PLAYING DIRTY (Bad Boys Undercover #1) by HelenKay Dimon-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 27, 2015

As an elite Alliance agent—the joint undercover operation of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, and the CIA—Ford Decker lives for the adrenaline. But when he befriends sexy property manager Shay Alexander in hopes of finding her cousin, a known national security threat, Ford crosses the line, getting to know her better . . . in bed.

After being burned by her last relationship, Shay wants to take things slow. Yet she can’t keep her hands off the drop-dead gorgeous hottie who’s moved into her apartment building. So when Ford’s identity as an undercover agent is exposed, his betrayal cuts deep. Shay never wants to see him again, but Ford can’t let her go, not when her life is still in danger. He will sacrifice everything to protect her, then be prepared to walk away from the only woman he’s ever loved, even if it breaks him.

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REVIEW: 4.25 stars–PLAYING DIRTY is the first full length installment in HelenKay Dimon’s new contemporary adult Bad Boys Undercover action, suspense romance series focusing on an elite group of former CIA and MI6 operatives known as Alliance. This is agent Ford Decker and property manager Shay Alexander’s storyline

The storyline follows Ford’s building relationship with Shay. Undercover as an IT tech and Shay’s newest apartment resident, Ford Decker weaves a seductive trail in the hope of uncovering the whereabouts of Shay’s industrious cousin-a man suspected in the latest terrorist threat against the USA. While Ford seduces his way into Shay’s life and her bed, his team of elite Alliance agents are on the hunt for anything that will lead the Team back to Shay’s cousin. With National security at risk, Ford is willing to risk everything including his relationship with Shay-one that he knows will be destroyed when the truth about his latest assignment is revealed.

The relationship between Shay and Ford is highly sexualized, erotic and energetic but it is a relationship that was not authorized and has not been condoned by the people in charge. Everyone knows that Ford has lost his heart to the undercover mark, and there are concerns that Ford will not be able to complete the investigation and his assignment should Shay’s life be threatened.

The secondary and supporting characters include Ford’s team of operatives-all former CIA and MI6 agents whose specialties make for some dangerous friends and comrades. We also see a little more of CIA operative Ward Bennett and the love of his life Tasha Gregory whose story was told in the introductory novella RUNNING HOT (December 2014).

The world building follows the actions and military like precision of the Alliance Team whose working dynamics are compromised when one of their own turns traitor. From hidden cameras to secret warehouses, back room negotiations and hidden trackers, the men and women of the Alliance Team know their way around negotiations, terrorist threats and take downs.

HelenKay Dimon does another amazing job of introducing the players, the stakes and the behind the scenes struggles of an elite group of warriors who risk their lives to keep the world a safer place.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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RUNNING HOT
(Bad Boys Undercover .5)
by HelenKay Dimon

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2014

HelenKay Dimon kicks off her hot new romantic suspense series, Bad Boys Undercover, featuring the fierce men of Alliance—and the only women capable of taming their hearts.

Camped out at a resort bar in Fiji, CIA operative Ward Bennett may look like he’s on vacation but he’s really deep undercover, hunting a dictator on the run. Ward may be on the job, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for the sexy female bartender. That is, until she drugs him.

When Tasha Gregory discovers the hottie on the barstool isn’t who he pretends to be, her MI6 training kicks into gear, and she has no choice but to take him out. Problem is, Ward’s not an easy man to put down for long. More than once, his interference almost blows her surveillance operation—and her ability to keep her heart to herself.

As the situation heats up, these two must decide whether they can trust one another—and quick. Working together might just make everyone safer, but getting close enough for comfort … might just get them killed.

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REVIEW: RUNNING HOT is the introductory novella in HelenKay Dimon’s adult contemporary Bad Boys Undercover action, suspense, romance series. This is CIA operative Ward Bennett and MI6 agent Tasha Gregory’s storyline.

The storyline follows Ward and Tasha’s undercover assignments in Fiji. Neither is aware that other is deep undercover or that they are looking for the same evil dictator whose attempting to amass a stash of military grade weapons. What ensues is Tasha’s take down of Ward; his decision to merge information with Tasha; and their pursuit of a man who is accumulating a horde of illegal weapons and machinery. Enter fellow CIA agent Ford who aids Tasha and Ward in their search for a missing MI6 operative; add some less than cooperative gun-toting assassins whose idea of fun is torture and mutilation; and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.

RUNNING HOT is a predictable, quick and easy introductory read; an action packed story of suspense and romance. I did have some issues with the writing style-as though I was being told a story and not invited in-especially during the action and fight sequences which came across as stilted and cold-almost choreographed. Our couple take a few minutes to ‘discover’ one another’s deepest secrets which mark the beginnings of a permanent relationship-one that will result in the formation of a new Black Ops Team known as Alliance-the merging of former CIA and MI6 agents whose assignments are dangerous and deadly.

Reviewed by Sandy