Kyle Yuen’s life is in danger and Lizzy Scott will stop at nothing to protect him. He’s arrogant, annoying and completely irresistible. They’ll risk it all to keep each other safe even if it means walking away when the danger has passed. Fans of Marie Force’s Fatal series or Laura Kaye’s Hard As It Gets, will love this romantic suspense series from Piper J. Drake and Carina Press.
DEADLY TESTIMONY
by Piper J. Drake
Series: Safeguard #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 9, 2016
Publisher: Carina Press
Synopsis:
The stakes have never been higher as an elite team member must outwit a dangerous killer and save the man she’s sworn to protect. The second installment of the exhilarating Safeguard series from Piper J. Drake.
Kyle Yeun didn’t start out bad and he doesn’t intend to end his life while on the wrong side of the law, either. His testimony to his former employer’s environmental misdeeds has earned him a protection detail compliments of the US government. But due to a dark international conspiracy Kyle was unaware of, his former employers have made ending his life a top priority. Realizing he needs more protection than the US Marshals can provide, he turns to Safeguard after seeing the beautiful, deadly Lizzy Scott in action.
One look at Kyle, and sniper Lizzy Scott knows this isn’t going to be an easy protection job. He’s arrogant, irritating and almost irresistible. Instead of being put off by her hardened attitude, Kyle seems to thrive off the challenge. And she’s slowly giving in to his charms.
After narrowly escaping the latest assassination attempt, Lizzy starts taking dangerous risks to keep him safe. But the last thing Kyle wants is another life ruined because of his actions. He found his redemption in Lizzy’s arms and he’ll risk everything to make sure they both make it out alive. As will she, even if it means walking away from him to keep him safe.
Excerpt:
Isabelle sighed. No wingman or cavalry coming to his aid. He needed help but it wasn’t forthcoming. This was not going to resolve in the next thirty seconds and that was all she was willing to wait. Besides, she couldn’t leave a person alone to face odds like these. She’d been on her own in these situations plenty of times and it’d never been fun.
“Gentlemen, get out of my way.”
Humor and interest sparked in the Asian man’s eyes. He understood English, apparently. Seattle being a major city for travelers, it was always good to note rather than assume a listener could understand the conversation. Especially if she might have to advise him to take action.
The hulking goon who’d originally spoken to her turned then. “What did you say?”
Maybe the English language, or conversation in general, wasn’t goon number one’s strong point.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Way.” She put some steel into her voice this time. No need to increase volume when intensity works better.
Beady eyes narrowed at her as goon number one flexed his thick fingers into a meaty fist and released them. Threat clear.
Ah, well. Intonation could work on people with more neurons firing inside their heads. She might not have a whole lot of stature going on at five foot four, but her new friend should’ve at least spared a moment to ponder that maybe a woman in a black suit with white dress shirt and an earbud hanging over her collar from a wire might mean something.
He was a thug dressed in a monkey suit.
She was a much higher pay grade.
Review:
Although it took a while to really get “into” the story–Lizzy’s a bit standoffish, partly because of the pressures of being a woman in a man-dominated field who constantly has to prove herself and Kyle comes off as somewhat stiffly formal, due in part to cultural differences–once the story got rolling I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the constant costume changes while they were incognito out and about on the streets, though I’m still having a hard time picturing Kyle in a red wig 😉
It did seem like a few things were glossed over/left hanging toward the end–the involvement of Safeguard’s counterpart on the opposite side, for example, and their sniper Jewel, who apparently has a past with Safeguard–though perhaps as the series continues that will come up again and be resolved later.
This was my second book by Ms. Drake, but the first in this series–it worked just fine as a standalone, though seeing Lizzie’s boss Gabe in action and hearing about Mayin’s cooking had me adding book one ( Hidden Impact ) to my TBR before I’d even finished this one.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Author:
Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) began her writing career as “PJ Schnyder” writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.
Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.
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