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Kai King has been assigned a difficult and problematic mission. The legendary Marine Raider must find a brilliant heiress who doesn’t want to be found.
But he’s not the only one hunting for her.
Cece Astor is a single-minded, dedicated scientist at the brink of the discovery of a lifetime. She has cut all ties with her family to escape her father’s stranglehold. In devoting her life to her work, she has no room for errors or distractions in her life.
The skilled, good-looking operator who breaks her seclusion and shatters her little world falls squarely into the “distraction” category.
Under attack, Cece doesn’t have any options. She must rely on the extraordinary Marine who risks his life to protect hers, the same remarkable man who might yet disprove her lonely life’s “no love, no distractions” hypothesis.
But he’s not the only one hunting for her.
Cece Astor is a single-minded, dedicated scientist at the brink of the discovery of a lifetime. She has cut all ties with her family to escape her father’s stranglehold. In devoting her life to her work, she has no room for errors or distractions in her life.
The skilled, good-looking operator who breaks her seclusion and shatters her little world falls squarely into the “distraction” category.
Under attack, Cece doesn’t have any options. She must rely on the extraordinary Marine who risks his life to protect hers, the same remarkable man who might yet disprove her lonely life’s “no love, no distractions” hypothesis.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
39 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Anna del Mar
65 books234 followersAnna del Mar writes hot, smart romances that soothe the soul, challenge the mind, and satisfy the heart. Her stories focus on strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy, kickass, military heroes who defy the limits of their broken bodies to protect the women they love. She is the author of The Asset (Carina Press), the first novel of her Wounded Warrior series and three other novels scheduled for release during 2016.
A Georgetown University graduate, Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very opinionated cats.
A Georgetown University graduate, Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very opinionated cats.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2025
Kai is Book 13 in Anne Del Mar’s Alpha Heroes series. The writing is solid, as always, but following the high of Javier (and several other standout entries), this one lands in the “just okay” category.
Kai’s mission to locate Cece Astor—the third sister—is successful when he tracks her to a lighthouse on what sounds like the Hawaiian coast. And not a moment too soon, as the NWO is closing in and mere minutes from capturing her. Fortunately, Kai gets them out of a tight spot, and the two go into hiding, where their growing attraction begins to simmer. But both carry emotional baggage, and the NWO mercenaries remain in pursuit—especially one degenerate who’s become disturbingly obsessed with making Cece his.
I’ve followed this series from the very first book, Ajax. While I’ve enjoyed several installments, others have been forgettable, and a couple I outright disliked. Kai falls squarely into the “just okay” bracket.
I liked Kai’s personality, but it made for a somewhat bland read at times. He was just too Zen—so much so that I questioned his feelings for Cece. Yes, he was kind to her and did thoughtful things, but he was also hung up on a past love. I couldn’t tell whether he truly loved that person or was simply grieving the loss of someone he’d once been close to. The big reveal about his past trauma dragged on too long and lacked internal logic: one moment he loved her, the next he was just going with the flow, and yet he carried that emotional weight for years. It left me confused about his feelings for Cece. He was too subdued in showing love, and I missed the passion and alpha energy typically associated with the heroes in this series. In one scene, Cece was making a fool of herself (in my view) while half-naked, and Kai just stood there, towel in hand, while two other men gawked at her. That didn’t read as alpha to me at all.
My feelings about Cece were a confusing mess. Initially, she came across as strong, but as the story progressed, I found myself increasingly indifferent to her. Like many recent FMCs I’ve encountered (is this a new trend?), Cece was the one to initiate things with Kai—despite being described as someone who had no interest in men or relationships. Then, after he rejected her (as the trope demands), did she reclaim her pride? No. She tried again. And again. In an effort to portray her as strong, the story included two cartoonish scenes: first, she attacked Javier (from the previous book), labeling him a fortune-hunter without knowing anything about him or his relationship with her sister. I was thoroughly aggravated when the men praised her for this. In the second scene, she insisted on playing “bad cop” during an interrogation. Honestly, it was laughable. Yet somehow, the men in her life saw this as strength.
When this series began, it was rooted in romance and military suspense, which worked well—at least for me. But starting with Book 11 (Dash), the Astor sisters’ storyline introduced mystical/magical elements. These “gifts” emerged suddenly after their father’s death and the onset of danger. In Dash and Javier, Thena and Missy’s gifts were still palatable. But in Kai, Cece’s ability to read people’s auras—distinguishing good from evil and truth from lies—was overemphasized to the point of tedium. The constant focus on this aural aspect dragged the story down.
The same goes for the drowning scene—it was overlong, melodramatic, and slowed the pacing considerably. As for the villain, I couldn’t take him seriously. He felt cartoonish, and his dialogue was laughable. What grated most was Kai warning him at least ten times to watch his mouth or face bodily harm—yet the harm never came. Again, Kai’s Zen demeanor undermined the tension.
If you don’t mind slogging through the dull bits, this is still a decent read. The story itself was okay—there were just a few things that really grated.
Kai’s mission to locate Cece Astor—the third sister—is successful when he tracks her to a lighthouse on what sounds like the Hawaiian coast. And not a moment too soon, as the NWO is closing in and mere minutes from capturing her. Fortunately, Kai gets them out of a tight spot, and the two go into hiding, where their growing attraction begins to simmer. But both carry emotional baggage, and the NWO mercenaries remain in pursuit—especially one degenerate who’s become disturbingly obsessed with making Cece his.
I’ve followed this series from the very first book, Ajax. While I’ve enjoyed several installments, others have been forgettable, and a couple I outright disliked. Kai falls squarely into the “just okay” bracket.
I liked Kai’s personality, but it made for a somewhat bland read at times. He was just too Zen—so much so that I questioned his feelings for Cece. Yes, he was kind to her and did thoughtful things, but he was also hung up on a past love. I couldn’t tell whether he truly loved that person or was simply grieving the loss of someone he’d once been close to. The big reveal about his past trauma dragged on too long and lacked internal logic: one moment he loved her, the next he was just going with the flow, and yet he carried that emotional weight for years. It left me confused about his feelings for Cece. He was too subdued in showing love, and I missed the passion and alpha energy typically associated with the heroes in this series. In one scene, Cece was making a fool of herself (in my view) while half-naked, and Kai just stood there, towel in hand, while two other men gawked at her. That didn’t read as alpha to me at all.
My feelings about Cece were a confusing mess. Initially, she came across as strong, but as the story progressed, I found myself increasingly indifferent to her. Like many recent FMCs I’ve encountered (is this a new trend?), Cece was the one to initiate things with Kai—despite being described as someone who had no interest in men or relationships. Then, after he rejected her (as the trope demands), did she reclaim her pride? No. She tried again. And again. In an effort to portray her as strong, the story included two cartoonish scenes: first, she attacked Javier (from the previous book), labeling him a fortune-hunter without knowing anything about him or his relationship with her sister. I was thoroughly aggravated when the men praised her for this. In the second scene, she insisted on playing “bad cop” during an interrogation. Honestly, it was laughable. Yet somehow, the men in her life saw this as strength.
When this series began, it was rooted in romance and military suspense, which worked well—at least for me. But starting with Book 11 (Dash), the Astor sisters’ storyline introduced mystical/magical elements. These “gifts” emerged suddenly after their father’s death and the onset of danger. In Dash and Javier, Thena and Missy’s gifts were still palatable. But in Kai, Cece’s ability to read people’s auras—distinguishing good from evil and truth from lies—was overemphasized to the point of tedium. The constant focus on this aural aspect dragged the story down.
The same goes for the drowning scene—it was overlong, melodramatic, and slowed the pacing considerably. As for the villain, I couldn’t take him seriously. He felt cartoonish, and his dialogue was laughable. What grated most was Kai warning him at least ten times to watch his mouth or face bodily harm—yet the harm never came. Again, Kai’s Zen demeanor undermined the tension.
If you don’t mind slogging through the dull bits, this is still a decent read. The story itself was okay—there were just a few things that really grated.
August 12, 2025
Kai (Alpha Heroes #13) is another totally engrossing read from Anna del Mar, and since I've been following this series from its inception, once again, this novel has darn near everything I look for in a novel of romantic suspense, and it gets 5 stars from this reader.
First, Kai has dual narration, which is a literary device I've come to love, since it taps you directly into the minds of the characters--what they're thinking, what they're feeling, their fears, their pasts, and the reality of what they're experiencing as they're experiencing it.
Second, let's hear it for alpha heroes, because Ms. del Mar's alpha heroes are all so different, all so incredibly memorable, and also very seriously hot--certainly true of Kai, the titular hero in this novel. He's handsome, honest, brave, and yet still has baggage from his past, which made him all the more appealing to this reader.
And let's not overlook the heroines, all with issues and baggage of their own, yet all of whom bring something special to the table. In the case of this novel, and the two previous novels, the heroines, all sisters, are named after characters from Greek mythology, and in this novel it's Circe, CeCe, or Cersi, and whichever version of her name is used, she's one brilliant but tough cookie with a special gift, a talent that certainly comes in handy as the novel progresses. Additionally, Ms. del Mar is also a master of character development, never more so than in this novel.
Third, the antagonists--baddies one and all, which adds to the suspense that keeps you reading long into the night, and the main baddie in this novel, is one of the most vile, nasty, repulsive bad guys in this series, and I loved the way CeCe dealt with him--there's nothing like a strong, resourceful heroine. She totally rocked.
Here are your warnings: If you have issues with graphic sex, foul and repulsive language, and on-screen violence, this may not be the novel for you, but it certainly worked for this reader.
All in all, this was, quite simply, a fabulous read, and, if you're a fan of great romantic suspense, I think you'll agree. And, oh yes, there's yet another sister whose story will be coming soon, and I'm really looking forward to reading it.
First, Kai has dual narration, which is a literary device I've come to love, since it taps you directly into the minds of the characters--what they're thinking, what they're feeling, their fears, their pasts, and the reality of what they're experiencing as they're experiencing it.
Second, let's hear it for alpha heroes, because Ms. del Mar's alpha heroes are all so different, all so incredibly memorable, and also very seriously hot--certainly true of Kai, the titular hero in this novel. He's handsome, honest, brave, and yet still has baggage from his past, which made him all the more appealing to this reader.
And let's not overlook the heroines, all with issues and baggage of their own, yet all of whom bring something special to the table. In the case of this novel, and the two previous novels, the heroines, all sisters, are named after characters from Greek mythology, and in this novel it's Circe, CeCe, or Cersi, and whichever version of her name is used, she's one brilliant but tough cookie with a special gift, a talent that certainly comes in handy as the novel progresses. Additionally, Ms. del Mar is also a master of character development, never more so than in this novel.
Third, the antagonists--baddies one and all, which adds to the suspense that keeps you reading long into the night, and the main baddie in this novel, is one of the most vile, nasty, repulsive bad guys in this series, and I loved the way CeCe dealt with him--there's nothing like a strong, resourceful heroine. She totally rocked.
Here are your warnings: If you have issues with graphic sex, foul and repulsive language, and on-screen violence, this may not be the novel for you, but it certainly worked for this reader.
All in all, this was, quite simply, a fabulous read, and, if you're a fan of great romantic suspense, I think you'll agree. And, oh yes, there's yet another sister whose story will be coming soon, and I'm really looking forward to reading it.
August 3, 2025
Another sister rescued
Just. Sooo. Good!!!
Once again, this author has given us the most perfect (imperfect) book boyfriend to fall in love with, and that’s exactly what I did!!
Everyone knows the Battle Brothers are skilled protectors and dedicated to mission success. The Astor siblings have been in mortal danger and on the run from the NWO ever since Dash’s story began. I especially liked how each Astor sister possessed a psychic “gift” that helped them locate one another. Although Thena and Missy are safe, Affie’s location is unknown. Cece, however, has been found, and the NWO is closing in; Kai has been assigned to bring her home.
I was completely pulled into this storyline from the first few pages, and this feeling lasted until the end. The dangerous and addictive storyline had me hooked, my pulse pounding with each twist and turn, eagerly anticipating the next rush of excitement. Kai, whose chill confidence radiated strength, kept Cece grounded amidst their harrowing escapes, but his relaxed exterior hid a heart riddled with turmoil. The story’s whirlwind of close calls and dangerous turns entertained me, and as always with this author’s works, the pages turned themselves. Her skillful descriptions transported me into the story, making me feel like I was truly there, experiencing the Hawaiian Islands, the refreshing sea spray, and the sun’s tropical warmth, as well as the panic and intensity of the dangers facing them.
It’s easy to connect with and understand the emotions in this story. I felt heartbroken for Kai and everything he went through. Despite Cece’s tough exterior and stoic demeanor, she was deeply affected by her father’s cruelty, leaving her riddled with self-doubt. Their journey to a happy ending was wonderful, especially the deep trust between them and undeniable steamy chemistry.
Although you can start here, I recommend you read the Astor storyline in order, beginning with Dash. For the richest reading experience and maximum context, start with Ajax, the first book, and you’ll be drawn into the Alpha Heroes series.
I cannot wait for the next story from this talented and creative author.
Just. Sooo. Good!!!
Once again, this author has given us the most perfect (imperfect) book boyfriend to fall in love with, and that’s exactly what I did!!
Everyone knows the Battle Brothers are skilled protectors and dedicated to mission success. The Astor siblings have been in mortal danger and on the run from the NWO ever since Dash’s story began. I especially liked how each Astor sister possessed a psychic “gift” that helped them locate one another. Although Thena and Missy are safe, Affie’s location is unknown. Cece, however, has been found, and the NWO is closing in; Kai has been assigned to bring her home.
I was completely pulled into this storyline from the first few pages, and this feeling lasted until the end. The dangerous and addictive storyline had me hooked, my pulse pounding with each twist and turn, eagerly anticipating the next rush of excitement. Kai, whose chill confidence radiated strength, kept Cece grounded amidst their harrowing escapes, but his relaxed exterior hid a heart riddled with turmoil. The story’s whirlwind of close calls and dangerous turns entertained me, and as always with this author’s works, the pages turned themselves. Her skillful descriptions transported me into the story, making me feel like I was truly there, experiencing the Hawaiian Islands, the refreshing sea spray, and the sun’s tropical warmth, as well as the panic and intensity of the dangers facing them.
It’s easy to connect with and understand the emotions in this story. I felt heartbroken for Kai and everything he went through. Despite Cece’s tough exterior and stoic demeanor, she was deeply affected by her father’s cruelty, leaving her riddled with self-doubt. Their journey to a happy ending was wonderful, especially the deep trust between them and undeniable steamy chemistry.
Although you can start here, I recommend you read the Astor storyline in order, beginning with Dash. For the richest reading experience and maximum context, start with Ajax, the first book, and you’ll be drawn into the Alpha Heroes series.
I cannot wait for the next story from this talented and creative author.
August 4, 2025
I dare you not to become completely engaged in Kai from page one. This book is nonstop end to end. I admit that I was completely enamored with Kai King from the get-go. Cersi Astor called it right when she described Kai as the embodiment of peace one second and war itself the next. He's intense, deadly professional and dedicated to his mission. He's also thoughtful, charming, flirty and funny. Saving and protecting, Cece, his Sorceress in a challenge in every way. I was equally captivated by Cersi. She's one tough lady who's highly intelligent, lethal in her right, doesn't suffer fools and is emotionally broken. The journey these two travel will have you holding your breath in anticipation of what could happen or what comes next while sitting on the edge of your seat. There are some deeply emotional moments, humorous scenarios and deadly encounters. Ultimately, Kai and his Sorceress fulfill their destiny.
August 9, 2025
AMAZING!
Another 5+ stars for Anna del Mar. Kai is definitely Alpha Hero material in every sense. He is strong, capable, sexy, honest, military hardened, sensitive, caring and insightful. Cece, a match for Kai, also hardened with a goodness that got battered down. I loved Cece’s gift, seeing and reading auras.
This book is everything I expected from Anna. I don’t know how but Anna continues to amaze and delight me with her words. Can’t wait for the next Alpha Hero to make his appearance.
Another 5+ stars for Anna del Mar. Kai is definitely Alpha Hero material in every sense. He is strong, capable, sexy, honest, military hardened, sensitive, caring and insightful. Cece, a match for Kai, also hardened with a goodness that got battered down. I loved Cece’s gift, seeing and reading auras.
This book is everything I expected from Anna. I don’t know how but Anna continues to amaze and delight me with her words. Can’t wait for the next Alpha Hero to make his appearance.
September 18, 2025
OMG!!
What a cliffhanger!!! I was hoping and praying through these stories that what is mentioned in the final sentence was true, but oh my God I can't wait until next year for the next book. Too brutal, but man I so enjoyed all of your books. I highly recommend everything this author writes. Run, don't walk, you need to read everything you can get your hands on.
What a cliffhanger!!! I was hoping and praying through these stories that what is mentioned in the final sentence was true, but oh my God I can't wait until next year for the next book. Too brutal, but man I so enjoyed all of your books. I highly recommend everything this author writes. Run, don't walk, you need to read everything you can get your hands on.
December 28, 2025
I really liked this book. I put off reading it because of a poor review and that was a shame. I didn’t have the same hang ups the other reviewer did and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I had forgotten how much fun the Astor sisters were! I am really looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews