Danger Next Door (Red Stone Security #2)

Grant Caldwell is recovering physically and emotionally. He was caught up in a drug bust gone bad and 6 months later he’s left with scars that he’s not sure even he can overlook. Belle Manikas moves in next door. I loved the instant the connection as well as the protective vibe the author injects between the couple. It had the past possible flame that can create some jealousy but it is very mild and brief before cleared up. Grant’s biggest dilemma is overcoming his insecurities about his disfigurement. Belle has no reaction which is the best thing about her character. She is a nurse so of course the sight of scars does not intimidate her but it goes deeper than that. The scars really just doesn’t trouble her and it’s not just because she has a 12 inch one of her own.

The book is a short read and the ability to keep me coming back to it. The only thing I wish would have been different about this book would be an easier flow and connection between chapters and sometimes it was one paragraph to another(which really brings you out of the story trying to comprehend). Some of these moments such as: Handsome half dressed Grant comes to Belle’s aid as when an ex,”friend” is getting a little rough with her. I would have enjoyed a deeper connective feel here. The attraction is a sure thing and the whole dinner scenario was loved by me. It was the beginning of a good thing with a bit of small talk and cute awkwardness and before dinner comes it goes to the next chapter.

There is two other scenes that sticks out in my mind. Belle gets a shock one night when a shadowy figure tries to break into her house. Grant shuts things down before they begin and so to put Belle at ease to get some sleep our handsome Hero stays at her place and cooks her breakfast in the wee morning hours. Totally adorable and sexy right but then as the two connect the most basic moments we want to see gets recapped to us. We learn later from Belle or Grants thoughts that they had discussed her job and that Grant found out Belle was a neonatal nurse. It are in these simple moments I feel it helps to build the bond in the readers mind to make them special, missing them felt disjointed. The last spot was Belle’s growing need for Grant. He has been there for weeks just supportive and reassuring which I loved on the authors part. I like things to go a bit slower and in the beginning of this book it appeared as though it would move too fast and shallow but by her slowing things down it gave more time for them to grow as friends. Anyhow Belle is determined tonight is that night and so scene is set and the two begin the magical dance when someone knocks at the door.

The author gets the opportunity to inject a female to spice up jealousy but it turns out it is his brother Porters fiance. The thing was that after they come to understand who each other were it stops and goes to the next chapter. If this had been the only instance it wouldn’t have been a drag but for me at this stage I started to get frustrated. There was no recap or mention it was as though her premeditation of her special night never occurred again feeling disjointed. So while I’ve listed my issues the story still had strong points that made me keep reading. Grant was protective, confident in making those around him feel safe, giving and domesticated. Yes, it was nice to see the man that can function in a kitchen. Catherine Anderson characters have similar characteristics and it really draws me to a character to see them do simple things that tough guys just aren’t pictured doing. An extra layer that makes you feel closer to them. I will come back to a Reus book again, enjoy!