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Whitfield Brides #3

Taken By Storm

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When tall, ruggedly handsome U.S. marshall Raphael Madison tells spirited five-foot-three floral designer Simone Whitfield that he's her live-in bodyguard for the duration of a high-profile court case, the notion that opposites attract definitely applies.

But while trying to stay busy and ignore the magnetic pull of the hunky lawman, Simone discovers that sharing her home with a bodyguard stirs up a storm of longing. Soon, their closeness becomes electrifying, as friendship brings intimacy and an endless night of uncontrollable passion. But will the morning after bring regrets...or promises of forever?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2008

76 people are currently reading
426 people want to read

About the author

Rochelle Alers

222 books1,060 followers
Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

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5 stars
417 (60%)
4 stars
195 (28%)
3 stars
58 (8%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
64 reviews
September 16, 2019
Running into danger and finding love

Simone Whitfield on her daily run with her Neighbor becomes witness to an attempted murder. A killer comes from the woods and attacks her neighbor , a federal judge. Simone in an attempt to stop said killer sprays pepper spray in the attackers eyes.. Saving her neighbor's life puts Simone in Witness Program with a handsome Marshal. Rafe Madison is the marshal sent to protect Simone in her home, so she can run her home-based business. The relationship starts out a little rocky but with time and effort the situation changes. Though is strict about what Simone can and can not do he is fair. Simone does not cook much so they decide to share the cooking. As time goes on and they learn more about each other feelings grow until love is realized. All the while Rafe is getting to know and bond with Simone's family and friends. Love continues to grow until they give in. Suddenly it's over. Rafe and Simone get engaged and Rafe's boss shows up to let him know his job is done. A deal was made. Simone is no longer in danger. Rafe tells Simone what happened and promises he will be back. A couple of weeks go by and Rafe is back for good. Ms. Alers did it again, good book.
617 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2022
LOVED IT ❤

I enjoyed and loved Rafe and Simone's story. This was a good story about finding true love when you least expect it. Loved Rafe,it was good to see all the families together again. I would have liked to see their wedding we saw Tessa's and Faith's. Great job as usual Ms. Alers please keep these wonderful stories coming. Thank you. 🙏👍
46 reviews
April 21, 2022
Taken by Storm

The tempo was just right. I liked that Rafe and Simone were able to talk to each other the way they did and not argue. I loved that Rafe's ethnicity wasn't revealed until near the end. It was also interesting the way the author tied the way Rafe knew her brother into the storyline.

Profile Image for Teri Rainey.
495 reviews6 followers
April 6, 2021
What can I say about Simone & Rafe? This series makes you feel like you are a part of the Whitfield family . This third and final book in the series ties things up just right. Looking for a good beach read series with enough steam and romance this series is it!
1,261 reviews9 followers
October 12, 2023
Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Simone and Raphael (Rafe) met after a traumatic experience, that put her in witness protection. He became her bodyguard. Simone and Rafe attraction was undeniable. This is their journey to love.
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,230 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2024
Quiet storm!

Entertaining book and a perfect ending to a superb series. I enjoy reading the author's works. The characters and story has connections to other series and characters. Great storyline to leisurely read on an afternoon in the park.
67 reviews
January 5, 2018
I love this story, I read it multiple times. It shows how preconceived notions can color one's
attitude about relationships, but Rafe was just what Simone needed, a protector and lover.
165 reviews
September 7, 2020
Really awesome book

Because I read this book before and I like it and wanted to read it again and I would recommend this book to all the women in my family
Profile Image for Merle.
2,422 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2021
Simone Whitfield spent sixteen years of her life dating, marrying and separating from her husband Tony. After she divorces him, she stays in her lane, growing her business while avoiding men. While out jogging one morning, she witnesses a crime and pepper sprays the perpetrator. The man turns out to be a member of a group threatening judicial officials across the country, and Simone is placed under U.S. Marshal protection. TheMarshal is a tall, handsome blond named Raphael Madison, and he falls in love with Simone at first sight. She is resistant, but Rafe wins over the entire clan. They have hurdles to conquer but their story is the most satisfying of the three brides' sagas.
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
October 15, 2008
Saved the BEST for Last

Ms. Alers DEFINITELY saved the BEST for last in "The Whitfield Brides" series. I was CAUGHT UP in the budding romance between Simone Whitfield and Raphael Madison. We were introduced to Simone in the first two stories, but now we get a REAL glimpse into her character and her personality. Throughout this series, Simone is portrayed as a beautiful, outspoken, rough and tough tomboy, but in HER story we also get to see that she has a sensitive side, which she tends to keep well-hidden from her family and friends. After witnessing an attack on a federal judge she becomes a protected witness for the federal government. And her world is turned upside down by the very SEXY, take charge U.S. Marshal Raphael Madison, who is assigned as her bodyguard. Simone and Rafe have quite a ROCKY start at first, and despite the fact they are TOTAL opposites they seem to compliment each other PERFECTLY. Rafe definitely has a way of bringing out the best in Simone. And even though, I found this story inundated with unimportant details regarding flowers, decor, clothing, houses and food, it still held my attention because of the SIZZLIN' romance between Rafe and Simone. And once again I enjoyed the camaraderie that Ms. Alers creates within this BIG extended family during their many social gatherings throughout. I was pleasantly surprised by the third and final installment to this series.
Profile Image for Sharon Eikenberry-Deary.
732 reviews5 followers
December 23, 2016
Simone Whitfield knew her life would change once she saw the man run from the woods and stabbed her neighbor Juddge Fischer. All Simone could do was pepper spray this man and hope for the best. Police found him in the woods with burned eyes. Same day she was assigned a US Marshall Rafe. All she knows is after the weeks of being around him and him being liked by her family she had also changed back to the free loving and laughing woman she used to be.
556 reviews11 followers
February 7, 2022
Federal deputy marshal moves in with florist to protect her. Arc of the story is fine, if a bit cliche. However, he’s bossy in the name of protecting her. There is an old-fashioned idea of a man telling a woman “Enough” when her anger is a bit vibrant. I am not fond of women being “handled.” Not my jam. Might be done.
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,062 reviews154 followers
August 2, 2014
U.S. Marshall Raphael Madison is place in place to protect the only witness, Simone Whitfield, in a high profile case where other witnesses have not quite made it to the stand. This protection involves more than just from the bad guys from the case.
Profile Image for Addy.
87 reviews
December 17, 2024
I love it

Rafe is one of my favorite leading men in romance. He is a direct challenge to Simone's preconceived notions. My favorite moment was her jaw drop when she figured out that Rafe was mixed race.
11 reviews
April 25, 2022
Love the Whitfield Brides Series

I feel like I am a part of the narrative. Everything about the book feels real. Can't wait for a follow up to the brides. You can visually see all the characters in your mind. Simone's fiance in this book was a shocker, to be a white guy.
Profile Image for Angela.
591 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2011
Nice enough love story but is it realistic? Maybe not but then again that is what fiction is for.
29 reviews
March 28, 2012
Aww, great book. Sometime the female protagonist came off a bit irritating but she was real and I love when characters are relatable. Great story!!!!!
Profile Image for ConSonia .
335 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2012
This story was absolutely beautiful it was well written the ending brought me to tears.. The love that this author wrote about amogst the characters was so real and geniune.. Loved it
Profile Image for Leichelle.
Author 6 books2 followers
June 5, 2013
Enjoyed this final installment on the Whitfield Sisters. Would have loved an epilogue on the sisters and their lives.
Profile Image for Dalesha R.
180 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2015
I think I like the last book better then the other two
27 reviews
May 9, 2016
Favorite of the Whitfield bride collection.

I enjoyed all of the books men and women in this collection but Rafe is the most interesting of the men.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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