Loved the most recent story in the Love Over Duty series! I’m glad I went back and read the first 2 in the series before reading this one, the story is a continuation of the first two and I would have been confused if I had just picked this one up to read it. I love all the alpha males and equally strong female counterparts, I love women that can stand up to their man! Plenty of heat for those that want it, to me it’s not a good romance unless it has some, but there’s also plenty of mystery/intrigue to keep you guessing what’s going to happen next. All in all I would recommend it, it’s a great read!

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Deep Cover is book 3 in the series and you could read it as a stand alone, but you will find the beginning a tad confusing as Cole reviews how Eagle Securities got to where they are now. Each book features a different couple, but there is an arc that connects all the books.

Cabe lost his fiancee years ago and has never quite been able to move on. Sure, he has hooked up a few times, but he carries a lot of guilt about it. He meets Amy in a bar and flirts; then feels guilty and bails on her. Soon after they discover they will be on a joint task force going undercover in a casino.

There is a lot I liked about Amy, the heroine. First, she is wicked smart. Second, she has a close relationship with her family. Third, she is dedicated to her job and wants justice for missing women. Finally, she is honest and straight forward. She had to leave her office in Atlanta due to sexual harassment. Her description of what happened is a story many women will relate to. She tried to ignore the advances. Then she tried to avoid the advances. Then she stopped going to places where 'he' might be. Finally, she had to report it and everyone turns on her. She is still dealing with the repercussions-she doesn't like to look too 'pretty' at work; she doesn't want to be perceived as incompetent. She doesn't want anyone to know why she left Atlanta, even though she didn't do anything wrong. Like I said, I think a LOT of women will relate to this story deeply.

I enjoyed the build up of the relationship. Amy obviously doesn't want people to think she is sleeping with a superior. Cabe is still struggling with the death of his fiancee. Both have baggage, but both admit they feel something. They handle it with maturity and discuss things! There are no miscommunications or needless pushing away. Their relationship is bumpy at times because of their past and their present (they are working together on an op!) but it felt believable. I really enjoyed their romance more than I expected.

If you like your romantic suspense to have intelligent, capable heroines, bruised but brave heroes, and just enough danger to keep you engaged, Deep Cover is a great pick!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: office romance, FBI


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes, with cute epilogue

The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard, Close Cover by Lexi Blake, A Cold Dark Place by Toni Anderson...then you will probably like Deep Cover!

 


Deep Cover






 See full review on The Book Disciple ( )

Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole
Book #3: Love Over Duty Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Amy Murray is dedicated to her job as an FBI agent; more importantly, Amy Murray is dedicated to the victims of the crimes and criminals she tracks down. Like a dog with a bone, Amy refuses to let go of a case until she knows justice has been served. Of late, her obsession is a string of missing women all last seen and last employed at the same casino. Unfortunately, Amy’s agency isn’t the only alphabet agency interested in the casino which is how she finds herself as one of many members of a joint operation.

Cabe Moss doesn’t enjoy being bed with the various alphabet agencies, but if it brings he and his men closer to their goal of shutting down a terrorist, he’ll gladly crawl in right beside the feds. As it turns out, one of those feds is a striking woman who, for the first time since the death of his fiancée, has peeked his interest. Cabe is undeniably attracted to Amy and that brings up a whole host of emotions he isn’t at all prepared to deal with, especially when he’s ass-deep in a dangerous op! Unfortunately, his attraction to and interest in Amy won’t be denied.

Amy has never met a man like Cabe Moss, but thanks to a most unfortunate incident in her past, getting involved with a co-worker isn’t in the cards! What is in the cards is Amy and Cabe going undercover in the casino where so many women have gone missing. Amy’s goal is to find the missing women; Cabe’s goal is a bit more fluid, but it absolutely includes keeping Amy safe. Though Amy bristles at Cabe’s protective side – she is a skilled and competent agent! – it is nice to know there is someone else on the inside working toward their shared goal.

Amy and Cabe insinuate themselves right into the bad situation, as they are meant to do, yet find it difficult to not worry about one another. While this doesn’t ever really compromise their jobs, it sure brings into sharp focus their intense attraction to one another. In fact, as the op becomes ever more serious and dangerous, Amy and Cabe simply must accept the obvious, they want one another something fierce and nothing is going to stand in their way! Of course, this also means each must deal with their past issues and confess to one another exactly what it is that is holding them both back from a proper relationship.

The Bottom Line: Man, oh man! With one single read, the Love Over Duty series is back on track for me! While I am generally a bigger fan of the men as opposed to the women in Cole’s books, this time around, Amy stole the show! Amy Murray is relentless when it comes to her job though not in the consequences be damned, take crazy-stupid risks kind of way. She is dedicated and willing to go to great lengths to achieve justice for those she considers her victims. What’s more, Amy is skilled, intelligent, crafty, cunning, and courageous. She really is a wonderful partner for Cabe, and Cabe accepts her for who she is and what she is capable of without asking her to change. Of the three books in this series, I liked this plot the best. The card playing (AMY!!), the casino, the missing women, and the joint operation was a bit of a switch up that worked well for Amy and Cabe’s characters as well as Eagle Securities. With all the new members of the team and the possibility of future joint operations, there should be many, many more books to come in the Love Over Duty series!!! ( )

Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole
Love Over Duty #3

Have you ever wanted to BE the female lead in the book you are reading? I kind of wanted to step into Amy Murray’s shoes…well…perhaps not entirely but what a strong, competent, intelligent woman she was! She is definitely someone to emulate! And Cabe Moss? Well, he is a hunk and a half ex-SEAL who may appear cold but is definitely NOT! The two are drawn to each other from the meet-cute but for one reason and another (have to read the book…not telling you why) the two do not get together then and with a case to work together have to wait even longer than they might have wanted to before figuring out how to be together without jeopardizing their mission.

I really enjoyed hearing about Amy’s father and uncle and how they pulled together to assist her and Cabe be the best possible undercover agents – under the circumstances. The insight into poker an gambling and how it might be used to make women disappear was fascinating, real and more than a bit unsettling.

This was an action-packed romantic suspense with people I admired and could relate to and that I hoped would eventually end up together. I am not sure if there will be more in this series but with three teams of Eagle Security operatives it is entirely possible this won’t be the last book in the series though the founders of the company have met their mates.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Barclay Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

Want a fast paced, well written, action packed military suspense with a healthy dose of romance? Dive straight into Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole.

The book hooked me on from the very first page and kept me on my toes. Written from a dual point of view, it was highly engrossing and entertained me throughout the book. The concept of gambling and casinos is well visualized (if not too technical for dumb nuts like me). Story developed smoothly even though it was a fast paced novel. The author formulated and developed the relationships in the book really well. From the camaraderie between the members of the Eagle Securities team to the sexual and emotional development of the lead characters. The backdrop of the story was just as riveting. It was totally badass.

The author knows what she is talking about. I could easily relate to her writing. She sure knows how to create an emotional action packed whirlwind to suck you in. Scarlett Cole is new to me and I will definitely be reading more of her works in future. This book definitely gets a big thumbs-up from me. ( )