Savannah Run

Protecting Love #1

by Michelle Donn

When accountant Leia Stone discovers her boss’s criminal secrets, she knows she must act. But her attempt to gather evidence fails and now the mob is hunting her. Desperate, she turns to a former client for help.

Eric Robb is a sought-after fixer who handles problems for the rich and powerful. When Leia calls him for help, he can’t resist getting involved despite his cynical ways.

With a hitman hot on their heels, they embark on a cross-country escape from the bustling streets of New York to the back alleys of Savannah, Georgia. Every perilous escape brings them closer, fanning the flames of desire growing between them.

Can Eric and Leia stay alive long enough to see justice served? Or will this quest cost them both everything, including their chance at love?

"Savannah Run" kicks off The Protecting Love Series, featuring an reluctant hero and a determined accountant running from a mob hitman. Brace yourself for an electrifying blend of opposites attract romance, forced proximity, and heart-pounding action, complete with tangled sheets, daring rescues, and a delicious happily ever after. If you're a fan of TV shows like "Burn Notice," "White Collar," or "Jack Ryan," this series is for you.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Amazon

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2021

About the author

Aim for the Heart!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lf7xJ9
Facebook: https://bit.ly/30xPjuN
Website michelledonn.com

Michelle introduced herself to romance novels by stealing them off her mother’s bookshelf. She got caught red-handed when she destroyed a new book by dropping in the bathtub before her mom could read it. From stolen paperbacks to an overloaded iPad, Michelle’s passion for reading grew into her debut contemporary romance novel: Savannah Run.

She lives in the South Carolina with her real-life prince charming, three dogs and two horses. Most evenings, you will find her enjoying a cocktail, and working out the plot of her next book with her husband.

Reviews

[Ashleyjo]

Note to self: Note the F for me.

December, ie the chapter before chapter one, is horribly written. 1) It feels copy and paste… like the middle of the start of a story. Not enough chapter intro, situational info, or world intro before we meet the FMC having some epiphany and battle of morals over forensic accounting and mobster ties. 2) I kinda have a soft spot for monsters who don’t kill innocents, traffic women, or do other pitch black shit; sooooo, it’s kinda hard to share in her moral compass r/t hidden money from mobsters she knows nothing about.

Pet peeve one…

We move on to chapter two and hit a pet peeve. Don’t write a foreign language word in your book without giving the reader the translation. I had to stop and look up “kotyonok,” which I found is some pet name akin to kitten.

Pet peeve two…

Immediately, I find pet peeve number two…. writing that is thoughtless r/t what comes before and after it. Disjointed. Nonsense. ….

“I like that you call me sir, kotyonok.” His musky cologne was thick and swirled around her, making her nose wrinkle in distaste. “May I help you with something, sir?” Her cheap office chair squeaked as she pushed it back, putting as much distance between herself and the large man as possible. The hair on the back of her neck tingled with unease.

^^^ So, if a guy creeping you out says he likes it when you call him sir, WTF would you respond to that by calling him sir unless you intend it as a welcome mat?

Pet peeve three…

Situational awareness - lack thereof. Now, after writing all the above ^^^ , the author does what she should’ve done to start with, and offers us the FMC Googling one of the bad guy clients to find information worthy of her concern. Why not lead off with this so that the reader and character are on the same f’ing page - both wanting to take down OBVIOUS bad mofos, not powderpuff gangsters.

For almost four months, she had been able to pretend she wasn't part of helping them break the law while she slowly collected information for the FBI.

Great, but starting the reader connection with the FMC with such weak sauce already put us at odds. Even the FMC herself knows it…

She couldn't stomach working here knowing she was helping a killer like Oblonsky. She’d been pretending that these men weren’t that terrible, but Oblonsky had ripped the veil from her eyes. Even if she had to do something rash, it was time to bring Sal Marino and all his dirty clients to justice.

While, the reader may be interested in bringing down a human trafficking scumbag, how it all started with some Pollyanna crusade against dudes ‘not that bad’ is like a dark cloud over that initial reader/character bond.

Pet peeve four…

I don’t need it told 3,000 times with 3,000 extra details to be able to comprehend what’s going on. The FMC’s thoughts are on a loop, saying the same thing over and over, and it’s way too many unimportant details.

Moving on… no, I don’t think I will. Haven’t meet the MMC yet, and when I realize IDGAF, I know it’s time for me to walk away. DNF @ 7%.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. Eric was so protective and he liked her so much. He went after time and time again without any regard for himself, that's love. Leia was very brave for trying to do the right thing, not many people could. They fit each other nicely and I really liked them

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/29/2021)! 🎁

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, Savannah Run is a story which is totally my jam, and I did love it hard. There were just a few things that kept me from giving it all the stars, and please remember this is only my opinion. Leia Stone's life is about to take a chaotic turn after she figured out that her boss is in some pretty shady dealings in the underbelly of the crime world. As she tries to get help, she ends up in even deeper hot water which is where Eric Robb comes in at. He's a fixer, and while I loved him, he's no Olivia Pope (from one of my favorite shows, Scandal) to be honest LOL. Now, he's going to try and protect Leia, but things get even more crazy when his past comes back. The twists are coming in hot, my f-bombs are dropping, and they end up on the lam from a hired killer. Here's where it got dicey for me, these two only added more to the chaos with the mistakes they made that they didn't need to. I loved the suspense & action of Savannah Run, but I need my MC's to make smarter decisions. Despite my issue, I found it impossible to put this story down, so I'm ready for the next book in this series! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leia is a CPA who works at a new company and finds out they are not on the up and up. She decides she needs to save people that are being hurt and starts to collect data to turn over to the FBI. What she doesn't realize is that her time is coming to an end when a bad man steps into the office. Now is her time to turn it all in, but her nerves get the best and she decides to call in an old client. Eric never forgot Leia and when she calls he doesn't understand this need to help her. Now they are both on the run and trying not to get killed. Eric has skills that you would never know and you are trying to figure out is he really the good guy or a bad guy in disguise? These two travel and try to figure out the missing pieces while waiting on the FBI, but man what a trip it is.

[Maureen Woeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic romance and thrills

Enjoyed this story from beginning to end. A little bit of everything. I am so happy I got this book!

[Teresa Reitnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut book from a new author to me. High octane from the very beginning. Leia Stone fights for justice within the law. Eric Robb helps his clients, blurring the legal line. There are twists and surprises within the story that makes it an amazing read. The characters are well-developed, and it was a pleasure to follow their story. I highly recommend the book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Maureen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love on the run

What an awesome first novel! Really loved the interplay of the two leads. A great dive into some gray areas of the law, with a wonderful happy ending. I can’t wait to read more books by Michelle

[Jenni Bara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great combination of suspense and heat. I couldn’t put it down. Eric was the ideal body guard to make it super swoony.

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic suspense at its best:
What an amazing debut novel and start to an exciting new series.
I liked how Leia was feisty and brave as she sought justice after becoming an FBI informant. Eric was a fixer and determined to help protect naive Leia but his past was complicated. It was lovely to see how they were able to compliment and bring out the best in the other person and I absolutely loved the ending.
I enjoyed the fast paced intrigue and suspense and the twists and turns just kept on coming, leaving me guessing and gasping! It was quite gripping and scary at times but there was a good balance of adrenaline fueled action with sweet, romantic down times.
If you sign up for the author's newsletter at the end of the book you get a bonus epilogue about their honeymoon. I'd recommend getting it as it also provided some much needed closure regarding the case and what they were both now doing. I can't wait for the upcoming books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherry Christenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Leila is a great character. She’s spunky and fights for justice. Eric is perfect for her, he complements her in every way. Romance suspense and intrigue make for a great read! And that epilogue ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mckenzie Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novel by a new author. Savannah Run is a fun blend of action and romance. Just enough nail-biting danger to keep me on the edge of my seat while the couple’s romance blooms. From kidnappings to car chases this book has plenty of excitement. And Eric is capital H-O-T! He can fix my problems any day. Can’t wait to dive into book two.

[Marsha Kufel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. I thoroughly enjoyed the book - able to visualize and become part of the content! Easy read, captures attention of reader - appeals to all audiences!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read!

Starting a new accounting job Leia noticed some odd things. She asked her co-worker about it and he said keep your head down and mouth shut. Thus started a journey she could never have imagined. Excellent read! Lots of action!

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when I find a new author I can add to my tbr list. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the more books from this author. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[MooseGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working as an accountant, Leia discovers her boss is laundering money for various unsavoury characters. Determined to do the right thing, Leia finds herself in trouble and reaches out to the only person she can think of that can help. Eric isn't thrilled to find himself involved in Leia's problems, but he feels drawn to keep her safe. And the longer they're together, the more he starts to care for her.

This was a fairly good romantic suspense. There was plenty going on (sometimes perhaps a little too much) and there was a connection between the characters. Sadly, it didn't quite grab my attention as much as I'd hoped and my interest was starting to wane by the end. The connection between characters was there, but maybe wasn't quite as deep as it was supposed to be. It was more about a physical attraction and not so much an emotional one. So, I believed in the action and the steam, but I wasn't quite so convinced about the romance.

Overall, it was a pleasant read.

[Anna Stewart McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leia has just realized that she's working for an accountant that launders money for bad guys. She reaches out to Eric, a "fixer" she did taxes for the previous year. They soon realize that she's in way over her head and desperately needs Eric's help to keep her safe.

What I liked:
-I'm a Georgia girl, so I love reading books that take place here. Savannah is known for its St. Patrick's Day celebrations, so that added to the fun!
-Both Leia and Eric were likable characters with chemistry.
-There was no OW/OM drama.
-Straightforward storyline but still taut and suspenseful.

What I didn't like:
-Nothing, an overall good read!

[Cheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Really wonderful story of Leia and Eric. It has lots of suspense and romance. A lot of twists and turns in their story. I couldn’t put it down till I finished it. Leia a CPA who wants to correct her boss’s corrupt business and Eric a fixer. She takes information to the FBI and Eric knows she will need protection that will not come right away from the FBI. So they are on the run from her boss, a Russian mobster and his former partner. Michelle is a first time writer and she weaves an awesome story of suspense and romance. I can’t get enough of her.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner that’s been languishing on my tbr pile for far too long. Leia is a young woman with a strong sense of right and wrong. When she finds herself working for a company that launders money for the worst of the worst she knows she has to do something.
Eric is a Fixer and it pays well. When his former account asks for help he reluctantly agrees.
These two have lessons to be learned from each other.
This is a fast paced, energetic romantic suspense that uplift and ensconce you into a dark world that most never see.

[Jeannette S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little difficult to get into for me. I don’t know if it was the style of writing or just the topic, but I just can’t put my finger on it. I will say, it did pick up a little interest for me towards the end, and I DID finish it, so I guess that says something. All in all, it was just ok and I don’t think I’ll read anymore in the series.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

only 3.5

This was good, but couldn’t hole all of my attention. Started reading faster, just not totally skimming. A bit difficult to swallow how they kept being found by the crazy guy.

[Janet Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Find: Michelle Donn

It's a good read! There IS a "thing" referred to as "literary license" - you can add or subtract things/events/buildings when writing fiction - all to aid a fantastic plot - and this story is really good.
Thank you for your time, talent AND THE STORY.

[Deborah Turton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer sizzler

Couldn't stop reading it.
Fast pace with unexpected twists along with entertaining characters and sizzle. Great summer reading around the pool

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very suspenseful

Intense from the beginning, hooked me in so I didn't put it down. How you could sneak a love story into all that action is beyond me but boy was it yummy.

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Purch. Aug. 24, 2023

[Pat Hopson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable first book in the series. Well written story, very exciting plot that exceeds most usually found in books classified as romance. There is good heat between the main characters and there are a couple of sexy scenes.

Looking forward to more from this new to me author who I just met at a book signing in Florida.

[Ksarak Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my welcome back to fiction reading, and I have to pat myself on the back for picking such a great read.
This is The Protecting Love Series Book 1, from author Michelle Donn. Michelle is a new author for me, an author whose writing style I very much enjoy. Truly looking forward to reading all of the books in this 6 book series.

But here in the 1st book, Savannah Run, we meet the heroine Leia. I immediately liked this heroine, Leia the accountant. Leia is smart and wants to do the right thing, but doesn't always think things through.
Leia tries to do the right thing, but when she's met with a bit of resistance she gives a former tax client a call.
Enter, the fixer Eric who immediately knows Leia is in over-her-head. Eric has to rely on his skills and contacts to keep Leia alive.
We follow these two and a few colorful supporting characters in this engaging and adventurous romantic suspense. Truly enjoyed this: 5 Stars
Next up: Chicago by Chance

[Cheryl addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG loved it can't wait till I can get more of the series

[Michelle Donn]

Excerpt from Savannah Run

“Hello, Mr. Robb. I hope you remember me; it’s Leia Stone. I worked on your taxes last year.”
“Yes, I recall. I missed your assistance this year.” He remembered the pretty brunette accountant.
employed at Gladwell & Smith.
“Last year you told me you’re the guy people call when their whole world is flipped upside down. And that you can put it right side up again. You’re some kind of facilitator for people with problems, right?”
“Yes, I’m a fixer,” he replied.
Facilitator was too kind of a word to describe what he did. Eric Robb was a fixer; short of killing people, he would fix just about any problem a client brought to him. Business partner stealing from you? No problem. He would get the money back. Assets need to disappear before a divorce—what assets? Need a scandal to be swept under the proverbial rug before it could ruin a fledgling political career? Done. He was good, quiet, and very expensive. The tools of his trade ranged from computer hacking to blackmail. He would play dirty so his clients could get what they wanted.
“My life is upside down.”
Eric could hear a PA system in the background. She was in an airport or train station.
“What’s happened?” he asked.
“I took information…evidence that I want to turn in to the FBI. It will send people to jail. I went to the New York FBI office, and they turned me away. I didn’t have an appointment. I didn’t get past the front door.” Her voice was a little shaky.
He hoped that she was overreacting; she was an accountant. Tax fraud wasn’t usually the FBI’s jurisdiction. He liked to deal in hard facts, not suppositions. He should be able to talk her off the ledge and give her some advice. Peace of mind was all she needed. Maybe revisit his offer to take her out for a drink.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The description of the book sounded so interesting, but Savannah Run fell a little flat in my opinion. The characters were supposedly smart, but they kept making ridiculous decisions. It started out full of excitement then just died down to nothing where they made more poor decisions. Then some romance was thrown in, and the action part was completely forgotten by the characters and the reader. The action picked back up, but I was pretty much off the story by then. I liked the writing okay, which got me through it. I feel there could be potential from this author with more practice, more realistic storylines, and better flow between romance and suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.