Obsessive. Toxic. Ice Princess. Witch. Jewell King ignored the epithets slung at her behind her back. Hell, after six, or was it seven, personal security officers asked to be reassigned rather than continue to guard her 24/7, maybe she deserved the names. She didn’t care. Good riddance. Well…the last one had kinda weaseled his way into her daily routine with his compulsive cleaning and … insistence on health foods. When he left, she noticed and was…hurt. But that didn’t matter. She had no time for emotions. Handling the information and data systems for Guardian required 28 hour days and triple her current staff. On her shoulders rested the weight of defending Guardian against a brilliant hacker determined to take down all billionaire David Xavier had built and destroy her family in the process. He’d tried before. She had frustrated his first attempt by the slimmest of margins. This time he’d made it personal and he just might succeed.
Zane Reynolds waded through several weeks’ worth of empty energy drink cans, cast off candy wrappers and stale pizza boxes, and viewed Jewell’s office with a resigned sense of deja vu. He was back—against his will and despite his best efforts to stay as far away from Jewell as he could get. The fact she hated him would make Jewell a difficult assignment. He should walk away like all the others, except he couldn’t. He’d seen through the woman’s veneer and had witnessed the true kindness of the person hiding under the beautiful, yet caustic façade. This time, Zane had non-negotiable conditions before he’d agree to return as Jewell King’s personal security, and he told the CEO of Guardian as much. This time, he was doing things his way.
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I can so easily lose myself in a Kris Michaels book because of her terrific characters, enthralling storylines and attention to details. Emotions are deep, action can be evenly paced or heart stopping fast and she cranks up the sizzle in the steamy love scenes. Jewell King is the center of all Guardian operations, a certified hacking genius, quintessential nerd and a woman who has never known love. Zane Reynolds is a man with a past and the man who loves Jewell no matter how hard she pushes him away. A cat and mouse game with the computer programmer behind the Bratava operations puts Jewell at risk once again. It’s all hands on deck to ensure she’s safe and the bad guy is caught with Zane leading the charge.
Jewell and Zane were so flippin perfect together. I continue to enjoy each story more than the last in this series.
Zane was a hottie and that man was super protective of Jewell. He realized after spending so many months as her personal security officer, that the front she put on for everyone else was not really who she was. He saw behind the mask, and knew her bark was a lot worse than her bite. Jewell may not like him, but he would make certain she was safe, even if from herself.
Jewell was hurt when Zane was reassigned and left without saying goodbye. But she admitted to herself that the way she treated him was probably part of that reason. When Zane was assigned to her again, Jewell realized how important he was, and wasted no time letting Zane know. She was scared and she knew that Zane was the only person who she wanted protecting her.
I loved that these two wasted no time being honest with each other. Neither one of them played games, and they both laid everything on the table. It was the first serious relationship for each of them, yet they settled in and just fit perfectly. Most all of the characters from the previous books make appearances, some appear throughout the story, especially since Jewell was in a danger. I’ve always liked these kinds of series where each book builds on the previous so you know who everyone is and feel a connection to all of them.
Loved it. These girls are every bit as complicated and strong like their brothers.
They are commited to truth and justice
I love it that Kris Michaels hasn’t forgotten that these alpha bada$$ brothers have sisters…and sister Jewell is just that, a real jewel! Without the cyber brains behind Guardian, these guys would be lost.
Jewell is quirky and a little insecure, but she is tough when she needs to be and it was so much fun watching her find her voice with her brothers and Zane. Zane Reynolds, big and scary in his own way, but I loved this guy’s no nonsense approach to just about everything, including Jewell…ah, the opposites do attract. Zane finally realizing that he can have a life he never thought would be possible takes the leap of faith and confesses his feelings for Jewell and Jewell, confesses that she’s never been in love and she’s not sure what she feels for this guy who was forced upon her at first by her meddling, neanderthal brothers. It was great watching this relationship unfold and grow and I’m so glad that Kris Michaels didn’t feel the need to rush it.
There’s action, there’s suspense and there are some unbelievably laugh out loud funny interactions courtesy of these man children…gah! And let’s not forget step-dad, Frank. Good thing most of them have strong women now! LOL
Zane and Jewell get their HFN, I don’t think their story is completely finished, but the author has left us with a big black cloud looming. Someone they love is in danger and you can count on the Kings’ to kick it into high gear to save them! Looking forward to the next installment!
I finally got some time off to sit and read, I was starting to think I would be the last to read it. Great book, well written and original. The whole series is complex and different but still flow together. Thank you for being the great author you are Kris and keep the books coming!!