Alexei (Her Russian Protector #8) Paperback – March 1, 2016

This book was very good, it truly has a touching story. I loved the characters in it, how they were so willing to fight for their families, and friends as well. They were determined to keep going until they found a way to live, be free from imminent danger, and love freely. So recommend this book.

Ok. Lets be clear. Elephant in the room. There has been some frustration about this series, multiple cancellations, dates being changed up, months with no explanation. But to her credit, the author periodically did sent out notices and info. She had personal stuff going on, which of course, is understandable and completely NOBODYS business but her own. My frustration with this author stems from the fact that she would promise something, then renig on it. If you are unsure of your publishing schedule, DO NOT MAKE PROMISES to your readers. Do NOT give specific information then not deliver. Because of these issues, I was ready to throw in the towel. Hopefully, that lesson has been learned. Imagine my surprise when yesterday, Mr. Alexei popped up unexpectedly on my kindle. I was pleasantly surprised and very excited. So....My opinion? Its good. Its not great. She has done better. Nicolai and Sergi were deeply covered. Their stories were more complex, more...deep.Alexei is a good read. I rank it right up with Ivan and Dimitri...quick fun stories about cool characters. Alexei is definitely a supporting player in this series, but that does not diminish his role in the story. Careful from beyond this point as there will be spoilers.Pro's.Alexei's honesty about his lifestyle with Shay. No BS. He has mistresses and isn't ashamed of it. He has rules. His women follow them. They are there to have sex, a fun romp, some expensive trinkets here and there, and when its time to move on...no fuss about it.His honesty with Shay about his criminal past. He wants her to know there are parts of his personality that are not nice and he has the history to prove it.His conflicting feelings towards Shay. He has decided that Shay is too good for the mistress role and attempts an actual relationship with her. The truly funny moments for me in this book are when Alexei, who is not used to being in a monogamous relationship, really steps in it. His blunders about past girlfriends, his inability to remember that being in a relationship means he must communicate rather than just forgetting the fact that Shay has feelings, is very unsure of her role in Alexei's life, and needs ( and deserves) to be let in on his schedule etc...when before he kept his mistresses very separate from other parts of his life. I liked that he had a hard time adjusting and really tried to get it straight.I liked seeing other main characters from this story. I REALLY liked Nicholai without Vivian. Meaning, he is so tender with his wife, so protective of her, that we rarely see the Mob Boss of Houston in his true form. The very tough, violent and very feared enforcer of his mafia crew. It was a nice reminder that this series is not about romance, but romance in a violent world.The fear Shay felt. The fear for herself when Lalo appears ( won't spoil it). The fear for her sister, who makes terrible decisions. The fear she feels when people she cares about are tossed in the way of these stupid decisions. She also fears that Alexei will ultimately bolt, fearing she isn't worth the trouble.Its all in the details...I was so impressed with the scene when An visits Alexei about the attack in the parking lot behind the restaurant..I would have NEVER thought of that...apparently Alexei didn't either. The honesty that Shay's bodyguard shows. Hurtful honesty but honest none the less. Her friend Kylee ripping into another mob boss, regardless of the outcome. It was honest emotion coming from an honest place. You always knew WHY it was happening, and most importantly it made sense.The power plays between mob bosses...who does what, favors owed and favors returned. Money and favors, favors and money. But isn't that what the criminal element is all about? She does this very well. Its spelled out and understood in an easy way because when its not, its just a tangled web.CONSNot many, but a few.There were some plot twists in Alexei that actually were very familiar. Mobbed up guy likes innocent hard working girl. Innocent girl has crazy sister involved with shady characters who want to kill sister and her boyfriend ( Ivan anyone?) The scene where Shay gets a call from her sister, and disregarding all previous instructions, takes off to find her, only to NOT find her, but finds herself in a terrible situation ( this is RIGHT out of Ivan)Setting up Shay in business ( Dimitri ?) Making love unprotected, lamenting it, and then continue doing it? ( Again, Dimitri AND Sergi). This doesn't mean there isn't new stuff, there is...but as faithful readers can tell, parts of Alexei are de' ja veu.On the whole, I did like it. I certainly hope Roxie's personal struggles get resolved as she is such a talented writer. More than that, a story teller. Her audience is big and very loyal. Keep em coming!Shay thinking that Alexei was cheating on her ( Nicholai 2) and poor Eric Santos, always a step behind.Shay is good about calling Alexei on the carpet about these blunders. She takes him down a notch or two, which usually ends up with him apologizing.

4.5 StarsBased on Alexei and Shay's Christmas short story and the sneak peeks to this book that Roxie Rivera had given us, I knew a few things going in. I knew that Alexei was a smart, sexy and dangerous man. I also knew that Shay was going to be some Cinderella type, except the evil sister she had to deal with was one she happened to love. I was really ready for this story.Roxie Rivera can write heroes like no other. These men are so smokin' hot. Protective, possessive, cunning and brutal when the need suits. Alexei definitely fits the bill. As a former enforcer for Nikolai, he's still connected even though he's gone legit. When the woman he's been pining for (these Russians are so good at pining over the ladies) finds herself neck-deep in trouble with the Hermanos gang and the new skinhead crew in town, Alexei pulls in every connection and favor he has in the Houston underworld to keep her safe.The greatest thing about this book (with the exception of Alexei and his sexy behind) is the fact that we get to see more of the power struggle between the crime lords. Nikolai, An Trinh, Besian, Mueller, Salas...they are all here and all making plays right and left. Nikolai, the great puppet-master, reminds us with his brains and skill why he rules the city.There's a few things happening, but the Cartel Coup story arc from the last several novels is pretty much over. Salas is now in control of the Cartel and Houston is adjusting. But unlike In Finn's Heart and Nikolai Volume 2, it's not a major piece of the story here. This really is Alexei and Shay's story.In true Roxie-form we have secondary sexy characters we want more of, and a perfect hero who is way too good for the heroine. Shay's defects aren't horrible but I am a heroine-hater. I find fault with a lot of the behavior these women have for the sake of drama. Shay's devotion to her sister could have been seen as something admirable, but once that first betrayal was evident after the arena, I thought Shay should have shown some actual disgust for her sister. I was actively hoping Shannon would die in a ditch.My withholding half a star is completely due to heroine-defect (almost par for the course with me) I might have docked a full-star if it weren't for the fact that I loved being back in the Houston underworld and seeing Alexei wield his baseball bat so damn much (not a euphemism, but we can go there too, because he was hot!). The action, intrigue and sexiness always seem to keep me happy no matter how insipid or annoying the women are. So, I'm a happy camper.**A few little notes here: Roxie has given us the story LION'S FIRST ROAR (free short story on her website) a while ago so many of us probably thought Alexei would take place after Nikolai and Vee had their son, but this is actually taking place directly after the Coup stuff and Vivian is pregnant still. Kostya (book 7) will hopefully be published and we will have to go back in time for that one a bit as well because it is happening during the Coup. In Jack's Arms, Sergei 2, In Finn's Heart, Nikolai Volume 2 and Kostya are all interconnected and happening right on top of each other.**There's also nothing that could be spoilers for book 7. Nikolai makes a comment about the Russian men who have fallen in love and counts Kostya in that. Kostya is absent from this book, but we're not told anything. So don't be afraid to read this before Kostya--nothing will spoil it.

Love this author's work but for once I would love the sisters off the good gurlsvti get their comeuppanceInstead we get this goid girl nearly getting r☆☆☆d because of stupidity and not heeding warnings from friends and well wishers. This the third time I have readvthus book but I still want to slap Shay upside her head. I know it's a book but am over here swearing up a storm.

As usual this book was fun, action packed and well written!! I buy this series the second its out and have never regretted it!! Awesome characters! Roxie makes you feel like a part of the story and you can't stop reading!! Can't wait for the next book!!

I loved all of the russian protectors books. I can't wait to read the next one in the series. Good going

Roxie's Russians are irresistible. Started reading and didn't stop. Always want to know what happens next. Happily ever after with plenty of drama on the way!

love these books but what happened to book 7?