Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.5 Hearts To know if a book is good you only need to read two words… Rebecca Zanetti.

Raider and Brigid… Aw! Love them! They are perfectly meant for each other.

What I enjoyed most was the twist and turns. There were so many in this story.

Rebecca Zanetti is one of the best. She drags you into the story within the first few pages and never lets you go. By the end of the story you aren’t glad it is over you are sad that you have to come out of her world and leaves you waiting for the next in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

And rounding out my August and September round-up is the always Beatles-scream-worthy Rebecca Zanetti, who’s back with another exciting installment of her Deep Ops series. FALLEN is a sexy opposites-attract story with a dark, brooding hero and unrestrained, unpredictable hacker. Renegade Fed Raider Tanaka and computer genius Brigid Banaghan are both part of a secret government dark ops agency (the HDD), and have to pose as fiancés to get back into the good graces of Brigid’s father, a former member of the Irish mob. The stakes are high, the characters characteristically robust, and the pace breakneck. The Sin Brothers will always be my favorite set of Zanetti lost boys, but this Deep Ops series is enjoyable, too.

*Originally published at Frolic: https://frolic.media/romantic-suspense-wrap-up-august-september-2019/

Fallen is the next installment in Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops series, featuring Raider (who we got to know a bit in Taken) and Brigid, hacker extraordinaire. Raider is her handler and he wants her complete trust. Brigid has good reason not to trust anyone.

Thankfully, the entire weight of the world is not on their shoulders. The issue at hand is considerably more personal, in this case Brigid’s father and his connections to the Irish mob. If only you could get out of the mob completely!

Fallen is all about secrets: protecting them and telling them, the consequences of keeping them and the consequences of releasing them. In that, I really liked Fallen, especially the secrets Brigid is keeping and how she dances the edge of the knife to protect everyone she cares about. But I loved how the release of her secret also set her free in other ways.

Raider must break down Brigid’s walls, especially since she seems to have busted his down just by existing. And dominant Raider has no intention of letting her walls, secrets, and family keep him from her. I loved how Raider’s interactions with her father go; it’s just classic and a much-needed spot of humor in a rather grim and dark book. Though it is also true that Brigid’s father is a pain in the ass (and other places)! But the deepening relationship scares Brigid rigid and part of that is because of the secrets she carries. Her attempts at maintaining any semblance of distance are cute and destined to fail because Raider is just that persistent with a protective streak a mile (or 100) wide.

The political aspect of the book was also intriguing. After all, part of the mess involves a prominent senator and the power he wields not just as a senator (which he does) but also the power he wields in the dark, having nothing to do with his political power. It’s a subtle nod to corrupt forces in government (which are always present) and how they can shape something as seemingly simple as a search for truth and justice.

There is another story brewing in Fallen as well, between Wolfe and Dana. Wolfe is increasingly pulled into this busted operation and his façade begins to crack just a little bit. And how I loved watching his façade crack! I have wanted more Wolfe since he stepped onto the page and it is super exciting that we’ll get to see him next. He won’t be easy and he won’t be pretty and the secrets he is keeping may be more dangerous to the team than to him. We’ll just have to see.

And still, there is another deeper and older plotline that is brewing and bubbling in the background – a serial killer who got away, supposed to be dead but very much alive. And I want to know who higher up knows his identity because really, it’s increasingly clear that in this series, government is the problem as well as the solution and agencies are pitted against each other in a macabre dance of power and intrigue. I can’t wait for more!

Great series for Zanetti. It’s intense, suspenseful and has enough punch to keep your adrenaline high. She is a must read!

Another great read in Ms. Zanetti's Deep Ops series. It took me so long to finish the book (not the book's fault, I had a lot going on for a while) but I loved every second of reading it. Fallen is a nail-biting, in-your-face, page-turner that I loved.

I loved the couple, Brigid and Raider. They were so different but perfect for eachother. The chemistry between them was blatant. The building of the romance was paced well and felt real. The mystery wasn't as good as in Hidden but it still held my attention and I didn't get bored at any point of the story. The story flowed smoothly and it was interesting and it kept me turning the pages, eager to find out how it will all play out. Bonuses include but are not limited to: fluid writing, captivating action, witty remarks, hot sex, cute animals and a team that you can't help but root for.
OMG! Can I say it again? This book was so freaking good!! I loved every little thing about it. I figured out some of the twists way early, but some took me completely by surprise.
I HIGHLY recommend this book and cannot wait for Wolfe's book. The sneak peek at the end was not enough. I want to know more...NOW! Seriously, a fabulous, amazing series!

I could not put down Hidden ( Deep Ops #1) when I picked it up to read. But I found myself having a harder time getting in to Brigid and Raider's story. I think it, for me, hard to understand Brigid and Raider as characters because of all of the idiosyncrasies the other characters have. And the dog.... I'm convinced Rebecca Zanetti should right a book just about the dog and his "hang ups".

But once I was able to see Brigid and Raider, I found myself more interested in them and their relationship. At times, they seemed like teenagers dancing around each other. Then there were times were I was clued to the book like I was my grandmother watching a daytime soap opera. I couldn't wait for them to profess their love for each other!! But then when it happened, it was like someone popped my balloon.

There is romance, drama, action, suspense and a dog who wears high heels to compensate for his lack of height. This book has everything and then some....

I really enjoy this series. My favorite "character" is Roscoe, the funny German Shepherd. Rebecca Zanetti does a GREAT job mixing romance into this action packed suspense book! It is interesting to watch the relationships being formed among this rag tag group of characters and to find out more & more about them. The characters are likable, the story is suspenseful and it left me wanting MORE!!!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Thriller

This is Brigid's story. She was caught hacking the wrong thing and now, she's trying to atone for that mistake. However, she is also stuck in a situation that she sees no way out. While she is doing her best to find the shipment that could be carrying young girls, she is also trying to exonerate her father because her team believes that he's part of the old Irish mob who is now dealing in people instead of drugs.

Raider has an agenda. He's known he's had an agenda and he really doesn't care. He wants to pull in all of the Irish mobsters that he has been following. He asked to join the team because he knows who is capable.

This is a story about seeking the truth. Brigid is trying to balance her own desire to do good with her own sacrifice of being caught. It's a balance that is delicate and her handlers, who don't seem content to just let her do her job, like to threaten her.

I enjoyed watching this story unfold. Raider sees some hard truths along the way and Brigid learns some difficult lessons. While they might seem a little like oil and water at first, they blend nicely as a couple. They balance each other. I love that Brigid just tells it like it is and Raider is content to let her be the strong woman that she is. I also really enjoyed the silver lining in that she becomes much closer with her estranged father.

I am looking forward to the next book a lot. I really enjoy these characters and can't wait to see what trouble they will follow next.

Potential Triggers: Hacking, Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, Human Trafficking


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series and I would recommend that you read Hidden first, as it introduces us to the Deep Ops team, and I assure you that you want to meet them and get the dynamics and idiosyncrasies sorted out! They are a fabulously complicated group of people and animals! I am going to assume that you have read Hidden in my review. In this installment we do get to see how Mal and Pippa are progressing their relationship.

We met Brigid, the ex-con, super-clever hacker released to the handler Raider Tanaka in the first book. She is an integral part of the team, and yet, sadly we soon find out that she has another agenda too – but don't be too disappointed, she is fabulous nonetheless. Her skills are most definitely being used for good. When she and Raider have to pretend to be together and go somewhat undercover, then the intensity of feelings between them suddenly spills over.

There is a lot of pain in this book – the team really are hardcore when they are facing evil, and take the knocks but keep coming back for more, as lives are on the line. It is difficult to fault their ethics, but wow, they will need a long rest after all this crazy is over! I enjoyed the storyline, and most definitely was cheering for Raider and Brigid to get their happily ever after. It was touch and go, but Zanetti did not disappoint.

There was still the humour from book one, but somehow the plot was serious and the danger high, so it really only lowered the tension a tad! The girls’ night out was a much needed release for them and us.

If you like your romance with a strong story of crime drama, then this definitely fits the bill.

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

I love this ragtag group of misfits. Each character is unique and a true individual with his or her own sorry story. They have flaws in abundance and a burning passion to see good triumph over evil. This is Brigid and Raider's story and I was entranced by them as well as by the plot as a whole.

Brigid Banaghan is the groups computer specialist, aka hacker. She ended up in this Homeland Defense Department unit because she was using that talent to catch bad guys, just not by legal means, and ended up in jail. The Deep Ops unit of the HDD is top secret and only handles those cases that HDD can't publicly get involved with. She has a secret or two herself.

Raider Tanaka is a disgraced fed who in in the unit as a kind of Purgatory and is willing to do his penance if it means he can work his way back to the good graces of the superiors at HDD. His assignment is to guard Birgid and act as her handler. He's not sure why exactly, her job doesn't require field work, but he knows there has to be more to it. When their latest assignment involves her estranged father, the pieces begin to fall into place.

The op is to infiltrate a Boston organized crime family and Brigid's father was an enforcer for them a long time ago. He left, but he left with an insurance policy. Brigid and Raider are going undercover and it doesn't take long for the attraction they had been covering within the Unit to flare to life. The gorgeous, rebellious redhead and the handsome, straight laced Fed discover that appearances are just that and that they each have facets that the other never realized existed. When the op turns dangerous Raider will do anything to protect Brigid.

This book was an interesting and fast-paced thrill ride. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were interesting as was the storyline. I always thought hacking would be so cool...but without the whole "illegal" thing. Lol

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

Deep Ops #2, I enjoyed it, I prefer RAZ romantic suspense. I was looking forward to the straight laced Feb hooking up with the laid back hacker, especially after Taken the in between novella that gives background on Raider it's not a necessary read but it is a good, really good, read. Each book of the series have so far been stand alones. This one just fell shy of expectations it was good it was exciting and Roscoe is still as crazy as ever but it wasn't what I was expecting. I'm not crazy about organized crime, it's not something I usually go out of my way to read but it was still a good 3.5 read.

Raider Tanaka worked the organized crime division in the FBI with his partner who was undercover until his partner is killed and Raider crosses the line with the boss's boss's wife and he finds himself on babysitting duty to Brigid Banaghan, a hacker who was arrested and the government decided to use her talents for good within the HDD specifically for Angus Force and his low budget team of misfits. Angus seems to have a reason for recruiting everyone he did and the way it's playing out everyone is going to get a chance to right their wrong or get their revenge. In Raider's case he's finally going to get the change and going after the guy who killed his partner. Their way into the Irish Boston mob is Brigid's dad. Raider goes in undercover as Brigid's fiance and an up and coming crime lord who is seeking out help with the Boston mob. As per usual nothing ever goes as planned and by the end of the day just about everyone is battered bruised and have a few extra GSW on their medical record.

Brigid and Raider together were good, there was a lot of lying going on. They still fell in bed together and fell in love, even when Brigid thought Raider was lying to her she knew she could still trust him. RAZ is great when it comes to the suspense part of Romantic Suspense she's spot on with the action and she's so easy to read unless you pace yourself you can just zoom right through her books. I look forward to Wolfe's book next.

With her latest novel, Rebecca Zanetti delivers a truly gripping tale served up to readers on the best roller coaster ride with an energetic side helping of thrilling drama.

After making one too many bad choices with good intentions brilliant hacker Brigid Banaghan was caught and coerced to work with a Deep Ops motley crew who feel like family, except of course for her handler Raider Tanaka, whose heated stares feel anything but familial. How will she ever survive a field assignment with him guarding her?

Ever since he was rescued from the streets, Raider has been loyal to a fault. He believes in it. He believes in truth. He also knows his body’s reaction to the beautiful computer geek is something he’s never experienced before, but can their fledgling relationship survive the truth she’s keeping from him?

Rebecca Zanetti has once again produced a sizzling, high octane romance jam packed with action, delicious chemistry and action. While Raider and Brigid try to untangle the intricate network of a dangerous and deranged crime boss, they must also face their attraction which is difficult given that they work together.

I loved going back to the Deep Ops group with Malcom and Pippa along with Nari, Wolfe, Angus Force and of course the sweet kitty Kat and of course Roscoe, a dog who loves to wear heals, chew on makeup and drink hard liquor. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down.

Raider was tough on the outside, but incredibly sweet and protective underneath his sexy veneer, while Brigid was equally sweet, but also kind and spirited encased in a very smart package. They were wonderful together and I couldn’t help but cheer them on in this action packed romance.

Fallen is book #2 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti who faithfully writes fascinating, action packed and sizzling romances. Fallen is a fast paced, exciting standalone you won’t want to miss. Told from several points of view, with a happy ending.

Another fantastic book by Rebecca Zanezzi. So full of suspense, action and humor and then just to make it really crazy she throws in a dash of romance. Not to mention the booze drinking high heel wearing Germany Shepherd. Not saying anything more on that LOL. You will really love her books, get busy reading them. Thanks Rebecca!

This is a fast paced story of a former computer hacker (Brigid) who is assigned to a secret special deep ops unit. Her partner, Raider, is a federal agent who has also been picked up by the unit as well. They go under cover together to try to get information on Brigid’s estranged father who was once involved with the mob and is now a farmer. There is some suspicion that he may be running drugs.

This one kept me interested to the last page. I love these types of stories and this is one of the best. This is the second in this series so now I will have to keep my eye out for number 1 and 3.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Loved it! Loved it! Lurrvvvveeeddd it!!! I cannot get enough of Roscoe, Lol. Omgoodness this story was fabulous! Raider and Brigid were awesome. Raider our FBI handler and Brigid our computer hacker, have to go undercover. The suspense, action, surprises, hot love making and all the crazy hijinks of The Deep Ops Unit- Force, West, Nari, Wolfe,and some new characters make for a wild ride and a great story! Never a disappointment, Ms. Zanetti delivers the best in her books. Read this story, laugh so hard and then read it again. 5 LIPSTICK, HIGH HEELS, IRISH, SOUTHERN CHARM, STARS*****
P.S. I wonder what's up with Josh? Who is he really? There was just too much mystery surrounding him. And what about Agent Frost? I would love a story about her and her hero. These two got me intrigued as to what Ms. Zanetti will be up to next!

****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****

Brigid Banaghan is a talented hacker who got caught, and as part of a plea bargain deal, she now works for the newly minted deep-ops unit, HIT, under the dubious leadership of Angus Force. Raider Tanaka is her appointed handler, but there is more than just a professional relationship brewing between them.

When Brigid’s father becomes involved in an investigation into mob activity, Brigid and Raider are put front and center of the action. Sparks fly between Brigid and Raider as they get deeper into the investigation and Brigid’s life is possibly in danger. But Brigid is hiding a big secret from her fellow agents, and she is afraid that it could jeopardize everything she has come to love there.

Raider is a great character and very likable. Brigid seems to swing a bit between being very insecure about herself, and knowing exactly what she wants. It was hard to pin her down exactly, so you’re not really sure how she will react in any given situation. I also loved the supporting cast, and how well they work together as a team. Her father was a very frustrating character.

I’m really enjoying this series so far, and would love to read more of it.

I also posted this review on Goodreads.

Brigid Banaghan got caught hacking and now she is forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. Raider knows there is more to his new assignment than he’s been told. When Brigid’s estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston’s organized crime, Raider’s mind switches onto high alert. Brigid needs Raider’s help to clear her father’s name but unless he can release his inner bad boy, pretending to be engaged won’t fly.

This ‘Deep Ops’ story is one hair raising exciting event after another and readers won’t be able to put it down once they get started. The characters are strong, vivid and easily grab the readers’ attentions and the chemistry between Raider and Brigid sizzles with extreme heat although they do seem like an unlikely couple but that just ensures that this growing relationship never has dull moment as the emotions flow and passions ignite.

The plot is fast paced with great timing that keeps the excitement coming and the suspense building throughout keeping readers on edge even as stunning twists ensures that they never know exactly what might happen. The ‘Deep Ops’ team is a great team that is strong with a compelling presence that readers wanting to be part of their team especially because this team is a bit unorthodox which makes things real and heroic. This story is energetic, spicy and thrilling with a bit of humor that really makes the story stand out.

Very enjoyable romantic suspense book that had me from the start.I love Ms.Zanettis style of writing.Brigid and Raider had amazing chemistry with a lot of action and,steamy scenes .Great book,looking forward to the next one!

Another great book in this amazing new series!

Loved Brigid's backstory and how she ended up with this group of troubled men and women. The immediate connection between Brigid and Raider was quickly established but also felt natural.

I'm dying to know more about the other characters in the series

Review: FALLEN (Deep Ops Book 2) by Rebecca Zanetti https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bhe
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4.5 Stars

This was a wild-ride addition to the Deep Ops series. This band of set-up-to-fail-misfits find themselves in another dangerously convoluted situation. I do love the underdogs, especially this group. They’re each odd yet work so well together. Raider is of course hot, sexy, and alpha. Brigid’s strength is in computers, not people. How those two worked themselves into a sexy-hot romance was fun to read. The action and intrigue pushed the edge of probability, but isn’t that what makes a fun romantic suspense? I think so. It had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Danger, violence, romance, friendship, and humor all jam-packed together nicely.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle https://amzn.to/2RUSPgj