No one tells a story of ex forces lesbians saving a lesbian in distress quite like V.K.Powell. She builds the narrative and the action well, this is an exciting adventure story told well, with a believable romance, although for me the adventure keeps me turning the pages.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of VK Powell's work and Deadly Secrets is another of her exciting reads featuring a woman in uniform and the woman that loves her. It takes place in the same world as Powell's previous Fairview Station trilogy, but you don't need to have read them to enjoy this book.

The two main characters are complex and interesting with fully developed backstories that allow the reader to understand their actions. Rafe Silva is a woman just out of a uniform -- she has retired from the US Army and is coerced by her best friend to take on a protection detail for a corporate whistleblower. Jana Elliott is an EVP of a multibillion-dollar corporation that has conducted business in a way that has put people in danger. The company is planning a merger and any information Jana has discovered could cost it billions of dollars -- the powers that be are desperate to silence her no matter what it takes. Silva and Jana will have to fight for their lives and their growing attraction to each other to survive.

The secondary characters are Bennett and Kerstin from Captain's Choice. They are the crucial link between Rafe and Jana. and it was great to see them again,

This is a fast-paced and exciting adventure through corporate malfeasance and warring emotions. I highly recommend Deadly Secrets.

The story started great but being an avid reader, it was quite predictable for me. This is a case of opposite attracts. Rafe is fresh out of the military and has absolutely no idea what she's going to do with her life. When her best friend approaches her and ask her to protect her friend Jana an executive who is about to be a whistle blower because she doesn't agree with the ethics of the company and their many coverups. She finds herself in many situations because Jana as a mind of her own and does not follow the instructions that are given. I would recommend as it a great read 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

This was an opposites attract, high energy read. Rafe is a nails tough, ex military bad ass. Jana is an outgoing, woman-loving executive. When Jana finds herself in a bind trying to right a wrong, she hires Rafe as a bodyguard. For better or worse it takes about 27 seconds before those well developed personalities start to crumble and the two start to fall for each other. I think the book spans over 4 or 5 days and they were talking kids at the end. However, if you are on board with the insta-love, this was an action packed read when you leave feeling vindicated and like the good guys won!

When you read mystery/intrigue thrillers you know you are going to get fast action and a thrown in romance without much depth. Deadly Secrets is exactly that kind of book. Using a close-proximity trope the story the story begins with the retirement of Army Major, Special Ops Agent Rafe Silva. Her old friend and chief of police Bennet suggests Rafe as a bodyguard when another friend is in need of protection. Jana Elliott is VP of Alumicor. Just before a billion dollar merger Jana is handed a shoebox while attending a friends funeral. The box originally came from her now dead mother and may have information that the company is continuing to cover up its deadly polluting ways.

While Jana tries to figure out the information she has attacks against her begin forcing the two to run and hide. The whole action takes place over a few days. Jana is of course her own worst enemy provoking people and not taking seriously the threats against her. Also she inexplicably doesn't open the box with all the clues for a ridiculously long time. The two do try to get to know each other but everything is very instant including expressing of feelings. I did like that Rafe is hesitant to use lethal force and willing to take help from Bennett and her police friends. This is a quick, predictable thriller and I wasn't blown away with the characters or intrigue. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Book for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rafe Silva is finally retired after twenty five years as a Delta Force special ops Major. Before she has a chance to figure out what civilian life looks like, an old friend asks Rafe to work as a personal body guard. She will be guarding Jana Elliott who is about to blow the whistle on her company’s illegal practices in dumping life threatening waste material. 
Having been a long time fan of Powell’s writing I expected her normally strong storytelling to surround this plot. Unfortunately, too many of the turning points were precipitated by Jana repeatedly making bad decisions for a supposedly smart woman. As well, the files which would verify the illegal activity were not read by Jana until almost the end to tie up the story. I guess what I am saying is the story lacks credibility. For me this is huge letdown.

I received a free advance review copy from and NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Is this book a little predictable? Sure. Did I mind? Sure didn’t.

Jana is in need of protection ever since evidence of pollution by her company was given to her. She doesn’t know the full extent of it yet, but the ceo of her company is an ass and is adamant it all remains a secret. Or as he says leave well enough alone.
Just retired from the army Rafe is Jana’s bodyguard and she is super serious. It is needed. I think maybe the action is a little over the top when we aren’t certain about the information Jana has, but I liked it nonetheless.

Few things I had some issues with, like how “hot” both characters are and their instant attraction, quick I-love-yous and as said the action might be a bit over the top.
I think this is a typical VK Powell romance, lots of policing, strong butch and I’d say high femme mains. It’s nice, well-written and just that bit of intrigue that keeps you on your toes. I like the main characters together and as individuals. The supporting cast is fun as well Bennett and Kerstin from the Fairview Station series have the biggest presence and the others from that series get a mention as well. This is marked as part of the series, as far as I am aware this is a stand-alone book. But you can read Fairview series before this one so you know the back story of the the secondary characters.

3.5 stars
I liked how this story started. Retired "hot" army major in the delta force becoming the body guard of a high class "hot" executive. The 2 main characters were very hot and and the first half of the book had lots of potential. Interesting happenings between them. And of course the usual ninja bike ride. But unfortunately I felt the last half of the story fizzled out. It was very predictable and simplistic. I kept thinking...why doesn't she just go to the press and the epa? Why hire a body guard and hide. So I was disappointed.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

My true rating is closer to 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the romance in this book and I truly fell in love with Rafe, Jana, Ben, Keirsten, and Camille as I read. the characters of Jana and Rafe were opposing in the perfect way of opposites attract and conflicting personalities, and it kept the tension and interest high in the right ways. However, the dialogue felt somewhat stilted and formal to me in a way that felt unrealistic. A lot of the times characters seemed to be saying "I am now going to exposit to you" while listing off details in a very formal way. I also wished for more resolution on what happened to Alumicron and Fergus following the public reveal of the findings. It didn't feel like closure was given on those aspects of the story.

VK Powell is the queen of lesbian books on law enforcement. In her latest, she writes about one of my favorite romance novel tropes, the bodyguard. Without giving too much away, there is a lot of corporate espionage in this current piece. Making it a heart pounding thriller of a tale.

Jana Elliot is flying high in the business world. And then she is being tipped that her company is dumping waste that contaminates water and is guilty of numerous deaths, even her own mother’s. As she starts investigating she notices strange things happening, like her boss insisting she drops the investigation, returns what is meant to be public information and her office has been searched. Enters Rafe Silva, newly retired Special Forces operative that is tasked with protecting Jana.
As Jana struggles to fully understand the danger she is in she starts falling for her bodyguard and vice-versa. This is an action packed novel that brings back Bennet and Kerstin from Captain’s Choice although it’s not necesarry for that book to be read. A classic Powell I would say, that keeps you entertained.

In Deadly Secrets we have Jana Elliott who has discovered the company she works for has been covering up environment dumping. Now she's gathering evidence to blow the whistle. But not without her boss trying to stop her.
Jana is introduced to Rafe Silva a recently retired army specialist. Rafe is trying to keep Jana safe but she isn't making it easy.
As they find a safe place to gather more evidence they'll soon learn they can't trust anyone.
Along the way they'll start to realize they have feelings for each other, Rafe isn't use to being out control at all times which makes her question if she can really keep Jana safe.

This is an action packed adventure from the beginning until the end, another fantastic book by VK Powell that you'' enjoy.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Boldstrokesbooks for this ARC

Agent Rafe is content with her life that she like not having any attachment. When she gets job as a bodyguard she got her work cut out for her because her client is reluctant to have a bodyguard. Jana does the right thing and tells the truth about what company Alumicor have been polluting the environment. Rafe and Jana grow closer as Jana has to figure out what to do about the job she had love and the company she thought was doing good things as Rafe realizes she does want attachment. This was a good I like how the author dive into darker side of large companies and it was a nice surprise to see Bennett and Kerstin from her Fairview Station series.




I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a great story that had a lot of intriguing parts to it. You have Rafe who just got out of the military and doesn’t know what to do with her life now. She ends up working as a bodyguard to help protect a client.

Ex military special ops (Rafe) as bodyguard to a whistle blower (Janna) whose company is polluting environment. Janna is reluctant at first to have a bodyguard and even after an attempt on her life when she accepts it might be necessary she fights Rafe's efforts to protect her.
This is a fairly action filled story but I do feel Rafe should have just left the idiot that thought she knew best to her own devices. But of course Rafe had fallen in love so she had to try.
Janna also had a box of stuff to look through but it seemed to take forever for her to get round to it.
It was an Ok story but a wee bit disappointing. I felt Janna could have been a more cooperative with Rafe and more put into the investigation of the reason for the whistleblowing..

I loved the chemistry between the two characters! I could actually feel their connection and the angst... I loved it. My favorite thing in lesbian romances is pining and there was plenty of it in this one!

This has been a fairly typical VK Powell story, with a police or intrigue plot, in this case involving a mega-industry and the dark sides of large corporations.

Actually, the intrigue is not very surprising because almost from the beginning it is clear what is there. So, what the story offers is how two very different women, different education, different life choices, meet and connect at a time of great change in their present. It seems that Rafe is too circumspect and not inclined to socialize, while Jana is open and outgoing, totally opposite each other. But Jana is going to find herself in a compromising position much to her chagrin and Rafe can offer her all the means to unravel the doubts that Jana is beginning to have regarding the ethics of her company, falling in love with each other in the process.

And for those of you who know other books by this author, here you will find the protagonists of her series Fairview Station, Bennett and Kerstin, which has been very appreciated on my part.

In general, the development of the plot has been entertaining and quite interesting as a whole.