Bonjour. My name is JL Martin, and I’m French Canadian. Believe it or not, French Canadians don’t all live in Quebec and I grew up in Vancouver. When I finished college, I did my military service in Europe and then attended the University of British Columbia, where I received a doctorate in psychology. Now I’m in Chicago, and have lived here for over a decade. Last year I finally became an American citizen.

When I was doing my military service, I became friends with a brilliant computer expert, Clay Brandon, who was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. We kept in touch after discharge and when I finished my doctorate, he abandoned Silicon Valley and approached me to be a partner for his new venture, Global Security Unlimited. Clay is the CEO. I run WatchDog, Inc., the on-the-ground security service. Max Grant, my best friend, runs CyberSec, our cybersecurity arm.

My maman, however, still lives in Van and wants me to move home. Her goal is to get me married to the woman of her choice, a woman with two children—giving her ready-made grandchildren. Angelique dumped me soon after I shipped out for Germany, but now, two husbands and two sons later, she’s decided that I was the one after all.

Too bad for her. A few months ago I met Michelle Press, Micki, who is the best friend of my colleague Max Grant’s fiancée, Cress Taylor. I got to know her when Cress was being harassed by a woman who wanted to ruin her career as a novelist by accusing her of plagiarism. Max fell for Cress and I became enchanted with Micki, even though she was in a relationship.

Angelique is everything Micki is not—French Canadian, Catholic, and has a family. She’s also out for anything she can get and looking for a rich husband. I may not be a millionaire, but I do well, and I think that’s why she wants me.

Micki’s a smart-mouthed, driven lawyer but lots of fun when she’s not working. I love karaoke and motorcycles and she’s up for all that. Her hobby is geocaching and I’m willing to try it with her.

Unfortunately, Micki’s life and my job have collided in the worst possible way.

Her long-time boyfriend finally showed his true colors and she threw him out. Now looking for revenge, he’s stalking her. After a couple of violent incidents, I finally convinced her to let me put my best bodyguards on the case. Tricky trying to have a relationship with a client and I admit to some friction. But keeping her safe is the highest priority for me. The bad part is that I have to go to Europe for a few weeks and she can only join me for the last part of the trip. I’ll have to rely on my men to keep her safe until she gets on the plane for Paris.

To achieve a happy-ever-after, though, the biggest problem may be my maman. She’s letting my deadbeat uncle live with her and I have to go to Vancouver to get him out of the house. An alcoholic drug dealer, he can be dangerous, and his friends are probably worse. I would like to bring Micki along and I hope that maman loves her as much as I do. But Angelique lurks in the background.

At least being out of Chicago may defuse things with her ex. Still, everything is hanging fire, and I’m not sure whether I can put it out.

At the Ready, A Global Security Unlimited 3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release: August 2023
Format: Digital
Purchase Link

Micki Press and JL Martin both have complicated lives, but when they come together, the sparks are undeniable. Micki is trying to make it to the top of one of the most conservative corporate law firms in Chicago. JL is the CEO of WatchDog Inc., a successful security company, and is struggling with his own family complications. When Micki’s former lover stalks her, JL steps in to protect her, and the two soon realize their feelings go beyond friendship. But with their complicated pasts and the struggles of the corporate world, are they ready to take the next step, or will the twists and turns have them singing the Chicago blues?

Meet the author
Sharon Michalove writes romantic suspense and traditional mystery as well as being a published historian. At The Ready is her fourth novel. She lives in Chicago, Illinois, very close to Lake Michigan. Readers can visit her website at coffeeandeclairs.com.

All comments are welcomed.