Dangerous to Know by Dawn Ryder

Wow! Talk about being willing to really do whatever it takes to get the job done. Mercer was ruthless and unapologetic about the tactics he uses to get close to his target, Zoe. He has been led to believe she is a traitor sacrificing American lives, when in actuality, she is completely in the dark about what is going on. She totally falls for Mercer only to find out she was just a job. Unfortunately by then it is too late to get away from him. Some powerful people have decided to use her as a pawn in their moneymaking schemes and plots for revenge, and once Mercer realizes her life is in danger, nothing is moving him from her side...not even her contempt.

This was my first book by this author, but it won't be the last. I was caught up from the beginning and can't wait to read more of this series.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Queen of His Heart by Lena Hart

This was my first book by this author. It was a bit suspenseful, a lot steamy, and a nice afternoon read. Judith is a good girl. She does her job, stays out of trouble, and keeps to herself. Carlos has been hooked on her since he first saw her. He is full of funny flirty come ons and always ready with a smile. While Judith also feels the attraction, she knows she can't act on it and risk exposing her secret. She keeps Carlos at a distance until someone else threatens to expose her. She needs Carlos's help, and he gives it freely not even knowing all that he is getting into. He proves his loyalty over and over until Judith has no choice but to trust him with everything.

I enjoyed the story. It had nice chemistry and some great action toward the end. Also, I really liked the cover.

I received an ARC from the author for review.

Prisoner Mine by Megan Mitcham

When Zeke shows up to rescue a highly incapacitated Greer, all she knows about him is that he is a jerk from work who hates her. She doesn't even know his real name or duties. Being grateful for her rescue doesn't ease her suspicion of his motives. Zeke, on the other hand, doesn't want Greer in the field at all. He knows more than he's saying and suspects the direction of his current assignment is going to destroy Greer. He wants her as far away as possible. Greer isn't used to just giving in and insists on being included. In the meantime, an attraction Zeke believes would be unforgivable to act on burns brightly between the couple. He is trying to protect Greer, but she knows her own mind and is determined to get what she wants.

I had only read book ones in this series, but I didn't have any issues keeping up with this story. It was pretty intense and had a well developed story line and interesting characters.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC for review.

True Peril by Veronica Forand

I did not realize when I started this book that it was actually book three in a series. Later on in the story, it became obvious that some of the characters had a backstory I didn't know all about. It did work well as a standalone though, and the characters from previous novels just inspired me to check those out too.

The story takes place primarily in South America and England. Trista is a very independent and self reliant foreign aid worker who ends up kidnapped by a drug cartel. When Dane, her co-worker's older brother, shows up to check on his sister, he finds her devastated and terrified for Trista. Though his sister is unaware, Dane has all the training he needs to take off after Trista and attempt a rescue. Surprisingly, Trista had already done most of the work herself. She just needs a way tho become someone else. Dane has the perfect solution. She can be his wife.

This crazy stop gap measure buys them some time, but also results in even more trouble, especially when they begin to believe in their marriage.  The story crosses back and forth across the globe and has lots of action and simmering chemistry (All intimate scenes are behind closed doors so to speak and between married couples.) I loved both Dane and Trista. They really were perfectly matched.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Awesome New Releases!

There are so many great books coming out this week! Be sure to check out my earlier reviews of each one of these stories.

The Asset by Anna del Mar
Atone by Beth Yarnall
Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster
Reckless Heat by Lynne Raye Harris
Taking Fire by Cindy Gerard

Release Day!

Happy book birthday this week to Surrender at the Border by Risa Leigh and Healing Love by Abby Niles! Check out my reviews of these novels here on my blog or as Sparkymom on Amazon and Goodreads.

Reckless Heat by Lynne Raye Harris

Though I was afraid it would be a little weird going back again to before the beginning of the series, I couldn't resist giving it a try since I've loved all the other HOT books. The story takes us back to the late teenage years of Matt and Evie from HOT Pursuit (book one). If you've read book one, you already know the basics that Matt was Evie's best friend who ended up being her "first" then ditching her. This quick novella digs deeper and shows who Matt and Evie were back then and what their family situations were like and how their friendship had developed from childhood and turned to something deeper. You learn about why Evie offered herself to Matt and why he risked their friendship to take her up on her offer then leave her.

I enjoyed reconnecting with this couple so much that I ended up going back and reading HOT Pursuit again just minutes after finishing Reckless Heat. It was a great little addition to the HOT series.

I received an ARC from the author for review.