Pamela Clare does it again in Hard Asset. This is a tension-filled, exciting, and tragic love story. These characters were very well written and you get lost in their story. Once I got started in this story I could not stop until the last page, I feel like I disappeared into their world. This was such a good book, I loved it, and recommend it.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review

I am really loving the new series by Pamela Clare. I loved all of her previous books as well, and I had high hopes that I would love this series as well. I wasn't disappointed that's for sure. Hard Asset is one of those books once you pick it up you won't be able to put down until you've read the last word on the page. There is so much action and romance to keep you interested.

Well Pamela Clare never ceases to amaze and intrigue her readers with her ability to bring out the darker sides of humanity and the sadness of the world while at the same time giving us hope that there are those still willing to fight against it. I have enjoyed this new independently published series, Cobra Elite, she began a little while ago and as time goes on I enjoy it more and more. This installment has us traveling with two characters that has series trauma in their pasts but they refuse to let it beat them down and keep them from fighting the injustices in the world. Shanti is a prosecutor determined to bring a seriously bad guy to justice and while she understands the danger of her job she doesn’t feel that bringing a bunch of alpha males, armed to the teeth, along with her on her quest is the best idea. Connor is just trying to get through each day, but when he is given a task he executes it to the best of his abilities and his current task is making sure that Shanti survives to bring her case to fruition. As they work together to gather evidence and testimony from survivors, each of them comes to see another, deeper side of the other and the attraction is irresistible, despite Connor knowing that he can’t have a relationship with a protectee. When they find themselves stranded in the wilderness, running for their lives, their survival depends on one another and their wits, leaving the connection becoming stronger and stronger. Once they find a way to safety will they break all the rules and find a way to be together or walk away from a chance at a love that could last a lifetime and become the foundation for a life they both need more than they ever imagined. Shanti is truly a brave woman—she is venturing into territory where not only her safety but her life is on the line to gather evidence in order to bring a dictator and mass murderer to justice. She is noble, sweet, dedicated and sexy so who could blame Connor for losing his head and heart to her. She has her hang-ups to work through to be sure, but one she begins to see more in Connor than the surface he presents to the world, to see the wounded and needy man underneath, she knows she can be what he needs to be whole again. Her determination to survive and thrive in a world that is against her every step of the way makes her a wonderful and amazing character to get to know. Connor was a man that I would love to have for myself. While he certainly wasn’t perfect by any stretch, he was a good man through and through, completely incorruptible and sweet at the most unexpected moments. He was strong and sensual of course but he was also damaged and needed to find his center in order to be whole again and he found that with Shanti. I loved seeing these two interacting each and every moment, whether they were clashing or coming together to survive or simply falling in love, the heat between them was enough to singe the world. I am dying to read the next story in the series and see which Cobra operative loses his (or her) heart and meet the amazing person that manages to steal it. Another great addition for my Clare bookshelf to be sure.

Enjoyed it. Well written hot steamy love scenes and excellent suspense from a gifted author. I normally don't read too much romantic suspense but this author is a master at blending romance and suspense seamlessly.

I'm loving this series!! Each book is a standalone but they're definitely better to read in order! For some reason it took me a while to start this series but I'm so glad I did!! All these books are action packed, tons of suspense and 🔥🔥🔥!! I'm shocked at how the main characters get really hurt! Lol the author definitely doesn't skimp on the brutality! Definitely don't miss out on this book and series!! They're so worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me! I'm addicted!! Lol

This is my first read by this author and it will not be my last. This is Shanti and Connor's story. Connor is tasked in protecting Shanti on a mission and the attraction between these two is hot. However, Connor feels as if he should not act on his feelings as she is a client. This story is filled with action, detail, moments of true sadness and the human will. I loved that this story was a bit more fleshed out than others and that Connor and Shanti were able to find their way together.. I truly enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by Ms. Clare. 4 solid stars.****

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

An enjoyable book taking place in interesting surroundings. An unexpected hot attraction against a backdrop of beauty and brutality. I enjoyed it! Recommended!

"Why do you keep doing it? Why not leave and find a job that doesn't risk your life or place you in conflict with others?" This being said to Connor by Shanti. The same woman who has come to a very dangerous country to fight for innocent people that seen so many atrocities. She is trying to bring a horrible criminal to justice.

Connor and his team have been assigned to protect Shanti on her mission. That is one hell of a mission. One, they are in one of the worse places for such a task. Two, he is way too attracted to his client.

Shanti feels that there is never a reason for violence. She begins to think differently once she needs Connor's protection. Especially when the time comes for her to protect Connor.

What I love about Pamela Clare's books is not only the wonderful chemistry between her characters but also all that I learn about different aspects of the world. I loved this book and this series

This was a good adventure: an exciting plot and plenty of suspense and romance interwoven. The characters were well developed and Shanti's mission made me want to root for her success. Pamela Clare does an excellent job of blending just the right amount of action and romance. I'm looking forward to the next one!

I am torn on this one. While I really enjoyed most of this book, at times it was a little hard to read. At times I found the story moving slowly; other times it was difficult to read about the atrocities because you know they are real. That being said, I did enjoy Shanti and Connor’s story. It is one of those stories full of romance, suspense, a fabulous hero/heroine and a villainous villain. I do recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next one.

Connor and Shanti were on opposites on the war. The attraction between them is electric. Shanti is investigating a bad man and is in danger when she discovers things that can put him away. Connor and his team are there to protect her. The couple end up in the jungle on the run for their lives when things go wrong. Will Connor and Shanti make it through and can a relationship come from such crazy circumstances? Another awesome read by this author.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

Hard Asset by Pamela Clare is part of her Cobra Elite series.
Cobra is a group of ex-military operatives who have moved into private protection. They aren't just body guards, they take on difficult jobs in war torn areas of the world where there is little or no law.
This was Shanti and Connor's story. Shanti is an attorney who is taking statements from victims of genocide and criminal acts by a warlord and his followers. She has made enemies because she cares for the people and plans to have the warlord punished. Connor does his best to keep her alive and safe. Of course, they fall in love along the way.
This deals with hard topics like PTSD, the wounds soldiers come home with (not all of which are physical), the atrocities of war, etc.. And it's all done well.
Honestly I haven't read anything by Pamela Clare that I didn't like.

A riveting rollercoaster romance. The characters will become the centre of your attention with the drama, action, and the heart that will make you feel like your with them right to the end. Love that Pamela Clare gives all of her characters different personalities and they are all well-developed and very well written as this make her readers coming back every single time more of her stories. Such a talented writer that knows what her readers want before they do. This definitely will have readers begging for more. Well done Pamela Clare for another fantastic book. Happy reading!!

You can never go wrong with a Pamela Clare book. They're witty, full of raw emotion, and packed with action. I loved her I-Team series and this series is looking promising.

I love, love, LOVE Pamela Clare's books. She has a way of putting the reader right in the middle of the story! I always anticipate what I am going to feel when I read her books. So far I have not been disappointed with any of them. Perfect amount of heat and suspense for me!

This was an absolutely brilliant read. It had plenty of action and suspense, along with a love story. It kept me engrossed all the way through and it was hard to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story line, along with the characters.
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure that I would enjoy it, but I soon changed my mind.
It was an enthralling read that I would recommend to others.

4.5 Stars!!! SO. FREAKING. GOOD!!!

Of all the romance sub-genres, military suspense is my FAVORITE. But it’s also the diciest, because I don’t want mostly romance with pseudo-action thrown in, and I don’t want all suspense with random sex thrown in. I want equal parts of BOTH. And apparently (because this is only my second book by this author), Pamela Clare is capable of creating a story with perfect amounts of BOTH!

This Cobra Elite series is about the men and women who work for Cobra International Security - an elite group of former top military operatives from around the world. In Hard Asset, Connor O’Neal heads up the Cobra team sent to Bangladesh to protect Shanti Lahiri, a lawyer from the International Criminal Court who is gathering evidence against a cruel, evil Myanmar general. When Shanti obtains damning proof of the general’s atrocities, her life - and Connor’s - is put in grave danger and they find themselves on the run 150 miles into enemy territory.

I won’t give anymore synopsis than that because I don’t want to give anything away. I will tell you this: I am SO not a morning person, and I woke up early (after being up late reading!) so I could finish this book before starting my day. That’s how intrigued I was by this story, how much I wanted to see how Connor and Shanti would make it out of the mess they were in. I loved the characters, I loved the action, I loved the writing. The only thing I thought was a little goofy was how much they thought about sex when they were literally on the run for their lives. But the rest of the story was so freakin’ good I didn’t even care!

While the suspense part of this book was great, so is the romance part. Connor and Shanti have this palpable chemistry from the moment they lay eyes on each other, one that Connor tries to fight since she’s his “asset” to protect. But I loved how Shanti wasn’t afraid to encourage him to act on their attraction. Another thing I have really appreciated about Ms. Clare’s writing in this series is that her heroes have the typical “hang ups” when it comes to relationships (first, they are tortured by their past military experiences, and second, being part of Cobra makes relationships difficult). She’s not writing anything new with that. But instead of continually having the hero have internal thoughts harping over and over about why he can’t be with the woman he loves, it’s only mentioned an appropriate amount of times. It’s refreshing to read a book where the author sticks to writing things that move the story along, instead of just continually repeating what the characters are thinking.

I can’t wait for more from this series. But the good thing about being so late to this author’s party is that she has LOTS of other books for me to read (and listen to!) while I’m waiting for her next release. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make myself a list of Ms. Clare’s backlist. I’m gonna need to read them ALL.

* thank you to NetGalley and Leap Day Productions for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Another fun book by a great writer! The book has gone of action and romance with well written and likable characters!

Pamela Clare writes a really well balanced action romance. Hard Asset is part of her new Cobra Elite series, and it looks to be a strong series. I appreciate that her characters are so layered and interesting. She includes multi cultural representation and does it well. The settings are beautifully detailed. I appreciate the respect with which she speaks of different cultures and their customs and mores. Hard Asset is fast paced action with passionate interludes well placed and written with heat. The romance in Hard Asset is strong and their journey to happily ever after satisfying. Hard Asset could stand alone, however Ms Clare usually has past characters appear which may compel you to read from her other series. If you like Suzanne Brockmann, or Maya Banks' KGI series, I'd recommend Pamela Clare.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Hard Asset is the second volume in the Cobra Elite series but it can be read alone. We follow here Shanti who goes to investigate suspicions of genocide in Myanmar, and Connor, the chief of the security team demanded by her boss.

Shanti is a strong and determined heroine who sees mostly things in black and white at the beginning – she’s anti violence but as such she hurts the hero several times with decided remarks about soldiers – but she’ll understand there are different shades in the middle during her forced adventures. By the way she shows a surprising physical endurance and a big determination that are noticed by the hero, rightly so! She also has a lot of empathy for the witnesses she has to audition for her job, and a great moral strength not to break down when hearing the horrors they suffered. I liked the glimpses of her father’s traditions she kept even if she grew up in the United States, a beautiful mix of cultures.

Connor is a former soldier, so he’s straight, loyal, and very strong. But he also has a secret wound that torments him even if he was cleared by his leadership at the time. Because of that he regularly feels he’s not good enough for Shanti, which drives him to take near the end a one-sided decision understandable seeing the circumstances but that always annoys me deeply when it’s used in a novel. Fortunately before that he’s attentive to the heroine and doesn’t dismiss her opinions just because he’s the security specialist.

Between them the attraction is immediate but they try to resist for diverse reasons. I thought they were good together, he makes her grow up and she heals him. I’m not fan of sex scenes during high speed pursuits, but here there was only one scene where I was always thinking the bad guys were going to run into them at the wrong time. The resolution of their couple is done in a way I didn’t expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

The plot is in two parts: first the one about Shanti’s job involving getting testimonies of Rohingya refugees, all the more awful when you know what these people are currently living, and we imagine easily that the few details given in the novel could have happened (and knowing the love of the author for research it’s even more than a supposition). Then there’s the part where the couple flees the enemy army in the jungle, part full of action. Both come one after the other logically and end in apotheosis.

Once again Pamela Clare gives us a romantic suspense effective and gripping, and I love that she knows how to create characters and plots so different that surprise us each time. I recommend it to the genre’s lovers.