A Night of Southern Comfort by Robin Covington

Title: A Night of Southern Comfort (eBook)

Author: Robin Covington

Genre: Contemporary romance (with suspense)

Synopsis: One night of passion…

Detective Jackson Cantrell never imagined that one night with an irresistible stranger would turn his life upside down. He’s spent years living in the shadows, but Dr. Michaela Roarke awakened a passion inside him he’d buried years ago.

He never expected the woman would turn out to be the governor’s daughter…and his next assignment. The governor blackmails Jackson to secretly watch over Michaela and protect her from a stalker, or kiss his dream job at the FBI good-bye. Swearing to keep things strictly professional, Jackson moves in with Michaela. Too bad his heart can’t keep the same promise.

But when the stalker’s attacks quickly escalate beyond mere photographs to bodily harm, Jackson must race to save Michaela’s life. And he’ll have to figure out how to keep her once she discovers his lie.

Review: Robin Covington has won me over with her debut novel, A Night of Southern Comfort, ANoSC for short. There’s an immediate connection between Jack and Kayla that keeps you hooked on their journey from one-night stand to involved, to in a committed relationship.

The sex is hawt and feels real, not forced for the sake of having a sex scene or two in your book. Kudos to the author for having such skill. 🙂

Jack is drawn back into Kayla’s life because of a stalker, whose photos of their hook-up prompts her father, a high-profile, ruthless politician, to engage security to deal with the threat to HIS career. Note the ‘caring’ father-figure because he’s had an impact on all of his daughter’s relationships. Jack is no exception and how he and Kayla deal with the fall-out is wrapped up in the climax of the stalker storyline.

Ms Covington also introduces us to Jack’s childhood posse, The Boys, in ANoSC and I for one am looking forward to Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence Line green-lighting all three (3) of their stories. 😀

Grade: A+

Excerpt: “So…why are you drinking alone?” “I’m not drinking alone. Now.” Michaela gestured toward his drink and ordered him another when he nodded. “Okay, so you’re here…?”

“Celebrating my new life.” “Aahhh.” He lifted his glass to her in salute. “Let me be the first to say that your ex-husband is an idiot.” Michaela laughed and, without thinking, ran her hand up his chest, tracing the line of studs until her fingertips made contact with the heat of his tanned skin.

He stiffened at the touch and she froze. Too much? Too soon? Flustered, she began to withdraw her hand, but he reached up and held it there. She swallowed hard. He smelled delicious. Woodsy, crisp, and all male. His hot fingers traced a lazy circle over her wrist with his thumb. Suddenly, she understood the meaning of “swoon.” “Let me say it again. Your ex is an idiot.”

Mr. I-Am-a-Sex-God lowered her hand to his thigh, placing it against hard muscle before skimming his fingers under the hem of her dress. Heat traced along her spine and she shivered when his hand caressed the length of her thigh and then slid down to gently cradle her calf.

Michaela shifted forward, running her hand up his thigh, mirroring his exploration and enjoying the thrill of hearing his quickened breathing at her touch. This was crazy. This was wanton. This was not what Michaela Eastland should be doing on a Saturday night. But this was exactly what Michaela Roarke needed.

“No ex.” She licked her lips. “Just my new start. My new life.” “I’m honored that you’ve included me in your celebration.” “The celebration isn’t over yet.” Michaela’s voice had a husky edge that betrayed how turned on she was, but she didn’t care. She wanted this man, wanted freedom, control over her own decisions and their consequences.

“Would you like to help me celebrate somewhere more…private?” She studied his face. Dark hair, lush lashes, chiseled jaw dusted by a five o’clock shadow. Faint lines crinkled at the edges of his eyes, but not enough to indicate he smiled or laughed a lot. She shivered at the thought of all that intensity focused on her.

His continued silence made her nervous. She blurted out, “I’ve never done this before,” then immediately wanted to bite her tongue.

Abruptly, his hand curled around the nape of her neck and pulled her close.

It wasn’t a tentative kiss. This was a hot, open-mouthed, possessive kiss that demanded her response. Her blood turned to liquid fire as it flooded the folds of her sex. Every female part of her sought to answer the primal maleness of him. Michaela grasped the lapels of his tuxedo jacket while her tongue chased his in a blatant request for what she wanted. Dirty, sweaty, wall-banging sex.

And an orgasm. Oh, yeah. Definitely an orgasm. From a man, not a battery-operated boyfriend.

He released her mouth, his features hard and lips wet. “I just want to be sure we’re on the same page.” The tendons in his throat flexed with a swallow. “I want you in my bed.”

His honesty, coupled with that blistering kiss, addled her brain. But she’d denied this part of herself for too long. Something about this stranger dared her to embrace it. Hell, maybe she was just horny. Either way, she was good with the “in his bed” part.”