Judith’s review of Protecting His Witness (Red Stone Security, #7) by Katie Reus
Seven years ago she broke his heart… Leaving Vincent was the hardest thing Jordan Alvarado ever had to do, but she had no choice. Now she’s back and looking for forgiveness so she can move on with her life. She doesn’t expect the smoldering attraction between them to still be there, burning hotter than ever. After the way she hurt him she knows things will never be the same again and that in the end, she’s the one who will get her heart broken when he walks away.
He’s not letting her go again… Former SEAL Vincent Hansen never got over Jordan and the way she up and left him without a trace. After she suddenly reappears and explains what happened, he’s even more furious. He doesn’t know what he wants from her, but when she’s targeted in a series of potentially deadly attacks, he realizes he can’t give her up again. He won’t. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and convince her that she was always meant to be his.
Those of us who have delighted in all the stories in the Red Stone Security Series will continue to be engaged by the characters in these short novels. Like so many security agencies, this collection of protection experts are former military of one branch or the other and Vincent Hansen is one of the best. His heart has belonged to one woman only but she up and disappeared seven years earlier. And while this story is about the tensions of keeping someone not only alive but safe, it is also about the questions about her disappearance, the old wound at being left behind when she went into witness protection without even giving him a choice to go with her–something he would have done in a hot New York minute.
If you are looking for a comfortable read, this isn’t it. If you like action packed and tension filled stories about the persistent battle between the truly evil and those whose talents have been honed to a sharp edge and work to do good, this is your kind of book. There is boogobbles of deep emotion in this story as Vincent must struggle with feelings that are all over the place–delight that she has returned mixed in with the deep and persistent anger over being left behind in the first place. I must admit that I found myself asking how I would deal with that range of feeling if I were in a similar situation. Ms Reus has crafted characters that are unique and gritty and real down to the bone. Their friendship and loyalty not only to one another but to the commitment they have made to be the best of the best is the glue that holds them together in very difficult, life-threatening situations. It is the sharp edges and the almost impossible scenarios that have made this entire series a “must read” for me and this book was no exception. I sincerely hope that this author will continue to find stories and characters to add to this series because it is just so darn good.
This book was released this past summer but it is never too late to read and enjoy a book that will not only feed your love of romance but will stimulate your brain as the mystery unfolds and the sense of helplessness over the danger to the heroine wars with the knowledge that she is surrounded by some of the best protection known to man. Quite simply, it’s a terrific read!
I give it a 4.25 out of 5 rating
You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place.
This title is available from Katie Reus (Self-pub). You can buy it here or here in e-format.