Judith’s review of The Closer (Men Out of Uniform, #14) by Rhonda Nelson
Ranger Security has just assigned former ranger Griff Wicklow to protect a priceless diamond-encrusted bra. And while Griff has more experience removing bras than protecting them, his job is about to get even more complicated. Because Temptation just walked in disguised as Jessalyn Rossi, the drop-dead delectable jeweler who is escorting the piece.
The attraction between them is immediate and irresistible. And Jessalyn’s learning that there’s a lot to be said about and done with a wickedly hot security agent like Griff. But once the job is finished, will their bedroom antics come to a close, too?
I don’t know what there is about a military uniform but for most of us it is a delightful treat to see a fit and muscular man in uniform. Major Griff Wicklow must have been quite a sight if the description of him in this short novel is to be believed. It appears he didn’t do too bad one he was “out” of uniform either. Thus, he is the subject of the 14th novel in this series for Harlequin, a series that began several years ago and seems to keep on delighting Ms Nelson’s fans. Griff is a man who has left the military after donating one of his kidneys to his half brother, a teenager he had never met as a result of his father’s leaving Griff, his mother and his sister. Now he is the newest security agent for a firm started by and made up of former Army Rangers and his first mission is the protection of an unusual piece of jewelry: a bra that is encrusted with 2-1/2 million dollars’ worth of gems. It is also the highlight of Jessalyn Rossi’s family legacy in jewelry creation and the reason she is escorting the piece along with Griff to the fashion show in New York where the unusual piece will be modeled for the world.
This is an entertaining story of two people, both of who are really one of a kind. Jess is a woman who is prepared to do whatever it takes to simply be who she is, following her own muses in her art and chasing her own rainbows when it comes to doing what pleases her inner self. Griff is a man who is a well-trained warrior, whose experience in battle and in peacetime have fashioned him into a man who prizes control above all things: a man with a plan. Yet when he meets Jessalyn he is immediately taken with her free spirit even though she wrecks havoc on all his carefully crafted schedules. She is drawn to him because he is a gorgeous man. She ultimately finds out that he is just as beautiful on the inside.
This is a very readable piece of writing and a very romantic story with its fair share of hot loving. Yet the sex never overwhelms the story and the relationship never becomes more important than the reason that has brought Griff and Jess together. There is a bit of suspense over whether a master thief will successfully steal the jewel-encrusted piece of lingerie. That part of the plot simply adds spice to an already enjoyable story. We all need this kind of lighthearted read between those heavy-duty novels that wring us out emotionally. This one is pure fun.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5
You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place
This title is available from Harlequin. You can buy it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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