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Hauberk Protection #4
Hidden Heat
The masks we wear can hide our deepest desires…or reveal them. Wedding rings, babies, commitment? No thank you. Working for a company that’s wall-to-wall, testosterone-fueled alpha males, Sandy Hallquist is in her element. By day, she’s the picture of calm, cool efficiency. Off hours, her inner adrenaline junkie is off the chain.
His whole professional life has been all about being invisible, but nothing about Troy McPherson is real, not even his name. It’s the only way he can manage Hauberk’s international offices while hiding his other assassin. But in one moment of weakness, Troy’s carefully constructed mask begins to crack. Cracks that reveal his yearning for things he can never have. Family. Stability. Love. Too bad they’re the last things on Sandy’s must-have list. By the time she realizes the heat between them will last a lifetime, his next mission could make him disappear from her life. Permanently.
His whole professional life has been all about being invisible, but nothing about Troy McPherson is real, not even his name. It’s the only way he can manage Hauberk’s international offices while hiding his other assassin. But in one moment of weakness, Troy’s carefully constructed mask begins to crack. Cracks that reveal his yearning for things he can never have. Family. Stability. Love. Too bad they’re the last things on Sandy’s must-have list. By the time she realizes the heat between them will last a lifetime, his next mission could make him disappear from her life. Permanently.
248 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Leah Braemel
26 books334 followersMarried to her college sweetheart and the mother of two sons, Leah is the only woman in a houseful of men—even their dog and cat are male. She loves escaping the ever-multiplying dust bunnies by opening up her laptop to write about sexy heroes and the women who challenge them.
Reviewers have awarded Leah’s books numerous Top Pick and Recommended Reads designations as well as nominated them as Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance and Best Ménage and More. Leah has also been nominated as Favorite Author and Best Erotic Romance Author.
Reviewers have awarded Leah’s books numerous Top Pick and Recommended Reads designations as well as nominated them as Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance and Best Ménage and More. Leah has also been nominated as Favorite Author and Best Erotic Romance Author.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 20, 2013
This is the fourth book in the ‘Hauberk Protection’ series and showcases agent Troy McPherson and normally unobtrusive Hauberk office assistant Sandy Hallquist who has gotten tired of waiting for him to recognize that she wants him. Troy is not only surprised to discover that Sandy shares some of his predilection for kink but that she wants their relationship to be exclusive but with no strings attached. Sounds perfect for him, or does it? Their matching passion makes him wonder about a deeper relationship but his checkered background and dangerous profession makes him reluctant to pursue anything more significant, at least that’s what he tries to convince himself of until danger stalks the woman who has managed to get past his defensive barriers.
This erotic romantic suspense novel is an exciting read that mixes adventure and passion in an entertaining story. The dominant men who staff the Hauberk agency and their contacts throughout their community utilize their skills to obtain justice and adhere to their own warrior code and standards of behavior. The women who find places in their lives must be just as strong in their own fashion, if only to cope with the danger their lovers fearlessly confront. Sandy is an interesting contradiction in behavior, combining her (usually) discreet behavior at work and her wildly passionate side when she gives her trust. I was a little disturbed at her obtuseness with regard to her roommate and thought that her acceptance of Troy’s background was a little disingenuous but the overall story was nicely spicy and suspenseful. I look forward to reading more about the intriguing personnel of the Hauberk Agency.
A copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
This erotic romantic suspense novel is an exciting read that mixes adventure and passion in an entertaining story. The dominant men who staff the Hauberk agency and their contacts throughout their community utilize their skills to obtain justice and adhere to their own warrior code and standards of behavior. The women who find places in their lives must be just as strong in their own fashion, if only to cope with the danger their lovers fearlessly confront. Sandy is an interesting contradiction in behavior, combining her (usually) discreet behavior at work and her wildly passionate side when she gives her trust. I was a little disturbed at her obtuseness with regard to her roommate and thought that her acceptance of Troy’s background was a little disingenuous but the overall story was nicely spicy and suspenseful. I look forward to reading more about the intriguing personnel of the Hauberk Agency.
A copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2013
We never got to see much of Sandy in the previous books and was pleased to see a story about her. She is not what I expected her to be and I really liked her and was pleased that her story was added to the series. We always knew there was more to Troy that what we have been told and now we get to find out all his secrets and just exactly what he does and despite trying to protect and shield Sandy from his life he finds that he just can't resist her.
August 5, 2012
LOVED! This has definitely become my favorite in the Hauberk series. I loved reading the story unfold for Sandy and Troy. They had a wonderful connection. I especially loved Rosie being herself, especially at the office, around Sam. Also am very anxious to see how Jazz and Scott progress!
November 30, 2017
4 stars
This one is my favorite book of the series. I love Sandy and Troy so much, I think they have a very good dynamic in their relationship.
I'm sad it's only 4 books, because I would be so happy to read more about Scott, Andy and Kriss.
This one is my favorite book of the series. I love Sandy and Troy so much, I think they have a very good dynamic in their relationship.
I'm sad it's only 4 books, because I would be so happy to read more about Scott, Andy and Kriss.
May 8, 2022
Fabulous book. Wonderful twist.
December 15, 2013
Yum. This book was awesome! What a great laid-out plot with two really hot characters who REALLY genuinely LIKE each other in addition to having fabulous chemistry. This one was much, MUCH easier to follow all the way through than the last one in the series, and the sex scenes were just delicious. However, be warned...there is a rape scene in this book that is NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. It has to be one of the most intense rape scenes I've ever read on paper...complete with what the female is feeling during it...so if that bothers you, just be warned. To me, it was incredible writing for a very tough subject matter. However, I really enjoyed this one a lot, there was no interference or set-ups, and Sandy and Troy make a fabulous couple. Thank you, Leah Braemel, for the Christmas gift.
June 10, 2015
I bought this one from kobo.
Disappointing. The blurb made this feel like a totally different book than it was. The characters inner voices didn't match their supposed expertise, etc. for me, especially the hero. There was far too much info dumping via dialogue. A secondary character was raped, in a fairly graphic way, and there was only token acknowledgement of the injuries and impact on that character. I kept reading, hoping it would get better. There were also a number of typos, which were distracting, like:
Naval ring - I think you meant "navel ring" as in piercing.
Exactemont - the french phrase is "excactement"
Disappointing. The blurb made this feel like a totally different book than it was. The characters inner voices didn't match their supposed expertise, etc. for me, especially the hero. There was far too much info dumping via dialogue. A secondary character was raped, in a fairly graphic way, and there was only token acknowledgement of the injuries and impact on that character. I kept reading, hoping it would get better. There were also a number of typos, which were distracting, like:
Naval ring - I think you meant "navel ring" as in piercing.
Exactemont - the french phrase is "excactement"
April 27, 2013
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, but with a decent storyline, something which is often missing in "romance" novels like this. While not overly inventive, the sex scenes were not bad, however there was a rape scene which really detracted from this book, and which I feel did not need to be covered in such detail. It was very jarring (and while I'm sure it was Braemel's intent to contrast this with the loving sex scenes), and made me have to walk away from the book for a rest.
Received through First Reads giveaway.
Received through First Reads giveaway.
November 1, 2013
So glad I didn't give up on this series! Troy and Sandy get a solid 4 stars! What starts out as nothing more than a 'committed' source of sexual expression, becomes so much more, in manners neither one would have ever expected.
June 7, 2012
I really like this series. This one has me wondering what's to come. There has to be more with all the deceit going on.
June 30, 2012
There are some very sexy scenes, some emotional scenes, and one scene not involving the hero or heroine (happens to heroine's roommate) that might cause problems for some readers.
June 29, 2013
I loved this latest instalment of the Hauberk Protection Series. Must Read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews