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Tempting SEALs #5
Killer Secrets
The new, sexy Navy SEAL novel from New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh
THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
As the illegitimate son of Diego Fuentes, Ian Richards faces danger at every turn. Neither his father nor his fellow Navy SEALs knows which side he’s fighting for—or against. Which is exactly how the game must be played…until Agent Porter enters the picture.
STIRS HER DESIRE FOR LIVING
Kira Porter, undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, shadows Ian on his journey. She thinks she can see the real man beneath Ian’s bad-boy exterior…but the ever-elusive Ian keeps her guessing at every turn. Is his goal to protect the Fuentes cartel from French terrorists? Or to do his father in for good? The only thing Kira does know is that her attraction to Ian is a time-bomb waiting to explode. With time running out on the Fuentes mission, she and Ian are drawn ever close to the edge of desire—and even closer into the line of fire…
THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
As the illegitimate son of Diego Fuentes, Ian Richards faces danger at every turn. Neither his father nor his fellow Navy SEALs knows which side he’s fighting for—or against. Which is exactly how the game must be played…until Agent Porter enters the picture.
STIRS HER DESIRE FOR LIVING
Kira Porter, undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, shadows Ian on his journey. She thinks she can see the real man beneath Ian’s bad-boy exterior…but the ever-elusive Ian keeps her guessing at every turn. Is his goal to protect the Fuentes cartel from French terrorists? Or to do his father in for good? The only thing Kira does know is that her attraction to Ian is a time-bomb waiting to explode. With time running out on the Fuentes mission, she and Ian are drawn ever close to the edge of desire—and even closer into the line of fire…
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 4, 2008
99 people are currently reading
2843 people want to read
About the author
Lora Leigh
190 books10.1k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
November 27, 2009
I'm sorry to say, but I was very disappointed with this book. Ian and Kira caught my attention from the "start" when I met them in Wild Card - yes, I started reading this series out of order, ugh! - so I was anxious to read their book. Unfortunately, their romance turned out to be not as good as I had expected because LL failed to make me connect with them. I didn't like f*cktard Ian, I didn't care for Kira, and their love sex scenes were uncomfortable to read. Fortunately, the ongoing suspense involving the demise of drug lord Diego Fuentes was interesting enough to prevent me from DNF'ing this read.
I'm not going to write a plot summary here, because the story is so connected with the previous books and there's so much going on in this installment that I don't know where to start. All I'm going to say is, I really liked the overall storyline and the several plot twists - some predictable, some very surprising. In a strange way, that could explain why I didn't care about Ian and Kira. Really, I thought that Ian's troubled relationship with Fuentes was more interesting than his "love affair" with Kira. When I decided to forget about the romance part and focus on the action/suspense part in this book, I was able to enjoy it.
All in all, I don't regret reading this book because I got more insight into what happened to Nathan Malone, the hero in Wild Card and the reason why I decided to backpedal and read this series from the start. Wild Card is still the best of the bunch, and now I want to reread it.
I'm not going to write a plot summary here, because the story is so connected with the previous books and there's so much going on in this installment that I don't know where to start. All I'm going to say is, I really liked the overall storyline and the several plot twists - some predictable, some very surprising. In a strange way, that could explain why I didn't care about Ian and Kira. Really, I thought that Ian's troubled relationship with Fuentes was more interesting than his "love affair" with Kira. When I decided to forget about the romance part and focus on the action/suspense part in this book, I was able to enjoy it.
All in all, I don't regret reading this book because I got more insight into what happened to Nathan Malone, the hero in Wild Card and the reason why I decided to backpedal and read this series from the start. Wild Card is still the best of the bunch, and now I want to reread it.
November 29, 2013
Opening Line:"Slipping into the ICU unit of the private military hospital wasn't an easy task.
Wow, Lora Leigh has outdone herself with this addition to the Tempting Seals/Elite-Ops series. With non-stop action and enough intrigue, twists and steamy drama that you won't be sure who's playing who until the last few pages. And sexy, oh my, this is possibly the hottest LL I've ever read, and that's saying something. Ian and Kira literally burn up the pages as they each strive for dominance in a cat and mouse relationship fated from the onset.
Ever since Ian Richards abandoned the Navy Seals to lead his father's drug cartel there's been a ‘small’ price on his head, it seems everyone wants him dead these days. His former team consider him a traitor and then there's the rival cartels and assorted terrorist groups who all want a shot at him. Ian can't afford to let anyone get close; until the spirited Kira Porter enters the scene.
This pair has been dancing around a relationship since the last book Hidden Agendas, never quite getting the opportunity to act on the growing chemistry between them. Ian definitely doesn't have the time or patience to get involved with Kira now even though she might be the only one he can trust to cover his back and help him complete his mission. She's arrived just in time though because the lines are starting to blur between right and wrong, is Ian becoming the drug lord he went undercover to kill?
Kira, AKA “the chameleon” is the secret weapon of the DHS. Bold and passionate she's a master of disguise, able to blend in and assume any persona, anywhere. No one's ever been able to trace her movements except Ian who instinctively always seems to know who she is. Believing Ian to be deep undercover Kira has come to Aruba with a mission of her own, but is she already too late? And will she be able to complete her agenda, ultimately betraying Ian now that her heart is involved?
Now that I've given you the basic plot I can tell you that Ian and Kira also have a lot of sex, a lot of really hot, explicit sex. Lora Leigh, the master of the bedroom scene has managed to hook this couple up nearly every second page. Which you might think would get tedious but she manages to make each love scene just different and exciting enough to keep you gasping. I loved watching their story unfold, as each forces the other to open their hearts, taking their relationship to new and exciting levels.
Drawing heavily on plotlines established in Hidden Agendas(book2) people are rarely who they seem here. As well as the power struggles between Ian and Kira we're introduced to several interesting secondary characters including the inner workings of the well written Diego Fuentes as Ian’s cartel leading father. I had surprising empathy for him by the end as he struggled to gain his sons love. Durango team remains on the fringes throughout as they try to figure out Ian's motives and fans will delight in the tidbits thrown at us regarding these past heroes from the series. The ending contains a spectacular shootout and even though you know its coming I couldn't wait to see how things would play out.
This series just gets better and better and thankfully the editing here is somewhat improved. There are still a few small mistakes like Kira removing her shoes twice but as a whole this is a great read. Nathan Malone's story is up next in Wild Card and this is not to be missed, my favourite from the series. Cheers!
Wow, Lora Leigh has outdone herself with this addition to the Tempting Seals/Elite-Ops series. With non-stop action and enough intrigue, twists and steamy drama that you won't be sure who's playing who until the last few pages. And sexy, oh my, this is possibly the hottest LL I've ever read, and that's saying something. Ian and Kira literally burn up the pages as they each strive for dominance in a cat and mouse relationship fated from the onset.
Ever since Ian Richards abandoned the Navy Seals to lead his father's drug cartel there's been a ‘small’ price on his head, it seems everyone wants him dead these days. His former team consider him a traitor and then there's the rival cartels and assorted terrorist groups who all want a shot at him. Ian can't afford to let anyone get close; until the spirited Kira Porter enters the scene.
This pair has been dancing around a relationship since the last book Hidden Agendas, never quite getting the opportunity to act on the growing chemistry between them. Ian definitely doesn't have the time or patience to get involved with Kira now even though she might be the only one he can trust to cover his back and help him complete his mission. She's arrived just in time though because the lines are starting to blur between right and wrong, is Ian becoming the drug lord he went undercover to kill?
Kira, AKA “the chameleon” is the secret weapon of the DHS. Bold and passionate she's a master of disguise, able to blend in and assume any persona, anywhere. No one's ever been able to trace her movements except Ian who instinctively always seems to know who she is. Believing Ian to be deep undercover Kira has come to Aruba with a mission of her own, but is she already too late? And will she be able to complete her agenda, ultimately betraying Ian now that her heart is involved?
Now that I've given you the basic plot I can tell you that Ian and Kira also have a lot of sex, a lot of really hot, explicit sex. Lora Leigh, the master of the bedroom scene has managed to hook this couple up nearly every second page. Which you might think would get tedious but she manages to make each love scene just different and exciting enough to keep you gasping. I loved watching their story unfold, as each forces the other to open their hearts, taking their relationship to new and exciting levels.
Drawing heavily on plotlines established in Hidden Agendas(book2) people are rarely who they seem here. As well as the power struggles between Ian and Kira we're introduced to several interesting secondary characters including the inner workings of the well written Diego Fuentes as Ian’s cartel leading father. I had surprising empathy for him by the end as he struggled to gain his sons love. Durango team remains on the fringes throughout as they try to figure out Ian's motives and fans will delight in the tidbits thrown at us regarding these past heroes from the series. The ending contains a spectacular shootout and even though you know its coming I couldn't wait to see how things would play out.
This series just gets better and better and thankfully the editing here is somewhat improved. There are still a few small mistakes like Kira removing her shoes twice but as a whole this is a great read. Nathan Malone's story is up next in Wild Card and this is not to be missed, my favourite from the series. Cheers!
November 24, 2008
Really 3.5 stars...
I enjoyed this story about Ian, the son of ruthless drug lord Diego Fuentes. Ian is deep undercover. So deep in fact, that everyone believes he is a deserter. He wants so badly to kill Diego for torturing Nathan, his best friend and holding him hostage for years.
In comes Kira... also a contract agent, she can change her appearance on a whim and no one recognizes her. No one except Ian. The two of them connected on a job with one of Ian's SEAL friends about a year prior, and when Kira hears what Ian has done, she knows he would never desert his country, or his team. She is going to find out the truth. Even if it kills her.
There is a ton of snarly arguments in this book about Kira's need for protection. It started out fine, however towards the end of the book, it gets old. The sex between Ian and Kira is scorching hot!! Lora Leigh can write a sex scene that's for sure! There was never a lack of passion or angst, and the plot is very well thought out. You really have to have read the other books in the series for this to make sense, or you will be horribly confused. Heck, at times I was confused ;) Overall it was a fun read, although I found that I had to keep putting the book down and picking it back up because I was irritated with Ian's overly protective attitude. I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it.
I enjoyed this story about Ian, the son of ruthless drug lord Diego Fuentes. Ian is deep undercover. So deep in fact, that everyone believes he is a deserter. He wants so badly to kill Diego for torturing Nathan, his best friend and holding him hostage for years.
In comes Kira... also a contract agent, she can change her appearance on a whim and no one recognizes her. No one except Ian. The two of them connected on a job with one of Ian's SEAL friends about a year prior, and when Kira hears what Ian has done, she knows he would never desert his country, or his team. She is going to find out the truth. Even if it kills her.
There is a ton of snarly arguments in this book about Kira's need for protection. It started out fine, however towards the end of the book, it gets old. The sex between Ian and Kira is scorching hot!! Lora Leigh can write a sex scene that's for sure! There was never a lack of passion or angst, and the plot is very well thought out. You really have to have read the other books in the series for this to make sense, or you will be horribly confused. Heck, at times I was confused ;) Overall it was a fun read, although I found that I had to keep putting the book down and picking it back up because I was irritated with Ian's overly protective attitude. I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it.
March 9, 2008
Hot book! Good plot, but a little complicated to follow if you haven't recently read the books leading up to this one. (That would be "Dangerous Games" and "Hidden Agendas") It took me awhile to get into it for just that reason--a few months and a lot of other books have come between "Hidden Agendas and "Killer Secrets".
In this story, former SEAL Ian Richards now works for his infamous father, drug lord Diego Fuentes. Kira Porter, an undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, has it bad for Ian. She's known him for years, having teamed up with him and his fellow SEALs on various missions around the world. She thinks she can see the real Ian that hides beneath the gruff exterior. Kira follows him to Aruba and to the Fuentes compound. She can't believe that the Ian she knows would be working with a criminal--or is he? Has Ian really given up his old life to run his father's drug cartel? Or does he have an ulterior motive?
There are lots of twists and turns in this book and a few surprises--you have to pay attention to follow this one and keep the players straight. But it is a very satisfying romantic suspense. And Ian and Kira together--very steamy- in typical Lora Leigh fashion! I just loved seeing each of them break down the other's emotional walls! If you enjoyed the previous books in the series, you'll enjoy this one too!
In this story, former SEAL Ian Richards now works for his infamous father, drug lord Diego Fuentes. Kira Porter, an undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, has it bad for Ian. She's known him for years, having teamed up with him and his fellow SEALs on various missions around the world. She thinks she can see the real Ian that hides beneath the gruff exterior. Kira follows him to Aruba and to the Fuentes compound. She can't believe that the Ian she knows would be working with a criminal--or is he? Has Ian really given up his old life to run his father's drug cartel? Or does he have an ulterior motive?
There are lots of twists and turns in this book and a few surprises--you have to pay attention to follow this one and keep the players straight. But it is a very satisfying romantic suspense. And Ian and Kira together--very steamy- in typical Lora Leigh fashion! I just loved seeing each of them break down the other's emotional walls! If you enjoyed the previous books in the series, you'll enjoy this one too!
September 12, 2010
#5 Tempting SEALS - Romantic Suspense
For me the SEALS series has become formulaic. Brooding, ultra uber SEAL, with no redeeming emotional skills to offset him being a complete and utter *sshole. Heroine overlooks the SEAL's bullheaded, Neandrethal (sp?) behavior for hot sex.
Ian is such a Class A jerk -- I *really* disliked him. He treated Kira very badly, though they were in a sexual relationship ... then, as in most if not all of the SEALS books, till then very end when the "hero" crumbles, professes his undying love, and offers "white picket fences". Please.
I thought Kira was underdeveloped, and her allowing Ian to treat her with such disrespect and utter lack of regard made her even less appealing to me.
Ian's the heir to his long lost father's drug cartel, with ultra sophisticated security and goons galore to guard every nook and cranny of the estate. So what's up with Ian dodging the guards at night, climbing a tree on his side, jumping over to a tree on the other side of a 10 foot high fence to meet Kira (his neighbor at the estate next door).
I scanned most of the book to see if the action (plot wise, not sex wise) picked up.
I have Wild Card and Maverick, #1 and #2 in the Elite Ops series, which pick up after Killer Secrets winds up the SEALS series. Since I have them, I'll give them a quick read pretty soon, and hope for something better.
As enthusiastic as I was when Lora Leigh was a newer-to-me author, I'm pretty sure she's soon to be a former favorite author :-(
For me the SEALS series has become formulaic. Brooding, ultra uber SEAL, with no redeeming emotional skills to offset him being a complete and utter *sshole. Heroine overlooks the SEAL's bullheaded, Neandrethal (sp?) behavior for hot sex.
Ian is such a Class A jerk -- I *really* disliked him. He treated Kira very badly, though they were in a sexual relationship ... then, as in most if not all of the SEALS books, till then very end when the "hero" crumbles, professes his undying love, and offers "white picket fences". Please.
I thought Kira was underdeveloped, and her allowing Ian to treat her with such disrespect and utter lack of regard made her even less appealing to me.
Ian's the heir to his long lost father's drug cartel, with ultra sophisticated security and goons galore to guard every nook and cranny of the estate. So what's up with Ian dodging the guards at night, climbing a tree on his side, jumping over to a tree on the other side of a 10 foot high fence to meet Kira (his neighbor at the estate next door).
I scanned most of the book to see if the action (plot wise, not sex wise) picked up.
I have Wild Card and Maverick, #1 and #2 in the Elite Ops series, which pick up after Killer Secrets winds up the SEALS series. Since I have them, I'll give them a quick read pretty soon, and hope for something better.
As enthusiastic as I was when Lora Leigh was a newer-to-me author, I'm pretty sure she's soon to be a former favorite author :-(
September 16, 2008
Finally finished this one! And I enjoyed it a lot...though I think I liked the other 2 better. Tough call, though.
Of the three of this series that I have read, I think this one has the most solid plot. In the others, the romance overwhelms the story a bit, but in this one, they were a bit more equal - though it's still very much a romance.
The sex is super hot and yummy - but in my opinion, still not as darkly erotic as Leigh's straight-up erotic-romances. Kira and Ian were fun to read, lots of chemistry there...but, hmm, I'm not sure what it was, but something about them just didn't yank at me the way Kell/Emily and Clint/Morganna did.
There were some plot things that seemed a bit iffy to me...things that seemed a bit illogical, but only mildly and it didn't ruin the book for me. Overall, it was a good read and a good edition to the series. Next up I read Macye's novella in "Rescue Me" and then, finally, "Wild Card" with Nathan's story!
Of the three of this series that I have read, I think this one has the most solid plot. In the others, the romance overwhelms the story a bit, but in this one, they were a bit more equal - though it's still very much a romance.
The sex is super hot and yummy - but in my opinion, still not as darkly erotic as Leigh's straight-up erotic-romances. Kira and Ian were fun to read, lots of chemistry there...but, hmm, I'm not sure what it was, but something about them just didn't yank at me the way Kell/Emily and Clint/Morganna did.
There were some plot things that seemed a bit iffy to me...things that seemed a bit illogical, but only mildly and it didn't ruin the book for me. Overall, it was a good read and a good edition to the series. Next up I read Macye's novella in "Rescue Me" and then, finally, "Wild Card" with Nathan's story!
September 22, 2008
It was a struggle for me to continue reading this one because I did not like the characters or the plot. The characters were in a state of constant turmoil--not just the main characters (Kira and Ian), but Ian and his father, etc. There were a lot of lies, meetings for weapons deals, etc that I didn't understand. I did not like Ian's character--at all. There was a lot of repetition in his need to protect Kira, not trusting her, etc.
After about 3/4th into the book, I skimmed the rest just to finish it. In the beginning I thought the writing was neat, but then some sentences didn't make sense (to me). But, the bottom line was I didn't like the characters or the plot. In a book, what else is there? Time to move onto something that I will find more enjoyable.
After about 3/4th into the book, I skimmed the rest just to finish it. In the beginning I thought the writing was neat, but then some sentences didn't make sense (to me). But, the bottom line was I didn't like the characters or the plot. In a book, what else is there? Time to move onto something that I will find more enjoyable.
July 3, 2012
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I had heard so many good things about Lora Leigh only to read two of her books that were very disappointing to me. But I'd heard such great things I decided to give her another try. I really enjoyed Hidden Agendas, so I just had to read Killer Secrets. I loved it. I think this probably one of the best action romances I've ever read. One of the things I was really disappointed by in the earlier books was that so much of the book was focused on the sex that the characters were just flat. But this was definitely not the case in Killer Secrets. Ian and Kira were such well written characters. I love that Leigh gave enough back story into there lives for us to really connect with and understand their emotions. I loved the story between Ian and Diego. I really felt like I had a vested interest in the outcome of the situation. We all knew that Diego was a bad guy, but we got a lot of insight into what made him the monster that he is, as well as how he sees himself, as opposed to how we as readers (as well as the other characters) perceived him.
I also really liked Kira's character. Its always good to see a strong woman who can take care of herself, especially in a romance series full of big, strong, Alpha males who live to protect. Ian was no slouch either. He was the epitome of a romance hero. Tough as nails, fiercely protective, willing to do anything to protect those he loves. And when he loves, OMG, talk about hot. Their romance was not a typical one, both had a mission that they had to keep hidden from each other. But in the end they chose to stay loyal to each other over anything else.
It was obvious that Leigh did a lot of research to make this all come together. It was really good work. Although I hope this isn't something that goes on in real life with our government and military, Leigh's writing makes it all believable. I was hooked and couldn't wait for the suspense to end, the mystery to be solved, and the bad guys to be defeated. I wasn't disappointed.
I pretty much liked everything about this book, I especially liked that it deviated from what I was beginning to think was Lora Leigh's only story line. I was so happy that Ian had not been waiting for Kara to grow up. I really think thats creepy, and Lora does it a lot. Big strong soldier goes off to war while the sixteen year old he had the hots for turns legal, then he rushes home to claim her. I have to the last two books in this series were infinitely better than anything else I've read by Lora Leigh, I will definitely be on the look out for more of her work that has the potential to match up to this.
I also really liked Kira's character. Its always good to see a strong woman who can take care of herself, especially in a romance series full of big, strong, Alpha males who live to protect. Ian was no slouch either. He was the epitome of a romance hero. Tough as nails, fiercely protective, willing to do anything to protect those he loves. And when he loves, OMG, talk about hot. Their romance was not a typical one, both had a mission that they had to keep hidden from each other. But in the end they chose to stay loyal to each other over anything else.
It was obvious that Leigh did a lot of research to make this all come together. It was really good work. Although I hope this isn't something that goes on in real life with our government and military, Leigh's writing makes it all believable. I was hooked and couldn't wait for the suspense to end, the mystery to be solved, and the bad guys to be defeated. I wasn't disappointed.
I pretty much liked everything about this book, I especially liked that it deviated from what I was beginning to think was Lora Leigh's only story line. I was so happy that Ian had not been waiting for Kara to grow up. I really think thats creepy, and Lora does it a lot. Big strong soldier goes off to war while the sixteen year old he had the hots for turns legal, then he rushes home to claim her. I have to the last two books in this series were infinitely better than anything else I've read by Lora Leigh, I will definitely be on the look out for more of her work that has the potential to match up to this.
March 26, 2015
Killer Secrets
3 Stars
Determined to bring down those responsible for the torture of his SEAL teammate, Ian Richards willingly takes a position with his estranged father, renowned drug lord, Diego Fuentes. Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan when Homeland Security agent, Kira Porter, arrives on the scene intent on stopping Ian from ruining her agency’s most important assets.
The plot and characters have definite potential, especially in terms of Ian’s relationship with his father. Unfortunately, the incessant and repetitive sex scenes overshadow the storyline and what little tension and suspense is created dissipates quite quickly when it becomes clear that neither the SEALs not the criminals believe Ian’s transfer of allegiances for one second.
Although I have the boxset of the spin-off series, I may or may not continue. Maybe if I’m in the mood.
3 Stars
Determined to bring down those responsible for the torture of his SEAL teammate, Ian Richards willingly takes a position with his estranged father, renowned drug lord, Diego Fuentes. Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan when Homeland Security agent, Kira Porter, arrives on the scene intent on stopping Ian from ruining her agency’s most important assets.
The plot and characters have definite potential, especially in terms of Ian’s relationship with his father. Unfortunately, the incessant and repetitive sex scenes overshadow the storyline and what little tension and suspense is created dissipates quite quickly when it becomes clear that neither the SEALs not the criminals believe Ian’s transfer of allegiances for one second.
Although I have the boxset of the spin-off series, I may or may not continue. Maybe if I’m in the mood.
February 26, 2009
5 stars - Romantic Suspense
Killer Secrets is perhaps the most intriguing and erotic book in Lora Leigh's Tempting SEALS romance/action/suspense series. Featuring sexy, brooding alpha male, rogue Navy SEAL Ian Richards/Fuentes, and heroine undercover DHS agent Kira Porter, Killer Secrets has lots of action, suspense, thrills, danger, and plot twists and even more sexual tension and steamy romance. This book would be complicated and hard to follow if you haven’t read the previous books in the SEALS series (Dangerous Games and Hidden Agendas). Another SEALS series scorcher!
Killer Secrets is perhaps the most intriguing and erotic book in Lora Leigh's Tempting SEALS romance/action/suspense series. Featuring sexy, brooding alpha male, rogue Navy SEAL Ian Richards/Fuentes, and heroine undercover DHS agent Kira Porter, Killer Secrets has lots of action, suspense, thrills, danger, and plot twists and even more sexual tension and steamy romance. This book would be complicated and hard to follow if you haven’t read the previous books in the SEALS series (Dangerous Games and Hidden Agendas). Another SEALS series scorcher!
April 28, 2008
Once again, Lora Leigh has hit one out of the park with a full-length Tempting SEALs story. No wimpy/wussy/whiny heroines allowed! Her alpha females are a sure sign there's going to be an uber-alpha male taking her on! Delicious fun!
But in Killer Secrets, you're going to start out a little clueless if you haven't at least read Book 4, Hidden Agendas.
I got my grimy paws on this and Book 3, For Maggie's Sake (in the Real Men Do It Better Anthology) at the same time. So, of course, I read Book 3 first.(heavy sigh) Some stories just can't be told in 100 pages.
If you are tempted to pick up the Tempting SEALs series and you're fanatical about reading series books in order, don't make yourself crazy tracking down Book 1 Reno's Chance (in the Honk If You Love Real Men Anthology) and Book 3, For Maggie's Sake. They're both good reads but they're rabbit holes that do nothing to advance the series plotline. I've definitely come to the conclusion that an established author should never be persuaded to dump part of a series in an anthology. I'm anxious/dreading the release of Atlanta Heat (Macey's story) which will be in the Rescue Me anthology due out July 1. The good news about that anthology is that Cherry Adair fans will also get another T-FLAC story.
If you read Dangerous Games, Hidden Agendas, and Killer Secrets, you'll be up to speed and ready for Macey's story.
But in Killer Secrets, you're going to start out a little clueless if you haven't at least read Book 4, Hidden Agendas.
I got my grimy paws on this and Book 3, For Maggie's Sake (in the Real Men Do It Better Anthology) at the same time. So, of course, I read Book 3 first.(heavy sigh) Some stories just can't be told in 100 pages.
If you are tempted to pick up the Tempting SEALs series and you're fanatical about reading series books in order, don't make yourself crazy tracking down Book 1 Reno's Chance (in the Honk If You Love Real Men Anthology) and Book 3, For Maggie's Sake. They're both good reads but they're rabbit holes that do nothing to advance the series plotline. I've definitely come to the conclusion that an established author should never be persuaded to dump part of a series in an anthology. I'm anxious/dreading the release of Atlanta Heat (Macey's story) which will be in the Rescue Me anthology due out July 1. The good news about that anthology is that Cherry Adair fans will also get another T-FLAC story.
If you read Dangerous Games, Hidden Agendas, and Killer Secrets, you'll be up to speed and ready for Macey's story.
December 8, 2018
Este libro es el mas complejo de la serie, porque si los personajes no están bien dibujados, la trama se te va al tacho. Y es que Ian desde el principio fue un enigma y ahora siendo el responsable del Cartel Fuentes, no sabes exactamente que es lo que pasa por su cabeza o cual es su verdadera bandera. Lo de este hombre no es normal y es de lejos mi protagonista masculino favorito de la autora. Y Kira es su contraparte ideal. Es genial como esta construida nuestra heroína que no tiene nada que ver con otras protagonistas femeninas. Y Diego Fuentes es un tremendo antagónico... ¡Madre Mía! Que fuerte todo. La trama al completo es un sin vivir, llena de acción, suspenso, violencia y mucho erotismo que no satura y no sobra en absoluto... Todo en este libro es tremendo.. ¡Recomendadisimo!
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April 11, 2022Overall, I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, there was... dare I say it?... a little too much sex. No, that's not quite right. It's that, for me personally, the sex scenes were too long, considering how frequently they occurred. If a book is really nothing but sex, or erotica, then it's expected and accepted. But when there's an actual storyline happening, that I'm reading the book for (and not to just get my rocks off), too much sex is a distraction, if that makes sense? I found myself skimming quite a few of them, which meant flipping quickly through multiple pages, in order to get back to the story.
July 2, 2012
So here's the deal...I read "Wild Card", Lora Leigh's first book in her "Elite Ops" series, and gave it three stars. Then I re-read Suzanne Brockmann's "The Unsung Hero" from her "Troubleshooters" series and ended up retracting my extremely generous three stars for "Wild Card" and gave it a more deserving one star...and I dismissed reading any more books by Lora Leigh. Then I read "Feel The Heat" by Cindy Gerard, the third book in her "Black Ops, Inc." series, and was kinda disappointed. Nonetheless, I gave it a rather generous three-and-a-half stars. When I was chatting with a book buddy about "Feel The Heat" and expressed my disappointment, she suggested "Killer Secrets" by Lora Leigh, touting it as having a similar but better-written story. I mentally groaned but told her I'd read it. So here goes...
I was actually surprised by "Killer Secrets". It was a vast improvement in that it didn't have me laughing at the implausibility, leaps of logic and just plain stupidity of "Wild Card". Yay! But was it better than "Feel The Heat"? Yes and no. I surprisingly enjoyed and believed the basic storyline more so than in "FTH", however it was still far from great. Usually when I read, I find myself looking forward to the romantic interludes scattered throughout the book. With Lora Leigh's books, I look forward to the plot scattered throughout the sex scenes. I think there was a really good 150- to 200-page novel (including a few sex scenes) in there. Instead we got a 370 page book that was mostly sex.
Some advice for Lora Leigh...
1) Get a new proofreader! This book was littered with typing errors. (Not your fault, but I'd get on your publishing company. It was downright distracting!)
2) After reading only two of your books, I see a disturbing trend...The male leads are always extremely jealous of other guys who even LOOK at their ladies -- even if they're related to them! It's NOT romantic, it's CREEPY! And it's also a warning sign of domestic abuse.
3) You spent the whole book building up a showdown between Ian Richards and his mobster father Diego Fuentes, yet both of them were absent at the climax of the book. I understand that Diego was supposed to get away so he could continue to wreak havoc on the world. I get it. But both Diego and Ian just disappeared and the action shifted to Kira Porter and Sorrell's daughter. What the heck?!
4) The male leads in your books are way too similar and completely interchangeable...right down to their sexual preferences. Seriously, the only way a man knows if a woman really, truly accepts him and loves him right down to her very soul is if she allows him to perform this one specific sex act? Seriously?! Your definition of what constitutes love seems to be very narrow, Ms. Leigh.
5) An identical birthmark in the same exact place on both father and daughter? Highly unlikely! And that's the only way to identify the reclusive man? REALLY?! *smacking palm on forehead*
6) Enough sex already! I can't believe I said that, but it's true. Believe me, I love a good sex scene as much as the next gal...but your books are overkill. I swear I went from aroused to utterly exhausted...and that was just in the first 50 pages! Sometimes less is more.
I was actually surprised by "Killer Secrets". It was a vast improvement in that it didn't have me laughing at the implausibility, leaps of logic and just plain stupidity of "Wild Card". Yay! But was it better than "Feel The Heat"? Yes and no. I surprisingly enjoyed and believed the basic storyline more so than in "FTH", however it was still far from great. Usually when I read, I find myself looking forward to the romantic interludes scattered throughout the book. With Lora Leigh's books, I look forward to the plot scattered throughout the sex scenes. I think there was a really good 150- to 200-page novel (including a few sex scenes) in there. Instead we got a 370 page book that was mostly sex.
Some advice for Lora Leigh...
1) Get a new proofreader! This book was littered with typing errors. (Not your fault, but I'd get on your publishing company. It was downright distracting!)
2) After reading only two of your books, I see a disturbing trend...The male leads are always extremely jealous of other guys who even LOOK at their ladies -- even if they're related to them! It's NOT romantic, it's CREEPY! And it's also a warning sign of domestic abuse.
3) You spent the whole book building up a showdown between Ian Richards and his mobster father Diego Fuentes, yet both of them were absent at the climax of the book. I understand that Diego was supposed to get away so he could continue to wreak havoc on the world. I get it. But both Diego and Ian just disappeared and the action shifted to Kira Porter and Sorrell's daughter. What the heck?!
4) The male leads in your books are way too similar and completely interchangeable...right down to their sexual preferences. Seriously, the only way a man knows if a woman really, truly accepts him and loves him right down to her very soul is if she allows him to perform this one specific sex act? Seriously?! Your definition of what constitutes love seems to be very narrow, Ms. Leigh.
5) An identical birthmark in the same exact place on both father and daughter? Highly unlikely! And that's the only way to identify the reclusive man? REALLY?! *smacking palm on forehead*
6) Enough sex already! I can't believe I said that, but it's true. Believe me, I love a good sex scene as much as the next gal...but your books are overkill. I swear I went from aroused to utterly exhausted...and that was just in the first 50 pages! Sometimes less is more.
March 1, 2010
Other than The Breeds, this is the only series I continue to read with Lora Leigh.
It's a simple series- a team of Navy Seals and their Happily Ever After love stories. Throw in a bit of suspense, and you got it in a nutshell.
Okay there's lots of steam too!
In KS we get Ian's story. Ian is uber hot and uber alpha! His love interest, Kira (introduced in Hidden Agendas), was a good match for him though.
But I did have issues, which I'll get to later.
Here's the send up:
As we discovered at the end of Hidden Agendas, Ian is the long lost son of drug dealing baddie Diego Fuentes. Because of what Diego and the enigmatic Sorrell did to fellow Seal team member Nathan, Ian decides its time to take his father up on his offer to have Ian take over his business dealings. When I say offer, I mean blackmail. Diego has promised to hunt down every team member until he does so! After what he sees happens to Nathan, Ian decides it's time to end it. He leaves his buddies for the dark side ... supposedly. But he is of course under deep cover to bring his father down. In fact, he means to kill him.
Enter Kira. Known as the Chameleon, the Department Of Homeland Security's master of disguises, she can blend in anywhere- with no one the wiser. Except Ian, he's always been able to spot her. He instinctively knows her, as she does him. Which is why she knows he is not the good guy turned bad he's showing to the world. Thus, she makes her way down to Aruba to help him ... only she has her own mission. Will she be able to accomplish what the DHS has assigned her to do, even if it means betraying the man she loves, or will she stand by his side, once and for all?
I loved this couple. They oozed sexy, repressed chemistry and I loved seeing them hook up. Unfortunately, it got sorta old by 2/3's in, because they were hooking up every other page. I like alotta sex in my books as much as the next gal- that's my candy reads- but at some point it just gets old.
The other issue I had, was the fact I didn't buy much of the characters' motivations. Oh I got Kira, and even Ian to an extent, but Diego's was a tough sell for me. The big bad of the previous books, I didn't buy his wanting his son's love so much it showed in every hurt look that came into his eye's when Ian supposedly rejected him. And another thing, why would such a big bad drug lord hand over the reigns to a son who wasn't even trying to hide his contempt? ::shrug:: Just didn't seem believable to me. LL should've had Ian internalize some of that, imo.
(oh and their were tons of typos in this one. Where are the editors?)
It's a simple series- a team of Navy Seals and their Happily Ever After love stories. Throw in a bit of suspense, and you got it in a nutshell.
Okay there's lots of steam too!
In KS we get Ian's story. Ian is uber hot and uber alpha! His love interest, Kira (introduced in Hidden Agendas), was a good match for him though.
But I did have issues, which I'll get to later.
Here's the send up:
As we discovered at the end of Hidden Agendas, Ian is the long lost son of drug dealing baddie Diego Fuentes. Because of what Diego and the enigmatic Sorrell did to fellow Seal team member Nathan, Ian decides its time to take his father up on his offer to have Ian take over his business dealings. When I say offer, I mean blackmail. Diego has promised to hunt down every team member until he does so! After what he sees happens to Nathan, Ian decides it's time to end it. He leaves his buddies for the dark side ... supposedly. But he is of course under deep cover to bring his father down. In fact, he means to kill him.
Enter Kira. Known as the Chameleon, the Department Of Homeland Security's master of disguises, she can blend in anywhere- with no one the wiser. Except Ian, he's always been able to spot her. He instinctively knows her, as she does him. Which is why she knows he is not the good guy turned bad he's showing to the world. Thus, she makes her way down to Aruba to help him ... only she has her own mission. Will she be able to accomplish what the DHS has assigned her to do, even if it means betraying the man she loves, or will she stand by his side, once and for all?
I loved this couple. They oozed sexy, repressed chemistry and I loved seeing them hook up. Unfortunately, it got sorta old by 2/3's in, because they were hooking up every other page. I like alotta sex in my books as much as the next gal- that's my candy reads- but at some point it just gets old.
The other issue I had, was the fact I didn't buy much of the characters' motivations. Oh I got Kira, and even Ian to an extent, but Diego's was a tough sell for me. The big bad of the previous books, I didn't buy his wanting his son's love so much it showed in every hurt look that came into his eye's when Ian supposedly rejected him. And another thing, why would such a big bad drug lord hand over the reigns to a son who wasn't even trying to hide his contempt? ::shrug:: Just didn't seem believable to me. LL should've had Ian internalize some of that, imo.
(oh and their were tons of typos in this one. Where are the editors?)
August 21, 2014
Steamy hot sex. Poor plot development. Audiobook narrator’s breaths annoyed me.
I’m in the minority here. A lot of my friends liked this. One friend said she loved this “in print” but “kept drifting off in audio.” So maybe that’s part of my problem.
I read 30% and stopped. It’s characters thinking, talking about things, and being intense. Lots of threats, warnings, and orders to others. There is almost no action. There is no doing of anything. Ian deserted the Navy SEALS and is now developing a drug business in Aruba with his father a cartel guy. Ian wants to find the terrorist Sorrell. But so far, there is no action.
When Ian sees Kira he says “I want you to leave Aruba.” She doesn’t. The next time he sees her he says the same thing. Another time he says “You’re not supposed to be here.” That was their main conversation.
THE GOOD PARTS:
Hot steamy sex scenes. It might be worth reading just for that. They are explicit and graphic plus pain. Ian pulls her hair, spanks her, ties her hands. There is self pleasuring and back door action. The focus is “male domination.”
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Mackenzie Heart had very good interpretation and sound, but she needs a different microphone or sound equipment. Her breaths were too loud. They were distracting.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 13 hrs and 26 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong erotic. Number of sex scenes: more than three. Setting: current day Aruba. Book copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic romantic suspense.
I’m in the minority here. A lot of my friends liked this. One friend said she loved this “in print” but “kept drifting off in audio.” So maybe that’s part of my problem.
I read 30% and stopped. It’s characters thinking, talking about things, and being intense. Lots of threats, warnings, and orders to others. There is almost no action. There is no doing of anything. Ian deserted the Navy SEALS and is now developing a drug business in Aruba with his father a cartel guy. Ian wants to find the terrorist Sorrell. But so far, there is no action.
When Ian sees Kira he says “I want you to leave Aruba.” She doesn’t. The next time he sees her he says the same thing. Another time he says “You’re not supposed to be here.” That was their main conversation.
THE GOOD PARTS:
Hot steamy sex scenes. It might be worth reading just for that. They are explicit and graphic plus pain. Ian pulls her hair, spanks her, ties her hands. There is self pleasuring and back door action. The focus is “male domination.”
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Mackenzie Heart had very good interpretation and sound, but she needs a different microphone or sound equipment. Her breaths were too loud. They were distracting.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 13 hrs and 26 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong erotic. Number of sex scenes: more than three. Setting: current day Aruba. Book copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic romantic suspense.
April 13, 2011
My Review:
What a disappointment. I was so excited about Ian's story, but the plot line just fell totally flat for me to the point that it became annoyingly repetitive:
1.Ian would have to do something within his father's drug cartel which would steal a vital part of his soul.
2. He'd go up to his room and have hot sex with Kira which steal a bit more of her soul as she opened her heart up to him more.
3. He'd try to convince her to leave for her own safety which she would refuse to do.
4. Start at step #1 again. Over and over again...UGH!
It makes me so sad because the framework was there for a seriously powerful book. Ian give up his SEAL life to run daddy's drug cartel so that he could obtain his friend, Nathan's, freedom. Kira is an undercover operative falling in love with him and determined to help him get out of the mess alive. Standing in the wings are Ian's SEAL team ready to help as well as every baddie group trying to take him out.
I really liked both of these characters, even in this book, but the story simply wasn't there to develop like they needed and deserved.
What a disappointment. I was so excited about Ian's story, but the plot line just fell totally flat for me to the point that it became annoyingly repetitive:
1.Ian would have to do something within his father's drug cartel which would steal a vital part of his soul.
2. He'd go up to his room and have hot sex with Kira which steal a bit more of her soul as she opened her heart up to him more.
3. He'd try to convince her to leave for her own safety which she would refuse to do.
4. Start at step #1 again. Over and over again...UGH!
It makes me so sad because the framework was there for a seriously powerful book. Ian give up his SEAL life to run daddy's drug cartel so that he could obtain his friend, Nathan's, freedom. Kira is an undercover operative falling in love with him and determined to help him get out of the mess alive. Standing in the wings are Ian's SEAL team ready to help as well as every baddie group trying to take him out.
I really liked both of these characters, even in this book, but the story simply wasn't there to develop like they needed and deserved.
April 16, 2011
All though I liked this book I found it hard going. It didn't have the power of the others in the series. The only thing that kept me reading was the fact the whole series had been working towards this story, so I felt invested in the outcome. There seemed to be a sense of doom through out this book and it was a bit depressing. So much so that it took me longer to read this book as I kept finding excuses to put it down.
May 4, 2014
Loved it! THIS time, Lora got it just right for me. Lots of sexual tension, erotic sex ala Lora Leigh style and great action and suspense. I loved everything about this book, down to the villain.
If this is the way it's going, I can't wait for LL's new covert ops series due for release in September 08!
If this is the way it's going, I can't wait for LL's new covert ops series due for release in September 08!
September 21, 2014
I didn't care for Dangerous Games but Hidden Agenda and this one, Killer Secrets were, in my opinion, very good.
March 11, 2013
Wish there was a little bit more work invested in the proof reading of this novel but otherwise very enjoyable.
January 13, 2025
หากจะบอกว่าเรื่อง Hidden Agenda เป็นเล่มที่โลร่า ลีย์มีพัฒนาการมากที่สุด ก็คงต้องบอกเพิ่มเติมด้วยว่า Killer Secrets อาจจะเป็นหนังสือที่ดีที่สุดที่เธอเคยเขียนก็เป็นได้
แม็กซ์ไม่ได้กำลังจะบอกว่าเรื่องนี้สมบูรณ์แบบ ความต่อเนื่องในการดำเนินเรื่องขาดหายไปบางครั้ง และหลายครั้งที่แม็กซ์อ่านแล้วรู้สึกว่า ไม่ได้มีการวางแผนล่วงหน้ามาก่อนเท่าไหรในการเขียนเรื่อง เพราะมีการเพิ่มประเด็นเข้าไปในเรื่อง ทั้งที่ไม่มีการเอ่ยถึงมาเลยก่อนหน้านี้
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มสามในชุด Tempting SEALS (แต่เป็นเรื่องที่ห้าในชุด เพราะอีกสองเล่มเป็นเรื่องสั้น) เล่าเรื่องของเอียน ริชาร์ด หรือที่เปลี่ยนชื่อเป็น เอียน ฟูเอนเตส ตามข้อตกลงที่เขาทำกับพ่อผู้ให้กำเนิด (แต่ไม่ได้เลี้ยงดู) เพื่อแลกกับการที่ดิเอโก้ ฟูเอนเตสปล่อยเพื่อนตายร่วมหน่วยซีลของเขาออกจากที่คุมขัง
เอียนกำลังเล่นเกมส์ที่อันตราย เขาเป็นนักรบหน่วยซีลที่หนีทหาร เป็นคนทรยศ เขาตัดขาดจากเพื่อนร่วมทีมทุกคน กลายเป็นทายาทผู้สืบทอดอาณาจักรค้ายา กลายเป็นคนที่เขาใช้เวลาตลอดชีวิตในการกำจัด
เพียงแค่ไม่กี่เดือนที่เขายินยอมรับตำแหน่งทายาทแห่งอาณาจักรฟูเอนเตส เอียนกลายเป็นเจ้าพ่อผู้น่าเกรงขาม เขาขยายอิทธิพล ฆ่าคู่แข่ง และออกตามล่าซอเรล นักก่อการร้ายตัวแสบที่หมายปองจะครอบครองอาณาจักรฟูเอนเตส เขาใช้ประสบการณ์ในการเป็นหน่วยซีลฝึกฝนนักรบในอาณาจักรอันสกปรกเป็นเครื่อง มือในการบรรลุเป้าประสงค์
ท่ามกลางเรื่องทุกอย่างที่เกิดขึ้น หญิงสาวคนหนึ่งยังคงเชื่อมั่นในตัวเขาเสมอ ไคร่า พอร์เตอร์มีโอกาสเจอกับเอียนหลายครั้งผ่านการปฏิบัติการที่เขาในฐานะหน่วยซี ลเข้าไปกวาดล้างผู้ก่อการร้ายที่เธอเป็นผู้ให้ข่าว เอียนเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่ดูออกว่าแท้จริงแล้วเธอคือไคร่า ในฐานะของแชมมาล่อน (แปลว่ากิ้งก่า แต่ไม่อยากใช้คำนี้ดูน่าเกลียด) เธอเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองทุกครั้งที่ออกปฏิบัติงาน ไม่เคยมีใครรู้ว่าสายลับที่แทรกซึมเข้าไปในองค์กรก่อการร้ายเป็นใคร หรือกระทั่งเป็นคนเดียวกันกับที่เคยทำเมื่องานก่อน แต่เอียนดูออก เขารู้เสมอว่า คนคนนั้นเป็นเธอ
และคราวนี้ไคร่าก็ดูออก หรืออย่างน้อยก็เชื่อมั่นว่า เอียนไม่ได้เป็นอย่างที่ทุกคนเชื่อกัน
เธอไม่เชื่อว่าผู้ชายที่ทำทุกอย่างเพื่อความถูกต้องมาตลอดชีวิตจะสลัดความ เชื่อนั้น แล้วหันมารับบทบาทเป็นมาเฟียเจ้าพ่อค้ายา และความเชื่อนั้นก็มาพอจะทำให้เธอเดินทางมาอะรูบ้าเพื่อพบกับเอียน และเป็นคนที่จะคอยคุ้มกันเขา ไม่ว่าจะเป็นจากใคร
"She had come to Aruba to claim what was hers before his father, Diego Fuentes, could steal his soul"
แค่ประโยคนี้ในหน้าสิบเอ็ด ก็ทำให้แม็กซ์รู้แล้วล่ะว่าจะต้องชอบหนังสือเล่มนี้ขนาดไหน
แม้จะไม่ได้รับการยืนยัน แต่ไคร่าก็มั่นใจในตัวเอียนว่าเขาจะไม่ทรยศหลักการของตัวเอง เธอพร้อมจะเอาทุกอย่างเข้าเสี่ยงเพื่อเป็นคนช่วยเขาในปฏิบัติการที่เขาเลือก แล้วว่าจะทำเองตามลำพัง
ส่วนเอียน เมื่อรู้แน่ชัดแล้วว่า ไม่ว่าจะทำอย่างไรก็เขาไม่อาจกันให้ไคร่าออกไปจากชีวิตเขาเพื่อความปลอดภัย ของตัวเธอเองได้ เขาก็เป็นลูกผู้ชายพอจะยอมรับในความสามารถของไคร่า และเลือกที่จะให้เธอยืนเคียงข้างเขาในภารกิจอันแสนอันตรายนี้
คงไม่ต้องบอกว่าแม็กซ์ชอบเอียนและไคร่า
แต่ที่เซอร์ไพร์มากกว่านั้น แม็กซ์ชอบวิธีการที่โลร่าบรรยายถึงดิเอโก้ ฟูเอนเตสผู้เป็นพ่อตามสายเลือดของเอียน แม็กซ์ชอบประโยคที่ไคร่าพูดกับเอียนถึงพ่อของเขา
"He's a monster but he's a monster who loves his son"
นั่นเป็นคำอธิบายที่ดีที่สุด โลร่าไม่ได้ทำให้สิ่งที่ดิเอโก้เป็นสกปรกน้อยลง ไม่ได้พยายามทำให้การที่เป็นเจ้าพ่อแก๊งค์มาเฟียเป็นเรื่องโรแมนติก ซึ่งนี่เป็นสิ่งที่แม็กซ์เห็นด้วยเต็มหัวใจ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็นำเสนออีกด้านหนึ่ง ในความเลวร้ายทั้งหมด ดิเอโก้ก็ยังคงเป็นพ่อ
อย่างที่บอกตอนต้นเล่มนี้ยังมีหลายจุดที่หลวมที่แสดงให้เห็นชัดว่า คนแต่งไม่ได้วางแผนล่วงหน้าจะให้เรื่องออกมาเป็นอย่างนี้ เพราะไม่เคยมีการบอกใบ้มาก่อนที่จะเกิดเหตุการณ์เลย แต่มันไม่สำคัญเลย เพราะเธอชนะใจแม็กซ์ได้ด้วยตัวละครที่มีความซับซ้อน และจริงใจต่อกันอย่างมาก
เอียนอยู่ในฐานะกลืนไม่เข้าคายไม่ออก เขาเป็นทหารรับใช้ชาติ และมีหน้าที่กวาดล้างผู้ร้าย แต่พ่อบังเกิดเกล้าของเขาเองกลับเป็นอาชญากรตัวสำคัญ เป็นฆาตกรที่ฆ่าคนนับหมื่นผ่านยาเสพติด เป็นคนโรคจิตที่จับเพื่อนรักของเขามาทรมาน ในขณะที่ไคร่า เธอเป็นทายาทของมรดกนับล้าน แต่ด้วยอดีตที่พ่อแม่ถูกฆ่าโดยผู้ก่อการร้าย ไคร่าเลือกที่จะใช้ชีวิตสองหน้า ฉากหน้าที่เป็นสาวสังคมที่ใช้ชีวิตไม่เป็นโล้พาย อีกด้านเธอเป็นสายลับพันหน้า แต่ท้ายที่สุดก็ไม่มีอะไรสำคัญสำหรับไคร่ามากไปกว่าเอียน นั่นทำให้เธอชนะใจแม็กซ์
"I have your back. No matter what you do, Ian. I have your back"
แล้วแม็กซ์จะไม่รักผู้หญิงคนนี้ได้ยังไงล่ะ
คะแนนที่ 90
แม็กซ์ไม่ได้กำลังจะบอกว่าเรื่องนี้สมบูรณ์แบบ ความต่อเนื่องในการดำเนินเรื่องขาดหายไปบางครั้ง และหลายครั้งที่แม็กซ์อ่านแล้วรู้สึกว่า ไม่ได้มีการวางแผนล่วงหน้ามาก่อนเท่าไหรในการเขียนเรื่อง เพราะมีการเพิ่มประเด็นเข้าไปในเรื่อง ทั้งที่ไม่มีการเอ่ยถึงมาเลยก่อนหน้านี้
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มสามในชุด Tempting SEALS (แต่เป็นเรื่องที่ห้าในชุด เพราะอีกสองเล่มเป็นเรื่องสั้น) เล่าเรื่องของเอียน ริชาร์ด หรือที่เปลี่ยนชื่อเป็น เอียน ฟูเอนเตส ตามข้อตกลงที่เขาทำกับพ่อผู้ให้กำเนิด (แต่ไม่ได้เลี้ยงดู) เพื่อแลกกับการที่ดิเอโก้ ฟูเอนเตสปล่อยเพื่อนตายร่วมหน่วยซีลของเขาออกจากที่คุมขัง
เอียนกำลังเล่นเกมส์ที่อันตราย เขาเป็นนักรบหน่วยซีลที่หนีทหาร เป็นคนทรยศ เขาตัดขาดจากเพื่อนร่วมทีมทุกคน กลายเป็นทายาทผู้สืบทอดอาณาจักรค้ายา กลายเป็นคนที่เขาใช้เวลาตลอดชีวิตในการกำจัด
เพียงแค่ไม่กี่เดือนที่เขายินยอมรับตำแหน่งทายาทแห่งอาณาจักรฟูเอนเตส เอียนกลายเป็นเจ้าพ่อผู้น่าเกรงขาม เขาขยายอิทธิพล ฆ่าคู่แข่ง และออกตามล่าซอเรล นักก่อการร้ายตัวแสบที่หมายปองจะครอบครองอาณาจักรฟูเอนเตส เขาใช้ประสบการณ์ในการเป็นหน่วยซีลฝึกฝนนักรบในอาณาจักรอันสกปรกเป็นเครื่อง มือในการบรรลุเป้าประสงค์
ท่ามกลางเรื่องทุกอย่างที่เกิดขึ้น หญิงสาวคนหนึ่งยังคงเชื่อมั่นในตัวเขาเสมอ ไคร่า พอร์เตอร์มีโอกาสเจอกับเอียนหลายครั้งผ่านการปฏิบัติการที่เขาในฐานะหน่วยซี ลเข้าไปกวาดล้างผู้ก่อการร้ายที่เธอเป็นผู้ให้ข่าว เอียนเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่ดูออกว่าแท้จริงแล้วเธอคือไคร่า ในฐานะของแชมมาล่อน (แปลว่ากิ้งก่า แต่ไม่อยากใช้คำนี้ดูน่าเกลียด) เธอเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองทุกครั้งที่ออกปฏิบัติงาน ไม่เคยมีใครรู้ว่าสายลับที่แทรกซึมเข้าไปในองค์กรก่อการร้ายเป็นใคร หรือกระทั่งเป็นคนเดียวกันกับที่เคยทำเมื่องานก่อน แต่เอียนดูออก เขารู้เสมอว่า คนคนนั้นเป็นเธอ
และคราวนี้ไคร่าก็ดูออก หรืออย่างน้อยก็เชื่อมั่นว่า เอียนไม่ได้เป็นอย่างที่ทุกคนเชื่อกัน
เธอไม่เชื่อว่าผู้ชายที่ทำทุกอย่างเพื่อความถูกต้องมาตลอดชีวิตจะสลัดความ เชื่อนั้น แล้วหันมารับบทบาทเป็นมาเฟียเจ้าพ่อค้ายา และความเชื่อนั้นก็มาพอจะทำให้เธอเดินทางมาอะรูบ้าเพื่อพบกับเอียน และเป็นคนที่จะคอยคุ้มกันเขา ไม่ว่าจะเป็นจากใคร
"She had come to Aruba to claim what was hers before his father, Diego Fuentes, could steal his soul"
แค่ประโยคนี้ในหน้าสิบเอ็ด ก็ทำให้แม็กซ์รู้แล้วล่ะว่าจะต้องชอบหนังสือเล่มนี้ขนาดไหน
แม้จะไม่ได้รับการยืนยัน แต่ไคร่าก็มั่นใจในตัวเอียนว่าเขาจะไม่ทรยศหลักการของตัวเอง เธอพร้อมจะเอาทุกอย่างเข้าเสี่ยงเพื่อเป็นคนช่วยเขาในปฏิบัติการที่เขาเลือก แล้วว่าจะทำเองตามลำพัง
ส่วนเอียน เมื่อรู้แน่ชัดแล้วว่า ไม่ว่าจะทำอย่างไรก็เขาไม่อาจกันให้ไคร่าออกไปจากชีวิตเขาเพื่อความปลอดภัย ของตัวเธอเองได้ เขาก็เป็นลูกผู้ชายพอจะยอมรับในความสามารถของไคร่า และเลือกที่จะให้เธอยืนเคียงข้างเขาในภารกิจอันแสนอันตรายนี้
คงไม่ต้องบอกว่าแม็กซ์ชอบเอียนและไคร่า
แต่ที่เซอร์ไพร์มากกว่านั้น แม็กซ์ชอบวิธีการที่โลร่าบรรยายถึงดิเอโก้ ฟูเอนเตสผู้เป็นพ่อตามสายเลือดของเอียน แม็กซ์ชอบประโยคที่ไคร่าพูดกับเอียนถึงพ่อของเขา
"He's a monster but he's a monster who loves his son"
นั่นเป็นคำอธิบายที่ดีที่สุด โลร่าไม่ได้ทำให้สิ่งที่ดิเอโก้เป็นสกปรกน้อยลง ไม่ได้พยายามทำให้การที่เป็นเจ้าพ่อแก๊งค์มาเฟียเป็นเรื่องโรแมนติก ซึ่งนี่เป็นสิ่งที่แม็กซ์เห็นด้วยเต็มหัวใจ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็นำเสนออีกด้านหนึ่ง ในความเลวร้ายทั้งหมด ดิเอโก้ก็ยังคงเป็นพ่อ
อย่างที่บอกตอนต้นเล่มนี้ยังมีหลายจุดที่หลวมที่แสดงให้เห็นชัดว่า คนแต่งไม่ได้วางแผนล่วงหน้าจะให้เรื่องออกมาเป็นอย่างนี้ เพราะไม่เคยมีการบอกใบ้มาก่อนที่จะเกิดเหตุการณ์เลย แต่มันไม่สำคัญเลย เพราะเธอชนะใจแม็กซ์ได้ด้วยตัวละครที่มีความซับซ้อน และจริงใจต่อกันอย่างมาก
เอียนอยู่ในฐานะกลืนไม่เข้าคายไม่ออก เขาเป็นทหารรับใช้ชาติ และมีหน้าที่กวาดล้างผู้ร้าย แต่พ่อบังเกิดเกล้าของเขาเองกลับเป็นอาชญากรตัวสำคัญ เป็นฆาตกรที่ฆ่าคนนับหมื่นผ่านยาเสพติด เป็นคนโรคจิตที่จับเพื่อนรักของเขามาทรมาน ในขณะที่ไคร่า เธอเป็นทายาทของมรดกนับล้าน แต่ด้วยอดีตที่พ่อแม่ถูกฆ่าโดยผู้ก่อการร้าย ไคร่าเลือกที่จะใช้ชีวิตสองหน้า ฉากหน้าที่เป็นสาวสังคมที่ใช้ชีวิตไม่เป็นโล้พาย อีกด้านเธอเป็นสายลับพันหน้า แต่ท้ายที่สุดก็ไม่มีอะไรสำคัญสำหรับไคร่ามากไปกว่าเอียน นั่นทำให้เธอชนะใจแม็กซ์
"I have your back. No matter what you do, Ian. I have your back"
แล้วแม็กซ์จะไม่รักผู้หญิงคนนี้ได้ยังไงล่ะ
คะแนนที่ 90
March 15, 2019
Everyone thinks Ian has gone off the deep end and joined the enemy's side, after serving as a SEAL for years. But is that really what it appears to be? As the illegitimate son of an infamous drug cartel, it seems as if Ian has been fighting against criminals and possibly his father until something unthinkable happens. No doubt Kira sees through all this as something more, after all she has an attraction to Ian and so does he.
There is an intensity between Kira and Ian. The sex scenes were definitely steamy and off the charts! However, that does not equate to love. I mean there were several times when Ian carried Kira off basically caveman style and was so dominate. It has been brought up repeatedly that Kira is very well trained and knows how to handle herself in a wide range of situations, but it doesn't seem to get through to Ian's thick man skull. Oh and since it was put out repeatedly throughout the book that Kira can handle herself, yet when she got hurt she basically blacked out right away. Like what?! She is suppose to be fierce and independent, yet at the first sign of an injury she fades like a damsel in distress. I guess she has not experienced anything like this in her years of being a spy. I get people react differently understand extreme pain but come on this was ridiculous.
There is also the lack of trust by Ian to Kira and his former SEAL team, like how hard is it so clue them in, especially how hard they fought to be there because they saw the real him and not this bad boy front he was trying to portray.
There were a number of twists and turns. Some of it is a little predictable but it was entertaining. In it for the action, leave any hope of actual character development at the door.
There is an intensity between Kira and Ian. The sex scenes were definitely steamy and off the charts! However, that does not equate to love. I mean there were several times when Ian carried Kira off basically caveman style and was so dominate. It has been brought up repeatedly that Kira is very well trained and knows how to handle herself in a wide range of situations, but it doesn't seem to get through to Ian's thick man skull. Oh and since it was put out repeatedly throughout the book that Kira can handle herself, yet when she got hurt she basically blacked out right away. Like what?! She is suppose to be fierce and independent, yet at the first sign of an injury she fades like a damsel in distress. I guess she has not experienced anything like this in her years of being a spy. I get people react differently understand extreme pain but come on this was ridiculous.
There is also the lack of trust by Ian to Kira and his former SEAL team, like how hard is it so clue them in, especially how hard they fought to be there because they saw the real him and not this bad boy front he was trying to portray.
There were a number of twists and turns. Some of it is a little predictable but it was entertaining. In it for the action, leave any hope of actual character development at the door.
February 14, 2020
Had the makings of a great book with everything that happens but I just didn’t connect with Ian or Kira.
re Diego, Sorell and we get another character in Teyha. Boy did I love how take charge she was.
Ian has apparently given up everything to do what needs to be done.
We get significant closure but also some rage at deals that are done by the government.
Too tumultuous a relationship between Kira and Ian, and too negative between Ian and Diego for my reading pleasure. Cannot believe Kira felt sorry for Diego, he would have used her and sold her if she wasn’t Ian’s “woman” without a second thought.
Also lacking romance and softness but not sex.
Ian expresses many times at the beginning how talented Kira is in being the chameleon. No one but Ian can apparently recognise her.
Then when they actually start a relationship, he treats her like a delicate flower in need of protecting or like an idiot who understands nothing.
Durango team of course come to the rescue and I did love that meeting between the men.
Did enjoy how this wraps up to a certain point. More close associates
/family friends end up being the bad guys. Must be all people of wealth, political standing or close friends are no good.
Read and reviewed previously. Rereading in the box set.
re Diego, Sorell and we get another character in Teyha. Boy did I love how take charge she was.
Ian has apparently given up everything to do what needs to be done.
We get significant closure but also some rage at deals that are done by the government.
Too tumultuous a relationship between Kira and Ian, and too negative between Ian and Diego for my reading pleasure. Cannot believe Kira felt sorry for Diego, he would have used her and sold her if she wasn’t Ian’s “woman” without a second thought.
Also lacking romance and softness but not sex.
Ian expresses many times at the beginning how talented Kira is in being the chameleon. No one but Ian can apparently recognise her.
Then when they actually start a relationship, he treats her like a delicate flower in need of protecting or like an idiot who understands nothing.
Durango team of course come to the rescue and I did love that meeting between the men.
Did enjoy how this wraps up to a certain point. More close associates
/family friends end up being the bad guys. Must be all people of wealth, political standing or close friends are no good.
Read and reviewed previously. Rereading in the box set.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2019
Killer Secrets frustrated me. I was really looking forward to reading Kira and Ian’s story. Like many of the reviewer‘s wrote, the first part of the book was pretty good. But then, it started to go downhill.
I could really relate to what one reviewer said about just wanting the story to end. Seriously, there was so much sex, it was stupid. I don’t mind some sex in a story but it was like the sex was taking over the story.
I read Wild Card first. Once I realized there were some earlier books, the Tempting Seals series, I went back and read those. I liked several of the Tempting Seals books much better than I liked this one. I’m probably going to have to re-read Wild Card since so many of the characters in Wild Card are in all the books that I just finished reading.
Overall, Lora Leigh’s books aren’t all bad. I like the romance in her books, it’s just that in this book, Ian was pretty much an asshat. I really liked Kira’s character since I’ve gotten to know her in Wild Card & Hidden Agendas. Ian was too much “Me Tarzan, you Jane.”
I could really relate to what one reviewer said about just wanting the story to end. Seriously, there was so much sex, it was stupid. I don’t mind some sex in a story but it was like the sex was taking over the story.
I read Wild Card first. Once I realized there were some earlier books, the Tempting Seals series, I went back and read those. I liked several of the Tempting Seals books much better than I liked this one. I’m probably going to have to re-read Wild Card since so many of the characters in Wild Card are in all the books that I just finished reading.
Overall, Lora Leigh’s books aren’t all bad. I like the romance in her books, it’s just that in this book, Ian was pretty much an asshat. I really liked Kira’s character since I’ve gotten to know her in Wild Card & Hidden Agendas. Ian was too much “Me Tarzan, you Jane.”
July 9, 2017
Lora is a great writer and her seal series has a cast of characters that work well together. The action is fast as one of the Darango Seal group goes rouge and sells the rest of the team out to go back to his father who is a big name in drugs,arms and white slavery--especially young girls/ His exteammates are out to kill him but one person doesn't believe he is a traitor and follows him to Aruba. Kira has been in love with him for years but refuses to admit it to herself.It moves fast to the conclusion. One problem for me was all the erotic sex scenes but the story is so good I still read and enjoy the storyline. Alice
June 14, 2017
Sexy! Each book is following a formula but Lora Leigh writes each character so uniquely they are all very entertaining and HOT HOT HOT with intriguing stories that have you rooting for all the MC's all the way through, plus the stories build on each other and that just makes them even more engaging.
February 16, 2018
A Navy Seal learns to love and trust. As the son of the biggest Cartel king his hate has grown to immeasurable lengths. Can he kill his own father? Can he avenge Nathan and all the others killed, maimed, and abused? Will he find Sorrel?
Full of action, suspense, and sex, but it will make you believe.
Full of action, suspense, and sex, but it will make you believe.
July 2, 2019
Lora Leigh has the unique ability to blend story and hot so well, which has put her in my 'Must Buy' list. This is hot - with a side helping of hot. An intriguing storyline that's only enhanced by the hot. The characters are just as intriguing as the storyline. No hiccups, no bumps, nothing but a smooth, engaging read all the way through.
November 14, 2018
You meet someone who you just can’t stop thinking about. Everywhere you go, you hope to see that person. However, you both may work for different agencies. Are you both on the same side? Drama, action and oh so hot sex scenes! I want a man like Ian to infatuated with!
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