Fans of fun and flirty reads with a bit of suspense will be drawn to Trusting the Boss by Mallory Crowe, the fourth installment in the Billionaires in the City series. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of opposites attracting, along with my impressions of it, and then add this newly released book to your bookshelf. You'll also learn a bit about Ms. Crowe through a brief Q&A. In celebration of its release make sure to visit the giveaway link below for the chance to win a $50 GC and 3 e-copies of this sexy series too!
LET'S GET TO KNOW MS. CROWE.....
-How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Well this was a character built story. Jace was a small side character in TEMPTING THE BOSS and I liked the idea of giving this badass guy more to do and I needed a woman who could handle him, but also was in need of his skills in some way. So in creating a heroine for him, I ended up creating this entire family that the next four books are going to be based around.
-Will you write more about these characters?
For sure! The heroine of TRUSTING THE BOSS, Emma Devaroux, is the sister of someone introduced in the 3rd book in the series and the next four books will all focus on the not so functional Devaroux family. Emma and then her three cousins (who are all brothers) each get their own book as they try to clean up a relative’s mistakes and end up getting pulled into an FBI investigation.
-What are your current projects?
Currently I’m working on my next book in the Billionaires in the City series which will be about Emma’s cousin Michael and a girl from the IT department at his company who gets in over her head. On the side, I’m slowly going through some paranormal romance manuscripts I wrote a few years ago and hoping to get them cleaned up for a 2016 release.
-What is for you the perfect book hero?
I love heroes that you hate at first and adore by the end of the book.
-Tell us something that people would be surprised you know how to do.
Well before I started writing, I was a licensed CPA and passed all sections of the exam in one try and I don’t think most people expect accounting and romance author to go together in one person. I’ve met so many fellow romance writers who have the most interesting backgrounds or former day jobs. It’s fascinating when you realize that creativity isn’t only limited to certain types of people.
Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.
As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?
EXCERPT:
“Nothing fancy. Just a t-shirt and sweatpants, but at least they’re clean and dry.”
“It’s perfect.” She held out a hand.
“I’m sure they’ll be big, but the pants have a drawstring, so they should stay up.”
“Thanks.” She started to turn to the bathroom, but at the last minute, she twisted back around. “What did you intend to say?”
“When?” he asked, but his clenched jaw told her he knew exactly what she was asking about.
“I walked out of the bathroom and you said you didn’t mean to…something. I’d like you to finish your sentence.”
He cocked his head and considered her for a moment. “I don’t think you really want me to answer that.”
Emma squared her shoulders. “I think I’m a grown woman and I asked you a question.”
“Fine. I didn’t mean to ogle you like a fourteen-year-old virgin. I should’ve been more professional than that.”
The corner of her mouth hooked up. “I knew it! You were affected by that kiss last night.”
“The kiss you started. And yes, I’m a red-blooded male. You can’t expect me to be a robot when a woman like you makes a move.”
Her heart beat faster in her chest as she replayed his words in her mind. She’d gotten what she wanted. An admission that she wasn’t the only one going insane. Now she should turn back and get dressed and pretend this whole conversation never happened. “A woman like me?”
Jace reached up and ran a piece of her wet hair through his fingers. “What do you think you’re doing, Emma?”
She opened her mouth but no words came out. Her second attempt was a bit more successful. “I don’t really know. I kind of like not knowing, though.”
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a reader unfamiliar with the Billionaires in the City series I was worried that not reading the previous installments would detract from my enjoyment of this story. I'm happy to report though that this is a fun and flirty read with a nice bit of suspense that can definitely stand on its own.
In the aftermath of Joslyn Devaroux's attempted murder of wealthy businesswoman Victoria Green, heiress Emma Devaroux and security specialist Jace Lance are brought together under a veil of deceit that could destroy their burgeoning relationship before it's barely begun. Throw in a bit of suspense courtesy of the machinations of Emma's sister Joslyn and her hired thug David and you have the impetus that binds Jace and Emma together despite her anger at his perceived betrayal. Told in alternating POVs readers are given a glimpse into both of the main character's lives which had me finding them likable and enjoying their increasingly steamy romance.
Emma could've lived up to the stereotype of the snobby rich girl but she was anything but. She was determined and strong-willed and gave as good as she got when it came to Jace. With his military background Jace was a loyal man, torn between his initial duty to Victoria and later on to Emma's cousins. Ultimately, as his feelings for Emma grew deeper, he became her champion protecting her from Joslyn's manipulations. Jace and Emma might've started off adversaries but with the danger increasing their interactions became crackling with fun and flirty banter leading to steamy interludes.
Overall this was an entertaining story with appealing characters that made for an engaging and suspenseful tale from start to finish. Though there were some plot holes, some silly choices made by characters, and a few unanswered questions at the end, Ms. Crowe's writing style fully immersed me in the story and pulled me along every step of the way. Readers looking for a sexy read with a bit of intrigue will want to add this to their bookshelf.
My rating for this is a B-
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Mallory Crowe has lived in Michigan her whole life and has been in love with romance ever since she’d skip to the end of every novel, just to make sure the hero and heroine survived and ended up together. She lives with her husband and three dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s spending too much time in front of the TV, hiking, or working with various animal rescues.
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