4.5 stars-HIDDEN is the first instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and twenty-five year old Pippa Smith’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Malcolm and Pippa HIDDEN focuses on the hunt for man claiming to be the Prophet, Isaac Leon, a former actor turned charismatic cult leader whose is desperate to find the woman who would one day be his wife.

Police Detective Malcolm West is on permanent leave since his last assignment went all to hell but it isn’t long before Malcolm’s special abilities as an undercover operative place him on the HDD’s radar for a new Deep Ops Team. Finally able to settle down without fear of being stabbed in the back Malcolm must take a chance when his new neighbour turns out to be his latest mark. Enter former cult member Pippa Smith, and the woman with whom Malcolm will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Malcolm and Pippa, and the potential fall-out when Pippa discovers the truth about Malcolm’s assignment, and her intentions to diffuse a dangerous situation by sacrificing herself against all better judgement.

On the run, along with her best friend Trixie, Pippa Smith, a former member of Isaac’s cult has been hiding in a small cabin in the woods. Having suffered PTSD and anxiety disorders as a result of years under the control of the self-proclaimed Prophet Isaac Leon, Pippa struggles to trust the man who has stolen her heart. Malcolm knows that falling for Pippa is all kinds of wrong but the potential for everything to backfire continues to grow.

The relationship between Pippa and Malcolm is one of immediate attraction between two people who suffer PTSD brought on by events from their pasts. Falling for Malcolm places our heroine in the direct line of fire but Malcolm isn’t willing to let Pippa go in alone. The Sex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and sex.



There is a large colorful and eclectic secondary and supporting cast including Pippa’s best friend Trixie. We are introduced to the Requisition Force team leader Angus Force, and members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe; IT specialist Bridgid Banaghan : FBI psychiatrist Dr. Nari Zhang; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, Raider Tanaka, and Kurt Fields. The requisite evil has many faces including the Prophet Isaac Leon.

HIDDEN is a story of suspense, betrayal, secrets and lies, romance and falling in love. There is a building story line involving Angus Force, and a former serial killer who is no longer in custody but taunting the Requisition Force leader from afar. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are dynamic and strong; the romance is spicy and seductive. HIDDEN is an entertaining, inviting and gripping story; a cleverly written introduction to Rebecca Zanetti’s DEEP OPS series. If you are a fan of Cynthia Eden or Elisabeth Naughtob’s style of romantic suspense you can’t go wrong.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/hidden-deep-ops-1-by-rebecca-zanetti-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2519064814


AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/RCE1O19QHC6CB/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B078QMF6D9


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3921504816


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

CHAPTERS/INDIGO (Sandy-at_The_Reading_Cafe) posted

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy s) posted

Itunes (Sandy Sch) posted

Rebecca Zanetti kicks off her new series Deep Ops with a bang in Hidden. Once again, Zanetti shows she's a master at world-building. Her characters are beautifully damaged, but not broken.

Pippa is basically a shut-in, terrified of her past catching up to her. She closes herself off from not only her past but also her present and future. With a past like hers, it's easy to understand why she wants to hide from the world. Malcolm is hiding as well, but his demons are harder to escape. He's the best at what he did. He brought down a monster, but in the process, lost more than a little bit of himself.

Something amazing happens when these two damaged souls come together. Unfortunately, it wasn't an accident. And here's where Zanetti really shines. The cast of misfits she has created in Hidden is nothing short of amazing. By the end of the book, you're as attached to them as you are her main characters. Don't get me wrong, they don't overshadow her protagonists as many authors do. They function to enhance the story.

Zanetti manages to hit the entire spectrum of feels. Her pace and time are spot on. She knows exactly when to break the tension. There were times I was on the edge of my seat worried about Pippa and Malcolm, and others laughing at the antics of some of her other misfits. I don't want to give anything away, but I'm looking forward to the next one in this series!

Deep Ops #1, Brand new series from Rebecca Zanetti. The Deep Ops or Requisition Force is a new division of Homeland full of misfits and troublemakers, lead by Angus Force and his peculiar GSD, Roscoe. Malcolm West was a detective undercover for a long time burned out and now retired he's ready to just live a quiet life until he meets Pippa his new neighbor and Angus Force offers him a job. Get close to Pippa and find out if she's really a plant from a cult. Force has a source in the cult that says the leader has sent out several woman to act as his angels on judgement day. Mal does it not for Force but for Pippa, there is something about Pippa that draws Mal in that screams she needs protecting. Pippa has been on the run for the last ten years escaped from the cult when she was eighteen now she's a virtual assistant who rarely leaves her house not because she's agoraphobic but because she's scared someone will recognize her and turn her in. The closer Mal gets the deeper his feelings for Pippa get and he knows she's innocent of everything and wants to protect her more than anything but Pippa won't let him.

Overall, it was a great start to a new series it's a great introduction to all the quirky characters and one really weird dog who likes to wear and than chew up high heels, munch on lipstick, and hates argyle patterns. Written in third person POV switching from character to character but not too much it mainly focuses on Pippa and Mal. Very intense at parts broken up with the silliness of the secondary characters. I for one can not wait for Wolfe's story and his little kitten. I can understand why Pippa isn't trusting but she gets very aggravating after a while. Mal is great very protective and a little bit damaged I really liked his character.

I really am going to enjoy this new series by Rebecca Zanetti. It is a romantic suspense series, and the suspense part had me on the edge of my seat. This was literally a read in one sitting, and almost one breath. I kept having to remember to breathe. The series is about a group of misfits, but definitely good guys, who have all left the service or government jobs and form this group that works with Homeland Security. I believe each book will be about one of the group. Loved the main characters of this book, Pippa, and Malcolm. Their romance was angsty and fun, and I needed them to get their HEA. As this is the first of the series, it was fun to get to know the secondary characters, and I can’t wait for their books. Really enjoyable if you love a good plot, scary suspense, and great characters.

I can not tell you how excited I was to read a new series by Rebecca Zanetti and for it to be Romantic Suspense was right up my alley.
May contain some minor spoilers




Malcolm is an ex undercover cop who has move to a small out of the way town to find some peace after his last assignment. He is dealing with PTSD and doesn't know what his next step is. But he no longer wants to go undercover. When he spies his neighbor, Pippa, peeking out the window he approaches and scares the living daylights out of her and he knows her reaction is above and beyond the normal response. After meeting her he realizes all is not as it seems and recognizes some similar traits and feels she is also dealing with PTSD. They began to build a friendship high with sexual chemistry.
When Malcolm is approached to go undercover to find info on Pippa who they believe belongs to a cult that is planning a terrorist attack, he really doesn't want to. But his need to know more leads him to do whatever it takes to find out.
Pippa wants to run again, but decides to explore the feelings she has developed for Malcolm.
There does seem to be a little bit of insta love going on. but I didn't mind. The suspense in the story was well done and the creepy cult leader scared me to death. I could not put my book down. I needed to know how this was all going to end.

Pippa has been in hiding from an obsessed cult leader for a long time. Practically a complete shut-in, she is terrified of being recognized and ending up back in Isaac’s hands. When Malcolm moves into the house next door he draws her to him, even though he is an ex-cop.

You know it isn't going to go over well when she finds out that he is investigating her. You really kind of feel bad for her knowing what she is running from and that Mal plans to drag her back into it all, even though he feels she is innocent of the Prophet’s plans.

Pippa escaped a cult a day before her 18th birthday. Now she is in hiding trying to keep clear of the life she ran as fast and as far as she could get from.

Malcolm was a police detective who has spent year infiltrating the mob. When the final bust goes bad, Malcolm is left with some serious scar…emotionally and physically. He decides to move to a remote home with only one neighbor, Pippa. Little does Malcolm know that his move was carefully orchestrated by a covert, black ops group affiliated with homeland security and the hot number next store just might be plotting a terrorist act.

While I loved the misfit team and really enjoyed the steam, I had a really hard time with the darkness perpetrated in the name of righteousness. It created a yuck factor 500 for me. It is like watching a crash, you know its coming but you just can’t look away.

Fast paced, suspense-filled and chuck full of chemistry, Hidden is a great start to a new series. And with the short excerpt at the end, I can’t wait to see what happens.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Deep Ops (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
ISBN-10: 1420145819
ISBN-13: 978-1420145816
Genre: Romantic Suspense | Thriller

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Deep-Op...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hidd...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gt/book/hidd...

Want more check us out on Tome Tender Book Blog or on Facebook

3 likes

Hidden is the first book in a new series by Rebecca Zanetti. It's not related to any other series and is pure sexy thrill ride. What did I like about this book? Well, I can't say "everything", bit it was a whole lot.

The first vibe I really got, though, reading Hidden was "The Following". I liked reading about Isaac because he is a pretty darn good villain. Frankly, I am a sucker for a well-written villain and while he isn't the best I've read, he is right up there. He's smart, manipulative, has no conscience, and seriously knows what he is doing. I'm super impressed with him and his abilities. His actions throughout the book show that Zanetti seriously has a handle on writing a good villain. And more, has a great handle on writing about cults. I have to say she really did some homework to make this one so good.

The second thing that really impressed me was Zanetti's use of real world events. While it may date the book later, for current readers the inclusion of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Women's March in D.C., and other smaller events really set a specific tone and give markers for the overall feel of the book. Including real world events can be super tricky when writing fiction, but Zanetti really worked them into the book well. I'm hoping to see other real world events included as the series continues.

Overall, this was a well-plotted, well-thought-out book. Pippa and her friend Trixie have escaped Isaac's cult and are on the run, hiding, and using multiple identities to stay as far from Isaac as possible. But the government knows that Isaac is planning something and think Pippa is a part of it. They send in Malcolm, one of the best undercover police officers out there. He's not in the best of mental health but his protective instincts, once aroused, won't let him leave Pippa so he agrees to the op.

And speaking of ops, the series name is Deep Ops. I can get on board with the name because I suspect that going undercover will remain a theme of the series. However, I loved the original series name of Requisition Force. There is even a whole scene in the book that explains how that comes about. At this point, that scene feels pointless since it is no longer the name of the series. I'd rather see this series name recycled for a new series at some point and having it still so intimately tied to this book won't help make that happen. But also speaking of ops, I love the team, including the dog and kitten. I can so clearly see where some couples will form as a part of this book and I am super excited for their books.

One thing that surprised me about the relationship Pippa and Mal have is how "D"ominant Mal is. And I do mean that. One sex scene has him growling how next time she'll submit instantly. That's some serious dominance there and Pippa doesn't come across as the submissive type - even as it's all happening she comes across as a Brat or possibly just likes to rile Mal up. Given what else we knew about Malcolm that seemed to me to come out of left field. Also, he's totally into spanking. It just felt a little off to me.

But the dynamic among the team members was just electric. I loved Angus and Nari so hard. I'm shipping them even harder because they just seem to be tailor-made for each other. I didn't catch anyone for Wolfe, so my guess is she'll be an op. But our resident hacker and her handler are also super hot together and there I totally could see a potential D/s relationship. Our so-called Requisition Force is just awesome. There's so much chemistry - sexual and otherwise - that I am very much looking forward to the next books.

I'm also thinking Trixie might need a novella of her own, maybe in conjunction with 1,001 Dark Nights or even just as a part of this series. She's a compelling character here as Pippa's friend and protector. She deserves a happy ending after everything she's gone through. And this book did put her through a wringer.

That's something this book did very well. It kept creeping up to the plausible line and then never crossing it. It kept you guessing but not dropping enough hints to figure it all out. It got everything all worked up but never let you go over. (Well, unless you were Pippa.) It dragged a couple of times in the setting up phases and with some introspection, but it always quickly gained pace again. Usually that was with a bang too. I enjoyed the red herrings that got tossed about every now and again.

But mostly, I just loved the chemistry. This is a team I can get behind and emotionally invested in. I *need* the next book, and the next...

Rebecca Zanetti is back with another fast-paced, action-packed romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the explosive finish.

Pippa Smith has spent most of her adult life hiding from the cult she escaped from as a teenager. She leads a solitary life, cutting herself off from almost everyone. Her only interaction is an elderly neighbor. Much to Pippa’s dismay, the elderly neighbor moves and in comes a dangerous and handsome stranger.

Soon after leaving his job as a detective and recovering from wounds sustained in an op gone wrong, Malcom West is recruited to an undercover organization. His first job is to move to a rural house and befriend his new neighbor Pippa, who he believes still has ties to a cult planning a terrorist attack.

There is an undeniable attraction between Pippa and Mal and their relationship blossoms even as they hide their true selves from one another. This is another great read from Zanetti. You can’t help but be drawn in by two complex characters and a twisted plot. A definite must read for people who like romantic suspense.

This a truest awseome story!
Not only is it steamy but the suspense will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end!!
Malcom and Pippa have an instant connection that can’t be denied. That aside, the cast of characters in this series are the best. From Angus Force and his dry sense of humor, to his crazy dog, Roscoe, you’ll fall in love with all of them. I can’t wait for more!!!
5 stars!!

Pippa lives alone in the middle of no where. The nearest neighbor is 20 miles away, except for the house right next door. When her elderly neighbor ups and moves, Pippa is cautious about who is moving in next door. We meet a terrified woman who has no problem lusting after her neighbor as he moves in, but when he notices her, all her fears surface and she becomes a scared woman who you feel has been horribly abused.

Seeking solace after an undercover op breaks him, Malcolm doesn't really want or need a new neighbor, let alone one scared of her own shadow. Moving in, he knows he is being watched and when he goes to introduce himself, she refuses to come to the door. He has his own demons to deal with, but when a mysterious guy shows up and tells him Pippa is involved in a terrorist plot, he finds himself intrigued as he turns down the job. Dealing with PTSD, he runs out into the night and Pippa just can't stop trying to help him even through her own fear.

This is the start of a new series of characters in a not so really sanction law enforcement. Not saying they aren't legal, but they aren't the cream of the crop of agents. They have their own special quirks and charms that you learn to love and laugh at as the story moves along. Even the dog has a personality that will have you laughing and saying no way to the trouble he gets into. A group of people I know I will grow to love as their books service in the future.

The main story weaves its way around a cult and trying to figure out what they plan to do next. Is Pippa involved? She keeps to herself, runs her business online, stays out of the public eye and even avoids businesses with cameras. It all seems suspicious, but when Malcom is with Pippa he sees a person nothing like her profile. Malcom is a dominant man with demons making him a rougher than he wants to be with Pippa. Is Pippa even her real name? While I wouldn't say this is a kinky book, it borders the line of dipping its toes in that world. The author loves to have her heroes deliver a spanking or even restrain the heroine, but it never goes beyond what you might find in the bedroom of an average home.

Pippa is a strong character that you have to allow to grow in the story as you get little bits and pieces of who she is and has become. She loves to bake and does it a lot when she gets stressed out. Giving help where it is needed is a must for her and even to the point when it isn't in her best interest to help. To understand her past, gives you a look into why she loves colorful things or even designing things her way. You know she is in hiding, but the author gives you just a little doubt about her motives.

Malcom is a strong alpha male, who likes his privacy. His last op has really done a number on him both physically and mentally. Seeking solace in the quiet of his home is all he wants and when he finds out he has been manipulated into moving next to Pippa, he doesn't take it well. He turns from someone who wants quiet to a man who must protect the woman he is learning to love. Even if he believes she is part of the cult, he also decides he needs to find away to keep her away from it. He does it all without guilt, thinking he knows better.

While I sometimes get tired of men thinking they know it all, I was happy to see Malcom wanting to make sure Pippa didn't do anything even though at heart he knows she won't. A little overbearing, a lotta rough, but also all heart when he decides he wants something. These two com-busted on the pages and left me begging Zanetti to write the next book faster!

This book is in true Rebecca Zanetti style story. No paranormal (yet), just a bunch of crazy or just playing at crazy people joining together to save the world with a dog and kitten in tow! The series is sure to delight me for years to come!

3 - 3.5 Stars

Zanetti is back with her new “Deep Ops” series and her first entry, “Hidden” started off with a bang. In truer sense of the word.
The fast-paced, multiple POVs story disseminated the new “special unit” under Homeland Defense Department that “collected” banished/burnout yet ingenious operatives from law enforcement offices all over the US.

Ex NYPD detective Malcom West was recruited for his undercover gift, lured into place after his last big undercover bust; right next door to reclusive Pippa Smith, an escapee from a cult that had triggered HDD scrutiny. Mal’s mission was both to infiltrate the cult and to get into Pippa’s head to find out if she knew more about the cult and their macabre plan.

Right off the bat one would figure Mal and Pippa ended up together. It’s not a wrong assumption, though I guess I wasn’t prepare how fast the dalliance between the two would escalate from harmless flirtation to vanilla nooky then borderline kinky. In case anyone still in doubt: there’s plenty of steamy tango scenes between this two, worry not. Considering the stress and pressure these two were under (keeping secret from each other and hiding from well-connected evil force) though, I’m taking issue with the instant attraction. It was almost believably unavoidable. Predictable, perhaps. But plausible enough.

For the first installment, this book bore the load to introduce the unit (which euphemistically called “requisition” for want of a better word) and doing so rather well. Other than the dig into Mal and Pippa’s background, “Hidden” barely touched the surface of other team members’ story. That left room for further exposure for when each members got their turn as lead character in upcoming books.

Having said that, there’s no doubt Roscoe was the winning asset in Rebecca Zanetti’s “Deep Ops” series. Not to diminish the other agent’s competence, but who could resist a whiskey-drinking, heels-wearing (and chomping), Bon-Jovi-dancing german shepherd, eh? ;-)


On the case front unfortunately - after carrying on throughout the book how bad and dangerous the cult was - what supposed to be the hair-raising undertakings struck me as pretty lukewarm. For a fast-paced suspense thriller, the action part on “Hidden” was low - more on the telling than showing. Nevertheless, I have high hopes for this series, taking into account the intriguing pasts the motley crew known as the “requisition” had. So bring on next stories!! :)


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read this author before but I did enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more of her novels and I will suggest them to my customers.

5 AWESOME, RIP-ROARING, PIPSQUEAK, ROSCOE LOVING STARS!!!!
I freaking devoured and adore this story. Zanetti is my go to author!! I've read her Dark Protectors series (still reading that series) and Realm Enforcers (miss that series, hope it gets revived, *hint*). I am never disappointed with any of her books. Like NNNEEEVVVVEEEERRRR!!! LOL! So in this next series we have Malcolm and Pippa and Wow! Just Wow! Filled with suspense, action, laugh out loud moments, hot intense sex (phew, so hawt) and the motley crew of Force, Wolfe, Nari, Raider, Brigid and most importantly Roscoe! If for no other reason that you should read this book, ROSCOE is an excellent reason and that's all I'm going to say about Roscoe. Read it! Run fast, like super fast and get this book! It is phenomenally well written, with so many hidden nuances between the characters that you will be chomping at the bit to find out what is going on with each one of them. I am not revealing a thing about this book, except to say...GO GET IT NOW!
I enjoyed this read and with the excerpt at the end, I cannot wait for the next book! Yay!!!!

****ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ******

In this new series by Rebecca Zanetti we're introduced to a newly established team of government 'operatives', or are they? The validity of this team is a bit questionable, as is the individual reasons for them being together. However, I'm sure as this series develops, we will discover what circumstances have brought all these characters together.

Pippa lives a solitary life, hiding from the dangerous leader of a cult. She and her 'sister' have been on the run for seven years but are still vigilant about their safety. Malcolm is a recovering undercover policeman who 'just happens' to move in across the street from Pippa.

As their relationship develops, which happens quickly, they each feel guilty about the secrets they are keeping and as you might predict, these misunderstandings cause them problems. But as you would expect, when Pippa needs to return to the cult, her and Trixie, her sister, are saved by Malcolm and his new colleagues.

Although Malcolm and Pippa's journey to their HEA is at the heart of 'Hidden', the fact that all the characters we meet are all hiding something, made me question what exactly is 'Hidden'? I for one can't wait to find out.

I don’t usually like romance in my mystery thriller books but Rebecca does an excellent job of not putting an excessive amount in. And who can not just love Pippa? I will definitely read more Zanetti books.

A relationship that starts out on sexual attraction, baked goods and lies what could possibly go wrong?
Pippa has hidden herself for years. All she knows is she is safest in her quite little house in the middle of nowhere. That is until he moves in next door, big bad and dangerously sexy with dark sad and intense eyes. He is nothing like the sweet older lady who lived there before, Pippa needs to keep away from sexy man who could turn her well ordered secret life upside down.
Malcolm West, retired after his two year undercover op that ended badly, broken battered and bruised he’s looking for some peace and quite. He’s finally found the house he’s been looking for, little did he know his perfect house was part of a manipulation to set him up to watch over Pippa. She may be the key to stopping a cult bent on cleansing the sinners of the world.
Pippa sees a wounded soul in Malcolm and she can’t help but break out of her protective shell to help him through his nightmares. He’s a man she could see a future with if only she wasn’t on the run. Malcolm isn’t looking for a relationship but the vulnerable Pippa needs his protection, he senses her innocence and will do what he needs to to prove it. Stronger then she gives herself credit for, Pippa is a loving and dedicated protective friend who thinks of others first. Malcolm is a hot and sexy possessive male and Pippa soothes the beast and brings light back into is life.
When the past starts to catch up with them and the lies are revealed will they live long enough to forgive?
You can not go wrong with a Rebecca Zanetti book!!!

This is the first in a new romantic suspense series by the author, and I really enjoyed the story!

Pippa Smith is on the run. Or at least, she has been, for the last 5 years. Now, here, she finally felt safe enough to settle for a time, though she always has her go bag ready at a moment's notice. She ran from a life she did not choose for herself, and beliefs that were not her own. She ran from a cult, and she'll keep running if necessary, because she's NEVER going back there. Things are going fine with her small house, and her business as a virtual assistant is perfect for a shut-in like her. Though the less she leaves her house, the harder it's getting each time she needs to leave it. Her old neighbor and friend, an older lady next door, moved away to be closer to her family, so she's been truly all alone lately, until a mysterious, sexy stranger moves in next door.

Malcolm West is not a cop anymore. His last undercover job went bad, in a big way, and he wasn't able to continue on after that. He bought the perfect small house in a remote area outside D.C., and he can't wait to figure out what his next step is. Until he finds out the perfect house, and the sexy, strange neighbor are a set up. He's been put in place to get close to Pippa, and has been offered a job he's convinced he doesn't want. Until he starts to get to know her and worries about her being in danger, then he decides to take that job after all. Someone has to keep her safe.

Pippa and Malcolm's chemistry was evident from the first moment they saw each other, and I loved watching that connection grow and grow into something real, and lasting. Pippa had trust issues galore, and guilt to match, and Malcolm's guilt was like an albatross around his neck. But, somehow, together, they managed to help each other to overcome.

I loved Mal's rag-tag team at his shabby new office, and I can't wait to learn more about each of them! They were great comic relief, and the alcoholic canine, and mangled kitty, were the icing on the cake. Issues abound in the entire crew, but I think their stories will all be so worth the angst to get there! I can't wait to see how they all find their one.

The suspense plot was very exciting with Mal going undercover once again. I was constantly waiting for the bottom to drop out, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Meanwhile I was slack-jawed reading some of the descriptions of people within the cult, and how gullible and amenable they were. It also made me beyond sad. As someone with a very strong mind, and sense of self, it's hard for me to imagine ever succumbing to such a horrifying situation, but I know it happens everyday.

Pippa and Mal were both a hot mess that were so much better together. They really helped each other see their own neuroses, and move beyond them to better themselves. I loved watching their careful interactions at the beginning, leading to their stronger feelings as time went on. It hurt to watch them lie to each other, and themselves, about important facets of their lives, but I was constantly pulling for them to make it.

I definitely recommend this as a strong romantic suspense story, and I look forward to more in this new world.

5 stars!

The introduction of a brand new series from one of my favourite authors, and I am so freaking excited that this book lived up to all of the hype that I was feeling for it! Exciting, dramatic, fun, sexy, suspenseful and romantic with a fantastic bunch of characters, I could not get enough of this story and I loved it!

Malcolm West is an ex-undercover cop who has just come out of deep cover which messed with his head and left him deeply shaken. Desperate for some peace and a fresh start, he rents a bungalow in the middle of nowhere where he plans to just ‘be’. But right next to his quiet retreat is another house – one belonging to a beautiful yet reclusive young woman.

Pippa is a woman with a tragic and tortured past. She lives her life in hiding from dangerous people that are searching for her, rarely leaving her home and having little engagement with the outside world. But when a gorgeous, seemingly equally reclusive, man moves into the house next door, she can’t help but be drawn to him.

A tentative friendship develops but their worlds truly collide when Malcolm is unexpectedly recruited into a secretive new taskforce and Pippa is a key part of the investigation. He is charged with investigating her, which he is less than happy about, but his job has nothing to do with the mad attraction he has to her. And as they begin to spend time together, their attraction is irresistible.

The romance is fast moving, but very natural, and I loved watching Mal and Pippa come together. Both a bit broken and vulnerable, they find comfort in each other, for the first time experiencing something real, and openly and functionally, and with a whole lot of passion, they throw themselves into it.

“I ain’t sweet or gentle, baby,” he murmured…
Her head knocked back on the glass. God. “I don’t want either,” she said, giving him the truth. Sweet and gentle were lies. This? This hot and dangerous passion was real.


While the love story is unfolding, we also get to see the Requisition Force come together, and it’s a real highlight of the book. A bunch of ‘rejected’ law enforcement officers who, for one reason or another, have ended up demoted to a ragtag team of investigators. They are a fantastic bunch of quirky misfits who had me laughing out loud (including an alcoholic dog with a penchant for high heels, and a huge badass with a love of kittens), and every moment with them together was pure gold!

“Gentlemen?” Dr Nari Zhang appeared at the door.
Angus jumped. “Jesus.” He looked down at the thick socks on her feet, which were intriguingly dainty. The new doc was way too appealing for him to be this irritated with her. Which only pissed him off more. “New rule. You keep the loud shoes on all day. No changing into socks.”
She rolled her eyes. “I had hoped to talk to all three of you about the shooting yesterday. It had to have brought up difficult memories. How did everyone sleep?”
“Fantastic,” West said smoothly.
“Never better,” Wolfe agreed.
“Like a baby,” Angus said.
Nari sighed. “You’re all morons. You can take that as my professional opinion.”


With the players all set, the story builds to its climax as Mal and Pippa’s secrets are revealed, and the Force’s case blows wide open. It’s exciting and suspenseful, and I was glued to my kindle as it all played out. And in the middle of it all, Mal and Pippa are navigating their new relationship and the reality of their situation, which intertwines perfectly with all of the action, and brings the story together, creating depth and a whole lot of heart.

“I’ll make you a deal. Stop the van and I’ll answer any questions you want. Then you let me go.”
The muscle visibly ticking at the base of his neck only added to his bad-boy sexy looks. “Baby, I ain’t ever letting you go.”


This is an exciting and entertaining romantic suspense story. The balance of romance and action is brilliantly done, giving enough of each to have me fully invested in the action while keeping the romance lover in me satisfied. Mal and Pippa are fantastic, and I loved the development of their love story, and their individual journeys, as they deal with their pasts and push past their demons to fight for all that they have found together.

“You saved me … Let me save you.”


Hidden is a great beginning to the series, and with all the Requisition Force set up so well with a strong and unique bunch of characters just begging to be explored further, I cannot wait for more.

5 stars!

Wow, I am so happy that I got a review copy on the first book of this series, because if the first book is any indication of the rest of what one can expect - this will prove to be a big hit. The two lead characters are introduced right from the beginning where Pippa seems a bit of a recluse; and Malcolm West is suffering PTSD after being undercover for the last two years and barely escaping with his life after being stabbed and shot.

What Malcolm didn’t realize was this quaint little house his realtor found him in an out of the way spot was next door to a fabulous looking young woman whom he sensed was in trouble. Mal soon found out that the house and the neighbor were not random coincidences, that he’d been set up. It seems that the ‘recluse’ was on a most wanted list from both the government and a dangerous cult leader.

The suspense and mystery of what Pippa knows, or knew and how Mal works her wanting not believe she is innocent and trying to prove it make for a thrill of a ride. But that’s not all - wait until you meet the rest of the Deep Ops Team, including Roscoe the German Shepherd, Nari the shrink, Brigid the IT super sleuth; and a myriad of other colorful agents on this Deep Ops Team! They are all a hoot - but a ‘deadly’ one! Awesome book - loved every minute!

Marilyn Rondeau