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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
There's a decent mystery here, but notably also an excellent romance. Roxanne has more to deal with than the average heroine- a mystery involving her ex, her father's recent death, and taking over a newspaper that her father left in not the best shape, including a pending pressman's strike. Giordano does a beautiful job pacing both these issues, who killed her ex boyfriend's ex-wife, and the romance, and you get just enough to keep turning the pages until you won't be able to put down the last quarter of the book. Well drawn characters, interesting details, and a heroine who is no shrinking violet make this a good read.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Believe it or not Risking Trust by Adrienne Giordanno is actually the book that started Adrienne’s writing journey and acts as the beginning of the the Private Protector’s series. Though this is the third book published in the series, this story actually takes place before Man Law, the first book of the series which made me sit up and take notice of Adrienne’s writing style.
39 year old Michael Taylor, CEO of one of the nation’s most private and elite security companies finds himself the number one suspect in the murder of his wife Alicia, whom he has been separated from and embroiled in a financially ugly divorce for the past two years. Wanting to prove his innocence in the most public manner possible, Michael approaches Roxann Thorgesson, owner of the Banner-Herald who happens to be his ex-girlfriend from twelve years back.
35 year old Roxann’s life has just about spun out of control since the sudden death of her beloved father. Watching Michael stroll into her office and offering her exclusive rights to all his life past and present in exchange for her helping him uncover the real killer seems like the icing on the cake. Though Roxann would love nothing better than to tell Michael to run back to his life and leave her alone like he had done twelve years back without any explanations, the curious nature within her as well as her heart which still remembers the happiness that had been her life when they had been together refuses to let her do so.
Delving into the murder of the woman who had married the man she had wanted beyond anything else and keeping her emotions intact seems to be one of the toughest challenges Roxann has encountered up till now. The close proximity which the investigation puts her in with Michael weakens her resolve not to get involved with the man who had broken her heart and never looked back. As the investigation opens up a can of worms neither expected, so emerges the reasons why Michael had left her which clears up the air for both of them to start over; only if they can find the real killer behind the murder.
Risking Trust is the story that serves as the missing component when I first delved into Man Law. Back then, I had no clue whatsoever that Michael had a story of his own. And I am so very glad that Carina Press decided to publish his story which serves as a really good beginning for the whole series. If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend that you kick it off by starting with this one.
With Adrienne’s trademark wit, style and humor, she reels the reader in with this installment as well; none of the cardboard variety characters to be found in her stories, but people you can most definitely relate to which makes her stories unbeatable. She has a way of portraying her characters that is unlike any other and pits them together in the most difficult situations which they work through like heroes and heroines who definitely deserve the happily ever after at the end. Time and yet again, it is the style and prose with which Adrienne delivers her stories that keeps me her #1 fan when it comes to her Private Protector’s series.
Michael is the broody, ex-military hero who finds himself living his worst nightmare when the police refuses to investigate any other avenues in the investigation of his wife’s murder. His regrets makes him human, his resolve to win back Roxann’s affections that makes him an alluring hero!
Roxann is a heroine who makes for a very worthy partner for Michael in every single way. She is the type to stubbornly stick to the side of those whom she loves which makes her unbeatable as a heroine. I loved her style, her sense of humor and the way she fights the panic that threatens to submerge her even if she were to give an inch.
And that brings me to my favorite character Vic Andrews. Whenever he strolled into the picture in all his come-get-me-now-sexiness, I felt a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth and an overwhelming urge to just sigh and crumple at his feet as one big puddle of goo! Yep, he is that good and I believe even if I had never read or heard of Vic before this story, I would still have ended up half in love with him by the time this one was done!
Combining explosive passion and a story of second chances twelve years in the making, Risking Trust is a novel that stands true to Adrienne’s remarkable talent as one of the best RS authors out there
Highly recommended for those who love humor, wit and verbal swordplay in their romantic suspense, there is none who does it better than Adrienne.
Rating=4.5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
39 year old Michael Taylor, CEO of one of the nation’s most private and elite security companies finds himself the number one suspect in the murder of his wife Alicia, whom he has been separated from and embroiled in a financially ugly divorce for the past two years. Wanting to prove his innocence in the most public manner possible, Michael approaches Roxann Thorgesson, owner of the Banner-Herald who happens to be his ex-girlfriend from twelve years back.
35 year old Roxann’s life has just about spun out of control since the sudden death of her beloved father. Watching Michael stroll into her office and offering her exclusive rights to all his life past and present in exchange for her helping him uncover the real killer seems like the icing on the cake. Though Roxann would love nothing better than to tell Michael to run back to his life and leave her alone like he had done twelve years back without any explanations, the curious nature within her as well as her heart which still remembers the happiness that had been her life when they had been together refuses to let her do so.
Delving into the murder of the woman who had married the man she had wanted beyond anything else and keeping her emotions intact seems to be one of the toughest challenges Roxann has encountered up till now. The close proximity which the investigation puts her in with Michael weakens her resolve not to get involved with the man who had broken her heart and never looked back. As the investigation opens up a can of worms neither expected, so emerges the reasons why Michael had left her which clears up the air for both of them to start over; only if they can find the real killer behind the murder.
Risking Trust is the story that serves as the missing component when I first delved into Man Law. Back then, I had no clue whatsoever that Michael had a story of his own. And I am so very glad that Carina Press decided to publish his story which serves as a really good beginning for the whole series. If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend that you kick it off by starting with this one.
With Adrienne’s trademark wit, style and humor, she reels the reader in with this installment as well; none of the cardboard variety characters to be found in her stories, but people you can most definitely relate to which makes her stories unbeatable. She has a way of portraying her characters that is unlike any other and pits them together in the most difficult situations which they work through like heroes and heroines who definitely deserve the happily ever after at the end. Time and yet again, it is the style and prose with which Adrienne delivers her stories that keeps me her #1 fan when it comes to her Private Protector’s series.
Michael is the broody, ex-military hero who finds himself living his worst nightmare when the police refuses to investigate any other avenues in the investigation of his wife’s murder. His regrets makes him human, his resolve to win back Roxann’s affections that makes him an alluring hero!
Roxann is a heroine who makes for a very worthy partner for Michael in every single way. She is the type to stubbornly stick to the side of those whom she loves which makes her unbeatable as a heroine. I loved her style, her sense of humor and the way she fights the panic that threatens to submerge her even if she were to give an inch.
And that brings me to my favorite character Vic Andrews. Whenever he strolled into the picture in all his come-get-me-now-sexiness, I felt a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth and an overwhelming urge to just sigh and crumple at his feet as one big puddle of goo! Yep, he is that good and I believe even if I had never read or heard of Vic before this story, I would still have ended up half in love with him by the time this one was done!
Combining explosive passion and a story of second chances twelve years in the making, Risking Trust is a novel that stands true to Adrienne’s remarkable talent as one of the best RS authors out there
Highly recommended for those who love humor, wit and verbal swordplay in their romantic suspense, there is none who does it better than Adrienne.
Rating=4.5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Romantic intrigue. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but characters from previous books show up.
Risking Trust (Private Protectors, #3) READ THIS ONE FIRST!!! For some reason this book is number three but the events in it take place before the other two books. This is Michael & Roxann’s story. Twelve years ago, Michael walked out on Roxann without explanation. Now he needs her help. Michael's estranged wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect. This is a well told story and a good mystery.
Risking Trust (Private Protectors, #3) READ THIS ONE FIRST!!! For some reason this book is number three but the events in it take place before the other two books. This is Michael & Roxann’s story. Twelve years ago, Michael walked out on Roxann without explanation. Now he needs her help. Michael's estranged wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect. This is a well told story and a good mystery.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyable first book to a series. I look forward to reading more.
Quick summary
It's been 12 years since Michael Taylor walked away from Roxann Thorgesson, leaving her without explanation. He's now head of a highly successful private security company and she's the publisher of a Chicago newspaper. But, his soon to be ex-wife's been murdered and Michael's now the prime suspect. It's a long shot but he reaches out to Roxann for help in investigating the case to clear his name.
The romance
Roxann's turned the devastating loss of Michael into an outstanding professional success, even though things on the personal front are lacking. Michael's marriage was a disaster, a serious understatement, so when he steps back into her life, there's possibility. He had to work hard to regain her trust while still not being forthcoming about his reasons for abandoning her years ago. I must admit I figured out most of it before his big reveal. Even so, these were two very admirable characters who you wanted reunited and I liked the journey a lot. I enjoyed them and all the struggle getting there.
The suspense
Roxann teams with Michael to try to figure out who his wife may have crossed to get her killed. I enjoyed the aspect of investigative reporting being the structure for solving this mystery. It tied in nicely to some other things going on at the newspaper that made the situation even more complex. Again, I figured out the identity of one of the villains but was blindsided by another. The twists and turns to unravel the cases were well structured and interesting.
The bottom line
This is my first book by Giordano and I definitely plan to continue the series. I really liked Roxann, presented as a strong woman who wasn't afraid to take risks professionally and personally. I had to warm up to Michael given his early behavior and loved how he was developed. The story is well written, interesting and emotionally compelling. I liked both the romance and the mystery, making for a strong start to the series.
It's been 12 years since Michael Taylor walked away from Roxann Thorgesson, leaving her without explanation. He's now head of a highly successful private security company and she's the publisher of a Chicago newspaper. But, his soon to be ex-wife's been murdered and Michael's now the prime suspect. It's a long shot but he reaches out to Roxann for help in investigating the case to clear his name.
The romance
Roxann's turned the devastating loss of Michael into an outstanding professional success, even though things on the personal front are lacking. Michael's marriage was a disaster, a serious understatement, so when he steps back into her life, there's possibility. He had to work hard to regain her trust while still not being forthcoming about his reasons for abandoning her years ago. I must admit I figured out most of it before his big reveal. Even so, these were two very admirable characters who you wanted reunited and I liked the journey a lot. I enjoyed them and all the struggle getting there.
The suspense
Roxann teams with Michael to try to figure out who his wife may have crossed to get her killed. I enjoyed the aspect of investigative reporting being the structure for solving this mystery. It tied in nicely to some other things going on at the newspaper that made the situation even more complex. Again, I figured out the identity of one of the villains but was blindsided by another. The twists and turns to unravel the cases were well structured and interesting.
The bottom line
This is my first book by Giordano and I definitely plan to continue the series. I really liked Roxann, presented as a strong woman who wasn't afraid to take risks professionally and personally. I had to warm up to Michael given his early behavior and loved how he was developed. The story is well written, interesting and emotionally compelling. I liked both the romance and the mystery, making for a strong start to the series.
Risking Trust is what Roxann Thorgesson is doing by attaching her heart - and her newspaper reputation - to Michael Taylor's one. Because Michael Taylor is not only the man who she once loved and abandoned her without a word twelve years ago, but he is now also the man who is accused of murdering his wife and who asked her to help him find the real killer. Plus she has just lost her father so her life is kind of a mess at the moment. Just what a girl need...
I have to admit it: this is the first book I read wrote by Adrienne Giordano but I istantly loved her style, her wit and her humor. The story between Roxann and Michael was an emotional and very satisfying reading and the investigation was also very engaging.
In the end, I reccomend this book to those who love a good romance but with a dash of suspance.
I have to admit it: this is the first book I read wrote by Adrienne Giordano but I istantly loved her style, her wit and her humor. The story between Roxann and Michael was an emotional and very satisfying reading and the investigation was also very engaging.
In the end, I reccomend this book to those who love a good romance but with a dash of suspance.