U.S. Marshals, Book 1
Synopsis: Savvy, hard-riding, rule-breaking—they’ll go anywhere and do anything it takes to protect and serve. But this U. S. Marshal has just met his match—and playing for keeps is one sizzling game…
Getting saved from disaster by a handsome stranger—Harper Allen has no problem with that. But when he leaves without a word or a clue to his real identity, the newbie reporter writes it off as the best one-night-stand she’ll never have again. Until a year later, when Harper comes face to face with the man assigned to hide her from a senator’s killer…
Galen Kelly hasn’t forgotten a single sensual minute of his night with Harper… or that she betrayed him. But with the FBI also on their trail, he’s got to pretend he’s never met her or risk both their lives. But as danger closes in, Galen may not be able to protect himself from taking the biggest risk of all…
Review: Amanda Bonilla presents us a new novel with a new pen name: Mandy Baxter. Being a fan of the Shaede Assassin series, I was more than impatient to discover this series. In addition, I had the opportunity to translate some sentences in French for her and the novel and I was very curious to see how they were staged in it. The author starts here a new genre, a suspense romance, something that I always enjoy reading about. In addition, U.S. Marshals… Who would not be attracted to them?
We discover Harper and Galen early in the novel, as they meet in a bar to have a subsequent story of one night. Their romance is short and intense but when Galen discover on the phone of the young woman some mixed messages, he feels betrayed and leaves for France for a year for his work. On his return, he finds himself assigned to the young woman he has not seen her since and who is involved in a murder. In fact, now become a journalist, and after trying to interview a senator about his actions, she witnesses the murder of the latter. Become a key witness, although she did not see the culprit, she could become the next target of the killer. Galen is here to remedy this. However, to have the job, he must also make everyone believe that he does not know about the woman, including her. You can imagine how much it annoys her as she spent 1 year to think about that night without understanding why he left her like a thief. But this assignment will quickly become hot and explosive, and I was curious to see how the relationship between Harper and Galen would become. But of course, we also have the story over the senator and I was eager to know the reason behind the murder as well as the murderer.
I really enjoyed discovering the characters and it’s true that between Harper and Galen, the story is really tense. Both remains firm to their positions, only acting the way they want to and constantly thinking secretly to another. I also really wanted to read the scene where they would reveal both that they deliberately did not confess to know each other. It was really cute to see them turn around the other constantly while trying to be discreet. I also loved the outspoken young woman, her rebellious spirit and determination to understand what is happening at whatever cost. Galen resembles her in many ways and I must say that he takes his mission to monitor her at heart.
The plot itself was also well done and I was very interested and curious to see when the culprit would be revealed and how. The only point I might note is the time jumps that are sometimes not clearly visible. And I confess that I had sometimes been disrupted by this. I also want to add that a scene really made me smile too, the one where Harper catalog everything she has in her bag and she has a book, specifically Full Blooded, a book I also really appreciate.
In any case I had a good time with this novel and I’m very curious to find out more about this series with the second book that I look forward to read. It’s a nice romance that the author presents us, all complemented by an intriguing story.
aurian
I did not know this is Amanda Bonilla, thanks for telling me, now I will put it on my wishlist asap! Great review Melliane, glad you enjoyed the book.
Melliane
Yes she is! I was so happy to discover her in something else.
Jennifer Bielman
I think I need a feel-good novel like this right now.
Melliane
this one is nice.
anna@herding cats & burning soup
Oh! Yay. This one is on my tbr pile. I can’t remember where I saw it just thinking *wants* Those time jumps are rough. If they’re in there I really like em labeled well. Still sounds fab 🙂
Melliane
I hope you’ll like it too!
Joy (Joyousreads)
I do enjoy books in this genre from time to time. And US Marshals is a different beast altogether. I mean, I’ve read stories about FBI agents, CIA agents but not US Marshals. This is definitely intriguing!
Melliane
US Marshals are intriguing!
Kristi-The Book Faery
Oooh! Sounds good! I have so many books to add to my wishlist! I don’t have enough time to read them all!
Love stories about our Secret Service Agents 🙂
Melliane
Too many books, so little time, I know that.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I love a good romantic suspense story Melliane! I just finished one that blew me away (though it did the time jump thing too), and now I’m in the mood for more. Might have to give this one a try!
Melliane
Oh I hope you’ll enjoy this one if you give it a go.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet! I am pretty dang sure I have this book and the fact that you loved both the plot and characters has me excited!!!
Melliane
Yes they were sweet together. I liked them.
kindlemom1
Looks like this was a pretty good read for you with characters you really liked. 🙂
Melliane
yes it was nice.
Tracy Terry
A suspense romance? As if I didn’t have enough categories in which I could place books.
Seriously though, sounds like something a little bit different. I look forward to seeing this on other blogs. Thoughtful review, thanks
Melliane
lol yes suspense romance.
Tracy Terry
A suspense romance? As if I didn’t have enough categories in which I could place books.
Seriously though, sounds like something a little bit different. I look forward to seeing this on other blogs. Thoughtful review, thanks
Stephanie Faris
That cover reminds me of the covers of teen books when I was a kid, back in the 80s. Something about it! Sounds like a fast-paced story. I love romantic suspense!
Melliane
yes they’re nice.
Braine Talk Supe
Nice to know! i’ve seen this before but as I don’t know who “Mandy Baxter” is, thinking this kind of novel is a dime a dozen, I skipped it. I’m such a bad fangirl… now I see that this could be special because Amanda B. is a fantastic writer.
Melliane
Yes she is and I love her so much! I was really curious!
Heidi
I will need a fun, feel good romance after I wrap Wicked. I can’t think of the last time I read a supsenseful romance was and I need a chance. I am adding this to my TBR. Thanks!
Melliane
it’s nice from time to time to have one like that. Happy reading! Can’t wait to see hat you think of it.
Brandi Breathes Books
Yay, great to hear it was a fun read to finding the culprit
blodeuedd
Sounds good!
And I did not realise it was a penname (see this is why I hate pennames, I miss out)
Tanja
This is the first time that I’m seeing this and I haven’t read anything by this author. But while it seems interesting and I love it when books make me smile I’m not sure that this is a book for me. Great review, Melliane 🙂
Melliane
I love her UF series so I was really curious about this one.
Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
I love books filled with clever twists and turns and reveals that boggle my mind, and this sounds like it does just that with its mystery. The romance sounds well-done too, so even if suspense novels aren’t typically my forte, I’m definitely going to give this a try. Glad you enjoyed it Melliane, and, as always, FANTASTIC review! <3
LilyElement
Ohh hadn’t heard of this one before 🙂
Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings
I’m a sucker for these corporate romances, like Julie James writes them. Definitely need to check this out since you enjoyed it so much, Melliane! 🙂
Melliane
I haven’t tried Julie James yet but I should.
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books
The romance looks interesting. ^^ I think I would like Harper as a character. Lovely review, Melly! 🙂
Alise
Glad you liked this one, I haven’t heard of the book or author but I really do like the sound of the novel, especially with how ironic it is that they meet up again in a situation like that.