Securing Julia

by Danielle Pays

Fox As a former Navy SEAL, I know danger. But it’s never been as imminent as it is now. While away on an assignment, an adversary seizes the opportunity to take his revenge and kidnaps Detective Julia McNamara. She’s my friend and colleague, and the woman I’ve wanted from the moment she began working with my security team. Knowing the twisted mind of her abductor all too well, I’m painfully aware that the clock is ticking. I vow to get her back, no matter what it takes. Julia As a detective, I’m often called upon to work with Morgan Thompson Security. Despite being Fox’s friend, I can’t stop thinking about him as more. He’s strong, confident, and impossibly attractive. I’ve been feeling something deeper for him. But crossing that line could ruin everything we have. I tried to settle for being purely platonic with Fox, but when someone tries to kill him, I’m willing to risk it all to find happiness in his embrace. An assignment brings us closer together than we have ever been. Just when I think we have a chance, I fall into the clutches of a man with a dark vendetta against Fox. I must find a way out before he sells me to the highest bidder, a fate from which escape seems impossible. In this heart-pounding romantic thriller, love and danger collide, and every moment counts.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

Danielle Pays writes romantic suspense with twists and a hint of humor. When not trying to write her characters into some kind of trouble, she can be found chasing her dog or annoying her kids. Unless the sun is out. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and if the sun comes out, it is a requirement to go outside before it hides again.

Reviews

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Fox and Julias Story. So many misunderstandings that glady get solved and revealed. There are so many surprises in this book. Its a read in one Go without stopping. So good.
Can‘t wait to see where the Story goes with the next RHS / MTS book.
So much fun🥰

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle Pays has written a 5-sat book. This is the story of Julia and Royce (Fox). Julia and Royce are friends but have feelings for each other but they don't say anything to the other. She is a detective for the Pine Valley police department and she sometimes works with Morgan Thompson Security. Fox is one of the team members at Morgan Thompson Security. Julia is called into Morgan because she has dealt with a man they are looking for since she has dealt with the man before. The case doesn't go the way the team wants and while they are out, the team gets a call about a military weapon being stolen. Julia is sent home since this is not something she has trained for. Before she leaves, Fox finds out that Doogan, a man that taken Julia the year before is out of jail. He wants to know that she will be watched over. The team has to find out where the weapon was but when they think they have found it, they are shocked to find out it is not there. They finally find it but Aden is not to be found. Julia has been put on desk duty since she has to have someone watching her since Doogan is out and after her. Julia is getting ready for bed when she hears someone in her apartment. It is Doogan and he takes her with him. He tells her that he is going to sell her like he had plans to do before. When Fox calls Julia and she doesn't answer, he calls Trax to go check on her. He doesn't hear back from Trax before he lands back home. When he gets home, he finds out that Julia is missing. He knows who has her but not where she is. Julia is in a barn and somehow she gets away from Doogan and she runs but she doesn't get far before Doogan finds her. Doogan tells her that his plans have changed and they are leaving. Doogan tells her that his plans for Fox will wait. Doogan gets a call and ends up leaving. He leaves one guy with her but she takes him down. Before she can get away another guy shows up. She hides up in the loft of the barn but she knows he will find her before long. Just as the man is about to find her, Fox and the team show up and take him down. Before they can get out, there is a car coming up. Julia tells them about another way to get out. They all go for the way out but they are shot at and Peaches gets hit and is in bad shape. Fox goes back for him but tells Rover that they need a hospital. When they get to the hospital, they are told that he needs to be taken to another hospital since they didn't do surgeries. Fox said that if they didn't do the surgery, Peaches wouldn't make it. They are waiting for word on Stormy and when it comes it is not good news. They are told that he lost a lot of blood and they had run out of his blood. Julia asked what his blood type was and when she was told, she told them that she was that type. Fox said that he was the same. Both she and Fox get ready to give Peaches blood. The hospital gets Peaches stable and says that he needs to go to another hospital. Harding, Peaches (Logan) girlfriend shows up and she tells Fox that the plane she came down on was going to take him back because of Julia's situation. Fox asked what about Julia. Harding tells him that she is missing. He calls Trax to find out what is going on. He has Trax looking for Julia. As they look for Doogan, they find out that it is Aden that has her now. But the more they look, they find out that it isn't Aden that has her but his cousin. Fox and the team find Julia and they think things are over. Once they get back home, strange things happen at the office and Fox is called into the office. He is asked about if he had been at the office on a certain night. When he said no, the team started thinking about who could be coming for the company. Fox goes to see Julia, and they discuss things. She comes up with a lead about someone who used to work with Stormy. She and Fox talk and she comes up with a plan to talk to the woman to see if she can get some answers. When Fox goes back to the office, he lets them know what he and Julia have come up with. Stormy comes in and when Fox tells him what he has learned, Stormy tells him that "yes" he and this woman went out a few times but when she got clingy, he broke things off with her. When Julia went to talk to her, she found out she was not the one they were looking for. Fox gets a call from Cowboy and asks for him and Julia to come to the office for a meeting. After the meeting was over, Julia got a call from her mother and it was not a good call. Julia was to be meeting her mother and she is mad that she is not coming to meet her just yet. Julia tells her that she is having lunch with some friends. While at lunch, she is shocked to see her mother come in. She is mad and tells them some things that shock Julia. When she asks her mother some questions, she is mad at the answers she is told. Julia finds out that Stormy is her father and he mother knew that she sometimes worked for him and never told her he was her father. Julia finds out her mother is behind all the things that happened at the company and Stormy's house. Julia said that her mother needed to be taken down for questions. Stormy said he wasn't going to press charges against her mother. Stormy and Julia's mother talk and it comes out that Stormy's father is behind him not knowing she was pregnant.
Will Julia and Fox become a couple?
Will Julia and Stormy build a relationship of a father and daughter?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royce “Fox” Davenport is upset that the woman that he wants and has waited too long to say anything to, Julia, is now with a guy, Dan. Dan talks to Fox and tells him that he is going to ask Julia to marry him. Fox freaks and begins to drink heavily. Julia is a detective that acts as a liaison between the cops and the security firm - MTS, Fox works for. Omg- the whole series is awesome. A must read. This book didn’t disappoint and the running gag of ringtones having to do with peaches for the guy nicknamed Peaches is hysterical and I’m waiting to find out who has been doing that all this time! Lol

Julia doesn’t realize that Fox has a thing for her and vice versa. When Fox leaves the dude that kidnapped Julia a while back is waiting for and Doogan and his buds stabbed him. Thank goodness Julia goes outside. The whole book is pretty much a ping pong ball bouncing between Doogan and his revenge on Julia and Fox; Julia and Fox finally admitting their feelings; and what newest danger the MTS and friends need to stop. There are so many reveals and the dang peacock, Cheeto makes me laugh. OMG> too funny.

The guys from MTS are awesome. I love Stormy. I’m totally in love with him too! He is just so awesome. Lol. The other guys constantly prank each other and then there is the paint ball. *shakes head* They are all a bunch of nuts. They are funny and kick bad guys right into jail. I really don’t like one of Julia’s co-workers- Detective Greenhow.

There were a few points in the book where I was like- what the—-?! Then there was a lot of giggling and squeeeing. As well as a bunch of “oh no you didn’t!”

I can’t wait for the next book! This book didn’t disappoint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stox4story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot Twists Rule … but so do love, danger and humor

I love suspense. I love a riveting revenge storyline and when there’s a dark vendetta, it makes it that much stronger. I love some secrets and edge of the seat drama. Put all those together with a good romance and you’ve got a winner…. especially when that romance is questionable. Maybe questionable is the wrong word, let’s just say confusion rears it’s ugly head.

There’s a whole lot more to this story than romance. There’s danger, there are kidnappers, and life and death on the line. Oh, and wait for that plot twist.

Julia and Fox, make a good team … in more ways than one. Yes, there’s a ‘happy ever after’ but the road there is not easy.

Oh yeah, someone still is changing ringtones….lol. If you’ve read past stories you’ll understand. So yes, there’s humor here too. There’s always going to be some humor when you’re dealing with that Morgan Thompson Security team. They are tough and know how to find and deal with the bad guys, but they also know how to lighten the load of craziness with a few pranks here and there. Wait till you meet ‘Cheeto’. He’s the teams ‘defense peacock’… and that bird loves Cheetos and they’ve learned to keep some on hand for him.

🤔OBSERVATIONS:

✒︎ I keep wondering why Julia didn’t make sure Doogan was finished when she had him down? She had her strong moments and her weak moments. She didn’t hesitate when it came to handling Charlie. I also wish she’d stood up to her mother better. I could not feel sorry for the mother as she was arrogant, self-righteous and selfish.

✒︎ Lot of plot twists

✒︎ I wanted to ‘see’ Stormy’s dad have to account for the damage he caused.

✒︎ If you’re not a fan of detailed intimacy, it’s easy to skip over the little that’s there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Navy SEAL Royce “Fox” Davenport has been attracted to Detective Julia McNamara since they first met, but it seems he is too late as she is dating a man who hopes to marry her. Julia had been kidnapped before by a man who planned to sell her into slavery, but was rescued by the MTS team. She has found herself thinking too often about Fox and when Fox is stabbed and left to die, she won’t rest until she knows that he will survive. When Fox learns that Julia has broken things off with the man she was dating, will he finally tell her of his feelings? Is there a chance for them? Julia has now made herself a target once again as she must face a kidnapper who wants revenge, revenge against her and Fox. Things become hectic for the MTS team as they are called to investigate and stop a possible bombing at a festival and track down the theft of a military weapon. Non-stop action in another thrilling Morgan Thompson Security story. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Floraljoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some issues but still enjoyable:
I was really looking forward to a captivating romantic suspense and whilst the plot was interesting, i was a bit disappointed overall. Unfortunately some of the suspense was removed due to the somewhat abrupt writing style. Oftentimes the action seemed to be over and the situation resolved before you realised what was happening which was a real shame. There were also a lot of characters involved from different agencies and their relationship to one another or their background wasn't always explained. They were in all liklihood characters from previous books and it was expected that we'd have read all of these or recall where everyone worked. There was also some overlapping storyline from the previous book in the series and although I had read that I had difficulty recalling everything that had previously transpired.
The romance between Fox and Julia was a slow-burn and nothing really happened until near the end of the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely needs to be on your list to read! I just finished the ARC and totally loved it! This Morgan Thompson Security story is entertaining and filled with suspense and twists that keep a reader guessing. The romance between Fox and Julia that developed from friendship into love is masterfully written. Danielle Pays has done a wonderful job weaving the story elements into the plot and deserves kudos. I definitely recommend this book and give it 5 stars!

Merged review:

This book definitely needs to be on your list to read! I just finished the ARC and totally loved it! This Morgan Thompson Security story is entertaining and filled with suspense and twists that keep a reader guessing. The romance between Fox and Julia that developed from friendship into love is masterfully written. Danielle Pays has done a wonderful job weaving the story elements into the plot and deserves kudos. I definitely recommend this book and give it 5 stars!

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royce “Fox” Davenport is a former Navy SEAL who now works at Morgan Thompson Security. Detective Julia McNamara has worked with the security firm on several jobs involving the local police. Fox has wanted Julia since she began working with the security team. Julia wants Fox too but for the last 2 years has always kept things platonic. They end up working on a task force together again.

Doogan is an evil man who kidnapped Julia and was going to sell her to the highest bidder. Fox saved her right before a plane taking them out of the country took off. Fox blew up the plane after getting Julia off of it. The plane was not Doogan’s so he has a dark vendetta against Fox. Somehow Doogan cut a deal with the FBI and is out of jail. He goes after Julia again.

Can Fox save Julia from Doogan a second time? After two years of staying just friends, will Fox and Julia end up as a couple?

I loved the interesting group of characters and would love to read more from Danielle.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This roller coaster ride is off the tracks with action, intrigue, secrets, hidden agendas and kidnapping. Morgan Thompson Security member Fox and detective Julia have worked together in the past and now someone is coming for them both again. Their feelings for each other have never come out as one or the other is either in a relationship or in trouble. The whole group is back with highly detailed missions, multiple plot lines and of course a little romance sneaks in. Several of the plot lines run through the whole series so they may seem out of place if you only read one book. The hijinks at the office is one, with someones call ringtone changing without their knowledge. The pet peacock is an awesome guard bird and deserves all those special treats! The ending is terrific as it pulls most of the issues into an HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox knows he’s missed his chance with Julia. You snooze, you lose, and the boyfriends set to propose. All he can do is step back and give her space.
Julia gave up on Fox ever showing he had any feelings for her. So ok she has Dan, but there’s no connection with him like with Fox. Though she now realises that that relationship has run its course. Big girl panties time, as she still has to work with Fox.
These two have their wires a bit crossed. However, just when they realise they want to be together a nemesis from the past whose more slippery than an eel, is out to get his revenge on the pair.
I did love this book. There’s plenty of action, and this is a nice long read to keep you entertained.
If this is your first Morgan Thompson Security read, then it’s well worth picking up the previous books too.

I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Lori Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Fox and Julia as a couple. This book certainly does them justice, pun intended lol. Fox has it bad for Julia and even though she’s dating Dan, all she thinks about is Fox. Fox is smart, sexy and protective, a little possessive and I love that! Julia is a savvy, smart detective we’ve seen many times in the past helping out the guys at MTS. These two work well together but can they make a relationship work? So much is on the line, their friendship, possibly her job with MTS if it doesn’t work out. When danger strikes Fox pulls out all the stops for the woman he loves. This isn’t his first rodeo rescuing Julia but will he succeed? Their romance is sweet, their chemistry is smoking hot!. This was an awesome read, I highly recommend this book and everything from this author!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Securing Julia
By Danielle Pays
Main Characters: Julia and Fox
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
4 out of 5 stars
This is a contemporary romantic suspense. I loved the characters, there was lots of drama and a lot of heat between these two. This is the 4th book in the Morgan Thompson Security series and I love that we see characters from Reed Hawthorne Security. Julia is a detective and works well with Fox. (I love his name, Royce) All these books are standalone but I like reading each and every one in order. I recommend the complete series.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double hit of action and romance

Securing Julia (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) is the fourth book in the Morgan Thompson Security series. This is a fast-paced, action packed, riveting, friends to more romance with some good steamy heat. The story is about Julia McNamara and Royce "Fox" Davenport. She is a detective with the Pine Valley Police Department and he works for Morgan Thompson Security. The story blends both worlds with things happening in both also, so it is a double hit for excitement and suspense. There are some twists and turns on the ride to the HEA for Julia and Fox, all making for a wonderful read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the books I have read by Danielle I am never left just sitting there – the books are full of wild ride moments. Not just some pages or chapters but every single one of them. That is what I love about romantic suspense. It is a thinking person’s catnip. What will happen next? What surprises will there be? And boy is there a doozy of one in this story. And the pining, oh the pining. When Fox and Julie finally get their groove on, whoa. They are both so adorable. Danielle takes you on a ride at top speed. Loved it.

I am so interested in Stormy and don’t know if there is a book planned for him but I would love to read it. He has lots of stories to be told.

I received a complimentary copy.

[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that phrase timing is everything? In the romance of Julia and Fox mistiming is everything as they dance around their mutual attraction. In the midst of their love journey we have complex suspense plots, surprises, elusive enemies, deadly attacks, friendship, banter, humor, team loyalty, tension, revenge, havoc, pranks, Cheetos, and twists that you don’t see coming. This is such a good read definitely get it on your TBR list! Can’t wait for more MTS adventures.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia and Fox's story was one of plenty of miss communication and nearly missing their chance mainly due to some people from their past set on revenge and destruction.
Right from the get go you are thrown into the danger and tension of not knowing when the next attack will happen and who it will come from as there are 3 storylines interwoven with one running through out the other books..... well two really as there is Peaches and his ringtone lol.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story and we follow Julia and Fox. Their relationship is not a bed of roses and they had to overcome many bumps and twists, and the fact that it was difficult is also because people from outside and from both their pasts did everything they could to separate them. to keep and break through revenge, lies. All that together and also because of the miscommunication, things almost went wrong between them. I enjoyed their story but also the other parts of this great series.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Star Friends to Lovers Suspense with Non-Stop Action! Julia and Fox have been attracted to each other for years, but never had the courage to say anything, thinking each was dating another. With the many obstacles, they find each other through the danger of the many plots working against them. This is the 4th book in the MTS series and can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend reading all of them though so as to not miss any of the action.
I received a free ARC of the book, but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More from the Morgan Thompson Security team. Fox and Julia. History of friends not lovers between this couple. He is MTS and she is a detective, assigned to work together as their units combine on a case. Stolen glances, hidden thoughts and feelings, second chance romance developing amidst the drama, suspense and danger lurking in the murky world around them; the threat may be closer than they are aware and moving in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laureen Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox is in the house!

Wow! This one was intense right out of the gate and the surprise twists came when we least expected it. As usual the author has presented us with a well rounded story filled with sexual tension, suspense, mystery, action, and a slow boiling yet steamy romance that's sure to end in a HEA and keeps us coming back to more. I'm super sad we'll need to wait so long for Ozzie's book after that teaser. But I know Danielle Pays will make it worth it when we do finally get to read his story.

[Anne (Izzie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that when you start reading it everything has to pause until you finish it, it’s that good. It’s full of suspense, action and twists that are not expected, and at last it brings Fox and Julia relationship to the fore. They both think the other only looks on them as a friend - remember the old saying though, love is blind! I can thoroughly recommend this book, and the whole series if you haven’t read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Securing Julia. I couldn’t put it down. Danielle Pays hit the perfect blend of suspense, sexy times, and romance. Fox and Julia have had feelings for each other for a while. Unfortunately they have been stuck in the friend zone while they work together. Fortunately they get the opportunity to tell each other how they really feel. Julia is a strong, independent detective, and Fox is the perfect sweet protector to balance their relationship. I love the team, and you get to see the boss in a whole new light. The excellent storyline kept me turning pages, and there is a plot twist that you won’t see coming. I highly recommend this series.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Morgan Thompson series, but can be read as a standalone. It’s a very enjoyable friends to lovers, romantic suspense. Fox and Julia have had feelings for each other for two years, but the timing was never right for them, till now. The chemistry between them is strong. There was a lot of drama and danger and a surprise twist near the end. Very good read. (this was a complimentary copy and this is my honest review)

[Carol Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Danielle Pays doesn't disappoint in the latest book of her Morgan Thompson Security series .
This time we follow the twist and turns as Fox finally admits his feelings for Julia.
Surrounded by the twists and turns we have come to expect from this great series, kidnappings, gunfights, multiple mysteries and bad guys, along with a manic peacock!
Had to read this in 1 sitting and would highly recommend to anyone.

[Jo-Ann Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story will keep you on your toes from the first to the last page. Royce works for Thompson Security and is attracted to Detective Julia McNamara who works as a liaison between the police and the security firm. When a man who tried to take her previously gets out of jail and come's after her again, can he save her and finally open his heart to her? Lots of suspense, drama and LOL moments. Can't wait to see what's next??

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia and Royce (Fox) are attracted to each other, but too chicken to say anything. With someone from her past out to get her, they work together to keep her safe. The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing where the story was headed. Suspense, danger, romance, friendship... all combine in a book that held my interest throughout. This is a great book, as compelling to read as the others in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherry Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

Totally intense and full of twists and turns throughout! It is definitely a hard book to put down once you start reading it. And when you think you have the villain and his plans figured out, nope lol. A new twist is presented and the mystery and suspense continues. The characters are amazing with awesome chemistry and believable dialogue. I totally recommend reading this book!!

[Mg Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Securing Julia is probably the best book in this series to date it's fun action packed with loads of plot twist and a few surprise's thrown in that you will never see coming with a interesting mix of friends and family and a crazy peacock added to the mix and you are in for a couple of hours of non-stop entertainment.
I received a advanced readers copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle Pays 
Securing Julia (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Morgan Thompson Security Book 4)
Fox and Julia
I loved this story! Fox is an ex navy steel, and Julia is a detective working with the morgan thompson security agency. They both felt something for each other but neither has voiced it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These series are so good. Fox has always been infatuated with Julia. He saved her and now he may have to save her again. Hold on because these two are in a case up to their eyeballs and more than one team is getting involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.