Black Ops Warrior - Amelia Autin (HRS #1974 - Dec 2017)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 11)

An alpha hero falls for the woman he’s sworn to take down

Help her. That’s all Niall Jones can think to do when his target almost panics. Undercover operative Niall is tracking suspected traitor Dr. Savannah Whitman, but when she comes under threat, he can’t help but swoop in to save her. And the sparks that fly between the secret agent and Savannah are anything but covert.

After a personal tragedy, Savannah decided to depart her high-security defense job to live life to the fullest. But she never expected to meet a sexy, mysterious stranger -- or for her very safety to be under siege…and enigmatic Niall is the only one who can protect her!

Oh, my. I have been waiting for Niall's story, and I have to say it was worth every minute of that wait. It opens with Niall stalking his prey - Savannah. He's been given the mission of discovering whether she is a traitor and the reader can see his resolve in doing what must be done. There is also immediate insight into his abilities as an undercover operative as "he assumed a role, he became the role."

I loved both Savannah and Niall. They are a perfect match for each other. Niall is cynical and suspicious of everyone, while Savannah is trusting and sees the good in those around her. Both have a strong sense of honor and bone-deep love of country which have made them who they are. Both also have an awesome sense of humor, and I loved how they would use it to lighten some of the more intense moments. Their teasing banter is fun but is also used to hide some of their vulnerabilities.

I loved the development of their relationship. Their first meeting set the tone right away. Niall's protectiveness kicks in when he witnesses her panic, and he knows just how to help her through it. He is also attracted to her, which is a complication he is not happy about. I loved Savannah's first reaction to Niall. First, the relief when he pulls her out of her panic attack, then the "holy cow" moment when she gets a good look at him. There is a brief moment of awkwardness because though she is confident when dealing with men in her work life, in social situations she isn't. But something about Niall puts her at ease, which opens her up to the attraction she feels for him. I loved her decision to include him in her "live life to the fullest" mantra. I loved their dinner together and his immense relief when he realized that she is innocent of the suspicions leveled at her. The chemistry between them was hot, but there was already something deeper growing. Savannah's reaction to his scar was moving, and the effect it had on Niall was immediate and scared him to death.

I ached for Niall because he quickly realized that Savannah was the one woman he could see being a part of his life permanently, but all he could see were the obstacles keeping them apart. The biggest one was the deception of why he was there to start with and his certainty that it would be unforgivable in her eyes. Every day they grew closer, and every day the pain of their inevitable parting got stronger. I loved how Savannah's love for Niall made her so attuned to him. Even after he confessed to part of who he is, she could see that he was still holding back. She accepted that he had secrets and tried to make him see that they did not affect her love for him, even after she found out the truth. Their reunion at the end was awesome. I loved how Savannah's presence so completely dumbfounded him. Her explanation of (and obvious pride in) how she tracked him down was great, as was her determination to fight for what she wanted. I loved how she shot down all of his concerns and his happiness as he realized just what it meant.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. The prologue set the scene with a premise that was realistic in today's world and hooked me right into the story. I liked that Savannah's innocence was quickly established without diminishing the intensity of the danger. The rapid escalation of the attempts to take Savannah and to eliminate Niall showed the desperation of the man behind it. While we know who he is early on, the identity of the "boots on the ground" players remain shrouded in mystery. There were several possibilities, and I could never quite decide which I thought it was. The final confrontation was intense, and my heart was in my throat as Savannah willingly made herself vulnerable. I loved Savannah's description of Niall as the "guided missile in the form of her warrior lover" as he came to her rescue.

I loved how the setting was as much a part of the story as any of the characters. The descriptions of the various sights were vivid and made me feel as though I was right there with Niall and Savannah. I especially liked the description of Savannah's combination of awe and disappointment at the Great Wall, as she had to deal with the effects of the crowds on her joy of being there. Having had similar feelings at other places, it made Savannah that much more of a real person to me.

I loved how this book touched on other books in the series, updating the lives of previous characters. I loved D'Arcy's involvement and his unspoken support of Niall's feelings for Savannah. I also enjoyed the evidence of the closeness of the Jones family and their support of each other. I laughed out loud at Niall's story of how he and his brother stole their father's car and Savannah's reaction to it. I also loved Keira's unquestioning assistance when Niall needed it and Shane's part in getting Savannah and Niall back together.

*I received an ARC which I voluntarily reviewed.

Rescued by the Billionaire CEO - Amelia Autin (HRS #1958 - Aug 2017)

Series: Man on a Mission (Book 10)

When she's bound, gagged and kidnapped, Alana Richardson is terrified…until a masked avenging angel saves her. There's something unforgettable about the mysterious man. But when she uncovers her hero's identity -- drop-dead-gorgeous alpha male Jason Moore -- Alana is irresistibly drawn into his dangerous world…

A CEO by day and a vigilante by night, Jason lives and breathes danger. Yet, for the first time, he may have found a woman who understands his commitment to justice at all costs. His hunger for right to prevail could put Alana in harm's way -- but one night and one secret will change everything.

Fantastic book. I don't know how the author does it, but every book surpasses the one before it. I read it in one sitting, staying up well past my bedtime because I couldn't stand to put it down. This one starts with a bang, as Alana has been kidnapped off the streets of Hong Kong by human traffickers. She is bound, gagged and blindfolded, waiting to find out what is going to happen to her, when a masked stranger appears and rescues her. Something in his voice and in his touch tells her she can trust him.

I loved both Alana and Jason. Alana is the daughter of a wealthy man, but is desperate to get away from her parents. She can't stand their blatant prejudices and with the help of her cousin Juliana she gets a job working for Dirk DeWinter. She is smart, kind-hearted, loyal to those she cares for, and determined and stubborn when she needs to be.

Jason is gorgeous, rich and honorable. He's also a bit jaded when it comes to women, as he never knows whether they want him for himself or his money. He has some bone deep insecurities stemming from experiences he had as a child and teen, ones that have him aching to be loved for himself. He also has a secret life as the leader of a covert organization that brings justice to those who believe they are outside the law. He played a big part in the rescue of Dirk's daughters in A Father's Desperate Rescue.

The connection between Alana and Jason is immediate and deep. After the rescue they couldn't stop thinking of each other. Alana didn't know who he was, and I loved the scene where she was trying to pump Mei-Li for information. That connection was evident when they met again and Alana recognized him for who he was. I loved that meeting and how Alana showed Jason the depth of her belief in him and what he does.

I loved the development of their relationship. Over the next couple weeks they spend as much time together as they can. I enjoyed their encounters and loved seeing them slowly get to know each other. There are some really emotional scenes where they share bits and pieces of their pasts, things that have made them the people they are. But Jason's insecurities have led him to keep the full truth of who he is from Alana, which occasionally makes things a little awkward for him. It was fun to see her worry about him spending money on her and him squirming because she doesn't need to. The intensity of their feelings for each other continues to grow, but just when it looks like their happiness will be complete, a major obstacle rears its head. This is something that Jason feels very strongly about, driven by his own experiences. Alana is on the other side of the issue, feeling just as strongly, and for a very good reason. I cried for them both as it drove a wedge between them. Some time apart reminds them of the depth of their feelings, but the way forward is still in doubt. It is here that Alana's stubborn determination really comes in handy as she refuses to accept Jason's reasoning. The ending is awesome, with Alana standing up to her father, and Jason finally seeing the truth behind his fears. Their big moment at the end was sweet, romantic and so deeply emotional I cried again.

Throughout the book is the ongoing battle with the Eight Tigers, the group behind the kidnappings and other crimes. Jason's group, RMM, has been working to shut them down. There are occasional glimpses into their actions from the criminals' point of view, and an increasing intensity as the action heats up. Alana is put in danger again when the Tigers go after a way to hurt Jason. The intensity of this confrontation was incredible, from the capture to the pursuit to the rescue itself. I especially loved seeing Alana's active participation. There's an unexpected twist at the end leading to a painful confrontation for Jason, but an overall satisfactory conclusion for RMM.

There are appearances of characters from previous books. Alana's cousin Juliana (King's Ransom) is a big part of Alana's life. It is through her that Alana gets her job as Dirk's assistant. The cousins' close relationship is shown in many ways. We also see a bit of Angelina Mateja-Jones (Alec's Royal Assignment) when Alana spends time in Zakar. Most present in the book are Dirk and Mei-Li DeWinter from A Father's Desperate Rescue. Alana works for Dirk and Mei-Li is Jason's sister. Both of them provide some important insight into Jason, as well as a kick in the pants when he needs it.