Tag Archives: Deep Ops

FROSTBITTEN (Deep Ops 6) by Rebecca Zanetti -a review

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FROSTBITTEN (Deep Ops 6) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 2, 2024

Enigmatic. With a wildly gifted mind, and an untamed head of hair to match, petite powerhouse Millicent Frost is brilliant when it comes to gadgets and electronics—less so with people. After an attempt to bust a bank scam goes awry, Millie is in hot water with Homeland Security and targeted by lethal enemies. In the midst of the trouble, she heads home to help out with the family hunting and fishing business. But when their rival competitor and Millie’s ex is murdered, she’s the number one suspect . . .

Irresistible. Former Marine turned lawyer Scott Terentson devotes himself to getting his clients out of tricky binds. A loner, the last thing he wants is to belong to any team, yet the Deep Ops group considers him one of their own—and he pays the price by getting shot at by their enemies. Now Millie is seeking his help—just as he’s dealing with a brutal fail regarding a recent trial. Both are a headache, yet he’s drawn to Millie in spite of himself. They’re opposites, but maybe the old adage is true . . .

Electric. Working together, Millie and Scott soon have more on their hands than they bargained for as the danger escalates—along with the sizzling heat between them. And when a disappearance is thrown into the mix, all bets are off . . .

••••••

REVIEW:  FROSTBITTEN is the sixth instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of the Requisition Force, Deep Ops Team, a division of the Homeland Defense Department ( HDD) of the FBI. This is former Marine Force Reconnaissance turned attorney Scott Terentson, and FBI Agent Millicent ‘Millie’ Frost’s story line FROSTBITTEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Scott and Millie) FROSTBITTEN follows several interconnected paths in the wake of an undercover investigation that collapsed when Millie was called in to testify at the divorce proceedings of the man in question. Placed on leave by Homeland Security, Millie heads home where she will be implicated in the murder of a small town hero, a murder that may or may not be connected to the trouble at work. Enter Scott Terentson, Millie’s attorney, and the man with whom our heroine will fall in love. As Scot and Millie struggle to prove Millie’s innocence, someone else is taking aim at our story line couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Scott and Millie, and the potential fall-out as more than one person takes aim at our story line heroine.

The world building is complex and detailed, with several potential suspects, numerous accusations and finger pointing, as well as the couple’s connections to the Requisition Force Deep Ops Team. Hoping to uncover the truth, Millie and Scott go it alone but as the investigation continues to spiral out of control, Scott calls in the team at Requisition Force, who have the ability to get the job done.

The relationship between Millie and Scott begins acrimoniously. Scott and Millie know one another from the HDD but when Scott interferes in Millie’s undercover operation, our couple find themselves working together to prove Millie’s innocence,in the wake of the overwhelming evidence that continues to grow. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and enterprising secondary and supporting characters including most of the Requisition Force Deep Ops Team, as well as new team members MI6 Agents Ian and Oliver Villan, Roscoe and Kat. We are introduced to Millie’s great aunt Mae, Chief Wyatt, several townies and former friends and frenemies who are willing to support our story line heroine. The requisite evil has many faces.

FROSTBITTEN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, greed and madness, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is meticulous and multi-layered; the romance is spirited and heated; the characters are determined, daring and dynamic.

Previous Reviews and reading order

Hidden
Taken (1.5)
Fallen
Broken
Driven
Unforgiven

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Unforgiven (Deep Ops 5) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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Unforgiven (Deep Ops 5) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 7, 2022

Run:
Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent . . .

Hide:
Jethro Hanson has blood on his hands. He’s working within ivy-covered university halls now, but he knows that his work with the Deep Ops team and the deadly acts he once committed for the sake of Queen and country place him beyond forgiveness—until he meets Gemma . . .

Seek:
Soon, the passion between them stuns them both. But when Jethro discovers a threat is fast overtaking her, he must choose between the redemption he seeks—and releasing the ever-present killer inside .

•••••

REVIEW:UNFORGIVEN is the fifth instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of the Requisition Force, Deep Ops Team, a division of the Homeland Defense Department ( HDD) of the FBI. This is former MI6 agent turned professor Jethro Hanson, and single mother/ professor Gemma Falls’ story line. UNFORGIVEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jethro and Gemma) UNFORGIVEN focuses on two intersecting pathways. Single mother/professor Gemma Falls is on the run, trying to stay under the radar in the face of her abusive ex tracking her down, and trying to destroy her life but Gemma never expected to meet fellow professor Dr. Jethro Hanson, a man whose own past is about to push Gemma and Jethro together, in the face threats against both of their lives. A UK assassin for hire has tracked down Jethro Hanson, and has set their sights on our story line couple; and Gemma’s past is seeking vengeance against the woman he lost years before. Reluctantly accepting the help of his fellow agents of the Requisition Force team, Gemma and Jethro struggle to stay one step ahead a killer but as the number of bodies amass, all evidence points towards our story line hero. What ensues is the building relationship between Gemma and Jethro, and the potential fall-out as both of their pasts collide with the present, threatening everyone connected to our story line couple.

Gemma Falls’ past is mired in betrayal and abuse. On the run, in hiding, trying to stay one step ahead of her well-connected ex fiance, Gemma struggles with Jethro’s attention, attention that is going to place our heroine in the direct line of fire. Jethro Hanson had hoped he had left his past behind but an aggressive killer with ties to our hero, is doggedly determined to destroy our story line couple.

The relationship between Gemma and Jethro begins as co-workers whose lives are about to cross paths again and again. Jethro Hanson walked away from MI6, hoping to restart as a professor in America but Jethro never expected his past to return, threatening the woman with whom he is falling in love. Gemma Falls wants her life to be free of the past but at every turn someone or something is determined to destroy any sense of peace. Meeting Jethro means the possibility of a new start but until both of their pasts are out of the picture, Gemma sees no relationships for the foreseeable future. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including team leader Angus Force and FBI psychologist Nari Zhang, computer hacker Brigid Branaghan (Fallen 2), US Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe and his fiance /reporter Dana Mulberry (Broken 3), of the Requisition Force, Deep Ops Team, a division of the Homeland Defense Department ( HDD) of the FBI, Special Agents Tom Rutherford, and Kurt Fields, Detective Tate Bianchi, Detective Buckle, and attorney Scott Terentson. We are introduced to MI6 Agents Ian and Oliver Villan, Gemma’s daughter Trudy; her ex-fiance Monty Cameron, and his brother Jack as well as Jethro’s brother Fletcher.

UNFORGIVEN is a story of betrayal and vengeance, obsession and murder, friendships and family, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, edgy and tragic; the romance is seductive and moving; the characters are spirited and startling.

Reading Order and previous reviews

Hidden
Taken (1.5)
Fallen
Broken
Driven

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Driven (Deep Ops 4) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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Driven (Deep Ops 4) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2021

Unswerving: Angus Force is determined to hunt down the serial killer he’d once shot dead–or so he thought. But an anonymous source reports that Lassiter is alive. Force hasn’t slept since, knowing it’s only a matter of time before “the Surgeon” strikes again. And soon, a body is found, bearing Lassiter’s same maniacal MO. It’s just the beginning of a murderous trail blazing through DC and Virginia, right to Force’s backyard…

Unstoppable: Nari Zhang is the shrink for the ragtag Deep Ops Unit, though she isn’t Force’s shrink–which is a very good thing. Because once they’re thrown together on the case, their attraction is explosive and irresistible. They’ll just have to fight that much harder to keep the heat between them from flaming out of control. But things are about to become far more challenging, and deadly, than they could have imagined…

Unhinged: Once the killer catches a glimpse of Nari, she becomes his new obsession. She is now the focus point–for both Force and Lassiter–in a dangerous dance for survival.

••••••

REVIEW:DRIVEN is the fourth full length instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on the members of the Requisition Force, Deep Ops Team, a division of the Homeland Defense Department ( HDD) of the FBI. This is disgruntled and disgraced FBI and HDD agent Angus Force, and FBI psychologist Nari Zhang’s story. DRIVEN can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history, as the hunt for a serial killer, once thought dead and buried, has been developing throughout the series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Nari and Angus) DRIVEN brings into focus Angus Force’s obsession with proving, the serial killer nicknamed “the Surgeon”, is alive and well, taunting our hero at every opportunity. Years earlier, Angus was credited with taking down and killing serial killer Henry Wayne Lassiter but a series of murders, with similarities to the murders of Henry Wayne Lassiter, have piqued the obsession of our story line hero. As the murders take on a familiar pattern, and the victims bear a striking resemblance to the members of the Deep Ops Team, Nari and Angus become targets of a pathological mind, pulling Angus into an investigation where he becomes the number one suspect.

The relationship between Nari and Angus is one of immediate attraction but an attraction predicated upon close proximity, and a thinly veiled line between hate and lust. When the Requisition Force Team is disbanded, our couple remain working together, pushing them closer to love and their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once, again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and Pippa Smith, (Hidden #1), Special agent Raider Tanaka, and computer hacker Brigid Banaghan (Fallen 2) , US Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe, and reporter Dana Mulberry (Broken 3); Angus’s quirky alcohol guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe, and Wolfe’s pocket sized kitten Kat: FBI administrator Opal Clemonte; Nari’s biological father Quan Zhang; former MI6 Agent Dr. Jethro Hanson; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, and Kurt Fields.

DRIVEN is a story of obsession, betrayal, treason and vengeance; family, friendships and relationships; power, infatuation, and murder. The premise is intriguing and enthralling; the romance is passionate; the characters are dynamic, compelling and tireless. DRIVEN is a wonderfully exciting addition to the Deep Ops series.

Reading Order and previous reviews

Hidden
Taken (1.5)
Fallen
Broken

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Broken (Deep Ops #3) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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Broken (Deep Ops #3) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2020

Dangerous: Former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe’s unit was taken out with a land mine. Injured and devastated, he hasn’t been quite right since. Worse, the tragedy was no accident. All Wolfe wants now is to take down the man responsible. In the meantime, he’s good with being the muscle for the Deep Ops team–and leading a steamy no-strings-attached personal life. Until one intriguing woman changes everything . .

Determined: Reporter Dana Mulberry is on a mission to avenge the death of a fellow journalist. She’s finally hot on a trail–right to a sex club–where she runs into . . . Wolfe? It seems both their leads have led to the same spot. To keep from blowing their covers, they’ll have to at least pretend to have a little fun. Trouble is, they genuinely like each other. And that’s way too risky for Wolfe, especially when, to his surprise, Dana agrees . . .

Complicated: Drawn to each other in ways they can’t understand, Wolfe and Dana keep it professional–until they’re shot at one night. And when their adventures land them both at the heart of corruption in D.C.–and at odds in their missions–they’ll have to dig deeper than ever to succeed in their quests–and with each other . . .

••••••••

REVIEW: BROKEN is the third full-length instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the US HDD (Homeland Defense Department) and Angus Force’s Requisition Force Team. This is former US Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe, and reporter Dana Mulberry’s story line. BROKEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Wolfe and Dana BROKEN follows Clarence Wolfe as he continues to hunt for the person responsible for, killing every man in his Navy SEAL unit, leaving Wolfe battling the memories where is all went wrong but Wolfe never expected to find reporter and part-time Requisition Force Team member Dana Mulberry haunting the same club as our story line hero, a club that specializes, and caters to the people who live on the kinky side of life. But all does not go according to plan when Dana’s target is killed, and Wolfe soon recognizes they have been looking for the same man. With the help of Angus Force’s Requisition force Team, Dana begins to unravel the clues as it pertains to a missing journalist, a journalist who may have uncovered too many secrets of some very powerful men. Meanwhile, Clarence Wolfe is determined to go it alone-like his name, Wolfe is a lone wolf, and will not stop until Gary Rockcliff, the man that killed his friends, is behind bars or dead but said man has a new target, and Dana is now in his sights. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dana and Wolfe, and the potential fall-out as Gary is always one –step ahead of our story line hero, one step that places Dana in the direct line of fire.

Clarence Wolfe doesn’t do relationships believing himself too screwed up from the injuries he suffered in Afghanistan. With only one goal and one path, Wolfe is determined to take down Gary Rockcliff, no matter if is gets him killed in the process but meeting and falling for journalist Dana Mulberry, divides Wolfe’s attention, forcing our hero to protect Dana before finishing his mission, on his own.

The relationship between Wolfe and Dana is one of immediate attraction but Wolfe keeps to himself, and refuses to place Dana, or his teammates in the direct line of fire. Worried that Wolfe’s suicide mission will be a success, in more ways than one, Dana pulls the Requisition Force Team together to protect the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and Pippa Smith, (Hidden #1), Special agent Raider Tanaka, and computer hacker Brigid Banaghan (Fallen 2) , Requisition Force team leader Angus Force; Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe, and Wolfe’s pocket sized kitten Kat: FBI psychiatrist Dr. Nari Zhang; former MI6 Agent Dr. Jethro Hanson; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, and Kurt Fields.

BROKEN is a story of betrayal and vengeance; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is fast paced, energetic and dramatic; the characters are strong-willed, energetic and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot. BROKEN continues to reveal a little bit about Angus Force’s determination to take down a man he once believed was dead; and like so many heroine’s in romantic suspense story lines, Dana Mulberry was a little disappointing- often TSTL (too stupid to live)-determined to place herself in the direct line of fire, claiming, as a journalist, her priority was to finish the job, regardless of the number of people murdered or dead (sigh)

Reading Order and previous reviews

Hidden
Taken (1.5)
Fallen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Fallen (Deep Ops #2) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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Fallen (Deep Ops #2) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2019

Too quiet. A talented hacker who got caught, Brigid Banaghan is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. But she won’t reveal any more to these renegade Feds than she has to. Especially not to Raider Tanaka, her control freak of a bodyguard and handler. It’s enough that his body is tensed for action and his heated gaze is always on her . . .

Too sharp. Raider knows there’s more to his new assignment than he’s been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid’s estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston’s organized crime, Raider’s mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses . . .

Too close. To clear her father’s name, Brigid needs Raider’s help. The Unit’s idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her “fiancé” won’t fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can’t resist

•••••••••

REVIEW: FALLEN is the second instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the HDD (Homeland Defense Department) and Angus Force’s Requisition Force Team. This is Special agent Raider Tanaka, and computer hacker Brigid Banaghan’s story line. FALLEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history with the secondary characters.

Told from several third person perspectives including Raider and Brigid FALLEN follows Brigid and Raider as they go undercover in an effort to infiltrate Boston’s organized crime. With her father a potential suspect and one time member of the targeted group, Brigid struggles with what has to be done, and the secrets she keeps to protect her life. What ensues is the fake relationship that turns into something more between Raider and Brigid, and the potential fall-out as the undercover operatives find themselves targeted in return.

Brigid Banaghan works for the Deep Ops unit of the HDD but Brigid keeps secret the truth behind her recent release from prison for hacking government computers. Working for Angus Force gives Brigid Banaghan purpose, a purpose that covers the lies she is desperate to keep concealed. Raider Tanaka is currently working as Brigid Banaghan’s handler but working together on an undercover operation finds Raider getting into character including a romantic relationship with our storyline heroine. As Brigid and Raider fall deeper into their assignment, secrets are revealed, and more than one player is desperate to keep hidden the past.

The relationship between Raider and Brigid begins as a professional assignment that soon turns into something more. Raider and Brigid find themselves on the receiving end of one too many attacks, attacks that often result in Raider fighting for his life. Hoping to keep up appearances, Brigid and Raider take their relationship to the next level, but in doing so place Brigid in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and Pippa Smith, (Hidden #1), Requisition Force team leader Angus Force, and members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe: FBI psychiatrist Dr. Nari Zhang; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, and Kurt Fields, journalist and crime reporter Dana Mullberry, as well as Brigid’s father Sean Banaghan. The requisite evil has many faces. Dana and Wolfe’s story is next in BROKEN.

The world building continues to focus on the undercover ops, and Angus Force’s desperate search to prove a rogue agent not only didn’t die, but the FBI has known all along.

FALLEN is an intriguing with a spicy and character driven premise; energetic undercover agents, charming alpha hero, and arrogant bad guys. Rebecca Zanetti pulls the reader into an edgy and intense, dramatic addition to her DEEP OPS romantic, suspense series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Hidden
Taken (1.5)
Fallen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Taken (Deep Ops 1.5) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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TAKEN (Deep Ops 1.5 ) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30 ,2019

Hunter Holt might be the most stubborn ex-soldier ever born, but when he’s called on to help find a lost foster kid, he jumps into action. Even if it means working with the woman who broke his heart five years ago—the woman who still haunts his dreams . . .

Faye Smith has spent five long years trying to get her life back on track. She knows she should’ve turned toward Hunter and not away from him. But they both had too many demons to destroy. Maybe now they’ll get another chance—and save someone else’s life too . . .

But first they’ll have to stop arguing long enough to trust the Deep Ops team. Hunter was a lost boy himself once. In fact, he ran away from the exact same man, their monster of a father. Now he and Faye will have to unite to find the brother he never knew—and maybe each other .

••••••••••

REVIEW:  TAKEN is instalment 1.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is ex-solider Hunter Holt, and former psychologist Faye Smith’s story line. TAKEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for history and backstory of the secondary characters. For fans and followers of Rebecca Zanetti, there is a slight cross-over with another of the author’s series-see if you can spot the ‘Easter Egg’ 😉 .

Told from several third person points of view including Hunter and Faye TAKEN follows the search for a kidnapper, turned robber turned serial killer, whose willing captive is a sixteen-year old boy unaware of the truth. When Faye gets a call from her former foster mother Miss Angelina that her latest charge is missing, Faye seeks out the only man capable of finding the missing boy but a man whose history with Faye is heartbreaking and dark. Enter ex-soldier turned river-tour guide Hunter Holt, and the man Faye hasn’t stopped loving. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Faye and Hunter, as they join the Requisition Force in the search for a killer whose numbers are increasing on a daily basis.

Faye and Hunter’s history is filled with abuse and addiction. From dysfunctional family dynamics to drugs and abuse, Faye and Hunter would find peace and solace, along with Raider Tanaka, in the arms of their foster mother Miss Angelina. But life, and everything it had to offer tore Faye and Hunter apart, and in the ensuing time neither forgot about their history and their past.

The relationship between Faye and Hunter is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose earlier lives were filled with neglect and abuse at the hands of people sworn to love and protect. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Miss Angelina, Jackson Holt and Louise Stockley. We are re-introduced to the Requisition Force leader Angus Force, and team members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten (aka Kat) in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating, high heel wearing German shepherd Roscoe; and Raider Tanaka-Hunter and Faye’s childhood friend, now a member of the Requisition Force Team.

TAKEN is a story of murder, madness and revenge; of suspense and mystery; of second chances and love. The premise is intriguing and exciting; the romance is fated; the characters are energetic, sexy and spirited. TAKEN is a spirited, character driven story that is sure to catch your attention.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HIDDEN

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Hidden (Deep Ops #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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HIDDEN (Deep Ops #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 25, 2018

Hide. That’s all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she’s off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .

Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he’s been set up . . .

Fight. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa’s fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock

•••••••••

REVIEW: HIDDEN is the first instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and twenty-five year old Pippa Smith’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Malcolm and Pippa HIDDEN focuses on the hunt for man claiming to be the Prophet, Isaac Leon, a former actor turned charismatic cult leader whose is desperate to find the woman who would one day be his wife.

Police Detective Malcolm West is on permanent leave since his last assignment went all to hell but it isn’t long before Malcolm’s special abilities as an undercover operative place him on the HDD’s radar for a new Deep Ops Team. Finally able to settle down without fear of being stabbed in the back Malcolm must take a chance when his new neighbour turns out to be his latest mark. Enter former cult member Pippa Smith, and the woman with whom Malcolm will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Malcolm and Pippa, and the potential fall-out when Pippa discovers the truth about Malcolm’s assignment, and her intentions to diffuse a dangerous situation by sacrificing herself against all better judgement.

On the run, along with her best friend Trixie, Pippa Smith, a former member of Isaac’s cult has been hiding in a small cabin in the woods. Having suffered PTSD and anxiety disorders as a result of years under the control of the self-proclaimed Prophet Isaac Leon, Pippa struggles to trust the man who has stolen her heart. Malcolm knows that falling for Pippa is all kinds of wrong but the potential for everything to backfire continues to grow.

The relationship between Pippa and Malcolm is one of immediate attraction between two people who suffer PTSD brought on by events from their pasts. Falling for Malcolm places our heroine in the direct line of fire but Malcolm isn’t willing to let Pippa go in alone. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and sex.

There is a large colorful and eclectic secondary and supporting cast including Pippa’s best friend Trixie. We are introduced to the Requisition Force team leader Angus Force, and members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe; IT specialist Bridgid Banaghan : FBI psychiatrist Dr. Nari Zhang; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, Raider Tanaka, and Kurt Fields. The requisite evil has many faces including the Prophet Isaac Leon.

HIDDEN is a story of suspense, betrayal, secrets and lies, romance and falling in love. There is a building story line involving Angus Force, and a former serial killer who is no longer in custody but taunting the Requisition Force leader from afar. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are dynamic and strong; the romance is spicy and seductive. HIDDEN is an entertaining inviting and gripping story; a cleverly written introduction to Rebecca Zanetti’s DEEP OPS series. If you are a fan of Cynthia Eden or Elisabeth Naughton’s style of romantic suspense you can’t go wrong.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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