After a less-than-stellar 2019 reading year, it was SUCH a relief to end on a book that I wasn’t able to put down!

Quinn McManus and Elizabeth Shields work for Cobra International Securities, which is why - even though they've both enjoy their shameless flirtations for years - they can’t take their strong attraction any further.

When Quinn heads home to Scotland after the news that his best friend has been murdered, he doesn’t believe the police report that the murder was a drug-related robbery. So he calls Elizabeth to see if she can use her tech-genius computer skills to hack into his friend's phone logs.

Because Elizabeth knows Quinn is prone to acting without thinking through all the consequences, she gives up her much needed vacation time and travels to Scotland to help Quinn unravel the mystery surrounding his best friend’s murder. Between following the meager leads and being chased by unknown bad guys, they also spend some quality time sightseeing and getting to know each other on a much more personal level. By the time the mystery is solved and the bad guys dealt with, they have to decide if - or how - they are going to deal with Cobra’s non-fraternization clause.

Once again, Pamela Clare gives the reader the perfect balance of suspense and sexy. I feel like this third book in the Cobra Elite series dragged a little - especially in the middle. Whereas in the first two books (Hard Target and Hard Asset) we knew who the bad guys were but not what they were going to do, this time it took the entirety of the book to know who the bad guys were and what the reason for the murder was. There was a lot of Quinn and Elizabeth discussing and debating what they already knew, and who could be the bad guy. I think I was as frustrated as they were that their investigation wasn’t going anywhere.

But Ms. Clare nails everything else. The pacing, the chemistry between Quinn and Elizabeth, the steamy and witty dialogue, everything pulled me in and didn’t let go. I sat down after dinner to read Hard Justice and didn’t stop until I was finished. I’m not sure how many books will be in this series, but I hope many, many more. Romantic suspense is my favorite sub-genre to read, but it’s also the hardest to please me because I want equal parts of romance AND suspense. There are few authors who deliver on that, so when I find one who does, it makes me a really, really happy reader!

* thank you to NetGalley and Leap Day Productions for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

You had me at Scotsman.
Clare writes with wit and emotion well and draws the reader into the story efficiently. She makes you want to go back to the beginning of the series and discover the other characters with the same gusto as Quinn and Elizabeth.
The slow burn sexual chemistry wasn't as intense as I thought it would be and it did detract from the flow a bit. The Glaswegian was wonderful and I long to travel to Glasgow to hear it spoken by a burly kilt-wearin' ginger Scot.
Mystery and revenge are excellent plots to push a wronged character and it works well in Hard Justice because it's personal.
It's always a bonus when a book in a series can stand on its own and doesn't forget previous characters, which this does. Cobra Elite looks to be an interesting series.
#NetGalley #HardJustice

The third book in Cobra Elite, Hard Justice is a well delivered romantic suspense. Action, suspense and romance, Quinn and Elizabeth are well suited characters and the storyline is engaging throughout. I will definitely be looking to read more and recommending this book and series to others.

Here it is, New Years Eve 2019 and this is my final read of the decade and it's gone out with a bang.
What a great story, I was glued to my kindle all afternoon determined to finish.
Gotta love a man in kilt with a delightful accent.
Quinn went home to Scotland for his best mate's funeral. He's determined to solve the murder along with the help of his colleague Elizabeth.
There's murder, torture, kidnapping, drugs, crooked cops and politicians. So much action and entertainment, there is no time to be bored....oh almost forgot the sizzle. These two made a great couple but it wasn't smooth sailing. You'll be wondering who will get killed before the end. Fantastic book, I thoroughly recommend it.

Nothing hotter than an alpha Irishman in need of a we bit of help. Quinn McManus, hears that one of his buds dies. He heads to Scotland to see the family and find out what happened. Everything he is hearing, just isn’t adding up. Enter Elizabeth, Lilibet, Shields. A cobra agent like him, she heads over to help him figure out what’s going on. Plus keeping him out of jail too. Of course they each have a tenny tiny crush in each other. During the days and nights of finding his buds killer, they realize their feelings for each other are not one sided. Do they get the bad guy? Does the big aloha Scot get his girl? All I know, is that this series by Claire is FABULOUS !!

4.5 stars

This book has a lot to live up to. The first in the series was one of my favorite from 2019.
It did start a little slow for me and I struggled to get into the story. I was about 20% intro he book when I was able to connect with The characters. The author did a good job pulling Elizabeth into the story and the chemistry between her and Quinn was evident.
There was a good blend of suspense and romance as well. I did tear up a bit especially at the end and the epilogue.
In the end it was a good book that complemented the others into the series.

I was provided a copy of this book for a honest review

I received an advanced reader's copy of Hard Justice by Pamela Clare from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the second book that I have read by Pamela Clare and I quite enjoyed the previous novel so I had high hopes for Hard Justice. Happily, it did not disappoint!

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I found it to be well written. The primary characters' romantic start was memorable and immediately showcased their chemistry/attraction. I liked the well-crafted characters and the witty banter, plus the action was fast paced and kept me engrossed.

I’m still buzzing a little from reading one of my favorite books of the year at the final hour. Pamela Clare’s HARD JUSTICE took me on a wild ride/hijacked my attention/made me fall in love with a giant, Scottish ginger (and if I imagined him as looking like Tormund from GOT that’s no one’s business but mine).
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This book is fantastic, with killer steam and sweet, caring moments, too; it’s an adrenaline-fueled murder investigation and a love story with two long-time coworkers finally succumbing to the attraction they’ve held for years...again and again and again 😉. (I told you, it’s very steamy.)
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Quinn McManus’s experience as a private security operative comes in handy when he travels to Scotland to figure out who killed his best friend. Elizabeth Shields or Lilibet, as he calls her, his coworker & the woman he’s long had a crush on, unexpectedly joins him, and they’re soon embroiled in a dangerous investigation that could cost them everything.
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There’s a little bit of forbidden romance here, and also just reluctance on Quinn’s part because he’s dealing with things in his past. But Quinn shouldn’t worry, because—I’m going to put it all on the table here—he’s such a delicious hero and he and Elizabeth together are 10/10, fireworks in a summer night sky kind of magic.
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Check this book out for phenomenal romantic suspense. In case you can’t tell, I loved it. 4.5 ⭐️.
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Thanks to Netgalley for my complimentary copy; all opinions provided are my own.

Elizabeth and Quinn work for Cobra International Security and have become friends. Due to the no fraternization rule they can't take it further but it's a constant temptation. When an old friend of Quinn's is murdered Elizabeth and Quinn work together to uncover the truth. Their lives are also in danger and their relationship heats up. I really enjoyed this romantic suspense novel with lots of heat.

HARD JUSTICE is the third book in Pamela Clare’s new “Cobra Elite” series. This is solid RS with an elite military ops vibe. Quinn and Elizabeth work together in the Elite team, and they wind up working together on a mission. As for the plot, I was pleasantly surprised to find I didn't know who the bad guy was until the end. The book was lighter in tone than the first two books, and didn't do anything particularly amazing, but the plot and chemistry keep the reader engaged..

There is a little less action and a little more mystery than usually found in a Clare RS, but for the most part if you liked the first two books in this series, you will be satisfied with this installment.

Even though this is book three in the Cobra Elite series,it can easily be read as a stand alone novel. The story really does not rely on the characters from previous books in the series although there is some mention of them. This was a fast moving romantic suspense novel centered around one of the Cobra members, Quinn, investigating the murder of his best friend, Jack. While the police suspect that Jack was involved with the drug trade, Quinn knows that his friend and fellow soldier would never get involved with drugs. So he sets out to find out the truth behind the murder. Elizabeth who also works with Cobra as an analyst decides to help him, if only to keep Quinn from doing something illegal and ending up in jail. And maybe because she's always had a soft spot for Quinn.
Once again, Pamela Clare has written a well developed plot with very likeable characters. And who can resist a Scotsmen in a kilt? Overall, a great read that I had trouble putting down.

An excellent addition to the Cobra Elite series and I have been looking forward this book. I thought that the story moved along at a good pace, the characters were well developed, the plot was intriguing, the chemistry between the two characters was certainly hot and the descriptions of Scotland and the towns were very vivid.

Hard Justice by Pamela Clare is the third book in the Cobra Elite series. I feel like I have been waiting on this one FOREVER. Quinn and Elizabeth have had noticeable chemistry since the first book and I am so happy to finally have their story.

After one of Quinn's closest friends is murdered he returns to Glasgow to find out who did it. Elizabeth joins Quinn to offer support. Will this investigation/vacation lead to the two of them finally giving in, or is the rule against coworkers hooking up going to doom them from the start?

If you enjoy romantic suspense I cannot recommend this enough! Pamela Clare wrote this one so well and I can't wait for more of this series.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and even though it's part of a series, I was able to enjoy it as a standalone. I found the author's writing style enjoyable as well. I was pulled into the story right away and found that it moved at a very nice pace. The length was perfect: long enough to truly develop the characters and the plotline but not so long that it gets bogged down in unnecessary details or the inner ramblings of the characters. The main characters of Quinn and Elizabeth are quite likeable, and their movement toward their HEA seemed realistic and well done. I certainly enjoyed this one enough that I would like to go back and read the two books that came before this one, and I look forward to more books in the series.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Victory Editing for providing an ARC for review.

Very good read! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! It had a little bit of everything!it was filled with suspense, action packed, heartache and heartbreak! It was truly a great read! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Hard Justice was a bloody fantastic read and an easily earned 5 star read!

I would describe this as a friends to lovers romance. Quinn and Elizabeth work together in personal security. The company has a no fraternizing policy which has kept these two from acting on their attraction. That all changes when on their down time from work, Elizabeth flies to Glasgow to help Quinn find out who murdered his best friend.

I enjoyed the couple. I enjoyed the plot, and I especially enjoyed how it ended. This is one of those endings that will give you the feels. Plus, you really get to see how well these two work together as they investigate Jack's murder. Then when they finally give in to their attraction, there was no awkwardness, no hesitation or pushing away. They just seamlessly became a couple and it felt real and believable.

I've read the first two books of this series, as well and I'm pretty impressed by this series. The author has done a great job of bringing interesting characters and interesting plots to grab my attention and keep it. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this series is one of the best I've read this year.

I have read the previous books in this series and Pamela Clare's other series. This one did not disappoint. Clare writes great suspense romances and this is another one to add to the list.

Huge fan of the I-Team series, Colorado High Country and if course, this Cobra Elite series. Pamela Clare has a knack for writing an intense, thrilling and sexy book. Quinn McManus personifies sexy Scotsman- big, brauny, red hair, accent to die for. He loves flirty with the sexy Elizabeth Shields and see gives as good a flirt as she gets. Elizabeth is sexy and super smart and loves interacting with Quinn, just knows with them being co workers for Cobra Security they can't break the fraternization policies in place.

When Quinn heads home to Glasgow to pay his respects after a buddy is murdered he soon finds he needs both Elizabeth's support and smarts. She's there in an instant for her friend. But these two soon finds out there's a ton wrong in the investigation of the murder and find themselves in harms way.

The suspense and mystery make for an excellent read. The sexual chemistry with Quinn and Lizibet is amazing.

Loved this book and is course I cannot wait for what comes next!

Elizabeth Shields, former CIA Analyst, owes her life to Quinn McManus. Quinn, former British Special Air Service and now an agent at Cobra International Security, saved her when her life was threatened in Afghanistan. When a former mate of his is killed in Glasgow, Elizabeth follows him to help and to keep him out of trouble. The attraction between them is intense, but they know they shouldn’t get involved…Cobra has a no fraternization policy. Alone and working closely in Glasgow, will they be able to resist? As they are hassled by local police and others, they will have to fight to stay together and to stay alive. Suspense, action and danger from beginning to end. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48640544-hard-justice" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Hard Justice (Cobra Elite, #3)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572407307l/48640544._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48640544-hard-justice">Hard Justice</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/92650.Pamela_Clare">Pamela Clare</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3095530263">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This one get's 3 1/2 rounded up to 4 stars. <br />I haven't read the previous books in the series, but I think that this one worked well as a stand-alone. This is a romantic suspense with a bit of a murder mystery to get to the bottom of along the way. There's plenty of action and plenty of heat in the romance department.<br />Set in Scotland with a Glaswegian lead, lots of the book is written with a 'Scottish' dialect which for the most part was fairly well done. The author had clearly done quite a bit research and other than the odd little slip-up, but these were mostly little random things that just slip in there (things like going to a paediatrician's office which is unlikely in the UK). I do struggle a bit with things written in dialect, often it's overdone a bit, as the person writing is less used to the accent. For the most part, this was well done and worked. <br />I enjoyed the suspense element of the book and although I thought I knew where it was going, it didn't make for a boring read. As for the romance, I think that this might be slightly where things fell a little flat for me. I just didn't fully buy into the chemistry between Quinn and Elizabeth. I also found him calling her Lilibet really cringy. I don't know if it's because the only time I've heard that name ever used before is because it's what the Queen is known as to some people and came about because she couldn't say her own name. It's such a babyish name and not something you could imagine lovers using. It's a shame because I think that it was the romance element that made this less than a four-star read.<br />I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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