Covert Games (Redemption Harbor #6) by Katie Reus-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour
COVERT GAMES
Redemption Harbor #6
by Katie Reus
Release Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / iBooks
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 22, 2019.
She was supposed to be a means to an end…
Redemption Harbor Consulting’s greatest enemy, Alexei Kuznetsov, is in their sights. For RHC cofounder Leighton, toppling the treacherous criminal’s empire is one more small step toward making up for his own past. To destroy Kuznetsov, he’ll go through the Russian’s niece, a woman Leighton suspects may also be guilty of dirty deeds. A woman he doesn’t count on wanting…who boils his blood and makes Leighton want things he doesn’t deserve with someone he can’t have.
Now she’s everything to him…
Despite other prospects, family loyalty has Lucy Carreras running one of her uncle’s prosperous hotels. But the longer she observes its operations, the more she believes the elegant establishment is host to some shady exploits. When her suspicions are confirmed by Leighton—a dangerous man straight out of her fantasies—Lucy’s entire world explodes when she learns just how evil her uncle’s sins are. Now she can’t stand by and let it continue. She and Leighton will take Alexei down together…if they can survive the deadly storm hurtling toward them.
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REVIEW: COVERT GAMES is the sixth instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult REDEMPTON HARBOR romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Redemption Harbor Consulting. This is former US Marine and RHC cofounder Leighton Cannon, and hotel manager Lucy Carreras’ story line. COVERT GAMES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from several third person perspectives including Lucy and Leighton COVERT GAMES follows Leighton Cannon as he goes undercover in New Orleans to ferret information on drug runner and human trafficker Alexei Kuznetsov, an undercover operation that places Leighton in a position with Alexei’s niece Lucy Carreras. Lucy is unaware of her uncle’s businesses on the side, businesses that place our heroine in the direct line of fire but falling for undercover operative Leighton Cannon meant turning against the family she once loved, family that is about to destroy any semblance of peace and happiness for a very long time. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Leighton and Lucy, and the potential fall-out as Lucy’s uncle discovers that his niece has been up to no good.
Lucy Carreras is an innocent in the world illegal gambling, prostitution and back room machinations but once the truth has been revealed our heroine is the first to volunteer to take down the man she once loved and adored. Leighton Cannon is determined to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, a woman who is willing to place herself in danger with no espionage experience or undercover training.
The insta-lust relationship between Leighton and Lucy is one of immediate attraction but our hero must play a role in order to gain Lucy’s trust before revealing the truth. Lucy is quick to accept everything Leighton, and the agents at Redemption Harbor reveal, acceptance that goes a long way in helping the team take down an illegal human trafficking ring. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters as the RDC Team executive a plan to destroy Lucy’s uncle: Colt Stuart and Skye Arevalo (Resurrection #1), Zac Savage (Savage rising #2), Brooks Alexander and Darcy Cooper (Dangerous Witness #3 ), Axel and Hadley (Innocent Target #4), Nova Blaire and Gage Yates (Hunter Danger #5), as well as FBI agent Hazel Blake. We are introduced to Lucy’s uncle Alexei Kuznetsov, his right hand man Marco Broussard, and Alexei’s fourteen year old daughter Liliana
The world building continues to focus on the Redemption Harbor Consulting firm as they go undercover with their private investigations to take down the baddest of the bad.
COVERT GAMES is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and lies. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful, dynamic and sassy; the romance is captivating and intense. Another great addition to Katie Reus’ Redemption Harbor Consulting .
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Resurrection
Savage Rising
Dangerous Witness
Innocent Target
Hunting Danger
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
“Did you get a good look?” Colt asked.
“No. Just a feeling I’ve had before. Could be nothing but my instinct tells me otherwise. And I didn’t get that feeling until I got close to the actual casino.”
“Well, you did go out with Kuznetsov’s niece. He or someone who works for him could be keeping an eye on you. But…do you need to pull out?” Colt asked, his tone deadly serious.
“I think if my cover was blown, I’d know.” He’d already thought about it and he wanted to stay put. “I don’t want to pull out yet. I want to scout the casino floor again at least one more night, see what we can pick up on cameras. Gage still hasn’t completely infiltrated their system.” And Leighton didn’t think Kuznetsov would stop running women simply because his niece had stumbled onto a small portion of his operation. No, the asshole would just get smarter about it. Kuznetsov liked money too much.
“All right. We’ve all got your back regardless. And if something happens, I have no doubt you’ll be able to fight your way out.”
Leighton half laughed. “Glad you’ve got so much faith in me.”
“So how was lunch with her? Did you get a better feel for her?”
Leighton wasn’t certain how to answer that. He decided to go with the truth, however. “I really like her.”
Colt was silent for a long moment. “Like her, like her? Or…”
“Like her, like her.”
“You’re serious.” Colt’s tone was neutral.
“Yeah. I kissed her. And I can tell myself that it was all part of the job but I’d be lying. You have a right to know. I’m not going to screw things up but I am seriously attracted to this woman. It took me by surprise. I…didn’t expect any of this. Flat out, I just like her. After hearing the recording today, it seems pretty clear she’s not involved with her uncle’s operation. And she volunteers at a suicide hotline.” He felt like a fool for letting his emotions get entangled but he wasn’t a damn robot, and Lucy Carreras had gotten under his skin.
Colt let out a rough sigh. “This isn’t the end of the world. Maybe it’s a good thing. Because we might need to use her as an asset.”
Leighton’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like the thought of using Lucy at all or even thinking of her as an asset. He understood this op was about more than him and his wants and needs, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Lucy was more than an asset.
Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.
Connect with Katie:
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Great review, Sandy. Looks like a wonderful series. Thanks.
Terrific review,Sandy. I love this series by Reus.
Loved the review & Katie’s books ! Sounds like another awesome read !.ruth.gutscher2@aol.com
It sounds awesome!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
Thanks for the review and excerpt, looks great.
Another wonderful review and excerpt, thanks
Very nice review & excerpt, thanks Sandy
Great review, Sandy. I love the sound of this series.
Wonderful review and excerpt, thanks Sandy. Congrats to Katie on the new release.
great review, sandy. i have started to read this series, and loving it so far.
Another great review, Sandy. Thanks.
Love it just love it
Great review, Sandy. Sounds very good.
Another excellent review and excerpt, thanks Sandy.
Very nice review and excerpt, thanks Sandy.