Dirty Deeds by HelenKay Dimon

Dirty Deeds by HelenKay Dimon

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add on Goodreads): Alec Drummond didn’t make his billions by playing nice—or by playing much at all. When it comes to pleasure, Alec only has time for whatever’s quick and easy, which is exactly what he gets from his company’s hot new computer genius. But Gaige Owens isn’t some pushover. He pushes back, and it’s giving Alec a rush. The question is, could Gaige be the one who’s leaking trade secrets? Just to be safe, Alec keeps him close at hand . . . night and day.

Gaige never thought he’d roll over for a man like Alec again, but who could resist sex this mind-blowing? Then there’s the draw of Alec’s mysterious side: his cutthroat ambition, his covert CIA connections, and the murder in his past. For Gaige, a deeper look proves an irresistible temptation. But when Gaige and Alec are stripped of their defenses by an unseen danger, everything they don’t know could bring them closer together—or tear them apart. Only one thing is certain: Before it’s all over, someone’s going down.

Review: Dimon has a trilogy called the Tough Love series (links to my reviews – Mr. and Mr. Smith, The Talented Mr. Rivers, and Guarding Mr. Fine) and while you don’t need to read those before starting Dirty Deeds, Alec Drummond is a character that appears. If you have read the Tough Love series, then you definitely need to continue with this one. This book (including the previous series) is full of suspense, mystery, weapons, and possible injury. Alec is the head of a billion dollar company, and he doesn’t get along with most people, his brothers the main exceptions. He helps the CIA when it suits him, but he’s not happy when CIA agent Seth has Gaige Owens enter his work and hack into his system. Now Gaige is being forced to work for Seth, and Alec doesn’t trust either of them, so he’s keeping a close eye on Gaige…so close, Gaige is staying at his place.

Alec and Gaige are different in ways, but oh so wonderful for each other. The chemistry is intense and it doesn’t take long for their “work” relationship to turn physical. Neither of them expect to truly trust each other though, but as the book continues, it becomes clear that they might be the only people either of them can truly trust. After all, neither of them appreciate being told what to do by the CIA.

Dimon is a great author, and I will happily keep reading her work. You’re to fly through these pages! It’s a perfect mix of plot/mystery and romance/passion. Give me the sequel already!

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On a different note, I’m celebrating 10 years this month so I’m doing random giveaways and I want to make sure you know about them.

Twitter Giveaway: Follow me and RT original link to win anything Harry Potter related $12 and under from The Book Depository. Open INT’L if TBD ships to you. Ends August 16th. Enter here – it’s the pinned tweet at the top!

Instagram Giveaway: Follow me, like the post, and tag a friend in the comments to enter to win a book (extra entry if you share the post and leave another comment). Two winners – each person gets one book of choice – and it’s open to U.S. only. Giveaway ends August 31. You can win Pop Goes the Weasel, Black-Eyed Susans, or the novel version of Broadchurch. I’ve read and enjoyed all of these (they are all mystery novels!). Post to enter here.

Guarding Mr. Fine by HelenKay Dimon

Guarding Mr. Fine by HelenKay Dimon

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: As an agent with the CIA’s special activities division, Seth Lang lives for risk—and yet he’s stuck playing bodyguard to the U.S. consul general in Munich. Although Seth’s last assignment nearly killed him, babysitting some desk jockey in a suit sounds way too easy. But when he lays eyes on the new top man, tactical expert Rick Fine, Seth’s thrilled to see just how hard this job is going to get. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Quiet has a body worth guarding—and he requires hands-on attention day and night.
 
Dispatched to a German consulate to expose the murder of his predecessor, Rick finds himself in an extremely vulnerable position. He needs a man like Seth—in so many ways. This mission will inevitably plunge them both into jeopardy, but each new threat only brings them closer. Rick just hopes that he can keep his deepest, darkest secret hidden—or else risk imperiling a relationship they’re both fighting for their lives to protect.

Review: Guarding Mr. Fine is the third book in the Tough Love series, and while I've loved them all, I think this might be my favorite. I just loved the relationship between Rick and Seth. There is a big secret that involves both of them - which only Rick is aware of - but it's a secret that makes sense to be kept, at least while the mission is happening. It adds drama to the end of the book, but nothing unwarranted or too over the top.

As for the rest of the book, this is essentially a mystery novel, and I loved that. Sure, it has plenty of romance, but it also has suspense and intrigue. Rick is sure that the former ambassador to Germany was involved in something shady and that his death is more than a suicide. He has to keep this theory mostly a secret though, so that if something is going on, they aren't spooked and hide away. It soon becomes clear that Rick is correct as someone tries to take Rick out. They don't know Seth though. He's been in the CIA for years and he's an excellent "body guard." He may have feelings for Rick, but that doesn't distract Seth. It might just make him more determined to bring down whoever would dare kill Rick.

Definitely a great read! I'll include links to the other books in the series below in case you want to read in order!

Check out the Tough Love series on Amazon - I'm an affiliate; I get a small percent of any sale.

Mr. and Mr. Smith - check it out
The Talented Mr. Rivers - check it out
Guarding Mr. Fine - check it out 

The Talented Mr. Rivers by HelenKay Dimon

The Talented Mr. Rivers by HelenKay Dimon

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: As the son of an international crime lord, Will Rivers only inherited one thing after his father died: trouble. The Pentasus organization deals in kidnapping and murder, and Will wants no part of the power grab that’s tearing leadership apart. But the only way he’ll be able to escape is with some help from his former bodyguard, Hunter Cain, whose sculpted body and brooding looks keep Will awake at night. Somehow, Hunter has resisted the tension between them . . . until, suddenly, he gives in.

As a German intelligence officer working deep undercover, Hunter has a very good reason to keep Will in the dark about his identity and his intentions. Although the sex is hot, Hunter’s true feelings are a growing liability. Now the only way to save Will from his old life is to push him deeper into danger. But when two strong men are each determined to protect the other, the heat isn’t just combustible—it’s a firestorm.

Review:

The Talented Mr. Rivers is the second book after Mr. and Mr. Smith, which I loved. I was very excited to be accepted to review Mr. Rivers after highly enjoying the story and relationship in Smith. While this book focuses on a new couple, you still get to see the two men behind Smith, which is always fun in companion novels. As for Mr. Rivers, this book is about Hunter and Will Rivers, who both appear in Smith, though Hunter far more. This book, though, takes place soon after the end of Smith so you definitely should read both to really get to know all the key players and how that leads to the story line in Mr. Rivers. Hunter is part of a German organization who has infiltrated the Rivers family, believing them to be involved in really evil and bloody work. While pretending to a bodyguard, he eventually meets the youngest Rivers sibling, Will, and finds himself immediately attracted. Neither Will nor Hunter act on their feelings until Mr. Rivers and it's definitely steamy. There is plenty of sex scenes and sensual moments between the two men, but there is also much more to the story, which I appreciate. Two people are after Will, and neither care too much if they have to kill him in the end. Hunter is trying to bring down the operation the Rivers family runs, but he's also still immensely attracted to and starting to care for Will, so he wants to keep him safe. The two men have many secrets between them, though Hunter has the most, as he knows more about Will from his job than Will knows about him. For example, Hunter is not his real name. That's a small thing compared to everything else, but it's something the two have to work through, especially in the middle of a serious operation. Again, I don't want to go on too much about the specific details. Just know that this is a sexy, fast-paced, and action-filled novel! Highly recommended!

Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon

Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Fisher Braun knows how to keep a secret. As a covert paramilitary operative, his job—and his life—depends on it. He's at the top of his game, ready for action and always in control. No enemy has ever brought him to his knees, but one lover has: Zachary Allen, the man currently sharing his bed. The perfect package of brains and brawn, Zach is someone worth coming home to, and Fisher hates keeping him in the dark about what he does. But the lies keep Zach safe. Until the day Fisher loses everything. . . .

Zachary Allen is no innocent civilian. Although he plays the tech geek, in reality he's deep undercover for the CIA. In a horrible twist of fate, the criminal enterprise he's infiltrated has set its sights on the man whose touch drives him wild. Zach would do anything for Fisher—except blow his own cover. Now, in order to save him, Zach must betray him first. And he needs Fisher to trust him with all his heart if they want to make it out alive.

Review: This is a new series by author HelenKay Dimon and the next title is called The Talented Mr. Rivers and comes out in September. I loved Mr. and Mr. Smith (and the titles are too fun - playing off old action films/books) and I can't wait to read about the next couple, who we meet in this one!

Back to Mr. and Mr. Smith though - Fisher Braun is part of the CIA so he tends to keep his dalliances with men a secret, not telling anyone on his team that he's gay. He definitely doesn't enter relationships. Until he meets Zachary Allen. These two are actually living together by the time the story starts and everything starts to blow up in their faces, because Zach is actually in the CIA too.

In the beginning, Fisher thinks that Zach betrayed him and that everything they shared was a lie. It's easy to fall for both of these guys. Time is running out before Zach might have to go back undercover, and neither of them really knows how to make the other understand their feelings. Zach swears his feelings for Fisher weren't a lie, but Fisher feels betrayed by all the lies that did occur throughout their relationship and he's not sure he wants to even try to believe Zach.

Mr. and Mr. Smith is an action-packed, suspenseful novel where lives really are on the line. Along with that, Dimon has created a passionate, fierce relationship between Fisher and Zach. These are two very strong guys but they do have secrets and vulnerabilities and I definitely rooted for them to be together in the end!