For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck.

Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless – and gorgeous – best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects.

The two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers – and clothes – are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it.

Review:

Witness to Passion by Naima Simone is book one in The Guarding Her Body Series. Fallon Wayland has lived her entire life simply hating her birthdays. They seem to be one disappointment after another. This year on her twenty fifth birthday she was hoping it would pass by unnoticed. Unfortunately, that would not be the case. While picking up coffee before work for her unyielding boss, Fallon’s life takes a drastic change in a few short minutes. Her boyfriend dumps her via Twitter, she witnesses a cold blooded murder of a high ranking gang member – to which she is the sole witness, and upon being late for work she loses her job. She moves forward. Getting a job as a waitress, while becoming the State’s star witness in a gangland murder trial Fallon is short to realize that her life is in danger. But her best friend Addy takes the situation into her own hands and calls in her older brother Shane Roarke. Shane is a war vet turned security specialist running his own security firm. And he is the last person Fallon wants to see. The history between these two runs deep. From her ill-fated eighteenth birthday which she stole a kiss from him, to his crushing comment of not interested – the strife between them runs deep. But now that Shane has taken on the job of looking after Fallon, will his body betray him. Will he be able to be close to her and protect her like she needs without giving into the one thing he has thought about since her birthday years ago? And will Fallon be able to be near the one man she has yearned for since time can remember without falling for him? And will both of them be safe from the men that are now after both of them? 

Fallon Wayland is a beautiful young woman who grew up spoiled with rich parents, who a few years ago turned her back on the luxurious house, credit cards and wealth, to strike out on her own. Strong willed and determined to make it on her own – she has set about to do just that. But her life is incomplete. She doesn’t want the happy ever after, she doesn’t believe in them. From her parents disastrous marriage she has learned that this is not what she wants. But there is one man – one who she has wanted for some time – but the one man she has yearned for – pined after – even made a complete fool of herself for wants nothing to do with her. Not only is he her best friends brother, he made it quite clear she is not what he wants. That is until they are holed up together in a safe house while he is trying to protect her. 

Shane Roarke is a military vet turned security specialist. His life is black and white. Strict rules, strict lifestyle and he has no time for free spirited, careless, fun loving rich girls. He wants it all. Good job, wife, kids, the picket fence. He doesn’t want or need his sisters best friend in his life in any way shape or form. Even though the kiss she laid on him years ago has stuck with him. Something he just can’t seem to forget but wants to. That is until his sister calls in a favor and asks him to look after Fallon. From the moment he lays his eyes on her again he is protective. Wants nothing more than to ensure she is safe. But what he doesn’t bargain for is – who or how will he protect his heart? I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved Fallon’s free spirit and determined nature. She is stubborn and strong-willed and just says what she needs to say. Sometimes to a fault. But she knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to go for it. Shane rubbed me the wrong way at the start of the story once he started to let his guard down I truly started to enjoy him. The sexual tension in this story was thick and tangible. You could literally feel it dripping off the pages. The moment the two of them touch you just know it’s going to be amazing. And it was…. Hoping that the series continues with Shane’s partners in the security firm stories! Wonderful storyline, with twists and turns and plenty of hot, steamy romance! 

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher