Deep Cover

A Love Over Duty Novel #3

Scarlett Cole

St. Martin’s Paperbacks, Jul 2018

336 pages, Kindle, paperback

Contemporary Romance, Bad Boy Romance

✮✮✮✮⭑

Provided by NetGalley

The cover is good, eye-catching. However, this is about two strong people. There’s Cade and there’s Amy. But on the cover, you’d think there’s only Cade. No sign of Amy. Hmmm. So much of what happens is about her and due to her, so why isn’t she somewhere on that cover?

The story was great! It was complex and engaging. It was fun to see the group interact and tease each other. To party together and bring family together. It was interesting to listen to the various legal teams work together and plan out what they would do, how to protect Amy on the boat, then how to get her back once things went wrong. It was especially fun to listen to Amy and Cade plan on finding a beach at the end, planning their future together.

Knowing some of these characters from previous books helped, but even new characters such as Amy Murray and sleazy Sokolov were well written. Amy was a competent agent in her own right. She was doing this undercover case because her mother had been taken. She was trying to help other families to get answers because her family never got answers.

Cabe is still getting over the death of his wife, Jess. But when he meets Amy, he realizes that maybe he is ready to move on. Maybe it’s okay to let go. This is a group of guys who met in kindergarten and are now adults. They tease each other, get mad at each other when one crosses the line. But they forgive, too. They support each other, they are incredibly close.

The pace was spot on. Things moved along, but the author held some things back a bit for more suspense in some places, like that car turning North instead of South and Sokolov knowing exactly who Amy was! The tension was high throughout the book between the undercover case and the romance. I highly recommend this book and this series for adventure and romance.

Cabe is still trying to get over the tragic death of his fiancée that was killed in the line of duty. He is also ready for an on-going investigation to come to a end. Meeting Amy was something he may have been ready for but he continually was told to keep his distance. Since she just moved from Atlanta she is trying to paint a different picture as a dedicated agent and not someone who was treated unfairly with her last duty location. Working together they find both their investigations collide with one another bringing them closer together.

Cabe is an ex-seal and since he lost his fiance all he thinks about is work. Amy is an FBI agent who moved on after a sexual harassment case she filed. Cabe and Amy meet at a bar unexpectedly but Cabe blows her off. They end up working a case together and things get heated. There is a combined effort in regards to a RICO case, money laundering and missing women all coming from the same casino and Amy is the one that has the experience at casinos so she is the one picked and the rest will watch her back. The book was ok. Just didn't get any feelings out of any of the characters.

Beautifully written.

At the end of my first chapter it was apparent that this was part of a series but not so much that it hindered or stopped me any point.

I have read and loved characters who start out in a work relationship and end up together. The author did a wonderful job of tying the past and the backstory up with present and everything else.

A well written story. I can't wait to reading more books from this author. ☆☆☆☆☆. Thanks to Netgalley for free copy. My opinion is my own.

To me the book fell flat. I wasnt able to finish even after trying for months. I felt no connection to the characters and no sparks.

I enjoyed this one a little bit more than the previous books.
It has suspense and it was an exciting read with a great romance It was well paced and well-written.

The 3rd book is the series can be read as a standalone. There is a bit of carryover from the other stories. I'd read the series in order, because they are good and worth it.
This is Cade and Amy's story. The writing is good and will suck you into the story. I only have this book 4 stars because I thought it lacked the suspense that's usually in Scarlett's books. The storyline will keep you engaged. Told in both Cade and Amy's POV.

Deep Cover was an exciting, fast-paced read with an amazing romance between a man learning to love again and a woman learning to trust again.

For ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss, there’s nothing more important than his work at Eagle Securities. After the death of his fiancée two years ago, his personal life has been on hold and he puts everything into his work. When the man Cabe and his friends have been trying to take down for months leads them to a casino that’s the focus of an FBI investigation, Cabe is pushed to team up with FBI agent Amy Murray to go undercover. With lives on the line, Cabe and Amy try to keep focused on the case but the attraction between them quickly becomes undeniable.

Cabe is the character who from the start I was most looking forward to their romance. With Cabe’s fiancée Jess dying in the line of duty prior to the start of the series, I was curious what type of woman he would be paired with and how the author would have him work through his grief. He is fiercely protective of those he cares about, in part because of Jess’s death but also due to the death of one of his best friends in high school. Cabe has cut himself off from relationships as he doesn’t want to experience the grief of losing a loved one again.

Amy has known since she was a child and her mother disappeared that she wanted to join the FBI and help find missing women. Her mother’s disappearance greatly affected her life as well as her father’s and to this day she’s still dealing with accepting not knowing what happened. Amy is a recent transplant to the San Diego area as she was forced to leave her job in the Atlanta FBI office when she was sexually harassed by a superior and no one believed she didn’t ask for it. I admired her courage and willingness to stand up for herself in that situation.

Cabe and Amy have an immediate and obvious attraction to one another but because of their pasts, neither is willing to act on that attraction. I felt their reasons for not being together were sound and I liked that they weren’t simply some trivial reason to create tension. Once Cabe and Amy do finally get together, it’s a fantastic relationship built on trust and between two people who understand each other. Plus the sex scenes between them are amazing and very well done.

The plot in Deep Cover is in part tied to what happens in the first two books, so I would recommend reading those books before jumping into this one. While you could read this one on its own, you’ll definitely understand more of the backstory and motivation of the main characters if you’ve read the other books. I liked how the missing women case that Amy was working tied into Cabe’s investigation. The final showdown in the book was fast-paced with the perfect amount of action and I really enjoyed how the overall storyline wrapped up.

Deep Cover was a fantastic conclusion to the Love Over Duty series although I'm hoping this isn't the end and we'll get more books following other members of Eagle Securities in the future. I highly recommend these books if you're in the mood for a great romantic suspense series.

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

Cabe and Amy may have met under interesting circumstances and as the story continued it only got more exciting. I loved the background story of both characters and it only made you want to know more and more about them. Overall this story was a good read

A delicious read! This book was gripping, well written and the characters were original and dynamic. Plus the chemistry between the characters was absolutely sizzling. Definitely recommend

A nice balance of action, drama, and romance. Not your typical romance setting. I love the development of the characters and the progression of their relationships, but best of all is the broader story. My only disappointment in the book is the sloppy editing, with words missing or clearly not supposed to be there way too often for comfort.

A copy was kindly provided by St. Martin's Paperback's via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although part of a series, this can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

While I liked the hero and heroine well enough, I never really felt a full on chemistry explosion between these two. There was just a lot of remembering his fiancée that took away from the buildup between Amy and Cabe. I’m not a fan of this trope at all so it colored my opinion of the story.

My Rating: 3 stars
Written by: Scarlett Cole
Series: Love Over Duty (Book 3)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
ISBN-10: 125012848X
ISBN-13: 978-1250128485
Genre: Romantic Suspense

I just love a Scarlett Cole romantic suspense. Her writing always draws me in and the twist and turns keep me eager to get to the end and see how it all ends. This is the third book in the Love Over Duty series and one of my favorites yet.

Cabe and Amy have intense chemistry from the start and denying that for the sake of the job had so much tension built up that I was on edge waiting for them to give in.

I really loved this book and highly recommend this series and any other book by Scarlett Cole. Even though I'm not a huge fan of third person books, the writing is so well-done and the stories so unique and intense that I get lost in the book fast.

~miranda

This one will tear at your heart!
Cabe thought he lost the love of his life. He didn’t know that love might be in the cards for him a second time. He and Amy try to navigate a possible relationship, while trying to bring down a human trafficking ring.
5 stars!!

Scarlett Cole did a wonderful job of keeping me on the edge of my seat with this third story in the “Love over Duty” series . There’s plenty of danger, sexual tension, turmoil and mystery to solve and it made for an entertaining and suspenseful read. As the story was unfolding, I became more and more intrigued. Amy and Cabe are strong main characters. Their emotions made them very real for me. I felt for their past and present, and as their characters developed I liked them more and more. Their characters perfectly meshed together. As they work together to fight evil and save the innocent, the personal and professional lines blur.

Agent Amy Murray is a trained professional but she doesn’t have a lot of experience with undercover work. And yet she takes on a high-risk mission to uncover a human trafficking, money laundering and offshore gaming ring. I loved Amy, she is a perfect mix between ingenuity and tactical shrewdness. She is very committed to the op for personal reasons and she has unique skills.

Cabe has a deep need to protect Amy. The fact that she is endangered by their mission doesn’t sit well with him, his growing feelings have affected his ability to stay focused on their common goal. And as Amy puts herself in more danger, Cabe proves he is the man to protect her.

This engaging novel kept me enthralled until the end. Even though this story is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

I was absolutely bowled over by Scarlett Cole’s Deep Cover! A nail-biting tale where the sensuality is red-hot, the emotional intensity searing and heart-wrenching and the twists and turns shocking and unrelenting, Deep Cover is an absolute masterclass in romantic suspense!

Ex-Navy Seal Cabe Moss is a man who never shirks from his duties and responsibilities. When his expertise are needed, Cabe always answers the call of duty – regardless of the personal cost involved. Having already lost the woman he thought he was going to be spending the rest of his life with, Cabe had vowed not to let his past interfere with his work. The death of his fiancee might have almost destroyed him, but a determined Gabe had vowed to keep the pain and anguish of his broken heart at bay and to do his job to the best of his abilities. Relationships are strictly not on the agenda for Cabe. He simply cannot imagine ever being interested in anyone ever again – until his latest mission compels him to team up with FBI agent Amy Murray, who awakens feelings deep within him which he had thought long buried.

Amy might be beautiful and sexy, but she is far more than a pretty face. Her undercover skills are exemplary and second to none and she is one of the best agents in the business. In her latest mission, the stakes are high and danger is imminent and round every corner. Amy simply cannot afford any distractions of any kind. Just one wrong move and she jeopardises the entire mission – and her life. But being paired with strong, silent and sexy Cabe Moss soon ends up being the most challenging aspect of this assignment!

As danger edges its way closer to them, Cabe and Amy realise that they have to resist temptation and focus on their mission – but that proves to be easier said than done. Their lives might be in danger, but will they end up taking the ultimate risk and confessing the truth about the depth of their feelings for one another? Or will past wounds and ever present fears cause them to lose this unexpected chance at happiness?

Edge of your seat romantic suspense does not get any better than this! Deep Cover is a white-knuckle roller coaster ride that will make your heart pound with its beguiling blend of danger, passion, intrigue and desire. Scarlett Cole has created two bold, courageous and believable characters that leap off the pages from the very first page. Amy is a fabulous heroine who is strong, daring and tough and enigmatic Cabe is a mysterious hero you cannot help but fall in love with.

Deep Cover was my first Scarlett Cole but it certainly won’t be my last! If you like your romantic suspense hot, hair-raising and heart-pounding, then make sure you add Scarlett’s name to your auto-buy list!

This story grabs you from the beginning. Cabe and Amy were great together. The story line is well written and makes it very easy to get lost in this book.

There’s not much I enjoy more than a romantic suspense book that perfectly balances the romance and the suspense. And Scarlett Cole pretty much nailed it in this latest installment of her Love Over Duty series. Deep Cover is book three.

After a strong start that has the reader right in the middle of an op in the middle of the night, and an introduction to the heroine, the author’s way of catching up us new readers (of which I was one) was to have the three owners of Eagle Securities sit around a table at a meeting and talk about how the new operation they’re being pulled into is related to ops from the past. It went something like this:
“Remember how when we were doing ABC, XYZ happened?”
“Oh yeah, but then Mr. Jones showed up and MNO happened.”
“Well, we know Mr. Smith is also involved because my fiancée saw him.”

And as much as I appreciate an author not assuming I’ve read the two previous books, and giving us a quick rundown of what went down, it seemed an awkward way to do it. Writing the recap that way made me nervous, although it turned out I needn't be. The rest of the book was smart, fast paced, and enjoyable to read!

Cabe Moss is part owner of Eagle Securities, a black ops company formed with his two life-long friends and former Navy SEAL teammates. Their latest operation involves a San Diego casino that is suspected of being involved in money laundering and human trafficking. The person suspected of money laundering apparently had ties with bad guys from the previous books, but the human trafficking is an issue that has come on the radar because seven women - who were previously employed at the casino - have recently disappeared.

Agent Amy Murray is the person the FBI has chosen to go undercover at the casino and work with the men of Eagle Securities. Along with her training, she has a unique skill set that makes her perfect for this operation.

Like I said, this book had the perfect mix of suspense AND romance. It’s hard to say which I liked best, because the story was action packed and moved quickly. You know who the bad guys are, and what they’re involved in, but things didn’t always go down how the good guys thought they would. It made for an exciting book.

As for the romance part. Dreamy sigh…

Both Cabe and Amy had some baggage that might have made things complicated for them had they let those issues be larger than they needed to be. Cabe’s fiancée died two years ago when an IED exploded while she was on a routine patrol in Afghanistan. In addition to feeling like he’s betraying the woman he loved, now he’s falling in love with another woman who potentially has an equally dangerous job. Amy recently relocated to the San Diego office of the FBI after a situation with sexual harassment by a superior caused things to be uncomfortable at work. Besides complicating the current operation, getting involved with someone she works with could cause questions about her innocence in the harassment situation. These are very valid issues and concerns they were both dealing with, and the usual route is to make things all angsty and a dramafest. But they weren’t and I really appreciated it! Cabe and Amy shared their feelings and concerns, and were complete adults about everything. There was no pushing away by either of them “for the other’s own good” or any of that nonsense. Also, things between them were steee-meee…

I may have found a new romantic suspense author to read. So often you get a story that is heavier one and lighter on the other. When you can find an author that balances both and feeds the desire for each...that’s golden!

* thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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!!!