San Francisco, California - Present Day

Former San Francisco Police Department Detective Ethan Darling now owns Paladin Security. His latest assignment brings him into the world of television where he finds Georgiana Mundy, the woman who bumped into him in the elevator earlier. Everything about Georgie turns Ethan on, which doesn't thrill him one damn bit because the woman is hiding something. And until he finds out what that is, life is going to be difficult as hell where Georgie is concerned. Something spooks Georgie, and it's not the minor upsets on the set of her Feng Shui show. No, this is something more personal, and he wishes she would confide in him so he could help her. Of course, he does have ways of ferreting out secrets if she doesn't.

Famous talk show hostess Georgiana Mundy is having a few problems. Someone keeps messing with her stuff on the show, and if that's not enough of an annoyance, she sees her ex-fiancé, Paul Corcoran, smiling at her from across the way. Georgie calls her sister Raine to see if she is okay and learns that Raine also saw Paul. Not good! Georgie has to get to Raine but, unfortunately, she'll have to get past her new bodyguard first. Getting past Ethan Darling isn't going to be easy. The man is sharper than a tack and sexy as hell. Mmm...what she wouldn't give to strip him naked and...well, you get the picture. Unfortunately, time is running out, and Georgie might be too late to get to Raine before Paul uncovers the secret both ladies have been hiding.

Ethan Darling was first introduced in AROUSING SUSPICIONS, intriguing this reviewer. He was a loner who never spoke with his brother Nate and seemed to be mad at the world. At the end of the book, Ethan does something so out of character that this reviewer just had to see him get his own story...SATISFACTION. Ms. Stillings didn't disappoint, and the heroine she picks for Ethan is so perfect for him. Georgie is into Feng Shui, so her world is calm and soothing. Or it is until Ethan sets foot in it. The man tries her patience, raises her temperature, and is just too gorgeous for words. Together these two spark, in bed and out. There's a secondary story within this one which revolves around Raine, Georgie's sister, and Lucas Russell, an employee of Ethan's who is sent to protect Raine. Things don't turn out as planned, and it goes from bad to worse when Paul Corcoran's father is found murdered in Georgie's bedroom. Of course, Georgie didn't kill him since she was off with Ethan, but somebody sure went to a lot of trouble to shine the light on Georgie. Other characters in this intriguing plot are Ethan's brother Nate (yes they are talking now), Raine, Lucas, a couple of other minor players, and last but not least, Paul, the villain. And a villain he is. That man should be shot for the things he's done.

Another thrilling read by Marianne Stillings, SATISFACTION is fast-paced, adventurous, dangerous, steamy, and just plain good. <g>

Sinclair Reid