Overall Rating: 4.0 // Action: 3 / Emotion: 4.5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 3.5 / Suspense: 3 // Laughter: 5 / Teary: 3

Michele Albert:
Delivers so much information in an entertaining, concise, well-written manner. The way she develops her characters by making them so realistic with everyday, ordinary problems makes it easy to identify with them and become engrossed in the thread of the story.

Off Limits: 4.00
Yes, there were a few times when it was easy to put this book down, but it is still an enjoyable read. Albert's writing style holds a strong appeal for me.

Robert "Bobby" Michael Halloran: 4.85
After worming his way into my heart in first two books of the series, this fun, charming, hero, who wears his heart on his sleeve, is revealed in all his hung-over, "get off my case" grouchiness. Loved the layers that Albert pealed away from Bobby's personality as he found love in his own book.

Emma Frey: 4.25
Emma was a bit difficult to warm up to at first because of her straightlaced-ness, but Albert quickly revealed that she had issues of her own to overcome. Although Emma was a strong heroine, who stood up for herself, she was not as richly developed as Bobby. The best thing about her was that she had Bobby's back and saved him from self-detonation.

Action: 3.00
Even with undertones of a Romantic Suspense novel, this book was not filled with a lot of police procedural action, but more day-to-day activities as Bobby and Emma got to know each other during their robbery investigation.

Emotion: 4.50
Became emotionally connected to Bobby (as he falls into a downward spiral) and grew to appreciate Emma's strong personality and sharp intuition when she rescued Bobby when he went into full-blown, "I'm going to do something stupid" anger. Albert succeeded in bringing moments of laughter and had me near tears several times.

Romance: 4.00
In spite of his meltdown, Bobby is still one charming Cajun boy who knows how to beguile women. Emma, naturally, is no more immune to Bobby than any other red-blooded woman. Loved the scene in the bar when Bobby first kissed Emma, who could no longer keep her mind on the job.

Sensuous: 3.50
If there is one thing that Albert excels at, it is putting the heat and magic in her love scenes.

Suspense: 3.00
Was surprised at the twists and turns Albert wrote into this book. Rather than concentrate solely on the relationship developing between Bobby and Emma, there was a layer of suspense woven into the story.

Secondary Characters: 3.00
A few secondary characters stood out, the most noticeable being Chloe Mitsumi, but they were not as richly developed as in the previous books of the series. These characters seemed to be added to further the plot of the book and enhance Bobby and Emma's growing relationship.

See Wolf Bear Does Books (http://goo.gl/2SR0k) for a more in-depth, detailed review of Off Limits. ( )

From BackCover:
Breaking All The Rules

Sexy and smart, Emma Frey is a by-the-books cop who knows there are certain men she should avoid -- and "bad boy" detective Bobby Halloran is a prime example.

But now she's been teamed up with the legendary heartbreaker, and everyone in the station house is making bets on how long Emma will be able to resist him. With Bobby turning on the charm -- and flashing his knees-weakening, million-dollar smile -- it's going to be hard for Emma to keep her mind on the job.

Despite his reputation, Bobby's got a heart of gold to go with his lady-killer looks. And when things start to get red hot on the mean New Orleans streets, the unwavering devotion and surprising tenderness of her delectable partner soon have Emma's head spinning. She has always lived by the rules, but some rules were meant to be broken. And though it could cost them both their badges -- or worse -- Emma can't help wondering if it might be worth risking everything for one sweet taste of off-duty passion . . . ( )