Review / Quote-Tastic: Heated Pursuit by April Hunt

Quote-Tastic is a weekly meme hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats and Burning Soup. Share a favorite quotes that's grabbed your for one reason or another. You can ad a review or post just a quote.

Heated Pursuit by April Hunt

Series: Alpha Security  #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Forever on October 25, 2016

Pages: 304

Format: Kindle

Source: Bought

Amazon / Goodreads

TROPICAL HEAT

Penny Kline didn't come to Honduras on a pleasure trip. She's here to rescue her kidnapped niece, the only family she's got left. What she didn't plan on was walking into a covert ops mission---or being wrapped up in the hard-muscled arms of Rafe Ortega. The cool-as-ice operative's touch may get her all hot and bothered, but no man can have a hold on her heart until her niece is home where she belongs.

Even in the tropics, Alpha Security operative Rafe can take down the bad guys without breaking a sweat. Hostage extractions. Clandestine missions. Those are the things he's been trained to handle. Relationships? Not so much. But one look at this strong, sexy redhead and he's seized by a fierce urge to protect her at all costs. Now Penny and Rafe will have to up their game because they're about to go into a master criminal's lair without backup, and the danger---and passion---is about to explode . . .

Thoughts: Rafe and Penny were easy characters to fall in love with. As much as I adored Rafe I took a good liking to Penny. She can hold her own with anybody but at the same time have her weaker moments. That made her character feel real in certain situations. She is sassy and fun.

“No need to apologize to me, sweetheart. Let me know when and where and I’ll somehow manage not to crawl into a corner and hide.”

Rafe is protective of Penny but he is also gentle and caring. The best part of his character is how supportive he is to Penny. I loved his sense of humor especially in not so good situations.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go suction my lips to the man’s ass and see if we can get them back.”

These two had perfect chemistry with amazing sexual tension. They also worked so well together on their mission. I could not get enough of their flirty and fun banter.

"Is this your way of telling me you’re going to be touching my ass, Rafael Ortega? If it is, I should warn you that perk better go both ways.”

As much as I love main characters I also am a huge fan of having secondary characters in my reads. The men of Alpha Security have caught my attention.

(Logan) "That's if I can have children after that elbow drill. Shit. I think I need a medic, Kincaid."

“If it were an arm, leg, or even your head, I could be convinced to give you a hand, but I’ll be damned if I’m going anywhere near your junk…or your ass. You’re on your own, man,” said Chase Kincaid.

I had a good time reading Heated Pursuit. The flow was easy for me with enough action, suspense, romance, a few surprises I did not see coming and fun moments. Overall a feel good book.  I think I might of found a new Romantic Suspense series to get lost in.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

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Sweet Temptation: Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Sweet Temptation is a feature on Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. That centers around books that have caught my attention. Whether it be a quote, snippet, teaser, excerpt, synopsis or a review.

Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Series: Heirs Of Chicagoland #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Berkley On August 14, 2018

Goodreads

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.

When the assassination of an ambassador brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever. 

Thoughts: I have seen Chicagoland Vampires series around but have yet to read them. This seems to be a spin off from that series. I am liking the idea of a Vampire heroine and a Shifter hero. I read the prologue on Chloe Neill website and thought it was adorable. 

Are You Fan Of Chicagoland series? Are you eagerly waiting for the first Heirs Of Chicagoland?
 

Review: Behind The Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski

Behind The Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski

Series: In The Company Of Killers #6

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: J.A. Redmerski on May 6, 2016

Format: Kindle

Pages: 204

Source: Bought

Amazon / Goodreads

Even professional killers need vacations, but for Victor Faust, his vacation in Venezuela is about more than relaxation and time alone with Izabel Seyfried. It is a chance for him to come clean to Izabel: to tell her the truth about why he sent her to Italy with his brother, the truth behind his interest in Nora Kessler, and about his knowledge of Izabel’s child with her former captor. But before Victor can spill his soul, reality proves that for some killers, vacations are just pipe-dreams.

Attacked and kidnapped, Izabel finds herself stuffed in a suitcase, while Victor later wakes up imprisoned in a cage. In any other situation, Victor would find a way out and save himself and the woman he loves—but not this time. When the identities of their kidnappers are revealed, Victor loses all hope, and begins the mental process of accepting his and Izabel’s last moments together. And Izabel’s final moments of life.

As if his circumstances are not complicated enough, members of Vonnegut’s Order are finally closing in on Victor. And when they do, he comes face-to-face with someone else he once knew and loved, who could either help him, or make a grave situation much worse. Victor’s past has finally caught up with him: the women he has cared for, loved, and killed; the families he has destroyed; the unforgivable crimes he has committed. And now he must face the consequences, and pay the ultimate price for absolution.

But when it is all over, Victor may not have the strength to pick up what is left and move on. Because the event changes him. Because love changed him. And because, unlike before when he thought it is was for the best, he cannot imagine a life without Izabel in it.

Thoughts: I needed to know all about the man Behind The Hands That Kill. I got that and so much more with present to past through out that fit perfectly with the plot. I loved that I got to experience his past instead of being told.

Not only is Victor and Isabel love tested but also my love for his character as well. He has done many bad things I was able to look past but one particular scene I had a hard time with. As a huge fan of In The Company Of Killers I know J.A. Redmerski is not one to hold anything back with her characters. I should of known she could never be that cruel.  I also should of known that not everything is what it seems to be when it comes to Victor. He always has a reason for his doings. Thankfully the scene I had a hard time with was handled. Because right along with Izabel I would of not been able to look past that.

 

I had a serious girl crush on Izabel. She has come a long way since the beginning of this series. Her character shined and showed some growth that I understand why Victor loves her.

 

There are a some new characters introduce. I am not sure about one of them but the other did catch my attention. There was a lot going on in Behind The Hands That Kill. This does leave different directions this series can go in the future.  Best read in order.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Series Order / Rating
#1 - Killing Sarai - 4
#2 - Reviving Izabel - 4
#3 - The Swan & The Jackal - 5
#4 - Seeds Of Iniquity - 5
#5 - The Black Wolf - 3

Review: Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy

Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy

Series: ARES Security #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Zebra on December 29, 2015

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

 

From the hellhole of a Taliban prison to sweet freedom, five brave military heroes have made it home—and they’re ready to take on the civilian missions no one else can. Individually they’re intimidating. Together they’re invincible. They’re the men of ARES Security.
 
Rafe Vargas is only in Newton, Iowa, to clear out his late grandfather’s small house. As the covert ops specialist for ARES Security, he's eager to get back to his new life in Texas. But when he crosses paths with Annie White, a haunted beauty with skeletons in her closet, he can't just walk away—not when she’s clearly in danger…

There’s a mysterious serial killer on the loose with a link to Annie’s dark past. And the closer he gets, the deeper Rafe’s instinct to protect kicks in. But even with his considerable skill, Annie’s courage, and his ARES buddies behind him, the slaying won’t stop. Now it’s only a matter of time before Annie’s next—unless they can unravel a history of deadly lies that won’t be buried.

Thoughts: Alexandra Ivy is not a new to me Author as I have enjoyed her Vampire series, Guardians Of Eternity. It has been some time since I read them and was curious how she would do in a different genre. Kill Without Mercy is the first book in her Romantic Suspense, ARES Security series. It was not a big hit with me but at the same time it was not a bust either. 

 

The suspense was good for the first half and awesome in the second half. Earlier in the book was easy to put down and pick back up. Once the suspense really started to kick in more I could not flip my pages fast enough.

 

I could not connect with  Rafe and Annie as a couple. They had no chemistry or never felt a spark with them. I have no idea what they seen in each other. This is going to sound weird but the only time I had  a connection with them is when both trying to figure out who the killer is and how is he/she linked to her past.

Rating: 3 Stars - Liked It

Amazon / Goodreads