Life in the Big Easy is anything but Hotel heiress Ela LeBlanc is ready to take control of her life. Waking up handcuffed to a former Marine and then hearing the news of her step-dad’s plans to sell her Mom’s hotel is just the wake-up call she needs.
With only thirty days to prove he has no claim on the property, Ela has to enlist the help of her sexy as sin bodyguard. When things take a … bodyguard. When things take a dangerous turn, and Matt becomes the only person she can trust, she can’t help but wonder… can she trust him with her heart?
Former Marine Matt Cole came to New Orleans for a fresh start, a chance to make amends. After accepting a job as the chief of security for a wealthy hotelier, he quickly realizes that life in the Big Easy is anything but.
Matt’s greatest challenge is keeping his distance from the tempting Ela, his boss’s gorgeous and very off limits step-daughter. Surviving Ela is just the beginning. As events unfold, it becomes clear that it’s not just his heart on the line, but their lives.
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Wow, I loved Valentina and Derek so much but I’m tempted to say that I adored Matt and Ela just as much if not more! This was an incredibly interesting, edge of your seat, steamy, sexy read! I loved the mystery and intrigue and the descriptive settings — amazing depictions and well-developed characters sets this author apart from the norm. And then there’s Ela’s stepdad….heartbreaking story at times but I loved Ela’s bravery, strength and courage throughout her journey in this book. Another winner and I can’t wait for the next Cole Brother! 5+ stars!
Provoke You is the second book in the Cole Brothers series by Diana A. Hicks. I was in awe over how the author described Ela LeBlanc’s character as a fun-loving but drunk hotel heiress turned clean and (almost) sober while adding a horrible psychological twist. She meets Marine Matt Cole after a slip off of the wagon and discovers he is interviewing with her dad. His mission upon meeting Ela’s dad is to get Ela out of the country and to Paris where her mother is at. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and Matt finds himself involved more heavily than planned, Ela becomes a target in someone’s dark and deadly games, and in order to try and salvage her life, Ela must lean on one person she hasn’t seen in ages.
Matt, on the other hand, did not sign up for Ela LeBlanc 101 yet here he is. His only intention was to ace the chief of security position but winds up a bodyguard/babysitter for his new boss. As the target on Ela continues to grow, Matt must stay close to her but far enough away he doesn’t act on the feelings coursing through him. When their feelings for each other finally collide, Matt knows he’ll do anything to protect her….Until she relapses and he realizes that the similarities to his past are too much for him to handle.
I want to gush about this story so much but my gushing and elaborate discussion will ruin it for everyone who hasn’t read the book. So, we will have to settle for me stating that this book is a romantic suspense but there is psychological suspense, as well. Ela is a wonderful character who made mistakes but is trying to clean up her act. Her dad does not give the benefit of any doubt and deliberately condescending and purposely does things to Ela that he knows hurt her. Matt is a former military man who take some time to show us who he is and what he’s made of but when he gets there…Wow! His character is wonderful, too. Neither character are perfect but they are pretty perfect for each other. I love their chemistry and spark.
Both characters are strong and written with realism. I was engaged in the story long before I began reading chapter one, since the synopsis in the book intrigued me. The book flows along perfectly paced, had a wonderful plot, side stories, and secondary characters (Kitt and Casey are fantastic sidekicks to Matt). I could not put Provoke You down. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I was provided a copy of this book to read
I am always on the hunt for a new author that writes a good romantic suspense and Provoke You fit the bill. I have to say, my first book from Diana A. Hicks and for me it was a bit of a mixed bag.
I liked Ela. She was kind and strong willed. A fighter but vulnerable. Willing to put herself and her heart out there. I didn’t like the situation she found herself in with with her dad but I was glad she had Matt. To say their first meeting was a disaster is putting it mildly. I enjoyed how Ela pushed Matt’s buttons and how he tried so dang hard to resist her. But when the danger she was in kept escalating, he finally let his softer side, the one that couldn’t stop thinking about her, show.
Provoke You was a whirlwind of danger and scheming, steam and resolve. I didn’t see that final twist of who was behind everything coming. With all the build up, and mayhem, I was wanting a little bit more of a showdown. But the ending redeemed it. I liked how Matt and Ela, people from two very different worlds found their common ground.
Rosela LeBlanc owns a restaurant and hotel that means the world to her as it has been passed to her from her grandma. Unfortunately for Ela she is also a recovering alcoholic and her step-father, Andre Benoit currently has control of the properities in LB industries as she has never wanted to run the company.
Matt Cole is applying for a job as the Head of Security at LB Industries and is hired by Jennifer to keep an eye in Ela. Jennifer wants Matt to relocate Ela for the next 30 days when she discovers that her dad is planning on selling the hotel, The Baroness.
When Ela wants to claim the hotel for herself, Matt needs to do whatever it takes to keep Ela safe and to try and keep it professional when he begins developing feelings for her.
Can Matt keep Ela safe when things start happening and when things get tough will he stay with her it through it all or will ghosts from his own past make him leave?
This was such a great follow-up to Unravel You and we got glimpses of what was going on in the first book but this made everything super clear and had me hooked!
I thought Ela was such a great character as it was clear that she had made a lot of mistakes in the past but once she knew what she needed to do she worked hard at figuring out what was going on. She found the strength she needed to get through everything but also knew she couldn’t go about it alone.
I really liked Matt up until a certain moment that he screwed up big time but other than that one teeny (not so teeny) mistake I really did like him. He was humorous and realized that someone really seemed to be after Ela and he needed to know why.
I kind of thought I might know who was behind it all and why right from the beginning but there were definitely aspects that I didn’t guess. I wasn’t surprised at all with how far Andre was willing to go and I am glad that Matt took the threat seriously.
There was a certain huge moment in the book and I was freaking out for the safety of Ela. I was so mad at Matt at this point especially when he knew everything that was going on with Andre and why he never believed Ela. I was so mad and worried!! I was so proud of Ela for doing what she needed to!
I loved Old Ben and everything that he did for Ela and how he really came through for Ela when he was able to!!
The end was so good and I was so happy for how everything went and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
By Rebecca
I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t blown away because I felt like this story had still room to grow and I wanted “more” to happen when the bad guy(s) was discovered. But despite that it was an enjoyable read.
I liked the banter between Matt and Ela who was a firecracker. I loved the way he was fighting his feeling but at the end just couldn’t resist her.
Now comes the dreaded wait to see how the next Cole brother loses his heart over a feisty woman.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Another great book from Diana. I absolutely love her writing. This one is about Ela and Matt. Ela is what some would call a spoiled brat. She is the heir to a large fortune. But her true love is the one thing that she wants the hotel that her grandmother left her the Baroness. But her father has other plans for her. One night she decides to go out and have some fun. She ends up hand cuffed to Matt who is in town to get a job as head of security having an interview with her father.
Things change when Ela needs to leave town. Matt is guaranteed the job if he takes her to Paris and protects her a little while. But things don’t work out that way. Because they soon learn that her life is in danger. Matt and Ela end up going to a safe house where feelings get out of control between them. Will they figure out what is going on ? Will Matt be able to keep her safe? Will these two have a happy ever after? I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two. You can easily see that there is something between them. A great storyline and great characters. I enjoyed this one and want more from the Cole brothers.
Such a fun read! It has a unique storyline, great characters, good backstory, and I found myself smiling and laughing out loud while trying to piece together the mystery. Fantastic read!
I really enjoyed this book and I thought it was a welcome addition to this series. This book easily captured and held my attention with a well crafted story line that was filled with drama, suspense, excitement, passion, danger, romance and plenty of emotion. Matt and Ela were very likable and they shared amazing chemistry. I’m looking forward to book three.
Wow! I just love the Cole Brothers series! Provoke You is a great second book in the series! Matt and Ela’s story was fantastic! Their attraction was instant and their chemistry was amazing! You get drawn into the story with all the suspense, danger, intrigue, and twists you won’t see coming! I couldn’t stop reading!
I loved this story and I’m sure you will too!
I really enjoyed Provoke You: A bodyguard Romance (Cole Brothers Series Book 2)! It is the second book in a series but can be read as a stand alone. I thought Matt & Ela were both really interesting characters & watching them coe together was awesome.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
4.5 Stars
With the second book of the series the momentum doesn’t diminish. Matt a former Marine turn the bodyguard is all deliciousness and he is tasked to guard a hotel heiress. Ela doesn’t want a bodyguard and they get along like oil and water. When Ela is it in real danger Matt goes to great lengths to protect her. from a love-hate relationship blossoms true love in the midst of a dangerous situation. I can’t wait to see the next Cole brother fall!
This author is new for me so Provoke You was a first and I’m so pleased I decided to take the plunge. This novel was terrific. I was immediately drawn into the story’s mind blowing intrigue and the suspense and twists that follow are intense.
Ella and Matt encounter unknown dangers while discovering they have a chemistry that can’t be denied.
Wonderful writing and terrific dialogue, and the characters Ella and Matt were great. I can’t wait for more Cole Brothers stories.
I highly this recommend this excellent book!
Oh Matt! You know you have a hot one when there is a former marine working as a bodyguard. The sparks fly with Matt and Ela but there is so much more to the story. The action and drama and mystery had me on the edge and needing to get to the end to know how it all turned out. It was just so good!
This is the 2nd book in this awesome series and is Matt and Ela’s story. Ela is a hotel heiress and former marine Matt finds himself as her bodyguard. These two are like petrol and a match, but when Ela is in danger Matt will go to any lengths in order to protect her. This is a wonderful story which is filled with danger, suspense, fun, and love. I was totally hooked throughout this addictive page turner, and highly recommend for all.
Provoke me is a fabulous suspense filled read that will pull you in from the very start. I couldn’t put this one down. I love Matt. He just has this way about him that you will love so much. Then there is Ela, she is far too trusting yet strong at the same time. After everything that Ela goes through she is one tough cookie. Matt and Ela just have this chemistry that you can feel from the very start. I love how much Matt tries to protect Ela and teaches her to fight back. All I have to say is hang on and enjoy the ride where Ela and Matt are concerned.
Courage takes center stage as two strangers risk more than just their hearts to get to a happy ending. Provoke You pulls readers head first into heartstopping suspense. Hicks is a beast when it comes to crafting a puzzle that grabs attention while pulling at emotions. Ela and Matt battle life, love and the unknown with a chemistry that is all consuming and willpower that will make the heart stand up and cheer. Smart and sexy are a good look for what is shaping up to be a sizzling series.