Unfinished Business

Madaris Family Saga #13

by Brenda Jackson

"Hot and sexy."—Romance Reader at HeartTM

A PROMISE MADE

Investigative reporter Christy Madaris doesn't want to complicate her life with romance. She made that mistake once when she believed Alex Maxwell's promise to marry her. True, Alex made that promise when Christy was just a teenager. But she believed him with all her heart—and when Alex laughed it off years later, Christy was crushed.

A PROMISE BROKEN

The owner of his own P.I. firm, Alex refuses to compromise everything he's worked for to honor a silly promise. Christy should have known he was only teasing, right? But when Alex finally sees Christy again, he knows he made a big mistake. She has grown up into a smart and stunning woman—and Alex can't get her off his mind.

A LOVE THEY CAN'T FORGET…
When Christy's latest story takes a dark turn, the Madaris brothers ask Alex to keep her safe. But putting Alex in charge of Christy is like putting a rooster in charge of the hen house! The more she snubs him, the more he wants her. But when Christy's life is in danger, can Alex save her before it's too late?



"A perfect balance of tension and chemistry."—RT Book Reviews

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, African American, Fiction, Cultural

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

Reviews

[Jultri · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 30%. My first by the author and it did not impress. Firstly, too many repetitions referencing the "unfinished business" between the MCs. I don't get the unreasonable anger the heroine harbour against the hero after he let her down gently following her one-sided infatuation with the 8 year older hero. She deluded herself into thinking they were soul-mates, when all he ever did was treat her as a kid sister. Why would a relatively smart college girl like herself believe she could hold him to the promise of marriage, he as a grow-up man made to her as young girl years earlier to cheer her up. He finally stripped her of her girlhood fantasy, and suddenly he becomes public enemy number 1. He doesn't touch her for 3 years after that, supposedly out of respect for her brothers. She moves away and suddenly becomes fair game to him, which translates to giving him the right to barge into her private residence and becoming all possessive to the point of turning into freakish stalker. And why can't he put the drugged heroine to bed fully clothed without stripping off her dress, stockings etc. She was hardly wearing that much clothing to begin with. In addition, the horny effect of ketamine sure lasts a long time, hours in this case, which is rather dubious. Also dubious is her insistence on dancing with him while under the influence of ketamine which is supposed to paralyse people or at least weaken them and reduce their coordination.

All in all, this is an unfinished business that will remain unfinished for me.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do u read this book???

[Martha Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Christy Madaris and Alex Maxwell's story!!!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this continuation of the Madaris Family Saga, Ms. Jackson has written another keeper with UNFINISHED BUSINESS. I have to say that I've loved Ms. Jackson's foray into romantic suspense, especially with her richly engaging characters of the Madaris family.

In UNFINISHED BUSINESS, we finally get the story of the youngest Madaris, Christy. Pampered, wealthy, and riding high with the fulfillment of being an investigative reporter, Christy wants for nothing-nothing, that is, except for the love of the one man she's always wanted. True, Alex Maxwell only promised to marry her as a whim back when she was a teenager, but the heart doesn't care whether the offer was made in jest or not. Back when she was thirteen, it didn't occur to her that Alex was playing when he gave her that pretend ring and asked for her hand in marriage. Christy has always loved Alex, and time has only made that love grow deeper.

For Alex, who runs his own highly successful and lucrative private investigations firm, Christy was just a kid when he made his vow of undying love and marriage. But now, years later, seeing the beautiful and talented woman who is a success in her own right causes him to sit back and think-did he make a mistake letting Christy Madaris get away so easily all those years ago? After Christy came home from college and he so quickly laughed away that childhood promise of marriage, she never forgave him-and Alex did nothing to help ease the hurt of her broken heart.

But now trouble has followed Christy to Cincinnati, and Alex's old buddies, Christy's older brothers, have asked him to keep an eye on her. What no one realizes is that, at least for Alex, keeping Christy close is no hardship. But can Christy's hurt pride and Alex's hurtful jesting from years ago be forgiven long enough to keep Christy safe-and to allow another chance for this destined to be together couple?

Kudos to Ms. Jackson for another wonderful installment of the Madaris Family Saga; an installment that is rife with suspense, tense dialogue, and a passion that defies the passing of time.

[stilwaterz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a new Brenda Jackson fan and trying to read the Madaris series in order. Even if you don't read them in order, Ms. Jackson, shares enough details about the characters so you can easily follow their contribition to the story line.

Ms. Jackson does an excellent job of sharing the story of Christy and Alex. Christy has had her heart set on Alex since childhood, but Alex wasn't interested partly because of the age difference and potential resistence from her family.

In true Brenda Jackson style, Christy and Alex are able to overcome their own hang-ups and discover they were meant to be.

I am a sucker for a true romance story, which this is. Not as steamy as other Jackson novels, but sweet and sexy where appropriate.

Read it, you will enjoy!

[K3in · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish reading this book...

So she gets drugged by the first guy she starts seeing after she moves? And on the very date Alex happened to be stalking her? Why the hell should she not get involved by reporting it to the cops, after all she is a news reporter! Obviously a girl won't die if she sleeps in the clothes she had been wearing to her date. And seriously! There other ways to keep a person warm. Finally I cannot imagine for the life of me how Christy moved on over the incident like nothing had happened.

I really doubt FBI hires psychics.

Really a plot perfect for romance novel completely wasted.....

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy Madaris has loved Alex Maxwell since she was 16. Now she is a grown woman and its time to make this man all hers. The mistake he thought he made may be the very thing he should be chasing after. But once Christy's life is in danger he makes the right decision. The only decision he could make.


This is most certainly a read the will read again and again. Jackson make the Madaris Family & Friends a series to come back to over and over again.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read just about every story in this Madaris series and I have found that each story has it's own unique romance and suspense at every turn from the beginning to the end. Alex and Christy's story does not disappoint either it filled with action, suspense, and the much awaited spicy romance between the two. A must read for sure! LOVE...LOVE...LOVE!

[Swanangel15's Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky me, I always seem to pick up books that follow a pattern, and my current pattern are women you get what they need handed to them only to throw it in the garbage for what they think they need, and this woman was one of the worst offenders of doing just that.

Read the rest of my review on my blog at:
http://swanangel15home.blogspot.com/2...

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Well I love all her books. It was amazing to see how Christy grew up over the years and how she was able to deal with Alex.

[Brice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Hot Hot roller-coaster of passion flowing all though the pages of this book.Never make a promise your not going to keep

[Renelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in a series and I have most of them you have to read them in order. I recommend this book also.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Brenda Jackson's Madaris series.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy and Alex ...........Great Story
Read for the second time! 6/2018

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a bout time for Alex and Christy to get together. They have been fighting their attraction for quite some time. They are both mature enough to walk into their book destined love.

[Lorraine Stephany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel by Nora Roberts

[Nakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!!!

[Sophie Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This falls in one of my top five in the Madaris series. And I am reading it again for the third time.

Definitely worth the re-read.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventurous story!! Little Christy has grown up and her match will the clever Alex! I enjoyed reading "Unfinished Business". Brenda Jackson has yet to disappoint me. Slow Burn is up next!!

[Keesha Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary

This was a great love story. Alex's and Christy's love proved solid from the beginning. There's nothing like true love.

[Tiffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite

[Limecello]

Obviously an audiobook read - and ... :X remember what I had about the Grangers having a CAST?!

Well... I mean this is book 13. Which - I didn't particularly know when I chose it - but obviously if I'd gone looking I'd have seen it. Good thing I don't care about reading books in order re: series 😅😇
I do want to read the brothers books but ... :\ Hoopla doesn't seem to have any of the earlier books. :|
T_T

Ok so. Christy Madaris & Alex Maxwell. I really like friends to lovers but this wasn't really friends to lovers so much as "family friends/acquaintances to lovers." We get that Alex low key started noticing Christy 3 years before the beginning of the main book - but like...
Why ... I ... she thought his "proposal"/proposition for them getting married was for real, when she was 13 and he was 18 and like ... whut?
Whut?

....
No really. Whut?

I mean it obviously all works out nicely for them but ...
Who does that?

Supposedly this smart woman ... *shakes head* I dunno.

Sometimes I was like "ok Christy" and sometimes I was like :X friend. You are BARRELING into TSTL ... for when her "friend" roofies her - and also ... why doesn't Alex take her to the hospital? And why doesn't Christy tell her friend that HER friend FUCKING ROOFIED HER. Hello YOU WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THAT SHIT/HIM BEING A FUCKING PREDATOR.
I just ... there was a bit [quite a bit?] of WTFery.

[I think the issue is also I'm unfortunately doubled up on TSTL veering heroines - this book and the one I'm reading in text...]

One thing that stuck out for me is the sex scenes - some of them were super romantic. Which isn't common in many (most) romances? That was nice. Alex and Christy have to work through a lot. Christy has always been in love with him but there's the whole pride thing - and I liked that Alex had to overcome it and her parents and sisters in law saw it.
Her brothers. LOL. They definitely still think of her as a baby.
She low key is one - she's only 24 .. he's 32.

When Christy just meets the woman at the hotel, goes to the docks, GOES TO THAT ISLAND. Like... WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! You KNOW THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING. YOU FUCKING TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU'RE GOING. You LITERALLY KNOW ONE OF THE GIRLS WAS MURDERED HORRIFICALLY *sigh*

And then when they kiss when Alex finds her on the island. Another TSTL that works for them - luckily, and turns slightly into a comic moment.

I REALLY liked dude who owned the [villa?] - I'd like to read his story. .... I can't remember his name but Tariq was his right hand man. [This is the trouble with audiobooks you never are quite sure how names are spelled...]

I definitely want to read Sunita's book ...

The plane part :X oof.
Then the wedding/actual ceremony with friends and family.

There was a lot lot LOT of this book. And the stone walling in Christy's investigation - and her stumbling on a O_O

This was jumping into the thick of it - but it was fun too.
I can see myself re-reading this book.

I really really wish there were more/the others in Hoopla.

I have 0 focus so not rating this one either but I'd probably give it a C+?

Good romance, good characters, great secondary characters - OMG SO MANY - and the TSTL is nicely balanced by all the other pieces.
[LOL to Alex's ~friend letting him "play commando."]

[JigsawGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not stand the female character in this book. She was arrogant, childish, selfish, immature, and ridiculous. How are you going to take something to heart at 13, be surprised when the person who is 8 yrs older then you explains he was trying to be nice and be that upset about it to the point you never want to forgive him?

I can't begin to understand what Alex wanted with her. There was something wrong with him that he wanted a woman who behaved like she did.

I don't care if she was an investigative reporter. She jumped into situations with no thoughts regarding the consequences of her behavior. She goes off to a foreign country with no research on the culture. She has an attitude when it is explained the only way she could get out of her situation. Truly ungrateful.

I was so sick of hearing about her Madaris pride. By the time she started coming to get senses, I was done.

I listened to the audio Book and thought the narrator did a good job, but the story left a lot to be desired. I didn't care if they had an HEA or not.

[Pierrette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story worth waiting for.

I was intrigued by the build up to this book. And honestly, it all led to an exciting story. Alex and Christy’s romance displayed realism at times, which just added to the fantasy. Reading this you feel that their romance was not rushed or minor details were not bushed under the rug or simple forgotten. It is refreshing to see a character who has been hurt [by her love interest] not just giving in, as soon as the person in question tries to win them back. And a familiar character is brought back, Monty, who previously tried to kidnap Corinthians Avery(to aid his country) in Fire and Desire. Sheikh Rasheed ‘Monty’ Valdemon has his own story, which connects the Westmoreland & Madaris, where he pursues Johari Yasir, sister of sheikh Jamal Ari Yasir (who married Delaney Westmoreland). The book titled ‘Seduced by a Stranger’ is also well written and showcases Mrs Jackson’s ability to take you on adventure.

[Samantha Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a majority of Brenda Jackson books and I have to say by far this was one of the best. It gave you romance, mystery and thrill. There were two stories going on simultaneously that ended tangled up into each other.

Christy Madris is a stubborn, defiant, loving yg lady that fell in love with Alex Maxwell, a close family friend of her brothers. Alex made a promise to a yg Christy. And Christy held on to that promise for years. Unbeknownst to Alex, it never dawned on him that Christy was not just infatuated but in love with him.

As a reporter, Christy uses those same traits to investigate a lead on the case of a yg girl named Benita. Christy will do anything for this story to become “hers”. Alex attaches himself to Christy even though she denies his protection.

Follow this journey of love being found and reincarnated between a young girl named Christy that found her Prince at the age of 13.

[Suzi · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, nope, no. I understand this book is part of a long series, but half the book was about other characters stories unrelated to the plot of the book. The h was a bit annoying. I couldn't with the writing style, every few sentences there was an explosion, some lost control or something like that and then nothing really happened. The characters seems to have too much money, too much time in their hands and too many agents in the family. The storyline felt kind of 'jumpy', it starts with a mother worried about girls being abducted and being informed about this in her dreams by her dead daughter, then at the end it's just vaguely mentioned something about the daughter's body. Idk something felt too rush or left in the air.

But to each their own, I guess people who has actually read all the previous books would love this one.

[Nora Asta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn't for me. It was too soapy and not quite fleshed out enough for my taste. To be fair though, I read this without having read any of the other books in the series. While it worked as a stand alone (in terms of being able to follow the plot without issue) I suspect it might have helped me feel more emotionally connected to the characters if I'd started from the beginning.

I listened to the audiobook of this and I thought the narrator, Pete Ohms, was excellent. There seemed to be a lot of brief, fan-service-y cameo appearances from other novels' MCs, and he helped add dimension to each one. He was a major reason why I decided on a 2-star review instead of just a 1-star review.

[Gladys Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfinished Business. The characters are believable and great! I enjoyed reading this book! Christy Madaris had been mesmerized by Alex Maxwell since she was thirteen. She really thought he would wait for her to grow up to marry her. But Alex did the worst thing when she turned twenty-one, he told her he didn't mean what he said. Christy was devastated and decided to never care about Alex again. She never thought that that would come back to bite her. Using her journalist skills, she starts to research a story that will lead her into serious trouble that Alex and his people rescue her from. But this changes both their feelings about each other.

[Sabrina Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one on my all time favorite books by Brenda Jackson. The chemistry and the heated confrontations between Alex and Chrissy was just sizzling and enjoyable. That Madaris stubbornness was in full effect in this book. The things that Alex and Chrissy had to go through to realize how deep their love for each other was remarkable. Brenda Jackson never disappoints even you you have reread one of her books more than 4 times.

[Nerdybookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first by author Brenda Jackson, which was a good read that draws you in with the mystery of how it will all play out. I did find it repetitive at times, with a lot of dancing around the "Unfinished Business" subject and I also wish the main character Christy was more likeable; she just came across like a spoiled, ungrateful child for most of the book.