Protecting Us

by Nicole Vidal

Years ago my brothers were injured while serving our country. During their time in hospital, one of their unit mates and I grew close. At one point, I thought he might even ask me out, but it never happened. It made sense, we both have careers and live in different states.

We've seen one another a few times a year at family and military functions since then, but neither one of us is able or willing to leave our careers. The tension and longing is impossible to miss, but we continue to fight it until I decide to put myself on the line.

I knock on his door on a national holiday and hope for the best. What follows is a twisted route to happily ever after including car chases, stolen paintings, and divulging skills my brothers taught me to protect both of us.

The Blackthorne Security series are standalone romances with interconnecting characters. Each novel focuses on one couple (no cliffhangers!) and can be read in any order, but but for maximum enjoyment it is recommended they are read starting with book one.

Unknown Binding

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

Nicole took the long way to deciding on becoming a writer. As young as six, Nicole wrote poems and started drafts of novels.  After over fifteen years as an attorney she decided to give writing an actual try and finish one of her many stories.

Avid reader, lover of coffee and chocolate, and animals. If she isn’t writing, she is driving to the field, watching a game or curled up with a good book and a cup of coffee.  She lives in the Northeast with her husband and their four children.

Reviews

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javier and Jillian’s story is nothing short of wonderful. Yes, there are a few bumps and hiccups due to elements of an old case of his resurfacing, but the added danger brings them closer rather than driving them apart. Even her overprotective brothers can see that Javier is serious about his relationship with Jillian.

Jillian and Javier have known each other for a few years, seeing each other infrequently, but their in depth conversations when the do see each other have shown them that they are very compatible. Before now, the timing for a relationship other than friendship has been wrong due to their strive to be the best in their chosen careers. Jillian’s bold move to claim her man, as her sister-in-law Norah puts it, catches Javier by surprise, but it helps him to make the final decision to leave the police force and join Blackthorne Security. Their chemistry is super hot and spicy, they share the same dedication to their jobs and family, and their dreams of the future are perfectly intertwined. Protecting Jillian becomes his driving force when an old case comes back to haunt him. Sticking close to her means moving into her house, much to the chagrin of her brothers. It takes Javier a bit to realize that Jillian will do anything to protect him too, even willingly staying away from her beloved students. As the danger escalates, so does the heat between them (and his swoon worthy romantic gestures). Will they get the chance to claim the happily ever after of their dreams?

It is impossible not to love Javier and Jillian as a couple. Their story is fascinating, oh so captivating and definitely a wonderful romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CAH - malphrusc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. I always love a protective alpha and strong teacher characters. This story didn’t disappoint- the characters worked their way through quite a few relationship challenges…long friendship, location, work demands and were committed to their relationship. I liked that this story focused on growing a relationship rather than just the build up to wanting to be in a committed one. It also helped that the characters were genuinely nice people and were able to engage in grownup conversation instead of playing coy getting to know you games.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how we have two people who form a friendship after they met through Jillian's brother when he was injured and how that evolves over time into wanting relationship as the attraction grows. There are plenty of obstacles for Jillian and Javier to go through for their HEA but you get a great mix of laughter, sweet moment, sadness along with strong bonds, danger and a family made up of many you want to be a part of.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Blackthorne Security series. You can read it as a standalone but it is connected to the other books in the series. I loved Javier and Jillian's story. They've known each other for several years, they met when her brother Jake was in the hospital. They talked and a friendship was formed but it didn't go any farther since they were both pursuing their careers. They've spent the last four years talking and building a solid foundation of friendship, getting to know each other and what they want in a relationship. They're both finally ready to take the next step in their relationship when a past case of Javier’s throws a wrench into their plans. I love that Jillian is strong, smart, but also willing to listen to what Javier has to say about her safety. Javier is absolutely the perfect book boyfriend. He's loving, attentive, thoughtful and protective. Steamy, well written, entertaining storyline, perfect addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book have enjoyed all of them in this series and looking forward to reading more. They have danced around each other for 4 years, until she shows up at his door on Christmas day. They decide to see where things go, then one of his closed cases comes back to haunt him and ends up putting her in danger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? What an absolutely beautiful story! Honesty, passion, love, humor, family, romance & suspense. It had everything. No drama or negativity. A story that pulled me from page 1. Chemistry that had me rooting for them. A definitely must story. Do read!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javier and Jillian . . .

Jillian met Javier Cruz way back when her brother Jake and a unit mate Connor she considered a brother had been injured in Afghanistan. They formed a friendship with each other. They both seemed interested in more, yet they had careers and distance to worry about, so neither made a move. After years go by, she decides to take the first step and see whether they could really have something possible between them.

So on Christmas, she knocks on his door. He was considering approaching her as well, so things looked promising. At least until a case from his past puts her in danger. And an even bigger surprise is that Jillian showed him that her brothers made sure she could take care of herself and they could work together to get themselves out of trouble. Is he convinced now that this is the woman for him? Will they find their HEA at last?

[Linds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good romance protection suspense read. It was full of romance and added mystery. I loved the connection between the main chracters and the level of love they had for each other. You are wondering what happens next with the case and following along with their love story the whole time. I was sucked in and also wish Cruz was real!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian and Javier start a friendship when her brother was injured in Afghanistan. There are obstacles in their way of taking the friendship further. They have great chemistry together but distance and careers are in the way. Finally Jillian goes to Javier's home to confront him and see where that takes them. This story has action, suspense, overprotective brothers, danger, passion and love. I love that the stories have characters that show up from the other stories. This was an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is number three in the Blackthorne Security Series and it is fantastic. Jillian is finally after a few years going to make a move on Javier. She gets her wish but it comes along with some backfire from a case of his. Action, keeping a cool head , and a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three of the Blackthorne Security series, this is a new Author to me. I now want to read the first two books in this series. Jillian and Javier's story has ups and downs, suspense, drama, danger, villains and romance. The story kept me turning pages and was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I have not read the prior stories in this series and while it may be helpful to relate to the secondary characters, it was not needed to fully understand and enjoy this story.

Jillian is a special education teacher who goes to New York City to see a man who served in the military with her brothers. They had previously met at Walter Reed Hospital when her brothers where injured. Jill and Javier become friends over the ensuing years. Javier is now works for the New York City police department. Their lives were in different cities and only are able to meet a few times a year.

Jillian goes to visit Javier on a spur of the moment during the holidays. (Yay Jillian!) The two become extra close and know that they are truly meant for each other. Unfortunately a prior case of Javier's is causing problems when he tries to leave the force and join the Blackthorne agency.

The suspense laced romance was one that kept me glued to my e-reader. That is until one scene that was so emotional that a few tears leaked and I had to close the book for a few minutes.

This is a sexy read so just a word of caution there.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this incredible series, and this is Javier and Jillian’s story. These two meets through Jillian’s brother when he was injured, and although they are attracted to each other, the timing was never right, due to work demands, and location. Now that an old case has come back to haunt them. Javier will do whatever he must to keep Jillian protected and safe, even if it means moving into her house, much to her protective brother’s displeasure. This is a beautifully written flawless story, which had tension, danger, suspense, intrigue, romance, challenges, humor, witty banter, family, friendships, and love, which leads to an entertaining and compelling page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian met Javier when her brothers were hurt in combat. They struck up a friendship that lasted several years before she decided to come see him and find out if they could be a couple. They could. He had been ready to come to her too. There were some sweet scenes with her special ed students that she really cared for. There was excitement when they were running from the bad guys. Jillian proved to him that she could take care of herself in most situations and it helped alot. It was a good read that I enjoyed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.