Risking Trust by Adrienne Giordano

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 19
Publisher: Carina Press
Romantic Suspense
To Purchase

Blurb: Roxann Thorgesson's world is out of control. After her father suffers a fatal heart attack, she must take over as publisher of Chicago's second-largest newspaper. Then her ex-boyfriend Michael Taylor, CEO of his own security company, shows up needing a favor. The last thing Roxann needs is Michael around causing trouble—and potential heartbreak—but he's involved in a scandalous story she can't pass up.

Twelve years ago, Michael walked out on Roxann without explanation. Now he needs her help. Michael's estranged wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect. He offers something no newspaperwoman could refuse: exclusive access to his headline-making murder accusation, in exchange for her help in uncovering the true killer. When their investigation leads them to a city hall conspiracy, both their lives and their newly reignited flame could be permanently extinguished…

Review: It's hard to know where to start with all the goodness in this book, the third in Ms. Giordano's Protectors series. As she says in the foreword, it was actually written first (and in the timeline actually takes place before the other two books), but in it everything shines. I had trouble putting it down long enough to go to work.

I'm a big fan of ex-lovers finding their way back to one another, and Roxann and Michael certainly have one heck of a past together. I'll admit, I did figure out who the ultimate villain was before the end, but other than that, I had no complaints. There was plenty of sexual tension and when they did the deed (which was accomplished fairly early on, thanks to their past history together), it was awesome.

If you haven't read any of the books, please, don't hesitate to get this one and read it first. You'll definitely want to read the other two books in the series.