Excalibur – Sentinel Security book 5

by Anna Hackett

He never should have touched her.

She’s beautiful, sweet, and all sunshine. He’s too old, too rough, and too grumpy.

Now she’s pregnant with his baby and in danger, and there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe.

All Adaline Harris ever wanted to do was escape her small town and make it as a ballet dancer in New York. But luck is never on her side. Just when she’s found the big, gruff man of her dreams, he ghosts her…leaving her with a broken heart, pregnant, and unable to dance. Oh, and added to that, someone is sending her creepy notes.

But then Bram O’Donovan walks back into her life, takes one look at her, and sweeps her into his brawny arms.

Bram “Excalibur” O’Donovan knows he’s rough, curt, and isn’t good with people. The military suited him just fine, and now, so does working for Sentinel Security. He never expected to have a chance with sweet, gorgeous Addie. The week he spent in her bed was the best week of his life…until she disappeared without a trace.

Finding her working in a bar and pregnant with his baby is a shock.

But after discovering Addie thinks he abandoned her and that someone is hunting her, Bram is determined to uncover what’s going on. Someone is trying to keep them apart, and wants her for themselves. Bram will go all out, and use all his dangerous skill set, to keep Addie safe, and claim her as his, once and for all.

*** An action-packed standalone romantic suspense.

Review

Hackett was back on her game for this installation in the Sentinel Security series. Bram was grumpy and unhappy when he isn’t with Addie but he thinks she ditched him. Until he finds her again. Then he discovers she’s in danger and pregnant with his child. Hackett struck the perfect balance between his inner dialog and his actual spoken dialog. He and Addie are amazing together and her faith in him is inspiring. They are sexy and sweet. This was a solid story for me.

Vortex of Desire – Prince Arawn and the Dawn

Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.

Prince Arawn and the Dawn

Viola Russell

Arawn, the Teufelian Prince of Tyre, is a trained warrior and heir apparent to his mother, Queen Tishlyn. Unlike most of his race, he feels pity and compassion for those deemed inferior. When he commits an act of mercy on a female of an enslaved people, Arawn displeases his mother and is banished to earth, stripped of his Teufelian form. His mission is to seduce Dawn, the pure daughter of an evil dictator who rules over the country that was the United States. Through her, he is to gain her father’s trust, and convince him to make war on a defenseless country. Arawn is unprepared for the young woman’s beauty, her natural grace, and her kindness. He soon feels desire and burning love for Dawn, qualities absent from his own kind, but loving her would mean permanent banishment from his galaxy, his own race, and his privileged life. If he does not fulfill his mother’s command that he wreak havoc on earth, he will lose everything he has ever known.

Tagline

Love or Cruelty – not a simple choice for Prince Arawn

Steel – Sentinel Security book 4

by Anna Hackett

Blurb

His skills and ruthlessness made him a legend.

The dark, dangerous former spy.

Now the operative turned billionaire known as Steel collides with fiery agent Hellfire when they discover they’re both on the kill list of a deadly assassin.

CIA agent Devyn “Hellfire” Hayden came from nothing and made herself into one of the CIA’s best deep-cover agents. She’s dedicated to her country. She’s always on the move. She’s a loner. Just the way she likes it. Letting people close is a weakness and she’ll never be weak again.

But when she finds herself under attack by an assassin targeting the world’s best intelligence agents, it sends her straight into the path of the only man who tempts her. The dark, lethal Killian “Steel” Hawke.

Killian Hawke rose through the ranks of the CIA, and knows his name is whispered in fear by his enemies. But when his sister needed him, he left and started Sentinel Security. He protects all those he considers his: his sister, his friends, his employees, and his clients.

But there is one stubborn redhead he also wants to claim.

As Devyn and Killian work together to unmask the assassin hunting them, they are forced to confront their white-hot attraction and their violent need to protect each other. Killian is tired of dancing around what he feels for her. Now that she’s in danger, he’ll do whatever it takes to make her safe, claim her heart, and possess her soul.

Review

Devyn wanted Killian but was so mired in her need to be alone that she puts him and others at risk. It was a slow start for me. It was slow despite the action. The writing is quality as you would expect from a Hackett book but this story dragged along until about the last third of the book. Devyn kept running away from Killian despite him being careful with her. At the same time, his alpha tendencies leaned a little alphahole. He wanted her and loved her but edged towards being too domineering. The one thing I liked about this book is it shows a couple learning to respect each others craft and skill when it comes to danger. She learns to work within a team and he learns to remember she’s capable of taking care of herself. A good read but a little slow.

Striker – Sentinel Security book 3

by Anna Hackett

Blurb

He’s a hot British billionaire.

The rich, muscled, former special forces soldier.

He’s a temptation she doesn’t want and can’t afford, but now she’s working undercover in his company to catch a rogue arms dealer.

Former MI6 agent Hadley “Striker” Lockwood found a new life in New York working for Sentinel Security. Her work fills a tired, jaded hole inside her. Life is just how she likes it, and she definitely has no desire for a man to mess that up.

When her next assignment sends her back to London to hunt a dangerous arms dealer, she finds herself not only face to face with a darkly tempting billionaire, but going undercover as his newest employee.

Bennett Knightley left the SAS with dark scars scratched on his soul and a determination to help in different ways. His successful company Secura makes high-tech gear for soldiers around the world, but now it’s under attack. Shipments are going missing, and his people are being targeted.

Enter Hadley—intelligent, stubborn, beautiful, and with walls a mile thick. Bennett’s never been tempted to mix business and pleasure, but with Hadley in the office he’s torn between their mission and claiming the maddening woman for himself.

As Hadley and Bennett close in on their enemy, they fight hard against their overwhelming attraction. She’s been burned before but the hot billionaire is getting under her skin. With Hadley, Bennett feels parts of himself coming back to life—now he has to not only convince her to trust him, but convince himself he deserves her.

*** Each book in the Sentinel Security series can be read as a stand alone romance.

Review

This was a slower paced book. Hackett spent more time with the female lead and the intimate scenes then the action. It putzed along until there were action scenes. The dialog was excellent. The back and forth between Hadley and Bennett was amazing and reminiscent of the Jane Austin books the male characters were named after. Once the action scenes were in play the story zoomed. One criticism, they were supposed to be trying to figure out who was trying to destroy Bennett but there were more intimate scenes than actual investigating going on. The writing is excellent but this story was only okay for me. It rates at a 3.5 but I rounded up because the series is so good. In all honesty, if I had read this book first, I’d still read the second one but I wouldn’t be as eager.

Hades – Sentinel Security book 2

by Anna Hackett

Blurb

He’s a gorgeous former Interpol agent.

Tall, dark, and Italian.

He’s way out of her league, but when danger explodes around them, she finds herself on the run with the sexiest man she’s ever met.


CIA analyst Gabbi Hansley has a plan—escape her dysfunctional family, excel at her job, and build a safe, stable life for herself. Boring? Maybe, but she likes boring. When tasked to meet a security contractor and give him an encrypted drive, a quick, simple job goes terribly wrong.

Gabbi didn’t expect her contact to be the hottest man she’s ever seen. Nor was she expecting the bad guys who turn up and spray the restaurant with bullets.

After years of wading through the muck, dismantling mafia crime syndicates in Italy, former Anti-Mafia officer and Interpol agent Matteo “Hades” Mancini likes his job at Sentinel Security. He also knows he has nothing permanent to offer any woman, so he keeps things fun and temporary.

But when his dangerous past rears its head, he finds himself trapped with the tough, no-nonsense Gabbi, and on a second glance, he sees past her sensible exterior to the tempting woman beneath.

Now Gabbi and Matteo are in a race for survival. While they work to track down who’s after them, attraction burns hot and bright. Gabbi knows a man like Matteo won’t be interested in her for long, and she asks him to show her all the things she’s been missing in the bedroom. But the possessive need to keep her safe is growing in Matteo, and soon he has two mission objectives: take down the bad guys, and convince Gabbi Hansley that she’s his.
*** An action-packed standalone romantic suspense.

Review

Gabbi, a CIA analyst, is sent by a fellow analyst to meet Mateo from Sentinel Security. When I read the opening on this story, I KNEW what was going to happen… or thought I did. I was surprised by elevator malfunctions and a shy yet bold female character who didn’t fold when things got crazy and who surprised me a couple times in the story. Mateo is a former DIA officer who fought against the mafia in Italy. His past threatened him and because she was there Gabbi. These two go through a lot in a short time and I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I LOVE how Mateo treats her. I love how honest he is and what he sees in her. I adore how Gabbi comes into her own and when she does Mateo enjoys it even more. Hackett his a homerun for me with this one. The intimate scenes were steamy and delightful. The humor was on the spot and appropriate. The emotional investment was there. All in all, I want to read this book again. I will be checking out the next book. Love this story and love how Hackett allows her characters to grow and be strong even if they are vulnerable, afraid and all the other emotions. Storytelling was spot on with this one.

Vortex of Desire – Somewhere with Trees

Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.

Somewhere with Trees

Alice Renaud

Eric is an Admiral in the Interstellar Fleet, and a war hero, but he’s had enough of the sea. He intends to spend his retirement on a peaceful planet covered with forests. But when the trees turn out to be intelligent and telepathic, and they put him in touch with Jacinta, his long lost ex-girlfriend, he is forced to confront his past and the consequences of his actions. Can he find a way to atone for past mistakes, and get a second chance at love?

Tagline

Can alien telepathic trees bring healing and a second chance at love to a war-weary veteran?

Wolf – Sentinel Security book 1

by Anna Hackett

Blurb:

He’s her best friend’s older brother.

The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.

The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.


CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.

What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.

Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.

But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.

The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…

*** An action-packed standalone romantic suspense.

Review:

Hackett delivers an action packed, danger and desire story which keeps you turning the pages. Lainie’s best friend’s older brother comes to her rescue when she receives death threats. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It took you through the gamut of emotions. Funny, sexy, happy, edge of seat danger, loving and so much more. Hackett has created a believable story which doesn’t put the women in the backseat instead they are strong – despite being scared witless – and determined. Nick – Wolf is definitely an alpha male who is bossy and demanding yet when she pushes back, he isn’t a dick about it. He is gentle, loving and all the good feels men can be while still being strong and powerful in his own ways. I enjoyed this story and will read more in this series.

Hell Squad – Marcus

by Anna Hackett

The premise is good. The writing is good. I can’t point to anything being wrong with the book. It was a good solid story. I think the plot felt a little rushed and the balance of fighting and steamy were off. It felt like the characters were either fighting against the aliens or having sex. I would have liked a little more relationship development. To be honest, this might be a me thing as it took me several days to get through the story. It might be I just wasn’t in the mood for a post apocalyptic story. It was a good solid story and the writing was good. I’ll go read the next one in the story.

Blurb

In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a band of survivors fights on…

For a limited time, you can get the latest Phoenix Adventures novella, On a Cyborg Planet, free. Visit here to find out more > bit.ly/annahackettbooks (paste into your browser)

In a world gone to hell, Elle Milton–once the darling of the Sydney social scene–has carved a role for herself as the communications officer for the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival–Hell Squad. It’s her chance to make a difference and make up for horrible past mistakes…despite the fact that its battle-hardened commander never wanted her on his team.

When Hell Squad is tasked with destroying a strategic alien facility, Elle knows they need her skills in the field. But first she must go head to head with Marcus Steele and convince him she won’t be a liability.

Marcus Steele is a warrior through and through. He fights to protect the innocent and give the human race a chance to survive. And that includes the beautiful, gutsy Elle who twists him up inside with a single look. The last thing he wants is to take her into a warzone, but soon they are thrown together battling both the alien invaders and their overwhelming attraction. And Marcus will learn just how much he’ll sacrifice to keep her safe.

Note to readers: This post apocalyptic sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think invading aliens, explosions and gunfights), tough warriors (the sexy, battle-hardened soldiers of Hell Squad) and a steamy romance (lots of sexy times between a gutsy survivor and a tough, scarred warrior). So if you like it fast, and gritty, and sexy, this is for you!

Mission: Her Justice

by Anna Hackett

The last in the series. This one read slow for me. About halfway through, I felt it was just lingering. However, it picked up. A woman takes Jonah, the mysterious man in charge, by surprise in his office in their super secret military base. From the moment she ties him to his own desk, he wants her. The sex is steamy. The storyline is good but a little slow. The chemistry between Jonah and Evan is delightful. The little side story of Evan’s mom is amusing but fun.

Hackett’s writing is spot on. I enjoyed this one as much as the other ones. She rounds out the series with a nice little wrap up which isn’t contrived or forced. It fits in with the series and with the way each book was written.

In all, I highly recommend this series and all eight books. I enjoyed each one and will be considering reading more of her books.

Vortex of Desire – The Grey Mission

Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.

The Grey Mission

Angella O’Hanlon

In the distant future, technology has evolved by leaps and bounds. Space exploration and colonization is now the norm, Earth equipped with an agency and crew for these missions.

Major Collins is assigned to what he thinks is a routine colonization of Mars, attending a quick briefing with the Admiral before he’s to board the ship. He assumes everything is business as usual, but things take a turn when the Admiral insists on Collins signing a confidentiality agreement before the briefing has even begun…

The real reason behind the mission is far more disturbing than Collins originally wagered. His crew is not to know the details, even his pretty second in command, Illyana Petrovich, who Collins finds more than intriguing, especially as he spends more time with her.

As their journey begins, their mission is plagued with complications, though this does nothing to distract Collins from his budding desire for the redheaded Commander, the real purpose of their mission also hanging over his head.

It becomes apparent that nothing about this mission is routine and danger lurks even in the deepest corners of space.

Tagline

The mission is confidential, but what of his budding desire?