Category Archives: Semper Fi Series

July 1, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray
Semper Fi Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If There’s One Thing He Hates, It’s a Secret…

Coming home after a rough deployment, Captain Dwayne Robertson wants some stability in his life, and finds it in the friendship he’s forged with Veronica Gibson while he was away. But her past is a well-guarded mystery, and Dwayne doesn’t know if he can deal with a woman who has something to hide…

And She’s Filled with Them…

Veronica Gibson doesn’t want anyone to know about her bizarre upbringing. She’s finally escaped her missionary parents and would be enjoying her independence if she didn’t feel so insecure about fitting in. She can easily envision a glorious future with Dwayne—but can she build a new life on a web of lies?

The Review:

Jeanette Murray’s tantalizing glimpses of Dwayne Robertson and Veronica Gibson piqued my interest in this couple in previous installments of the Semper Fiseries and I have been impatiently waiting their story. And I have to say, it was totally worth the wait. The Officer and the Secret is hands down my favorite novel in the series and I hated to say goodbye to Dwayne and Veronica.

Coming home from his latest deployment, Dwayne is stunned when he begins experiencing symptoms of PTSD. He is proactive in seeking treatment for his nightmares and flashbacks, but Dwayne finds the peace he so desperately needs with Veronica, the young woman he has been Skyping with for months. Veronica’s friendship was his lifeline during his deployment and with her, he is finally able to open up and talk about his time in Afghanistan. Underlying their friendship is a simmering attraction that catches both Veronica and Dwayne off guard.

Veronica is an absolutely delightful breath of fresh air. Due to her extremely sheltered childhood, she is a little bit naïve and innocent but she is finally beginning to adjust to her new life. Veronica is gaining ground in her attempt to fit in with today’s society but she is still a work in progress. In the beginning she is unsure of herself and ashamed of her self-perceived shortcomings, but as she gains confidence, Veronica begins to not only stand up for herself, but she also goes after what she wants. And when she sets her sights on Dwayne, the gruff and tough Marine better watch out!

Dwayne might have a rough exterior, but this charming Southern boy is kind-hearted and caring. He is definitely attracted to Veronica but he is a leery of getting involved with anyone while he is trying to cope with his PTSD. Dwayne has also been burned in a previous relationship so he has trust issues he is dealing with.

The romance between Veronica and Dwayne is slow growing and sooo sweet. Despite their obvious desire for one another, they take the time to date and get to know one another before they begin heating up the sheets. Veronica continues to keep her secrets and when they are faced with an unexpected complication, Dwayne finds it impossible to trust her.

The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray is a heartwarming and engaging romance. Veronica and Dwayne are beautifully developed characters and the issues they are struggling with are easy to relate to. The conflict between them is believable and it is resolved fairly quickly with very little angst. An entertaining addition to a captivating series that I highly recommend to fans of contemporary romances.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Semper Fi series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Semper Fi Series, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The Officer and the Secret

December 27, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: The Officer Breaks the Rules by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Officer Breaks the Rules by Jeanette Murray
Semper Fi Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Some Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

He’s Ruled by Loyalty…

Every man knows that you don’t date your best friend’s little sister, but Captain Jeremy Phillips can’t seem to be convince Madison O’Shay to stay away. And he can’t convince himself to stop thinking about her, either.

She’s Ruled by Love…

Madison knows exactly what she wants…and whom. But she won’t give up her career in the Navy for any man, not even Jeremy.

They’re both about to learn that in the game of love, it’s all about breaking the rules.

The Review:

The Officer Breaks the Rules is the second installment in Jeanette Murray’s delightful Semper Fi series. Jeremy Phillips and Madison O’Shay’s are friends whose unexpected attraction to one another proves to be as irresistible as it is complicated.

Readers were first introduced to Madison and Jeremy in The Officer Says “I Do”, the romance between Tim O’Shay and Skye McDermott. Madison is Tim’s sister and Jeremy is Tim’s best friend. Madison and Jeremy share a very steamy kiss in the first book, but Jeremy’s loyalty to Tim causes him to back away from a relationship with Madison. In The Officer Breaks the Rules, Jeremy is determined to resist their attraction while Madison is equally determined to act on their passion.

Madison and Jeremy are vibrant, well rounded protagonists. Of the two, Jeremy is the more complex character. He is conflicted about his career in the Marines while Madison relishes her job as a nurse in the Navy. Madison is close to her parents, brother and sister-in-law whereas Jeremy’s relationship with his father is a little contentious.

The relationship between Jeremy and Madison is a continual push/pull with both characters fighting then giving in to their desire for one another. Jeremy is very reluctant to ruin his friendship with Tim by dating Madison. Madison has no reservations about their romance and she does not hesitate to try to overcome Jeremy’s objections to changing their relationship from friends to lovers.

A secondary storyline with Jeremy’s father adds further conflict to their burgeoning relationship. Jeremy is struggling to reconcile his need to fulfill his father’s dream versus his very real desire to change careers. Jeremy’s childhood experiences also come into play as he tries to make a decision about his future.

The Officer Breaks the Rules is a lovely romance that is quite engaging. Love does not come easy or lightly to this wonderful couple, but in the end, they do eventually find their happily ever after.

Jeanette Murray continues to tantalize readers of the Semper Fi series with intriguing glimpses of the developing relationship between Tim and Jeremy’s friend Dwayne and Skye’s cousin Veronica. I am looking forward to uncovering the secrets of Veronica’s mysterious past.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Semper Fi series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Rated B, Review, Romance, Semper Fi Series, Sourcebook Casablanca, Sourcebooks, The Officer Breaks the Rules

July 3, 2012 · 3:55 am

The Officer Says “I Do” by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Officer Says “I Do” by Jeanette Murray
Semper Fi Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He’s a Marine…she grew up on a commune.

He always puts duty first…she’s a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.

He loves routine and order…she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.

They’re going to balance each other perfectly—or drive each other completely, utterly insane…

On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O’Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined…

The Review:

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Not if you’re a by the book Marine who impulsively marries a free thinking Bohemian who believes that Fate had a hand in their marriage. In The Officer Says “I Do”, Jeanette Murray brings her readers an entertaining, whimsical and very sweet romance that is deliciously steamy and a whole lot of fun.

Skye McDermott is a free spirit but she is well-grounded and quite responsible. She is an independent and feisty woman who has strong beliefs and a good sense of who she is. She is deeply committed to making her hasty marriage a success.

Tim O’Shay is a third generation Marine who is a bit on the uptight side. He is quite traditional, plays by the rules and looks out for his friends and family. In the bedroom, he is an alpha male and definitely the one in control. Outside of the bedroom though, he is willing to compromise with Skye on most issues and there is give and take as they struggle to make their marriage work.

Two totally opposite worlds collide in The Officer Says “I Do” and it is fascinating watching Skye and Tim combine their very different lifestyles into a happy marriage. Military life is like life on another planet to Skye and I loved seeing her reactions to some of the situations she finds herself in. Tim is quite regimented, with a clear idea of what he wants in a wife, but with Skye, he has to rethink a lifetime of very traditional beliefs. Their sex scenes are quite passionate with Tim taking the dominant role.

As a military wife, Ms. Murray provides an authentic view into the inner workings of the military and military marriages. I, too, am a military wife and I can assure you, she is spot on with this part of the novel.

The Officer Says “I Do” is a cleverly written novel with a unique but realistic storyline and delightfully developed characters. With this first installment in the Semper Fi series, Jeanette Murray sets the stage for the remaining books in the trilogy and leaves her readers eagerly anticipating The Officer Breaks the Rules which will be available January 2013.

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Filed under Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, Rated B, Romance, Semper Fi Series, Sourcebook Casablanca, Sourcebooks, The Officer Says "I Do"