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The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue #3
Necessary Action
Learning to trust could bring them together—and keeping secrets could kill them . . .
Going undercover to take down murderous gun smugglers is what Duff Watson lives for. Until he tracks the ring to a Missouri farm . . . and meets paramedic Melanie Fiske. Now the KCPD detective has another critical task: winning over the curvy redhead who tempts him yet whom he can’t let himself trust . . .
Something about the protective ex-soldier makes Melanie believe he can help her find out the truth about her family. And the desire Duff awakens feels like the real thing. But when Melanie’s life is threatened, can she keep trusting—and loving—a man who lives a life of dangerous deception?
Going undercover to take down murderous gun smugglers is what Duff Watson lives for. Until he tracks the ring to a Missouri farm . . . and meets paramedic Melanie Fiske. Now the KCPD detective has another critical task: winning over the curvy redhead who tempts him yet whom he can’t let himself trust . . .
Something about the protective ex-soldier makes Melanie believe he can help her find out the truth about her family. And the desire Duff awakens feels like the real thing. But when Melanie’s life is threatened, can she keep trusting—and loving—a man who lives a life of dangerous deception?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
86 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Julie Miller
295 books368 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 22, 2017
As the prologue of the story goes from a sweet and sentimental moment to a full blown deadly action the hero Tom Duff Watson's different sides of personality and nature is shown to the reader in clear colors. He is a protective warrior, willing to go face to face with danger if someone is threatening his loved ones. Yet there's the charming, kind, considerate, a tender feeling sweet man inside there that had me sighing and swooning while watching him in action.
And Melanie Fiske was the perfect mate to Tom. Her life had been restricted at the compound and she had never experienced a romance or attraction yet there was the burning need inside her to get to know Tom better, to be close to him, to touch him. The passion between them was fierce and gentle at the same time, the chemistry was delightfully sizzling. They were friends who shared their secrets, sorrows, and aspirations, they were partners who had each other's back, they were lovers with a deep yearning and eagerness to please their mate. I absolutely adored them together, still smiling just thinking about them!
The Fiske community is based on a dictatorial fear that keeps the followers on line. Out of that fear, they will do what they are told to do, the seemingly picturesque life in their community is based on control and scare tactics. The knowledge that something sinister is behind the closed doors is building up the edgy dangerous feelings the suspense on the story is based on. The constant feeling that someone is watching your every movement, just waiting for you to fail a direct order or step out of line. That creepy kind of fear that gives you chills on your spine and goosebumps in your arms, that chill you can feel through the story as it unfolds and more deceit is revealed.
I enjoyed the author's voice and the effortless flow of the well-written tale. I could feel the enthusiasm and passion for telling the story, for the characters and their survival as well as for the HEA. That kind of energy and emotion transfers to the reader and adds to the indulgence of the tale.
A perfect mix of suspense and romance where the escalating danger and adoration are seamlessly twined together, where you are sighing and swooning one moment then holding your breath in fear in a flash of the threat.
~ Five Spoons!
*Thankful for the NetGalley eARC*
And Melanie Fiske was the perfect mate to Tom. Her life had been restricted at the compound and she had never experienced a romance or attraction yet there was the burning need inside her to get to know Tom better, to be close to him, to touch him. The passion between them was fierce and gentle at the same time, the chemistry was delightfully sizzling. They were friends who shared their secrets, sorrows, and aspirations, they were partners who had each other's back, they were lovers with a deep yearning and eagerness to please their mate. I absolutely adored them together, still smiling just thinking about them!
The Fiske community is based on a dictatorial fear that keeps the followers on line. Out of that fear, they will do what they are told to do, the seemingly picturesque life in their community is based on control and scare tactics. The knowledge that something sinister is behind the closed doors is building up the edgy dangerous feelings the suspense on the story is based on. The constant feeling that someone is watching your every movement, just waiting for you to fail a direct order or step out of line. That creepy kind of fear that gives you chills on your spine and goosebumps in your arms, that chill you can feel through the story as it unfolds and more deceit is revealed.
I enjoyed the author's voice and the effortless flow of the well-written tale. I could feel the enthusiasm and passion for telling the story, for the characters and their survival as well as for the HEA. That kind of energy and emotion transfers to the reader and adds to the indulgence of the tale.
A perfect mix of suspense and romance where the escalating danger and adoration are seamlessly twined together, where you are sighing and swooning one moment then holding your breath in fear in a flash of the threat.
~ Five Spoons!
*Thankful for the NetGalley eARC*
June 4, 2018
Surprisingly, this was actually really good! The best book by Julie Miller that I've read in the Intrigue line. The story has Duff Watson going undercover at a farm because he believes they could be smuggling the same type of guns that were used to shoot up his sister's wedding and severely injure his grandfather. There he is instantly attracted to Melanie Fiske, the paramedic/EMT niece of the farm owners. She is suspicious that they might have been involved in the death of her father years earlier.
I was impressed by how deftly Miller wove the two story-lines together. This contributes both to the ongoing story-line in the miniseries, as well as delivering its own exciting internal plot, and never once becoming confusing. The suspense is keenly felt, especially since it is Melanie's own family that she doesn't feel she can trust. The romance between her and Duff plays out well, with lots of dialogue between the two of them to show how they both attract and infuriate each other. (As opposed to an author like Delores Fossen, who just tells us her characters are hot for each other).
I don't have much to complain about here! Some of the dialogue is corny, especially in the big sex scene, and Melanie's "Aw shucks, you think I'm pretty?" naivete was sometimes hard to take, but this delivers an exciting standalone story as well as answering lots of questions about the ongoing mystery of who shot up the wedding, and setting things up nicely for the final story. One I'm actually looking forward to! Don't let me down, Julie!
I was impressed by how deftly Miller wove the two story-lines together. This contributes both to the ongoing story-line in the miniseries, as well as delivering its own exciting internal plot, and never once becoming confusing. The suspense is keenly felt, especially since it is Melanie's own family that she doesn't feel she can trust. The romance between her and Duff plays out well, with lots of dialogue between the two of them to show how they both attract and infuriate each other. (As opposed to an author like Delores Fossen, who just tells us her characters are hot for each other).
I don't have much to complain about here! Some of the dialogue is corny, especially in the big sex scene, and Melanie's "Aw shucks, you think I'm pretty?" naivete was sometimes hard to take, but this delivers an exciting standalone story as well as answering lots of questions about the ongoing mystery of who shot up the wedding, and setting things up nicely for the final story. One I'm actually looking forward to! Don't let me down, Julie!
April 15, 2017
After a gunman shot up a wedding sending his father into the hospital, Duff goes undercover to a well known gun smuggling ring to find the assassin behind it. Melanie knows there is something off about her family, but not sure what it is. She back and wants to find out what really happened to her father because everyone seems to be hushed about it. Both Duff and Melanie work together to find out what really happened and who is the assassin and will try to take down the ring together.
Overall I thought that this book was pretty good. I thought that there would be more action to it though. I did enjoy seeing Melanie and Duff work together and find the ties to their own reasons for this story. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the two. I loved that Melanie was the type of stand up and go with her gut when thing are suspicious even if it did end up landing her in trouble. Overall this was a pretty good book, it kept me hooked to the very end.
Overall I thought that this book was pretty good. I thought that there would be more action to it though. I did enjoy seeing Melanie and Duff work together and find the ties to their own reasons for this story. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the two. I loved that Melanie was the type of stand up and go with her gut when thing are suspicious even if it did end up landing her in trouble. Overall this was a pretty good book, it kept me hooked to the very end.
April 24, 2017
Necessary Action is an action-packed romantic suspense set in the Ozark mountains. Melanie Fiske has known little else other than life on her family's sprawling farm community, but even she can tell that something hinky is going on when people start turning up missing and nobody is allowed to leave without permission from her uncle. Who can you possibly trust when everyone you know might be in on whatever scheme is going on? Only a complete stranger.
Tom "Duff" Watson has personal reasons for going undercover as a security guard on the Fiske Family Farm - the smuggled weapons that were used to cause havoc at his sister's wedding and almost killed his grandfather came from there. He didn't count on falling for a curvy paramedic, the farm owner's niece no less.
This is an absorbing read with a very believable premise and two likable protagonists. Although it's the third in a series about the Watson family, there was enough set-up that I had no issue following along with the plot; it wasn't necessary to have read the previous books in the series. I enjoyed the book but found myself disappointed in a couple of areas; firstly, we never did get the backstory about Duff's previous undercover entanglement. It was mentioned a couple of times as the reason for his being gun-shy about relationships and then just ignored thereafter. I'd have liked to learn more.
Secondly, and this was a big one for me, the climactic confrontation between Duff and Silas was completely skipped over. One moment the villain of the piece is telling Melanie everything (because of course she is about to be disposed of) and literally the next paragraph we're in the hospital and everything is done and dusted.
It all happened so fast I got a case of reader whiplash... did I just skip a page, or three? I had to turn back to check, and then I felt pretty let down because the entire book had been leading up to that point. I feel like a whole scene was missing at a crucial moment.
While I enjoyed the read, and I'd enjoy reading more in the series, that missing climactic scene meant I finished the book feeling a bit flat. I'll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Tom "Duff" Watson has personal reasons for going undercover as a security guard on the Fiske Family Farm - the smuggled weapons that were used to cause havoc at his sister's wedding and almost killed his grandfather came from there. He didn't count on falling for a curvy paramedic, the farm owner's niece no less.
This is an absorbing read with a very believable premise and two likable protagonists. Although it's the third in a series about the Watson family, there was enough set-up that I had no issue following along with the plot; it wasn't necessary to have read the previous books in the series. I enjoyed the book but found myself disappointed in a couple of areas; firstly, we never did get the backstory about Duff's previous undercover entanglement. It was mentioned a couple of times as the reason for his being gun-shy about relationships and then just ignored thereafter. I'd have liked to learn more.
Secondly, and this was a big one for me, the climactic confrontation between Duff and Silas was completely skipped over. One moment the villain of the piece is telling Melanie everything (because of course she is about to be disposed of) and literally the next paragraph we're in the hospital and everything is done and dusted.
It all happened so fast I got a case of reader whiplash... did I just skip a page, or three? I had to turn back to check, and then I felt pretty let down because the entire book had been leading up to that point. I feel like a whole scene was missing at a crucial moment.
While I enjoyed the read, and I'd enjoy reading more in the series, that missing climactic scene meant I finished the book feeling a bit flat. I'll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
May 3, 2017
4.5 stars for my favorite romantic suspense author. With each addition, Miller manages to keep the storylines and characters fresh. I was excited to read Duff's story after getting to know him a little in the previous two books. He's the mentor, the wise leader, and the one who does whatever he can to make sure his siblings and family are happy and successful. Those qualities can be seen here in his treatment of Mel. Once he knows she is not on the side of the bad guys, he wants to see her follow her dreams, come out of her shell, and find confidence in herself.
We don't see much of the Watsons in this book because Duff is undercover. I did miss that a little, but the plot of the book made their absence necessary. We do get to see the brothers in a couple of scenes and get updates on the grandfather.
My one complaint is about what I saw as a missed opportunity by the author. Duff had been betrayed in the past by a woman he grew close to during another undercover operation. One of Duff's brothers visits him at the farm with the FBI contact and compares Mel to the woman who betrayed Duff in the past. This comment just dissappears into the wind never to be addressed again. Duff does not defend Mel, or explain how the situation is different, or even give his brother a dirty look for bringing it up. Mel is never told that it was a former lover who put Duff's life in danger and compromised the prior op. It seemed odd, especially in a romance book, that the Hero did not say something to express his feelings and separate the heroine from a former relationship gone bad. It felt like a missed opportunity to slip in more emotion and solidify the romance.
This was a good addition to the Bachelors in Blue miniseries, and Duff and Mel fit together well. I recommend this one, and I already have on hold Miller's next scheduled book release.
We don't see much of the Watsons in this book because Duff is undercover. I did miss that a little, but the plot of the book made their absence necessary. We do get to see the brothers in a couple of scenes and get updates on the grandfather.
My one complaint is about what I saw as a missed opportunity by the author. Duff had been betrayed in the past by a woman he grew close to during another undercover operation. One of Duff's brothers visits him at the farm with the FBI contact and compares Mel to the woman who betrayed Duff in the past. This comment just dissappears into the wind never to be addressed again. Duff does not defend Mel, or explain how the situation is different, or even give his brother a dirty look for bringing it up. Mel is never told that it was a former lover who put Duff's life in danger and compromised the prior op. It seemed odd, especially in a romance book, that the Hero did not say something to express his feelings and separate the heroine from a former relationship gone bad. It felt like a missed opportunity to slip in more emotion and solidify the romance.
This was a good addition to the Bachelors in Blue miniseries, and Duff and Mel fit together well. I recommend this one, and I already have on hold Miller's next scheduled book release.
July 31, 2017
Another gripping episode in the Bachelors in Blue series. It opens, as did the previous two books, at the wedding of Olivia and Gabe. We see Duff, the oldest, who tends toward the grim and brooding, in a moment of unexpected sentimentality. It doesn't last long as he tries to bring his two brothers back under control from their joking around. When the shooting occurred, it was Duff who went after the shooter, and whose frustration is evident as the man gets away. His grandfather's nearly fatal injury just increases his determination to find the shooter. Thanks to information uncovered in the first two books, Duff is assigned to go undercover to investigate possible weapons trafficking. He meets Mel the day he arrives at the farm.
Mel is the niece of the couple who runs the farm. Her father died when she was eleven, and her aunt and uncle raised her. Other than a year away getting her EMT training, Mel has lived there her entire life. But lately, she has seen and heard things that make her believe that there is something sinister going on. She's doing her best to investigate without getting herself into trouble.
Duff and Mel meet when she treats him for injuries received when he is "welcomed" by his new employer. Something drove Mel to interfere in the fight between Duff and the head of security, though she isn't sure what. I loved the immediate connection that formed between them during that first encounter. Duff is surprised by the attraction he feels to Mel, but is wary, as he had a bad experience during a previous undercover assignment. Mel is also attracted, but wary because he is one of her uncle's men. Duff senses the attraction and plans to use it to get close to her and further his investigation. I loved the banter between them, as Duff teases Mel with his interest in her and she tries to shut him down. But she is also intrigued by him and his effect on her. Over the next couple weeks, they develop that connection into a solid friendship. It was sweet to see how that friendship led to a deeper bond as they shared sorrows and dreams. Duff became very protective of her, stepping in between her and Silas several times.
Mel is also very intelligent and very curious. Something tells her that Duff isn't exactly what he appears to be and she follows him one night. I loved seeing her confront Duff when she discovers him with his contacts. Once all their secrets are exposed, the trust between them is given a chance to grow. There is also the sense that what is between them is more than just chemistry. I loved seeing the gentle side of Duff come out whenever he was around Mel. She is also fiercely protective of him, which leads her to take some risks at the end. I ached for Duff and his fear for her, especially when he remembered what happened to his mom. I loved Mel's bit of humor at the end, which lightened the mood a little as they shared their feelings.
The suspense of the story was great. The story behind the Fiske farm and what it has evolved into shows just how horrible Mel's aunt and uncle are. The more I saw of their manner of controlling the people around them, the creepier I found them. I loved Mel's determination to get to the truth about her father's death, even though the pressure exerted on her to stop grew just as fast. Duff was understandably wary of trusting Mel until he could be sure of her innocence, but once he was their teamwork was fantastic. With each new clue uncovered, the intensity increased. The discovery of what was behind the locked door blew the case wide open but also increased their danger. The final confrontation was really frightening as Mel's life was at risk. It ended rather abruptly, skipping some of the details of the fight, which was a bit disappointing, but overall a satisfying conclusion.
There were a few more revelations about the link between the Fiske farm and the attack at the wedding. While the identity of the shooter was revealed, the man behind it is still a mystery. Once again, the epilogue was from his point of view and is a lead-in to the next book. I can't wait to see how it is finally resolved.
One of the things I loved about this book was the closeness of the Watson family. I loved how they always have each other's backs no matter the situation. I liked the banter at the wedding, and also the concern that both Niall and Keir showed when they met him during the mission. Especially heartwarming was how the entire family showed up at the hospital to support Duff while he waited for Mel to get out of surgery, and how they were all ready to embrace her as part of the family.
Mel is the niece of the couple who runs the farm. Her father died when she was eleven, and her aunt and uncle raised her. Other than a year away getting her EMT training, Mel has lived there her entire life. But lately, she has seen and heard things that make her believe that there is something sinister going on. She's doing her best to investigate without getting herself into trouble.
Duff and Mel meet when she treats him for injuries received when he is "welcomed" by his new employer. Something drove Mel to interfere in the fight between Duff and the head of security, though she isn't sure what. I loved the immediate connection that formed between them during that first encounter. Duff is surprised by the attraction he feels to Mel, but is wary, as he had a bad experience during a previous undercover assignment. Mel is also attracted, but wary because he is one of her uncle's men. Duff senses the attraction and plans to use it to get close to her and further his investigation. I loved the banter between them, as Duff teases Mel with his interest in her and she tries to shut him down. But she is also intrigued by him and his effect on her. Over the next couple weeks, they develop that connection into a solid friendship. It was sweet to see how that friendship led to a deeper bond as they shared sorrows and dreams. Duff became very protective of her, stepping in between her and Silas several times.
Mel is also very intelligent and very curious. Something tells her that Duff isn't exactly what he appears to be and she follows him one night. I loved seeing her confront Duff when she discovers him with his contacts. Once all their secrets are exposed, the trust between them is given a chance to grow. There is also the sense that what is between them is more than just chemistry. I loved seeing the gentle side of Duff come out whenever he was around Mel. She is also fiercely protective of him, which leads her to take some risks at the end. I ached for Duff and his fear for her, especially when he remembered what happened to his mom. I loved Mel's bit of humor at the end, which lightened the mood a little as they shared their feelings.
The suspense of the story was great. The story behind the Fiske farm and what it has evolved into shows just how horrible Mel's aunt and uncle are. The more I saw of their manner of controlling the people around them, the creepier I found them. I loved Mel's determination to get to the truth about her father's death, even though the pressure exerted on her to stop grew just as fast. Duff was understandably wary of trusting Mel until he could be sure of her innocence, but once he was their teamwork was fantastic. With each new clue uncovered, the intensity increased. The discovery of what was behind the locked door blew the case wide open but also increased their danger. The final confrontation was really frightening as Mel's life was at risk. It ended rather abruptly, skipping some of the details of the fight, which was a bit disappointing, but overall a satisfying conclusion.
There were a few more revelations about the link between the Fiske farm and the attack at the wedding. While the identity of the shooter was revealed, the man behind it is still a mystery. Once again, the epilogue was from his point of view and is a lead-in to the next book. I can't wait to see how it is finally resolved.
One of the things I loved about this book was the closeness of the Watson family. I loved how they always have each other's backs no matter the situation. I liked the banter at the wedding, and also the concern that both Niall and Keir showed when they met him during the mission. Especially heartwarming was how the entire family showed up at the hospital to support Duff while he waited for Mel to get out of surgery, and how they were all ready to embrace her as part of the family.
April 19, 2017
**4.5 Stars**
As the oldest, Tom (Duff), has more memories of life before the loss of his mom, Mary, and as such knows how painful love can be when you lose it. Add in the one time he let his heart take the lead, and the repercussions from that mistake, and he's learned to avoid it like the plague. Yeah, these are not thoughts he should have at his sister, Olivia's (see Kansas City Cover-Up), wedding, but they're true. Then again, the unexpected shooter after the "I Dos" doesn't belong either.
Though fourteen years have passed since her Dad's death, Melanie, an EMT, is determined to uncover what truly happened that night. Until recently, she'd accepted the story she was given as a child, but lately some things have caused her to question the "accident" as well as the aunt and uncle that raised her afterward.
After the shooting at his sister's wedding, Duff, a detective, is undercover and trying to impress the owner of Fiske Family Farm. He didn't, however, expect his interview to include a fistfight. But, as the guns used at five months ago responsible for injuring his grandfather were acquired illegally, something this farm seems to be involved in, he has to play along. The woman intervening on his behalf calling the man in charge uncle was another surprise.
Duff, seeing Melanie doesn't seem to side with her uncle or his right hand man, decides to use the attraction she has for him and cultivate a "relationship" to gather the information he needs, while ensuring his own to her remains hidden.
"He ignored the stab of guilt that tried to warn him away from involving her in his investigation." - Duff
Though Melanie doesn't exactly trust Duff's interest in her, she can't help but wish it was real. But with the sudden interest Silas, her uncle's lieutenant, is showing her, and his threat of being forced to marry him, Melanie decides to put her faith in Duff, hoping she's not making a mistake.
Duff tries to tell himself his interest in Melanie is a facade and purely to further his investigation, but he can't deny the connection between them is real. However, when Melanie discovers his true identity and reason for being there, Duff can't stand that he hurt her.
"There is no us happening, is there?" - Melanie
Are Duff's growing feelings for Melanie real? Can he convince Melanie of that fact? Will she understand why he lied in the beginning and forgive him? What is Melanie's uncle involved in? What happened to Melanie's Dad? Will she ever learn the truth? Will Duff learn the identity of who shot his grandfather and why? Will Melanie escape the family farm and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor? Will Duff and Melanie get their HEA? Will this family finally have closure? Or does the man behind everything have one last plan in mind to make the Watsons, and one in particular, suffer?
One-click now and follow along as two people meet under false pretenses, but discover a love that couldn't be more real. I highly recommend reading this series in order, at least the two prior to this one, APB: Baby and Kansas City Countdown, featuring Duff's brothers, Niall and Keir, respectively. I can't wait for the next installment, Protection Detail, featuring their Dad.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
As the oldest, Tom (Duff), has more memories of life before the loss of his mom, Mary, and as such knows how painful love can be when you lose it. Add in the one time he let his heart take the lead, and the repercussions from that mistake, and he's learned to avoid it like the plague. Yeah, these are not thoughts he should have at his sister, Olivia's (see Kansas City Cover-Up), wedding, but they're true. Then again, the unexpected shooter after the "I Dos" doesn't belong either.
Though fourteen years have passed since her Dad's death, Melanie, an EMT, is determined to uncover what truly happened that night. Until recently, she'd accepted the story she was given as a child, but lately some things have caused her to question the "accident" as well as the aunt and uncle that raised her afterward.
After the shooting at his sister's wedding, Duff, a detective, is undercover and trying to impress the owner of Fiske Family Farm. He didn't, however, expect his interview to include a fistfight. But, as the guns used at five months ago responsible for injuring his grandfather were acquired illegally, something this farm seems to be involved in, he has to play along. The woman intervening on his behalf calling the man in charge uncle was another surprise.
Duff, seeing Melanie doesn't seem to side with her uncle or his right hand man, decides to use the attraction she has for him and cultivate a "relationship" to gather the information he needs, while ensuring his own to her remains hidden.
"He ignored the stab of guilt that tried to warn him away from involving her in his investigation." - Duff
Though Melanie doesn't exactly trust Duff's interest in her, she can't help but wish it was real. But with the sudden interest Silas, her uncle's lieutenant, is showing her, and his threat of being forced to marry him, Melanie decides to put her faith in Duff, hoping she's not making a mistake.
Duff tries to tell himself his interest in Melanie is a facade and purely to further his investigation, but he can't deny the connection between them is real. However, when Melanie discovers his true identity and reason for being there, Duff can't stand that he hurt her.
"There is no us happening, is there?" - Melanie
Are Duff's growing feelings for Melanie real? Can he convince Melanie of that fact? Will she understand why he lied in the beginning and forgive him? What is Melanie's uncle involved in? What happened to Melanie's Dad? Will she ever learn the truth? Will Duff learn the identity of who shot his grandfather and why? Will Melanie escape the family farm and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor? Will Duff and Melanie get their HEA? Will this family finally have closure? Or does the man behind everything have one last plan in mind to make the Watsons, and one in particular, suffer?
One-click now and follow along as two people meet under false pretenses, but discover a love that couldn't be more real. I highly recommend reading this series in order, at least the two prior to this one, APB: Baby and Kansas City Countdown, featuring Duff's brothers, Niall and Keir, respectively. I can't wait for the next installment, Protection Detail, featuring their Dad.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
April 6, 2017
Necessary Action is the third installment in Julie Miller’s latest miniseries: The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue. This book features Duff Watson, the eldest brother in a family of Kansas City police officers. Duff has been tasked with going undercover to find out how illegal weapons were being funneled into Kansas City, one of which had almost killed his grandfather during his sister’s wedding. He has been hired by Henry Fiske as a nighttime security guard, but from the minute he steps foot on the Fiske Farm, things are not what they seem. He meets Melanie Fiske, Henry’s niece, who wants to trust him to help her escape the farm that was once her home, and also to help her find out what happened to her father many years earlier.
Julie Miller is one of my auto-buy authors, so I always know I’m in for a good read. This book pulled me into the story by the end of the first chapter. The chemistry between Duff and Melanie felt real to me, and the illegal arms business at the Fiske Farm seemed genuine. I felt an intense dislike for the bad guys and cheered Duff and Melanie on to triumph over them. This book was a page turned, and I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it. The next day, I had to reread the final couple of chapters to savor the ending one more time. To me, this is an indicator of a great read.
The ending is not tied up neatly in a bow as there is a running thread throughout this series that someone wants to exact revenge on the Watson family. That being said, this book can be a stand alone read, but I’m betting you’ll want to pick up the other two books in this series: APB: Baby and Kansas City Countdown before the next book comes out.
Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Julie Miller is one of my auto-buy authors, so I always know I’m in for a good read. This book pulled me into the story by the end of the first chapter. The chemistry between Duff and Melanie felt real to me, and the illegal arms business at the Fiske Farm seemed genuine. I felt an intense dislike for the bad guys and cheered Duff and Melanie on to triumph over them. This book was a page turned, and I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it. The next day, I had to reread the final couple of chapters to savor the ending one more time. To me, this is an indicator of a great read.
The ending is not tied up neatly in a bow as there is a running thread throughout this series that someone wants to exact revenge on the Watson family. That being said, this book can be a stand alone read, but I’m betting you’ll want to pick up the other two books in this series: APB: Baby and Kansas City Countdown before the next book comes out.
Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
April 16, 2017
Melanie had lived most of her life on the large family farm community her uncle runs. As a paramedic, she acts as the community's only medical provider. Lately she had noticed strange things happening and become suspicious that her father's death years ago may not have been the accident everyone tried to convince her it was. She doesn't trust anyone, but the new guy on the farm doesn't seem to be as ready to cower before her uncle as everyone else. Maybe he will help her.
Duff has one goal, find the man who shot his grandfather. Melanie seems like the perfect mark to get him closer to her uncle. Sure, she's spunky and has a head full of gorgeous red hair, but he doesn't need a distraction, just a means to an end. He doesn't want to hurt her, so he tries to be her friend. The only problem is that friendship keeps him close to her, and the more time he spends with her, the less he can resist her. When she finally tells him her suspicions, he agrees to help her. Working together on two separate investigations puts their danger level high. The question is which does Duff want more, Melanie or his answers. Will he sacrifice one for the other?
I've read a couple of books in this series, and this is probably my favorite so far. I loved Melanie. She was fearless and had a very innocent quality about her. Duff was also brave but nowhere near innocent. Their combination made for a great couple.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.
Duff has one goal, find the man who shot his grandfather. Melanie seems like the perfect mark to get him closer to her uncle. Sure, she's spunky and has a head full of gorgeous red hair, but he doesn't need a distraction, just a means to an end. He doesn't want to hurt her, so he tries to be her friend. The only problem is that friendship keeps him close to her, and the more time he spends with her, the less he can resist her. When she finally tells him her suspicions, he agrees to help her. Working together on two separate investigations puts their danger level high. The question is which does Duff want more, Melanie or his answers. Will he sacrifice one for the other?
I've read a couple of books in this series, and this is probably my favorite so far. I loved Melanie. She was fearless and had a very innocent quality about her. Duff was also brave but nowhere near innocent. Their combination made for a great couple.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.
July 5, 2017
4.5 stars
So we left Kansas City Countdown with Duff going undercover to catch some gun dealers, it seems the gun used in Olivia's wedding comes from these people. Following this lead, Duff gets a job as a security at the Fiske Farm were he meets Melanie Fiske.
It has been some time since Melanie stopped believing her uncle's version about her father's death. There are so many contradictions. She can't trust anyone even family. So she doesn't trust when the new guy Tom starts flirting with her and asking so many questions.
Duff sees in Melanie an ally when she starts opening up to him about her suspicions but at the same time he feels a little guilty for kind of using her to obtain information and access. It's no long until he realizes he can lose her because of his lies. And that scares him. He wasn't supposed to care about her. He has had one bad experience with this undercover thing and another woman in his past.
Duff and Melanie were so good together. Melanie is a compassionate, brave and intelligent woman and has the same sense of humor as Duff.
We could see a little of the Watson brothers working together and the strong bond Duff's family shares when things get tough!
So we find out who was the paid killer, remember that belt buckle?.... though we still don't know who hired him. AND does Thomas Watson Sr. have a thing for Grampa's nurse? Someone is watching!
So we left Kansas City Countdown with Duff going undercover to catch some gun dealers, it seems the gun used in Olivia's wedding comes from these people. Following this lead, Duff gets a job as a security at the Fiske Farm were he meets Melanie Fiske.
Secrets could hurt her. Secrets could be dangerous.
It has been some time since Melanie stopped believing her uncle's version about her father's death. There are so many contradictions. She can't trust anyone even family. So she doesn't trust when the new guy Tom starts flirting with her and asking so many questions.
He'd never intended to hurt her. He'd never intended to care about hurting her.
Duff sees in Melanie an ally when she starts opening up to him about her suspicions but at the same time he feels a little guilty for kind of using her to obtain information and access. It's no long until he realizes he can lose her because of his lies. And that scares him. He wasn't supposed to care about her. He has had one bad experience with this undercover thing and another woman in his past.
She made the pain of his past go away. She made him belive he could trust a woman again that he could allow himself to need her.
Duff and Melanie were so good together. Melanie is a compassionate, brave and intelligent woman and has the same sense of humor as Duff.
We could see a little of the Watson brothers working together and the strong bond Duff's family shares when things get tough!
So we find out who was the paid killer, remember that belt buckle?.... though we still don't know who hired him. AND does Thomas Watson Sr. have a thing for Grampa's nurse? Someone is watching!
April 1, 2017
I love a good undercover cop book any day of the week and this author knows how to write them! Her Precinct books are great and I'm enjoying this latest series of Bachelors in Blue. In this one, we get to know the 3rd Watson brother, Duff. He's going undercover to take down some gun smugglers, while hoping to find a connection to the wedding-day shooting that injured his grandfather. He ends up at a Missouri family farm that is anything but "family friendly"! It starts to look more like a militia! Things are not as they seem....... He meets paramedic Melanie Fiske on his first day on "the farm" because he gets injured. Soon, he sees that she's not like the others on the family farm. Together they begin to investigate all the strange goings-on about the farm where Melanie has lived her whole life. There is a lot of action and suspense, as is the norm for Julie's books! The characters are well-developed and likable. I can't wait until the next book to find out who the "real villain" is! The Watson clan deserve to know who shot up their sister's wedding and injured their grandfather!
I recommend this book!
I recommend this book!
July 19, 2017
Title: Necessary Action - The Precinct - Bachelors In Blue Book 3
Author: Julie Miller
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 4-18-2017
Pages: 256
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Crime; Murder; Series; Action
ISBN: 9781335720979
ASIN: B01LXNJV2T
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Duff, Undercover Cop, looking to stop the flow of illegal weapons and a man in conflict by falling for the woman who may be behind it. Melanie, a paramedic, is drawn to Duff, the ex-soldier who she believes is going to help her find answers about her family and what is going on. What going to happen to the budding connection is threatened when their secrets are revealed?
With strong lead characters and supporting cast of interesting & defined characters to keep the adventure and adrenaline pumping. Julie Miller's third offering in her Bachelors In Blue series will grab you when you start reading and will not let you go until the last page. Enjoy a fast paced read that makes you remember when love was new and so was your trust.
My rating of "Necessary Action-The Precinct-Bachelors In Blue" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXNJV2T/...
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Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/review/i...
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Author: Julie Miller
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 4-18-2017
Pages: 256
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Crime; Murder; Series; Action
ISBN: 9781335720979
ASIN: B01LXNJV2T
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Duff, Undercover Cop, looking to stop the flow of illegal weapons and a man in conflict by falling for the woman who may be behind it. Melanie, a paramedic, is drawn to Duff, the ex-soldier who she believes is going to help her find answers about her family and what is going on. What going to happen to the budding connection is threatened when their secrets are revealed?
With strong lead characters and supporting cast of interesting & defined characters to keep the adventure and adrenaline pumping. Julie Miller's third offering in her Bachelors In Blue series will grab you when you start reading and will not let you go until the last page. Enjoy a fast paced read that makes you remember when love was new and so was your trust.
My rating of "Necessary Action-The Precinct-Bachelors In Blue" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXNJV2T/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nece...
Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/review/i...
Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/nece...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
April 12, 2019
Necessary Action is the third story in Julie Miller's The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue series. In this, Duff Watson, KCPD detective, goes undercover at a Missouri farm to pursue a lead on gun smugglers. The medic on the family farm, Melanie Fiske, appeals to him in a way he hasn't felt in years. He's drawn to protect her, to share his secrets, and to learn the truth about her.
Ms Miller's written a compelling page turner that stands alone well. There are some references to the overarching story arc for the series, but the primary focus is on Duff and Mel's quest for truth.
Ms Miller's written a compelling page turner that stands alone well. There are some references to the overarching story arc for the series, but the primary focus is on Duff and Mel's quest for truth.
June 19, 2018
Thriller romance by Harlequinn Intrigue. Probably my favorite of the different romance genres I've read. I like the thriller part of the story and while there is clearly an overarching story for the series (this is book 3) you can read it as a stand alone and still enjoy the story. Though the epilogue does entice you to read the next book...who is trying to kill Duff's family and why?!?!
March 2, 2018
This is the 3rd book I read by Julie Miller. This book's story line was okay. I liked Melanie's character. I felt sorry for Melanie. I liked Duff's character. I liked the ending.
October 16, 2017
3.75 stars
April 6, 2017
3.5 stars
Their "love" was a bit difficult to swallow but overall a good book.
Their "love" was a bit difficult to swallow but overall a good book.
March 19, 2017
Loved it.
June 3, 2017
Very good story you can read as a stand alone but it's much better if you read APD Baby and Kansas City Connections first. This series is the story of the Watson family. All boys who have gone into police work of some kind. Someone had taken a hit at Theron grandfather and now the boys are trying to catch the killer. In the mean time they meet someone special in who nah or may not need help! This is Duffs story and he is undercover looking for the gun involved. He meets Melanie and they forge a friendship which becomes much more. Before you know if they are trying to protect there lives!
June 10, 2017
Hmmm... so the remaining unattached Watson goes undercover. Yay?
Well, at least he wasn't in a position to make me question his intelligence.
Actually, my biggest issue was the bad guy himself - all these secrets and lies. How did he expect that to continue to work? Would have been far smarter to have indoctrinated the h while she was still a child. Oh, I'm sure there would have been problems but he wouldn't have been dealing with a niece who was doing her own investigating, because she found something and got suspicious. She still likely would have turned on him when she figured it out.
The h...had a dumb moment - she left her cell phone while snooping. The H apparently failed to notice and grab it. This little bit of carelessness led to the bad guys figuring out they had a spy in their midst. It's a sheer bit of good fortune that the task force was close enough to move in when they did, because the cover was pretty much shot.
Well, at least he wasn't in a position to make me question his intelligence.
Actually, my biggest issue was the bad guy himself - all these secrets and lies. How did he expect that to continue to work? Would have been far smarter to have indoctrinated the h while she was still a child. Oh, I'm sure there would have been problems but he wouldn't have been dealing with a niece who was doing her own investigating, because she found something and got suspicious. She still likely would have turned on him when she figured it out.
The h...had a dumb moment - she left her cell phone while snooping. The H apparently failed to notice and grab it. This little bit of carelessness led to the bad guys figuring out they had a spy in their midst. It's a sheer bit of good fortune that the task force was close enough to move in when they did, because the cover was pretty much shot.
August 9, 2020
Big brother Duff Watson finds a lead that might help to solve the mystery of who fired the shots at the family wedding. He goes undercover to the Ozarks where a crime family has created a mountain mafia, complete with secrecy, executions and gun running. People check in but they never check out of the Fiske family. Melanie Fiske has stayed with them, even though her father died in a mysterious "accident " years before. She is the on call paramedic and EMT for the entire compound. Duff likes her and decides to use her as his conduit for information. This is very risky and also becomes a reason for them to explore their attraction. Lots of threads are tangled and become unraveled here. However, the Watson family still doesn't know who hired Gin Ricky to shoot up the wedding.
April 10, 2021
I enjoyed this intriguing romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 4.5* rating. There area lot of twists and turns in this. This is also a part of of a series, The Precinct #3 by Julie Miller. I think it would help to read these books in order, if possible. It might clear up some confusion of characters. Also, this is not for the under 18 readers because of the violence and sexual content. It certainly kept me turning the pages. Don't know if I'll be able to find the next one or not, but I sure want to.
January 5, 2018
This is the third book in the Bachelors in Blue series. I am looking forward to the final book to know how the series ends. Book 2, APB: Baby, remains my favorite of the series, for it had more depth to the character than do the others.
I do like that the author chooses to retell the shooting at Liv's wedding again with each new book, but from a different person's point of view.
I do like that the author chooses to retell the shooting at Liv's wedding again with each new book, but from a different person's point of view.
February 6, 2018
Good book.
June 11, 2019
This was a good book
April 9, 2020
Loved this book so much. A perfect crime + romance novel. I hated to finish it!
Read
August 26, 2017received 5 stars @ harlequin.com (as of 8/26/17). To view reviews, go HERE> https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/...
Miniseries: The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue
Miniseries: The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue
September 7, 2020
I enjoyed the slight cultish aspect of this. Though I think it’s referred to as a country bumpkin mafia, it’s more like a cult. Can’t leave, must obey the leader etc.
This was my favorite in the Bachelors in Blue sub-series.
This was my favorite in the Bachelors in Blue sub-series.
April 22, 2017
Secrets and deception are front and center as we head back into the world of the Watson family drama! Always great to see some familiar faces, and to delve into the next mystery awaiting them!
Kansas City detective Tom "Duff" Watson will stop at nothing to find the person responsible for playing games with his family. He's going undercover to try to uncover a gun smuggling ring in the mountains. He never expects to run across a gorgeous ally so easily!
Paramedic Melanie Fiske might be living on the Fiske Family Farm like her uncle expects, but she's not sure what's going on around her anymore. Secrets and lies are popping up more than ever before and she's started to suspect things are not as she's been told. When Tom almost immediately seems like a kindred spirit when he starts working there, she's nervous about trusting him at face value ... but he might be her only chance at finding out the truth around here!
Kansas City detective Tom "Duff" Watson will stop at nothing to find the person responsible for playing games with his family. He's going undercover to try to uncover a gun smuggling ring in the mountains. He never expects to run across a gorgeous ally so easily!
Paramedic Melanie Fiske might be living on the Fiske Family Farm like her uncle expects, but she's not sure what's going on around her anymore. Secrets and lies are popping up more than ever before and she's started to suspect things are not as she's been told. When Tom almost immediately seems like a kindred spirit when he starts working there, she's nervous about trusting him at face value ... but he might be her only chance at finding out the truth around here!
April 30, 2017
This is the third installment in The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue and it was full of surprises. Duff was the perfect person to go undercover and the perfect person to keep Melanie safe. She couldn’t leave her childhood home without trying to figure out what happened to her father. She knew something bad had happened to him Duff is trying to find answers to his grandfather’s shooting. He knows that these people are somehow responsible and he is going to find out who shoot him and make him pay. There is only one little problem well maybe not a problem but Melanie is starting to get under his skin and he hopes that those feelings don’t get in the way of his undercover job. Melanie can’t believe what is happening she told Duff that she didn’t want any lies but it seems that he lied to her. Now she doesn’t know if all what he has said is the truth. Does he really care for her or was it all lies.
I totally recommend this read but in order to understand everything that is happening go back to read the first book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
I totally recommend this read but in order to understand everything that is happening go back to read the first book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
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