Liam's Witness Protection - Amelia Autin (HRS #1870 - Oct 2015)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 6)

The next Man on a Mission hero safeguards his charge until she reaches the witness stand--and his heart

Caterina "Cate" Mateja is prepping her testimony against the crime kingpin who enslaved her when his henchmen open fire in the courthouse, narrowly missing her. US Diplomatic Security Service agent Liam Jones dodges bullets to get her to safety, and yet the gorgeous man seems to want nothing to do with Cate's case--or her.

It's not Liam's job to protect Cate. But after he discovers everything she's been through, he makes it his personal mission to ensure she'll have her day on the witness stand. Staying by her side 24/7 may mean opening his heart to a woman who's unable to offer hers. 

I've been waiting for Liam's story since I first saw him in McKinnon's Royal Mission, where he and his brother Alec were two of the princess's bodyguards. He was fantastic at his job, but there always seemed to be just a little bit more to the way he did it. At the beginning of this book, he is beginning a three week vacation, insisted on by his boss, because he hasn't had one in a year. He's starting out by attending the trial of Aleksandrov Vishenko, a seriously nasty man, as a favor to his brother Alec. 

At the end of Alec's Royal Assignment, Alec and his fiancee Angelina had just found her missing cousin, Caterina. She had been kidnapped and made a sex slave by Vishenko, but had escaped and been on the run for seven years. Alec and Angelina have convinced her to testify against Vishenko, but as another witness, Alec cannot attend the trial. As Alec and Liam wait outside the courtroom, gunfire erupts and the men around Cate fall. Alec and Liam rush to help, with Alec charging Liam with getting Cate to safety.

I was a little miffed at Liam at the beginning, as he seemed to be judging Cate without knowing all the facts. It puzzles him that he is attracted to this woman, but he isn't going to let that affect what he needs to do. He quickly discovers that he was wrong, which adds a feeling of guilt to the attraction. He realizes that he had wanted to think the worst of her in order to counteract his attraction to her. The little bit of her history that he learns from Alec gives him great respect for her determination to testify against Vishenko. It also brings out a whole new side of him, a different level of protectiveness.

I hurt so much for Cate. She blames herself for everything she has been through, because she hadn't been content with her life back in Zakhar. She also feels responsible for the deaths and injuries back at the courthouse, because they had all been there because of her. And beneath it all, is the way that she feels worthless because of what was done to her and what she did to survive. She feels dead to everything that would make her feel like a normal woman. That is, until she spends time with Liam.

This is where Liam really starts to shine. Though he is as tough as his brother, he also has a more sensitive side. It doesn't take him long at all to pick up on Cate's fear of men, and he adjusts his treatment of her accordingly. He also becomes very good at picking up on little things about her, such as her love of books. I loved the scene where she is trying to pick out one book to buy, and what he does for her there. When they reach their final hiding place, Liam's feelings for Cate really begin to grow. I loved the way he helped her through her nightmares, and the way his first thoughts were always of her and her needs.

I loved seeing the changes that Cate went through. Her determination to do the right thing was strong and stayed that way throughout the book, but her opinion of herself was something entirely different. She senses Liam's judging of her at the beginning and doesn't let it bother her because she feels it is deserved. But when his attitude changed, and she realizes that it's because he knows what she went through, she feels ashamed because she has begun to feel that his opinion of her matters. I liked seeing how she listened when he tried to tell her that she wasn't at fault, and that she wanted to believe him. I loved seeing how she began to trust him and open up to him. What really surprised her was the way that he made her feel things she never thought she'd experience again.

I loved Liam the most when he made his feelings clear to Cate, and let her know that they wouldn't change, even if she couldn't return them. He was sure she did care, but that she might never be able to get to the point of saying so. All that was needed was for Cate to realize it herself and be willing to believe in them. The sensitivity that Liam showed as they began to explore their attraction was incredibly moving. The way it all worked out was emotional, and so very satisfying. The icing on the cake was in the epilogue, and I loved Cate's reaction.

The Vishenko story line that ran through this book and the previous ones was fantastic. From the moment the shots were fired in the courthouse to the end of the trial, I could not put the book down. Though Liam is DSS, the involvement of Nick D'Arcy and "the agency" had everything moving along as only he can arrange. The inclusion of segments from Vishenko's point of view gave an even better indication of just what Liam and the others were dealing with. There was a really interesting twist at the end that, had it been anyone else, would have had me worried. As it was, the final confrontation was intense, and I thought Cate was amazing with how she handled it. The wrap up was great, including the results of the trials.

I also loved the family dynamics of the Jones clan. The love and support they have for each other runs through all the books. The stories that Liam shared about life with his brothers, especially Alec were fun. It was interesting to see the bit of jealousy that Liam experienced over Cate's admiration of Alec. I loved the scene at the hospital with Liam's mom, her using his whole name, and Liam's reaction to it. As the only girl, Keira has a unique perspective on her brothers, and I loved the way she used it to help Cate. I'm really looking forward to the stories for Shane and Niall.

*copy received in exchange for an honest review.

Alec's Royal Assignment - Amelia Autin (HRS #1862 - Aug 2015)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 5)

Bodyguard to the queen of Zakhar, lieutenant Angelina Mateja is unwilling to risk her reputation or her job for US special agent Alec Jones--no matter how sexy and irresistible he is. Alec's been recruited by the king to root out a human trafficking ring--not get up close and personal with a stunning woman who practically radiates "touch me and die." But after sharing a mind-blowing kiss, Alec can't deny the fire simmering beneath Angel's cool exterior. As the danger--and their attraction--intensifies, Angel is forced to choose between the job of her dreams, and the man who is starting to occupy her heart...

Fantastic book with a seriously awesome heroine. Angelina is bodyguard to the queen, a position she has fought long and hard for. From the time she was a little girl she wanted more than just to be a wife and mother. She studied hard, earned a law degree, and when the new king opened the Zakharian Defense Forces to women she immediately joined. Though things have gotten better for women, Angelina still feels that Zakharian attitudes are still fifty years behind modern times. 

Alec, who was one of Princess Mara's bodyguards in MacKinnon's Royal Mission, ran into some trouble on his last assignment. Expecting a reprimand and a less than desirable posting, instead he is assigned to become the regional security officer at the embassy in Zakhar. It is believed that the princess asked her brother, the king, to intercede on his behalf. When he arrives in Zakhar, he discovers that, while that may be the public story, in truth he has been selected by the king himself for another reason. There is a human trafficking ring operating between Zakhar and the States, and someone at the embassy is suspected of being involved. Alec's task is to help shut it down.

Alec and Angelina meet the first day that he arrives in the country and sparks immediately fly between them. I loved their encounter the next morning, when they meet while running. They spend a little time as they run getting to know each other. When Alec asks her if she worries about running alone as she does, her reply is priceless and surprising. I liked the respect that began to build between them from that point. A moment later they are locked in a mind-blowing kiss that shakes them both up.

I loved Angelina. She was strong willed and determined woman who worked hard to get where she was. Honor and duty are everything to her and she tries hard to avoid anything that would cast doubt on her ability to d her job. There are multiple scenes that show what she is up against, such as feeling she has to wait until the male security team members have spoken before she does. It is also evident in the way she is treated after the incident at the cathedral. She doesn't like it, but accepts it as the way things are. She gets a boost in confidence (and I gained even more respect for King Andre) when the king himself praises her actions and commends her in front of her male counterparts. I also liked the way he privately praised her actions and gave her advice on dealing with the effects of those actions. His praise and Alec's confidence in her also gave her the courage to ask to help with an interrogation. It was incredibly satisfying to her (and to me as a reader) to see her succeed where all the men had failed. There was one brief scene with the heads of the king's security detail that was kind of unresolved, and I would love to be a fly on the wall when they get the news that happens at the end of the book.

Alec is also fantastic. I loved his immediate connection with Angelina and his acceptance of who she is. It was great to see his reactions to the things that she feared would upset him, such as her throwing him at the beginning, and then her offer to drive on the trip to the cathedral. While he has great respect for her abilities, he can also see her vulnerability. As much as he wants to flaunt their relationship, he understands her need to keep it private. I loved the sensitivity that came through when he saw how the events at the cathedral affected her. It was also great to see that same sensitivity cause him to stand up for her when she won't do it herself.

I loved seeing the relationship grow between them. Alec has finally found a woman that understands him and who he is. He begins to dream of a future with her and is happier than he's ever been. Angelina has also started to believe in the possibility of a future with Alec. But when his investigation ends, Alec suddenly realizes that there are some obstacles to those dreams. His personal code of honor and duty have him unable to give up what he does, but asking Angelina to give up everything she has worked for is something he won't do. But instead of talking to her about it, he makes the decision to end things. I ached for him and wanted to smack him at the same time, because he was so miserable and had brought it on himself. Angelina had to take a good look at her own issues and make some decisions about her own future. I loved seeing how she worked through them, and how it brought her to a greater understanding of the kind of man Alec is. The resolution of the problem and how it came about was terrific. Once again the king showed just how great a man he is.

The suspense of the story was great and kept the tension going throughout. There were two main threads - the human trafficking that Alec was dealing with and the attack at the cathedral that Angelina was involved in. The intensity of action at the cathedral had me holding my breath until it was resolved. The investigation of who was behind it (though the reader already knows) was complicated and I really enjoyed seeing Angelina's participation. The information she uncovered linked it to Alec's investigation, and that's when things got really interesting. Angelina had another link to his investigation, and I loved seeing them work together on that. It seemed that they were just one step ahead of the bad guys until they got to the end of the search. That conclusion was incredibly emotional and I'm really looking forward to the continuation of that storyline.






*copy received in exchanged for honest review.

King's Ransom - Amelia Autin (HRS #1854 - June 2015)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 4)

Reunion with the king turns forbidden…and dangerous

Internationally renowned actress Juliana Richardson should be concentrating on the role of a lifetime, not on the man who broke her heart years earlier. Yet King Andre Alexei IV is no longer a young prince-in-training -- he's an undeniably sexy monarch with seduction on his mind. Juliana's heart is at risk, but after a series of deadly coincidences, it becomes clear her life is on the line, too.

Andre vows to protect the stubborn star even as she pushes him away. But as the threat to Juliana's life grows more intense, Andre must choose between saving the vulnerable beauty or letting her go forever…

Very good book. This is the story of Andre, Mara's brother from McKinnon's Royal Mission, and Julianna, her best friend from when she was a teenager. Many years earlier, when Julianna was a teenager, her father had been ambassador to Zakhar. She and Mara were best friends and tended to trail after her older brother Andre, who treated them both kindly. Julianna developed a crush on Andre that later turned to love. Andre had felt the same way, but being older knew that he had to control himself until she was old enough to be sure. The night before she left for college, she went to him, but after she left she never heard from him again, except for one very insulting and heartbreaking note. Julianna went on to become a well known actress.

She is offered the chance to play Eleonora, queen to the first King Andre of Zakhar, and really wants to do it. Theirs is a love story for the ages. But when she finds out that it will be filmed on location, in the palace itself, she is very reluctant to go. She knows that there will be no way to avoid seeing Andre again, but she's determined that she won't let him get to her this time. 

Andre is now King of Zakhar. He has never forgotten Julianna and worked hard to get her back to Zakhar. He is still in love with her, even though she had refused all contact with him when she had left years earlier. He is determined to show her how much he loves her and convince her to stay. I loved his conviction that she was the only one for him and how it had influenced his life from the time he met her.

I loved Andre and Julianna. The sparks flew between them as soon as they met again. Julianna feels it immediately but refuses to let him know it. She is trying desperately to protect her heart from being broken again. Her battle is obvious, but she doesn't want to give in, worried that if she does he will simply walk away from her again. Andre is determined to win her heart. He knows that the flames of their passion are still there, and that he could use them to seduce her. But he wants her heart, and for her to come to him by her own desire. He does have some trouble sticking to his plan, and there are a few times that his emotions overcome his common sense. His bouts of jealousy are pretty revealing. Julianna tries to keep him at a distance, but the more often they encounter each other, the more she sees of the man she loved. These things are in direct opposition to the one who broke her heart so badly and she starts to wonder which is the real Andre. I loved the scenes with the landslide, which were both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It also finished breaking down the walls around Julianna's heart. The intensity of their feelings is never in doubt, the only question being how long it will take for them to overcome their pasts.

The suspense of the story is very good. It is revealed that there is someone who has it in for Andre and this person has no problem taking out Julianna also. Andre is accustomed to the danger he faces as king, but is determined to keep Julianna safe. The intensity of the danger increases as the culprit appears to become more desperate. Each bit of information uncovered had me trying to decide who it was. The twists and turns to get to the conclusion kept me wondering for quite awhile. The final confrontation was definitely intense as was the danger to both Andre and Julianna. There is a link back to a character from previous books and I am interested to see if that is pursued in later books.

I loved the background story of Andre's ancestors. Each part of their story that was revealed had a parallel in the modern characters' lives. The filming of the movie also gave Julianna more insight into what has made Andre the man he is today. 

*copy received in exchange for honest review.

McKinnon's Royal Mission - Amelia Autin (HRS #1846 - Apr 2015)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 2)

The secret princess's bodyguard...

As head of a visiting royal's protection detail, Trace McKinnon's focus should be strictly on the external threats against a woman's life. But what happens when he finds Dr. Mara Marianescu--a princess incognito as a college professor--much more intriguing?

And that's only the start of his troubles. When actual danger arrives for this beautiful royal, Trace isn't sure if it's because of a genuine threat from her country--or because of the darkness in his own past. Trace knows he should let Mara go--and does his best. But the cool, intelligent princess might just risk the one thing she has that is all her own--her heart...

Fantastic book. I loved the suspense and the romance, but it was the depth of emotion that put this one over the top for me. I first met Trace in Cody Walker's Woman, where he was Kiera's partner. His respect for her abilities, while still being protective made him pretty special. I loved his interactions with her, and was thrilled to find out he would have his own story.

Trace has been asked to head the security detail for Princess Mara's stay in the US, while she is teaching at a local college. He's been asked to use his knowledge of her language covertly, to make sure there is nothing untoward going on. There are also those who want him to use his good looks to get closer to the princess, but that he refuses to do. During his first encounter with her, he hears something that makes him think she is cold and that she thinks she is superior to others. It colors his treatment of her for some time, because he had experienced too much of that treatment himself. He was raised by his grandparents, who never let him forget that he was illegitimate, and that his mother had no idea who his father was. 

Though Mara misses her homeland and her brother, she is happy to be doing a job she loves. It gives her a sense of satisfaction that she rarely receives anywhere else. Mara spent her life feeling her father's hatred of her and enduring his constant belittling. Even after his death, his words haunt her, making her believe that no one will ever love her for who she is. Trace's treatment of her only reinforces how she feels. She doesn't know what she's done to make him feel that way, and it hurts her.

I loved seeing them together. There were some interesting clashes between them as Mara had to adjust to the restrictions placed on her and Trace had to balance her safety with allowing her some freedom. Their love was a slow growing one that had major obstacles to overcome. There was attraction between them from the start. Trace knew that, as her bodyguard, getting involved with Mara would be wrong on many levels. He fought hard to keep a distance between them, but it was a losing battle. As he got to know her, he learned more of the things that had shaped who she was and couldn't help but be affected by them. This was really apparent on their hike when he confronted the man with the camera. He begins to see a different Mara than the one he thought she was, and that Mara is one he likes a lot. 

Mara had started out by being intrigued by Trace, even as his attitude hurt her. Although she felt that he disliked her, she also knew instinctively that she could trust him. Mara had come to the US incognito, wanting a chance to feel like a normal woman and just try to fit in. She gets to know Trace better and her feelings for him begin to change. What she feels is something she's never felt before and she can't help but show the way she feels. After an afternoon when their attraction leads to more than either expected, Mara knows that she loves him and believes he loves her too.

Their relationship changes, and both of them find a new level of trust with each other. I loved seeing them open up with their fears and dreams and emotions. I loved seeing Mara become more confident in herself thanks to Trace's influence. She and Trace are both happy, though neither talks of the future, especially Trace. He can't forget who and what he is and the gulf he sees between them.

There is also trouble brewing. When Trace discovers he's being followed his first thoughts are of Mara's safety. It's unknown if the trouble is because of who Mara is, or if it is trouble from Trace's past. When he comes to suspect the trouble stems from him, he is determined to keep Mara safe, and believes that separating himself from her is the only way. An attempted kidnapping cements his resolve. He also knows that Mara will not accept his departure and can think of only one way to make it happen - he has to make her think he doesn't care.

What happens then was so very hard to read. I don't know how many tissues I went through as Trace says things that tear his heart out even as they break Mara's heart. He knew he was hurting her, but thought it was the only way. Seeing his misery and doubts afterward was so painful. It takes straight talk from Kiera to make him see what he has done and give him the push he needs to try to fix it. What follows had me go through more tissues as Trace breaks the chains that kept him from believing he could have it all. I loved the ending and seeing Trace and Mara both happier than they ever thought they could be.

There are a couple of very interesting twists that happen before Trace can get to Mara, one which was pretty amusing given what Trace does for a living, and the other which I did not see coming, but both were great. 

I can't wait to read Mara's brother's story, after the hints that were dropped in this one. I fully expect that it will be just as good. I also hope to see books for Alec and Liam, the other two bodyguards - who are also Kiera's brothers. I loved them in this book, with the way they also cared about Mara, and how they stood up to Trace because of it.

Advanced copy received in exchange for an honest review.