Customer Reviews

Under the Wire (The Bodyguards, Book 5)

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

 

 

Detective Manny Ortega has come far in the seventeen years since he was betrayed by the woman he loved. Forced to flee Nicaragua and leave behind his family, 18 year old Manny blames it all on the treacherous Lily Campora. The only thing that gives him hope are his plans to someday return and assist in the cause that almost got him killed.

Trauma Nurse Lily Campora met Manny Ortega during one of the most vunerable times in her life. After losing a friend in a helicopter accident that she should have been in, Lily is all too easily seduced by Manny. Though she is ten years older than him, Lily is captivated by him. When she returns home after being called into the clinic, Manny is gone. After many days of searching, Lily learns that Manny is dead. Heartbroken, she returns to the States.

Seventeen years later, brings Manny and Lily to Boston. For seventeen years, Manny has bred his hate of Lily, though he has never forgotten her. Lily got the shock of her life when she learned that Manny was still alive. Determined to find him, she moves to Boston with her son wanting answers from Manny. When Adam, Lily's son goes missing, Manny is the only one that she can turn to.

UNDER THE WIRE is an extremely fast paced read that will take you from Nicaragua to Boston to Sri Lanka. While Manny is willing to put the past in the past, Lily is unable to let it go until Manny admits that she did not betray him. As they race to find Adam in a country that is rife with political unrest, Manny and Lily have a hard time fighting their feelings for each other. Readers of the series will like Manny's happy ending, knowing that Gerard gave him the perfect heroine.

While Lily Campora, nurse for Doctors Without Borders, works in the damp, dark jungles of Nicaragua, she eventually finds herself discouraged by the death and destruction that she and her medical team face every day. When a fellow nurse, who is a dear friend, is killed in a helicopter crash, a flight that Lily should have been on, she is stricken with guilt. When Lily meets a handsome young soldier, Manolo "Manny" Ortega, that same evening at a dinner hosted by a general in the Nicaraguan Army, she feels an immediate attraction, and despite her initial reluctance, she gives in to unexpected desire and the two begin a secret love affair. The affair ends almost as quickly as it begins a few nights later, with Lily being called away in the middle of the night and then told that Manny has died. Seventeen years later, Lily learns that Manny is very much alive, and working as a police detective in the United States. When serious threats are made against someone especially dear to Lily, she knows the only person she can turn to for help is Manny, although she is confused over why he never searched for her when he came to the states.

The moment freedom fighter Manolo "Manny" Ortega first sees Lily, he is determined to get to know her and learn the reason for the haunted look in her eyes. Despite her being a few years older than him, he immediately connects with her, telling her things about himself that he has never told anyone, and quickly falls in love with her. When Lily quietly leaves him in the night, and he is subsequently taken away, shot and beaten, and left for dead, he is certain that she has betrayed him. Manny never forgot Lily; his hatred of her seeming to strengthen his motivation to fight for his life and survive. When Manny is approached to help Lily some seventeen years later, with Lily literally begging him herself, he cannot refuse, although he still isn't convinced that Lily wasn't the one who betrayed him all those years ago.

Cindy Gerard has written a wonderfully suspenseful book with UNDER THE WIRE. Lily and Manny are both extremely likeable characters, whose emotions and beliefs are excellently and realistically written. Locations and settings are described with absolute clarity, taking readers into each scene with the characters. Secondary characters, with their unique personalities and relationships, add a great deal of interest and intrigue to the story, past and present. Frequent flashbacks take readers into the past and go far in interpreting the lives and personalities of Lily and Manny. I have read all but one of the previous books in this series and have enjoyed each and every one; UNDER THE WIRE is no exception. These books are a real treat when read in order, but each capably stands on its own. I give a high recommendation for this book, as well as the previous books, to all readers who enjoy riveting romantic suspense.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

Once again Cindy Gerard, and the Bodyguard Series is on fire. Under the Wire is truly a compelling love story. Readers who really love romance will enjoy Lily and Manny's story. It is a story about misunderstandings, disappointments in life, love, and the power of forgiveness.
This book is truly romantic suspense/action at its best. Even under the drama unfolding between the main characters, Cindy Gerard adds some humor at the right times.
I love the fact that the ending was not rushed. After spending so much time with Lily and Manny, the reader has an invested interest in them reuniting. It was nice to see them back to their playfulness with their lovemaking which by the way sizzled.
I hope everyone who loves a great love story with a terrific plot, suspense, humor, wonderful secondary characters, and intelligent dialogue will pick up Cindy Gerard's Under The Wire.

CINDY GERARD IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES ALL HER BODYGUARD BOOKS ARE EXITING AND ROMANTIC.

If you've enjoyed the previous books in the Bodyguard series, here's another!! It is the perfect book for those that can't stick with it, as it keeps you enthralled with every page! I only wish Cindy could write them as quickly as I enjoy reading them... but I know she has to have a life too!!

Exiled from his family and country, Manny Ortega has lived many years with a bitter truth; the woman he loved betrayed him. At least that is what he has believed for the past seventeen years. There is no other explanation.

American nurse Lily Campora never expected to find love on a humanitarian trip to Nicaragua, especially not with Manny, a much younger soldier. Quickly, however, their brief affair evolved from a search for solace into something much more powerful and real. Then, just as unexpectedly, Manny disappears. After being called away from their bed in the middle of the night on a medical emergency, Lily returns to find him gone. She is told that Manny has died. With nothing left for her in Nicaragua, Lily returns home and tries to move on with her life.

Seventeen years later Lily is shocked to discover that Manny is very much alive and living in the States. Little does she know that he holds her responsible for his misfortunes. The hardened US Special Forces soldier turned police detective is not the young man Lily once knew. Before she can reconnect with him, however, tragedy strikes, and Manny is the only person that can help. Although he still blames her, Manny is unable to refuse Lily's plea. With the help of Manny's friends, the bodyguards of E.D.E.N, they speed off around the world. Plunged into a mission fraught with danger and political intrigue, the pair must find a way to succeed. Still drawn to Lily, can Manny find a path to forgiveness?

Filled with lush passion and edge of your seat action, Under the Wire is a solid addition to the Bodyguard series. Lily and Manny are intriguing and heat up the story with their desire. At first I did have problems buying Manny's openness with Lily after knowing her for such a short time, but he was young, and the pair did have a bond. Once I got past my initial questions, watching their relationship evolve was a sensual feast. Then the contrast of their present day relationship made for a compelling, riveting read. Add in the realistic, yet extraordinary adventure, and it's clear why I fell in love with Cindy Gerard's Bodyguards!

I must confess that after reading To the Brink, the third Bodyguards book, which I can't recommend enough, I was a bit impatient for the tale of Dallas, the last Garret brother. However, Under the Wire is a wonderful thriller, and with further revelations about Dallas, I am positively dying for Into the Dark! How long until May?

Under the Wire is the fifth Bodyguards book. While it could be read as a stand-alone, I think it would help to read the others in the series, especially To the Brink.

Cheryl
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

After reading the previous book called Over the line, I was bracing myself for yet another disappointment, but thankfully, I was wrong! Manny and Lily's story is a fast paced and exciting adventure which takes place in the jungles of Srilanka to save their only son who has been kidnapped by the terrorists. They both shared good chemistry and passion but the majority of the book takes you on the thrill ride to save their son. It was also nice to see two of my favorite characters form this series- Ethan and Darcy from To The Brink which has been for me the best book so far.I will now eagerly await the 6th book in the series, called Into The Dark (Dallas' story) coming out in May!

This one is my least favorite in the series. I'm not much of a fan of characters who overly emote (the "I'll die if I don't kiss you" sort of thing), and Manny does a whole lot of emoting in this one. And too many of his lines were a tad too cliched for me. I found myself racing to get to the end, and not caring what happened along the way. This one isn't a keeper for me.

I read this book straight through, could NOT put it down. Wow! What a wonderful story line, terrific characterizations and believable action. All that and a high level of sensuality as well.

I recommend this read to anyone who likes a strong, sexy hero, a heronie with brains and compassion and an exciting adventure.

MUST READ!

Also Recommended: Recipe for Love

I loved this book! I have read all of Cindy Gerard's books and they keep getting better and better!!!