A hero who doubts his ability to be heroic, and a heroine from one of the underworld’s murkiest families discover they would sacrifice anything for each other.
Air Force Captain Chuck Tanaka barely survived horrific torture after being captured during a secret mission. His body has mostly healed, but his confidence in himself hasn’t. He believes his instincts and nerves are shot, so he tells himself he’s satisfied spending the rest of his career riding a desk and testing the technology that will keep other missions from going FUBAR.
But his commanding officer has other plans, and he convinces Chuck that he’s the only man who can pull this one off. He needs Chuck to go undercover on a cruise ship owned by mobster. They have credible reports that the ship is being used as a cover for a terrorist cell, so Chuck poses as blackjack dealer named Charles Tomas.
The operation seems fine until the mobster’s daughter, Jolynn Taylor, joins the ship. Suddenly Chuck finds himself intensely attracted to the woman whose father he’s working to bring down, the woman who may have the information he needs to complete the most important investigation of his life.
Protector is the second Catherine Mann novel I’ve read, and I’m totally infatuated with her gutsy heroines and high-octane heroes. Especially her heroes (good grief, check out that cover! :)). She writes characters who manage to be strong and vulnerable at the same time, always a combustible combination when they’re forced into life-threatening situations together.
I loved, for example, this exchange in a safe house after Jolynn discovers the cute blackjack dealer Charles Tomas is actually a lethal military man who may have been flirting with her to get information about her father.
Suggesting the shower, he’d imagined her returning enveloped in a voluminous terry cloth robe, her allure masked by yards of thick cotton to her ankles. Instead, the hem of her silky robe stopped midthigh, leaving a long expanse of leg bare. Her hair hung in a wet spiraling mass just past her shoulders. Water dulled the vibrant red to a deep crimson.
Jolynn, decked out in all her bold colors, clunky jewelry, and alluring body, was temptation enough. Jolynn, with her face scrubbed free and her toes curled against the hardwood floor, made the other vision pale to insignificance.
“Do you need me to brush your hair?” What the fuck? He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “Your side must make it tough to reach.”
“I’d rather wake up with a tangled rat’s nest. Thank you all the same, Tomas-Tanaka.”
The chemistry between Jolynn and Chuck sizzles, and I had a tough time putting Protector down.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Heat: Hot
Have you read any of Catherine Mann’s novels? What did you think?
(Comment by March 13th to be entered in my $25 gift certificate giveaway.)
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Actually I have read all of Catherine Mann’s books except three. I loved her Wingman Warrior series she wrote for Silhouette and even this series. If you have read the books in this series, we meet Chuck earlier, witness him being injured and his struggle to recover, so I am psyched that we get a story for him.
You have to give her Wingman Warrior series a try, I am sure you will love them.
I have read & enjoyed several of Mann’s older series romances but her stand alone novels have been very hit or miss with me. But she is a good enough writer that I always try, try again!
I love Catherine Mann . My fav series from her is the wingman worriors and then I also loved cover me and can’t wait to read the rest of that series. She has such a great style of writing. Definitely one of my automatic buy writers!!!! :):)
Hi! I’ve read all of Catherine Mann’s books and they all sizzle with hot strong men and women who can hold their own but enjoy being rescued and loved. I can’t wait to read this book! I know I won’t be disappointed…another book that I won’t beable to put down! Good review!
I love Cathy’s book and have laughed/cried and all emotions in between with them. Her heroines are no wimps and her heroes sigh worthy.
She is one of my few auto buy on either paper or ebook. 🙂
I have only read a couple of Catherine Mann’s books. I enjoyed them very much and have added the others to my TBR list.
I’m so happy Chuck finally gets his own book. I was afraid the publisher wasn’t going to continue with the Dark Ops series. These books are definitely my favorite.
I’ve read several of Catherine’s books – all of this series so far – and CANNOT wait for Protector to come out!!!
I have not read Catherine’s books before but will check them out.
LOVE Cathy Mann! Have read all her books and will enjoy rereading later! You need to go read all herr books. You won’t be decided!
Love her different series. I really like that Catherine Mann’s books reflects real world diversity among her characters.
i haven’t read catherina mann books,,coz my country not published..poor for you..
thanks
iam so sorry iam wrong word…i mean poor for me..not for you ^^
I have not read her book before, but must check them out.
it’s a new discovery for me but i’m really interested. i hope i will be able to discover her books soon
thansk you a lot
I’ve only read Cover Me and Love it. Looking forward to reading Protector.
I’ve only read Cover Me by her and thought it was okay, but wasn’t really impressed. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.