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Dìleas Security Agency #3
Missed Opportunity
He chose love over family .
Ryder Montague was ready to abandon the weighty expectations of his aristocratic family for American Nathalie Williams. Her brutal rejection on the eve of their graduation from Oxford shattered him and his dreams for their future.
Eight years later, he’s a transformed man—a toughened ex-SAS soldier and leader of Dìleas Security Agency’s elite executive protection team. When a new client in the States turns out to be Nathalie, Ryder reluctantly takes the assignment, determined to prove his love for her is nothing but an old memory, best forgotten.
She chose family over love.
Nathalie sacrificed everything, including Ryder, to fulfill her father’s dream of creating a safer and more lethal combat jet after her brother’s plane went down in Iraq. Now, she’s about to present an AI-enhanced software design to the US military that will revolutionize America’s Next Generation fighter. Only someone is determined to stop her.
Will they have a second chance?
Nathalie is shocked to discover her new bodyguard is none other than the shy, sweet boy she loved in college—now a sexy, dangerous man. Old emotions resurface even as she vows to keep Ryder from finding out the real reason she walked away from him.
When Nathalie’s stalker turns his sights on Ryder, her secret isn’t the only thing standing between them. If they are to have a second chance at happiness, they must put aside the past and work together to stay alive.
Or will it be a Missed Opportunity ?
Ryder Montague was ready to abandon the weighty expectations of his aristocratic family for American Nathalie Williams. Her brutal rejection on the eve of their graduation from Oxford shattered him and his dreams for their future.
Eight years later, he’s a transformed man—a toughened ex-SAS soldier and leader of Dìleas Security Agency’s elite executive protection team. When a new client in the States turns out to be Nathalie, Ryder reluctantly takes the assignment, determined to prove his love for her is nothing but an old memory, best forgotten.
She chose family over love.
Nathalie sacrificed everything, including Ryder, to fulfill her father’s dream of creating a safer and more lethal combat jet after her brother’s plane went down in Iraq. Now, she’s about to present an AI-enhanced software design to the US military that will revolutionize America’s Next Generation fighter. Only someone is determined to stop her.
Will they have a second chance?
Nathalie is shocked to discover her new bodyguard is none other than the shy, sweet boy she loved in college—now a sexy, dangerous man. Old emotions resurface even as she vows to keep Ryder from finding out the real reason she walked away from him.
When Nathalie’s stalker turns his sights on Ryder, her secret isn’t the only thing standing between them. If they are to have a second chance at happiness, they must put aside the past and work together to stay alive.
Or will it be a Missed Opportunity ?
- GenresRomance
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2023
About the author
C.S. Smith
6 books100 followersC.S. Smith writes steamy romantic suspense featuring current and former special operations soldiers. She admits to having a thing for alpha males. The bigger and badder they are, the harder they fall!
Sign up for her newsletter to get the prequel background novel, The Mission, to her romantic suspense series Dìleas Security Agency for FREE! (And get access to the latest news and other cool giveaways.) Go to HTTP://cssmithauthor.com and click on the Newsletter tab on the top menu.
While earning a Master's in National Security Studies, she worked in and around the Pentagon surrounded by good-looking men in uniform, including the one she eventually married.
Her career as a writer took off in 2018 when her youngest child learned to drive, and her days of micromanaging a family of five were coming to an end. Now she manages her husband of over thirty years and the family rescue dog - a supposed Golden Retriever that DNA tests revealed is really a lab, chow, boxer mix.
Her debut award-winning romantic suspense series, Dìleas Security Agency, focuses on three former elite special operators in a brotherhood forged by betrayal, blood, and death. If you enjoy hot alpha men and feisty women wrapped up in storylines full of danger and intrigue, be sure to look for Near Miss (Book 1), Missing in Action (Book 2), and Missed Opportunity (Book 3), coming in 2023.
Sign up for her newsletter to get the prequel background novel, The Mission, to her romantic suspense series Dìleas Security Agency for FREE! (And get access to the latest news and other cool giveaways.) Go to HTTP://cssmithauthor.com and click on the Newsletter tab on the top menu.
While earning a Master's in National Security Studies, she worked in and around the Pentagon surrounded by good-looking men in uniform, including the one she eventually married.
Her career as a writer took off in 2018 when her youngest child learned to drive, and her days of micromanaging a family of five were coming to an end. Now she manages her husband of over thirty years and the family rescue dog - a supposed Golden Retriever that DNA tests revealed is really a lab, chow, boxer mix.
Her debut award-winning romantic suspense series, Dìleas Security Agency, focuses on three former elite special operators in a brotherhood forged by betrayal, blood, and death. If you enjoy hot alpha men and feisty women wrapped up in storylines full of danger and intrigue, be sure to look for Near Miss (Book 1), Missing in Action (Book 2), and Missed Opportunity (Book 3), coming in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 11, 2023
I would like to thank author C.S. Smith and Goodreads for sending me a copy of this book. Missed Opportunity is the third book in the Dileas Security Agency Series. This is the first book in this series that I have read but I absolutely loved the book. Ryder Montague came from an aristocratic British family. He met Nathalie Williams, a mixed-race girl, at Oxford and fell in love with her. He planned on proposing to her on the eve of their graduation when she broke up with him and returned to the United States. He was broken hearted and joined the British Special Forces because he didn't want to do what his father had planned for him since birth. His time in the Special Forces shaped him into the person he became and showed him what he really wanted to do in life. Nathalie Williams returned to the states to help her father who needed her and because she felt she needed to abandon her love of art and help her father with his business after her brother was killed flying a fighter jet. Nathalie worked hard for eight years and became the president of Williams Advanced Avionics developing breakthrough avionics technology to protect future fighter pilots. Ryder's business was in Dileas Security providing protection for his clients. Ryder found himself called in to protect Nathalie when someone was trying to steal her technology that she was getting ready to present. They both realize they never got over each other. Nathalie still had a picture of both of them in her home and used a special code that was the date of their first real date. Ryder also wanted to try and find out why Natalie really left him. This book has hot romance, mystery and action. I can't wait to read the other two books in the series. I highly recommend that you buy, gift, but most importantly read Missed opportunity where you will definitely enjoy some "heat, heart, and heroes". I know you won't be disappointed. I plan on reading Missing in action and Near Miss that are also in the series.
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September 27, 2023Stupid plot.
Stupid characters.
Stupid romance.
2nd chance.
8 year separation
Heroine Celibate. Hero Not.
Semi OW whom H thinks of just as a friend
Pathetic Suspense
Biracial heroine
Not feeling it with these two
Romance lacking. Mostly sex and that's it.
DNF
Stupid characters.
Stupid romance.
2nd chance.
8 year separation
Heroine Celibate. Hero Not.
Semi OW whom H thinks of just as a friend
Pathetic Suspense
Biracial heroine
Not feeling it with these two
Romance lacking. Mostly sex and that's it.
DNF
March 31, 2024
Don't miss the opportunity to read this thrilling second chance romance! I thought nothing could surpass the quality of the first two books in this romantic suspense series, but Book 3 proved me wrong. The gripping, twisty plot contains plenty of suspense and steamy romance, but it also holds a devastating secret created by the pressures of family expectations. Here's a bit of the plot, with no big spoilers from me.
Ryder Montague and Nathalie Williams fell deeply in love while studying at Oxford, but Nathalie coldly rejected Ryder and returned to Washington after graduation. Desperate to save her ailing father's avionics company from bankruptcy, Nathalie made a secret deal that led to a Department of Defense contract and gave Nathalie time to create a brilliant new software design for the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter aircraft.
Hurt by Nathalie's rejection, Ryder turned his back on his aristocratic father's plans for the future Earl of Cannington, which did not include marriage to Nathalie, a biracial girl from America. Instead, Ryder impulsively enlisted in the British army and spent years serving in a Special Air Service (SAS) regiment in Afghanistan, where he became good friends with Lachlan Mackay and Nathan Long.
Eight years later, Ryder is the head of executive protection for Dileas Security, with an office in London. When Lachlan summons him to DC to protect Nathalie Williams--who's now president of Williams Advanced Avionics--Ryder reluctantly takes the assignment. He's not eager to see Nathalie again, but since he's buried his old feelings for her, he'll keep things strictly professional between them. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty. Their old feelings soon flare into new life. Nathalie has grown from a pretty girl into a stunning woman. Ryder has morphed from a shy college boy into a hardened, battle-scarred warrior, fully capable of sharing Nathalie's passion and protecting her from danger. The danger is real, because someone is determined to stop Nathalie from presenting her new AI-enhanced avionics software design to an upcoming Department of Defense briefing. If our villain can steal the design and sell it to a foreign investor involved in industrial espionage, he'll be richer than Ryder Montague--a man he envies and despises.
Suspense mounts as this clever, determined stalker closes in on his prey. Even if they manage to defeat him, can Ryder forgive Nathalie for the secret she's been hiding for eight long years? Have they lost their second chance for happiness? Grab this beautifully crafted story to find out! And by the way, I'm thrilled to discover that Book 4 in this series is coming soon. I'm seriously hooked!
Ryder Montague and Nathalie Williams fell deeply in love while studying at Oxford, but Nathalie coldly rejected Ryder and returned to Washington after graduation. Desperate to save her ailing father's avionics company from bankruptcy, Nathalie made a secret deal that led to a Department of Defense contract and gave Nathalie time to create a brilliant new software design for the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter aircraft.
Hurt by Nathalie's rejection, Ryder turned his back on his aristocratic father's plans for the future Earl of Cannington, which did not include marriage to Nathalie, a biracial girl from America. Instead, Ryder impulsively enlisted in the British army and spent years serving in a Special Air Service (SAS) regiment in Afghanistan, where he became good friends with Lachlan Mackay and Nathan Long.
Eight years later, Ryder is the head of executive protection for Dileas Security, with an office in London. When Lachlan summons him to DC to protect Nathalie Williams--who's now president of Williams Advanced Avionics--Ryder reluctantly takes the assignment. He's not eager to see Nathalie again, but since he's buried his old feelings for her, he'll keep things strictly professional between them. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty. Their old feelings soon flare into new life. Nathalie has grown from a pretty girl into a stunning woman. Ryder has morphed from a shy college boy into a hardened, battle-scarred warrior, fully capable of sharing Nathalie's passion and protecting her from danger. The danger is real, because someone is determined to stop Nathalie from presenting her new AI-enhanced avionics software design to an upcoming Department of Defense briefing. If our villain can steal the design and sell it to a foreign investor involved in industrial espionage, he'll be richer than Ryder Montague--a man he envies and despises.
Suspense mounts as this clever, determined stalker closes in on his prey. Even if they manage to defeat him, can Ryder forgive Nathalie for the secret she's been hiding for eight long years? Have they lost their second chance for happiness? Grab this beautifully crafted story to find out! And by the way, I'm thrilled to discover that Book 4 in this series is coming soon. I'm seriously hooked!
December 18, 2024
The author delivers another winner in this latest addition to the series. This time the story belongs to Ryder Montague and Nathalie Williams.
British aristocrat Ryder and the young American Nathalie, met while both were attending Oxford University. He fell deeply in love with the beautiful girl, but all ended when she rejected him and left England. Though her departure was not what it seemed in the surface.
Now, eight years later, we meet them again. Ryder, former SAS , currently is the leader of Dileas Security Agency protection team.
Imagine his shock when the latest client in America is none other than the woman who broke his heart. Unbeknown to him, she sacrificed her life to fulfill her father’s dream. That of creating a lethal combat jet.
When someone is determined to harm her, she discovers her new bodyguard is Ryder. Secrets have been kept by Nathalie and protecting her puts Ryder also in danger.
Can these two survive the stalker? Can they work together as a front against him/her? If they do, will they have a second chance in love, or will they go their separate ways?
This is an action packed suspense romance filled with an evil character, a hunky main character, and a strong female one.
What I liked best about the audiobook was that it brought the story to life. The narrator Cole Robert Eubanks did an excellent job with the various voices.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
British aristocrat Ryder and the young American Nathalie, met while both were attending Oxford University. He fell deeply in love with the beautiful girl, but all ended when she rejected him and left England. Though her departure was not what it seemed in the surface.
Now, eight years later, we meet them again. Ryder, former SAS , currently is the leader of Dileas Security Agency protection team.
Imagine his shock when the latest client in America is none other than the woman who broke his heart. Unbeknown to him, she sacrificed her life to fulfill her father’s dream. That of creating a lethal combat jet.
When someone is determined to harm her, she discovers her new bodyguard is Ryder. Secrets have been kept by Nathalie and protecting her puts Ryder also in danger.
Can these two survive the stalker? Can they work together as a front against him/her? If they do, will they have a second chance in love, or will they go their separate ways?
This is an action packed suspense romance filled with an evil character, a hunky main character, and a strong female one.
What I liked best about the audiobook was that it brought the story to life. The narrator Cole Robert Eubanks did an excellent job with the various voices.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
September 15, 2025
This has quickly become one of my favorite military romance series. Each book has its own unique plot with a featured couple; this one spotlighting Ryder and Natalie. Ryder, a former British soldier and now director of the London division of Dileas Security Agency, is the ultimate controlled and composed hero. Together with Lachlan and Nathan, he rounds out the trio of modern-day super-soldiers. (Basically, picture Outlander’s Jamie Fraser leading a team of Thor- and Superman-look-alikes, and you’ve got Dileas Security Agency.) If you’ve read my earlier reviews, you know I’m a huge fan of Cole Robert Eubanks. He narrates the entire book from the character’s POV, and his performance is nothing short of amazing. Even the female voices are well done, but it’s the male accents that absolutely shine: Scottish Lachlan, Texan Nathan, and British Ryder all sound pitch-perfect. Smith’s writing continues to impress me. Her background and knowledge of military and government operations give the stories a level of realism that makes the characters believable and grounded. No eye-rolling “book boyfriend” feats here. Just highly trained men written with authenticity. This series is fabulous, and I absolutely cannot wait for the fourth book to be recorded. It’s an auto-buy for me every time!
September 25, 2023
When Ryder’s first loves name comes up as a client needing guarding. The last thing he should do is be the operative to do it. Some things just can’t be helped though.
Nathalie is working hard to bring her deceased fathers dream to fruition. With strange things happening, she has no option but to accept security help. The last person she expects to turn up is the love of her life. She can let him help, but things haven’t really changed, and he’ll never forgive her anyway.
Like the books before this has plenty of action and romance nicely built in to the story. I liked how we got all the back story of the two, and Ryders sticking it to his controlling father. You get all the usual members of the Dìleas Security Agency popping up too. Can’t wait for Fatal Misstep Caleb’s story to come out.
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Nathalie is working hard to bring her deceased fathers dream to fruition. With strange things happening, she has no option but to accept security help. The last person she expects to turn up is the love of her life. She can let him help, but things haven’t really changed, and he’ll never forgive her anyway.
Like the books before this has plenty of action and romance nicely built in to the story. I liked how we got all the back story of the two, and Ryders sticking it to his controlling father. You get all the usual members of the Dìleas Security Agency popping up too. Can’t wait for Fatal Misstep Caleb’s story to come out.
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 26, 2023
A new author to me and I enjoyed the story. I can be drawn to stories that have plenty of action and suspense that keep me turning the pages and this story fitted the bill quite well. I liked the characters and their roles in the story and it was very easy to dislike Ryder's family.
When I finished the story I felt I needed to read the previous two books to get to know the other characters of Dileas Security better and understand their role in this story.
I will read more from this author.
My only criticism of the story is about our hero's name as I have series doubt any aristocratic family in England would give their heir a name like Ryder?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
When I finished the story I felt I needed to read the previous two books to get to know the other characters of Dileas Security better and understand their role in this story.
I will read more from this author.
My only criticism of the story is about our hero's name as I have series doubt any aristocratic family in England would give their heir a name like Ryder?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
September 29, 2023
Fantastic:
This was another amazing book in the Dileas Security series. It drew me in from the very beginning and my attention was held throughout. I loved that the personal interactions and dialogue was so perfectly balanced with the action and drama.
Ryder and Nathalie made a wonderful couple and I was so glad that they got to have their second chance at love. Some of the characters from previous books are featured however it could nevertheless still be enjoyed as a standalone. Another thing that I loved was how the author took her time with the ending and that it felt complete and natural. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This was another amazing book in the Dileas Security series. It drew me in from the very beginning and my attention was held throughout. I loved that the personal interactions and dialogue was so perfectly balanced with the action and drama.
Ryder and Nathalie made a wonderful couple and I was so glad that they got to have their second chance at love. Some of the characters from previous books are featured however it could nevertheless still be enjoyed as a standalone. Another thing that I loved was how the author took her time with the ending and that it felt complete and natural. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
December 30, 2024
Loved the narration of Cole Robert Eubanks, who brings the action, drama, angst, romance and heat.
Nathalie is working hard to bring her dead father's dream come to be. When strange things happening, Nathalie knows she must up and accept security help. She is completely surprised when the elite protection agent Ryder walks in. The two of them used to be college sweetheart and Nathalie broke his heart. Ryder is determined to prove his feelings have changed, but when danger comes looking for Nathalie, Ryder must protect the woman he still loves.
We have action, drama romance and the perfect amount of chemistry.
Nathalie is working hard to bring her dead father's dream come to be. When strange things happening, Nathalie knows she must up and accept security help. She is completely surprised when the elite protection agent Ryder walks in. The two of them used to be college sweetheart and Nathalie broke his heart. Ryder is determined to prove his feelings have changed, but when danger comes looking for Nathalie, Ryder must protect the woman he still loves.
We have action, drama romance and the perfect amount of chemistry.
September 26, 2023
Ryder Montague thought he had everything until Nathalie Williams broke his heart and walked away from him eight years ago. Now she is a successful businesswoman who has written a program that will launch airplane fighters into the next generation and the competition will do anything to stop her. When her godfather Lucas Caldwell finds out her life is in danger, he hires Dileas Security to protect her. Her world is turned upside down when bodyguard Ryder walks back into her life and is determined to save her whether she wants him there or not. #secondchanceromance
September 26, 2023
Wow is the word. Excellent book!
This was about Dileas Security owner Ryder who takes on the protection of Nathalie, someone he has
an unhappy history with.
This was fast paced, action packed and full of thrills.
The action was gripping and the story can't help but pull you along with it.
I adored the slow build relationship between Ryder who had a lot to prove to Nathalie. They had chemistry by they couldn't help but butt heads.
Well written, and a great read. I honestly feel this is one of this authors best. Highly recommended!!!
This was about Dileas Security owner Ryder who takes on the protection of Nathalie, someone he has
an unhappy history with.
This was fast paced, action packed and full of thrills.
The action was gripping and the story can't help but pull you along with it.
I adored the slow build relationship between Ryder who had a lot to prove to Nathalie. They had chemistry by they couldn't help but butt heads.
Well written, and a great read. I honestly feel this is one of this authors best. Highly recommended!!!
October 2, 2023
Book 3 in the series, but can be read as a standalone. A great second chance romantic suspense. Forced proximity – bodyguard – stalker – and plenty of steam. Nathalie is shocked when she finds out her new bodyguard, Ryder Montague, is the charming boy she fell in love with back in college. But now, he’s a dangerous, tempting man. If they want a second chance at happiness together (and stay alive), she’s going to have to reveal the real reason she walked away, especially when a stalker turns his attention from her to Ryder. Great story!
October 17, 2023
Missed Opportunity
A great second chance romance.
Nathalie and Ryder were in love.
On the day he was going to propose she dumped him. He never knew why.
Eight years later she runs a military software company and he is hired to be her bodyguard.
Would have given it 5 stars if the writing had pulled more on the heartstrings of the reader.
A great second chance romance.
Nathalie and Ryder were in love.
On the day he was going to propose she dumped him. He never knew why.
Eight years later she runs a military software company and he is hired to be her bodyguard.
Would have given it 5 stars if the writing had pulled more on the heartstrings of the reader.
March 15, 2025
A Story Truly Worth Reading!
Absolutely an amazing story! I love how this book grips you from beginning to end, Ryder’s and Nathalie’s story is something. It is filled with things that are right out of today’s headlines, racism, espionage, murder as well as an amazing love story about two people who overcame it all to be together.
Absolutely an amazing story! I love how this book grips you from beginning to end, Ryder’s and Nathalie’s story is something. It is filled with things that are right out of today’s headlines, racism, espionage, murder as well as an amazing love story about two people who overcame it all to be together.
March 25, 2026
Ryder and Nathalie
Both Ryder and Nathalie never stopped loving each other, despite breaking up during college for reasons she never shared with him. Story here is a bit predictable. The scene where you know she will be abducted was incredibly lame — both Ryder and Nathalie make stupid decisions.
Very satisfying ending.
Both Ryder and Nathalie never stopped loving each other, despite breaking up during college for reasons she never shared with him. Story here is a bit predictable. The scene where you know she will be abducted was incredibly lame — both Ryder and Nathalie make stupid decisions.
Very satisfying ending.
March 28, 2025
I really enjoyed these characters and this story. Both the male and female characters are smart, loyal, and have depth. A lost love is found again with more than one character and on more than one level. It really is an entertaining book with romance, suspense, and a happy ending.
September 17, 2023
Ryder & Nat gripped me & had me angry, disappointed & hopeful as they went through so much pain, emotions & love. Suspense on who held up well as I read. An engaging story with heat & suspense. A true review of my ARC.
September 26, 2023
Just as good as books 1 and 2 in this series. Fast paced and sexy. Looking forward to more from this author. Keep them coming!
October 4, 2023
This book has some depths and has characters that shows the readers not everything is black and white, even the troubled Hadley had some depth to the whys he ended up in the place he did.
August 26, 2026
Love this series
Nathan is still my favorite of the series, but Ryder is so sweet. Check this series out for men that would do anything for the women they love.
Nathan is still my favorite of the series, but Ryder is so sweet. Check this series out for men that would do anything for the women they love.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews