Between Love and Duty - Janice Kay Johnson (HS #1758 - Feb 2012)

Series: A Brother's Word (Book 1)

There's a right way, then there's the wrong way

Nobody knows that better than police captain Duncan MacLachlan. He has served and protected for years without bending to a middle ground he doesn't believe in. And he's not about to change. Certainly not for stubborn -- and sexy -- court advocate Jane Brooks. Her shades-of-gray view of the world clashes with his black-and-white one.

Then a mission to save an at-risk teen has Jane's life on the line. Now she and Duncan must join forces despite their differences -- and the flaring attraction that's too hot to ignore. It's Duncan's toughest challenge yet. Because keeping Jane safe is one thing...and keeping her out of his arms is another.

Very emotional book.  Duncan had taken over raising his brothers when his mom walked out when he was eighteen.  In order to do that, he had developed a right vs wrong attitude, with no middle ground.  That attitude stayed with him.  When confronted with a teenage burglar, he stepped out of his usual role and took a hands on approach, spending time with the boy.  When he was approached by Jane, he didn't approve of her viewpoint of the boy's father.  He ended up participating, with her, in the supervising of their visits.  This gave him the chance to get to know her.  It also resulted in him beginning to lose the ice around his heart and starting to feel something for her.  Meanwhile, Jane was fighting her own demons, trying to maintain her independence.  Her father had been very controlling, and her mother and sisters very compliant, where she had been a rebel.  Duncan's attitudes pushed her buttons, especially when she was faced with a stalker.  There were a lot of strong emotions in this book.  I did like seeing the way Duncan was able to mend some fences with his brother Niall.  The final chapters with Jane were fantastic also, and kept me on the edge of my seat while reading them.