Flaws are a funny thing. There are situational flaws, like if your preacher swore in church. What if she was in the middle of reading scripture and the good book slipped off the podium and fell on the floor, closing and losing her place? A swift shit! would change the intended message (but it would sure as hell be funny). Diamond flaws are common and referred to as inclusions or imperfections. On the one hand, flaws interfere with the path of light, making the diamond less brilliant; on the other, that divergence alters the flow of light reflection and changes the way you look at it. Likewise, with character flaws. Flaws make life interesting.

Scarlett Cole totally understands the importance of flaws and creates wonderful tension between characters as a result. In UNDER FIRE, the first book in her new Love Over Duty series, Cole introduces us to Sixton Rapp and Dr. Louisa North. Six recently retired from his duty as a Navy SEAL and is excited to begin the newest chapter in his life as a part owner of Eagle Securities he’s starting with his two life-long friends who also happen to be retired SEALS. Lou has dedicated her life to working on a cure for Huntington’s disease, and meets Six at a fundraiser where she’s giving the keynote and he’s guarding the proceedings. She’s working to stave off a panic attack because she suffers from chronic anthropophobia (or extreme shyness).

Lou's work was on the right track until her team tested the toxin on rats and discovered that it “reduced the user’s ability to move at all while remaining fully conscious, leaving them open to pain receptors.” In other words, a pharmaceutical flaw that every government and bad guy in the world would like to get their hands on. Only, this flaw could be the stuff nightmares are made of, not something useful like rubber.

When they run into each other nearly a week later, Six is enjoying a nice, long run along the trail when he sees a woman walking up the hill toward him. At first, it makes him think of Lou, but he shakes it off as a coincidence since she’s been stuck in his mind. But when he hears a loud crash that sounds like a tank hitting an IED, he hits the dirt. It takes him a minute to realize he’s scrambled for cover, and that she saw it all happen.

But he told her the truth. It’s like his PTSD recognizes her acute shyness, putting them on a level playing field. Between them, their flaws are not the prominent trait. Six is drawn to her from the beginning, and while he’s attracted to her, he genuinely enjoys spending time with her. For a while, he’s content to bank the attraction for companionship. When Lou begins to realize things aren’t quite right in her lab or at her house, she goes to Six for advice. Her instinct was right on when the toxin goes missing, and all of the lab notes are erased from the system. Six wants to help, but because she knows they’re trying to get their firm off the ground, she hires Eagle Securities to track down the toxin and keep her safe (and alive).

Of course, Mac and Cabe want him to keep things professional with Lou since she’s a client now, but the heart wants what the heart wants… flaws and all. I love the science in this story, and that both Lou and Six are fortified with enough strength and intelligence to outshine the flaws.

4 stars

Under Fire by Scarlett Cole was a very good read, and a great start to the Love Over Duty series.

I really enjoyed the storyline, it was well written, the plot held my interest all throughout the book.
Sixten/Six and Louisa were likeable, passionate characters that totally won my heart.
Watching Six with Louisa melted my heart, talk about swoon worthy. Six was the perfect man for her, he was understanding, supportive, loving and would do anything for her. These two were meant for each other.

I'm a big fan of author Scarlett Cole's writing, she has a way of giving her readers great storylines that hold your interest and characters that will entertain you with their story.

I loved Under Fire, it's the first book in the new series Love Over Duty and I can't for Malachai “Mac” and Delaney's book next in Final Siege!

*Purchase Links*
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2khYtoM
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2krA4zF
Barnes & Noble: http://prerelease.barnesandnoble.com/...
Chapters Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/...
iBooks: http://www.scarlettcole.com/love-over...

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts*

I've been looking for a new romantic suspense series to start for a while now, and Under Fire came to my attention when I found out our heroine was a scientist. For the most part, this book was enjoyable, and I'm excited to read the rest of the series as it releases.

Louisa was most definitely the star of Under Fire for me. She's very stoic at times, but also super intelligent, goal-oriented and passionate about her research. She's got personal ties to her research project - her dad had the genetic disease she was studying - and she had channeled all her grief into her research trying to find a potential cure for the disease. At the beginning of the book, she was shy, introverted, and not usually a fan of people, which I related too. We see a lot of growth in her character as the story progressed. By the end, she was still the introverted girl, but she'd had also found her inner strength, and a self-confidence that made her a great character. Her love interest, Six, was a little more tough for me to warm up to. He's a genuinely good guy, and hardworking just as Louisa, but there were times his hot and cold behavior frustrated me. He struggled with PTSD throughout the book and I thought that was handled decently, though I would have personally liked a bit more depth to that side-story.

The romance between the two was pretty straightforward. There was obvious chemistry between them from the start, and what developed was a very sweet romance. Like I said though, Six was often very hot and cold with her, because she was the client of his new security firm and he had a reputation to build up. Though understandable, it was frustrating for me as the reader. I enjoyed the story line with Louisa's research potentially being used for nefarious purposes, though it was a lot more straightforward than I expected. Sure there was danger peppered here and there throughout Under Fire, but it would have been nice to see a few twists here and there.

Overall, this wasn't the perfect book, but I liked reading it. I'm looking forward to getting to know the other characters in Six's firm!

As a former Army Military Policewoman who is more than a little obsessive about details, I often steer clear of novels with ex-military heroes. I’m a fan of Scarlett Cole, however, and decided to give Under Fire a try. It was worth it!

I really liked Louisa, like I’d totally be her BFF if she could get over her shyness around me. She is truly smart – not like you often read in romance novels where the hero refers to how smart the heroine is even though she’s obviously not smart and keeps making stupid decisions. Nope, Louisa is a genuine genius. Her background and reasons why she’s such a dedicated researcher are thoroughly explored and add depth to the story. Her shyness is painful to read but completely believable.

Six was okay. Sure, he was totally hot and I’d probably jump him, but he was just your typical military hero. He had some issues (perhaps PTSD) but those issues weren’t delved into.

The story itself kept my attention despite the ‘bad guy’ being fairly obvious from the beginning. There was plenty of suspense and action to keep me glued to my kindle. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series as Cole has already set the premise for it and I must say I’m intrigued.

There were some formatting issues that have to be mentioned as they disrupted the flow of reading. The point of view would change mid-chapter very abruptly. Something to mark the change would have been helpful.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

Sixten and Louisa were interesting. I liked them separately as characters, although some of the technical dialog was a little difficult to follow. That said, i think that was the point, and as being able to understand her when she gets nervous was part of bringing the reader into her as a character.

Unfortunately, for me, she was a little too awkward for me to believe the relationship with Six. I believed the initial attraction, and there were parts where I think there was a chemistry, I was not convinced they were going to make it as a couple for the long-haul.

That said, I liked them in the now. The story was interesting, it was fairly well paced and the suspense was effective. The dialog was realistic and I was able to believe it and the situations, even when it was her scientific speak that went totally over my head.

Overall, I did enjoy this title and I do recommend it.

First volume of the Love Over Duty series, Under Fire is a romantic suspense very satisfying and well thought. We meet Louisa, a researcher handicapped by pathological shyness, and Six, former SEAL now cofounder of a security firm.

After her father’s death Louisa threw herself in scientific research to try and find a cure to a genetic disease that doesn’t have any yet. She’s very methodical, very attentive, and above all pathologically shy, to the point of limiting as much as possible her contacts with people, even those she knows. She hides her eyes behind long bangs for be able not to catch people’s eyes. Due to her lack of experience in social interactions she isn’t confident when her relationship with the hero begins, and all through the book she over-interprets each of his gestures/actions/words. In the end I was a bit fed up that she always look for clues of his lack of interest where there’s none.

The hero is a classical case in RS, a former SEAL who opened a security firm with friends. He has all the qualities that goes with it, the originality being he has some kind of PTSD that began after he left the NAVY and that makes him doubt his capacities to protect the heroine. I liked that he knows how to put Louisa at ease in spite of her shyness.

Both have known themselves for a short time at the beginning of Louisa’s troubles, they feel a strong attraction, so that causes a problem of ethics when she hires his firm to protect her. As much as Six fights a bit against his feelings when she becomes his client, essentially under pressure from his friends, Louisa refuses to contain herself until the problem is solved.

On the secondary characters side, we most see Six’s friends, cofounders of the security firm, who will certainly be the heroes of the next volumes. There are also the new employees of the firm, who are presented one after the other with their strong point (I lost track quickly, especially as they all have name and nickname). We also see some of the heroine’s colleagues in lightning visits.

The plot is without big surprise but well done however I thought the solution was a bit fast. That’s too bad as the author writes lively and realistic action scenes. All in all this is a correct RS doing what we expect from it.
I’ll add that unlike my fellow Fabiola who reviewed this book before me I thought the synopsis is completely correct and matches what I read. However I noticed some typos and a name swap between the hero’s two friends near the end that had me pull a face. I hope that will have been corrected in the final version.

Good first book in a new series. Fast action. The end felt a little rushed.

I always wanted to try this author and I'm glad I did it now because I loved this book a lot and now I want to read more books by her.

Under Fire has a great romance filled with action and suspense and it was exactly what I needed!It's a fast read and the secondary characters were incredible and perfect to make the story even more enjoyable.


“Let go for me. Lose control in my arms, because I want to lose control in yours.”

I loved Louisa and Six's relationship.She is shy and I liked that he wanted her and he wasn't afraid to show her how much.He makes her feeling safe around him.Their chemistry is strong and they have some sweet,emotional and passionate moments.


Overall it was a great beginning to a new series and I'm looking forward to read the next book!

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4 Suspenseful CROWNS

Scarlett Cole has begun a new series centered around suspense, hot ex-SEALS, and an incredibly intelligent heroine, and I cannot wait for more.

Six is the hero who is the focus for the first book in this series, and what a hero he is. Completely sexy, a tad tortured, and protective, Six is everything I love in a hero. He does have some typical alpha characteristics, but I still found him to be incredibly charming and likable.

Lou is such a unique heroine. She is incredibly intelligent and driven, she is stubborn in her need to help, and she is incredibly shy and withdrawn. I enjoyed seeing a new side to her as she got closer to Six, and her evolution from the beginning to the end of the books is great.

Scarlett Cole begins her story with immediate mystery, hooking the reader into the suspense of the novel. She integrates the hero of the story through the romance, and he quickly becomes involved in the danger lurking around the corner waiting for Lou. On top of the suspense, there are tons of steamy scenes mixed with moments of them falling for each other. Although the ending is good, I wish the climax would have been a tad more intense.

For lovers of suspense-romance, this book is for you. It has everything you could want, and Scarlett Cole will only leave readers wanting more from these military men.
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ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way Six understood Louisa and how they're relationship developed like a slow burn. It made for some heart pounding sexual tension between them. It also established a solid relationship which I find so many books lacking. When there is both sexual and relationship chemistry it makes for such an exciting read like this one. Add in the thrill of suspense and you have the perfect book. This had all the feels and kept me on my toes. I'm looking forward to more in this series!

Six never thought he would be attracted to shy Louisa. She was everything he never knew he needed to quell the rapid beat of his heart as he dealt with life outside of the military. Starting a security company with two of his life long friends he is trying to embrace the demands of his new life. Louisa needs his help and the only person she feel she can trust is Six. Just being in his presence to bounce ideas off helps her maintain her sanity when things begin to unravel. Will she find the answers she is looking for and begin to get over her fears?

What a brilliant start to a new series by this highly talented author! This book is filled with action, suspense, mystery and intrigue as well as having a strong romantic element - I loved escaping into it!

She is Dr Louisa North, working to develop a treatment for the heredity Huntington’s disease which she may develop . . . . She is super shy, fearing social situation and having an eidetic memory, meaning that she notices when anything is out of place. Her wealthy mother has helped fund her research lab, enabling her to work with only an assistant so she doesn’t have to socialise. When one of the promising treatments actually results in paralysis but still enables the treated to feel pain she is suspicious when her notes are moved, then samples are also examined, so she switches the dangerous treatment samples with less powerful ones before going to face her phobias by giving a talk at a fund raiser to help pay for the research she is involved with. It is here that she meets Six.

Six is Sixton Rapp, who has set up a security business, Eagle Securities, with some of his friends after they have all finished serving as SEALs. Despite being complete opposites - or maybe because? - the two feel a connection. He helps her face her fears . . . . When she brings her concerns to him, initially his friends don’t believe there to be any real issue. However, as the two learn more about each other and start to bond, the people after the formula she’d been testing become more daring in their attempts, he’s determined to protect her and the chemistry between them is hot and steamy! I hope the future books in this series will continue with the other members of Eagle Securities as the banter between these ‘brothers’ is brilliant! An enthralling story, with great characters, that I have no hesitation in highly recommending!

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

What a great way to begin a series!! These boys are going to make for some kick ass books!!


Six and Louisa are two completely different people. Louisa is shy, nerdy and very uncomfortable around other people. Six is a sexy, alpha, former SEAL, ladies man. Neither is looking for a relationship but somehow this chance meeting began the whole journey...



💭My thoughts...

Well first of all I love the men in this book!! Scarlett Cole never disappoints!! Just as I fell in love with the men from Second Circle Tattoos I am now in love another handful of men and can't wait for their stories!! The relationship between Six and Louisa is so full of tension the first half of the book but then second half they finally make some changes. Six is pure Navy Seal perfection!! Louisa is so insecure and nervous but when you put them together they pull off each other's strengths and I just love that!! The book wasn't just a love story but a nice suspenseful keep you on your toes book!! A great read full of bunches of sexy alpha men!!



** I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review

I couldn't put this book down! The characters that Cole created were easy to like and both wonderfully created. I loved how awkward Lou was right off the bat, but the growth she showed throughout the story had me rooting for her the whole time. I loved the romance and the action. And lastly, Six was one swoon worthy book boyfriend!

Amazing isn't a word I use lightly but this book was exactly that, AMAZING! It had everything in it, two very likable main characters, interesting secondary characters that will keep your interest in the series, great chemistry, and above all a great story plot.

Six has recently retired from the military and along with two of his friends opened Eagle Securities, he knew his life was changing and was going to have to adjust to it but he never realized just how much it was about to change.

Louisa was, for me, a person that I could see wanting to be friends with in RL. She was smart, sweet, caring, and even though she was EXTREMELY shy its easy to see that the people she allows close to her are people she would cherish for a lifetime.

I have to admit that I LOVED Scarlet Cole's Second Circle Tattoos Series and while the Love Over Duty Series is just getting started I can easily see it becoming my favorite. If you love a good romance with your mystery/suspense read, then this book is for you, Six and Lou have a great romance and in addition to that Louisa finds herself being a target for someone looking to get their hands on her scientific work and they are willing to do whatever is needed to get the formula of what could be used as a weapon of torture. This book will keep you HOOKED and on the EDGE OF YOUR SEAT until the very last page.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This was such a great story with romance, intrigue, mystery, and lots of action. It was really captivating to see Louisa worry that her concern might be paranoia. Her father died from Huntington’s and she has decided not to get tested so she does not know if she carries the gene and may start to have symptoms which could be paranoia.

Six is a partner in a security agency but the type of problem that Louisa is experiencing is not what his agency is prepared to help. He really wants to protect Louisa but his partners are not willing to help her and especially if she is not a paying client! Fortunately, Louisa is wealthy and can afford to pay their agency which is really a good thing as Six stops several attempts to abduct her.

The culprit is not unexpected but involves other people and the reason was finally made clear. During their time of hiding out, Six tries so hard to be professional and stay out of Louisa’s bed but he just can’t stay away and Cabe really gives him a hard time about it. I am really hoping that Cabe learns how it feels to be in the same situation when we get to his book!

Former Navy SEALs? Check! Set in San Diego? Check! Romantic suspense? Check! Hot guy on the cover? Check!

Six has recently left the Navy and joined up with his 2 best friends and former teammates to open a security firm. One of their first gigs is providing security at a fundraiser for Huntington’s disease where he meets Louisa. She is attempting to formulate a drug to help reduce symptoms of the disease which is a personal mission for her as her father had suffered from it and she might develop it as well.

Her creation however has turned out not as intended; it paralyzes the subject while leaving them completely aware. The meeting turns out to be fortuitous as Louisa realizes that someone has stolen her notes and attempted to steal the sample drug. It isn’t long before she is in danger and Six and the rest of the Eagle Securities team come to her aid.

I loved the interaction between Six and Louisa, especially considering her shyness and phobia around people she does not know well. He has his own issues from his time in service, yet they are both able to see the other’s heart and help overcome the difficulties. Another big draw for me was how he accepted and was not threatened by Louisa’s intellect. Plus they have some smokin’ hot nookie scenes!

I definitely enjoyed this first outing and cannot wait for Mac and Delaney’s story in January-it’s already on my Amazon list!

Under Fire
Love Over Duty series book #1
Release Date: August 2, 2017
Review copy provided by the publisher

Opening up my email and seeing this beauty in there reduced me to a squealing child. I was over the moon. I may have contemplated feeding my children cereal for dinner. But I was a responsible parent...I ordered pizza :)

Sixten Rapp ( Six ) is a former SEAL who started a private security business with two of his fellow SEALs, who happen to be his best friends. Six is carrying around some lingering baggage from war, and he's trying to get his company off of the ground. He doesn't have time for more than the occasional hook up. You can imagine his surprise when he falls for the delightfully quirky, Louisa North.

Dr. Louisa North spends her days in a research laboratory trying to develop a treatment for a disease that will ultimately take the victims life. Her lab is her safe place. People leave her alone in there...just the way she likes it. "Peopling" is extremely difficult for her. But for some reason being around Six puts her at ease. Her anxiety doesn't get the best of her.

One of my favourite things about this couple is how different they are. He's all rough and tough, a little bit growly, and sex on legs. She's quiet, and prefers lab samples to people. I adore how Six isn't put off by Louisa's idiosyncrasies. He finds them endearing, and allows her the space she needs to work through it. He doesn't call her out on organizing his book shelf, or untangling the cords on his blinds. He stands back and smiles to himself. Gah! I love that marshmallow centre that he has. Six may be all SEAL, but he's a kind hearted person, too.

I enjoyed the slow burn of this book. While I was starving for them to get to the hot monkey sex stuff, I also enjoyed watching Louisa open up to Six and trust him. I appreciated the build up to the intimate relationship. But don't worry, you don't have to wait too long before these two are tangling up the bedsheets. And sweet baby Jesus, when they do get to the good stuff, it was decadent!

I love a good romantic suspense. But I don't like it when the suspense takes over the romance. I like a balance of both, with the love story as the focal point. Scarlett nailed that balance perfectly. I was on the edge of my seat trying to solve the mystery of who was after the lab samples and Louisa. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into a SEALs training. If you like some fast paced action with your romance, then Under Fire hits the mark!

This book has a much different feel than Scarlett Cole's other books. While the hero is damaged, he isn't broken. Under Fire had a lighter tone to it. It was still full of emotion, but the characters weren't quite as tortured. Everything Scarlett writes is brilliant. I'm not just making a generalization here. She truly writes a story that draws you in and holds you tight until the last page...Every. Damn. Time! I don't think I've ever had such a strong reaction to an authors writing. Each book stays with me long after I've finished reading it. Under Fire is no different from anything else she's put out in regards to a solid plot, likeable characters, emotional twists, and a heart fluttering love story.

You get a little glimpse into future stories that will feature Cabe and Mac. I'm already intrigued! Also, I wouldn't mind being the bologna of a Cabe and Mac sammich! Did I say that out loud?

If you're looking for a romantic suspense novel that'll leave you feeling like you've run a marathon, and fallen in love...give Under Fire a read!

Under Fire by Scarlett Cole
Love Over Duty #1

Scarlett Cole can write! She took my breath away with her Second Circle Tattoos series then with Preload, a spin-off series from Second Circle Tattoos, I became even more committed to her writing SO when I saw a retired group of men to star in her third series I wondered if she could pull it off. She definitely did!

As an introduction to the Love Over Duty series we meet Mac, Cabe and Sixton – the founders of Eagle Securities. They have saved money while in the military with the idea of opening a business when they retired from the Navy. And, with all three finally on the ground in San Diego and ready to work together they are hiring men to be on the team, spending time together and busy, busy, busy. One night Sixton “Six” Rapp is working a fundraiser as security where he meets brilliant nerdy Louisa “Lou” North. He supports her as she faces speaking to the group willing to donate money toward her research (and other projects) and then they meet again when out on a trail and she helps him with a bit of PTSD. So, both have some issues with hers being anthropophobia and his PTSD. I always enjoy learning something new and this term was new to me (severe timidity and trouble dealing with people). I also learned about “box breathing” and though I have done breathing exercises THIS was new to me.

Anyway, the two hit it off but really get together when Louisa approaches Six with her fears that the lab she is doing experiments has been compromised. The stakes are increased when papers and more go missing from the lab and then Louisa is targeted for kidnap. With Six and his team paid to keep Lou safe and on the job to find out what is going on the case is solved and resolved (mostly) by the end of the book AND there is a HEA for Six and Lou to look forward to as well as the reader getting to contemplate what will happen next in the series.

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

4 Stars