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Operation: Hot Spot #2
Bound By Temptation
Dumped and disillusioned…
Emma Janssen’s perennial good luck has run dry...
First there’s the weekend of heated sensuality she’d shared with Lucas Trammel, followed by three months of humiliating silence. And then there’s her testy new home, which is slowly nickel-and-diming her to death. Add in a band of ruthless killers hot on her tail, and her perfect life is in a nasty meltdown. Even so, the very last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue. She’d given the man her love once and he’d abandoned her. She’s not about to let him close enough to hook her heart for a second time.
Deadly and dangerous…
Lucas has been lying to Emma for years…
As a special operator with ST7, life has taught Lucas to hold his Navy credentials close to his ballistics vest. It doesn’t pay to let civilians know what he does for a living. When one hot as hell weekend threatens to become more than a three-night stand, Lucas takes a giant step back. Emma is the kind of woman a man marries. But she’s a civilian. Civilians and black ops don’t mix. So he bails on her. He’s convinced he’d made the right call… until he finds out she’s in danger. The thought of a world without Emma? Wasn’t going to happen, even if that means kidnapping her himself.
Driven and Desperate…
Injured pride is all good and well until it gets you killed...
Emma isn’t stupid. After narrowly escaping an abduction thanks to Lucas’s timely intervention, she accepts his protection. But as the days drag on, and their passion rekindles she finds herself fighting two battles — one against the unidentified killers intent on taking her life, and one against the sexy Navy SEAL determined to steal back her heart.
Emma Janssen’s perennial good luck has run dry...
First there’s the weekend of heated sensuality she’d shared with Lucas Trammel, followed by three months of humiliating silence. And then there’s her testy new home, which is slowly nickel-and-diming her to death. Add in a band of ruthless killers hot on her tail, and her perfect life is in a nasty meltdown. Even so, the very last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue. She’d given the man her love once and he’d abandoned her. She’s not about to let him close enough to hook her heart for a second time.
Deadly and dangerous…
Lucas has been lying to Emma for years…
As a special operator with ST7, life has taught Lucas to hold his Navy credentials close to his ballistics vest. It doesn’t pay to let civilians know what he does for a living. When one hot as hell weekend threatens to become more than a three-night stand, Lucas takes a giant step back. Emma is the kind of woman a man marries. But she’s a civilian. Civilians and black ops don’t mix. So he bails on her. He’s convinced he’d made the right call… until he finds out she’s in danger. The thought of a world without Emma? Wasn’t going to happen, even if that means kidnapping her himself.
Driven and Desperate…
Injured pride is all good and well until it gets you killed...
Emma isn’t stupid. After narrowly escaping an abduction thanks to Lucas’s timely intervention, she accepts his protection. But as the days drag on, and their passion rekindles she finds herself fighting two battles — one against the unidentified killers intent on taking her life, and one against the sexy Navy SEAL determined to steal back her heart.
198 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2016
1030 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 6, 2019
Not very romantic....
I’m not a fan of stories where everything happens within a matter of days....
Emma comes home one day, contents of her house destroyed,Lucas is called ,next day Emma adopts a toothless but amazingly heroic dog with diabetes (who goes from cowering in a corner to growling and barking at any and all perceived threats) , goes to check on her house 🏡 argues with Lucas and is almost kidnapped...
Emma suffers a small fall/tumble when trying to escape the kidnappers, she only suffers minor cuts and scrapes,but for a woman who sounds like she’s in her early to mid 20’s, but she sounds like a much older woman the way these seemingly minor cuts and scrapes have left her barely able to walk or move or even function with out some sort of minor pain relievers every few hours... I found that as odd... Just as is a woman complaining about her poor finances from the very start of the book, who then adopts a dog that needs at least a 100 dollars in insulin ,plus a bit extra for special food because wet/canned food for a toothless dog must be high .... neither thing made sense...
Honestly I don’t know what to make of this story.... it all seems to take place in less than a week,I’d say 3-4 days total and most if not all the story is centered on what ever has caused the distraction of the property, the ransacking of her house and the attempted kidnapping, not on the two MC’s renewing their acquaintance and getting to know each other again...
Honestly other that her getting angry with him when he finally explains why he pulled what he did they barely talk to each other at all...
This. So. Is. NOT. Romantic. AT. ALL!
Nothing even remotely “happens” between them til after 80% of the book... Lucas decides after Emma’s life is threatened yet again in one of the last chapters, he can’t let her go and agrees to give their relationship a chance after all but since Emma is still so incredibly sore from her scraped knees still he thinks they should just cuddle and wait on sex,Emma’s response ? “You’re staying? Even though, you know… we’re not doing it?” she asked,
I rolled my eyes,at this ... Seriously ? The man has been taking care of you for days and has just decided to give a relationship a try after keeping you from getting killed multiple times,but your not putting out so you think he’s leaving ? It just struck me as odd,like soo many things here...
Supposedly these two already had a relationship established as “friends” and neighbors before they slept together but I didn’t feel it... I didn’t feel the chemistry,or a connection or anything here.... they just fell really flat to me.. like a bunch of stock characters that all thrown together were supposed to make some thing special...like one those soup mixes where maybe you just add water and some meat,but instead of making soup 🍲,you just got some slightly flavored meat water...
There are lots and lots and lots of stores out there in the romance genre with Navy SEALs featured and I’m sure there are much better ones out there.... I’ve read plenty in Harlequin alone....
The only character I truly liked in the story was “Cuddles” The diabetic wonder dog,who oddly enough not only bonds super quick to her new owner in a matter of hours ( supposedly your new owner almost getting kidnapped will do that) but she also becomes an ace guard dog and a few days later can and will chase you across town and subdue potential killers with only her strong gums and nails... (she was supposed to be washed after she got her from the shelter,but I'm not sure she ever was and that's NOT a smell you can just ignore)
Not a romantic story and the one sex scene at 90% of the book was beyond forgettable...
While I applaud the effort,I can’t recommend and I plan to forget this book and it’s writer...
I’m not a fan of stories where everything happens within a matter of days....
Emma comes home one day, contents of her house destroyed,Lucas is called ,next day Emma adopts a toothless but amazingly heroic dog with diabetes (who goes from cowering in a corner to growling and barking at any and all perceived threats) , goes to check on her house 🏡 argues with Lucas and is almost kidnapped...
Emma suffers a small fall/tumble when trying to escape the kidnappers, she only suffers minor cuts and scrapes,but for a woman who sounds like she’s in her early to mid 20’s, but she sounds like a much older woman the way these seemingly minor cuts and scrapes have left her barely able to walk or move or even function with out some sort of minor pain relievers every few hours... I found that as odd... Just as is a woman complaining about her poor finances from the very start of the book, who then adopts a dog that needs at least a 100 dollars in insulin ,plus a bit extra for special food because wet/canned food for a toothless dog must be high .... neither thing made sense...
Honestly I don’t know what to make of this story.... it all seems to take place in less than a week,I’d say 3-4 days total and most if not all the story is centered on what ever has caused the distraction of the property, the ransacking of her house and the attempted kidnapping, not on the two MC’s renewing their acquaintance and getting to know each other again...
Honestly other that her getting angry with him when he finally explains why he pulled what he did they barely talk to each other at all...
This. So. Is. NOT. Romantic. AT. ALL!
Nothing even remotely “happens” between them til after 80% of the book... Lucas decides after Emma’s life is threatened yet again in one of the last chapters, he can’t let her go and agrees to give their relationship a chance after all but since Emma is still so incredibly sore from her scraped knees still he thinks they should just cuddle and wait on sex,Emma’s response ? “You’re staying? Even though, you know… we’re not doing it?” she asked,
I rolled my eyes,at this ... Seriously ? The man has been taking care of you for days and has just decided to give a relationship a try after keeping you from getting killed multiple times,but your not putting out so you think he’s leaving ? It just struck me as odd,like soo many things here...
Supposedly these two already had a relationship established as “friends” and neighbors before they slept together but I didn’t feel it... I didn’t feel the chemistry,or a connection or anything here.... they just fell really flat to me.. like a bunch of stock characters that all thrown together were supposed to make some thing special...like one those soup mixes where maybe you just add water and some meat,but instead of making soup 🍲,you just got some slightly flavored meat water...
There are lots and lots and lots of stores out there in the romance genre with Navy SEALs featured and I’m sure there are much better ones out there.... I’ve read plenty in Harlequin alone....
The only character I truly liked in the story was “Cuddles” The diabetic wonder dog,who oddly enough not only bonds super quick to her new owner in a matter of hours ( supposedly your new owner almost getting kidnapped will do that) but she also becomes an ace guard dog and a few days later can and will chase you across town and subdue potential killers with only her strong gums and nails... (she was supposed to be washed after she got her from the shelter,but I'm not sure she ever was and that's NOT a smell you can just ignore)
Not a romantic story and the one sex scene at 90% of the book was beyond forgettable...
While I applaud the effort,I can’t recommend and I plan to forget this book and it’s writer...
August 11, 2022
Another good Novela
July 2, 2017
Short and sweet second chance story. Lucas was a jerk (for her own good of course!). I liked that she did not give in right away. A lot of action and suspense. Good story. Loads of tension. I liked the resolution. Actually it is probably the only thing I would have been happy with. Of course I LOVED Cuddles the dog!
There is no mention of OW/OM during their 3 month separation but I did not feel there were any.
There is no mention of OW/OM during their 3 month separation but I did not feel there were any.
January 8, 2023
Sweet and steamy second chance romance
They had three nights together and then he was gone. Emma still thinks about what could have been but when he shows up after her home is trashed, she wants nothing more than him to leave. Lucas did what he thought was best. Still, he can’t stomach the thought of something happening to he if he protect her. Will she let him back in?
Loved these two. I really like that Emma stands up for herself and confronts Lucas. The fact that she takes in an older dog with health issues is so adorable!! And Lucas.. he made a mistake and what he does in the end is so sweet and swoon worthy.
I only with there was more! Or an epilogue much further out then 1 week.
They had three nights together and then he was gone. Emma still thinks about what could have been but when he shows up after her home is trashed, she wants nothing more than him to leave. Lucas did what he thought was best. Still, he can’t stomach the thought of something happening to he if he protect her. Will she let him back in?
Loved these two. I really like that Emma stands up for herself and confronts Lucas. The fact that she takes in an older dog with health issues is so adorable!! And Lucas.. he made a mistake and what he does in the end is so sweet and swoon worthy.
I only with there was more! Or an epilogue much further out then 1 week.
November 28, 2016
3.5 stars - After an erotic, sex-filled weekend together that promised to develop into something more, Lucas decides to take a step back from Emma. She's too tempting, too delicious, too deserving of a better life than he can give her as a SEAL. The temptation to call her is removed when his team is deployed. Emma felt certain she would hear from the hot, gorgeous Lucas after spending a weekend in his king-sized bed. But her phone didn't ring, and her calls were not returned. To add injury to insult, the new home she purchased on impulse isn't all it was advertised to be. And now, someone has broken in and ransacked it, destroying everything in the process. Nothing was stolen so what were they looking for? A friend of Lucas's is the investigating cop and when he suspects Emma's life is in danger, he calls Lucas who is now back in town. Sparks fly when Lucas rides in to save Emma and thus the fun begins.
Sexy banter, laugh out loud moments - a toothless dog rescued from the pound as a guard dog - car chases, suspense, romance - it all adds up to a fun-filled yet romantic read with a couple who must come face-to-face with the reality of losing it all before they wake up and smell the coffee. Short on pages, but another Must Read!
Sexy banter, laugh out loud moments - a toothless dog rescued from the pound as a guard dog - car chases, suspense, romance - it all adds up to a fun-filled yet romantic read with a couple who must come face-to-face with the reality of losing it all before they wake up and smell the coffee. Short on pages, but another Must Read!
November 11, 2017
Super entertaining read from Emma, our broken hearted h, to our alpha Lucas who is so protective and charming. Lucas doesn't use charm with a silver tongue but through thoughtful actions. He believed Emma would be better off without him so he disappears for 3 months. Then he gets the call that brings him and Emma back together again.
Emma is my kind of girl. She needs protection and heads to the pound what she leaves with is not only hysterical but heart warming. I just lost it when she not only gets everything opposite of what she needed but than she tags it cuddles. Lucas with his subtle smart comments about not only the dog but it's name had me laughing. The action was also good.
If I had one complaint it is that it is the confusion trying to figure out which book was actually the first book. There are two in this series that are marked book 1. Interested in seeing some of the rest of the team. This was a short book so I'm sure the others that are full length have a lot to offer. Enjoy
Emma is my kind of girl. She needs protection and heads to the pound what she leaves with is not only hysterical but heart warming. I just lost it when she not only gets everything opposite of what she needed but than she tags it cuddles. Lucas with his subtle smart comments about not only the dog but it's name had me laughing. The action was also good.
If I had one complaint it is that it is the confusion trying to figure out which book was actually the first book. There are two in this series that are marked book 1. Interested in seeing some of the rest of the team. This was a short book so I'm sure the others that are full length have a lot to offer. Enjoy
June 16, 2018
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first novella in this series. Emma was a heroine who had a strong backbone and it made me respect her so much. I loved how she put Lucas in his place when he tried to throw himself back into her life as if he had a right to. This is probably one of the best scenes where I’ve seen a woman stand her ground and refused to let a man who left her, decide the best way she can protect herself. She didn’t lose her voice, become smitten all over again because (stereotypical southern belle gasp) he cared enough to seek her out, knowing she was in trouble. She didn’t let him start running her life because she was lovestruck, rather, she let him call the shots because he saved her life and he was capable of keeping her alive, but also made it known he wasn’t forgiven for leaving her and she didn’t forget it either.
Lucas knew he screwed up and took responsibility for leaving her high and dry. He was still an idiot at times but realized his mistakes right away and knew to give her space when she was upset instead of forcing her to talk to him.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to and surprisingly the conclusion in this book seemed to have a decent closure on this couple compared to the rest in the series. I didn’t get that feeling that I was missing a part of the ending like the other books. They came full circle, resolved their issues, and showed progress in taking their relationship further. We even got an “I love you” although it was only one who said it, but I’ll take it because the other said it with an action taken that proved how they felt. I’m not sure if I’ll read this again but I will say it’s not completely out of the question either.
Lucas knew he screwed up and took responsibility for leaving her high and dry. He was still an idiot at times but realized his mistakes right away and knew to give her space when she was upset instead of forcing her to talk to him.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to and surprisingly the conclusion in this book seemed to have a decent closure on this couple compared to the rest in the series. I didn’t get that feeling that I was missing a part of the ending like the other books. They came full circle, resolved their issues, and showed progress in taking their relationship further. We even got an “I love you” although it was only one who said it, but I’ll take it because the other said it with an action taken that proved how they felt. I’m not sure if I’ll read this again but I will say it’s not completely out of the question either.
December 19, 2018
I see different numbers on each platform, Amazon nothing, on Goodreads 2.5??! ...so I am unsure where this book is within this series?? would it make a difference if I had read the other books before i read this one? I am unsure??! I've staying in a king sized bed ...but don't own one. novella. romantic suspense. contemporary romance. & HEA. I've never read anything from Trish before and I hope to read more from her soon enough.
October 21, 2018
Good book
I’m a huge fan of this authors books. I’ve read her Forged series and decided I wanted to read this one. I wasn’t disappointed at all. Altho it’s not as long it packed a punch. It had a bit of everything, drama intrigue and love. Great characters, I’m hoping to meet a few more in the following books.
I’m a huge fan of this authors books. I’ve read her Forged series and decided I wanted to read this one. I wasn’t disappointed at all. Altho it’s not as long it packed a punch. It had a bit of everything, drama intrigue and love. Great characters, I’m hoping to meet a few more in the following books.
December 16, 2018
Bound by Temptation
A beautiful story, showing so much love, true emotions come out in this story. Lucas and Emma, truly show how struggles, not giving up, can overcome just about anything. Amazing. Loved it❤️
A beautiful story, showing so much love, true emotions come out in this story. Lucas and Emma, truly show how struggles, not giving up, can overcome just about anything. Amazing. Loved it❤️
May 18, 2017
I have been spoiled by Suzanne Brockmann and I have a high standard for SEAL stories. Next time, I'll just reread one of her stories.
January 4, 2017
*I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Three nights of passion. Two hearts falling. One too scared to follow through. Three months later Lucas finds himself unable to walk away from her again. Emma needs his help whether she'll admit it or not and he's giving it regardless.
Lucas is a SEAL, his life is hard, deployments are sometimes long, and he would never put someone he loved through waiting around and wondering what ifs. So he walked away from Emma and convinced himself every day he'd done the right thing. That is until he finds out Emma is in danger then he becomes hell-bent on protecting her.
A ransacked house, an unfeeling detective, a dog with her life on the line, an attempted kidnapping and all this because of something Emma knew nothing about. The one thing she did know was that she wasn't safe, but letting Lucas help her was like stepping in front of the firing range. She'd loved him and he'd disappeared without so much as a phone call. And not even that heartbreak could convince her body that she no longer loved him.
The sexual tension is beyond thick and when it finally breaks it's like a dam cracked and its water is suddenly feeding the desert. The action and suspense had my eyes glued to the pages; definitely never a dull moment.
Bound by Temptation is a non-stop suspenseful rush. Who's after Emma? What do they want? What the hell just happened? And I can't forget the...can y'all please just freaking kiss already!?!?
Three nights of passion. Two hearts falling. One too scared to follow through. Three months later Lucas finds himself unable to walk away from her again. Emma needs his help whether she'll admit it or not and he's giving it regardless.
Lucas is a SEAL, his life is hard, deployments are sometimes long, and he would never put someone he loved through waiting around and wondering what ifs. So he walked away from Emma and convinced himself every day he'd done the right thing. That is until he finds out Emma is in danger then he becomes hell-bent on protecting her.
A ransacked house, an unfeeling detective, a dog with her life on the line, an attempted kidnapping and all this because of something Emma knew nothing about. The one thing she did know was that she wasn't safe, but letting Lucas help her was like stepping in front of the firing range. She'd loved him and he'd disappeared without so much as a phone call. And not even that heartbreak could convince her body that she no longer loved him.
The sexual tension is beyond thick and when it finally breaks it's like a dam cracked and its water is suddenly feeding the desert. The action and suspense had my eyes glued to the pages; definitely never a dull moment.
Bound by Temptation is a non-stop suspenseful rush. Who's after Emma? What do they want? What the hell just happened? And I can't forget the...can y'all please just freaking kiss already!?!?
June 20, 2020
I enjoyed this book. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more than the first in the series. Though, as a romantic suspense, it’s heavy on the suspense and extremely light on the romance. Which, to my mind, isn’t a very effective way for a second chance romance to work. Maybe it’s because this story was longer, I wasn’t as able to gloss over the niggly little things that bothered me the way I was with the first one. I understand the emotional connection that can be created in a short period of time in a highly stressful situation. I just wasn’t fully feeling that connection between Emma and Lucas. I understand that deep tissue damage can be more extensive than what appears at skin level, but Emma’s reaction to her injuries seems wildly out of proportion to the hurts we’re told she received. And, I know that in times of crisis people can perform feats that seem supernatural. But even though I thought Cuddles was one of the best characters in the book, I’m having a hard time reconciling the personality shift from cowering and terrified to avenging protector in only a matter of days. In spite of all those things, I still had a lot of fun reading this. Following the dark terror that stalked Emma was extremely compelling. Now that we’ve met Rio, I’m anxious to see where his book takes us.
June 29, 2016
Not a bad read, though brief and sadly, much less connected to the 'Red Hot Seals' world than I thought. If I liked the paranormal element in this universe, the novellas here don't contain any of that and are more like short, bite-sized pieces of romantic suspense/contemporary romance reads intended for a quick wrap-up and an undisputed HEA.
I did like the setup of both Lucas and Emma's backstory and the suspense was a lot easier to take in than the first novella which I felt ended too abruptly. What left me intrigued though, was the number of characters in SEAL team 7 (and even Rio) who do have the potential to have their own stories told.
There are however, some continuity errors for instance (Dante Addario's eye colour seems to change throughout the book) and some editing/grammar/spelling faults that seem to have been overlooked in the publication process. Normally I could ignore these, but some really stuck out like sore thumbs which in some (petty) way, affected my reading.
I did like the setup of both Lucas and Emma's backstory and the suspense was a lot easier to take in than the first novella which I felt ended too abruptly. What left me intrigued though, was the number of characters in SEAL team 7 (and even Rio) who do have the potential to have their own stories told.
There are however, some continuity errors for instance (Dante Addario's eye colour seems to change throughout the book) and some editing/grammar/spelling faults that seem to have been overlooked in the publication process. Normally I could ignore these, but some really stuck out like sore thumbs which in some (petty) way, affected my reading.
July 10, 2020
A Fantastic Suspense Romance .
I really enjoyed reading Trust Under Fire .
It's well written , intriguing and so action packed . The characters are wonderful .
Emma Janssen headed home after along week at work . She soon discovered someone or some people have broke in her home and trashed it and her belongings . She runs to her car and calls 911 . The police arrive and check things out but whoever did it is long gone . Detective Addario suggests Emma get a dog and told her they would drive by more . Lucas Trammel gets a call from his old team mate Detective Addario who is investigating Emma's breakin .
Lucas had a short relationship with Emma and basically ghosted her since . He didn't want to put her through a difficult relationship with a military man . Lucas is determined to protect Emma and will do whatever it takes . Emma is not happy to find Lucas waiting for her after he broke her heart . Lucas has his work cut out for him . This story is all out fantastic . I highly recommend reading .
I really enjoyed reading Trust Under Fire .
It's well written , intriguing and so action packed . The characters are wonderful .
Emma Janssen headed home after along week at work . She soon discovered someone or some people have broke in her home and trashed it and her belongings . She runs to her car and calls 911 . The police arrive and check things out but whoever did it is long gone . Detective Addario suggests Emma get a dog and told her they would drive by more . Lucas Trammel gets a call from his old team mate Detective Addario who is investigating Emma's breakin .
Lucas had a short relationship with Emma and basically ghosted her since . He didn't want to put her through a difficult relationship with a military man . Lucas is determined to protect Emma and will do whatever it takes . Emma is not happy to find Lucas waiting for her after he broke her heart . Lucas has his work cut out for him . This story is all out fantastic . I highly recommend reading .
March 4, 2019
There is very little worse than getting dumped by someone you are really into and think maybe the one. Emma Janssen learns this lesson all too well when she spends a torrid weekend with Lucas Trammel after he loves her and leaves her. Lucas forces himself to leave Emma alone, to not return her calls or track her down because it's for the best.
Heartbroken and suffering from a case of the "woe is me" syndrome Emma is unknowingly about to be reunited with Lucas after three months of silence and unreturned phone calls after someone breaks into her house. Lucas' former teammate Dante "Rio" Addario, aka Tall, Dark and Toe Curling - a ten on the masculine Richter scale, is the responding police officer. Emma soon finds officer Addario may be good looking but totally and emotionally unavailable which takes him down a few notches on the scale. Rio vaguely remembers this woman lived a couple of units from Lucas a few months ago and proceeds to call him and give him a rundown of events.
Rio advises Emma to get an alarm system and/or a dog for protection. Emma opts for a guard dog yet winds up with Cuddles, a skinny, scruffy, toothless dog that is about to be euthanized. Emma returns to her house the next day to find Lucas offering to help protect her. Lucas enlists the help of his roommate Brett "Tag" Taggert. Emma is reluctant, to say the least, to accept help from Lucas or his friend but acquiesces after a failed kidnap attempt that leaves her scrapped up and sore. Emma and Lucas eventually give in to the pull drawing them back together and Lucas has to finally come clean.
An enjoyable read with a good cast of characters and an interesting plot.
Heartbroken and suffering from a case of the "woe is me" syndrome Emma is unknowingly about to be reunited with Lucas after three months of silence and unreturned phone calls after someone breaks into her house. Lucas' former teammate Dante "Rio" Addario, aka Tall, Dark and Toe Curling - a ten on the masculine Richter scale, is the responding police officer. Emma soon finds officer Addario may be good looking but totally and emotionally unavailable which takes him down a few notches on the scale. Rio vaguely remembers this woman lived a couple of units from Lucas a few months ago and proceeds to call him and give him a rundown of events.
Rio advises Emma to get an alarm system and/or a dog for protection. Emma opts for a guard dog yet winds up with Cuddles, a skinny, scruffy, toothless dog that is about to be euthanized. Emma returns to her house the next day to find Lucas offering to help protect her. Lucas enlists the help of his roommate Brett "Tag" Taggert. Emma is reluctant, to say the least, to accept help from Lucas or his friend but acquiesces after a failed kidnap attempt that leaves her scrapped up and sore. Emma and Lucas eventually give in to the pull drawing them back together and Lucas has to finally come clean.
An enjoyable read with a good cast of characters and an interesting plot.
June 20, 2020
Read as: Trust Under Fire (Operation: Hot Spot Book 2)
I enjoyed this book. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more than the first in the series. Though, as a romantic suspense, it’s heavy on the suspense and extremely light on the romance. Which, to my mind, isn’t a very effective way for a second chance romance to work. Maybe it’s because this story was longer, I wasn’t as able to gloss over the niggly little things that bothered me the way I was with the first one. I understand the emotional connection that can be created in a short period of time in a highly stressful situation. I just wasn’t fully feeling that connection between Emma and Lucas. I understand that deep tissue damage can be more extensive than what appears at skin level, but Emma’s reaction to her injuries seems wildly out of proportion to the hurts we’re told she received. And, I know that in times of crisis people can perform feats that seem supernatural. But even though I thought Cuddles was one of the best characters in the book, I’m having a hard time reconciling the personality shift from cowering and terrified to avenging protector in only a matter of days. In spite of all those things, I still had a lot of fun reading this. Following the dark terror that stalked Emma was extremely compelling. Now that we’ve met Rio, I’m anxious to see where his book takes us.
I enjoyed this book. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more than the first in the series. Though, as a romantic suspense, it’s heavy on the suspense and extremely light on the romance. Which, to my mind, isn’t a very effective way for a second chance romance to work. Maybe it’s because this story was longer, I wasn’t as able to gloss over the niggly little things that bothered me the way I was with the first one. I understand the emotional connection that can be created in a short period of time in a highly stressful situation. I just wasn’t fully feeling that connection between Emma and Lucas. I understand that deep tissue damage can be more extensive than what appears at skin level, but Emma’s reaction to her injuries seems wildly out of proportion to the hurts we’re told she received. And, I know that in times of crisis people can perform feats that seem supernatural. But even though I thought Cuddles was one of the best characters in the book, I’m having a hard time reconciling the personality shift from cowering and terrified to avenging protector in only a matter of days. In spite of all those things, I still had a lot of fun reading this. Following the dark terror that stalked Emma was extremely compelling. Now that we’ve met Rio, I’m anxious to see where his book takes us.
February 24, 2025
What an exciting and suspense filled book this was. This is a new to me author and I will most definitely be looking for more of her books.
After the most incredible weekend Emma Janssen ever spent she finds herself disillusioned when multiple texts to Lucas go unanswered. So three months later she has moved on, buying her first house, even though the new house is bleeding her dry with repairs. Then she arrives home to find her home broken into and everything destroyed. Dealing with a cold-hearted officer isn’t helping but the last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue after abandoning her months ago.
Lucas quickly realizes that whoever ransacked Emma’s home will probably be back since it appears they didn’t find what they were looking for. Emma’s chilly response to his desire to help is expected but he doesn’t plan to turn his back when she obviously needs him and his special skills. The skills she knows nothing about since he lied to her about what he does.
As Lucas and his team make a plan to protect Emma while catching the men after her, the two continue to fight their feelings while trying to rebuild trust.
After the most incredible weekend Emma Janssen ever spent she finds herself disillusioned when multiple texts to Lucas go unanswered. So three months later she has moved on, buying her first house, even though the new house is bleeding her dry with repairs. Then she arrives home to find her home broken into and everything destroyed. Dealing with a cold-hearted officer isn’t helping but the last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue after abandoning her months ago.
Lucas quickly realizes that whoever ransacked Emma’s home will probably be back since it appears they didn’t find what they were looking for. Emma’s chilly response to his desire to help is expected but he doesn’t plan to turn his back when she obviously needs him and his special skills. The skills she knows nothing about since he lied to her about what he does.
As Lucas and his team make a plan to protect Emma while catching the men after her, the two continue to fight their feelings while trying to rebuild trust.
March 8, 2017
Bound by Temptation by Trish McCallan Review 3/8/17
How did I get in this mess and can I trust my heart?
Dumped and disillusioned… Emma Janssen’s perennial good luck has run dry... First there’s the weekend of heated sensuality she’d shared with Lucas Trammel, followed by three months of humiliating silence. And then there’s her testy new home, which is slowly nickel-and-diming her to death. Add in a band of ruthless killers hot on her tail, and her perfect life is in a nasty meltdown. Even so, the very last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue. She’d given the man her love once and he’d abandoned her. She’s not about to let him close enough to hook her heart for a second time.
Deadly and dangerous… Lucas has been lying to Emma for years…As a special operator with ST7, life has taught Lucas to hold his Navy credentials close to his ballistics vest. It doesn’t pay to let civilians know what he does for a living. When one hot as hell weekend threatens to become more than a three-night stand, Lucas takes a giant step back. Emma is the kind of woman a man marries. But she’s a civilian. Civilians and black ops don’t mix. So, he bails on her. He’s convinced he’d made the right call…until he finds out she’s in danger. The thought of a world without Emma? Wasn’t going to happen, even if that means kidnapping her himself.
Driven and Desperate… Injured pride is all good and well until it gets you killed... Emma isn’t stupid. After narrowly escaping an abduction thanks to Lucas’s timely intervention, she accepts his protection. But as the days drag on, and their passion rekindles she finds herself fighting two battles—one against the unidentified killers’ intent on taking her life, and one against the sexy Navy SEAL determined to steal back her heart. Bound By Temptation is a 175 page novella (estimated) set in my Red-Hot SEALs world.
What did I like? This was a quick read that read like a full-length novel. Detailed and developed with a cast of the most interesting characters. Of course, it is 100% an adult content read but done with finesse. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing all the way through and absolutely loved the ending…. Whoa so funny!
What will you like? Hunky guys that will make you drool and tender sex that will reach all the way down to the toes. A very developed storyline that is intriguing and enthralling. The descriptions and details are on the spot for the area and the background. The exciting action will keep you engrossed with every page turning faster than lighting. All with a delightful ending. Look forward too many more books from this author. I received this from the author for an honest review with no compensation.
How did I get in this mess and can I trust my heart?
Dumped and disillusioned… Emma Janssen’s perennial good luck has run dry... First there’s the weekend of heated sensuality she’d shared with Lucas Trammel, followed by three months of humiliating silence. And then there’s her testy new home, which is slowly nickel-and-diming her to death. Add in a band of ruthless killers hot on her tail, and her perfect life is in a nasty meltdown. Even so, the very last thing she needs is Lucas racing to her rescue. She’d given the man her love once and he’d abandoned her. She’s not about to let him close enough to hook her heart for a second time.
Deadly and dangerous… Lucas has been lying to Emma for years…As a special operator with ST7, life has taught Lucas to hold his Navy credentials close to his ballistics vest. It doesn’t pay to let civilians know what he does for a living. When one hot as hell weekend threatens to become more than a three-night stand, Lucas takes a giant step back. Emma is the kind of woman a man marries. But she’s a civilian. Civilians and black ops don’t mix. So, he bails on her. He’s convinced he’d made the right call…until he finds out she’s in danger. The thought of a world without Emma? Wasn’t going to happen, even if that means kidnapping her himself.
Driven and Desperate… Injured pride is all good and well until it gets you killed... Emma isn’t stupid. After narrowly escaping an abduction thanks to Lucas’s timely intervention, she accepts his protection. But as the days drag on, and their passion rekindles she finds herself fighting two battles—one against the unidentified killers’ intent on taking her life, and one against the sexy Navy SEAL determined to steal back her heart. Bound By Temptation is a 175 page novella (estimated) set in my Red-Hot SEALs world.
What did I like? This was a quick read that read like a full-length novel. Detailed and developed with a cast of the most interesting characters. Of course, it is 100% an adult content read but done with finesse. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing all the way through and absolutely loved the ending…. Whoa so funny!
What will you like? Hunky guys that will make you drool and tender sex that will reach all the way down to the toes. A very developed storyline that is intriguing and enthralling. The descriptions and details are on the spot for the area and the background. The exciting action will keep you engrossed with every page turning faster than lighting. All with a delightful ending. Look forward too many more books from this author. I received this from the author for an honest review with no compensation.
April 22, 2023
After a busy work week and two hours overtime Emma Janssen was looking forward to a couch potato weekend in her new house. But as she prepared to close herself in, something caught her eye, looking around Emma sees her furniture broken, the room trashed. She rushes back to her car parked on the street and called the cops.
Officer ‘Rio’ takes Emma’s statement as officers search her house. Emma’s unsettled to see nothing stolen and the Rio treats her like a suspect. Rio calls a friend, SEAL Lucas Trammell, Emma’s ex-neighbor, for more info, unaware Emma’s heart is still healing after Lucas suddenly ghosted her three ago. Hearing Emma has trouble makes Lucas grab his keys.
Lucas is at Emma’s house when she arrives with a new to her dog, who looks nothing like the attack dog she was advised to get. Huffing off after tossing barbs at Lucas, a van drives up and hands reach out and drag Emma off her feet. While Emma struggles, her dog, Cuddles barks incessantly and Lucas wastes no time seamlessly pulling and firing his weapon!
Rating: 4.25stars
Officer ‘Rio’ takes Emma’s statement as officers search her house. Emma’s unsettled to see nothing stolen and the Rio treats her like a suspect. Rio calls a friend, SEAL Lucas Trammell, Emma’s ex-neighbor, for more info, unaware Emma’s heart is still healing after Lucas suddenly ghosted her three ago. Hearing Emma has trouble makes Lucas grab his keys.
Lucas is at Emma’s house when she arrives with a new to her dog, who looks nothing like the attack dog she was advised to get. Huffing off after tossing barbs at Lucas, a van drives up and hands reach out and drag Emma off her feet. While Emma struggles, her dog, Cuddles barks incessantly and Lucas wastes no time seamlessly pulling and firing his weapon!
Rating: 4.25stars
October 28, 2017
Lucas is a US Navy SEAL who thinks that relationships don't work in the environment of the Teams. Emma is his former neighbor and one-time lover that gets into trouble. The situation is volatile by any stretch of the imagination.
This was a great, fun, fairly quick read with lots of heat and fireworks. The characters are well defined, their backstory is absolutely believable and the heat between them is palpable. They are both stubborn and protective of the other person, but especially protective of their own feelings. I especially loved Cuddles, fierceness personified. This was a great story and I'm definitely reading more from this author.
This was a great, fun, fairly quick read with lots of heat and fireworks. The characters are well defined, their backstory is absolutely believable and the heat between them is palpable. They are both stubborn and protective of the other person, but especially protective of their own feelings. I especially loved Cuddles, fierceness personified. This was a great story and I'm definitely reading more from this author.
January 24, 2018
This is one of the novellas in the series about SEALS. It is Emma and Lucas Trammel’s story. Same concept overall as the others. In this book, Emma and Lucas had a steamy weekend months before and he blew her off. When Emma’s home is burglarized, Lucas finds out and wants to help but Emma is still upset about the blow off. Overall good book, but if the author referred to ibuprofen as a pain killer one more time I was going to have to harm myself or others and need a real pain killer. I get that ibuprofen and Tylenol are technically pain killers, but just say otc med or ibuprofen. It’s not like she was taking oxycodone. Just got annoying.
February 17, 2019
Bound by Temptation
The basic story, the bones of the story is fine. The author just had to work on filling out the story. It especially needs more tension in the cops and robbers and romantic areas. Make your audience have to hang in there longer for resolutions. Character development is also needed. We barely know Emma. We know even less about Lucas and they are the main 2 characters. The rest of the characters are merely cardboard cut outs that walk through a scene. There was the beginnings of some humor in the first chapter. It needs to be developed and used here and there as well.
The basic story, the bones of the story is fine. The author just had to work on filling out the story. It especially needs more tension in the cops and robbers and romantic areas. Make your audience have to hang in there longer for resolutions. Character development is also needed. We barely know Emma. We know even less about Lucas and they are the main 2 characters. The rest of the characters are merely cardboard cut outs that walk through a scene. There was the beginnings of some humor in the first chapter. It needs to be developed and used here and there as well.
February 25, 2022
He walked away three months ago basically ghosting on her. Lucas Trammel's rationale? A relationship could not survive given the rigors of his job. The problem is that he made the decision for Emma Janssen without bothering to as her. Emma was ready to give him her heart now she's steeled herself against him. That is until someone wants something she has and is willing to kill her for it.....what that is, she has no idea. Lucas and his teammates go into full protective and investigative mode. Throw in a ferocious watchdog named Cuddles who may gum you to death and you've got a second chance romantic suspense that will capture and hold your attention.
February 2, 2019
Action Packed
A good action packed story. A mystery. Although Emma and Lucas met 3 months prior and that is where the foundation of their relationship actually began, the story starts with her house being vandalized and Lucas showing up due to being tipped off by a friend. Implied intimacy at the end along with a start to the next faze of their building relationship. No cheating or cliffhanger. Would have given 5 stars if the author would have continued writing a wee bit more to the beginning and giving us a definite happy ever after.
A good action packed story. A mystery. Although Emma and Lucas met 3 months prior and that is where the foundation of their relationship actually began, the story starts with her house being vandalized and Lucas showing up due to being tipped off by a friend. Implied intimacy at the end along with a start to the next faze of their building relationship. No cheating or cliffhanger. Would have given 5 stars if the author would have continued writing a wee bit more to the beginning and giving us a definite happy ever after.
April 22, 2019
This was a good book!
In this book, Emma is trying to survive her daily life and comes home to a home that has been trashed by someone looking for something. She calls the cops and deals with Rio, a former SEAL. He calls some of his buddies to include Lucas, a man that Emma previously had a relationship with.
Lucas becomes overprotective of Emma especially after she adopts a dog with ground down teeth, diabetic and was about to be put down.
The chemistry between the two of them is steamy and when they get together, it’s explosive and sexy as hell!
In this book, Emma is trying to survive her daily life and comes home to a home that has been trashed by someone looking for something. She calls the cops and deals with Rio, a former SEAL. He calls some of his buddies to include Lucas, a man that Emma previously had a relationship with.
Lucas becomes overprotective of Emma especially after she adopts a dog with ground down teeth, diabetic and was about to be put down.
The chemistry between the two of them is steamy and when they get together, it’s explosive and sexy as hell!
February 15, 2021
3.5 stars for Trust Under Fire by Trish McCallan. This is book two in Operation: Hot Spot. “ Love and hatred were interchangeable when fear twisted love into bitterness and betrayal.” This is a short but sweet second chance romance. Lucas and Emma had a sexy weekend and then Lucas seemed to disappear. Lucas is a seal and thinks Emma deserves better. Emma is in danger and that brings Lucas back into her life. These two have a sexy banter that fills the pages with some laughs. I love Emma’s character and how she stands up for herself. I enjoyed this sexy read.
July 9, 2017
Emma is trying to forget the weekend she spent with Lucas when somebody broke into her house destroying all her furniture and belongings.
Lucas is trying to forget Emma but when a former friend of him informs him that Emma is in trouble, he feels the need to protect her.
Twists and action make the book impossible to be put aside. The best part is little toothless Cuddles. I love her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
Lucas is trying to forget Emma but when a former friend of him informs him that Emma is in trouble, he feels the need to protect her.
Twists and action make the book impossible to be put aside. The best part is little toothless Cuddles. I love her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
June 10, 2018
Navy Seals, enough said
The Seals books always get me. I can just picture thereof manliness. This short read had a lot of excitement packed into it. Lucas was a savior in this story. A sweet caring man who made a bad decision to end their relationship before it ever began because he cared too much for Emma and didn't want her to now what his job truly was or make her go through the pain of always wondering if he was ok or not.
The Seals books always get me. I can just picture thereof manliness. This short read had a lot of excitement packed into it. Lucas was a savior in this story. A sweet caring man who made a bad decision to end their relationship before it ever began because he cared too much for Emma and didn't want her to now what his job truly was or make her go through the pain of always wondering if he was ok or not.
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