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PowerUp! #2
Retrocog
A casualty of funding wars and an overzealous Defense Department trying to clean up its reputation after several failed experimental programs, the Psychic Warfare Program (PWP) is scrapped in the throes of its infancy. Its participants are transferred to other defense agencies, but a few decide to leave the government behind, knowing full well their freedom hinges on keeping a low profile and living under the radar.
Ex-PWP agent Noah First is grudgingly settling into life as a civilian when his boss assigns him one of those cases, like the ones he used to do for the government. Given the job of tracking down a stolen painting, Noah finds more than he bargained for when murder is involved. It's his power to see the past in places where emotions run high, and when he tracks the painting down to a touristy mining town, he lands in serious trouble.
Not only does the town's history shout at him with his every step, but he learns firsthand the room he's renting used to be in a bordello, and the inn's manager is the spitting image of the sexy woman in the painting. Noah is increasingly drawn to her, and to the dark needs he normally keeps buried. But are his intense feelings for Lara real, or just an echo of the past? And when he finds the painting, can he take it back to its rightful owner when someone in town will do whatever it takes to keep it, including murder?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find some light bondage and D/s, and violence.
Ex-PWP agent Noah First is grudgingly settling into life as a civilian when his boss assigns him one of those cases, like the ones he used to do for the government. Given the job of tracking down a stolen painting, Noah finds more than he bargained for when murder is involved. It's his power to see the past in places where emotions run high, and when he tracks the painting down to a touristy mining town, he lands in serious trouble.
Not only does the town's history shout at him with his every step, but he learns firsthand the room he's renting used to be in a bordello, and the inn's manager is the spitting image of the sexy woman in the painting. Noah is increasingly drawn to her, and to the dark needs he normally keeps buried. But are his intense feelings for Lara real, or just an echo of the past? And when he finds the painting, can he take it back to its rightful owner when someone in town will do whatever it takes to keep it, including murder?
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find some light bondage and D/s, and violence.
145 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2011
155 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Marie Harte
199 books2,405 followersImportant:: Marie Harte is NOT active on GoodReads, so to contact her, please use her website at marieharte.com.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 30, 2016
Actually 3.5 Stars
Another quick, fun read from Marie Harte. I enjoyed this story and I have to say it had some really hot sex scenes. It's not like they did anything new or mind-blowing but just the huge amount of chemistry they generated propelled these from nice to wow hot. That's really what made this story good, the chemistry between Noah and Lara. To tell you the truth anything besides Noah and Lara falling for each other was largely uninteresting. The whole voices/maybe ghosts/maybe possession/maybe reincarnation completely confused me.
It felt like the author didn't know what kind of story she wanted this to be and it was really frustrating; not to mention the two-step she did with revealing who the killer is. It felt like a ping-pong match. Two suspects and the author convinces you that one's the killer, then no it's the other one, nope it's the first one again, haha you can't guess, it's really the second one, nope gotcha, it was really the first one.
That's how reading the ending felt like and by the time they had unveiled the killer, I honestly no longer gave a shit. The ending felt like the author was going for the shock factor/OMG did not see this coming reveal but it was an epic fail. It could have dragged the book completely down but I liked the main characters so much and their chemistry together that this book still gets 3.5 stars.
(Ha! I'm so happy, I've finally figured out how to put gifs in my reviews. Yay!)
Another quick, fun read from Marie Harte. I enjoyed this story and I have to say it had some really hot sex scenes. It's not like they did anything new or mind-blowing but just the huge amount of chemistry they generated propelled these from nice to wow hot. That's really what made this story good, the chemistry between Noah and Lara. To tell you the truth anything besides Noah and Lara falling for each other was largely uninteresting. The whole voices/maybe ghosts/maybe possession/maybe reincarnation completely confused me.
It felt like the author didn't know what kind of story she wanted this to be and it was really frustrating; not to mention the two-step she did with revealing who the killer is. It felt like a ping-pong match. Two suspects and the author convinces you that one's the killer, then no it's the other one, nope it's the first one again, haha you can't guess, it's really the second one, nope gotcha, it was really the first one.
That's how reading the ending felt like and by the time they had unveiled the killer, I honestly no longer gave a shit. The ending felt like the author was going for the shock factor/OMG did not see this coming reveal but it was an epic fail. It could have dragged the book completely down but I liked the main characters so much and their chemistry together that this book still gets 3.5 stars.
(Ha! I'm so happy, I've finally figured out how to put gifs in my reviews. Yay!)
May 22, 2020
Ex-PWP agent Noah First is grudgingly settling into life as a civilian when his boss assigns him one of those cases, like the ones he used to do for the government. Given the job of tracking down a stolen painting, Noah finds more than he bargained for when murder is involved. It's his power to see the past in places where emotions run high, and when he tracks the painting down to a touristy mining town, he lands in serious trouble.
Not only does the town's history shout at him with his every step, but he learns firsthand the room he's renting used to be in a bordello, and the inn's manager is the spitting image of the sexy woman in the painting. Noah is increasingly drawn to her, and to the dark needs he normally keeps buried. But are his intense feelings for Lara real, or just an echo of the past? And when he finds the painting, can he take it back to its rightful owner when someone in town will do whatever it takes to keep it, including murder?
Heather's Notes
These story are short but they are fairly good. I like Lara and Noah. The sex was steamy but not too hard core and the plot moved fairly well. I thought the author got a bit bogged down in try to build the suspense of which of the two was the actual villian, but otherwise it was good. I also am looking forward to getting to know more about Frank/Ian.
Not only does the town's history shout at him with his every step, but he learns firsthand the room he's renting used to be in a bordello, and the inn's manager is the spitting image of the sexy woman in the painting. Noah is increasingly drawn to her, and to the dark needs he normally keeps buried. But are his intense feelings for Lara real, or just an echo of the past? And when he finds the painting, can he take it back to its rightful owner when someone in town will do whatever it takes to keep it, including murder?
Heather's Notes
These story are short but they are fairly good. I like Lara and Noah. The sex was steamy but not too hard core and the plot moved fairly well. I thought the author got a bit bogged down in try to build the suspense of which of the two was the actual villian, but otherwise it was good. I also am looking forward to getting to know more about Frank/Ian.
November 8, 2019
Murder mystery wrapped up with psychic abilities.
This author never fails to amaze me with her imagination and storytelling.
I love the 'who-dun-it" vibe in this book. Noah is sent to try and find a stolen painting. He can see images of things that happened in the past. When he meets a woman that looks exactly like the woman in the painting things get interesting. Especially since the pai ting was done in the 1800's.
Lara can hear ghosts. They tell her odd things. When she moves to a town, rich with the story about a bordello owner and a gunslinger she is thrilled. She soon starts hearing the voice of the owner who was murdered.
Someone is killing people now, but who is it?
This author never fails to amaze me with her imagination and storytelling.
I love the 'who-dun-it" vibe in this book. Noah is sent to try and find a stolen painting. He can see images of things that happened in the past. When he meets a woman that looks exactly like the woman in the painting things get interesting. Especially since the pai ting was done in the 1800's.
Lara can hear ghosts. They tell her odd things. When she moves to a town, rich with the story about a bordello owner and a gunslinger she is thrilled. She soon starts hearing the voice of the owner who was murdered.
Someone is killing people now, but who is it?
Read
December 5, 2022Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, No Box Books and author, Marie Harte for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super fun who-done-it set in the ole' wild west. This is a magical realism world though that involves the paranormal. I loved that both the MMC and FMC had impressive psychic abilities that are foils and unique qualities they can bond over. There was some spicy spicy scenes that made up for the slight- insta love feel. I also enjoyed the murder mystery - do not want to spoil it- but I did not see the ending coming!
Pick up this series if you like:
-psychics
- Western saloons and bordellos
-Strong female leads
- ghosts & paranormal
- mystery
-Lots of steam
This was a super fun who-done-it set in the ole' wild west. This is a magical realism world though that involves the paranormal. I loved that both the MMC and FMC had impressive psychic abilities that are foils and unique qualities they can bond over. There was some spicy spicy scenes that made up for the slight- insta love feel. I also enjoyed the murder mystery - do not want to spoil it- but I did not see the ending coming!
Pick up this series if you like:
-psychics
- Western saloons and bordellos
-Strong female leads
- ghosts & paranormal
- mystery
-Lots of steam
October 17, 2022
Retrocog by Marie Harte is the second in her PowerUp! series featuring various heroes and heroines with supernatural powers. Noah First is sent to recover a stolen painting. With his retrocognitive ability, he’s able to see the past, sometimes even more clearly than the present. Lara Graham is an innkeeper who’s been hearing voices her whole life, and is tired of being the oddity that ability makes her.
The painting ties them together along with a determined and horrifying killer and a passionate possibility for a joyful future. A terrific PNR read.
The painting ties them together along with a determined and horrifying killer and a passionate possibility for a joyful future. A terrific PNR read.
January 17, 2020
Enjoyable to reread.
Was a nice surprise to see this series re-released into Kindle Unlimited when I went to review this book but I had already grabbed it through my library.
I know I have read this before but interesting to read it again.
Such a differently diverse story with ghosts needing to have their deaths dealt with.
Liked Abby and Noah and the chemistry between them and how their powers complimented each other.
Was a nice surprise to see this series re-released into Kindle Unlimited when I went to review this book but I had already grabbed it through my library.
I know I have read this before but interesting to read it again.
Such a differently diverse story with ghosts needing to have their deaths dealt with.
Liked Abby and Noah and the chemistry between them and how their powers complimented each other.
December 2, 2022
It was certainly pretty haunting and the unnerving side of it was pretty cool! The plot, without the romance, was the highlight for me since the romance didn’t really stick as much to me compared to other books. All the ghost and killer stuff and the special powers the characters involved had made me curious and gripped me as I read. I’d give this book a 3.5 star if I could on NetGalley and Goodreads. :)
November 27, 2022
This is a steamy sexy read with multiple twists. Noah and his co-workers have gifts. Sent to find a stolen painting he finds much more than expected. In fact the past seems to be colliding with the present. A twisted tale with fate in control. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review.
November 30, 2022
Hot sex in reality and in the supernatural. Noah sees the past and when he checks into a. Inn that used to be a brothel, he is witness to all kinds of sexual acts that bring out the kinky and dirty in him.
Lara heard the dead and the one currently whispering in her ear thinks Noah is as hot as she does. Not only do they get quite dirty together but seek to find a murderer.
Lara heard the dead and the one currently whispering in her ear thinks Noah is as hot as she does. Not only do they get quite dirty together but seek to find a murderer.
October 4, 2018
5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to put it down. I loved this story and the mystery that unfolded. I can't wait to read the next in this series!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to put it down. I loved this story and the mystery that unfolded. I can't wait to read the next in this series!
April 2, 2020
I skimmed here and there. I enjoyed the first one more... this one had a lot of characters and head hopping.
August 30, 2020
Good read
Not as good as the first book but an enjoyable paranormal jaunt with a nice sexy romance added as a bonus.
Not as good as the first book but an enjoyable paranormal jaunt with a nice sexy romance added as a bonus.
September 23, 2021
Ha, these books are silly and cheese but fun nonetheless
November 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
July 16, 2011
See my review on The Romance Reviews.
The ultimate voyeur experience is to see the past and stay in an inn that used to be a brothel. There's no charge for this sexy showing – lucky Noah First. Noah's ability to see the past comes in handy when he's on the search for a stolen painting. When he checks into the inn where he's tracked down the stolen property, he's shocked to meet Lara, who is the spitting image of the woman in the painting. He learns pretty quickly Lara possesses her own special abilities.
Noah's search and retrieve of the portrait is derailed as he and Lara steam up the bedroom with some hot sex. Ms. Harte always delivers good hot sex with kinky fun. Being in a brothel was a nice touch. While Noah and Lara get it on, a serial killer appears to be on the loose. Somehow, the killer is tied to the portrait. When Lara is pulled in as a potential victim, Noah begins to piece together the ghostly connection.
In this second book in the Power Up! series by Ms. Harte, we take a look into the post black ops world. Ms. Harte shows what could happen to secret government soldiers when they are retired. This book kept my interest the entire time. The storyline layered several threads at the same time, which is a classic Ms. Harte technique.
I enjoyed the development between Noah and Lara as well as her set up for two new characters, Chloe and Ian. I know I can never go wrong with a Ms. Harte book. I recommend this book to people who enjoy supernatural military men, women with special abilities, intrigue and great sex scenes.
The ultimate voyeur experience is to see the past and stay in an inn that used to be a brothel. There's no charge for this sexy showing – lucky Noah First. Noah's ability to see the past comes in handy when he's on the search for a stolen painting. When he checks into the inn where he's tracked down the stolen property, he's shocked to meet Lara, who is the spitting image of the woman in the painting. He learns pretty quickly Lara possesses her own special abilities.
Noah's search and retrieve of the portrait is derailed as he and Lara steam up the bedroom with some hot sex. Ms. Harte always delivers good hot sex with kinky fun. Being in a brothel was a nice touch. While Noah and Lara get it on, a serial killer appears to be on the loose. Somehow, the killer is tied to the portrait. When Lara is pulled in as a potential victim, Noah begins to piece together the ghostly connection.
In this second book in the Power Up! series by Ms. Harte, we take a look into the post black ops world. Ms. Harte shows what could happen to secret government soldiers when they are retired. This book kept my interest the entire time. The storyline layered several threads at the same time, which is a classic Ms. Harte technique.
I enjoyed the development between Noah and Lara as well as her set up for two new characters, Chloe and Ian. I know I can never go wrong with a Ms. Harte book. I recommend this book to people who enjoy supernatural military men, women with special abilities, intrigue and great sex scenes.
February 18, 2012
Wow, I loved this book. I've been on a bit of a Mary Harte kick lately; tearing my way through the Circe's Recruits, Dawn Endeavor, and ,now, PowerUP! series. (They're all loosely tied together) I haven't reviewed any of them thus far because sometimes Ms. Harte can get downright dirrrty. I'm no prude but I think I've been carrying around a perpetual blush since starting these books about a week ago :) BUT I just loved Retrocog so much I had to share.
Noah First is a retrocrog, it's the opposite of a precog. He sees visions of the past. His boss has set him on a task to find a painting that's been stolen and may or may not have psychic properties. When he arrives in Brownville, Arizona he's bombarded with scenes of the past. He checks into the Lady Fine Inn and there he meets Lara, the inn manager. Lara's a little quirky in her own right. She's been hearing the voices of the dead since she was a child. Together they unravel the secrets of the past, track down a serial killer, and fall in love.
Sheesh, what can I say? I just fell in love with Noah's character. He's a passionate guy who's lost his way. Written off since childhood as crazies because of their psychic gifts Lara and Noah have so much in common. Their instant attraction had me melting. Not to mention when things start to get physical. YUM. Noah's visions of the past were so well written; it was easy to imagine the old west town. Ms. Harte has a talent for writing a great story with heat :)
Noah First is a retrocrog, it's the opposite of a precog. He sees visions of the past. His boss has set him on a task to find a painting that's been stolen and may or may not have psychic properties. When he arrives in Brownville, Arizona he's bombarded with scenes of the past. He checks into the Lady Fine Inn and there he meets Lara, the inn manager. Lara's a little quirky in her own right. She's been hearing the voices of the dead since she was a child. Together they unravel the secrets of the past, track down a serial killer, and fall in love.
Sheesh, what can I say? I just fell in love with Noah's character. He's a passionate guy who's lost his way. Written off since childhood as crazies because of their psychic gifts Lara and Noah have so much in common. Their instant attraction had me melting. Not to mention when things start to get physical. YUM. Noah's visions of the past were so well written; it was easy to imagine the old west town. Ms. Harte has a talent for writing a great story with heat :)
March 13, 2013
RetroCog by Marie Hart took me on a journey of danger, passion, murder, and an article to find connecting the past with the present. Marie Hart never fails to keep me hooked with her talent for spinning fabulous stories of intrigue and concepts that keep the pages turning.
Noah begrudgingly takes on an assignment that will change his life. From past to present, I felt like I was watching a movie reel come to life through his eyes. When Lara enters sparks of unexplainable attraction fly. In her journey to run the shop and his journey to solve a puzzle, they’re led on a dangerous path. A serial killer in plain sight, a painting to find, lust to explore and clues to find. This story kept my heart racing with blinding passion, ghosts of the past and the terror filled moments where I wasn’t sure who would win out in the end.
Elaborating more would tell the story and that would be a crime on my part. This is one book I will pick up and read a second and even third time.
Noah begrudgingly takes on an assignment that will change his life. From past to present, I felt like I was watching a movie reel come to life through his eyes. When Lara enters sparks of unexplainable attraction fly. In her journey to run the shop and his journey to solve a puzzle, they’re led on a dangerous path. A serial killer in plain sight, a painting to find, lust to explore and clues to find. This story kept my heart racing with blinding passion, ghosts of the past and the terror filled moments where I wasn’t sure who would win out in the end.
Elaborating more would tell the story and that would be a crime on my part. This is one book I will pick up and read a second and even third time.
January 26, 2013
I tried this book, because I really like Marie Harte's Cougar Falls series. I mainly read shifter books, but love her books, so I thought I'd give it a try. I really liked the mystery and history in the book. Noah was looking for a missing painting, and found a woman, Lara, that looks exactly like the woman in the painting. The further you get into the book you realize, these two were connected 100s of years ago and there are times when the past actually comes to life before their eyes and they see themselves of yesteryear. Add in a serial killer who may have killed their former selves and is killing people who look like Lara now, you've got a steamy romance/mystery on your hands. The character's different "gifts" added something to the book to make it not your normal paranormal romance. I will definately read additional books in the series, to see what she comes up with next.
March 23, 2013
Strange beginning to me... Noah at the beginning is... boring, lackluster, blend into the background type of MC. Then.... shortly after meeting Lara, we start to see his true personality.. totally a 180! Like it threw me for a loop that we go from this unassuming man that tends to get lost in the past to this kinky domineering sexuality. While there's so much confusion and lots of misleading info on which of the main suspects is actually responsible, my first guess was in fact correct, despite all the 'mixed' signals. I'm not sure if cute read is a good way to put it but a confusing ghostly mystery is on the agenda if you pick this one up. How much of a mystery it turns out to be for you is 'in the eyes of the beholder' :)
August 17, 2011
I gave it a 4.5
I loved the different psychic abilities of the team and it never gets boring with the variety of their talents. What I really liked was the wonderful job Ms. Harte pulling Noah into scenes of the past. The detailed descriptions of the costumes, sounds and sights made each of these episodes come alive and seem very real.
The murderer and his killing is handled well without being overly gruesome. The villain is a nasty,vile person and the scenes where the killings take place are downright creepy. They're nicely integrated into the plot, giving a good balance with Noah and Lara's growing relationship.
I loved the different psychic abilities of the team and it never gets boring with the variety of their talents. What I really liked was the wonderful job Ms. Harte pulling Noah into scenes of the past. The detailed descriptions of the costumes, sounds and sights made each of these episodes come alive and seem very real.
The murderer and his killing is handled well without being overly gruesome. The villain is a nasty,vile person and the scenes where the killings take place are downright creepy. They're nicely integrated into the plot, giving a good balance with Noah and Lara's growing relationship.
January 22, 2024
I love the PowerUp! books - such a fab series with excellent characters and story-lines...
Retrocog is a 5* read - love Noah & Lara as a couple. They both have something different going on - Noah can see the past and Lara hears the dead. Together they set out to find the painting that Noah has been tasked with recovering.
The story is gripping - action packed and non-stop adventure. Bad, bad guys, hot and sexy good guys and a lot of down & dirty going on!!! What more can you ask for in a book?!?!
The PowerUp! series is Marie Harte at her best!!!!
Retrocog is a 5* read - love Noah & Lara as a couple. They both have something different going on - Noah can see the past and Lara hears the dead. Together they set out to find the painting that Noah has been tasked with recovering.
The story is gripping - action packed and non-stop adventure. Bad, bad guys, hot and sexy good guys and a lot of down & dirty going on!!! What more can you ask for in a book?!?!
The PowerUp! series is Marie Harte at her best!!!!
February 1, 2013
In this book, Noah First is sent to retrieve a painting from the missing warehouse artifacts. Once he arrives in town, he meets Lara, the manager of the inn and realizes that she can see ghosts. Noah is a retrocog and can see scenes replay from the past.
I really liked Noah and Lara was a great character and good match for him as well. I'm happy that this didn't turn out to be a menage and I enjoyed the character and relationship building. This was not insta-love like a lot of Marie Harte's other books and I enjoyed it much more.
I really liked Noah and Lara was a great character and good match for him as well. I'm happy that this didn't turn out to be a menage and I enjoyed the character and relationship building. This was not insta-love like a lot of Marie Harte's other books and I enjoyed it much more.
July 5, 2011
4.5 Delightful Divas. This is an enthralling and suspenseful romance and I loved it. To read this review in its entirety, please visit http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=5556
February 1, 2012
3 1/2 stars.
February 11, 2013
Wow. I totally need a boyfriend.
July 25, 2017
In this book, Noah First is sent to retrieve a painting from the missing warehouse artifacts. Once he arrives in town, he meets Lara, the manager of the inn and realizes that she can see ghosts. Noah is a retrocog and can see scenes replay from the past.
I really liked Noah and Lara was a great character and good match for him as well. I'm happy that this didn't turn out to be a menage and I enjoyed the character and relationship building. This was not insta-love like a lot of Marie Harte's other books and I enjoyed it much more.
I really liked Noah and Lara was a great character and good match for him as well. I'm happy that this didn't turn out to be a menage and I enjoyed the character and relationship building. This was not insta-love like a lot of Marie Harte's other books and I enjoyed it much more.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews