Alexei (Her Russian Protector #8) (Volume 8)

Alexei fit in perfectly with the series, and it kept with the "theme" without being too much of the same. I love how Alexei was uber tough on the outside and never afraid to throw a punch, but he was a softie with his woman.
I also loved how Shay didn't give in to Alexei's mouth! He often said the wrong thing at the wrong time.
I really like how this author tells a story.
Nikolai and Vivian will forever be my favorite couple, but I had been dying to read about Alexei since I read the short story in Roxie's Christmas book, and I wasn't disappointed. I am so invested in this series. I want to read about every single character. Chomping at the bit for Kostya. I am soooo happy this book popped up on my the store homepage, or else I'd never have know it was released, even though I follow her on every social network.

*Spoiler* I loveeeee this series! Shay got on my nerves by doing the dumbest possible thing every time, and constantly going to bat for her train wreck of a sister who nearly got her deliberately raped, TWICE! Not to mention leaving Shay to deal with almost getting killed repeatedly for her sisters dirty dealings....uhhhhhhh it was sooooo annoying. But overall Shay was a likable character, and Alexie was a super hot Russian Protector! I would recommend it!

While Sergei will always be my favorite, Alexei is running a close second. I enjoyed this story and think this author continues to give her readers the perfect way to spend a free afternoon. All you need to take it up a notch is a glass, or two, of wine. My only complaint is would someone please, please, please get her a decent proof reader. The mistakes aren't so drastic it affects the story, you can easily determine what it should be, but they're irritating. I'd be happy to volunteer to be her unpaid proof reader.

Outstanding!! This one really kept me on my toes. So glad for the HEA and I can't wait for the next one. Roxie Rivera really has a way to suck you into the story so that you feel you are personally involved and there yourself.

4.5 Stars

Based 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.

Alexei is book number 8 in the Russian protector series. And Rosie continues to deliver with a fast pace exciting g book full of twists and turns!!! Alexei and Shay are wonderful and I fell in love right away!! Read the whole book Sat once. I couldn't put I t down. Loved it!!!! Can't wait to see what happens next!!

Well, well and well I definitely did not ever think we would get Shay and Alexei's story but finally we did and it did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because we had already had a taste of this couple in other books and teasers from Ms. Rivera. Loved this book Roxie can't wait for Kostya and Besian.

WOW!!!! Alexei and Shay!! Hot, hot...HOT!! It was so worth the wait. The danger, the excitement, the steamy sex.....I loved every but if it. Roxie is making it hard for me to pick which Russian is my favorite. Bravo Roxie!!! I can't to see what you come up with for all the new characters. ?????

4.5 Alexei Please Stars
In classic Rivera fashion, a hulking awesome hero assists a lovely independent woman in a suspenseful tale of the underworld.

I have been waiting for Alexei for ages. I'm so happy with this story. It was almost everything I could have wanted. There were obviously things that I wish would have gone differently, handled different, played out differently, but in the end I enjoyed the story.

It's a quick enjoyable read from my favorite universe. I have a lot of grace for the story because honestly, I'm just stoked on life to finally have gotten it.

So many of the characters from past stories show up! I'm so glad to finally have some HRP back on my kindle. I can't wait for the next story to show up! xo

This was well worth the wait. Mrs Rivera you gave us a really good read and I was happy to indulge.. If you haven't read any of her books people, U R MSSING OUT. Lol it's dangerous, gritty and loving all at the same time. Her Russian Protector wins AGAIN. :)

This was well worth the wait. Mrs Rivera you gave us a really good read and I was happy to indulge.. If you haven't read any of her books people, U R MSSING OUT. Lol it's dangerous, gritty and loving all at the same time. Her Russian Protector wins AGAIN. :)

My Russian man are always so strong and alpha male! My only concern with the book was Shannon was a real witch, and in my case got to many passes for it to but love my favorite Russian man Nikola was in this book. Can't wait for the next one

3.5 stars---ALEXEI is the eighth full length installment in Roxie Rivera’s contemporary, adult HER RUSSIAN PROTECTOR romance series. This is former Russian enforcer/businessman Alexei Sarnov, and leather designer/cleaning lady Shay Sandoval’s storyline. ALEXEI falls somewhere in the timeline between Nikolai Vol 2 and the novella Lion’s First Roar, and has been released prior to book number 7-Kostya.

Told from first person point of view (Shay), and third person (Alexei) ALEXEI follows two paths: the building relationship between Alexei and Shay, and Shay’s sister Shannon’s spiral out of control dragging Alexei and Shay into a scam of deadly proportions.

Shay, along with her sister Shannon work for CleanRite cleaning company that contracts out to high end businesses and firms. A recent string of IT thefts and questionable business practices finds Shannon on the run, and Shay left behind trying to clean up a mess she knows nothing about. Enter Alexei Sarnov, a wealthy Russian businessman who has been attracted to Shay for a number of months, and the latest target of Shannon’s IT business scam. What ensues is Alexei’s awkward attempts towards Shay –that of an over protective male- and the investigation into the illegal wrongdoings of Shannon and her gang-banger thug.

Shay and Alexei’s relationship is one of friendship that leads to something more when Shay is targeted by several gang members, and the people hunting for her missing sister. Alexei is a man who believes he is unworthy of love and affection but he is drawn to Shay like a moth to a flame. Alexei’s attempts to romance and woo Shay leave our heroine perplexed at some of Alexei’s actions and comments.

Shay’s continuous need to save her sister finds our heroine placing herself, and her Russian lover in a dangerous situation-one too many times-at times Shay was a little TSTL (too stupid to live) and her actions were dangerous and not very well thought out. The $ex scenes are intimate, romantic and seductive …but…saying that I did not feel the connection between our leading couple. Alexei had his hands full trying to clean up the messes that Shay created with her constant need to rescue her older sister; and Shay’s role in Alexei’s life felt more like a mistress than a promise for the future.

ALEXEI revisits some of the previous story line characters including Nikolai and Viv, Detective Eric Santos, Russian enforcer Boychenko, Albanian mobster Besian, and several others -byway of mention only. We are introduced to Russian newcomer and bodyguard Stas, and Shay’s BFF Kylee-whose past is mired in betrayal and loss. Many familiar names and characters are woven throughout the story.

ALEXEI is an entertaining story line with colorful characters but I felt less than invested in Shay’s happily ever after. Perhaps it was the heroine’s constant disregard for her own safety, and the safety of the man with whom she had fallen in love that left me questioning any hope for their future. I had so much hope for ALEXEI’s story but sadly this will not rank as one of my favorite Russian Protector story lines.

I had been looking forward to this story since the release of A Very Russian Christmas where Shay and Alexei were introduced. I love how protective Alexei is with Shay and though it took a lot for him to finally become legitimate and break away from the Russian mob he would still give it up for Shay.

Overall, this book was OK. The characters and plot were not as intricately woven as in the previous books. I liked Shay and Alexei together. Lalao and Shannon both got off too easy. I'd like to have seen more of the dirty bikers! I'm still looking forward to the cleaner in the the next installment!

Roxie has surpassed herself again.
I'm hooked on her books. As a reader there is nothing better when you get drawn into the world created in her books, the characters are solid, and easy to bring to life in your mind. Alexi and Shay's story was amazing can't wait for more