Good book that started with a bang and kept me hooked all the way through. Stacy had been forced into marriage with a mobster by her father. With no way out, her son Carlo is all that keeps her going. When her husband and father-in-law are killed in a raid by federal agents, Stacy has high hopes that she will now be free to live the life she wants - until federal agents want to put her into protective custody.

I loved Stacy's independence. She refuses to put herself under the control of any man ever again. Even though she had been treated like arm candy by her husband, Stacy was very intelligent. I loved watching her mind work as she observed the people around her. She is also very protective of her son and will do anything to keep him safe.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship, fast though it was. When they first met, there was a great deal of mistrust between them. Because of who she was, she had been taught that law enforcement were the bad guys. Patrick isn't sure just how involved Stacy was in her husband's dealings, and was determined to keep an eye on her. I loved his reaction when he discovered that she had simply walked out of the police station and disappeared. No matter what, he was going to keep her safe, so he was nearby when little Carlo was kidnapped. I loved Stacy's fierceness when Patrick tried to get her to stay behind while he looked for Carlo, and Patrick's quick realization that it would be better to keep her with him. I liked seeing them work together to figure out who had taken Carlo. It didn't take long for the mistrust to turn to respect. I liked seeing Patrick develop an appreciation for Stacy's quick wits and steady nerves. I also liked his sensitivity and understanding of what her life had been like. Stacy was surprised by how quickly she felt safe when Patrick was near. The way he treated her went a long way toward making her feel better about herself. Neither of them expected the intensity of the attraction that flared between them. Patrick's tenderness and understanding were heartwarming and Stacy blossomed under his attention.

The suspense of the story was great. From the moment Carlo disappeared, the questions came fast and furious. Who was behind it? Why was Carlo taken? And who was now after Stacy and why? The attacks came one after another with increasing intensity. There were some great examples of Stacy's quick thinking along the way - I especially loved how she got away from the guys who grabbed her. The final showdown was intense, with multiple twists and turns before it was over. I was a little surprised by the uncle and grandmother at the end, but overall, I think it worked.

I really liked the epilogue. Even though Patrick and Stacy had fallen quickly, I liked that they were smart enough to take the time to really get to know each other. I liked seeing Stacy get to follow her dream for a change, with Patrick's full support. ( )

In Myers romantic suspense novel, Patrick Thompson, an officer for the Witness Security Protection Program, has a spotless record protecting witnesses in his care. When he is assigned to protect Stacy Giardino, the former daughter-in-law of an infamous crime boss, he finds himself facing an unexpected attraction to the woman in his care. Stacy is reluctant to trust a cop or her instincts which scream “attracted” at her. But when her toddler son is kidnapped, they must work together to find the boy. With killers hot on their trail, they work their way through the Rocky Mountains. As passion ignites between them, Patrick must face the coming showdown with the knowledge that he can’t live without her.

A fast-paced story where lines become blurred between duty and desire in this sensual story. ( )