Early Book Review: His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees

His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees is a romantic suspense novel currently scheduled for release on October 25 2022. CIA Agent Alex Creed’s mission is to take down a deadly criminal before Christmas and only Nick Kane stands in his way. After the same target, and trained to be enemies, do they dare become more? The black ops agent claims he’s after the same target and that working together is the best plan. Never before has Alex been so attracted to someone he shouldn’t trust. Especially knowing Nick has a bit of a death wish, while Alex envisions a future together. 

His Christmas Guardian has a good premise, and I thought that Alex and Nick were good characters. I did feel like there were moments that they were just a little too perfect, but for the most part I found that they each had some realistic issues that would need to be overcome for them in the future beyond this book. I did like the alternative points of view, and thought that gave me a better understanding of where everyone stood, and what their concerns were even before they could express them.  However, I did feel like this was part of a larger series. That some of the characters mentioned in passing and some of the situations discussed could be found elsewhere. None of this made the read less enjoyable, in fact I think that those that really like it will be out hunting for those other books, but I felt like it was not mentioned in the blurb or on the cover that it was part of a series, which bothered me a little. I felt like I was only getting a small part of a much bigger story, and that more could have been done even just with Nick and Alex to make it all feel a little less easy. 

His Christmas Guardian is a good romance with a decent amount of suspense and action.

Book Review: When He's Dirty (Walker Security: Adrian Trilogy) by Lisa Renee Jones

When He's Dirty is part of the Walker Security series, and the first book in the Adrian Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones. I have read some of the previous books in the Walker series, but not all of them. Please note that as the first book of a trilogy for our couple, it does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to obtain the whole series for the whole story.

As a member of Walker Security, Adrian Mack has found redemption for a walk on the dark side. For two years the former FBI agent was undercover in the notorious Texas Kings biker club. For two years he changed, he became one of them and when the bust happened, he didn't know who he was anymore. On a hitlist with a price on his head he disappeared and joined Walker Security, but now, the trial is set to start and witnesses are dropping like flies. Assistant District Attorney, Priscilla Miller is tasked with the conviction of The King himself, and she's passionate about taking him down, but her case is falling apart. She's also in trouble, and while she resists Adrian, the sexy ex-FBI agent with a killer reputation, and his team at Walker Security are her answer, in more ways than one. He touches her, she melts. He shields her, she survives. But everything is not as it seems. Friends are enemies. Secrets are really lies. And the one time in his life Adrian lets his heart do the thinking, passion might just be deadly.

When He's Dirty is a story with a classic romantic suspense feel. Adrian is still feeling guilt over the things he took part in while working undercover, and does not feel that he deserves the support of the Walker Security family, or Pri when the time comes. Of course, that does not stop him from taking steps to protect them or enjoy their relationships. Pri is struggling with her past mistakes too, and they are both neck deep in trying to get a real evil convicted and behind bars in a much more permanent way. Corruption, family drama, an ex-fiancé, and legitimate threats to their lives keep everyone on their toes and the story moving along at a brisk pace. There is a good amount of heat between Pri and Adrian, and just as much mystery about who might be feeding information to the big bad. There is also some serious character development for the major players. The only problem is that this is the first in a trilogy, and while relationships have been forged and all the characters introduced, there is a cliffhanger ending and plenty of unanswered questions to make readers eager for the next read. 

When He's Dirty is a well written start to a trilogy. I think fans of the author and complex stories that need a trilogy to tell completely.