Veena’s review of Midnight Vengeance (The Midnight, Book 4) by Lisa Marie Rice
Romantic Suspense published by Carina Press 18 Aug 14

With this book I’ve discovered a whole new series from the author who had flown under my radar to date. The story is in the author’s usual style with a strong, silent alpha hero who’s trained to be a protector, and a woman who,  for all her fragile appearance, has her own brand of strength to complement his.

From their first meeting Lauren bowled Jacko over, to the amusement of all his teammates and their wives. He is, however, content to admire from afar, never believing that he is worthy of her regard in any way – until one evening Lauren unexpectedly invites him into her home and takes charge, since he just doesn’t get a hint. Once Lauren makes that first move, let me tell you, Jacko is no slouch and he definitely takes over.

It’s clear that Lauren is hiding something and when Jacko finds out that she’s on the run in fear of her life from some psychos who have killed two of her friends already, his protective instincts rise to the fore, and, with the other members of the security company he works for, pledges to protect Lauren and keep her safe from danger while his teammates look for a way to extricate her from her dilemma.

I’m pretty intrigued by Lauren’s foray into the dark net and the person who helps her develop new identities and the appropriate background to go with it. Ms. Rice doesn’t really give us an explanation how someone as sheltered as Lauren is able to survive and find all these resources that have kept her safe and hidden. I could be more critical, but it fits in so well with the story and flows especially well into the next book in the series that I just rolled with it myself.

Of course, the kicker in the story is that there is more than one psycho chasing Lauren, and when the team believes they’ve eliminated a threat, they’re going to be caught unaware by the one they didn’t see coming. Will they all survive for a happily ever after? I’m afraid you’ll have to read the book to get the answer to that question.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Morton “Jacko” Jackman isn’t afraid of anything. He’s a former Navy SEAL sniper, and he’s been in more firefights than most people have had hot meals. Lauren Dare scares the crap out of him.

Gorgeous, talented and refined, she’s the type of woman who could never be interested in a roughneck like him. So he’s loved her fiercely in secret, taken her art classes, and kept a watchful but comfortable distance. Until now.

Lauren had finally found a home in Portland, far from her real identity, far from the memories of her mother’s death, and outside the reaches of the drugged-out psycho who’s already tried to kill her twice. One tiny misstep—a single photograph—has shattered it all. She has no choice but to run again, but this time she’ll give herself a proper farewell: one night with Jacko.

Their highly charged emotional encounter changes everything. In Jacko’s arms there cannot be fear, there can only be pleasure. Anyone wishing her harm will have to pass through him, and Jacko is a hard man to kill.

No excerpt available.

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