Early Review of Along Came Trouble (Camelot #2) by Ruthie Knox

• Title: Along Came Trouble: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Format: eBook
• File Size: 1388 KB
• Publisher: Loveswept (March 11, 2013)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• ASIN: B009CGE8II
• Author's website: http://www.ruthieknox.com/

Since coming back from his third and final tour of duty, Caleb Clark had started a security business and it was finally starting to take off. He'd gotten a contract from a larger outfit to ensure the safety of a Rock Star's girlfriend, his sister, and young nephew in Camelot. Paparazzi were clattering to get stories and pictures of the trio, and sometimes they could get a bit out of hand and pose a danger.

Caleb's job was to upgrade any existing security and add anything that is lacking. What he didn't expect was the amount of resistance he would be met with in regards to the installation of security for Jamie's sister. She was determined her brother's fame wouldn't affect her or her son's lives, and a security system was not something she wanted anything to do with. While finding the woman's resistance maddening, he found the woman herself utterly irresistible. When Ellen herself seemed to reciprocate his attraction, he was faced with the dilemma of whether or not it was ethical for him to pursue her.

Ellen Callahan is a single mom who hasn't dated since her divorce. Her ex did a number on her, and she's shunned all male advances since, concentrating instead on her career and raising her son. Ellen is a lawyer who represents musicians just getting their start in the industry. She ensures the record labels don't take advantage of the upstarts and screw them over with their initial contracts. There's not much money in it, but it's something she loves doing and is a cause she holds close to her heart. With her brother's music career rocketing up the charts to the top, his family and friends are now being targeted as objects of interest. When her brother hires a security firm to ensure the safety of his loved ones, Ellen is not happy. Caleb Clark, the owner of the security company hired by her brother, however, is a man she is finding hard to say no to. He likes to "negotiate" and he doesn't always play fair. He knows how to push her buttons.

This is the second book of the Camelot series. Amber, from How to Misbehave, is the link between the two books. Amber is Caleb's sister. This book takes place several years after How to Misbehave leaves off.  Amber and Tony are now married with three children.  Along Came Trouble is Caleb's story.          

Ruthie Knox puts the 'Man' back into romance. *sigh* There is just something special about her men. Caleb is a great guy who is smart, family oriented, and sees Ellen for who she is and what they, as a couple, could be. His life isn't perfect, but he wouldn't change all that much about it if he could. He has a family he loves and would do anything for. When his father had a stroke Caleb ended his career in the army to help his family out and be the glue which kept them together. He's handsome, loyal and exactly what Ellen needs even though she doesn't know it.

Ellen is beautiful, smart, but has been hurt beyond words. She feels her judgment is flawed when it comes to men and doesn’t trust it. She feels giving in to her attraction to Caleb would be another bad choice she would later regret. She has trust issues and when Caleb says he’s willing to take whatever she's willing to give she decides to have a meaningless fling with him. As Jamie, her brother, points out, Ellen doesn't do casual. She’s just fooling herself.

I loved Ruthie’s use of the mascot hosta which seemed to parallel Ellen’s life. I liked how Ellen saw herself a bit like the plant, and as the story progressed, her concept of how her life mirrored that of the plant changed. Just like the plant, Ellen was stronger and hardier than she’d first imagined.

Why is the book named Along Came Trouble? Well, I believe it is because of this passage, “That first morning, she had thought he was trouble. She was so sure that Caleb had come along to upset her routines, fracture her independence, and she wouldn’t be able to carry on along the narrow path she’d made for herself.”  That is one of the things I love about Caleb, he doesn’t want to change Ellen. He understands why she is the way she is and doesn’t want to change anything about her except her wish to not get into a meaningful relationship with him. He hopes that by getting closer to her he’ll be able to change her mind about that.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was fun while having depth with characters who might appear perfect on the surface, but are slightly flawed emotionally. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating—a warning label should be attached which states you should make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order because a cold shower may be necessary when reading this book. Need I say more?

Order of Series: