Review: Protecting What's Theirs
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 31, 2014
I have read all of the novels in Tessa Bailey's LINE OF DUTY series and this delightful novella PROTECTING WHAT'S THEIRS--a sort of "second epilogue" for the first novel in the series PROTECTING WHAT'S HIS--put a nice little ribbon on top for the set and makes me eager to read what Ms. Bailey will do next. As this is a sequel of sorts to the first book, please be aware this review may contain spoilers.In PWH, Ginger Peet is on the run with a purse full of cash and a sister in the passenger seat. Ginger's mother is a wastrel of a parent that turned tricks in her living room, gets high when she's low and drinks to the point of blackout when another man promising to make her life better walks out the door. It's up to 23-year-old Ginger to be the adult and care for her 17-year-old potty-mouthed sister Willa. Ginger makes the decision that she thinks is in Willa's best interest: make off with the mysterious mound of cash Valerie has brought home in between stupors and trade Nashville (and two low wage jobs) for a fresh start in Chicago. There she meets her irascible, yet charming and handsome neighbor Derek Tyler who also happens to be a lieutenant and also happens to cause 1/2 of their combustible sexual tension. She and Derek fight more than they like each other, but that just makes for an explosive surrender. Throw in some secondary stories about Derek's job and the question of whether Ginger's past will catch up with her and in the end it's a fun ride for the reader.PWT follows up almost immediately where PWH's epilogue ends. Ginger and Derek are domesticated. Both are hit with unexpected news at around the same time and their reactions (or lack thereof) to the life changing information is the basis for the novella. As usual, Bailey's skilled writing is on display. She takes a storyline that could be accomplished in six pages into one done in six chapters without the pitfalls of clichéd scenarios or prolonged/dragged out scenes. It's a quick and fun read that allows readers who enjoyed the characters on the first go round to have some closure. I didn't laugh out loud as much as I usually do with her stories, but it's still steamy (for those out there that need that factor in their readings) and incredibly enjoyable. I will say that while it can standalone, I think it would be optimal if read after PWH.