Customer Reviews

Protect And Serve (Kimani Romance)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fifteen years ago, Penny Keys left Paterson amid lies, heart break, and shame. Now she mournfully returns home to bury her Big Mama. Penny plans to quickly bury Big Mama, settle the estate and return to Los Angeles. At the funeral she saw him, Detective Jason Hightower and all the memories of the past came flooding back. Now Penny is at a crossroads - she had to deal with Carla (her drug addicted mother) and face the man she loves (Jason).

Jason has spent half of his life wondering what happened to their relationship. Now that Penny was back home he has to know the truth. As they were working through past issues, all hell breaks loose. Gerald (Penny's father) shows up, Carla was nearly killed, a cold murder case was opened and Jason had to protect Penny. But the protection may cost them both their lives.

Bolton proves why she is an award winning author in this captivating story. She stirs in dangers of the hood, mixes in a little dysfunctional family spice, and peppers the story with the breakdown of friendships which cooks up a sensual love story. The characters add to the recipe by using strong emotions that will unveil family secrets that will either tear them apart or bring them together. As in most African American families, Big Mama's spirit helps them - to forgive each other, overcome prideful spirits and love as families should. PROTECT AND SERVE is the first part in the Hightower Honors series and if this is any indication of future installments...they are must haves for any romance lover.

Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

"Protect and Serve" is quite an intriguing read. Talk about a feel good book. I thoroughly enjoyed Jason Hightower and Penny Keys. And who wouldn't fall for Jason's character! All I can say is I don't know how Penny could leave Jason for all those years, he was TOTALLY irresistible! He is EVERY woman's dream man, especially with a smile that could STOP YOUR HEART or TAKE YOU TO ECSTASY. This is a heart-warming and suspenseful tale. The characters are well developed and quite believable. Mrs. Bolton writes their story in a way that makes it easy to get totally caught up in their lives. The dialogue is witty, and very entertaining. And the secondary characters are UNFORGETTABLE. Carla, Penny's mother, with all her antics definitely added some humor to this little tale. And with the secondary characters development, Mrs. Bolton has set the stage, so that I will be anxiously anticipating more from the Hightower men and their circle of family and friends. I can hardly wait to find out what she has in store for Joel. This looks to be a GREAT start to an engaging miniseries.

Gwyneth Bolton introduces readers to her new miniseries, Hightower Honors. In the first novel, Protect and Serve, Penny Keys returns to her hometown of Paterson, New Jersey to bury her grandmother, Big Momma. With her best friend, Terrill, by her side, Penny just wanted to settle Big Momma's affair and return to California as fast as she could. But before she can leave, Penny had to figure out what to do with her mother, Carla, who was more like a child than a mother. She also had to face Jason Hightower.

Jason was a police detective that prided himself on finding out the truth. His latest case involved finding out why Penny broke his heart fifteen years ago. In order to get the answers he wants, Jason had to help Penny with her mother.

Protect and Serve was a real life story that answered the question of whether home is really where the heart is. Bolton addressed many issues that suddenly pop up while preparing for a funeral and some issues that families simply try to hide and not discuss. The story was funny, a bit of a mystery and romantic. Once you meet the Hightower family, I am sure you will look forward to reading the other books in the series.

Reviewed by: Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

This is an awesome book along with the three that follows. The Hightowers men are great and the story lines were great. Couldn't put the books down. Read the entire series (4 books) in like 5 days. I was on the edge of my seat and even found myself laughing on how the four brothers joked each other but also loved each other. The women that they ended up with was just what they needed and they were strong. Wonderful Wonderful read. Drama, Love, Romance and pure excitement.

Protect and Serve by Gwyneth Bolton is an outstanding, well-developed romance that ignites your emotions and thoughts as you turn the pages! When Penny comes home to deal with some family issues, she doesn't realize that she will be forced to deal with the past that she thought was done and over with. . . Jason Hightower. Secrets and lies form a wedge between the two, but true love conquers all, if given the opportunity. This book really hits home and rekindles hope in those who have been brokenhearted, or to the one who has broken someone's heart. The author conveys to her audience of readers the optimistic message that in discouraging situations, no issue, no span of time, or difference can break two people who are truly in love.

5 Pink Diamonds
Sistah Shauna of the SistahFriend Book Club

It was an average read for me but thatdoesn't mean it was a bad book. for me it was ok but still a good read.

Penny Keys, a girl from the "wrong" side of town, is now a successful image consultant in California. Making others appear as if they always have it together is what she get pays to do, but can she make her past love think she is over him? Fifteen years ago, she left New Jersey and vowed never to return with a secret that she thought she would keep forever. But when her grandmother dies, she is forced to return to the place where she left her heart and where this secret is on the verge of being revealed.

Jason Hightower's family has served and been a pillar of the community for generations. Jason did his part by becoming a cold-case detective. For his job, Jason uncovers evidence that had been lying dormant for years. Can his experience in solving long forgotten cases aid him in figuring out the most important case of his life...Penny Keys?

Even though he came from the "right" side of town, Jason had always loved Penn. Until that one faithful night, he was betrayed by his two best friends. Or was he? Can the love that Jason and Penny shared conquer time and the lie that tore them apart?

Gwyneth Bolton has a style of writing that just flows on the pages. She is able to bring the characters to life in her books. Protect And Serve had several subplots that added to the dynamics of the storyline. It will leave you longing to learn more about the other Hightower men. Ms. Bolton has done it again!

Reviewed by Tenecia
for Urban Reviews

Protect & Serve and Jason does all that and more. smile.....lol Meet the Hightower's Men: Lawrence, Patrick, Joel & Jason. These men are AWESOME......The first book in the series we get to meet Jason. Jason & Penny was high school sweetheart and of course with any relationship they are planning their future but as always something happen. Betrayal,Lies & Secret. Penny Penny return home after been away for 15 years to buried her grandmother and Penny has decided that once everything is over and she take care of her grandmother affairs she will be headed by to LA, but that is not the case if Jason has anything to do with it. For Jason this is the time to get some answers from Penney as to why she lied in one breath and said she love it in another. Although Jason has been hurt he still discovered that he is still in love with Penny which make all of this hurt more. Penny is trying her best to avoid Jason at all cost but by him been so stubborn and she knows this she realize that once and for all Jason will get the answers he is looking for. Gwyn also have some secondary character that in the beginning you will wonder about them but in the end you will fall in love with them as well. This is a great book and you are going to love it. You will not be able to put it down and it is HOT, HOT, HOT.......... Louise

Penny Keys comes back home after being gone for 15 years to bury her Big Mama. She also has to face the man she lied to before she left and deal with her ex-crackhead Mother. Jason her ex is still furious with her and his best friend Terrill because of the lie that Penny told him before she left. Throw in the fact that his Aunt Sophia never thought Penny was good enough for him nor his friendship with Terrill and all hell breaks loose. The storyline was great with a lot of drama that will keep you turning the pages to find out if the truth finally comes out. The love scenes are hot too. Great story!

If you like your romance to take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions then read this book! I will have you laughing, crying, make you mad and everything else. This book introduces us to the Hightower brothers starting of with baby Jason who is far from a baby ok! Jason and Penny are dealing with a lie that has kept them a part for 15 years. Add to Penny's stress her grandmother has died, her mother is trying to remain clean of drugs, her father shows up in her life, her mother ex is crazy and out to get her and her mother and throw Jason's crazy aunt in the mix and you have a goood story! Plus we get to see some friction from some minors characters who hopefully get their own story. There are a lot of relatable scenes and of course Ms. Bolton is know for making it hot! I enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.