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Deadly Secrets #1
Convicted
A thrilling suspense from Entangled’s Ignite imprint…
The only thing more dangerous than passion is the truth.
Former Marine and new Sheriff’s Deputy Cade Evigan is hanging onto his damaged soul—and his personal code—by a thread. His current mission? Weed out a violent motorcycle crew from a small mountain town. The problem? Katrina Killian, a woman standing firmly on the other side of the law, smack in the middle of the gang he’s there to destroy. She may get under his skin, but the sultry biker has criminal written all over her. So why can't he see her like any other convict?
For two years, Katrina has been a DEA agent hiding in plain sight amidst a pack of killers, working to put an end to the gang that has terrorized her hometown. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a man who could blow her cover—and her heart—to pieces, but Cade’s become an addiction she can’t break. Unable to risk either of their lives with the truth, she plays both ends against the middle to keep him safe. But lies can only last so long, and Katrina’s time has just run out…
The only thing more dangerous than passion is the truth.
Former Marine and new Sheriff’s Deputy Cade Evigan is hanging onto his damaged soul—and his personal code—by a thread. His current mission? Weed out a violent motorcycle crew from a small mountain town. The problem? Katrina Killian, a woman standing firmly on the other side of the law, smack in the middle of the gang he’s there to destroy. She may get under his skin, but the sultry biker has criminal written all over her. So why can't he see her like any other convict?
For two years, Katrina has been a DEA agent hiding in plain sight amidst a pack of killers, working to put an end to the gang that has terrorized her hometown. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a man who could blow her cover—and her heart—to pieces, but Cade’s become an addiction she can’t break. Unable to risk either of their lives with the truth, she plays both ends against the middle to keep him safe. But lies can only last so long, and Katrina’s time has just run out…
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2011
419 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 10, 2018
Fast-Paced Romantic Suspense
My first book by author Dee Tenorio was an excellent read! The characters are snarky and sad, the plot suspenseful and well-written.
I adore emotionally wounded heroes and Cade Evington is near the top of the list. His days fighting as a Marine in Afghanistan have left him in a PTSD haze, trying to avoid anything that will make him feel again. Cade arrives at a barren town to help his Marine friend on the police force, leading him to save a young boy from the throes of domestic violence by a gang leader:
Faint pangs of emotion bubbled beneath the layers numbing his senses at the desperate grip of those little arms. Not for the first time, he was grateful to be so shut down. He had a job to do, one he couldn't fail.
Trina is a member of a violent drug gang that Cade should arrest, but instead, she's the one woman who can light the fire of his feelings. He tries to stomp out the flame, however, feeling unworthy of the spunky beauty.
Women as vital as Trina didn't want men as dead inside as him.
Unknown to Cade, Trina is an undercover DEA agent. She's drawn to Cade even though he has no idea that she's full of integrity like he is.
The sex scenes are hot and original, furthering the the plot and characterization instead of just being thrown in as obligatory erotica.
His steady gaze never wavered from hers, reaching far deeper than the skin.
He can see me, she realized, a half second later jolting from the ridiculousness of the thought. But the feeling didn't go away. If anything it intensified as he settled, full length, above her. She'd thought this was what she wanted, but the vulnerability almost frightened her. Exposed. Open. Unable to hide anything from him.
I look forward to book two in the series!
My first book by author Dee Tenorio was an excellent read! The characters are snarky and sad, the plot suspenseful and well-written.
I adore emotionally wounded heroes and Cade Evington is near the top of the list. His days fighting as a Marine in Afghanistan have left him in a PTSD haze, trying to avoid anything that will make him feel again. Cade arrives at a barren town to help his Marine friend on the police force, leading him to save a young boy from the throes of domestic violence by a gang leader:
Faint pangs of emotion bubbled beneath the layers numbing his senses at the desperate grip of those little arms. Not for the first time, he was grateful to be so shut down. He had a job to do, one he couldn't fail.
Trina is a member of a violent drug gang that Cade should arrest, but instead, she's the one woman who can light the fire of his feelings. He tries to stomp out the flame, however, feeling unworthy of the spunky beauty.
Women as vital as Trina didn't want men as dead inside as him.
Unknown to Cade, Trina is an undercover DEA agent. She's drawn to Cade even though he has no idea that she's full of integrity like he is.
The sex scenes are hot and original, furthering the the plot and characterization instead of just being thrown in as obligatory erotica.
His steady gaze never wavered from hers, reaching far deeper than the skin.
He can see me, she realized, a half second later jolting from the ridiculousness of the thought. But the feeling didn't go away. If anything it intensified as he settled, full length, above her. She'd thought this was what she wanted, but the vulnerability almost frightened her. Exposed. Open. Unable to hide anything from him.
I look forward to book two in the series!
August 18, 2014
Slick
5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
slick
I love a good romantic suspense and Dee Tenorio delivered big time with Convicted. She had me numerous time on the edge of my seat, I found I had to remind myself to breath yet, there was a little bit of humor, some good natured verbal sparring that was more like foreplay, and some hot sexual tension that turned in to more. This book was a sexy suspenseful romp that engages both the readers mind and heart and it is well worth its 99 cent introductory price tag and so much more.
Sometimes characters in a love story don’t seem to make sense and Sheriff’s Deputy Cade Evigan and Biker Bar owner/manager Katrina Killian seem to be on opposite sides of the law but often times looks can be deceiving. Cade was a tough character to crack; he didn’t want anyone to know him, he didn’t want to be involved, and he sure as hell didn’t want a woman in his life but Katrina just wouldn’t let it go. She made her presence known, she wouldn’t let him hide from himself or her and most of all she made him feel something he hadn’t done in a long time.
I really loved the interplay between Cade and Katrina and the fact that a good deal of time passed in this book and while the reader doesn’t “see” all of this time it is implied and that’s all we need to understand that this wasn’t some fast and furious romance. They had many ups and downs and a lot of not so pretty moments but there was also a sense of trust between them they both knew shouldn’t exist but did.
A long investigation into the Wheels of Pain MC is front and center in this book but instead of it being a look into the underbelly of the MC, the reader sees it from the eyes of those trying to put them away and save the town they have terrified into silence. I found this to be a fascinating look at a different side of the MC world.
I love seeing an author stretch beyond her normal fare and author Dee Tenorio has done just that; Convicted is suspenseful, edgy, laced with humor, and sexy. It simply is a fantastic story!
5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
slick
I love a good romantic suspense and Dee Tenorio delivered big time with Convicted. She had me numerous time on the edge of my seat, I found I had to remind myself to breath yet, there was a little bit of humor, some good natured verbal sparring that was more like foreplay, and some hot sexual tension that turned in to more. This book was a sexy suspenseful romp that engages both the readers mind and heart and it is well worth its 99 cent introductory price tag and so much more.
Sometimes characters in a love story don’t seem to make sense and Sheriff’s Deputy Cade Evigan and Biker Bar owner/manager Katrina Killian seem to be on opposite sides of the law but often times looks can be deceiving. Cade was a tough character to crack; he didn’t want anyone to know him, he didn’t want to be involved, and he sure as hell didn’t want a woman in his life but Katrina just wouldn’t let it go. She made her presence known, she wouldn’t let him hide from himself or her and most of all she made him feel something he hadn’t done in a long time.
I really loved the interplay between Cade and Katrina and the fact that a good deal of time passed in this book and while the reader doesn’t “see” all of this time it is implied and that’s all we need to understand that this wasn’t some fast and furious romance. They had many ups and downs and a lot of not so pretty moments but there was also a sense of trust between them they both knew shouldn’t exist but did.
A long investigation into the Wheels of Pain MC is front and center in this book but instead of it being a look into the underbelly of the MC, the reader sees it from the eyes of those trying to put them away and save the town they have terrified into silence. I found this to be a fascinating look at a different side of the MC world.
I love seeing an author stretch beyond her normal fare and author Dee Tenorio has done just that; Convicted is suspenseful, edgy, laced with humor, and sexy. It simply is a fantastic story!
August 18, 2014
Cade Evigan has become a sheriff's deputy in a small town at the behest of a former Marine buddy, also in the sheriff's department. The town is rife with corruption and is run by a motorcycle club. He meets Katrina Killian. She works at the local bar and reveals to him that her uncle is the head of the club. What she doesn't tell him is that she is two years undercover with the DEA. As their relationship develops, they each want to keep the other safe, while keeping their secrets.
The book was hard to get in to. There was a lot of background information about the motorcycle club and the town and Katrina's past that came very quickly in one conversation between Cade and Katrina. Then pacing was jerky and made it difficult to sustain excitement. The book took place over several months. The reader would read an action scene, only to start the next chapter and learn that a month had passed since it occurred and Cade and Katrina had been avoiding each other since it happened.
I also wanted more information about some things. How did Cade come to call her Trina? Cade only had one panic attack and then he overcame them by keeping himself in the present?
The book was hard to get in to. There was a lot of background information about the motorcycle club and the town and Katrina's past that came very quickly in one conversation between Cade and Katrina. Then pacing was jerky and made it difficult to sustain excitement. The book took place over several months. The reader would read an action scene, only to start the next chapter and learn that a month had passed since it occurred and Cade and Katrina had been avoiding each other since it happened.
I also wanted more information about some things. How did Cade come to call her Trina? Cade only had one panic attack and then he overcame them by keeping himself in the present?
December 22, 2011
Cade hasn't felt like himself since coming back from the war. His buddy Ricky talks him into joining the Sheriff's department. One day he happens to come across Katrina and its lust at first sight. But he thinks that he can't have her - she's a criminal or so he thinks. After she shows up on his door step all bruised and bloody - he finally gets the truth out of her. Another short quick read. It seemed to hang still after she got to the cabin and they talked and had some smexy action going on. Then all of the sudden it was over.....
August 13, 2018
This romantic suspense did not disappoint. It was everything you could want fast-paced, drama, and super hot romance. I loved the tension and lust between Cade and Trina. Cade did not want to admit it to himself that he wanted Trina because he feared he would have to arrest her. They were on opposite sides of the law. I loved that about this book. This is my first book by this author but I can´t wait to read more.
August 9, 2014
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Actual rating 2.5
Okay, so this book sounded exactly like my kind of read: retired marine turns cop, drug dealers, and motorbike gangs. However, for the majority of the book it just didn't live up to how well the blurb sold it. It's sad I say that really because I thought this was going to be a great read, and whilst it had some good points, for me, there weren't enough to make me think this was more than an okay read.
For starters, I just can't get my head around the writing. The plot was pretty basic but I felt the writing was choppy and didn't flow well at all. The book jumped around in time a lot and I felt that there was big chunks of the story missing that could have been filled in to create more of a connection an depth. Because of this, I never really connected with the characters or came to care for them. I did like Trina's attitude and she was strong but as for the relationship, I didn't find it believable.
Similarly, I felt Cade was too weak. Even with his PTSD, he came across as weak around Trina. She seemed more of the alpha, which isn't what I want in a book like this. I wanted him to be more in control and protective but Trina ended up wanting to protect him more, which felt weird. Saying that, things did get better at the end. Cade came into his own a bit more and started taking control. I wish he had been like that the whole way through. The action also picked up at this point and things did get interesting; once again I wished the book had been written like it throughout.
Overall, this was an okay read but I've read other books in this genre (and from this publisher) I would recommend first. If you're looking for strong, alpha men though, this probably isn't the right book for you but it's still a quick easy read that may be of some interest.
Actual rating 2.5
Okay, so this book sounded exactly like my kind of read: retired marine turns cop, drug dealers, and motorbike gangs. However, for the majority of the book it just didn't live up to how well the blurb sold it. It's sad I say that really because I thought this was going to be a great read, and whilst it had some good points, for me, there weren't enough to make me think this was more than an okay read.
For starters, I just can't get my head around the writing. The plot was pretty basic but I felt the writing was choppy and didn't flow well at all. The book jumped around in time a lot and I felt that there was big chunks of the story missing that could have been filled in to create more of a connection an depth. Because of this, I never really connected with the characters or came to care for them. I did like Trina's attitude and she was strong but as for the relationship, I didn't find it believable.
Similarly, I felt Cade was too weak. Even with his PTSD, he came across as weak around Trina. She seemed more of the alpha, which isn't what I want in a book like this. I wanted him to be more in control and protective but Trina ended up wanting to protect him more, which felt weird. Saying that, things did get better at the end. Cade came into his own a bit more and started taking control. I wish he had been like that the whole way through. The action also picked up at this point and things did get interesting; once again I wished the book had been written like it throughout.
Overall, this was an okay read but I've read other books in this genre (and from this publisher) I would recommend first. If you're looking for strong, alpha men though, this probably isn't the right book for you but it's still a quick easy read that may be of some interest.
August 19, 2014
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I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a DNF for me at about 70%.
#thatcovertho yaaaaas
When I read the synopsis to this I lost it. It sounded like such a hot read and TOTALLY up my ally! But when I began reading I had a really hard time getting into the book so I put it down for a few days hoping that would help. It didn't. I typically stop reading when I can't get into a book (bc life is too short and my TBR list is insane) but I really wanted to give this one a chance. So I kept at it but at about 70% through the book I just couldn't continue.
My main issue is that the writing wasn't very smooth- it felt choppy to me. And I always felt confused as to what I was reading because it did jump around time wise. Also, I never connected to the characters and I think that had a lot to do with the fact that the characters weren't very strong, in my opinion. They weren't believable to me.
It's no surprise that I love Alpha males. I mean, COME ON, who doesn't!? This book did not deliver for me. I felt that Cade was way too weak and vulnerable for my liking. It's ok in certain cases but it was too much for me. At some points I felt like the roles were reversed between Cade and Trina. Don't get me wrong, I love a ball-busting chick but I wasn't feeling it.
I will probably try another book by Dee Tenorio because you never know... maybe Convicted didn't work for me but who is to say another one of her other books won't.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a DNF for me at about 70%.
#thatcovertho yaaaaas
When I read the synopsis to this I lost it. It sounded like such a hot read and TOTALLY up my ally! But when I began reading I had a really hard time getting into the book so I put it down for a few days hoping that would help. It didn't. I typically stop reading when I can't get into a book (bc life is too short and my TBR list is insane) but I really wanted to give this one a chance. So I kept at it but at about 70% through the book I just couldn't continue.
My main issue is that the writing wasn't very smooth- it felt choppy to me. And I always felt confused as to what I was reading because it did jump around time wise. Also, I never connected to the characters and I think that had a lot to do with the fact that the characters weren't very strong, in my opinion. They weren't believable to me.
It's no surprise that I love Alpha males. I mean, COME ON, who doesn't!? This book did not deliver for me. I felt that Cade was way too weak and vulnerable for my liking. It's ok in certain cases but it was too much for me. At some points I felt like the roles were reversed between Cade and Trina. Don't get me wrong, I love a ball-busting chick but I wasn't feeling it.
I will probably try another book by Dee Tenorio because you never know... maybe Convicted didn't work for me but who is to say another one of her other books won't.
August 9, 2014
This is the first book I've read by Dee Tenorio. After reading the synopsis, I was excited to receive a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Entangled Publishing.
What immediately drew me to the story was the cover. You can judge a book by its cover (or at least want to) and this one is awesome! The synopsis also sounded intriguing with a bit of everything - mystery, mc culture, dark romance. As most MC books are written today, this one definitely has a very dark and gritty edge to it. I was left with a picture of a very desolate small town being savagely run by the local MC.
The heroine, Trina, is a strong and self-reliant woman who has worked hard to be where she is now. Cade was a complicated character - reserved and struggling now that he's back home from the war and helping his friend in Rick's hometown. I think I liked him a lot more towards the end of the book when he becomes more of the protector.
I wasn't prepared for, and maybe it's just not my personal taste, that Trina came off more as the alpha in the book than Cade. Cade was more reserved and withdrawn while Trina was the aggressor in their relationship. This was very evident for the first part of the book, which I had a hard time getting drawn into their relationship and their emotional tie at the beginning.
I did enjoy the overall idea of the story, but the way it ended with the bad guy, Frank, was a little odd - he kind of wussed out and spilled the beans easily after being such a nightmare. I am left wondering if we will see another story involving Rick, Shana, and her son.
What immediately drew me to the story was the cover. You can judge a book by its cover (or at least want to) and this one is awesome! The synopsis also sounded intriguing with a bit of everything - mystery, mc culture, dark romance. As most MC books are written today, this one definitely has a very dark and gritty edge to it. I was left with a picture of a very desolate small town being savagely run by the local MC.
The heroine, Trina, is a strong and self-reliant woman who has worked hard to be where she is now. Cade was a complicated character - reserved and struggling now that he's back home from the war and helping his friend in Rick's hometown. I think I liked him a lot more towards the end of the book when he becomes more of the protector.
I wasn't prepared for, and maybe it's just not my personal taste, that Trina came off more as the alpha in the book than Cade. Cade was more reserved and withdrawn while Trina was the aggressor in their relationship. This was very evident for the first part of the book, which I had a hard time getting drawn into their relationship and their emotional tie at the beginning.
I did enjoy the overall idea of the story, but the way it ended with the bad guy, Frank, was a little odd - he kind of wussed out and spilled the beans easily after being such a nightmare. I am left wondering if we will see another story involving Rick, Shana, and her son.
August 23, 2014
Militairy man. Strong woman. Hot sex. Suspense. What more could you ask for? Honestly, I'm not sure. But i felt like I needed to read another book by this author before I decide if she goes on the must read list.
September 2, 2018
Convict me and lock me up...
Obviously, I'm a sucker for broken military men, mainly Marines, suffering from PTSD and emotional problems and Cade Evigan more than fits the bill. But what I really like about this story, besides Cade, is bad-ass biker chick, Katrina Killian.
As a former Marine, Cade has some demons that have turned him into "the scary dude" in town even though he's a deputy sheriff. Cade has isolated himself from everyone except his best friend, Undersheriff and former Marine, Rick Trelane. Rick brought Cade into the sheriff's department to help with the problem the town of Marketta is having with a motocycle gang called Wheels of Pain and it's fearless leader and local psychopath, Frank Carter.
Katrina, aka Katy or Trina, is an undercover DEA agent under deep cover trying to weed out the drugs in her hometown. Trina drives this story with her boldness and brash, take-no-prisoners attitude, and basically just saying whatever the hell she wants which is so refreshing! Trina's not some damsel in distress who needs to be kept safe. Trina takes care of herself and those around her--even a six foot plus hunk of muscle who doesn't realize he needs saving, albeit mostly emotional.
The dialogue between Cade and Trina flows naturally and kept me guessing what would come out of Trina's mouth next.
Trina to Cade after the first time she meets him in the park: "So sex on the second date, then?"
Cade: What the hell did you think you were doing? Trina: "Copping a feel." Trina: I put condoms in your beside table weeks agao." Cade: "I-you what?" Trina: 'Figured we'd need them if I ever got you naked." "Come on, Cade. Make me respect you in the morning."
Cade is so taken aback by Trina that all he can do is react and recover. As much as Cade doesn't want to like Trina or get involved, he loses the battle the first day he sets eyes on her and the rest is pretty predictable as to where things go from there. Cade, Trina, and Rick finally have the final showdown with Frank and Wheels of Pain to clean up the town of Marketta once and for all.
A fun read that kept me laughing well into the night.
Obviously, I'm a sucker for broken military men, mainly Marines, suffering from PTSD and emotional problems and Cade Evigan more than fits the bill. But what I really like about this story, besides Cade, is bad-ass biker chick, Katrina Killian.
As a former Marine, Cade has some demons that have turned him into "the scary dude" in town even though he's a deputy sheriff. Cade has isolated himself from everyone except his best friend, Undersheriff and former Marine, Rick Trelane. Rick brought Cade into the sheriff's department to help with the problem the town of Marketta is having with a motocycle gang called Wheels of Pain and it's fearless leader and local psychopath, Frank Carter.
Katrina, aka Katy or Trina, is an undercover DEA agent under deep cover trying to weed out the drugs in her hometown. Trina drives this story with her boldness and brash, take-no-prisoners attitude, and basically just saying whatever the hell she wants which is so refreshing! Trina's not some damsel in distress who needs to be kept safe. Trina takes care of herself and those around her--even a six foot plus hunk of muscle who doesn't realize he needs saving, albeit mostly emotional.
The dialogue between Cade and Trina flows naturally and kept me guessing what would come out of Trina's mouth next.
Trina to Cade after the first time she meets him in the park: "So sex on the second date, then?"
Cade: What the hell did you think you were doing? Trina: "Copping a feel." Trina: I put condoms in your beside table weeks agao." Cade: "I-you what?" Trina: 'Figured we'd need them if I ever got you naked." "Come on, Cade. Make me respect you in the morning."
Cade is so taken aback by Trina that all he can do is react and recover. As much as Cade doesn't want to like Trina or get involved, he loses the battle the first day he sets eyes on her and the rest is pretty predictable as to where things go from there. Cade, Trina, and Rick finally have the final showdown with Frank and Wheels of Pain to clean up the town of Marketta once and for all.
A fun read that kept me laughing well into the night.
October 21, 2023
Ex-marine turned cop, check. An undercover DEA agent trying to take down a biker gang, check. A couple with plenty of chemistry, check.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Tenorio and it had everything I love in a romantic suspense. It was fast-paced and flowed nicely. It had interesting characters with back stories that made me really feel for them because of everything they've been through in the past. It had an entertaining plot that kept me reading to see what would happen next, especially when the hero believes he should be arresting the heroine because of her involvement with the biker gang but soon realizes that maybe there's more to her being part of the gang than he knows.
I really liked the hero Cade. He's an emotionally wounded hero. He suffers from PTSD but does his best to go forward with his life. Trina coming into his life turns things around for the better and I liked their growing romance. Their chemistry is strong and spills over onto the pages in hot scenes that break up the suspense of the story. While Trina, she's strong, brave and I could understand why she's drawn to him. They both have integrity and will do anything to take down the bad guys.
Overall, Ms. Tenorio wrote a really good romantic suspense in this story that had me reading quickly to see how this story would end. Cade and Trina are good together and for each other and I liked how everything was wrapped up in this story. Can't wait to read book 2 of this series.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Tenorio and it had everything I love in a romantic suspense. It was fast-paced and flowed nicely. It had interesting characters with back stories that made me really feel for them because of everything they've been through in the past. It had an entertaining plot that kept me reading to see what would happen next, especially when the hero believes he should be arresting the heroine because of her involvement with the biker gang but soon realizes that maybe there's more to her being part of the gang than he knows.
I really liked the hero Cade. He's an emotionally wounded hero. He suffers from PTSD but does his best to go forward with his life. Trina coming into his life turns things around for the better and I liked their growing romance. Their chemistry is strong and spills over onto the pages in hot scenes that break up the suspense of the story. While Trina, she's strong, brave and I could understand why she's drawn to him. They both have integrity and will do anything to take down the bad guys.
Overall, Ms. Tenorio wrote a really good romantic suspense in this story that had me reading quickly to see how this story would end. Cade and Trina are good together and for each other and I liked how everything was wrapped up in this story. Can't wait to read book 2 of this series.
September 25, 2018
Had premise but somewhere along the line my interest deviated....
This book had premise but somewhere along the line my interest deviated and I started to dissect the book. I’ll start off with the fact that I did enjoy Cade And Trina’s chemistry but not how it came into play. They went from barely talking to boom four months have passed their having deeper conversations. Now while I can appreciate a slow burn that combust into instant love and attraction I couldn’t quite wrap my head around some of things at play. One moment Katrina wanted Cade then the next she’s rejecting him and I get she was undercover so she’s trying to protect her cop lover but at the expense of his heart really? It was like a ping pong match: sex, affection, and then
rejection. Repeat that cycle over and over and that’s most of story. I feel like I’m reading an unfinished story where the crime and romance somehow got muddled and I can’t quite figure out where it begins or ends. Then there’s the fact in no world would a DEA agent and Sheriff officer have sex on top of a patrol car on a country road where anyone could catch them. Or why a DEA agent would just willing give up said crime information just to keep the new sheriff in on his surroundings putting her at risk of blowing her cover. This book maybe titled “Convicted” but it felt more like CONFLICTED.
This book had premise but somewhere along the line my interest deviated and I started to dissect the book. I’ll start off with the fact that I did enjoy Cade And Trina’s chemistry but not how it came into play. They went from barely talking to boom four months have passed their having deeper conversations. Now while I can appreciate a slow burn that combust into instant love and attraction I couldn’t quite wrap my head around some of things at play. One moment Katrina wanted Cade then the next she’s rejecting him and I get she was undercover so she’s trying to protect her cop lover but at the expense of his heart really? It was like a ping pong match: sex, affection, and then
rejection. Repeat that cycle over and over and that’s most of story. I feel like I’m reading an unfinished story where the crime and romance somehow got muddled and I can’t quite figure out where it begins or ends. Then there’s the fact in no world would a DEA agent and Sheriff officer have sex on top of a patrol car on a country road where anyone could catch them. Or why a DEA agent would just willing give up said crime information just to keep the new sheriff in on his surroundings putting her at risk of blowing her cover. This book maybe titled “Convicted” but it felt more like CONFLICTED.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2018
A quick intense read with plenty of action and suspense. Cade is content living in his isolated cabin in the woods after his multiple deployments overseas. He likes his isolation. When he's brought onboard by an old Army friend as a Sheriff to help get rid of an MC gang that's running wild in this small town, he stands tall. He's tall and broad and one heck of a presence. Katrina works for the DEA and this is her hometown, she's been embedded in the MC club, working in her uncles bar while he's in prison trying to get any info on the now head of this gang who likes to beat up his wife and will kill you just as soon as look at you. He doesn't like Katy as they call her, he tolerates her and he sure doesn't like the new Sheriff. Cade can't figure out what this woman Katy is doing in the middle of this gang. This is the basis for the story woven along this plot line. Interesting combination of characters and I liked Cade and Katy. If you like romantic suspense and toss in a nasty MC this book is definitely for you. Dee Tenorio always writes a good story.
**advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
second look
**advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
second look
September 14, 2014
3.5 shining stars
I was drawn to this book because it centered on the DEA and local law enforcement banding together to take down a lawless motorcycle club and, in the midst of this joint effort, an unlikely friendship between undercover DEA agent Katrina Killian and Deputy Cade Evigan blossoms into a romance. Overall, I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the book but was disappointed in some respects by the level of action and suspense.
One of the most surprising parts of the book for me is the reversal in roles between the hero and heroine. In creating Cade’s character, Tenorio breaks from the traditional heroic stereotype of a take-charge dominant alpha male who becomes uber-protective over the heroine he is charged to protect. Cade suffers from PTSD and is only in town because he couldn’t say no to former marine teammate Rick’s request to help maintain law and order in a community under the stronghold of the Wheels of Pain MC. Cade is extremely quiet, private, distant, and brooding, all characteristics I would expect from a man who feels emotionally broken. What’s unusual is that he’s not the hero who comes charging in to save the day and who actively pursues the heroine.
Instead, Katrina is the one aggressively pursuing Cade. She isn’t shy nor does she worry about getting too close to the handsome Cade, who quietly exudes a power and control that draws her to him. In fact, she’s downright brazen about her interest in him. Her straightforward, sometimes jaw-dropping assertions startle Cade and initially caught me off guard as well. Although some readers may not like such a bold heroine, and I’m not sure I do either, I do believe her behavior is exactly what is needed to break down the emotional barriers Cade has erected to protect himself. No matter how hard Cade tries to push her away, Katrina refuses to be deterred. Slowly, she inches her way into Cade’s life and their love story progresses over a period of months. This span in time was integral in helping me believe their romance is genuine. Cade has been emotionally shut down for so long that it would be hard for me to accept a romance developing too quickly.
By narrating the story from both the Cade’s and Katrina’s POVs, the author makes the characters’ inner struggles just as prominent as the main external conflicts involving the MC club. Both characters have arcs that reflect their growth over the course of the story, but Cade’s arc is much more dramatic. Cade doesn’t know that Katrina is working undercover to bring down the MC run by a brutal, violent and unscrupulous leader, and he is conflicted about getting involved with someone who seemingly doesn’t mind living and working along with this gang of criminals. Similarly, although Katrina is genuinely interested in getting to know Cade, she feels guilty that she’s deceiving him and that, when he learns the truth, he may resent her and put both their lives in jeopardy. Yet, no matter how strong her feelings for Cade become, I admire her willingness to sacrifice her personal happiness to keep her cover and put a stop to the MC’s illegal activities. Katrina grew up in this MC, which is why she is so easily accepted by the club. Furthermore, she’s seen firsthand all the people who have been hurt and terrorized by this club that has no loyalty or sense of brotherhood. They are merely a band of felons and drug traffickers united by their greed.
One aspect of the book that I found especially striking is how effective Tenorio is in describing and picking apart Cade’s feelings about his own state of mind and his emerging feelings for the feisty Katrina. Although she awakens emotions in him that have long been dormant, Cade doesn’t think he has anything to offer. I feel the depth of Cade’s despair when he wishes “he had something more to offer her than the body of a ghost who didn’t know how to die.”
Another one of Cade’s reflections that I found to be especially poignant and powerful:
“From the start, she’d made him wish he could be different. That he was still the guy who wanted to change the world and save lives. The one who laughed easily and trusted the world to be black and white. That guy had died with so many others, thousands of miles from here, under a killing sun that never seemed to set, in sands that never satisfied its thirst for blood.”
Tenorio gives this couple a HEA that is realistic and consistent with their backstories and the events that occur in the book, and you can expect some steamy love scenes along the way.
When I read a romantic suspense, I like to see equal weight given to the romance and the suspenseful. In Convicted, the romance overshadows the major external battle between the law and the MC. The suspense was strongest at the beginning and in the scenes closest to the climax. While I was aware throughout the book that the major characters were in perilous situations, especially Katrina, I just didn’t experience the nail-biting adventures I like to read. One minor aspect that disrupted my read was the abrupt announcements that signaled progression in the story’s timeline. Transitions should move the story forward seamlessly, and, if done skillfully, when reading along, I will hardly notice the shifts. This wasn’t the case with this novel.
To sum up, I’m glad I read the book and especially enjoyed the romance between two people who appear to be on different sides of the law finding their way to each other.
Source: I received an ARC ebook from the publisher to provide an honest review.
I was drawn to this book because it centered on the DEA and local law enforcement banding together to take down a lawless motorcycle club and, in the midst of this joint effort, an unlikely friendship between undercover DEA agent Katrina Killian and Deputy Cade Evigan blossoms into a romance. Overall, I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the book but was disappointed in some respects by the level of action and suspense.
One of the most surprising parts of the book for me is the reversal in roles between the hero and heroine. In creating Cade’s character, Tenorio breaks from the traditional heroic stereotype of a take-charge dominant alpha male who becomes uber-protective over the heroine he is charged to protect. Cade suffers from PTSD and is only in town because he couldn’t say no to former marine teammate Rick’s request to help maintain law and order in a community under the stronghold of the Wheels of Pain MC. Cade is extremely quiet, private, distant, and brooding, all characteristics I would expect from a man who feels emotionally broken. What’s unusual is that he’s not the hero who comes charging in to save the day and who actively pursues the heroine.
Instead, Katrina is the one aggressively pursuing Cade. She isn’t shy nor does she worry about getting too close to the handsome Cade, who quietly exudes a power and control that draws her to him. In fact, she’s downright brazen about her interest in him. Her straightforward, sometimes jaw-dropping assertions startle Cade and initially caught me off guard as well. Although some readers may not like such a bold heroine, and I’m not sure I do either, I do believe her behavior is exactly what is needed to break down the emotional barriers Cade has erected to protect himself. No matter how hard Cade tries to push her away, Katrina refuses to be deterred. Slowly, she inches her way into Cade’s life and their love story progresses over a period of months. This span in time was integral in helping me believe their romance is genuine. Cade has been emotionally shut down for so long that it would be hard for me to accept a romance developing too quickly.
By narrating the story from both the Cade’s and Katrina’s POVs, the author makes the characters’ inner struggles just as prominent as the main external conflicts involving the MC club. Both characters have arcs that reflect their growth over the course of the story, but Cade’s arc is much more dramatic. Cade doesn’t know that Katrina is working undercover to bring down the MC run by a brutal, violent and unscrupulous leader, and he is conflicted about getting involved with someone who seemingly doesn’t mind living and working along with this gang of criminals. Similarly, although Katrina is genuinely interested in getting to know Cade, she feels guilty that she’s deceiving him and that, when he learns the truth, he may resent her and put both their lives in jeopardy. Yet, no matter how strong her feelings for Cade become, I admire her willingness to sacrifice her personal happiness to keep her cover and put a stop to the MC’s illegal activities. Katrina grew up in this MC, which is why she is so easily accepted by the club. Furthermore, she’s seen firsthand all the people who have been hurt and terrorized by this club that has no loyalty or sense of brotherhood. They are merely a band of felons and drug traffickers united by their greed.
One aspect of the book that I found especially striking is how effective Tenorio is in describing and picking apart Cade’s feelings about his own state of mind and his emerging feelings for the feisty Katrina. Although she awakens emotions in him that have long been dormant, Cade doesn’t think he has anything to offer. I feel the depth of Cade’s despair when he wishes “he had something more to offer her than the body of a ghost who didn’t know how to die.”
Another one of Cade’s reflections that I found to be especially poignant and powerful:
“From the start, she’d made him wish he could be different. That he was still the guy who wanted to change the world and save lives. The one who laughed easily and trusted the world to be black and white. That guy had died with so many others, thousands of miles from here, under a killing sun that never seemed to set, in sands that never satisfied its thirst for blood.”
Tenorio gives this couple a HEA that is realistic and consistent with their backstories and the events that occur in the book, and you can expect some steamy love scenes along the way.
When I read a romantic suspense, I like to see equal weight given to the romance and the suspenseful. In Convicted, the romance overshadows the major external battle between the law and the MC. The suspense was strongest at the beginning and in the scenes closest to the climax. While I was aware throughout the book that the major characters were in perilous situations, especially Katrina, I just didn’t experience the nail-biting adventures I like to read. One minor aspect that disrupted my read was the abrupt announcements that signaled progression in the story’s timeline. Transitions should move the story forward seamlessly, and, if done skillfully, when reading along, I will hardly notice the shifts. This wasn’t the case with this novel.
To sum up, I’m glad I read the book and especially enjoyed the romance between two people who appear to be on different sides of the law finding their way to each other.
Source: I received an ARC ebook from the publisher to provide an honest review.
August 9, 2018
For the re release I received a copy through Netgalley. I really wanted to love this book, hot cop on the cover could never be bad. But, Cade and Katrina just didn't seem to fit the way I thought they should. She should have been grittier and tougher, not just aggressive sexually. He didn't have the depth to his story that I would have expected from a Marine. The story sort of jumped around, periods of time advanced quickly within a page, leaving out details that I wanted. It an interesting storyline, creative and steamy.
April 19, 2022
It was a great listen. First time read of this author and I liked the plotline. The only niggle I have is that it was dragged out a bit too long. This author likes to take you forward and then describe how the character got there. It was a good bit of angst and the heroine was the stronger lead in the story. It centered around her as much as the hero. The twist and turns was not where I thought it would go.
Steam was hot and the HEA was reached. I did enjoy the writing.
Kasha Kensington was a first listen narrator as well and she did a good job with her voices...a good read
Steam was hot and the HEA was reached. I did enjoy the writing.
Kasha Kensington was a first listen narrator as well and she did a good job with her voices...a good read
June 14, 2018
Two and half stars. The setup was great and the writing itself, if you just look at individual scenes, was spot on with prose that flowed and movie quality dialogue. Unfortunate the story was badly put together. There were weird time jumps, an inconsistent timeline and worst of all the wrong scenes were written out. Scene after scene has the characters talking about exciting events, after the fact, rather than allowing the reader to experience those events firsthand. It was like some low budget movie in which they don't have money for that big fight scene and all of those special effects so they just have the characters talk about what went down after the event, which of course makes absolutely no sense in a book. The book starting dragging half way through and I had a hard time finishing it.
I like both leads. Cade was vulnerable with his PTSD, and Katrina was totally kick-ass, not a typical romantic paring at all. Too bad neither of their back stories were fleshed out. I had no clue how Katrina went from troubled youth to DEA agent or what precisely happened to destroy Cade who was Special Forces. Katrina's undercover work didn't make a whole lot of sense and the wrap up was just happen-stance that didn't seem to have much to actually do with her.
My impression is that this book went though a hatchet job to make it fit the confines of the imprints specs. It needed to be twice as long to adequately tell the story that was laid out. The supposed hot sex scenes were just randomly shoe-horned in. Most of the sexy-time consisted of two entire chapters devoted to sex that appeared at random. The "I love yous" came out of no-where and I really didn't see a HAE as that would imply that Katrina was just going to throw her career away for a man.
I like both leads. Cade was vulnerable with his PTSD, and Katrina was totally kick-ass, not a typical romantic paring at all. Too bad neither of their back stories were fleshed out. I had no clue how Katrina went from troubled youth to DEA agent or what precisely happened to destroy Cade who was Special Forces. Katrina's undercover work didn't make a whole lot of sense and the wrap up was just happen-stance that didn't seem to have much to actually do with her.
My impression is that this book went though a hatchet job to make it fit the confines of the imprints specs. It needed to be twice as long to adequately tell the story that was laid out. The supposed hot sex scenes were just randomly shoe-horned in. Most of the sexy-time consisted of two entire chapters devoted to sex that appeared at random. The "I love yous" came out of no-where and I really didn't see a HAE as that would imply that Katrina was just going to throw her career away for a man.
August 4, 2018
I liked this story retired marine turned cop, DEA agent Convicted promised so much but for me if did fail to deliver in parts. Will I read more of this series YES, although I didn’t connect with parts overall it was an ok read and the series has the potential to grow so much from here.
August 9, 2018
WHEW!
First book I've read by this author and I guarantee it won't be the last. Rough and tumble and I don't mean just in bed. Some of the best sex scenes I've ever read. Grab it, lean back and enjoy every minute.
First book I've read by this author and I guarantee it won't be the last. Rough and tumble and I don't mean just in bed. Some of the best sex scenes I've ever read. Grab it, lean back and enjoy every minute.
August 28, 2018
I understand why the MC lied to Cade...but lies don't do well when trying to start or have a relationship. I know, it's part of her job. Just, it put Cade in a bad spot. Also, his friend and fellow Marine, Rick.
This book was okay.
This book was okay.
November 13, 2018
Good read. Well written with lots of action and great chemistry between Cade and Trina. I loved how their relationship started with Trina getting under his skin and annoyingly showing up in his life at random times, but he secretly loved it though he pretended she was a pain.
November 19, 2018
Great start of a puzzel to piece together.
I enjoyed the story line immensely, I gave it four starts because I think there could have been less sexual content and more story line. Glad to read strong women character along with strong, mysterious, male counterpart.
I enjoyed the story line immensely, I gave it four starts because I think there could have been less sexual content and more story line. Glad to read strong women character along with strong, mysterious, male counterpart.
November 3, 2019
Lots of action, outside and under the covers.
A thoughtful plot full of tension and suspense with believable characters. The H and h actually take the time to get to know each other before falling into bed.
A thoughtful plot full of tension and suspense with believable characters. The H and h actually take the time to get to know each other before falling into bed.
July 30, 2020
Great entertaining read. The two main characters are a great together, I enjoyed reading about their interactions with one another. Trina is doing her job with no apologies and Cade is suffering with PTSD and doesn't know it. They help each other as a team. Loved the story....
Read
February 14, 2021Hard hitting and fast paced.
Wow what a ride. fabulous story full of action, lies, and love 💘.
This author can write..she draws you in from the first sentence.
An author you will like reading. Don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself.
Wow what a ride. fabulous story full of action, lies, and love 💘.
This author can write..she draws you in from the first sentence.
An author you will like reading. Don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself.
July 29, 2018
Hot and spicy! Lots of steamy heat. Two hot heroes that make a fiery couple. Butt kicking action that keeps you turning the pages.
August 6, 2018
More sex than story!
Sounded much better than it was! Had the potential to be an interesting story but was interrupted by too much sex to follow the storyline.
Sounded much better than it was! Had the potential to be an interesting story but was interrupted by too much sex to follow the storyline.
August 8, 2018
Enjoyed the book till the last page.
August 12, 2018
It started slow but by then end it picked up and not so bad
December 31, 2018
Great book
Loved to read this book. The characters were both funny and honest. I would recommend it for anyone. Hats off to the author.
Loved to read this book. The characters were both funny and honest. I would recommend it for anyone. Hats off to the author.
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