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Second Service #1-3.5
Second Service Box Set
The complete Bestselling Second Service Contemporary Romance Series available in one box set!
Includes the bonus novella: The Best Man!
***
Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, the Second Service contemporary romance series includes the following novels:
***
The Wedding Trap
Beth Bradley has a problem. Everyone is expecting her successful music executive boyfriend, Charlie, to be her date for her best friend’s wedding. There’s one hitch: Charlie doesn’t exist. Unless she can think of something fast, she’s headed for the most humiliating weekend of her life.
Alex Tanner has a problem. The former Navy SEAL's search for a double agent lands him at the Kensington Hotel, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When the sexy maid of honor blackmails him into pretending to be her lover, he thinks he's been handed the solution.
Except Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and when the man Alex is hunting starts targeting Beth, Alex has to decide between solving the mystery or protecting the woman who has stolen his heart.
***
The Agent Next Door
Erin Holliday has worked hard to build the perfect life: beautiful house, safe neighborhood, trusted friends. But everything she cherishes is threatened when the new neighbor moves in. As the daughter of a slain motorcycle gang leader, Erin knows what trouble looks like—she’s spent a lifetime trying to avoid it—and John Ryman certainly fits the bill. Her head tells her to keep her distance, but her heart has other plans.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman has spent his whole career surrounded by danger. Now he’s ready to settle down, and a quiet suburban life will suit him just fine, if his gorgeous new neighbor is any indication.
But when a previous mistake has explosive consequences, John and Erin are thrown together, and it doesn't take long for them to realize that the only way they’ll survive to build a future together will by settling the debts of their past.
***
The Trouble With Temptation
Morgan Kincaid is up to her ears in trouble. It's bad enough that she put her dreams on hold to open a nightclub with her brother, but when she tries to help with staffing problems, books that don't add up, and creepy patrons, he tells her to mind her own business. So, when a tempting stranger appears asking for a job, Morgan isn’t sure if Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome is her savior or more trouble than she can handle.
Ex-Navy SEAL Ty Brannigan has spent his FBI career tracking down the Russian mob, and the trail has led him directly to Morgan Kincaid’s door. Even though the evidence is damning, Ty can’t bring himself to believe that the eccentric beauty is in league with dangerous criminals.
When the mafia targets Morgan, the pair has no choice but to set aside their suspicions and band together to bring down the criminal organization that would stop at nothing to keep them apart.
***
The Best Man
Holly Tanner has built a career on love and danger: her popular novels are chock full of them. But the truth is, she's never come face to face with either, and she doesn't expect that to change at her cousin's gorgeous wine country wedding.
But everything changes the moment Holly meets Michael Silva. Suddenly, she's accepting dares, chasing suspicious peeping toms, and kissing under the moonlight.
Includes the bonus novella: The Best Man!
***
Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, the Second Service contemporary romance series includes the following novels:
***
The Wedding Trap
Beth Bradley has a problem. Everyone is expecting her successful music executive boyfriend, Charlie, to be her date for her best friend’s wedding. There’s one hitch: Charlie doesn’t exist. Unless she can think of something fast, she’s headed for the most humiliating weekend of her life.
Alex Tanner has a problem. The former Navy SEAL's search for a double agent lands him at the Kensington Hotel, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When the sexy maid of honor blackmails him into pretending to be her lover, he thinks he's been handed the solution.
Except Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and when the man Alex is hunting starts targeting Beth, Alex has to decide between solving the mystery or protecting the woman who has stolen his heart.
***
The Agent Next Door
Erin Holliday has worked hard to build the perfect life: beautiful house, safe neighborhood, trusted friends. But everything she cherishes is threatened when the new neighbor moves in. As the daughter of a slain motorcycle gang leader, Erin knows what trouble looks like—she’s spent a lifetime trying to avoid it—and John Ryman certainly fits the bill. Her head tells her to keep her distance, but her heart has other plans.
Ex-Navy SEAL John Ryman has spent his whole career surrounded by danger. Now he’s ready to settle down, and a quiet suburban life will suit him just fine, if his gorgeous new neighbor is any indication.
But when a previous mistake has explosive consequences, John and Erin are thrown together, and it doesn't take long for them to realize that the only way they’ll survive to build a future together will by settling the debts of their past.
***
The Trouble With Temptation
Morgan Kincaid is up to her ears in trouble. It's bad enough that she put her dreams on hold to open a nightclub with her brother, but when she tries to help with staffing problems, books that don't add up, and creepy patrons, he tells her to mind her own business. So, when a tempting stranger appears asking for a job, Morgan isn’t sure if Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome is her savior or more trouble than she can handle.
Ex-Navy SEAL Ty Brannigan has spent his FBI career tracking down the Russian mob, and the trail has led him directly to Morgan Kincaid’s door. Even though the evidence is damning, Ty can’t bring himself to believe that the eccentric beauty is in league with dangerous criminals.
When the mafia targets Morgan, the pair has no choice but to set aside their suspicions and band together to bring down the criminal organization that would stop at nothing to keep them apart.
***
The Best Man
Holly Tanner has built a career on love and danger: her popular novels are chock full of them. But the truth is, she's never come face to face with either, and she doesn't expect that to change at her cousin's gorgeous wine country wedding.
But everything changes the moment Holly meets Michael Silva. Suddenly, she's accepting dares, chasing suspicious peeping toms, and kissing under the moonlight.
- GenresContemporary Romance
477 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2015
51 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 6, 2017
The Wedding Trap: 5-Stars
Adrienne Bell is an absolute master with the short novel/novella format. She packs everything that is needed, and nothing that isn't, into her books. I just love her. Romance, suspense, humor are all there in "The Wedding Trap" and the plot is just a wonderful Fake Boyfriend-Girlfriend/Fiancé - Fiancée Romance troupe. Bell takes a clichéd plot premise and turns it into a very entertaining book.
Beth Bradley is the maid-of-honor for her best friend Isobel and the wedding weekend is looking like a train wreck in slow motion for Beth. She has no date for the weekend and her asshat of an ex-boyfriend, Spencer, is the best man. Could it get any worse? Only when her mother keeps hounding her to take Spencer back. With her successful "boyfriend", Charlie Parker, a no-show, Beth is feeling rather harassed. One big problem for Beth - Charlie is a creation of her imagination. She has been bringing him out since the 7th grade to bail her out of awkward social situations. He has definitely had his uses, but this time she really needs a real, live guy.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy SEAL and a current CIA Agent whose search for a double agent leads him the Kensington Hotel and the need for a cover to finish the job and Beth fits the bill. Alex as "Charlie" also fits Beth's bill as well. Win-win, except that Beth has no idea who Alex is or why he is so attentive until someone tries to kill her.
The Agent Next Door: 5-Stars
Adrienne Bell and I were made for each other. She writes just how I want to read: Sexy, suspenseful and just plain fantastic. I loved everything about "The Agent Next Door", the sizzling, immediate, sexual attraction, the heroine who has been hiding from the world and the OMG ending. It all worked and worked really, really well.
Erin has a new neighbor and he is a hottie, at least that is what friend, Marianne, tells her - Erin is to chicken to be caught peeking at the gorgeous hunk moving in next door. But caught she is when Marianne invites him to a neighborhood BBQ.
John is a former SEAL, now an agent with Homeland Security. He is moving away from field work and settling into a desk job and a home in the suburbs. He has just one last assignment to finish, then he can put the dangerous part of his life behind him. Life is sure looking good as Erin is sure a nice surprise as his new neighbor.
Unfortunately, the his last assignment didn't end as well as it could have and the head of a gun running cartel escaped, but his wife was killed. Revenge is on the horizon for John and Erin is the target.
The Trouble with Temptation: 4-Stars
For entertainment this book was wonderful. There were plot holes, but I just didn't care and you shouldn't either. Short, sexy, with (ok, predictable) suspense, it was worth reading on a very hot day when doing anything else took too much effort.
Morgan Kincaid is the co-owner with her brother, of the hottest club in San Francisco. So popular that some very shady characters have decided that it is the perfect place to hang. She is not sure, but has very strong feelings that they are trouble. Her popular bartender doesn't show up one night and the next day in walks Ty, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. When he passes the bar test, he is hired, and Morgan is sure the ladies are going to love him.
Ex-Navy SEAL Ty Brannigan is now with the FBI and on the hunt for evidence that will make his case against the head of the Russian Mafia in San Francisco. The trail has led him to Morgan's club, all he needs access to obtain the evidence. He just can't believe that Morgan is in bed with the mafia. With Morgan already suspicious of her brother, Ty has to gain her trust and gets her heart too.
The Best Man:
Short, sweet and just plain wonderful. All I can say is I want more, lots and lots more. Adrienne Bell is one of my favorite authors. She has my perfect recipe for a book: mystery, suspense, humor and a hot romance, mix all together and what you get is absolutely perfect.
Holly Tanner is a romance writer who is having a touch of writer's block. When her cousin Alex is getting married in the wine country of California, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge and unblock. A real life adventure might be nice too.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it starting with the really hot, handsome guy seated next to her at the welcome dinner, FBI Agent Michael Silva. All of a sudden Holly is having dinner in the gazebo, kissing under moonlight and contemplating a fling. When Holly sees a mysterious woman sneaking around the grounds, she can't lose the feeling that something bad is about to happen. What is worse, Michael thinks so too.
Adrienne Bell is an absolute master with the short novel/novella format. She packs everything that is needed, and nothing that isn't, into her books. I just love her. Romance, suspense, humor are all there in "The Wedding Trap" and the plot is just a wonderful Fake Boyfriend-Girlfriend/Fiancé - Fiancée Romance troupe. Bell takes a clichéd plot premise and turns it into a very entertaining book.
Beth Bradley is the maid-of-honor for her best friend Isobel and the wedding weekend is looking like a train wreck in slow motion for Beth. She has no date for the weekend and her asshat of an ex-boyfriend, Spencer, is the best man. Could it get any worse? Only when her mother keeps hounding her to take Spencer back. With her successful "boyfriend", Charlie Parker, a no-show, Beth is feeling rather harassed. One big problem for Beth - Charlie is a creation of her imagination. She has been bringing him out since the 7th grade to bail her out of awkward social situations. He has definitely had his uses, but this time she really needs a real, live guy.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy SEAL and a current CIA Agent whose search for a double agent leads him the Kensington Hotel and the need for a cover to finish the job and Beth fits the bill. Alex as "Charlie" also fits Beth's bill as well. Win-win, except that Beth has no idea who Alex is or why he is so attentive until someone tries to kill her.
The Agent Next Door: 5-Stars
Adrienne Bell and I were made for each other. She writes just how I want to read: Sexy, suspenseful and just plain fantastic. I loved everything about "The Agent Next Door", the sizzling, immediate, sexual attraction, the heroine who has been hiding from the world and the OMG ending. It all worked and worked really, really well.
Erin has a new neighbor and he is a hottie, at least that is what friend, Marianne, tells her - Erin is to chicken to be caught peeking at the gorgeous hunk moving in next door. But caught she is when Marianne invites him to a neighborhood BBQ.
John is a former SEAL, now an agent with Homeland Security. He is moving away from field work and settling into a desk job and a home in the suburbs. He has just one last assignment to finish, then he can put the dangerous part of his life behind him. Life is sure looking good as Erin is sure a nice surprise as his new neighbor.
Unfortunately, the his last assignment didn't end as well as it could have and the head of a gun running cartel escaped, but his wife was killed. Revenge is on the horizon for John and Erin is the target.
The Trouble with Temptation: 4-Stars
For entertainment this book was wonderful. There were plot holes, but I just didn't care and you shouldn't either. Short, sexy, with (ok, predictable) suspense, it was worth reading on a very hot day when doing anything else took too much effort.
Morgan Kincaid is the co-owner with her brother, of the hottest club in San Francisco. So popular that some very shady characters have decided that it is the perfect place to hang. She is not sure, but has very strong feelings that they are trouble. Her popular bartender doesn't show up one night and the next day in walks Ty, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. When he passes the bar test, he is hired, and Morgan is sure the ladies are going to love him.
Ex-Navy SEAL Ty Brannigan is now with the FBI and on the hunt for evidence that will make his case against the head of the Russian Mafia in San Francisco. The trail has led him to Morgan's club, all he needs access to obtain the evidence. He just can't believe that Morgan is in bed with the mafia. With Morgan already suspicious of her brother, Ty has to gain her trust and gets her heart too.
The Best Man:
Short, sweet and just plain wonderful. All I can say is I want more, lots and lots more. Adrienne Bell is one of my favorite authors. She has my perfect recipe for a book: mystery, suspense, humor and a hot romance, mix all together and what you get is absolutely perfect.
Holly Tanner is a romance writer who is having a touch of writer's block. When her cousin Alex is getting married in the wine country of California, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge and unblock. A real life adventure might be nice too.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it starting with the really hot, handsome guy seated next to her at the welcome dinner, FBI Agent Michael Silva. All of a sudden Holly is having dinner in the gazebo, kissing under moonlight and contemplating a fling. When Holly sees a mysterious woman sneaking around the grounds, she can't lose the feeling that something bad is about to happen. What is worse, Michael thinks so too.
March 25, 2021
I enjoyed this series and the discovery of a new author. I have written separate reviews for each book but here is a run down.
Book One - 'The Wedding Trap' was my favorite and I adored the love story between Alex and Beth.
Book Two - 'The Agent Next Door' was my second favorite and again I enjoyed the deep love story between Erin and John.
Book Three - 'The Trouble With Temptation' was good but it was my least favorite of the four. I had a hard time feeling the connection between Ty and Morgan.
Book Four - 'The Best Man' was third in line. I loved that Michael from book three got his happy ever after and, although short, it was a good conclusion.
Book One - 'The Wedding Trap' was my favorite and I adored the love story between Alex and Beth.
Book Two - 'The Agent Next Door' was my second favorite and again I enjoyed the deep love story between Erin and John.
Book Three - 'The Trouble With Temptation' was good but it was my least favorite of the four. I had a hard time feeling the connection between Ty and Morgan.
Book Four - 'The Best Man' was third in line. I loved that Michael from book three got his happy ever after and, although short, it was a good conclusion.
July 3, 2019
4,5*
4 fun stories. Not al very believable storylines, but who cares. They were still very fun. With strong and brave female main characters, droolworthy guys, action, suspense and humor.
Yep, fun reads indeed!
4 fun stories. Not al very believable storylines, but who cares. They were still very fun. With strong and brave female main characters, droolworthy guys, action, suspense and humor.
Yep, fun reads indeed!
June 6, 2019
Great box set
It's really nice being able to read the books one after the other. They were a great blend of romance and intrigue.
It's really nice being able to read the books one after the other. They were a great blend of romance and intrigue.
May 26, 2019
I found this box set on Amazon via BookBub; this is my honest review.
General:
-Editing needs a serious pass. Here are some examples: "her heartbeat slowed to the rate of a hummingbird's" -> the bird's heart rate (at rest) reaches 250 beats per minute, a human's (also at rest) 60-100 per minute. "until this over?" -> until this is over. "dusted the top of his ears" -> twice in two books to describe the H. "she downed the rest of her wine" - a few minutes later "before taking another sip".
-Entertaining, mysterious, suspenseful, a bit of a thrill, sexy and romantic.
-All the women want to save their man even though they are not equipped for that. It's irritating.
-I loved The Wedding Trap best. I read it twice: solo and in this box set. This is also the one that made me laugh the most and smile throughout. 5 stars.
-In The Agent Next Door, I loved the banter between John, Holly and Marianne, up until the end. 5 stars.
-In The Trouble with Temptation the author described mobsters' jobs a bit too clearly. Didn't bring anything more and left me with a bad taste. Still 4 stars.
-In The Best Man the title got me confused because Michael was not the best man. Lots of dangerous fun, though, with Holly. 5 stars.
General:
-Editing needs a serious pass. Here are some examples: "her heartbeat slowed to the rate of a hummingbird's" -> the bird's heart rate (at rest) reaches 250 beats per minute, a human's (also at rest) 60-100 per minute. "until this over?" -> until this is over. "dusted the top of his ears" -> twice in two books to describe the H. "she downed the rest of her wine" - a few minutes later "before taking another sip".
-Entertaining, mysterious, suspenseful, a bit of a thrill, sexy and romantic.
-All the women want to save their man even though they are not equipped for that. It's irritating.
-I loved The Wedding Trap best. I read it twice: solo and in this box set. This is also the one that made me laugh the most and smile throughout. 5 stars.
-In The Agent Next Door, I loved the banter between John, Holly and Marianne, up until the end. 5 stars.
-In The Trouble with Temptation the author described mobsters' jobs a bit too clearly. Didn't bring anything more and left me with a bad taste. Still 4 stars.
-In The Best Man the title got me confused because Michael was not the best man. Lots of dangerous fun, though, with Holly. 5 stars.
September 5, 2017
The Wedding Trap: A recurring white lie finally nets Beth her dream man, Alex. He saves her life multiple times and they fall in love.
The Agent Next Door: John moves into the neighborhood and meets Erin. They are just started getting interested in each other when a job goes snafu at John's work. In retaliation, with the gunrunner thinking Erin means more than is true at the moment, he blows up Erin's house in an attempt to kill her. With the threats to her life, Erin moves in with John where she overcomes her familial dislike of feds and they fall in love over time. In the end, it is Erin who solves the problem.
The Trouble With Temptation: Morgan knows her brother is up to something but not what. Ty applies as a bartender to go undercover at Kincaid's to get evidence against the Bratva. Ty needs to step in to save Morgan when she draws the attention of the Bratva and a hit is put out on her. In an attempt to save her brother, Morgan is caught and taken to be killed by her brother no less even if the Bratva are pulling his strings. Ty saves her and they end up confessing their love for each other in the midst of the bust of the Bratva. Gregg, her brother, gets his just reward and Morgan moves on with a new business and relationship with Ty.
The Best Man: Holly is invited to Alex and Beth's wedding where she meets Michael. The story is quick and action packed with Holly helping Michael stop the threat to Beth and Alex's wedding -- a revenge bomber. Michael won't allow Holly to say goodbye. He is determined to continue their new relationship.
The Agent Next Door: John moves into the neighborhood and meets Erin. They are just started getting interested in each other when a job goes snafu at John's work. In retaliation, with the gunrunner thinking Erin means more than is true at the moment, he blows up Erin's house in an attempt to kill her. With the threats to her life, Erin moves in with John where she overcomes her familial dislike of feds and they fall in love over time. In the end, it is Erin who solves the problem.
The Trouble With Temptation: Morgan knows her brother is up to something but not what. Ty applies as a bartender to go undercover at Kincaid's to get evidence against the Bratva. Ty needs to step in to save Morgan when she draws the attention of the Bratva and a hit is put out on her. In an attempt to save her brother, Morgan is caught and taken to be killed by her brother no less even if the Bratva are pulling his strings. Ty saves her and they end up confessing their love for each other in the midst of the bust of the Bratva. Gregg, her brother, gets his just reward and Morgan moves on with a new business and relationship with Ty.
The Best Man: Holly is invited to Alex and Beth's wedding where she meets Michael. The story is quick and action packed with Holly helping Michael stop the threat to Beth and Alex's wedding -- a revenge bomber. Michael won't allow Holly to say goodbye. He is determined to continue their new relationship.
July 26, 2018
So much fun :-)
I read the first book of this series as a freebie and it was so much fun that I decided to buy the box set, And I haven't regretted my decision :-)
I read the first book of this series as a freebie and it was so much fun that I decided to buy the box set, And I haven't regretted my decision :-)
August 6, 2021
Just enough
A romance, steamy sex,...and suspense. Great mix. I read the Wedding Trap as a standalone, but it was so awesome I immediately bought the box set.
A romance, steamy sex,...and suspense. Great mix. I read the Wedding Trap as a standalone, but it was so awesome I immediately bought the box set.
July 10, 2017
Great series
Loved all of these books. Lots of excitement and mystery. Also great love stories about couples who will face anything to be together.
Loved all of these books. Lots of excitement and mystery. Also great love stories about couples who will face anything to be together.
March 3, 2023
🌶️
Private Security Romance
Private Security Romance
June 2, 2016
Really loved this collection of stories!
I was thrilled that this collection was for sale as a bundle! There are 4 stories that interlock as the characters float in and out of some of the stories. Out of the 4 stories there are actually 3 full length, chaptered books and the final one is more of a no chapter novella.
The only reason I gave this collection 4 stars and not 5 is because the final story, The Best Man, is rushed, not fully developed and I would have loved to see Michael get more of his story told, it was also a somewhat of a HEA but we are left hanging because Michael and Holly live on opposite coasts and Holly is a romance writer in a slump and I would love to read how they resolved their living conditions and if Holly found a new story. Still happy I bought this collection with 4 HOT, HOT, HOT FBI men and their feisty, strong and smart women!
I was thrilled that this collection was for sale as a bundle! There are 4 stories that interlock as the characters float in and out of some of the stories. Out of the 4 stories there are actually 3 full length, chaptered books and the final one is more of a no chapter novella.
The only reason I gave this collection 4 stars and not 5 is because the final story, The Best Man, is rushed, not fully developed and I would have loved to see Michael get more of his story told, it was also a somewhat of a HEA but we are left hanging because Michael and Holly live on opposite coasts and Holly is a romance writer in a slump and I would love to read how they resolved their living conditions and if Holly found a new story. Still happy I bought this collection with 4 HOT, HOT, HOT FBI men and their feisty, strong and smart women!
October 18, 2015
Short and sweet for each story. I guess you can fall in love that quickly but wow... The characters and plot were compact but that's what you get with novellas!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews