This is a 3-n-1 anthology by 3 different authors that are loosely interconnected together but also interconnected to those respective author's series of books as well. However, I feel like you can read these books without having to read the other series and still be able to understand what is happening.

Book 1 is Against The Heart by Kat Martin
Meri is on the run with her daughter from an abusive ex. She ends up in Spokane without a job, money, or a place to stay. Ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father's farmhouse and it seems like the answer to her prayers. Ian knows Meri is keeping a secret but he can't help but falling for her, and her little girl.

I really enjoyed this one although it wasn't my favorite out of this book. Ian is this stand up guy who tries to do the right thing, even when it isn't always what is the easiest. Merri has had a hard life but she is bound and determined that her daughter will not have the same issues. And I loved how much she is willing to do for her child. On a whole, a good read just a little slow at times.

Book 2 is Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
Michelle had a rough childhood but ended up in a foster home that lead to the best relationships of her life. Along with the most heartbreaking. She loved Evan since she met him in the home but he left her behind a long time ago, along with a broken heart. When Meri's ex attacks her in Portland when he is looking for Meri, she call's for help from her "family". Not expecting them to send Evan. And when other thugs attack and her mother steals from, Evan steps up to protect her and help her deal with the fallout. He has always loved Michelle, now he just has to prove to her that now is their time.

This is the book I was most excited about because I am absolutely loving this series by this author. I loved the glimpse into Reaper's past and his family. But I also loved this couple's story and how they have grown and realize what they truly want and need from each other. And what they aren't willing to settle for. It's got steam and action but it also is just a great second chance romance! Loved it!
Book 3 is Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy
Melanie see's 2 men trying to kidnap a little boy she tutors and does what she has to in order to keep him safe. She rams the car and runs with him. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to show up and save them. Now she has to trust Gray to not only keep her safe but can she trust him with her heart again after he broke it the last time?

I really loved this one. Gray hurt Melanie so much so that she has tried to keep her heart intact since. But not only did he hurt her, he hurt himself by walking away. There is heat and chemistry, and so much heart that you can't help but love it and hope they can work through everything to that HEA!

Story 1: Against the Heart by Kat Martin
This is my first story to read by her and it was alright. It was fast paced, cliched, and predictable. I didn't really connect with either of the characters, but that could be due to the fact it's a novella. All in all, this was an ok read. 3 Star

Story 2: Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
I love Rebecca’s stories and have read the Deep Ops books. It was nice to see familiar faces (Deep Ops as well as Dark Protectors!!). I’m glad it wasn’t insta-love (they at least had background history). It was action packed, sweet, and quick paced. All in all, this was a good read. Can’t wait for the next Deep Ops book to be released!
4 star

Story 3: Echoes of The Past by Alexandra Ivy
I enjoyed this story. I liked that it wasn’t insta-love (not truly since the couple had history of dating previously), was fast paced, and strong h/H. Gray was honest and protective. Melanie was strong, determined, compassionate, and protective of those around her. All in all, this was a good read.
4 star
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Overall, I enjoyed the stories. I liked how they all tied in with each other in some way. Overall, I’d rate this a 4 star read. Thank you NetGalley for this copy. This is my honest review.

So excited I was to get into this one with the inside not containing one but three from some of my favorite authors. This also had a bonus that it features around women whom will give you their story that will not be forgotten any time soon.
First is Meri and her daughter land in a safe place but for how long? Ian has her work for him but good thing he can handle what pops out of the dark. The danger will spike with our blood pressure too. How this runs and ends up is a good opener.
Then we slide into Melanie's story when she steps in for a boy and her path changes. Surprise a second chance comes along with Gray coming along to lend a hand. Digging for the truth and the heat that comes with it will take us along for a bit.
Another second chance will round this out and close it up with Michelle and Evan. Stubbornness is going to pay off in this one. As the danger in this one climbs we will not realize we are on the edge until we fall off.
After all are done and the last page is turned you have to take a breath before you venture forward.

Three reads connect by 3 friends who grew up in the foster care system each facing a different kind of danger only to find help for men in their past or in Meri’s case, a new found love. These reads are action-paced, filled with drama and emotion. The chemistry is steamy and the stories draw you in from beginning to end. I liked it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”She was older and strong now. Maybe she could take a second chance with him, even knowing that he might not return from a mission.”✨
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If you love:
•Romantic Suspense
•Anthologies
•Novellas
•Protective heroes
•Multiple POV’s
Then this may be the one for you!✨
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I am a fan of anthologies. Sometimes you just want to read a short and sweet story. Or in this case, three, with some added action, steam and suspense to sweeten that story! Often in anthologies you get to revisit some of your favourite characters or series. This one is no exception, giving you three unique stories from each of the authors previous series. You don’t need to read those series to enjoy these stories. And I enjoyed each one!✨
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Each story is a unique take on a similar romance suspense theme. A protective hero, helping to save a heroine in danger. Each book feels and reads differently. But they all loosely intertwine, connecting so well, making it feel like one complete book.✨
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I’ll be honest, I chose this book because I adore Rebecca Zanetti’s writing and was excited to see the connection to her series. But in the end I not only adored her story but got to read two new to me authors that I found I enjoyed just as well. Definitely check this out if romance suspense is something you enjoy!✨
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I received an advanced review copy for my honest review.✨

I really enjoyed this anthology with 3 different authors. Two authors I read before and 1 new to me author.
Three very different stories with interconnecting characters. Love seeing characters from previous books was awesome. Each novella had enough information to feel like a full length story. Meri, Michelle and Melanie are foster sisters and reading about how each have try to live the best life they can under not the best circumstances was heartwarming and full of love. The stories included some fast paced action as well. Really enjoyed

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

An anthology of three stories by three of my favorite authors. Should be fun! I am really surprised how these three stories, written by three different authors have used the plot from Against the Heart and written wonderful, unique stories taking off from that plot. And, characters from their current series make appearances. Fantastic, just fantastic.

Against the Heart - Kat Martin 4-Stars
The beginning of The Brodies of Alaska Series is a novella about Ian Brody, owner of the security firm a lot of the cousins work for, and Meriwether Jones, a single mom on the run from the junkie dealer father of her four year old daughter, Lily. It is a great romance and although the plot is predictable, Kat Martin is such a great author she pulls it off. It was an enjoyable story.

Shaken - Rebecca Zanetti 5-Stars
Michelle Peach had a rough childhood, a unstable mother and a series of foster homes. In one really good home, she was able to form lasting friendships and family. Evan Boldon was also in this home and these two teens fell in love. Life led them in different directions, but when Michelle , now in Portland, OR, is attacked by thugs searching for her friend, Meri, and then again by different thugs searching for her mother, who stole from her and left, Evan Bolton is there for her. Evan's life led him to the Marines and then to a small town in Washington State when he is now the Sherriff. He always loved Michelle and is going the use this opportunity to prove that to her and never let her go again.

Echoes of the Past - Alexandra Ivy 4-Stars
When one of the thugs, now in jail, has information about dirty cops, Grey Hawkins, a Spokane Police Detective, returns to Seattle to assist in the investigation. When the thug's son is threatened, Gray comes face to face with the woman he left behind when he left Seattle two years ago. Melanie Cassidy interrupts the attempted kidnapping of a young boy she tutors. She runs and is saved by Gray, a man she cared for until he broke her heart. She has to trust him with her safety, but can she trust him with her heart?

4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed these three novellas that were seamlessly intertwined with each other with some of the story line and characters as well. It made them almost seem like one big book with 3 parts. Really well done!

I have read Kat Martin before and enjoyed Against the Heart very much. Ian and Meri's characters are both extremely likable. I mean Meri could not have stumbled into a better man than Ian if she tried. And Lily was a cutie! Great story!

I am a huge RZ fan so I absolutely loved what she gave us in her story, Shaken!! Awesome little tidbits in there for fans too! For Evan and Michelle this is a second chance. But can Michelle trust him with her heart again? Evan proves himself and then some! Love these characters so much and loved their story too.

I have never read Alexandra Ivy but Echoes of the Past is another good story. Gray and Melanie are great characters and I love how she jumps right in to help her student and how Gray takes the whole situation on with ease. Of course the fact that he has never stopped loving Mel helped with that decision too.

Three women ... three stories ... three authors.

When they were girls, they bonded over living in foster care. As adult women, they've survived their childhoods ... but now they all face danger.

AGAINST THE HEART by KAT MARTIN
Meri takes her daughter and runs from an abusive boyfriend. She runs until she's out of money, out of gas, and out of ideas. Luckily ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help with his father's farmhouse. The attraction is there ... but Meri is hiding her secret and that means danger for all.

SHAKEN by REBECCA ZANETTI
When Melanie sees two men trying to kidnap a young boy, she doesn't hesitate for a moment, but rams her car into the side of their car. . . Being a witness brings its own problems, especially as it's none other than Detective Gary Hawkins who take her and the boy into hiding. She and the Detective have a history .... can she trust him?

ECHOES OF THE PAST by DEBBIE RALEIGH
Michelle has finally laid her past to rest.. but that is soon to change. Two men break into her home, threatening her and sending her mother on a blackmail spree. The last person she wants to see if former marine - turned sheriff. This time, he's not taking no for an answer... he's going to stop the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends.

These are all well written ... full of suspense, along with a dash of romance. It's like getting three novellas wrapped into one book.

Many thanks to the authors / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of these Romantic Suspense stories. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

An interesting and exciting trio of interconnected stories, written by three amazing Romantic Suspense authors. Read this book. You will not be disappointed.

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

Pivot tells the stories of three women with interconnected lives. Each story is fun, thrilling and a great introduction for anyone wanting to get into the romantic suspense genre.

Two of the three authors are new-to-me and are now on my 'I need to read more!' lists. I've previously read (and loved) Rebecca Zanetti so I knew immediately I would enjoy her story but I hadn't read anything by Kat Martin or Alexandra Ivy before. I was pleasantly surprised by how great their storytelling abilities were and really enjoyed each of the novellas.

All three authors created stories that truly interwove with each other and I hope they write more together in future. Each story may have been short (all three are novellas) but they all felt like complete and thorough stories with complex, well-developed characters. My only wish was that they were longer because I enjoyed them so much and didn't want them to end!

Overall I would recommend Pivot to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense or wants to try out the genre! It was fantastic and I look forward to reading more by all three authors in future.

4 Stars
What an amazing collection of stories. Anthologies are a great way to introduce readers to new authors and for those that are already fans get an extra treat with a short story. Each author brings their all with their story.
Each story is intense and suspenseful, yet sexy and romantic.
Against the Heart -Kat Martin
This may be my favorite of the three stories. A single mom on the run with her daughter and A son trying to help his father put his life back together. This one is sweet and tender, it hits the heart just right.
Shaken - Rebecca Zanetti
Whether it be a full length novel or a novella Ms. Zanetti knows how to catch the reader's attention. Evan and Michelle rocked the pages hard. I love that they had a past and that made their chemistry so much more. Shaken in my opinion, was the hottest of the three stories.
Echoes of the Past - Alexandra Ivy
Ms. Ivy focuses a little more on the suspense and a little less on the romance. However she still gives us an intriguing and adventurous story.
Although each story does tie in with one another you do not have to read all of them to be able to enjoy them. However I highly recommend that you do as they do complete a story that is highly enjoyable.

Three short stories or should I say Novella's by three of my top ten romantic suspense authors. I was pleasantly surprised to find the stories linked loosely all be it but with some continuity to make this a delightful book.
Meri runs away with her young daughter straight into the arms of private eye Ian Brodie who's trying to reconnect with his father. Hard work and Meri are no strangers and soon her daughter is bringing Ian's father back into the world of the living while Meri makes the farmhouse where Ian grew up once more into a home. Trouble with a capital T is on it's way to her though but fortunately Ian is a private eye with friends and soon they are celebrating a happily ever after.
Next up is school teacher Melanie who saves a young boy from her class from the mob only to be rescued by her ex-boyfriend who's an undercover policeman. Soon they're running for their life while trying to root out the corruption in the local police force. Fortunately Detective Gray Hawkins has a local PI friend Ian Brodie to help him make a stand and win the fair maiden.
Little did Meri's friend Michelle know that the trouble following Meri would end up at her door and she would be following the trail of her blackmailing mother and a group of thugs trying to get her stolen lap top back. Fortunately Sheriff Evan Boldon is on the job and is on the run with Melanie hoping to get back the relationship that he once had with her.
Each story while short is compact and packs quite a punch. I'm not a huge fan of short stories but I did enjoy this one since it almost read like one full book.

Pivot has three novellas from three well known and respected romance writers; Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy, and Rebecca Zanetti. It was amazing to me how the authors were able to make the stories flow from one to another. This is because Kat Martin’s story is not new, I have read it several years ago. The others are newer, so while they seem to be part of the writer’s current series they also fit so well with the other stories in this anthology.

While shorter than a full fledge novel each novella felt complete with plot and characters developed. Each story has romance, danger, suspense, strong heroines and heroes. All ties to other series which if one or more of these authors are new to the reader, it makes a great get-to-know-the-writer anthology.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this anthology. I have never read any books by Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy, however, I love Rebecca Zanetti books and that is why I wanted to try this anthology. I was hoping to discover new authors that I would enjoy reading and I was not disappointed.

Each of the stories within this anthology are basically a 'novella' and I was impressed with how well the 3 authors did making the 'novellas' feel like a complete story. I had expected choppiness between the 3 stories and that didn't happen. The stories read smoothly. I loved the fact that there were connections between the 3 stories with common characters. The character connections made me feel like it was a complete book and I loved the flow. I also loved seeing characters from Rebecca's Deep Ops series, this connection made me fall in love with this anthology much quicker. As I said previously, I've never read any stories by Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy and after reading this book I am curious to see which characters they brought from previous series and I look forward to reading more of their work.

This book was extremely well written, has well developed characters, a common theme / intriguing plot line, and overall is just a really great book. I highly recommend reading this book!!

5 - "We’re in this together…" Stars!

What do you get when you put three superb RS/PNR authors together to provide three novellas that are loosely linked together?? A damn good read, that’s what! And I don’t say that lightly, because I have read more than my share of compilations like this in the past, and more often than not you find that one or two of the offerings are great but there’s usually a 'Weakest Link' in the mix just to fill out the page count, but all three of the novellas contained in Pivot were stellar reads.

"I only have tonight and I want to spend it with you…"

Of the three though, I have to say Rebecca Zanetti’s was my favourite, which will come as no surprise to those that know me, as she is one of my top five authors, she managed to link Michelle and Evan’s story not only to her Deep Ops series, but we get cameo’s from a couple of my favourite Dark Protectors too!

"Being with you these last few days has bought everything back, and well… I just want you."

Not too long, easy to read, likeable characters, and a great way to take your mind off the world around you for a few hours at a time. Whether these are authors you know, or completely unknown, this is an anthology that’s worth investing your time and money in.

"Stop waiting and start living."

Great collection of short stories by three great authors. Each story is separate,yet connected. All three are very similar in feel, action and the love stories. All have Hea’s. These interconnect to the author’s other series. (less)

Note - I only read Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti

This mini-anthology is three standalone novellas that link to each other, but that also link to the author’s other works. As an obsessive fangirl of Rebecca Zanetti, I only read Shaken, which is #2.5 in the Deep Ops series – a second-chance-romance that, even in such a short read, managed to capture my heart, I loved this one!

Michelle and Evan met as teenagers in a foster home. It was a turning point for both of them as they experienced stability for the first time, and they fell in mad love. But Evan, always desperate for action and adventure, joined the Marines, and his deployments proved too much for them and they separated.

Years later, Michelle has run into serious trouble, not of her own making. With her life in danger, she calls her foster brother, Raider (of the Deep Ops series, and hero of Fallen) for help, and it’s Evan – ex-Marine and now small-town sheriff - that shows up to save the day.

It’s a fantastic setup, and I was feeling the chemistry from the first moment that Michelle and Evan are reunited. They have both been through a lot since they separated, but it’s clear that they are still very much in love with the other, and the banter and flirting was awesome!

“I started dating somebody else. Well, sort of.”
“That doesn’t’ sound serious.”
She crossed her arms. “It’s personal.”
“He turned fully her way then, his eyes darkening. “I took your virginity, baby. We are personal.”
…
“I believe I took yours, too,” she sputtered.
His grin transformed his rugged face from deadly to charming in less than a heartbeat. “That you did. Nicely done, too.”

I love these characters! Michelle is strong, stubborn and determined to protect her heart, and Evan is the strong and tough alpha who is willing to do anything to get his girl back. Even in such a short read, there is so much emotion between these two. They can’t hold back from each other for too long, and I loved seeing them find their way back to each other. But their issues from the past were valid ones, and they still have to sort through them so that they can figure out if they have a future.

“It’s always been you and that’s not ever gonna change.”

Along the way they are searching for Michelle’s wayward mother and trying to figure out just who is after her. There are fights, car chases, shoot-outs and a whole lot of excitement, and Wolfe from the Deep Ops series is called in to help out. He is all kinds of awesome, and seeing him is a great lead in to his full-length novel coming up next in the series.

This is a fantastic read that is fun, exciting, dramatic and romantic. A great opportunity to introduce you to Zanetti’s work, and a must-read for fans.

I loved it. 4 stars.

3.5 stars

*Overall rating is the average of the following ratings.*

Against the Heart by Kat Martin: 4 stars

Mariweather Jones and her daughter, Lily, are trying to get as far away from Lily’s father as they can. He won’t stop harassing them and has taken all her money. When she reaches Spokane, she is out of money, gas, and in need of a job. Luckily, Ian Brodie sees her and hires her to help clean his father’s farmhouse. Ex-cop, Ian knows Meri plans to leave but the more he spends time with her the more he wants her, and her daughter to stay.

I really enjoyed this couple. Meri is a hardworking, dedicated single mother who will do anything for her daughter. Ian is protective, kind, and sweet. He knows Meri is in trouble and does everything he can to help her. I really liked his dad as well. He was grumpy at first but quickly came out of his depression. He learned to live again.

The romance between these two was tense but once they gave in it went from 10-100% in no time. It almost was too quick but I still enjoyed it.

Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti: 4 stars

Michelle Pamela Peach has been content in Portland until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her drug addict mother on a blackmail spree. The last person she expects to help is her ex, Evan Bolden, a former marine turned sheriff. Together they work to find her mother, stop some drug dealers, and deal with their feelings.

Michelle is the friend Meri was supposed to go to when she ran from her daughters father. She is also a fellow foster kid of Miss A’s, just like Evan. I enjoyed this second chance romance and seeing these two come back together after years. Michelle was a smart, determined woman and I loved that she was a comic book creator.

I really enjoyed that Wolfe shows up in this story. Wolfe, Roscoe, and Kat are my favorite and I love when they pop up in side stories like these. I also love that we got a small scene with some characters from the Dark Protector series. It was a very nice surprise.

Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy: 3 stars

When Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors she responds by ramming them with her car and running. What she doesn’t expect is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to come to her rescue. Now they have to work together to stop some dirty cops and deal with their past.

I liked Melanie. She was kind, caring, and a great teacher. She is the kind of teacher you would want to teach your kids. Gray is protective, determined, and an idiot. He left Melanie two years before and has regretted it ever since but never made a move to fix it. It was nice seeing him admit his stupidity and fix it finally.


Overall, I really enjoyed these three stories. I loved seeing how they all intertwined and seeing the connections to the Deep Ops unit. I actually wish there were more short stories in this because it was great seeing more of the characters and world.

*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*

Pivot by Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti and Alexandra Ivy

Three interwoven stories
Three women
Three men
Trouble and chaos
Problems to solve
Romance to enjoy
HEA’s to see happen
Loved this collection


AGAINST THE HEART by Kat Martin
Meriweather “Meri” Jones has not had an easy life. She is running from a bad guy when she realizes she has to stop and earn some money before she can move on to a safe place where she can’t be found. Ian Brodie, owner of a security firm, needs help tidying his father’s home and serendipitously he meets Meri at just the right point in both their lives to lend her a hand through giving her a job. They work hard, pussyfoot around one another and almost miss their chance. Loved Ian’s father and that side story just about as much as Meri & Ian’s. Lily was a sweetie, too.

SHAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti
Michelle Pamela Peach found a safe haven and the man she thought she would love forever when she landed in her last foster home. The job that Evan Boldon did in the military kept them apart while he was away then kept them apart when she couldn’t handle the stress of his job. They come together again when she is in need and he is there to provide protection. Watching the embers rekindle was fun and their HEA a joy to see.

ECHOES OF THE PAST by Alexandra Ivy
Detective Gray Hawkins is in the nick of time to assist Melanie Cassidy save a young boy from kidnappers. The two had dated before but Melanie was leery and not eager to get back together with Gray though he was more than eager to win her back. The corrupt cops were the mystery to be solved and eventually that did happen...as did the HEA they so richly deserved.

This was a fun collection of linked stories by three different authors. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books by all three authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars