Texas Ranger Garrison Travis is undercover as a server at a party thrown by mob bosses, when he hears gunfire and women screaming. When he reaches the room where the disruption took place, two women are dead and the killer is just about to execute his third victim. Fighting ensues, the killer escapes, and Garrison helps the traumatised woman: Kenderly Tyler. Kenderly is an innocent bystander: she's a beautician and was invited to the party as a reward for doing the two women's hair. It was Garrison's duty to protect those women, mob bosses' wives, and he failed, but he will do his best to ensure Kenderly's safety, and as a bonus, she's very pretty...

Angi Morgan's new Texas Rangers series literally starts off with a bang; there is a lot of action right from the first paragraph, and all of it so well described, I almost felt like ducking! BULLETPROOF BADGE is extremely fast-paced, apart from a romantic interlude that is entirely apropos. Kenderly is a terrific character; she's a girlie-girl but level-headed and brave. She's definitely not an airhead. I love that she's not a Ninja in disguise, but she's also resourceful. She's terrified but she does what Garrison says and does not stupidly argue; however when she presents him with alternatives, he listens to her.

Garrison is not a stubborn alpha; he's a professional who's doing his job, but he does make mistakes. Ah, the joy of having a story with characters I can relate to! The relationship between Garrison and Kenderly is exactly as it should be. They are attracted to each other, but staying safe and catching the killer remains paramount to both of them at all times. I will be eternally grateful that Ms. Morgan entirely avoids the annoying typical clichés: Garrison is never described as having the ubiquitous "broad shoulders, slim hips and powerful thighs". Both Garrison and Kenderly come off as real people, albeit good-looking and appealing, and I had a clear image as to what they looked like, and all this without exasperating and repetitive descriptions of their physical attributes. I also like that their mutual attraction never got in the way of the fabulous story, which is entirely realistic as well. In fact, they go through quite a bit in a very short time, and it left me almost as exhausted as they were!

Needless to say, the writing is sharp and eloquent, the narrative flows very smoothly, and the interactions between Kenderly and Garrison sounded natural, with some very amusing banter thrown in. BULLETPROOF BADGE is an exciting start to a new series, and I hope we will get to read more about what happens to Garrison and Kenderly, as some issues are not entirely resolved. Yet another proof that Angi Morgan knows how to write a romantic suspense exactly as it should be!

Book Summary

HE'D TAKE A BULLET FOR HER

His key witnesses dead, Texas Ranger Garrison Travis had to protect innocent bystander Kenderly Tyler. Her crucial evidence had two very dangerous Texas crime families willing to do anything to keep her quiet. But Garrison's undercover status had branded him a killer, and now the bad and the good guys were after them both.

Hiding out with a handsome protector, on the run for her life, was so beyond anything Kenderly had imagined. While there was more than just adrenaline pulsing between them, the Ranger vowed his job was his life. Dare she wonder what would become of them should they actually make it out alive?