REVIEW: Protecting Maria by Nicole Flockton

In Protecting Maria by Nicole Flockton, being the daughter of a mob boss isn’t easy for Maria Moretti, especially when she’s trying to live her own life without having to worry about the danger that surrounds her family. However, when she’s forced to operate on her wounded uncle, she finds her life turned upside down. Not knowing who to trust with her secret, she discovers her friends have assigned her a bodyguard in former Navy Seal Riley ‘Ash’ Ashford. When danger starts to close in on Maria, will Riley be able to keep her safe, or will their shot at happy ever after be ripped away?
 

”You save a girl’s life and this is the thanks you get.” Riley muttered, grimacing as he stood.
“I didn’t need rescuing, thank you very much.”

 
What an enthralling, fast-paced, extremely entertaining read Ms. Flockton has penned in this novella, which had some really good twists and turns that kept me on the edge-of-my-seat and determined to discover if Maria would ever find a way to live her life for herself; and had me hooked from the very beginning due to what Maria is going through and how she deals with the situation the best way she can without getting herself killed. Will she ever escape her father’s clutches? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met where this story became very intriguing, as Maria is stubborn and no way is she going to agree to let someone trail her to keep her safe. Will Riley be able to convince her that he’s essential to keeping her safe?

As for the dialogue, it was compelling and intense due to the main characters backs stories; everything these two go through on their journey to happy ever after, especially that of the heroine; the secondary characters in Riley’s friends that entertained me just as much as the main ones, because once a seal always a seal and it’s palpable they stick together through thick and thin; and the ending that had me worried for the main characters, yet had me completely satisfied with how things turned out for this couple. No way would Riley be able to let Maria get away, not after all they’ve been through.
 

I take it I’m not in any danger? Or do you like to invite the enemy into your house and offer them drinks.”
Riley turned and saw Maria standing in the doorway. “Did I say it was safe to come out?”
“Well no because it looked like you were busy with your bromance and forgot about me.”
Robot busted out laughing. “She’s feisty this one.”

 
Furthermore, the main characters were well-developed and I loved every moment they conversed, because there is some wonderful teasing banter between them that makes their strong chemistry shine. Moreover, Maria is resilient, courageous, selfless and I liked how determined she was to live her life for herself, even knowing that her past could come back to haunt her, no matter what her father promised her. I also liked how feisty the heroine was when it came to standing up to her father, because her father being a mob boss doesn’t make her life easy, and she wants nothing more than to be left alone. While the hero, he’s hard-working, confident in his abilities and I liked how determined he was to protect Maria, as it must not be easy to be the daughter of a mob boss, even though she’s tried her hardest to distance herself from her family. I also liked how kind and caring he was towards the heroine and her situation. She needs someone on her side, and she’s lucky to have great friends in the secondary characters that are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she’s safe.

Overall, Ms. Flockton has penned a fantastic read in this book that had the perfect balance of suspense and romance and where the romance was full of exquisite heat and passion and illustrated how right these two are for each other, even though neither is looking for a relationship. The way this story ended had me concerned for the main characters and whether they’d come out on top against the bad guys. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as Riley and Maria are fantastic together and deserve every bit of happiness they’ve achieved. And besides, the epilogue also sets things in motion for more books to come in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World by this fantastic author with what’s going on with one of the secondary characters. I would recommend Protecting Maria by Nicole Flockton, if you enjoy romantic suspense, stories encompassing ex-military heroes, the sexy protector trope or books by authors Susan Stoker, Lindsay Cross, Caitlyn O’Leary and Lynne St. James.
 

Book Info:

Publication: July 7th, 2017 | Self-Published – Nicole Flockton | Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

She’d thought she’d left her old life behind. She was wrong.

Surgical resident Maria Moretti’s life is finally becoming her own, that is until her past catches up with her and she is forced to operate on her uncle. Normally, saving a loved one isn’t a problem, unless you’re related to one of the most notorious mob families in New York. Now, the family Maria’s distanced herself from is doing everything they can to bring her back into the fold.

Former Navy Seal turned security expert, Riley “Ash” Ashland, is reluctant to take on the job of protecting Maria. That is, until he meets her. Seeing how much she wants her freedom from the stranglehold her family has on her changes his mind. Even though she refuses to believe she needs protection, Riley watches over her. When her life is threatened, he calls on all his resources to keep her safe. But can he protect his heart at the same time?

Can Maria keep from dragging Riley into her twisted mob world while she fights for her independence all over again?