Monday, January 26, 2015

Running Hot & Playing Dirty (Bad Boys Undercover)


Camped out at a resort bar in Fiji, CIA operative Ward Bennett may look like he's on vacation but he's really deep undercover, hunting a dictator on the run. Ward may be on the job, but that doesn't mean there isn't time for the sexy female bartender. That is, until she drugs him.

When Tasha Gregory discovers the hottie on the barstool isn't who he pretends to be, her MI6 training kicks into gear, and she has no choice but to take him out. Problem is, Ward's not an easy man to put down for long. More than once, his interference almost blows her surveillance operation—and her ability to keep her heart to herself.

As the situation heats up, these two must decide whether they can trust one another—and quick. Working together might just make everyone safer, but getting close enough for comfort … might just get them killed.



***Received this book in exchange for an honest review***
Avon welcomes HelenKay Dimon and her latest series to the team, and this Avon Addict couldn't be more excited. The blurbs pulled me in. I love Romance, but I am a sucker for some suspense - so I dove into the novella, Running Hot with excitement. Ms. Dimon did not disappoint, and I think she has a winning series on her hands with Bad Boys Undercover. Who doesn't love the alpha male? When you have him a part of this testosterone filled Black Ops team - that is the icing on the cupcake. 
Ward and his partner, Ford are in Fiji looking to take down a dictator who has his hands on some pretty lethal weapons. While enjoying his undercover stint, he comes across a bartender who seems to have her own agenda as well. Tasha has an issue with men never taking her too seriously in her line of work. 
"You should know, if you move your feet even one inch I will punch you in the junk so hard I'll have to send an apology to the future kids you'll never have." She winked at him. "Got that, stud?"
Both sides decide that it is best to work together for the greater good. Can these two survive what is brewing between them? Without giving too much away, these two conduct their final missions on separate teams. The Alliance is the start of a fun and suspenseful ride for us readers and those employed under Tasha and Ward. 
My favorite part about this book was the friendships between the men. The Bromances, if you will call them that. Something about seeing men in their natural habitats: calling each other out on their crap, having each others backs and the crude jokes - I love every word of it... and HelenKay Dimon delivers it. 


*****
***Received this book in exchange for an honest review***

As an elite Alliance agent—the joint undercover operation of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, and the CIA—Ford Decker lives for the adrenaline. But when he befriends sexy property manager Shay Alexander in hopes of finding her cousin, a known national security threat, Ford crosses the line, getting to know her better . . . in bed.

After being burned by her last relationship, Shay wants to take things slow. Yet she can't keep her hands off the drop-dead gorgeous hottie who's moved into her apartment building. So when Ford's identity as an undercover agent is exposed, his betrayal cuts deep. Shay never wants to see him again, but Ford can't let her go, not when her life is still in danger. He will sacrifice everything to protect her, then be prepared to walk away from the only woman he's ever loved, even if it breaks him.

***
Playing Dirty is the first full-length novel in HelenKay's Bad Boys Undercover series. (Release Date: January 27, 2015) This series picks up several months after Ward, Tasha and Ford left Fiji. Alliance is set up and running and Ward had recruited his old partner, Ford to join the cause. After finishing Running Hot, I was eager to dive into more about the team of men and women  who risked their lives for our National Safety by any means necessary. I will admit that Ford's snarky demeanor in the introductory novella made me anxious to see his full story. 
Screwing with West gave Ford a second to think about the best way to scale the wall. "For the record, your sister likes when I read Dickens to her before sex."
"Does this imaginary sister think you're a dick?"

"I practice now and then just so I don't accidentally shoot one of you. Ward thinks that sort of thing would break morale."
This author's ability to have a romance evolving with the heat like this while managing all the male ego's on the surrounding pages is a testament to her talent. 
"I will pull you, without warning, if anything smells wrong to me. You're going to keep me in the loop, and if you get in even one inch deeper with Shay, you are going to warn me." 
For the first time since he stepped into the office, Ford smiled and the sharp line of his shoulders eased. "You know that sounded -"
"Pretend that wasn't loaded with sexual innuendo."
Ford nodded. "Done."
The threats that Alliance were working to eliminate had me nervous! A funny smell make me think someone had released a vile of the toxins. Ok, so I might get lost in my books - but an author has to paint a vivid enough picture for that to happen. Along with getting to meet a ton of the team: West, Harlan, Josiah, Lucas and Reid - you can see the relationship continue between Tasha and Ward, as well as the success of their joint venture: Alliance. Ford is the ULTIMATE alpha male. With all that gun-toting macho going on, he rocks ridiculous screen tee's and can't be serious without a little humor. A perfect combination. 
"I'd like us to have some obligations toward each other. Monogamy, communication. The usual."
"That sounds serious."
"Grown-up even." He pretended to shudder. "What's happening to me?"
Even when trouble shows up at Shay's door in the form of a cousin who is too smart for his own good, he keeps it as light as the situation will allow him. 
"What will you be doing?"
"Check you for a concussion."
"Romantic."
He extended his hand. "Isn't It?"
A small battle was won in this book, but the larger evil is still at large, and I cannot wait to see it unfold with this team - and watch them go through the ringer of falling head over heels in love. These aren't your typical men with emotions that can be penned in a poem inside a hallmark card, but Tasha said it so perfectly when talking to Shay, "He's not an emotional guy. He'll never write you a poem, but he is worth the risk." 
Before I let you go to give HelenKay Dimon some LOVE, I will ask that if Romantic Suspense is your cup of tea - try out this series. It is a winner! 

Let's give this lady some LOVE! 
HelenKay's Website

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