Stonewall and Joy have been casually seeing each other for the last 6 months. Stonewall is a ex-con who has turned his life around. Joy is a Detective. Honestly, their ‘relationship’ annoyed me to no end. For the WHOLE book they kept going back and forth as to whether they are together or not. I was 90% into the book and they still weren’t sure if they are a couple or is this still casual. My goodness.

I truly didn’t feel any type of connection between the characters. There was so much back and forth it got extremely annoying. I’m still trying to figure out how Stonewall ‘made love’ to Joy throughout the whole story even though they weren’t a couple. That’s not love. It’s really good sex. I felt like their whole ‘relationship’ was based on sex and that’s not enough for me at all.

Anyway, I only continued with the story because the suspense part of the story held my attention. It was very refreshing and I loved the twist. Seeing everything unfold had me on the edge of my seat. The only downside was I felt the ending was a little rushed. This is the third book that I have read by this author and it’s safe to say her writing style isn’t for me.

Review of Locked in Temptation (The Protectors) – Brenda Jackson
Customer rating 4.5/5.0
August 20, 2017 by Deborah A. Fortner
CONCEPT
Bodyguard and police detective are trying to start a relationship in the midst of a deadly conspiracy.
STORY
Police detective Joy Ingram's connection to elite security expert Stonewall Courson is instant. Undeniable. Electric.
But her commitment to protect and serve has always come first. Everything else is secondary—especially when she
uncovers an underground surrogate baby-making ring. Joy can't risk a distraction during the most important case of
her career, not even one as sexy as reformed ex-con Stonewall.
There are few things Stonewall values more than a strong woman. But when Joy's investigation draws her into a
deadly conspiracy that goes deeper than she ever imagined, he must convince her that he's the best man to protect
her. And while he puts his life on the line to save hers, the insatiable attraction between them becomes the one
danger neither of them can escape.
CHARACTERS
Joy Ingram and Stonewall Courson have been trying to hook up since they eyes on each other in book 1 of Mrs.
Jackson’s Protector Series. The attractive between these two is apparent and because of their jobs it has been
difficult to pursue a relationship. Stonwall being a man of action and going after what he wants will resort to
kidnapping if necessary to spend time with Joy. Joy is portrayed as a smart, strong and independent female who can
take care of herself but has doubted herself since the last relationship. She is also trying to prove to her family that
going into the police force was not a whim and that she did not want to be in her father’s shadow.
DIALOGUE
The dialogue of the story flowed and fell in line with the plot.
STRUCTURE
The structure of the story was well crafted and will have readers turning the pages to see how Stonewall and Joy’s
relationship blossoms.
OVERALL
Locked in Temptation was the third book in the Protector series and it was a good read. Readers had been waiting
for Stonewall and Joy’s story and what a story it was. These two finally found their way to get that first date and oh
what a date it was…..explosive. Of course what is the Protector installment without a bit of mystery and this Joy is
the target. Stonewall is determined protect Joy at all cost and in the process convince her they are meant to be
together. Overall loved this story.

Having been hurt by love in the past, Joy Ingram has put all her time into being a brilliant police detective. However, she's never had such an undeniable connection to a man before, and so she finds it hard to stay away from Stonewall Courson. Yet, her job has always come first and that's not going to change, especially when she's tasked with investigating the murder of a woman that she discovers was part of an underground surrogate baby-making ring. Will Joy find the people responsible, or will the threat she poses to bringing down the ringmasters put her in danger she may not be able to get out of?

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Jackson and the first I've read in this series, but once I finished it, I have plans to read the previous books of this series, as the secondary characters were just as intriguing as the main ones and the dialogue was intense and gave me -- as a reader -- a good dose of knowledge in what the secondary characters have had to overcome to be together. The way this story started had me enjoying both the main characters, especially the hero, as he has plans that consist of getting the long-awaited date he wants with the heroine. Will their night go uninterrupted? Will the heroine agree to the heroine's plan or will he have to use whatever means necessary to get a date with Joy?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and Joy's investigation into the murder of a woman that was part of an underground surrogate baby-making ring. Will she find the answers she's looking for? What danger will she face the more invested she becomes in her investigation? Moreover, the dialogue wasn't only told from the points-off-view of the hero and heroine, but also some of the secondary characters.

Both the main characters were fantastic and I loved every moment they conversed, because this couple bring out the best in each other. Furthermore, Joy is smart, tenacious and I liked that she took a chance on Stonewall, even though her last relationship has left her wary of ever giving happy ever after a chance. While Stonewall, I loved the ways he convinced Joy to give him a chance, most especially what he did at the beginning to get her to finally go on a first date with him. He's confident and I liked how protective he was of the heroine, even though she's tough enough to fight her own battles when it comes to arrogant men that believe she shouldn't have gotten the promotion she did and going up against the people running the surrogate baby-making ring. I also liked the tight friendships he shared with the secondary characters and how they teased him when it came to his relationship with Joy. It's palpable they want Stonewall to find the kind of happiness they've all found and it's obvious that Joy makes him happy. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is how he's managed to overcome his past and that Joy was willing to take a chance on him, even though he's been on the other side of the law.

Overall, Ms. Jackson has penned a thrilling read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was explosive; the romance full of exquisite heat and passion that did justice to this couple's intense chemistry; and the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat with what Joy faces to get justice for the victims of the baby-making ring. However, it was how things turned out between Stonewall and Joy that I really loved, because after what they go through at the end, there's no way that either can deny how they truly feel for each other anymore. I would recommend Locked in Temptation by Brenda Jackson, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the friends to lovers trope or books by authors Maisey Yates, Maya Banks, Katie Reus and Susan Stoker.

Stonewall is magnificent.

Full review on the website. See link

I really enjoyed this book, from it's well developed characters to it's action packed suspenseful storyline.

Brenda Jackson's wonderfully unique writing style drew me in right from the beginning and wouldn't let me go till the very end. This is my first book from this series and I did find it can be read as a standalone but after this I'll definitely be going back to book 1.

If you're looking for an action-packed romance than I recommend reading this book, or better yet, start from the beginning like I'm going too. ^_^

This was a great book. It has been purchased for our library.

Oh, be still my beating heart!
If this is not the most seductive, sensual, passionate, and intimate love story that I have ever read, then I don't know what is... The words, and scenes, they just flow off the pages like hot, sweet molasses, and it is beautiful, sexy, and appealing. Yet the story of the emotions and feelings growing between Stonewall Courson and his detective are the focus of the story, the meaning behind the lush scenes, the reason for the passion, an important part of the plot, as those scenes show how these two commitment phobics, relationship avoiders fumble their way to each other's hearts.
Joy Ingram is a kick-ass heroine, I admired her, respected her, and liked her. She is capable and able, she is hard working, honorable, and smart. She has her challenges at the police force, but she does not go against them with fists flobbing but showing everyone around her what she is capable of.
Stonewall Courson fell instantly for his Joy in the Morning six months ago. Thier lives and careers have kept them from acting upon the attraction, yet when the opportunity finally arises, Stonewall goes all in to impress Joy. He is just... delicious. Tough, yet sweet, big yet gentle, honest, caring, mature, beautiful man, that I fell for completely. I love it when the characters act and think in a mature manner and when the obstacles on their way are not something they necessarily cost themselves but the environment around them.
The story has elements of suspense and mystery mixed with the succulent romance giving it an extra kick of spiciness with the action.
Prepare to get all the feelings from this story and let it fill your senses because Stonewall and Joy surely deliver and make up for the lost time they had, waiting to find their ways to each other's arms.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This is the third book in this series by this author. Another amazing story by this author. This story is sensual and suspenseful. The love story between the characters is very well written. The chemistry between the characters is definitely hot. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed and advance reader copy of this book

How to a create a heartbreaker ...

Just ask Brenda Jackson. Stonewall is a prime example. He's a protector from his larger than life personality to his wicked good looks. He's the ultimate bad boy. A man with his own demons to bare and the muscle to hold back the darkness that hovers around one special lady.

Joy is used to fighting her own battles. Her job is to help others and she does that with the ferocity of a lioness. What happens when the lioness finds herself on the receiving end of danger? She just may get more than she bargained for. Locked in Temptation dominates from beginning to end. Joy and Stonewall are a power couple. Every step pulled me further into this seductively written dance of danger.

I read book one in the series and now book 3. I have realized that why some might say this is Romantic Suspense in all honestly it is 100% romance with very little suspense thrown in. Pretty much Brenda Jackson needed the characters to do something while they waited for the action to pick up so they have lots and lots of sex.
Locked in Tempatation closes the left open story lines from the other two books and hands readers what they want in a nice little red bow.
This line I even highlighted because it had me laughing so hard. I'm not sure it was meant to be funny but I couldn't help but roll my eyes and laugh.
“Relax, lover. I’m fine. I just have to go potty. I’ll be back.”
For those who love Brenda Jackson they will love this series but if you find you need more meat to your story just pass this series by.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance Copy of this series

Detective Joy Ingram and bodyguard Stonewall Courson have been dancing around the issue of finally getting together in the third book in the Protector Series by Brenda Jackson. Things finally fall into place and they get together. They sizzle from day one. They both try to shy away from calling this a relationship. But events happen that will put things into perspective. A wonderful series with strong personalities!

I'm an avid reader of Brenda Jackson novels. I'm really enjoying The Proctectors Series. I have to admit, thus far, Locked in Temptation is my favorite. In this book there wasn't any insta-love and that was refreshing. It took 6 months for Joy and Stonewall to have their first date. In addition to the absence of insta-love the accustomed vivid descriptions of the female character was left to the male character's imagination until their first encounter.

Stonewall, as a male, was given the opportunity to show vulnerability, unlike most characters in previous books. Stonewall was very supportive and an all around awesome guy. It's so wonderful to read novels with characters that demonstrate those traits. Joy was no damsel in distress or needed a man to be the rock for her. She was a strong determined cop who had a path of her own and I loved that.

'Locked in Temptation' has an original plot with authentic characters that will grab your heart and have you rooting for their success.

I read this in two days and it took that long because I had to work. The third book in the Protector series was sensual and suspenseful. I really enjoyed reading the love story between Joy and Stonewall develop and watching as their characters grew into love. Their chemistry was off-the-charts. This was my favorite of the three although the other two were really good as well. Locked in Temptation tied up a lot of loose ends while having a strong and original storyline of its own.
Here are some of my favorite lines:
"Nothing stirs my blood more than a confident woman. A woman who knows how to take care of business and doesn't mind doing so."
"Any man who would plot someone else's downfall, especially a woman's, didn't deserve to be called a man."