Playing Dirty by HelenKay Dimon

12/2/2015

Playing Dirty
Bad Boys Undercover # 1
By: HelenKay Dimon
Releasing Jan 27th, 2015
Avon Romance

As an elite Alliance agent—the joint undercover operation of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, and the CIA—Ford Decker lives for the adrenaline. But when he befriends sexy property manager Shay Alexander in hopes of finding her cousin, a known national security threat, Ford crosses the line, getting to know her better . . . in bed.
After being burned by her last relationship, Shay wants to take things slow. Yet she can't keep her hands off the drop-dead gorgeous hottie who's moved into her apartment building. So when Ford's identity as an undercover agent is exposed, his betrayal cuts deep. Shay never wants to see him again, but Ford can't let her go, not when her life is still in danger. He will sacrifice everything to protect her, then be prepared to walk away from the only woman he's ever loved, even if it breaks him.

Suspense, action, moles and secrets mixed with the black ops hunt for terrorists and steamy romance while undercover - Thrilling start of the new series
I liked the characters, the Alliance guys were bad to the bone, yet charming, honest about who they are, straightforward, and fun with the banter with each other. Shay had some trust issues, because of her past, but her and Ford was building a relationship, learning to make it work, and emotions were getting deeper every day. Only if Ford wasn't on an undercover assignment, and Shay one of his targets. They were scorching hot together, spending lot of their time together in bed, to the point of distraction.
The guilt Ford feels about not being honest with Shay, as well as Shay's doubts about him being straightforward with her, is a constant battle in their minds, and often in their conversations. When the truth comes out, it is emotional scene, and my heart went out to both of them.
The beginning of the book is all about setting the scene, not only for this assignment, but for the series, introducing the characters in the teams, and that's understandable, and expected, for the book one in the series. The action was more about collecting information, in any way possible. There was some repetition in the details, and the first half of the story was moving a bit slow.
But then in the second half of the story, things really start happening, fierce and scary action takes place, several life and death situations are faced, and emotions run high, when the secrets are revealed. That's when I got emotionally invested in the story, I felt I got to see the true characters behind the black ops masks, and was cheering for them.
When a series promise engaging characters, furious and intense action, and steamy romance, I am all for it, and looking forward to more. Playing Dirty was an intriguing start for the series
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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HelenKay Dimon is a former divorce attorney turned full-time romance author. Odd transition, right? She has sold over thirty novels, novellas and shorts to numerous publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin and Penguin, Samhain, Carina Press, and HarperCollins. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named "Red-Hot Reads" and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. But the best part of the job is never having to wear pantyhose.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

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