When Evette Labadie is fired from her job and desperate for money to get her son into a better school she turns to the one man she fears and finds fascinating. The powerful Russian vor Sergei Petrovyh, who has helped a number of people in her neighborhood. What could it hurt to ask if he knows of someone who needs a good worker and quickly? Evie is well-loved by the people who live in his territory so she is HIS TO DEFEND as are the others who have earned his protection.

The moment the beauty asks for help he finds himself more than willing to offer her a job. He gives her an address and tells her to be there on Monday. He forgets to say that the address is his and she will soon be taking over the control of his household. Is it too far fetched to believe that she would soon be much more to him than even she could imagine?

HIS TO DEFEND is a Russian mafia storyline but it is much more than pages filled with sex and violence. I have not read anything else by author Rhenna Morgan, but the blurb and the mention of New Orleans as the setting intrigued me, and I am glad I decided to give it a try.

This author takes readers into the violence of his world, but also into the everyday situations that give us a clue to his real personality. Sergei has built up a good rapport with the people in his desired community. He has offered protection and does what is necessary, but is not the complete villain. He accepts that people will think the worst of him as sometimes it helps that others fear him. He has a softer side and without hesitation shows that to Evie and her son Emerson. His men, who know just how far to push before the "boss" has had enough, see that Evie is going to be important to him. They become Evie's and Emerson's protectors and friends. The romance is sweet as Sergei does try to be only the protector but he finds himself falling for her and then is determined that she will be his.

Evie had gone through a wild time until she became pregnant with her son, then she settled down and became the strong-willed woman who had one goal. . . give the best life she can to her son and herself. That was the impetus that made her approach Sergei in the first place, she knew his reputation, but her desire to give her son the best let her take that step. The conflict that Evie faces in trying to accept all the parts that complete Sergei is very realistic and heart touching. She loves the man and fears the violence of the vor and his world. I loved how whenever the littlest thing bothered Evie, Sergei was determined to fix it. And when a truth that linked her with his enemy comes to light he will do everything possible to remove that threat. Even if it is something that will drive her away.

If you want touches of New Orleans, the feel of that city, a sexy Russian vor, a woman who is determined to pick herself up when knocked down, a steamy romance, and amazing and varied characters that you will love or hate then HIS TO DEFEND is what you need.