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Protect & Serve #2
Safe from Harm
It's All Harmless Flirting Until Someone Gets Shot...
Deputy Gabe Dawson has had his eye on prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy for years. But the smart, sassy redhead is immune to his legendary charm and good looks--until Gabe is shot on the courthouse steps protecting Elle from a vengeful domestic extremist.
Elle has been protecting her heart from the cocky playboy cop. But it's hard not to notice a guy when he takes a bullet for you and seems determined to turn his life around. With terrorists still at large and Elle a target, Gabe and his law enforcement brothers kick into high gear to take down the threat. And as they work together, Elle realizes she's losing her heart to a man who will risk it all to keep her safe from harm.
Protect & Serve Series:
Stop at Nothing (Book 1)
Safe From Harm (Book 2)
Praise for Stop at Nothing:
"Packed with nonstop drama and sizzling romance, this...will get hearts racing!"--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
"Heart-pounding action and steamy sexual tension."--Julie Ann Walker, New York Times bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. series
Deputy Gabe Dawson has had his eye on prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy for years. But the smart, sassy redhead is immune to his legendary charm and good looks--until Gabe is shot on the courthouse steps protecting Elle from a vengeful domestic extremist.
Elle has been protecting her heart from the cocky playboy cop. But it's hard not to notice a guy when he takes a bullet for you and seems determined to turn his life around. With terrorists still at large and Elle a target, Gabe and his law enforcement brothers kick into high gear to take down the threat. And as they work together, Elle realizes she's losing her heart to a man who will risk it all to keep her safe from harm.
Protect & Serve Series:
Stop at Nothing (Book 1)
Safe From Harm (Book 2)
Praise for Stop at Nothing:
"Packed with nonstop drama and sizzling romance, this...will get hearts racing!"--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
"Heart-pounding action and steamy sexual tension."--Julie Ann Walker, New York Times bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. series
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
31 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Kate SeRine
13 books457 followersKate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it's no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after. She's the author of the award-winning TRANSPLANTED TALES series, the PROTECT AND SERVE series, and the DARK ALLIANCE series.
Kate has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (2013), and the Booksellers Best Award (2017); and is the recipient of The Emily (2012), the National Readers Choice Award (2012), and the National Excellence in Story Telling Award (2022). She is represented by Nicole Resciniti with the Seymour Agency.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project--probably while consuming way too much coffee.
Series reading order:
Transplanted Tales:
Red
Grimm Consequences
The Better to See You
Along Came a Spider
Ever After
Better Watch Out
Protect & Serve:
"Torn" (prequel novella in WAY OF THE WARRIOR)
Stop at Nothing
Safe from Harm
Dark Alliance:
Deceived
Concealed
Kate has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (2013), and the Booksellers Best Award (2017); and is the recipient of The Emily (2012), the National Readers Choice Award (2012), and the National Excellence in Story Telling Award (2022). She is represented by Nicole Resciniti with the Seymour Agency.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project--probably while consuming way too much coffee.
Series reading order:
Transplanted Tales:
Red
Grimm Consequences
The Better to See You
Along Came a Spider
Ever After
Better Watch Out
Protect & Serve:
"Torn" (prequel novella in WAY OF THE WARRIOR)
Stop at Nothing
Safe from Harm
Dark Alliance:
Deceived
Concealed
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 7, 2016
Coffee Dates with Safe From Harm:
First Date: Gabe and Elly have a history. They have known each other since he was nineteen and she was the new neighbor who lost her family. These two have an interesting chemistry, exchanging barbs as the sexual tension around them explodes. SeRine pulls us into the suspense aspect when Gabe finds himself in the middle of a restaurant shooting that leaves a good friend dead. My first date has me curious and I am ready for more.
Second date: We begin to learn Gabe and Elly’s history. SeRine makes us privy to Elly’s thoughts and we begin to understand why she holds such animosity towards him. Gabe tries to pursue Elly and even eggs her on; because he thinks, she is adorable when she is angry. Gabe's reputation as a player hurts him throughout this tale. Thankfully, SeRine lets us in and allows us to get to know this sexy man. Watching these two tango was delectable. The suspense angle is intense as the father of the man who killed Gabe’s friend holds Gabe and Elly accountable. SeRine brings us up close and personal with a zealot who has a beef with the government. I found her accounting of this homeland terrorist chilling and realistic.
Third date: Near death experiences, finally have these two communicating. The sparks when these two unite felt genuine, and melted my kindle! However, danger is lurking, and their careers are at stake. SeRine did a wonderful job with the ebb and flow of this date using their relationship growth to offset the building danger. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and appreciated the little details about Elly’s career and the terrorist’s family. The buildup to the climatic ending was nail-biting but the ending was a tad rushed. Nevertheless, I ended up closing this book with a smile.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
First Date: Gabe and Elly have a history. They have known each other since he was nineteen and she was the new neighbor who lost her family. These two have an interesting chemistry, exchanging barbs as the sexual tension around them explodes. SeRine pulls us into the suspense aspect when Gabe finds himself in the middle of a restaurant shooting that leaves a good friend dead. My first date has me curious and I am ready for more.
Second date: We begin to learn Gabe and Elly’s history. SeRine makes us privy to Elly’s thoughts and we begin to understand why she holds such animosity towards him. Gabe tries to pursue Elly and even eggs her on; because he thinks, she is adorable when she is angry. Gabe's reputation as a player hurts him throughout this tale. Thankfully, SeRine lets us in and allows us to get to know this sexy man. Watching these two tango was delectable. The suspense angle is intense as the father of the man who killed Gabe’s friend holds Gabe and Elly accountable. SeRine brings us up close and personal with a zealot who has a beef with the government. I found her accounting of this homeland terrorist chilling and realistic.
Third date: Near death experiences, finally have these two communicating. The sparks when these two unite felt genuine, and melted my kindle! However, danger is lurking, and their careers are at stake. SeRine did a wonderful job with the ebb and flow of this date using their relationship growth to offset the building danger. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and appreciated the little details about Elly’s career and the terrorist’s family. The buildup to the climatic ending was nail-biting but the ending was a tad rushed. Nevertheless, I ended up closing this book with a smile.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
November 6, 2025
Elle is a prosecuting attorney who catches the eye of a vengeful family member after she successfully wins her case.
Gabe is a deputy who ends up jumping in front of Elle when someone takes a shot at her. He ends up getting shot instead.
Gabe has always had a thing for Elle but with his playboy attitude, Elle has kept him at arm’s length. With someone gunning for Elle, Gabe isn’t about to let her out of his site. That close proximity starts to break down Elle’s carefully constructed barriers.
Will Gabe and Elle get the proof before it’s too late?
SeRine delivers another adrenaline inducing thrill ride with Safe from Harm. Balancing action, suspense and romance, SeRine as concocted a seamless recipe for providing heart pounding as well as heartwarming all in one.
I received this ARC copy of Safe from Harm from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 4, 2016.
Gabe is a deputy who ends up jumping in front of Elle when someone takes a shot at her. He ends up getting shot instead.
Gabe has always had a thing for Elle but with his playboy attitude, Elle has kept him at arm’s length. With someone gunning for Elle, Gabe isn’t about to let her out of his site. That close proximity starts to break down Elle’s carefully constructed barriers.
Will Gabe and Elle get the proof before it’s too late?
SeRine delivers another adrenaline inducing thrill ride with Safe from Harm. Balancing action, suspense and romance, SeRine as concocted a seamless recipe for providing heart pounding as well as heartwarming all in one.
I received this ARC copy of Safe from Harm from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 4, 2016.
October 6, 2016
Link to full review below!Loved it! Seriously well done romantic suspense! See full review on The Book Disciple
September 26, 2016
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I liked the first book in the series and it’s true that I was curious to get into a new one. Admittedly, Kate Serine presents a very good sequel and I was happy to discover Elle and Gabe!
A family is terrorizing the city, but no one seems able to do anything against them. Yet everything gets worst when one of them kills Gabe’s partner at a party in a bar. The trial appears to strengthen their grip when they lose and vow revenge for what they have experienced. To stay alive, Gabe and Elle will have to join forces to understand what is really happening and to stop the events that worsen gradually.
I will not say more about the plot not too spoil the story but this is a new good novel. It’s quite surprising to see such an unhealthy atmosphere here with this family which eventually creates a sort of cult followed by many. It’s impressive to see what Jeb, the head of the family, is willing to do to bring down the other family he considers enemy.
In short, it is difficult to say that but Jeb does not hesitate to sacrifice his family to achieve his objectives and is even willing to be violent. He’s a completely crazy but it’s true that it’s fascinating to see his limits and especially what Elle and Gabe would be willing to do to stop them. The relationship between the two is rather touching, we see it evolve gradually until something more tenuous appears.
You’ll understand, we have a good plot, a different atmosphere and a couple that is fun to read about. Yes, it’s a good discovery.
My English review
I liked the first book in the series and it’s true that I was curious to get into a new one. Admittedly, Kate Serine presents a very good sequel and I was happy to discover Elle and Gabe!
A family is terrorizing the city, but no one seems able to do anything against them. Yet everything gets worst when one of them kills Gabe’s partner at a party in a bar. The trial appears to strengthen their grip when they lose and vow revenge for what they have experienced. To stay alive, Gabe and Elle will have to join forces to understand what is really happening and to stop the events that worsen gradually.
I will not say more about the plot not too spoil the story but this is a new good novel. It’s quite surprising to see such an unhealthy atmosphere here with this family which eventually creates a sort of cult followed by many. It’s impressive to see what Jeb, the head of the family, is willing to do to bring down the other family he considers enemy.
In short, it is difficult to say that but Jeb does not hesitate to sacrifice his family to achieve his objectives and is even willing to be violent. He’s a completely crazy but it’s true that it’s fascinating to see his limits and especially what Elle and Gabe would be willing to do to stop them. The relationship between the two is rather touching, we see it evolve gradually until something more tenuous appears.
You’ll understand, we have a good plot, a different atmosphere and a couple that is fun to read about. Yes, it’s a good discovery.
December 29, 2016
Meh. The story had so many cliches and the heroine Elle could be a major bitch. She was mad at him for something he did when he was drunk and then never mentioned again. She drove him home because of how drunk he was so why the hell was she so mad at him? He probably didn't remember what he said or he did while he was so drunk. *smacks the heroine for stupidity*" The heroine is drove me nuts. I wanted to throw her off a cliff.
March 29, 2017
This is just ok. Book one is far superior to this. This held my interest just enough for me to want to know how it resolved but that's it.The suspense is not very suspenseful as we knew who the villain is, and what motivates him. The romance between Gabe and Elle is blah. Very juvenile at times. They act like 13 year olds most of the time. Surprising since she is a prosecutor and he is a deputy. I just wasn't feeling it between the two of them. I am more intrigued by Gabe's brother Tom and the quirky Doctor. I will read their book if it is next. I recommend book one, this not so much. Disappointed 2 1/2 stars.
October 4, 2016
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely more on the romantic suspense, and with this, the romance is a little grittier. But it is also balanced very well. There are some wonderful moments with Gabe and Elle, and some great action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is difficult to balance a romance and a romantic suspense. If you have too much suspense, the romance starts to seem out of place. If you have too much romance, the suspense starts to feel like it is messing up the romance.
My favorite romantic suspense are the second chance, as those allow the characters to start with a history and usually this history is the reason that they are thrown together in the suspense...and it ties it together well. In this case, I feel this was balanced perfectly. The pacing was strong, the dialog and action believable, and the reactions of the people involved made sense for the way the characters were written.
I recommend this book.
.
I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely more on the romantic suspense, and with this, the romance is a little grittier. But it is also balanced very well. There are some wonderful moments with Gabe and Elle, and some great action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is difficult to balance a romance and a romantic suspense. If you have too much suspense, the romance starts to seem out of place. If you have too much romance, the suspense starts to feel like it is messing up the romance.
My favorite romantic suspense are the second chance, as those allow the characters to start with a history and usually this history is the reason that they are thrown together in the suspense...and it ties it together well. In this case, I feel this was balanced perfectly. The pacing was strong, the dialog and action believable, and the reactions of the people involved made sense for the way the characters were written.
I recommend this book.
.
October 18, 2016
Review to come
April 13, 2017
Review written: October 22, 2016
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
I seriously liked Stop at Nothing, the first full length book in SeRine's new Protect and Serve series. I waited impatiently for Safe from Harm which was strongly telegraphed. I thoroughly enjoyed Safe from Harm.
Gabe and Elle had some serious chemistry going on in Stop at Nothing, so I wasn't even a little surprised that they were off the charts here in their own book. It's no spoiler to say it all starts with a bang, but it just doesn't let up from there. Having said that, this book is very different from Stop at Nothing in tone, in theme, in well, most ways. While I would have categorized Stop at Nothing as more of a romantic thriller, Safe from Harm is firmly in the romantic suspense genre. The protagonists and antagonists are well known to each other; the action is very contained, and the antagonist is 100% home grown. There is also a greater sense of isolation in Safe from Harm in that the rest of the family just isn't as involved.
This plot is very timely and, I thought, well put together without additional political overtones. Having the antagonists be anti-government, anti-police right wing nutjobs could easily have opened the door to additional sermonizing. Instead, SeRine shows the very personal nature of their vendetta against the Dawsons and the thoughts that led to it, making what could have been a caricature into a three dimensional character. Like Fielding before him, Jeb Monroe is a bad character whose brain I am curious about. I think that the personal nature of so much of this Monroe vs. Dawson saved the plot from veering into deeper political issues but still conveyed the deep sense of wrongness about the Monroes and their philosophy.
That seems to be the strength of this book: everything is deeply personal; everything. Gabe and Elle's relationship has been brewing since high school. It's just been simmering along all this time. When they finally do get together, it's with deep needs. When the Monroes go after the Dawsons, it's with personal attacks. It gives the book and the characters a very intimate feel.
Gabe and Elle as characters are wonderful. The rest of the Dawson clan are there when needed and provide both a bit of comedy and a support network for Gabe and Elle. Elle's Aunt Charlotte was a fun character to get to know, especially when she shows she has her own romantic life. The Monroes as a family are interesting. From the very different family dynamics to the use and abuse of family members, it's a clear line of differentiation between the two.
While the heart of this book is family, the focus of this book is on the plot and not on the characters. Neither Gabe nor Elle need long or involved character arcs. They don't need to change as characters so much as realize certain things. The conflict is almost all external.
I really liked this book and am eagerly awaiting news on the next in this series.
This review is ©October 2016 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
I seriously liked Stop at Nothing, the first full length book in SeRine's new Protect and Serve series. I waited impatiently for Safe from Harm which was strongly telegraphed. I thoroughly enjoyed Safe from Harm.
Gabe and Elle had some serious chemistry going on in Stop at Nothing, so I wasn't even a little surprised that they were off the charts here in their own book. It's no spoiler to say it all starts with a bang, but it just doesn't let up from there. Having said that, this book is very different from Stop at Nothing in tone, in theme, in well, most ways. While I would have categorized Stop at Nothing as more of a romantic thriller, Safe from Harm is firmly in the romantic suspense genre. The protagonists and antagonists are well known to each other; the action is very contained, and the antagonist is 100% home grown. There is also a greater sense of isolation in Safe from Harm in that the rest of the family just isn't as involved.
This plot is very timely and, I thought, well put together without additional political overtones. Having the antagonists be anti-government, anti-police right wing nutjobs could easily have opened the door to additional sermonizing. Instead, SeRine shows the very personal nature of their vendetta against the Dawsons and the thoughts that led to it, making what could have been a caricature into a three dimensional character. Like Fielding before him, Jeb Monroe is a bad character whose brain I am curious about. I think that the personal nature of so much of this Monroe vs. Dawson saved the plot from veering into deeper political issues but still conveyed the deep sense of wrongness about the Monroes and their philosophy.
That seems to be the strength of this book: everything is deeply personal; everything. Gabe and Elle's relationship has been brewing since high school. It's just been simmering along all this time. When they finally do get together, it's with deep needs. When the Monroes go after the Dawsons, it's with personal attacks. It gives the book and the characters a very intimate feel.
Gabe and Elle as characters are wonderful. The rest of the Dawson clan are there when needed and provide both a bit of comedy and a support network for Gabe and Elle. Elle's Aunt Charlotte was a fun character to get to know, especially when she shows she has her own romantic life. The Monroes as a family are interesting. From the very different family dynamics to the use and abuse of family members, it's a clear line of differentiation between the two.
While the heart of this book is family, the focus of this book is on the plot and not on the characters. Neither Gabe nor Elle need long or involved character arcs. They don't need to change as characters so much as realize certain things. The conflict is almost all external.
I really liked this book and am eagerly awaiting news on the next in this series.
This review is ©October 2016 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
October 4, 2016
In the second book in the Protect and Serve series we have Elle McCoy, a successful attorney, who is now in danger because of a case she won.Gabe Dawson is the deputy sheriff and he can't really understand why Elle rebuffs him at every turn, not that it deters him..
Jeb, the primary antagonist, is filled with bitter anger and hate.He will stop at nothing to destroy the Dawson family whom he blames for his misfortunes and now that Elle has won the case, she too is a target.He has a cult of followers willingly following and spreading his propaganda which makes him even more dangerous.
When Gabe is shot trying to protect Elle from the bullet, both their lives are in danger.They'll have to work together to finally put the terrorist behind bars.Will Elle let Gabe in and give him a chance and will they be able to come out this safely?
I love Kate Serine's Transplanted Tales series and though I hadn't read the first book in the Protect and Serve series, I really enjoyed reading Safe From Harm.Both Ellie and Gabe were great protagonists.Ellie was fierce,intelligent and stubborn.She has alwas had a thing for Gabe, but since she assumes that he isn't the type to be tied down, she is always sarcastic and prickly with him.Gabe also gives back as good as he gets.
He hasn't ever wanted anything more as much as he wants Elle now.But how will he get this obstinate woman to see the other side of him?
As they start spending more and more time togethet, they grow closer.The chemistry between them was well done!Character development could also be seen.I personally loved the Dawson family.Gabe's brothers added humor to the plot.At some points, the plot tended to get stagnant, but the suspense kept me riveted.
All in all, this was a pretty good read and you should definitely give this one a try if you're looking for a romantic suspense novel. :)
Jeb, the primary antagonist, is filled with bitter anger and hate.He will stop at nothing to destroy the Dawson family whom he blames for his misfortunes and now that Elle has won the case, she too is a target.He has a cult of followers willingly following and spreading his propaganda which makes him even more dangerous.
When Gabe is shot trying to protect Elle from the bullet, both their lives are in danger.They'll have to work together to finally put the terrorist behind bars.Will Elle let Gabe in and give him a chance and will they be able to come out this safely?
I love Kate Serine's Transplanted Tales series and though I hadn't read the first book in the Protect and Serve series, I really enjoyed reading Safe From Harm.Both Ellie and Gabe were great protagonists.Ellie was fierce,intelligent and stubborn.She has alwas had a thing for Gabe, but since she assumes that he isn't the type to be tied down, she is always sarcastic and prickly with him.Gabe also gives back as good as he gets.
He hasn't ever wanted anything more as much as he wants Elle now.But how will he get this obstinate woman to see the other side of him?
As they start spending more and more time togethet, they grow closer.The chemistry between them was well done!Character development could also be seen.I personally loved the Dawson family.Gabe's brothers added humor to the plot.At some points, the plot tended to get stagnant, but the suspense kept me riveted.
All in all, this was a pretty good read and you should definitely give this one a try if you're looking for a romantic suspense novel. :)
September 28, 2016
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is an exciting small town romantic suspense. The romance between a small town DA and Sheriff's deputy is both sweet and incredibly intense. Despite years of mutual attraction, Elle and Gabe have only ever seemed to hurt each other. Things begin to change when Gabe puts himself between Elle and a terrorist’s bullet.
Small town domestic terrorism is a fresh and interesting subject for a novel. Despite the slightly preachy “Blue Lives Matter” focus of the story, I found this a fascinating topic and I was intrigued by the problems facing law enforcement in this book.
The romance is hot. I love second chance love stories and I really enjoyed watching Gabe and Elle’s relationship move from gawky teenage crush to an adult partnership. Elle is a strong female lead and Gabe is an irresistible, roguish leading man. I enjoyed Gabe’s slightly terrifying family and the relationships between the brothers.
The plot becomes slightly convoluted near the end with possibly too much happening and too many characters introduced in a very short period of time. But the action is exciting. Knowing the perpetrators’ perspectives from the outset is unsettling and the known threats create an intense game of cat and mouse for readers.
This is a great story. I haven’t read the first in the series, so it works well as a stand alone and I will certainly be looking out for the next book as it is released.
This is an exciting small town romantic suspense. The romance between a small town DA and Sheriff's deputy is both sweet and incredibly intense. Despite years of mutual attraction, Elle and Gabe have only ever seemed to hurt each other. Things begin to change when Gabe puts himself between Elle and a terrorist’s bullet.
Small town domestic terrorism is a fresh and interesting subject for a novel. Despite the slightly preachy “Blue Lives Matter” focus of the story, I found this a fascinating topic and I was intrigued by the problems facing law enforcement in this book.
The romance is hot. I love second chance love stories and I really enjoyed watching Gabe and Elle’s relationship move from gawky teenage crush to an adult partnership. Elle is a strong female lead and Gabe is an irresistible, roguish leading man. I enjoyed Gabe’s slightly terrifying family and the relationships between the brothers.
The plot becomes slightly convoluted near the end with possibly too much happening and too many characters introduced in a very short period of time. But the action is exciting. Knowing the perpetrators’ perspectives from the outset is unsettling and the known threats create an intense game of cat and mouse for readers.
This is a great story. I haven’t read the first in the series, so it works well as a stand alone and I will certainly be looking out for the next book as it is released.
November 14, 2016
A zealous, anti-government survivalist (and his family), a small-town cop and an attorney tangle in Kate SeRine's 'Safe from Harm'. There isn't a huge conspiracy to be worked out, nor is there a global terrorist threat that will require lofty coordination and planning from the most elite of troops, but SeRine proves that there doesn't need to be, particularly when all it takes is a certain change and a threat to overturn the status-quo of a relationship.
I thought there were just some rough edges so to speak, in the way the romance and suspense were balanced, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm a hard one to please when it comes to second-chances or reunion stories because of how things could have been so different from the start had a party been smarter about it.
Gabe Dawson and Elle McCoy jerkily try to find their stride in between scenes written in the villain's POV, who after a while, becomes laughable because of his one-dimensionality, but SeRine does a credible job, however, of changing how Elle gradually views Gabe, whose womanising ways are supposedly more talk than reality. (Would a playboy cop even be taken seriously by the population?) The building conflict does dovetail quite nicely with the growing passion between Gabe and Elle, leading to a climax that is a good culmination of the increasing threat level, until it folds with a conclusion and epilogue that feel a wee bit rushed.
That said however, 'Safe from Harm' is more than a decent read, leaving me to wonder about the pairings that SeRine has already hinted at in this book.
I thought there were just some rough edges so to speak, in the way the romance and suspense were balanced, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm a hard one to please when it comes to second-chances or reunion stories because of how things could have been so different from the start had a party been smarter about it.
Gabe Dawson and Elle McCoy jerkily try to find their stride in between scenes written in the villain's POV, who after a while, becomes laughable because of his one-dimensionality, but SeRine does a credible job, however, of changing how Elle gradually views Gabe, whose womanising ways are supposedly more talk than reality. (Would a playboy cop even be taken seriously by the population?) The building conflict does dovetail quite nicely with the growing passion between Gabe and Elle, leading to a climax that is a good culmination of the increasing threat level, until it folds with a conclusion and epilogue that feel a wee bit rushed.
That said however, 'Safe from Harm' is more than a decent read, leaving me to wonder about the pairings that SeRine has already hinted at in this book.
September 28, 2016
**ARC Provided by Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is the first book I have read by this author and I did enjoy it a lot. The story started off with a bang and kept me hooked until the very end. Although there was a little bit of a lull in the middle and at times I must admit I never really felt like the two main characters Gabe and Elle or even the Dawson family as a whole was really in any danger. That being said though, the last six or so chapters were particularly gripping. As for Gabe and Elle, I really liked them they had a plenty of chemistry, shared a lot of banter and there were a few hot moments throughout the story too.
Therefore I'm glad I took a chance on this book and I will certainly be reading more from this series and author in the future and would happily recommend it to others.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I did enjoy it a lot. The story started off with a bang and kept me hooked until the very end. Although there was a little bit of a lull in the middle and at times I must admit I never really felt like the two main characters Gabe and Elle or even the Dawson family as a whole was really in any danger. That being said though, the last six or so chapters were particularly gripping. As for Gabe and Elle, I really liked them they had a plenty of chemistry, shared a lot of banter and there were a few hot moments throughout the story too.
Therefore I'm glad I took a chance on this book and I will certainly be reading more from this series and author in the future and would happily recommend it to others.
November 17, 2016
I'm really torn above up my rating for this book. On the one hand, there was some good suspense that kept me reading. At times it was a real page turner.
On the other hand, the heroine had a TSTL moment right after she blamed the hero for doing virtually the same dumb thing. Also, there were some inconsistencies in the story, along with some improbabilities. But the biggest disappointment was that SeRine made some mistakes in police procedures. In a book about law enforcement, that's a pretty big error.
On the other hand, the heroine had a TSTL moment right after she blamed the hero for doing virtually the same dumb thing. Also, there were some inconsistencies in the story, along with some improbabilities. But the biggest disappointment was that SeRine made some mistakes in police procedures. In a book about law enforcement, that's a pretty big error.
October 26, 2016
Really enjoyed this one! Loved Gabe's and Elle's story!
September 19, 2018
One year after the murder of his best friend, yet another person Gabe Dawson loves is in danger. He barely manages to save Elle McCoy's life and almost dies himself. It looks like the father of his friend's murderer, an anti-government fanatic, is behind the attempted assassination and Gabe knows this is just the beginning...
Another great read in this series.
The cast of characters was once again wonderfully portrayed, especially the Dawson family dynamics and the tight bonds that bind the five men together.
And the romance worked much better in this one as well (no formulaic, pace-stalling sex scenes for Gabe and Elle). I loved the UST-filled bickering at the beginning and though, IMHO, the "conflict" went on a page or two too long, the two resolved their mutual issues rather quickly and satisfyingly.
Gabe and Elle worked very well together in my view. They were strong-willed individuals and they brought that grit into their relationship as well. And I was very happy that Elle was the one who truly brought the real Gabe out in the open. Theirs was a very cute and hot romance.
The suspense angle was different from the one in the previous book. First, there was the major difference in the topic (religious anti-government fanatics instead of human traffickers) and the identity of the villain(s) was known from the start, leaving the characters to grapple with just how to make something stick.
I'm rather miffed the final showdown seemed very déjà-vu-ish. I felt like I read those particular scenes with those particular characters (maybe even with rather similar names) somewhere else.
Still, overall it worked and now I really hope to be able to read the eldest Dawson brother, Tom's story someday (the quirky doctor sounds rather good as a heroine, especially after learning just what was going on in the final days of Tom's marriage). And let's not forget Mac, the patriarch, deserves a second chance at a happy ending as well.
Another great read in this series.
The cast of characters was once again wonderfully portrayed, especially the Dawson family dynamics and the tight bonds that bind the five men together.
And the romance worked much better in this one as well (no formulaic, pace-stalling sex scenes for Gabe and Elle). I loved the UST-filled bickering at the beginning and though, IMHO, the "conflict" went on a page or two too long, the two resolved their mutual issues rather quickly and satisfyingly.
Gabe and Elle worked very well together in my view. They were strong-willed individuals and they brought that grit into their relationship as well. And I was very happy that Elle was the one who truly brought the real Gabe out in the open. Theirs was a very cute and hot romance.
The suspense angle was different from the one in the previous book. First, there was the major difference in the topic (religious anti-government fanatics instead of human traffickers) and the identity of the villain(s) was known from the start, leaving the characters to grapple with just how to make something stick.
I'm rather miffed the final showdown seemed very déjà-vu-ish. I felt like I read those particular scenes with those particular characters (maybe even with rather similar names) somewhere else.
Still, overall it worked and now I really hope to be able to read the eldest Dawson brother, Tom's story someday (the quirky doctor sounds rather good as a heroine, especially after learning just what was going on in the final days of Tom's marriage). And let's not forget Mac, the patriarch, deserves a second chance at a happy ending as well.
January 6, 2025
In the second book in the Protect and Serve series we have Elle McCoy, a successful attorney, who is now in danger because of a case she won.Gabe Dawson is the deputy sheriff and he can't really understand why Elle rebuffs him at every turn, not that it deters him..
Jeb, the primary antagonist, is filled with bitter anger and hate.He will stop at nothing to destroy the Dawson family whom he blames for his misfortunes and now that Elle has won the case, she too is a target.He has a cult of followers willingly following and spreading his propaganda which makes him even more dangerous.
When Gabe is shot trying to protect Elle from the bullet, both their lives are in danger.They'll have to work together to finally put the terrorist behind bars.Will Elle let Gabe in and give him a chance and will they be able to come out this safely?
I love Kate Serine's Transplanted Tales series and though I hadn't read the first book in the Protect and Serve series, I really enjoyed reading Safe From Harm.Both Ellie and Gabe were great protagonists.Ellie was fierce,intelligent and stubborn.She has alwas had a thing for Gabe, but since she assumes that he isn't the type to be tied down, she is always sarcastic and prickly with him.Gabe also gives back as good as he gets.
He hasn't ever wanted anything more as much as he wants Elle now.But how will he get this obstinate woman to see the other side of him?
As they start spending more and more time togethet, they grow closer.The chemistry between them was well done!Character development could also be seen.I personally loved the Dawson family.Gabe's brothers added humor to the plot.At some points, the plot tended to get stagnant, but the suspense kept me riveted.
All in all, this was a pretty good read and you should definitely give this one a try if you're looking for a romantic suspense novel. :)
Jeb, the primary antagonist, is filled with bitter anger and hate.He will stop at nothing to destroy the Dawson family whom he blames for his misfortunes and now that Elle has won the case, she too is a target.He has a cult of followers willingly following and spreading his propaganda which makes him even more dangerous.
When Gabe is shot trying to protect Elle from the bullet, both their lives are in danger.They'll have to work together to finally put the terrorist behind bars.Will Elle let Gabe in and give him a chance and will they be able to come out this safely?
I love Kate Serine's Transplanted Tales series and though I hadn't read the first book in the Protect and Serve series, I really enjoyed reading Safe From Harm.Both Ellie and Gabe were great protagonists.Ellie was fierce,intelligent and stubborn.She has alwas had a thing for Gabe, but since she assumes that he isn't the type to be tied down, she is always sarcastic and prickly with him.Gabe also gives back as good as he gets.
He hasn't ever wanted anything more as much as he wants Elle now.But how will he get this obstinate woman to see the other side of him?
As they start spending more and more time togethet, they grow closer.The chemistry between them was well done!Character development could also be seen.I personally loved the Dawson family.Gabe's brothers added humor to the plot.At some points, the plot tended to get stagnant, but the suspense kept me riveted.
All in all, this was a pretty good read and you should definitely give this one a try if you're looking for a romantic suspense novel. :)
October 31, 2016
Reviewed by Gemini
Safe from Harm is the second book in the Protect & Serve series about a law enforcement family. This one focuses on Deputy Gabe Dawson and attorney Elle McCoy. They end up getting far closer than either of them could have imagined after their mutual friend is gunned down in the local diner by the son of the local establishment hating nut job. As the prosecution of the killer begins, Gabe and Elle are soon threatened as well. After hiding their true feelings for each other since high school, they band together along with the rest of the Dawson law enforcement clan to take down the leader of a pseudo cult that has plagued the town for years.
Gabe and Elle are fun to watch. From the moment you witness their banter between each other, you see a guy using his charm to take down the barriers that his long time crush has falsely thrown up for years. Elle acts like she hates Gabe and he has never know why. Oddly enough, over the years, Gabe has done selfless things for her that she never knew about. He even drove up to her college campus to fix her car and never told her or anyone else. Gabe has a reputation of being a womanizer but Elle learns that you can’t judge a book by its cover. As with any good romance, Gabe and Elle eventually set outside their differences and their clothes. What happens between the sheets, in the car, and in Elle’s office is nothing short of intense. And the suspense is just as hair raising at times. Gabe and Elle are very likeable and easy to root for. They are good for each other and have a great support system around them.
I really liked Safe from Harm. The concept of a government hating madman is very relevant to today’s climate, especially with someone targeting law enforcement. There is a good balance of romance and suspense that keeps the story moving along quite nicely. The supporting cast was also an integral part of the story. I really want to know what happens in the lives of the other people in Gabe and Elle’s families.
**I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca voluntarily reviewed.**
Safe from Harm is the second book in the Protect & Serve series about a law enforcement family. This one focuses on Deputy Gabe Dawson and attorney Elle McCoy. They end up getting far closer than either of them could have imagined after their mutual friend is gunned down in the local diner by the son of the local establishment hating nut job. As the prosecution of the killer begins, Gabe and Elle are soon threatened as well. After hiding their true feelings for each other since high school, they band together along with the rest of the Dawson law enforcement clan to take down the leader of a pseudo cult that has plagued the town for years.
Gabe and Elle are fun to watch. From the moment you witness their banter between each other, you see a guy using his charm to take down the barriers that his long time crush has falsely thrown up for years. Elle acts like she hates Gabe and he has never know why. Oddly enough, over the years, Gabe has done selfless things for her that she never knew about. He even drove up to her college campus to fix her car and never told her or anyone else. Gabe has a reputation of being a womanizer but Elle learns that you can’t judge a book by its cover. As with any good romance, Gabe and Elle eventually set outside their differences and their clothes. What happens between the sheets, in the car, and in Elle’s office is nothing short of intense. And the suspense is just as hair raising at times. Gabe and Elle are very likeable and easy to root for. They are good for each other and have a great support system around them.
I really liked Safe from Harm. The concept of a government hating madman is very relevant to today’s climate, especially with someone targeting law enforcement. There is a good balance of romance and suspense that keeps the story moving along quite nicely. The supporting cast was also an integral part of the story. I really want to know what happens in the lives of the other people in Gabe and Elle’s families.
**I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca voluntarily reviewed.**
January 22, 2018
I really got into this book. Started reading it one evening and stayed up (well past my bedtime!) to finish it. Elle has always had a crush on Gabe, but never had a clue that he felt the same. Gabe has a reputation that he didn't really earn but didn't correct either. I liked his family and how close they were. All in law enforcement and each have the other's back. When Gabe's best friend is killed, his life changes.
Elle remembers everything about the day Gabe's friend was killed, including things that happened between them that he doesn't remember. Still, she prosecutes the case and regardless of the 'issues' in the case gets a conviction. Now their lives, and the lives of Gabe's family are in danger. The danger pushes the two of them closer than they have ever been and they can't deny their feelings. The radicals they are facing are complete extremists and there is literally danger all around them.
I enjoyed this. 4/5 for me and I'm going to look for other books by this author!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Elle remembers everything about the day Gabe's friend was killed, including things that happened between them that he doesn't remember. Still, she prosecutes the case and regardless of the 'issues' in the case gets a conviction. Now their lives, and the lives of Gabe's family are in danger. The danger pushes the two of them closer than they have ever been and they can't deny their feelings. The radicals they are facing are complete extremists and there is literally danger all around them.
I enjoyed this. 4/5 for me and I'm going to look for other books by this author!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
August 13, 2018
Gabe a deputy sheriff and Elle a prosecuting attorney with secret crushes on each other since high school. There is a family in town , the Monroes that are anti police anti government but too slick to have anything pinned on them but are out for revenge when their son gunned down Gabe's best friend Chris and is sentenced to prison. Cliché and drags on forever.
Read
January 2, 2021DNF 74%. I tried, I really did, and then realized I was forcing myself, so why? Just couldn't get into caring about or for the MCs or story. Editing errors, like extra letters in words, some continuity stuff, character thoughts and actions not making sense (esp the villain), overreactions felt more like manufacturing conflict between the two MCs.
July 24, 2023
Despite the crude language and too much lusty sex, I still liked this book. The plot pulled me along, and the characters were interesting - especially when they weren’t listing after each other. The family dynamics of the Monroe family and the way the patriarch’s perspective were narrated were convincing, too.
November 21, 2022
Felt it was slightly better than the first. Which meant it was still okay for me.
February 2, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
October 5, 2016
A high-tension novel, filled with threats, attacks, danger, and death. I loved it, every alarming moment of it, and I admit I was scared.
The culprit is known, and I don't know if that made it even more intense, the fact that they couldn't prove it and the threats just kept coming and escalating each time with the arrogance of the menace. It was terrifying.
And then when the culprit got talking, he was insane, there was no way to reason with him, and that was alarming and frightening.
Elle and Gabe had amazing chemistry between them. Their history was playfully entertaining, and when they got together it was just off the charts sizzling hot. I loved them together, I loved how they interacted, how they cherished each other and the moments they had. They had their issues that had to be worked on, but even through the difficult times they pulled for each other, protected each other, and were there for the other.
The bond between Gabe and his brothers was heartening and heartfelt. They really were willing to do anything for each other, even though there was a mention of difficulties in the past between them.
All the characters were intriguing, the whole story was well built and easy to imagine the scenes in my mind as their unfolded.
This story reminded me again how enjoyable a great romantic suspense can be, when the red-hot romance is scalding your mind and the danger around them is matter of life or death, that moment of peril keeping you as a reading on your toes - I loved it!
~ Five Spoons
The culprit is known, and I don't know if that made it even more intense, the fact that they couldn't prove it and the threats just kept coming and escalating each time with the arrogance of the menace. It was terrifying.
And then when the culprit got talking, he was insane, there was no way to reason with him, and that was alarming and frightening.
Elle and Gabe had amazing chemistry between them. Their history was playfully entertaining, and when they got together it was just off the charts sizzling hot. I loved them together, I loved how they interacted, how they cherished each other and the moments they had. They had their issues that had to be worked on, but even through the difficult times they pulled for each other, protected each other, and were there for the other.
The bond between Gabe and his brothers was heartening and heartfelt. They really were willing to do anything for each other, even though there was a mention of difficulties in the past between them.
All the characters were intriguing, the whole story was well built and easy to imagine the scenes in my mind as their unfolded.
This story reminded me again how enjoyable a great romantic suspense can be, when the red-hot romance is scalding your mind and the danger around them is matter of life or death, that moment of peril keeping you as a reading on your toes - I loved it!
~ Five Spoons
October 17, 2016
Safe From Harm is the second novel in Kate SeRine's Protect and Serve series, and having read the first novel in the series, Stop at Nothing, which I enjoyed and gave a 4.5 star rating, I was very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series, but I'm sad to say that I don't think this novel quite measures up to the last.
The cast of characters is familiar, and this novel has a very likable hero, Deputy Sheriff Gabe Dawson, son of Sheriff Mac Dawson. Gabe is a handsome, charming, flirtatious ladies man whose reputation as a player and a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy dates back to high school, which is how long he's had his eye on the beautiful, redheaded heroine, Elle McCoy, who is now working as a deputy prosecutor.
As the novel opens, Gabe and his best friend, police officer Chris Andrews meet up at Moe's Diner and start their usual banter when Gabe spots Elle with another man, and the two begin what turns out to be the first of their many snarky, sarcastic conversations, and Elle can certainly give as good as she gets. When a shady looking customer enters the diner, Gabe's police radio begins beeping to indicate that it's going dead and Gabe steps outside to his car to replace the battery. While doing so, another patron parks his beat up truck and charges into the diner, and the next thing Gabe hears is gunfire, and when he races back inside, we learn that the first shady-looking character is Billy Monroe, and that the shooter is his cousin, Derrick Monroe, son of Jeb Monroe, an anti-government whack-job who spouts his own take on religion and focuses his hatred on the police as agents of the government he so hates. We also soon learn that Chris, whose wife is about to deliver their child, has been killed, and of course, Gabe is filled with guilt, thinking he should have been inside the diner to save his friend's life. That night, Elle finds a very drunk Gabe at a local bar and gets him home, which is when we learn that Elle has also had a crush on Gabe since back in their school days, but she found his reputation a turn-off--she really didn't want to be yet another notch on his bedpost.
One year later, Elle has successfully gotten a guilty verdict in the case against cop killer, Derrick Monroe, and, as she and Gabe step outside the courthouse, to be interviewed by the press, she suddenly spots someone with a gun and shouts a warning. Gabe steps in front of her, takes the shots intended for her, and the gunman, who turns out to be Jeb's son, Mark Monroe, is killed by Gabe's brother Tom, who is Gabe's boss.
Now Jeb Monroe, who already hates the police, has even more reason to hate them, he blames them for the death of his son and vows vengeance. As the suspenseful plot unfolds, so too does the relationship between Elle and Gabe, which is where I began to take issue with this novel. Gabe is 36 years old, but often acts as if he's still in high school when it comes to Elle. Elle's response to any advances Gabe tries to make are equally immature, if not more so, and by the time these two begin to warm up to one another, and as the danger posed by the Monroe family ramps up, Elle's wishy-washy attitude, and her childish inability to communicate her feelings or even make a decision about her future as a prosecutor simply became incredibly irritating to this reader.
As far as suspense novels go, this isn't a bad read, although some the decisions made by these characters aren't the wisest or safest, but the threats are real and very much in keeping with today's headlines. What didn't work me was the romance part of this novel. I simply couldn't wrap my mind around how Elle and Gabe, who are both in their thirties, could possibly be as immature and clueless about their feelings for one another as they were portrayed.
The cast of characters is familiar, and this novel has a very likable hero, Deputy Sheriff Gabe Dawson, son of Sheriff Mac Dawson. Gabe is a handsome, charming, flirtatious ladies man whose reputation as a player and a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy dates back to high school, which is how long he's had his eye on the beautiful, redheaded heroine, Elle McCoy, who is now working as a deputy prosecutor.
As the novel opens, Gabe and his best friend, police officer Chris Andrews meet up at Moe's Diner and start their usual banter when Gabe spots Elle with another man, and the two begin what turns out to be the first of their many snarky, sarcastic conversations, and Elle can certainly give as good as she gets. When a shady looking customer enters the diner, Gabe's police radio begins beeping to indicate that it's going dead and Gabe steps outside to his car to replace the battery. While doing so, another patron parks his beat up truck and charges into the diner, and the next thing Gabe hears is gunfire, and when he races back inside, we learn that the first shady-looking character is Billy Monroe, and that the shooter is his cousin, Derrick Monroe, son of Jeb Monroe, an anti-government whack-job who spouts his own take on religion and focuses his hatred on the police as agents of the government he so hates. We also soon learn that Chris, whose wife is about to deliver their child, has been killed, and of course, Gabe is filled with guilt, thinking he should have been inside the diner to save his friend's life. That night, Elle finds a very drunk Gabe at a local bar and gets him home, which is when we learn that Elle has also had a crush on Gabe since back in their school days, but she found his reputation a turn-off--she really didn't want to be yet another notch on his bedpost.
One year later, Elle has successfully gotten a guilty verdict in the case against cop killer, Derrick Monroe, and, as she and Gabe step outside the courthouse, to be interviewed by the press, she suddenly spots someone with a gun and shouts a warning. Gabe steps in front of her, takes the shots intended for her, and the gunman, who turns out to be Jeb's son, Mark Monroe, is killed by Gabe's brother Tom, who is Gabe's boss.
Now Jeb Monroe, who already hates the police, has even more reason to hate them, he blames them for the death of his son and vows vengeance. As the suspenseful plot unfolds, so too does the relationship between Elle and Gabe, which is where I began to take issue with this novel. Gabe is 36 years old, but often acts as if he's still in high school when it comes to Elle. Elle's response to any advances Gabe tries to make are equally immature, if not more so, and by the time these two begin to warm up to one another, and as the danger posed by the Monroe family ramps up, Elle's wishy-washy attitude, and her childish inability to communicate her feelings or even make a decision about her future as a prosecutor simply became incredibly irritating to this reader.
As far as suspense novels go, this isn't a bad read, although some the decisions made by these characters aren't the wisest or safest, but the threats are real and very much in keeping with today's headlines. What didn't work me was the romance part of this novel. I simply couldn't wrap my mind around how Elle and Gabe, who are both in their thirties, could possibly be as immature and clueless about their feelings for one another as they were portrayed.
September 25, 2016
Safe from Harm is book 2 of Ms. SeRine’s series, Protect & Serve. If like me , you have not read book 1 , not to worry. This is a standalone story.
This one centers around Elle McCoy, prosecuting attorney, and Gabe Dawson, a deputy and part of a legacy of a law enforcement family.
Both characters are complex, interesting, have suffered personal losses and have known each other since high school. She had a crush on him , he was the jock and seemingly unaware of her existence. Now both are involved in a case and in the midst of it are injured.
Their chemistry ignites and complications in their work puts them both in danger of not only losing their jobs, but of being physically harm.
The story is full of suspense, danger, lots of action and romance . A rollercoaster ride that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Liked it enough , that I will go back and search for the prequel as well as book one of this series.
A copy of the book was given to me by Netgalley for an honest review. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 4, 2016
Check out more of my reviews on at Home. Love. Books. - The best place to find your next book! http://www.homelovebooks.com
Who doesn't love a man in uniform, I know I do. I picked up this book because frankly, I've been in the mood for a little law and order type suspense, who did and why, and will they be caught. The thing about this book is that you know who the bad guy is right from the beginning, the thing that keeps you guessing is trying to figure out how or who he is going to strike at next.
So when the book starts we start in the past. Gabe and Elle are both eating at a local diner, Gabe with their mutual friend, Gabe runs out to his car for something, and while he is outside there are shots fired. His friend dies. It's really quit horrible, and you can tell how much this man's death affects Gabe. Even though Elle and Gabe have a strained relationship (she seems to seriously dislike him), they come together over their grief. Fast forward to present day and its been like a year, the trial of the man responsible is over. Everything should be great right? Wrong, now that the trial is over, the man responsible, well his family is after vengeance.
The stakes are high in this book, and early on Gabe is shot, so during a lot of the book Gabe feels like he has been sidelined. You can tell he wants to be out there getting justice, when reality is he is stuck at home getting better. Gabe is an all around really good guy. I like his a lot. He's funny and witty, and he's always carried a bit of a torch for Elle, even if she never knew about it. I liked how dedicated he is to his job, and I liked how close he and his family are. Honestly, Gabe is hard not to like.
Elle, well she's tough as nails. She lost her parents when she was young, and she really feels like her job as a prosecutor is her calling. She wants to make a difference in the world, she wants to make people's lives better. She is pretty hard on Gabe though, and if anything that was my biggest issue with her. She makes a lot of assumptions about Gabe and his life, without actually taking the time to verify any of them, it's super frustrating. She is just waiting for him to disappoint her, and he never has the chance to because she's already decided that he has disappointed her. But Elle makes an evolution over the course of the book, and by the end I really liked her.
The pacing in the book is pretty fast, but honestly it had to be to keep the tension high. Just when you start to get complacent with how things are going, something new would happen and throw everything off balance. I liked the suspenseful nature of it, even though there wasn't a lot of mystery going on with the plot. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the dynamics between the main characters, they had great chemistry together.
This review was originally posted on Home. Love. Books. - The best place to find your next book!
Who doesn't love a man in uniform, I know I do. I picked up this book because frankly, I've been in the mood for a little law and order type suspense, who did and why, and will they be caught. The thing about this book is that you know who the bad guy is right from the beginning, the thing that keeps you guessing is trying to figure out how or who he is going to strike at next.
So when the book starts we start in the past. Gabe and Elle are both eating at a local diner, Gabe with their mutual friend, Gabe runs out to his car for something, and while he is outside there are shots fired. His friend dies. It's really quit horrible, and you can tell how much this man's death affects Gabe. Even though Elle and Gabe have a strained relationship (she seems to seriously dislike him), they come together over their grief. Fast forward to present day and its been like a year, the trial of the man responsible is over. Everything should be great right? Wrong, now that the trial is over, the man responsible, well his family is after vengeance.
The stakes are high in this book, and early on Gabe is shot, so during a lot of the book Gabe feels like he has been sidelined. You can tell he wants to be out there getting justice, when reality is he is stuck at home getting better. Gabe is an all around really good guy. I like his a lot. He's funny and witty, and he's always carried a bit of a torch for Elle, even if she never knew about it. I liked how dedicated he is to his job, and I liked how close he and his family are. Honestly, Gabe is hard not to like.
Elle, well she's tough as nails. She lost her parents when she was young, and she really feels like her job as a prosecutor is her calling. She wants to make a difference in the world, she wants to make people's lives better. She is pretty hard on Gabe though, and if anything that was my biggest issue with her. She makes a lot of assumptions about Gabe and his life, without actually taking the time to verify any of them, it's super frustrating. She is just waiting for him to disappoint her, and he never has the chance to because she's already decided that he has disappointed her. But Elle makes an evolution over the course of the book, and by the end I really liked her.
The pacing in the book is pretty fast, but honestly it had to be to keep the tension high. Just when you start to get complacent with how things are going, something new would happen and throw everything off balance. I liked the suspenseful nature of it, even though there wasn't a lot of mystery going on with the plot. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the dynamics between the main characters, they had great chemistry together.
This review was originally posted on Home. Love. Books. - The best place to find your next book!March 4, 2017
Safe from Harm review
Safe from Harm is the second exciting romantic suspense book in the Protect and Serve series written by author Kate SeRine.
Safe from Harm is the second exciting romantic suspense book in the Protect and Serve series written by author Kate SeRine.
November 24, 2016
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
There are times that a story will touch you in ways never expected. Knowing the world that we live in today, it is far too easy to imagine this exact type of situation playing out in towns across our country and beyond.
There are certifiably crazy people in the world, ones that hide their madness behind a mask of leadership. The kind of evil that shows one face to the followers that are so easily maneuvered to do the bidding of one man. Followers, family it doesn’t matter this villain will use anyone or anything to extract his revenge.
Safe From Harm takes us into the world of law enforcement and the justice system through two people who have a history, an attraction that’s never been acted on and place them right in the middle of a mad man’s plans for chaos.
I found this story fascinating, gripping and intense. In fact, I really don’t want to talk too much about it for I feel this is an experience that each reader should feel first hand. Told from several points of view, in a way that makes the story feel more real, we are privy to the thoughts of the characters in a way that at times has a chilling effect.
Elle is such a strong, stubborn woman who isn’t afraid to, at times, not be strong but can want, even need help and comfort from Gabe. Her determination to see justice done no matter the threat to her is an admirable trait. I don’t know why the general public doesn’t understand the danger that prosecuting attorneys face while seeking justice in putting away bad people for their crimes. While their lives, in general, may not be in as much constant danger as the police – it still exists.
Gabe firmly believes in the motto, “Protect and Serve”. It’s real to him, he’s seen friends, fellow officers gunned down. He’s lost friends simply because they represented the law, and someone felt they had the right to take a life without consequence. In his personal life he has a reputation as a player, although that is far from the truth. It’s that conceived idea of who he is that’s kept Elle from taking his pursuit of her romantically seriously. He just never figured it would require taking a bullet in her place to get her to see him differently.
I enjoyed Safe From Harm very much. The blend of romance and romantic suspense is nearly perfect. Elle and Gabe are an intriguing couple with many layers. It was a pleasure getting to know them and watch them fall in love in spite of the danger surrounding them. This villain is frightening not only in this story but in realizing that people like him actually do exist in the real world.
I would have no trouble recommending this story or this series. If you enjoy Romantic Suspense this one will grab your attention and not let go.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*
There are times that a story will touch you in ways never expected. Knowing the world that we live in today, it is far too easy to imagine this exact type of situation playing out in towns across our country and beyond.
There are certifiably crazy people in the world, ones that hide their madness behind a mask of leadership. The kind of evil that shows one face to the followers that are so easily maneuvered to do the bidding of one man. Followers, family it doesn’t matter this villain will use anyone or anything to extract his revenge.
Safe From Harm takes us into the world of law enforcement and the justice system through two people who have a history, an attraction that’s never been acted on and place them right in the middle of a mad man’s plans for chaos.
I found this story fascinating, gripping and intense. In fact, I really don’t want to talk too much about it for I feel this is an experience that each reader should feel first hand. Told from several points of view, in a way that makes the story feel more real, we are privy to the thoughts of the characters in a way that at times has a chilling effect.
Elle is such a strong, stubborn woman who isn’t afraid to, at times, not be strong but can want, even need help and comfort from Gabe. Her determination to see justice done no matter the threat to her is an admirable trait. I don’t know why the general public doesn’t understand the danger that prosecuting attorneys face while seeking justice in putting away bad people for their crimes. While their lives, in general, may not be in as much constant danger as the police – it still exists.
Gabe firmly believes in the motto, “Protect and Serve”. It’s real to him, he’s seen friends, fellow officers gunned down. He’s lost friends simply because they represented the law, and someone felt they had the right to take a life without consequence. In his personal life he has a reputation as a player, although that is far from the truth. It’s that conceived idea of who he is that’s kept Elle from taking his pursuit of her romantically seriously. He just never figured it would require taking a bullet in her place to get her to see him differently.
I enjoyed Safe From Harm very much. The blend of romance and romantic suspense is nearly perfect. Elle and Gabe are an intriguing couple with many layers. It was a pleasure getting to know them and watch them fall in love in spite of the danger surrounding them. This villain is frightening not only in this story but in realizing that people like him actually do exist in the real world.
I would have no trouble recommending this story or this series. If you enjoy Romantic Suspense this one will grab your attention and not let go.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*
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