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At Your Command
The Few. The Proud. The Married.
U.S. Marine Zachariah Clark spent his last furlough between the sheets with voluptuous socialite Becky Owens—a steamy week he never wanted to end. So he proposed. They secretly said their "I do's" and Zachariah shipped out on an eighteen-month tour.
Stateside again—nursing serious war wounds—Zach begins a tough new mission: getting to know his bride. In the bedroom things are perfect, but outside, Zach has plenty to learn about Becky, a steely divorce attorney who's as fierce a warrior in her own way as he is. The question is: who's giving the orders now?
U.S. Marine Zachariah Clark spent his last furlough between the sheets with voluptuous socialite Becky Owens—a steamy week he never wanted to end. So he proposed. They secretly said their "I do's" and Zachariah shipped out on an eighteen-month tour.
Stateside again—nursing serious war wounds—Zach begins a tough new mission: getting to know his bride. In the bedroom things are perfect, but outside, Zach has plenty to learn about Becky, a steely divorce attorney who's as fierce a warrior in her own way as he is. The question is: who's giving the orders now?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 12, 2007
10 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Julie Miller
295 books368 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 3, 2013
Opening Line: " Marine Corps Captain Zachariah Clark was so tuckered out he could barely put on his uniform, much less speed up the process."
This was a pretty good Harlequin Blaze. Not as formulaic as some I’ve read because our couple here does everything backwards. It was fun watching them fumble along, finally getting to know each other after 18 months of marriage (I’ll explain later) However this loses points for the stalker/suspense storyline used to carry the plot along and a heroine described on the back cover as “steely" but who for the most part I‘d just call a bitch. I will say that Julie Miller writes amazing love scenes though and that’s really what saved this for me.
At Your Command starts with a bang. Marine Corps Captain Zachariah Clark has just spent a week having the best sex of his life with a women he picked up in a bar (truthfully they picked each other up) He’s now just 5 hours left before reporting to his base in Quantico Virginia and active duty in the Middle East. So of course they have more steamy sex before Zachariah impulsively asks her to marry him. Becky (still in an uncompromising position) replies simply “Okay”
18 months later Zachariah (who the author never refers to as Zach and honestly what woman calls out “Ooh Zachariah” during sex? This just bugged me. Anyways, 18 months later Zack is Stateside on a short leave and now nursing a serious case of PTSD as well as several ugly scars. He’s had very little communication with Becky during his time away (it was classified) and yet here they are together again, knowing only that they have great chemistry together but almost nothing about the others life or who they really are.
Becky’s a busy divorce lawyer and as it turns out also an East Coast heiress which should give Nebraska farm boy Zack pause for concern especially when he learns she hasn’t yet told her parents she’s married. Becky isn’t very empathetic where her husband is concerned although we do get some honest conversations regarding whether they can make this work or if their entire relationship is just based on sex.
So to keep things moving along Becky begins receiving threatening phone calls, letters and even part of a bomb on the hood of her car (which is ironic because Zack is a demolitions expert) we also get some very silly moments in the head of Becky’s stalker while he rips up photographs and says nasty psycho things along with several sub-characters to keep you guessing his identity.
Because Beck’s parents don’t know she’s married Zack is forced to pose as her bodyguard when she returns home to the family mansion. Sleeping in separate bedrooms the two finally get to know each other and even go on a few dates. During this time we meet Becky’s cancer stricken mother and except for the mammogram preaching done here (once would have been enough) She became one of my favourite characters. Lily and Zack’s sweet relationship and the fact that she sees and knows all is awesome. The stalker storyline reaches its explosive conclusion and I’ll admit I sighed at the touching ending.Cheers
This was a pretty good Harlequin Blaze. Not as formulaic as some I’ve read because our couple here does everything backwards. It was fun watching them fumble along, finally getting to know each other after 18 months of marriage (I’ll explain later) However this loses points for the stalker/suspense storyline used to carry the plot along and a heroine described on the back cover as “steely" but who for the most part I‘d just call a bitch. I will say that Julie Miller writes amazing love scenes though and that’s really what saved this for me.
At Your Command starts with a bang. Marine Corps Captain Zachariah Clark has just spent a week having the best sex of his life with a women he picked up in a bar (truthfully they picked each other up) He’s now just 5 hours left before reporting to his base in Quantico Virginia and active duty in the Middle East. So of course they have more steamy sex before Zachariah impulsively asks her to marry him. Becky (still in an uncompromising position) replies simply “Okay”
18 months later Zachariah (who the author never refers to as Zach and honestly what woman calls out “Ooh Zachariah” during sex? This just bugged me. Anyways, 18 months later Zack is Stateside on a short leave and now nursing a serious case of PTSD as well as several ugly scars. He’s had very little communication with Becky during his time away (it was classified) and yet here they are together again, knowing only that they have great chemistry together but almost nothing about the others life or who they really are.
Becky’s a busy divorce lawyer and as it turns out also an East Coast heiress which should give Nebraska farm boy Zack pause for concern especially when he learns she hasn’t yet told her parents she’s married. Becky isn’t very empathetic where her husband is concerned although we do get some honest conversations regarding whether they can make this work or if their entire relationship is just based on sex.
So to keep things moving along Becky begins receiving threatening phone calls, letters and even part of a bomb on the hood of her car (which is ironic because Zack is a demolitions expert) we also get some very silly moments in the head of Becky’s stalker while he rips up photographs and says nasty psycho things along with several sub-characters to keep you guessing his identity.
Because Beck’s parents don’t know she’s married Zack is forced to pose as her bodyguard when she returns home to the family mansion. Sleeping in separate bedrooms the two finally get to know each other and even go on a few dates. During this time we meet Becky’s cancer stricken mother and except for the mammogram preaching done here (once would have been enough) She became one of my favourite characters. Lily and Zack’s sweet relationship and the fact that she sees and knows all is awesome. The stalker storyline reaches its explosive conclusion and I’ll admit I sighed at the touching ending.Cheers
January 12, 2016
Zaniepokojona tym, że moi kompani od Kaszany pokpili sprawę, sama wzięłam się za wyzwanie przewidziane na II kwartał 2015. Już po kilku pierwszych stronach „Detektywa i dziewczyny” zaczęłam żałować, że wychyliłam się przed szereg. ;)
Chciałabym powiedzieć coś dobrego o tej książce. Naprawdę bym chciała. I może nawet mi się uda, bo dostrzegam jej jedną, ale za to bardzo istotną zaletę – jest stosunkowo krótka. Dzięki temu nie musiałam przedłużać męczarni związanych z czytaniem. Innych plusów brak.
Przybliżę Wam fabułę. Tytułowa dziewczyna, lat 25, jest singielka, zakupiła swój pierwszy domek (Kurna, mam niewiele więcej, gdzie mój pierwszy domek?) i pracuje w farmaceutycznej korporacji. Ma taki zapiernicz w pracy, że nie ma czasu na związki i życie prywatne. Jest asystentką szefa i zna kilka jego prywatnych tajemnic. A, nasza bohaterka ma na imię Elisabeth. Pytanie za 0,00001 punktu: jak miała na imię główna bohaterka „Mrocznego Kochanka”? Odpowiedzi przesyłajcie SMS-em na losowo wybrany numer. Na pewno właściciel numeru odpowiednio Was nagrodzi. Co do naszego detektywa, Kevina – gość jest o 12 lat starszy od Beth. Za nim nieszczęśliwe związki. Jest oddany swej pracy w policji. Tak, samotny. Tak, wysportowany i umięśniony. O dziwo sam siebie nie uznaje za przystojnego. Nieważne, i tak kręci Elisabeth. I to do jakiego stopnia! Dziewoja pada ofiarą ataku (a prawdopodobnie i gwałtu) w swoim własnym domu. Lezie do sąsiada iiiii… I co? I zwraca uwagę na umięśniony tors Keva! No pewnie! Każda ofiara napaści, zwłaszcza tej na tle seksualnym, ma ochotę na zbliżenia! Od tego momentu zaczyna się budować relacja między zakompleksionym detektywem (który zaczyna mieć słabość do Beth) a lecącą na niego dwudziestopięciolatką. W tle rozgrywa się wątek kryminalny, który zaczyna się bardzo przyjemnie, a kończy przewidywalnie jak opowiadanie z jakiejś „Pani domu” czy innego „Poradnika domowego”.
Książka to taki kundelek – pomieszanie romansu z kryminałem. Jako kryminał wypada blado, romansem też jest bardzo banalnym. W zasadzie nadaje się tylko do tego, żeby dorzucić ją do kolorowego magazynu dla pań. A to i tak z braku laku.
Okładką nie byłam straszona, bo czytałam książkę na komórce. Kiedy jednak zobaczyłam grafikę na booklikes, zaczęłam się zastanawiać, czy zamysł autora był taki, żeby przedstawić bohatera rodem z „Mody na sukces” na tle piorunów… Co to w ogóle ma wspólnego z treścią książki?
Ta kaszana naprawdę była kaszaną. Przez „Detektywa..” mam odruch wymiotny za każdym razem, kiedy czytam, że ktoś położył swoją dłoń na czyjejś (słyszałam o fetyszu stóp, dłonie chyba nie są standardem). Cała plejada schematycznych postaci i beznadziejny wątek romantyczny zdecydowanie nie pomagają. Ode mnie całe 2/10, a to tylko dlatego, że na chwilę zaciekawił mnie wątek kryminalny. Szkoda, że trwało to tak krótko.
Chciałabym powiedzieć coś dobrego o tej książce. Naprawdę bym chciała. I może nawet mi się uda, bo dostrzegam jej jedną, ale za to bardzo istotną zaletę – jest stosunkowo krótka. Dzięki temu nie musiałam przedłużać męczarni związanych z czytaniem. Innych plusów brak.
Przybliżę Wam fabułę. Tytułowa dziewczyna, lat 25, jest singielka, zakupiła swój pierwszy domek (Kurna, mam niewiele więcej, gdzie mój pierwszy domek?) i pracuje w farmaceutycznej korporacji. Ma taki zapiernicz w pracy, że nie ma czasu na związki i życie prywatne. Jest asystentką szefa i zna kilka jego prywatnych tajemnic. A, nasza bohaterka ma na imię Elisabeth. Pytanie za 0,00001 punktu: jak miała na imię główna bohaterka „Mrocznego Kochanka”? Odpowiedzi przesyłajcie SMS-em na losowo wybrany numer. Na pewno właściciel numeru odpowiednio Was nagrodzi. Co do naszego detektywa, Kevina – gość jest o 12 lat starszy od Beth. Za nim nieszczęśliwe związki. Jest oddany swej pracy w policji. Tak, samotny. Tak, wysportowany i umięśniony. O dziwo sam siebie nie uznaje za przystojnego. Nieważne, i tak kręci Elisabeth. I to do jakiego stopnia! Dziewoja pada ofiarą ataku (a prawdopodobnie i gwałtu) w swoim własnym domu. Lezie do sąsiada iiiii… I co? I zwraca uwagę na umięśniony tors Keva! No pewnie! Każda ofiara napaści, zwłaszcza tej na tle seksualnym, ma ochotę na zbliżenia! Od tego momentu zaczyna się budować relacja między zakompleksionym detektywem (który zaczyna mieć słabość do Beth) a lecącą na niego dwudziestopięciolatką. W tle rozgrywa się wątek kryminalny, który zaczyna się bardzo przyjemnie, a kończy przewidywalnie jak opowiadanie z jakiejś „Pani domu” czy innego „Poradnika domowego”.
Książka to taki kundelek – pomieszanie romansu z kryminałem. Jako kryminał wypada blado, romansem też jest bardzo banalnym. W zasadzie nadaje się tylko do tego, żeby dorzucić ją do kolorowego magazynu dla pań. A to i tak z braku laku.
Okładką nie byłam straszona, bo czytałam książkę na komórce. Kiedy jednak zobaczyłam grafikę na booklikes, zaczęłam się zastanawiać, czy zamysł autora był taki, żeby przedstawić bohatera rodem z „Mody na sukces” na tle piorunów… Co to w ogóle ma wspólnego z treścią książki?
Ta kaszana naprawdę była kaszaną. Przez „Detektywa..” mam odruch wymiotny za każdym razem, kiedy czytam, że ktoś położył swoją dłoń na czyjejś (słyszałam o fetyszu stóp, dłonie chyba nie są standardem). Cała plejada schematycznych postaci i beznadziejny wątek romantyczny zdecydowanie nie pomagają. Ode mnie całe 2/10, a to tylko dlatego, że na chwilę zaciekawił mnie wątek kryminalny. Szkoda, że trwało to tak krótko.
May 20, 2023
At Your Command
4.5 Stars
When Marine Corps Captain Zacharia Clark and Public Attorney Becky Owens met in a bar, little did they know their nights of passion would lead to a spur-of-the-moment proposal and rushed "I dos" hours before he shipped out. Now, 18 months later, Zacharia has returned, traumatized by war, to a wife he barely knows but one he realizes he can't live without. Struggling with her own problems, Becky is sure of only one thing - Zacharia is the man for her. Can these two virtual strangers make their marriage work?
Every once in a while Harlequin comes out with a gem. This is one of those times.
Zacharia and Becky's relationship is a unique take in contemporary romance, with their marriage preceding the process of becoming acquainted and falling in love. This worked well here primarily due to their intense chemistry and an emotional attachment that grows stronger as the story progresses. One issue is Becky's . While the explanations for this are plausible and understandable, it is still somewhat annoying. Nevertheless, the ending more than compensates for this minor glitch.
The suspense plot is also skilfully woven into the narrative although the red-herring is far too obvious and the eventual culprit quite easy to guess.
All in all, an excellent romance with engaging characters and just the right amount of tension.
4.5 Stars
When Marine Corps Captain Zacharia Clark and Public Attorney Becky Owens met in a bar, little did they know their nights of passion would lead to a spur-of-the-moment proposal and rushed "I dos" hours before he shipped out. Now, 18 months later, Zacharia has returned, traumatized by war, to a wife he barely knows but one he realizes he can't live without. Struggling with her own problems, Becky is sure of only one thing - Zacharia is the man for her. Can these two virtual strangers make their marriage work?
Every once in a while Harlequin comes out with a gem. This is one of those times.
Zacharia and Becky's relationship is a unique take in contemporary romance, with their marriage preceding the process of becoming acquainted and falling in love. This worked well here primarily due to their intense chemistry and an emotional attachment that grows stronger as the story progresses. One issue is Becky's . While the explanations for this are plausible and understandable, it is still somewhat annoying. Nevertheless, the ending more than compensates for this minor glitch.
The suspense plot is also skilfully woven into the narrative although the red-herring is far too obvious and the eventual culprit quite easy to guess.
All in all, an excellent romance with engaging characters and just the right amount of tension.
May 9, 2008
Enjoyed this a lot. Really liked the hero/heroine. Would read other books by her.
March 25, 2018
The nostalgia of it all.
I've owned this book for 10 years, the copy is beat up but holds a special place in my heart. Nothing amazing but wroth the hour it takes to read :)
I've owned this book for 10 years, the copy is beat up but holds a special place in my heart. Nothing amazing but wroth the hour it takes to read :)
July 3, 2018
Not great. Little bit stupid. You don't want to tell your parents about me? See ya, shorty.
October 16, 2019
Such an amazing book
September 23, 2020
HBZ #373 = 3+ stars
April 29, 2011
Review by Jen:
US Marine Zachariah has a blazing hot affair with Becky before he ships out on a long tour. However, he finds that he doesn't want the affair to end, so they secretly marry just before he leaves. Eighteen months later, he's home, nursing war wounds and getting to know his wife. Things in the bedroom are great, but outside, Julie's life is being threatened and Zach finds he has a new mission to undertake.
At Your Command was an OK book. Nothing about it screams out to me that I need to read it again or even highly recommend it to other readers. There's a decent plot, some steamy sex scenes and likable characters. It was just missing that extra something to make it special.
US Marine Zachariah has a blazing hot affair with Becky before he ships out on a long tour. However, he finds that he doesn't want the affair to end, so they secretly marry just before he leaves. Eighteen months later, he's home, nursing war wounds and getting to know his wife. Things in the bedroom are great, but outside, Julie's life is being threatened and Zach finds he has a new mission to undertake.
At Your Command was an OK book. Nothing about it screams out to me that I need to read it again or even highly recommend it to other readers. There's a decent plot, some steamy sex scenes and likable characters. It was just missing that extra something to make it special.
October 1, 2008
Great story, hot hero, cool heroine, and steamy lovin'... what's not to love?
April 22, 2009
After the week I had I needed something that didn't make me think.
Read
July 27, 2011Really, REALLY good
February 28, 2017
i enjoyed this book could not put it down until the end. the characters were great and the actions and dialogue between the two was very good.
May 31, 2016
Didn't really think I was going to like it and I loved it definitely be reading more from her
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews