A Fine Balance

by Susan Johnson, C.C. Gibbs (aka)

Ex-NFL
Ex-LAPD Undercover
Ex-husband

Jack Morgan, Deputy Sheriff, is back on his home turf where life used to be laid back. The community pot culture was tolerated by local law enforcement so long as everyone understood the rules of engagement. Keep your head down, your mouth shut, don’t make waves.

But, lately, criminal gangs have moved in and everything’s gone to hell.

So professionally, Jack’s working his ass off to help keep the peace, while personally, he’s pretty much doing the same. His open door policy for the ladies is keeping him busy. He doesn’t go out looking for it, but if some women knocks on his door, he figures it would be rude not to ask her in.

Then one day, as a favor, cause he doesn’t do that shit, he serves an eviction notice.

A red head, with a little boy in her arms, opens the door.

Jack sucks in a breath.

She’s STUNNING.

Suddenly, his busy, complicated life becomes incredibly more complicated.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

ebook

First published October 11, 2016

About the author

And it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .

My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"

"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"

So I did. And very badly.

I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.

Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

Sweet, smooth and went down well! Review to come!


 

[Trina · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first and LAST Susan Johnson.
After finding his wife fucking another man/friend, his marriage ended.
Now he's strictly casual sex only, and his home is open for his sex partners...like literally, she just comes into his house and wait to be fuck. After meeting the heroine for the very first time, he supposedly couldn't get her off his mind -cause she is amazingly gorgeous (eye-roll). Meanwhile, he enjoys fucking his married friend while telling her she should get a divorce (cause he's always away on so-call business, leaving her all lonely and available to cheat on her husband with supercock Jack...more eye-roll). On meeting Jillian (h) for the second time, Jack confess to lusting for her big time and ask her to come to his place so they can fulfill their lust (so romantic). At his place, they found his married friend-with-benefits already at his home, and so -of course- they went to another location to fuck (why they don't just 3-some, I don't know). At this point, I'm ignoring the ca-ca romance and focus solely on the investigation. During his investigation, he fucks a secretary (3 hours) for information...I'm done.

[Wateena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Johnson is widely know for her steamy historical romances as well as her contemporary erotic novels penned under C.C. Gibbs

Susan Johnson nails it in her first romantic suspense novel, A Fine Balance.

You will get pulled into this story with the handsome brooding Deputy Sheriff Jack Morgan and the beautiful widow and mother, Jillian Penrose who has fallen on hard times.  Add in a big illegal drug operation, a smarter than your average dog, a young orphan boy and a meddling community and you have very intense and intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages.

Deputy Jack Morgan does not have time for romance, he has women to fill his needs and go.   So when he meets beautiful Jillian Penrose, widow and mother he knows he is in trouble when he can't keep his mind off her.    But the murder he is investigating is tied to a huge illegal drug operation, and he is trying to keep his head.    Staying away from Jillian doesn't work, and soon everyone knows he's dating her, including the head of the illegal drug cartel he's investigating.

Jillian Penrose is a widow with a two year old son Zeke.   Being laid off from her teaching job by cutbacks and fighting the bank over her home, a man is the last thing on her mind.  But when Jack Morgan stops by to serve an eviction, and offers help, Jillian falls hard.

Jack has a lot on his plate right now, taking down this drug cartel is a priority.  But what happens when the drug cartel fights back?  Can Jack keep Jillian and her son safe?

[Squallogal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan, a.k.a C.C Gibb (author of the Kight Series) takes us on an epic walk through pot country in her first independent romance. Well worth the read. First there was Damien, then sexy Rafe. Now dirty Jack just might steal everything that's left of your heart, mind, and body.

[The Color of Ink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I’m relatively new to this author, I haven’t read any of her historical romances or erotic novels penned under C.C. Gibbs. This keeps me at a neutral and fun place to start reading this author, and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is steamy and action packed.

It’s hard not to get pulled into this read. I mean you have a good looking Deputy Sheriff that walks a fine line between right and wrong, law wise. This story starts off a little slow as you are introduced to Jack Morgan’s world, but picks right up after the first few chapters. In the midst of taking down some bad men, it seems that romance has found Jack even though he wasn’t looking. Jack has heart, but will get his hands dirty for the right reason or the right woman.

Jullian has her hands full with her son and fighting the bank for her home, but when Jack shows up to serve her eviction papers she drops her defenses. She soon realizes it’s not just because Jack offers to help that she’s interested. Jack tries to keep his head on straight for the sake of the investigation, but staying away from Jullian proves to be much harder than he thought. Taking down the drug cartel was first priority, but now…

You’ll have to snag a copy to find out what happens! I mean come on, who doesn't like a guy who loves kids and dogs? I’m sending a big thank you to the author for sharing her story with us at The Color of Ink. Also, please note, I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish....this is a very tired re-telling of most of her other books- even the older romances. (I’ve read all her published titles). The arguments between characters seem to be picked up and placed from book to book. We have added in the marijuana angle which is silly. I don’t know if I’ll go back and try to finish because Jillian has a compelling story- but the idea of a wealthy ex-football player\winery owner who made great investments so he can augment the local police department coffers with his own funds seems absurd to me. If you are wanting something fresh and new from Ms Johnson this is not it.

[Judith Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine balance

Loved it. Couldn't put it down..Jack's character is fantastic. A laid back ex-football star, now a deputy sheriff in his home town. His looks alone have the women lining up to come thru his door. But he does a favor for a friend and meets the love of his life. However the drug cartels have something to say about happy ever after and swipe his girl. Jack can't brake this and goes after her to deal with whomever he had too. Terrific storyline.

[Maverickgirl31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long time fan who has probably read 95% of her catalog.

SJ/CCG usually has a shootout or two in her contemporary romances. I loved the action and the investigation into who killed the young man but wished it had been balanced with more screen time for the romance growing between the MCs. Looking forward to seeing the next brother in this series find his HEA.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started so slow. It took me till about 40% into the book before it finally got interesting. The pace of the book was off. I get Ms Johnson was maybe trying her hand at something new. But the only parts of the book I liked were the romance parts. I think I'll just stick with her tried and true romance novels.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Susan Johnson novel,perfect man....

[Page21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I am not a regular reviewer, neither a blogger, I was the most unlikely recipient of an ARC. The author was kind enough to provide me with it anyway. I'd been following Jack's progress over the last few months on FB as Susan/Gibbs kept the picture trail of his whereabouts alive. Talk about details! Susan is a master of painting a really descriptive picture.

Right off the bat, the book takes off with a heinous murder. With Jack at the helm at solving the mystery, the reader gets a first class ride into the wild. I am a romance reader at heart, yet I was exhilarated as Jack slayed the bad guys. Lemme be frank, his ruthlessness made me HOT. I thought Dominic was IT for me, but turns out he has a Twin-a really badass twin! Oh boy, the chemistry between him and Jillian is scorching hot. Jillian is the quintessential girl-next-door with an edge. Add to that - an opinionated toddler, a Zen dog and a range of secondary characters that make the book absolutely amazing.

The narrative is crisp and staccato. That is Susan's trademark style. The book was a page turner from start to finish, all 450+ pages of it. An amazing read...not to be missed.

Oh and here's the tip-off - Rafe and Nicole's wedding is coming!!! Yay! Can hardly wait.

[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Johnson has came back in a vengeance in her first foray into indie publishing with a Fine Balance. Jack Morgan is the trifecta in men former NFL superbowl champion, former LAPD, and current Deputy Sheriff for his hometown and winemaker. Jack gets suckered into delivers an eviction notice to Jillian Penrose, where it is lust at first sight. Johnson gives the reader a true sense of being in the thick of things as Jack is on the hunt for a killer of an illegal migrant worker whose crop is marijuana. How can Jack pursue Jillian in his small town where nothing is a secret? Is he willing to put her in the line of fire as he delves deeper into his case? Through out the story there are tons of plot twists that a Johnson novel is known for making the story flow.

I hope she continues to write the series with his brothers in the future.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started so slow. It took me till about 40% into the book before it finally got interesting. The pace of the book was off. I get Ms Johnson was maybe trying her hand at something new. But the only parts of the book I liked were the romance parts. I think I'll just stick with her tried and true romance novels

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting, very intriguing book. The storyline drew you into the story and, though you only intended to read one chapter right at the moment, you find yourself, instead, figuring another chapter won't hurt....or another...or another....! It was a great read!!!! I enjoyed it very much!

[Nyssa]

Alpha sheriff deputy moving the world

Jack takes care of everyone! Anything money can't buy he's happy to apply social pressure or muscle to acquire. And he's a good shot