Danger Next Door

Red Stone Security Series, Book 2

By: Katie Reus

Narrated by: Pyper Down

Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

From the USA Today best-selling Red Stone Security Series: a contemporary beauty and the beast themed romantic suspense.

After an explosion leaves detective Grant Caldwell scarred he quits his job and tries to hide from his well-meaning family while he heals. When Belle Manikas, a beautiful new neighbor, moves in next door with problems of her own he finds himself drawn to her even while he tells himself she's nothing but trouble. Even though he knows he'd never have a chance with a woman like her - not with his disfigurement - he can't stay away.

Thanks to severe health problems as a child Belle grew up sheltered and smothered by her loving, if overbearing, family. Now that she's finally out on her own she plans to wring everything she can out of life. When she sets her sights on her brooding neighbor nothing can stop her from getting him into bed - until a madman fixates on her. With Grant now working for Red Stone Security, he sees it as his duty to protect her at all costs. Unfortunately a violent criminal is stalking Belle and will stop at nothing until he's destroyed her.

©2012 Katie Reus (P)2014 Katie Reus

A discovery

I've discovered a new favorite author! This book is thoroughly engrossing with wonderful characters, well, except for one who shall remain nameless. I look forward to more books in this series.

Classic Riveting, Action-Packed Katie Reus!

Would you listen to Danger Next Door again? Why?

I would listen to Danger Next Door again and again! I love Katie Reus' books. This one is classic Katie with an ultra-protective alpha, suspense to keep you on edge and a steamy romance!

What other book might you compare Danger Next Door to and why?

I would compare Danger Next Door to any of Katie's other romantic suspense books! They're all excellent and they are all enjoyable as stand-alones if that is what you wish!

Which character – as performed by Pyper Down – was your favorite?

I would have to say that my favorite character was Grant. I love a protective alpha male with a great back-story. Pyper did a good job voicing him - though I would have preferred that all of her male voices had been a bit deeper.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If there were to be a film of Danger Next Door, an appropriate tag line would be "An Action-Packed Romantic Thriller!"

Any additional comments?

I am in the process of going back and catching up on the previous installments I'd missed in Katie’s awesome Red Stone Security series. Danger Next Door was one of them. It is the story of Grant Caldwell and Belle Manikas.

Grant is an ex-Marine working as a detective with the Miami Police Department. As the story opens, Grant is preparing to storm a home functioning as a cocaine lab in Miami. He is injured in that raid and put on medical leave. While recuperating at home, he gets his first glimpse of Belle, his beautiful new neighbor. He later discovers that she is a neonatal nurse at the hospital. Grant and Belle appear throughout the series so I was thrilled to finally listen to their story. I was utterly riveted from the beginning to the end.

This narrator, Pyper Down, was new to me. She provided a polished performance with a pleasant and clear voice. That said, I do prefer Sophie Eastlake, the narrator who I'm used to listening to as she finished narrating this series. Pyper's voices and delivery were different from what I was used to – but perfectly adequate. I honestly have no complaint whatsoever with Pyper's performance other than I thought her male voices could have been deeper - but I adapted to her portrayal of them very quickly.

Quick and action packed

In true Katie Reus style, we are treated to an action packed romantic suspense. Grant Caldwell is recovering from a job related accident. Burns over a portion of his body, he has not yet come to terms with it all. He hears his next door neighbor as she is being manhandled and comes to her aid. Belle is a strong, independent woman, and she sees Grant for who he is. Thankful for his help, the two have instant chemistry. But this isn't the end! Belle is continually being stalked and Grant is doing everything he can to keep her safe. But can he? Even with Red Stone Security behind him, danger is lurking. And now their hearts are invested in it as well. I love Katie Reus's writing style. She can pull me into a story and keep me captivated from start to finish. This team of characters is fantastic and I am loving the series. Pyper Down gives a good performance and makes it an fun listen.

Good story

This is a good short story series. Needs a better narrator which I see we get later in the series.

Would have loved this as a full length novel

I liked it but didn't love it. The characters were strong but the entire story felt rushed because it was so short. I liked the premise and writing style so I think I would have loved this story if it were a full length novel. There was definitely enough material to make it full length. Regardless, it was a nice story. Well written with a likable hero and heroine.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Another "must listen to " by this talented author

I have listened to a couple of the audiobooks in this series, and have come to love it. This one was no different.
The main characters are Grant Caldwell and Belle Manikas. Grant, a former Miami PD detective, is still recovering from a drug bust gone wrong. He was left with not only external deforming scars, but also with internal ones. Belle, has just moved next to Grant , and the attraction between them is instant. Though she currently is a nurse, she knows all about scars and pain, since she too has them.
It was heartwarming to see these two lower the walls around themselves. Thanks to Belle, Grant seems to start living. But evil has surrounded them, and someone wants to hurt Belle. Grant has come to her rescue a couple of times but will he be able to safe her once again?
While the story was engaging, and filled with suspense, bag guys , hunky good guys, and romance, what I loved most was the author’s treatment of Grant and his scars as well as Belle’s tenderness towards him.
Another must listen to from this talented author.
I was gifted this audiobook . The opinions expressed are solely my own.

"He'd Been a Marine"

What did you love best about Danger Next Door?

the spunk Belle, our heroine had. The sexy way our hero over comes his inner and outer issues.

What other book might you compare Danger Next Door to and why?

this is part of a small series. If you like a short fast listen that will keep you glued to the listen, then this is for you. this is a romance, with a mystery and compassion. I love this author as she has a quick pace to her stories.

Which character – as performed by Pyper Down – was your favorite?

Ms Down is a new reader for me, well 5 books now. She has a good pace, some readers are so slow, you almost fall asleep. She is not breathy and sounds young but does not have a tin like voice. Her male voice could be deeper, but current one does not take away from the way she makes the males sound sexy. If she has an AKA, please advise so listeners can get more of her work.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes, when our hero covers and saves the little boy.

Any additional comments?

on a big sale, I purchased all of the stories and of the 3 of Pyper Downs reads, I am thrill to have found a new author and reader. Enjoy

Red Stone Security Is A Great Series

Colorful characters with intense personalities combined with a great story line makes this book a winner. Can't wait for the next book.

Very good contemporary romance :D

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked Belle and Grant and their story was very good. This is the first book I've read by this author and based off this I will probably read more of her books in the future. Obviously I didn't read book #1 before this but I didn't have an issue with confusion because of not reading it first.

Belle is a nurse and a really nice woman. She grew up sheltered due to heart issues that caused her to need multiple surgeries when she was younger. Belle finally managed to break loose from her over-protective family and out on her own for the first time. She wasn't expecting to become the victim of a stalker on the first day she moved in to her new house.

Grant is a former police detective and former military. He was injured and badly scared when an explosion went off while he was on a raid of a drug den. Grant’s family has been trying to get him to join up with their security team but he hasn't wanted to. Grant’s been staying inside his house most of the time as he’s having a hard time dealing with others seeing his scars. His beautiful next door neighbor’s house getting broken in to is just what he needs to pull him out of his shell.

Belle has a bit of trouble when moving in to her new house when a family friend, Palo, is being rather brutish and rough with her. Grant happens to hear the raised voices and when the woman’s voice sounds upset, he goes to check it out. Grant saves Belle from Palo's attentions and then they talk. Grant tries to keep his scars hidden but Belle can see them. She’s not bothered by them though and Grant is happy about this but unsure how much Belle would want to be around him. That night, Grant sees someone trying to break in to Belle’s house and runs the intruder off. He decides to protect her and sleeps at her place (on her couch) to safeguard her. The next day, Belle is attacked again while swimming in the middle of the day. Belle is saved in the nick of time but once again, the attacker gets away. Grant is even more determined to keep Belle safe and stays with her even after the she gets a security system installed. Belle is attracted to Grant and is sure he’s attracted to her but he doesn't make a move. They share a kiss that Belle started but when Grant doesn't follow up on it she’s unsure what to do. Eventually things come to a head and Belle demands to know what they “are”. Grant didn't want to presume anything and kept thinking she wouldn't want him but when she confronts him, Grant lets her know that he's more than willing to start a relationship with her. Once that’s cleared up, Belle makes sure they start things out right and shows him just how little she cares about his scars, all his scars all over his body. There’s some drama as they try to figure out who the bad guy is and Belle ends up in more danger before things are settled. After the bad guy is taken care of, Belle and Grant are able to explore their blossoming relationship and start their HEA.

This was a very enjoyable story. I really liked Belle and Grant and was happy to see them get together because I couldn't help rooting for them from the beginning. I’ll probably read more of this series when I have time. I’d recommend this book. Thumbs up. :D