Ruthless

Corcoran Team #2

by HelenKay Dimon

What happens when the only man who can protect you is also your best customer? Find out in HelenKay Dimon's Corcoran Team series.

Kelsey Moore looked forward to her daily visit from Paxton Weeks. Watching the broad-shouldered, quiet man led to some wonderful daydreams. But for real? That was downright dangerous….

It was no mistake Paxton visited Kelsey's shop every morning. This was his first mission back from injury and he had something to stake out the shop for a wanted man and take him in. But when two robbers hold Kelsey at gunpoint, Paxton blows his cover to save her life—and adds bodyguard to his list of duties. Now, with his secret out in the open—and her life in danger—the days have just become far from routine….

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Harlequin, Suspense

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

HelenKay Dimon is a divorce lawyer-turned-romance author. After dedicating years to helping people terminate relationships she now writes romance novels full time. Her books have earned praise, appeared on bestseller lists, won numerous awards and twice been named Red-Hot Reads and excerpted in Cosmo. She sometimes writes erotic romance, sometimes writes romantic suspense and sometimes writes contemporary romance. But no matter what she's writing her books are always filled with smart banter and sexy times, and a HEA is guaranteed.

-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune

-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author

-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author

-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did not disappoint with another action packed story of an alpha male protector and his love for an independent, spunky and sassy lady!

It was cute how both Kelsey and Pax both liked one another and I only wished they would have been able to have a small date or a private few minutes as it seemed like once Pax tried to save her, it was fight or flight instincts which almost got them both killed, at least she smartened up shortly after. Loved to see her dig in and help with things.

Would of loved them use her coffee skills to make Connor a great cup of coffee but maybe it was implied with her first opinion of the kitchen.

It was great to see the 2nd man of the team (technically 3rd) and Davis' brother find love. He seemed lost without his boat, and yet happy his brother was finally with the love of his life. But there was something missing and he seemed to look forward to his daily trips to see Kelsey.

There's a whole mysterious story behind this with Kelsey's brother. And I almost felt bad for him when he had to go on the run.

Definitely has the signs of becoming one of my top 3 favs series!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, full of action from the very beginning. Kelsey loves her coffee shop and for a bonus the last two weeks there have been daily visits by Paxton Weeks, a definitely sexy guy who has been flirting with her. When two guys try to kidnap her it's Pax who comes to her rescue and then whisks her away to protect her from the people who are after her to get to her brother. I really liked Kelsey. She had a crappy family life thanks to her con man father and has been estranged from him and her brother for years. She doesn't trust easily and when Pax suddenly turns into a fighting machine and tries to get her to leave the shop, she isn't going to go easily. I loved the way she stood up to him and fought back until she was convinced he was at least the lesser of two evils. It was even better when he got her back to Corcoran's headquarters and she stood up to all of them. I loved the way that she had them cooperating with her. She does a great job of handling the stresses of being attacked. She also goes from not trusting Pax to trusting him pretty quickly. The attraction between them has been building during his visits to her shop, and now it really takes off. They have to try to keep a lid on it as they try to find her brother and figure out who is after Kelsey. I also liked the way she seemed to understand Pax pretty well.

Pax is a great hero. He was injured saving his brother's girl in Fearless. Now he's recovering and has been given the job of staking out Kelsey's shop to see if her brother shows up. When two guys try to kidnap her he breaks cover to save her. Even though he gets frustrated when she doesn't just do what he says, he's pretty impressed with her self-preservation skills. When he finally gets her away he ends up telling her more than he's supposed to because he understands that's the only way to get her to cooperate. He really wants to keep her safe and her insistence on being an active participant makes it much harder. It also makes it hard to fight his attraction to her, which can be a distraction under the circumstances. I loved his protectiveness and the way he got angry on her behalf over the way her father and brother treated her. His vulnerability showed at the end, and he was able to show her that he really cared.

The mystery itself was pretty good. Of the secondary characters, I really liked Joel. His work as the tech and communication guy put him in the spot for some marvelous lines. I'd love to see him get his own story soon.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but I picked out the villain when he entered the scene.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Corcoran Team series from HelenKay Dimon and it was just as fun and fast paced as the first. With how this story opens and the novel progresses, I felt it could be read as a standalone because there wasn’t too much reference to the action in the first book. Kelsey has been serving coffee at her coffee shop every day and has loved it but things started looking up even more when Pax started coming by almost two weeks ago. There’s just something about this morning that seems a little off, though. When Kelsey steps in to the back room she’s confronted by two men she’s never seen before and as they try to hustle her out the door Pax steps in. How does this mild manner coffee drinker turn in to her hero? And is he really a good guy? Kelsey and Pax are now running for their lives while trying to discover who’s after them, and why. Really great action packed story and I loved how the romance built, it wasn’t an instant “let’s jump in to bed”. I did wish there was a little more explanation and details in some scenes and back stories, but overall a very well told, fun, fast paced read!

**HelenKay is a personal friend so take this review however you’d like**

[Tory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Dimons stories, she Is able to pack a lot into the stories. A lot of the stories that I have read in the Harlequin lines have felt incomplete, I think in part due to the shorter page length. However, Dimon's stories feel complete, that's not to say I wouldn't want to see more of the characters, but I can believe in their HEA, or at least feel that they are Happy For Now. I liked thatKelsey was strong and questioned things.she didn't immediately go along with Pax, she questioned his involvement and even fought him.this is part of a series so some plots are left open for future characters. The story is fast paced and action packed. A good summer read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a first-reads copy of Ruthless through Goodreads. I had never read anything by this author, so I read the book while keeping an open mind. Ruthless was a quick read and I enjoyed it. The characters of Kelsey and Pax were like able and believable. She's in danger but doesn't know it. He's injured from a past undercover assignment and thinks guarding Kelsey will be an easy assignment. They are attracted to each other, but have to solve a mystery and avoid dangerous killers (while falling in love). I would not hesitate to read another book by HelenKay Dimon. Ruthless was fast-paced; it was suspenseful, and, at times, humorous. I liked the secondary characters, as well.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Dimon’s romantic suspense novel, coffee shop owner Kelsey Moore was attracted to Paxton Weeks and looked forward to his daily visits. Unknown to Kelsey, Paxton’s daily visits were to protect her from potential harm. When two robbers hold Kelsey hostage, Paxton is there to save her even though he blows his cover to do it. Now that his secret is out in the open and Kelsey really is in danger, they will reluctantly team together to fight the danger head-on.

A strong addition to the Corcoran Team series.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being injured, Paxton Weeks is recuperating while watching over Kelsey Moore, owner of a coffee shop. Kelsey is estranged from her family and doesn't realize bad guys are after her brother for stealing secrets. Paxton thwarts the bad guys and then is on the run with her, trying to keep her safe. Meanwhile the sparks flying between them could start World War III. Another hot read from HelenKay Dimon!

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really good and enjoyable read.
I loved the story and characterization and how everything fit in there. just beautiful..
having gotten this book through goodreads giveaways, i got to reading it as soon as it arrived on my mail.
and every second of reading it was worth it.
i loved the main heroes and they were a perfect fit for each other.
i enjoyed this book.
and i certainly do recommend it to the rest of the world.

[Gina Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a little slow but the characters were so interesting and played off each other so well, it was still a good read.

I like a lot of action in my books but action can't save a story if the characters are weak. On the other hand, strong characters with good interaction can save a story weak on action.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ironically, the secondary characters really made this book work for me. I loved the comaderie between Pax, Joel and Connor. I also really liked that Kelsey was such a strong woman. The dialogue was fun, and there was plenty of action.

[Harlequin Books]

"Fast-paced action, a complex plot and two strong, complicated and charming characters will keep readers turning the pages." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars

Miniseries: Corcoran Team
Category: Suspense

[Ann (Noumena12) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoying the Corcoran Team series. Characters Pax and Kelsey make the story. Some of the story stretches the boundaries of what is believable...but it is fiction. And an enjoyable read.

[Mỹ Khương]

I love the introduction and hope the book itself will be as awesome. Can't wait to read it.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Corcoran Team
Category: Suspense
Received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. Although it's not the most original plot it's still an enjoyable read. There's lots of action from the start. The characters are likeable.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars really
interesting characters
fun story
witty dialogue

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it, but there was definitely more suspense and mystery involved than the development of the romance.

[TBA66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun read from HKD. I really enjoy reading the Corcoran Team stories. Pax is a sexy alpha, and the story is full of action and romance. I also really like the banter amongst the team members.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guh I don't know if it's the writing or the characters, or the annoying question dodging that doesn't seem to engage the reader. I give up.

DNFed chapter 7.

[Amanda Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. It has a lot of suspenseful moments and some twist and turns that make it more interesting.

[Maureen Hubley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am truley enjoying the Corcoran Team!

[Beanimous · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF chapter 4. The writing style is not my cup of tea. I think the book is a little clichéd.

[Kim]

I would wait for this book to come out because if it was as good as book one was it was going to be a great book to read.