BARE WITNESS – Katherine Garbera
Liberty Investigations Series, Book 2
Brava
ISBN: 978-0-7282-2233-6
September 2008
Romantic Suspense

Lima, Peru – Present Day

Justine O'Neill is one of three women who work for Sam Liberty, a very powerful man who owns a business where he hires out bodyguards to protect the rich. Justine, along with Charity Keone and Anna Sterling, have nicknamed themselves, "angels", much like Charlie Angels, because they have never met Sam, and he only communicates with them through the phone. Justine had a tough childhood because her now deceased stepfather, Franklin Baron, sexually abused her. She was able to survive the abuse and will never be another victim, especially of a powerful man who could end up hurting her. She keeps all men at a distance and has never had a long lasting relationship with one.

CEO of Baron Industries, Nigel Carter, has hired Liberty Investigations to protect him and his daughter, Piper, as they travel to Peru where he is building a new plant. There have been some suspicious incidents at the facility, and Nigel wants to find those responsible. Sam wants Justine to be in charge of the bodyguard detail even though she is dead set against going. Not only will she have to protect a little girl, with which she has had no experience, but Nigel is related to Franklin. What if Nigel finds out what she did to Franklin all those years ago?

Nigel can't believe Sam sent him this sexy fairy, who barely stands five feet tall, to watch over him. As soon as Justine introduces herself, he feels a great attraction to her. Even though he'd rather become better acquainted with Justine at a more opportune time, that will have to wait until he fixes the problems in Peru. Justine is dead set against him bringing his eight-year-old daughter with him, but he made a promise to Piper that he would never leave her alone again when he goes on long business trips. He won't listen to Justine's arguments and trusts her to keep Piper safe.

Justine has a hard time trusting men in general, and she certainly doesn't trust Nigel; however, she can't help desiring him. But since she is a professional, she will put her feelings aside and keep her mind and body in check. As soon as they touch down in Lima, they are attacked, and Piper and her nanny, Constance, are kidnapped. Now Justine and her team must rescue the two and still keep tabs on Nigel, who will do whatever he can to save his daughter and the woman who helped raise her after her mother died. The clock is ticking, and if they don't do what the kidnappers want, Nigel may lose another person he loves.

BARE WITNESS is the second book in the series about three tough as nails women who won't take crap from anyone. Katherine Garbera pens a tale about empowerment and the ability to rise above it all, especially in the case of Justine O' Neill, who was a victim at a very young age at the hands of a man who should have protected her. She is one character we can all look up to. I just wish she had a better story written for her.

My issue with BARE WITNESS is not necessarily the story itself, but the actions of the characters. My main pet peeve was with Nigel. Not only does he place his daughter in extreme danger, but as he and Justine are trying to find Piper before she is hurt or killed, he still wants to have sex whenever he can with Justine. Not only does Justine let him, but this is a woman who excels at being a professional. For a long time she didn't trust Nigel and, because of her sexual past, she has major intimacy issues she must work on. But because of her attraction to Nigel and his pursuit of her, she quickly falls into his arms and gets down and dirty. And what we need to remember is that they are in great danger, but both Nigel and Justine still find the time to have some quickies while they are being watched, and a poor child is in danger.

I really wish I could have enjoyed BARE WITNESS because I did enjoy the first novel in this series, BARE FACTS, which first introduced Justine. It was nice to be re-acquainted with Charity, the heroine from BARE FACTS, and Anna, who will probably have her own story written in the future. Justine's employer, Sam, makes a brief appearance, and the mystery that surrounds him is one I hope unravels in future books.

Even though I had some issues with Nigel and Justine's relationship and sexual escapades, BARE WITNESS is an action packed story that will keep your interest, especially as you try to figure out who wants to do Nigel in. If only Nigel and Justine's lust for each other could have waited until after they saved Piper.

Kate Garrabrant