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Brothers & Sisters #5
Too Close for Comfort
Up close, and way too personal!
Breaking and entering is hardly her style, but Iona MacCabe needs her passport back from her ex's motel room.
Jaded L.A. private investigator Zane Montoya is staking out a con man's motel room when this pretty Scottish girl gets seriously in the way. For her own safety, he'll keep her under his very close protection….
Except independent, willful Iona is not best pleased to be "rescued"—even by someone as sexy as blue-eyed, gorgeous Zane! And when he discovers just how innocent she really is, suddenly their scorching attraction feels even more dangerous….
315 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Rice
604 books411 followersMy name's Heidi Rice, I'm a USA Today Bestselling author. I'm married with two sons (which gives me rather too much of an insight into the male psyche!).
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 14, 2013
Not knowing who your father or mother is just plain sucks, if you know who they are and what they are, but not liking what you seeing, it sucks more.
Vowing to never become like him or her is a completely natural reaction, but one that can hinder you from actually living your life to the fullest and grabbing hold of the person who can be the one to heal you and your demons.
In the new Heidi Rice read the author tells the story of Zane and Iona. Iona is a damsel in distress and if there is one thing Zane does best, it's rescuing and protecting woman who are in a heap of trouble.
Only Iona reckons she does not need rescuing, especially not from some hot shot detective. But getting away from this man is darn near impossible, not only is he able to erase any and all sexual encounters from her past making her addicted and not wanting to ever get out of bed, no the man is far worse for her well being, he creeps into her heart and she has no idea how to get into his.
The character of Iona was terrific, fun and feisty a real go getter who does not back down in the face of danger rather she goes after it. Of course having I'll- make-you-come-till-you-pass-out Zane to come after her at the drop of a hat makes it so much more fun!
I loved that the author made her strong and she faces up to a challenge,telling it like it is. What I truly adored was how the author used her little insecurities to get on Zane's nerves. It made for some truly awesome conflict moments.
The character of Zane was a real sweetheart ladies, the man is sweet and kind enough to make your heart melt but also forceful and passionate enough to make your knees turn into jelly, the absolute perfect amount of sexiness.
The author making him this tough guy hero with a softer side, somehow made him more realistic for me as reader. It is not often we find a hero that is both throughout the read, no rather we get an arrogant hero that eventually comes around showing his sweeter and more considerate side and that usually happens in the end of the read, so that Heidi was a brilliant touch!
The backdrop settings were all very neatly incorporated into the read, from the recklessness of the kitchen sex scene that showed the restlessness of Zane's soul to the more softer side of his life when he is sitting down with his mother and finally having "the talk", and no it is not that kind of talk, you will need to read the book to find out, all I will say is it is a whopper of a talk.
The sexual level of this read was the kind of spicy I have learned to expect from this author but with more heat and emotion, that kind that right from the first time leaves you thinking "Okay that was so much more than casual", so often it takes a few rounds for this to pop up in a read so being able to pick it up from the start go was a nice refreshing touch.
The dialogue was oh so classic Heidi Rice, very sexy laced with terrific sensual and sweet undertones. As reader am taking away a message that is a very powerful one, never assume rather ask for you might never know, the answer could be your salvation.
5/5 star review
"There's no better comfort than love"
Vowing to never become like him or her is a completely natural reaction, but one that can hinder you from actually living your life to the fullest and grabbing hold of the person who can be the one to heal you and your demons.
In the new Heidi Rice read the author tells the story of Zane and Iona. Iona is a damsel in distress and if there is one thing Zane does best, it's rescuing and protecting woman who are in a heap of trouble.
Only Iona reckons she does not need rescuing, especially not from some hot shot detective. But getting away from this man is darn near impossible, not only is he able to erase any and all sexual encounters from her past making her addicted and not wanting to ever get out of bed, no the man is far worse for her well being, he creeps into her heart and she has no idea how to get into his.
The character of Iona was terrific, fun and feisty a real go getter who does not back down in the face of danger rather she goes after it. Of course having I'll- make-you-come-till-you-pass-out Zane to come after her at the drop of a hat makes it so much more fun!
I loved that the author made her strong and she faces up to a challenge,telling it like it is. What I truly adored was how the author used her little insecurities to get on Zane's nerves. It made for some truly awesome conflict moments.
The character of Zane was a real sweetheart ladies, the man is sweet and kind enough to make your heart melt but also forceful and passionate enough to make your knees turn into jelly, the absolute perfect amount of sexiness.
The author making him this tough guy hero with a softer side, somehow made him more realistic for me as reader. It is not often we find a hero that is both throughout the read, no rather we get an arrogant hero that eventually comes around showing his sweeter and more considerate side and that usually happens in the end of the read, so that Heidi was a brilliant touch!
The backdrop settings were all very neatly incorporated into the read, from the recklessness of the kitchen sex scene that showed the restlessness of Zane's soul to the more softer side of his life when he is sitting down with his mother and finally having "the talk", and no it is not that kind of talk, you will need to read the book to find out, all I will say is it is a whopper of a talk.
The sexual level of this read was the kind of spicy I have learned to expect from this author but with more heat and emotion, that kind that right from the first time leaves you thinking "Okay that was so much more than casual", so often it takes a few rounds for this to pop up in a read so being able to pick it up from the start go was a nice refreshing touch.
The dialogue was oh so classic Heidi Rice, very sexy laced with terrific sensual and sweet undertones. As reader am taking away a message that is a very powerful one, never assume rather ask for you might never know, the answer could be your salvation.
5/5 star review
"There's no better comfort than love"
May 20, 2013
Very good book. I really liked both Iona and Zane. Iona had followed her ex from Scotland to try to recover the money he had conned out of her father. Zane stops her just before she ruins the investigation he's been working on for six months. She fights back, not caring about his investigation only her attempt to make amends to her father. I loved the way that she stands up to "Detective Sexy" when he tries to overrule her on things. Her attraction to him is intense and he uses that attraction to overcome the insecurities caused by her ex. I loved that those insecurities would show in ways that would confound Zane. Meanwhile she tries to understand why he always seems to hold himself apart from his family even though it is obvious how much they love him. Her faith in his goodness is something he doesn't understand and she doesn't know how to convince him.
Zane is a great blend of sexy and sweet. He is a man who loves women. He knows how to please them, he protects them, but he won't allow them to get close to him. He is afraid of losing control and becoming like his father. His fears have caused him to only allow himself the most superficial of relationships. When he meets Iona there is something about her that makes him forget all his rules. She meets his family, he moves her into his home, and she distracts him from his work. I love watching him as he fights his feelings. When she gets to the root of his issues he is stunned when she tells him he is being an idiot and to talk to his mother about the truth, and then disappears. I loved the way it was all finally resolved.
Zane is a great blend of sexy and sweet. He is a man who loves women. He knows how to please them, he protects them, but he won't allow them to get close to him. He is afraid of losing control and becoming like his father. His fears have caused him to only allow himself the most superficial of relationships. When he meets Iona there is something about her that makes him forget all his rules. She meets his family, he moves her into his home, and she distracts him from his work. I love watching him as he fights his feelings. When she gets to the root of his issues he is stunned when she tells him he is being an idiot and to talk to his mother about the truth, and then disappears. I loved the way it was all finally resolved.
December 27, 2014
No la recomiendo. Le doy las cuatro estrellas solo por entretenimiento. La novela es mala, sin emoción, insta love e insta lust. Se puso interesante en la segunda mitad. Me siento decepcionada con esta historia, pero tengo que decir que he leído historias preciosas de Heidi Rice, solo que esta es otra de sus malas novelas.
April 29, 2019
An enjoyable read.
Great main characters. Iona is a firecracker and Zane is such a good guy. Can’t help but love them.
Adored CD. A rescue that was so ugly she was cute. Everyone should rescue. The life you save will bring immeasurable joy to your life. I loved that Zane rescued CD. Best name ever too!
All around good book. My only disappointment was the abrupt ending. I wanted an epilogue. The story needed...more.
Great main characters. Iona is a firecracker and Zane is such a good guy. Can’t help but love them.
Adored CD. A rescue that was so ugly she was cute. Everyone should rescue. The life you save will bring immeasurable joy to your life. I loved that Zane rescued CD. Best name ever too!
All around good book. My only disappointment was the abrupt ending. I wanted an epilogue. The story needed...more.
July 20, 2017
Full review available here: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
It is unfortunate when a solid storyline gets overwhelmed by too much going on, and damaged by characters the reader can’t relate to. The basic premise of this story - interesting. But the heroine was annoying and the story itself suffered from overload.
When Zane Montoya stakes out the motel room of a conman, he doesn’t expect to find a sassy redhead breaking into the place. So, he does the only thing he can think of with Iona MacCabe - grabs her, threatens arrest, and holds her personal belongings (including her purse and passport) for good behavior.
Iona, however, has traveled across both an ocean and a continent, following the con man from her home in Scotland to get her father’s money back. She has issues, understandably, with Zane’s high-handedness, but can’t stop herself from being attracted to him. Now she just has to work through his problems, to reach their happily ever after.
It is unfortunate when a solid storyline gets overwhelmed by too much going on, and damaged by characters the reader can’t relate to. The basic premise of this story - interesting. But the heroine was annoying and the story itself suffered from overload.
When Zane Montoya stakes out the motel room of a conman, he doesn’t expect to find a sassy redhead breaking into the place. So, he does the only thing he can think of with Iona MacCabe - grabs her, threatens arrest, and holds her personal belongings (including her purse and passport) for good behavior.
Iona, however, has traveled across both an ocean and a continent, following the con man from her home in Scotland to get her father’s money back. She has issues, understandably, with Zane’s high-handedness, but can’t stop herself from being attracted to him. Now she just has to work through his problems, to reach their happily ever after.
August 3, 2013
As I've said before, this line of KISS by Harlequin is back and forth on content. This started out with a great story line but after the first couple of chapters it just became all about the sex. And then at the end of the book we finally find out some more interesting stuff. So I'd say read the first couple of chapters and the last couple of chapters and save yourself some time. Unless you're just reading it for the sex, then you can ignore those chapters and find plenty to your liking in the middle.
Sadly, the characters followed along. At first I really liked both Zane and Iona. Zane was funny and sweet and tender. Iona had a goal in life that was worthwhile. But once the book turned to sex, the characters ceased to exist as human and were more animal like.
Sadly, the characters followed along. At first I really liked both Zane and Iona. Zane was funny and sweet and tender. Iona had a goal in life that was worthwhile. But once the book turned to sex, the characters ceased to exist as human and were more animal like.
January 3, 2016
The prose was poorly written. For a Scottish girl, Iona sounded so American... Except for the occasional Aye, wanting a wee bite and having a cuppa with Tess, that is. Really, write what you know, if you really wanna to write it, then at least research what you wanna write.
The story is hinges on the inexplicable attraction between the H/h, can't help but have sex, lots n lots of it. Iona is immature and overreacts to pretty much everything, Zane is also surprisingly immature, with a bad temper. The author just kind of piled all kinds of positive traits along with the glaring flaws and hoped it'd meld.
Bleh.
The story is hinges on the inexplicable attraction between the H/h, can't help but have sex, lots n lots of it. Iona is immature and overreacts to pretty much everything, Zane is also surprisingly immature, with a bad temper. The author just kind of piled all kinds of positive traits along with the glaring flaws and hoped it'd meld.
Bleh.
January 15, 2017
great book. I wanted an epilogue, but was disappointed
July 15, 2020
I just read this for a second time and still enjoyed it. Another fabulous story from Heidi with return visits from characters from other books. I liked seeing Nick and Eva and their wee boy and of course as I’d just read Nate and Tess’s story - it was lovely to see them too. But I can see that, (as other reviewers have commented), it might seem there were too many characters. I didn’t find that though.
The story of Zane and half brother Nate and the role that the horrible father played was key to the story and explained Zane’s fears. Iona was a great characterToo and I really liked her.
Iona and Zane are a super couple and I loved the banter, the challenges, the family, the sex and CD too! My only complaint was the lack of an epilogue - 4 stars.
The story of Zane and half brother Nate and the role that the horrible father played was key to the story and explained Zane’s fears. Iona was a great characterToo and I really liked her.
Iona and Zane are a super couple and I loved the banter, the challenges, the family, the sex and CD too! My only complaint was the lack of an epilogue - 4 stars.
August 23, 2019
Protagonistas: Zane & Iona
Profesiones: Pintora & Dectetive
Pais: USA
Profesiones: Pintora & Dectetive
Pais: USA
June 9, 2013
As I mentioned in my Blog post under Product Description, I was kindly sent a copy of this in paperback form my Heidi (the Author) under the Good Reads Giveaway/First Reads Scheme. Lucky me, she also signed it and enclosed just about one of the coolest business cards ever.
To be honest, it wasn't the longest book in the world, more a novella, but it made up for it in decent writing and a lovely story. Very definitely in the Mills & Boon tradition, and I've loved Mills & Boon since I was a teenager.
I thorough enjoyed it, and have added Heidi to my list of favourite authors' as consequence.
Zane Montoya by the way was a yummy full on Alpha Male Hero, with a cute and vulnerable side, who definitely met his match with the fiery lass from Scotland.
4 stars from me, I just wish it had been a little bit longer. Still, the story was more than adequately told within the length.
Errors/Bug Bears:
A well delivered product. My only slight criticism was that Iona was a redhead, but on the cover looks more like a brunette to me ...... maybe it's just that the publisher felt a Red Head wouldn't help it sell.
To be honest, it wasn't the longest book in the world, more a novella, but it made up for it in decent writing and a lovely story. Very definitely in the Mills & Boon tradition, and I've loved Mills & Boon since I was a teenager.
I thorough enjoyed it, and have added Heidi to my list of favourite authors' as consequence.
Zane Montoya by the way was a yummy full on Alpha Male Hero, with a cute and vulnerable side, who definitely met his match with the fiery lass from Scotland.
4 stars from me, I just wish it had been a little bit longer. Still, the story was more than adequately told within the length.
Errors/Bug Bears:
A well delivered product. My only slight criticism was that Iona was a redhead, but on the cover looks more like a brunette to me ...... maybe it's just that the publisher felt a Red Head wouldn't help it sell.
June 27, 2013
Review Posted on HarlequinJunkie.com
While Zane Montoya stakes out the seedy motel that supposedly houses his scum-sucking quarry, he notices a figure scurrying around the room he watches. He's not going to let the kid get in his way, not after tracking the low-life after he seemingly dropped off the face of the earth. He quickly realizes...Read More
While Zane Montoya stakes out the seedy motel that supposedly houses his scum-sucking quarry, he notices a figure scurrying around the room he watches. He's not going to let the kid get in his way, not after tracking the low-life after he seemingly dropped off the face of the earth. He quickly realizes...Read More
November 16, 2013
I enjoyed this one. Iona was a feisty heroine and it was nice to read a female lead who doesn't just lie down and take rubbish in her life. I think the story line involving Zane's family was resolved a little quickly and didn't really cover everything that had been brought up in the book, but the two characters had great chemistry and I loved their first meeting.
An enjoyable read with interesting characters. And I absolutely loved the cover - just the right kind of sexy. 3.5 stars.
An enjoyable read with interesting characters. And I absolutely loved the cover - just the right kind of sexy. 3.5 stars.
February 9, 2014
This is my second book from the Kiss collection and I enjoyed it better than the last one. I was kind of disappointed that what I thought was gonna be the main plot of the story was solved very early on. But the story was still very good. The attraction between the characters is very well described by the author and although how the story was gonna end was obvious, it was interesting to see how the author was gonna lead us there. Overall, it was a good book.
July 20, 2013
I've read Heidi Rice since her debut and not once have I read a bad or even mediocre story of hers. In fact quite a few are true keepers and Zane is no exception. Oh my this guy is yummy! And Iona is one of those women you'd love to have a drink down the pub with. As a couple they shone. Loved it!
September 3, 2014
Was a fun read. Not the usual mills & boon recipe.
June 17, 2016
4.5 Stars!
July 19, 2017
Aunque es un libro corto en extensión se me hizo exageradamente largo al leerlo, estaba pensando en todo momento "ya quiero terminarlo". La idea del detective y la chica que termina en medio de una investigación esta interesante, pero los dos protagonistas se me hicieron aburridos y desagradables.
Me gusto que se tocara un poco la cultura mexicana, creo que estuvo bastante bien presentada, pero esperaba más de la escocesa, la protagonista no se sentía como una chica escocesa de un pequeño pueblito. Al final, para mi la historia se comenzó a poner buena; como las ultimas 40 o 30 paginas finales, pero el final no fue nada el otro mundo y la emoción que se comenzó a formar en esas ultimas paginas se disipo como en las cuatro ultimas.
Me gusto que se tocara un poco la cultura mexicana, creo que estuvo bastante bien presentada, pero esperaba más de la escocesa, la protagonista no se sentía como una chica escocesa de un pequeño pueblito. Al final, para mi la historia se comenzó a poner buena; como las ultimas 40 o 30 paginas finales, pero el final no fue nada el otro mundo y la emoción que se comenzó a formar en esas ultimas paginas se disipo como en las cuatro ultimas.
December 28, 2020
Beautifully written romance with both fun and steamy scenes and drama.
September 24, 2014
~3.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, but also by how short it seemed. It was good, but there just wasn’t enough.
I liked the characters, I liked their back-stories and how we got to see them grow. There was a small cop and non-romance aspect to the story, but that only last for the first quarter of the book, and I liked that the rest of it focused on the romance and relationship. That was refreshing, since most drag out those parts till the end for some big intense life-or-death situation. I liked getting to know the characters and the people around them, but I don’t think there was enough of that. We got to know the two main characters rather well, but saw very little of the other characters, and I would have liked those relationships expanded on and given some focus, like his mother's character, and her relationship with her dad. I don’t feel like I got to know anyone else very well, and that upsets me, because I liked what I saw.
I do know that this is part of a series, and so I hope to pick up the other books, because I want to know the other characters better, and I hope they have more to them.
At the end of this book was a short story, a prequel to the series by multiple authors, The Wedding Season, was The Wedding Dress Diaries by Aimee Carson. I wasn't expecting much from this, wasn’t even sure if I would read it, but found that I really enjoyed it. It was about the brother of the bride, a guy who does not want to commit, and the best friend of the bride, who he remembers as a little kid who is all grown up now, who used to like him. This story was surprisingly well done, very cute and really good and short. I don’t know if I’ll pick up the next one, but this one was definitely nice.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, but also by how short it seemed. It was good, but there just wasn’t enough.
I liked the characters, I liked their back-stories and how we got to see them grow. There was a small cop and non-romance aspect to the story, but that only last for the first quarter of the book, and I liked that the rest of it focused on the romance and relationship. That was refreshing, since most drag out those parts till the end for some big intense life-or-death situation. I liked getting to know the characters and the people around them, but I don’t think there was enough of that. We got to know the two main characters rather well, but saw very little of the other characters, and I would have liked those relationships expanded on and given some focus, like his mother's character, and her relationship with her dad. I don’t feel like I got to know anyone else very well, and that upsets me, because I liked what I saw.
I do know that this is part of a series, and so I hope to pick up the other books, because I want to know the other characters better, and I hope they have more to them.
At the end of this book was a short story, a prequel to the series by multiple authors, The Wedding Season, was The Wedding Dress Diaries by Aimee Carson. I wasn't expecting much from this, wasn’t even sure if I would read it, but found that I really enjoyed it. It was about the brother of the bride, a guy who does not want to commit, and the best friend of the bride, who he remembers as a little kid who is all grown up now, who used to like him. This story was surprisingly well done, very cute and really good and short. I don’t know if I’ll pick up the next one, but this one was definitely nice.
August 28, 2014
This was your typical romance. I thought maybe it was shaping up to have more depth than it ended with but no such luck. I enjoyed the story but Iona was annoying at times. Just seemed she jumped to too conclusions. Then the ending, he never said I love you. Of course we know he loves her but he never comes right out and says it. I just found that to be kinda weird. Other than that this was pretty enjoyable to read. Something quick and light.
December 1, 2014
I liked this story, but, for me, it was too repetitive, which made me lose interest and keep putting the book down.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews