Devil's Lair is the first book in the latest series from Anna Zaires. I have really neglected reading this author and can't believe that I didn't even know these books had been published. I haven't really read this author that much, not for any other reason other than it slipped my mind. There are so many books and with how massive the romance genre has become, it is easy for an author to slip through the cracks. But I have such a fondness for this author, she was one of the authors that truly introduced me to the "dark romance" genre and if I recall correctly she was my FIRST so I definitely have a soft spot for this author. She writes the type of dark romance that really works for me, it is borderline contemporary and dark and many times these books can blend and she always tosses in an ounce of suspense for greater measure. Not sure how long these reviews will be of these two connection books but we shall see.
Devil's Lair features some strong characters here:
Nikolai Molotov-Alpha male, member of a mafia family (it is unclear if they are true mafia but its my guess), single father, filthy rich, has a controlling possessive nature although highly protective of those he considers "family"
Chloe-degree in education, teacher, on the run from assassins, strong and sweet
Devil's Lair is a story that is 1st POV, so we get this story from Chloe's perspective mostly. Although on occasion we do get the perspective from Nikolai just not as frequent. Chloe found her mother murdered and overheard the assassins and their plan for her, and when the local police department turned a blind eye to all of it, she knew she had no choice but to go on the run and do anything she could to survive. She has no clue why they are after her, only knowing they want her dead. Every time she thinks she has found a safe place, she gets found and far too quickly and she has no idea how they are tracking her so quickly. But up in the west in the mountains, she stumbles across a ad offering a job in search of a teacher for a four year old boy. And with it being so remote and she out of money, she needs a job desperately or she won't survive much longer. But when she meets her future employer and the father of this boy, she knows that she is in trouble, because he is dangerous and there is a connection between them. A connection she doesn't know if it will bring joy or heartache. But as she tries to bond with his son, and maneuver her way around this strong Russian man that wants her, she will have to face up to the truth of who he is and if she is willing to live with the man he is and accept him fully
Devil's Lair is quite an interesting tale and it is a story that will pull you in so quickly. I know that there are many mixed reviews on this one, and I will be honest this book duo will only work for certain readers. The one element that I feel is essential is that these books are ones you must love a good possessive alpha male, because that is what Nikolai is, and if you can't do alpha males, I highly recommend you don't pick this one up here. It would be a disaster if you did. And you probably wouldn't enjoy it that much. However, if you like the type of males that this author writes, I have a feeling you will really enjoy these books. I really loved the instant love connection between these two and I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. I had a blast with both characters and I really connected with Chloe. I loved how relatable she is as a character and the way she was written just worked for me in every way. There is a bond that she forms with Nikolai's son, and it was so adorable. To see this little boy just come out of his shell with Chloe, he really responded to her. She brings such light to the mansion and really loved seeing her bantering with Nikolai, even though she fears him sometimes, she is drawn to him but also stands her ground when she needs to and I just loved that.
Overall I found myself in love with this beginning of Nikolai and Chloe's story and it was such a journey to see them together and see what they make of each other here. It was so fun to see it all come together.
Angel's Cage is the concluding installment to the story involving Nikolai and Chloe. Now I highly recommend you DONT read these two books out of order, you will want to read the first book because I promise you, you will be lost in the story if you do. Now if you have been reading this author recently then you are familiar with this and it's not a struggle for you to adapt to. I know that some series can be read out of order, but this is just not one of those so I would say you need to be watchful of this. It is hard to say whether I liked this one more than the first, I think I was drawn into the first one MORE just because of the set up of the romance and the intrigue surrounding the hero and honestly I didn't really like the ending haha It leaves off with a teaser I wasn't happy about.
Angel's Cage begins with Chloe having just been saved by Nikolai, when she left his mansion and didn't realize that she had been tracked to his property. And now he has saved her life, and Nikolai will do anything to protect Chloe. He has a suspicion on who is after he and he will make sure she remains safe. Even though Chloe ran from Nikolai, the minute she did she regretted it and wanted to return to him. She knows he deserves a chance to be heard out before leaping to conclusions. But now she realizes how difficult it will be to get ride of the one that wants to take her life away. It won't be easy for Chloe to come to terms with what may have to happen to secure her future but Nikolai will protect her no matter the cost....but there are more than one enemy out there and will Nikolai be able to protect his family from a threat he won't see coming
Angel's Cage was such a thrilling adventure and I couldn't get enough of this book and seeing where it would lead to with Nikolai and Chloe. I really loved these two together and seeing them have open transparency in their relationship was so wonderful. And as a side note the relationship between Nikolai and his son is so precious. Their bond really grows in this book and it was so poignant at times, it had me in tears over the sweet tender moments of it. Truly delightful to see that. The romance just delves on a deeper level between Nikolai and Chloe and I was so grateful in seeing that. I wanted so much for them to come to terms and see what their future might lead. I was kinda sad by the ending especially when there is no news of the book for it (but hope it comes quickly, because what a teaser)
Overall I found Angel's Cage to be a thrilling story that kept me on edge all the way through, I read through this one so quickly and no wonder too. I am eager to see where this author plans on taking this series, I would love to see all of Nikolai's family have books because man I loved them all and I need their stories to be told.
In Reap we have a edgy and deeply rivetinig romance that held me at the edge of my seat and I honestly couldn't get enough of this book. I remember seeing a review of this book "somewhere" and for the life of me I can't remember where, but I knew I needed this book and when I saw it available at my local library I snatched it up because I really wanted to give this author a chance and I am so relieved that I did. Reap is not for the faint of heart, its not full of roses and daisy's, its heartwrenching and intense and suspensful but all the feels that this book conveys is simply wonderful.
The story sets off with our heroine and her brother and his wife (the first couple of the series). Luca is having nightmares of a time when he was a slave and forced to fight for his life. Where he lost his best friend to save his wife, and the promise that he made. He must do everything he can to find the twin brother 221 or was once known as Zaal Kostova. So he goes in to rescue him and Luca barely frees him and takes him to the one place he would be safe, a beach house where his sister is at currently. Talia Tolstaia is the sister of Luca and the daughter of a Russian Bravta Boss. She has always bent the rules and been a bit of a rebel. She is appalled that her brother would bring a Kostova into their home, one that is drugged and raving mad and dangerous. Zaal's father's killed her grandfather and their families have been bitter enemies. After a couple of weeks, Talia goes to Zaal, because she can't resist reaching out and trying to reach him and bring him out to the real world. As Zaal starts to find himself again, and Talia discovers a stronger bond than she has ever experienced, she will have to make a hard choice one that may make her choose over being with her family or the one man who has her heart and soul....
I fell for our greatest enemy. I fell in deep, and I gifted him all of my heart, all of this enemy Tolstaia heart
This is a powerfully intense story that definitely gets your heart racing and boy the emotion that this book conveys. Definitely don't experience this in every book I pick up. Now I do wish I had read book one before reading this book, because it would have made figuring out certain details a lot easier. The only downside to this book was a bit of confusion in the beginning, but it soon gives way. And boy did I want to read Luca's story so badly now. The focus of the story is dealing with some major PTSD issues from being a fighter slave for most of Zaal's life and the love story that builds between Zaal and Talia. I just loved and ADORED this couple so much. In fact, they may be one of my favorites that I have read all year.
Talia Tolstaia. My Talia Tolstaia. I tried to find hate. I tried to despise. I found only warmth. She was mine. She had cleansed me. Cared for me. Cried for me. She was...for me.
There was something so vibrant that is just THERE and you just want to immerse yourself into those sweet and unique moments that brings a tear or two in your eye. Seeing the way that Talia brings Zaal into the world, showing him the simply beauty of walking in the sand and surf of the beach was heartbreaking. He has been treated like an animal ever since his family was killed when he was eight and he was kidnapped and tortured and drugged for the majority of his life. To see how protective and sacrificing he is for Talia is heart wrenching. I love the way though that we see such growth in Zaal. He changes so much in this book, and quite simply the end result is beautiful. Just reading this book made me want to go out in nature and live in the "moment". The reader definitely comes away feeling more and more that life is so precious and this author gives us such a beautiful gift in this heart wrenching story.
Reap is a romance that lift your heart, opens your mind to new possibilities and experiences and offers a poignant tale that is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet!!!
We'd bared our pasts, we'd fought our fates. And at the end, left over was only the purest form of love. Of need. Of US.
Riot is the fourth and finale of the Scarred Souls series by Tillie Cole. And I had just realized as I was browsing this author's book that I hadn't read this one *gasp* yep I had no idea haha I am not sure why, maybe I think because I had read the first three books in a row and these books can get dark, so I could only do so much there. But I did love the journey of it, and after reading this book I realized how much I missed the characters from the rest of the series and yes I just did a re-read because that's a thing with me. I will say that this book packs a punch so you better be ready for an adventure because this book really brings all of our characters together and brings such beautiful essence to this series and every time I read this author I am always amazed by this author and how much I fall for her.
Riot is a thrilling edgy story that features:
901(Ilya)-slave to the gulag pits, drugged and forced to fight, the best and cold and unfeeling and kills at a moments notice
Inessa (152)-trained since birth to be a mona, obedient and submissive, but fierce in her love
Riot begins with our heroine, who has been taken captive since she was little, and forced to be a slave. She lost her brother years ago and only remembers her place in the world, being a sex slave and being drugged and experimented on. She only knows of this life, and she knows of no other. And now she has become the "high mona" after a long line of high mona's that didn't last very long. She is determined to stay alive and to be obedient to her new master. Because he is cruel and he will kill her if she crosses the line. What she doesn't expect is 901. 901 is the fiercest of the warriors forced to fight, but his master wants him to have a weakness. He doesn't like 901 but doesn't want to kill him without making a profit, but first, he needs to find his weakness. So he does the next best thing, he forces his high mona to seduce him and see if he can weaken the resolve on 901 just like he has been able to do with the other warriors. But 901 didn't expect to fall in love with 152 or to be taken down a road where he may lose her forever ...because their love is forbidden and could cost them the ultimate price.
“You are the Arziani Pit Bull. You are feared. But to me, you are safety.”
Riot is such an intense filled story and it really had me on the edge all the way through. I couldn't get enough of this book and seeing where this author takes it. I will say that I did love seeing what this author crafts with this one. She really pulled this one altogether. I especially loved seeing that we also get a perspective from Luca and the others who are searching for 153 (Inessa who happens to be the sister to the hero in book three) but she has no memory of her brother and the one who promised to come back for her when they were torn apart by the mistress. I will say that there are some triggers in this book so please check those out before reading this one because there is rape and violence in this book. The beginning scenes can get pretty rough for the heroine, so be aware (but the hero is not the one assaulting her, that is consensual)
“You are in my heart. You are in my scarred soul. You are my male. My Ilya … I am not free if I don’t have you.”
What I have really admired about these books is that many darker elements are surrounding these books, HOWEVER, it's not dark inside the relationship. The focus is outside of the relationship and I really love that with this author. The relationship begins with 152 being forced into his cage to see to his wounds and when she is drugged with this sexual chemical that causes her pain if she doesn't get relief, 901 helps her with this relief, and with each night, they draw closer to each other. 901 is seeing how he can become weak because she is a woman he is willing to die for. We do see some side characters in this series that I wanted them to have a HEA, but it doesn't happen so fair warning that not everything ends up well for everyone. The villain of the story is the villain of the whole series and who is behind everything, so seeing him get his just deserts was satisfying. When you see what he puts everyone through, and how malicious he is, he definitely deserves it. I really loved both of these characters though. I just felt their connection so deeply and this heroine is filled with a strength you don't see right away. But the ending there, man, her devotion and loyalty will just break your heart.
“You have made me feel, in here. You have made me want things I never dare let myself want. You have made me want to fight for survival, not pride. I no longer want to die on the pit’s sand, like a warrior. I no longer want to die at all.” I held my breath, exhaling only when he said, “You make me want to live.”
Overall I found Riot to be a sensational romance that fed my edgy need for a story to keep me on my toes, its a tale of forbidden love that is worth fighting for when all the odds are against you. It will be a story of surrender, taking risks, and fighting with your last breath for the one you love.
She was mine. I was hers. Her, the girl, whose soul matched mine. And I, the boy, who was made perfectly for her. Finally home. Happy. At peace.
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Chasing Serenity is the newest book written by Kristen Ashley and its technically the first book in the series, although there is a prequel in the series “After The Climb” and I have yet to read that one and to be honest I didn’t realize they were part of the same series because the first cover was so different from its newer cover and it didn’t match the cover for this book. Now I had heard some really good reviews for this book and I will admit I am a Kristen Ashley STAN—-I pretty much love everything that she writes. I may have issues with character flaws and the like, but I just have loved her work and the beautiful stories that she tells. But this is the LOWEST rating I have ever given this author and it was definitely not one I wanted to give out to this book, because the romance was so precious but this book is so WOKE, and I wasn’t expecting that at all. This author has always been more moderate and conservative in her writing style so for it to be so vastly different than what I have seen from her in the past is disappointing and it really just put me off from my enjoyment of the book overall. So while I did enjoy this one quite a bit, it just was not what I expected and the messaging was “too much”
Chasing Serenity is a contemporary mountain lovin’ romance that features:
Judge Oakley-mountain man and outdoorsman, lover of animals, successful, intelligent
Chloe Pierce-spirited, sassy, outspoken, tenderhearted, and lover of all things fashion and style
Chasing Serenity is a story that sets off with our hero, Judge. He is ending a relationship with a woman who is just not for him at all, they are opposites but more than that, she wants to change him and has deceived him into thinking that she would want children. Judge wants kids while he is young and virile, not when he is older. He wants to enjoy being a dad and doing things actively with his children. And when it’s shown that she has been lying to him about it, he has to cut strings. What are his chances that he would find himself attracted to Chloe Pierce? Chloe is used to being in charge and taking care of her siblings. She has been raised like that and it’s hard to change her “spots” just because her siblings don’t like it when she gives them honesty. She is strong and caring but can also be vain when it comes to her appearance. She sees Judge as being an ass and they don’t get off to the best foot, but she starts to see a caring protective man that would fight for her. But Chloe’s life is far from perfect, and she has a hard time opening up her heart to someone new and she knows that Judge could destroy her if he broke her heart but sometimes life is about risk and nothing with great reward doesn’t come at a cost…
Never put up with anything from anyone that makes you uncomfortable, makes you feel wrong, makes you question the woman you are, or makes you go against who that woman is in her soul. Especially if any of that is coming from a man.
Chasing Serenity is a book I was so excited for and I will admit I didn’t expect it to turn out the way it did. Now, much of the drawbacks of the story are based on seeing lots of feminist terminologies and I am telling you I have read so many of KA, and this is the first time I have seen it so pronounced. It felt more preachy at times and that just took me out of the story and I loss enjoyment of it because when you don’t expect it and an author changes their style like this, it can really throw a reader off. Also, the hero was so TAME haha like not her typical alpha male she writes, he seemed more beta to me. And that saddened me because she does write the best heroes. And while I had a blast with Judge, I felt like he should have fought for Chloe more. Chloe could seem to be superficial at times, and even though I understood her reasoning for driving Judge away in the beginning, I didn’t agree with it. She really hurt Judge quite a bit just out of fear of being hurt. And the way these two interacted in the beginning, it was a struggle to really enjoy it. I did have a hard time with Chloe’s siblings as well. The way they treated her in this book was deplorable. She has sacrificed so much of herself to caring for them, and just for speaking some honest truths about them, they lash back at her in such a demeaning way. My heart just broke for her being treated by those she loved so dearly.
He heard her take a sharp breath into her nostrils and then she said in a rush, “I’m the oldest. I’m expected…certain things are expected of me. It’s natural, I’m sure, but it sometimes isn’t the greatest that no one thinks to take care of me.” Pause then, “You took care of me.”
Now onto the good stuff. While I had issues with aspects of this book, there were still many things I truly enjoyed. Once Judge and Chloe really get past their miscommunication issues, the story really expands from there in your typical KA fashion. So I truly loved the depths that this author delves into here. And seeing the way that this author really explores the way that this pairing grows into each other. There is such a beautiful exploration of their pasts and strengths and seeing how opposite they are they end up understanding one another perfectly. I loved seeing the sexual exploration in this book. Kristen Ashley always tends to write some great sexual tension and I enjoyed seeing the growths in sexual intimacy that Ashley develops with this couple.
While I had some severe issues with this book that stole my enjoyment, I found it to be a tender romance that will deliver on all the feels, it has strong points for being one that will engage you, delight you in those sweet moments KA is infamous for and is a solid read that will satisfy KA lovers.
Ravage is a stimulating story of sacrifice, of losing one self and having to make a difficult choice of family and love against a great evil...
Ravage was another wonderful installment in the Scarred Souls series. I have just been hooked on this series. But I was really excited when I saw that this book was available in the Romance Audible Package and I just jumped at a chance to read this book here. And boy was it good, not as good as the previous books but it had some elements that we didn't see in the previous two books. The plot of the series as a whole really takes a new turn here that adds thrills and excitement for the reader. d
In Ravage, we have a heart-wrenching tale that will guarantee that it brings out some tough emotion due to this engaging kay players
194 (Valentin), is our sexy hero, taken when he was just a boy along with his younger sister. And he does anything his "mistress" asks of him so he can get their freedom
Zoya Kostava, a Russian Mafia Princess, was taken to safety when her family was slaughtered and her two brothers taken captive.
This was a story that was a bit different than the previous two books, it was darker than the other two. It does deal with some difficult issues that not all readers might be okay with. However, if you enjoy reading dark romances, then this book will definitely work for you. Our hero Valentin, was young when he and his sister were taken prisoner at the orphanage. He vowed to make sure she was safe and do everything he could to free them one day. Valentin has been made to be a killer, a slave to the drugs that his "mistress" makes him take through his collar. He never has a choice but his life will take a unique change in his new mission to kill Zaal, the man who killed his mistress's love. But his quarry is a woman who means something to Zaal, his beloved sister Zoya. As Valentin works to break Zoya's defenses and get the truth about her relationship with Zaal, Valentin discovers something new that he has never experience....desire and heartfelt emotion that he has only felt about his sister. Soon Zoya and Valentin will be forced to make some difficult choices but the most challenging will be learning to fully trust in each other and the love that they have together.
There is quite a bit of growth that Valentin goes through here and it gets to the point where he would rather have love than to be a slave for the rest of his life. He hates what he does or what he becomes under the drugs that he is forced to take. And seeing him stand on his own and fight for what he believes is right is really beautiful and heart breaking. The relationship between Valentin and Zoya is not easy in the beginning. I mean, Valentin is being forced by drugs to get information out of Zoya, so it's not pleasant obviously. But he does change and starts to fight the drugs more.
I’m not only scarred on the outside, Kotyonok; I’m scarred on the inside: my mind, my heart, and my soul…… I am your Tbilisi monster…
I honestly felt that this story was the toughest that I have read so far. Because we see what this couple is really faced with and the odds aren't in their favor. But we do get some moments with our previous favorite characters such as Luca and Zaal. And this side plot is needed for sure. Luca and Zaal know that danger is coming they just have no clue what form it will take and Zaal has no idea that his beloved sister is still alive or that she is being held prisoner to get to him. And my goodness, once he learns the truth, Zaal really has to face up to certain things on a emotional level.
I knew his life had been as impossible as mine. Knew he wasn’t truly as evil as he seemed. He was just like my Anri and Zaal. Like me. Broken
The development of the plot here was key and Tillie Cole did a fabulous job on taking me on a great adventure of thrills and suspense and danger. I honestly never knew what was going to happen in this book, and these twists really worked me hard. What made this book sound wonderful was the latter part of it. This is where you fall in love with this anti-hero that is Valentin. Seeing what he sacrifices for his Zoya is so heartfelt and real. And seeing him do so much to save his sister, it just about broke my heart. He goes through so much but seeing the way that Zoya cares for him, seeing the ways that she loves him outside the bedroom was priceless. Valentin has never known a kind word or tender touch and Zoya teaches him.
Tillie Cole has done wonders with this series, these books are full of tortured souls and damaged hearts that slowly heal with love and understanding and acceptance. I feel so much emotion when I read her work and this author teaches the reader what unconditional love and forgiveness are all about!! This story will wrap you up and endear you to these beautifully crafted characters in a way that you won't forget!! UNFORGETTABLE!!
We are different. Me weak and you strong. Me a Georgian and you Russian, but our broken hearts are tired and old. Our spirits are low, though not broken. But our souls, though thoroughly tested and hardened through pain, are resilient. THEY ARE THE SAME.
*Now bring on Valentin's sister's book "Riot" I will admit I am kinda nervous about this book because his sister has been forced to be a sex slave but from what I hear the hero is AWESOME!! So I can't wait for the finale and see Valentin and his sister be reunited and that his sister has never forgotten him.
Wicked As Sin is the first book in the series and is also the first part of the duology featuring this couple. I haven't read too much Shayla Black but I will be honest that I have been wanting to explore more of her work recently. I have really liked what I have read so far from her in the past and she has such a backlist that I want to delve into more. I will be honest I haven't read the books that connect to this series so I am highly intrigued to explore more of what she has written. There were so many connected pairings that I was eager to jump into and the way that Shayla Black wrote this duology was such a riot and I had a blast with. Now I am not sure these books will be for everyone, but I definitely had a blast seeing what she wrote here.
Wicked As Sin is a sexy romance that features:
Pierce “One-Mile” Walker-alpha male, commando, best sniper in his unit, loner, playboy
Brea Bell-pastor's daughter, sweet and innocent, virgin, favored among the community
Wicked As Sin begins when Brea Bell and Pierce meet at a dinner party involving mutual friends. But when Brea's best friend sees the attraction she is getting from Pierce, he moves to intervene and in order to protect her from him, he works at convincing her to act as if they are lovers and not best friends. But Pierce is determined to have Brea, there is some deep bond they formed and he doesn't know why he wants to explore it so badly only that he desperately needs to. What he doesn't see is falling for love's arrow. He and Brea couldn't be any more different, but what he does love is seeing her respond to him just like he responds to her. Brea knows that Pierce is so much more experienced than she is and that she is definitely out of her element, but she is drawn to Pierce and wants to explore it even knowing the dangerous boundaries she is crossing. But will Pierce and Brea be able to find their way together despite how opposite they are?
He was about to blow through Brea Bell’s life and change it forever.
Wicked As Sin is such a wonderful story and I had a blast with this book. This story completely drew me in and I couldn't put it down. I will be honest that I didn't want to put this one down, now sometimes this author can be a bit difficult to get into BUT this book???!! NOPE, I was completely hooked from the very beginning. I read this one and the second part of the duology in one sitting so that should tell you how much I truly enjoyed these books. Now I am not going to lie, it had its flaws, but it just worked out so beautifully and I just wanted to see how Brea and Pierce would work out. I am telling you these are opposites OPPOSITES haha Like you can't get more opposite than a pastor's daughter and a military sniper, one is innocent and the other highly experienced in sexual matters, one is sheltered and the other is jaded and cynical at times and zero friends. Pierce definitely has his attractions, but he also has some negative points to his character so I don't think he will be everyone's cup of tea. I really liked his growth and seeing him fight for Brea even knowing how different he is for her.
Overall I had a blast with Wicked As Sin and I am looking forward to exploring the connecting books in the series. Its a story that will draw you in, captivate your heart from the beginning, and stun you with its sensuality and thrills.
Wicked Ever After is a story that continues right after Wicked As Sin and I have to say that I really enjoyed seeing these two together and seeing more depths to their relationship. I highly recommend that you read the first book "Wicked as Sin" before you read this book because I am telling you that you will be LOST because there are many things that happen in book one that you need to be aware of before reading this one. And while I enjoyed this one I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as I did the first book. I think that is mostly because there was more going on outside of the relationship and not as much "romance focus" as what we got in the first book and I wanted to see more page time with Pierce and Brea.
Wicked Ever After begins with our hero Pierce, who has had to leave his girl to fight off the enemy, an enemy that wants to destroy everything he cares about and most especially Brea. And in order to protect her and everyone else they care about, he must go on this mission, and it's one he probably won't come back from. But he has an enemy, one that will stop at nothing to destroy him and all he holds dear. He is a protector, and won't bring a firestorm to Brea and her family's doorstep if he can put a stop to it. But things don't go quite as planned, he will be betrayed, and he will see the depths of evil to his enemy. But what keeps him going is his Brea. But Brea will be his guiding strength in the worst of times, and when the time comes, he will fight for her and the future he has risked his life for.
Wicked Ever After is a story that is so action-packed and I loved seeing how this author handled this all. I was so intrigued to see where this author would take this couple and what they would accomplish together. There is a lot that happens outside of the relationship, but seeing what both of them are willing to sacrifice for each other was so beautiful. I really liked seeing them learn to adapt to each other, change and grow both individually and together as a couple. Their story is beautiful and seeing them defy what society says to find a way to be together. Truly an inspiring read of acceptance, forgiveness, healing and a fierce love.
Fallen is the second book in the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti and this is a story I was so excited for, I have really enjoyed these suspense books that this author has really been delving into. She really handles it so well and I love a good military-based romance and this definitely sparks all sorts of good emotions and feels within the story. This series is based on a deep operations team that tracks enemies of the state and does it secretly but also with the support of the government. In Fallen we have a story of two unlikely people having to pose as an engaged couple and where being forced to work together...find their way into feeling something deep and real.
Fallen is a thrilling installment that features:
Raider Tanaka- military operator, bodyguard, handler, protective, well trained in undercover operations
Brigid Banaghan-talented hacker, ex-convict, bad history of dating bad boys, smart and creative, has a heart of gold
Fallen sets off when Brigid is offered a great deal from the government, she works on this assignment and she gets early freedom from her jail sentence. Brigid hasn't had the best luck in the men that she has dated but she also might have hacked into the wrong system which had her up in the lockup joint. But she has always believed in doing what she believes is right and fighting for justice causes. But she hates this assignment, which will mean returning home and to a father, she hasn't spoken to in years. She will have to pose as a fiancee to Raider, who will be posing as a criminal bad boy. His team believes that her father is part of a mafia crime syndicate and even though on paper he left years ago, they believe that he is involved and want to know what he knows so that they can bring this mafia group down who are delving into some dangerous criminal activities including human trafficking. But before they know it, everything is not as it seems, and now Brigid's life is in danger, and Raider along with his team will have to be crafty in bringing them down and saving the woman he loves but there are secrets involved .....could these secrets be their downfall or test the strength of their trust in each other?
“Well, Irish. Looks like we’re engaged.” His smile sent butterflies winging through her abdomen. “This is going to be interesting. Now that you’re mine, I will finally figure you out.”
Fallen is such an action-packed story and I had so much fun with this one. I will admit that at times it went slow, I wasn't a big fan of the narrator at times. And not sure if I was in the right mood for this book, But I wasn't quite feeling this book which is why it didn't get a higher rating. I wanted to love it more, but I just found the chemistry between these two "off" and there were so many things happening in the story, that it just didn't flow together like I am used to seeing with this author. The premise of it was great, and I really liked seeing what they do in bringing down this crime organization. I think what I really liked seeing is the "secret" that becomes revealed. I was so interested in seeing how this would affect the team because it's not just about Raider and Brigid. There is a level of trust that becomes lost for all parties, and seeing the bond that this team has with each other was simply beautiful to see. It is a story that kept me on my toes all the way through and I am eager to see more of the team and their shenanigans.
Overall I had an enjoyable time with Fallen and I am looking forward to seeing more of this team. Fallen is a story that will give you all the kick-ass action you have come to love from this author while offering a worthy romance to match it.
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