Revenge is a risky business… but nothing is more dangerous than love.No one would suspect the hell Matthew Ballard has lived through, least of all the green-eyed Marine sent to protect him. Matt is playing a long con against a dangerous foe. He can’t afford the distraction of a bodyguard with his own pile of issues… no matter how desperately he secretly craves the feel of his rough hands.When … rough hands.
When J.D. Reese lost the Marine Corps, he lost the only home he ever knew. Discharged and adrift, he can’t afford to refuse a job protecting the spoiled heir of an embattled energy corporation. His young charge is cunning, arrogant, and infuriating… and Reese wants him more than his next breath.
Can two hard-as-nails men surrender to each other when the fight is all they’ve ever known?
This novel is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. It contains an HEA and no cliffhangers.
Book 1 – Risk Assessment
Book 2 – Murder Aforethought
Book 3 – Other than Honorable
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The masks we wear
Matt has such a prickly exterior and holds himself apart. He’s scared of letting people know the real him. Wounded with a take no BS attitude, Reese doesn’t let Matt get away with hiding anything and he sees a lot. I hate what they’ve both had to live through and how they avoid their emotions. Their pain hurts my heart but I really dislike Matt’s father. He is a horrible person.
“You’re a bomb waiting to go off….and I’ve been caught in too many blasts already.”
I love how Matt and Reese snipe at and tease each other. They are so entertaining. Plus, there is so much sexual tension between these two. “Let go…I’ve got you.” Whew, that office scene was intense. These two spark when they’re together. It’s like a wild fire with the heat they generate. But my favorite part of the book was seeing them make each other laugh. I think that’s when I fell in love with them.
Full of suspense, sarcasm and lovable characters, you’ll fall for the men of the CLC. They’re a wonderful family with such strong bonds. I am beyond happy we got to revisit with everyone and learn more about others. I am anxiously awaiting the next book; looking at you, Travis and Miguel. Another fantastic addition to the already amazing series.
In the third book we get to meet and follow the journey of two men from different backgrounds who were searching for something their entire lives and nearly missed, but Fate intervened. Told from dual POVs it’s suspenseful, fast paced, angsty and has a touch of hurt/comfort. I like the camaraderie between the men of Cabrini Law Firm and how they rally when their friends need their help.
Matt and Reese are very complicated men. Leaving foster care behind, Reese had his chosen family, the Marines, be his entire world, but a tragedy had left him with nothing but guilt and grief. My heart hurt for him. He took the burdens that were not his to carry. I am just glad he had friend or two to lean on before he met Matt. Matt’s life should have been happy and carefree. Born into the world of wealth and privilege, he needed for nothing except for his father’s affection, which in the end turned his adolescent years into nightmare. Hell bent on revenge he nearly misses what’s right in front of him – a way to let go of the past that hurts too much and does not allow to feel joy.
I liked that both Reese and Matt were strong capable men, able to hold their own but also support each other. There was a fair amount of animosity between them, but it’s hard to hide one’s own nature when one is observed closely. Both Matt and Reese see beneath the surface and give what each other needs.
There was a bit of suspense and a couple of twists that turned the story in the direction I liked. I wish there was a better resolution for what happened. I was left with a feeling that the story needed a bit more explanation as to the why of certain characters but otherwise I enjoyed the pace, the feelings and all the men of Cabrini Law Firm that made reappearance. Good story. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
I first met Reese in book 2, Murder Aforethought, and I couldn’t wait to get more of his story. With that being said, I’m going to add right now that you definitely need to read these books in order as this is an ongoing story and the characters do cross over. The intensity between Reese and Matt is off the charts and fantastic. The shower scene is a particular favorite of mine. Nope, sorry, you’ll have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about. There is also a bit of an age gap between Reese and Matt which happens to be one of my favorite tropes. Parker St. John does a fantastic job with the “who done it.” I can usually figure things out ahead of time, and this time I did not. I missed it by a mile. A huge plus in my book. I’m fast becoming a huge fan of Parker St. John and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, or anything else that he writes for that matter. If you love a good ex-military/bodyguard with age gap and hot steamy encounters, then I highly suggest you give this one a try.
I was so excited about this book, because in the previous one in the series, Murder Aforethought, Reese gave the impression of an emotional ticking bomb, with a hard edge to him, hidden behind smiles that rarely reached his eyes. He seemed to only go through the motions, and of course I was curious to see whether or not meeting Matt would change that, if he would bring real light into Reese’s eyes and life.
The amazing thing is that what you see is never what you get with Parker St. John’s characters. The first pages would show Reese as listless and detached, while Matt presented himself to the world as a cold hearted, devious corporate a**hole. Both the farthest from perfect or trying to hide it, but they’re so breathtakingly complex and layered, slowly revealing emotional storms brewing under controlled, unperturbed masks. I loved them together, watching their facades crack the more time they spent with each other, steadily taking down their defences until they melt and fuse into one another’s bodies and souls.
After reading I’m even more convinced that Parker St. John isn’t capable of writing a book that wouldn’t keep the readers on pins and needles from beginning to the end. The plot is full of suspense and dangers, and I’ve held my breath, waiting for the results of Matt’s scheming and search for justice. I was also thrilled that, every step of the way, the characters from the other books of the series were involved, ready to help and show support. Because they’re family, taking care of their own. A family that has welcomed Reese and Matt amidst their mismatched, crazy funny and close knit group.
I loved it.
I really have enjoyed this Cabrini Law series so I was excited to read this next installment. The MCs in this book are JD Reese, a military friend of Val’s who we met in the last book, and Matt, a corporate executive friend of Miguel’s who needs a bodyguard. Both men are carrying loads of baggage ad it makes for an interesting and emotionally wrenching storyline with a revenge centered theme.
I really enjoyed the way the author foreshadowed events to come and ratcheted up the tension of Matt’s activities and motivations. Likewise, the initial references to Reese’s military experience implied a much deeper story and it was parceled out in pieces keeping the reader tense with expectation.
There were some very intriguing revelations about Matt’s activities that I would have loved to have heard in more detail. Reese’s military experience seems horrendously unfair and I was so angry for him. I was seriously invested in both these characters and really wanted to right the wrongs that had been done to them. That’s certainly a sign of good writing!
Strongly recommend this book, and the whole series, which you should read in order to fully appreciate it, especially book two. They mysterious Cabrini of the series title again make a singular cameo appearance him and the anticipation of his story is really building!
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review *
I initially picked up this series on a whim and am increasingly happy I found this new author and series. The third book in the Cabrini Law series, Other than Honorable features overlapping characters but can standalone without an issue. This book features an ex-Marine who is trying to find a new normal after leaving the military and a wealthy businessman desperate to separate himself from his crooked father. Not only is the writing in Other than Honorable polished with a good rhythm and flow, but the characters had a good depth with interesting backstories that hooked me right away. The suspense in this one was a bit different with a slower build, but I really enjoyed the story as a whole as well as the couple.
After meeting Reese in the previous book, I was excited to get his full story. As good as that was, I found Matt, the closeted multi-millionaire Reese is charged with protecting, even more intriguing. The romance between these two grew steadily, and I liked that it never felt like insta-lust or love, but a natural progression as the men got to know one another. The action scenes and suspense didn’t seem as dominating in Other than Honorable than in the previous book, but the conflicts were well hashed out and interesting with an exciting and satisfying resolution. This is definitely a series I’d recommend to romantic suspense/action fans because it repeatedly delivers strong characters and storylines. I especially love that the stories, characters, and romances are so different in each novel within the series, meaning I stay invested in the individual books and couples as well as the group of characters as a whole.
I really liked Other Than Honorable. I love reading about military men and this was no exception. There’s something about a bit of mystery, a bit of action, fighting, guns and hot sex. I totally enjoyed it. It was a fast-paced easy to read book. I really like the Cabrini Law series and look forward to reading more. I definitely recommend this story.
This series just keeps getting better. I suppose you could read this as a standalone, but don’t do that to yourself. Seriously, if the blurb makes you pick this book up, do yourself a favor and start with the first book and read them in order. They’re worth it. In Other Than Honorable, Parker St. John shares the story of another two vivid, broken yet beautiful men who are perfect for each other. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s a bit of a slow burn but don’t mistake slow for cool – this explosive relationship just has a long fuse before it gets to the payoff. Plenty of action and adventure, and two alpha males going at it toe-to-toe. St. John has quickly made it to the top of my must-read list.
WOW! Suspense, intrigue, passion, danger and action create an amazing story. My attention was captured from the first chapter and i could not put this book down. The characters are compelling and well defined. The story-line was creative and interesting and had enough twists and turns that it kept me wondering. The interactions of the previous books characters was wonderful and fulfilling, i loved the connections to their found family. These men are intense and yet vulnerable with their passion and history. These are truly characters that the past has impacted, but they have crafted a future of their own making.
Reese and Matt are combustible and really bring the flaws and strengths of their characters into focus. They each are strong, yet broken men because of events of their past. I really liked how they challenged each other on their own perceptions and their own self-destructive behaviors. I loved their shared time and their time at the gym was really awesome. It was an emotional read and i found myself laughing and sometimes teary at moments as the story unfolded.
This is book three of the Cabrini Law Novel series and can be read as a stand-alone. i do however, recommend that you read the previous novels because they give context and character development that will make this book richer and more complete. The first books are so good and you will enjoy them! This is a wonderful series and i cannot wait to read the next book!
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
I loved Matt and Reese and their storyline. Both men had to work through similar issues from what happened in their past in order to move on with each other. There was suspense and love and friendship in the pages of this book. I loved these characters so much that I’m going to go back to the beginning to read about everyone else in this world!
Parker St. John does it again, with the third novel in “A Cabrini Law Novel” series. The plot is intriguing and has its twist with danger, action, suspense and heated emotions.
He’s brought back J.D. Reese, the guilt ridden, troubled and lonely Marine, who was introduced in the second installment “Murder A Forethought”. Living in a run down motel, his friends Val and Miguel call on him to take on a bodyguard client.
The job pairs him up with Matthew Ballard, the young, spoiled, stubborn and snotty, rich boy. As they spend more time together both will learn the harshness, struggles and secrets that they both hide. Needless, to say friction flies, tension and angst just jumps off the pages with these two.
Parker brings back some of the Cabrini lawyers from debut book “Risk Assessment” and the second installment “Murder A Forethought”. Elliott, Miguel, Maksim and Val add to the camaraderie and humor of the story. With the appearance of Ray Travis a new story comes into the mix for Miguel Acosta, “Reckless Conduct”.
Each time Parker introduces a new character into the mix of “A Cabrini Law Novel” the novels and plots get better and better each time. Parker had me hooked from the very first novel and I’m ready for the next page turner!