Navy Seal's Innocent Italian

His Undercover Love - <br />Jake was only meant to keep tabs on Marco Bresi, but from the moment he laid eyes on Alex, he was she had to be his. Alex decided to give up on relationships and only concentrate on her career, so she couldn’t believe the instant attraction she felt towards Jake when they met. <br /><br />Alex was really happy spending time with Jake and this led to them embarking on a relationship. In addition, knowing their relationship would continue as they would be moving to the same location, made her think their meeting was kismet. Unfortunately, she soon discovered after a call from Marco Bresi, that her relationship with Jake wasn’t as it seemed, so she decided to walk away. <br /><br />However, Jake realised her was in love with Alex and wasn’t prepared to let her go, so he did everything within his power to get her back. Luckily, once she was provided with all the information, she understood why he did what he did and finally acknowledged her feeling for have after she forgave him. Just like the first two books in the series, this one will draw you in from the beginning and keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Click on the ‘buy now’ button and enjoy this book.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

If a book starts out in a character's head and I don't like what's in there, then it's hard for me to connect with that person and care about their "journey." That's what happened with this story. The heroine's thought train immediately annoyed me. <br /><br />Her redeeming quality is that she has above-average generosity:<br /><br />"Most people seemed to be dressed for business, a few like her gawked at the tall buildings, and some seemed shabby and unkempt. She felt sorry for anyone without money, and she dug into her purse to give out a few dollars when she could.<br /><br />Tucking her hands into her pockets, she strolled the streets, admiring the store windows, watching others dash down the streets, usually talking on a cell phone or texting. With a shiver, she turned up the collar of her coat."<br /><br />...which reminded me of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror":<br /><br />"I'm gonna make a change<br />For once in my life<br />It's gonna feel real good<br />Gonna make a difference<br />Gonna make it right<br /><br />As I, turn up the collar on<br />My favorite winter coat<br />This wind is blowin' my mind<br />I see the kids in the street<br />With not enough to eat<br />Who am I, to be blind pretending not to see their needs?<br /><br />A summer's disregard<br />A broken bottle top<br />And a one man's soul<br />They follow each other on the wind ya know<br />'Cause they got nowhere to go<br />That's why I want you to know<br /><br />I'm starting with the man in the mirror<br />I'm asking him to change his ways<br />And no message could've been any clearer<br />If they wanna make the world a better place<br />Take a look at yourself and then make a change<br /><br />I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love<br />It's time that I realize<br />That there are some with no home<br />Not a nickel to loan<br />Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone?<br /><br />A willow deeply scarred<br />Somebody's broken heart<br />And a washed out dream (washed out dream)<br />They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see<br />'Cause they got no place to be<br />That's why I'm starting with me<br /><br />I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh)<br />I'm asking him to change his ways (oh)<br />And no message could've been any clearer<br />If you wanna make the world a better place<br />Take a look at yourself and then make a change..."<br /><br />I enjoyed looking up those lyrics more than being in her head!<br /><br />"At a street corner, she stopped near a coffee shop and thought of going in to warm herself. Perhaps il signore Bresi had been right—she should have taken the car and seen the city in more comfort. She wrinkled her nose, and muttered, “But what fun is that?”<br /><br />__<br /><br />Ok. She chose to tour the city in a non-touristy way. Kudos to her. But that should transfer to her ability to work in a way that she doesn't prefer, too, right? I like her passion for using music to "reach children" with hearing and speech problems, but she complains about the environment seeming "too sterile" (perhaps that's why she's been injected into the environment - to make it less sterile and more fun!):<br /><br />"She headed first to Mt. Sinai Children’s to meet with the director. As she had feared, the place seemed too sterile. Oh, it was a good hospital no doubt, and she was happy to meet a few of the children, but she shuddered to think of working here, among the smells of antiseptic and the hard surfaces that would make her music sound no better than if it came from a CD. She would have to think more on how to adapt her work to this kind of place. For now, she wanted to move on..."<br /><br />She needs the music to be better-than-CD-level sound quality not to complain?! Make do with what you have, girl! At least you have electricity to play music and don't have to bring in a full band to play live! I just cannot relate to her princess perspective (anymore - thank God!). <br /><br />Then she meets the Hero and they agree to an afternoon date where they play the getting-to-know-you game:<br /><br />As soon as he had her seated, he asked, “So what brings you to the Big Apple?”<br /><br />She shook her head. “Why you call this city an apple, I don’t know. But I am here to meet with different people to discuss my work with musical therapy. I work with children to help reach them through music.”<br /><br />Alex’s eyes lit up as she spoke. For a second, Jake forgot the mission—forgot everything. Those eyes of hers could make a man forget his own name. Pulling himself back to the moment, he reminded himself that this was a job. She was a means to keep tabs on Marco Bresi, and that was all. He smiled and nodded. “Musical therapy—sounds like something kids would like.”<br /><br />“More than just like. I’ve seen amazing results, and now several hospitals and organizations here in your country, they write me to see my work personally.” She wrinkled her nose. “I really do not think I would like to work in a hospital, and so I am looking for a better…what you call environment?”<br />__<br /><br />(Ironically, Michael Jackson was recorded saying that God told him to build a children's hospital right before he died...but he didn't do it [even though he created songs talking about healing the world and spent a lot of time convincing the world of how much he loved to be around children]. Instead, he worked on his final tour, "This Is It." And died during rehearsals.)<br /><br />Clearly, the author is trying to paint a picture of a kind, compassionate heroine. But a person who truly has a kind, self-sacrificing heart can quickly get over life not being how she prefers. (For example, I'm re-writing this review as an introvert in a crowded coffee shop that is BLASTING heavy metal, which I HATE...but I'm tuning all of that out to concentrate on this!)<br /><br />I skipped to 68% percent into the story...and she was still just as annoying as she was at 12% (the decision of whether or not to buy lingerie for the Hero to enjoy removing from her body was uppermost in her mind), so I didn't finish. The character is twenty-five years-old, so I don't expect her to be more mature than she is. This book just isn't for me. I would recommend it to someone in their late teens or early 20's who is still trying to figure out themselves and their path in life. Maybe I'll return to it later when I have more time (and the patience to revisit my old mindset!).<br /><br />Btw, I'm using the Bible to judge this character's level of development because:<br /><br />"She wore a small gold cross that sat nestled in her cleavage and he knew he’d have to fight hard to keep from staring at it, wishing he could trace his finger down its length."<br /><br />JESUS: "​And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27 NLT)<br /><br />James 1:2-4 (NLT) - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.<br /><br />?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?​?<br /><br /><br />If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and He will repay you! - Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)<br /><br />Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For though I was poor and needy, He rescued me from my oppressors. - Jeremiah 20:13 (NLT)<br /><br />Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. - Colossians 3:16 (NLT)<br /><br />Romans 12:6-13 NLT - In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.<br /><br />Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was the best of all the books in the series. Still think the characters did not develop fully and the story line felt rushed. Hard to read when there were several grammar and typos throughout the book. Will not be reading anymore by Leslie North.

This is book four of the Denver Men series and the main characters are former Navy SEAL Jake Travers and Alex (Alexandra) Moretti. Alex has comes to the USA looking to get away from the pressure of her dad wanting her to be married and finding a suitor for her, after her relationship with her long arranged engagement with her fiancé broke down after he was found cheating on her. She has a couple of offers to work on her music therapy for children and further her studies. Her father has allowed one of his old friends, Marco Bresi, to accompany her to the States, where he has some business to do in New York then Denver. Jake has been hired by his friend Shawn Marshall to follow Marco and try to get close to him, to find out what he is up to. This is the man who kidnapped Trent and Brianna Caldwell’s newborn baby Faith from the hospital shortly after she was born. Trent is the owner of the security firm Shawn and now Jake work for and are all former Navy SEALs. Marco blames Trent for his own daughter Serena’s death three years ago and has been trying to get his revenge against Trent. He had tried making Marco understand that it was Serena going off the rails and the accident wasn’t his fault, but Marco’s grief didn’t allow him to be reasonable. Due to Marco’s actions, Trent is now trying to ruin his business reputation by overbidding on all of the deals Marco has been trying to do. <br /><br />When Jake first sees Marco and Alex in New York, he follows Marco to his business, then picks up on Alex’s trail outside a large hospital she went to visit to see about children’s music therapy and she recognises him from the restaurant they were all at. He wonders what she is doing with Marco and figures that if he gets close to Alex, then he can get close to Marco. He tells her he is sorting out his stuff in New York, before moving to Denver, Colorado, for a job with his friend. He shows her round New York, as a local who knows all the best places to visit. Alex is attracted to him, but she isn’t staying in New York long and is supposed to be flying to Denver to interview at two places in Denver. When Marco calls to find out where she is, he invites Jake to dinner with them that evening, but has to cancel at the last minute, leaving the two of them to enjoy their meal together. He knows he shouldn’t get involved with the companion of his mark but he can’t help giving her a kiss before leaving her at her hotel. Matters get steamy on the private jet to Denver where his friend Shawn picks them up, to drop her at her new hotel. Shortly after, Alex gets a call from Marco, who has been looking into Jake and found out that he is connected to Trent and she as to wonder if he only got close to her because he was trying to get close to Marco for his job! Not a nice feeling and he is about to be on her bad side. She thought he was someone she could finally trust and who would never hurt her, previously making her feel so safe, but now she has to get on with her interviews and hope to bury herself in her work and forget him. Jake is going to have to work hard to regain her trust, to be with the one woman he can’t get out of his head and wants to have a forever with! <br /><br />A nice short story that obviously carries on with some of the same characters from the previous books in the series, in minor roles, and with some situations carried forward. I would love to catch up with them all some time soon. I look forward to reading more books by this author, with realistic life situations getting in the way of a HEA, with steam and danger around every corner. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

4.5 ⭐s "Pretty Boy" Jake Travers is bitten by the Love Bug.<br /><br />Jake Travers was a Navy SEAL who planned to make that his career. His last 2 missions resulted in deaths of teammates and injuries to him. After 10 years, he called it quits. He was then approached by his friend, Shawn Marshall, to work for him. He does PI work including undercover jobs at times. <br /><br />Now he's to watch Marco Bresi and find out what Marco is up to. Marco's daughter, Serena, had dated Trent Caldwell, a friend of Jake and Shawn. When Serena committed suicide, Marco blamed Trent for the deaths of her and her unborn child. In retaliation, Marco had Trent and Brianna's newborn, Faith, kidnapped. (Book 1 of this series "CEO's Pregnant Lover".) Jake isn't sure how easy it will be to shadow Marco. That is until he sees Alex... <br /><br />Alexandra, AKA Alex, Moretti's father is best friends with Marco. Growing up she knew there was a marriage contract with the neighboring vineyard owner's son, Ricardo. She accepted it until she was 18 and learned he had a violent temper when things didn't go his way. Her father overheard the argument and threw him out of their home and tore up the marriage contract. He's now spent the last 7 years trying to find a replacement for Ricardo. <br /><br />Alex found her calling when she discovered music therapy. Even non-verbal children react to  music. A hospital in NYC and universities, one in the Denver area, have put out feelers. Her father asks Marco if she can accompany him from Italy to the US. (He'd also like Marco to try his hand at matchmaking for Alex.) <br /><br />Jake manages to "accidentally" bump into Alex and shows her around NYC. Just by coincidence he's going to Denver, too. Of course he could (big sigh) change his plans and accompany her to Denver when Marco has to attend to business elsewhere. <br /><br />There's only 1 big problem with "Pretty Boy's" plan. Alex is not only pretty but she's pretty Irresistible, too! Will she be able to forgive him when the men finish the takedown of Marco? Or is a woman going to scuttle their plans for Marco? <br /><br />I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

First off, apologies for the brief review. I just had hand surgery this week and while I'm getting back to things, I don't have time for flowery language. <br /><br />3.5 stars rounded up to 4.<br /><br />Navy SEAL's Innocent Italian is the fourth and final book in Leslie North's Denver Men series. This series should be read in order due to the over arching plot line, while the couple of the book have only been briefly mentioned once in the previous book.. The most important and satisfying part of this book - aside from the epilogue where we get to meet up with the couples of the previous books - is that the the plot line with the series villain, Marco Bresci, is tied up in an extremely satisfying package.<br /><br />The way we get there is through the romance of Jake Sanders and Alexandra Moretti, the titular Navy SEAL and innocent Italian. Like the previous books in this series, the attraction between the couple is instantaneous (so there's a bit of a warning for those that have issues with insta love storylines). Getting to know Alex and Jake was really fun, the only reason why I didn't fall in love with their romance like I had the first couple books of the series, was because this book felt rushed to me. Therefore, while there was great spark and chemistry between them, even that felt a bit rushed, especially when Jake had to win back his lady. <br /><br />Again, apologies I could only just hit the most important points I wanted to get across, but my hand has decided this brief review is my limit for right now.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was my least favorite of the series. These were not stand-alone reads. This book was pretty anticlimactic considering the buildup to the cliffhanger with Trent and Bri, the action and suspense with Seth and Chelsea, and even Chance building the relationship with Rachel and the twins. <br /><br />I have a question. Where did Shawn and Janet fall into this group? Did I miss something?<br /><br />Jake and Alex didn't seem to have much chemistry as far as I was concerned. I started to feel a bit of a connection between them in New York, and it just fizzled out before they got on the plane. <br /><br />The story seemed rushed. One book description I read seemed to indicate Jake had a test of loyalty to Trent because of the way Jake felt about Alex. I didn't see that in the book at all. Another book description didn't indicate anything about Jake and Trent. In fact, I can't recall a scene where Jake and Trent interacted before the Bresi situation was resolved. It was mentioned that Jake had to report to Trent and Shawn, but I don't remember that ever happening either.<br /><br />When full disclosure occurred, I still didn't feel any emotion between the characters. I am not sure what was missing, but it felt like there was definitely something missing.<br /><br />The only thing I will say about the way the Bresi resolution occurred is that I was very disappointed. It is a necessary conclusion to the Caldwell/Bresi feud.<br /><br />The book did end on a high note with everyone having some form of an HEA. I still had no feelings one way or another about the HEA. I would give this 2.5 stars. It was meh, sad to say.<br /><br />I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via Booksprout.

Marco Bresi returns to the US with Alexandra Moretti, a friend and business contact’s daughter, who is a musician and wants to work with Autistic children and children with other problems. She is meeting with two different colleges to see if she can add her work into the curriculum. She plays the cello and the piano and some other instruments as well. Bresi has promised Signore Moretti to watch over his daughter and to help her find a husband when she is ready.<br /><br />Jake Travers, is watching over Bresi for Shawn &amp; Seth from the Marshall Jacobsen Investigations. To make sure Bresi doesn’t try anything on Trent’s family like he did when Bresi kidnapped Trent &amp; Brianna’s baby Faith. (See the last two books in the Denver Men series). Jake is fascinated by Alexandra, or Alex as she prefers to be called. He shows her around the Big Apple and meets Bresi. Since Bresi is busy he sends them off to Denver on his plane. Things happen and things fall apart. I feel bad for Alex as she is stuck in the middle and has known Bresi for most of her life and trusts him. <br /><br />I agree with Brianna- things are getting out of hand and getting dangerous between Bresi and her husband. I’m glad she sticks herself in. I laughed myself silly over what she does. I almost fell out of the bed while reading it! Lol<br /><br />This book was so good and Alex’s music and what she is trying to do was fascinating. I wanna know more about Shawn and Janet. Prequel!! Please!!! Also, more books!!!.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a really enjoyable read. It certainly isn’t a stand alone, you have to read the previous books to completely understand the relationship between the books and characters. As I said, it was an enjoyable read, not much suspense but a whole lot of (sexual) tension in the air. <br />Here’s what the series and this book’s about: <br />Trent Coldwell is out for revenge. After Marco Bresni’s attempt to steal his baby, Trent will do anything to stop him from hurting his family ever again. <br /><br />Trent hires Jake Travers, a 10-year Navy Seal veteran and black ops specialist. Tracking Marco is easy for Jake, but when he notices the beautiful woman Marco is escorting around things get a lot harder, in more ways than one! At first he sees her as a way to get into Marco’s inner circle, but as he gets closer to her his attraction only grows. Now Jake needs her like he needs his next breath. <br /><br />After a disastrous arranged marriage, Alexandra Moretti is looking to escape Italy. As part of a business arrangement, Marco reluctantly agrees to take Alexandra to America. And when she meets the ruggedly handsome Jake the day of arriving she can’t believe her luck. His dark blue eyes and commanding presence never fail to attract female attention, and Alexandra is no exception. She feels vulnerable around him, like she is worth protecting. <br /><br />But with their relationship growing hotter by the second, loyalties are tested as Trent learns the truth behind Jake’s feeling for Alexandra, and Marco’s betrayal.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Jake is on a mission and is meant to be watching and following Marco Bresi, after he kidnapped his friend's baby girl. However once he sets eyes on Alexandra everything changes for Jake. He can't believe the instant attraction he feels despite his promise to himself to not get involved in deep and meaningful relationships and to put this career first. <br /><br />Alex has escaped to American from Italy after a relationship went wrong and wants to concentrate on her music therapy work. She enjoys spending time with Jake, but when her 'uncle' Marco investigates the ex SEAL she is unsure if he is any different to the men she tried to escape in Italy. Is their relationship all lies, and can she walk away?<br /><br />Jake admits to himself that he loves her, but is it too late and can he win her trust again and most importantly her heart? <br /><br />As with the previous books in this series, the romance between Jake and Alex is interwoven with the battle of wills between Trent Caldwell and Marco Bresi after the kidnapping by Marco of Trent's newborn baby daughter. It will draw you in as per the others, and keep you wanting more and turning the pages right to the end. <br /><br />A well written, thoroughly recommend series.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.