen to anything he has to say - until he tells her that he needs her help. She's still wary but he's pretty much challenged her to accept. I loved the sparks that flew from the moment he arrived. She is definitely attracted to him but there's something about him that irritates her too. Jack is attracted and intrigued. He takes her to a jewelry store he's investigating and is very impressed by her quick thinking. Jack enjoys flirting with her and making no secret of his attraction to her, while Kensington tries her best to keep him at arm's length.
The Italian government has asked their help in investigating a corrupt diplomat who is suspected of drug trafficking and diamond smuggling. Kensington and Jack each have specific strengths that they will have to use to determine what is going on. I especially liked Kensington's abilities to find out almost anything via the computer. She really surprises Jack with some of the things she finds out. There are quite a few twists and turns to the revelation of exactly what is happening and who is behind it. I have to admit I had my suspicions fairly early and couldn't understand how they had neglected to suspect that person.
From the investigation of the first murder to the final confrontation the danger keeps increasing. I was pretty sure who was behind it all, but there were times I wondered about whether certain other characters were involved. There was one that kept me wondering until the very end.
Both Jack and Kensington occasionally have a hard time keeping their minds on the case. The heat between them keeps increasing even as they battle the issues that could keep them apart. Kensington fears the loss of loved ones because of losing her parents when she was young. She tends to use work to keep people at a distance and protect herself. Jack works alone, also not letting people get close. His mother abandoned him and his sisters when they were young and he still blames himself. His coping strategies are pretty interesting and I loved Kensington's reaction to them. Neither of them shares their pasts easily but it means more when they do. One thing that both had in common was their love of and closeness to their families. I really enjoyed Jack's sister's comments to him about Kensington, and Kensington's siblings all had a few things to say also (loved Rowan's comments about Jack's butt). The epilogue was a nice conclusion to the book.
The Italian government has asked their help in investigating a corrupt diplomat who is suspected of drug trafficking and diamond smuggling. Kensington and Jack each have specific strengths that they will have to use to determine what is going on. I especially liked Kensington's abilities to find out almost anything via the computer. She really surprises Jack with some of the things she finds out. There are quite a few twists and turns to the revelation of exactly what is happening and who is behind it. I have to admit I had my suspicions fairly early and couldn't understand how they had neglected to suspect that person.
From the investigation of the first murder to the final confrontation the danger keeps increasing. I was pretty sure who was behind it all, but there were times I wondered about whether certain other characters were involved. There was one that kept me wondering until the very end.
Both Jack and Kensington occasionally have a hard time keeping their minds on the case. The heat between them keeps increasing even as they battle the issues that could keep them apart. Kensington fears the loss of loved ones because of losing her parents when she was young. She tends to use work to keep people at a distance and protect herself. Jack works alone, also not letting people get close. His mother abandoned him and his sisters when they were young and he still blames himself. His coping strategies are pretty interesting and I loved Kensington's reaction to them. Neither of them shares their pasts easily but it means more when they do. One thing that both had in common was their love of and closeness to their families. I really enjoyed Jack's sister's comments to him about Kensington, and Kensington's siblings all had a few things to say also (loved Rowan's comments about Jack's butt). The epilogue was a nice conclusion to the book.
June 3, 2017
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
March 8, 2014
The Rome Affair is the third installment in The House of Steele series. The series features Steele siblings Liam, Campbell, Kensington, and Rowan.
The first two books in the series took readers to Paris with security expert, Campbell; then gallivanting around London with former thief, Rowan. Now author Addison Fox whisks us off to Rome with Kensington Steele and Jack Andrews to investigate a foreign ambassador for the Italian government.
Fierce competition between Andrews Holdings and House of Steele always seems to end with Andrews Holding leading the way. Jack had taunted Kensington after each win. However, his latest assignment requires that he cultivates a partnership with his adversary; otherwise he risks losing the Rome assignment. The adversarial relationship makes for hot foreplay.
The author describes their first kiss as “Rich. Lush. Enticing.”– It is the exact words I would use to sum up my thoughts on the book.
The danger and passion are amped simultaneously – romantic suspense is known for rushing toward the climactic moment, but Fox knows how to sustain it. Addison Fox has won this reader over and has her looking forward to Liam’s story.
This review also appears on Harlequin Junkie.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
The first two books in the series took readers to Paris with security expert, Campbell; then gallivanting around London with former thief, Rowan. Now author Addison Fox whisks us off to Rome with Kensington Steele and Jack Andrews to investigate a foreign ambassador for the Italian government.
Fierce competition between Andrews Holdings and House of Steele always seems to end with Andrews Holding leading the way. Jack had taunted Kensington after each win. However, his latest assignment requires that he cultivates a partnership with his adversary; otherwise he risks losing the Rome assignment. The adversarial relationship makes for hot foreplay.
The author describes their first kiss as “Rich. Lush. Enticing.”– It is the exact words I would use to sum up my thoughts on the book.
The danger and passion are amped simultaneously – romantic suspense is known for rushing toward the climactic moment, but Fox knows how to sustain it. Addison Fox has won this reader over and has her looking forward to Liam’s story.
This review also appears on Harlequin Junkie.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
September 9, 2016
4 Stars
I have been following this House of Steele series by Harlequin Romantic Suspense for awhile now. This is book three in the series by Addison Fox. House of Steele is a family run security company and the main character, Kensington Steele is the level-headed one of the bunch. She gets a bit miffed when competitor Jack Andrews keeps outbidding her for clients. And when he asks her to help him with the current client he outbid her for, she wonders what the heck is up with this?
She finally relents after much prompting from Jack, whom she has an attraction for that she has not completely owned up to even in her own mind. They travel to Rome and are immediately placed in the fray. They find angry opponents in Italy when looking into the affairs of a diplomat and the recent murder of a vineyard owner. It leads them to being under the gun to find out who is behind the looming conspiracy before they lose their own lives in the process.
I felt this book wasn’t as good as the previous two I had read. I didn’t feel the connection between Jack and Kensington as I did with Fox’s previous characters. But beyond that, I enjoyed this book.
I paid for this book with my own money.
I have been following this House of Steele series by Harlequin Romantic Suspense for awhile now. This is book three in the series by Addison Fox. House of Steele is a family run security company and the main character, Kensington Steele is the level-headed one of the bunch. She gets a bit miffed when competitor Jack Andrews keeps outbidding her for clients. And when he asks her to help him with the current client he outbid her for, she wonders what the heck is up with this?
She finally relents after much prompting from Jack, whom she has an attraction for that she has not completely owned up to even in her own mind. They travel to Rome and are immediately placed in the fray. They find angry opponents in Italy when looking into the affairs of a diplomat and the recent murder of a vineyard owner. It leads them to being under the gun to find out who is behind the looming conspiracy before they lose their own lives in the process.
I felt this book wasn’t as good as the previous two I had read. I didn’t feel the connection between Jack and Kensington as I did with Fox’s previous characters. But beyond that, I enjoyed this book.
I paid for this book with my own money.
October 6, 2021
The Affair by Danielle Steele is just that, a tale of how an affair derails a marriage and wrecks a family until…. No spoilers. Good summer read , my rating is 4.3 out of 5. Recommend for the time when a romance seems to be just what is needed.
March 9, 2014
The Rome Affair is book 3 in the House of Steele miniseries featuring 2 brothers and 2 sisters who run a high end security firm catering to the rich, famous and well connected of the world.
This book focuses on Kensington Steele who, in the preceding 2 books, has just stayed in the office in a management position while her sister and brothers are out in the field risking their lives on a daily basis. Our hero, Jack Andrews, who owns a similar business, wants Kenzie to work with him to uncover some nasty goings on in Italy by the Ambassador of a small African country.
While in Italy, Kenzie and Jack work together to uncover the corrupt ambassador, and their personal relationship blossoms. They make a great team in and out of the bedroom, but their past histories get in the way of their commitment to each other.
I'm a great romantic suspense fan, so this book was easy for me to love, and I have read the previous 2 books in this miniseries. The mystery solving was not over the top outrageous, so those readers who have to have a believable scenario will enjoy this book. Jack and Kenzie's romantic relationship felt real to me. All in all, a great mix of romance and suspense in beautiful Rome and its surroundings.
This book focuses on Kensington Steele who, in the preceding 2 books, has just stayed in the office in a management position while her sister and brothers are out in the field risking their lives on a daily basis. Our hero, Jack Andrews, who owns a similar business, wants Kenzie to work with him to uncover some nasty goings on in Italy by the Ambassador of a small African country.
While in Italy, Kenzie and Jack work together to uncover the corrupt ambassador, and their personal relationship blossoms. They make a great team in and out of the bedroom, but their past histories get in the way of their commitment to each other.
I'm a great romantic suspense fan, so this book was easy for me to love, and I have read the previous 2 books in this miniseries. The mystery solving was not over the top outrageous, so those readers who have to have a believable scenario will enjoy this book. Jack and Kenzie's romantic relationship felt real to me. All in all, a great mix of romance and suspense in beautiful Rome and its surroundings.
March 12, 2014
I haven't read any of the other House of Steele books but I enjoyed this one. Thought the storyline and character development was really well done for a short book. My only complaint is I felt there could have been a bit more romance. Also it was great to see Kennsington interact with her other siblings (even if it was via phone) and even though she was the oldest, her younger brothers and sister were protective of her.
October 11, 2014
As much as I really liked this story, I just couldn't believe that two competitors were so willing to work together. The conclusion felt a little rushed, but not too bad. I really liked Jack and Kensington and their chemistry works. All in all it is a good story and I will go back and read the earlier books in this series.
Read
January 12, 2016"The latest in the House of Steele miniseries is packed with action and intrigue all set within the world of espionage. The two strong, irresistibly interesting and complex characters will draw readers in with their snappy banter". (RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars)
Miniseries: House of Steele
Miniseries: House of Steele
March 9, 2014
This book of Addison fox was hard to get into. It started out quite slowly; but did pickup in the end. I did enjoy this suspense.
July 27, 2014
This felt long for a category. And I suppose looking at the page count it was. The plotty aspects of this were pretty boring for me, but I liked the romance well enough. And I liked the families.
July 29, 2014
Absolutely loved this book. Fox has crafted an interesting suspense plot and two flawed, complex characters. Enjoyed this so much I bought the rest of the series!
January 1, 2015
A fun, quick romance. Danger, drugs, diamonds, spies, foreign ambassadors.
March 24, 2014
Boring
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews