Russian mafia meets Southern sass...

I love Rhenna Morgan’s heroes. They’re strong, sexy, intelligent, and protective not only of their family, but especially their women. Her newest hero, Sergei, had all the above in spades, plus charisma and bluntness. And being around Evette opened up a softer side that had me falling for him in a heartbeat!

Evette was steel backbone and Southern sass. Sergei appeared to play Prince Charming to her Cinderella, but this Cinderella needed rescuing from something only she could handle. A task much harder to accomplish than just giving someone material things. I loved that Evette’s biggest vulnerability was one Sergei understood and enjoyed their journey of discovery with relish!

His To Defend had me from the first chapter and reminded me of why I love to read romance! Aside from awesome HEA’s-because yes, I still believe in fairy tales-an outstanding emotional voyage is what really draws me in. Rhenna Morgan did all that plus some! Sergei and Evette’s journey was a subtle balance of hard truth and thoughtfulness, with an extra dose of sultry chemistry to keep things racy, and taking a chance on what could be one of the biggest risk life gives- a chance on happiness and love.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley and Carina Press/Harlequin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

His To Defend is a delicious, sensual, breathtaking dive into the inner workings of the Russian Bratva and what it means to be under the protection of one such as Sergei. Hang on for one heck of a ride.
Confession time. I love Ms Morgan's writing. Each time I read a book of hers I'm once again blown away by the sensual slide her words evoke through my senses. Reading her writing is pure indulgence and decadence. Every word an evocative dance in my mind.
Even before I read the book, I knew I would love Sergei. I enjoyed the brief glimpse of him in Knox and Darya's book in the Men of Haven series and knew he would be exactly the kind of man I'd fall in love with while reading. Ms Morgan did not disappoint. Sergei is as dark, commanding, and delicious as he is protective, demanding, and fearsome. He lives by a set of rules not found in normal men but he has honor and integrity in what drives him. While building his business in the New Orleans community, he's also interested in making the community better, safer, and a place where he can call home. I loved the way he treated Evie. Like she was the light in his world and every breath from her was precious. I love the way he cared for her safety and the way he protected her, made sure no harm or suffering would touch her. And when it did, he dealt with it. I love that he was a man who took charge. He was the pakhan and he commanded everything and everyone around him. What's not to love?
Evie is a delight. She's sassy, feisty, and strong. You need to be to stand up to a man like Sergei and hold your own, to not get swallowed up and lose yourself. And boy, does Evie has a lot of standing up to Sergei so he doesn't bulldoze his way through her life though he does try. I love that Evie fought for what was important but at the same time gave when it was necessary. She knew when to stand back and let Sergei take charge and accept that there are just certain things that a man like Sergei needs to take care of on his own terms. Evie is laughter and sunshine and light.
I don't usually talk about secondary characters but I love Emerson, Evie's son. He's as delightful as his mother and such an old soul. He's not your normal seven year old kid but he's smart, wise, and charming. And Uncle Carl. Well, what a sleaze. Ms Morgan certainly managed to make him extremely unlikable and he proved to be the kind of man who deserved whatever he got. I wanted to smack him a time or two. Ick.
This is a fantastic start to the new series and I can't wait to find out whose book is next. I'd read the heck out of it.

I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review. Evie is a down on her luck single mom who’s desperate to get her son in a better school but was suddenly and mysteriously fired from her job. Left with no choice she turns to Sergei with head of the Bratva in New Orleans. The attraction between the two starts off with sparks but both initially are hesitant to start something, Evie because she’s a single mom who lost her family before and Sergei because he feels she’s too good for him. Luckily the sparks light a fire that’s blazing hot. There’s a lot of sexiness between the two but there’s also tenderness and affection. And I love the way Sergei treats Evie and her son like they are the sun that shines on his life. This a great new start to a series and I hope Sergei’s men get stories soon. 5 stars

Sergei is quite a protective man, "he’d bet he could make her boss listen. And suffer. For a very long time." There are times I think Sergei enjoys driving his woman bananas, "he grinned. Actually freaking grinned. “I’m not circling anything, solnyshka. You are.” I liked this book, I loved Sergei.