Above Protection

Imperfect Heroes #2

by C.J. Pinard

He's bearded, angry, highly trained, and has a job to do. She's the damsel in distress who's smarter than she looks, and doesn't want anyone's help. Could it be they both need something neither will admit to? Fate fueled by the laws of attraction may just decide for them. DUKE I didn't ask for this. I was just doing my job, and they have the nerve to put me on a Witness Protection detail? This is crap. I'll do my assignment, then go back to my job and what I love - kicking ass and taking names. I hadn't spent 6 years in the Marine Corps to be put on babysitting duty once I'd joined the FBI. The witness they assigned me to, Rayanne, is an annoying, brainless blonde with a sassy mouth and a body that belongs on a website you had to pay to access. Not that I noticed or anything. RAYANNE I can look after myself. I don't need anyone's help, and the government is being ridiculous for putting me in Protective Custody. I'll testify against my former bosses and then go back to my life as a single girl in the big city. I love my career as a paralegal, and once this Neanderthal they'd assigned to babysit me is out of my life, I'll go back to it. I just wish he wasn't so easy on the eyes. The beard, the hard body, and that voice. Why couldn't they have sent me someone ugly - and nice? Because Duke is neither of those things.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Military Fiction, Mystery Thriller

317 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2016

About the author

C.J. is a USA Today bestselling author living in Colorado but wishes she was someplace warmer. She loves the SF 49ers and has a weakness for expensive shoes. She’s the author of over 40 novels and short stories that contain both fantasy and paranormal romance with kickass heroines and strong alphas. Having recently retired from a twenty-year career in federal law enforcement, she's looking forward to the next chapter in life.

She can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and on her website, cjpinard.com.

You can also find billionaire romance under her pen, Carolyn Delaney.

Reading order:

URBAN FANTASY/ROMANCE:
Enchanted Immortals 1
Enchanted Immortals 2: The Vortex
Enchanted Immortals 3: The Vampyre
Enchanted Immortals 4: The Vixen
BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation
Enchanted Immortals Box Set: 4 Books + Novella

PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Unscathed (A paranormal romance novel with Tim O'Rourke)

Soul Rebel (Death's Kiss #1) FREE
Soul Redemption (Death's Kiss #2)
Soul Release (Death's Kiss #3)
Kovah: Soul Seeker (A Death's Kiss Novel #4)

Lotus (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey Part I FREE
Watcher (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey, Part II
Guardian (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey, Part III

The Lunar Effect (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #1) FREE
The Lunar Curse (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #2)
The Lunar Secret (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #3)
The Lunar Magic (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #4)
The Lunar Promise (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #5)
The Lunar Light (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #6)

Viper (Nighthawks MC #1)
Shadow (Nighthawks MC #2)
Phoenix (Nighthawks MC #3)
Venom (Nighthawks MC #4)
Face (Nighthawks MC #5)

REVERSE HAREM FANTASY:
Four Princes (Rothhaven Trilogy, #1)
Four Kings (Rothhaven Trilogy, #2)
Four Heirs (Rothhaven Trilogy, #3)

CONTEMPORARY/MILITARY ROMANCE
Duty & Desire Series:
Patriotic Duty
Tour of Duty
Boots Beneath My Bed
Playing the Field

Imperfect Heroes Series:
Antihero
Above Protection
Beneath Broken
Beyond Love

CONTACT INFO

Find me: http://cjpinard.com/

Like me: https://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/c.j._pinard

Tweet me: https://twitter.com/CJPinard

Join me: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CJPin...

Add me: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Reviews

[crashqueen73 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am stealing a word from another reviewer from Goodreads because it expressed exactly how I felt about this book.... infantile.

I was going to say immature but infantile is MUCH better.

The characters were dreadful. I found them to be overly annoying and I DNF at about 50%. My tolerance level for stupid is at an all time low at the moment... including characters from books!

[Angie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read about a wounded warrior. And, the cover is super sexy! :0)

[Robin H · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

There were too many issues. Research is important. Quite frankly the author makes herself sound a bit dumb with some of her mistakes. (I'm sure she's a great, smart gal. Just saying the lack of knowledge/research makes her seem less than capable.) An FBI agent/USMC vet who trained at Quantico. Yet has never been to Virginia? (Quantico is in Virginia.) The hero's younger brother (who should be 27) is "as high a rank you can get as an enlisted soldier." Yet that's an impossibility. He'd been in less than 10 years, two tours to Iraq and BAM! He's an E-9? Nope. It'll most likely take the better part of 20 years (or more) to get there. Then the heroine...who is a WITNESS is sitting with the prosecutor? Huh? Since when do witnesses sit with the lawyers? And if this is the case, why aren't both tables filled with witnesses? And why didn't she sent at the defense table when she had to testify for them as well?

Then we throw in insta-love. Characters who don't develop at all. Instead of that development they do a complete 180 in personality. And seriously? This chick gets on the stand and spews a ton of info, even telling how she overheard a convo about ditching a body in a dumpster. Yet the whole book she swears she has NO IDEA why she's been subpoenaed?

Yeah, nice concept overall. The rest of it...not so much.

[Letty (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duke is ex-military and has been working as an FBI agent. He’s handsome, tough, and has a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude.

Rayanne is self-sufficient and now finds herself in a situation where her independence won’t help her.

When Duke is “punished” for so many violent actions against perps, he finds himself in charge of the latest Witness Protection detail, Rayanne. Their first encounter was a clash of wills. He was upset with his babysitting assignment and she’s determined not to let the a-hole agent intimidate her. I enjoyed their banter and the way he tried to appear tough in front of her… but the way she wouldn’t back down and turned things around on him made for some interestingly funny moments.

I found myself hooked from the beginning and enjoying the relationship that developed between Duke and Rayanne. Their chemistry was intense and I liked the way she made him see things differently.

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Pretty good romantic suspense. Duke was such an ass that it made the insta-love thing feel off even for me. I felt both characters could have used a little more depth but overall, the plot was good and I read it in one sitting!

[Caroline Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.J. Pinard is a fan and author of bad-boy romances, and her Imperfect Heroes series is no different. ABOVE PROTECTION is the first book of the series, with novella Antihero as it’s prequel. If a bearded, muscular Neanderthal ex-Marine, whose protective hands you are in, but who can be as cold as ice one minute and as HOT as fire the next floats your boat then you’re in for a wild adventure of lust and action!

Excitingly told from both points of view, Above Protection is a quick-paced, contemporary bad-boy romance read. The reader is met with Duke Hawthorne, ex-Marine-turned-FBI agent who has been dishing out a little more muscle than is expected of him, leaving him with an ultimatum after receiving three strikes for excessive behaviour; he can either allow Internal Affairs to carry out an investigation into these complaints - which will be long, drawn out and ongoing, or he can carry out one case of Witness Protection Duty.

Duke could do without the babysitting duty but, what the hell, one job and it will be over! On first sight he expects his female blonde bombshell of a witness to be vulnerable and 'scared sh*tless'. He immediately notices her beauty and hot body, yet within an instant he turns on the professionalism. But, there are some surprises in store for Duke, and some twists in the story for the reader, making for some action further on in more ways than one!

Rayanne has felt like a part of the family with her employers, and struggles to believe what they have been charged with. She doesn't need protecting surely? However, as she has been receiving some harrowing threats it becomes clear that she needs protection just in case the threats become a reality. She has been betrayed, and if she can make it through the trial she doesn't even know how she will make ends meet, and/or if she will be employable.

Rayanne is aware of Duke's mood, just as she is his masculinity and a fire he ignites inside her. She is flirtatious with him on and off, although Duke doesn't seem to be the playful type. His stand-offish bad, bossy attitude doesn't impress Rayanne. That said, there is something about his coldness that plays on her mind, and deep down she knows his sombre manner means that he is doing his job in protecting her.

When the characters share moments of HOT lust early on, it is so hot and cold in a flash the reader will question whether these two really are compatible, which adds to the fun. Duke does turn pretty cold at times, which will leave you tearing your hair out, and being annoyed with him. In his personal life he has to deal with nightmares from his time in the marines, and he is well aware that he is an a**hole to women, leaving them hanging on, but never keeping anyone close. There are times when you probably won't like him at all. But bear with, and as the pace of the story quickens with a turn of events I'm sure you'll come round!

A copy of Above Protection was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie. I was kind of expecting his book to be kind of like the novella.
This kind of book wasn't one of my normal reads. The suspense/ special agent thriller. If I'm going to read a book like this... It needs to have some romance in it.
And unfortunately for me... Duke was not someone I warmed up in this book. So anything between the main characters just fell to the waist side for me and just took away from me fully enjoying this story. Thus... Not really feeling any romance in it for me between the main characters.
The first half of this book was rough! I'm talking really rough to read for me. The MC Duke was not to my liking. Everything he said and did just had me going!
The Second half of this book was tolerable. But Duke seemed like a whole different person. It was like a flip of a switch with him.
But I still never warmed up to Duke.
Rayanne... I never really warmed up to her too. The things she did while in the situation she was in.... Just didn't make sense to me.
Rayanne always wanting to go out was starting to get to me. She knew people were out to get her. But yet... She wanted to take walks... Go shopping or go to the park like she wasn't in the witness protection program.
Another thing that got to me about Rayanne... She was so surprised when she got a subpoena to testify against her bosses. She had no clue why they would want her. She kept thinking and thinking what they would ask her.
But when she finally testified at the hearing. Omg... What she told the prosecutor was night and day from the beginning of the book to the end.
It didn't add up to me. Up until the hearing. She really had no clue why she was even involved in the case other than some fishy stuff going on in the account books.
But... Everything she said... How could she not be freaking out. She knew exactly why they wanted her.
The way Duke and Rayanne came together just seemed too fast for me. I wasn't feeling it. Duke was acting really mean to Rayanne for a good chunk of the book. So when they finally got together. It was like he was a whole other person. I really wish there was some kind of build up to them getting together. Like him being nice to her.
I wish I could have liked this book more. But unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
Even though this book didn't work me. I still love this author and will continue to read her future books.

*ARC provided by author for an honest review*

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Above Protection
CJ Pinard
3.5 stars

Rayanne has been put into a very disturbing situation. The two men she has worked for and considers family are being charged with various crimes but the worst is murder for hire. She doesn’t want to testify against the men she considers her family and has no idea why anyone would think she would know anything about the charges or why this is happening. Now, her life is in danger and she is being taken from her life and thrown into the witness protection program.

Duke is being punished. All his arrest are being questioned as his use of excessive force is going to be investigated if he doesn’t take this assignment. The last thing he wants to do is babysit. Every arrest he has made the perp has done something to warrant the use of force; its just that in today’s society everyone with a camera phone is screaming police brutality. Taking this assignment will keep the investigations at bay and take the heat off of him according to his boss so he has no choice but to get the job done.

This book was just an ok read for me. The story wasn’t in depth and you could guess from the get go what was going to transpire between these two. There was a wow moment when the hearings were about to start and who was crossing who came out but that was about the only “gottcha” few minutes. However if you are looking for an easy read that doesn’t take long to turn to the last page then this book is for you. Its very easy to pick this one up and set it down and return to the story later if you have distractions running around.

I will also say Duke was an interesting character. I could have read a lot more from him and his part did leave me wanting to know more about his past.

Thank you CJ for the ARC. I appreciate the chance to read and will certainly read more from you. Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.

[Maria (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars. I didn’t love this book. Something about the writing style of this author bothered me.

I didn’t like the hero. He was an ass and mean to the heroine from day one. Over 50% of the book he changed and became a caring hero. It just didn’t measure up. I didn’t warm up to the heroine. I found her behavior weird as being someone who is in a witness protection program. Still at her own home she doesn’t dare leaving the house to get something to eat, but once in the safe house she wants to go shopping and going for a walk in the park. She has to buy some feminine products in the store, and while there why not grab some anal bleach as well. Say what.. why??

For romance, there wasn’t any. I don’t understand when and how they fell in love. He was rude and mean to her and then all of a sudden kissing her (while she’s drunk by two sips of bourbon, hiccup). Their first sex scene is weird. Without any initiation he crabs his belt because he wants to spank her ass. It’s like the author wanted to add some BDSM in the plot. It was very odd. He was a douche after having sex with her, leaving her straight after without saying a word and sleeping in his own room. And although that bothered her, she fell asleep in the 5 minutes he was dumping the condom in the bathroom. I had a lot of WTF moments reading this book.

Then the suspense. It was low in angst, the dumb heroine almost blew their cover when the hero signaled her to be quiet. She irritated me enormously. She didn’t know why she was in danger, but once testifying in court it seemed pretty clear to me. For a paralegal she just didn’t seem very smart.

This book is safe. No OW/OM drama or scenes with OW/OM. Hero didn’t have sex in months and the heroine not in 2 years. Heroine was with 3 boyfriends, the hero mentioned he had 1 girlfriend and the rest were all random girls. In the beginning of the book the hero receives a booty call from one of his hook ups, but he declines meeting her.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing I like about this series it will show heroes as they are, people that do hero stuff but are also individuals. Anyone can be one but only a few step up to the plate especially when it is time. There is also different kinds,different ways. This author has the magic to bring us heroes that would be right next to us if we look close enough and the ones in the novels we would like to claim as ours. Duke thinks he is getting short end of a stick but boy oh boy he doesn't know nothing yet. Even though he picks on Rayanne I think it is a front to hide his attraction in a position he got that is not of his choosing. She too has a thing or two on her mind about Duke one of them is trying to skate around the fact she finds him easy on the eyes. Just doing her job but it seems for the wrong people whom now want to ensure she does not spill any beans puts them together until tell all time. The more time they spend together the more they will grow on each other in more ways than one. Thanks to his motto about drugs for his leg she will give a different kind of relief. They grow closer but so will danger as they are losing the battle to be professional. When it comes down to the wire he feels he failed but far from it. With a dynamic conclusion she will be then have us readers so sewed up when you reach the end you will moan just because you want more.

[Reflections of a Book Geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I was really looking forward to this book, I loved the idea of neither of the characters being what they seemed but I think it fell a little short.

Rayanne was put into witness protection and was lucky enough to get the not so charming Duke to be her guard. I liked Rayanne's character, she was sweet and relatable.

Duke was a complete and utter a$$hole, I couldn't see the appeal of his character at all. He had no soft edges and I hated how he treated Rayanne.

Although I had issues with some aspects of the book the storyline flowed well and there was a good amount of suspense to keep us interested.

This story had a lot of promise but I think the characters could have been so much better developed, the storyline was pretty good and I have to admit the only reason I finished the book.

The only other thing that bugged me was they went straight from couldn't stand each other to instantly in love. I would have liked to see them get on a little better before falling in love but that's maybe just me.

[Renee Entress · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, suspense, twists & turns, and heartbreak.

This is Rayanne and Duke’s story. Rayanne is put in protection custody. Duke is the protector. Neither wants to worry about the protection. Both will complicate the protection detail. He thinks he is wasting his time. She thinks it’s a pain. Can they work together for the protection and figure out what needs to happen before it’s too late? Can one babysitting duty turn into a forever?

I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off good but suddenly they both fell in love. It was like out of blue and out of character for Duke. Maybe if the author would have delved more into his past it would have turned out differently. The pace was also really slow. I had expected more action.

[Svea · Rating 2 out of 5]

mehhh.... these two fall in love quicker than it takes me to open my Goodreads app

[Natward1 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish after page 70. I don’t like ray at all. I don’t like any of duke and rays interactions either. They don’t have any chemistry. Sure the author includes the romance cliche of having the two monologue about how insanely hot they think the other is right from the start of course, but I don’t actually see any chemistry. I like the idea of the enemies to lovers thing but it has to be done right. I don’t like when the characters are just flat out mean to each other only for the sake of trying too hard to fulfill that trope. Also we know what both characters are thinking about everything at all times thanks to the dual point of view so there’s no mystery there. Of course they’re instantly thinking lusty thoughts about the other which gets repetitive. And It just discredits Duke so much when I have to listen to him thinking about her sexually only one day into his detail. It shows me that this is just how he is toward any female even if hes on a job. I can’t take him seriously. It would have been so much more impactful for the romance to happen only after getting to know eachother. This should have been a slow burn in order for me to feel like Duke isn’t just out to get any action he can get, even if it means getting it on the job. But I can tell the author is just in a hurry to get to the sex. I don’t like a sex book with a story written around it. I want a story with the sex woven in naturally.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Above Protection

>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Imperfect Heroes series and ends in an HEA. The tie in with the first book is Ellis and Duke. Ellis saved Duke in Afghanistan when Duke was almost mortally injured. Duke, now suffering from chronic pain, is always a bit crabby. He uses a bit too much excessive force and is punished by being assigned to a witness protection detail. He resents the punishment and the woman he is assigned to protect.

>Rayanne is a paralegal unknowingly working at a dirty law firm. As she is set to testify against her employers, death threats put her in Witness Protection with Duke. Rayanne is smart, but she doesn’t seem to grasp the magnitude of the danger she is in. She wants to go out for walks and to the story, instead of hiding for her own safety.

>The relationship between Duke and Rayanne is a ticking time bomb. Once they both give in to their desires, the danger escalates. The actual trial is abrupt, but the angst Duke feels being kept apart from Rayanne is palpable.This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving the story 5 stars. Duke is a prickly man who falls fast and hard. This was a fun read.

[Shelly Reddinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayanne's life is about to get real intense real quick. She's going to need all the help she can get to stay alive and make it through the trial. Duke is the best person for the job.

Duke is an FBI agent who's got a flare for getting the job done and possibly going a little overboard with it on occasion. He is put on witness protection which is how he meets Rayanne. Duke is a very gruff stick to his guns type of gun who doesn't want to be babysitting anyone.

He meets his match with Rayanne. She might be scared but she's not taking Duke attitude easily. Stuck in a small cabin in a secluded area things get a bit out of hand and then things take a turn you won't see coming.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fast paced book with some action, romance, and a touch of humor.

[Mariah Shaaaawanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I legit love this book from start to finish! It’s officially on my top 5 favourite books of all time no joke. I found the book on accident and so glad I did. The story was great. I love the crime and law part of it. It didn’t get too much into the court stuff just enough… there was also just the right amount of spice! I really liked the references of songs and movies I know and love. It made me giggle, laugh, scream and even made me shocked a few times. Sucha fun reading experience! I read this book on the book app and I think I need to purchase the physical copy for my first book trophy LOL

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out pretty good...I love a good "grumpy-sunshine" book but it quickly went downhill. Duke was not a great bodyguard and he was kind of a jerk too. Rayanne's character bugged me...I never could drum up any sympathy for her plight despite her being innocent. This book just was not written really well as far as character development and plot.

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a difference between alpha male and asshole male. Duke is an asshole male through and through.

Rayanna is sarcastic and manipulating. She's been thrown into witness protection with Duke and gives as,much shit as she gets.

I'm neutral on recommending this one.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read but not the best C. J. Pinard book I have read. I am sure there are some Marines
that would act as childish and fly off the handle as quickly as Duke did but I really did not enjoy
his character in this book.

[Pippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps 3.5 stars? It was better than book #1, probably because it is almost twice the length of the novella, and I will certainly read books 3 & 4. A decent wet afternoon distraction or beach read.

[jean buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soulmates

I enjoyed the love story of Rayanne and Duke. To bad all witness protection tion stories don't end as happily as this one.

[Maria]

FREE today (December 12, 2022) on Amazon

[susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was exciting from beginning to end could not put it down.

[Jana]

DNF
Boring. Did not like characters.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun

[TXBookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Above Protection is book number 1 to the Imperfect Heroes Series. I have to say what a way to start the series. I love the excerpt to this book with I first read it. I have read similar situations in other books but was not impressed with them. This book held me captive throughout the entire book. I thought it was great. This was also the first time to read a book by C.J. Pinard and ill tell you what i found a new author to continue reading.

This is a story about Duke Hawethorne and Rayanne Lynch. Duke is a man who does not take any crap from anyone. He is a FBI agent and is kinda a hot head. Well kinda is not the word he is a hot head, but what he is in trouble for I don't even see a problem with. Duke has two options, deal or Witness Protection Duty. After being a Marine and a field agent all these years of course he doesn't want to sit behind a desk. Witness Protection it is for this hot-headed man. The assignment that he gets take him by surprise and his heart and body seem to want to betray him. He knows that he has a job to do and feeling attracted to her is not what he needs to do. He is already on the verge to loosing his job.

Rayanne is paralegal for the Wright Brothers law firm and he finds her self in need of protection. She doesn't want it at first but with some death threats she ends up taking it. She has worked for the Wright Brother for five years and discovers some very unsettling things about them. She is now having to testify against them. Witness Protection is what she is now facing. She has not contact to the outside world, besides the threading messages that keep coming in and the agents that are here to proctor her until HE shows up.

I really like the way that Duke and Rayanne are introduced. He is not some nice man who is here to coddle her, he is her to collect her and take her some where she will be safe. Things don't start off on the right foot, and neither one of them seem to want to give in. They really are not oblivious to one another and there are some attraction that instantly start. I love the back and forth that they give one another. They both find themselves in a situation that they didn't think would go that far. Now with the impending death threats right at their door step they have to take action. In the end of this book I really love that they not only does the story end beautifully but there is also a bit of a teaser of what is coming next. I can't wait for the next one to come out for sure, I know that you will love this books as well.

[Alphas Do It Better Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The two people in the Imperfect Heroes series are exactly that...imperfect but worth the effort. Duke, a former military hero now turned FBI agent has seen all the bad the world has to offer and well he's maybe a little tattered from the battles he's fought. He lives with an injury that leaves him surly, a "tiny" anger management problem, and bruises on his knuckles and his heart. With his possibility of his arrests being under investigation for excessive force, Duke is assigned a punishment Witness Protection detail. He's deeply annoyed with what he sees as a glorified babysitting gig but saving his career is more important.

When he meets the "vic", he instantly sizes her up as a princess and treats her with barely concealed contempt but she's proven others wrong before. Rayanne was working for people she considered family when her life blows sky high. People she trusted now want her dead and she's whisked away from all she knows into WitSec. She's instantly attracted to the FBI agent assigned to protect her but he's like a bear with a thorn in his paw. Can she break through to this tortured hero?

This was an okay read for me. I liked the characters but could've used more development. Who are they beyond their jobs? How does Duke get a the injury that makes him so sad? Where are their real families?, etc. The beginning was great though a little slow and filled with angst between the characters but then with very little interaction, all of a sudden, the characters are deeply in love. Rayanne even ponders "Stockholm syndrome" etc but then just easily dismisses this. So for me, their "fall" felt rushed but other than that, I enjoyed the book. Great characters that I hope we'll see again!

Review by AnnMarie

[Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

Brand new author. Brand new series. Suspense. Action. Twists. Turns. Steam. Angry bearded man. Romance. Standalone. What more could you ask for in a romance novel? Well C.J. Pinard gives her readers a intriguing and edgy book that will keep you on your toes and make you quite breathless at times. She gives us a sexy alpha hero that we love to hate and hate to love.

This is Rayanne and Duke's story. Rayanne has just entered the Witness Protection program. Someone wants her dead. Someone is out to get her. She doesn't understand how her simple job came down to her bosses being accused of murder for hire but it happened. And her protector is a growly man that gets under her skin. Oh yeah, and he definitely sets her panties on fire.

Enter Duke. After getting in trouble yet again at work, he has two options. Neither are what he wants but WitSec seems to be the best decision so that's what he chooses. The barbie like girl he is watching gets under his skin yet he can't seem to stop lusting after her. He has a job to do and it is not to get her under him. But the more time they spend together, the more his stance waivers.

These two were flipping amazing. I laughed. I snickered. I even snorted a time or two. I loved them together despite the denial they both had. The sexual tension was off the charts steamy. And that ending... forget about it! Rayanne and Duke were perfect for each other, even when they didn't know it. The best part of the whole book. I am super excited for the next book in the series!

I recommend this book.

Review Post---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2016...