How can anyone resist temptation when it’s right next door?
Riley County North Carolina has a lot to offer: coastal views as far as the eye can see, and men in uniform who are even more gorgeous. Home to the most notorious prison in the state, Alicia’s new hometown is crawling with men who carry their own handcuffs and know how to use them – like Officer Liam Alexander, her one and only neighbor. After catching him out of uniform, she can’t resist pausing to enjoy the show. When Liam’s Southern charm drives him across the property line, life gets hotter than the Carolina summer could possibly account for. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to life in the coastal haven, even with an officer next door.
Coordinating special events at a historic – and supposedly haunted – plantation is enough to have Alicia questioning her senses and her sanity, but the spirits of the past take a backseat to a pair of escaped convicts who blaze a trail of mayhem across Riley County. Not even the most intense chemistry can survive the perils that make a sunny seaside town a dangerous place to be after dark … can it?
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Riley County North Carolina has a lot to offer: coastal views as far as the eye can see, and men in uniform who are even more gorgeous. Home to the most notorious prison in the state, Alicia’s new hometown is crawling with men who carry their own handcuffs and know how to use them – like Officer Liam Alexander, her one and only neighbor. After catching him out of uniform, she can’t resist pausing to enjoy the show. When Liam’s Southern charm drives him across the property line, life gets hotter than the Carolina summer could possibly account for. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to life in the coastal haven, even with an officer next door.
Coordinating special events at a historic – and supposedly haunted – plantation is enough to have Alicia questioning her senses and her sanity, but the spirits of the past take a backseat to a pair of escaped convicts who blaze a trail of mayhem across Riley County. Not even the most intense chemistry can survive the perils that make a sunny seaside town a dangerous place to be after dark … can it?
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
B&N ~ iTunes ~ AllRomance
The rising sun burnt on the Carolina horizon like a jewel, causing the tidal mist to light up like it’d been set on fire. It was the most gorgeous thing Alicia had ever seen, besides her naked neighbor. The sight of him stripping down lit up the morning like nothing else could – not even the extra-bold, extra-large cup of coffee she clutched as she stared through her kitchen window.
Everything about him was extra-large, too. She, however, was anything but bold.
She’d die if he knew she’d been watching him like this for the past three weeks, ever since she’d moved in. Guilt surged through her system just like her daily caffeine infusion, but that didn’t keep her from enjoying the display, all that taut muscle and bare skin.
Not even close.
“Good Lord,” she sighed, to no one but herself. DC seemed faraway already; the big city had disappeared in her rearview mirror weeks ago to be replaced by real Southern heat and charm, two things her new neighbor radiated in spades.
Not that she’d spoken to him much yet.
There’d been the occasional hello when they glimpsed each other outside, usually coming to or from work. That was it, mostly because the sight of him in uniform had a way of leaving her tongue-tied, silenced by the guilty pleasure that struck her every time she looked in his direction. She couldn’t so much as glance at him without thinking about that uniform coming off in slow motion, revealing his perfect body.
Maybe it was his fault for not closing the bathroom blinds, the ones that hung over the window directly across from the shower.
Or maybe it was her fault for enjoying the striptease with her morning coffee day after day, saying nothing.
Either way, she wasn’t complaining. Close-cropped dark hair, sun-tanned skin stretched over a six foot frame of solid muscle and an ass that appeared to be sculpted from granite, not to mention the amazing view when his back wasn’t to her: the vision had been seared into her memory, and it stayed with her even after he slung a towel around his hips and strolled out of the bathroom, disappearing from her view.
That was her cue to gulp down the rest of her coffee and pull herself together before she rushed to the Wisteria Plantation House. She’d been hired there as the special events coordinator, had moved and reshaped her life around the new job, though as she drained her coffee mug, swallowing the bitter grit that swirled at the bottom of the cup, she was so dazzled by what she’d just seen that it was sure to be a challenge just to coordinate her hair and makeup for the day, let alone an outfit.
Despite the sexually-charged fog her neighbor had left her in, she managed to brush on some cosmetic staples, twist her chestnut hair into a simple chignon and shed her robe, pulling on khaki pants and a purple blouse. As she dressed, she pretended that the brush of her own fingertips against her skin didn’t inspire imaginings of what it’d be like to feel her neighbor’s hands on her body. Lastly, she slipped on sandals, a pair with modest kitten heels that’d allow her to navigate Wisteria’s grounds without breaking an ankle.
Or so she thought. When she finally walked out the door with her purse slung over her shoulder and a travel mug in one hand, she tripped over the threshold and was launched forward through the muggy Carolina air.
She windmilled, dropping her handbag but – miracle of miracles – managing to maintain her grip on her coffee.
The mug was a fancy one that remained sealed until one pressed a button, freeing the flow of liquid within. As she bent to pick up her purse and then straightened, quickly smoothing her clothing, she realized that the anti-spill mug was the best twenty dollars she’d ever spent.
Heat flooded her cheeks as she said a silent prayer of gratitude for spill-proof technology. Her neighbor was standing on the front porch of his bungalow-style house, a cute place painted a shade of moss-green that blended right into the wooded backdrop. Judging by the way he stared, frowning in her direction, he’d seen everything.
“Are you all right?” His voice echoed across the few yards between them, sounding with a depth that sent a frisson racing down her spine.
Everything about him was extra-large, too. She, however, was anything but bold.
She’d die if he knew she’d been watching him like this for the past three weeks, ever since she’d moved in. Guilt surged through her system just like her daily caffeine infusion, but that didn’t keep her from enjoying the display, all that taut muscle and bare skin.
Not even close.
“Good Lord,” she sighed, to no one but herself. DC seemed faraway already; the big city had disappeared in her rearview mirror weeks ago to be replaced by real Southern heat and charm, two things her new neighbor radiated in spades.
Not that she’d spoken to him much yet.
There’d been the occasional hello when they glimpsed each other outside, usually coming to or from work. That was it, mostly because the sight of him in uniform had a way of leaving her tongue-tied, silenced by the guilty pleasure that struck her every time she looked in his direction. She couldn’t so much as glance at him without thinking about that uniform coming off in slow motion, revealing his perfect body.
Maybe it was his fault for not closing the bathroom blinds, the ones that hung over the window directly across from the shower.
Or maybe it was her fault for enjoying the striptease with her morning coffee day after day, saying nothing.
Either way, she wasn’t complaining. Close-cropped dark hair, sun-tanned skin stretched over a six foot frame of solid muscle and an ass that appeared to be sculpted from granite, not to mention the amazing view when his back wasn’t to her: the vision had been seared into her memory, and it stayed with her even after he slung a towel around his hips and strolled out of the bathroom, disappearing from her view.
That was her cue to gulp down the rest of her coffee and pull herself together before she rushed to the Wisteria Plantation House. She’d been hired there as the special events coordinator, had moved and reshaped her life around the new job, though as she drained her coffee mug, swallowing the bitter grit that swirled at the bottom of the cup, she was so dazzled by what she’d just seen that it was sure to be a challenge just to coordinate her hair and makeup for the day, let alone an outfit.
Despite the sexually-charged fog her neighbor had left her in, she managed to brush on some cosmetic staples, twist her chestnut hair into a simple chignon and shed her robe, pulling on khaki pants and a purple blouse. As she dressed, she pretended that the brush of her own fingertips against her skin didn’t inspire imaginings of what it’d be like to feel her neighbor’s hands on her body. Lastly, she slipped on sandals, a pair with modest kitten heels that’d allow her to navigate Wisteria’s grounds without breaking an ankle.
Or so she thought. When she finally walked out the door with her purse slung over her shoulder and a travel mug in one hand, she tripped over the threshold and was launched forward through the muggy Carolina air.
She windmilled, dropping her handbag but – miracle of miracles – managing to maintain her grip on her coffee.
The mug was a fancy one that remained sealed until one pressed a button, freeing the flow of liquid within. As she bent to pick up her purse and then straightened, quickly smoothing her clothing, she realized that the anti-spill mug was the best twenty dollars she’d ever spent.
Heat flooded her cheeks as she said a silent prayer of gratitude for spill-proof technology. Her neighbor was standing on the front porch of his bungalow-style house, a cute place painted a shade of moss-green that blended right into the wooded backdrop. Judging by the way he stared, frowning in her direction, he’d seen everything.
“Are you all right?” His voice echoed across the few yards between them, sounding with a depth that sent a frisson racing down her spine.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Johanna – ☆☆☆☆
Let's be honest, the cover grabbed my attention, and the title as well. The synopsis clinched it, and overall it was a really great read. The story started out with Alicia getting an eyeful of her hot neighbor getting out of the shower as she stands drinking her morning coffee. After the description I can't imagine any woman not wanting an eyeful. The book brings together a ghostly sense, men in uniform, and a prison break which doesn't seem easy to do but the author manages to pull it off. I was thoroughly entertained and read it straight through. I would definitely read from this author again and I look forward to many more books from her! Overall entertainment was four stars.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
Alicia just moved to small town North Carolina to take a job as an event planner for the Wisteria Plantation House. However, it’s her next door neighbor who keeps her life interesting. Liam Alexander is a correctional officer for the nearby prison, who apparently has forgotten to put up blinds in his bathroom. Alicia has made it a daily part of her routine to take her coffee into her bathroom to watch Officer Alexander as he gets ready every morning.
Sparks fly between the two and lust blooms. A pair of escapees along with some paranormal activity throw the couple together even more. Over pizza, the two succumb the lustful tension that surround them.
Nice, breezy romance with a touch of the paranormal and crazed jailed escapees.
Rachael – ☆☆☆
Alicia has just moved to a new place... And has discovered that her neighbor is very used to not having someone living next door to him. She watches him get in and out of the shower every morning over her morning coffee since he doesn't close his bathroom blinds.
Liam is the extremely hot officer who lives next door... And watches his neighbor's shadow undress every night without her knowledge. When Alicia brings over a few ladies she works with and it happens to be on a night that a few guys that Liam works with show up as well, they end up all spending time together.
A set of brothers escaping from a prison bus (where Liam works) changes the whole dynamic of the group, putting fear into play. Not to mention Alicia has been seeing what very likely could be spirits, which could be hinting to something not so good in her future.
The sexy cover and good synopsis were instant appeals to me, but I felt like the book needed a bit more work. More often than not we were told things instead of shown them making the story a bit dull at times :( I also found seeing the side of one of the escapees to be unnecessary as I felt the connection to Alicia and Liam much more interesting.
Veronica – ☆☆☆
Officer Next Door story contains supernatural elements (ghost) but not to the extent that it was off putting for someone like me who usually doesn't read paranormal fiction.
This was an unexpectedly steamy read, this author writes sex very well. I enjoyed spending time with Liam and Alicia, their relationship is hot. I did feel the relationship was more about lust than love and when it switched from one to the other, I didn't really feel the emotions and went along with the words on the page.
I enjoyed Officer Next Door and I look forward to reading book 2 which will be Sasha and Henry's story.
Let's be honest, the cover grabbed my attention, and the title as well. The synopsis clinched it, and overall it was a really great read. The story started out with Alicia getting an eyeful of her hot neighbor getting out of the shower as she stands drinking her morning coffee. After the description I can't imagine any woman not wanting an eyeful. The book brings together a ghostly sense, men in uniform, and a prison break which doesn't seem easy to do but the author manages to pull it off. I was thoroughly entertained and read it straight through. I would definitely read from this author again and I look forward to many more books from her! Overall entertainment was four stars.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
Alicia just moved to small town North Carolina to take a job as an event planner for the Wisteria Plantation House. However, it’s her next door neighbor who keeps her life interesting. Liam Alexander is a correctional officer for the nearby prison, who apparently has forgotten to put up blinds in his bathroom. Alicia has made it a daily part of her routine to take her coffee into her bathroom to watch Officer Alexander as he gets ready every morning.
Sparks fly between the two and lust blooms. A pair of escapees along with some paranormal activity throw the couple together even more. Over pizza, the two succumb the lustful tension that surround them.
Nice, breezy romance with a touch of the paranormal and crazed jailed escapees.
Rachael – ☆☆☆
Alicia has just moved to a new place... And has discovered that her neighbor is very used to not having someone living next door to him. She watches him get in and out of the shower every morning over her morning coffee since he doesn't close his bathroom blinds.
Liam is the extremely hot officer who lives next door... And watches his neighbor's shadow undress every night without her knowledge. When Alicia brings over a few ladies she works with and it happens to be on a night that a few guys that Liam works with show up as well, they end up all spending time together.
A set of brothers escaping from a prison bus (where Liam works) changes the whole dynamic of the group, putting fear into play. Not to mention Alicia has been seeing what very likely could be spirits, which could be hinting to something not so good in her future.
The sexy cover and good synopsis were instant appeals to me, but I felt like the book needed a bit more work. More often than not we were told things instead of shown them making the story a bit dull at times :( I also found seeing the side of one of the escapees to be unnecessary as I felt the connection to Alicia and Liam much more interesting.
Veronica – ☆☆☆
Officer Next Door story contains supernatural elements (ghost) but not to the extent that it was off putting for someone like me who usually doesn't read paranormal fiction.
This was an unexpectedly steamy read, this author writes sex very well. I enjoyed spending time with Liam and Alicia, their relationship is hot. I did feel the relationship was more about lust than love and when it switched from one to the other, I didn't really feel the emotions and went along with the words on the page.
I enjoyed Officer Next Door and I look forward to reading book 2 which will be Sasha and Henry's story.
Ranae Rose is the best-selling author of more than twenty adult romances and counting. Originally from Maryland, she grew up the daughter of a US Marine and always wanted to be a writer. Today she lives on the US East Coast with her man in uniform, young children, German Shepherd dogs and overflowing bookshelves.
Her love affair with the romance genre began as a teen when a classmate handed her a romance comic book. Instantly hooked, she read them during class behind her textbooks and under her desk. She hasn’t looked back since.
When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys things like good coffee, travel and fitness – especially pursuing her elusive goal of getting her husband to tap out on the jiu jitsu mats (no luck so far).
Connect with Ranae
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Officer Next Door (Lock and Key #1) by Ranae Rose to read and review for this tour.
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