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Private Protectors #1
Risking Trust
Roxann Thorgesson's world is out of control. After her father suffers a fatal heart attack, she must take over as publisher of Chicago's second-largest newspaper. Then her ex-boyfriend Michael Taylor, CEO of his own security company, shows up needing a favor. The last thing Roxann needs is Michael around causing trouble--and potential heartbreak--but he's involved in a scandalous story she can't pass up.
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. He offers something no newspaperwoman could exclusive access to his headline-making murder accusation, in exchange for her help in uncovering the true killer. When their investigation leads them to a city hall conspiracy, both their lives and their newly reignited flame could be permanently extinguished...
86,000 words
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. He offers something no newspaperwoman could exclusive access to his headline-making murder accusation, in exchange for her help in uncovering the true killer. When their investigation leads them to a city hall conspiracy, both their lives and their newly reignited flame could be permanently extinguished...
86,000 words
270 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2011
913 people are currently reading
2,295 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Giordano
121books808followersAuthor also writes as Anne Dano
Adrienne Giordano is a USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romantic suspense and mystery novels. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her ultimate supporter of a husband, sports-obsessed son and Elliot, a snuggle-happy rescue. Having grown up near the ocean, Adrienne enjoys paddleboarding, a nice float in a kayak and lounging on the beach with a good book.
For more information on Adrienne’s books, please visit . Adrienne can also be found on Facebook at , Twitter at and ŷ at .
Adrienne Giordano is a USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romantic suspense and mystery novels. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her ultimate supporter of a husband, sports-obsessed son and Elliot, a snuggle-happy rescue. Having grown up near the ocean, Adrienne enjoys paddleboarding, a nice float in a kayak and lounging on the beach with a good book.
For more information on Adrienne’s books, please visit . Adrienne can also be found on Facebook at , Twitter at and ŷ at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 29, 2014
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.
November 9, 2011
Rating 4.5
Risking Law takes us right back to the start I guess as far as the time line goes, we get Michael's story, before he got together with Roxann.
To be honest the Private Protector series has gotten better for me with each book, I thought I loved A Just Deception but this one even changed that. I love a good mix of romance and suspense and this one has that and combine it with a fiery reunion story.
Roxann's life is kind of a mess right now, she just lost her father and on top of dealing with that loss, she also is now in-charge of the newspaper he owned and ran, so she has business problems and is emotionally ravelling, a control freak like her so the last thing she needs in her life is Michael Taylor, her ex-boyfriend who nearly turned her inside out when he left without a word twelve years ago. To a young Olympic winner Roxann, Michael was the one despite the myriad of issue he seemed to have after just getting out from the Army.
Michael Taylor has come far from the man he was twelve years ago, he is successful runs a good security business with his friend Vic, is a almost father figure to his sister's kid, the one thing which sticks in his craw is his soon to be ex-wife who prefers to refer to ex so when he is informed she is murdered right before their hell of a divorce was about to get over, he panics because he knows it will be him the cops will be coming for.
Though he hated what his marriage had become and his wife and her manipulations, he knows he is not guilty and even if it galls him to air his dirty laundry and the terrible shell his marriage was, to save himself he approaches Roxann, to help him out.
Roxann is his one regret, he hated how he ended it with her and she still effects him deeply after all these years but this didn't mean he didn't try to make his marriage work.
Roxann is the perfect control freak when she meets Michael and is less than welcoming of his proposition but she thinks it over and agrees for the newspaper.
But despite vowing to keep it all business, personal feelings and the past trickles in. Roxann still wonders after all these years what happened while Michael doesn't want to get into it now, he wants to make a fresh start with Roxann if possible and is aware that it will take time to open her up since he understands her and her psyche.
The investigation on the other hand is also very engaging along with the tension filled romance, with disturbing facts about Michael's wife coming out that are hurtful and damaging.
I really enjoyed the depiction of Roxann as a professional woman, grieving daughter and someone being pulled on all sides in her life. We see her emotional melt-down, her control, her zest for life and more and she was a freaking great heroine.
Michael too was a great hero but Roxann totally rocked. She took no prisoners and kicked ass. We see Michael's protective instincts, his regret that he didn't fight for Roxann, his fear of going to prison and more. I love a alpha hero who can also be human and display vulnerability.
To be honest, I adored this book and advise Adrienne Giordano is an author to look out for in Romantic Suspense. I am going to wait for her next book anxiously.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
Risking Law takes us right back to the start I guess as far as the time line goes, we get Michael's story, before he got together with Roxann.
To be honest the Private Protector series has gotten better for me with each book, I thought I loved A Just Deception but this one even changed that. I love a good mix of romance and suspense and this one has that and combine it with a fiery reunion story.
Roxann's life is kind of a mess right now, she just lost her father and on top of dealing with that loss, she also is now in-charge of the newspaper he owned and ran, so she has business problems and is emotionally ravelling, a control freak like her so the last thing she needs in her life is Michael Taylor, her ex-boyfriend who nearly turned her inside out when he left without a word twelve years ago. To a young Olympic winner Roxann, Michael was the one despite the myriad of issue he seemed to have after just getting out from the Army.
Michael Taylor has come far from the man he was twelve years ago, he is successful runs a good security business with his friend Vic, is a almost father figure to his sister's kid, the one thing which sticks in his craw is his soon to be ex-wife who prefers to refer to ex so when he is informed she is murdered right before their hell of a divorce was about to get over, he panics because he knows it will be him the cops will be coming for.
Though he hated what his marriage had become and his wife and her manipulations, he knows he is not guilty and even if it galls him to air his dirty laundry and the terrible shell his marriage was, to save himself he approaches Roxann, to help him out.
Roxann is his one regret, he hated how he ended it with her and she still effects him deeply after all these years but this didn't mean he didn't try to make his marriage work.
Roxann is the perfect control freak when she meets Michael and is less than welcoming of his proposition but she thinks it over and agrees for the newspaper.
But despite vowing to keep it all business, personal feelings and the past trickles in. Roxann still wonders after all these years what happened while Michael doesn't want to get into it now, he wants to make a fresh start with Roxann if possible and is aware that it will take time to open her up since he understands her and her psyche.
The investigation on the other hand is also very engaging along with the tension filled romance, with disturbing facts about Michael's wife coming out that are hurtful and damaging.
I really enjoyed the depiction of Roxann as a professional woman, grieving daughter and someone being pulled on all sides in her life. We see her emotional melt-down, her control, her zest for life and more and she was a freaking great heroine.
Michael too was a great hero but Roxann totally rocked. She took no prisoners and kicked ass. We see Michael's protective instincts, his regret that he didn't fight for Roxann, his fear of going to prison and more. I love a alpha hero who can also be human and display vulnerability.
To be honest, I adored this book and advise Adrienne Giordano is an author to look out for in Romantic Suspense. I am going to wait for her next book anxiously.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
January 24, 2012
Another one to my LOVVIT shelf!!!
The plots, characters and dialogues were gloriously awesome. This was my first read by anything AG and I liked her writing styles.
I just lurved how Michael was portrayed as humanely possible and not too alpha-ish. His POVs showed his regret for marrying the wrong woman, his dread for asking the long lost love of his life for help and his fear of losing her again if he was convicted of murdering his ex-wife were all very heart wrenching. I just lurve a down-to-earth hero.
I am hunting Vic's story next. For a wing man in this book, he was just too HOT (and hilarious) to resist.
The plots, characters and dialogues were gloriously awesome. This was my first read by anything AG and I liked her writing styles.
I just lurved how Michael was portrayed as humanely possible and not too alpha-ish. His POVs showed his regret for marrying the wrong woman, his dread for asking the long lost love of his life for help and his fear of losing her again if he was convicted of murdering his ex-wife were all very heart wrenching. I just lurve a down-to-earth hero.
I am hunting Vic's story next. For a wing man in this book, he was just too HOT (and hilarious) to resist.
August 2, 2012
Slick's review posted on
I’ll admit, I’d never heard of Adrienne Giordano when I saw a blurb about her latest release from Carina Press on Facebook. The book intrigued me, but it was the fourth in the series and although both the author and Carina insist they can be read as a stand alone, my little OCD brain doesn’t work that way. So, I asked to review all four and Risking Trust is the first in the Private Protectors series.
Out of the thousands of romance novels I’ve read, never has one open where the hero is being questioned in regards to his soon to be ex-wife’s murder. I have to admit, the story kind of grabbed me from the start and I found it hard to put down. Michael Taylor is the CEO of his own security firm. He’s an ex-Ranger with skills that make the police sure he’s guilty. He realizes immediately that they aren’t even going to look at anyone else, so he makes the decision to ask his ex-girlfriend for help. Roxann Thorgesson has just suffered a huge loss, her beloved father died of a heart attack which places her as publisher of a Chicago newspaper. She never expected to see Michael again, so when he shows up after being accused of his wife’s murder, she’s shocked. What he proposes shocks her even more, but being the astute businesswoman she is she soon realizes she can’t turn down the chance for exclusive coverage of the city’s biggest story.
This book has it all; murder, government corruption, conflict, intrigue, sex scandals, twists, turns, and of course a great reunion love story. Michael and Roxann along with Michael’s partner Vic set out to find the real murderer. Roxann’s uncle, Max, is the chief of police and dead set on proving Michael’s guilty.
Throughout the story Michael and Roxann spend a great deal of time going through evidence and trying not to talk about 12 years ago when he left her and married his now dead ex-wife. It’s painful for both of them, Roxann because she has to look at pictures of his life with her and Michael has to re-live all of his wife’s affairs. Through it all, they learn to trust each other and this does not come easy. Add in Max filling Roxann’s head with reasons she shouldn’t be associated with Michael, the mayor’s office pressuring her to drop the investigations into his office, Michael constantly being hauled in for more questioning and eventually being arrested, his fear he won’t be around to help his widowed sister with her three kids, Roxann finding out some devastating new about her father, and their ever growing feelings for each other and you have one very interesting story.
Despite figuring out early on who the real murderer was, this book still intrigued me and I enjoyed it immensely. The writing was very good and the characters engaging. While I did figure out “who done it�, I was surprised by how it all went down. I’m very much looking forward to the second book which is Vic’s story. Adrienne weaves a good tale and if Vic’s story is as complex and exciting as this one, I know I’ll enjoy it every bit as much.
I’ll admit, I’d never heard of Adrienne Giordano when I saw a blurb about her latest release from Carina Press on Facebook. The book intrigued me, but it was the fourth in the series and although both the author and Carina insist they can be read as a stand alone, my little OCD brain doesn’t work that way. So, I asked to review all four and Risking Trust is the first in the Private Protectors series.
Out of the thousands of romance novels I’ve read, never has one open where the hero is being questioned in regards to his soon to be ex-wife’s murder. I have to admit, the story kind of grabbed me from the start and I found it hard to put down. Michael Taylor is the CEO of his own security firm. He’s an ex-Ranger with skills that make the police sure he’s guilty. He realizes immediately that they aren’t even going to look at anyone else, so he makes the decision to ask his ex-girlfriend for help. Roxann Thorgesson has just suffered a huge loss, her beloved father died of a heart attack which places her as publisher of a Chicago newspaper. She never expected to see Michael again, so when he shows up after being accused of his wife’s murder, she’s shocked. What he proposes shocks her even more, but being the astute businesswoman she is she soon realizes she can’t turn down the chance for exclusive coverage of the city’s biggest story.
This book has it all; murder, government corruption, conflict, intrigue, sex scandals, twists, turns, and of course a great reunion love story. Michael and Roxann along with Michael’s partner Vic set out to find the real murderer. Roxann’s uncle, Max, is the chief of police and dead set on proving Michael’s guilty.
Throughout the story Michael and Roxann spend a great deal of time going through evidence and trying not to talk about 12 years ago when he left her and married his now dead ex-wife. It’s painful for both of them, Roxann because she has to look at pictures of his life with her and Michael has to re-live all of his wife’s affairs. Through it all, they learn to trust each other and this does not come easy. Add in Max filling Roxann’s head with reasons she shouldn’t be associated with Michael, the mayor’s office pressuring her to drop the investigations into his office, Michael constantly being hauled in for more questioning and eventually being arrested, his fear he won’t be around to help his widowed sister with her three kids, Roxann finding out some devastating new about her father, and their ever growing feelings for each other and you have one very interesting story.
Despite figuring out early on who the real murderer was, this book still intrigued me and I enjoyed it immensely. The writing was very good and the characters engaging. While I did figure out “who done it�, I was surprised by how it all went down. I’m very much looking forward to the second book which is Vic’s story. Adrienne weaves a good tale and if Vic’s story is as complex and exciting as this one, I know I’ll enjoy it every bit as much.
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March 27, 2025
Risking Trust is book one in the Private Protectors series by Adrienne Giordano. The CEO of a private Security Company, Michael Taylor, became the prime suspect after the death of his wife, Alicia. Michael Taylor needs his name cleared and asks for help from Roxann Thorgesson, the Chicago Banner Herald's Newspaper owner and the woman he loved and left twelve years ago. Will Roxann Thorgesson forget the hurt and help Michael Taylor clear his name? The readers of Risking Trust will continue to follow Michael Taylor and Rozann Thorgesson to discover what happens.
Risking Trust is the first book I have read about Adrienne Giordano, and I could not put this book down until the end. Reading this book, I learned about the consequences of greed and jealousy and how they affect everyone in the community. The readers of Risking Trust will also learn about the hard work involved in running a small business, especially when equipment fails. I love Adrienne Giordano's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Risking Trust is well-written and researched by Adrienne Giordano. I like Adrienne Giordano's description of the settings of Risking Trust, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
Risking Trust is the first book I have read about Adrienne Giordano, and I could not put this book down until the end. Reading this book, I learned about the consequences of greed and jealousy and how they affect everyone in the community. The readers of Risking Trust will also learn about the hard work involved in running a small business, especially when equipment fails. I love Adrienne Giordano's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Risking Trust is well-written and researched by Adrienne Giordano. I like Adrienne Giordano's description of the settings of Risking Trust, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
June 30, 2012
No Risks in Enjoying This One
Once upon a time Roxann Thorgesson trusted Michael Taylor with her heart, until he left her without warning or explanation. It had devastated her. Then he married another woman and she was utterly annihilated. But that was twelve years ago.
Now Roxann is reeling from the sudden death of her father and struggling under the weight of the responsibility that comes from taking control of the second largest newspaper in Chicago. She's over Michael Taylor. Mostly. Now she just loathes him to the depths of her soul.
And yet, in the darkest of nights when she's feeling the most vulnerable, she still wonders...Why?
Roxann is stunned when Michael makes the news in connection with the murder of his wife. Then she's flabbergasted when he shows up in her office. The deal he offers her, however, stops her cold. If she agrees to help him find out who killed his estranged wife, he'll give her paper the exclusive on the story and an all access pass into his life.
Security specialist and business owner Michael Taylor isn't the same person who walked away from Roxann twelve years ago. The one thing that hasn't changed is his regret for past mistakes. Mistakes like leaving Roxann. And marrying Alicia. But now Alicia is dead. Though they had been in the middle of a very acrimonious divorce, and she had destroyed whatever tender feelings he had for her years ago, she still didn't deserve to die like she did.
And he sure as hell hadn't killed her.
The cops aren't looking at anyone but him as a suspect, though, and he needs help. He needs Roxann's resources to help him get answers to some important questions. Michael knows that to find out who killed Alicia they will have to discover why she was killed, and he has neither the contacts nor the freedom from scrutiny to do that on his own.
When their investigation starts to point towards powerful men in powerful positions, Michael starts to worry about Roxann's safety and the risks she's taking to help him. If anything happens to the woman he's never stopped loving, searching for the truth and trying to clear his name may end up being the two biggest mistakes he's ever made.
~*~
Lately it seems I can hardly toss a pebble at the romantic suspense genre and not hit ten series revolving around some sort of security agency employing a wealth of gorgeous and hard-bodied ex-elite military men who moonlight as über-alpha romantic heroes. While I certainly have no complaint about the gorgeous and hard-bodied, I would prefer a bit more variety. Surprisingly, Giordano provided exactly that in this likable combination of second-chance romance and murder mystery, even with the inclusion of the ubiquitous security firm.
Michael and Roxann are both strong and sympathetic characters with genuine chemistry. They have a wealth of emotional baggage that complicates their relationship evolution in lots of fun ways. Both have the sort of depth engendered by weathering the personal tragedies that define them. Both are keenly intelligent and highly competent in their fields.
I loved that Michael is the one in trouble, that he needs Roxann's help instead of Roxann being the direct target as is so often the case in the genre. She has other trials and tribulations whirling around her, putting her into some pretty tight places, but in relation to the murder, it's the investigation she's spearheading that matters more than she does. Maybe I'm splitting hairs about that, but it felt like a nice change from most romantic suspense in which the female lead is the primary target.
I also loved the slow buildup of the romantic elements between her and Michael, and their verbal sparring was a lot of fun. Giordano did a great job actualizing Roxann's complex and conflicting emotions over the loss of her father and Michael's reentry into her life. The grief, the lack of trust, the wariness, and the hurt all made sense to me in most cases. There were one or two times I felt her relationship with Michael had progressed past the point of the knee-jerk accusations Roxann hits him with, but overall her emotions - and his - felt very organic to their past and characters.
The suspense elements and multiple story threads relating to Roxann's job and personal life blended well and the narrative had a nice, steady pace to it. There were even a few plot twists that caught me by surprise. One of them, though, gave me some problems. As much as I enjoyed the investigation, I was disappointed in the identity of the killer. For me, it just seemed like one step too many over the line into excessive tragedy for everyone connected to the case. And very little of the emotional fallout from that reveal got addressed to my satisfaction, a lack which seemed glaring.
If I had to jump into a series at the third book, though, I picked a great series to do it in, because while has been released as the third installment in this series, the story of Michael and Roxann is actually first in the series timeline. That, as it turns out, worked great for me. Not only did it read just fine on its own, but I can go back and start at the beginning of the series and have events still be in chronological order. I enjoyed this book and these characters to such a degree, I may very well do just that.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for .
Once upon a time Roxann Thorgesson trusted Michael Taylor with her heart, until he left her without warning or explanation. It had devastated her. Then he married another woman and she was utterly annihilated. But that was twelve years ago.
Now Roxann is reeling from the sudden death of her father and struggling under the weight of the responsibility that comes from taking control of the second largest newspaper in Chicago. She's over Michael Taylor. Mostly. Now she just loathes him to the depths of her soul.
And yet, in the darkest of nights when she's feeling the most vulnerable, she still wonders...Why?
Roxann is stunned when Michael makes the news in connection with the murder of his wife. Then she's flabbergasted when he shows up in her office. The deal he offers her, however, stops her cold. If she agrees to help him find out who killed his estranged wife, he'll give her paper the exclusive on the story and an all access pass into his life.
Security specialist and business owner Michael Taylor isn't the same person who walked away from Roxann twelve years ago. The one thing that hasn't changed is his regret for past mistakes. Mistakes like leaving Roxann. And marrying Alicia. But now Alicia is dead. Though they had been in the middle of a very acrimonious divorce, and she had destroyed whatever tender feelings he had for her years ago, she still didn't deserve to die like she did.
And he sure as hell hadn't killed her.
The cops aren't looking at anyone but him as a suspect, though, and he needs help. He needs Roxann's resources to help him get answers to some important questions. Michael knows that to find out who killed Alicia they will have to discover why she was killed, and he has neither the contacts nor the freedom from scrutiny to do that on his own.
When their investigation starts to point towards powerful men in powerful positions, Michael starts to worry about Roxann's safety and the risks she's taking to help him. If anything happens to the woman he's never stopped loving, searching for the truth and trying to clear his name may end up being the two biggest mistakes he's ever made.
~*~
Lately it seems I can hardly toss a pebble at the romantic suspense genre and not hit ten series revolving around some sort of security agency employing a wealth of gorgeous and hard-bodied ex-elite military men who moonlight as über-alpha romantic heroes. While I certainly have no complaint about the gorgeous and hard-bodied, I would prefer a bit more variety. Surprisingly, Giordano provided exactly that in this likable combination of second-chance romance and murder mystery, even with the inclusion of the ubiquitous security firm.
Michael and Roxann are both strong and sympathetic characters with genuine chemistry. They have a wealth of emotional baggage that complicates their relationship evolution in lots of fun ways. Both have the sort of depth engendered by weathering the personal tragedies that define them. Both are keenly intelligent and highly competent in their fields.
I loved that Michael is the one in trouble, that he needs Roxann's help instead of Roxann being the direct target as is so often the case in the genre. She has other trials and tribulations whirling around her, putting her into some pretty tight places, but in relation to the murder, it's the investigation she's spearheading that matters more than she does. Maybe I'm splitting hairs about that, but it felt like a nice change from most romantic suspense in which the female lead is the primary target.
I also loved the slow buildup of the romantic elements between her and Michael, and their verbal sparring was a lot of fun. Giordano did a great job actualizing Roxann's complex and conflicting emotions over the loss of her father and Michael's reentry into her life. The grief, the lack of trust, the wariness, and the hurt all made sense to me in most cases. There were one or two times I felt her relationship with Michael had progressed past the point of the knee-jerk accusations Roxann hits him with, but overall her emotions - and his - felt very organic to their past and characters.
The suspense elements and multiple story threads relating to Roxann's job and personal life blended well and the narrative had a nice, steady pace to it. There were even a few plot twists that caught me by surprise. One of them, though, gave me some problems. As much as I enjoyed the investigation, I was disappointed in the identity of the killer. For me, it just seemed like one step too many over the line into excessive tragedy for everyone connected to the case. And very little of the emotional fallout from that reveal got addressed to my satisfaction, a lack which seemed glaring.
If I had to jump into a series at the third book, though, I picked a great series to do it in, because while has been released as the third installment in this series, the story of Michael and Roxann is actually first in the series timeline. That, as it turns out, worked great for me. Not only did it read just fine on its own, but I can go back and start at the beginning of the series and have events still be in chronological order. I enjoyed this book and these characters to such a degree, I may very well do just that.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for .
April 27, 2020
Rich and successful, Micheal, the owner of a private security company turns to his ex, Roxann, the beautiful publisher of a daily newspaper for assistance in clearing his name after the murder of his estranged wife. Micheal is the primary suspect of the Chicago police despite a complete absence of evidence. The wife, a gold-digging tramp, carried on many affairs. Roxann reluctantly agrees, torn between a great story and protecting her heart.
Silly and implausible, this novel is laughably unbelievable. Even though he is an expert at covert operations, and has someone watching and photographing the wife, Micheal doesn't have a clue about who is guilty. I identified the perp early on. Framing Micheal is just plain stupid. Duh, it is Chicago, the deadliest city in the US. The homicide would be yesterday's headline. Instead of pinning it on someone with resources the more diabolical and successful plan would be to dump on some patsy. Micheal for all his macho tough-guy persona is a wuss, whining about going to jail and calling his member "Mr. Happy". Roxann is not much better. A little rich girl with daddy issues we are supposed to buy that she is a successful publisher and former Olympic athlete. For all her smarts she doesn't have a home security system and apparently parks on the street. She is stupid enough to make public the fact she is sleeping with the suspect while investigating the murder of his wife. So much for journalistic objectivity. The unfolding is too coincidental. Even in my shelter in place stupor this story was just too dumb for me.
Silly and implausible, this novel is laughably unbelievable. Even though he is an expert at covert operations, and has someone watching and photographing the wife, Micheal doesn't have a clue about who is guilty. I identified the perp early on. Framing Micheal is just plain stupid. Duh, it is Chicago, the deadliest city in the US. The homicide would be yesterday's headline. Instead of pinning it on someone with resources the more diabolical and successful plan would be to dump on some patsy. Micheal for all his macho tough-guy persona is a wuss, whining about going to jail and calling his member "Mr. Happy". Roxann is not much better. A little rich girl with daddy issues we are supposed to buy that she is a successful publisher and former Olympic athlete. For all her smarts she doesn't have a home security system and apparently parks on the street. She is stupid enough to make public the fact she is sleeping with the suspect while investigating the murder of his wife. So much for journalistic objectivity. The unfolding is too coincidental. Even in my shelter in place stupor this story was just too dumb for me.
November 4, 2011
Michael Taylor made the biggest mistake of his life twelve years ago when he broke up with the only woman he’s ever loved. He left Roxann in order to protect her, but now he’s paying the price—in more ways than one. Not only did he end up marrying the wrong woman in an effort to get over Roxann, he’s now accused of killing her.
Roxann Thorgesson can’t get over the fact Michael left her without any explanation. Now he’s accused of murdering his estranged wife and wants her help to prove he’s innocent. As the new publisher of her deceased father’s newspaper enterprise, Roxann has a lot riding on her shoulders, including the paper’s reputation. Getting mixed up with Michael could jeopardize everything she’s worked for…and break her heart all over again.
This reunion romance was an emotional rollercoaster and a very satisfying read. Michael is a strong, grounded hero, and Roxann is his equal in all ways. Irresistible Force meets Immovable Object describes their scenes together and I enjoyed every step of their journey toward trusting each other again. Even as they work together to prove Michael's innocence, the sexual tension remains high. And when Roxann faces the ultimate betrayal by someone else she loves dearly, she finds out that Michael is the one rock solid gift in her life.
Roxann Thorgesson can’t get over the fact Michael left her without any explanation. Now he’s accused of murdering his estranged wife and wants her help to prove he’s innocent. As the new publisher of her deceased father’s newspaper enterprise, Roxann has a lot riding on her shoulders, including the paper’s reputation. Getting mixed up with Michael could jeopardize everything she’s worked for…and break her heart all over again.
This reunion romance was an emotional rollercoaster and a very satisfying read. Michael is a strong, grounded hero, and Roxann is his equal in all ways. Irresistible Force meets Immovable Object describes their scenes together and I enjoyed every step of their journey toward trusting each other again. Even as they work together to prove Michael's innocence, the sexual tension remains high. And when Roxann faces the ultimate betrayal by someone else she loves dearly, she finds out that Michael is the one rock solid gift in her life.
April 18, 2022
Risking Trust was my first Adrienne Giordano novel, but it won't be my last. I'm already looking forward to book two in this series! If you love ex-lovers to enemies to friends to lovers, you don't want to miss this one by Adrienne.
Micheal is an accused man. Accused of murdering his almost ex-wife, he has no one to turn to except the owner of the Chicago Banner, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. Roxanne was the one who got away, but it was his fault she hated him, and he'd do anything he had to if it meant she'd help him.
Roxanne was mourning the loss of her father, who had passed just six weeks before Micheal Taylor walked into her office with an offer she found hard to refuse. Help him prove he was innocent of murdering his wife, and he'd make sure her paper got the story. Was it worth dealing with the man who had left her twelve years ago for another woman with no explanation? Roxanne wasn't so sure, but she didn't have much choice when her presses went down.
Working with Michael is easy and comfortable; two things it shouldn't be after their wrecked relationship and lack of communication. She didn't want Micheal back (yes, she did), but she was willing to put up with him to get the story.
I was pretty sure who killed Alicia from the get-go, but it was quite a ride of twists, turns, and secrets to get to the reveal. If you're looking for romantic suspense with teeth and heart, then you don't want to miss the first installment of Private Protectors!
Micheal is an accused man. Accused of murdering his almost ex-wife, he has no one to turn to except the owner of the Chicago Banner, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. Roxanne was the one who got away, but it was his fault she hated him, and he'd do anything he had to if it meant she'd help him.
Roxanne was mourning the loss of her father, who had passed just six weeks before Micheal Taylor walked into her office with an offer she found hard to refuse. Help him prove he was innocent of murdering his wife, and he'd make sure her paper got the story. Was it worth dealing with the man who had left her twelve years ago for another woman with no explanation? Roxanne wasn't so sure, but she didn't have much choice when her presses went down.
Working with Michael is easy and comfortable; two things it shouldn't be after their wrecked relationship and lack of communication. She didn't want Micheal back (yes, she did), but she was willing to put up with him to get the story.
I was pretty sure who killed Alicia from the get-go, but it was quite a ride of twists, turns, and secrets to get to the reveal. If you're looking for romantic suspense with teeth and heart, then you don't want to miss the first installment of Private Protectors!
January 13, 2020
Michael Taylor has made a success of his life. He's the man people come to when they need security and protection. Now he's the prime suspect in the murder of his estranged wife. Who can he go to for help? He knows who he needs. Roxann Thorgesson, his former girlfriend, is the publisher of a major Chicago newspaper. She has the courage and the drive to help him find the truth. These two working together are a powerful force. If only can they get past the pain of their breakup. I wanted them to rekindle their romance. Their love endured through their years apart. However, they have powerful enemies who have the resources to stop them. Adrienne Giordano kept me on the edge of my seat. I cared for the characters and wanted them to find the perpetrators and get justice, but it was a hard fight. The ending was a shock. This is a great beginning to the Private Protector series.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
October 28, 2022
The perfect blend of second chance romance and whodunnit suspense!
Five stars for this perfect romantic suspense read!
I loved it!
Five stars for this perfect romantic suspense read!
I loved it!
November 6, 2011
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
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
November 10, 2011
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Rating: 4 out of 5
I’ve really been enjoying Adrienne Giordano’s Private Protectors series. I’m not usually a fan of romantic suspense, but her books are a lot of fun and full-o-the-smexy! Risking Trust is the third novel published in the series, but it’s set before the first novel, Man Law. I absolutely loved the hero of Man Law (see my review), Vic Andrews, and he makes a few appearances to comedic effect in this prequel. I think Man Law remains my favorite of the three, but I love reunion romances, and Risking Trust really hits the mark.
As the novel begins, Roxann Thorgesson’s life is suddenly a lot more stressful than it was a month ago. Her father recently died of a heart attack, leaving her in charge of the family owned newspaper, and her ex-lover has just been accused of murdering his wife, Alicia. Michael Taylor and Alicia had been involved in a nasty divorce for over two years, so when she’s murdered, he’s the first suspect. When it becomes clear that the police aren’t planning on looking any further than Alicia’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Michael offers his former lover Roxann exclusive access to his story if she’ll have the newspaper investigate the murder. Roxann’s reluctant to have anything to do with Michael after he broke her heart 12 years ago, but she realizes that if they can solve the mystery, the paper will have a major scoop. Trouble is, it soon becomes clear that Alicia’s murder isn’t a random act of violence, and the more they investigate, the higher the cover-up of her death goes. Roxann knows Michael’s innocent, but can she prove his innocence before the murderer sets his sights on her?
I love that Ms. Giordano writes such strong heroines. In the prior two books, the heroines had strong personalities, and the heroes loved them because of that strength. Roxann is no exception, and as a former gold medal Olympic runner, she’s also physically fit. But Roxann is particularly vulnerable emotionally because of the recent death of her beloved father. She’s trying to deal with her grief by focusing on work, but Michael’s reappearance in her life creates more emotional distress. Fortunately he quickly proves that he’s there to support Roxann in everything, even if he’s undergoing a difficult time as well.
Michael is a sexy and appealing hero, and he too has his vulnerabilities. I like that while all three of the male leads in Ms. Giordano’s novels are alpha males working in the security business, they still appreciate the strong female protagonists, even if those heroes have their sexist moments. Michael owns his security firm, but he has a lot of respect for Roxann and her career in the newspaper industry. He definitely screwed up when he left Roxann all those years ago, and his marriage was a disaster, mainly because he was still in love with Roxann, but he works hard to redeem himself. He’s very swoon-worthy!
As for Michael’s almost ex-wife, Alicia, she’s a strong presence in the novel. I’m not particularly fond of romances featuring the horrible ex, and frankly Alicia is over the top. Her murder sets up all the action of the novel and reunites the lovers, so she’s a necessary part of the novel, but I’m not sure she had to be such a slut for the book to work. This is a personal preference, though, because I’ve grown tired of this particular trope, so keep that in mind.
My only other criticism is that towards the end it becomes easy for the reader to spot the villain, yet Roxann continually trusts this character. There are obvious reasons why she does so, but a few of her decisions border on too stupid to live, which bothered me. I suspect that the problem is more that the villain is too obvious to us, because given Roxann’s emotional state and all that’s going on with the murder investigation, it’s not hard to see why she would continue to trust that character.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the novel, and I highly recommend it. I hope that the books sell well enough as ebooks that they’ll be published in paperback in the future, as Ms. Giordano writes taut thrillers with sexy romance. I’m all in favor of strong female characters, and I’ve been pleased to find them in her novels.
I received this book for review from the publisher through NetGalley.
Rating: 4 out of 5
I’ve really been enjoying Adrienne Giordano’s Private Protectors series. I’m not usually a fan of romantic suspense, but her books are a lot of fun and full-o-the-smexy! Risking Trust is the third novel published in the series, but it’s set before the first novel, Man Law. I absolutely loved the hero of Man Law (see my review), Vic Andrews, and he makes a few appearances to comedic effect in this prequel. I think Man Law remains my favorite of the three, but I love reunion romances, and Risking Trust really hits the mark.
As the novel begins, Roxann Thorgesson’s life is suddenly a lot more stressful than it was a month ago. Her father recently died of a heart attack, leaving her in charge of the family owned newspaper, and her ex-lover has just been accused of murdering his wife, Alicia. Michael Taylor and Alicia had been involved in a nasty divorce for over two years, so when she’s murdered, he’s the first suspect. When it becomes clear that the police aren’t planning on looking any further than Alicia’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Michael offers his former lover Roxann exclusive access to his story if she’ll have the newspaper investigate the murder. Roxann’s reluctant to have anything to do with Michael after he broke her heart 12 years ago, but she realizes that if they can solve the mystery, the paper will have a major scoop. Trouble is, it soon becomes clear that Alicia’s murder isn’t a random act of violence, and the more they investigate, the higher the cover-up of her death goes. Roxann knows Michael’s innocent, but can she prove his innocence before the murderer sets his sights on her?
I love that Ms. Giordano writes such strong heroines. In the prior two books, the heroines had strong personalities, and the heroes loved them because of that strength. Roxann is no exception, and as a former gold medal Olympic runner, she’s also physically fit. But Roxann is particularly vulnerable emotionally because of the recent death of her beloved father. She’s trying to deal with her grief by focusing on work, but Michael’s reappearance in her life creates more emotional distress. Fortunately he quickly proves that he’s there to support Roxann in everything, even if he’s undergoing a difficult time as well.
Michael is a sexy and appealing hero, and he too has his vulnerabilities. I like that while all three of the male leads in Ms. Giordano’s novels are alpha males working in the security business, they still appreciate the strong female protagonists, even if those heroes have their sexist moments. Michael owns his security firm, but he has a lot of respect for Roxann and her career in the newspaper industry. He definitely screwed up when he left Roxann all those years ago, and his marriage was a disaster, mainly because he was still in love with Roxann, but he works hard to redeem himself. He’s very swoon-worthy!
As for Michael’s almost ex-wife, Alicia, she’s a strong presence in the novel. I’m not particularly fond of romances featuring the horrible ex, and frankly Alicia is over the top. Her murder sets up all the action of the novel and reunites the lovers, so she’s a necessary part of the novel, but I’m not sure she had to be such a slut for the book to work. This is a personal preference, though, because I’ve grown tired of this particular trope, so keep that in mind.
My only other criticism is that towards the end it becomes easy for the reader to spot the villain, yet Roxann continually trusts this character. There are obvious reasons why she does so, but a few of her decisions border on too stupid to live, which bothered me. I suspect that the problem is more that the villain is too obvious to us, because given Roxann’s emotional state and all that’s going on with the murder investigation, it’s not hard to see why she would continue to trust that character.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the novel, and I highly recommend it. I hope that the books sell well enough as ebooks that they’ll be published in paperback in the future, as Ms. Giordano writes taut thrillers with sexy romance. I’m all in favor of strong female characters, and I’ve been pleased to find them in her novels.
I received this book for review from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 9, 2020
This book is so good. It is action packed, suspenseful, and romance filled. I felt so bad for Roxann and all she went through as an adult. She has so many people she loved let her down. Her father left her his Chicago newspaper, and she has to deal with problems there too. Michael, who she loved 12 years ago and left her with no explanation, comes to her for help when he is charged with murder for his soon to be ex wife. He never stopped loving her, but he needs her help. She never understood why he left her and wants answers. Michael and his partner own a security firm and is doing well financially. There are secrets that come out from the past. I felt bad how Miachel was railroaded by the police for the murder of his soon to be ex wife. I was glad to see that Michael has some good friends that helped him. Also Roxann has hired a good reporter that she put on Michael’s murder story who is good and digging out facts. I hated to put the book down as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I loved the book and strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
December 30, 2012
When I was younger, I read a lot of crime and mystery novels, so when there are crime/mystery/romance novels to be read, I tend to have a very high standard. This one is no exception.
It's a pretty good read if you're not into the mystery/crime part and is reading for the romance but the writing in some parts of this novel is so awkward. In one part the author uses "he hauled ass" yet in another part she uses "she fell on her butt", and yet in another part she uses "freakin'" and her characters go around swearing... I don't get it. If you plan on making book characters realistic, then make them swear. Is there some sort of literary vice that makes swearing in romance/crime/mystery novels unacceptable? Because the male leads are all ex-Army men, so to see them kinda refrain from swearing is a little odd to me.
I also didn't like how weeping and emotional the main female lead was, and how she had to switch gears to her competitive Olympian self in order to be a courageous calm boss. She owns a newspaper as it is, /and/ she's an Olympic gold medallist (which unfortunately didn't get much elaboration), so you would assume she doesn't need to 'switch gears' to calm herself. It would be expectant of her to be hard-hitting 24/7. Just like how I would assume the male lead would be a lot less weepy and emotional when it came to his ex-girlfriend. Idk, I just felt like the two male leads were written softer than I would have liked and the romance conflict solved far too quickly. You would assume there would be more angst in a book that talks about two people who have not seen each other in 12 years. And maybe they would talk about that one event that broke them apart (for over a decade!) before they got back together and had sex. Idk.
Oh, and as said in one of my status updates, perhaps I was comparing this to Pamela Clare too much. If you're looking for an investigative journalism romance suspense story, Clare's novels are the standard imho.
It's a pretty good read if you're not into the mystery/crime part and is reading for the romance but the writing in some parts of this novel is so awkward. In one part the author uses "he hauled ass" yet in another part she uses "she fell on her butt", and yet in another part she uses "freakin'" and her characters go around swearing... I don't get it. If you plan on making book characters realistic, then make them swear. Is there some sort of literary vice that makes swearing in romance/crime/mystery novels unacceptable? Because the male leads are all ex-Army men, so to see them kinda refrain from swearing is a little odd to me.
I also didn't like how weeping and emotional the main female lead was, and how she had to switch gears to her competitive Olympian self in order to be a courageous calm boss. She owns a newspaper as it is, /and/ she's an Olympic gold medallist (which unfortunately didn't get much elaboration), so you would assume she doesn't need to 'switch gears' to calm herself. It would be expectant of her to be hard-hitting 24/7. Just like how I would assume the male lead would be a lot less weepy and emotional when it came to his ex-girlfriend. Idk, I just felt like the two male leads were written softer than I would have liked and the romance conflict solved far too quickly. You would assume there would be more angst in a book that talks about two people who have not seen each other in 12 years. And maybe they would talk about that one event that broke them apart (for over a decade!) before they got back together and had sex. Idk.
Oh, and as said in one of my status updates, perhaps I was comparing this to Pamela Clare too much. If you're looking for an investigative journalism romance suspense story, Clare's novels are the standard imho.
February 11, 2012
Risking Trust is a strong romantic suspense that kept me fascinated from beginning to end. I loved the characters of Michael and Roxanne. In the beginning, I was unsure of Michael since he left Roxanne without explanation years earlier and hurt her very badly. He was such a charasmatic and likeable character that I quickly began hoping for an explanation to his past behavior. I felt very sympathetic toward Roxanne from the beginning of the book, and liked her throughout. I very much enjoyed the suspenseful storyline of this one, and thought that it was fast paced and filled with action. I would recommend it to all lovers of romantic suspense.
Roxanne Thorgesson already has enough on her plate trying to run her newly deceased father's daily Chicago newspaper without having her ex-boyfriend, Michael Taylor, who left her without explanation, asking her to help prove him innocent of his wife's murder. The very woman he chose to marry after leaving Roxanne and breaking her heart. In the midst of colleagues at the newspaper who don't offer support, Roxanne realizes what a coup it would be if Michael really was innocent and the newspaper helped investigate and broke the story of the identity of the real killer. She agrees to help Michael, and the two of them quickly realize that they still have feelings for one another. As they try to uncover the identity of the killer, they must also deal with sabotage to the newspaper and their feelings for one another.
This was a great book with loveable characters and an intriguing plot. There was plenty of chemistry between the main characters, and the book was fast paced and quick to read. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
Roxanne Thorgesson already has enough on her plate trying to run her newly deceased father's daily Chicago newspaper without having her ex-boyfriend, Michael Taylor, who left her without explanation, asking her to help prove him innocent of his wife's murder. The very woman he chose to marry after leaving Roxanne and breaking her heart. In the midst of colleagues at the newspaper who don't offer support, Roxanne realizes what a coup it would be if Michael really was innocent and the newspaper helped investigate and broke the story of the identity of the real killer. She agrees to help Michael, and the two of them quickly realize that they still have feelings for one another. As they try to uncover the identity of the killer, they must also deal with sabotage to the newspaper and their feelings for one another.
This was a great book with loveable characters and an intriguing plot. There was plenty of chemistry between the main characters, and the book was fast paced and quick to read. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
August 31, 2016
This is the first book in the Private Protectors series. And before I begin with my thoughts on the book, this book was released 3rd in the series, but is the actual start. If I would have read the other two first, I can't say my thoughts on the book would be all that good. Key players were introduced in this book, and it would be weird to read out of order and not know the story of the leader of the private protection agency.
That being said...I really liked this book. The banter between Roxann and Michael was refreshing. The hurt seemed very real and the pain Roxann was going through about losing her father was heartbreaking. You could tell the author had her own personal experience to lean on and it showed in the writing. I really enjoyed meeting some of the secondary characters such as Vic and Gina and the kids. I was a little upset there wasn't more with Gina's oldest son, it seemed that Michael was a mentor of sorts for him, but after one run away, there wasn't much more said. I felt if the kid was dealing with the loss of his father, Michael would have been more front and center for him. I found this book to be very fast to read, probably because I couldn't put it down. I thought I knew who-done-it early on, but I was very surprised with the ending, which was a bonus for me. Finding out the villain early on in a book is a real turn off for me. Adrienne is a new author to me, but I can honestly say, I can't wait for Vic's book. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.
That being said...I really liked this book. The banter between Roxann and Michael was refreshing. The hurt seemed very real and the pain Roxann was going through about losing her father was heartbreaking. You could tell the author had her own personal experience to lean on and it showed in the writing. I really enjoyed meeting some of the secondary characters such as Vic and Gina and the kids. I was a little upset there wasn't more with Gina's oldest son, it seemed that Michael was a mentor of sorts for him, but after one run away, there wasn't much more said. I felt if the kid was dealing with the loss of his father, Michael would have been more front and center for him. I found this book to be very fast to read, probably because I couldn't put it down. I thought I knew who-done-it early on, but I was very surprised with the ending, which was a bonus for me. Finding out the villain early on in a book is a real turn off for me. Adrienne is a new author to me, but I can honestly say, I can't wait for Vic's book. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.
December 26, 2011
Although this is the third book released by this author in the Private Protectors series, I would recommend that new readers to the series start with this book. As I understand it, Risking Trust was originally written to be the first book in the series but was delayed for editing and the other two books were released first. While you can read the books out of order (each book will stand alone), I think having this book set the background and tone for the others is advantageous to grasping the underlying emotions in the books 2 and 3, especially Man Law. In fact, I'll be re-reading Man Law in light of the information contained in Risking Trust.
I won't give you the book blurb (as you can get it anywhere) but I did love the interchanges between Roxann and Micheal. Rich writing. Emotional scenes. The ending came as a surprise as I didn't anticipate the bad guy. If the author laid hints through the book pointing to the bad guy, I didn't get them as it came out of left field, although near the end of the book, one scene in particular did seem to point me in the right direction.
Overall, this has been a wonderful series and I look forward to more from this author.
I won't give you the book blurb (as you can get it anywhere) but I did love the interchanges between Roxann and Micheal. Rich writing. Emotional scenes. The ending came as a surprise as I didn't anticipate the bad guy. If the author laid hints through the book pointing to the bad guy, I didn't get them as it came out of left field, although near the end of the book, one scene in particular did seem to point me in the right direction.
Overall, this has been a wonderful series and I look forward to more from this author.
January 18, 2020
Reviewed on my blog, , on 1/19/19.
Roxann and Michael's story kept me guessing until the end--who really killed Michael's wife? Are all the odd things happening to Roxann related to Michael's troubles, or something else?--and kept me turning pages to make sure that they finally got to their HEA, of course! 12 years later than it should have been, but better later than never, right?
Ms Girodano did a great job of blending the romance with suspense here. It's not always easy to show how a second chance romance could really work out the second time--but she managed to show us how that could work, too--without making it a forgone conclusion from the first page (well, except for the fact that it's a romance, so there better be an HEA ;))
Vic was hands-down my favorite secondary character here, with Gina a close second--so I was beyond excited to see that their book is next. I can't wait to read it!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Roxann and Michael's story kept me guessing until the end--who really killed Michael's wife? Are all the odd things happening to Roxann related to Michael's troubles, or something else?--and kept me turning pages to make sure that they finally got to their HEA, of course! 12 years later than it should have been, but better later than never, right?
Ms Girodano did a great job of blending the romance with suspense here. It's not always easy to show how a second chance romance could really work out the second time--but she managed to show us how that could work, too--without making it a forgone conclusion from the first page (well, except for the fact that it's a romance, so there better be an HEA ;))
Vic was hands-down my favorite secondary character here, with Gina a close second--so I was beyond excited to see that their book is next. I can't wait to read it!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 22, 2011
Roxann and Michael were involved in a serious relationship 12 years ago. Then Michael walked away without an explanation. Now this former Special Forces/PTSD victim runs a security company. And he’s just become the lead person of interest in his soon-to-be ex-wife’s murder.
Roxann is the one Michael approaches for help.
Roxann’s father has just suffered a fatal heart attack, filling her with grief and leaving her with the top spot at Chicago’s No. 2 daily newspaper. Her management team doesn’t like her leadership style, and they don’t support her involvement in the Michael Taylor investigation. Roxann’s uncle Max, the superintendent of police, also is giving Roxann grief about her choices.
And apparently someone else is displeased as well, for a few days later the printing press is sabotaged. And that’s just the beginning �
Filled with strong, memorable characters, this fast-moving plot contains plenty of mystery, emotion and heat. It’s a keeper.
Roxann is the one Michael approaches for help.
Roxann’s father has just suffered a fatal heart attack, filling her with grief and leaving her with the top spot at Chicago’s No. 2 daily newspaper. Her management team doesn’t like her leadership style, and they don’t support her involvement in the Michael Taylor investigation. Roxann’s uncle Max, the superintendent of police, also is giving Roxann grief about her choices.
And apparently someone else is displeased as well, for a few days later the printing press is sabotaged. And that’s just the beginning �
Filled with strong, memorable characters, this fast-moving plot contains plenty of mystery, emotion and heat. It’s a keeper.
December 9, 2011
A complicated and compelling novel that is multi-layered and with enough twists and turns to resemble and English maze. The characters are strong and pronounced and the reader is drawn into the mess of people's lives, the griefs, disappointments, unrealized dreams, old loves, and even the murder of a soon-to-be ex-wife. While it is the third in this series, it is a flashback novel of sorts by the author's own admission. It fills in facts about Michael Taylor's life--the CEO of a security firm that figures prominently in all of Ms Giordano's novels in this series. But it is, in and of itself, a joy to read for romance fiction fans who like the lively spicing of a very good mystery that involves everyone from relatives to government officials. Set in Chicago with that city's legendary bent toward corruption, the reader knows that there is bad stuff afoot from the very beginning. Just one really terrific read.
March 15, 2017
Fantastic Crime Drama, romance lacking
## LOVED the crime drama aspect of this book. It was intriguing and kept me interested throughout. Ergo 4 stars.
For me the romance was off. If a man ditches you with no explanation after planning to spend your life together and marries someone else, he doesn't get to waltz in 12 years later and not only ask for help but another chance! Pffft. Not bloody likely. Especially after the heroine keeps asking why he left (I deserve to know) and he flat out refuses to tell her. She says then we can't move on and try again....but of course....yep, jumps into bed with him. Other than that stupidity, the heroine is awesome. She's strong, capable and beautiful.
I didn't feel enough remorse from the hero though. Grovelling, apologies, and explanations were in order. Maybe if he had explained immediately or even apologized earlier, but he just took it for granted that she would take him back.
Great mystery, not so great romance.
## LOVED the crime drama aspect of this book. It was intriguing and kept me interested throughout. Ergo 4 stars.
For me the romance was off. If a man ditches you with no explanation after planning to spend your life together and marries someone else, he doesn't get to waltz in 12 years later and not only ask for help but another chance! Pffft. Not bloody likely. Especially after the heroine keeps asking why he left (I deserve to know) and he flat out refuses to tell her. She says then we can't move on and try again....but of course....yep, jumps into bed with him. Other than that stupidity, the heroine is awesome. She's strong, capable and beautiful.
I didn't feel enough remorse from the hero though. Grovelling, apologies, and explanations were in order. Maybe if he had explained immediately or even apologized earlier, but he just took it for granted that she would take him back.
Great mystery, not so great romance.
January 15, 2020
Kindle Copy for Review
A newspaper reporter life is seemed to be falling apart as her dad sudden fatal heart attack leaves her to run Chicago’s second largest newspaper. Then her former ex-boyfriend shows up on her doorsteps needing help which he dumped her twelve years ago without explanation.
He is the prime suspect of killing his estranged wife and he needs her help to flush out the real killer. He offers an exclusive interview which she cannot refuse as a journalist.
As they work together, they will rekindle their chemistry. Will the flame be snuffed out before they can rekindle their romance? A romance with suspense.
A newspaper reporter life is seemed to be falling apart as her dad sudden fatal heart attack leaves her to run Chicago’s second largest newspaper. Then her former ex-boyfriend shows up on her doorsteps needing help which he dumped her twelve years ago without explanation.
He is the prime suspect of killing his estranged wife and he needs her help to flush out the real killer. He offers an exclusive interview which she cannot refuse as a journalist.
As they work together, they will rekindle their chemistry. Will the flame be snuffed out before they can rekindle their romance? A romance with suspense.
March 20, 2014
This book was a great read. Parts break your heart but yes it does get put back together again . It made me want to help them put all the pieces together lol . I wish I was better at this whole write a review thing but I have never been a good write, but I do love to read and I Loved reading this book and will be reading more by this author whom is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The lost Love found again Love aspect works for these 2 as does the HEA :) Give it a chance you will not be let down
February 25, 2017
Loved these series of books. My only recommendation would be to read this book 1st, then the next two. This really is book 1, the author stated she had originally intended this to be book 1, but things happened and she ended up finishing this book afterwards. Can't wait for book 4 of this series to come out.
January 24, 2012
A really gripping tale that kept me guessing almost to the last page. Tightly written with lots of surprises along the way and a highly believable plot. Corrupt politicians, what's not to believe!
I've read all three of the books in this series but enjoyed this one the most. Highly recommended.
More of the same, please.
I've read all three of the books in this series but enjoyed this one the most. Highly recommended.
More of the same, please.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
July 1, 2022
Tension filled romance and murder mystery
I was absolutely wrung out when I was done with this one. The characters are real. The emotional situations are deep and involved. The action is fast paced. The clues are there if you pay close attention, but you do have to really think it through. Recommended
I was absolutely wrung out when I was done with this one. The characters are real. The emotional situations are deep and involved. The action is fast paced. The clues are there if you pay close attention, but you do have to really think it through. Recommended
April 23, 2022
I think its high time that doormat heroine trope should be stopped.. And what's with the shit about heroes saying let go what hpnd many years back? Without first groveling immensely for their mistakes, how can they expect bygones be bygones? No decency to even apologize for breaking a girl's heart.. Great shit this is..
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