365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #316

Daddy Devastating - Delores Fossen
Mills & Boon Intrigue 2-in-1
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263885064








My rating

From the back cover:

"For FBI special agent Russ Gentry, Julia Howell is nothing but trouble. First the Texas heiress blunders into his undercover operation to bring down a black-market kidnapping ring. Then she turns his life upside down with a single photograph. 
Russ's connection with the beautiful baby girl in the photo is instant and absolute...and Julia finds herself falling for this man who stepped up when most would have turned and run. As bullets fly and their passion grows, Julia is convinced this devastatingly handsome protector will play an important role in an innocent baby's future. And in hers."


This is the second book in the Intrigue 2-in-1, as above.

The hero Russ is deep undercover trying to bring down an illegal baby-selling ring when the heroine Julia approaches him, jeopardising his cover. Julia has tracked down Russ as the father of her late cousin's baby, whom Julia is guardian of. Thinking on his feet to avoid his cover being blown when members of the ring meet him, Russ pretends that he and Julia are involved. He is forced into letting Julia know just what she has stepped into and Julia is more than a little shocked and scared. When she confronts Russ about the baby he denies ever meeting her cousin, and Russ realises that the father is actually his twin brother whom recently died. Although Russ is shocked by the news of his nephew, he also realises that he wants to be a part of the little boy's life. But first he needs to finish his assignment, and now Julia is involved. They are forced to spend time together, and this eventually leads to them falling for one another. However, Russ's dangerous life brings back painful memories for Julia but she is also able to confront her fears and realise that she wants to change her life as well as have a future with Russ and the baby.

This was pretty much like the previous book I just read (The Baby's Guardian) in that the suspense part of the story is very good, but the romance is really lacking. Speaking of the suspense part, while it was good and quite interesting there are a few holes in the plot that are a little difficult to ignore. Also, I found it hard to believe that the heroine would fall for, and sleep with, a man she only met a few days previously, when she has spent the last 10 years as a virtual recluse after an attack. It doesn't really work, in my opinion.

But, the book held my interest - it's OK. Awful title though!

Xx