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Dangerous Curves #2
Locke and Load
Former Naval Intelligence Officer Lt. Nicole Locke’s assignment to assist in a murder investigation, puts her face-to-face with the only man she ever loved—the man she was forced to jilt in order to save his life.
Det. Cage Burnett vows to do whatever it takes to bring down his partner’s killer, even work with the woman who crushed his heart four years earlier when she left him for another man. The dangerous investigation rekindles their desire, but when someone from Nikki’s past reappears and threatens Cage’s future, once again, Locke is loaded with determination to keep the man she loves alive.
Det. Cage Burnett vows to do whatever it takes to bring down his partner’s killer, even work with the woman who crushed his heart four years earlier when she left him for another man. The dangerous investigation rekindles their desire, but when someone from Nikki’s past reappears and threatens Cage’s future, once again, Locke is loaded with determination to keep the man she loves alive.
- GenresRomantic SuspenseRomance
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2015
61 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Donna Michaels
85 books548 followersHi there. Thank you for checking out my profile.
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 25, 2022
Locked & Loaded is the game!! The chemistry between Nikki and Cage is off the charts and the whole storyline is intense. I could not put this book down. I really, really loved the whole storyline and the back and forth between Nikki and Cage OMG it was awesome!
September 14, 2015
Thrilling suspense that wraps up a story started in the previous book. When we met Nicole Locke she been forced to be a cartel leader's wife in order to save the man she loved. The Knight Agency her best friend worked for managed to rescue her and put him behind bars but his threat of killing her ex fiance if she ever had contact with him again was still in play.
Nicole cannot believe her luck when she is assigned to help find the killer of a murdered police officer and it turns out his partner is none other than Cage Burnett the man she had to pretend to betray to save his life. Due to her being a Naval Intelligence Officer when she was engaged to him she kept many secrets from him so he had no reason not to believe that she didnt just cheat on him. And even though she would like nothing better than to just tell him of the hell she has been through her reason's for protecting him haven't changed even with his clear disdain of having to work with her.
I was curious to meet Cage since the first book. Here was a man that a woman loved so much she was willing to give up her life and have to be married to a horrible man that had murdered a child in front of her to keep her line. Cage's anger towards Nicole was understandable even though as a reader you wanted to scream the truth at him. Cage was worthy of Nicole's love and when all the secrets come out he could not believe what this woman did for him and that he didnt see the truth all those years ago.
There are some twist and turns that happen during the investigation that finally leads to a shocking conclusion. All the characters from the first book at the Knight Agency are back and I so look forward to the future books with the other female agents.
Nicole cannot believe her luck when she is assigned to help find the killer of a murdered police officer and it turns out his partner is none other than Cage Burnett the man she had to pretend to betray to save his life. Due to her being a Naval Intelligence Officer when she was engaged to him she kept many secrets from him so he had no reason not to believe that she didnt just cheat on him. And even though she would like nothing better than to just tell him of the hell she has been through her reason's for protecting him haven't changed even with his clear disdain of having to work with her.
I was curious to meet Cage since the first book. Here was a man that a woman loved so much she was willing to give up her life and have to be married to a horrible man that had murdered a child in front of her to keep her line. Cage's anger towards Nicole was understandable even though as a reader you wanted to scream the truth at him. Cage was worthy of Nicole's love and when all the secrets come out he could not believe what this woman did for him and that he didnt see the truth all those years ago.
There are some twist and turns that happen during the investigation that finally leads to a shocking conclusion. All the characters from the first book at the Knight Agency are back and I so look forward to the future books with the other female agents.
October 26, 2015
I do love stories like this and from this author.. what an excellent combination of hours of delightful reading. The story is laced with twists and turns, danger and steaming hot moments of boiling passions.. that do spill over. I look forward to reading more of this series.
March 4, 2018
Nikki (Nicole Locke) worked for an agency that helped the government when the government’s hands are tied. She had been engaged to Cage Burnett four years ago, but broke it off with him because of of a hamster in Bogota that was getting back at her for closing down his dealIngs. It broke her heart and Gage’s heart, but she never wanted him to know why as he would feel guilty for what Nikki went through for him. She is now in Jacksonville, Florida working on a case where Gage’s police partner was killed and she is trying to help find who did it.
This was a good book that had action and suspense in it. I felt so bad for Nikki with everything she went through. The criminal thought no one could touch him and he was awful. Poor Cage had gone through a lot too and was tainted by what she did to him. I understood why Nikki didn’t tell Cage her reasons for leaving him, but maybe if she had, something could have been done sooner. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read the book.
This was a good book that had action and suspense in it. I felt so bad for Nikki with everything she went through. The criminal thought no one could touch him and he was awful. Poor Cage had gone through a lot too and was tainted by what she did to him. I understood why Nikki didn’t tell Cage her reasons for leaving him, but maybe if she had, something could have been done sooner. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read the book.
February 26, 2018
Locke and Load by Donna Michaels is an exciting read. Ms. Michaels has delivered a well-written book and loaded it with amazing, lovable characters. Cage is a detective trying to find his partner's killer. Nikki is Cage's ex, working for a secret agency and is sent to help find the killer. Their story is packed with drama, action, bits of humor, suspense and sexy bits. This book hooked me at the first page and held me hostage till the end. I loved reading Locke and Load and look forward to my next book by Donna Michaels. Locke and Load is book 2 of the Dangerous Curves Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Instafreebie. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Instafreebie. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 14, 2019
*** Locke and Load
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the short novel Dangerous Curves: Locke and Load by Donna Michaels and this review was given freely.
Action packed with a rocky romance, hints of steam, a higher violence level than the prior novella, some intrigue and a happy ending. One year after her rescue, Knight Agency operative and former Naval Intelligence Officer Nikki is reunited with her ex-fiance Det. Cage Burnett to solve a murder investigation. Unfortunately, circumstances make Nkki have to choose again between love,living in captivity and saving the man she loves.
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the short novel Dangerous Curves: Locke and Load by Donna Michaels and this review was given freely.
Action packed with a rocky romance, hints of steam, a higher violence level than the prior novella, some intrigue and a happy ending. One year after her rescue, Knight Agency operative and former Naval Intelligence Officer Nikki is reunited with her ex-fiance Det. Cage Burnett to solve a murder investigation. Unfortunately, circumstances make Nkki have to choose again between love,living in captivity and saving the man she loves.
November 22, 2021
Review of Locke and Load
I absolutely loved this book and I will recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer.
I absolutely loved this book and I will recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer.
September 17, 2015
The second book in the Dangerous Curves series, is guaranteed to keep you turning pages, and wondering what will happen next. In the first book in this series, two agents from the Knight Agency are sent to rescue Nicole Locke from a cartel leader that has forced her into marriage. She kept making references in that book to a man named Cage, and in "Locke and Load" we finally get to meet Cage and find out the rest of their story. Detective Cage Burnett, is angry and cold to Nikki when she first shows up in his precinct in Jacksonville, to help solve the murder of his partner, per the Governor of that great state. Years ago the two were close, very close, even engaged but something happened and now Cage just wants her to leave and go back where she came from. Nikki wants to settle this case and go back home too, she never wants Cage to know the true reason she left him.
This book is loaded with suspense, drama, action, and passion. The characters in this book seem so real and down to earth and I could not help but feel that I was right there with them, as their story unfolds. I really enjoy the fact that the females in this series, seem to be perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and others, and although they are strong and independent, they are also deeply committed to the men in their lives.
I am a huge fan of Donna Micheals, Harland County cowboys and now she has me addicted to the men and women who work for the Knight Agency.
If you love a romance with twists and turns, hot alpha men and strong willed women, a book that will pull you in from the very first page then I strongly recommend this series, a five star read all the way!!
This book is loaded with suspense, drama, action, and passion. The characters in this book seem so real and down to earth and I could not help but feel that I was right there with them, as their story unfolds. I really enjoy the fact that the females in this series, seem to be perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and others, and although they are strong and independent, they are also deeply committed to the men in their lives.
I am a huge fan of Donna Micheals, Harland County cowboys and now she has me addicted to the men and women who work for the Knight Agency.
If you love a romance with twists and turns, hot alpha men and strong willed women, a book that will pull you in from the very first page then I strongly recommend this series, a five star read all the way!!
April 17, 2016
This was a very good suspenseful book and what I loved was the pace. It was the first book I read from this Author and was thoroughly enjoyable.
When Lt Nicole Locke and Det. Cage Burnett come face to face with each other and their past after his partner's murder, they must work together and put their differences behind them. Craig would like for Nicole to disappear and be as far away as possible, the last thing he wants is to have the woman who broke his heart and left him standing on the altar in such close proximity. However you know what they say "where there was fire, ashes remain" and as the couple work and spend time with each other some secrets and trues begin to come to the light and soon the couple are not only running away from their passion but also running in order to save their lives and solve the crime. Nicole will do everything in her power to protect Craig once again even if that means given her back on the only person she has ever loved, she has done it before and she will do it again in a heartbeat but this time is harder, the feelings that she thought were hidden return tenfold to haunt her so perhaps this time Love will be triumphant.
Great read, it was entertaining, yet sexy and romantic. This is book two but it can be read as a standalone. I will certainly will be reading more from this Author.
December 31, 2016
4.25 stars
“Locke and Load” by Donna Michaels is a romantic suspense story that is the second title in the ‘Dangerous Curves’ series and features Nicole (Nikki) Locke, a former Naval Intelligence Officer, as she discovers that all of the sacrifices she has undergone to protect her ex-fiance, Detective Cage Burnett, are about to be wasted. Cage is forced to work with the woman who broke her promises and his heart, but discovering her motives may destroy any chance they have at a future together, no matter how much heat remains between them.
This exciting and action-filled tale involves a very special covert op organization known as the Knight Agency, primarily staffed by women who are former military. I love capable women and this element really appealed to me, so seeing Nikki in efficient and decisive action was a great element to the story, although I was troubled and a bit disturbed by her history. Some of the action becomes a bit over the top for me, and I had to groan at the carelessness that sets the stage for the exciting climax but I still really enjoyed the story and would love to read more about the other members of the Agency. Despite the fact that this is part of a series, I had no trouble reading this story as a stand-alone.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review, a version of which was submitted to Night Owl Reviews.
“Locke and Load” by Donna Michaels is a romantic suspense story that is the second title in the ‘Dangerous Curves’ series and features Nicole (Nikki) Locke, a former Naval Intelligence Officer, as she discovers that all of the sacrifices she has undergone to protect her ex-fiance, Detective Cage Burnett, are about to be wasted. Cage is forced to work with the woman who broke her promises and his heart, but discovering her motives may destroy any chance they have at a future together, no matter how much heat remains between them.
This exciting and action-filled tale involves a very special covert op organization known as the Knight Agency, primarily staffed by women who are former military. I love capable women and this element really appealed to me, so seeing Nikki in efficient and decisive action was a great element to the story, although I was troubled and a bit disturbed by her history. Some of the action becomes a bit over the top for me, and I had to groan at the carelessness that sets the stage for the exciting climax but I still really enjoyed the story and would love to read more about the other members of the Agency. Despite the fact that this is part of a series, I had no trouble reading this story as a stand-alone.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review, a version of which was submitted to Night Owl Reviews.
September 15, 2015
I am really digging this series. It is so nice to see a female as the main character. The main male character complements the female heroine very well. Nikki Locke was rescued in book one, Knight's Seal, after being held captive. With a change of name, she now Works for Knight avoiding her past. That is until she is sent to Jacksonville, Florida to help with an investigation. She thought he was safe in Miami. She was wrong. Cage Bennett was the man she loved, the man who's life, the cartel threatened in order to control her. He was told stories. Actions were staged to convince him. He was left broken hearted and angry. And now he works in Jacksonville where Nikki has been sent to investigate his partner's murder. Nikki tries hard to keep the past few years a secret. She tries to keep a working relationship. She is determined. Cage wants her, doesn't want her, wants her. It was fun watching them dance around their feelings. I enjoyed the feel good romance. The plot was suspenseful, exciting, and a little surprising. It was an easy quick read. I look forward to reading more in the series.
November 5, 2015
SNS Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Shar's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
The things that Nikki goes through for Cage are incredible. Both are alpha type personalities who want to protect their loved ones. Will Cage be able to get over the lies that Nikki has told in order to protect him? I loved these characters. They are well developed and easy to like. Secondary characters were likable as well. Story is easy to follow and read. Story is told in dual POV but there was not differentiating between the two in the layout of the book. One paragraph is from Nikki and then the next switches to Cage. It would have been helpful if there was some kind of a break put in between them. That would have made it a little bit easier to follow. Scenery descriptions were ok. Build up in this particular relationship was good but was already started since they had a history prior to the story told in the book.
This is the second installment of the Dangerous Curves series but can be read as a stand alone. This story does have an HEA.
~~~~~~~~~~Shar's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
The things that Nikki goes through for Cage are incredible. Both are alpha type personalities who want to protect their loved ones. Will Cage be able to get over the lies that Nikki has told in order to protect him? I loved these characters. They are well developed and easy to like. Secondary characters were likable as well. Story is easy to follow and read. Story is told in dual POV but there was not differentiating between the two in the layout of the book. One paragraph is from Nikki and then the next switches to Cage. It would have been helpful if there was some kind of a break put in between them. That would have made it a little bit easier to follow. Scenery descriptions were ok. Build up in this particular relationship was good but was already started since they had a history prior to the story told in the book.
This is the second installment of the Dangerous Curves series but can be read as a stand alone. This story does have an HEA.
September 16, 2015
Donna Michaels weaves a tale of murder, terrorism and hellish villains to create this storyline full of action, emotion and sizzling hot scenes. Having been rescued from two years of living in hell, Nikki has been trying to deal with her demons. Fast forward two years and Nikki is assigned to assist in a cop’s murder in Florida. Her past comes crashing into her present when she discovers the dead cop’s partner is her ex-fiancé. She left Cage to protect him—to keep him alive. Bitter yet still in love with Nikki, Cage wants answers Nikki isn’t willing to provide. Will they be able to find their way back to each other or will the past crash down and steal Nikki back into a living hell? This can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the series.
September 14, 2015
'Locke and Load' (Dangerous Curves Series Book 2) by Donna Michaels is a fantastic read. I loved this book! I enjoyed getting to know Nikki and Cage. It was also great to catch up with everyone in the Knight Agency. This is an excellent follow up to Knight's SEAL (Dangerous Curves Series Book 1). While this series can be read as a standalone, I'd recommend reading them in order so you can get the backstory. This story is full of action, passion, and twists and turns. I can not wait to see what happens next in this awesome series. Highly recommend to all fans of romance.
October 2, 2015
Second in Michaels' new series focusing on the women of Knight Associates. Nikki Locke was saved from some horrible events in Knight's SEAL (Kindle Worlds crossover). In this one, Nikki has been sent to Florida to help solve a murder, only to find out that the dead detective's partner is the man she was forced to leave behind, Cage Burnett.
Some things have happened that make them not inclined to trust each other but in true rom-sus fashion, they are forced to stay together in a safe house. There is some scary action here, but the HEA eventually arrives. Good one.
Some things have happened that make them not inclined to trust each other but in true rom-sus fashion, they are forced to stay together in a safe house. There is some scary action here, but the HEA eventually arrives. Good one.
September 15, 2015
Loved this story
This was so action packed I could not put it down. I love this series, but than I love all Donna Michaels books. It is so well-written and makes you feel like you know the characters.
This was so action packed I could not put it down. I love this series, but than I love all Donna Michaels books. It is so well-written and makes you feel like you know the characters.
February 14, 2016
4.5/5.0
From the first chapter, readers will find strong and courageous characters in this fast paced, edge-of-your-seat read!
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
From the first chapter, readers will find strong and courageous characters in this fast paced, edge-of-your-seat read!
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews