There’s not much I enjoy more than a romantic suspense book that perfectly balances the romance and the suspense. And Scarlett Cole pretty much nailed it in this latest installment of her Love Over Duty series. Deep Cover is book three.

After a strong start that has the reader right in the middle of an op in the middle of the night, and an introduction to the heroine, the author’s way of catching up us new readers (of which I was one) was to have the three owners of Eagle Securities sit around a table at a meeting and talk about how the new operation they’re being pulled into is related to ops from the past. It went something like this:
“Remember how when we were doing ABC, XYZ happened?”
“Oh yeah, but then Mr. Jones showed up and MNO happened.”
“Well, we know Mr. Smith is also involved because my fiancée saw him.”

And as much as I appreciate an author not assuming I’ve read the two previous books, and giving us a quick rundown of what went down, it seemed an awkward way to do it. Writing the recap that way made me nervous, although it turned out I needn't be. The rest of the book was smart, fast paced, and enjoyable to read!

Cabe Moss is part owner of Eagle Securities, a black ops company formed with his two life-long friends and former Navy SEAL teammates. Their latest operation involves a San Diego casino that is suspected of being involved in money laundering and human trafficking. The person suspected of money laundering apparently had ties with bad guys from the previous books, but the human trafficking is an issue that has come on the radar because seven women - who were previously employed at the casino - have recently disappeared.

Agent Amy Murray is the person the FBI has chosen to go undercover at the casino and work with the men of Eagle Securities. Along with her training, she has a unique skill set that makes her perfect for this operation.

Like I said, this book had the perfect mix of suspense AND romance. It’s hard to say which I liked best, because the story was action packed and moved quickly. You know who the bad guys are, and what they’re involved in, but things didn’t always go down how the good guys thought they would. It made for an exciting book.

As for the romance part. Dreamy sigh…

Both Cabe and Amy had some baggage that might have made things complicated for them had they let those issues be larger than they needed to be. Cabe’s fiancée died two years ago when an IED exploded while she was on a routine patrol in Afghanistan. In addition to feeling like he’s betraying the woman he loved, now he’s falling in love with another woman who potentially has an equally dangerous job. Amy recently relocated to the San Diego office of the FBI after a situation with sexual harassment by a superior caused things to be uncomfortable at work. Besides complicating the current operation, getting involved with someone she works with could cause questions about her innocence in the harassment situation. These are very valid issues and concerns they were both dealing with, and the usual route is to make things all angsty and a dramafest. But they weren’t and I really appreciated it! Cabe and Amy shared their feelings and concerns, and were complete adults about everything. There was no pushing away by either of them “for the other’s own good” or any of that nonsense. Also, things between them were steee-meee…

I may have found a new romantic suspense author to read. So often you get a story that is heavier one and lighter on the other. When you can find an author that balances both and feeds the desire for each...that’s golden!

* thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole
Book #3: Love Over Duty Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Amy Murray is dedicated to her job as an FBI agent; more importantly, Amy Murray is dedicated to the victims of the crimes and criminals she tracks down. Like a dog with a bone, Amy refuses to let go of a case until she knows justice has been served. Of late, her obsession is a string of missing women all last seen and last employed at the same casino. Unfortunately, Amy’s agency isn’t the only alphabet agency interested in the casino which is how she finds herself as one of many members of a joint operation.

Cabe Moss doesn’t enjoy being bed with the various alphabet agencies, but if it brings he and his men closer to their goal of shutting down a terrorist, he’ll gladly crawl in right beside the feds. As it turns out, one of those feds is a striking woman who, for the first time since the death of his fiancée, has peeked his interest. Cabe is undeniably attracted to Amy and that brings up a whole host of emotions he isn’t at all prepared to deal with, especially when he’s ass-deep in a dangerous op! Unfortunately, his attraction to and interest in Amy won’t be denied.

Amy has never met a man like Cabe Moss, but thanks to a most unfortunate incident in her past, getting involved with a co-worker isn’t in the cards! What is in the cards is Amy and Cabe going undercover in the casino where so many women have gone missing. Amy’s goal is to find the missing women; Cabe’s goal is a bit more fluid, but it absolutely includes keeping Amy safe. Though Amy bristles at Cabe’s protective side – she is a skilled and competent agent! – it is nice to know there is someone else on the inside working toward their shared goal.

Amy and Cabe insinuate themselves right into the bad situation, as they are meant to do, yet find it difficult to not worry about one another. While this doesn’t ever really compromise their jobs, it sure brings into sharp focus their intense attraction to one another. In fact, as the op becomes ever more serious and dangerous, Amy and Cabe simply must accept the obvious, they want one another something fierce and nothing is going to stand in their way! Of course, this also means each must deal with their past issues and confess to one another exactly what it is that is holding them both back from a proper relationship.

The Bottom Line: Man, oh man! With one single read, the Love Over Duty series is back on track for me! While I am generally a bigger fan of the men as opposed to the women in Cole’s books, this time around, Amy stole the show! Amy Murray is relentless when it comes to her job though not in the consequences be damned, take crazy-stupid risks kind of way. She is dedicated and willing to go to great lengths to achieve justice for those she considers her victims. What’s more, Amy is skilled, intelligent, crafty, cunning, and courageous. She really is a wonderful partner for Cabe, and Cabe accepts her for who she is and what she is capable of without asking her to change. Of the three books in this series, I liked this plot the best. The card playing (AMY!!), the casino, the missing women, and the joint operation was a bit of a switch up that worked well for Amy and Cabe’s characters as well as Eagle Securities. With all the new members of the team and the possibility of future joint operations, there should be many, many more books to come in the Love Over Duty series!!!

Deep Cover is the third entry in Scarlett Cole’s romantic suspense series, Love Over Duty, which follows three ex-Navy SEALs who’ve launched their own security firm called Eagle Securities. Not only are they brothers through their shared service, but they’ve also had a strong bond since childhood. Each novel sees them find their romantic matches, and Deep Cover follows the third and final single man, Cabe Moss. This was one of the best romances I've read recently for three reasons: it has a really strong, suspenseful plot; it has an extremely likable female protagonist; and the male protagonist is swoonworthy for an unexpected reason.

Cole does a superb job of reminding readers what’s happened in the first two novels so that first-time readers of the series like myself aren’t left behind. For that reason, I won’t dwell on the backstory, but the intricacies of the newest case, which brings FBI-agent Amy Murray into Cabe’s life, are worth touching on. Cole does an excellent job of bringing an exciting, mysterious plot into this third instalment without totally relying on what’s happened in the first two novels.

Amy is an FBI agent who focuses on the cases of missing women which, for deeply personal reasons, is something she’s truly passionate about. Her current case focuses on three missing women who’ve all worked at a local casino in San Diego (where she’s recently been forced to transfer). Her boss alerts her to a collaboration that the FBI is being forced into, since the casino is also suspected of money laundering. The FBI must join forces with the CIA by way of the freelancing security firm they’ve hired - Eagle Securities.

Cabe’s team is the only one available for the task when the CIA tells them that Eagle Securities is needed to go on an undercover assignment at a local casino. They’ll be working the money laundering angle while the FBI is sending someone undercover as a dealer to focus on the missing women. Cabe’s all in - until he walks into the first meeting and realizes the undercover agent is a woman he’d ditched at a bar days earlier. He knew, despite the heartbreaking reason he had decided to leave, he’d been a jerk, but now Cabe has no choice but to make nice with the beautiful Amy if they’re going to uncover a money laundering scheme that’s also causing young women to disappear. It’s high stakes all around.

When I read Amy’s physical description early on, I was a little wary:

Off duty, she loved her hair, which was Scandinavian blonde with a California wave. But on duty--taken together with lips that were a fraction too full and eyes she’d once been told were the color of a tropical ocean--it just added to the difficulty she had being taken seriously.

Blonde, blue-eyed and too pretty to be taken seriously. I was afraid I was reading a novel about a blonde bombshell who was coasting through life, but my fears were quickly assuaged. Amy is intelligent, passionate, and dedicated, determined to find out the truth about the missing women. She also struggles with issues that many women encounter in the workplace, like not being taken seriously and being objectified. She instantly became relatable and a character to root for.

It only got better the further along I read. Not only is there a great female protagonist who is more than just a beauty, but there is also a wonderful male protagonist who is hunky and a pretty ideal man. Cole perfectly crafts a hero with the protective instincts for some old-fashioned, feel-good romantic chivalry, without all of the male-chauvinistic tendencies that would lead him to believe a woman incapable.

It wasn’t just her sex appeal - currently contained or not - that was distracting. Nor was it the way he’d witnessed her bite that full lower lip of hers as he spoke. It was that he now knew she had the brains to back up the beauty. And brains were the sexiest goddamn thing about a woman.

Amy and Cabe instantly have chemistry, but their false start at the bar presents the first obstacle, the fact that they’re now working together presents the second, and finally, they are both struggling with deep emotional scars which prevent them from diving into a relationship. Despite being really interested in the suspenseful plot, it was just a bonus for me. Amy and Cabe’s relationship is the icing on the cake in this one, and the absolute and equal respect that they have for one another is what makes this one of the best romances I’ve read this summer.

From their cameos in Deep Cover, it seems like all of the men from the Love Over Duty series are swoonworthy for the same reason, and all of the women each have distinctive characteristics from our passionate, FBI agent, are relatable characters. Thank you to Scarlett Cole for writing a romance that makes us proud to be lovers of the genre.

~ Alex Serrano

Buy it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

Cabe Moss is getting over the death of his love, Jessie. The security company he owns with his two friends, Six & Mac are going to work with the FBI to uncover a laundering of money in the San Diego area. Amy is the FBI agent going in to see what has happened to the women who disappeared. It all seems to be connected. Amy & Cabe are attracted to each other right away. Can they be professional and get the job done or will their attraction get in the way? Great read and moves along at an excellent pace. The story gives you mystery and romance with some sex added.

4 Finding Love Even While In Danger Stars!!!

I've been waiting to see what made Cabe who is and oh my goodness finding out about Jess his fiancé and how she died brought tears to my eyes. But leave it to Amy to show him that there can be life and love after a loss like that!

This story was everything I wanted it to be. There's a chemistry between these two that they just can't ignore no matter how hard they try. They're on a mission and cannot be distracted. I fell in love with these two both individually and as a couple. Their story is perfectly paced and wraps up this amazing series perfectly.

There's action, suspense, heat and heart all in one book. Proving yet again that Ms. Cole can write the perfect story!!!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is definitely the best book in the series so far. The third story mixes all the action of the first two books with the emotional depth and relationship magic I’ve loved in all my favourite Scarlett Cole books. It’s a powerful combination and I couldn’t put this book down.

Cabe is a brilliant main character. He’s a bit quieter and possibly a bit more abrasive than Six and Mac but there are many layers to the complicated man. I think his grief is handled well and I love the respect he has for Amy as a professional and a partner. FBI agent Amy is the first woman in this series whose skill set allows her to keep up with the former SEALs. She is smart and fierce, and I enjoyed the complexity of the decisions she has to make while undercover.

The relationship between Cabe and Amy is electric but also frustratingly slow at times. Cabe’s grief and their current undercover work makes personal moments difficult. In some ways, I think the constraints on the relationship make it more exciting and the trust that builds between Cabe and Amy as they work together is wonderfully intimate. These two work together on so many levels and I loved the chemistry between them.

Much of this story focuses on the casino where Amy and Cabe go undercover and I really enjoyed the change of setting and the new focus on money laundering, gangsters, and human trafficking. The plot is complicated and carefully constructed. This is an exciting, suspenseful read and I really loved it.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Mystery Romance

Cabe is a military man through and through. Just because he is now in a more private sector doesn't mean he can turn it off. Cabe's brothers have seen him through his worst times. When an unexpected loss occurs in his life, Cabe goes through the motions but doesn't really live.

Amy is starting over in a new town. After having to leave her previous position due to circumstances out of her control, she wants to prove herself and knows that there are missing women whom she can help. Working in the FBI is a dream job for her. She has her own trauma in her past that helped her decide that the FBI was her goal.

When Amy and Cabe are thrown together on an op, it will take their smarts and attraction to new heights. Can Cabe put aside his past and really let Amy in and can Amy trust in a relationship?

The mystery aspect was okay. I thought that it could have been played out a little more. I think, for me, the resolution was too quick and tidy on both the mystery end and the relationship end. There was not a ton of heat, for me, between the characters – it was forced chemistry. This story had the potential to be super intriguing, but for me, it fell a little short.


Lee'Anne – ☆☆☆☆
I’m a big fan of a couple of Scarlett Cole’s other series, so when presented with the opportunity to read one from the Love Over Duty series I jumped at the chance. It’s very well written and is a fierce romance between two well developed characters, who I loved! I would say that though I’ve read this as a standalone, it wasn’t easy to follow the first few chapters as they reference previous books a lot.

Cabe Moss works for a security company that has been called in to work a joint case with the FBI at a casino outside Vegas. Amy Murray is the FBI agent who has been assigned the case, she’s relatively new to the area, as she’s just transferred from out East because of a sexual harassment issue. Now, she’s determined to prove herself with her first case. The attraction between Cabe and Amy is immediate – it actually begins the night before they’re professionally introduced to one another. Things are heated between them, but Amy isn’t willing to chance risking her reputation at her new office to pursue things. On the flip side, Cabe is battling demons from his past and isn’t in an emotional position to start things with Amy.

This is just an all-around fast-paced book, Amy jumps right in to working undercover at the casino to try to catch not only a money launderer but also help with a few missing persons cases. Cabe struggles to keep things professional, especially when it comes to allowing Amy’s handsy new boss to be within a close proximity to her. I enjoyed that the two don’t immediately jump into bed together – we get a lot of buildup and it keeps the book moving right along. I also enjoyed the glimpses of the other men on the security team that we get, their personalities shine through and I look forward to reading more from this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and I highly recommend that you read them in order – we are following the lives of a group of friends and each book builds on the previous one with regards to underlying plots, and each romance continues in the next book. And I have to say, if you have not read any of them yet, then you are in for a real treat!

Scarlett Cole has a real talent for setting up a tense situation! I had to stop a few times and catch my breath, remind myself that it would all work out in the end, and read on. There are also a lot of twists and turns, and events which build on the previous books – luckily there are plenty of reminders and links which help the reader to keep up. I love the fast pace, the roles which the men take, and the teamwork which stretches across the different purposes of the mission.

Thanks to Six and Mac having been down the route already, they are wonderfully supportive and teasing of Cabe as he realises how important Amy really is to him. They are both damaged by their pasts, but recognise the importance of the future for them as a couple. In such an intense case, their moments of privacy are insufficient, but essential. There is some lovely humour too, which defuses the seriousness of their work roles – cake tasting and the other wedding preparation tasks that the alpha men take on for Six and Lou. Great fun!

This really is an excellent read, and I can't wait for another!

3.5 stars

Deep Cover is a great conclusion to this romantic suspense series of military brothers. I was excited to get Cabe’s book. With the tragedies that he has suffered in the past, he needed to find his happy. Cabe was always the mysterious one to me so I couldn’t wait to delve more into him. Amy, the heroine, is working with Eagle Securities on a series of cases that might have a connection to a bunch of someones Eagles have dealt with before. So what should be just a work thing perhaps can turn into more? The attraction between Cabe and Amy is intense. They need to be focused on their job but the chemistry between the two can not be squelched. It was interesting to see how their professional lives and their personal lives will coincide. Not only was I intrigued about the romance angle but also the suspense. Bad people we have seen in the previous two books make their appearances again and Scarlett does a great job linking everything together. I was so fascinated with how it would all turn out. And it was nice seeing Six, Mac, and their ladies again. I love the dynamic they all have. I enjoyed the story and this band of brothers. Overall, this was a pleasant read. Scarlett has become of those authors for me that gives a good story with magnificent characters. I can’t wait to see what she has coming next.

Reviewed by Brandy

This is the third book in the author's Love Over Duty Series and is an adventurous and suspenseful romance.

In Deep Cover, Eagle Securities—a special ops firm formed by Cabe, Mac, and Six (who are former Navy SEALS,) are investigating a Russian crime syndicate who have been a threat in the past. Eagle’s teams in conjunction with the CIA, FBI, and local law enforcement are working to take him and his associates down.

After losing his fiancé Jess, in the line of duty, Cabe had thrown himself into his work. He begins wrestling with his past while making plans to move forward when FBI Agent, Amy Murray stirs something inside him that had been dormant since he lost Jess.

Amy's recent transfer to San Diego from Atlanta offers her the chance to move forward with her life and career after being the center of a workplace incident that haunts her and causing her to feel cautious about her interest in Cabe. Their new assignment feels personal, due to her childhood tragedy.

As the investigation gets deeper, so did my interest in this story. They plunge into their work in hopes of bringing justice and the chance of a life together. Faced with professional obstacles, and each trying to adjust to life after loss, Cabe and Amy make the journey toward a life together.

This was an interesting read due to many situational explanations of content. The author researched tons of supporting information and seems to be quite knowledgeable, which shows in her writing.

I confess, these parts were my favorite within the story. The romance is tender and seems to fit with the story, even if I occasionally felt the story needed more detail in spots. Due to providing so much detail in parts, it felt like the connectivity seemed to fall short making it difficult to invest in the characters, Cabe and Amy as much as I'd hoped I would. I don't know if they need a bit more fleshing out and more personable presence or if maybe I'm missing something. One example is the heroine is built up at first as a strong and capable agent yet I felt it was disproved in the end by showing little expression of her talents and further offering the prevalently professional actions to her male counterparts in physical situations. However, this is a credit to the supporting characters. I did find them relatable and I rather enjoyed for them.

Perhaps the biggest issues I had come simply from the fact this is my first book by this author and yet the third in the series. Maybe if I'd read the whole series, much of this would be resolved. As such I really suggest reading the books in order.

The most difficult part of reading this book was the continual change of point of view of characters without identifying the change. I often needed to reread a page two or three times to sort out who was speaking or what scene the story had moved to.

All this said, the book is definitely worth a read. The plot is intriguing, involved, the characters are fairly relatable and kept me interested. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Where to start?! If you read the previous books you have gotten to know Cabe a little. He has had a huge tragedy in his not too distant past and is not looking for a relationship. Amy is new on the scene and coming from an office that she was only too happy to leave. She gets a case that is right up her alley.

The romance between Cabe and Amy was lovely and got pretty steamy. The building of their relationship was awesome. I absolutely LOVED her dad and Uncle Clive. The story covered a bit of ground and we see a lot of people from the other books. That said this book is rounded out enough to be a standalone and be enjoyed as such. But of course to get the full stories and complete background I always suggest reading the previous books.

It's no secret that I have been a fan of Scarlett Cole's for a while now but seriously when she writes stories like this one how can I not be!

From the very first page I was pulled into the world of Cabe and Amy and quite honestly I didn't want to leave. If you have read the first two books in the series (and I really hope you have because they were AMAZING READS) you know that Cabe lost his fiance when she was killed in action during her last deployment, this is something Cabe never thought he'd get over and I don't think it is something you ever really get over but it is something that you can move on from and Amy is the person that has Cabe seeing that as a possibility.

There is a lot of romance and tenderness in this story and I for one am very glad for that because we had a couple of delicate situations that needed to be handled correctly or Cabe and Amy may never have gotten their HEA. Cabe struggled with feelings he didn't think he should be feeling, especially since he met Amy in a bar on the birthday of his late fiance's...let just say that first meeting didn't end so well and leave it at that. But Cabe isn't the only one struggling with their feelings, Amy is completely drawn to Cabe but since she transferred to a different FBI headquarters because of sexual harassment she suffered through at her last office she felt that them working together and having a relationship of any type would make it look like she lied about the harassment. Crazy I know but sadly true.

We are also dealing with the men that are kidnapping women and believed to be selling them into a sex trafficking ring, money laundering, and all other kinds of bad crap. So Eagle Securities is joining forces with the FBI and CIA in order to crack this case which means Amy and Cabe will be working together and getting closer whether they think its a good idea or not.

This is most likely the last book in the series since all three owners of Eagle Securities have gotten their HEAs but I really hope it isn't, there are a couple of secondary characters that will hopefully find a love of their own and keep this series going because I for one really love it. I would recommend this book, heck the entire series, to anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense with a great love story. This book is low on angst and high on heat. Happy Reading!!!

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**

Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....

Wow HOT stuff !! This was Cabe and Amy's story and it was a nail biter for sure !!!. The plot was well planned, pace slowed and character development sealed my interest in this story line. I found myself very invested in Eagle Securities and its crew.
Enjoyed having a badass heroine as well as hero !!

Many thanks for this opportunity and great job Scarlett !!

Later peeps xx

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Cole, and I enjoyed it a great deal. My thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the chance to read and review this book. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Deep Cover is an exciting romantic suspense with excellent characters and an intriguing plot that kept me engaged throughout the book. The writing flows nicely and the pacing is steady. There is a good bit of suspense as well.

Cabe and Amy are perfect for each other, and I truly wanted them to find their happy ending. The chemistry is strong between the couple and intermingles with the suspense without interfering or slowing down the pacing.

If you are looking for a good romantic suspense with plenty of action and an intriguing plot, then you will enjoy Deep Cover. I hope to go back and read the other books in this series in the near future. Happy reading!

This is the third book in the Love Over Duty series. The mystery was finally solved in this book. Cabe and Amy had great chemistry together. Their pasts kept them from moving forward easily. But they kept at it and talked everything through. I loved how everything came together in this book. A great suspense series!

An awesome book. Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

ARE THEY IN TOO DEEP?

Ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss always comes when called to duty―at all costs. Even though the death of his fiancée nearly destroyed him, Cabe won’t let his past interfere with any work that has to get done. When his latest task pushes him to team up with FBI Agent Amy Murray, a fierce beauty with the undercover skills to match, Cabe must admit that, for the first time in years, he wants to do more than just complete their mission together…

Amy was born ready for this assignment, but working side-by-side with the the strong, silent, and frustratingly professional Cabe seems to be the biggest challenge of all. But when the sparks begin to fly―and the stakes rise to dangerous heights―the only thing Amy is left worrying about is how she can resist him. Their lives may be in danger, but their hearts hold the biggest risk of all…

* * * * *

I was originally introduced to Ms. Cole's writing though another on of her series, Preload, and want immediately impressed me about her writing is her ability to dive into darker topics and make it all real to her readers. It was through her writing that I discovered some of the issues and prejudice that members of Canada's First Nations undergo and how the foster care system works in that country. I was able to delve deeper into how some adults react after undergoing horrific abuse as a children. And I met some strong women who manage to help those they love heal and start to become whole.

DEEP COVER is the first that I have read in her Love Over Duty series and while the Cabe's backstory isn't as dark as some of the members of Preload, I found it moving and above all, real. He has always been attracted to strong women but that also means that he can lose them to danger. Now he has to learn how not to allow those losses to define him.

I really liked Amy though it boggles my mind how the daughter of a professional Vegas poker player can become a FBI agent. She hasn't had a spark of interest in a man since a supervisor sexually harassed her. And becoming attracted to someone that she is working with didn't please her in the slightest. Now just to keep that attraction from effecting their mission together.

I do recommend DEEP COVER as it has interesting and well developed characters, both primary and secondary, along with a storyline that will hold your interest. There is a tension both from their attraction and their mission that starts slowly and ratchets its way skyward as the story goes on. There are moments of humor gives readers a breather before the danger roars back into play.

I think that any of my readers who enjoy romantic suspense will really enjoy DEEP COVER. It does stand really well on its own though I do recommend starting from the beginning simply so you don't have to search up the backlist later. This book does deal with illegal gambling, and the sex trade of women. There are also some rather hot sex scenes and violence so consider yourself warned.

***I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher or author.

FBI Agent Amy Murray is determined to find the women gone missing after working at the Lucky Seven Casino. The casino is also suspected of being connected to Sokolov, the Russian mobster that Eagle Securities have in their sights. Money laundering, and a whole host of other crimes are why Eagle Securities and FBI are now teaming up to investigate and take down this illegal enterprise.

Cabe and Amy working together is a little troublesome since they have a powerful attraction brewing between them. Amy had a bad experience with sexual harassment in the Atlanta FBI offices that caused her to relocate to the San Diego branch. She’s worried getting involved with someone on the job will impact her reputation after that debacle. Cabe also had some reservations about getting involved with Amy. He lost his fiancée two years ago to war violence and as an active undercover FBI Agent, Amy’s job isn’t any less dangerous. Her undercover role in this assignment puts her in the path of these criminals, dangling her as bait to suspected human traffickers. Cabe’s afraid his heart won’t recover if he loses Amy. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and it was only a matter of time before they gave into their desires.

I was so happy Cabe and Amy had a mature relationship; there were conflict and doubts, but they talked things out before it got ugly or overly angsty. I’m also happy that Amy didn’t agonize over Cabe’s past engagement or worry about coming in second. Both recognized that his past relationship was just that, in the past. Not that Cabe didn’t have to deal with some guilt, but I was happy he was ready to make peace, let go and move on.

Deep Cover wasn’t only a romance though, danger and suspense over the situations both Amy and Cabe had to face kept me on edge. I worried for their safety while glued to the pages! Scarlett Cole is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, whether she writes romantic suspense or rocker romances, she makes you feel!

A copy was kindly provided by St. Martin's Paperback's via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amy and Cabe are working on different angles of a criminal case at the Lucky Seven Casino and a dedication to doing the right thing, for all of the parties involved, was a priority. A past crime involving Amy's mother supports her drive to stop the female disappearance at the Lucky Seven. Cabe and his team have a similar investment. Sokolov's crime syndicate has directly threatened the lives of family members of the Eagle Security team. They possess equal justification to make sure the casino becomes crime free. Bringing the villains down became as essential to me as it was to them. The team worked intelligently and well together, and it was clear they were all becoming great friends. I remained invested in the characters during the attempt to end these atrocities.

Amy's father is a professional poker player, and her uncle runs a casino. Due to her resources, she has the skills to go undercover at the Lucky Seven to investigate the missing women. As Amy goes undercover as a card dealer, the stress builds. The owner of the casino, Faulkner, has charm but at the same time, he crosses a line that justifies caution and suspicion. In contrast, Amy's direct supervisor Ortega is respectable with Amy and the rest of the staff. Who is helping Sokolov launder money if anyone? Who is responsible for the missing women, the indecent boss or the moral one? These questions fuel the anxiety. Cabe and Eagle Securities focus their attention on the money laundering. Cabe attempts to befriend Sokolov while covertly searching for the money switches. Cabe and the team do their job well. Cabe's instincts and reactions are appropriate to what I believe an ex-NAVY Seal would be. He is protective and keeps his team, which now includes Amy, safe.

I enjoyed Cabe but, his contribution is primarily guarding Amy's back. I would have liked to see Cabe play a more prominent role in the end battle, rather than just being Amy's knight in shining armor. Along the same lines, I felt an agent with Amy's qualifications could have needed less saving. I also sense Amy being more assertive in the face of danger would have made her more interesting. A dynamic involving a couple fighting together is a delicate balance. I still found their decisions sound and them both to be capable in their jobs.

When reading romance novels, I am most committed when the plot surrounding the couple can stand on its own. I find that Deep Cover was one of these novels. Having said that, the romance in Deep Cover was also quite captivating. The characters, for justifiable reasons, decided not to pursue their attraction to each other. In high-pressure situations, that only lasts so long. When they give in to the chemistry between them, it is explosive. Well done there. This relationship develops while they are getting to know each other without bringing sex into the equation. I welcome this method as it is more believable. I recommend giving Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole a chance. I received this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.

So, so good. Full of mystery, intrigue and romance...this was a great fast read that I really enjoyed!

Good story. Enjoyed the interaction between Cabe and Amy. Would have like to see more of Delaney and Lou, but the Six and Mac were funny enough. The wedding planning was HILARIOUS!

Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Deep Cover is the first book that I have read in the Love Over Duty series, it is the third book in this series and I didn’t at any time feel lost or confused, more intrigued about the other characters that we get to meet, their partners and what had happened previously.

Cabe Moss is a Former Navy SEAL and is protective of those closest to him; he lost his fiancée to a roadside bombing in Afghanistan and is still grieving from his loss. Cabe was a complex, loyal and determined character that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know, he was quite the alpha male.

Cabe and his team have been approached to work alongside the FBI to catch individuals in money laundering, it is during this assignment that he meets FBI agent Amy Murray, who is looking into the trafficking of missing women.

Amy was such a strong, intelligent and likeable character with a great skillset which was perfect in the undercover role that she was about to undertake, she had also suffered loss and was extremely passionate about this case. Seeing her form a connection with Cabe despite their initial meeting was great; they had amazing chemistry and worked well together.

It was also great getting to know Mac and Six who are the other team members of Eagle Securities; I am keen to read their books to learn more about them and their partners.

With a wonderful slow to build romance, suspense and a storyline that kept me riveted, Deep Cover was an entertaining read and I am eager to read more books by Scarlett Cole.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.