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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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

Review: Hidden Away by Maya Banks

Rating: 5 Stars - Amazing

Hidden Away by Maya Banks

Series: KGI #3

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Berkley Sensation on March 1, 2011

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

 

Amazon / Goodreads

 

A man who shoots first and asks questions later…

Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who’s in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother—and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it…

…and the ultimate moving target.

But Garrett hadn’t counted on falling for Sarah. He’d considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah’s dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe—even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn’t know exactly who, or what, Sarah’s running from, but whatever it is, she’s running for her life…

 

Thoughts: Hidden Away was another winner for me in Maya Banks KGI series. Who would ever thought that grouchy Garrett could be so sweet and loveable. The bag of books and wine scene had me swooning. Best part of the book for me was the slow burn romance. The island setting was perfect and different from the other books. Like with others in this series get some action and humor. Maya Banks knows how to write family in this series. They never take away from the story line as they are part or it. The Kelly family and friends are fun and realistic.  

 

 

Review: Mine To Keep By Cynthia Eden

Rating: 5 Stars - Amazing

 

Mine To Keep By Cynthia Eden

Series: Mine #2

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher:  Self Published on September 16, 2013

Format: Kindle

Pages:  280

Source: Bought
Amazon / Goodreads

 

Love is the most dangerous obsession…

Skye Sullivan is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. She survived a brutal stalker and escaped his abduction, and now she is looking to the future—a future that includes Skye’s lover, billionaire Trace Weston. Skye thinks the danger is finally over for her.

She’s dead wrong.

When Trace’s past comes back to haunt him, Skye discovers that the man she loves isn’t quite who he seems to be. Trace has been leading a double-life. An ex-special forces agent, his military training turned him into the perfect killing machine. He made more than his share of enemies during his time in the military—and as he built his security empire—and one of those enemies is striking back.

He won’t lose her.

Skye is the one weapon that can be used against Trace—his only vulnerability. But he won’t let her go—he can’t. Trace will do anything necessary to protect Skye. Anything. Yet when she discovers the secrets that he’s tried to keep hidden, Skye’s pain and rage may send her running directly into the cross-hairs of a killer…

 

Thoughts: I absolutely loved book one Mine To Take. Continuing with Trace and Skye story in Mine To Keep book two was outstanding. Wow.  What an amazing read about secrets, lies and betrayal. Unpredictable that is full of twist and turns that I could not swipe my kindle fast enough. Cynthia Eden is a mastermind at storytelling. Just when I thought I had everything figured out she went in another direction that I never seen coming. Nothing is always what it seems in Mine To Keep.  At one point I was actually afraid to swipe my kindle but at the same time I had to know.
 

Cynthia Eden was at her best in bringing Trace and Skye characters to life. All their actions and feelings were right on. I was right there when they were scared, happy, sad and mad. Their ups and downs were never rushed had just enough to feel what they were feeling.
 

Skye was more on the fragile side in book one. In Mine To Keep her character grew. After her incident in book 1 all she wants to do is get her life back. Be able do her everyday routine. Well kind of hard for her when Trace is over protective.
 

Trace that man can be obsessed with me any day.  Book 1 was learning about Skye past and Mine To Keep is all about his past and secrets he wants to keep buried. She brings out the good in him that all he wants to do is move forward with her and leave the past behind. Kind of hard do when his past comes back to haunt him and threatens the only thing he has ever loved, Skye. Readers really get to see how over protective Trace is over Skye. My kind of alpha male. One that is not all talk and is all about kicking some ass when anyone hurts someone they love. Trace can give a good ass kicking and loved every single moment of it.
 

I loved how the secondary characters Noah and Drake were introduced. Both play a good roll in the plot, have their own voice and personality. Curious about Drake as he is a smart ass and kind of out of control.

 

 

4 Stars - Loved It

Mine #1

Review 

Free (Still available as time of review)

FREE! Review: Mine To Take By Cynthia Eden

Free At Time Of Review. If interested please check Mine To Take. Still might be free.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

 

Series: Mine #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Cynthia Eden

Publication Date: July 12, 2013

Format: Kindle

Pages: 169

Source: Bought / Free

 

Amazon / Goodreads

 

Synopsis by Goodreads

Sometimes you want someone so much...
Sometimes you need someone so much...
Lust can become love.
And love can turn into a deadly obsession.

 

Skye Sullivan knows that someone is watching her. Not just watching - stalking her. Months ago, Skye was involved in a dangerous car accident. The accident ended her dancing career and sent her fleeing back to Chicago. Skye is convinced that her stalker caused the crash, and she fears that he won’t stop pursuing her, not until she’s dead.

 

When someone breaks into her apartment in Chicago, Skye turns to the one man she believes can protect her - Trace Weston. Once, Trace was her lover. Two lost souls, they’d come together in a firestorm of need and desire. But then Trace had pushed her away. He’d joined the military, vanishing from her life. She’d put all of her emotion into dancing, and she’d tried to forget him.

 

Now Trace is one of the most successful men in the United States. Rich, driven, and carrying dark secrets, he agrees to help Skye. He’ll protect her from the danger that lurks in the darkness, but Trace wants more than to just be a guard for Skye.

 

He wants her. And he’ll take her. The years have changed him, hardened him. He’s not just a poor kid from the streets any longer. Now, he can have anything - or anyone - that he wants. And the one woman he has always wanted has just come back into his life. He won’t let her go again.

 

But with the threats mounting against Skye, she suspects that her stalker may be intimately close. He’s a man who knows her too well. As his attacks grow ever more dangerous, she realizes that if she trusts the wrong man, she could be making a fatal mistake.

 

Lust. Love. Obsession.

 

Just how far would you go in order to possess the one person you want the most?

 

Author's Note: MINE TO TAKE is a sexy romantic suspense novella—it contains approximately 41,000 words. MINE TO TAKE is intended for adults. Sexy situations and adult language will be found within the pages of this story - please consider yourself warned.