3.5 stars--TURN ME LOOSE is the sixth installment in Anne Calhoun’s contemporary, adult ALPHA OPS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of law enforcement personnel most of whom are current or former Navy SEALs and Special Ops agents. This is Lieutenant Ian Hawthorn, and Riva Henneman’s story line. TURN ME LOOSE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Riva and Ian) TURN ME LOOSE follows the second chance, building relationship between under cover police Lieutenant Ian Hawthorn, and teen advisor Riva Henneman. Seven years earlier, a then eighteen year old Riva Henneman found herself on the wrong side of the law. Rather than do time in jail, Riva agreed to work undercover as a confidential informant for police officer Ian Hawthorn. Fast forward to present day, where Riva will come face to face with her past, a past looking for help to take down the people responsible for the latest influx of drug wars and dirty cops. What ensues is the building but forbidden romance between Riva and Ian, and our couple’s under cover operation to take down the man who has destroyed too many lives.

TURN ME LOOSE has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many coworkers and fellow law enforcement agents of our story line hero, and a handful of teens who battle temptation at every turn. We are also reintroduced to most of the previous story line couples by way of cameo appearances at the end of the story.

The world building looks at the undercover operation to take down a suspected drug dealer; a well known and respected businessman but a supplier of illegal narcotics whose reach goes beyond the street gangs and into organized crime and dirty cops.

The relationship between Riva and Ian is one of second chances. The couple’s attraction to one another began seven years earlier but Ian knew that to get involved with a confidential informant would mean professional suicide for an undercover cop. An accidental meeting between Ian and his former CI finds our hero hoping for a second chance with the woman he claims has stolen his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and spicy without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


TURN ME LOOSE is my favorite installment of Anne Calhoun’s ALPHA OPS series. It is a story of romantic suspense but for all intents and purposes, the suspense was a bit lacking as the reader is aware of the who, what and why. TURN ME LOOSE is a fated tale of one woman’s struggle for acceptance, and one’s man battle with himself, and control of the unknown. The premise is engaging; the characters are flawed and challenging.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

GOODREAD: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1981360596


AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2JD8S59N8E3AM/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01MSIZNW2


B&N: (Sandy_thereadingcafe): posted

KOBO: (Sandy Sch): posted

CHAPTERS/INDIGO: (Sandy_At_The_Reading_Cafe): posted

BAM: (Sandy Sch)posted

3.5*
I thought this was a pleasant read, but one I likely won't add to my saved folder. I found the build-up of Riva and Ian's relationship, and even the action for that matter, to be a bit slow for my tastes. It just didn't keep my attention and I found I'd put it down and walk away for a day or two before getting back into it. Overall it was likeable just not my favorite.

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review Turn Me Loose by Anne Calhoun.

This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely wont be the last one. This is the sixth book in the series by this author. This is a fast paced, very hot chemistry and plot full of suspense which will have you reading long into the night. Fantastic, well written characters that are brought to life as you read. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

TURN ME LOOSE is a read that will certainly get your adrenaline pumping with its fast pace, fiery chemistry and suspense filled plot.

I really enjoyed this novel. Calhoun gives us a great love story all around second chances.

I received this ARC copy of Turn Me Loose from St. Martin's Press. This is my honest and voluntary review. Turn Me Loose is set for publication May 30, 2017.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Anne Calhoun
Series: Alpha Ops
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
ISBN-10: 1250084644
ISBN-13: 978-1250084644
Genre: Military Romantic Suspense

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/turn...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Me-Loose-...
Barnes & Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/turn...

For Reviews :
http://tometender.blogspot.com


12 likes

***ARC Provided by St. Martin's Press***

Riva and Ian have an amazing chemistry, one that both of them felt immediately and neither acted on when he was a cop and she was his confidential informant. For understandable reasons. This past also makes their present, including a surprise encounter, a little difficult to navigate. The attraction is there, and the passion, but both feel that involvement with the other will result in upheaval to their lives and everything that they have each worked for.

It's then up to the author to convince the reader that the risks will be worth it. And, Anne Calhoun convinced me of their passion, their connection, and the idea that neither of them would be willing to let this pass them again.

I liked the story ARC, the passion, their connection, and the secondary characters. That said, I was not entirely sure that the consequences of their relationship now, years after she was no longer his informant, we as dire as both were convinced, or as dire as the author wanted us to believe. Because of this, the parts focused on this as the reason they could not be together didn't totally work for me. But, overall I believed in their relationship and I thought it worked well.

I am looking forward to other stories by this author and I recommend this title.

Favorite Quote: “One of these days you’re going to say my name, and you’re going to say please, and then you’re not going to be able to say anything at all.”

Awkward can’t even begin to describe this couple’s relationship. Anne Calhoun brings the heat when she reconnects Riva Henneman with the man she fell in love with seven years ago. Ian Hawthorne. The only problem is he was the undercover cop who busted her for selling drugs on the local college campus and then blackmailed her into becoming his CI.

Riva ends up leaving college after her arrest and now manages a farm to kitchen restaurant that teaches urban kids how to eat and cook healthier. She is shocked when Ian walks through her door. When she learns he has arrested one of her kids and wants to use him like he used her, she jumps in and offers to give Ian the bust of a lifetime. The top man behind the drug ring.

Ian Hawthorne knows what it’s like to have his dreams derailed. A former navy seal candidate sidelined by cancer, he is now a Lieutenant in the Lancaster PD and up for a promotion. The guilt he feels over his actions concerning Riva seven years ago rides him hard. He knows he strong armed her into being his CI and put her in danger in order to boost his own career. He also fell in love with her but knew the power dynamics were all wrong and he refused to lose his job over her.

She’d always been his, the power he had over her as close to owning another human being as possible, and therefore never his. Riva had never chosen him.

Now seven years later, he’s surprised to see her and even more shocked when he learns she’d held out on him. He agrees to her terms, only this time they will go undercover together. And when he gets what he needs, he will once again have to turn her loose and this time hope she comes back to him.

Turn Me Loose is the 6th book in Anne Calhoun’s Alpha Ops series and continues with the drug running/corrupt law enforcement subplot from book five-Going Deep. Each book can be read comfortably as a standalone though there is character and scene cross over from previous books. I found this one more balanced and emotionally tight then the last book. Well written with an intriguing suspenseful plotline and enlightening dialogue; it’s the main protagonists and their journey of growth and second chances that is the main theme of the story. Calhoun works her magic in creating two characters whose inability to act on their feelings for one another is more than a just stubbornness or a few simple issues to overcome. Calhoun interjects pieces of their past into the story, showing readers exactly what happened and where they stand now.

“Would it make you feel better if I crossed that line? Give you plausible deniability?”

Riva Henneman learned at an early age to never show fear and to do as her father bid her to do. When she was arrested and her father washed his hands of her, she handled it all on her own. A born protector, Riva sacrifices herself again in order to help one of her kids, Riva will have to go back under Ian’s thumb again which brings to the surface all the resentment and distrust she has harbored towards him since the arrest. Though she understood and agreed with the arrest, she freely admits she was breaking the law, she chafed at the leash he put on her and the subservient role she was forced to play.

He pointed, she walked. He insisted, she gave in. He judged, she swallowed her pride. Seven years ago he held all the power in his hand, because helping him was the only thing that stood between her and prison. She’d resented him with every cell in her body, and wanted him just as badly.

Ian Hawthorne was raised in a law abiding family. A police officer with a chip on his shoulder, he used what and who he had to as he made his way up the chain of command. Older and wiser, he is a mess of emotions when he and Riva connect again. He’s thrilled to see her again, their attraction rearing it’s head as if they had never parted, but angry she kept something this important from him. He feels betrayed though he knows deep down he’s reacting more from the heart than the head.

The lie of omission stung more fiercely than it should have, and not just because she withheld critical information about known illegal activities. She’s withheld a key piece of information about herself. […] He’d taken care of her and she’d lied to him.

The romance is deliciously slow-burning and brimming with angst and anger as Ian and Riva delightfully poke and jab at one another in attempts to hide their fear and longing. The chemistry smolders heavy as they each struggle to deal with the changes in their relationship. It’s a strong part of the storyline and complements the conflict It was very easy to get caught up in the emotional currents of these two lovers. Calhoun gives this couple plenty of time to work on their issues; attempting to heal and move on from their past relationship and dealing with the imperfect power balance that still exists. Snark tinged humor and lushly satisfying sexual scenes help to offset the razor sharp edge of tension riding this couple and give them a push when they got a little mired down in their thoughts.

“You have to call me Ian. Say my name.”

The only sounds in the apartment were the soft hum of the ventilation system and her heart pounding in her ears. Their strange, strained relationship was so intimate in so many ways, but she’d never used his first name. “Ian.”

“Again.”

Her head snapped up. “Ian.”

“Again.”

“IAN.”

“Good. Now use it conversationally.”

“Fuck you, Ian.”

[…]

“Wow That sounds different when I use your name. Lieutenant Hawthorne has the right to coerce. Ian doesn’t.”

Though we aren’t inundated with a lot of action in terms of the main conflict, we already know who the villain is, Calhoun still ratchets up the tension and intrigue as Ian and Riva work to bring down a drug kingpin. One whose connections to Riva spell danger and possible death to more than just these two if Ian’s cover is blown. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from previous books and learning of some possibly new couple hookups in future books.

Once again Calhoun writes a romance that digs deep into your heart, creating a relationship between you and the couple, making the outcome personal. Turn Me Loose is a must read for those who love their romances sexy, dark, and uncertain.

Grade: B

I have been enjoying this series with the hot police officers of Lancaster Police Department and their struggle to keep their neighborhood drug and cartel free. In the last book they discovered that the roots of corruption go down deep within the police department. As they cast a net for people to help build a case they reel in Riva Henneman. Riva and Lt. Ian Hawthorn have history between them and this time around it looks like the Lt. might get what he wants in more ways than one.

Riva has learned a lesson from when she was arrested dealing drugs on campus and forced to become a CI. She's passionate about farming and the farm to table movement. She runs a community program for at risk kids teaching them cooking and using them in her restaurant Oasis to keep them away from the temptations of gangs and drugs. When her protégé Isiah is arrested by the police she turns states evidence to keep him out of trouble.

When Ian learns the magnitude of the secrets that Riva has kept from him he's furious but he's got his eye on the goal and is determined to use her to catch the big fish and sew up his case. However he's never forgotten her and this time around he's determined to keep her safe as she goes undercover for one last time even if he has to jeopardize his career and promotion in the attempt.

This is a fast moving story with both protagonists trying to protect each other by putting themselves in harms way. As they look for clues and try to close the case they are unable to maintain a distance from each other and treat each other as police officer and CI. I like how each book builds up the story for a high octane finish here.

I'm not sure how the author will hook in Caleb and Jo's romance but I definitely want to see how this friends with benefits story turns out.

At eighteen, all Riva wanted was her father’s approval. In order to gain it she did some rather unsavory things which led her directly into Ian’s path. It was tantamount that their attraction to each other be denied. Only the promise of what could have been was experienced as neither ever crossed the line.

Seven years later, Riva has a new life that gives her joy and happiness while also helping young teenagers at risk. When Ian plans to use one of her students in the same manner he had used her, she steps in to intervene. What follows is an emotionally intense story of letting go of the past as well as each of them coming to terms with who they are now and who they choose to be in the future.

This is a rather wordy book and not a fast read. There were times when the internal dialogue just became a bit boring. It might not have bothered me so much had I been allowed to see the progression of Ian and Riva falling in love but what little there was of that came much, much later in the book.

The most gut wrenching moment was when the author opened the door to expose Riva’s parent’s relationship. It literally stole my breath and made me realize what she had had to endure while growing up and even why she had made those decisions when younger. While there is not much levity between this couple, there was some fun moments with Ian’s coworkers. I am especially curious about Jo and Caleb’s story and will be anxiously watching for it.

ARC provided for an honest review

Dual POV
No Physical Abuse

Anne Calhoun’s Turn Me Loose is a great story that kept me interested late into the night. It is a romantic suspense with a bit more focus on romance. Riva Hennerman and Ian Hawthorn have a complicated past. Seven years ago he arrested her for small-time drug dealing, and she served as an informant to avoid a conviction. Although she never blamed Ian for what happened - the arrest was the motivator to turn her life around - she did resent him when she was forced to work with him. She was also extremely attracted to him, which made things very complicated.

Riva has rebuilt her life in the seven years, and now owns a successful farm-to-table restaurant and farm. She is passionate about the food movement and dedicated to helping other youth headed down a similar path as hers. When Ian suddenly walks into her restaurant, it throws her for a loop. She’s somewhat embarrassed that he was a part of her painful past and doesn’t want anything to do with him, but the chemistry between them is just as strong as it was years ago.

Ian has always felt the intense pull to Riva, but he is a professional and knew any kind of relationship would have been an abuse of power. While he knows a relationship with her now would still be frowned upon and could risk tarnishing his spotless reputation with the police department, he isn’t sure he can stay away from her now that he has seen her again.

Circumstances throw them together again very soon, and now there is an opportunity for Riva and Ian to work together again. Riva can help him arrest the source of drugs flowing into their town and through dirty cops in his department, but the source is her father. She’s offered to do this and is ready to turn him in but knows finding the evidence to convict him will be difficult. Ian goes with her to her parent’s home to protect her and assist her in bringing him down.

While the mission is dangerous, especially for Riva, they are together and this gives them the opportunity to get to know each other again as adults. I loved this transition as they maturely worked through their past and began to learn about each other. They slowly and realistically fall in love while the sexual tension between them simmers. They are both endearing characters with complicated pasts, and it was beautiful to see them work through things as a team.

The challenge of uncovering Riva’s father’s drug trafficking adds the perfect amount of suspense to the story and kept me hooked waiting to see how this would turn out. Turn Me Loose has it all and should not be missed. - Keeper Shelf Book Blog

This type of book would normally not be my first choice for a read. However, I really enjoyed Calhoun's storyline. It kept me hooked throughout the book. I haven't read any other books in this series, but that was no effect on my comprehension of the characters. I do wish for a bit of a better ending. I'm only assuming that there would be more closure in other books to follow.

Note, I did receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a pretty great read. Very quick and easy to get through. Enjoyable with a rush of emotions from start to finish. This is my first time reading from Anne Calhoun and I definitely plan to check out more from her!

Riva is a smart woman with her own business and even helping out teens looking to get into the restaurant industry. I loved how sweet she was and how intense she could be. She knew how to have fun even though she had been through some hardships. She didn't let her past mistakes make her or ruin her life. I loved that she was living for herself.

Ian is a dominant man through and through but he was also sweet and tender. He had his own hardships, but he didn't truly overcome them -- however he did make the best of what he could. I admired his strength. Everything about him was laid back.

The romance was pretty intense since they met 7 years prior when Ian arrested Riva. Now they meet again with similar circumstances and their feelings attraction is still on high alert. I enjoyed watching them cross the line and try to keep things casual until they knocked down their walls. I adored them together because they oddly completed each other. I will say that scene when she was helping him clean up after boxing -- oh my -- that was insane and hot at the same time.

Rory was a terrible father. I couldn't believe all that he did to his wife, Stephanie, and all that he did to his daughter. He was a wicked man. I totally hated him.

Definitely recommend.

3.5 Stars!

A second chance romance that seems doomed even the second time around. Ian arrested Reva when she was 18. He made a deal with her to become an informant and there would be no record of her arrest. Disheartened by her drug dealing dad's refusal to help, she takes the deal.

Ian an Reva had instant attraction but for obvious reason, nothing could happen. 7 years later and they meet again. Reva's all grown up now, staying clean and helping local kids learn to farm-to-table. Still very much off limits, Ian and Reva team up again after one of her "kids" gets arrested. She makes a new deal to get her father if they let Isiah go.

Working together again brings back not only their attraction but also Reva's resentment for the way he used her for his job. Ian knows he couldn't give in to his attraction then or now but will he really be able to say no to the adult Reva he has come to respect?

This is one of those books that I feel like I should have loved, but I never really fell into the story. I don't have any obvious complaints about it and I felt it was well written. I just didn't get all that excited about it. It's a safe read. Minimal violence, no sexual abuse and no other women/men drama. ARC provided by NetGalley.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Ian Hawthorne should have "inscrutable" as his middle name. This is one cop that holds his cards close, very close, and his emotions even closer until Riva comes back into his life, then watch out. Ian has had some very hard knocks in his life, but he picked his self up and moved on, focusing on moving up the ladder at the Lancaster Police Department. He is determined that nothing is going to stand in the way of him eventually becoming the chief.

Riva is the one person from his past that can derail Ian's ambitions. She was his CI years ago and was a fire in his blood that never died. Moving on from that very dark chapter in her life and Riva now owns a farm and restaurant specializing in the farm to table movement. She also mentors troubled teens from the community, trying to guide them away from the mistakes she made.

When corruption in the police department leads Ian back to Riva, She will do anything to protect one of her kids, even lead Ian to the source he has been seeking through out the years, a source that Riva is willing to give up. But that's not the only think she will give up for Ian.

Bottom line: this book started strong, but fizzled in the repetitive retelling of Ian's illness and the mistake that Riva made. 3-Stars

I really enjoyed this one! These were great characters and the writing was excellent. I liked how the author gave us bits and pieces of the history between Ian and Riva and how it's affecting their relationship present day. There isn't as much suspense and action in this one as there was in some of the prior books but it has enough to keep the story interesting. Definitely a book I'm recommending to everyone.

Turn me Loose by Anne Calhoun was a great book. I read this one a couple of weeks ago and I still recall the storyline and many details which is rare when you read as many books as I do. It was kind of sad how he was with her at first especially since their chemistry was so strong, but a good second chance love story is a great way to make up for it. I appreciate the opportunity to read the book and Thank Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

An intriguing story with interesting and complex characters…

This is the fifth book in the Alpha Ops series that can be read as a stand-alone.

Imagine meeting someone with which you have such a palpable chemistry, you don’t know their name but there’s a perceptible though invisible connection flowing between you both with that first look upon the other. Circumstances not ideal prevented anything from becoming of the rare sparks but you were left with an indelible impression that years later can be remembered vividly. Meeting that person again would be a profound case of emotional déjà vu and when history repeats itself similarly yet differently you have to wonder about the ironic hand of fate. Can the outcome be any different this time? Such a second chance has been given to our protagonists, Riva Henneman and Ian Bradshaw. Will it mean redemption, closure, or the possibility of more?

Arrested for distributing drugs in college, abandoned by the father she’d tried to impress, Riva Henneman had no options but jail or become a confidential informant. Working with the officer who arrested her was quite an emotional trial with the strong attraction between them but no lines were ever crossed. The experience scared her and when it was over she began life again walking a straight path. Seven years later she has her own restaurant, a farming program and helps teenage kids in need so they don’t end up like she did. Seeing her arresting officer and CI handler in her restaurant brought the memories back in force and the sexual pull between them has not lost its potency. To save one of her kids from trouble with the law she makes the deal she should have made years ago. Her personal history is about to repeat itself. Will this time she find the redemption she’s always needed?

Officer Ian Hawthorn was trying to make a name for himself when he arrested a young woman selling drugs in college. He had no qualms using her to rise in the department but he’d have been lying if he said he felt nothing for her. Their chemistry was evident to both of them, how she handled the situation impressed him. Ian wasn’t a man to take advantage of a woman and when the case was over they went separate ways. Now he’s a Lieutenant, stopping for a meal at a local restaurant he’s stunned to see Riva, he’s not forgotten her and isn’t surprised when she asks him not to come back. When one of Riva’s kids lands in jail she offers him a prize he can’t refuse but it’s more than what is offered that draws him, it’s spending time with her again. They aren’t the people they once were, older and hopefully wiser yet the situation they find themselves in is eerily reminiscent of the past. Will they finally learn where things might have gone if allowed to?

This was an intriguing story with interesting and complex characters. The relationship between them was riddled with issues from a shared past that had to be navigated, the romance was a slow inevitable burn that exploded when they let go of the inner turmoil that held them back and just let nature take its course. The past did define these characters to some extent and they had to put it into perspective, the passage of time enabled them to free themselves, there’s always the possibility for more if you reach out for it. This story is told to us with present and past chapters which is a literary device that doesn’t always work for this reader but it did here as it was not overdone. To understand the present it helped to see what had occurred between the protagonists in the past, reliving the depth of the feelings they’d had and not acted upon enhanced the reading.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

4.5 stars

After finishing this story, I so wished I had read the other books of the series before this one to discover more about the secondary characters. However, in saying that, reading the other books isn't necessary, because this story can easily be read as a stand-alone and it's a story that was enthralling from start to finish. The way this story started with how the hero and heroine were introduced to each other seven years earlier sets the fast-pace of this book, and instantly had me glued to every word and turning the pages quickly to discover more about this couple's history; what they'll go through on their journey to happy ever after and whether they'll give in to the intense chemistry between them.

The dialogue was well-written, riveting and I liked how it bounced back and forth between the past and the present, giving readers the knowledge of what happened between the hero and heroine years ago. And of how now Riva is ready to do what is right by giving Ian the name of the supplier that she should have given him when she was busted. The moment when Riva reveals the truth was a bit of a shock and definitely made things interesting, especially since the heroine is no longer willing to allow Ian and the fact that he's a police officer keep her from doing what's right. She's either an active participant in the investigation, not someone he can order around; or the police will never get what they need to put away the bad guys. Seriously, I liked Riva's sassiness, her determination to help those that need it; and how she's willing to do anything to make up for the wrongs she made in her past, even if it turns her mother's life upside down. Then again, her mother needs her help more than ever, which is proven by what's happening to the woman.

While Ian, he's tenacious when it comes to doing everything he can to close a case and put away the bad guys. He's also ambitious when it comes to career advancement, which is proven by what he did to Riva in the past and what he's doing now. Then again, he seems to really care about her, so it could be seen as Ian doing everything he can to keep Riva safe. Since there's plenty of chemistry between the pair that was there from the moment they met and still blazes as strong seven years later. Yet, what I liked most about the hero was that he was willing to risk his career to help Riva get the evidence they need to put away the drug supplier and the corrupt cops Ian and those he trusted knew about.

Overall, Ms. Calhoun delivers an incredible read in this book, which had me hooked from start to finish due to the wonderful array of secondary characters; the strong chemistry between Riva and Ian that had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after; the intense dialogue that shows Riva is willing to do whatever it takes to help Ian and her friend, and a wondrous ending that proved love conquers all, even though it did have me on the edge-of-my-seat at one stage. Yet, what I really liked about the ending is that Riva's dream was going to come true. Certainly, meeting Ian all those years turned her life around for the better. I would recommend Turn Me Loose by Anne Calhoun, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope, the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors D.D Ayres, Pamela Clare, Maya Banks or HelenKay Dimon.

When Riva was in college, she was busted for dealing drugs by a young cop named Ian. Instead of throwing her in jail, he used her as a CI. That was 7 years ago and he has never forgotten her. Riva is now a farm to table chef who mentors troubled kids when she runs into Ian once again. She has always felt uncomfortable around him and never understood why. He sees her and those feelings that never went away come roaring back with a vengeance. Thing is that Ian wants to pull in one of Riva's young chefs and, in order to keep that from happening, Riva decides to finally admit the truth of the fact that she has known for all those years that her father was the drug czar that she was running drugs for and, she can help bring him down if Ian will let her do things her way. Ian refuses to allow her to do this alone. The heat and emotion between these two is powerful, painful at times and, proves that true love does conquer all!.

Came across this book while looking for books on here by authors I had not read before. The characters and story really pulled me in! Liked finding out more of the backstory of the characters as the book went on! Found myself looking on Amazon to see what other books were in this series. Wrote a note to myself to make sure and order the next book. This is an author that I will continue to follow from now on. Anne Calhoun writes Intense stories that earn 5* stars from me. Would recommend this is everyone.

Although Turn Me Loose is billed as the sixth book in Anne Calhoun’s Alpha Ops series, the author includes enough relevant information about previous situations and characters to make it work as a standalone, although I will admit to having re-read Maria Rose’s review of Under the Surface in order to remind myself of a couple of things. This book turns the spotlight on Lieutenant Ian Hawthorn of the Lancaster PD, an ambitious officer with his eye on a captain’s stripes – stripes he hopes to earn by finally bringing down a large drug cartel and convicting the cops who are taking bribes and turning a blind eye to its operations. Turn Me Loose isn’t overly action-packed – there aren’t many car chases and shoot-out set-pieces - but I didn’t mind that because the story the author is telling is more character driven and that focus works well. The lack of action doesn’t mean there’s a lack of suspense, however - that comes from the protagonists’ proximity to the bad guy and the ever-present sense of danger the author creates as a result; and ultimately, I was absorbed in the story from beginning to end.

When she was just eighteen, Riva Henneman was arrested when she attempted to sell drugs to an undercover cop. Given the choice of prison or working as a confidential informant for Ian Hawthorn, Riva chose the latter, and helped him to bring a major dealer to trial. They haven’t seen each other since they parted seven years ago, and in the intervening years, Riva has turned her life around and now runs a scheme to help disadvantaged kids in the Lancaster area. She owns a small farm and a restaurant – Oasis – and is part of the growing farm-to-table movement which is dedicated to harvesting and cooking the freshest seasonal produce. She can’t believe her eyes one night when Ian Hawthorn walks in and asks for a table, his mere presence churning up feelings she’d thought dead and buried seven years ago.

Ian is equally surprised and unsettled to see Riva there, unable to believe the strength of the pull he still feels towards her after seven years. She is obviously not pleased to see him and at the end of the evening, asks him not to return, but fate has other ideas. When one of her young trainees is arrested for assisting his drug-dealing brother, Riva steps in to help secure his release by offering Ian some information she omitted to tell him when she was working for him – namely that back when he’d busted her for dealing, she had been working for her father, Rory Henneman, and that he is the man behind the pipeline of drugs flooding into Lancaster.

Ian is stunned by the news, but willing to listen further. Riva tells him that she’s no longer the gullible eighteen-year-old who so craved her father’s approbation that she would do anything to earn it, and explains that she knows where she can lay her hands on all the evidence Ian will need to convict him.

Even after seven years, Ian still feels guilty about all the potentially dangerous situations he sent Riva into in the past, and is not prepared to let her enter the lion’s den alone. He insists on accompanying her home to Chicago, where Riva plans to re-ingratiate herself with her father and gain his confidence with a view to becoming part of his operation in order to get the information she needs.

On meeting Rory Henneman, however, Ian decides upon an alternative strategy. Henneman is a sociopath, an egocentric, conscienceless and intelligent man who thrives on adulation and on playing mind-games with those around him, and Ian immediately senses that the way in is for him to act the part of willing acolyte. But it’s risky – Riva knows what her father is capable of and isn’t happy – but Ian is prepared to do anything to keep her safe, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way.

The past Ian and Riva share is littered with hurt and misunderstandings, made even more complicated by the almost overwhelming attraction they felt for each other but never acted upon. When they meet again, that attraction slams into them both full force, but they’re older, wiser and more cautious; having a relationship with Riva could seriously derail Ian’s career plans and Riva finds it hard to let go of her bitterness and mistrust over the way Ian used her. Gradually, they both start to see that they are different people now and allow themselves to open up to each other; it’s a slow-burn but they have terrific chemistry and their willingness to communicate and be honest with one another is refreshing. I always enjoy romances where the characters act like adults and are mature enough to realise the importance of actually talking to each other instead of retreating behind emotional walls.

One of the other things that impressed me about the book was the way in which the author deals with the fact that Ian is a cancer survivor, capturing his bitterness at what the disease took from him and his frustrations at the way his body was betraying him when he was sick. Even though he’s been clear for almost ten years, he hates people knowing about it because he doesn’t want to be seen as anything special. He doesn’t want pity, he doesn’t want a free pass because he’s been ill – he just wants to be Ian, and while I am lucky enough not to have personal experience to draw from, these feelings seemed very realistic to me.

Turn Me Loose kept me hooked from start to finish, and I raced through it in just a couple of sittings. Ian and Riva are well-rounded, flawed, but likeable characters whose issues serve to create an interesting conflict between them without turning the story into an over-the-top angst fest; their sexual chemistry is scorching and the love scenes are both tender and steamy. Ms. Calhoun does a great job with the suspense elements, too, gradually increasing the sense of peril and raising the stakes as our heroes become more closely enmeshed with Henneman. The writing flows smoothly and the story is well-paced, with the judicious use of flashbacks to give readers an insight into Ian and Riva’s complicated history.

Turn Me Loose is recommended for fans of romantic suspense who like a strong emphasis on the romance and a couple of protagonists who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. I’ll definitely be seeking out this author’s backlist.