If you are looking for a solid romantic suspense story to pick up for the summer that will keep you turning the pages, then go grab a copy of Mello's Seduced By The Badge. This is my first Mello story and I was happy to discover that she has a clear and straight forward writing style. Seduced By The Badge is more focused on story and character development than on just the burgeoning romance between Danni and Armstrong. There's no eye roll inducing cat and mouse games between the main couple, their romantic relationship develops in a very modern and realistic way. I will admit that I usually enjoy a bit of drama and tension between the main couple of a romance story, but this being romantic suspense made the fact that romance and heated encounters took more of a secondary role just fine with me. This isn't a hot and heavy romance, it's a good story with a romantic thread.
I appreciated that Armstrong isn't trying to solve things for Danni or trying to save her from herself or anyone else. He sees her for what she is, a capable and driven professional, and from the beginning he respects her abilities and backs her up instead of stepping out in front of her. Danni is not written as overbearing or hyper sensitive with a chip on her shoulder, which was great. That's not to say that she isn't aware of or even annoyed by the challenges that she faces as a woman in a male dominated career, but that she faces the challenges and annoyances in a way that I liked.
This being the first book in a series, we also get glimpses into the personalities and possible future stories involving the large Black family. I am looking forward to continuing this series as well as grabbing some of Mellos earlier books. I have definitely been missing out on some good writing.
**I requested and received an ARC of Seduced By The Badge in exchange for an honest review.**
Chicago detective Armstrong Black follows the rules – his rules. When he's assigned to partner with an Atlanta detective who's hell–bent on bringing down the criminals who targeted her sister, he's determined to stay in control. But stunning Danni Winstead is all blazing temper and sweet temptation. Working with her tests Armstrong's restraint; trusting her could put them both in fatal jeopardy...
About the Author
(Photo & Info. via Goodreads)
For Deborah Fletcher Mello, writing is as necessary as breathing and she firmly believes that if she could not write she would cease to exist. Her first novel, TAKE ME TO HEART, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2005 she received Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel THE RIGHT SIDE OF LOVE. In 2008, Deborah won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, TAME A WILD STALLION.
A true renaissance woman, Deborah's many career paths have included working as a retail buyer and size model for a national women's clothing chain, a finance manager for a well-known beverage organization, a sales manager for an infamous candy company, a telecommunications administrator and corporate trainer for a hotel-owning company, an art gallery director for a world-renowned artist, and an administrative consultant for multiple organizations throughout the United States. Deborah is also a licensed real estate broker and general building contractor.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
Where to find her:
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