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Jane and Lacey #2
The Devil and Ms. Johnson
Government agent Devon Bannion is done being Uncle Sam’s whipping boy. He just wants to retire and join his best friend and ex-partner in his Chicago security firm, but his boss is demanding he complete one last job. He agrees to take on a partner only because they’re not giving him a choice, and heads to Chicago, ready to do his last job and then start his new life.
Lacey Johnson, a web designer and occasional hacker/consultant for the FBI, got a little smashed at her best friend’s wedding and ended up crashing in the wrong bed. Lucky thing, otherwise her first encounter with Devon might not have involved a bet that ended in sweaty monkey sex. And when they discover the morning after that the FBI wants them to work together to accomplish Devon’s final mission…well. She’s amused, he’s annoyed, and there’s a definite chance of more sweaty monkey sex in their future
While Devon isn’t happy about taking a civilian along for a potentially dangerous ride, he quickly discovers there are definite advantages to playing happy couple at a resort with the delicious Lacey. But what was supposed to be a simple assignment soon goes dangerously awry, and it will take all of Devon’s skill and Lacey’s ingenuity to get them out alive.
AUTHOR’S This is a reprint of a previously published book of the same title. It has been slightly edited, but the story has not been significantly changed.
Lacey Johnson, a web designer and occasional hacker/consultant for the FBI, got a little smashed at her best friend’s wedding and ended up crashing in the wrong bed. Lucky thing, otherwise her first encounter with Devon might not have involved a bet that ended in sweaty monkey sex. And when they discover the morning after that the FBI wants them to work together to accomplish Devon’s final mission…well. She’s amused, he’s annoyed, and there’s a definite chance of more sweaty monkey sex in their future
While Devon isn’t happy about taking a civilian along for a potentially dangerous ride, he quickly discovers there are definite advantages to playing happy couple at a resort with the delicious Lacey. But what was supposed to be a simple assignment soon goes dangerously awry, and it will take all of Devon’s skill and Lacey’s ingenuity to get them out alive.
AUTHOR’S This is a reprint of a previously published book of the same title. It has been slightly edited, but the story has not been significantly changed.
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First published November 30, 2005
4 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Murray
56 books119 followersHannah has been reading romance novels since she was young enough to have to hide them from her mother, and decided to try her hand at writing one when she realized the book she really wanted to read lived in her head. That was a dozen years and as many manuscripts ago, and there are still more stories to be told.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.
Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.
Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 26, 2008
Another winner by the author of "Jane & the Sneaky Dom"! This one is about the best friends of the H/H from "Jane", web designer and part-time hacking consultant for the FBI, Lacey Johnson, and government agent and all around 'super spy', Devon Bannion. If you're a fan of sexy, witty dialogue, then you'll love this book. If you love to read about explosive, inventive sexual encounters (some without the use of a bed), then you'll love this book. If you like to read about a hero and heroine who are instantly attracted to each other and get right to it, then you'll love this book. And if you like to see that attraction grow into a mutual love that you can 'feel', you'll love this book! And if you like to read a super hot, erotic romance with just a touch of suspense to keep you on edge, you'll love this book! As you can tell, I loved this book!
December 30, 2010
Check out AgentScully's review. All I have to say about this book is there, with the exception that I'm less lenient than her and can't muster the will to give this read more than 3 stars. The suspense plot was ridiculous and drove me nuts. I don't read romantica for the mystery either, but if the author decides to include it in the story, they'd better make it work. The suspense plot should have been removed from the story altogether, IMHO.
September 21, 2008
I found The Devil & Ms. Johnson to be a completely delightful book. I really enjoyed the author's previous book, Jane and the Sneaky Dom, but I liked this second book even better. I loved both the hero and the heroine, and their interaction with one another was wonderful. I enjoyed the way in which they accepted one another from the start, and it was refreshing to see both of them engage wholeheartedly in their relationship from the beginning without trying to deny their feelings. There was plenty of chemistry between them, making for some steamy scenes. Even though there is some supense involved, the book is lighthearted and entertaining.
Devon Bannion has been a federal agent for years, and after completing his last mission, he is ready to retire and go into business with his former partner, Ian, from the previous book. His plans are thwarted when his superior tells him he must complete one final mission. Devon is upset, but having no choice, he misses his best friend's wedding to be briefed on his final assignment. His future home is in Chicago, and he learns this is where his final job will take place. As Ian will be away on his honeymoon, he offers the apartment of his new wife, Jane, as a place for Devon to stay. When Devon arrives late at night, he is surprised to find an attractive blond curled up asleep in bed dressed in wedding finery and clutching a champagne bottle to her chest. Deducing that this is the Jane's best friend, Lacey Johnson, Devon decides to take the champagne bottle out of her hands before bunking down on the couch.
Lacey Johnson had a bit too much to drink at her best friends wedding, which resulted in her sleeping in Jane's bed instead of her own. When Lacey awakes to find a strange man taking the champagne bottle from her, the ensuing scuffle results in Devon suffering a severe nosebleed. During her attack on Devon with the champagne bottle, Lacey realizes that she recognizes him from a photo in Ian's office. While helping him tend to his injuries, Lacey admits to Devon that his photo has been an inspiration for her fantasies. Devon and Lacey immediately give in to the strong attraction they feel, and spend a steamy night together.
Devon must leave the next morning for a meeting at the local FBI office, but he asks Lacey to have lunch with him. Lacey, who doesn't know where Devon's meeting is taking place, arrives home in time to be summoned in by the FBI, for whom she does occasional consulting computer work. Devon is shocked when Lacey is introduced as his acting partner for this mission. After coming to terms with the fact that his partner is an untrained civilian, Devon and Lacey leave for the island hotel where their work will take place. Devon feels from the beginning that something is amiss with the assignment, but his steadily intensifying physical relationship with Lacey, as well as his growing feelings for her, distract him from his usual viligance. Devon and Lacey are soon caught up in a dangerous situation and must rely on one another to find their way to safety.
This was a fast paced book, and it was very quick to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the manner in which the relationship between the hero and heroine developed so smoothly. There were no misunderstandings, no angst, and no denial of feelings. While I enjoy novels that include those, it is nice to occasionally read a book where the hero and heroine unreservedly accept one another from the start and welcome the love they feel. The relationship between Devon and Lacey was comfortable and easy, and there was much banter between the two of them. There was plenty of intense physical attraction as well, but they genuinely liked one another at once. This was a very satisfying book.
Devon Bannion has been a federal agent for years, and after completing his last mission, he is ready to retire and go into business with his former partner, Ian, from the previous book. His plans are thwarted when his superior tells him he must complete one final mission. Devon is upset, but having no choice, he misses his best friend's wedding to be briefed on his final assignment. His future home is in Chicago, and he learns this is where his final job will take place. As Ian will be away on his honeymoon, he offers the apartment of his new wife, Jane, as a place for Devon to stay. When Devon arrives late at night, he is surprised to find an attractive blond curled up asleep in bed dressed in wedding finery and clutching a champagne bottle to her chest. Deducing that this is the Jane's best friend, Lacey Johnson, Devon decides to take the champagne bottle out of her hands before bunking down on the couch.
Lacey Johnson had a bit too much to drink at her best friends wedding, which resulted in her sleeping in Jane's bed instead of her own. When Lacey awakes to find a strange man taking the champagne bottle from her, the ensuing scuffle results in Devon suffering a severe nosebleed. During her attack on Devon with the champagne bottle, Lacey realizes that she recognizes him from a photo in Ian's office. While helping him tend to his injuries, Lacey admits to Devon that his photo has been an inspiration for her fantasies. Devon and Lacey immediately give in to the strong attraction they feel, and spend a steamy night together.
Devon must leave the next morning for a meeting at the local FBI office, but he asks Lacey to have lunch with him. Lacey, who doesn't know where Devon's meeting is taking place, arrives home in time to be summoned in by the FBI, for whom she does occasional consulting computer work. Devon is shocked when Lacey is introduced as his acting partner for this mission. After coming to terms with the fact that his partner is an untrained civilian, Devon and Lacey leave for the island hotel where their work will take place. Devon feels from the beginning that something is amiss with the assignment, but his steadily intensifying physical relationship with Lacey, as well as his growing feelings for her, distract him from his usual viligance. Devon and Lacey are soon caught up in a dangerous situation and must rely on one another to find their way to safety.
This was a fast paced book, and it was very quick to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the manner in which the relationship between the hero and heroine developed so smoothly. There were no misunderstandings, no angst, and no denial of feelings. While I enjoy novels that include those, it is nice to occasionally read a book where the hero and heroine unreservedly accept one another from the start and welcome the love they feel. The relationship between Devon and Lacey was comfortable and easy, and there was much banter between the two of them. There was plenty of intense physical attraction as well, but they genuinely liked one another at once. This was a very satisfying book.
September 23, 2009
Although a sequel to Jane & the Sneaky Dom, this book is quite different. It is longer and has more of a plot, and the sex scenes are more vanilla. That said, the romance is just as pleasing. Devon is a hot hunk and Lacey is very likable. It's cute how Devon is attracted to her the first time he sees her passed out semi-drunk and snoring. They have some very nice banter going on. And the sex scenes sizzle!
My problem was with the suspense plot. Devon didn't seem to do much investigating and there never seemed to be a reason why Lacey was along at all. What did they need a hacker for? She never gets to use her skills. She and Devon spend most of their time at the island going at it like rabbits. The chief villain was over the top and unsubtle, but only shows up at the end anyway. The secondary villain was too dumb to be believed. But hey I don't read romantica for the mystery! The plot is enough to pin some great steamy scenes on and that's all I can ask :-)
My problem was with the suspense plot. Devon didn't seem to do much investigating and there never seemed to be a reason why Lacey was along at all. What did they need a hacker for? She never gets to use her skills. She and Devon spend most of their time at the island going at it like rabbits. The chief villain was over the top and unsubtle, but only shows up at the end anyway. The secondary villain was too dumb to be believed. But hey I don't read romantica for the mystery! The plot is enough to pin some great steamy scenes on and that's all I can ask :-)
March 1, 2009
Romantic Suspense *very steamy* - Sequel to Jane and the Sneaky Dom, either can easily be read as stand-alones
Perfect! Rollicking belly laugh humor from the first pages with a solid suspense plot. Five stars isn't enough for The Devil and Ms. Johnson - can I give it a couple more?
Devon thinks he's retired from an off-the-books gov't. intelligence agency, till he's called back for just one more job - involving a bad guy he's got experience with.
Lacey is a web designer with hacker abilities, which she's channelled to help law enforcement. Devon and Lacey are thrown together on this job -- but only after they've briefly met before.
Devon and Lacey ... soooo funny! Their good natured, hilarious & witty banter from the get-go was beyond delightful. Perfect chemistry between the H/H, no angst, no difficult pasts to overcome, no obstacles to this romance -- they each dive in with both feet. So refreshing, the writing just *sparkles*. I laughed out loud and hooted throughout this entire book.
I gotta mention Gordon, the goofy, nerdy FBI guy. OMG, what a memorable supporting character. Boy, can Ms. Murray write!
The suspense / bad guy plot is excellent and very interesting as well. Very exciting final scenes (no spoilers).
This is the kind of book you pay full price for, and feel like you got every single penny's worth -- and THEN some!
I've now read Jane and the Sneaky Dom and Tooth and Nailed (vampire erotica). I see from Hannah's site that leaves a couple e-books and a couple anthologies, but news on her site says she'll have more news soon! Write more, Hannah, write more!
www.hannahmurray.net
Perfect! Rollicking belly laugh humor from the first pages with a solid suspense plot. Five stars isn't enough for The Devil and Ms. Johnson - can I give it a couple more?
Devon thinks he's retired from an off-the-books gov't. intelligence agency, till he's called back for just one more job - involving a bad guy he's got experience with.
Lacey is a web designer with hacker abilities, which she's channelled to help law enforcement. Devon and Lacey are thrown together on this job -- but only after they've briefly met before.
Devon and Lacey ... soooo funny! Their good natured, hilarious & witty banter from the get-go was beyond delightful. Perfect chemistry between the H/H, no angst, no difficult pasts to overcome, no obstacles to this romance -- they each dive in with both feet. So refreshing, the writing just *sparkles*. I laughed out loud and hooted throughout this entire book.
I gotta mention Gordon, the goofy, nerdy FBI guy. OMG, what a memorable supporting character. Boy, can Ms. Murray write!
The suspense / bad guy plot is excellent and very interesting as well. Very exciting final scenes (no spoilers).
This is the kind of book you pay full price for, and feel like you got every single penny's worth -- and THEN some!
I've now read Jane and the Sneaky Dom and Tooth and Nailed (vampire erotica). I see from Hannah's site that leaves a couple e-books and a couple anthologies, but news on her site says she'll have more news soon! Write more, Hannah, write more!
www.hannahmurray.net
June 14, 2008
I really loved this book. The story had me laughing out loud and the love scenes, oh baby they were HOT! The first Hannah Murray book I read was "Jane and the Sneaky Dom" which I enjoyed tremendously so I ordered "The Devil and Ms Johnson". I'm so glad I did. The heroine is smart and spunky, the hero is sexy and daring, and their relationship starts with a bet. If you enjoy humor with your erotica, don't miss this author!
March 26, 2010
The Devil and Ms. Johnson was a fun bit of escapist reading, but I have to say that I enjoyed the first book in this duet, Jane and the Sneaky Dom a little more. The Devil and Ms. Johnson continues the series with the story of Devon and Lacey, the best friends of the hero and heroine of Jane and the Sneaky Dom. Woven in between bouts of hot, steamy sex was a romantic suspense plot that had Devon and Lacey trying to outwit an international terrorist and an FBI mole. This part added some action, light mystery and a bit more substance to the story than one typically finds in erotic romance, but I thought that the bad guys were a little too easy to spot. With this being an erotic romance, the ratio of sex to suspense, at least in the beginning of the book, is probably about 2 or 3:1. Later when it gets into the meatier part of the suspense storyline, several chapters actually go by without a love scene until the very end. As far as the love scenes go, they are quite steamy and very descriptive with some explicit language used, but considering the spicy nature of the book, there was nothing that I would really call kinky. Any readers who can handle lots of heat with some naughty words should be OK with it. There are also some fun scenes that border on romantic comedy which had me smiling on occasion. I particularly enjoyed Devon and Lacey's first meeting when Devon found a drunk Lacey in “his” bed and accidentally woke her up, leading to lots of mayhem which made me laugh.
Devon and Lacey were entertaining characters who spent a lot of time engaging in witty bantering both of a general and a more sexual nature. Many of their love scenes together involve amusing verbal sparring and each of them competing to get the upper hand in the seduction. For this pair, it was definitely a case of opposites attract, as they were often at odds over one thing or another. Unfortunately, I felt that they could have benefited from a little more depth in characterization, and also things just seemed to move too quickly between them to be believable for me. Granted, Lacey had spent a lot of time having hot fantasies while staring at a picture of Devon before they ever met, but Devon knew almost nothing of Lacey except that she was his best friend's wife's best friend. I'm just not a big fan of instant hook-ups or what amounts to stranger sex. I can buy into it if the author creates some kind of palpable connection between the characters, but in this case it didn't really work well for me. I could to some extent sense their feelings beginning to build later in the story, but for me it was too little too late. By then all their steamy encounters had seemed like “just sex,” and the extremely brief three day time span of the story reduced the credibility of their burgeoning love for me. Overall, Devon and Lacey were fun characters, but I simply didn't feel like I got to know them very well or that the all-important emotional bond that is necessary for me to truly love a romantic story was fully established.
The Devil and Ms. Johnson had a few other ups and downs for me. I loved the fact that Lacey was a computer geek, which is kind of a rarity in romance especially when it's the heroine. Regrettably though, the author didn't really allow her geekiness to show through enough to suit me. First of all Lacey is far more outgoing and self-confident that most geeks I know, but the most disappointing part was that she never got to show off her alleged mad hacker skills at any point in the book. Another downside was that I thought the story had too much dialog and not enough introspection and descriptive narration. I really think that more of these two things would have gone a long way toward establishing that missing connection I mentioned earlier. Also, based on the two Hannah Murray books that I've read to far, she seems to have a certain buzz word in her novels that tends to get overused. In this one it was, “What?”. On the upside, about half the narrative takes place on Mackinac Island, Michigan, at the Grand Hotel no less. The author says on her website that this was a favorite childhood vacation spot, but fans of the romantic fantasy, Somewhere in Time, will recognize this as the setting for that movie too. Even with a bit of suspense in the plot, The Devil and Ms. Johnson was basically a light, breezy read, and in spite of any perceived weaknesses, I did find it to be a reasonably pleasant diversion. So far, Hannah Murray has proven to be a pretty entertaining author, and I look forward to checking out her other works in the future.
Devon and Lacey were entertaining characters who spent a lot of time engaging in witty bantering both of a general and a more sexual nature. Many of their love scenes together involve amusing verbal sparring and each of them competing to get the upper hand in the seduction. For this pair, it was definitely a case of opposites attract, as they were often at odds over one thing or another. Unfortunately, I felt that they could have benefited from a little more depth in characterization, and also things just seemed to move too quickly between them to be believable for me. Granted, Lacey had spent a lot of time having hot fantasies while staring at a picture of Devon before they ever met, but Devon knew almost nothing of Lacey except that she was his best friend's wife's best friend. I'm just not a big fan of instant hook-ups or what amounts to stranger sex. I can buy into it if the author creates some kind of palpable connection between the characters, but in this case it didn't really work well for me. I could to some extent sense their feelings beginning to build later in the story, but for me it was too little too late. By then all their steamy encounters had seemed like “just sex,” and the extremely brief three day time span of the story reduced the credibility of their burgeoning love for me. Overall, Devon and Lacey were fun characters, but I simply didn't feel like I got to know them very well or that the all-important emotional bond that is necessary for me to truly love a romantic story was fully established.
The Devil and Ms. Johnson had a few other ups and downs for me. I loved the fact that Lacey was a computer geek, which is kind of a rarity in romance especially when it's the heroine. Regrettably though, the author didn't really allow her geekiness to show through enough to suit me. First of all Lacey is far more outgoing and self-confident that most geeks I know, but the most disappointing part was that she never got to show off her alleged mad hacker skills at any point in the book. Another downside was that I thought the story had too much dialog and not enough introspection and descriptive narration. I really think that more of these two things would have gone a long way toward establishing that missing connection I mentioned earlier. Also, based on the two Hannah Murray books that I've read to far, she seems to have a certain buzz word in her novels that tends to get overused. In this one it was, “What?”. On the upside, about half the narrative takes place on Mackinac Island, Michigan, at the Grand Hotel no less. The author says on her website that this was a favorite childhood vacation spot, but fans of the romantic fantasy, Somewhere in Time, will recognize this as the setting for that movie too. Even with a bit of suspense in the plot, The Devil and Ms. Johnson was basically a light, breezy read, and in spite of any perceived weaknesses, I did find it to be a reasonably pleasant diversion. So far, Hannah Murray has proven to be a pretty entertaining author, and I look forward to checking out her other works in the future.
August 13, 2008
Her books make you laugh like Susan Elizabeth Phillips. They are however quite a bit naughtier. Her books are charming, easy to read and easy on the heart. I might put her in my old friends category.
BB
BB
August 19, 2025
Loved the snappy dialogue
Another fun adventure from Hannah murray. Enjoyed jane and the sneaky dom so read on to this. Loved the snappy dialogue, reminded me of old school comedies.
Another fun adventure from Hannah murray. Enjoyed jane and the sneaky dom so read on to this. Loved the snappy dialogue, reminded me of old school comedies.
February 2, 2019
Too fake. Been months since I read this and all I can remember was how fake it felt. Like the author watched too many 007 films.
June 20, 2019
Para leer con música de Maroon 5
Bonita, bien escrita y con dosis de erotismo y acción.
Bonita, bien escrita y con dosis de erotismo y acción.
May 3, 2012
Nice and easy read. Delightful with witty dialogue and had me laugh out loud. Not as good as the first book Jane and the Sneaky Dom(the suspense was awful!!!). Ms.Murray should have kept this one as ordinary contemporary romance, because the suspense element kind of ridiculous. Their action toward the bad guy/girl was unbelievable stupid. I used to read serious and "real" romantic suspense, so this one was a disappointment. But the romance was wonderful without any denial and trust issue.
June 25, 2010
Better than book one. Written a few years later, this book is still fun and light reading. No heavy character development here. But it has a stronger plot and sub plot woven throughout.
Spoiler:
I thought the only thing that was unbelievabe was how quick he proposed and then I remembered that my husband of 18 years also proposed after a month. Laugh is on me.
Spoiler:
I thought the only thing that was unbelievabe was how quick he proposed and then I remembered that my husband of 18 years also proposed after a month. Laugh is on me.
November 6, 2011
I'd say 4 1/2 stars for this one -- it was really good. The chemistry is great, the drama/suspense is well done & doesn't detract from the romance, and the sex is SCORCHING hot. I zipped right through this one & was left feeling very satisfied. Another winner from Ellora's Cave!
October 6, 2013
Really enjoyed this book - the conversations between Devon & Lacey were so funny, they both have the greatest personalities. Not much in suspense, but the sex and bantor between the two made it a great lighter read.
August 30, 2014
Fun and delightful and definitely sexy.
May 4, 2008
Book 2 in series. Very good.
Read
February 14, 2011maybe one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read in my life. Not counting that vampire atrociousness tooth and nailed.
IDEK.
IDEK.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews