Beneath His Badge

by Stacy L. Mantlo, C. Shivers

Despite the loss Gemma has endured--with her parents being killed at such a young age then her Grandmother that raised her passing away--Gemma is a content woman. She’s a well-known Author who loves being alone, aside from her dog, and simply writing her stories. She’s single and fancies staying that way in spite of what her friend Heidi says. As far as Gemma is concerned, her life is perfect--she’s living the dream. It’s not until she finds her neighbor murdered and possibly ran into the killer that things get complicated. Detective Gage Strider suddenly enters her life, leaving her confused and feeling things she’s never felt before. Question is, what’s she going to do about it?

Gage Strider is a loner and prefers it that way, until he sees Gemma Baxter. An immediate attraction, one he hasn’t felt since his fiancée died years ago, he knows he will stop at nothing to get this woman in his bed and in his life. He knows he’s going to have his hands full with her being a possible witness in a murder case, but somehow, he needs to convince Gemma that’s there’s something there between them. What better way to do that than taking her under his wing and hoping his plan works?

ebook

First published August 1, 2016

About the author

Stacy L Mantlo is a full-time wife and mother of two. She is addicted to coffee and chocolate and tries to get six hours of sleep at night. She has always loved reading and writing all kinds of different stories. She state’s; life can sometimes be overwhelming so writing and reading is a great way to escape, walk into a fantasy world if only for a while. Her favorite part is letting her fingers fly on the keyboard of her computer while the story unfolds in front of her.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am struggling to write this review. The storyline could have been awesome. I liked the idea of this story and the blurb for it. But it really fell flat and short for me. The characters are very dry and flat. I didn't love either of the main characters. Their relationship was bam at the first meeting. It took them weeks to realize that she isn't on the pill and they aren't using anything. The last 25%, and most of the sex scenes, I found myself skimming through. I had no connection at all to the characters, and that is rare for me.

Gemma is an author, that stumbles upon her dead neighbor. At first, I did really feel for her. I did like how she would stand up to Gage, but then she backed down so fast it wasn't even funny.

Gage is the detective that takes her to his house after he meets her. I really don't like him much, at all. Don't get me wrong, I love a strong, dominate, alpha male. But Gage wasn't that. He makes Gemma mad and upsets her, she needs space, he breaks down the bathroom door and tells her it's enough time. And then another time, he punishes her, by spanking her. She uses her safe word and he keeps going.

I hate leaving lower than a 3 star review, but I was offered this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book although I don't like how Gemma seemed to give in a little too often to Gage's demands. I did however like the way the two of them connected. How when push came to shove they were a team. Love can sometimes smack us upside the head and make us feel like we've been godsmacked and that's kinda what I felt between these two from the moment they met. I don't know if I liked some of the caveman antics Gage got into his head but otherwise I liked this book a lot. Gemma was so heartbroken when Heidi died and Gage was hurting right along with her. All in all I loved this book despite my dislike of what I would term the "doormat syndrome" Gemma sometimes fell into. ;-) Solid 4.5 stars for me.

[lynda robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like the book

It had a good plot. Other then that, I forced myself to read it, because I bought it. The wording was mess up. I did not enjoy this book, and I don't plan reading any more of her books.