Stanalei Fletcher

In the fifth book in the Northstar Security series, Justine Shelby works for the civilian-run Northstar Security agency, and her latest assignment is to protect an elderly best-selling author from a few death threats. The author, Rosalie Kane, isn’t as helpless as Shelby originally thought, and what should’ve been an easy assignment takes a turn for the worse.
FBI Special Agent Nelson Kane never believed his eccentric aunt was in danger until a maid was found murdered in the aunt’s hotel room. He doesn’t trust Northstar agents after an incident in his past, and he buts heads with Shelby time and again. When they’re forced to go on the run to escape an unknown assailant, he soon realizes Shelby is just as determined to protect Rosalie as he is, and that Rosalie is determined to play matchmaker.
Shelby and Kane are interesting, likable characters. He’s guided by an infallible sense of right and wrong, she’s determined to survive no matter how dirty she has to play, but they’re both so stubborn and so much alike they can’t help but argue. Though romance bloomed slowly (this is a clean romance—no sex and very little kissing), there was a lot of sexual tension between them.
My favorite character is Rosalie. She’s feisty, fun, and holds the story together.
The mystery/suspense revolving around the attempts on Rosalie’s life kept the plot going and the pacing fast. Though I suspected who the bad guy was fairly early on, I didn’t see the twist at the end, so that was a good surprise.
The story is well written with a HFN ending, and I definitely enjoyed it.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Stanalei Fletcher, for sending me an ebook copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
… (mehr)

Received an ARC for my fair review for reading deals.This book was entertaining. We have Riley O’Neal’s he is a Northstar Security agent. He has to go undercover when a Senator’s wife is kidnapped and held for the ransom of a congressional vote. He has to pose as a married couple with a previous love interest who had deceived him before. Mary "Chip" as she is known, makes sure she is included in this assignment because it is a friend of hers, but receives the shock of her life, when her companion is none other that someone she had deceived, making things difficult, since they are both determined not to show they are still attracted to each other. She ends up also being captured and now Riley has two women to save… (mehr)

Book Review Blog: http://www.goodbookswithtea.blogspot.com
Beyond Duty is a standalone despite being the third book in the North Star Security series.
This book is heavy on the "Secret Agent" aspect. It's all about deceit, finding a kidnapper, and keeping things platonic between Chip and Riley.
Chip is a very strong female character. I'm always looking for a character like her in the books I read, so I was pleased to find she's a huge part of this story. The beauty of powerful women is often overlooked, so I feel a I must also give the author "props" for pulling that off.
Riley, likewise, is a strong male character. Both are agents assigned to portray a married couple in order to complete their mission.
Their mission being to find a kidnapping victim/Chip's personal friend.
As things get more and more intense, real feelings of romance between the pair start to surface.
Given the situation, I feel the author did a fantastic job of keeping the stressful situation light for the reader by adding tasteful lines of humor throughout the text.
Although humor is not a main category for this book, it is in there.
As a whole, this romance/suspense novel is pretty well done. I would have liked more romance, but what is not said is made up for by actions that clearly express Chip and Riley's romantic feelings without the need for sexual intimacy.
The writing style is engaging, making this a relatively fast read for fans of romantic suspense.
4.5 stars.
Book Review Blog: http://www.goodbookswithtea.blogspot.com… (mehr)