Nikolai (Her Russian Protector #4) by Roxie Rivera-a review

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NIKOLAI (Her Russian Protector #4) by Roxie Rivera

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 23, 2013

After a brush with death as a juvenile delinquent, Vivian swore she’d never stray across that line again—but there’s just one problem with her plan to stay on the right side of the law. She’s completely, irrevocably and unabashedly in love with Nikolai, the Russian mob boss who saved her life.

From the moment Vivian appeared in his life on that tragic April night, Nikolai felt himself inextricably bonded to her. She’s the bright light in his dark world and the only thing that keeps him from sliding deeper into a life of crime and violence—a mobbed-up life he can’t escape no matter how hard he tries.

After Vivian is ripped from his arms in a brazen blitz attack, Nikolai will stop at nothing to get her back—but rescuing her and keeping her safe in his arms isn’t enough. Suddenly, Nikolai’s only chance to keep her safe is to do the one thing he vowed never to do—he’ll drag her deeper into his shadowy world and bind her to him forever.

Because their tangled pasts are about to collide and the shockwave threatens to bring Houston’s criminal underbelly to its knees…

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REVIEW: NIKOLAI is the fourth installment in Roxie Rivera’s Her Russian Protector series. The first four storylines focus on four ‘blood brothers’ from Russia, who by virtue of being orphans and lost, at a young age bound together to keep each other safe and alive. As adults the Russian mob called to their angry and broken hearts and current circumstances have forced each into a legitimate lifestyle-but one. This is Nikolai’s story and it is darker than the rest.

The storyline focuses on Nikolai –a man who will risk everything for the woman he loves-a woman he has hurt in more ways than one. Nikolai and Vivian have a history that goes back to a fateful night when her father forced the then eleven year old girl into a life of crime and theft. But on this night, the young Vivian will find herself abandoned by her father and struggling for her life when a gunman shoots to kill. A decade later, that fateful night will come full circle when she discovers the identity of the man who was only protecting his property.

Nikolai and Vivian have been secondary characters throughout the previous three storylines and in book 3 YURI we learn the dark secrets and haunted past that has kept Nikolai secluded and alone. But there is more to Nikolai than a damaged childhood-Nikolai still retains a strong connection to the Russian mob and it becomes a matter of family for both Vivi and Nikolai. Nikolai’s past continues to haunt him and there is currently no way for him to escape the control of the mob. But in doing so, he puts Vivian in danger, time and again.

The relationship between Nikolai and Vivian surpasses ward and foundling to lovers rather quickly in the storyline but in defense they have known each other for close to ten years. But it is the dance of sex and love that continues to pull one to the other. Nikolai is a man who has known no love in his life but for the woman who has wormed her way into the heart of a man only his brothers have loved.

The storyline unfolds as two warring factions of street gangs and the mob have set their sites on Nikolai and Vivian. The story is fast paced but dragged in a few spots. And there were a few issues not addressed as it pertained to a particular painting and former friend. Hopefully this issue will come into play in the next storyline.

NIKOLAI is an interesting storyline of loss and love; the loss of a family and the love of a mate. There are some issues concerning Nikolai’s continued affiliation with the Russian mob but on the surface it is easy to say-get out-when we are not the one’s who have been blooded by the mob. Sometimes there is no easy answer.

Reading Order
1. Ivan
2. Dimitri
3. Yuri
4. Nikolai

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy