Detective Paul Daniels has spent four and a half years mourning the loss of his wife. He’s been doing his best to raise their daughter, Chloe, with the help of his in-law’s. When they inform him right before Thanksgiving that they’re going to be moving over two hours away, Paul finds himself without anyone to watch Chloe while he’s at work. Little did he know that meeting his baby brother’s girlfriend and her sister, Megan, would change everything.
Megan Carson took a few wrong turns in her life, but she was doing her best to get back on track. When Paul mentioned his need for someone to watch his daughter, she quickly volunteered to be his live-in nanny. It didn’t take long for Chloe to work her way into Megan’s heart, and not much longer for her to realize that she was falling in love with Chloe’s dad.
Sherri picked up her first romance novel when she was twelve and immediately she was hooked. She would stay up reading long after everyone else in her house had gone to bed, needing to see the hero and heroine get their happily ever after. But Sherri never imagined becoming an author.
At the age of thirty, all that changed. After getting frustrated with the direction a television show was taking two of its characters, Sherri decided to try her hand at writing an alternative ending to give the characters the happy ending they deserved.
Since then, writing has become a creative outlet that allows her to explore a wide range of emotions, while having fun taking her characters through all the twists and turns she can create. You can find a current list of all of Sherri’s books and sign up for her newsletter at www.sherrihayesauthor.com.
This was very average, the 23-yr-old heroine who is a self-confessed wild-child confident in her sexuality basically wants to seduce her employer, a widower 13 years her senior. He resists, she persists, they fall in bed, and apparently love, HEA.
Paul and Megan are Gage and Rebecca's siblings, respectively, whom we met in Red Zone. In that book, we found out that Paul was a widower raising his young daughter, Chloe, after his wife died in a drunk driving accident, when Chloe was an infant.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, Megan, who had been at the Daniels' family home with her sister and Gage after another disastrous relationship had gone wrong, chooses to return to Indianapolis with Paul and Chloe. Paul had just found out that his deceased wife's parents would be moving out of town. He had relied on them to keep Chloe when he was working. As a detective, he could be called into work at any time. So when Megan offered to return home with he and Chloe, who had immediately bonded with Megan, he was thrilled to not have to worry about finding someone suitable. Since Rebecca was with his brother, Megan instantly became like another member of the family. Chloe's immediate attachment to Megan didn't hurt either.
Now at the beginning of this book, it's been about six months later and they've all fallen into a comfortable pattern. But things are about the change between Paul and Megan. Megan knows what she wants and it's Paul. Paul, still not over his wife's death and feeling guilt from things he's never told anyone else, doesn't believe he deserves a second chance at happiness with anyone, let alone Megan. And then their's the thirteen year age difference.
But when fate, emotions, and tragedy influence their lives, will these two find a way to be together? Or will Paul's fears keep them apart?
This one was really sweet and sad at the same time. I loved how Chloe immediately loved Megan. I loved how Megan fit nicely into the Daniels' lives. Though the age difference didn't bother me at all, I understood Paul's reservations. Even how things ended with his wife. Basically he had survivors guilt. We always have to consider what we say to those we love as it could be the last thing ever.
I do wish we had more information about Rollins and why he was doing what he was doing. I still don't understand. But I guess you never really do when you are normal and the other person is a psychopath. It's not about rational thought and understanding.
I love that now there's only Trent left standing. Looking forward to reading his story.
When I first started reading, my initial reaction wasn't a positive one as Paul Daniels (the main male character) is the name of a famous TV magician here in the UK and I ketpt hearing his voice, but I was soon able to put that behind me as I was pulled into the story.
The situation between Megan and Paul felt very real to me as a reader in that they were pushed together by circumstances beyond their control and both are starting to feel something, but Paul feels he should fight it due to his late wife's memory. Megan has other ideas.
I have to admit, I felt a little sorry for Paul as Megan was determined to get him to realise the truth about his feelings, and really forced him to look inside himself. it took her leaving for him to reassess his life.
Linked into this sweet, and often funny, romance, Paul is dealing with a serial killer case at work. Hayes blends the two storylines together eith class and ease, although I have to admit, I picked up on the upcoming twist when I was about 3/4 through the book. This didn't ruin anything for me as I still sat, hand to mouth, hoping and praying.
Crossing the Line is a book filled with great, believable characters, and pulls you in almost instantly. I've read the second in this series, The Red Zine, which I loved and will certainly read the first (yes, I know it's out of order, but these things happen).
It's clear that Hayes loves these characters and knows them extremely well. Each and every one is a joy to read and have their own little quirks, particularly young Chloe. Well worth buy and spending an afternoon reading in full.
I really enjoyed this romance, murder mystery. Although this story is part of a series, they all seem like they could stand alone as each one is about one of the Daniels brothers. While making appearances in the other books, I learned in this one (the only one I've read so far) that they're all pretty swoony.
Megan, ex-party girl, and Paul, widow, are thrown together by necessity, but it's Megan that starts to change first. While she's living with Paul and his daughter as Chloe's nanny. She is so good with that little girl and the kid is a sweetie. Paul, a detective, is serious and in mourning of his late wife. Megan wants more from him and sets out to get it.
While we watch Megan seduce poor Paul, because I do end up feeling bad for him, there's a murder mystery intertwined. And it's good.
I do recommend this book for those that love romances, murder mysteries, and cute little girls, and hard to crack men. But besides all that the story really was written well and the characters were well fleshed out and likable. I was quickly caught up and read it in just a few hours.
This was my first encounter with this authors work, and I must confess, it left a really good first impression, so much so, I plan to read the other books in the series!
I was a little concerned at first that I may have trouble following along with this being the third installment in the series, and not having read the previous books, but surprisingly that wasn't the case at all! I think this book could easily be read as a stand alone title, however, with that being said I can't imagine you reading this book and not having the dire urge to read the other two in the series. It was a very entertaining and engaging read, and I ended up pulling a late night read fest just so I could finish it!!
The story line was very easy to submerse myself into, and provided with me with a great little literary escape. The characters had undeniable smoldering chemistry, which made for a nice and spicy read.
I Highly recommend this book, it definitely has it all; suspense, toe curling romance, like-able characters, and very engaging plot!!
ARC requested through NetGalley and kindly provided by The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House in exchange for a honest review!
I really enjoyed this book. The third one on the Daniels Brothers Romances series by Sherri Hayes. Paul is a very good father. Being a cop and a single dad is hard but he has managed to make it work so far. Now he needs a Nanny and that's where Chloe comes into their lives. My only complaint about Paul is that his intentions of keeping Chloe away, putting distance between them, got old really fast. I don't mind that he wanted to protect himself from the pain but it got annoying, for me, by the end. I love strong-minded independent women in books. Chloe is one of the best female characters that portrayed those characteristics in a romance novel. The fact that she is so stubborn makes her the perfect woman for Paul, even if he doesn't want to admit it. The plot of the story was consistent with what I have come to expect from Sherri Hayes series. The writing was on point, the dialogue was fun, the characters were compelling and relatable, the mystery of the serial killer was a great addition to the plot, so it wasn't only based on the romance. I would recommend this book to anyone that love stubborn females and amazing single fathers, mixed with a serial killer investigation. I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own and I have not been compensated for this review.
***Received an advanced copy for an honest review free of spoilers***
Another hit from Sherri Hayes. Crossing the Line is beautiful, tragic, suspenseful and so much more.
Paul and Megan's journey is one that captures your heart. Paul is struggling with the lost of his wife and being a single father to a beautiful little girl. The thought of ever loving another women is beyond anything Paul would ever think possible. Working and taking care of his little girl is all he thinks about or needs.
Megan is struggling to let go of her past that continues to to threaten her future. She never chooses the right men and just when she thinks she has finally chosen the right one, he proves her wrong but Megan has her sister to lean on.
A chance meeting brings them together. Megan jumps in head first when presented with an opportunity to finally make a positive change in her life. Paul takes the lifeline that Megan offers just when he needs it. His little girl means everything to him but being a Detective is challenging as a single parent. Attraction, desire, lust and finally acceptance brings them together in what I would describe as a tragically, epic love story of finding love again.
Crossing the Line seems to start a couple of months after the second book in the series and focuses on Paul and Megan. Paul is a widow with a five year old little girl, Chloe, and in the second book he asked Megan to move in to help take care of Chloe. Megan, who is in need of a fresh start, agrees. Paul lost his wife four or five years ago in a car accident and is still mourning her and is still very much in love with her. One night after a few too many drinks an action was made on Paul's end and things change after that. Megan starts developing feelings for Paul and is very accepting of the fact that he still loves his wife and she isn't giving up even after Paul says no. Despite trying to deter Megan, Paul realizes he has feeling for her too. There is a 13 year age difference between the two but what I love is that they balance each other out really well. Megan allows Paul to relax and have fun and Paul helps to ground Megan, the once well-known party girl. This was a fun read and considering Paul is a homicide detective there is a little action involved when he has to hunt down a serial killer.
I really enjoyed "Crossing the Line" by Sherri Hayes. I recieved a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I am more than happy to express my enjoyment of this story. This has been a great series so far. Each book follows the story of a different brother, struggling with finding their happily ever after and the women that fall for them. This author does a great job painting the story and developing engaging characters that we get to know better with each book. I love that the characters carry over into the next book. She has a way of getting you invested in each one, so it's nice to see glimpses of them throughout the others. If you are a fan of a well written contemporary romance with a hint of suspense and nice dose of steamy sections, then this book is a great addition to your collection. Happy Reading...enjoy!
Part 3 in a series but could be read as a standalone but better as a series.
My Crossing the Line Review ...
After reading the Finding Anna Series I devoured anything from this lovely author, and I found another gem with this series. These Daniel Men come from a good family, are loyal to a fault, they are sexy and successful and are trouble magnets.
Paul Daniels is the oldest brother of the family and tries to hold it together so his family can't see his true pain after the tragic loss of the love of his life. With his stressful job he needed help to take care of his daughter so luckly his brothers new wife's sister also needed a fresh start so she jumped at the chance to help Paul out.
Megan has a knack for falling for losers and doesn't expect anything from Paul except to take care of his lovely daughter Chloe. However, the more time Paul and Megan spend time together the more Megan develops feelings for Paul. But with Paul his love for his wife is almost impenetrable until one drunken night and a passionate kiss changes everything.
As Megan fights for what she wants Paul has do deal with his past to overcome all his fears and move forward and be happy with Megan even with the 13 year age gap. As Paul finally gives in, trouble finds his way into their lives and potentially destroys everything but thankfully Megan has strong willed and she convinces that stubborn Paul that it is ok to love again and be loved.
As with this whole series, it is full of sweet, suspense, angst, passion, drama and love. I love the fact that there is always a sideline drama going on with these couples instead of the only drama being lack of miscommunication and insecurities between the couples which makes it more fulfilling read for me.
I really enjoyed this entertaining read. A well written book, that offers complex characters and a deep emotional storyline. Paul is a widower, struggling to raise his daughter while working as a detective. Megan is struggling to overcome the mistakes she's made in the past. Paul hires Megan to take care of his daughter, Chloe and so begins the slow simmering attraction between these two. Will Paul's refusal to let go of the past cause him to loose a new chance at happiness? Can Megan break through the walls that Paul has erected around his heart? Grab this touching romance to find out.
The third book in the Daniels Brother series, but it can be read as a stand alone. I have been looking forward to reading this story.
Paul had to deal with the loss of his wife and trying to raise his daughter on his own. I loved how slowly he was able to make peace with his past and look towards the future and the fact that he did deserve happiness.
Megan didn’t have the most stable upbringing and she made bad choices, but I loved how she accepted that and moved on. Seeing her and Chloe together was wonderful to see.
This was definitely a book to read remember. Paul and Megan had a rough beginning. Dealing with so much self doubt and sadness, Paul couldn't commit to Megan. This book went on for awhile about his trauma with his first wife, while Megan was falling in love with him.
I liked this book, and the suspense was great, but I wish they'd gotten together sooner. Megan send like a young girl trying too hard, while Paul was adamant that nothing would happen.
It's definitely worth the read. Great characters and a good ending.
Crossing the Line had good elements but they were overshadowed by the ones that were mediocre. It was too wordy, had too much filler that was not needed just to make it look like a long book. The heroine was not likable, way too pushy for my tastes. She pushed Paul until he finally succumbed to her. That is not love, that is lust. The theme has been overdone. Could have been a good story with only slight changes made. Gave it four stars for the things that were good.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and it was another exciting book in this series. Megan was determined to get Paul which I found very refreshing from the usual man doing the chasing. Paul wasn't having it but once he fell he fell hard. This book as lots of shocks, surprises, horror and a female who is willing to try anything to get her man.
This one has it all, love, mystery, and suspense. A well written book with a great plot that you will not want to put down until you have finished the last word. I feel in love with this series and hope there will be more to it!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another great read by an outstanding author! This book is full of suspense and mystery that makes it hard to put down. Throw in some smoldering chemistry and you have a great read on your hands. A good book that’s part of a great series!
This is an engaging story that quickly drew me in and kept me turning the pages. The characters are complex, determined, and perfect for each other. There is something for everyone in this book from suspense, mystery, and romance. A very enjoyable read.
Book 3 of the Daniels' brother. I have received this book for being a part of Sherri's ARC Team... this time the book is on eldest brother Paul and Gage's sister in law, Megan. Paul adopted Megan as Chloe's nanny after meeting her and Rebecca at Thanksgiving from book 2. This book tells us what a great team and family they'd become and also on a case Paul is working on. Although I suspected the culprit and what the story is leading up to, I was being kept on edge...waiting for the shoe to drop... This book is suspenseful and kept me turning the pages. I thought the first two Daniels' books were good, this is awesome. Looking forward to see what Trent's book will be like....
Megan Carson is working as a nanny for a five year old who has lost her mother in a tragic accident. She loves her job and she loves Chloe. She feels like she is finally doing something important with her life. She has not always felt like this and realizes that she has made a lot of mistakes during her life. She never had a good family life and was raised more by her sister than her parents. She was a rebellious teen and traveled with the wrong crowd. Her choice in men has never been good. But all of that is behind her now and she has straightened out her life. And she now knows what she wants her in life, and that includes Chloe and Chloe’s dad.
Paul Daniels is Chloe’s dad and he has been raising her alone for over four years, ever since a drunk driver took the life of his wife. He and his wife were school sweethearts who married and started a family and were making things work. But that part of his life is now over and he is left to raise his daughter on his own. He has hired Megan as a nanny and he has no plans to find a new wife and mother for his daughter. A nanny works out perfectly, because with his job as a police detective, he has unpredictable hours and with Megan living with them, he does not have to worry about Chloe.
All of this changes when he is at the wedding of his brother, Chris. The memory of his own wedding and the loss of his wife become too much for Paul to handle, so he gets drunk after the wedding. Megan, who is also at the wedding, helps Paul into bed because he is so drunk he cannot handle that task by himself. Before he passes out, he kisses Megan, buthas no memory of it in the morning. But Megan remembers it all too well, and she realizes Paul is the one for her. She sets into motion a plan to win Paul over and to become a family with him and Chloe. But she keeps meeting resistance from Paul, because he knows he cannot give his heart to anyone else, it still belongs to his late wife. He is carrying around guilt because he argued with his wife right before the accident and he feels he is the reason for her death. He feels like he is responsible for his daughter losing her mother. He thinks that he does not deserve a second chance at happiness. Paul also feels that he is too old for Megan and that he would be holding her back from finding someone that she deserves. Can Megan make him realize that they would be perfect together and convince him to let go of the past and start a new life with her?
The characters are well developed and very human. They experience a lot of the same emotions and concerns that everyone feels at some time in their lives. They go through sorrow, longing, regrets, guilt, desire and frustration. I feel like these characters could be someone that you know as a friend or a coworker. They are characters that are really easy to begin to care about, worry about and cheer for.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. I read it in less than two days and that is unheard of for me. I found myself swiping page after page and thinking “I’ll read just a little more” because I had to see what would happen. There is suspense in the book due to the fact that Paul is a detective working a serial killer case. Will he be able to solve the case before someone else is murdered? Will Megan be safe from the killer or will Paul lose someone else he loves. The suspense and mystery were expertly woven into the storyline and I really enjoyed the fact that the book was a mystery as well as a romance. I did not figure out who the killer was until it was revealed at the end of the book. Once I knew who it was, the clues and twists and turns all made it a believable conclusion. That is something I like when reading a mystery, that it is all tied up nicely and is feasible.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance filled with emotion. Also to anyone who likes a little suspense in their romance reading. I have not read any other of Sherri Hayes books but I plan to read the rest of them so I can learn more about the Daniels clan.
*OBS would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Paul Daniels is a widower and father to precocious five year old Chloe. He met Megan when his brother Gage fell for her sister Rebecca (Red Zone). When Paul lost his childcare, Megan stepped in, moved to Indianapolis and became the nanny. It worked out perfectly for all of them. Megan got a fresh start, Paul had someone to count on to help with Chloe, and Chloe got to spend time with a woman she adores.
The night of his brother Chris and Elizabeth's wedding (Behind Closed Doors), scotch and memories get to him. And Megan is there to help. But something unexpected makes Megan realize just how much she has come to care for Paul. But the next day he does not really remember, and she refuses to forget it.
So begins a game of cat and mouse. Megan knows he wants her. He doesn't want to want her and thinks he is unworthy of her. But she is persistent. She is there for him and his daughter and gradually continues to get under his skin. But it is a precarious situation with his history, his daughter, their shared family connections and that she is employed by him.
I loved Megan. She had a wild past, but has really settled down and knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. She is sweet, strong, and caring. She is understanding of his situation and issues. And she is a good support to Paul and Chloe.
Paul is damaged by loss and guilt. He has significant fears of intimacy. He is a good guy who always wants to do the right thing. He struggles a lot. First she is younger than him. He does not think he deserves a second chance at happiness, and the thought of another loss terrifies him. He is confused and conflicted about what he wants, what he deserves, and what he should do. He is tempted and she makes him feel more than he has in years, but tries to hold himself back.
Will he give them a real chance? And if he does will they be able to navigate all of the challenges and outside influences affecting them and threatening their chance for happiness?
Underlying the relationship story, is Paul's job as a homicide detective where he is tracking a serial killer that preys on young women. This adds stress, danger, and suspense to the story.
It's a story of loss, love, and hope with a dose of suspense and danger. It was told in both points of view letting us see their insecurities and secret feelings. The characters had depth and were likable. Their relationship was a slow build, but also realistic in pacing. The plot line had some mystery and twists...some I figured out, but they still provided tension, mystery, intrigue, and danger. There were emotional situations that had to be dealt with as well.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone, but I liked spending more time with the other Daniels brothers Chris, Gage and Trent, Rebecca(Megan's sister and Gage's wife), and Elizabeth(Chris' wife). The Daniels are a tight knit family who took in Rebecca and Megan both when they really had no other family of their own. We got to see progression with the other couples from the previous books. So that only leaves brother Trent as the last standing single Daniels brother.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Replacing a much beloved deceased wife is an uphill battle. It is one which Megan Carson is determined to do even if it breaks her heart. Since she started living at Paul Daniels' home and taking care of his daughter, Chloe, she's realized her past mistakes. The guys she's dated and fallen for so quickly were worthless. Watching how Paul takes care of his family and especially his daughter, Megan knows this is the right kind of guy for her.
Paul misses his wife and wrestles with guilt over her death. While he didn't directly cause it, he feels responsible. This is the kind of guy Paul is - the white knight trying to protect everyone. He is the one who believes he can prevent all the bad things from happening. This is what makes him such a great detective.
The characters in this story are easy to understand. They can easily be identified as a reader's friend or family member. Megan and Paul are both people who are relatable and all too human. This is what makes Ms. Hayes' contemporary romances so good. She captures a realistic view of people - the good, bad and ugly - then creates a lovely story about them. Megan and Paul's romance is a good view of what could happen to a widower not ready for a new relationship. Added to the mix is the age difference which makes Paul feel as if he is taking advantage of Megan. The fact Megan is his daughter's nanny just adds to the torridness of the situation and constantly threatens to unravel his tightly controlled desires.
This story is a sweet romance. To add some layer and complexity to the world building, the suspense part is nicely done. Hunting a serial killer which impacts Paul's life is not unexpected yet blended into the plot quite well. What bothered me about this story isn't the plot or the romance. It's Megan's single mindedness to have Paul as her own. If this where flipped around with Megan as the widow with a child and Paul wooing her, I can't help but think Paul would be labeled as an domineering stalker. Personally, I call Megan a cock tease in need of a good spanking. Maybe a daily spanking will help adjust her slutty behaviour. Ms. Hayes walks a fine line for Megan to come across as too pushy versus a determined young lady in love. In the end, it all works out.
Ms. Hayes' forte in writing is how well she shows her character's motivation and feelings. There is never a question as to what Megan is feeling or how Paul feels about the situation. Everything is transparent so the reader doesn't have to guess or fume about contrived miscommunications. This makes the story more enjoyable and fast read. This sweet contemporary romance is recommended to readers who love happily ever afters.
Although I did like Crossing the Line, it was very predictable. It was the typical story of two people that just didn’t seem compatible but were still meant to be together. I was entertained by the story and could at least appreciate the forward flow of the book. Crossing the Line is the third and final book in the Daniels Brothers series and I did feel like something was missing regarding the backstory of the main characters in the book. However, I did not read the other books so I don’t know how much more information I may have gained from the other books.
Detective Paul Daniels lost his wife almost 5 years ago because of a drunk driver. His daughter Chloe was only 2 months old at the time. Paul blames himself for his wife’s death because of the circumstances that made her go out that night. Fast forward to today and Paul ends up hiring the sister of his baby brother’s girlfriend to be the nanny for Chloe. Her name is Megan and she is 13 years younger than the 36-year-old detective. Megan becomes very close to Chloe over the course of several months and Paul trusts her deeply. Megan has feelings for Paul but he just doesn’t look at her or any other woman that way. He just can’t stop wallowing in guilt and doesn’t think he deserves to be with anyone. That all changes at his brother’s wedding when he gets drunk in his room and Megan comes to check on him. Paul quickly comes on to Megan before he passes out.
In a short time, Megan advises Paul of his previous actions and lets him know that she has had feelings for him for a long time. Paul tries to deny his feelings and continuously advises her that they are not a good match and that he is still in love with his wife. Megan is persistent and they eventually start a romance that changes Paul. However, Paul is also investigating a serial killer and that eventually has an impact on their relationship. Again, Crossing the Line was a good book but there wasn’t much on originality.
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of The Writer’s Coffee Shop for an honest and unbiased opinion.**