Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole Pages: 336
Series: Love Over Duty #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Setting: San Diego, CA
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Under Fire, Final Siege
Also by this author: The Strongest Steel, The Fractured Heart, The Purest Hook, The Darkest Link, Jordan Reclaimed, Under Fire, Final Siege, Love in Numbers, The Games We Play
Goodreads
ARE THEY IN TOO DEEP?
Ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss always comes when called to duty―at all costs. Even though the death of his fiancée nearly destroyed him, Cabe won’t let his past interfere with any work that has to get done. When his latest task pushes him to team up with FBI Agent Amy Murray, a fierce beauty with the undercover skills to match, Cabe must admit that, for the first time in years, he wants to do more than just complete their mission together…
Amy was born ready for this assignment, but working side-by-side with the the strong, silent, and frustratingly professional Cabe seems to be the biggest challenge of all. But when the sparks begin to fly―and the stakes rise to dangerous heights―the only thing Amy is left worrying about is how she can resist him. Their lives may be in danger, but their hearts hold the biggest risk of all…
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: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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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
From Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole:
“Where are you hiding my baby girl?” a large voice boomed from the Caesars Palace hallway.
Valentina nodded her head in the direction of the doorway. “You should go find him before he disrupts any of the private tables,” she said with a smile.
Amy wandered to the door and found her Stetson-clad father looking into one of the rooms. “I’m right here, Dad,” she said as she hurried to him and hugged him in the hallway. He smelled of leather and cigar smoke. Maybe it was because she’d lost her mother so many years ago, but it was impossible to explain the feeling of safety that washed over her when she was fortunate enough to spend time around her father.
“Let me look at you,” he said, taking a step away from her. He studied her face. “Humph. San Diego appears to agree with you. I was kinda hoping it wouldn’t.”
“It does. And while you know I can’t talk about what I’m working on, the job does too.” Over her father’s shoulder, she saw Cabe walking toward them with Uncle Clive. She smiled when she noticed that Cabe was wearing a black jacket that fit him to perfection. He’d remembered. “Dad, let me introduce you to Cabe Moss.”
Her father turned and offered Cabe his hand. “Well aren’t you one big son of a bitch? If you’re the guy who has my little girl’s back, I feel better already.”
Cabe’s face broke into a grin. “My pleasure, sir.”
“Sir. I like manners in a man. Military?”
“A SEAL, sir.” Cabe said.
“Well, let’s see if we can’t teach you a thing or two. Which room are we in, Clive?”
As Uncle Clive led her father farther down the hallway, she turned and noticed Cabe’s eyes were on her legs. Her bare legs. “Eyes up here, soldier,” she said, humor in her tone. It made her feel warm inside that he was looking.
“It’s sailor,” he said with a wink. “They’re good-looking legs, and I’m only human.”
It was wrong to let him flirt, it was wrong for her to respond, but for a moment, she wanted to pretend the rules didn’t apply. She reached forward and brushed a piece of lint off the shoulder of his jacket, then smoothed down his lapels. It was an intimate thing to do, she knew. And a risk, given the requirement to stay focused on the job. But hell, a piece of her had always believed in the what-happens-in-Vegas slogan. Here, in the middle of Caesars Palace, the real world didn’t truly exist. “You look good in a suit, sailor.”
Cabe placed his hands on top of hers and squeezed them gently. “You’re killing me, Ames.”
The heat of his fingers burned her inside. Made her want things she had no business wanting from a man she had no business wanting them from. “Why Ames?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just like it. It’s catchy. Makes you sound like one of those TV cop heroines from the seventies.”
Amy looked at their joined hands for just a millisecond longer before pulling them away. “You should go and start practicing,” she said. “If I’m going to work my way into the Lucky Seven Casino’s inner circle, I’d feel better if you were there too.”
“I’ll be there. But rest assured, even if I’m not invited, I’ll find a way to cover your back.” Cabe placed his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her forward gently to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be there, even if you can’t see me. I promise.”
I *must* check out this series! But I really like the sound of Amy. She’s my kind of heroine. I’m happy you enjoyed this installment, Samantha!