Release Blast: Safe from Harm by kate Serine

Elle realizes she’s losing her heart to a man 

who will risk it all to keep her safe from harm.

SAFE FROM HARM

Protect & Serve #2

Kate SeRine

Releasing Oct 4th, 2016

Sourcebooks

There’s something about prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy that Deputy Gabe Dawson just can’t get enough of. Even with Gabe’s family legacy in law enforcement and promising career, Elle’s smart, sassy rejection of all his charm makes Gabe want her even more.

But Gabe’s confidence is shaken when he’s shot on the steps of the courthouse, protecting Elle from a terrorist intent on revenge. Worse, Elle isn’t out of danger yet. But as they race to counter the terrorist’s next move, Gabe determines to prove to Elle—and himself—that he’s a man worthy of her.

BUY NOW

Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

“Well, you’d better get going,” Gabe grumbled. “Don’t want to miss your ride.”

Elle took a few steps forward, coming to the side of his hospital bed. “I’m going. But first, I wanted to make one thing very clear to you, Gabe Dawson.”

“Yeah?” he said. “What’s that?”

She narrowed her eyes and leaned over him, caging him with her arms on either side of his head. “Don’t you ever again treat me like I’m some delicate flower who can’t handle the truth.”

Damn.

Having her that close was tempting as hell. For the first time, he noticed she had tiny flecks of gold in her eyes and a few more freckles on the bridge of her nose than he’d realized. God, she was beautiful—stunning, really. He had to muster all his willpower not to drag her into his arms and kiss the full lips that were currently pursed in irritation. But he forced himself to meet her gaze and lifted a single brow.

“Oh, I know you’re no delicate flower,” he said, his voice going deeper, betraying the effect of her nearness and giving his words a weight he hadn’t intended.

Her cheeks went a little pink, but she didn’t back away. “We’re in this together, whether we like it or not. And I’m not going to be kept in the dark just because I’m not a cop.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, not bothering to suppress the grin tugging at his mouth. “You might like being in the dark with me, Elle.”

She blinked, her mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to say something more but was clearly speechless. Then she pressed her lips together and gave him a frustrated look. “You know what I meant, Gabe.”

At this, the little devil on his shoulder got the better of him, and he chuckled, letting his gaze drop down to those gorgeous lips. “Yeah, I know what you meant, Elle. Doesn’t change what I meant.”

When she didn’t immediately pull away at his advance, he took a chance and reached up, gently taking hold of her chin and guiding her lips down to his. But before he could make contact, she suddenly broke away from his tender grasp and straightened, staring down at him with a look of confusion and panic in her eyes.

Okay, well, that wasn’t exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for…

“I have to go,” she breathed. But she didn’t take a single step. “I really… I should go.”

He met her gaze, waiting, wondering at her next move. “You sure?”

She licked her lips, looking as if she was truly torn between going and staying. But then she lifted her chin, giving him that defiant look he’d grown so used to seeing from her. “Yes, I’m absolutely positive.”

Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode toward the door without so much as a glance over her shoulder.

But the little exchange was enough to offer Gabe the encouragement he needed. Maybe the brilliant, beautiful, iron-willed woman wasn’t quite as unaffected by him as she wanted him to believe…

First, I'll admit that this is my first Kate Serine book, so I have to say I loved the writing very much and will definitely going back to read previous books.   Safe from Harm is a romantic suspense, but its more than that. It's the story of two people, both who have cared deeply for the other, finally figuring it out and trying to find a way to make it work, while also handling other heavy stuff. 

I loved Elle, she was such a great character. Smart, Sassy, Fierce, but also loyal and realistic. She could hold her own and often didn't know when to speak up and ask for help, but she also wasn't totally independent.  She had loved Gabe for years, but she had also seen what she thought was the reality of Gabe and thought she'd never be the girl he'd go for. 

Gabe plays off the push and pull, banter and bickering between himself and Elle as just their norm. He gives as good as he gets, but he genuinely wants more from their relationship.  He doesn't understand exactly why he and Elle clash, but he wants to change it. He's smart and tough, but he can also be sweet and a touch naive. He's charming though, so quick to suck you in, but he's loyal and a good person to have at your back.  

Safe From Harm gives us a story full of lurking danger that feels so wholely realistic, terroristic threats from within.  The suspense level remains steady throughout the book, giving glimpses at the plans of a madman and his followers intent on destroying not only Elle, and Gabe, but more of the townspeople.  I loved that the threats surrounding Elle and Gabe sort of force them to admit they care for each other, as more than a verbal sparring partner.  

I was sucked into the story from the first few pages, my heart pumping, my brain working through theories and questions, a desperate need to know what was coming for these characters.  Kate Serine did a wonderful job of building up the whole story,  from showing us the danger and giving us the bad guys and their reasoning to bringing the good guys together trying to figure out how to keep everyone safe and allowing Elle and Gabe to realize how deeply their feelings went. 

Another thing that was fabulous about this story was the small town feel, the close bonds between family and friends. How everyone knows everyone else and can see so much that is often left unsaid. I also loved learning about Elle and Gabe's past from both of their POVs, it really gave food for thought as the story progressed.  

Start the series from the beginning...

Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it's no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after.

Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project—probably while consuming way too much coffee.

Kate is also the author of the award-winning Transplanted Tales paranormal romance series and the Protect & Serve romantic suspense series.

Connect with Kate at www.kateserine.com, Facebook.com/kateserine, or on Twitter @KateSeRine. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway