Judith's review of Man Law by Adrienne Giordano.

"Landep News"

Judith's review of Man Law by Adrienne Giordano.

Security Consultant Vic Andrews lives by his Man Laws:

Never mess with your best friend's sister
Never get caught
Never get attached

But he can't deny his irresistible attraction to Gina Delgado, a young widow with three kids and plenty of strings attached. Even so, having a physical relationship doesn't mean they're "in a relationship." Gina lost her husband to tragedy; she is not getting emotionally involved with another man in a dangerous profession. Sleeping with Vic is just stress relief.

Until one of Vic's assignments goes wrong and the target selects Gina and her kids for revenge. There's nothing Vic won't do to protect Gina and the children—the family he realizes, too late, he wants. He'll accomplish his mission but will he have lost his only chance at true love?

Stories of special ops operatives are not at all unusual, but this particular novel had a different feel to it. Constructed along a framework made up of "man laws" that guide male thinking and acting, it was an sightful look into the living and thinking of an operative who, together with his best friend, owned and operated a security agency that was called upon to do some "off the books" government work from time to time. Vic was a man who cared deeply for his best friend's family, for his co-workers, his cousin who worked for and with him, and the families of the operatives who were connected to his life. He was especially attracted to his best friend's sister, a widow with three children whose husband had been a firefighter and had died when a building collapsed on him four years earlier. The reader already is aware, right from the first, that Vic's choices in life are seriously at odds with Gina's, yet they both have considerable difficulty staying away from each other.

This novel is really about the clash between Vic's established view of life and his deep love for his way of life, his "cowboy" ways that take him into extremely dangerous political situations, and his struggle to find a place in his life for a woman like Gina and her need to feel secure, to have security and stability for her children, and her fear of becoming involved with another partner who works in a dangerous occupation. The development of Vic and Gina's affair is very erotic and in many ways really fun to watch. But there is always the reaction of the kids to take into consideration, the push-pull between Vic and his best friend--Gina's brother, and Mike's penchant for interfering in the lives of the people about which he cares deeply. Ms Giordano has created family and friendship circles that revolve around the crisis of a terrorist who is after Vic and is not reluctant to use Gina and her kids to get to him. In spite of the danger their relationship ripens and Vic's place in the lives of Gina's children becomes more and more established. Yet, the danger keeps on growing as well, and even though there are a number of humorous moments and warm/fuzzy family encounters, the reader is always aware that Vic, Mike, and all the operatives are being pulled deeper and deeper into the life-threatening dangers this terrorist poses.

The "man laws" also point up the reality of the "battle of the sexes" that has been a part of human relationships since the beginning of time. While Vic and Gina must find some common ground, there is always the realization that their ways of processing reality are vastly different. As much as Vic desires Gina and his desire for a future with her and her kids grows, he still struggles with her perception of what that future will look like. In the same way, Gina comes up against Vic's habit of "shutting down" when faced with danger, with his way of focusing on the enemy and the challenges that enemy poses. And even though she understands that he must not be distracted, his habit of distancing himself in these circumstances causes her to wonder of they can ever find common ground upon which to build a future. Does she really want to once again spend her days and nights wondering where her partner is, whether or not he is safe, whether or not he can share his life with her, or whether or not the safety and stability of her children's world can be assured. This, more than any other factor or set of factors comprises the tension that runs throughout this novel. It is a large part of the tension that keeps the reader poised on the edge of the chair and which holds the reader's mind and focus captive from page one to the last sentence.

This novel is beautifully written and is consistent in staying with the framework of "man laws" that guide Vic, Mike, and their operatives. The author has created a story that is balanced in its crisis ingredients with the warmth and enjoyment of hot loving and warm family connections. There are surprises throughout the story and more than enough action to keep romance lovers happy as well as those who also like the action of dealing with an international terrorist and his minions. All in all, it is a novel that will be a very satisfying read and one that is already on my "to be read again" list--lots to get one's mind around so I know I will want to read it again. It's the kind of story that really can't be fully appreciated on the first read-through.

Be sure to get this book. It is well-worth the expense, time, and effort to read, and one that will entertain, engage the mind, and satisfy the heart.

I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5

You can read more from Judith at Dr. J's Book Place

This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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