KCPD Protector

The Precinct #23

by Julie Miller

USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller returns to The Precinct with a tale of a killer on the loose and a tornado about to hit Kansas City

There was no way Deputy Commissioner George Madigan was going to let his beautiful assistant fall prey to a stalker. Because Elise Brown wasn't just another employee. Her vulnerable blue eyes triggered all of George's protective instincts…and now her life was in jeopardy.

Working together almost 24/7 to bring the perp to justice—and sharing kisses passionate enough to ignite a Kansas City heat wave—George and Elise had forged the kind of partnership that could keep her out of harm's way and potentially lead to happily ever after.

Until a deadly tornado struck and Elise was taken hostage….

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Crime, Suspense

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.

Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.

Reviews

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited for this book to come out, and it didn't disappoint. I have really enjoyed all the Precinct books. It was nice that the author brought back some of the characters from the other books. Each book is a stand alone in the series, so you can read them out of order, and you won't be lost.

In this story Elise worked for George who was the Deputy Commissioner of the police department. The two always had a very professional office relationship. Elise would answer his questions before he had the chance to ask them. She was a excellent assistant. She had been hurt in past relationships at other jobs, so she vowed to never have another office relationship.

Elise stated being stalked. Flowers were delivered without a card, her spare house key came up missing, and someone broke into her house. Elise got to see the protective side of George. It was nice to see that professional relationship slowly turn into something more personal.

The suspense to this story was great. While Elise was being stalked we also had bad storms, record breaking heat, and a tornado. Something about howling winds always intensifier's the suspense of the story.
If you enjoy action/ suspense books with a touch of romance, you will have to read this one. Here is a list of the other books in the series.

Baby Jane Doe
Crossfire Christmas
KCPD Protector
The Marine Next Door - Book 1
Kansas City Cowboy - Book 2
Tactical Advantage - Book 3
Assumed Identity Book 4
Task Force Bride - Book 5
Yuletide Protector - Book 6

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aka. When Mhairi makes you read a dumbass book as a joke, and it turns out not to be completely soul destroying.

[Mayra Statham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I have to start this review with me clapping, giving Julie Miller a standing ovation. I seriously enjoyed this book. Like stayed up late, even with knowing that I had to wake up early the next day, type of liked this book!

Deputy Commisioner of KCPD, George Madigan is older, by the books, rule following type of man. Elise Brown is his assistant. She is also smart and beautiful, and trying to get over having been humiliated. She had thought she had fallen in love in the past, but she soon realizes that was not the case.

As her stalker starts to persist, George is determined to keep her safe. By doing so, they both start to give into their attraction for one another. As sparks start to fly, I love the twists and turns and the way that George protects Elise and centers her from falling apart.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I love this series of books and this one was no exception. Elise is the executive assistant to the Deputy Commissioner. She prides herself on doing her job very well. I loved seeing her do the Radar O'Reilly thing, having things ready for George before he even asked for them. In her previous job she had fallen for her boss, and when that didn't work out found herself involved with a man who was just using her. As a result, she has sworn off all romantic relationships. However, that doesn't stop her from noticing that her boss is a really sexy man.

When she starts receiving strange gifts and letters, George's protective instincts kick in. He's always been aware of her as a woman, but knows the rules regarding bosses and subordinates. He can't stand by and watch her be terrorized, so he sticks close to her. With all that time together, their attraction really starts to blossom.

I loved the fact that George is a more mature hero at the age of 50. He's got the patience and experience to deal with the search for the stalker, and also with his growing feelings for Elise. He is cautious about a relationship because of the age difference between them, but he can't deny his feelings for long. I also liked the fact that Elise is old enough to know her own mind and what she wants. Once she accepts her feelings for George, she has no problem telling him what she needs. I also loved the way that she kept reminding him that she doesn't see him as old at all.

The stalker storyline has been done frequently in the Intrigue line, but this was not a tired old story. The incidents were definitely creepy and their attempts to frighten Elise were effective. I loved seeing George dust off his detective skills and also involve other members of the KCPD, especially those we've seen in earlier books. With every incident there seemed to be another possible suspect. I often figure out who it is by the halfway point, but this one kept me guessing until almost the last minute. The tornado that hits the city just adds to the intensity of the final conflict.

[Suzy Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps going and going.

A great read. Usually, I figure out who-dunit less than halfway thru the book. On this one, I was almost finished before I got it.

The only thing bad about this series is the wait for the next one.

[Julie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading some of my own books to get my own voice back in my head after reading so many other authors this year. I love how the weather was one of the scariest "characters" in this book. And I loved 1. writing a mature hero, and 2. giving a longtime supporting character her own story!

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book plenty of action an good romance i really enjoyed it.

[Jen_C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-1/2 stars! Another great story. I liked the characters, action, romance, and the tornado was a fun twist,..no pun intended.

I specifically liked that Elise said what she needed. "I need you to hold me"... "This is what I need". George went into protector mode and did not deny his feelings for Elise once he realized them. He was mature. He did not let his ex-wife yank him around forever! Loved that. So many times we see a character taken in repeatedly by a needy ex. He was kind but firm with Courtney letting her know he had moved on and she needed to as well.

I love the mentions of favorite characters from earlier books in the series.

Favorites quotes:
“Oh, I don’t just mean the obvious reaction I’m having to you. But how good we are when we’re together. At the office. As friends. When we’re close like this. Somewhere along the line, you turned being indispensable into being...irresistible.” - George

“For years I’ve been trying to turn myself into someone I’m not. Because that’s what Court wanted. But you get me. I can be the man I want to be with you—the man I’m meant to be. You needed me to be that man. I’m a cop. Always have been, always will be." - George

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read Precinct books forever! I love every one of them and can never get enough of them! This one included a tornado, along with the "regular" romantic suspense which made it fantastic! This time we have a story about George, who is the Deputy Commissioner of the police dept. His secretary/assistant, Elise, is suddenly being stalked and gaslighted. She doesn't have a clue who is doing this to her! She's had a couple of serious relationships but they turned out badly and she's sworn off men and decided not to have a relationship anymore! One of these men is dead and another one is being investigated by George's men but seems to be clear so who could be doing this to her? George starts to get closer to her to protect her as the attacks against her escalate. The city of Kansas City is experiencing terrible weather, which isn't helping! Extreme heat, thunderstorms, wind and then a tornado! I enjoyed the ending and the relationship between George and Elise AND the secondary characters!

[Tory Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. The one thing that kept it from being spot-on for me was the ultimate bad-guy. Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but I don't remember ever getting even any HINTS that the villain was who they were. Nor did I really get why they fixated on Elise the way they did.

That said, I adored George and Elise. It was truly refreshing for a book to feature a mature couple (George is 50+ and based on the age difference, Elise is in her mid-to-late 30's). I really REALLY appreciated a story which featured a heroine who wasn't dewy-faced and unsure of herself. At that particular age, the huge age difference (14 years) isn't nearly as squicky for me as it would be if the heroine was 20.

So glad I read this and got to go along for the ride as Elise and George faced down the psycho stalking her...and dealt with George's ex-wife (not in a bad way actually - wife didn't strike me as all bad either). Read and enjoy people.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: KCPD Protector- The Precinct Book 23
Author: Julie Miller
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 7-15-2014
Pages: 220
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Crime; Murder; Series; Action; Western
ISBN: 9780373697762
ASIN: B00IWU4902
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars


A tale of a killer on the loose and a tornado about to hit Kansas City


No matter their rank or position the lawmen of this series are protective and loyal and live their jobs 24/7. When danger comes to close to home there is no limit they are not willing to go to keep those in their care safe. With integrity and honor the officers of the law stand between the innocent and danger. Elise shows she is willing to go to just as far any peace keeper. When nature aides the stalker and Elise is taken Madigan decides all bets are off.


You will enjoy this latest offering of Julie Miller's Precinct's series.


My rating of "KCPD Protector -The Precinct 22" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.


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[Midniteillusion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a long break from this series (maybe too long) because of moving/new jobs etc so I was excited to get back into it on my recent vacation. Unfortunately it fell a little flat. I did like that the hero was older (50ish), and I enjoy that Julie Miller doesn’t always follow the rules with her heroes and heroines in that aspect.
I think my biggest problem was the heroine, she just seemed too weak for my liking. I wish she’d been a little firmer in how she handled things instead of letting some of her “friends” walk all over her.
Plus there is a lot of her back story in another in this series that I read about 2 years ago so I didn’t recall all the details.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big Bag O' Fluff #5

On the upside, no cowboys. On the downside, why would you put Kansas City in the title? That has to be on some master list of the world's least sexy places.

This is also, like, my fourth book in a row about stalkers so I just got up mid-review to lock the front door.

Reasonably suspenseful with the added novelty of a hero over 45.

Maybes: 1 cowboy single father cook, 1 cowboy PI cook, 1 former Marine bodyguard, 1 cop
Donations: 1 cowboy, 1 cowboy cop

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second Harlequin book in as many days (I'm sick at home and needed brain candy - no judging!).

This is also the second Harlequin book that I enjoyed more than I expected to.

Stuff I liked:
I loved the hero, George. I haven't actually read anything where the hero was older than 40 (he's 50) so it was pretty refreshing.

The writing and the plot were both great. I don't know if it's because I set my expectation waaaaay low but I really enjoyed this book.


Stuff I didn't like:
The heroine, Elise, was just a tad bit too wimpy for my liking. Yeah, she was stalked by a psycho but I would have preferred it if she screamed/jumped/flinched less. It wasn't too bad though so it didn't affect my rating.

The identity of the stalker was way too predictable - I think it would have been a better twist if it was George's ex-wife trying to scare Elise away from her job as his assistant.

I liked their romance (even with the 14 year age gap) but for me it would have worked better as a slow-burn. I also felt that the author started it off like that but realised she was only supposed to write ~200 pages and rushed it.

Stuff I hated:
The ending. The last page completely wrecked the book and knocked my rating down to a 3.

“I know you’ve got a thing about dating your boss—”
“There are KCPD rules and regulations to consider. You’re a superior officer. You have to uphold them.”
“I’m going to marry you even if I have to fire you. Understood?”
Elise blinked the rain from her lashes and framed his face, too, smiling up at him. “You could just transfer me to another office.”
“I’m in charge of that stuff, aren’t I. I could do that.”
“Yes, you could.”
“It might mean a cut in pay. For now. Or getting stuck with some tyrant for a boss. But I will fire his ass if he gets out of line—”
Elise pressed a finger against his lips to hush him. “Do you think money is what I want? Do you think I can’t handle some grumpy old curmudgeon? Do you think there’s an office out there I can’t run?”
“I’m going to miss you at work, Elise.” His smile faded for a moment, and the man who never minced words seemed unsure of what to say. “But I’ll see you in bed every night and across the breakfast table every morning. Right?”

Seriously, what the fuck? These two have only been together for two days and she's ready to sacrifice her entire career that she loves and worked so hard for???? And he wants her to?

[Penny Wright]

Libido!

Excellent excellent forbidden romance between a fifty year old man in charge and his executive assistant. KCPD Protector is full of danger, heat, suspense and twists and turns - a twister! Great read.

[Janet Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temptation

George and Elise...He's the Deputy Commissioner. She's his ever efficient Executive Assistant. At least she was until someone tried to drive her insane. Gaslighting. Excellent cast of characters. Suspense. Romance.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. I love The Precinct Series. I would highly recommend this book.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I just finished reading this book and it was awesome from beginning to end! The characters are interesting and the dynamic between them was captivating!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I really liked this book. Will look for the next book in the series to read. They have all been very good.

[Abantika Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one

[TINNGG · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 actually. The trouble with long running series is, they usually run the gambit of series behavior - a series does one of 3 things - improves, stagnates, or deteriorates. I don't know that this one has deteriorated, but for sure it's stagnated. I guess it could be worse - some skip that process and just...jump the shark.

So the author started out her series with a family involved in law enforcement, and then it evolved into fellow officers, etc. The problem is, not everyone you meet really needs a story, and some could/should probably be put off into better circumstances. And here we run into another issue - the story arc/plot - and the difficulty inherent in making each book truly unique. The series has seen a number of individual story arcs, though they seem to be two basic types - dark underbelly/mob connections, and serial rapist. The plots often involve someone stalking for some reason - either as part of the story arc, or character specific. Sigh... A traffic ticket would be nice...

Back to the book in hand. It took me a while to place Elise, by which time I'd classified her as one of those strong-willed females who would rather come off as TSTL than admit they're in trouble. I hate that. And well, it shouldn't have surprised her that the stalker was someone she was v. cheerful to (while being unfailingly polite to her boss - the H). Which brings me to another point - officers are expected to pass a psych exam before acceptance. How in the hell did a guy whose cheese was not only off his cracker, but not even in the same state, get a position as desk guard in a precinct station? Are you kidding me?

And now...I find myself wondering if I should continue with this series. The books are short, yet it took me an unreasonable amount of time to read it.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

The suspense was good had me guessing right till the reveal. There have been a lot of books in the Precinct different series. I have only read a few so most of the names were not familiar to me. Those who have been reading them you might see a lot of old friends back.
The main characters for the romance are fourteen years apart. I was fine with it until I was adding or subtracting my age and feel its a bit of difference.

Elise Brown was a good assistant. She has bad luck in the romance department so no way she wants to be attracted to her boss. She has a dog and fixing up a house after work and that's enough for her.

Deputy Commissioner George Madigan is divorced. He is busy with work dealing with budget and policing the city. He knows that he can't date a co-worker. His nephew is Nick a detective from Tactical Advantage.

Elise Brown gets flowers one day at work and realizes it is like what a old boyfriend who was killed years ago sent her 23 yellow roses. No card. She is a little shaken up at work. She gives flowers away and next day the same flowers are back on her desk with no finger prints on vase at all. Elise has a stalker.

George is worried about her and even goes as far as to watch outside her house from his car. Calling in favors till they can make a case.

There is plenty of drama, action, suspense and love scenes and throw in a Tornado in makes for a exciting book.

I would like to read more suspense books from Julie Miller in the future.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest reviews of it in exchange. My own opinion of KCPD Protector.

[Roxann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another Harlequin intrigue book given to me by one of my sisters. I liked this one. The story is about a deputy commissioner's pretty female assistant who is being stalked. The deputy commissioner is 50 years old and the assistant is 36. The first book from Harlequin that had this age difference (at least what I have read). Anyway it was refreshing. The commissioner feels drawn into protecting his assistant Elise even though the police don't have the money. He asks for volunteers to help. The stalker seems to know everything Elise is doing, where she's going, etc. So it has to be someone close. The only part of the book I didn't like was the 'make out' scene in the commissioner's SUV in a parking ramp where others could see them including 2 police officers. Not really necessary for the story AND a 50 year old can't control his hormones until he gets home!

I did figure the book out before the end, but it is a good and fast read.

[Merle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entry for the Precinct, even if I did figure out the solution pretty early on. There's always something going on with the KC Police Department and there are so many characters that are familiar by now that the stories continue to entertain.

Deputy Commissioner George Madigan has the ideal assistant, Elise Brown. She has turned his office into a model of efficiency and George sees so much more in her. Elise has demons she can't deny or eliminate, and she shies away from the attraction she feels for her boss. At the same time, an unseen enemy has targeted Elise and has begun a campaign that is slowly making her unable to do her job, even to live comfortably without looking over her shoulder. Kudos to Miller for the sheer number of suspects she puts in our way who might be the person harassing Elise.

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book at a recent romance conference (it was in the goody bag).

Two days later, it was advertised on BookBub as Christian fiction. Uh, no.

It's Harlequin Intrigue, which means it's short, easy to read, and not too complex. Just what I needed on a Friday night after a busy week.

George (hero) is perhaps too perfect, in that he doesn't have any obvious faults (being older than the heroine is hardly a fault). Elise is perhaps a bit too perfect herself, although she doesn't have a good history with men. Lots of sexual tension, good suspense plot.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Miller’s romantic suspense novel, Deputy Commissioner George Madigan is determined to protect his lovely assistant from a stalker. Working closely for long hours every day has Madigan and Elise fighting to keep their rising passion under control. But when a tornado strikes Kansas City and Elise is taken hostage, George will move heaven and hell to protect her.

A great addition to The Precinct.

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful suspense romance. It was full of action and add in the romance made it an awesome story. George and Elise were made for each other, they made a lovely couple. Everything they went through made them so much stronger. The story is very well written and the characters are amazing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise works at the KCPD for Deputy Commisioner George Madigan..She starts having threatening things happen to her that scare her. She keeps getting creepy notes telling her that this person loves her..It is summer in Kansas and so hot with bad storms...but the baddest one hits and she finds out who is doing all this to her..I was shocked to find out who it was....WOW..A very good book that was o very hard to put down!

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read any of the books before this one but I really liked the story. The characters were likable the action and romance a great blend and wow the bad guy was spot on EVIL BAD GUY!
I loved the "mature couple" romance even though I think the female lead was only in her late 30's and the male was in his 50's.
The book has it cheese factor but all in it all it was a good pool side read.
Advance Copy from Netalley