Showing posts with label Romantic Suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romantic Suspense. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

ARC Book Review: FAST Kill by Kaylea Cross

FAST Kill 
by Kaylea Cross
DEA FAST series #2

About the Book: 
The past has come back to haunt her. Having battled long and hard to put her painful past behind her, DEA Special Agent Taylor Kennedy has done everything in her power to make a new life for herself. She never dreamed that same past would suddenly show up on her doorstep one night, or that its reappearance would threaten everything she’s built for herself. Faced with the unthinkable, she’ll have to make the agonizing choice between her trusted childhood friend, and the man who’s managed to steal her wary heart. And the consequences could be fatal. FAST Bravo member Logan Granger knows Taylor was hurt badly by something in her past. He never expected to fall for a straight-laced, uptight forensic accountant, but Taylor has managed to redefine his definition of sexy, and now he wants to uncover all her secrets. Though they’re opposites in almost every way, Logan is determined to break through her barriers and show her just how good things can be between them. Then their worst nightmare is realized when Taylor becomes the target of the merciless Veneno cartel, and Logan will risk everything to save her—including his life. 

REVIEW: 
If you are a fan of romantic suspense, FAST Kill will hit you center mass. FAST is the DEA’s version of a specialize tactics unit. This story has suspense, drama, and hot romance. 

Logan Granger is the newest member of FAST Bravo unit. He joined the DEA straight out of college with the intent to join FAST at the first opportunity. In other words, he is focused on his career and is thrilled to be living the life. Taylor Kennedy is a DEA Special Agent specializing in forensic accounting. She is as brainy as they come and I love it. It would be easy to say that opposites attract, but it takes a special touch to get just the right balance of nerdiness to alpha goodness. Kaylea Cross does a great job in making the relationship between these two work. 

The suspense element of the story revolves around the DEA investigation into a South American cartel. The overarching plot is familiar but I really enjoyed the added emotional element thrown in to Taylor’s character. Taylor is chasing the bad guys through mounds of paperwork. The unique twist is that the number two man for a high ranking lieutenant also happens to be Taylor’s foster brother. He is the one who protected her while in foster care. She has a special place in her heart for him. It is easy to imagine her conflict, especially since even today she finds it difficult to make deep connections with people. The added conflict gives this story another level of tension that kept me glued to the pages.


I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: EXTREME HONOR by Piper J. Drake

Extreme Honor
by Piper J. Drake
Book 1, True Heroes
Grand Central Publishing- Forever

Welcome to the blog tour for Extreme Honor.  Piper J. Drake is a new author to me.  I enjoyed the book and am happy to share my review with you.  Happy reading!


ABOUT THE BOOK:
David Cruz is good at two things: war and training dogs. The ex-soldier’s toughest case is Atlas, a Belgian Malinois whose handler died in combat. Nobody at Hope’s Crossing kennel can break through the animal’s grief. That is, until dog whisperer Evelyn Jones walks into the facility . . . and into Atlas’s heart. David hates to admit that the curvy blonde’s mesmerizing effect isn’t limited to canines. But when Lyn’s work with Atlas puts her in danger, David will do anything to protect her.

Lyn realizes that David’s own battle scars make him uniquely qualified for his job as a trainer. Tough as nails yet gentle when it counts, he’s gotten closer to Atlas than anyone else—and he’s willing to put his hard-wired suspicion aside to let her do the same. But someone desperate enough to kill doesn’t want Lyn working with Atlas. Now only teamwork, trust, and courage can save two troubled hearts and the dog who loves them both . . .

Get More information at: Goodreads  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

I have enjoyed books about dogs in the romantic suspense genre in the past, and was hoping that this one had a good balance of suspense and charm.  If done right, the animals will warm your heart.  I was not disappointed.  Extreme Honor is an entertaining read with a suspenseful storyline and lots of potential for more.

What I really enjoyed about this book is the interesting insights that the author has about various subjects that ring true to me.  For example, I liked how the author is willing to articulate that not all Navy SEALS are heroic.  They are human beings subject to the same weakness and temptations as the rest of us.  Most may choose the right and moral choices, but not all:


Combat shaped soldiers in a variety of ways and as much as people wanted to think it was for the good, sometimes men got twisted.  Or they already were and service had brought out the jagged edges in them.  This man was not a shining example of a military hero by anyone’s definition. 

On a lighter note, Lyn’s observation about hotels really resonates with me as a frequent business traveller:  “She stayed in hotels all the time and they were most definitely not all made equal.  In fact, even hotels in the same chain varied to a certain extent, depending on the location.”  Truth.  It’s not a big insight, but is highly appreciated from someone who stays at a lot of hotels.  This “nod” increases my enjoyment of the story.

What starts off as a solid romantic suspense involving the trauma witnessed by a dog, develops into a riveting conspiracy theory about dishonest maneuvering happening during the war.  The narrative is well-paced and takes some surprising twists and turns.  

My biggest critique of the storyline is when Lyn makes a dubious choice to get in a car, despite the information she and David learned earlier about who is involved in a conspiracy.  Worse, David, who is plagued by his intuition all day, allows her to leave.  It seems out of character from the smart and cautious way they were working before that moment. I shook my head in confusion.

I also think that perhaps I would like more details on what makes Lyn a special dog whisperer.  She obviously connects with Atlas, but there is not enough about her training style, especially in contrast to Dave’s.  Learning about military dog training is heavily detailed and very interesting.  It feels unbalanced.

However, other parts of the story surprised me in a good way.  For the most part, I like the character development. The interaction between the two characters feels genuine based on their commonality as dog trainers whose styles complement each other. Moreover, I really enjoyed the ending.  It is better than what I expected.  The story is resolved well enough, but leaves room for more in the next book.

IN A NUTSHELL:
A new author, a new series, and a great start - I cannot wait to pick up the next installment.


Book two in the True Heroes series-  Ultimate Courage
Available July 26, 2016

Elisa Hall is good at starting from scratch. Leaving an abusive relationship in her rearview, she packs everything she owns into the trunk of her car and heads for refuge with her friend in Hope’s Crossing, Pennsylvania.
Alex Rojas returned from his second deployment as a Navy SEAL to find his condo empty and divorce papers on the breakfast table. Now he’s building a life for himself and his daughter at Hope’s Crossing kennels training younger dogs and handlers to search and rescue, struggling to adjust to life back in the States and as a single father.
When Elisa shows up at the kennels, it’s obvious she’s running from something. Luckily, the dogs and trainers at Hope’s Crossing are more than capable of warding off trouble. And with every minute he spends with Elisa, Alex becomes even more and more determined to protect the woman he’s certain he won’t be able to live without…
Get More information at: Goodreads  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes



Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) began her writing career as “PJ Schnyder” writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.
Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

Connect with Piper at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | GoodReads| Youtube


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: BLACK DAWN by Cristin Harber

bd-release

We've been anxiously awaiting Parker's story - and it's finally here! Get your hands on BLACK DAWN now!


CristinHarber_BlackDawn_1400px
BLACK DAWN
By Cristin Harber
Book 6 in the Titan series

ABOUT THE BOOK
What happens when nothing is as it seems?

Lexi Dare is on a one-woman mission to stay alive. Both at home and at work. Because how did she end up with a ring on her finger and an abuser in bed as she readies to hit the high point in her career? Everything should be perfect. Amazing job. Handsome fiancé. It's all a disaster.

Parker Black is the brains behind Titan Group, an elite security firm. In his world, everything is ordered and controlled, except what he feels for his buddy’s girl. Something in her eye screams for help, but he has no idea what.

When Lexi disappears, Parker realizes what he should have known. The lines blur between friendships and work, and they must find each other to survive a terror attack that only Lexi can stop.

Black Dawn can be read as a standalone and does not have a cliffhanger.




Buy BLACK DAWN now: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo



In the midst of a tightly woven suspense, Cristin Harber gives us a poignant love story between a smart, tech-savvy, alpha hero, Parker and a smart, tech-savvy, heroine, Lexi.  Unfortunately, Lexi is also in a domestic violence situation with her husband. Sometimes people ask, “Why doesn’t she leave her abusive husband?” This book illustrates how gradual the process of isolation can be. This is especially true for Lexi, who never had a long-term family having grown up in the foster system. By exploiting her desire for love loyalty, Lexi’s husband keeps her physically and emotionally trapped in an abusive relationship. 

One of the things I like most about this story is that Lexi is not perceived as weak-willed victim. She is successful, confident and renowned in the hacking world as SilverChaos. Under that alias, she has helped the other hackers, including Parker Black, resident computer whiz for the Titan group code name, Black Dawn.  Neither Lexi or Parker knows that they have been helping each other for years.  Another complication – Parker is friends with Lexi’s husband, Matt. 

The danger in this story emanates from two story lines: 1.  Matt’s reaction to Lexi escaping the relationship and 2. A terrorist group looking to utilize Lexi’s latest cyber creation that will give the owner access to all the information posted on a military family social media site.  Both branches move seamlessly back and forth and turn up the tension.  

On the downside, I thought there could’ve been a little more depth to the relationship.  It feels a little one-sided with Parker doing most of the rescuing.  Lexi shows a lot of courage in revealing her vulnerabilities, but I didn’t get that same sense from Parker.  I wish there was more parity in the relationship. Still, Parker’s kindness and gentleness in helping Lexi recover from her ordeal moves me and leaves me weak in the knees. 

IN A NUTSHELL:

This book has all the signature elements of a Titan story – suspenseful, heroic, thoughtful, and darn sexy.  If you are a fan, you will enjoy this book.  Despite this being book 6, this story can be read as a standalone. 

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

11720055_713247392120912_913374862_n

Black Dawn Release Party! Want to celebrate the release of BLACK DAWN by Cristin Harber? There's a release party on facebook on July 16th! Join the event here for more details! 



Wednesday, June 3, 2015

ARC Review: "Covert Evidence" by Rachel Grant


Covert Evidence
by Rachel Grant
Book 4 in the Evidence series

Falling in love was never part of his mission… 

With visions of professional glory, underwater archaeologist Cressida Porter embarks on a research trip deep into the heart of Eastern Turkey. Her dreams turn into nightmares when she becomes the unwitting courier for a terrorist network. Stranded and unable to speak the language, she turns to a handsome and enigmatic security specialist for help, even while fearing he may be behind a violent assault that leaves her vulnerable. 

CIA Case Officer Ian Boyd’s mission is clear: follow the courier, identify the terrorist leader, and intercept the microchip before it falls into enemy hands. For Ian, cozying up to the alluring archaeologist to find out where her loyalties lie isn’t exactly hardship duty. But spending time with her proves dangerous when she awakens a longing for a life he can never have. 

Attraction wars with distrust as Cressida and Ian are forced on the run. When violence erupts in the already unstable region, Cressida discovers everything she knows about Ian is false. With all secrets revealed, Cressida must decide if she can trust the spy with her life, while Ian faces his own impossible choice: Cressida or his mission.

There have been some fantastic releases in the last month, this is one of my favorites. It’s no secret that I am a fan of Rachel Grant’s work.  I love her complex stories, her technical expertise, and her scorchingly hot romance scenes.  Covert Evidence highlights all of her strengths as a writer and is one of my favorites in the Evidence series to date. 

Cressida has to work for everything she has.  She has worked hard to earn the respect of her colleagues in her chosen field of archeology.  However, because of her relationship with a jealous past boyfriend, she has neither.  Her reputation is in shambles and her credibility is suspect.  This is especially difficult for a woman who thrives on respect and acceptance. But she is determined to redeem herself with a new archeological discovery that has the potential to put her career on the map.  

Ian is a career CIA agent.  He lives and breathes his work.  He knows how get information and cultivate sources.  He is a master manipulator.  Because of his chosen career, he accepts that there is little or no room for real relationships.  This is his reality until he meet Cressida. 

Of all the heroes in the series, Ian is the most extreme alpha.  Because he is a former member of Delta Force, he has brains and braun. He is controlling and protective.  His complete commitment to his work and mission makes him is a little socially awkward. He knows how to be other characters, but he doesn’t know how to be comfortable with himself. Genuine relationships are out of his wheelhouse.  I love that vulnerability.  I like how despite his lack of experience, he displays innocent,romantic gestures: “In the middle of this crazy, scary nightmare, Ian has gone off into the night to gather flowers….” Ian might have just surpassed Curt as my favorite hero because, whereas Curt is also an alpha, he is a little more sophisticated and socially savvy.  Ian has a longer way to go in the relationship and I enjoyed his growing maturity.  

Balancing the romance is a deliciously intricate mystery.  I’ve come to love the field of archeology through the Evidence series.  The search for long-forgotten and hidden tunnels is like a solving a complex puzzle.  This one marries the fun of an Indian Jones adventure with the wit of a Sherlock Holmes story. The context weaves relevant current events with the search for an ancient aqueduct. Where else can you learn about the story of Roman waterways with the Kurdish fight for sovereignty?  I love it. 

IN A NUTSHELL:

Witty, sexy and adventurous, Rachel Grant has another winner with Covert Evidence.  If you are a fan of the series or a fan of romantic suspense or a fan of a good story, you won’t want to miss this book! 

The book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Four-time Golden Heart® finalist Rachel Grant worked for over a decade as a professional archaeologist and mines her experiences for storylines and settings, which are as diverse as excavating a cemetery underneath an historic art museum in San Francisco, survey and excavation of many prehistoric Native American sites in the Pacific Northwest, researching an historic concrete house in Virginia, and mapping a seventeenth century Spanish and Dutch fort on the island of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles.


She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children and can be found on the web at www.Rachel-Grant.net.

Monday, June 1, 2015

ARC REVIEW: "Shattered Duty" by Katie Reus



Shattered Duty
by Katie Reus
Book 3 in the Deadly Ops series

When his wife was murdered two years ago, Special Agent Levi Lazaro turned his back on everything he cared about. Ever since, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. Now he's finally uncovered the identities of those who killed his wife—and he's ready to destroy them at any cost. He won’t let anything stand in his way—not even a beautiful NSA agent on a mission of her own.

Special Agent Selene Wolfe prides herself on being the best. Her fearlessness and quick-thinking make her the perfect person to take down a deadly terrorist cell. But she needs Levi’s help, and the moment he shows up, Selene knows her objectivity—and her heart—are in trouble.

As the two strike an uneasy alliance, Levi finds himself tormented by his desire for Selene—a feeling he thought long dead. But when their mission takes an unexpected turn, he finds himself faced with an impossible choice: either put aside his need for revenge, or save the woman who’s reawakened his soul



Levi is a former Black Death 9 agent whose wife is tortured and murdered along with his unborn child.  Thinking that that NSA isn’t doing enough to bring her justice, he takes off on his own to track down her killers. He goes underground with no regard to the rules and regulations.  He has gone rogue.  In another operation, Agent Selene Wolfe is sent to track down and stop the top man who is about to commit a terrorist act using biological warfare.  Millions of lives are at stake.  Selene is a prodigy, having been brought into the NSA at a young age.  She is a computer whiz, sniper, and field agent.  Their paths converge when they start pursuing the same man.  

This book is primed to be an emotional rollercoaster.  Levi is so distraught over his wife’s brutal death, that he has turn off all emotion and avoids any intimate contact.  He is fairly single-minded in his purpose to get revenge.   Coming from a dark place, how will he find his way out? 

For me, the success of a redemption story relies heavily on the chemistry between the characters. Levi’s character carries most of the baggage.  He is emotionally void. She is a young, somewhat idealistic, trained assassin. He is attracted to her almost innocent perspective on life. Here lies my critique of the story.  I like both characters. Levi is hurting so deeply, I just want to give him a hug.  Selene is a young, kick-ass, agent who has been working under Wesley (the boss’) tutelage for six years. Having started training in her teens, she is a young member of the team.  Maybe it is my bias, but I thought that Levi’s character needed more mature mate/partner.  If not, then I needed more relationship development. I feel like there is a little too much insta-love, especially considering where Levi is coming from emotionally.  I can see the physical draw, but the emotional attraction is too superficial. 

However, as far as the suspense goes, this is one of Katie Reus’ best plotted stories.  The story is tightly woven with no extraneous side narratives to distract.  From the beginning to the end, the story is well laid out and highly suspenseful. For an added bonus, some of our favorite characters from previous books make an appearance.  And then the ending…oh, the ending…sheer perfection.  

IN A NUTSHELL:
Despite my criticism, I highly recommend this book.  Entertaining and thrilling, you won’t want to miss this latest addition to the series. 

Thank you to author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

ARC REVIEW: "Chasing Danger" by Katie Reus


Chasing Danger 
by Katie Reus

Chief Nursing Officer Hannah Young is accustomed to working under pressure, but even she’s still reeling in the aftermath of a horrific terrorist attack on Miami. And things only get worse after a knife wielding maniac tries to kill her. Desperate for help, Hannah must turn to the one man she never thought she’d see again.

After spending an intensely passionate night with Hannah, NSA Agent and former Delta Force operative Dax Costas fell off the face of the earth. He got called away for a two week mission with no way to contact her. Now he can’t get the smart, sexy woman out of his head. She might be angry at him, but when it appears she has a stalker, Dax moves her under his roof and into his protection.

Unfortunately, whoever wants Hannah dead will stop at nothing. And if Dax can’t identify the perpetrator in time, it could be too late to discover if there is more between him and Hannah than just heated passion…

Short and to the point, I think Chasing Danger is my favorite Katie Reus novella to date.  I’ve always loved Hannah’s character and am thrilled that she gets her own story.  And no less than what I expected, it is spicy like kim-chee.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I have a certain affinity for this Korean girl.  I get her.  I get her background and history.  I understand her family pressures and pain.  I know her motivations.  I appreciate that Katie Reus points out the stereotype of Asian woman and how it can impact their dating life:

“Because of her smaller stature, and in large part, her ethnicity, men always thought she was this fragile, submissive creature.”

Asian women are often perceived as lotus flowers or dragon ladies.  Dax, however, sees beyond that bias: “He treated her like an equal in and out of the bedroom and had seemed to really be impressed by her intelligence. By her.”

Dax Costas, sigh.  First I love that name.  It’s very mysterious and perfect for an alpha.  I love that he is a relationship virgin, never having a girlfriend before.  I love that he is completely honest with his feelings, even if he could not be honest with Hannah until now.  I love that he is not satisfied with earthshaking sex, and wants more with Hannah.  He has to convince her to give him a chance.

This story is not so much about the mystery because that is solved early on, but it did give the narrative an edge, not to mention a reason for keeping Dax around. However, although takes place in the world of Deadly Ops, it doesn’t have the same level of suspense as the books before it.

IN A NUTSHELL:
If you want a hot little contemporary romance or if you are Deadly Ops fan, you will definitely want to put Chasing Danger on your To Be Read List.



Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, & IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom's stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn't always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.



Monday, March 30, 2015

BLOG TOUR, REVIEW, EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY: "Total Surrender" by Rebecca Zanetti




Total Surrender 
by Rebecca Zanetti
Book 4,  Sin Brother’s series.

A fight he must win...

Piper Oliver knows she can't trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won't be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she's done. Something isn't adding up, though, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it's buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.

A passion she can't resist...

Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who's working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won't let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?

Jory Dean
Piper Oliver

Wow, it’s been a wild ride.  What started as a double take on a hot-man cover (I may not judge a book by it’s cover, but an attractive cover can catch my attention!), ended up being a suspenseful journey.  Total Surrender rockets out of the starting block.  With a countdown clock in the background, Jory must find a way to deactivate the chips embedded into their spinal cords.  These chips are designed to ignite an explosive if the correct codes are not inputted at a specified time.  That time is rapidly approaching for the Dean brothers. 

Having read Nate, Matt, Shane’s stories, it’s Jory’s turn.  Jory is the youngest brother, and thought dead.  The brothers were given video of Jory’s murder, except they refused to believe it.  Jory was shot and was in a coma for two years.  He is now awake and being held in a facility by the brothers’ old nemesis, the “Colonel” and Dr. Madison.  He needs to escape and find those codes to shut down the chips and he is not above using any means necessary to do so, including manipulating the computer expert hired by the Colonel to access Jory’s damaged chip. 

Piper Oliver recently joined the organization hoping to learn more about her father, the Colonel.  She’s a whiz-bang computer hacker and needs to bring Jory’s chip back on-line.  Their attraction is immediate, she helps him escape, and he helps her out from under the Colonel’s manipulations.  I’m not going to complain (again) about the insta-love because in this case, it makes sense.  With the deadline looming over all the brothers, it’s as if they must live life in a concentrated measure.  So, yeah, they do make that commitment swiftly and deeply.  It works.

There are escapes, explosions, and exclamations (in and out of bed).  We are introduced to several new characters and there are a few plot points that could be developed into a spin off series.  (One can only hope). Rebecca Zanetti makes the most of this final story.  The conclusion is sweet and virtually everything you want in a happily ever after. 

This is not a standalone.  If you are fan of these series, this is a satisfying ending to a high-octane series.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


A young mother with two toddlers hustled toward the entrance, their heads ducked to avoid the wind. Piper sucked in air.
If she screamed, they were screwed.
Jory pivoted and put her against the wall, covering her mouth with his before she could let out a sound.
Warmth and woman. An electric shock flared his entire nervous system alive. Soft and sweet, she breathed in as he pressed against her. He’d meant to subdue her, to throw her off balance, but shock ricocheted through him.
Need compelled him. He shot both hands into her hair, tilting her head so he could go deeper. So fucking deep he could get lost.
The second he tasted her, all cinnamon and woman, hunger slaked him. Devastating in its intensity, a demand he couldn’t deny. Her smooth, velvety lips softened under his, and for once, he lost himself.
Strands of her silky hair caressed his hands as he held her jaw, nearly lifting her up to meet his mouth. There was nothing but getting . . . more.
She stilled against him, her mouth parting. He swept his tongue against hers, taking in a primitive claim too powerful to deny.
Her gasp mingled with his low groan. She pressed harder against him, her mouth curving under his, and he forgot . . .everything. Who he was, where they were, the fire and danger. Only the woman against him, warm and willing, sweet and sexy, filled his mind.
He clasped her tight, forgetting any gentleness. Any seduction, any mission. Only this woman and this moment mattered. Letting go of himself, he allowed the creature inside, the one so rarely let loose, to take over. To push deep, to demand more. To take.
And give everything.
His mouth overtook hers, memorizing every groove, every small nuance. His free hand gripped her butt, hauling her up against his steel-hard erection. Heat from her core nearly dropped him to his knees. Pain and sparking pleasure flared along his skin, and he deepened the kiss, tightening his hold.
He needed to get inside her. Now.
A siren trilled on the lower street, and he jerked his head free.
Danger.
She blinked, her eyes the green of a rain-filled meadow. Desire burned there, hot and bright. Somehow sweet.
Possessiveness gripped him with a chokehold. One kiss. One kiss and she’d changed him. He had to get her out of the parking lot before guns fired again.
That quickly, realization crossed her face. Then shock, as she tried to take a step back. Her hands rose and shoved against his chest.
Denial gripped him to be quickly quashed with cold, hard training. So he grabbed her wrists and hauled her closer, his face lowering to hers. He wiped away any expression and shoved down all emotion. “Those men don’t care who they shoot. They’re scrambling and might kill you—or innocent bystanders.” He spoke low, commanding.
She blinked, her mouth opening but no sound coming out.
“If you fight me, they’ll find us, and they might shoot. Collateral damage doesn’t mean a thing to them.”
She shook her head and looked around.
He pulled her closer and lowered his voice to pure, no‑bullshit command. “We’re getting in that four-door Jeep, and we’re leaving here quietly. Your only choice is alert or unconscious? Decide now.” He let conviction ring in his tone. If he believed he could knock her out, then she’d believe it, too.
No fucking way could he knock her out. Scaring her held little appeal, but he didn’t have a choice if they were to both live through the night.
She quickly nodded. Gulping air, she relaxed her body as two teenagers giggled while walking by.
He knew full well she agreed to keep bystanders safe and not because the kiss had changed anything for her. She had no reason to trust him, and she’d never really know him. Why that pierced his chest with the cleanness of a sharpened dagger, he’d figure out later. For now, they had to run.

New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Social Media Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway