Tag Archives: Steele Ops

Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #3) by April Hunt-Review & Giveaway

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Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #3) by April Hunt-Review & Giveaway

Fatal Deception
Steele Ops #3
by April Hunt
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense
Release Date: November 10, 2020

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10, 2020

Roman Steele learned a hard lesson about trusting others. While serving his country, he put his faith in the wrong person and lost a leg for his loyalty. So far, civilian life suits him—as long as he doesn’t have to deal with anyone. But when he’s called in to investigate a break-in at a high-security lab, he finds himself butting heads with the lead virologist, a woman as infuriating as she is beautiful.

When criminals break into Isabel Santiago’s lab and steal a deadly virus, she’s desperate to find the culprits before they turn her research into a weapon. But first, she must put her trust in the brooding security expert who sees danger around every corner. As she and Roman race to track down the culprits, these two unlikely partners find there’s more at stake for them than they ever imagined possible—but only if they stop the enemy in time.

•••••••

REVIEW: FATAL DECEPTION is the third instalment in April Hunt’s contemporary, adult STEEL OPS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the team at Steele Ops, owned and operated by the Steele Siblings. This is thirty-two year old, US war veteran Roman Steele, and thirty-one year old, doctor and virologist Dr. Isabel Santiago’s story line. FATAL DECEPTION 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 third person perspectives (Isabel and Roman) FATAL DECEPTION follows in the aftermath of a break-in and theft at the Tru Tech Lab. The FC-5 virus was stolen, and with it the possibility of biological warfare with the potential to wipe out millions of people. As the primary researcher at Tru Tech Lab, thirty-one year old, doctor/virologist Dr. Isabel Santiago finds herself on the defensive when the team at Steele Ops but most especially Roman Steele, lay blame for the theft at our heroine’s feet. A mysterious outbreak of potential cases of FC-5 has been reported in a small village in Alaska, and the team at Steele Ops along with Isabel Santiago fly out to uncover the truth, and in doing so track down the people responsible for the deadly theft. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Isabel and Roman, and the potential fall-out as Roman struggles with demons from the past, and the virus is about to get up close and personal with the team of investigators.

Isabel Santiago finds herself the target of the people responsible for the theft of FC-5 but our heroine, along with the team at Steele Ops are in the dark as to the who, what and why of the attacks on Isabel Santiago. Roman Steele continues to struggle in the aftermath of the war that changed the direction of his life but his struggle comes home when he finds himself falling for a woman who knows about loss as much as our hero.

The relationship between Roman and Isabel begins acrimoniously as Roman’s attitude and alpha-behavior directed towards our story line heroine. The team at Steele Ops suspects there is a sexual attraction between Isabel and Roman but Roman refuses to give in or admit he may be falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Steele Ops team: former Army Ranger Knox Steele and girlfriend Zoey Wright, retired Navy man Liam Steele , retired Marine Ryder Steele; FBI profiler Grace Steele and US Army Ranger / police officer Cade Wright; Hunter ‘Tank’ Dawson; former Marine sniper Jaz Curva; along with their mother Cindy Steele; Isabel’s grandfather Carlos Santiago; doctoral student Maddy Calhoun, and Isabel’s mentor Anthony ‘Tony’ Winter. The requisite evil has many faces.

FATAL DECEPTION is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; secrets, lies, desperation and love. The premise is intriguing and suspenseful; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic, charismatic and colorful.

READING ORDER and PREVIOUS REVIEWS
Deadly Obsession
Lethal Redemption

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/ Bookbub / Goodreads/ Pinterest

April blames her addiction for chocolate on growing up near the country’s chocolate capital, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Born and raised in a rural area, April always had lots of time to cultivate an active imagination, penning her first book at the age of ten, with a child’s typewriter a lot of liquid white-out. Even though both her stories and writing methods have changed drastically through the years, one thing hasn’t.

Her imagination.

Cowboys, military men, and alpha bad boys with a penchant for corrupting the good girl are among her favorite heroes to bring to the page. As both a contemporary and romantic suspense author, April loves sweet, second-chance romances as well as the thrills and squeals of being involved with a man who feels more naked without his Glock than without his skivvies.

When April’s not donning her writing gloves, she’s busy raising two energetic kids and husband. And there isn’t a day that passes when she’s not dreaming up yet another happily ever after…

April Hunt’s Publisher  (Forever Romance) is graciously offering a paper copy of  FATAL DECEPTION to TWO (2) 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.

3. Please follow APRIL HUNT on Facebook.

4. Please follow FOREVER Publishing on Facebook.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only

10. Giveaway runs from November 12-16, 2020

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Lethal Redemption (Steele Ops #2) by April Hunt-Review & Giveaway

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Lethal Redemption (Steele Ops #2) by April Hunt-Review & Giveaway

LETHAL REDEMPTION
Steele Ops #2
by April Hunt
Release date: November 26, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

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

Lethal Redemption (Steele Ops #2) by April Hunt-Review & Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 26, 2019

Top FBI profiler Grace Steele was just a girl when she escaped the Order of the New Dawn, and she’s spent the last seventeen years trying to forget her time there. But when private security firm Steele Ops needs her help extracting a young woman from the secretive cult’s clutches, she’s all in. Even though the mission requires posing as the fiancée of the only man who’s ever broken her heart.

It’s been nine years since Cade Wright turned his back on his childhood sweetheart, and he’s never stopped regretting it. Now that they’re forced to work together, he knows this is his opportunity to show Grace how much he’s changed. But the deeper they get pulled into New Dawn, the clearer it becomes that the demons still haunting Grace are very real, and Cade will have to risk everything to keep her safe . . . including his own life.

•••••••••

REVIEW: LETHAL REDEMPTION is the second instalment in April Hunt’s contemporary, adult STEELE OPS romantic suspense series focusing on the Steele family. This is thirty year old, FBI profiler Grace Steele, and thirty-two year old, former US Army Ranger / police officer Cade Wright’s storyline. LETHAL REDEMPTION 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 third person perspectives (Grace and Cade) LETHAL REDEMPTION follows the second chance relationship between thirty year old, FBI profiler Grace Steele, and thirty-two year old, former US Army Ranger / police officer Cade Wright. Seventeen years earlier, Grace Steele escaped the rigid controls of the Order of the New Dawn, a cult of which her mother remains an active member. Upon her return to civilization Grace was raised by her Aunt Cindy alongside her cousins: former Army Ranger Knox Steele, retired Navy man Liam , retired Marine Ryder and US soldier Roman, and together they formed Steele Ops private security.

Nine years ago Grace had her heart destroyed when Cade Wright, the man with whom she believed she would spend the rest of her life, walked away without looking back, a man who now works for her cousins at Steele Ops Security. As a top FBI profiler Grace Steele will be called in, alongside Steele Ops Security, to help rescue the daughter of a high-ranking government official, a rescue that places Grace back into the world of the Order of the New Dawn (OND). What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and romance between Cade and Grace as they must pretend to be in a committed relationship, as the team devises a plan to get in, extract and rescue a young woman, from the Order of the New Dawn, who doesn’t want to be rescued.

Cade Wright has never stopped loving Grace Steele but duty called, and Cade found himself dedicating his life to the US military. Believing he would be a detriment to Grace Steele’s career, Cade watched from the sidelines as the woman he loved became a stronger person because of the actions of our story line hero. Grace Steele was destroyed the day Cade Wright walked out of her life, breaking her heart and breaking her soul. Forced to work with Cade meant facing the demons that took away her childhood years, demons that continue to haunt our story line heroine.

The relationship between Cade and Grace is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose lives went in opposite directions only to be pulled together by a mutual cause. Cade Wright always believed Grace would be better off without him in her life; a battle between head and heart, Cade walked away losing a part of himself in the process. 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 secondary and supporting characters including Grace’s mother Rebecca Steele, and cult leader Teague Rossbach; former CIA agent Rhett Winston and his son Todd; Vice President Pierce Brandt, and his daughter Sarah; as well as Sarah’s boyfriend Simon; several members of the OND, and Cade’s father retired Army Genera Hogan Wilcox. We are reintroduced to the Steele Ops team: former Army Ranger Knox Steele and girlfriend Zoey Wright (Cade’s sister and Grace’s best friend), retired Navy man Liam Steele , retired Marine Ryder Steele, and US soldier Roman Steele, along with their mother Cindy.

The world building follows the rebuilding relationship between Cade and Grace, as well as the ongoing camaraderie between the Steele brothers, their cousin Grace and friend and fellow agent Cade Wright.

LETHAL REDEMPTION is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of power and control ; of manipulation, revenge and redemption. The suspense filled premise is engaging and entertaining;; the characters are colorful , energetic and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DEADLY OBSESSION

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/ Bookbub / Goodreads/ Pinterest

April blames her addiction for chocolate on growing up near the country’s chocolate capital, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Born and raised in a rural area, April always had lots of time to cultivate an active imagination, penning her first book at the age of ten, with a child’s typewriter a lot of liquid white-out. Even though both her stories and writing methods have changed drastically through the years, one thing hasn’t.

Her imagination.

Cowboys, military men, and alpha bad boys with a penchant for corrupting the good girl are among her favorite heroes to bring to the page. As both a contemporary and romantic suspense author, April loves sweet, second-chance romances as well as the thrills and squeals of being involved with a man who feels more naked without his Glock than without his skivvies.

When April’s not donning her writing gloves, she’s busy raising two energetic kids and husband. And there isn’t a day that passes when she’s not dreaming up yet another happily ever after…

April Hunt’s Publisher  (Forever Romance) is offering a paper copy of  DEADLY OBSESSION and LETHAL REDEMPTION to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe. Two commenters will each receive a paper copy of both books.

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.

3. Please follow APRIL HUNT on Facebook.

4. Please follow FOREVER Publishing on Facebook.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only

10. Giveaway runs from November 24-30, 2019

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DEADLY OBSESSION by April Hunt-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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23

DEADLY OBSESSION (Steele Ops #1) by April Hunt-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2019

Someone is watching their every move.

After a lifetime spent in and out of hospitals, Zoey Wright is tired of playing it safe. She’s ready to take charge of her own life and get out of her comfort zone, starting with a new job as a CSI agent. But when her childhood crush Knox Steele gets pulled onto her case, Zoey needs to put her feelings for him aside or more women will die at the hands of the serial killer preying on her hometown.

Former Army Ranger Knox Steele is back in Washington to help his brothers open an elite private security firm. He never expected to stumble onto a crime scene, or see his best friend’s little sister working it. Zoey is all grown up now, and the attraction between them is electric, despite his best efforts to resist it. But all that changes for Knox when he realizes the victims have one thing in common . . . and Zoey might be next.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  DEADLY OBSESSION is the first instalment in April Hunt’s contemporary, adult STEELE OP romantic suspense focusing on the Steele family. This is CSI investigator Zoey Wright, and former Army Ranger Knox Steele’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Zoey and Knox DEADLY OBSESSION follows the best friends’ little sister/ forbidden relationship between CSI investigator Zoey Wright, and former Army Ranger Knox Steele. Two years earlier Knox returned State side when a military mission went all to h*ll but in that two years Knox refused to go home believing himself unworthy. With his brothers’ insistence, Knox comes back to Washington DC to help set up their new security business, a business Knox wants no part of now or in the future. Rekindling his friendship police officer Cade Wright brings our hero face to face with the woman who has starred in all of his fantasies and dreams but a woman off limits by way of friendship and love. When a serial killer ups his MO, and the victims resemble our story line heroine Knox makes it his mission to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the friends to lovers relationship between Knox and Zoey, and the potential fall-out when Zoey is targeted by a twisted mind.

Zoey Wright has struggled most of her life with cardiac issues. Several surgeries and an over-protective brother meant Zoey found herself surrounded by protectors including the man with whom she will fall in love. Knox Steele hadn’t planned at sticking around but threats against the woman that called to his heart meant Knox wasn’t willing to risk the people he loved.

The relationship between Zoey and Knox is forbidden by a friendship, a promise and threats against Knox’s life. Zoey and Knox have lusted after one another from afar but Zoey’s brother Cade is unwilling to let go of the alpha attitude when it comes to protecting his little sister. Knox knows his time in DC comes with a deadline but he is willing to go after and protect the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Zoey’s brother, police officer Cade Wright, as well as Knox’s brothers: retired Navy man Liam , retired Marine Ryder and US soldier Roman, as well as their cousin FBI agent Grace Steele; Zoey’s doctor Phillip Samuel; Lieutenant Mason, and ADA Francine Smoke. Cade and Grace’s story line is next in LETHAL REDEMPTION.

The world building followed several paths including the building relationship between Zoey and Knox; the fractured family dynamics between the Steele brothers, as well as the hunt for a killer whose ultimate target and infatuation is our story line heroine.

DEADLY OBSESSION is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and obsession. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are broken but strong, energetic and colorful; the romance is captivating and passionate. DEADLY OBSESSION is a suspenseful and thrilling story to a new series by April Hunt.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

She tilted her face to the cloudless night sky. “I’ll stay here and enjoy the stars.”
“Don’t fall overboard.” He gestured toward a cushioned bench. “Maybe you should sit until I get back.”
Zoey plopped down on the seat and caught Knox’s satisfied nod. “I’m not sitting because you told me to sit. I’m just trying to get the feeling back in my toes.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t care why you’re sitting as long as it means I’m not fishing you out of the river.”
Zoey wrinkled her nose at his back and watched him disappear below deck. Yawning, she tucked her legs beneath her body and got comfy. Her eyes drooped closed until something brushed her cheek once, then twice.
With an irritated huff, she batted at the offending nuisance. “Go away. Sleeping.”
“I can see that.” A husky voice cut through her dream state. “But you need to wake up, sleepyhead. Stay curled up like that much longer and you’re not going to be able to move for a week.”
Zoey peeled open her eyes and came nose to nose with Knox. She jumped, startled, and crashed the top of her head into his chin with a loud crack.
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. I didn’t need a movable jaw anyway.” Knox slid his jaw side to side, barely hiding a grimace. “Shit. Your brother wasn’t lying when he said you’re hardheaded.”
“Ha. Ha. And to think I almost cared about hurting you.” Zoey ambled to her feet, but on her first step, her legs gave out, attacked by pins and needles.
Despite having been assaulted by her hard head, Knox quickly banded a supportive arm around her waist. “You okay?”
“Sea legs. I didn’t mean to maul you.”
Knox’s watch ticked, emphasizing the sudden awkward silence. Her hands automatically flexed on his arms. That same scent of pine and spice invaded her nose, and she took another involuntary whiff.
“Are you going to deny smelling me now?” His chest vibrated with his husky question.
Zoey forced a lump down her dry throat. “No. You smell really, really good.”
Knox’s gaze flickered down to her mouth, stealing her breath. A rush of thoughts and choices swirled through her head in one jumbled mess. It was difficult to pick out any single one…except the desperate need to feel his lips against hers.
“We should get you home,” Knox announced.
But he didn’t move.
Neither did Zoey. Her heart thumped hard behind her sternum, and led her to making a very un-Zoey-like decision.
For as long as she could remember, she’d always played things safe, did the smart, responsible thing, and kept her distance from anything that could end in crushing disappointment.
Stepping so far out of her comfort zone as to kiss Knox Steele definitely risked a severe, crushing blow to her pride. But suddenly, she didn’t care.
Skating her palms from his biceps to his broad shoulders, she admitted, “I don’t think I’m ready to go home.”
Knox sucked in a slow, deep breath. “This isn’t a smart idea, angel. For a lot of reasons.”
“I’m sick and tired of always doing the smart thing, Knox.” Zoey’s subconscious spoke its piece…aloud.
Zoey swallowed her nerves. Lifting onto her toes, she brushed her lips against Knox’s once, then twice before taking his bottom lip in a gentle nibble.
He didn’t kiss her back.
He didn’t deepen the embrace.
She’d scared the man immobile.
A tsunami of embarrassment flooded over her as she un-fused her lips from his. She’d barely taken a breath when something snapped…changed. Like the veracity of a lightning strike, one large hand slipped into her hair, and hungrily guided her mouth back for a claiming of his own.
Suddenly, Zoey was pressed up against Knox’s hard chest, her fingers clutching his shoulders like a lifeline. She couldn’t feel enough…touch enough. This is had been one of her best-kept fantasies for so long and she was finally experiencing it.
And enjoying the heck out of it.
Knox’s tongue swept against hers and she was more than happy to reciprocate. She returned with as much as he gave, standing in the middle of his boat, oblivious to the world around them.
This was him devouring her.
This was her devouring him.
This was heady, in-the-heat-of-the-moment lust…and the most uncontrolled thrill she’d ever experienced in her life.

April Hunt’s Publisher  (Forever Romance) is offering a paper copy of  DEADLY OBSESSION to ONE (1) lucky commenter 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.

3. Please follow APRIL HUNT on Facebook.

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

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only

9. Giveaway runs from April 21-26, 2019

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