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Deep Ops #2
Fallen
Too quiet.
A talented hacker who got caught, Brigid Banaghan is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. But she won't reveal any more to these renegade Feds than she has to. Especially not to Raider Tanaka, her control freak of a bodyguard and handler. It's enough that his body is tensed for action and his heated gaze is always on her . . .
Too sharp. Raider knows there's more to his new assignment than he's been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid's estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston's organized crime, Raider's mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses . . .
Too close. To clear her father's name, Brigid needs Raider's help. The Unit's idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her "fiancé" won't fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can't resist . . .
Too sharp. Raider knows there's more to his new assignment than he's been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid's estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston's organized crime, Raider's mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses . . .
Too close. To clear her father's name, Brigid needs Raider's help. The Unit's idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her "fiancé" won't fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can't resist . . .
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2019
1430 people are currently reading
5344 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Zanetti
118 books9,970 followersNew York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than seventy novels and novellas, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus starred reviews, favorable Washington Post and New York Times Book Reviews, and been included in Amazon best books of the year.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
May 20, 2024
Okay so I’m back for more of this misfit group and more Crazy scenes with the alcoholic/cross-dressing dog
This romantic suspense story was full of action, romance, suspense, and just the right amount Spicy scenes……And Omg The humor I found in this gem
While the Irish mob no longer exists in Boston, there are criminals, past associates of the mob, that have risen in the ranks and become threats recently
Brigid Banaghan is enjoying temporarily working for the ragtag Homeland Defense unit run by Angus Force, but her job was hacking computer systems or writing code. Certainly not having a weird lunch with her handler in Boston
Bridget knows it’s only a matter of time before Homeland Defense Department moves her again……
she Has been keeping secrets from her team and she knows it’s a matter of time before they find out….
Raider Tanaka has been assigned to be her handler, and the man is A straight up control freak
Raider had grown up on the streets and then later in foster care, but he had got lucky when he was sent to live with Miss Angelina
So, in this installment of course the gang is all together to solve another dangerous mission.
this time around Raider and Brigid Go undercover as engaged couple. . Which is going to be pretty darn interesting sending these two to play touchy feel in the public when she secretly had a crush on him
I like the suspense and all of the side characters….
Once again there was so much going on at the same time … And I say that in a good way
I can’t lie I love the way the author is slowly but surely revealing little tidbits about each and every member of this team…. And I loved every little tidbit but I’m dying to find out what Roscoe’s back story is
September 24, 2019
5 Bad boy dork Stars
Fallen is my favorite book of this series to date. OMG I loved Tanaka and Brigid. I have been reading each book as they come out, and I was really hoping this book would be Wolfe's. So when I got Fallen on Netgalley, I was a little bit sad it was Tanaka and not My crazy coffee drinking, kitten toting ex-soldier. However as I started reading I fell in love with Tanaka. He was so sexy and protective. OMG but he totally did it for me. I couldn't believe how much I ended up loving him. I really liked Brigid too. I loved how smart she was. She wasn't a kick-ass fighter, but she was very smart and could think fast on her feet. The whole team and I'm including Dana, KAT, Roscoe and Pippa (who isn't really part of the team) were amazing. They are all very likable, and interesting in their own way.
The plot of the book was good. The mob/human trafficking angle was a nail biter. The pace of the book was really good. Tons of action with tons of romance too. Tanaka and Brigid.... omg you could feel the sexual tension through my kindle. They made a great couple. I liked Brigid's dad, but I hated Rutherford. I kinda hope his hateful ass gets a little karma. Wolfe was amazing in this book. Of course he is amazing in every book. I truly love that fictional character like he was a real man. OMG everything about him is spot on. I really liked Dana too. I think she and Wolfe will make a great couple. My heart hurt for what Dana went through in the book. At the end of the book there is a little excerpt from the next book, Broken, which is Wolfe's (Thank you Lord!!!!!). That little taste was so damn good. I can not wait to get my hands on Broken...... OMG I just know it's going to be epic!
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
Fallen is my favorite book of this series to date. OMG I loved Tanaka and Brigid. I have been reading each book as they come out, and I was really hoping this book would be Wolfe's. So when I got Fallen on Netgalley, I was a little bit sad it was Tanaka and not My crazy coffee drinking, kitten toting ex-soldier. However as I started reading I fell in love with Tanaka. He was so sexy and protective. OMG but he totally did it for me. I couldn't believe how much I ended up loving him. I really liked Brigid too. I loved how smart she was. She wasn't a kick-ass fighter, but she was very smart and could think fast on her feet. The whole team and I'm including Dana, KAT, Roscoe and Pippa (who isn't really part of the team) were amazing. They are all very likable, and interesting in their own way.
The plot of the book was good. The mob/human trafficking angle was a nail biter. The pace of the book was really good. Tons of action with tons of romance too. Tanaka and Brigid.... omg you could feel the sexual tension through my kindle. They made a great couple. I liked Brigid's dad, but I hated Rutherford. I kinda hope his hateful ass gets a little karma. Wolfe was amazing in this book. Of course he is amazing in every book. I truly love that fictional character like he was a real man. OMG everything about him is spot on. I really liked Dana too. I think she and Wolfe will make a great couple. My heart hurt for what Dana went through in the book. At the end of the book there is a little excerpt from the next book, Broken, which is Wolfe's (Thank you Lord!!!!!). That little taste was so damn good. I can not wait to get my hands on Broken...... OMG I just know it's going to be epic!
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
September 27, 2019
Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti
Romantic suspense. 2nd book in the Deep Ops series after a novella between the two. Can be read as a standalone.
Great action, writing and storytelling. One of my favorite authors.
The characters habits and issues make them intriguing and personable. I especially love Roscoe and it was amusing when they used him as a colleague.
Edge of your seat reading.
Loved it.
Excerpt:
“You want to fight in bed?” Was that curiosity in her eyes?
“Sure. We can roll around, wrestle, argue, and then you’ll give in.” He grinned, enjoying the challenge heating her expression. “We can include a healthy spanking, for good measure, if you’d like.”
Her chin lowered. “You want me to spank you?”
He laughed instantly and without thought. Even irritated and aroused, she was quick on her feet. He liked that. A lot. Smart girls had always done it for him, and she was freaking brilliant.
Excerpt from Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
Romantic suspense. 2nd book in the Deep Ops series after a novella between the two. Can be read as a standalone.
Great action, writing and storytelling. One of my favorite authors.
The characters habits and issues make them intriguing and personable. I especially love Roscoe and it was amusing when they used him as a colleague.
Edge of your seat reading.
Loved it.
Excerpt:
“You want to fight in bed?” Was that curiosity in her eyes?
“Sure. We can roll around, wrestle, argue, and then you’ll give in.” He grinned, enjoying the challenge heating her expression. “We can include a healthy spanking, for good measure, if you’d like.”
Her chin lowered. “You want me to spank you?”
He laughed instantly and without thought. Even irritated and aroused, she was quick on her feet. He liked that. A lot. Smart girls had always done it for him, and she was freaking brilliant.
Excerpt from Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
September 24, 2019
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
This series just keeps getting better and better. With every story told I fall deeper into the lives of these characters and I feel so connected to all of them now. Raider and Brigid definitely had my attention when I was first introduced to them, but in their own story I fell in love with them more than I thought I would.
I have to say, the best thing about this book is that it's actually a surprise. When it first starts out it seems like it's leading in one direction and I had the thought in my mind that I knew most of what would happen. But then it's like the story took a sharp turn and ended up in the complete opposite direction and I honestly loved that. It kept me on my toes and had me me constantly wondering where else the story would lead. I really liked that suspenseful feeling it and how captivated it had me.
And the characters were brilliant. Raider was a very straight laced type of guy when we first met him but we got to see a completely different side of him in this book. Getting to dig deep and find out his secrets along with Brigid was fun and it had me obsessed with him. And Brigid herself was certainly a mystery in the previous book so I couldn't wait to see what she was hiding. Together, they brought a ton of romance and intrigue to the pages and I found it very enjoyable to read.
Overall, this is certainly a book I would recommend reading. I would say that it could possibly be read as a standalone but I think to truly understand the characters that you would need to read this series in order.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
This series just keeps getting better and better. With every story told I fall deeper into the lives of these characters and I feel so connected to all of them now. Raider and Brigid definitely had my attention when I was first introduced to them, but in their own story I fell in love with them more than I thought I would.
I have to say, the best thing about this book is that it's actually a surprise. When it first starts out it seems like it's leading in one direction and I had the thought in my mind that I knew most of what would happen. But then it's like the story took a sharp turn and ended up in the complete opposite direction and I honestly loved that. It kept me on my toes and had me me constantly wondering where else the story would lead. I really liked that suspenseful feeling it and how captivated it had me.
And the characters were brilliant. Raider was a very straight laced type of guy when we first met him but we got to see a completely different side of him in this book. Getting to dig deep and find out his secrets along with Brigid was fun and it had me obsessed with him. And Brigid herself was certainly a mystery in the previous book so I couldn't wait to see what she was hiding. Together, they brought a ton of romance and intrigue to the pages and I found it very enjoyable to read.
Overall, this is certainly a book I would recommend reading. I would say that it could possibly be read as a standalone but I think to truly understand the characters that you would need to read this series in order.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2022
After hacking into a government computer, Brigid Banaghan has the choice of going to jail or using her skills to help the Homeland Defense Department catch some criminals. Raider Tanaka has been assigned to be her handler. The team has been given a new case involving the Coonan crime family in Boston. Raider has been tracking this organization since his former partner was killed by them. When Raider learns that Brigid's father was once the enforcer for the Coonan family, he knows he must use Brigid to help work his way in. Brigid is ready to go undercover too. She wants to find evidence that proves that her father is no longer part of this organization. Raider poses as Brigid's fiancé when she returns to Boston to visit her estranged father. But as the couple work closely together, sparks begin to fly.
I love this series. Each member has been assigned to the Deep Ops team because of something in their past. The government has hidden them away in the basement of an old building, away from the elite HDD operatives. That doesn't stop the team from doing their jobs and catching criminals.
This story was a good balance of romance and suspense. Brigid and Raider have great chemistry. There is a lot of action in this story. I kept wondering if someone on the team would be permanently injured after some of the things they went through. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I love this series. Each member has been assigned to the Deep Ops team because of something in their past. The government has hidden them away in the basement of an old building, away from the elite HDD operatives. That doesn't stop the team from doing their jobs and catching criminals.
This story was a good balance of romance and suspense. Brigid and Raider have great chemistry. There is a lot of action in this story. I kept wondering if someone on the team would be permanently injured after some of the things they went through. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
October 1, 2019
3.5 stars
September 13, 2019
I am so disappointed in this book with these two MCs I just expected more. In general, this author seems to be more hit and miss more than anything else.
It was going well for a while but then it dragged, it picked up again which is good but the case that they were working was just so FUBAR that the last thing Raider and Wolfe pulled was just unbelievable and ruined it for me. The MC are okay together but Brigid acts like a teenage with a ridiculous crush. She’s a grown ass woman so I don’t get it. I wasn’t that keen of Raider he was a dipshit for me tbh. Not only that a lie by omission is still a frigging lie.
This is me and not the book as I seem to be the only one who doesn’t really like it.
I’ve got to think about continuing the series.
It was going well for a while but then it dragged, it picked up again which is good but the case that they were working was just so FUBAR that the last thing Raider and Wolfe pulled was just unbelievable and ruined it for me. The MC are okay together but Brigid acts like a teenage with a ridiculous crush. She’s a grown ass woman so I don’t get it. I wasn’t that keen of Raider he was a dipshit for me tbh. Not only that a lie by omission is still a frigging lie.
This is me and not the book as I seem to be the only one who doesn’t really like it.
I’ve got to think about continuing the series.
July 21, 2023
Reread: July 2023
Still a 5-star read
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
"5 - You have to know who to trust, Stars!"
This book was so friggn good!
I forgot how much I loved this group of misfit agents!
I started reading this story yesterday afternoon on my break, and once I finished work, I couldn't wait to get back into the story.
I LOVED Raider and Brigid's characters, but the secondary characters (and their pets) complimented the protagonists and are what made this book such a wonderful read!
The story itself was well written, fast-paced, action-pact, and absolutely a delight to read.
I have a little bit of a book hangover right now.
"I voluntarily read an ARC of this book, which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review."
Still a 5-star read
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
"5 - You have to know who to trust, Stars!"
This book was so friggn good!
I forgot how much I loved this group of misfit agents!
I started reading this story yesterday afternoon on my break, and once I finished work, I couldn't wait to get back into the story.
I LOVED Raider and Brigid's characters, but the secondary characters (and their pets) complimented the protagonists and are what made this book such a wonderful read!
The story itself was well written, fast-paced, action-pact, and absolutely a delight to read.
I have a little bit of a book hangover right now.
"I voluntarily read an ARC of this book, which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review."
August 31, 2019
With Fallen we get Brigid and Raider's story, the hacker and the Fed. You could feel the tension between these two from the first moment they were introduced in book one, so I'm thrilled to finally get there story.
It's time for these two to have their first mission where they take point through a connection with Brigid's father. Turns out he has a past life she never knew about which has drawn her into danger and has Raider fighting to keep her safe.
I feel like we really got to know Brigid and Raider. A lot of their past and their motivations were revealed that just added another piece to the puzzle of this rag tag Deep Ops team. Raider won me over with his fierce protection of Brigid, and Brigid was a great heroine. She was sensible, and smart, and a vital part of the team with her hacking abilities.
Wolfe is still my favorite character, well...next to Roscoe the dog. That dog is crazy and gives me great joy, but I'm so excited to find out that Wolfe and Dana's story is next!
It's time for these two to have their first mission where they take point through a connection with Brigid's father. Turns out he has a past life she never knew about which has drawn her into danger and has Raider fighting to keep her safe.
I feel like we really got to know Brigid and Raider. A lot of their past and their motivations were revealed that just added another piece to the puzzle of this rag tag Deep Ops team. Raider won me over with his fierce protection of Brigid, and Brigid was a great heroine. She was sensible, and smart, and a vital part of the team with her hacking abilities.
Wolfe is still my favorite character, well...next to Roscoe the dog. That dog is crazy and gives me great joy, but I'm so excited to find out that Wolfe and Dana's story is next!
July 10, 2020
This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy, fast paced romantic suspense novel. It has likable, engaging characters, humor, intrigue, a cute kitten and a funny dog, and plenty of action. It is the second book in Ms. Zanetti's outstanding Deep Ops series, and can be enjoyed as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading Wolfe's story with great anticipation.
September 17, 2019
Holy Crap. Rebecca Zanetti always knows how to write an amazing book in whatever genre she wants. She has no idea how much I needed this book and her glorious writing as I was in such a book funk. Brigid and Raider were absolutely delicious. I was so obsessed with this story it isn't even funny!
Fallen is the second full length novel in the Deep Ops series but it is a complete standalone. It tells the story of Brigid Banaghan, an FBI Hacker and Raider Tanaka, her handler, who embark on an undercover mission to infiltrate the Irish mob. But when lines get crossed and fiery chemistry comes into play, it's hard for Raider and Brigid to tell the difference between fact and fiction.
I really loved this story. It was uber sexy and gripping. I was so enthralled with the high adrenaline pumping action scenes and the romance between Tanaka and Brigid I did not leave my chair once! I am now so hooked on this series and cannot wait for Wolfe and Dana's book! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula
Fallen is the second full length novel in the Deep Ops series but it is a complete standalone. It tells the story of Brigid Banaghan, an FBI Hacker and Raider Tanaka, her handler, who embark on an undercover mission to infiltrate the Irish mob. But when lines get crossed and fiery chemistry comes into play, it's hard for Raider and Brigid to tell the difference between fact and fiction.
I really loved this story. It was uber sexy and gripping. I was so enthralled with the high adrenaline pumping action scenes and the romance between Tanaka and Brigid I did not leave my chair once! I am now so hooked on this series and cannot wait for Wolfe and Dana's book! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula
November 19, 2019
A fantastic addition to this intriguing series! I love this gang of misfits - including the dog & kitten! Lots of action in this story as Raider goes undercover to stop a human trafficking gang...and to take down the man who murdered his partner. Suspense, romance, & humor all add up to make this one fantastic read!
October 26, 2021
I am so done for with this series! How have I not discovered this author sooner?! On to the next 😊
March 21, 2020
4 Opposites Attract Stars!
Brigid Banaghan is a brilliant hacker who got caught after hacking into the Pentagon’s system, she plea bargained, and she now works for a newly minted DHH Deep-ops unit, under the leadership of Angus Force. Raider Tanaka is her appointed handler...basically her baby sitter to make sure all she’s working on are their cases. There is obvious attraction on both sides but both are completely ignoring the attraction....
When Brigid’s father lands smack in the middle of Irish Mob investigation, Brigid and Raider are assigned the case, Brigid takes Raider home to her family farm as her fiancé to investigate her father, who she is estranged from and now wants to make amends. Gotta say, I really enjoyed Brigid’s gruff bad ass father! During their visit, Raider and Brigid’s attraction is slowing igniting. As they delve deeper into the Irish Mob it becomes apparent that Brigid’s life is now in danger and will be used against her father. Because of his growing attraction to Brigid, Raider does all he could to keep her safe.....unfortunately, Brigid is hiding a secret that can tear their budding romance to shreds.
Raider and Brigid are great. I loved them together! It was fantastic to get more of the Deep-Op team and all their quirky dynamics. They are a bunch of very capable lovable misfits. Looking forward to the next book Broken (Wolfe’s book, can’t wait!!) in May 2020.
September 25, 2019
When it comes to love/hate tropes and opposites attracting, I'm a lost cause. I can't seem to stay away from them and Fallen was another great read that keeps this addiction alive lol.
Brigid is a hacker and Raider is a straight laced, serious as they come federal agent. One skirts the law and the other upholds it. One sees things in black and white, the other in shades of gray. But when you put them in close proximity, there's definitely a spark!
If you've read any of RZ before than you wont be surprised by the explosive chemistry between her MCs or the fast paced suspenseful plot or by the gritty action scenes and all the awesome side characters that keep piquing your interest for their story next.
Fallen picks up right after Hidden (but can still be read as a standalone) with a whole new case to investigate and a new yummy couple to fall in love with.
Brigid and Raider have to pose as a couple to get close to Brigid's estranged father. He has a past she never knew about that reveals a connection to the Mob. But the team isn't the only ones interested in what her dad might know. The Mob's been sniffing around and with Brigid back in town, things get heated quick.
I loved both MCs and I'm already looking forward to re-reading it again soon. Dana and Wolfe I think are next *fans self* but I also can't wait to see the moment that brings Force and Nari together (Finally!).
Would I recommend? I am really enjoying this new suspense series. I loved the misfit group on the unit and I am loving all the sassy heroines we're meeting that are getting matched perfectly to all the alphas on the team! Would highly recommend.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
Brigid is a hacker and Raider is a straight laced, serious as they come federal agent. One skirts the law and the other upholds it. One sees things in black and white, the other in shades of gray. But when you put them in close proximity, there's definitely a spark!
If you've read any of RZ before than you wont be surprised by the explosive chemistry between her MCs or the fast paced suspenseful plot or by the gritty action scenes and all the awesome side characters that keep piquing your interest for their story next.
Fallen picks up right after Hidden (but can still be read as a standalone) with a whole new case to investigate and a new yummy couple to fall in love with.
Brigid and Raider have to pose as a couple to get close to Brigid's estranged father. He has a past she never knew about that reveals a connection to the Mob. But the team isn't the only ones interested in what her dad might know. The Mob's been sniffing around and with Brigid back in town, things get heated quick.
I loved both MCs and I'm already looking forward to re-reading it again soon. Dana and Wolfe I think are next *fans self* but I also can't wait to see the moment that brings Force and Nari together (Finally!).
Would I recommend? I am really enjoying this new suspense series. I loved the misfit group on the unit and I am loving all the sassy heroines we're meeting that are getting matched perfectly to all the alphas on the team! Would highly recommend.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
September 17, 2019
4 - "It’s not the size of the weapon…" Stars!
We return to the Deep Ops universe for the second full length book of the series, this one giving us Raider and Brigid’s story, up to this point Raider has been the straight laced, all business handler, while Brigid is the hacker who is on her last chance. That all changes in this book, with both of them revealing, and dealing with secrets that the reader didn’t initially know about them.
"You’re not the only one who’s tough to figure out…"
Another enjoyable read, I found it a little sluggish on development in places but it was no struggle in general to read, and what kept me interested mainly was that I loved this couple together, Raider and Brigid are of the opposites-attract variety, but they each smooth out the rough edges of the other.
"You’re gonna have to learn that every time you throw down a challenge, I’ll take it, twist it, and make it mine…"
I think the rest of the Deep Ops team that Zanetti has crafted also add massively to this series too, I don’t think I have ever loved a canine character as much as I love Roscoe, and with Wolfe and Dana up next in Broken I am sure we will get to see more of him and everyone else as the series progresses.
"I want you to know that the last week has been one of my best in years…"
Plenty of action thrills, a few spills, plenty of chemistry, and some giggles along the way as well, Fallen is a great addition to the series in general.
"Don’t start anything you don’t want to finish."
ARC generously provided via netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
We return to the Deep Ops universe for the second full length book of the series, this one giving us Raider and Brigid’s story, up to this point Raider has been the straight laced, all business handler, while Brigid is the hacker who is on her last chance. That all changes in this book, with both of them revealing, and dealing with secrets that the reader didn’t initially know about them.
"You’re not the only one who’s tough to figure out…"
Another enjoyable read, I found it a little sluggish on development in places but it was no struggle in general to read, and what kept me interested mainly was that I loved this couple together, Raider and Brigid are of the opposites-attract variety, but they each smooth out the rough edges of the other.
"You’re gonna have to learn that every time you throw down a challenge, I’ll take it, twist it, and make it mine…"
I think the rest of the Deep Ops team that Zanetti has crafted also add massively to this series too, I don’t think I have ever loved a canine character as much as I love Roscoe, and with Wolfe and Dana up next in Broken I am sure we will get to see more of him and everyone else as the series progresses.
"I want you to know that the last week has been one of my best in years…"
Plenty of action thrills, a few spills, plenty of chemistry, and some giggles along the way as well, Fallen is a great addition to the series in general.
"Don’t start anything you don’t want to finish."
ARC generously provided via netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
August 17, 2022
I don't know why but I had a feeling I was missing some parts of the story..I can't remember if some things were uncovered in book one.. I like the suspense and all of the side characters but the heroine was a little bit irritating and immature..
September 6, 2019
Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved this addition to the series!
When Raider and Brigid are required to go undercover to catch her father, things get a little dicey. First, Brigid is determined to prove her father isn’t guilty of what he's been accused of, and secondly, Raider makes her super nervous. She’s not used to his touch and he’s suddenly touching her…a lot.
This becomes much more than just a romance between co-workers. There is a case that must be solved that goes back decades. The further this couple and their team work on it, the more is revealed and the deeper they go into a murky life of crime including a timeline that must be met or the safety and life of several young girls will be lost.
One of the things I found different, and entertaining in a weird sort of way, was that Raider, as well as almost everyone on their team, takes quite a beating throughout this story. Usually, the hero and the good guys stay relatively unbroken, but not so here. They just couldn’t get a break and the fact they were pretty much the walking wounded shouldn’t have been enjoyable, but when Rebecca Zanetti writes it, it totally is.
Raider and Brigid are electric together. I loved their banter and even when angry the chemistry between them sizzled. They get into quite a few sticky situations and despite injuries and quirky team members, they stay strong. Even when faced with certain death.
This is an amazing read with scorching smexy times, incredible secondary characters that I just can’t get enough of (Roscoe is still my favorite!) and lots and lots of thrills, suspense and drama. I’m not a fan of serials but this has to be my favorite due to the diversity of crazy that each of the characters within this team don’t even attempt to hide. It makes for so much fun trickling throughout all the heavier subjects of crime and violence.
Wolfe’s story is next and I cannot wait to get to it. But then again, I’m ready for all of them, right now!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
When Raider and Brigid are required to go undercover to catch her father, things get a little dicey. First, Brigid is determined to prove her father isn’t guilty of what he's been accused of, and secondly, Raider makes her super nervous. She’s not used to his touch and he’s suddenly touching her…a lot.
This becomes much more than just a romance between co-workers. There is a case that must be solved that goes back decades. The further this couple and their team work on it, the more is revealed and the deeper they go into a murky life of crime including a timeline that must be met or the safety and life of several young girls will be lost.
One of the things I found different, and entertaining in a weird sort of way, was that Raider, as well as almost everyone on their team, takes quite a beating throughout this story. Usually, the hero and the good guys stay relatively unbroken, but not so here. They just couldn’t get a break and the fact they were pretty much the walking wounded shouldn’t have been enjoyable, but when Rebecca Zanetti writes it, it totally is.
Raider and Brigid are electric together. I loved their banter and even when angry the chemistry between them sizzled. They get into quite a few sticky situations and despite injuries and quirky team members, they stay strong. Even when faced with certain death.
This is an amazing read with scorching smexy times, incredible secondary characters that I just can’t get enough of (Roscoe is still my favorite!) and lots and lots of thrills, suspense and drama. I’m not a fan of serials but this has to be my favorite due to the diversity of crazy that each of the characters within this team don’t even attempt to hide. It makes for so much fun trickling throughout all the heavier subjects of crime and violence.
Wolfe’s story is next and I cannot wait to get to it. But then again, I’m ready for all of them, right now!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
September 24, 2019
Lots of humor, tons of feel good friendship, a heavy does of heat and lots of action, Zanetti brings it all in this the second edition of the Deep Ops Series, Fallen.
Brigid is a hacker that was doing time when she is enlisted into the secret ops unit. But she was recruited by another organization to spy on the Deep Ops group leaving her in a precarious situation. Become a rat on the people she’s developed friendships with or go back to prison.
Raider knows that his new assignment to capture’s Brigid’s father goes deeper than he’s been told. There is no doubt her father had ties to the Boston mob, but Brigid is additament that her father would never join anything to do with the human trafficking that he’s being accused.
To uncover the truth Raider posses as Brigid’s corrupt finance’ coming home to meet the family. Sparks will fly, secrets uncovered and some fake passion turns down right explosively into the real thing.
Superior suspense with a hot has heck romance.
I received this ARC copy of Fallen from Kensington Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Fallen is set for publication September 24, 2019.
My rating: 5 stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Deep Ops (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 24, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1420145835
ISBN-13: 978-1420145830
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Deep-Op...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fall...
Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/falle...
Brigid is a hacker that was doing time when she is enlisted into the secret ops unit. But she was recruited by another organization to spy on the Deep Ops group leaving her in a precarious situation. Become a rat on the people she’s developed friendships with or go back to prison.
Raider knows that his new assignment to capture’s Brigid’s father goes deeper than he’s been told. There is no doubt her father had ties to the Boston mob, but Brigid is additament that her father would never join anything to do with the human trafficking that he’s being accused.
To uncover the truth Raider posses as Brigid’s corrupt finance’ coming home to meet the family. Sparks will fly, secrets uncovered and some fake passion turns down right explosively into the real thing.
Superior suspense with a hot has heck romance.
I received this ARC copy of Fallen from Kensington Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Fallen is set for publication September 24, 2019.
My rating: 5 stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Deep Ops (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 24, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1420145835
ISBN-13: 978-1420145830
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Deep-Op...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fall...
Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/falle...
May 9, 2020
With her latest novel, Rebecca Zanetti deliver a truly gripping tale served up to readers on the best roller coaster ride with an energetic side helping of thrilling drama.
After making one too many bad choices with good intentions brilliant hacker Brigid Banaghan was caught and coerced to work with a Deep Ops motley crew who feel like family, except of course for her handler Raider Tanaka, whose heated stares feel anything but familial. How will she ever survive a field assignment with him guarding her?
Ever since he was rescued from the streets, Raider has been loyal to a fault. He believes in it. He believes in truth. He also knows his body’s reaction to the beautiful computer geek is something he’s never experienced before, but can their fledgling relationship survive the truth she’s keeping from him?
Rebecca Zanetti has once again produced a sizzling, high octane romance jam packed with delicious chemistry and action. While Raider and Brigid try to untangle the intricate network of a dangerous and deranged crime boss, they must also face their attraction which is difficult given that they work together.
I loved going back to the Deep Ops group with Malcom and Pippa along with Nari, Wolfe, Angus Force and of course the sweet kitty Kat and of course Roscoe, a dog who loves to wear heals, chew on makeup and drink hard liquor. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Raider was tough on the outside, but incredibly sweet and protective underneath his sexy veneer, while Brigid was equally sweet, but also kind and spirited encased in a very smart package. They were wonderful together and I couldn’t help but cheer them on in this action packed romance.
Fallen is book #2 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti who faithfully writes fascinating, action packed and sizzling romances. Fallen is a fast paced, exciting standalone you won’t want to miss. Told from several points of view, with a happy ending.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
After making one too many bad choices with good intentions brilliant hacker Brigid Banaghan was caught and coerced to work with a Deep Ops motley crew who feel like family, except of course for her handler Raider Tanaka, whose heated stares feel anything but familial. How will she ever survive a field assignment with him guarding her?
Ever since he was rescued from the streets, Raider has been loyal to a fault. He believes in it. He believes in truth. He also knows his body’s reaction to the beautiful computer geek is something he’s never experienced before, but can their fledgling relationship survive the truth she’s keeping from him?
Rebecca Zanetti has once again produced a sizzling, high octane romance jam packed with delicious chemistry and action. While Raider and Brigid try to untangle the intricate network of a dangerous and deranged crime boss, they must also face their attraction which is difficult given that they work together.
I loved going back to the Deep Ops group with Malcom and Pippa along with Nari, Wolfe, Angus Force and of course the sweet kitty Kat and of course Roscoe, a dog who loves to wear heals, chew on makeup and drink hard liquor. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Raider was tough on the outside, but incredibly sweet and protective underneath his sexy veneer, while Brigid was equally sweet, but also kind and spirited encased in a very smart package. They were wonderful together and I couldn’t help but cheer them on in this action packed romance.
Fallen is book #2 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti who faithfully writes fascinating, action packed and sizzling romances. Fallen is a fast paced, exciting standalone you won’t want to miss. Told from several points of view, with a happy ending.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
October 4, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
I love this ragtag group of misfits. Each character is unique and a true individual with his or her own sorry story. They have flaws in abundance and a burning passion to see good triumph over evil. This is Brigid and Raider's story and I was entranced by them as well as by the plot as a whole.
Brigid Banaghan is the groups computer specialist, aka hacker. She ended up in this Homeland Defense Department unit because she was using that talent to catch bad guys, just not by legal means, and ended up in jail. The Deep Ops unit of the HDD is top secret and only handles those cases that HDD can't publicly get involved with. She has a secret or two herself.
Raider Tanaka is a disgraced fed who in in the unit as a kind of Purgatory and is willing to do his penance if it means he can work his way back to the good graces of the superiors at HDD. His assignment is to guard Birgid and act as her handler. He's not sure why exactly, her job doesn't require field work, but he knows there has to be more to it. When their latest assignment involves her estranged father, the pieces begin to fall into place.
The op is to infiltrate a Boston organized crime family and Brigid's father was an enforcer for them a long time ago. He left, but he left with an insurance policy. Brigid and Raider are going undercover and it doesn't take long for the attraction they had been covering within the Unit to flare to life. The gorgeous, rebellious redhead and the handsome, straight laced Fed discover that appearances are just that and that they each have facets that the other never realized existed. When the op turns dangerous Raider will do anything to protect Brigid.
I love this ragtag group of misfits. Each character is unique and a true individual with his or her own sorry story. They have flaws in abundance and a burning passion to see good triumph over evil. This is Brigid and Raider's story and I was entranced by them as well as by the plot as a whole.
Brigid Banaghan is the groups computer specialist, aka hacker. She ended up in this Homeland Defense Department unit because she was using that talent to catch bad guys, just not by legal means, and ended up in jail. The Deep Ops unit of the HDD is top secret and only handles those cases that HDD can't publicly get involved with. She has a secret or two herself.
Raider Tanaka is a disgraced fed who in in the unit as a kind of Purgatory and is willing to do his penance if it means he can work his way back to the good graces of the superiors at HDD. His assignment is to guard Birgid and act as her handler. He's not sure why exactly, her job doesn't require field work, but he knows there has to be more to it. When their latest assignment involves her estranged father, the pieces begin to fall into place.
The op is to infiltrate a Boston organized crime family and Brigid's father was an enforcer for them a long time ago. He left, but he left with an insurance policy. Brigid and Raider are going undercover and it doesn't take long for the attraction they had been covering within the Unit to flare to life. The gorgeous, rebellious redhead and the handsome, straight laced Fed discover that appearances are just that and that they each have facets that the other never realized existed. When the op turns dangerous Raider will do anything to protect Brigid.
September 24, 2019
Raider Tanaka grew up in foster care until he found a family with Miss A. As a member of Deep Ops they assigned him as Brigid Banaghan handler. He picked the computer hacker up from prison when Force made a deal for her release. He is drawn to the little criminal but when he finds out who her Daddy is his senses go on high alert. I loved the banter and sparks between Raider and Brigid. There is more to Brigid than meets the eye and she’s on a deep op of her own.
Because of the overall ARC, build up, friendships, character development and sheer enjoyment of it, I recommend reading this series in the order of its release. Each book contains a case and a romance with an HEA, but these books are so much more than that. I love the crew, the camaraderie and overall ARC surrounding the HHD and their basement offices.
Brigid’s Dad has former ties to the Irish mob, and the team believes he is active again. Raider goes undercover as her fiancé and all hell breaks loose. This was an action-packed tale. The storyline was well balanced between the romance, case and character growth. We saw development with other team members and I cannot wait for their stories.
Fallen was the perfect blend of romance, humor and action-packed danger. I quickly lost myself within its pages and devoured this over the long weekend. I laughed, held my breath, and swooned. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Because of the overall ARC, build up, friendships, character development and sheer enjoyment of it, I recommend reading this series in the order of its release. Each book contains a case and a romance with an HEA, but these books are so much more than that. I love the crew, the camaraderie and overall ARC surrounding the HHD and their basement offices.
Brigid’s Dad has former ties to the Irish mob, and the team believes he is active again. Raider goes undercover as her fiancé and all hell breaks loose. This was an action-packed tale. The storyline was well balanced between the romance, case and character growth. We saw development with other team members and I cannot wait for their stories.
Fallen was the perfect blend of romance, humor and action-packed danger. I quickly lost myself within its pages and devoured this over the long weekend. I laughed, held my breath, and swooned. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 18, 2019
3.5 stars
Fallen is book 2 in the Deep Ops series and was another enjoyable read. Brigid and Raider were a great couple and had awesome chemistry. While I enjoyed this book and all the characters that are in it, I did feel like something was missing. There were moments were I was excited about what was going on but for a lot of it I was bored and the ending was so rushed my head was spinning. I'm looking forward to book 3 since it's Wolfe's.
***ARC provided by NetGalley***
Fallen is book 2 in the Deep Ops series and was another enjoyable read. Brigid and Raider were a great couple and had awesome chemistry. While I enjoyed this book and all the characters that are in it, I did feel like something was missing. There were moments were I was excited about what was going on but for a lot of it I was bored and the ending was so rushed my head was spinning. I'm looking forward to book 3 since it's Wolfe's.
***ARC provided by NetGalley***
September 22, 2019
ARC received for review
Slow, slow, slow, a little quicker, slow, slow. I really enjoyed the first books, and was looking forward to this one. I thought Raider and Brigid would have more heat but no.
Now the preview chapter to the next book...it's gonna be hot
Slow, slow, slow, a little quicker, slow, slow. I really enjoyed the first books, and was looking forward to this one. I thought Raider and Brigid would have more heat but no.
Now the preview chapter to the next book...it's gonna be hot
September 26, 2019
I think I might have fallen asleep a few times, but then I woke and did not feel I had missed much, which in itself might actually be a bad thing. I guess it did not stand out.
Brighid is a hacker that is forced to work for this black ops team. But she is a good person and her hacking has been for good.
The team is a lot of oddballs that washed up together. I do like their quirks.
Raider is her handler, and big surprise, they will fall for each other when they go undercover. He washed up in this team since he slept with the wrong woman. Not his fault, she said she was single.
They are trying to take down a mafia guy. Brighid's dad used to work for him.
Shootouts, running, bad guys, drama, and a few humours moments. How these guys are still standing I do not know. This book really goes after them, they should all be in the hospital.
I did like it, but things progressed so fast. I wanted the take down off the baddie to be longer. He needed to be punished some more.
I liked the narrator. He made the guys sound gruff and since they really were that fitted well. I did feel he had nice women voices too
Brighid is a hacker that is forced to work for this black ops team. But she is a good person and her hacking has been for good.
The team is a lot of oddballs that washed up together. I do like their quirks.
Raider is her handler, and big surprise, they will fall for each other when they go undercover. He washed up in this team since he slept with the wrong woman. Not his fault, she said she was single.
They are trying to take down a mafia guy. Brighid's dad used to work for him.
Shootouts, running, bad guys, drama, and a few humours moments. How these guys are still standing I do not know. This book really goes after them, they should all be in the hospital.
I did like it, but things progressed so fast. I wanted the take down off the baddie to be longer. He needed to be punished some more.
I liked the narrator. He made the guys sound gruff and since they really were that fitted well. I did feel he had nice women voices too
February 4, 2025
Such a good series and I'm in love with Raider. Also, make sure you listen to the AUDIO because Roger Wayne is such a talented voice actor, he enhances the whole experience. Plus, his voice is sexy as hell.
Raider Tanaka (FBI handler, sexy mofo) is working for the Deep Ops team and is the handler for Brigid Banaghan (expert hacker). The team is working on a case of human trafficking that involves a mob family, and Angus suspects Brigid's estranged father is involved with it. Raider and Brigid go to visit her father and pretend to be engaged so they can see what he knows. The family reunion doesn't go as planned and both Brigid and Raider get swept into the mob and they're both in danger. Plus, Brigid is keeping a big secret from both Raider and her team that could tear them all apart.
When I read the last book, I wasn't really looking forward to this one because I wasn't a superfan of Raider. Damn if this book didn't change my mind!!! These two are a perfect couple and I absolutely worship them!!! I was disappointed that there weren't as many sex scenes, but the ones they had were very steamy. At least they were in the audiobook.
Of course the entire team is involved in this case. Wolfe and his reporter friend, Dana, are sparking and I'm so excited to get to their story. Angus and Nari are still doing the hate/lust dance, and we get some surprise action for Nari. That woman is secretly a badass. You won't be surprised that Rosco and Kat are still bonkers. Rosco is the craziest alcoholic dog I've ever met, not that I've met many. I thought it would annoy me with how farfetched his issues are, but I ended up finding them hilarious.
I'm so obsessed with this series that I haven't wanted to skim a single word. There's always action and not any "filler" stuff. These books have kept me 100% engaged and invested.
My only complaint (besides the lack of sex) is that they still refer to the same person by two different names. Mostly it's either Angus/Force and Malcolm/West. Wish they'd pick one name and stick to it.
Raider Tanaka (FBI handler, sexy mofo) is working for the Deep Ops team and is the handler for Brigid Banaghan (expert hacker). The team is working on a case of human trafficking that involves a mob family, and Angus suspects Brigid's estranged father is involved with it. Raider and Brigid go to visit her father and pretend to be engaged so they can see what he knows. The family reunion doesn't go as planned and both Brigid and Raider get swept into the mob and they're both in danger. Plus, Brigid is keeping a big secret from both Raider and her team that could tear them all apart.
When I read the last book, I wasn't really looking forward to this one because I wasn't a superfan of Raider. Damn if this book didn't change my mind!!! These two are a perfect couple and I absolutely worship them!!! I was disappointed that there weren't as many sex scenes, but the ones they had were very steamy. At least they were in the audiobook.
Of course the entire team is involved in this case. Wolfe and his reporter friend, Dana, are sparking and I'm so excited to get to their story. Angus and Nari are still doing the hate/lust dance, and we get some surprise action for Nari. That woman is secretly a badass. You won't be surprised that Rosco and Kat are still bonkers. Rosco is the craziest alcoholic dog I've ever met, not that I've met many. I thought it would annoy me with how farfetched his issues are, but I ended up finding them hilarious.
I'm so obsessed with this series that I haven't wanted to skim a single word. There's always action and not any "filler" stuff. These books have kept me 100% engaged and invested.
My only complaint (besides the lack of sex) is that they still refer to the same person by two different names. Mostly it's either Angus/Force and Malcolm/West. Wish they'd pick one name and stick to it.
August 28, 2019
I’m so happy that this author is continuing this series about a rag tag group of agents who are idiocentric to say the least. Put together by Force, a profiler but definitely not on the agency’s most popular list ! Yes this team are not exactly mainstream anymore, they are definitely lacking when it comes to support and equipment but they are dedicated and if you want the job doing then I honestly cannot think of a Unit quite as unique and focussed as these Deep Ops agents.
Brigid was released from prison to help the Deep Ops guys but she’s not exactly been upfront with them . Raider has fallen from grace since he lost a friend but knows he can finally take down the dirty criminals if he sticks close to Brigid. Brigids father has a connection to the family and Raider will use every weapon in his arsenal even the all too cute hacker !
This the second book sees the various characters being fleshed out a lot more. I absolutely love the service dog Roscoe and his crazy appetites. Plus there’s definitely tension between the resident shrink Nari and Force although if honest my favourite character is Wolfe and what he keeps in his pocket is just adorable ! I just didn’t find myself wowed by Brigid and as much as I enjoyed the action in this story I’m sad to say that Brigid felt a little flat to me. Plus I just didn’t quite believe in Raiders insane attraction to Brigid so sadly for this reader the central romance just didn’t have me gripped. However this is an action packed romp with lots going on and I was constantly surprised by the tense scenes and unbelievably dangerous situations that cropped up. Plus there’s a sneaky peak at the beginning of the next book and this reader is already salivating because it’s big, tough Wolfe so bring it on !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Brigid was released from prison to help the Deep Ops guys but she’s not exactly been upfront with them . Raider has fallen from grace since he lost a friend but knows he can finally take down the dirty criminals if he sticks close to Brigid. Brigids father has a connection to the family and Raider will use every weapon in his arsenal even the all too cute hacker !
This the second book sees the various characters being fleshed out a lot more. I absolutely love the service dog Roscoe and his crazy appetites. Plus there’s definitely tension between the resident shrink Nari and Force although if honest my favourite character is Wolfe and what he keeps in his pocket is just adorable ! I just didn’t find myself wowed by Brigid and as much as I enjoyed the action in this story I’m sad to say that Brigid felt a little flat to me. Plus I just didn’t quite believe in Raiders insane attraction to Brigid so sadly for this reader the central romance just didn’t have me gripped. However this is an action packed romp with lots going on and I was constantly surprised by the tense scenes and unbelievably dangerous situations that cropped up. Plus there’s a sneaky peak at the beginning of the next book and this reader is already salivating because it’s big, tough Wolfe so bring it on !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
June 1, 2024
I've given this a B for narration and a B- for content at AudioGals.
I had a few reservations about the love story in Hidden, the first book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops romantic suspense series, but I enjoyed Roger Wayne’s narration sufficiently enough to want to give the series another try. There’s a novella –Taken – that comes between Hidden and Fallen (the second book), but I didn’t feel as though I’d missed anything by not reading or listening to it; in fact, Fallen works pretty well as a standalone.
In Hidden, the author introduced listeners to a small and out-on-a-limb branch of the Homeland Defense Department headed up by FBI agent Angus Force, a charismatic but obviously damaged individual whose personal mission – to find the serial killer he supposedly shot and killed five years earlier – turned into an obsession that pretty much derailed his career. He’s been sidelined and tasked with setting up this small unit which is going to end up doing the jobs the bureau doesn’t want to dirty its hands over. The rag-taggle group of agents he’s assembled includes former cop and undercover specialist Malcolm West, hacker Brigid Banaghan, FBI agent Raider Tanaka, former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe and department shrink Nari Zhang. Oh, and let’s not forget Force’s booze-loving German Shepherd, Roscoe. They’re a quirky, engaging bunch, and the author has developed strong relationships between them that clearly go beyond the professional; they like and respect each other even if they don’t always show it, and their banter and snark is well done.
A talented hacker, Brigid made the mistake of breaking into the wrong system and received an orange jumpsuit and a prison sentence for her trouble. Force has her sprung from jail in order to assist with the current mission – to track down a group of mobsters known to be using the dark web to run all their criminal activities, from drug running to money laundering to people trafficking and prostitution rackets. Brigid doesn’t quite understand how she can help; the dark web is un-hackable, and the only way Force’s team can gather the information they need is for them to meet with someone on the inside of the operation. But her confusion quickly turns to anger when Force explains all; Brigid has been brought in because her father used to be part of the Irish mob out of Boston, and Force believes that he’s back in contact with some of his old cronies in the Coonan family. He wants Brigid to go home to the Banaghan family farm to reconcile with her father and introduce him to her ‘fiancé’ – a man with criminal ties who might want to do business with the Coonans. Brigid is furious, adamant that her father isn’t and never has been part of any criminal organisation and determined to prove Force wrong.
Special Agent Raider Tanaka screwed up when he had a one-night stand with the wrong woman – his boss’s wife. The story going around is that he got busted down to the HDD’s secret and embarrassing unit because of it, but the truth is that he used that incident to get himself transferred to Force’s team because he’s been out to take down the Coonan family since they murdered one of his informants. He’s not wild about Brigid’s involvement – she’s not a trained agent and they could well come up against some seriously unpleasant individuals – but it’s the only way to get close to her father quickly, so Rider agrees to pose as Brigid’s bad-boy fiancé and vows to protect her while he does everything he can to bring the Coonans to justice.
The suspense plot is well-done, and there’s plenty of high-stakes action and drama along the way as Raider, Brigid and the team have to race against time to find the information they need to bring down the Coonans, break the sex-trafficking ring they’re operating and rescue the latest batch of young girls being brought into the country to be forced into slavery and prostitution. It’s like an action movie in audio; fast-paced and smoothly edited – and with just about the same amount of implausible and occasionally silly twists and turns!
The fake-relationship trope is a favourite of mine, and there’s a definite spark between Rider and Brigid from the moment they appear on the page. I enjoyed the snarky banter and the push-and-pull between them, but I can’t deny that I found Brigid a little underwhelming as a heroine; there’s nothing about her that made her stand out from the many other similar heroines out there. Rider is perhaps a little more well-developed, but he’s pretty much your typical alpha male; smart, hot and protective, with the addition of a backstory that has him making something of himself despite having spent his formative years in the foster system.
As I said at the beginning, Roger Wayne’s performance in the previous book in the series is the main reason I picked up this one, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s an experienced narrator who is able to differentiate a fairly large cast of characters effectively – Raider, Mal, Force and Wolf are all easy to tell apart in their scenes together – as well as to imbue his performance with the right degree of expression and emotion. I like narrators who act rather than just reading the words aloud, and Mr. Wayne does a great job here of relaying moments of humour, intimacy and danger, and as I pointed out before, I like that he doesn’t use his normal speaking voice to portray any of the characters, so there’s never any difficulty in working out if he’s performing narrative or dialogue. His female voices are good, too, and it’s a strong performance all-round, although I noticed several places where Raider is described as having a Southern accent, or speaking with a New York accent – and there were a couple of others as well, I think – and they weren’t distinct. I don’t claim to be an expert on American accents, but I can spot a Southern drawl and hear the difference between it and some other US accents, and given that they were supposed to reveal something about Raider’s character, I wish a bit more had been made of them.
That apart, however, I enjoyed the performance overall – and although the story was a bit far-fetched in places, I’d recommend Fallen to anyone looking for a romantic suspense fix who doesn’t mind suspending their disbelief a bit.
I had a few reservations about the love story in Hidden, the first book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops romantic suspense series, but I enjoyed Roger Wayne’s narration sufficiently enough to want to give the series another try. There’s a novella –Taken – that comes between Hidden and Fallen (the second book), but I didn’t feel as though I’d missed anything by not reading or listening to it; in fact, Fallen works pretty well as a standalone.
In Hidden, the author introduced listeners to a small and out-on-a-limb branch of the Homeland Defense Department headed up by FBI agent Angus Force, a charismatic but obviously damaged individual whose personal mission – to find the serial killer he supposedly shot and killed five years earlier – turned into an obsession that pretty much derailed his career. He’s been sidelined and tasked with setting up this small unit which is going to end up doing the jobs the bureau doesn’t want to dirty its hands over. The rag-taggle group of agents he’s assembled includes former cop and undercover specialist Malcolm West, hacker Brigid Banaghan, FBI agent Raider Tanaka, former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe and department shrink Nari Zhang. Oh, and let’s not forget Force’s booze-loving German Shepherd, Roscoe. They’re a quirky, engaging bunch, and the author has developed strong relationships between them that clearly go beyond the professional; they like and respect each other even if they don’t always show it, and their banter and snark is well done.
A talented hacker, Brigid made the mistake of breaking into the wrong system and received an orange jumpsuit and a prison sentence for her trouble. Force has her sprung from jail in order to assist with the current mission – to track down a group of mobsters known to be using the dark web to run all their criminal activities, from drug running to money laundering to people trafficking and prostitution rackets. Brigid doesn’t quite understand how she can help; the dark web is un-hackable, and the only way Force’s team can gather the information they need is for them to meet with someone on the inside of the operation. But her confusion quickly turns to anger when Force explains all; Brigid has been brought in because her father used to be part of the Irish mob out of Boston, and Force believes that he’s back in contact with some of his old cronies in the Coonan family. He wants Brigid to go home to the Banaghan family farm to reconcile with her father and introduce him to her ‘fiancé’ – a man with criminal ties who might want to do business with the Coonans. Brigid is furious, adamant that her father isn’t and never has been part of any criminal organisation and determined to prove Force wrong.
Special Agent Raider Tanaka screwed up when he had a one-night stand with the wrong woman – his boss’s wife. The story going around is that he got busted down to the HDD’s secret and embarrassing unit because of it, but the truth is that he used that incident to get himself transferred to Force’s team because he’s been out to take down the Coonan family since they murdered one of his informants. He’s not wild about Brigid’s involvement – she’s not a trained agent and they could well come up against some seriously unpleasant individuals – but it’s the only way to get close to her father quickly, so Rider agrees to pose as Brigid’s bad-boy fiancé and vows to protect her while he does everything he can to bring the Coonans to justice.
The suspense plot is well-done, and there’s plenty of high-stakes action and drama along the way as Raider, Brigid and the team have to race against time to find the information they need to bring down the Coonans, break the sex-trafficking ring they’re operating and rescue the latest batch of young girls being brought into the country to be forced into slavery and prostitution. It’s like an action movie in audio; fast-paced and smoothly edited – and with just about the same amount of implausible and occasionally silly twists and turns!
The fake-relationship trope is a favourite of mine, and there’s a definite spark between Rider and Brigid from the moment they appear on the page. I enjoyed the snarky banter and the push-and-pull between them, but I can’t deny that I found Brigid a little underwhelming as a heroine; there’s nothing about her that made her stand out from the many other similar heroines out there. Rider is perhaps a little more well-developed, but he’s pretty much your typical alpha male; smart, hot and protective, with the addition of a backstory that has him making something of himself despite having spent his formative years in the foster system.
As I said at the beginning, Roger Wayne’s performance in the previous book in the series is the main reason I picked up this one, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s an experienced narrator who is able to differentiate a fairly large cast of characters effectively – Raider, Mal, Force and Wolf are all easy to tell apart in their scenes together – as well as to imbue his performance with the right degree of expression and emotion. I like narrators who act rather than just reading the words aloud, and Mr. Wayne does a great job here of relaying moments of humour, intimacy and danger, and as I pointed out before, I like that he doesn’t use his normal speaking voice to portray any of the characters, so there’s never any difficulty in working out if he’s performing narrative or dialogue. His female voices are good, too, and it’s a strong performance all-round, although I noticed several places where Raider is described as having a Southern accent, or speaking with a New York accent – and there were a couple of others as well, I think – and they weren’t distinct. I don’t claim to be an expert on American accents, but I can spot a Southern drawl and hear the difference between it and some other US accents, and given that they were supposed to reveal something about Raider’s character, I wish a bit more had been made of them.
That apart, however, I enjoyed the performance overall – and although the story was a bit far-fetched in places, I’d recommend Fallen to anyone looking for a romantic suspense fix who doesn’t mind suspending their disbelief a bit.
December 4, 2019
Rebecca Zanetti is one of my favorite authors but I was pretty bored with this book. It was rather formulaic and it feels like more of the same. The Deeps Ops is an off the books military unit that the government uses to take care of problems in secret.
Brigid Banaghan is a hacker who was imprisoned but given a plea bargain deal to get out if she will secretly inflitrated the Deep Ops unit is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. Unbeknowst to the secret arm of the government, Raider Tanaka was assigned to work with her. Raider was working on exposing a huge international sex trafficking ring and he enlisted Brigid's aid to decode their shipping routes by hacking the criminals.
While working together, Raider and Brigid developed an attraction together, but Brigid harbored a secret that she couldn't share with him. That lead to problems and break down of trust.
It was an okay book but I just didn't connect with the characters. I was bored with the audio and I kept spacing off. The ending was an HEA of course and the bad guy was shot.
****BUT the serial killer Lassiter
Brigid Banaghan is a hacker who was imprisoned but given a plea bargain deal to get out if she will secretly inflitrated the Deep Ops unit is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. Unbeknowst to the secret arm of the government, Raider Tanaka was assigned to work with her. Raider was working on exposing a huge international sex trafficking ring and he enlisted Brigid's aid to decode their shipping routes by hacking the criminals.
While working together, Raider and Brigid developed an attraction together, but Brigid harbored a secret that she couldn't share with him. That lead to problems and break down of trust.
It was an okay book but I just didn't connect with the characters. I was bored with the audio and I kept spacing off. The ending was an HEA of course and the bad guy was shot.
****BUT the serial killer Lassiter
April 4, 2020
I won this book through a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Once again, 5 stars! It was great to be back with the Deep Ops team! I missed them! I am already looking into the 3rd book of the series so I can continue reading! Thank you for this giveaway! I love when I try out a new author and end up loving them!
Once again, 5 stars! It was great to be back with the Deep Ops team! I missed them! I am already looking into the 3rd book of the series so I can continue reading! Thank you for this giveaway! I love when I try out a new author and end up loving them!
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