NIGHT UNDONE by K.S. Brooks

NIGHT UNDONE

by K.S. Brooks

Series -  Cover Me, Book 1

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Former Special Agent Kathrin Night is not adjusting to civilian life. More than a year after her career-ending injury, she still can’t get the hang of it. This is wearing thin on her lover, Russian FSB Agent Aleksey Khovechkin, who tricks Kathrin into seeing a psychiatrist specializing in post-military/espionage patients. The therapy doesn’t go exactly as Aleksey hopes, but before he can react, Russia recalls him to make him

an offer he can’t refuse.

Before his departure, Aleksey reveals his deepest, darkest secret to Kathrin. Had he, in fact, used her to escape his duties in Russia, or was his allegiance to her genuine? Determined to see justice served, Kathrin hatches a scheme to help Aleksey while at the same time reviving her career in espionage. The Vancouver Winter Olympics could be the perfect venue for her plan, but can she pull it off without destroying their relationship, causing an international incident, or getting either of them killed?d?

When THE KISS OF NIGHT ends, alas too quickly, I wanted to find out more, more, more!  I didn’t realize, until I started reading NIGHT UNDONE, that the story of Kathrin and Aleksey was going to continue full force.  This is a true, modern day love story filled with passion, compassion, sexiness, laughter, compromise and negotiation.  After Aleksey realizes that Kathrin does not know how to be anything other than a spy, that she cannot express her feelings or show interest in anything but warfare, he takes Kathrin to see a counselor who specializes in helping agents re-acclimate back into a normal lifestyle.  Of course, Kathrin is pissed big time because she doesn’t think anything is wrong with her desire to keep herself in shape physically and keeping abreast of everything going on in the spy world, just in case she is called back into action.  Aleksey doesn’t agree.  He wants to retire from espionage and have a complete, full relationship with her, maybe start a consulting firm together.  But all Kathrin wants to do is workout, go to the shooting range, run courses, reading training manuals and worst of all, have boxing matches with him!!  What kind of a woman is this??  She’s never worn a dress or heels, never went on a date or dancing, never held hands with her lover or just sat and talked or watched television together.  With Dr. Scully’s help, Kathrin does realize that she loves Aleksey and wants to be able to have a full life with him.  When he goes home to Russia to see his family, Kathrin is happy to get some free time but then realizes how much she misses him.  She is afraid he might not come back to her and then what??  So she tries very hard to express her feelings for him over the phone and plans some big surprises for him when he, hopefully, returns.  They both learn how to compromise and negotiate and appreciate each other to the fullest.  Ms. Brooks has a great sense of humor, which she uses openly and abundantly as well as a quick wit.  The counseling sessions with Dr. Scully are quite entertaining as well as revealing.  I, for one, can relate very well to counseling sessions of my own!  The sexual relationship between the two is very passionate and endearing to see how hard Kathrin and Aleksey try to work together to be together. 

I give both books 5 stars and thank you Ms. Brooks for turning a time honored love story into a delightful modern day romp of twists and turns!!

THE KISS OF NIGHT by K.S. Brooks

THE KISS OF NIGHT 

by K.S. Brooks

Series -  Cover Me, Book 1

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

The world's top anti-terrorist agent has a new mission:  dealing with being forced into early retirement by a debilitating injury.  Former Special Agent Kathrin Night fights the demons of her past, present and future while dealing with her new mysterious Russian bodyguard, Agent Aleksey Khovechkin. Sent compliments of the Russian Minister of Defense, refusing his services is not an option.  But is Aleksey's true mission to protect her, or does he have another agenda?

K. S. Brooks, author of the Agent Night Adventure Series, paints a never-before-seen side of her agent in this study of human nature, suspense and romance.

When I picked up THE KISS OF NIGHT AND NIGHT UNDONE by K.S. Brooks, I thought I was going to be reading espionage thrillers with a touch of romance.  But, boy was I in for a surprise!!  What I found was one very intense, modern day love story filled with many twists and turns – some serious and sad – some sexy and passionate – but very captivating, capricious and a page turner all the way!

In THE KISS OF NIGHT (Book 1 of the series), we meet Kathrin Night.  At 40, she is an independent, self-sufficient American anti-terrorist crime fighter who must retire from her career because of a very bad injury received fighting in Afghanistan.  In fear of retaliation, she is in hiding in the woods of Washington; building a retreat where she can be safe from the criminal world.  Because she cannot get around on her own, she is assigned a bodyguard – a huge, gorgeous, ex-hockey playing Russian spy – who is not thrilled playing babysitter.  And the battle begins!  What we learn in this short, compact bio is everything there is to know about Kathrin Night from her difficult childhood to her dreams of being a crime fighter to how she becomes the best anti-terrorist agent in the world.  We meet the men who taught her and loved her and who all died for their country in many different ways.  Now Kathrin is alone and unable to form any kind of relationship.  She realizes all her lovers were convenient and a necessary part of her life then; but now, she has no idea how to think about or do anything that does not pertain to espionage warfare.  She doesn’t know how to hold a conversation, go on a regular date, and be courted.  All she likes to do is read manuals, shoot guns, workout………until Aleksey.  Now what does she do?  How does she learn how to have a relationship?????

CAPTIVE by Christina Phillips

CAPTIVE 

by Christina Phillips

Series:  FORBIDDEN, Book 2

Genre - Erotic Historical Romance

Release Date - February 1, 2011      

A new erotic historical series set in a world of magical heroines and sexy warriors. 

When the Romans destroyed her world, Morwyn took a vow of celibacy to spite her goddess. Then she's captured by a mercenary whose animal charms and chiseled body will test her conviction...

Brennus has spent three years undercover in the Roman Legion. So when his men brutalize the fiery Celtic beauty, he saves her-by claiming her as his own.

As they near Roman headquarters, Morwyn resolves to honor her vow of celibacy-but if Brennus were to ravage her, could she be blamed for enjoying his body? With just a hint of seduction, sooner or later the warrior will succumb to his exquisite captive.

        

Christina Phillips latest novel, "Captive" (book 2 in theFORBIDDEN series) takes place in AD 50 at a time when the Romans were conquering all surrounding lands.  This story takes place in Cymru, an island off the coast of Britain, where the Romans have killed and raped to overtake lands rich in minerals of gold, copper and lead.  Lead by the Druids, the people of Cymru rebel and then flee to the Isle of Mon to recoup their strength and develop a plan to attack the Romans again.

One of the Druids is a priestess named Morwyn who is disillusioned by the Druids and wants to join the rebels to fight for her country. Another reason is the loss of her lover who was killed by the Romans.  She decides to travel to Camulodunon, where her closest friend, Carys, now lives to try to persude her to join the rebels.  She travels with traders along their route but are attacked by Roman soldiers who kill everyone but Morwyn.  She is to be used for their pleasure and then killed.

Brennus is a loyal Briton soldier who is fighting undercover in the Roman army to gather valuable information that might possibly save Cymru from destruction.  He accidentally comes upon the scene of the trader’s murders and saves Morwyn from the brutality of the Roman soldiers.  He does not believe in rape and torture and displeases his Roman army brothers by taking her under his protection.

Morwyn hates Bren even though he has saved her; she believes he will keep her for himself and rape her when they are alone.  She fights him every step of the way, both physically and verbally. Through it all, Bren tries to keep a calm reserve understanding her behavior quite well.  He also starts to lust after Morwyn admiring her strength and passion.  But he will not force himself on her.

Not knowing what to do with Morwyn, Bren decides to take her to Camulodunon.  Along the long ride on horseback, Morwyn starts to develop a lust for Bren as well.  His strength, reserve and kindness, as well as his bright green eyes, sets well with Morwyn but she hates him for who he is and will not give in to her desires.  She fights every attempt of kindness that Bren offers and makes  life miserable for both of them.  After a horrible nightmare about her lover’s death, Bren comforts her and they both give in to their longing for each other.  Bren is happy about this, as he is becoming more and more enthralled with Morwyn, but she hates him even more now.  Her guilt is overwhelming.

Once they reach Camulodunon, Morwyn sneaks out one night while Bren is gone, to find her friend, Carys.  Once again, she is filled with hatred and repulsion as she finds out Carys has married a Roman soldier and is carrying his child.  She will be of no help to Morwyn now and desolate and angry, she returns to the inn.   She has no where else to go.  Not knowing exactly why Morwyn is so unhappy, Bren brings her gifts.  One night at dinner in a fine restaurant, they both start to open up to each other.  But they both have many secrets and must protect who they really are.   Especially Morwyn, who finds out that Bren has a deep hatred for Druids.

 Bren decides to bring Morwyn home to Cymru as he has been asked by the Romans to spy on the Druids.  Bren uses this to his advantage as he needs to see his British King to get further orders.  He gets lodging for Morwyn and while he is away, Morwyn goes to find the Druid Elder in hopes of finding the British King to offer her assistance in their fight for freedom.  She reveals to him her true identity and he tells her how to find the King’s secret hideout in the forest. Morwyn sets out immediately to find him.  She does not want to leave Bren, as she now considers him hers, but she has no choice.

Bren returns to Morwyn’s lodgings to find her gone.  He is desolate, believing his dreams of a life with Morwyn are over.  All he has left is to fight with his King for Cymru’s freedom.  So he sets out to find the King’s hideout in the forest……..

Captive is a very fast paced story of love and betrayal, of passions and desires and how secrets can destroy everything is its path.  Bren and Morwyn are so real that the reader can feel their passion and their pain.  We want them both to reveal their secrets in the hopes of ending this pain but it is not always the case.  Ms. Phillips has a lot of twists and turns in her story which adds even more to the desire to keep reading until we reach the last page.

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Dead Reckoning 

by Charlaine Harris

Series: Sookie Stackhouse #11

Genre: Sci Fi/Fantasy

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam  Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

Sookie is overwhelmed with problems from the vampires, werewolves and fairies in the 11th novel of the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris.  Merlotte's is hit with a firebomb after Sam's revelation of being a shifter and customers are staying away. Sookie and Sam are trying to figure out who did it.

Sandra Pelt is out of jail and stalking Sookie.  She is convinced that Sookie killed her sister Debbie and she wants her revenge. 

Sookie's fairy relatives, Claude and Dermot have asked Sookie if they can live with her.  After cleaning out the attic and finding a letter that Sookie's grandmother left for her, Sookie starts to think that Claude and Dermot are up to something and has Sookie wondering about the past. 

Eric has so many problems that he does not have a lot of time for Sookie.  Eric and Pam are fighting about something and neither of them will tell Sookie what is going on.  Sookie also finds out that Eric and Pam are are conspiring to kill their new king and Sookie gets caught up in it.  A major problem occurs for Eric and Sookie and it leaves you wondering if they will be able to stay together in the future.

Although not alot of action occurs in this book, Ms. Harris is definitely setting up the readers for a lot more to come and lots to think about until the next book.