#BookReview: Under His Protection by Katie Reus - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: Under His Protection 
Series: Red Stone Security #9
Author: Katie Reus 
Format: eBook/Paperback, 175 pages
Published: September 1st 2014 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 1500612960
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | ARe
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 4.5/5

Julieta’s stalker doesn’t play by the rules... 

Lingerie shop owner Julieta Mederos has worked hard to get her business off the ground. Now she’s looking forward to some quality time with her friends and her big, boisterous family. But explicit texts from random phone numbers and vandalism at her shop makes it clear someone dangerous has fixated on her. Without any solid leads, the police can’t help her and she’s forced to turn to the last man she wants to depend on.

…but neither does Ivan. 

Former Army Ranger and newest Red Stone Security employee Ivan Mitchell has gotten used to being alone in the world. He never even thinks about it anymore—until he meets sexy, independent Julieta. She’s everything he could ever want…but she seems determined to keep him at arm’s length. Until now. Maybe the cops can’t do anything to protect her, but he can. When things escalate faster than even he expected, he finds himself pulling out his most extreme combat skills to protect her. He’ll do what it takes to save her life—and prove to her she belongs in his.

Thoughts:
***Keeping Julieta safe from her stalker is Ivan's priority.  Keeping her safe from him may not be possible.***

UNDER HIS PROTECTION by Katie Reus is the ninth book in her Red Stone Security series.  Each book in this series can be easily read as a standalone even though there are interconnected characters. That said, I highly recommend reading all the books in this series as they are all fantastic.  I truly enjoyed UNDER HIS PROTECTION!  It was a riveting read that kept the adrenaline climbing with the perfect blend of mystery, intrigue, heat and romance!   All the characters were realistic and likable.

Lingerie shop owner Julieta Mederos, our heroine, is an entrepreneur.  She is the owner of a burgeoning lingerie shop when she finds out that she has a twisted, creepy stalker.  Luckily she has a protective family and friends who care at Red Stone Security.   Even though she's an independent , strong-willed woman, she is smart enough to realize that she's in over her head with the deviant that has targeted her.  

Ivan Mitchell, our hero, is macho alpha male personified.  He's the newest employee of Red Stone Security with an extensive defensive background as a former Army ranger and as a personal bodyguard.   He knows his business.  He's smart, assured and loyal.  He looks like a Viking god, tall and blonde with striking blue eyes, but no woman has ever stirred him like Julieta.  How could any sane woman not fall in love with him?

Ivan's and Julieta’s chemistry was sizzling and I loved witnessing it bloom!  This is an adult romance with some scintillating sex!  I laughed out loud more than once with some of the humor - especially as regards lingerie, sex toys and Viking gods.  Julieta, for all of her liberal sexiness, was naive as far as Ivan's attraction to her.  From Julieta's first look at Ivan, heat shoots through her body.  But... with his frown, she is convinced that the attraction is one-sided.  To back up her supposition, her friend, Mina, shares that Ivan is a player.  I adored how Ivan finally spelled out his feelings to her:  "Sometimes it's all I can do to not look at you."  He's most definitely swoon worthy material.  

This tale is told in the alternating POVs of Julieta, Ivan and the mysterious, creepy stalker.  Reading each of their perspectives, especially that of the stalker, kept me on the edge of my seat.

Following please find a couple of my favorite quotes:  

“...She froze in the doorway of her kitchen.
And nearly swallowed her tongue.
Ivan leaned against the counter, wearing nothing but dark jogging pants and holding a cup of coffee. His blond hair was spiked adorably, as if he hadn't combed it yet. the sculpted muscles of his chest and shoulders stood out as he raised the cup to his mouth, a bright tattoo of intricate artwork wrapping around one shoulder and over one pec.
What she'd imagined he might look like was nothing compared to the reality of the Viking god in her kitchen. Her gaze trained on that ridiculously muscular chest and it was like she'd lost the ability to speak. Or breathe. Or, you know, think.” 
---

“I will be hating you a teensy bit the next time I see you and you've got that I-had-sex-with-a-god-glow.” 

The author's writing is top notch.  The plot is solidly crafted and the strong, charismatic characters play their roles well.  The crossover of characters in this book to the series was a great addition.    With non-stop action, thrilling suspense, danger, surprising twists, and humor, the story will keep readers guessing right up to a very satisfying ending.  You will want to read this in one sitting.  For fans of the series, this is a must-read.  I highly recommend UNDER HIS PROTECTION to anyone who loves thrilling romantic suspense!