She'd thought she'd left her old life behind. She was wrong.
Surgical resident Maria Moretti's life is finally becoming her own, that is until her past catches up with her and she is forced to operate on her uncle. Normally, saving a loved one isn't a problem, unless you’re related to one of the most notorious mob families in New York. Now, the family Maria's distanced herself from is doing everything they can to bring her back into the fold.
Former Navy Seal turned security expert, Riley "Ash" Ashland, is reluctant to take on the job of protecting Maria. That is, until he meets her. Seeing how much she wants her freedom from the stranglehold her family has on her changes his mind. Even though she refuses to believe she needs protection, Riley watches over her. When her life is threatened, he calls on all his resources to keep her safe. But can he protect his heart at the same time?
Can Maria keep from dragging Riley into her twisted mob world while she fights for her independence all over again?
USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.
On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author in the last two days. I love how in each story we get glimpses of characters in previous stories.
When Marias life is in jeopardy Riley is called in to protect her much to her annoyance. Maria is a strong character but when her she is dragged back into her past she knows the only one that may be able to save her is Riley.
I thought this was a great quick read. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Being the daughter of a mob boss isn’t easy for Maria Moretti, especially when she’s trying to live her own life without having to worry about the danger that surrounds her family. However, when she’s forced to operate on her wounded uncle, she finds her life turned upside down. Not knowing who to trust with her secret, she discovers her friends have assigned her a bodyguard in former Navy Seal Riley ‘Ash’ Ashford. When danger starts to close in on Maria, will Riley be able to keep her safe, or will their shot at happy ever after be ripped away? Read More
I really liked reading PROTECTING MARIA by Nicole Flockton. Protecting Maria fits right into the Special Forces: Operation Alpha series so well. Riley "Ash" Ashland is indeed a very take charge, hero type of Alpha male. The fact that he's a former SEAL just makes him all the more sexy!
Doctor Maria Moretti is in her last year of residency as a surgeon in a New York hospital. When she's kidnapped and forced to perform surgery on her Uncle, who is second-in-command to her father, she knows she hasn't truly escaped her father, a powerful mafia crimelord in New York. She turns to her friend, Melody and her husband, Tex, for help. Tex in turn calls his friend Riley, a former SEAL team member, to help him protect Maria.
Despite his rules, Riley is drawn to Maria in a way he s never been to a woman before. Especially one he's been charged with protecting. Maria herself has learned to remain aloof and not get too attached to anyone. Considering who her father is, it's not safe. But Riley's Alpha protectiveness makes her feel safe in a way she never has before.
This story has danger, action, suspense, and most importantly, a feisty female and a sexy alpha male who fall in love despite the situation. Great story! 4 stars
~Complimentary copy received. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Makes me wonder why we think we can put our old lives behind us, but hey what kind of a person would I be if I did not want to put a few things behind me, and Maria, well I do not blame her for wanting to do that. I mean think about it you are the daughter of a Mafia boss, can't think of a worse fate then that. Of course my typing can attest to that. She honestly thought that she could do so, but when she is kidnaped and forced at gun point to perform a surgery, she knows she did not. Calling a old friend Molly, she meets up with her and Tex (sigh) would love to have a Tex behind watching my back. Enter Ash, Former Navy SEAL turned security expert, Riley "Ash" Ashland, who will be watching her, but lets face it sparks start to fly and they well you want more just read the book, great story and great new characters and seeing old friends like Tex and his Family yes that is like winning the lottery.
3.5stars. While I like this authors style, I'm not really a fan of military romance with lots of action. Maria, the heroine, is almost finished her residency to qualify as a doctor when she is kidnapped by members of a crime family (this is NY) to operate on a member of her own family. Maria is the daughter of crime boss Moretti and after several years of apparent freedom, they are reeling her back in. She is offered help by a friend and her husband assigns Riley, known as Ash to his ex SEAL buddies, to protect her. This is one of those propinquity romances where two people are thrown together and find an attraction they didn't expect. There is some action involved (out of the bedroom) as this is a part of a series where there is an element of military style missions. Overall a well done little story which I enjoyed but wasn't my personal cup of tea.
I was gifted this book by another author. I have never read this author before and I will definitely be reading more of her work. Hooked from beginning to end. Mystery romance and suspense kept me enthralled the whole way through. Would definitely recommend this book.
Maria has spent the last 10 years distancing herself from her infamous father. When it looks like the past has returned a friend offers assistance, whether she wants it or not. Ash had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to meet at Tex and Melody's that weekend or how much his life was going to change.
The first two lines of this book, even in the About the Book are the type of lines that keep me coming back to read more and more of Nicole Flockton's writing. I can feel my body tensing up a bit as I just look at those two lines in anticipation of what I may find. In this book, we meet a surgical resident by the name of Maria Moretti. In the first book of this series, we read about Ash and his relationship to Grayson and more about their friendship and business partnership when it happens. What changes for Maria that causes her to need their services? What does it do to Ash? Who are Mel and Tex? After Maria and Ash come to an understanding, what happens one day at the hospital? Why does the FBI show up on Maria's doorstep? What happens later with them in the book? You're going to have to read and find out what happens!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Protecting Maria; Special Forces Operation Alpha: Guardian SEALs Book 2 is by Nicole Flockton. This second book meets the standards of some of the following books. The excitement and action are back in the book and it makes all the difference when reading it. You know what the ending will be; but how they get there is most of the fun of reading these books. Maria Moretti is a fourth year surgical resident and was able to operate only with an attending physician on hand. However, this didn’t stop the thugs from kidnapping her and taking her to an inadequate facility where she was forced to operate on her Uncle Victor, her father’s right-hand man in the mob. Her Father was the head of the Moretti family and was someone you didn’t want to cross. However, this went beyond anything she had experienced. He knew she wanted nothing more than to be free of her family. This could cost her her residency if anyone found out. Maybe now he would go away. The next morning, things got more complicated when the FBI was at her front door questioning her about the night’s events. Although she managed to get rid of them, she knew she would be watched and drawn back into the strife once again. She decided to leave New York to visit her friend in Pennsylvania for the weekend. Maybe then she could forget. Riley “Ash” Ashland was a former SEAL who was now in the security business with Grayson Warren. He was surprised when Tex, another former SEAL, called and invited him to visit him and his family that weekend. Tex had a possible security job for him but he wanted Riley to check it out and to meet Maria without her knowing he was to be her bodyguard. Riley knew he was possibly taking a job which would put the security business in danger; but he and Grayson owed Tex and so he went to check it out. Could he help Maria even if she didn’t want help? Was she in real danger or was it just their imaginations? The action starts with the kidnapping in the first chapter and builds throughout the book. It definitely keeps you on your toes.
Protecting Maria really has all of the things I look for in a romantic suspense: action, mobsters, murder, and, of course, domineering ex-military hotties. For me, a lot of romantic suspense novels fall short because the female lead just can’t quite stand up to the overbearing male in her book. Fortunately, Maria had absolutely no problem standing up to Ash and putting him in his place. As the daughter of a notorious mobster, she’s had a rough life, and she doesn’t need some former SEAL telling her what to do. I loved her independence and self-reliance.
Ash, though a bit of a cliche, was an easy to love male lead. He was understanding and patient, but definitely delivered the alpha-male persona I was expecting.
Generally, I stray away from Kindle World novels because I find that multiple authors writing in the same world can get confusing at times. Flockton, however, had no trouble at all – these characters seamlessly fit into the Special Forces world. Though there were a few redundancies and minor grammatical errors, my copy of the book was an ARC, not a final draft. Hopefully, these little details have been fixed since my copy was written.
My Takeaway: Nicole has proven that light contemporary romance is not the only genre she can write. Protecting Maria was a great suspenseful read with fantastic pacing. Definitely a novella worth reading if you’re a fan of the genre.
Action packed and full of chemistry this story jumps into the action when a girl who walked away from her family is kidnapped by them to do an illegal surgery. She is lucky with friends though because her best friend so married to Tex!
I love Tex. He is one of my favorite SS characters so I was tickled to see him in this book. Tex works his magic and gets Ash to help and cue the chemistry. There are. Kidnappings, attempted hit and run, romance and friendships. The story brushes on an update regarding Storm and a lily from the previous book, but only as a they are doing well with their HEA. The ending pits the SEALs against the mafia in a quick showdown and there is a great tense moment before the FBI enters the picture. A few new characters are introduced and I hope to see more of them!
This is a fun read and good addition to the Operation Alpha world!
A story of danger and love, Protecting Maria is an enjoyable read from Nicole Flockton.
After running from her past, Maria is now a successful surgical resident. But, when that past lands on her operating table, things turn dangerous. Riley "Ash" Ashland is reluctantly hired to protect Maria and she is reluctant to accept said protection. These two find instant attraction. He puts it all on the line when her life is threatened, including his heart, which he protects at all costs.
I loved the attraction between Maria and Ash. It was palpable from their first meeting. The story moved along at a good pace and included both steamy romance and danger.
What happens when your mob boss dad decides he wants you back in the fold? Well if you are as lucky as Maria is you have a besty who is not only married to an alpha hottie but also has alpha hottie friends. What follows is a story of insta love that has some action and intrigue along with a love story that will fight against all barriers. This author once again gives us a seal hero to protect and serve and love a feisty female who stands tall and strong.
Great story with characters that make you swoon and want to need protection. Love this authors style can't wait to meet more of these alpha hotties.
I loved that characters are reoccurring from the previous book in this story!!! This is Book 2 in the series! This story is about Riley(Ash) and Maria. Maria comes from a Mob family that she can't seem to get away from. Ash is an old friend of Tex when he served in the Military. She meets Ash from Tex and Melody when she needs help due to her getting put in a situation she can't get out of thanks to the Mob Boss aka her father. Riley and Maria go through a bunch of hoops to get her out of the life style she thought she ran away from. Will Tex, Melody, & Ash be able to get Maria away from the Mob life style? You'll have to figure that out on your own!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is the first book I have read by Nicole Flocking and it definitely will not be the last. Her character development was very strong and I felt like these were people I would want to know. I loved how she incorporated Tex and Melody and other teams into the story. It made this book very enjoyable to read. The chemistry between Riley and Maria was off the charts and they did fight it for awhile. This book flowed and I read it in one sitting. I recommend you give this author a chance.
I really enjoyed most of this book. The storyline and characters were great. The grammar and spelling, not as much. The most common error involved omitted or duplicated words. It was as if the author's ideas were flowing faster than her fingers or vice versa. Nothing a careful read through and an edit wouldn't cure. Loved that the book tied in with Tex and a a SEAL team. I am intrigued enough with this new group of SEALs that I plan on adding the previous Nicole Flockton books to my TBR pile.
Protecting Maria is a continuation of the Special forces series. Maria spent the last few years of her life trying to put her past behind her. Her mob boss father had other ideas and tried to bring her back into that life. Ex-SEAL Riley (Ash) tried to keep the job professional but started falling for Maria right from the beginning, but didn’t realize it until her life was in danger. Glad he was able to save her from her father. The ending was a little off to me and I guess leads into another story, which is fine. Would have liked to see more about their future.
Maria wanted to be independent and live her life on her own merits. She grew up in a crime family and doesn’t want anything to do with them, but when they bring her back in, she runs to Tex. Tex seeks Ash to protect her, but Maria isn’t willing to give up her independence. That is until she is almost hit by a car aiming for her, then she finally accepts. Ash and Maria fight their attraction until they can’t, but her father finally gets his hands on her. Will Ash be able to save her? A good love story with a variety of twists.
Another expertly written story by the author. I believe this is the second one of read by the author and in a word they're great! Excellent plots along with some familiar characters mixed with new and memorable. Action packed as the mafia is involved. There's no family love with the mafia as a doctor tries to break away from her corrupt mafia leader father. Enter an ex-SEAL to the rescue. Loved it. It's a fast read and there is some sexual content.
A great continuation to the series. I devoured this book in a couple hours. I just couldn’t put it down once I started. Riley and Maria complement each other so well. He is an ex-SEAL, while she is finishing her surgery residency. Considering how she was raised she is fiercely independent and doesn’t want to rely on anything or anyone to help. Riley has been a part of the teams for a while and he relies on his team members to help him out of a jam. Will Maria finally give in rely on Riley to help her out?
** I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I read this well written book which is one of a few by this author, out of order. This really was not a issue other than knowing they end up together, before I should have known 😉 This storyline was a perfect fit into this Kindle World. I highly recommend all her stories!
Maria was close to becoming a surgeon, trying to build her own life without her mob father. But will he let her. Riley is a former Seal and now works with his partner Storm in a security business. Tex calls him for a favor. To provide protection for Maria. She's a hard sell. But things happen that she changes her mind. Pretty good story.
Maria is from a Mob family in New York. She cant stand that life style or them so she went out on her own. Now her Father wants her back. Riley (aka Ash)is her bodyguard and of course ends up being a lot more. They try to fight the attraction they have for each other but not for long. I mean, come on. Who wouldn’t love having a gorgeous former Navy SEAL and his buddies watching over you?I sure would. And I loved the outcome of a certain someone in the epilogue. He totally deserved it.
We meet another ex-SEAL in Riley and a feisty heroine in Maria. Maria is no pushover being the daugher of a mob boss and an aspiring surgeon so she is the perfect match in Riley who, inspite of being an alpha-male, excudes a slight vulnerability about him. A good-read and perfect scenario to meet the rest of the team.
Maria was studying to be a surgeon when her father kidnapped her and decided she needed to come home. Tex had been watching over her and knew she needed a bodyguard. He called Riley ( Ash) and explained the problem. So Ash was watching her and her father still got her. Now he and his deal buddies will go rescue her.
Another great read by Nicoke Flockton in Susan Stoker's Operation Alpha World especially when it involves Tex. Wanted to keep reading this storyline. Love Riley and Maria. Can't wait for the next instalment of Guardian Seals. This is a great series.
Protecting Maria is a exciting read. The story flowed well and it has a bit of suspense. It was a real page turner, that I didn't want to put down. The characters Ash and Maria were great for eachother. I enjoyed this story.