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Masters and Mercenaries #5
Love and Let Die
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B00DTULZPC here.
Ian Taggart and the whole McKay-Taggart Security team return in Love and Let Die.
A Tragic Love Story
Charlotte Dennis’s mission was clear: distract and misdirect CIA operative Ian Taggart by any means necessary. If she failed, she would never see her sister again. With her training, it should have been simple, but after one night in Ian’s arms, she knew that saving her sister would mean losing the man of her dreams.
Ian was tracking a terrorist when he met the beautiful American daughter of a Russian mobster. His instincts told him Charlotte was trouble, but his body craved her like a drug and his heart would not be denied. She took his ring and his collar. For once he was truly happy. But as he closed in on his target, her betrayal cost him his mission while her sacrifice saved his life. As she died in his arms, Ian vowed he would never love again.
A Dangerous Reunion
For six years, Charlotte has thought of nothing but returning to her husband, her Master. Working in the shadows, she has devoted herself to earning a chance to reclaim her place in Ian’s life. But forgiveness isn’t a part of Ian’s vocabulary.
Nothing is more important to Ian Taggart than his new mission. But the information he needs is firmly in the hands of the woman who betrayed him. To catch his most dangerous prey, Ian will have to let Charlotte back into his life. As the hunt takes them to some of the world’s most exotic locations, the danger grows and their passion reignites.
Will Ian forgive his wayward submissive…or lose her again?
Ian Taggart and the whole McKay-Taggart Security team return in Love and Let Die.
A Tragic Love Story
Charlotte Dennis’s mission was clear: distract and misdirect CIA operative Ian Taggart by any means necessary. If she failed, she would never see her sister again. With her training, it should have been simple, but after one night in Ian’s arms, she knew that saving her sister would mean losing the man of her dreams.
Ian was tracking a terrorist when he met the beautiful American daughter of a Russian mobster. His instincts told him Charlotte was trouble, but his body craved her like a drug and his heart would not be denied. She took his ring and his collar. For once he was truly happy. But as he closed in on his target, her betrayal cost him his mission while her sacrifice saved his life. As she died in his arms, Ian vowed he would never love again.
A Dangerous Reunion
For six years, Charlotte has thought of nothing but returning to her husband, her Master. Working in the shadows, she has devoted herself to earning a chance to reclaim her place in Ian’s life. But forgiveness isn’t a part of Ian’s vocabulary.
Nothing is more important to Ian Taggart than his new mission. But the information he needs is firmly in the hands of the woman who betrayed him. To catch his most dangerous prey, Ian will have to let Charlotte back into his life. As the hunt takes them to some of the world’s most exotic locations, the danger grows and their passion reignites.
Will Ian forgive his wayward submissive…or lose her again?
324 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2013
454 people are currently reading
3135 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Blake
183 books6,370 followersNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.
In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.
In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.
Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....
For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 447 reviews
February 23, 2016
4 stars
He’d been a different man with Charlotte, a softer man, a man who might have had a future.
If there was one thing she’d learned in her lifetime, it was that the world was a game. She would win or she would die.
When I read the first book in the Masters and Mercenaries book, I knew, I just knew that I had to, I needed, I had to have Ian's book.
I'm pretty sure I got to a point where all I had to do was think of Ian's name and my mind was all
So needless to say, my anticipation and my hopes have gotten quite high in 5 books' span. I don't remember the last time I pre-ordered a book and then spent hours staring at my Kindle willing it to come in. Did this book meet my expectations?
Not quite...
IAN
The bigger they are, the bigger they fall. That's kind of the idea I had built up in my mind for Ian. He was always so cynical with love with all his friends. I was waiting for a woman to come in to knock him on his ass. So when 5 years later his dead wife shows up at his office, he gets thrown for a bit of a loop.
Charlie
I absolutely loved Charlie's personality from the last book. She was spunky, tough, and kick-ass. I just knew that she was going to be even better in her own book. She had been through so much in her life and at the hands of her father. And when she was forced to betray Ian five years ago in order to save herself and her sister, she has spent those years apart trying to atone for her actions.
She made plenty of sacrifices, and even stood in front of a bullet for a member of Ian's team in the previous book. All in hopes for earning the right to be back in his life.
When Ian is force to work with Charlotte since she holds the key information he needs in order to finally get to the rogue agent responsible so much of his past turmoil, he finds it hard to fight his attraction to her. Even though he should hate her for what she did to him, he can't help but still feel the pull between them.
The one thing that I have loved in Lexi Blake's books in the past was the super steamy love scenes. You could just feel the burning passion between the couples when you read it. I couldn't seem to get the same thing here. The sex scenes between Ian and Charlie read almost mechanical to me at times. Like insert slot B into slot A, moan, breath, *insert dirty words here*, rinse and repeat. It took Ian pretty much the entire book to finally open up some. So maybe that was what was missing for me? I'm not even sure. Then again, this also might have been the case of my high expectations just being too high? Who knows. What I do know that is that in all the build up to Ian's book, it didn't quite meet my expectations in that.
I really liked Charlie. The way that she fought for her sister, and then fought her way back to Ian melted my heart. She took on so much abuse, and she took it all from Ian too, in order to make up for her mistakes. She was understanding, and sweet, yet at the same time maintained a lot of her strength.
The other thing that I found lacking was the romance. At times I found that the romance took a backseat to the suspense. Don't get me wrong, the story was action packed and entertaining. I guess I just wanted something...more. I was even able to look past a few details that irked the Russian in me. A few stereo types here and there, and the name Dusan Denisovitch. (Dusan? Not a Russian name. At least none I've ever heard.) But I suppose that's just me being picky.
There is a HEA at the end, but a hell of a cliffhanger introduction into the next book. I was really hoping to get Simon's book next, but looks like we will be getting a different sexy Brit, Damon Knight.
For more reviews visit: Dirty Girl Romance Book Blog
He’d been a different man with Charlotte, a softer man, a man who might have had a future.
If there was one thing she’d learned in her lifetime, it was that the world was a game. She would win or she would die.
When I read the first book in the Masters and Mercenaries book, I knew, I just knew that I had to, I needed, I had to have Ian's book.
I'm pretty sure I got to a point where all I had to do was think of Ian's name and my mind was all
So needless to say, my anticipation and my hopes have gotten quite high in 5 books' span. I don't remember the last time I pre-ordered a book and then spent hours staring at my Kindle willing it to come in. Did this book meet my expectations?
Not quite...
IAN
The bigger they are, the bigger they fall. That's kind of the idea I had built up in my mind for Ian. He was always so cynical with love with all his friends. I was waiting for a woman to come in to knock him on his ass. So when 5 years later his dead wife shows up at his office, he gets thrown for a bit of a loop.
Charlie
I absolutely loved Charlie's personality from the last book. She was spunky, tough, and kick-ass. I just knew that she was going to be even better in her own book. She had been through so much in her life and at the hands of her father. And when she was forced to betray Ian five years ago in order to save herself and her sister, she has spent those years apart trying to atone for her actions.
A girl had to have a hobby. Hers just happened to be causing chaos for some of the world’s worst terrorists and criminals. It was fun.
She made plenty of sacrifices, and even stood in front of a bullet for a member of Ian's team in the previous book. All in hopes for earning the right to be back in his life.
When Ian is force to work with Charlotte since she holds the key information he needs in order to finally get to the rogue agent responsible so much of his past turmoil, he finds it hard to fight his attraction to her. Even though he should hate her for what she did to him, he can't help but still feel the pull between them.
The one thing that I have loved in Lexi Blake's books in the past was the super steamy love scenes. You could just feel the burning passion between the couples when you read it. I couldn't seem to get the same thing here. The sex scenes between Ian and Charlie read almost mechanical to me at times. Like insert slot B into slot A, moan, breath, *insert dirty words here*, rinse and repeat. It took Ian pretty much the entire book to finally open up some. So maybe that was what was missing for me? I'm not even sure. Then again, this also might have been the case of my high expectations just being too high? Who knows. What I do know that is that in all the build up to Ian's book, it didn't quite meet my expectations in that.
I really liked Charlie. The way that she fought for her sister, and then fought her way back to Ian melted my heart. She took on so much abuse, and she took it all from Ian too, in order to make up for her mistakes. She was understanding, and sweet, yet at the same time maintained a lot of her strength.
The other thing that I found lacking was the romance. At times I found that the romance took a backseat to the suspense. Don't get me wrong, the story was action packed and entertaining. I guess I just wanted something...more. I was even able to look past a few details that irked the Russian in me. A few stereo types here and there, and the name Dusan Denisovitch. (Dusan? Not a Russian name. At least none I've ever heard.) But I suppose that's just me being picky.
There is a HEA at the end, but a hell of a cliffhanger introduction into the next book. I was really hoping to get Simon's book next, but looks like we will be getting a different sexy Brit, Damon Knight.
For more reviews visit: Dirty Girl Romance Book Blog
May 27, 2018
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
This is the book I was waiting for since I started reading the Masters & Mercenaries series. That Ian thought that his wife was dead, only to find out that Charlotte was alive and betrayed him five years ago promised we'd get a good dose of angst. And Lordy did we!
Ian has always been one of the most edgy characters in this series. He is a sarcastic bastard, an asshole extraordinaire, so I was hoping for somebody who would be able to smooth out those edges. Charlotte is the perfect heroine for him - she has sass, knows when to stand up to him and when to back down. She is very aware that what she did five years ago hurt her husband deeply. She does everything to earn back his love and her place in his life, even if it means taking Ian's righteous anger.
"You chose everyone but me. I'll fix this. I'll save you. Choose me, Charlie. Choose us. Trust me. Give me the option of being your hero."
Charlotte's trust was everything to Ian and that she didn't give it to him, that she didn't trust him to protect her is still a knife in his gut. He is furious and I totally get that...but held on to his fury just to be stubborn and that annoyed me a little.
While it was obvious that Ian would never be a tame pussycat it took a little too long for him to come around but when he fell, he fell hard. Once he realized that Charlie would do almost everything to mend the deep crack between them he started to open up to her. Looking past his douchey behavior you could see that Ian was a good man who loved his friends and family deeply.
“I don’t have mood swings. I just hate everything.”
What I really liked about this was that I understood both sides of this story. Both of them had a reason to act the way they did. There is also a lot of explosive chemistry between Charlie and Ian - I knew from the beginning that Ian would be one dirty f*cker and boy was he ever.
Love and Let Die concludes the Eli Nelson - story arc. The whole plot from the first installment to this one was suspenseful and action-packed, leaving me sometimes breathless and on the edge of my seat. The James Bond-themed titles give you an idea what you're getting into - spy games, secrets, lies, intrigue and undercover missions.
It seems that this series is getting better with each book. Next up is Damon Knight, whose story I'm salivating for. He seems sophisticated and typical British so it'll be fun to see him getting down and DIRTY.
January 28, 2024
hero fucks many ow/other “subs” after his WIFE dies, while the not-dead wife who was actually trying to protect him the entire time stayed frozen in time for her
✨dear husband✨
yk what infuriated me the most though!???
THIS.FREAKING.CONVERSATION:
“Oh, I think you love telling me, but you’re not saying anything I didn’t already know. I forgive him for the sleeping around. He didn’t know he was still married. Now he does. So he’s going to stop. I also forgive him for needing another sub to hide behind. He’s not very self-aware. He’s not good with the whole emotional thing, so I’m patient. But guess what? It’s not going to be you.”
this was the fml talking to a really rude chick who guess what the ml obviously fucked and had loads of kinky fun with cause the poor boy was heartbroken🥹😔❤️🩹
LIKE GIRL PLEASE IK “BEING DELULU IS THE SOLULU” BUT THIS IS JUST GOING TO FAR🙄🙃
yk what infuriated me the most though!???
THIS.FREAKING.CONVERSATION:
“Oh, I think you love telling me, but you’re not saying anything I didn’t already know. I forgive him for the sleeping around. He didn’t know he was still married. Now he does. So he’s going to stop. I also forgive him for needing another sub to hide behind. He’s not very self-aware. He’s not good with the whole emotional thing, so I’m patient. But guess what? It’s not going to be you.”
this was the fml talking to a really rude chick who guess what the ml obviously fucked and had loads of kinky fun with cause the poor boy was heartbroken🥹😔❤️🩹
LIKE GIRL PLEASE IK “BEING DELULU IS THE SOLULU” BUT THIS IS JUST GOING TO FAR🙄🙃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2025
Review Update: 04/15/2025
I physically read this book instead of the audio which I think the first time I read this one it was through narration because I LOVED doing a reread of this one. And I think I am going to be reading these on my kindle moving forward, I think the audio is affecting my enjoyment of these books haha And even though I still felt some things about the heroine, it wasn't very strong. While at the first she can be a bit off putting, you quickly see her doing a WHOLE grovel throughout the entire story and that is beyond sexy and refreshing to me. So rarely do we see a heroine groveling. And man I ADORED it.
-------------
Love and Let Dies is the fifth installment in the "Masters and Mercenaries" series and I immediately was drawn into this story, I am not sure why I jumped into this book without even looking at the blurb so I went into this one blind and oh boy this book was ROUGH. I had such a difficult time with the heroine. I really couldn't find much redeemable about her until the later half of the book and its a miracle I didn't DNF. I really wanted to, but this is why I try to give a book 50% if I can. Because eventually, this author worked her magic. And once I reached literally the 50% mark, I was completely hooked into the story. I was so on the hero's side throughout this story and gimme that heroine grovel because she really needed to atone for how she hurt the hero. There were some BDSM aspects that I didn't like in this one. It really rubbed me the wrong way that she kept calling him "Master" when they hadn't been together for five years, yes they are still married, however, in a true Dom/Sub relationship, you would not see this. And she would NOT call him Ian until later in the book and it just drove me crazy, because it just gave the impression that she was trying to manipulate him back into their bed when she hadn't earned his trust yet or forgiveness. There are other aspects to the story that I really enjoyed though and I was so happy that I was able to get hooked in the later half because this part of the story was such a roller coaster and I enjoyed it so much. And while overall I enjoyed this one, the heroine ruined much of the enjoyment of the story and the hero deserved a better wife.
I physically read this book instead of the audio which I think the first time I read this one it was through narration because I LOVED doing a reread of this one. And I think I am going to be reading these on my kindle moving forward, I think the audio is affecting my enjoyment of these books haha And even though I still felt some things about the heroine, it wasn't very strong. While at the first she can be a bit off putting, you quickly see her doing a WHOLE grovel throughout the entire story and that is beyond sexy and refreshing to me. So rarely do we see a heroine groveling. And man I ADORED it.
-------------
Love and Let Dies is the fifth installment in the "Masters and Mercenaries" series and I immediately was drawn into this story, I am not sure why I jumped into this book without even looking at the blurb so I went into this one blind and oh boy this book was ROUGH. I had such a difficult time with the heroine. I really couldn't find much redeemable about her until the later half of the book and its a miracle I didn't DNF. I really wanted to, but this is why I try to give a book 50% if I can. Because eventually, this author worked her magic. And once I reached literally the 50% mark, I was completely hooked into the story. I was so on the hero's side throughout this story and gimme that heroine grovel because she really needed to atone for how she hurt the hero. There were some BDSM aspects that I didn't like in this one. It really rubbed me the wrong way that she kept calling him "Master" when they hadn't been together for five years, yes they are still married, however, in a true Dom/Sub relationship, you would not see this. And she would NOT call him Ian until later in the book and it just drove me crazy, because it just gave the impression that she was trying to manipulate him back into their bed when she hadn't earned his trust yet or forgiveness. There are other aspects to the story that I really enjoyed though and I was so happy that I was able to get hooked in the later half because this part of the story was such a roller coaster and I enjoyed it so much. And while overall I enjoyed this one, the heroine ruined much of the enjoyment of the story and the hero deserved a better wife.
June 4, 2022
Ian...the Alpha Dom and master of the dungeon. I can already hear the whispering sounds of his flogger hitting bare flesh. Can you feel it? Are you craving to read about his giant cock? Can you hear the loud beat of "Guns n Roses" pumping through the sound system as he bends her over and fucks her in the ass in the pussy and her sweet pink lips? .....I can...I know you can too ;)
Ian, you sexy viking. It took you a while to get your shit together, but I knew you'd pull through. There were times I wanted to take your whip and tan your ass with it. You can be a nasty SOB and over analyze EVERYTHING. Yeah, I don't blame you for having trust issues, but dude, should have counted your blessing and opened your eyes sooner.
As usual, Adam an Jakes antics are hysterical. Sean is still overprotected about his knives (welcome back to the business, little tag). Liam was low key and Alex was the supportive voice of reason.
Char.....you were too nice to Ian, you should have given him a tongue lashing (pun intended) and stuck up for yourself a bit more. Was over the moon happy when you took that bitch out ;)
and....the saga will continue with Damon Knight!!
Ian, you sexy viking. It took you a while to get your shit together, but I knew you'd pull through. There were times I wanted to take your whip and tan your ass with it. You can be a nasty SOB and over analyze EVERYTHING. Yeah, I don't blame you for having trust issues, but dude, should have counted your blessing and opened your eyes sooner.
As usual, Adam an Jakes antics are hysterical. Sean is still overprotected about his knives (welcome back to the business, little tag). Liam was low key and Alex was the supportive voice of reason.
Char.....you were too nice to Ian, you should have given him a tongue lashing (pun intended) and stuck up for yourself a bit more. Was over the moon happy when you took that bitch out ;)
and....the saga will continue with Damon Knight!!
October 28, 2020
3.5 stars.
Ian, the master Dom of Sanctum, finally gets his day of reckoning with his "dead" wife Charlotte.
Charlotte "Charlie" was forced to betray her husband Ian in order to save her little sister. Charlie let Ian believe she was dead for five years but now she is ready to beg for his forgiveness and get him back. This battle to regain his trust took the whole book because Ian didn't want anyone to make a fool of him again. This book was a good addition to the series because it involved all of the other couples, friends and siblings. They all had to work together to protect Ian, Charlie and their whole network from Lawson.
Unfortunately I wasn't in a headspace to enjoy the BDSM aspect of this story and it is an integral part of this series. I do like that Ian made Charlie work to prove that she would chose him if she had to do it all over again. If you love stories with special agents, double agents, spies and international intrigue, this series continues to give the reader that and more.
Ian, the master Dom of Sanctum, finally gets his day of reckoning with his "dead" wife Charlotte.
Charlotte "Charlie" was forced to betray her husband Ian in order to save her little sister. Charlie let Ian believe she was dead for five years but now she is ready to beg for his forgiveness and get him back. This battle to regain his trust took the whole book because Ian didn't want anyone to make a fool of him again. This book was a good addition to the series because it involved all of the other couples, friends and siblings. They all had to work together to protect Ian, Charlie and their whole network from Lawson.
Unfortunately I wasn't in a headspace to enjoy the BDSM aspect of this story and it is an integral part of this series. I do like that Ian made Charlie work to prove that she would chose him if she had to do it all over again. If you love stories with special agents, double agents, spies and international intrigue, this series continues to give the reader that and more.
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May 16, 2022
Very occasionally, I do regret reading a series out of order, because I definitely get the impression that I'd have enjoyed this more with four books of build-up.
39-year-old Ian Taggart is basically the lynchpin of the entire M&M series. He's also one of the most unique heroes I've ever read about. He's huge, brash, incredibly sarcastic - like, INCREDIBLY - intensely loyal, and rather sneaky. Oh, he's also quite kinky. He founded Sanctum, a BDSM club in Texas, and takes his status as a Dom seriously. (Apparently he was partially inspired by Lexi Blake's own husband Richard, to which I can only say... wow).
Five years ago, when Ian was working as an operative, he fell in love with and married Charlotte Denisovitch. The Russian mobster's daughter turned out to have been leading him on, but she died and left him to obliterate himself in grief and rage. Ian's watched the rest of his men find love, a door he thinks is closed to him... until Charlotte shows up again and he finds out that not only is she not dead, she's determined to get his forgiveness for her deception.
Okay, so Ian is a very overpowering character, but I'm glad to say that Charlotte can handle him. She's a big curvy redhaired bombshell with her own sarcastic streak, assassin training, and submissiveness that only comes out in the bedroom. They end up becoming the power couple of the whole series, being in every one of 20-plus books.
I've mentioned before that while I can take or leave Blake's plots, her characterisation is superb. Ian and Charlotte go through the ~15 years between Books 5 and 25 in a way that reflects the changes of life (marriage, kids, etc) but staying true to themselves. Ian will always be a sarcastic bastard, and Charlotte will always be a ballbuster, but you really see how their years together balance them.
Somehow, in a series about BDSM and spy shenanigans, it's the portrayal of love deepening and changing over time (for all characters, not just Ian/Charlotte) that I find most gripping.
39-year-old Ian Taggart is basically the lynchpin of the entire M&M series. He's also one of the most unique heroes I've ever read about. He's huge, brash, incredibly sarcastic - like, INCREDIBLY - intensely loyal, and rather sneaky. Oh, he's also quite kinky. He founded Sanctum, a BDSM club in Texas, and takes his status as a Dom seriously. (Apparently he was partially inspired by Lexi Blake's own husband Richard, to which I can only say... wow).
Five years ago, when Ian was working as an operative, he fell in love with and married Charlotte Denisovitch. The Russian mobster's daughter turned out to have been leading him on, but she died and left him to obliterate himself in grief and rage. Ian's watched the rest of his men find love, a door he thinks is closed to him... until Charlotte shows up again and he finds out that not only is she not dead, she's determined to get his forgiveness for her deception.
Okay, so Ian is a very overpowering character, but I'm glad to say that Charlotte can handle him. She's a big curvy redhaired bombshell with her own sarcastic streak, assassin training, and submissiveness that only comes out in the bedroom. They end up becoming the power couple of the whole series, being in every one of 20-plus books.
I've mentioned before that while I can take or leave Blake's plots, her characterisation is superb. Ian and Charlotte go through the ~15 years between Books 5 and 25 in a way that reflects the changes of life (marriage, kids, etc) but staying true to themselves. Ian will always be a sarcastic bastard, and Charlotte will always be a ballbuster, but you really see how their years together balance them.
Somehow, in a series about BDSM and spy shenanigans, it's the portrayal of love deepening and changing over time (for all characters, not just Ian/Charlotte) that I find most gripping.
September 13, 2020
I loved this book I was finally glad to get to Ian this book was great. I loved that Charlie was able to prove her love to Ian and that he let her. For five years, Charlotte has thought of nothing but returning to her husband. Ian thought that he lost his wife that no one knew about five years ago until she showed up on his door running because her uncle is trying to kill her and her sister who uses her computer to make people's lives hell. Ian doesn't have it in his heart to forgive and forget. But Charlie and her sister Chelsea had info on the one person that he wanted to kill the most Eli Nelson. This book had a lot of action and hot sex as well as emotions from Ian with everyone being surprised by how Ian was with Charlie and how she stood up to him and for others and when she dragged the girl out of the club by hair for talking sh*t about her and the other women. I also felt sorry for Chelsea she didn't want her sister to be happy because she was unhappy and she was doing a lot of things behind her back and she was being hunted for it. I have been waiting for awhile to read the story of Ian and I am so glad that I was not disappointed with this story. We got on a realistic roller coaster of a relationship, realistic in that I can understand why both of them do what they do, every time. Thank goodness for good friends and family who help them through, because I don't think Ian or Charlotte could have made it without those awesome friends. We get to catch up with all the characters from previous books. And the cliff hanger was killer. I loved the audio book and the narrator was really good.
July 1, 2014
Loved it! I've always had a thing for Ian and he did not disappoint me in this book❤ I also loved Charlotte's take no shit, feisty attitude :) Lexi Blake writes fantastic romantic suspense novels!
November 21, 2023
4.5 stars
I binged the first four books in this series and I knew I couldn't stop until I read Ian's story. Ian is quite rough around the edges and a grumpy pants but I could never say that to his face because it would be a really bad idea. I love that Ian and Charlotte had a second chance. They have both been through so much that they really needed their own HEA.
The sex scenes in this book and in most of them are a bit rough and dirty. Knowing who the characters are I am not surprised but just wanted to mention it.
I had to see the end of Eli Nelson and I couldn't take a break from this series until that happened (or I think it is the end of Eli Nelson...he could be alive for all we know). Once he started coming after these characters, this family, I had to see him end.
This book was really intense and I had a couple of heart attacks along the way but it was worth it. Lots of action, betrayal, love, friendship, family and determination to see the villain in the ground. Oh it was good.
I have really loved being on this entire adventure with these characters and I am excited to read Damon's story soon. I will be taking a break but not for too long.
I binged the first four books in this series and I knew I couldn't stop until I read Ian's story. Ian is quite rough around the edges and a grumpy pants but I could never say that to his face because it would be a really bad idea. I love that Ian and Charlotte had a second chance. They have both been through so much that they really needed their own HEA.
The sex scenes in this book and in most of them are a bit rough and dirty. Knowing who the characters are I am not surprised but just wanted to mention it.
I had to see the end of Eli Nelson and I couldn't take a break from this series until that happened (or I think it is the end of Eli Nelson...he could be alive for all we know). Once he started coming after these characters, this family, I had to see him end.
This book was really intense and I had a couple of heart attacks along the way but it was worth it. Lots of action, betrayal, love, friendship, family and determination to see the villain in the ground. Oh it was good.
I have really loved being on this entire adventure with these characters and I am excited to read Damon's story soon. I will be taking a break but not for too long.
April 25, 2024
what a book ! through out the whole series so far ian has been so in control , the leader , family protector , the plans he comes up with , every thing but has always seemed closed off living but not for him self , for his brother , his team but what see now - wow
charlotte is back and to say ian is shocked is an under statement , for 5 years every movie shes made is to get back together with ian , shes proves this in every way possible , how ever ian has a temper and seems to dwell on the past . charlote in, is in many ways his equal , full of sass , will not let any one treat her friends badly , funny and smart and she will not give up
the twists and turns in this book are amazing how lexi fits every thing in is jus as amazing and when simon says to charlotte about the events of time and all that had happened since she came back the way ian is with her makes way more sense ! and omg who shes related to and what he does with her family 👀👀 these books are amazing !
charlotte is back and to say ian is shocked is an under statement , for 5 years every movie shes made is to get back together with ian , shes proves this in every way possible , how ever ian has a temper and seems to dwell on the past . charlote in, is in many ways his equal , full of sass , will not let any one treat her friends badly , funny and smart and she will not give up
the twists and turns in this book are amazing how lexi fits every thing in is jus as amazing and when simon says to charlotte about the events of time and all that had happened since she came back the way ian is with her makes way more sense ! and omg who shes related to and what he does with her family 👀👀 these books are amazing !
November 2, 2016
Warning: Spolier-ish.
10+++++ Stars.
Brillant. Amazeballs. Fabtastic. Epic. Panty dropping worthy.
Let’s get to the best parts of the book. Ian ‘Big Tag’ Taggert. How I loathed Ian in book 1 but with each and every single book that followed I have fallen in love with him.
Book 4 is where it really hit me that I needed Ian’s story especially after his tragic past and the surprise well not that it was really a surprise who would turn up again.
Ian Taggert is the boss of McKay-Taggert he is also the alpha Dom of Sanctum but he is a teddy bear. You just have to look hard enough. For shits and giggles he likes to scare the ever living shite out of everyone especially the subs. His humor is as dry as it gets and he constantly wants to puke because all his friends are now a bunch of pussies but in saying that family is family.
This right here endeared Ian even more to me:
“I don’t have mood swings. I just hate everything.”
Charlotte Taggert is very much alive. For the past five years she has been working her way back Ian her Master. To the extent that she took a bullet for Alex. She is tired of living the life that she has led. She wants a somewhat relatively safe life with her husband, family and friends. She will go to extremes to get Ian back be that facing her Russian mob family who have a hit out on her. Or several governments that are interested in her.
Charlie is persistent and she fights for Ian. She fights hard and she loves hard and she is the only one who really knows him.
“Is the meeting over?” Grace asked. “Should I clean up?” Charlie knew exactly what was going to happen. “He’s going to say he doesn’t want a donut, but he totally does. Save him three. He’ll eat them before lunch and then pretend he didn’t. Oh, and he likes his coffee really black, like almost espresso like.” Grace stopped. “Seriously? I’ve been making it medium.” “He likes really dark roast.” Another swat hit her ass. “I hate everything.”
Now I rarely have girl crushes but Charlie is at the top of my list. The nail gun incident? The best. Alpha heroine with a touch of sweet all the way. She needs what her Master gives her although at times it was hard for me when she went from kick arse to docile. But in a way that is also why l like her.
There is a fantastic plot to this book. Mr. Black aka Eli Nelson has popped back up again. This time he is going all out. Everyone is on his list. But he tries to use them in other ways to his advantage.
However much I like to say this but this is a hard series to savor you can’t help it and they will always be a reread. Bravo Ms. Blake for your originality, uniqueness and loveable characters.
P.S. Ian isn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. Well not more than usual. There was one time where I thought it was unfair but he soon made up for it especially in the long run.
10+++++ Stars.
Brillant. Amazeballs. Fabtastic. Epic. Panty dropping worthy.
Let’s get to the best parts of the book. Ian ‘Big Tag’ Taggert. How I loathed Ian in book 1 but with each and every single book that followed I have fallen in love with him.
Book 4 is where it really hit me that I needed Ian’s story especially after his tragic past and the surprise well not that it was really a surprise who would turn up again.
Ian Taggert is the boss of McKay-Taggert he is also the alpha Dom of Sanctum but he is a teddy bear. You just have to look hard enough. For shits and giggles he likes to scare the ever living shite out of everyone especially the subs. His humor is as dry as it gets and he constantly wants to puke because all his friends are now a bunch of pussies but in saying that family is family.
This right here endeared Ian even more to me:
“I don’t have mood swings. I just hate everything.”
Charlotte Taggert is very much alive. For the past five years she has been working her way back Ian her Master. To the extent that she took a bullet for Alex. She is tired of living the life that she has led. She wants a somewhat relatively safe life with her husband, family and friends. She will go to extremes to get Ian back be that facing her Russian mob family who have a hit out on her. Or several governments that are interested in her.
Charlie is persistent and she fights for Ian. She fights hard and she loves hard and she is the only one who really knows him.
“Is the meeting over?” Grace asked. “Should I clean up?” Charlie knew exactly what was going to happen. “He’s going to say he doesn’t want a donut, but he totally does. Save him three. He’ll eat them before lunch and then pretend he didn’t. Oh, and he likes his coffee really black, like almost espresso like.” Grace stopped. “Seriously? I’ve been making it medium.” “He likes really dark roast.” Another swat hit her ass. “I hate everything.”
Now I rarely have girl crushes but Charlie is at the top of my list. The nail gun incident? The best. Alpha heroine with a touch of sweet all the way. She needs what her Master gives her although at times it was hard for me when she went from kick arse to docile. But in a way that is also why l like her.
There is a fantastic plot to this book. Mr. Black aka Eli Nelson has popped back up again. This time he is going all out. Everyone is on his list. But he tries to use them in other ways to his advantage.
However much I like to say this but this is a hard series to savor you can’t help it and they will always be a reread. Bravo Ms. Blake for your originality, uniqueness and loveable characters.
P.S. Ian isn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. Well not more than usual. There was one time where I thought it was unfair but he soon made up for it especially in the long run.
April 1, 2016
Guns and Roses - seriously? Love it! This book is probably one of my favourites in the series so far. I LOVE IAN! I am totally team IAN. He is a complicated man who tries to keep things simple. He locks down his emotions because he lost the love of his life, Charlotte. Even though she played him during a mission, he still misses her and loves her. She is dead.
So when his dearly departed wife returns from the dead, 5 years later, it is a rocky reunion. I love Charlotte. She is smart, sassy and kickass. She is the perfect match for Ian. Her sense of humour and snark amuses me to no end.
The suspense to this story is once again excellent. The betrayal is once again too close to home. What is with all this betrayal from people one used to trust? It is such a dichotomy with partners/friends/family from a previous life being so untrustworthy yet the newly formed McKay-Taggert family is so trustworthy. Makes my head spin. I loved this book and was so happy Ian finally gets his happily ever after, even if he was kind of a dick to Charlotte through parts of it.
So when his dearly departed wife returns from the dead, 5 years later, it is a rocky reunion. I love Charlotte. She is smart, sassy and kickass. She is the perfect match for Ian. Her sense of humour and snark amuses me to no end.
The suspense to this story is once again excellent. The betrayal is once again too close to home. What is with all this betrayal from people one used to trust? It is such a dichotomy with partners/friends/family from a previous life being so untrustworthy yet the newly formed McKay-Taggert family is so trustworthy. Makes my head spin. I loved this book and was so happy Ian finally gets his happily ever after, even if he was kind of a dick to Charlotte through parts of it.
October 8, 2013
Lexi Blake posted on Facebook & Twitter the following;
If anyone wonders why I tend to stay away from Goodreads - I already have a 3.5 rating for Love and Let Die. I haven't finished it yet so I'm unsure why it already has a mediocre rating. Maybe they know something I don't....
She's right, my account for the book showed 'read' with a rating! WTF
If anyone wonders why I tend to stay away from Goodreads - I already have a 3.5 rating for Love and Let Die. I haven't finished it yet so I'm unsure why it already has a mediocre rating. Maybe they know something I don't....
She's right, my account for the book showed 'read' with a rating! WTF
November 4, 2015
Ian Taggart is probably one of my most favorite characters ever created by an author, yes he is that good! ;)
October 28, 2021
Very entertaining. Well written with good characters and a great story. Really enjoyed this one.
October 25, 2025
More than a Memory
I expected to like Big Tag's turn at an HEA, but I didn't expect to love it like I do! I would've thought it unlikely that his would be the one I'd love most so far in the series, but here we are.
Ian (Big Tag) Taggart is about as ornery as they come, but there's been no doubt that, even though she betrayed him, he loved his wife with all his heart and mourned her loss. (If you're reading in order, you'll remember the scene at the club in Alex and Eve's book.)
She’d been Charlotte Marie Taggart for thirty-two days, and she would never have another name because she would never take another man. She belonged to her Master and always would.
-- Charlotte Dennis
From the opening scene in the morgue, my heart started breaking. I mean, Ian Taggart was concerned about her fear of confined spaces when she was (thought to be) dead. 💔😢💔 And the chest pains didn't stop there as we got to know Charlotte (Charlie, Kristen) Dennis / Denisovitch.
The suspense, action, and submission combined to create a book that I was loathed to put down. I didn't want it to end as Ian went from a Dom and operative in control to a man controlled by his 🍆 on several occasions. It was kind of humorous to be honest. Add the excitement and comeuppance at Sanctum and a nail gun and it was absolutely fantastic!
You could probably get away without reading in series order, but there are continuing plotlines. Personally, I'd recommend reading in order.
I read along with the audio book. The narrator is the delicious Ryan West. 😋😍 I do enjoy listening to him and all his accents. 🎧🩵🎧
Story: 5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H = 39; h = 31
November 5, 2023
2.5 I tried to like it ⭐️s. Prepare for a rant. After the previous hidden gem that knocked my socks off in Alex & Eve’s book, I couldn’t wait for this one. Although “jerk face manwhore” isn’t my type of hero, Ian held promise as a character in other books. Too bad he’s so awful to Charlotte that I gave up at 80%.
Charlotte was raised by the Russian mob and suffered a horrific childhood alongside her sister. As an adult, she agrees to distract CIA Agent Ian in payment for having her deeply abusive mobster father killed to save her sister. Instead she falls in love with Ian and marries him for 2 months, before faking her death and retrieving her sister. She spends the next 5 years doing atonement and working her way back to her unknowing husband. It culminates in the previous book when she works with his team (without his knowledge) to bring down the monster who tortured Eve, and then takes a bullet to the chest to save his best friend, Alex. Everything she does is for him.
I was expecting this book to have a lot of drama. After her betrayal, Ian wasn’t going to welcome her with open arms. And I’m ok with fighting, pushing one another away, him trying to cut her out of his life, even threatening to kill her. What I WASN’T prepared for was his continual emotional cruelty in response to her almost pitiful vulnerability. Other reviews talked about how Ian needed someone who could hold her own against him like Charlotte and that’s not at all what I saw here. While she does have an attitude, when the gloves come off she turns into a kicked puppy who constantly tells him how much she loves him and begs for his attention and love in return while he hurts her over and over. If he doesn’t want to be with her, fine. But he does everything from calling her a whore, referring to intimacy with her as charity, rubbing in her face the hundred women he’s been with since they got married, taking an evil second sub just to hurt her, telling her he lied to get her to sleep with him, believing enemy assassins over her, hiding the fact that other agencies offered jobs for her (controlling her future when he didn’t even want her), on and on.
Now what does “the Queen”, tough girl, ex-mafia, on the run for years, survivor Charlotte do in response to this behavior? Takes his crumbs. Over and over. Even when she’s finally had enough (after an absolute cringe intimacy scene where she was sure if they were together again, he would realize he loved her), and she shuts down…. He gives her the bare minimum attention and she falls right back in his arms. It lasts 8 hours until an assassin trying to kill her tells him she slept with everyone in the Russian syndicate (she’s slept with NO ONE) and Ian immediately believes it and refuses to even listen to her. Not only that, he subsequently decides he doesn’t care if she’s a whore, he wants her anyway and just doesn’t want to know.
Uhhhh…. This is the relationship she’s given every moment of her life for 5 years to save? Girl, get some self respect and find someone who actually is capable of loving you.
It AMAZES me that Ian can’t get over the thought of Charlotte sleeping around when he SPECIFICALLY rubs her face in the fact that he’s slept with 100 different women in 5 years to hurt her. Hypocritical douchebag!
Enjoy these clips of their relationship -
When he finds out she’s alive after mourning her for years : “Yes, it was charity. I’m not attracted to you. I was attracted to your innocence, well, to the lie of your innocence the first time around. Now I know just who and what you are, and I have no interest in fucking a criminal. Did you take over daddy’s enterprise? Is that what Nelson promised you? Did he off your dear pops so you could be the queen? You cried about all the times daddy hurt you. I wonder now. Maybe you liked it.”
When she asks him to kiss her : Ian’s lips curled up in an evil little smile. “I’ve fucked probably a hundred women since you, darling.”
When they have sex for the first time in 5 years. She’s so sure he’ll love her and she makes herself completely vulnerable. He falls back on the whole “I told you the score”, except he KNOWS he’s getting her hopes up. He’s using her : “I’m not being cold, Charlie. I’m done. This is how I am after I’m done with sex. I told you you wouldn’t like it. This is how it is now. You said you didn’t care so I took you at your word.”
“I don’t understand.” She pushed her hair back, looking up at him.
“You don’t understand what, baby? That a guy can say and do things he doesn’t really mean when he’s trying to get his dick in you? I kind of thought you were more worldly than that.”
She sat there, trying to process the words. She’d been so sure. She’d known that once they’d made love again, he would know. He would know that she was his wife and everything would be fine as long as they were together.
The world was a watery mess, and she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.Her hair was messed up, her body so much bigger than what she saw in her head. It was one of those times when she knew she had to make a decision to be all right with herself, but she just couldn’t when he was staring at her like she was a piece of meat. He’d told her she was hot, fuckable, but she sure didn’t look that way now. Of course, he’d also admitted that he would lie to get between her legs. Just like other guys.
When he’s controlling her life by lying by omission - even when he doesn’t want to stay with her : “When I sat down with the Agency, they didn’t want to torture her."
“They wanted to hire her,” Sean surmised.
“I didn’t tell her that.” He didn’t want that life for her. He was allowing her to believe that he’d saved her from torture when he might be keeping her from a job she would love.
I could have handled it better if Charlie gave as good as she got, but other than punching him at the very beginning when he calls her a whore, she just takes his abuse and keeps begging him to be with her. It turned my stomach. She made me sad and he didn’t deserve her devotion.
Charlotte was raised by the Russian mob and suffered a horrific childhood alongside her sister. As an adult, she agrees to distract CIA Agent Ian in payment for having her deeply abusive mobster father killed to save her sister. Instead she falls in love with Ian and marries him for 2 months, before faking her death and retrieving her sister. She spends the next 5 years doing atonement and working her way back to her unknowing husband. It culminates in the previous book when she works with his team (without his knowledge) to bring down the monster who tortured Eve, and then takes a bullet to the chest to save his best friend, Alex. Everything she does is for him.
I was expecting this book to have a lot of drama. After her betrayal, Ian wasn’t going to welcome her with open arms. And I’m ok with fighting, pushing one another away, him trying to cut her out of his life, even threatening to kill her. What I WASN’T prepared for was his continual emotional cruelty in response to her almost pitiful vulnerability. Other reviews talked about how Ian needed someone who could hold her own against him like Charlotte and that’s not at all what I saw here. While she does have an attitude, when the gloves come off she turns into a kicked puppy who constantly tells him how much she loves him and begs for his attention and love in return while he hurts her over and over. If he doesn’t want to be with her, fine. But he does everything from calling her a whore, referring to intimacy with her as charity, rubbing in her face the hundred women he’s been with since they got married, taking an evil second sub just to hurt her, telling her he lied to get her to sleep with him, believing enemy assassins over her, hiding the fact that other agencies offered jobs for her (controlling her future when he didn’t even want her), on and on.
Now what does “the Queen”, tough girl, ex-mafia, on the run for years, survivor Charlotte do in response to this behavior? Takes his crumbs. Over and over. Even when she’s finally had enough (after an absolute cringe intimacy scene where she was sure if they were together again, he would realize he loved her), and she shuts down…. He gives her the bare minimum attention and she falls right back in his arms. It lasts 8 hours until an assassin trying to kill her tells him she slept with everyone in the Russian syndicate (she’s slept with NO ONE) and Ian immediately believes it and refuses to even listen to her. Not only that, he subsequently decides he doesn’t care if she’s a whore, he wants her anyway and just doesn’t want to know.
Uhhhh…. This is the relationship she’s given every moment of her life for 5 years to save? Girl, get some self respect and find someone who actually is capable of loving you.
It AMAZES me that Ian can’t get over the thought of Charlotte sleeping around when he SPECIFICALLY rubs her face in the fact that he’s slept with 100 different women in 5 years to hurt her. Hypocritical douchebag!
Enjoy these clips of their relationship -
When he finds out she’s alive after mourning her for years : “Yes, it was charity. I’m not attracted to you. I was attracted to your innocence, well, to the lie of your innocence the first time around. Now I know just who and what you are, and I have no interest in fucking a criminal. Did you take over daddy’s enterprise? Is that what Nelson promised you? Did he off your dear pops so you could be the queen? You cried about all the times daddy hurt you. I wonder now. Maybe you liked it.”
When she asks him to kiss her : Ian’s lips curled up in an evil little smile. “I’ve fucked probably a hundred women since you, darling.”
When they have sex for the first time in 5 years. She’s so sure he’ll love her and she makes herself completely vulnerable. He falls back on the whole “I told you the score”, except he KNOWS he’s getting her hopes up. He’s using her : “I’m not being cold, Charlie. I’m done. This is how I am after I’m done with sex. I told you you wouldn’t like it. This is how it is now. You said you didn’t care so I took you at your word.”
“I don’t understand.” She pushed her hair back, looking up at him.
“You don’t understand what, baby? That a guy can say and do things he doesn’t really mean when he’s trying to get his dick in you? I kind of thought you were more worldly than that.”
She sat there, trying to process the words. She’d been so sure. She’d known that once they’d made love again, he would know. He would know that she was his wife and everything would be fine as long as they were together.
The world was a watery mess, and she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.Her hair was messed up, her body so much bigger than what she saw in her head. It was one of those times when she knew she had to make a decision to be all right with herself, but she just couldn’t when he was staring at her like she was a piece of meat. He’d told her she was hot, fuckable, but she sure didn’t look that way now. Of course, he’d also admitted that he would lie to get between her legs. Just like other guys.
When he’s controlling her life by lying by omission - even when he doesn’t want to stay with her : “When I sat down with the Agency, they didn’t want to torture her."
“They wanted to hire her,” Sean surmised.
“I didn’t tell her that.” He didn’t want that life for her. He was allowing her to believe that he’d saved her from torture when he might be keeping her from a job she would love.
I could have handled it better if Charlie gave as good as she got, but other than punching him at the very beginning when he calls her a whore, she just takes his abuse and keeps begging him to be with her. It turned my stomach. She made me sad and he didn’t deserve her devotion.
July 8, 2018
Solid 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Definitely my favorite from this series. There's plenty of action, suspense, danger, passion and the dialogue had me laughing here and there. Looking forward to read the next one.
March 28, 2022
I read this for the first time ages ago, but, for some reason didn't leave a review. It was my favorite of the 8 or 9 of these I've read and remains so. I love Charlotte. She's smart, tough, tenacious, and (when dealing with the bad guys) a little be mean. Ian Taggart is gruff, snarky, and dangerous and Charlotte is his match.
September 29, 2013
I can't get enough of the Masters and Mercenaries Series! Love and Let Die is Lexi Blake at her best! She writes erotic romantic suspense like no other, and I am always extremely excited when she has something new for us! Intense, heart pounding, and erotically fulfilling, I could not put this book down. Ian Taggert is one of my favorite Doms out there in fantasy land and his story is one of the best.
"You chose everyone but me. I'll fix this. I'll save you. Choose me, Charlie. Choose us. Trust me. Give me the option of being your hero."
Ian Taggart is a stubborn son of a bitch, but he is Charlie's son of a bitch, and she plans on winning him back no matter what. He can push her away, and make nothing of their sexual encounters, but she knows deep down in that gorgeous hunk of a man, lies the man who stole her heart years ago. Charlotte had her reasons for doing what she did, and breaking this Dom's heart to pieces. The only thing she can do is not make the same mistake twice. She will choose him, she will let him protect her, even if it means losing everything she worked so hard for, including her sister. Master Ian Taggert protects what's his, even if it's his stubborn little subbie that has been brought back to life to just mess with his head. He WILL NOT let her in his heart again. He would not survive it this time around. He will protect her and then walk away....but the Dom in him has other plans for his bratty sub.
"I'm yours. Only yours, Charlie. Everything I am. Everything I have. Everything I will be. All yours. Past. Present. Future. I'll give them to you."
I have been in love with Ian Taggart ever since this series started. He was always there in the background leading his team with a broken soul, and you can't help but care for the guy. The best Doms are big, strong, and protective, but they also have a teddy bear side (no matter what they say *winks*) It's a side that is tender, loving; and no matter how stubborn or bratty the submissive gets he will always take care of her. Ian is one of those Doms, and Charlie is the submissive...and together they complete each other, love each other, and gives what the other needs. It's beautiful, refreshing, and incredibly sensual.
Reading Lexi Blake's books is like watching a sexy, action packed, emotional movie, and you can't take your eyes of it. You will experience heart clenching, gut wrenching, and soul-shaking emotions that will keep your eyes glued to every page. Explosive, suspenseful, erotically charged, Love and Let Die is a MUST READ and I can't wait to see what's up next for these characters that I consider family!
*ARC provided by the author
"You chose everyone but me. I'll fix this. I'll save you. Choose me, Charlie. Choose us. Trust me. Give me the option of being your hero."
Ian Taggart is a stubborn son of a bitch, but he is Charlie's son of a bitch, and she plans on winning him back no matter what. He can push her away, and make nothing of their sexual encounters, but she knows deep down in that gorgeous hunk of a man, lies the man who stole her heart years ago. Charlotte had her reasons for doing what she did, and breaking this Dom's heart to pieces. The only thing she can do is not make the same mistake twice. She will choose him, she will let him protect her, even if it means losing everything she worked so hard for, including her sister. Master Ian Taggert protects what's his, even if it's his stubborn little subbie that has been brought back to life to just mess with his head. He WILL NOT let her in his heart again. He would not survive it this time around. He will protect her and then walk away....but the Dom in him has other plans for his bratty sub.
"I'm yours. Only yours, Charlie. Everything I am. Everything I have. Everything I will be. All yours. Past. Present. Future. I'll give them to you."
I have been in love with Ian Taggart ever since this series started. He was always there in the background leading his team with a broken soul, and you can't help but care for the guy. The best Doms are big, strong, and protective, but they also have a teddy bear side (no matter what they say *winks*) It's a side that is tender, loving; and no matter how stubborn or bratty the submissive gets he will always take care of her. Ian is one of those Doms, and Charlie is the submissive...and together they complete each other, love each other, and gives what the other needs. It's beautiful, refreshing, and incredibly sensual.
Reading Lexi Blake's books is like watching a sexy, action packed, emotional movie, and you can't take your eyes of it. You will experience heart clenching, gut wrenching, and soul-shaking emotions that will keep your eyes glued to every page. Explosive, suspenseful, erotically charged, Love and Let Die is a MUST READ and I can't wait to see what's up next for these characters that I consider family!
*ARC provided by the author
October 26, 2025
Steam: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 5/5
The classic snark of Ian Taggart will never go out of style. He’s the perfect hero: Flawed Alphahole capable of delivering a sarcastic comeback in equal speed and strength along with his lethal body blows. As an enemy (or subordinate employee..looking at you Adam), you may wish he’d kill you quickly rather than endure his witty banter. He’s a J/P alpha Dom that would do anything to protect his family and his people even to his own detriment. May this man continue to be written about by the great Lexi Blake in books for eternity.
Then there’s Charlotte, who easily could have been just another forgettable femme fatale or throw away character. Not so with this Powerhouse in Pumps. She may be submissive in the bedroom but she dominates in every other aspect of life. She takes no $hit and is just as capable, if not more so, than the guys in McKay/Taggart. This assassin, spy, lover, and friend is a complex character who matches Ian in every way. She’s fiercely protective of her sister, Ian (even from afar), and her friends. She’s the kind of woman you wish could be your best friend.
This book resolves the storylines from books 1-4. It’s a fast paced, romantic, action packed, thrill ride. Do yourself a favor and start this series. You won’t regret it. McKay/Taggart and it’s agents are 🥰
I reread this book all the time. It’s a personal favorite.
The classic snark of Ian Taggart will never go out of style. He’s the perfect hero: Flawed Alphahole capable of delivering a sarcastic comeback in equal speed and strength along with his lethal body blows. As an enemy (or subordinate employee..looking at you Adam), you may wish he’d kill you quickly rather than endure his witty banter. He’s a J/P alpha Dom that would do anything to protect his family and his people even to his own detriment. May this man continue to be written about by the great Lexi Blake in books for eternity.
Then there’s Charlotte, who easily could have been just another forgettable femme fatale or throw away character. Not so with this Powerhouse in Pumps. She may be submissive in the bedroom but she dominates in every other aspect of life. She takes no $hit and is just as capable, if not more so, than the guys in McKay/Taggart. This assassin, spy, lover, and friend is a complex character who matches Ian in every way. She’s fiercely protective of her sister, Ian (even from afar), and her friends. She’s the kind of woman you wish could be your best friend.
This book resolves the storylines from books 1-4. It’s a fast paced, romantic, action packed, thrill ride. Do yourself a favor and start this series. You won’t regret it. McKay/Taggart and it’s agents are 🥰
I reread this book all the time. It’s a personal favorite.
October 10, 2013
4 stars and a deep sigh from me
It's hard to say why some books work and others don't, but for me this one just didn't hit the mark.
I wanted more passion and alone time and less of the back story I think. The mix just wasn't quite right, I wanted to be on the edge of my seat, but instead was tempted to scan pages.
Ian waited too long to admit his feelings and Charlie could have done a lot more crawling (on her knees) to win him over faster. The sex scenes were good but nothing new and nothing that stands out other than the anal.
I will read the next one - especially as it's Damon Knight and set (somewhat) in England.
With a bit of luck he'll bump into Jesse Ward!
Oh and just to close the chapter on Miss Blake "forgetting" to send the early copy to Tara as she said she would below - did she forget? Who knows, even her PA didn't say. This copy was bought! Thanks!
PREREVIEW...
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, I'M GETTING AN ARC OF IAN'S STORY !!!
... AND IT IS A FUCKING 5 - TRUST ME!
MY ETERNAL THANKS GO TO LEXI BLAKE AND ALSO MY AMAZING FRIEND TARA (SIZZLING PAGES) FOR ASKING LEXI TO MAKE HER FRIEND'S DAY!...
SHE EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD SWIM THE ATLANTIC POND AND BE TARA'S SLAVE BITCH FOR A MONTH!! - WHAT A MATE!
I LOVE HER SOOOO MUCH I'D SHAG HER LOVELY HUBBIE SO THAT SHE CAN READ IN PEACE! CAN'T SAY FAIRER THAN THAT? ! LOL LOVE U T!
It's hard to say why some books work and others don't, but for me this one just didn't hit the mark.
I wanted more passion and alone time and less of the back story I think. The mix just wasn't quite right, I wanted to be on the edge of my seat, but instead was tempted to scan pages.
Ian waited too long to admit his feelings and Charlie could have done a lot more crawling (on her knees) to win him over faster. The sex scenes were good but nothing new and nothing that stands out other than the anal.
I will read the next one - especially as it's Damon Knight and set (somewhat) in England.
With a bit of luck he'll bump into Jesse Ward!
Oh and just to close the chapter on Miss Blake "forgetting" to send the early copy to Tara as she said she would below - did she forget? Who knows, even her PA didn't say. This copy was bought! Thanks!
PREREVIEW...
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, I'M GETTING AN ARC OF IAN'S STORY !!!
... AND IT IS A FUCKING 5 - TRUST ME!
MY ETERNAL THANKS GO TO LEXI BLAKE AND ALSO MY AMAZING FRIEND TARA (SIZZLING PAGES) FOR ASKING LEXI TO MAKE HER FRIEND'S DAY!...
SHE EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD SWIM THE ATLANTIC POND AND BE TARA'S SLAVE BITCH FOR A MONTH!! - WHAT A MATE!
I LOVE HER SOOOO MUCH I'D SHAG HER LOVELY HUBBIE SO THAT SHE CAN READ IN PEACE! CAN'T SAY FAIRER THAN THAT? ! LOL LOVE U T!
October 22, 2013
Gah! More, more, more! Please, I want more.
I love this series. Agents, ex-agents, assassins, good guys, bad guys, and a little bit of D/s action. With each of these books a bigger plot is revealed, leaving me wanting more. More, faster. More often. Just more. All of the men of this series are wonderful, and their women are amazing. I actually like all of them, which is something strange.
Ian finally getting his was something I had been waiting for for since book one. There were times when I questioned him and Charlie, but in the end I think it went the right direction. I would have liked to have been in Ian's head a bit more, just to understand when he changed his mind. Other than that... good stuff.
I'm excited for Damon's book, but please, please, please tell me that Simon get's his own book. I have to say, I think he's turned into my favorite character.
I love this series. Agents, ex-agents, assassins, good guys, bad guys, and a little bit of D/s action. With each of these books a bigger plot is revealed, leaving me wanting more. More, faster. More often. Just more. All of the men of this series are wonderful, and their women are amazing. I actually like all of them, which is something strange.
Ian finally getting his was something I had been waiting for for since book one. There were times when I questioned him and Charlie, but in the end I think it went the right direction. I would have liked to have been in Ian's head a bit more, just to understand when he changed his mind. Other than that... good stuff.
I'm excited for Damon's book, but please, please, please tell me that Simon get's his own book. I have to say, I think he's turned into my favorite character.
July 4, 2016
This is the fifth book in Lexi Blake's Masters and Mercenaries series and so far it's one of my favorites. For me, this one ranks right up there with the first book in the series, which happens to feature Ian's little brother, Sean.
I knew when we first met Ian in book one that whoever his lady ended up being she was going to have to be tough. Ian needed a strong woman and he got it in Charlie.
What can I say about this book? I loved Ian and Charlie. I loved them separately, but I especially loved them together. They brought out the best in the other person. Sean tells his brother at one point that Charlie is Ian's match and he is one hundred percent correct. She's the right amount of sweet and tough and exactly perfect for Ian.
This is a great series, but I wouldn't recommend reading them out of order since there are elements that carry over from previous books.
I knew when we first met Ian in book one that whoever his lady ended up being she was going to have to be tough. Ian needed a strong woman and he got it in Charlie.
What can I say about this book? I loved Ian and Charlie. I loved them separately, but I especially loved them together. They brought out the best in the other person. Sean tells his brother at one point that Charlie is Ian's match and he is one hundred percent correct. She's the right amount of sweet and tough and exactly perfect for Ian.
This is a great series, but I wouldn't recommend reading them out of order since there are elements that carry over from previous books.
October 5, 2013
Love this series. But Ian wasn't enough for me. I have been dying to read his story from the beginning. And while yes, the story was good. It wasn't anything like I imagined for Ian and Charlie:( They could of been so much more IMO.
October 2, 2013
I was really excited to read this book. It sounded really good.
I loved Ian but instantly disliked Charlotte. But when things got better with her, I started hating her sister.
The best part of this book was the buddy read with Linda. :)
I loved Ian but instantly disliked Charlotte. But when things got better with her, I started hating her sister.
The best part of this book was the buddy read with Linda. :)
October 2, 2013
3.5+ stars
5th book in the series, but this one isn't my favorite. I was so anxious to read more about Ian and Charlie (Charlotte). But there's so much baggage between them and so many logistics issues to work out, I felt as though their relationship and these two coming back together as a couple were somewhat overshadowed by all the rest.
And I applaud Ms. Blake for not making it an immediate HEA for Ian and Charlie. I was hooked on the suspense and who's behind this attack now?
However, some of the "steam" in the steamy scenes was missing. It's tough for me to put my finger on it, since we get these scenes and the relationship from both Ian's and Charlie's POV each time. Perhaps it's because these 2 aren't in synch for the majority of the book, so their differing POVs were good to know, but they didn't really add to the steam. Rather than 2 people falling for one another, because Charlie is having to prove herself to Ian, there's already a conflict in play on page 1. I think that very conflict and Ian's massive mistrust keep the steam on hold for some time.
I loved the interplay, don't get me wrong. But somehow, the steam and the chemistry in the sex scenes seemed forced; they didn't get me hot and bothered. They seemed few and far between, but that's probably because I was so caught up in whether Ian and Charlie could be together, both personally and logistically. I felt Ian's longing and Charlie's longing... their passions. But perhaps because Ian tried so hard to hold himself back, most of their sex scenes were clinical rather than intimate.
BUT I WAS HOOKED ON THIS BOOK. And I didn't want it to end. I'm very interested in Charlie's sister, Chelsea and Simon, wondering what might happen there, if anything. The newest McKay-Taggart acquisition (from the previous book) is still green, but interesting.
And of course, Ms. Blake leaves us with a tantalizing cliff-hanger!
5th book in the series, but this one isn't my favorite. I was so anxious to read more about Ian and Charlie (Charlotte). But there's so much baggage between them and so many logistics issues to work out, I felt as though their relationship and these two coming back together as a couple were somewhat overshadowed by all the rest.
And I applaud Ms. Blake for not making it an immediate HEA for Ian and Charlie. I was hooked on the suspense and who's behind this attack now?
However, some of the "steam" in the steamy scenes was missing. It's tough for me to put my finger on it, since we get these scenes and the relationship from both Ian's and Charlie's POV each time. Perhaps it's because these 2 aren't in synch for the majority of the book, so their differing POVs were good to know, but they didn't really add to the steam. Rather than 2 people falling for one another, because Charlie is having to prove herself to Ian, there's already a conflict in play on page 1. I think that very conflict and Ian's massive mistrust keep the steam on hold for some time.
I loved the interplay, don't get me wrong. But somehow, the steam and the chemistry in the sex scenes seemed forced; they didn't get me hot and bothered. They seemed few and far between, but that's probably because I was so caught up in whether Ian and Charlie could be together, both personally and logistically. I felt Ian's longing and Charlie's longing... their passions. But perhaps because Ian tried so hard to hold himself back, most of their sex scenes were clinical rather than intimate.
BUT I WAS HOOKED ON THIS BOOK. And I didn't want it to end. I'm very interested in Charlie's sister, Chelsea and Simon, wondering what might happen there, if anything. The newest McKay-Taggart acquisition (from the previous book) is still green, but interesting.
And of course, Ms. Blake leaves us with a tantalizing cliff-hanger!
October 19, 2013
Really, I love everything Lexi Blake does, and this was no exception. It was one of those books I felt like I'd been waiting forever for. Since the first time we met him in Sean's book,
I've wanted Ian's story. Ian is an awesome character - and Charlotte was his perfect foil - without a doubt. I love them together. She was seriously kick ass. I think the is my favorite hero if this series so far.
My one tiny complaint was, I wish we had gotten more in the way of flash backs to the beginning of their relationship. I would have enjoined seeing more of the "head over heals in love" Ian. I understood why her resisted her for so long after she came back - but because of that, we got very little time to bask in their HEA.
I also cannot express how excited I am that this isn't the end of the series. I'm already chomping at the bit for the next book. British spy /Dom. Doesn't get more yummy than that.
I've wanted Ian's story. Ian is an awesome character - and Charlotte was his perfect foil - without a doubt. I love them together. She was seriously kick ass. I think the is my favorite hero if this series so far.
My one tiny complaint was, I wish we had gotten more in the way of flash backs to the beginning of their relationship. I would have enjoined seeing more of the "head over heals in love" Ian. I understood why her resisted her for so long after she came back - but because of that, we got very little time to bask in their HEA.
I also cannot express how excited I am that this isn't the end of the series. I'm already chomping at the bit for the next book. British spy /Dom. Doesn't get more yummy than that.
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