Conner's been in love with his former boss's daughter from the moment he laid eyes on her and he's waited a long time to have her. But just as he was about to claim her, Erin's well-ordered world fell apart. Conner feels he's the catalyst for her heartache, when he took down her corrupt father and beat a man to bloody pulp right before her eyes.

Nothing could be farther from the truth for Erin. She's loved the sexy, hardnosed ex-FBI agent for a long time too and she's smart enough to realize her father made his own bed. When Conner re-enters her life just as she's about to land the biggest deal of her curator career, she knows she should keep her distance until the deal is done, but his determination to protect her from an old menace- combined with her own secret desire- causes her let him in.

But the danger that has stalked both of them is about to spring it's trap with Conner and Erin as the object of a killer's revenge. Their love will can the save them... if they can hold on to it long enough.

Didn't like this one as much as Seth & Raine's story (Behind Closed Doors), but it was sexy enough. Actually very sexy, if I were to be honest.

Mckenna writes heroes that are challenging and difficult to control, which to a strong, independent woman is very tantalizing, but I'd have a difficult time justifying being in a relationship with one of these guys in real life. Still, this is fantasy, so I set aside the fact that a man that pushes a woman that far would eventually end up crossing the line into out-right abuse- which Conner never did thankfully- and go for the gritty, emotional ride right along with the characters.

Standing in the Shadows is steamy, sensual and pure escapist reading. Looking forward to the rest of the Mccloud Brothers stories! ( )

Shannon Mckenna writes great heroes - the tough yet tender type, action man one minute, aching bundle of insecurities the next. Here the hero and heroine have both been yearning for each other for years. They get it together a bit too quickly for my liking, but it's a great read. The villains are a plausible threat, and the sex scenes are well-written. ( )