Grace Hall, the soon to be ex-Countess von Sharone, has been named in the Times as one of the six most prominent women in New York; an honor on any given day, except now a madman has targeted the ladies on the list and is killing them one by one. As the new CEO of the Hall Foundation, which was founded by her father, Grace has enough on her plate. Grace figures hiring a bodyguard is the best course of action to keep her safe while she deals with the foundation, but what she gets is more of a warden. He moves into her penthouse and demands she follow every one of his iron clad rules.

John Smith has been living a ghost life for longer than he can remember. In fact, John Smith isn't even his real name, but its been so long since he's heard his real name, even he's not sure he remembers it. When Grace comes to him looking to hire him as a bodyguard, John reluctantly takes her on. There's something about Grace that brings out desires in him that he's never felt before. Angered by his growing feelings for Grace, John does his best to push her away, but with a crazed killer on the loose, one push too many could turn deadly.

I'd like to warn those of you picking up this book thinking it'll be anything like Jessica Bird's alter ego JR Ward's books. AN UNFORGETTABLE LADY is an early publication from when Ms. Bird first started writing. While it's a good story, it's no where near as polished as her later works. Having said that, while there are many clichés and Grace Hall has a few too-stupid-to-live moments, it's still a good read. The killer is easy to pick out, but the tension between the leads is what really builds the story. A longer epilogue would have been great, but seeing as this is the third book in a four book series, chances are, we'll run into Grace and John again.

Book Summary

She thought she had everything she ever wanted—
until she met the only man she’d ever need. . . .

Forced into the spotlight by her fabulous wealth, heiress Grace Hall isn’t always prepared for the consequences of her standing. When a string of attacks against the city’s most prominent women leaves Grace vulnerable, the refined beauty reluctantly hires a bodyguard. Now she finds herself subject to the ironclad will of her new protector. In spite of her frustration, Grace is drawn to John Smith in ways she can’t explain. For beneath his tough exterior and dark past, there’s an inner core that is tantalizingly seductive.

John knows that when you’re a professional bodyguard, it needs to be all business. But such conduct makes for a solitary life with few ties and too many good-byes. Grace was supposed to be just another assignment on a long list. Yet there’s something about her that gets under his skin. With each passing day, the attraction grows more intense—until John is faced with a decision he never thought he’d have to make. Can he give up the only life he’s ever known to be with the only woman he’s ever loved?

Read an Excerpt