This is book 2 in the Love Over Duty series. It absolutely can be read as a standalone book as I didn't read the first book and fully understood the story. This book is about Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick and Delaney Shapiro. Mac and Delaney were childhood sweethearts until a horrible accident brought about the end of the relationship. Mac never thought he would have a chance to make things right with Delaney until he receives a phone call saying she is in the hospital and asked for him. Delaney thought she was over Mac a long time ago. And doesn't even remember asking the hospital to call him. She doesn't want to grow to depend on him or care again but the circumstances of her injuries forces them into proximity. And they both realize how much they still care about each other.

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any other books by Scarlett Cole but this one was very good. There were parts that were slightly slow for me and parts where I really didn't like Delaney as a person, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. But on a whole I liked it. Mac is a very sweet, loyal, and loving man. He will do anything and everything for his friends, including give up his own wants and dreams. Delaney is obsessed with the truth, to the point of ignoring her own safety. But once she realizes how wrong she was about certain things, she begins to understand Mac and why he is like he is. I really liked how they reconnected and grew to love the people they are now instead of the kids they were. Including loving some of the differences between then and now. This was definitely a good read. Now I can't wait for Cabe's story!!

This was a good read for me. Delaney blames Mac for her brother’s death but after she was kidnapped and she is recovering, she asks for Mac. He instantly goes to be by her side but she continues to push him away. When she discovers someone is after her, Mac is the only one she turns to. The chemistry is still their but can they get past what happened to her brother? This read moved a bit slow in the beginning but does pick up towards the middle and the end. Mac seemed like a great guy but Delaney could be a bit annoying at times. Overall the story has plenty of drama and suspense and kept me entertaining throughout. A good read.

My 4 star review is posted on Goodreads and will go live on blog and social media on release date Jan. 30 and full links will be updated at that time.: UPDATED 1/30/18
4 stars
When Malachai "Mac" MacCarrick gets a call that his his former love, Delaney Shapiro, is in a German hospital, he takes off to help without question. He has not seen her in fourteen years after she blamed him for her brother's death. But now she has survived trauma and is injured.

Mac has never got over losing not only his best friend and feeling responsible for it, and losing the love of his life. He went in the military to honor her brother, and now owns Eagle Securities with their other two friends. He is strong, dependable, and still cares, but is also haunted by the past.

No matter what has happened in their history, he feels protective of her and his feelings have not changed...even if she does still hate him and does not want his help. She is bitter, stubborn, independent minded, tenacious, and is determined to keep him at arm's length.

But Delaney has no choice but to rely on Mac when they get home and realizes that she is still a target. As she tries to continue her investigation, it becomes even clearer that she is in danger and she needs more professional help than they realized. Mac has the skills and resources to fight for her, and he is determined to keep her safe...and hopefully find a way to earn her forgiveness and get to keep her in his life.

But miscommunication and issues from their past, unresolved feelings, guilt, and resentment still put up walls between them that Mac is trying to break down as Delaney keeps fortifying them. Mac is torn between duty and love. But right now it is most important for him to keep her alive so he has a chance of winning her back for good. And the mess they find themselves in is dangerous and unpredictable.

This installment pulled me right in and kept up the sexual tension, suspense, action, and emotion. It is a second chance love story based on forgiveness, redemption, and healing all mixed up in an action-packed, romantic suspense story. It brings back all of the Eagle Securities guys from the first book including his partners, Six and his new love, Louisa, and Cabe. These guys and Delaney all have history and that also adds depth to the story. There are plenty more team members and they all share a strong team ethic and also have funny rapport too. I am looking forward to Cabe's book, Deep Cover next.

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Title: Final Siege
Series: Love Over Duty Book #2
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Scarlett Cole
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Romance
Blurb: IN THE LINE OF FIRE…

Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART…

An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…
Favorite quote(s): “But it’s a start. And I’ll take a start over an end any day of the week.”
Thoughts: This was my first time reading a romantic suspense by Scarlett Cole, and let me just say that I love this author no matter what she writes. I haven’t read the first book in this particular series yet, but I still found it easy to keep up with and didn’t feel as if I was missing anything. I enjoyed Mac and Delaney’s story and I will (of course!) be reading more from this series. I enjoyed the Preload and Second Circle Tattoo books a little more, but those tend to be along the lines of what I read more anyway. You can’t go wrong with Scarlett Cole though, so I definitely recommend!
Rating: B
Other books in this series: Under Fire (Book #1)

Book two in the Love Over Duty series doesn't disappoint as I dived into another suspenseful novel featuring the hot guys at Eagle Securities.

The tragic death of his best friend Brock shaped the man Malachai 'Mac' MacCarrick became when he decided to live his friend's dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. Fifteen years later, he and his brothers have set up Eagle Securities to continue the legacy. When he received a phone call from a military hospital in Germany about Brock's sister, he doesn't hesitate to go to her bedside because, after all these years, she's still the woman who holds his heart even if she's his ex-girlfriend.

Investigative journalist Delaney Shapiro doesn't understand why her ex, Mac MacCarrick is at her bedside when she wakes up in hospital. Once over her confusion, his commanding presence makes her realises, despite the passing of years she still has feelings for him; a fact she doesn't want to acknowledge. When her investigation causes her to be a target, she reluctantly accepts Mac's assistance to keep her safe, only the more time they spend together, the closer they become.

Both protagonists were deeply affected by the death of Brock, but one of them holds the key to a secret that has been withheld out of loyalty all these years. However, when the past is preventing Mac and Delaney from rekindling their relationship, one of them decides to tell the truth in the hope the new information it is sufficient knowledge to lay the foundations to rebuild a future together.

The tension and explosive chemistry between Mac and 'Button's' are palpable, as both realise their feelings for each other run far deeper than they thought. This second chance romance highlights time hasn't eroded the love they once shared as fate brings them together once more.

Just like Under Fire, book one in the series, I loved the pace and suspense of the narrative and particularly enjoyed the continuity plot from book one, although both are standalone novels. One fact I hope we discover in book three is the fate of Ghost as well as Cabe's story.

5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of St. Martin's Press via NetGalley***

So this story has a lot going on. We have danger and romance, a lost love and a deep seated regret. But still the story flows smoothly and i have t say i loved Mac he is just the right side of alpha with Delaney. Tough and strong when he needs to be and gentle but firm when its called for. Delaney i totally could see how your feelings are all over the place for Mac but let me tell you sometimes you are asking for trouble though i love her independance and brains. Danger and suspense add another level to the story but the thing that gives this story five stars is the reminiscing of the past and learning to leave it behind. Not a need to read the others in the series but if you do you get a greater understanding of some of the secondary characters who are just as interesting to read.

Captain Malachai « Mac » MacCarrick flies all the way to Germany to get his ex-girlfriend, Delaney Shapiro, home safely. Delaney is an investigative journalist working in dangerous areas of the world. Kidnapped and held hostage in Afghanistan, in a Taliban stronghold, she was freed by members of the Special Forces but has sustained significant injuries.

Things are complicated between Mac and Delaney, they share painful memories. Delaney was the one who got away. But this time around, she needs Mac’s help. And yet, she deeply resents him for her brother’s death. The bad decisions he made led to a tragedy. Mac lives in atonement, and doesn’t want to allow himself hope Delaney will eventually forgive him. His tenderness tugged at my heartstrings, he is determined to seize every opportunity to make things right with her and explain his actions. He wants to comfort and protect her from a very real threat. Delaney was investigating drug and gun routes, someone is worried about what she might uncover and wants her dead. Mac is trained to face the sort of danger headed their way, and I liked that he treated Delaney like an equal instead of making all the decisions to keep her safe.

The combination of danger, suspense and chemistry makes this an entertaining adrenaline-inducing read. I loved the angsty and thrilling ride of suspense, the steady rise in tension! The writing is well-paced, the story was interesting and intriguing. Mac and Delaney have history and what happens between them is nothing short of intense. They are likeable characters and easy to root for.

Mac and Delaney are strong, compelling characters that reach out and grab readers’ attention from the very beginning. Their relationship is a rocky road full of emotional turmoil and suspense throughout the story and the author has brought them to vivid life ensuring that the readers want to get know Mac and Delaney and their story. The attraction between the hero and heroine sizzles with lots of burning passion as the romance heats up the pages.

Anticipation builds and gets the adrenaline pumping throughout the story as danger stalks Delaney while Mac and his Eagle Security team members try to keep her alive and help fit the pieces of her story together to bring down a bunch of bad guys. The story has lots of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes along with thrills that add lots of excitement throughout the pages of this steady to fast paced story.

Final Siege is the first book that I have read of Scarlett Coles and I have to say that she does a great job of bring her world and her characters to life. She also provided just enough information to spark my curiosity and ensure that I am want to read the first book to find out what happened and since she had me ensnared by the Eagle Security team, of course I can’t wait to read the next book as well.

This is the second book in this series although I did not know that when I first started reading. Before I got too far into this book, I decided I wanted to read the first book to understand better who the characters were. Both books are standalone, but I just like knowing who is who when I read books. This was a really good romantic suspense book. Mac and Delaney were great characters who had a history but worked their way back to each other. Thought the storyline was good, and the writing was too. I am not sure that I have read much by Scarlett Cole but will continue to look for books in this series. Am loving it so far.

Mac, a former NAVY SEAL from Eagle Securities, gets a frantic call from a hospital in Germany, telling him that his friend, Delaney has been severely injured and is asking for him. Mac is floored because, Delaney is the sister of his former best friend, Brock, the friend who died accidentally 15 yrs. ago and, Delaney has never forgiven Mac or, spoken to him since then. Mac has always loved Delaney so, he jumps on the next plane out and stays at her bedside until she is discharged and ready to go home. Mac insists on keeping her at his place until she is able to function independently, especially since it appears that someone is following her. You see, Delaney is an investigative journalist who is, apparently, a magnet for trouble.
The group at Eagle Security is a true band of brothers who have also known Delaney most of her life and are just as determined to help and protect her as Mac is. Only Mac wants the love back that he and Delaney had before her brother died.
This story is fast-paced, non-stop action with a heavy dose of love, loyalty, heartbreak and tears. You won't want to put this one down!

Three stars

Beginning was not very engaging so I struggled to get into the story. Worth it once you can get into it.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

5 Coming to Her Rescue Stars!!!

This is book two in the Love Over Duty Series and I absolutely fell in love with Mac and Delaney. They're two people that have quite the history until it's destroyed one day and shouldn't have been. But when someone is emotional things are said and done that sometimes get taken back!

When Mac shows up to rescue Delaney as much as she doesn't want him to be there, secretly her heart is doing a fist pump, because she still loves him after all these years. And oh Mac, he's so alpha and hot and sexy and I wanted him for myself!

This book had me captured from the first chapter. I was glued to my kindle because I so wanted them to be together. Delaney just needed to listen to her heart so there may have been some talking out loud to her urging her to listen to her heart this time around! Oh and the heat between these two was SIZZLING!!!

Mac does what he does best and that's protecting the only woman he's meant to love and he's not letting her go this time. Settle in for an action packed read and you'll be like me clamoring for me when that last page is turned. I can't wait to get Cabe's story.

Final Seige

Love Over Duty #2

Scarlett Cole

St. Martin’s Press, Jan 30, 2018

ebook, paperback

Contemporary Romance Thriller

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was provided a complementary ARC of this book by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. This is my honest review for which I am not being compensated in any way.

The cover is great! Lots of eye appeal there. The story line is really good and well handled. The sex is steamy and the action is fast. The characters develop really well throughout the story. The pace is a little bit off now and then bouncing between the romance and the action parts but not badly. But that does distract from the tension of the whole piece a bit, too.

From here the reveal begins…

There were always the four of them growing up. Mac, Six, Cabe and Brock. But now it’s only the three of them because 14 years ago Mac killed Brock. Brock’s younger sister, Delaney, has never been able to forgive him for that. The three men became Navy SEALs and now run their own company, Eagle Securities. They do the jobs no one else will do.

Delaney Shapiro is an investigative journalist. Apparently she’s been digging into something pretty dangerous. Mac gets a call from Landstuhl Medical Center saying that Delaney is there and is asking for him. She was abducted and rescued. She’d been beaten pretty badly and was in really bad shape. Mac immediately drops everything and flies to Germany to be at her side. She may never have forgiven him, but he’s never stopped loving her.

When she awakens, she’s not happy to see him and has no memory of asking for him. He brings her home to his apartment anyway, as she had given up her apartment and put her stuff in storage when she went overseas. She needs a place to stay and someone to look after her. Besides, Mac wants to know what she’s been up to and he’s just not ready to let her go again. She a journalist, she doesn’t tell anyone about her sources or what she’s up to. Mac gets really frustrated about her silence. Delaney sees a silver car that looks familiar drive by the apartment one day. Another day she sees the same car following them. Then she sees a man who looks familiar from overseas. She mentions this to Mac and tells him a little of what she was doing. Then a guy rings the bell to deliver pizza at the apartment while Delaney is alone in there. It’s the same guy. And he tries to force his way in with a gun. Mac and the cops save the day and the guy disappears.

In the meantime, Mac is letting Delaney get reacquainted with the guys and meet Lou, Six’s significant other. Lou’s a really shy but uber smart biochemist who had to be rescued by the crew in the first book. She was trying to create something to help, but ended up creating something that was a biological weapon. It was stolen and the bad guys wanted her, too. Lou and Delaney really hit it off well. Delaney helps Lou to be a little less shy.

Mac also takes Delaney to the firing range and teaches her how to shoot. He gets her her own gun as well. This way she won’t feel unable to defend herself if she’s attacked again. They do a lot of talking and Mac reveals the truth behind what really happened on that cliff 14 years ago when her brother died and why he took on the guilt of Brock’s death. Why the other three of them joined the Navy and became SEALS. And why he has always strived to be the best SEAL. And Delaney tells Mac a little more about what she was digging into in the Middle East.

Delaney is alone in the apartment and gets a call from a former contact. He has something for her if she can do something for him. So Delaney comes up with what he needs for his sister to travel and meets Grigor at the train station. He passes her an envelope and tells her this is what it’s all about. Then he and his sister disappear to a destination she doesn’t know about. Finally, Delaney reveals what’s in the envelope to Mac. Mac asks Lou to look at it because it’s chemical formulas. Lou knows exactly what it is and helps the guys dismantle the machines that are producing it so it can’t be made anymore. They also destroy on-hand supplies of it safely so that it can’t be used. Sending quite a message to the bad guys!

Finally, Mac and Delaney have some down time and he asks her to move in with him since they have decided they really are in love with each other and she still doesn’t have anywhere to live.

Recommended

Book #1 Under Fire (Six & Lou), and coming is Book #3 Deep Cover

Scarlett Cole never fails to amaze me with her stories. Her books take me on a journey I never expected. Final Siege is the second book in her Love Over Duty series and by far my favorite thus far. I am a sucker for a second chance romance especially one with a tragic backstory and Final Siege is all of that and so much more.

Mac and Delaney’s past had them deeply in love but after his best friend/her brother dies Delaney blames Mac. Mac has lived his life since then living in honor of her brother. But there is so much more to the story than Delaney knows and now that she is back in his life it finally time for him to tell her everything.

I read the entire book on the edge of my seat. I fell hard for these characters and their tale. If you love a sexy read with a lot of emotion and action then this is one you don’t want to miss.
~miranda

This was a smart and well developed story. Both characters were struggling with a tragic shared past. Sharing their journey to find the truth and the path to loving one another again was an emotional read. I think most readers will find this book nearly impossible to put down.

Ex seal , Malachai "Mac" MacCarrick is busy creating a new project with his friends . We already met them in the first book of the series. All sexy and hot ex seals ;-) .
Mac is surprised by a phone call. HIS FIRST AND ONLY LOVE needs him. A love he lost in painful circumstances YEARS AGO.
Now he find himself in an hospital room, in a foreign country, ready to help Delaney Shapiro.
Mac wears a lot of REGRETS concerning Delaney. But for her, he's the one who made the unforgettable mistake. UNFORGETTABLE; But Mac is not easy to resist. He's brave and strong and charming but most of all he's ready to do everything to protect her, even giving HIS LIFE if necessary.
MAYBE... she doesn't know everything about what happen in the past...
I liked the alchemy between Mac and Delaney, their banter (they both have a strong temper !). The passion they had younger is still there, it never died , we see the flame between them growing like a huge fire. Wild, deep, strong and UNCONTROLLABLE. Delaney can't resist forever. Yes she became this amazingly brave and independent woman, but that doesn't mean she can't accept Mac's help. Sometimes being BRAVE is accepting help. And the ones who want to help you are people who LOVE you...
Not easy for Mac to stay professional when Delaney's life is in danger. He's 100% in his mission, protecting her. He's 100% in love with her.
Delaney is the kind of woman you can only admire. Her way of life, everything she does, everything is for her quest of JUSTICE. In her own kind of way she's a WARRIOR as much as the ex seals, as brave as them.
The author succeed creating a story with both suspense and real love , a second chance for the characters and a quest of Justice.
I'm used to romances, not much to suspense with ex seals and guns and sometimes i was a little lost but this series is a good start for me because Scarlett Cole knows how to write beautifully with guts and heart. 4.2 stars

This was so, so good! This is a second chance romance with way too many years separating them and so much pain but when Delaney is injured and calls out for Malachi (Mac) there is nothing that will keep him from her side. He is in a position now to help her and keep her safe, even if that is not what she wants...in the beginning...but with threats still coming at her, she needs all the help she can get. This is full of so many feels I could not put it down. Love and forgiveness, sexy and thrilling and so, so good. I definitely recommend this one!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

What a great way to start the book. We are just going along getting to know the people in the book (the Team Members) and bam! In a heartbeat it gets dramatic. Now, that really got my attention.
From there though, the story's action does slow down quite a bit. Part of it had to do with the "history" between Mac and Delaney. And they have quite a bit of it that goes years back. At one time, they thought they had a future forever together. Some of the pages also cover what Mac's life has been like since the 14 years that they have been apart. In fact some of that angst felt like it went on for a bit too long. But she HATED him for 14 years. But as much as I enjoyed some of that background, the story slowed down so much that I was relieved when at about 41% it started to pick back up again. Pick up? What am I saying? It was another violent action against Delaney.
The tension does begin to build from there between the two main characters and the so far unrecognized villains. What do I mean by unrecognized villains? I mean that there will be a lot of planning, searching and researching to come up with the who, what and why Delaney was put in the line of fire.
And then...the physical action really ramps up. It's a good thing that Mac and his team are working together to help keep Delaney safe and get to the bottom of things. It all comes to an explosive end.
So, all in all I liked it with just a few reservations.

If you’ve visited this site more than once or twice, you already know I’m a huge fan of Scarlett Cole. Her books are repeat offenders on our weekly “best of” lists, and I absolutely adored the first book in this series, Under Fire. So, it will come as a shock to no one that I loved this book as well. (When I got an email from the publisher asking if I was interested in an ARC, I made grabby hands at my computer screen and squealed with glee, even though they couldn’t see me or hear me. Not my proudest moment, but I can live with that. But anyhoo...)
Like Under Fire, Final Siege was fast-paced, super sexy, and had just enough intrigue and mystery to keep my eyes glued to the page until I was finished with the book, but not so much intrigue and mystery that I was ever confused as to what was going on. It takes a talented writer to pull off a balance like that, and Scarlett Cole hasn’t ever let me down.

Mac was a great hero, and everything an alpha (not an alphahole) should be: protective, brave, strong, capable, selfless, and totally ass-over-elbow in love with the heroine. He’d be a welcome addition to any book boyfriend list.

Delaney was a tough, smart, brave, capable heroine as well, but for me, she was a little harder to warm up to than Louisa in Under Fire was. I’ll admit there were a couple of times in the story that her “I’ll do it myself” spirit made me want to smack her. Not a throat-punch or anything really damaging, but a light, “Oh for God’s sake, let the man help you” kind of love tap. Just to snap her back to reality, you know?

But while I was mildly irked by her actions and words a time or two, I totally understood why she was reluctant to let Mac back into her life (her reasons were valid and rang absolutely true)—and that was probably the only thing that saved her from having me side-eye her too hard throughout the story. Without her very real motivations, I might have ended up using this review as an excuse to fix Mac up with a more suitable book girlfriend. Fortunately it never came to that. (Phew) In the end, Mac and Delaney were clearly a perfect couple.

Long-story-short: this is a lovely second-chance romance that fans of romantic suspense will LOVE. I can’t recommend this series (or any of the author’s work, really) highly enough.

And side note to the publisher: Don’t forget about me when the next book in the series, Deep Cover is out, OK? I can’t WAIT for Cabe’s story!

Disclaimer: We received an ARC from the publisher at no charge.

Final Siege is a heart pounding, emotional, and courageous love story. There is action, suspense, heat, and heart.
Mac is steady, loyal, intelligent and noble. He lost his best friend and the love of his life in one tragic moment. Nearly fourteen years later he gets a call that Delaney is in a military hospital and that she is asking for him. Mac will do whatever it takes to find out what happened and keep her safe.
Delaney is an intelligent, persistent, determined investigative journalist. While chasing down a lead she his captured and beaten. She wakes up to find Malachai "Mac" McCarrick by her side. She still longs for the comfort of his arms, but can't forgive his betrayal. She is torn between pushing him away or accepting his help.
Delaney and Mac must work together to figure out who wants to harm Delaney. As they investigative, the chemistry between them sizzles. The action and plot twists are riveting. Mac must decide if he is willing to share a secret that could threaten the blossoming reunion. Delaney must decide if she is willing to hear the truth and let go of the past. As their connection intensifies, so does the investigation that places Delaney in danger. The Eagle Securities Team uses all of their knowledge and resources to protect one of their own.
Final Siege will give you all the feels! Sadness, nostalgia, happiness, hope, and swoons abound.