When she's bound, gagged and kidnapped, Alana Richardson
is terrified…until a masked avenging angel saves her. There's something
unforgettable about the mysterious man. But when she uncovers her hero's
identity -- drop-dead-gorgeous alpha male Jason Moore -- Alana is irresistibly
drawn into his dangerous world…
A CEO by day and a vigilante by night, Jason lives and
breathes danger. Yet, for the first time, he may have found a woman who
understands his commitment to justice at all costs. His hunger for right to
prevail could put Alana in harm's way -- but one night and one secret will
change everything.
Fantastic book. I don't know how the author does it, but every
book surpasses the one before it. I read it in one sitting, staying up well past my bedtime because I couldn't stand to put it down. This one starts with a bang, as Alana has been
kidnapped off the streets of Hong Kong by human traffickers. She is bound,
gagged and blindfolded, waiting to find out what is going to happen to her,
when a masked stranger appears and rescues her. Something in his voice and in
his touch tells her she can trust him.
I loved both Alana and Jason. Alana is the daughter of a
wealthy man, but is desperate to get away from her parents. She can't stand their
blatant prejudices and with the help of her cousin Juliana she gets a job
working for Dirk DeWinter. She is smart, kind-hearted, loyal to those she cares
for, and determined and stubborn when she needs to be.
Jason is gorgeous, rich and honorable. He's also a bit
jaded when it comes to women, as he never knows whether they want him for
himself or his money. He has some bone deep insecurities stemming from
experiences he had as a child and teen, ones that have him aching to be loved
for himself. He also has a secret life as the leader of a covert organization
that brings justice to those who believe they are outside the law. He played a
big part in the rescue of Dirk's daughters in A Father's Desperate Rescue.
The connection between Alana and Jason is immediate and
deep. After the rescue they couldn't stop thinking of each other. Alana didn't
know who he was, and I loved the scene where she was trying to pump Mei-Li for
information. That connection was evident when they met again and Alana recognized
him for who he was. I loved that meeting and how Alana showed Jason the depth
of her belief in him and what he does.
I loved the development of their relationship. Over the
next couple weeks they spend as much time together as they can. I enjoyed their
encounters and loved seeing them slowly get to know each other. There are some
really emotional scenes where they share bits and pieces of their pasts, things
that have made them the people they are. But Jason's insecurities have led him
to keep the full truth of who he is from Alana, which occasionally makes things
a little awkward for him. It was fun to see her worry about him spending money
on her and him squirming because she doesn't need to. The intensity of their
feelings for each other continues to grow, but just when it looks like their
happiness will be complete, a major obstacle rears its head. This is something
that Jason feels very strongly about, driven by his own experiences. Alana is
on the other side of the issue, feeling just as strongly, and for a very good
reason. I cried for them both as it drove a wedge between them. Some time apart
reminds them of the depth of their feelings, but the way forward is still in
doubt. It is here that Alana's stubborn determination really comes in handy as
she refuses to accept Jason's reasoning. The ending is awesome, with Alana standing
up to her father, and Jason finally seeing the truth behind his fears. Their big
moment at the end was sweet, romantic and so deeply emotional I cried again.
Throughout the book is the ongoing battle with the Eight
Tigers, the group behind the kidnappings and other crimes. Jason's group, RMM,
has been working to shut them down. There are occasional glimpses into their
actions from the criminals' point of view, and an increasing intensity as the
action heats up. Alana is put in danger again when the Tigers go after a way to
hurt Jason. The intensity of this confrontation was incredible, from the
capture to the pursuit to the rescue itself. I especially loved seeing Alana's
active participation. There's an unexpected twist at the end leading to a
painful confrontation for Jason, but an overall satisfactory conclusion for
RMM.
There are appearances of characters from previous books.
Alana's cousin Juliana (King's Ransom) is a big part of Alana's life. It is
through her that Alana gets her job as Dirk's assistant. The cousins' close
relationship is shown in many ways. We also see a bit of Angelina Mateja-Jones
(Alec's Royal Assignment) when Alana spends time in Zakar. Most present in the
book are Dirk and Mei-Li DeWinter from A Father's Desperate Rescue. Alana works
for Dirk and Mei-Li is Jason's sister. Both of them provide some important
insight into Jason, as well as a kick in the pants when he needs it.
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