"terrific Marcelli saga"

The four kidnappers wearing Halloween masks abduct the president's daughter Darcy Jensen from a private bathroom in a store. When they reach their van, their leader looks at Darcy in disgust and informs his thugs they snatched the wrong one as no one cares what happens to this loser. They unceremoniously leave her behind in the parking lot as they re-plot how to grab Darcy's glamorous popular sister Lauren. For their safety, the two siblings are sent to separate safehouses.

After a harrowing overseas ops scenario, Lieutenant Commander Joe Larson and his men are happy to be alive and back in the States. The celebration leads to boat races into a training area that consequently led to the destruction of the admiral's personal pride and joy ship. Joe is punished by being assigned to protect Darcy at the Marcelli Vineyards. Joe is stunned with this task as he only recently learned that he is a Marcelli. Amidst the vineyards and a family trying to bring him into their loving fold, Joe and Darcy fall in love, but first he must keep her safe.

This is a terrific Marcelli saga tale (see THE SPARKLING ONE and THE SASSY ONE) as humor and suspense make for a fun tale. The story line is filled with action from the moment that the kidnappers throw away Darcy as a "used tissue" and never slows down until the final confrontation between Joe and POTUS in the hospital. Susan Mallery provides a fine blending of the First daughter meets the Marcelli clan in a compelling thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 24, 2006

Summary

USA Today bestselling author Susan Mallery returns to the idyllic setting of her sensual Marcelli sisters trilogy—California wine country, where love and laughter flow, and where an unlikely couple discovers the one thing their hearts hunger for most: a place to call home.

The rebel of the Marcelli family, Joe never joined his sisters, Katie Francesca and Brenna in running the family winery business. Instead he chose a life of military service. But now that this handsome, headstrong former Navy SEAL has received a new, undercover assignment—protecting none other than the commander in chief's daughter—he finds himself stationed back in the California vineyard he defiantly left behind.

First daughter Darcy Jensen has been placed in hiding at the Marcelli Winery after surviving a kidnapping attempt...and now it's Joe's job to keep the fearful, fiery beauty out of harm's way. Begrudgingly, Joe heeds his presidential order—until "babysitting" Darcy proves to be the greastest pleasure he's ever known. How can Joe protect Darcy from danger when he's falling dangerously in love? And can Darcy trust Joe's intentions are true—when no one else's have ever been?