Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.

Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.

A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why–Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart. Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy–and his handsome father.

But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…

 

 

Review:

Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose is the 28th book in her Romance Suspense novels, and the 2nd book in her New Orleans series. As I have mentioned previously, I am a big fan of Karen Rose, as her suspense thrillers are amazing, and unputdownable.  Beneath Dark Waters is another fabulous book that is once again over 600 pages. Rose always creates fantastic heroes and wonderful secondary characters, as well as evil villains; and this does not change in this book, as she writes another masterpiece. Beneath Dark Waters is a tense, violent, exciting, non-stop action filled story that kept me on the edge of to my seat from start to finish.

We meet Assistant DA J.P. (Kaj) Cardozo, when his 10-year-old son, Elijah, who was almost kidnapped.  Kaj fears for his son’s life, especially since he doesn’t trust some of the New Orleans Police Department, and hires Broussard Investigations to protect him. Burke Broussard’s private investigation firm has an excellent reputation, and after talking to Kaj, Burke assigns Val Sorenson, a former marine, to be his son’s bodyguard.

Val is very good at her job, and has been very successful in protecting young kids, as well as having a past connection implicating drug gangs.   Val is a strong, savvy and fantastic guardian, very caring around children; she also ensures that Elijah, being a diabetic, takes his medicines and eats the proper food. Val moves into Kaj’s home, with her dog, Czar (huge dog), who has been trained.  I quickly fell in love with Czar and how close the dog protected Elijah.

Val, Kaj, and other members of the Broussard team, begin to investigate deeper into the kidnapping attempt, realizing that is a more dangerous and explosive crime, between a drug gang, murderers who will stop at nothing to kill anyone standing in their way, as well deep corruption in the New Orleans P.D. Kaj, Val and Elijah, as well as members of the team, find their lives deep in danger.  Kaj is currently working on two high profile cases, involving the death of a doctor, who was beaten to death, as he was blamed for the death of his son; the other is a trial with an actress accuseing an evil man of rape. Both cases have some connection, with a group of evil and dangerous hired killers, who have no qualms of committing murder; as well as the police corruption.

Both Val and Kaj slowly become attracted to each other, not to mention Val also becoming attached to Elijah. They each have their own past trauma, with each sharing their history.  Kaj having lost his wife to cancer, and taking good care of his so; Val was brutally raped by three Marines, which she needed therapy to move on with her life.

Corey Gates, and his friends Bobby and Ed are evil villains, who have involvements in both of Kai’s cases, and will stop at nothing to get what they want, even killing the younger Gates brothers. Throughout the book, from start to finish, there were so many murders, emotions, grief, torture, PTSD, as well as twists and turns. Who will survive the onslaught?

What follows is an intriguing, intense, exciting, and edge of your seat suspense story line that had me holding my breath so many times.  This story was very tense from all the way through, especially with the evil villains constantly killing off many innocent people.  As we raced to the wild climax, I prayed for the for the survival of all the good people, and the demise of the main villain. I do not want to give spoilers, as you really need to read this book from start to finish.

Beneath Dark Waters was very well written by Karen Rose, which was an intense thriller, with non- stop action all the way.  As I have said before, Karen Rose never fails to give us an amazing fantastic well written thriller that is intense, always on the edge, with fantastic characters, evil villains and a wonderful family you care for. If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, then look no further then Karen Rose.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

BENEATH DARK WATERS by Karen Rose
Berkley Hardcover | August 15, 2023
                                    Excerpt

“Morning, Val,” Burke rumbled in that deep Cajun drawl of his. “You have a new client. Bring a cupcake for him.”

Okaaaay. Holding the two cupcakes, Val walked to Burke’s office door, hearing the whir of Joy’s motorized wheelchair as the older woman followed her, unabashedly curious. A shiver of trepidation raced down Val’s spine.

A moment later, she knew why. Assistant District Attorney Jean-Pierre Cardozo was coming to his feet, having been seated in one of the chairs in front of Burke’s desk. She’d first met him at a party back in the summer. Burke and his staff had been celebrating with some clients after closing an all-hands-on-deck case when Cardozo had arrived, dressed in an expensive black suit that made him look like a Fortune 500 CEO.

He’d been charming as hell and impossible to ignore, despite her best efforts-that day and later. Unable to resist, she’d found herself googling him later that evening, learning surprisingly little personal information. Other than a few of the cases he’d tried up in the New York City courts, the man had no real internet presence, which took a lot of talent. Burke’s IT guy, Antoine, would surely have been able to dig up a lot more, but she’d been unwilling to ask. Unwilling to voice aloud that the man had fascinated her.

She knew only that he’d recently moved from New York and that his first name was spelled K-a-j, but pronounced Kai, rhyming with pie. And she only knew those tidbits because she’d overheard Burke telling someone else in the firm.

After that day, she’d seen Cardozo twice. Once a couple weeks ago at another party at a friend’s restaurant, Le Petit Choux. He hadn’t stayed long, and she’d managed to avoid him. Their most recent crossing of paths had been in a courtroom the week before, a plea hearing for one of the criminals whose crimes Burke’s group had exposed. No words had been exchanged between them either time, but Val had noticed the man’s every movement.

He moved so very nicely. And he was a good guy, prosecuting bad guys, but that smile he’d worn . . . He could get her to trust that smile. Which meant he was dangerous.

He didn’t look anything like that now. He was as handsome as before, his dark brown hair neatly combed, his face freshly shaven. His khakis were unwrinkled, the sleeves of his casual button-up shirt rolled up, exposing tanned forearms. He even wore a tie printed with whimsical dinosaurs. But his expression appeared haggard, as if he hadn’t slept at all.

And his dark eyes were full of fear.

Val glanced to the corner of the room, revealing the source of his fear. A boy of about nine or ten sat at Burke’s little meeting table. His hair was white-blond, unlike Cardozo’s. But their faces were too much alike for them not to be related. Father and son, she thought.

She hadn’t realized that Cardozo had a child, and she didn’t want to think about why that disappointed her. It didn’t matter that the child had a mother, that Cardozo had a significant other. It didn’t matter because she was not interested in ADA Cardozo, first name Kaj that rhymed with pie.

The child, however, had captured her attention. He clutched a tablet in his hands, staring down at it with a vacant look that Val recognized all too well.

She’d seen it in the mirror plenty of times.

He’d been traumatized. He didn’t look up, so Val turned back to his father.

“Hey,” Val said quietly, because the mood in the room was brittle. “It’s good to see you again, ADA Cardozo.”

The man’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Likewise. This is my son, Elijah. Elijah, this is Miss Sorensen.”

My new client? Val wondered. She looked at Burke, who inclined his head toward the boy, gesturing her to engage.

“Hi, Elijah,” she said, approaching the table. “I’m Val.”

The boy didn’t look up until Val put the cupcake in front of him. “Hi,” he whispered.

It was one tiny word, but said with a determination that won her respect. She pointed at the cupcake. “That’s yours.”

“And that one, too?” Elijah asked, pointing at the cupcake still in her hand.

“Pfft. No,” she said, using her best duh tone. “This one is mine. You’re a greedy one, aren’t you?” She smiled so that he would know she was teasing.

The boy’s lips quirked up before returning to a grim line. “Was worth a try.”

“It’s always worth a try when cupcakes are on the line. Are you my new client?”

Elijah pushed Harry Potter-style glasses up on his nose. “I guess so.”

“May I sit down?” She waited until Elijah nodded before taking the seat beside him. From this vantage point she could see the boy’s face as well as that of his father.

Cardozo lowered himself back into his chair in front of Burke’s desk, his face still frozen in a rictus of fear.

Whatever had happened, it had been bad.

Excerpted from Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose Copyright © 2023 by Karen Rose. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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KING OF EVANSTON (Kings of the Castle ) by J.L. Campbell-a review

KING OF EVANSTON (Kings of the Castle #3) by J.L. Campbell-a review

 

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2019

Shaz Bostwick’s personal views and business ethics collide when Camilla Gibson walks into his office, seeking his help.The treatment her daughter needs is available in Chicago, but Camilla is almost out of time and has several issues working against her. Raised as an immigrant, Shaz knows the heartache of family separation firsthand. In a race against the clock and the authorities, he calls in favors but receives a disturbing offer. Let baby Ayanna slip through the cracks in exchange for a handsome reward. Fed up with politicians and businessmen with too much money and too little scruples, Shaz and his fellow Kings of the Castle band together to stem the flow of illegal adoptions, while they solve the mystery of who wants their mentor dead.

Camilla Gibson has traveled the world in her capacity as an adventurer, sometime model, and blogging celebrity. In her eyes, the charming, but tough lawyer is her last resort before deportation. Shaz is smart and tenacious, with renowned negotiating skills and a reputation for making a way when there seems to be none. If she can get past the biggest crisis in her life, then maybe the spark of attraction that sizzles between them will develop into something magical.

•••••••

REVIEW: KING OF EVANSTON by J.L. Campbell is the third instalment in the multi-authored/ multi-cultural contemporary, adult KINGS OF THE CASTLE, erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on nine ‘brothers’ from the streets of Chicago (Vikkas, Reno, Shaz, Jai, Daron, Kaleb, Grant, Dro and Dwayne) mentored and taught by the mysterious Khalil Germaine at the exclusive Macro International Magnet School in Chicago. This is attorney Shastra ‘Shaz’ Bostwick, and single mother Camilla Gibson’s story line. KING OF EVANSTON can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading book one KINGS OF THE CASTLE for backstory and history between Shaz and Camilla.

SOME BACKGROUND: Nine men, all ‘brother’s in arms’ from the mean streets of Chicago, have been called together by their former mentor Khalil Germaine in an effort to re-make and reclaim the restrictive and exclusionary THE CASTLE, an institution now involved with illegal activities including drug trafficking, human sexual slavery and more.

Told from third person perspective (Shaz Bostwick) KING OF EVANSTON focuses on the search for an illegal adoption and child slavery ring. Four years earlier, while on vacation in America, Jamaican born Camilla Gibson got pregnant by a man who wanted nothing to do with our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day wherein Camilla has returned to the States, along with her daughter Ayanna, who needs emergency surgery to correct a heart defect but all does not go according to plan when the child’s father offers up his estranged young daughter to the highest bidder. Enter attorney and King of Evanston Shastra ‘Shaz’ Bostwick, and the man with whom Camilla will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Shaz and Camilla, and the potential fall-out as numerous attempts to abduct Ayanna place the child in dangerous and precarious position.

KING OF EVANSTON focuses on the imprisonment of young women, and the illegal procurement and adoption of their newborn children. As the nine Kings of the Castle begin an investigation of their own, all clues lead back to The Castle, and the previous and current members who operated a series of illegal endeavors.

The relationship between Shaz and Camilla begins as a business association that soon turns into something more. Shaz finds himself attracted to a woman whose time in the States is coming to an end, an end that places Ayanna between the two worlds of her mother and her nefarious father. Camilla Gibson is drawn to the enigmatic and powerful attorney Shastra Bostwick but Camilla’s first priority is the protection and safety of her ailing daughter. The $ex scenes are intmate, passionate and limited but saying that I did not feel any palpable sexual heat or attraction, in fact, I felt little to nothing in the way of love or romance, and in this, I struggled to enjoy the overall story.

KING OF EVANSTON is a dramatic story of family, betrayal, illegal activities and tragic circumstances that fulfills another happily ever after for one of the Kings of the Castle.

Previous reviews and reading order
KINGS OF THE CASTLE
King of Chatham
King of Evanston
King of Devon
King of Morgan Park
King of South Shore
King of Lincoln Park
King of Hyde Park
King of Lawndale

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Solace Island by Meg Tilly – Review & Giveaway

Solace Island by Meg Tilly – Review & Giveaway

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Dumped on the eve of her wedding and looking for a quiet place to lick her emotional wounds, Maggie Harris joins her sister on Solace Island, where she hopes to recover from the stunning betrayal. At first, Maggie resists Eve’s impassioned argument about relocating permanently so the sisters can open their own local bakery. What she definitely doesn’t need on her road to recovery are Eve’s efforts to fix her up with their mysterious and alluring neighbor, Luke Benson–even if he is incredibly handsome and desirable.

Just as Maggie starts to get comfortable in her new surroundings, a car tries to run her down in the middle of the street. If it weren’t for Luke’s extremely quick reflexes, Maggie could have been killed, leading her to wonder just who exactly Luke Benson really is…

Luke thought he’d left the violence of the high risk security world behind. But he can’t stand by while Maggie’s life is threatened. Luke will do anything to keep her safe–even moving Maggie and her sister into his house with its state-of-the-art security features. But with the secrets between them and an unknown threat stalking her heels, Luke will have to think fast to prove to Maggie that she can trust him with her life–and with her heart.

 

 

Review:

Solace Island by Meg Tilly is the first book in her new Solace Island series.  We meet our heroine, Maggie Harris immediately, as she is trying to recover from being dumped at the alter by her fiancée.  Maggie decides to join her sister on a getaway trip to Solace Island, but not before she tells her ex she plans on selling the business, and if he wants his minority share, he has to buy her out.  Of course, she knows he doesn’t have the money, but revenge is sweet.

Luke Benson, our hero, is a baker by trade on the island.  Few people know that Luke once owned a successful security business, which he sold to his brother a few years earlier, also because of a broken relationship.  Luke loves his peaceful carefree life on Solace Island, and has no intention of becoming involved with a woman; until he meets Maggie.

Maggie at first is a bit harsh with Luke, but in a short time their romance will blossom into a hot, sexy relationship.  However, both have their past issues, causing them be friends with benefits.  Eve wants to move to Solace Island permanently, and tries her best to convince Maggie to leave her past behind and open a café, as both love to cook and bake.

This was a sweet cute romance that was slow to build, with Luke helping the sisters introducing themselves and their products to the townsfolk.  About more than half way through, someone tries to kill Maggie; forcing Luke to reconnect with his security friends in trying to find out who is behind the attempts on Maggie and to save her life.

What follows is an exciting and suspenseful adventure as Maggie finds herself in a number of dangerous situations.  I will say that I was surprised at the culprit, but also thought the reveal was a bit rushed.

Overall, I enjoyed Solace Island, which was a fun and quick read, as well as having a great couple, wonderful secondary characters, and sweet romance, with some mystery closer to the end.  Very nice start for Meg Tilly.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Meg’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of SOLACE ISLAND to one (1) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

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4. LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from November 7 to 11, 2018

 

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For Maggie’s Sake by Lora Leigh-a review

FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE by Lora Leigh-a review

For Maggie's Sake

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

About the book: Release date December 13, 2016

You meet Joe Merino again in Dangerous Games. The sexy ex-Navy Seal now working with the DEA. Joe lost his chance with the woman he loved years before, but now, due to the danger that stalks her, he has a second chance. If he can save her first.

Maggie Samuels is in protective custody with a member of her former lover’s SEAL team. Joe, her ex-lover, thinks Maggie is hiding information from him about a powerful drug lord and the deaths of some SEALs. He intends to seduce her and get the information before she can sell it back to the drug cartel. But the desire crackles between them and their attraction is undeniable. How can Joe use her and leave her, when all he wants is to hold her close and never let go?

••••••••

REVIEW: FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE by Lora Leigh is a stand alone novella of romantic suspense originally released in the anthologies Real Men Do It Better, and Taken. FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE is loosely connected to Lora Leigh’s TEMPTING SEALS series. Clint McIntyre plays a supporting role in the current story line.

NOTE: There is some discrepancy and inconsistencies in the Goodreads blurb as it pertains to the current novella premise.

Told from dual third person perspectives-Maggie Samuels, and DEA agent Joe Merino- FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE follows Joe and Maggie’s rekindling romance when our heroine is taken into protective custody following the death of her estranged husband –a police detective working the wrong side of the law. The DEA suspect Maggie of being in collusion with a dangerous drug cartel, and Joe Merino is willing to do anything to prove Maggie is innocent of the crimes. What ensues is the rebuilding of trust and the reigniting of a love between two people who have never stopped loving one another.

Two years earlier, Maggie and Joe were lovers but a perceived betrayal found Maggie walking away, and into the arms of a man who hid his true deception and connection to Joe Merino. In the ensuing time Maggie’s husband grew more distant and angry, while Joe Merino watched from the sidelines as the woman he loved walked out of his life. Fast forward to present day, and our heroine has been implicated in a series of Cartel crimes that Joe Merino is hoping to prove wrong.

FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE is a very quick read; a story of romance and suspense; of one man’s struggle to keep his distance from the woman he loves; and one woman’s need to prove she is innocent of the charges brought about by the DEA. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense-Lora Leigh likes the use of the word ‘spurt’ and FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE is no exception. The sexual tension is palpable and strong. The premise is entertaining; the characters are broken and heartbreaking; the romance is a second chance at a happily ever after for two people destroyed by betrayal and lies.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Necessary Force by D.D. Ayres – a Review

Necessary Force by D.D. Ayres – a Review

 

Necessary ForceAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
It was supposed to be a sexy calendar shoot to raise money for K-9 service dogs. Photographer Georgie Flynn never expected to break all her personal rules and jump into bed with one of the hunky men posing. And after their steamy night together, she certainly never expected to see him again…despite their powerful connection.

When she’s targeted by a stalker and possible bomber, Georgie finds that her gorgeous one-night stand is the only one who can help.

Brad Lawson, an FBI operative, and his K-9 bomb sniffing partner are assigned to protect the pretty photographer–and this time, he’s determined to keep things professional. He just didn’t count on their explosive connection rekindling. But with a deadly threat on the horizon, will he be able to keep his body’s demands in check and complete his mission?

 

Review:

Necessary Force by D.D. Ayres is a novella that starts off the new K-9 Rescue series. This was an exciting and sexy fast read that I finished in one sitting. Georgie Flynn is a talented photographer, who does a favor for a friend to raise money for K-9 service dogs. When we meet Georgie, she is taking pictures of the sexy hot naked guy sleeping in her bed. That was a fun start, letting our imagination run, wondering how we can get a copy of those photos. 🙂

A couple of months later, when Georgie returns home from a shoot, she finds her house ransacked. The FBI becomes involved, as there is a bomber on the loose, and they think Georgie can help them find him. She doesn’t have much choice, as she is now suspected to be part of this conspiracy. To her surprise, the agent assigned to protect her and help her find the bomber, is the man she spent the night with, and his backside picture of his marvelous physique is framed on her wall.

Brad is our hero, and he comes with a cute dog named Zander. He tries to hide the fact that he is attracted to Georgie from his superiors because he wants to help her and protect her. What follows is a suspenseful thriller where Georgie is in danger, with a stalker following her. The exciting climax was very well done, and the romance between Georgie and Brad was very sensuous. I look forward to the full length novel that will follow.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Killing Secrets by K.L. Docter – a Review

Killing Secrets by K.L. Docter – a Review

 

Killing Secrets

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her little girl — his key to the James fortune. Frightened, Rachel flees to Denver with the child who hasn’t uttered a word since her daddy went to prison.

Contractor Patrick Thorne wants nothing to do with another of his parents’ charity cases. He failed his own wife so abysmally she took her own life as well as his unborn son’s. After two years, it’s time to concentrate on the bid he’s won and the saboteur trying to destroy his construction firm.

There is no room for trust in either of their hearts. But trust is all that will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a little girl of her silent prison, and save them all from a serial killer who stands too close

 

Review:
Killing Secrets by K.L. Docter is the 1st book in her new series, Thorn’s Thorne. Killing Secrets is a mystery suspense romantic thriller from beginning to end.  Rachel James is our heroine, and she has been hiding from an abusive ex-husband, who has recently been released from jail. Now Rachel is on the run, taking her young daughter to Denver to be under the protection of the Thorne family. Rachel knows she cannot stay too long in one place, as her ex always finds them, and when he does he will either kill her or kidnap her daughter. Young Amanda has not spoken a word since her father was put in jail for badly beating up his wife, as well as a friend of hers.

Patrick Thorne is our hero, who himself has a number of issues, becomes Rachel’s protector.  In between keeping his promise to keep an eye on Rachel and her daughter, Amanda; Patrick is trying to work with his brother Jack to find out who is sabotaging his business.  There is a killer on the loose, called the Angel Killer, who seems to be targeting Patrick. 

Both Rachel and Patrick immediately find themselves attracted to each other.  But both do not want anything romantic to develop.  Rachel has no intention of staying in Denver for long, and does not want to endanger those who help her from her psychotic ex-husband.   Patrick has still not gotten over the tragedy of his wife killing herself, and somehow feels responsible. 

What follows is an exciting, tense story where Rachel’s life is in danger quite often, as Greg the ex-husband finds her. The Angel Killer is also close by, and no one knows who or why.  In the middle of these scary scenes of danger, Rachel and Patrick can no longer deny their feelings for each other, and their relationship becomes one that will have you rooting for them.  There is great chemistry between them, and it sizzles; but death, destruction and betrayal threatens to destroy them, with so many twists and turns along the way. 

I do not want to give spoilers, other than to say this was a thrill a minute, with a lot of action, and excitement. Will Rachel be able to stop Greg, her ex?  Who is the Angel Killer and why is he targeting Patrick?  Will young Amanda ever talk again?  Will Rachel & Patrick be able to survive and stay together?  You will have to read this book to find out.  K.L Docter has written a fabulous story in Killing Secrets that has everything: nonstop action, suspense, excitement, great characters, and a wonderful hot couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler – a Review

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler – a Review

Her Perfect MateLinks to order Her Perfect Mate: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is picked for an assignment with the Department of Covert Affairs, he’s stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn’t hurt a fly, much less take down a terrorist.

Ivy Halliwell isn’t your average covert op. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She isn’t thrilled to be paired with yet another military grunt, but Landon is different. He doesn’t think she’s a freak and he’s smokin’ hot.

Soon they find themselves facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines…and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.

Review:

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler is the first book in her new X-Ops series.  I have not read any of Tyler’s work, but after reading this book. I have to check out her other books.  Her Perfect Mate was a fantastic romance suspense story that hooked me in right away, and left me totally impressed by Paige Tyler’s writing.  I loved this book, which had everything; a fabulous suspenseful story, a couple to die for, different type of shifters, Special Ops hunks, excitement, super secondary characters, bad villains and wild crazy ride to the finish. 

We meet our heroine, Ivy Halliwell, on a covert operations mission with her partner.  From the start you can tell Ivy and her partner do not get along.  The mission goes badly, as the partner went on his own and got himself killed. 

Next we meet our hero, Landon Donovan, who is a captain of a special forces operation. Landon is forced to abort an operation, and is sent back home to Washington, not understanding why.  He finds himself in a secret underground compound, which belongs to a high level secret US government agency, DCO (Department of Covert Operations).   Landon meets Ivy, who is a beautiful young woman, who he is surprised to learn is his new partner.  Landon will soon find out that she is as much as an equal or even better at some things then he is.   Ivy isn’t thrilled that she is paired with a Special Forces officer, whom she has not has success with.  Why?  Ivy is a Feline Shifter, and the men she partnered with did not respect her ability.  But Landon is different.  At first he doesn’t know what Ivy is, but begins to learn that she is very good at what she does.  Both begin difficult training for future missions as partners, and soon they find themselves feeling more than respect for each other….the sparks fly off the wall. But it is dangerous for them to become involved, as DCO rules forbid romantic relationships between partners.

At this point, the story becomes so exciting, I could not put it down.  Not only did I love both Ivy, and her cat like moves; but Landon was so swoonworthy.  He was a gorgeous hunk, an awesome soldier, a truly sweetheart of a guy.  He to her surprise, was on her side from the start, and didn’t care that she was a shifter.  This was a beautiful, sweet romance.  But the crux of the story escalates with the second half of the book filled with action, danger, suspense, life threatening situations, not to mention the thrilling ride to the climatic ending.

Not to give any spoilers, but the dangerous mission that Ivy and Landon are sent on, involves missing scientists being kidnapped to help the villains build an unknown weapon of destruction. Landon and Ivy find themselves in the heat of the action, with on one to help them.  When things go wrong, Landon will have to bring some of his awesome friends to help him.  I want to know more about these wonderful Special Ops solders from Landon’s team, as well as few of the nice DCO people.  Paige Tyler has built a great story, with fantastic characters.  I cannot wait to continue this series.  If you like suspense, excitement, nonstop action, adventure and a super great couple; you need to read Her Perfect Mate.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Race to Kill by Rachel Kall – a Review

Race to Kill by Rachel Kall – a Review

 

Race to Kill
A Love and Scandal series
Book #1
Release Date: October 1, 2013

Race to KillLInks to order Race to Kill: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
When fiercely independent Vivian Reese is thrust onto the national stage during a heated presidential campaign, she doesn’t expect to become a media darling. She also doesn’t expect to start to fall for her sexy new bodyguard, Marcus Locke. But when threats start surfacing against the sitting President’s campaign and all evidence points to Vivian, she doesn’t know who to trust.

Delta Force Operator turned FBI agent Marcus Locke is supposed to be investigating campaign finance crimes. He’s not supposed to be checking out the sexy, eloquent campaign spokeswoman Vivian Reese, who’s one of his prime suspects! But when they are caught in the middle of a presidential race that is quickly turning deadly, he is forced to put both his heart and his job in the line of fire.

Tempers flare and passions ignite as the campaign gets dangerous, but when bullets start to fly will either of them survive?


Review:

Race to Kill by Rachel Kall is the first book in her new A Love and Scandal series.          Race to Kill is a romance suspense story, and it is the first book I have read by Rachel     Kall, and I am impressed.  The story was excellently written and put together so well.        From the beginning the story caught my attention, and for the rest of the way I could not      put it down.  It was an exciting, suspenseful, interesting,and sexy story with a political campaign background.

Vivian Reese is our wonderful heroine.  Viv worked in the campaign for a Senator            running for President.  An exciting time for Viv, who is early on pushed to the forefront          of the campaign, when her mentor and boss suffers a heart attack. 

Marcus Locke is an FBI agent, formerly a Delta Force soldier, who goes undercover, as    private security, to investigate campaign funds fraud.  While he secretly investigates the people involved in the Senator’s campaign, Marcus finds himself becoming           enamored of Viv. Things quickly take a turn for the worse though, as Viv has a stalker      and Marcus is assigned by the Secret Service to protect her.  Eventually, their sexual         chemistry will also bring them together romantically, and they made a great sexy couple.

There are so many twists and surprises along the way, as besides Viv, other members of   the campaign become involved in the mystery.  When the President’s life is threatened,    the danger becomes very real, and way beyond a stalker or finance crime.   Viv and     another member of the campaign team are suspected and Marcus, not only must protect   Viv, but change his direction of the investigation to find the truth behind these attempts to    sabotage the campaign for both parties.

What I loved about this book was how well, Kall wrote the story, with the campaign         storyline, and the overall exciting action, and yet gave us enough of this romance to find      ourselves invested into this couple. Both Marcus and Viv, were smart, savvy and great       characters. Kall created some great secondary characters, especially Viv’s ex, Scott, who was a former Navy Seal, and I enjoyed how he and Marcus over time became unlikely      friends. The two of them worked together to save the day.  Race to Kill was a   wonderful story, filled with action and suspense, not to mention a great romance. What more could you ask for in a book? I really enjoyed Rachel Kall’s writing style, and will happily read her again.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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