Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Review: Hard Asset (Cobra Elite #2)

Hard Asset (Cobra Elite #2)

by Pamela Clare

Blurb:
A perilous mission…
Shanti Lahiri’s tragic family history inspired her to fight for justice. Now a prosecutor with the International Criminal Court, she doesn’t have time for dating or relationships. When an investigation takes her to the Rohingya refugee camps in her father’s homeland of Bangladesh, the last thing she wants is an armed security team following her everywhere and frightening her already traumatized witnesses. But others who’ve tried to investigate these crimes have gone missing, and Shanti doesn’t want to be the next one to disappear. Despite her misgivings, she has no choice but to accept their protection. And, no, the fact that the team’s leader is lethally sexy has nothing to do with her decision.
An undeniable attraction…
Connor O’Neal left the Unit—Delta Force—after a decade of war, scarred both inside and out. Now an operative with Cobra International Security, he’s been tasked with protecting Shanti in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. He can handle anything the bad guys throw at him, but nothing prepares him for the instant attraction he feels to Shanti. From the first moment he sees her, he wants her. Too bad, because clients are strictly off-limits, and he’s a man who follows the rules—most of the time. Besides, he can’t afford any distractions when Shanti’s life is on the line.
A merciless enemy…
But something about Shanti breaks through Connor’s defenses, forcing him to confront his demons. As their mutual desire transforms into reckless passion, Shanti discovers evidence crucial to putting a mastermind of genocide behind bars. Connor knows her life is in immediate danger, but his plan to get her out of the country comes crashing down when a traitor strikes, leaving the two of them stranded in the jungles of Myanmar. Now on the run from a ruthless killer and his army, Connor and Shanti are fighting for survival—and a chance at the love of a lifetime.
Themes:  Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:  
Review:
Well Pamela Clare never ceases to amaze and intrigue her readers with her ability to bring out the darker sides of humanity and the sadness of the world while at the same time giving us hope that there are those still willing to fight against it. I have enjoyed this new independently published series, Cobra Elite, she began a little while ago and as time goes on I enjoy it more and more.  This installment has us traveling with two characters that has series trauma in their pasts but they refuse to let it beat them down and keep them from fighting the injustices in the world. Shanti is a prosecutor determined to bring a seriously bad guy to justice and while she understands the danger of her job she doesn’t feel that bringing a bunch of alpha males, armed to the teeth, along with her on her quest is the best idea.  Connor is just trying to get through each day, but when he is given a task he executes it to the best of his abilities and his current task is making sure that Shanti survives to bring her case to fruition. As they work together to gather evidence and testimony from survivors, each of them comes to see another, deeper side of the other and the attraction is irresistible, despite Connor knowing that he can’t have a relationship with a protectee. When they find themselves stranded in the wilderness, running for their lives, their survival depends on one another and their wits, leaving the connection becoming stronger and stronger.  Once they find a way to safety will they break all the rules and find a way to be together or walk away from a chance at a love that could last a lifetime and become the foundation for a life they both need more than they ever imagined.  Shanti is truly a brave woman—she is venturing into territory where not only her safety but her life is on the line to gather evidence in order to bring a dictator and mass murderer to justice.  She is noble, sweet, dedicated and sexy so who could blame Connor for losing his head and heart to her.  She has her hang-ups to work through to be sure, but one she begins to see more in Connor than the surface he presents to the world, to see the wounded and needy man underneath, she knows she can be what he needs to be whole again.  Her determination to survive and thrive in a world that is against her every step of the way makes her a wonderful and amazing character to get to know.  Connor was a man that I would love to have for myself.  While he certainly wasn’t perfect by any stretch, he was a good man through and through, completely incorruptible and sweet at the most unexpected moments.  He was strong and sensual of course but he was also damaged and needed to find his center in order to be whole again and he found that with Shanti.  I loved seeing these two interacting each and every moment, whether they were clashing or coming together to survive or simply falling in love, the heat between them was enough to singe the world.  I am dying to read the next story in the series and see which Cobra operative loses his (or her) heart and meet the amazing person that manages to steal it.  Another great addition for my Clare bookshelf to be sure.   
*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

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