Review: Recommended Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 19, 2012
Private Property by Leah Braemel is the first book in the Hauberk Security series. It is also Leah's first published work and I enjoyed it so much I knew I'd read anything future she published. The characters are interesting, the dialog engaging, and the sex scenes are hot. What truly enamored me though was the fact that this book takes place less than a half of a mile from my home and she described it perfectly.This book centers around Mark Rodgriguez and Jodi Tyler. Mark is the owner of Celeda Security located in Texas and Jodi one of his operatives. The book opens with Jodi staking out a home she is suppose to break into to prove to the owner that his current security company isn't any good and they should hire Mark's company. Jodi is upset that Mark chose her to head up this security breach since it's her birthday and she'd rather spend the evening with him. She begins to think that perhaps this is Mark's way of breaking off their "no strings" relationship. What we soon find out is that Mark has set up an evening with his old college roommate and friend, Sam Watson, (owner of Hauberk Security) to help him fulfill some of Jodi's fantasies as a birthday gift. The tables are turned on Mark and he soon realizes that he has been an idiot when it comes to Jodi.This is a very good book, Mark is a likeable albeit at times kind of clueless hero. He thinks he has his relationship with Jodi all figured out but in reality he doesn't. It takes Sam, some restraints, and some interesting situations to make him see things differently.Jodi is capable, extremely likeable, but very insecure. She's dated some losers in the past that have made it difficult to trust and thus she's always waiting for Mark to dump her. She's feeling guilty because she agreed to an unemotional affair with Mark but she's fallen in love with him.I like both Mark and Jodi, but Sam is the one that stole the show in this book. From the minute he came on the scene I was hooked and knew that I had to know more about this complex man. Considering all the "fun" things he has in his home, you just know there is a great story behind him.For a first book, Private Property is very good but it left me wanting more. While the story is complete, I knew that I'd have to read the next one as soon as it was available. I always love when I find a writer that I "mesh" with right away and Leah is one of those authors. I'm very happy to give this first effort a solid 4 stars.***NOTE*** As I was reading I felt myself wanting to know more about Mark and Jodi and was pleased when I got to the end and found there was a free read (First Night) detailing the beginning of Mark and Jodi's relationship. It answered a lot of questions and helped me understand the characters so much more. You can find this at Leah's website.