Review: Under Surveillance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 16, 2012
Please don't judge this book by its cheesy cover. The people on the cover look nothing like what I imagined while reading this story.Janey DeMarco is the youngest child, and only daughter, of former spies. Unlike her two older brothers who spent time in military, Janey has always worked as part of her family's PI Firm. She's what keeps the firm moving and working as the Office Manager and tech genius. When she meets new recruit Mal Laughlin she wants more than just an office friendship, but fears an office romance would end in disaster. Besides, how would she be able to sneak away with him without drawing the protective eyes and fists of her brothers? Mal is actually an NSA operative sent undercover to find a link between the DeMarcos and gun smugglers responsible for his partner's death. After a month acting like a nerd, he finds a link which points to Janey!This was a great read! It was just what I was looking for at the time. I had just come off of reading several mediocre historical stories and needed a change. This provided it without all the clichés.I was a bit apprehensive about how the whole "discovery" of identities would play out in this story, but I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it all went down. Things didn't get all blown out of proportion or roll out of control over exactly who Mal is. It was a nicely done and still so very believable.I liked Janey and her family. Her parents are legendary spies who met on an assignment and married without anyone the wiser until years later when they decided that they would only work with each other or would walk. Her brothers are strong and very protective of their little sister, and I can't wait to read more about them. Janey was smart and strong and could hold her own. Her backstory about how she learned to break a man's nose was heartfelt and believable and added to her kiss-ass persona without making her over the top. Janey is surrounded by type-A personalities and manages them just fine.So if I think this story is great, why am I only giving it 4 stars out of 5? The whole "I'm not who Janey thinks I am" thing from Mal got annoying. But what was grating was Mal's constant idiocy about the case with the smugglers. He was so blinded by revenge that he kept ignoring the obvious and couldn't see the truth that was right in front of him. And it just went on TOO long.  Now, don't get me wrong--I don't hate Mal. I liked him quite nicely, in fact. He's capable, smart (well, mostly. Maybe I should say intelligent), hot, and fits in just perfectly with Janey's family.I'm hoping Ms. Julian writes more about this amazing PI Firm. We already know that Janey's bestfriend and her brother have a sordid past and major sexual tension. Will we get to read about them? I haven't seen anything on her website, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.***4/21/12 Edit**Book 2 is avail now!DeMarco InvestigationsSEXS, LIES AND SURVEILLANCEHis To Keep (DeMarco Investigations)