Covert Vengeance, book 2 in the Vengeance series, starts off where we left in Stealing Vengeance and it was full on action from there. Amber is trying to right the wrong she may have caused, and she was determined to do whatever she can to get to the truth. On top of being behind enemy lines, she now has a contract out on her. This is where Jesse comes into play. He is a hired assassin and he was one of four who was contacted for this new contract. At first glance, he was interested in taking the job based on the amount that was offered, but something just didn’t ring true to him. After further investigation, he finds his gut was right. Now he has taken on a new job and it was to find and protect Amber.

After a rocky start and trust is slowly gained, Amber and Jesse embark on a fast-paced and intense journey, starting with a rescue mission and then to find out who is out to kill Amber. Along the way with their attraction so strong, they find their way into each other’s hearts. I really loved the relationship that developed between Amber and Jesse. Amber, a hardened Valkyrie, never thought it was possible to ever be able to trust her heart to anyone was finally able to let go. Jesse, knew from the very beginning that Amber was special and the more he spent time with her, the more determined he was to keep her.

Overall a really enjoyable read, it was also so great to see all the characters from the other books and how they all became a family. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

Characters straddle the gray line in Kaylea Cross’s Vengeance series, and I love it. They’re not perfect, but they’re ultimately good people…who kill bad guys.

Listen, sometimes you want to read a book about leads who can rescue hostages, protect themselves, plot deviously for a good end, and oh yeah, fall in love. If that’s the case, sink into your favorite reading chair (the one your husband still makes fun of from college), pull up your favorite blanket (the one you’ve hidden from your dogs and kids), pull your snacks in close (the ones you’ve hidden from your dogs and kids), and start reading one of Kaylea Cross’s Vengeance books.

Covert Vengeance is the second book in Cross’s aforementioned series, and it had me captivated from the very first motorcycle chase. Once a government-sanctioned assassin, now an assassin running from the government (and others), Amber Brown believes she made a huge mistake. Members of her former team betrayed her, and out of revenge, she slowly turned them over to the Bad Guys one by one. But one of those team members might not have been guilty after all. Now Amber wants to rescue her from her kidnappers.

Hitman-with-a-conscience Jesse Cordova is hired by a mysterious person to kill Amber, but he trusts his instincts and accepts a job to help her with her rescue mission instead. Good thing he does, because Amber is very impressive and obviously has a heart, although the government program that trained her to be a ruthless assassin tried to crush that out of her.

Jesse pretty much immediately has feelings for Amber, but Amber’s not willing to commit. Then there’s the fact that someone is trying to kill Amber, and well, you can see how a romance between them would be difficult…but thank God, not impossible.

Covert Vengeance is wonderfully done with fantastic (and I don’t think I’m over-stating it?) action sequences. Cross is one of the best romantic suspense novelists I’ve read at writing physical scenes that are detailed without losing a sense of pace. Everything is fast, fast, fast, pretty violent at times, and overall cinematic.

But Cross doesn’t keep every scene at an 11, and that’s part of what makes this book so great. She writes confessional moments sensitively, drawing the characters closer together and allowing the reader to see the heart carried around in each character's impressively muscled physiques. It might be difficult to imagine how a book about a hitman and assassin could be sweet and tender, but it works here, mainly because it’s obvious they care about right and wrong and they’re both looking for a place to land (although Amber would probably deny that with every breath in her body).

In case it’s not clear: I’m a huge fan of Cross’s Vengeance series, of how she writes formidable women (and men), how she shows that being physically fierce and having a heart aren’t incompatible, and how she crafts books where great passion and (eventually love) are possible--even inevitable--with the right person…like your deadly-with-any-remotely-sharp-object soulmate.

5 out of 5 stars.

Staying covert😁

We meet Amber in the first book of the Vengeance series, whereby she finds Megan her sister she thought long ago deceased! Being told she might have turned information about a fellow Valkyrie who might be innocent over to be killed...Amber sets out in an attempt to rescue her.

Jesse is a mercenary and takes on odd jobs. When he receives a job offer with a big money value attached he’s instantly suspicious. Contacting a friend for information, he finds out more about his target and takes the job, hoping to protect her even knowing she might not need it😍 But when they see each other across the way...the chemistry and attraction sizzles💕

This story was amazing and it was action packed from the absolute beginning❣️ So much going on and I absolutely cannot wait to meet Chloe next.....I reckon she will make things go off with a “BANG” 🔫 I purchased a copy through Amazon and only downloaded this copy to see if it was compatible with my kindle😢

COVERT VENGEANCE is the second instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult VENGEANCE romantic suspense series focusing on a group of women once known as the Valkyrie-members of a secret CIA government project. This is thirty-four year old, hacker and Valkyrie Amber Brown, and former Marine Raider now assassin for hire Jesse Cordova’s story line. COVERT VENGEANCE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing arc throughout. The VENGEANCE series is a spin-off from the author’s HOSTAGE RESCUE TEAM series. You do not have to have read the original series to follow or understand but it is recommended to read DISAVOWED (Hostage Rescue Team #4).


Told from several third person perspectives including Amber and Jesse COVERT VENGEANCE follows Jesse Cordova as he is one of four assassins for hire looking to take down our story line heroine. Amber Brown’s past has finally caught up with her and in this, the take down of a former Valkyrie has placed a target on our heroine’s back. Unaware of what was about to transpire Amber finds herself on the run when more than one assailant is hoping to earn a hefty payday. Enter former Marine Raider and assassin for hire Jesse Cordova, the man with whom Amber will fall in love. On a search and rescue mission of her own, Amber will come face to face with her former roommate and training partner Kiyomi, as well as the woman Amber was hoping to extract. What ensues is the building relationship between Amber and Jesse, and the potential fall-out as the new group of Valkyrie survivors must enact a plan to protect one of their own.

Amber Brown has been betrayed by one or more of her former Valkyrie but recent information has our heroine believing she may have been set up to destroy the women with whom she once worked. Jesse Cordova knew something wasn’t right with the latest assassin request, something that forced our hero to pull back and protect the woman with whom he would fall in love

The relationship between Jesse and Amber begins acrimoniously when Amber suspects Jesse to be one of four assassins but to Amber’s surprise Jesse will do an about face and help our heroine take down the man who placed the target on her back. The slow building romance struggles with Amber’s inability to trust due to years of betrayal at the hands of her handers, as well as her need for independence and striking out on her own, something instilled in the Valkyrie program. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to former SAS veteran Marcus Laidlaw; Valkyrie Megan and her significant other Tyler Durant (Stealing Vengeance #1), as well as consultant and retired SF and NSA agent Alex Rycroft, Trinity, and Miguel and Georgia Bautista (Hostage Rescue Team Series).

COVERT VENGEANCE is a story of betrayal, secrets, and retribution; of family, sisterhood, second chances and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is intimate; the characters are spirited and edgy. COVERT VENGEANCE is a dramatic story of deception, retribution and love.


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CHAPTERS/INDIGO (Sandy_at_the_Reading_Cafe

This is the second book in the Vengeance series by Kaylea Cross. I would highly recommend reading the first book since there is a decent amount of tie-in even though this is about a different couple. This story is a high-action romantic novel. The Valkyries (a group of female operatives) are hardcore and take no prisoners. They are definitely kick-ass women and doesn't let anyone forget it. Amber and Jesse have insta-attraction. However, Jesse is way more on board than Amber. She is having a hard time accepting that she is more than an operative and that there is a chance for something more in the future. We read about a couple of other Valkyries that I am assuming we will see in the future. Can't want for the next one!

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy.