In The Closer by Rhonda Nelson, smart, compassionate and good-looking former army ranger Major Griffen (Griff) Wicklow, is beginning a new life as a civilian. His is known as “the closer” because he is able to turn the most difficult mission or task into a winning proposition. To his delight and dismay, his first assignment with Ranch Security, his new employer, is to guard a two and a half million dollar jeweled bra and the hot, sexy woman that represents the jeweler that designed it.
Griff has always put the needs of those he loves or cares about ahead of his own. When his philandering father left because he got another woman pregnant, he naturally assumed the role of head of household. At a very young age, he took care of both his mother and sister. Griff graciously gave one of his kidney’s to his newly discovered half-brother Justin, who was dying from kidney failure. The bottom line, he gave up his military career for his half-brother’s life. Once again, putting the needs of others before his own.
Jessalyn Rossi (Jess) is an incredible woman, although she does not think so. Not only is she curvy and sexy, she is a successful jewelery designer, auto mechanic and stock car racer. Unfortunately, her success and confidence in occupations dominated men causes a little resentment, jealousy and teasing from some of the insecure men in her town. She watches over her Dad and his jewelry business while helping others that need a little bit of luck. She also has the uncanny ability to truly understand a situation and subsequently, provide insightful guidance.
It is Griff’s job to guarantee that the delicate jeweled bra arrives safely and securely to and from the fashion show. The bra is the show’s catalyst and a successful showing will bring in a lot of publicity and business to the all the firms involved. However, a wrench has been thrown into the plan. The Owl, a notorious yet honest thief, and friend of one of the partner’s of Ranch Security, announces that he will be stealing the bra. The team of Ranch Security takes every precaution to ensure that this does not happen. In lieu of a professional, they decide that Jess will model the bra. Griff will escort her down the runway, in order to make certain the bra does got end up in the wrong hands.
Jess and Griff share an instant chemistry and spending so much time together evolves into a steamy love affair. With each passing moment, they are learning about each other and falling deeper and deeper in love.
The Owl makes his appearance at the fashion show and all hell breaks loose. However, publicity is better than expected and Jess and Griff are the hit of the runway. Once all is settled, the inevitable return to their single lives is hard to come to terms with. Luckily, love does conquer all.
I found it very difficult to connect with the main characters and feel their chemistry in the first half of the book. Then BAM, the second half kicked in and the characters came to life. The well written love scenes, along with the suspenseful twists and turns, kept me reading long into the night.
Book Info
Publication Date: August 20, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Blaze (Book 763)Current Status: To protect stunning jeweler and a priceless piece of…lingerie?
Ranger Security has just assigned former ranger Griff Wicklow to protect a priceless diamond-encrusted bra. And while Griff has more experience removing bras than protecting them, his job is about to get even more complicated. Because Temptation just walked in disguised as Jessalyn Rossi, the drop-dead delectable jeweler who is escorting the piece….
The attraction between them is immediate…and irresistible. And Jessalyn’s learning that there’s a lot to be said about—and done with—a wickedly hot security agent like Griff. But once the job is finished, will their bedroom antics come to a close, too?