Format:
ebook & Audio
Publisher’s Synopsis:
She wants uncomplicated fame. He wants an uncomplicated assignment. A celebrity stalker derails both their plans.
When a celebrity stalker targets Aurora Meridian, she turns to a private security team for protection.
Aurora, a women’s professional tennis player, struggles to win back the tennis fame she had before a devastating injury. As her fame returns, she faces terrifying death threats from a sinister stalker. She hires Rider Security and Investigation (Rider SI) to provide protection through the tennis season. Amidst the fear and isolation closing in on her, she fights rising attraction for the newest addition to her protection team.
Mason Stone, a former SEAL, worries his reputation and job at Rider SI are threatened by false accusations from a prior client. He transfers to Aurora’s team to escape the scandal only to find himself drawn to the formidable tennis player. He struggles with the balance of keeping her safe and keeping his distance.
Maxine Rider, former Marine and owner and CEO of Rider Security and Investigation (Rider SI), prides herself on a skilled team of dedicated former military personnel who provide protective services. She tries to keep her new company afloat while maintaining a reputation for quality and integrity.
As Aurora’s stalker closes in, Mason, Maxine, and Aurora are drawn into the sinister underworld of the Russian mafia. Aurora and Mason fight for their lives and each other while Maxine discovers the lines she must cross and the sacrifices to be made to keep her client and her team safe.
Point of view:
3rd Person. Alternating perspectives. Mostly from Mason & Aurora’s POV, but there are some scenes from various secondary characters.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is the first book in the Rider Files series. While each book is a stand alone with a complete story, there are secondary character arcs that run through and these are best read/listened to in order.
This is my second book by C. B. Samet and I enjoyed the mystery/suspense bodyguard story a lot. I liked that the characters were older (30s) and incredible maturity was shown in the professional and personal lives. There were several action scenes to keep me engaged. While I feel I got to know Aurora Meridian well, Mason was a bit more elusive and I wish Samet had developed him more. This is a great book for those who don’t want the romance to overwhelm the story and who prefer any sex scenes to be closed door.
I’m definitely intrigued by the world that Samet has built in regards to Rider Security and am looking forward to the next book, Masters File.
Narration:
Matthew Keys did a wonderful job with narration. Aurora was a bit whispery/breathy, but it worked after I got absorbed into the story. Each character had their own voice & personality, and where appropriate, a consistent accent. It wasn’t a negative for me ~ but the main narrative as well as the MC’s dialogue carried a Canadian/Wisconsin-esque affect rather than the typical non-accent of most narrations. Overall, I’d be fine if he remains the narrator for the entire series.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Story Origin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. (Note: after listening to Meridian File, I immediately purchased all four available Rider Files ebooks.)
About the author:
Christina is four-time award winning author in thriller, romantic suspense, and fantasy.
She is a mother of two energetic boys and a Jack Russel Terrier. She is a lover of suspense, adventure, and happy endings. She is currently writing the fifth and final installation of the Avant Champion epic fantasy series, and an new urban fantasy trilogy. The Rider Files books 1-4 are complete, but she’s mapping out books 5-8. She writes action and adventure in fantasy and romantic suspense genres with strong female leads.
“I grew up reading Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, and the Bourne books. I write seeking to create that level of action and intrigue but with female heroines. I love the quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ My novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.”
You can connect with CB Samet here:
Rellim Reads 