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Recovery Enforcement Division #3
Vendetta
Special Agent Lexi Steele is an operative with RED—the Recovery Enforcement Division, a highly secretive offshoot of the NSA. Her sexy, too-hot-to-handle partner, Nick Donovan, gets inside her in a way no man has ever done before.
Lexi and Nick are on the trail of Karl Bachmann, a criminal mastermind who deals in sex slavery. To Lexi’s shock, her team is ordered to pull back. Despite the horrendous crimes Bachmann has committed, they are forced to stop their investigation. Lexi is furious—why would the government let a criminal like Bachmann get away?
Bachmann is out for revenge and is bent on destroying Lexi. When her family is targeted, it’s a run against time as Lexi and Nick search for a missing family member and the man behind it. They find themselves in a web of deceit and betrayal that goes to the very core of the U.S. Government itself.
In the midst of all the turmoil, Lexi fights her emotions for Nick, a distraction she can’t allow. Nick wants her trust and her love…something she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to give.
Formerly titled: The Temptation.
Lexi and Nick are on the trail of Karl Bachmann, a criminal mastermind who deals in sex slavery. To Lexi’s shock, her team is ordered to pull back. Despite the horrendous crimes Bachmann has committed, they are forced to stop their investigation. Lexi is furious—why would the government let a criminal like Bachmann get away?
Bachmann is out for revenge and is bent on destroying Lexi. When her family is targeted, it’s a run against time as Lexi and Nick search for a missing family member and the man behind it. They find themselves in a web of deceit and betrayal that goes to the very core of the U.S. Government itself.
In the midst of all the turmoil, Lexi fights her emotions for Nick, a distraction she can’t allow. Nick wants her trust and her love…something she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to give.
Formerly titled: The Temptation.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2012
152 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Cheyenne McCray
161 books1,757 followersCheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 12, 2012
Story Rating 5 Stars
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 3 Stars
Heat Rating 3.5 Stars
Action Rating 5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
I'm so gosh darn happy that I this book was finally released. I read book one in March of 2009, book 2, in August of 2009 and have been left totally hanging until now. I just about gave up hope on book 3 becoming a reality. These book's must be read in order since it is a continuing story so you see this book was very important to me because I absolutely LOVED book one and book 2 and I so wanted there to be a HEA for Lexi and Nick but I also wanted to read how they bring all the bad guy's down.
This book starts off 6 month's after the ending of book 2. It took me on a journey of finally getting the lead bad guy of the story. This guy was pure evil and right up until the ending was very much in control. Lexi, the heroine once again is a total kick ass heroine. She smart, tuff, strong and knows how to take care of herself. Her biggest problem is, she just can't admit to Nick the man who has fallen in love with her that she loves him back. As the story unfolds and the bad guy's kidnap Lexi sister thinking it's her, Nick and Lexi needs for each other just can't be denied giving us some very sensual love scenes. The action in the book was riveting and fast paced right from page one with bullet's flying and people dyeing. For me there was never a dull moment.
By the end of the story, the bad guy's all fall, and Lexi's sister is saved almost at the cost of Lexi's life. There was a VERY HEA ending for Nick and Lexi also with all of Lexi's family. WOW, I just loved the ending.
For me, this is my favorite Cheyenne McCray series. I have read almost all of her book's and really liked if not loved them all. I just think Cheyenne does a fabulous job of writing Romantic Suspense Thrillers that are exciting and action packed. I so hope she writes more of these types of book's. I must add a warning to those who do not like much violence in their romances, these book's may not be for you.
Cheyenne, I hope you read this because I want to thank you for finally getting this book in print. Nick and Lexi deserved to have a HEA ending and what a FANTSTIC job you did giving it to them.
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 3 Stars
Heat Rating 3.5 Stars
Action Rating 5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
I'm so gosh darn happy that I this book was finally released. I read book one in March of 2009, book 2, in August of 2009 and have been left totally hanging until now. I just about gave up hope on book 3 becoming a reality. These book's must be read in order since it is a continuing story so you see this book was very important to me because I absolutely LOVED book one and book 2 and I so wanted there to be a HEA for Lexi and Nick but I also wanted to read how they bring all the bad guy's down.
This book starts off 6 month's after the ending of book 2. It took me on a journey of finally getting the lead bad guy of the story. This guy was pure evil and right up until the ending was very much in control. Lexi, the heroine once again is a total kick ass heroine. She smart, tuff, strong and knows how to take care of herself. Her biggest problem is, she just can't admit to Nick the man who has fallen in love with her that she loves him back. As the story unfolds and the bad guy's kidnap Lexi sister thinking it's her, Nick and Lexi needs for each other just can't be denied giving us some very sensual love scenes. The action in the book was riveting and fast paced right from page one with bullet's flying and people dyeing. For me there was never a dull moment.
By the end of the story, the bad guy's all fall, and Lexi's sister is saved almost at the cost of Lexi's life. There was a VERY HEA ending for Nick and Lexi also with all of Lexi's family. WOW, I just loved the ending.
For me, this is my favorite Cheyenne McCray series. I have read almost all of her book's and really liked if not loved them all. I just think Cheyenne does a fabulous job of writing Romantic Suspense Thrillers that are exciting and action packed. I so hope she writes more of these types of book's. I must add a warning to those who do not like much violence in their romances, these book's may not be for you.
Cheyenne, I hope you read this because I want to thank you for finally getting this book in print. Nick and Lexi deserved to have a HEA ending and what a FANTSTIC job you did giving it to them.
July 5, 2012
A quick read with lots of action and good steamy parts. I was so happy to see Lexi get her HEA with Nick AND see Bacchmann get what was coming to him!
February 12, 2015
I enjoyed this series a lot and was saddened to reach the last book. I was hoping to read more of Lexi and his sexy brothers especially the new RED agent Ryan. But is it me or did anyone realized that Georgina seems to be missing the action of actually rescuing Rori? She's part of the group that planned the rescue right? And she's the one who discovered that their boss Carter is involved. But how come she did not participate in the actual rescue? She's even missing during Lexi's wedding, to think that they were (best)friends.
Well I guess it's not that important as long as Lexi got her happy ever after and Bachmann has been put down (finally).
I would like to see a new romance to be written for Ryan and Georgina though. Seems like he has the hots for her right?
Well I guess it's not that important as long as Lexi got her happy ever after and Bachmann has been put down (finally).
I would like to see a new romance to be written for Ryan and Georgina though. Seems like he has the hots for her right?
July 4, 2012
Awesome addition to the Lexi Steele series. This booked covered it all. Hot and sexy scenes, action from beginning to the end, bad people posing as good and government twists throughout. I highly recommend.
February 22, 2021
I absolutely loved everything about this book! This was the third and final book in the Recovery Enforcement Division series and it definitely started off with a bang! From the start it's a non stop ride where Lexi and Nick are back together and the stakes are higher than ever. I loved how Lexi finally opens herself up to Nick since in my eyes they are pretty close to being the perfect couple. This was such a fantastic ending to the series I know I will be rereading all the books again very soon!
May 2, 2023
i think Goodreads got mad at me last night i was writing up my reviews and it wouldn't load and i couldn't add books to my TBR shelf?? so i am trying to finish up now. good book. new to this author ...first time reading Cheyenne's book before. i looking forward to more soon. i found it for free on Bookbub and got it from Amazon, kindle copy. good book cover. cute pootie on there. check him out. i will read from from this series i think there are 5 books in that series. "Code R.E.D." Series. out on February 18, 2021. romantic suspense. suspense.
April 29, 2023
'Vendetta' was thrilling. Moreover, its energetic plot was filled with intrigue, suspense, tension, action, and love. Lexi and Nick, the protagonists, were soul mates and gushed with chemistry. I kept rooting for them. I liked the author's writing style: compelling and interesting characters, fascinating settings in Boston and Washington, D.C., and a tightly woven storyline that held my interest. Overall, I liked the tumultuous narrative.
August 11, 2023
The Grand Finale!
Lexi and Nick are still on the hunt for the sex trafficking head honcho. Strange things are happening in the workplace and to high ranking officials that hamper their progress.
When someone is taken to make Lexi pay, the action ramps up as Lexi pulls in friends and family to help to hunt down the perpetrators.
Lexi and Nick are still on the hunt for the sex trafficking head honcho. Strange things are happening in the workplace and to high ranking officials that hamper their progress.
When someone is taken to make Lexi pay, the action ramps up as Lexi pulls in friends and family to help to hunt down the perpetrators.
April 26, 2023
I enjoyed the book. What happened to Georgina? She was brought in and did her part at the hotel rather heroically. No further mention of this character who was supposed to be Lexi’s best friend. The ending was a bit too pat. Especially the whole dying scene.
May 7, 2023
Fantastic book.
Wow, I loved this book and devoured it in a day. Loved staying on edge, so much action. Loved the second chance for Nick and Lexie. Really loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
Wow, I loved this book and devoured it in a day. Loved staying on edge, so much action. Loved the second chance for Nick and Lexie. Really loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
June 14, 2020
I have read this book back in 2013 & enjoyed then,but this time around not so much:(
I am not sure what it was about the book this time but I did not enjoy it very much.
I am not sure what it was about the book this time but I did not enjoy it very much.
Want to read
April 10, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (4/10/2023)! 🎁
April 27, 2023
Great Read!
I enjoyed this book with all the action and quirky characters. I will definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
I enjoyed this book with all the action and quirky characters. I will definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
May 3, 2023
My least favorite of the series. The ending was fine. However, the writing was lacking and everything felt rushed and repetative.
May 5, 2023
Good read
May 3, 2024
Great read
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Nick Donovan and Lexi Steele getting together with each other. This book is a great story. HEA
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Nick Donovan and Lexi Steele getting together with each other. This book is a great story. HEA
April 22, 2013
Third in the Lexi Steele romantic suspense series revolving around Lexi Steele, a guilt-ridden Special Agent in Boston.
My Take
I had been looking forward to reading this, but it didn't take long before I just wanted to gag. It started with that too-easy dramatic bit and how annoying Lexi was with her overweening guilt about the men she killed as a sniper. Oh, woe, I don't deserve to be happy..., but McCray simply didn't want to work on this story, evident with every additional lame cliché from the shut-down of the investigation to the total lack of support and the freeze-out from Oxford; Georgina's ignoring that her equipment isn't working; the botched rescue; and, supposedly they're a tight crew, and only Georgina steps up?
Then there were the clichéd comments tossed throughout. My eyeballs were so tired by the time I finished this story. They just kept rollin' and rollin' and...
On the plus side, there's no end to the action. A lot of stupid action, but there's plenty of shoot-outs, battles, and chases. I do like the homey atmosphere of the Steele family. And I also liked the protective stance the boys took with good ol' Richard. Scumbag.
The Story
It's RED's success in Second Betrayal , 2, that leads to still further betrayals when Lexi's sister, Rori, is kidnapped and RED steps down and away. There will be no support for Lexi.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexi "Lexi" Steele comes from a large Boston-Irish family who thinks she travels for an interpreting organization. There's Mama who thinks she's beaten the breast cancer; Daddy (Keegan); Zane who also works for RED is married to Willow, who has her doctorate in education; Troy is a firefighter; Evan, a detective with the Boston PD; Ryan, a former Marine, has signed on with RED; Rori, the stewardess with a jerky boyfriend, Richard Travis; and, Sean is the baby, entering the dark side of puberty.
Georgina Donatella is her best friend and helps Lexi with her makeup and fashions. She's maneuvers an in through Jessica and Chelsea. Silly twit.
Special Agent Nick Donovan is her former boyfriend; he took off for Arizona to help his sister Kristen recover from events in First Sin , 1, but he's back. Hoping that Lexi has come to her senses.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford runs Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a completely dark organization split off from the National Security Agency. Very few know of its existence: the President, a federal judge, a federal prosecutor, the head of the NSA, and Senator Jeanette Shelton. Darlene is Oxford's assistant and doesn't like Lexi. Technically, Special Agent in ChargeMorris Charles Carter (guess he had a name change between one story and another) should be running things but he's too busy playing computer games until he retires. Team Supervisors include Lee, Taylor, and Nick. Other agents include Karchner, Armistead, Blomstein, and Martinez, their props guy.
Karl Bachmann, a.k.a., Anders Hagstedt, is the over-the-top bad guy who lost a great deal of his criminal empire when RED almost took him down. Hans Johansen and Eric Dawson are some of his enforcers; Dominic is his bodyguard. Mia is the sister he mourns. He's looking for payback, and he's got the goods on a number of people, forcing them to do his bidding: John; Charles; Randolph Eckstrom, the head of the NSA; Senator Brent Mackie; Congressman Joseph Jones; John Maldonado, the President's chief of staff; and, many more.
The Cover
The cover is pink and gold---a pink background with a veil of pink over a couple kissing with a ragged slash of gold providing the background for the title.
The title mostly reflected The Temptation I had to put it down...
My Take
I had been looking forward to reading this, but it didn't take long before I just wanted to gag. It started with that too-easy dramatic bit and how annoying Lexi was with her overweening guilt about the men she killed as a sniper. Oh, woe, I don't deserve to be happy..., but McCray simply didn't want to work on this story, evident with every additional lame cliché from the shut-down of the investigation to the total lack of support and the freeze-out from Oxford; Georgina's ignoring that her equipment isn't working; the botched rescue; and, supposedly they're a tight crew, and only Georgina steps up?
Then there were the clichéd comments tossed throughout. My eyeballs were so tired by the time I finished this story. They just kept rollin' and rollin' and...
On the plus side, there's no end to the action. A lot of stupid action, but there's plenty of shoot-outs, battles, and chases. I do like the homey atmosphere of the Steele family. And I also liked the protective stance the boys took with good ol' Richard. Scumbag.
The Story
It's RED's success in Second Betrayal , 2, that leads to still further betrayals when Lexi's sister, Rori, is kidnapped and RED steps down and away. There will be no support for Lexi.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexi "Lexi" Steele comes from a large Boston-Irish family who thinks she travels for an interpreting organization. There's Mama who thinks she's beaten the breast cancer; Daddy (Keegan); Zane who also works for RED is married to Willow, who has her doctorate in education; Troy is a firefighter; Evan, a detective with the Boston PD; Ryan, a former Marine, has signed on with RED; Rori, the stewardess with a jerky boyfriend, Richard Travis; and, Sean is the baby, entering the dark side of puberty.
Georgina Donatella is her best friend and helps Lexi with her makeup and fashions. She's maneuvers an in through Jessica and Chelsea. Silly twit.
Special Agent Nick Donovan is her former boyfriend; he took off for Arizona to help his sister Kristen recover from events in First Sin , 1, but he's back. Hoping that Lexi has come to her senses.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford runs Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a completely dark organization split off from the National Security Agency. Very few know of its existence: the President, a federal judge, a federal prosecutor, the head of the NSA, and Senator Jeanette Shelton. Darlene is Oxford's assistant and doesn't like Lexi. Technically, Special Agent in Charge
Karl Bachmann, a.k.a., Anders Hagstedt, is the over-the-top bad guy who lost a great deal of his criminal empire when RED almost took him down. Hans Johansen and Eric Dawson are some of his enforcers; Dominic is his bodyguard. Mia is the sister he mourns. He's looking for payback, and he's got the goods on a number of people, forcing them to do his bidding: John; Charles; Randolph Eckstrom, the head of the NSA; Senator Brent Mackie; Congressman Joseph Jones; John Maldonado, the President's chief of staff; and, many more.
The Cover
The cover is pink and gold---a pink background with a veil of pink over a couple kissing with a ragged slash of gold providing the background for the title.
The title mostly reflected The Temptation I had to put it down...
August 20, 2012
4 1/2 stars.
The Temptation” by Cheyenne McCray is the exciting and sensual long-awaited sequel to the Lexi Steele series begun with “The First Sin” and continued with “The Second Betrayal”. The charismatic couple of Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan are reunited just as Lexi’s life is being threatened and the roller-coaster ride of danger and suspense takes off even as the two struggle with their intimacy issues. The passionate interludes combined with the tension that ratchets up as they get closer to their target makes this an intriguing read and makes one anxious to reach the end yet vaguely disappointed that this is a novella. The author does a nice job of drawing out the suspense as one wonders whether the corruption in the upper echelons will halt the investigation in its tracks and the horrendous parallels that result from Lexi’s sister being kidnapped conjure up the nightmares of past events. A great combination of spice and suspense that provides a very entertaining read.
Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan are part of the Recovery Enforcement Division and reunite after his six month absence in order to track down the evil mastermind who is responsible for traumatizing Nick’s sister and masterminding many heinous crimes. They have to find out whether they still have a relationship even though Nick has moved to another state for his sister’s recovery and Lexi must decide whether to persist in her rejection of Nick’s love or to accept that they make a great team in and out of the bedroom.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
The Temptation” by Cheyenne McCray is the exciting and sensual long-awaited sequel to the Lexi Steele series begun with “The First Sin” and continued with “The Second Betrayal”. The charismatic couple of Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan are reunited just as Lexi’s life is being threatened and the roller-coaster ride of danger and suspense takes off even as the two struggle with their intimacy issues. The passionate interludes combined with the tension that ratchets up as they get closer to their target makes this an intriguing read and makes one anxious to reach the end yet vaguely disappointed that this is a novella. The author does a nice job of drawing out the suspense as one wonders whether the corruption in the upper echelons will halt the investigation in its tracks and the horrendous parallels that result from Lexi’s sister being kidnapped conjure up the nightmares of past events. A great combination of spice and suspense that provides a very entertaining read.
Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan are part of the Recovery Enforcement Division and reunite after his six month absence in order to track down the evil mastermind who is responsible for traumatizing Nick’s sister and masterminding many heinous crimes. They have to find out whether they still have a relationship even though Nick has moved to another state for his sister’s recovery and Lexi must decide whether to persist in her rejection of Nick’s love or to accept that they make a great team in and out of the bedroom.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
March 10, 2013
Even though Nick and Lexi were the main characters of the book, the shining star of this installment had to be Rory, Steele's sister. That girl went from a mouse to a lioness in two seconds flat. Way to go!
I liked the brief moments when Ryan, Lexi's brother, and Georgina were near each other. There was a noticeable connection between them so I'm hoping Cheyenne writes their story next. I'm dying to know why Georgina's eyes were so haunted after she delivered vital intel to the team. Yup, there's a backstory there. Write it up. Please.
The ending of the book..... it was very sweet.
I liked the brief moments when Ryan, Lexi's brother, and Georgina were near each other. There was a noticeable connection between them so I'm hoping Cheyenne writes their story next. I'm dying to know why Georgina's eyes were so haunted after she delivered vital intel to the team. Yup, there's a backstory there. Write it up. Please.
The ending of the book..... it was very sweet.
February 22, 2021
I absolutely loved everything about this book! This was the third and final book in the Recovery Enforcement Division series and it definitely started off with a bang! From the start it's a non stop ride where Lexi and Nick are back together and the stakes are higher than ever. I loved how Lexi finally opens herself up to Nick since in my eyes they are pretty close to being the perfect couple. This was such a fantastic ending to the series I know I will be rereading all the books again very soon!
July 31, 2012
i loved the first 2 in the lexi steele series and have waited a long time for this book. well,you know what they say,all good things... it was well worth the wait.cheyenne has a way with her writing that you feel a part of the plot. i hated the bad guys as much as i rooted for the good ones.tightly written with suspense and well developed charecters, she tied all the loose ends with a big pretty bow. wow,just wow. ladyl
June 19, 2014
Well this was an utter disappointment. After anxiously waiting to see what happened to Lexi and Nick after the conclusion of the second novel, I could not wait to get my hands on this one. Yet everything felt rushed and weak; I found myself not carrying at all about the characters that I had been so fond of in earlier books, and just trying to reach the end without any enjoyment, just so I could say I finished the series.
October 14, 2012
I'm assuming this is the conclusion to the series. I'm disappointed in that I really liked these characters, and the story felt short and rushed. Seemed like McCray was trying to tie everything up so she doesn't have to revisit this series and can concentrate on her other projects. Which is fine, and I will read her other stuff but I felt Lexi Steele deserved a little bit better.
September 9, 2012
What a fantastic ending to the Lexi Steele series!!! I really loved Lexi and Nick. So happy they got the HEA! I am a huge fan of romance suspense. This series definitely had dark edge to it but I loved every minute of it. It was intense from page one until the end. Loved all 3 books!!
August 20, 2012
What an awesome ending to a very intriguing series. Had no clue going in it would be the end but it was beautiful and full of love passion and had an lovely HEA.
Score another one for Ms. McCray
Score another one for Ms. McCray
February 17, 2013
I am so glad I finally got to finish this series. it was a good end but I felt it lacking in some aspects.
July 12, 2012
Whole series is great , and I hope that we are going to read more about Steel family .
July 11, 2012
Lexi and Nick are back Thank you!
I love it has everything a wonderful story needs Action, Danger and hot sex.
It made me laugh, hold my breath and cry.
So to sum up Cheyenne PLEASE MORE
I love it has everything a wonderful story needs Action, Danger and hot sex.
It made me laugh, hold my breath and cry.
So to sum up Cheyenne PLEASE MORE
January 14, 2014
Loved this series. Cheyenne McCray created 2 strong awesome characters Nick Donovan and Lexi Steele. Lexi is my favorite heroine. Wonderful romance and plot. Total page turners.
July 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews