Wild Card Undercover

Love on the Line #1

by Kari Lemor

All that glitters in Miami is not gold . . .
 
Lured in by a bad ex-boyfriend and the moonlight of Miami, Meg O’Hara is trapped in a nightmare situation, waiting tables for a crime boss and fearing for her life. When undercover FBI agent Christopher Shaunessy offers her a way out, she seizes it. Getting the goods on Salazar Moreno might not be easy, but she’ll do anything to be freed from her servitude and Moreno’s sexual advances, even if it means moving in with the charismatic agent.
 
Chris Shaunessy pretends to be Meg’s lover in order to keep her safe, but he steels his heart against further involvement. Passion has no place in the sordid world of organized crime. And yet, the closer they get to cracking the case, the stronger his feelings for the spirited waitress shine. It’s a dangerous game he’s playing, and taking Meg in his arms for real could prove a fatal misstep . . .

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary Romance

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Sweetie Stars! Ok- make that 5 Muffin Stars! Or could I say make that 5 Muffin Sweetie Stars! Either way this was such an intriguing read that lack of sleep is fine today!

I am so thrilled to read this book by Kari Lemor and must say that she is an amazing author/storyteller. Her words come across as you are in the story and not just with your mind, but your whole heart.

When Meg O'Hara decides to take a week trip to Miami with a bad-boy boyfriend, she never imagined she would be abandoned by the weasel and stranded with a crime boss. Hiding her identity for the safety of her family, Meg becomes Katie and waitresses her way to repaying an impossible debt. Stuck in a roach motel, fighting off sticky hands of customers and unwanted advances of her boss and his gross friends, Meg is way in over her head and too broke to do anything about it.

Sexy Chris Shaunessy, aka Chris Martin, is an FBI agent trying to take down the powerful Salazar Moreno. His hero complex kicks in and in an attempt to keep Meg in a safe environment he offers her protection for her services as an informant. Meg can't refuse the offer due to her dire circumstances and soon is able to freely eat cookies and milk, hang out with the sexy Chris aka muffin and fake a romance that doesn't take much effort in scorching kisses and sweet nicknames.

But- Can Chris keep Meg safe while she is in the hands of men who only see women as play objects, ready to discard them when they don't bend to their every desire? Chris is tormented to make sure this informant stays safe all the while trying to maintain a professional relationship and not give in to his feelings or desires for Meg. Meg knows all the touching, kissing and affection are part of the role of being undercover with Chris, but what if it isn't just that? What if there is something else to it? Is it just her or does Chris feel the same?

Intriguing and dangerous- when it comes to the take down- Kari Lemor kept the pace fast and heart wrenching. Sweet and laced with sexy banter- the entire story was emotional and Chris and Meg were a dynamic couple.

Kari Lemor will be an author on my must read list!

[Mary Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover is a thrill-a-minute romance that throws together Meg, a "damsel-in-distress," with Chris, an undercover FBI agent. But this damsel is smart and has a huge hand in her own rescue--and maybe Meg will end up saving Chris as well. From the first moment these two meet, there's a crackling chemistry that they recognize. Working undercover, they have to pretend to be romantically involved which puts them each in doubt of how reciprocal their feelings are. They both have powerful reasons to stifle the romance before it takes off, but they fit together so perfectly, you can't help root for them to overcome the obstacles and finally get together. But those obstacles include some super shady bad guys and a whole lot of good guy ethical rules. All of that keeps the tension taut until the last page.

This is the first in Lemor's Love on the Line trilogy. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Crystal King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I don't read much romance, but found myself pleasantly surprised when an early reader's copy of this novel fell into my lap. The book begins by Chris saving the day for Meg, swooping her up and out of harm's way, but that's just the beginning of the action in this thriller. Meg and Chris toe the line between their professional and personal lives, with sexual tension jumping at the reader from every page. The villain of the book is skeezy on several levels and definitely will give you a shudder or two, and when Chris and Meg go up against him, you'll be cheering them on. Romance readers should add this right to the top of their TBR piles.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I haven't read much romantic suspense since I got tired of Iris Johansen writing endless Eve Duncan stories. But I decided to give this book a shot, and I'm glad I did. Meg is a fun heroine, in an awful situation where you can't help but root for her. Seriously, I wouldn't have lasted nearly as long as she did.

Chris is a great hero, a FBI agent who's more than just a bunch of alpha male stereotypes. I loved watching them fall for each other while pretending to be a couple. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.


***I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

[Gail Chianese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover is a fun, sexy read that will not only touch your heart with Meg’s situation, but keep you turning the pages. Lots of chemistry, some scary moments, and a hero to make you swoon over. Excellent debut, and I look forward to reading the next story.

[Donna Alward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleek, sexy, and dangerous, Wild Card Undercover is a fantastic debut from new voice, Kari Lemor.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover by Kari Lemor is the first romance suspense novel in her Love on the Line series. What I love most about this novel is how Lemor from the first page pulls the reader into the story and you are given real suspense and emotion. I was drawn from the start to both Meg and Chris, both individually and as a potential couple. Meg isn’t waiting to be rescued by her prince charming, but is working hard to pay off an ex’s debt and get back home to her family. Chris is working hard undercover to shut down a mobster while dealing with repercussions of being in the Army. Both Meg and Chris are trying to protect their hearts, but are placed in a situation where they have to trust each other 100% in order to survive. This novel is more than just a romance, it has snappy dialogue and banter along with a suspenseful, action packed plot with well-developed characters.
Overall, Lemor blends together just the right amount of humor, romance and suspense in this action packed, romance-laced, will the bad guy get away with murder, can second chances happen, novel. Anyone who enjoys a creative, suspense filled romance will certainly enjoy Wild Card Undercover as much as I did.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early copy of this book. I was not disappointed. Meg and Chris have sizzling chemistry together. The action is crisp, the secondary characters intriguing enough in their own right, and a bad guy who will make you cringe with the things he says to Meg. I was rooting for Meg and Chris from the beginning. You'll have to read and find out if they make their temporary working relationship into something deeper or not. Two thumbs up for a fantastic newly published author.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received

Book was good, I had a little trouble with the start of the story because it just dives right in without much background. But after the initial confusion I liked it, as you can see because I read the book in one day ;-)

The tension between Chris and Katie (Meg) is seriously building throughout the book and I loved the scene of "when Harry met Sally"




She is stubborn and he is a knight in armor who comes to her rescue, would have liked the story of convincing her to help a little more because she says Yes very fast.

I liked it and am very curious to the 2nd book.

[Lee Kilraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover is my first book by this author and what a fun surprise it was! Meg O’Hara is my favorite kind of heroine, gutsy with a bit of smart ass. I absolutely loved the slow burn that built between the hero, Chris, and his damsel-in-distress, Meg. It helped that the hero was both honorable and very hot. The heroine might have gotten herself into the situation, but I loved how she didn’t shy away from being part of her own solution out of the mess.

The author pulled off that hard-to-do trick, where the hero and heroine get into a seemingly unwinnable situation—yet find a way out. Kari Lemor’s debut is the perfect combination of suspense, sexy, and fun. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offered the chance of a lifetime by FBI agent Christopher Shaunessy, Meg O'Hara isn't about to turn it down just because what they want her to do could be dangerous. Yet, the more time she spends with Chris on top of trying to find the information the FBI needs on her boss, the more Meg finds herself getting in deeper and doing things she wouldn't normally do to be free. Will Chris be able to protect her before her involvement with the FBI is discovered, or will her chance at being reunited with her family never happen?

I love romantic suspense, so the blurb of this book alone appealed to me, but together with the cover I just had to read this story. From start to finish, this book was very engaging, fast-paced and had me hooked immediately by what Meg is going through. Why is she trying to avoid discovery by someone? How will she get herself out of trouble? Yet, what I enjoyed most about the start was what the hero did for her. She needs someone on her side, because her life recently hasn't been easy, and she's doing the best she can to make things right.

As for the dialogue, I was really intrigued by the heroine's back story. She's gotten herself into trouble, and it's palpable she's not getting out of it any time soon, if she doesn't take the FBI's offer. Her boss likes her a little too much and no way will he let her go. Indeed, he's a creep; a man that exerts his power over those he wants to, which is proven by what happens to Meg's friend when she didn't do something that the boss wanted her to. However, the dialogue wasn't all intense. There were some light-hearted moments between the hero and heroine that had me smiling, as Meg is strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to take her boss down and wouldn't give up, even when it seemed things were becoming too dangerous. Yet, in saying that, I did get a little annoyed by the hero's use of the word sweetie.

While the hero, his past haunts him and he doesn't want Meg to end up the same way as the last people that tried to help him, so he'll do whatever it takes to protect her, because he knows how dangerous things could get if they're not careful. He's also smart, confident and I liked how protective he was of the heroine as they begin to try to uncover information the FBI needed to take down Meg's boss. But what I liked most about the hero is what he does for Meg when it comes to her family, as she's worried what she'll face when she finally sees them again.

Overall, Ms. Lemor has penned a really enjoyable read in this book, which kept me entertained from start to finish with its romance and suspense. Where would the investigation into the heroine's boss take them? Would the hero finally succumb to their strong chemistry or remain true to his job as an agent by not getting involved with his informant? The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat due to what happens to the main characters. Will they be able to get themselves out of the sticky situation they find themselves in? How far will they go to keep the other safe? However, it was the last chapter that wrapped this story up perfectly, because of what the hero does for the heroine and then the way he surprises her. Who knew a snowman could come in handy? What made the hero finally realize that being alone for the rest of his life isn't the way to live? I would recommend Wild Card Undercover, if you enjoy romantic suspense or the sexy protector trope.

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg O'Hara has been working for bad guy Moreno ever since her boyfriend skipped town leaving a large debt owed to the crime lord. Waitressing at one of his nightclubs for tips is tough, but better than the alternative. Moreno has plans for Meg and it's only a matter of time before she is trapped into offering services to his creepy friends.

Chris is in Miami to bring down Moreno. The FBI have word he's moving into illegal arms so catching him is a priority. When Chris meets Meg, he realizes she could give him the in he needs to get close enough to Moreno to carry out the sting.

The two of them team up but both have good reasons not to get too close. Nevertheless they can't help becoming closer, pretending to be lovers and sharing the luxury suite at the resort.

The suspense elements worked well and the characters were engaging. I could believe the chemistry between Chris and Meg. The glimpse into the sordid underbelly of Miami reminded me of television crime shows set in the city.

The book did slow down at the end a little, moving from suspense to contemporary but the romance ending was satisfying.

I received a copy for an independent review.

[Peggy Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Kathleen O’hara is having a bad day….a bad 18 months, actually. That’s how long she’d been forced to “work” for infamous and lowlife mob boss Salazar Moreno. It’s not Meg’s fault. Her sleazy bad-boy, almost boyfriend skipped out on Moreno, owing him a ton of money and Moreno is now making Meg pay it back.

Enter FBI Agent Christopher Martin Shaunessy. He’s undercover trying to get the goods on Moreno and his organization. A chance meeting has him devising a plan to use Meg to arrest the mobster, and help her make her way back home to the family that misses her and has no idea where she is.

Wild Card Undercover gets a big 5 stars from me because it hit all the spots I lovelovelove in a romantic suspense: characters you can root for, a wealth of emotions from both protagonists, and a plot that I can actually see unfold while it’s being told! Someone should be buying the movie rights to this story any day now because it’s such a visual tale, it’ll do boffo box office!

Ms Lemor’s debut novel with Kensington/Lyrical is a delight. A heroine who’s feisty, smart, snarky and able to give as good as she gets, meets up with a hero who’s smart, hunk-a-licious, loyal and protective. All the things you want in romantic characters. Add the added suspense factor in and you’ve got a debut novel in a new series that I’m pre-ordering whenever a new one goes up! Book 2, RUNNING TARGET, is already up for pre-order on Amazon and I’ve got it in my TBR folder.

Set in Miami, the heat in the region is a metaphor for the steam the two characters create whenever they’re on scene together. Witty dialogue, great scene descriptions, and a knowledge of how to create dynamite sexual/romantic tension jumps off every page.

I can’t recommend this book enough!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and entertaining read, this book grabs you from the first sentence and never lets go.

On the face of it, Chris and Meg are two characters that are easy to fall in love with -- Meg as the damsel in distress, and Chris stepping up as the quintessential (and always gorgeous) knight in shining armor. Kari Lemor embraces the stereotype and has fun playing with it. But, lucky for us, she didn't stop there. The characters she has created are wonderfully multifaceted. Chris isn't all polish and shine. He's a war veteran with a past that still haunts him and family issues that he struggles with. And Meg isn't just a beautiful girl crying out for help. She possesses that vulnerability, but she's also a strong woman, determined to stand on her own feet and do her part. Like Chris, she has a past she wishes she could walk away from, and what we get are the two of them standing together to try to put that past where it belongs.

The author does a stellar job of balancing the humor with all the drama and action as they unfold. The plot moves well. Moreno is about as despicable as villains get, and Dave and Tina are a very enjoyable sidenote in this story that I did not expect.

Definitely worth the read! Greatly looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing what Kari Lemor has in store for us next!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I've read this author and I highly enjoyed reading this book. Chris is undercover working to put away a big time criminal in Miami. He meets Meg, who he convinces to help him out. Meg is desperate to get out of working in the club owned by the criminal. Of course, there was a lot of disgusting people who Meg had to deal with every night she worked. The working relationship between the two was quite profitable, but the personal relationship was fun to watch. They were incredibly attracted to each other, but had to stay professional. It was nice to see their relationship grow and develop. I felt as if it could really work out and they could get their HE A.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Adriana Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy, fast-paced, and totally absorbing read! Waitress Meg O'Hara & FBI Agent Chris Shaunessy work together on an undercover mission that requires they act like lovers...all the while wishing they actually were. But Agent Shaunessy is the consummate professional and would never dream of falling into a real relationship with an informant. (Okay, maybe he does dream of it, but he's got some steel will-power.) Meg has been burned by men before and doesn't trust that Chris has true feelings for her. Neither fact stops the two of them from acting out their roles as lovers to perfection.

Lemor excels in creating a crackling chemistry between Meg & Chris. I tore through the pages waiting for their next "fake" hook-up.

I'm looking forward to the next books in Lemor's series!

[Claire Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy, smart, fast-paced read. I really enjoyed this story from debut author Kari Lemor. The main characters were well-developed and you root for both of them throughout the story. Katie a.k.a. Meg's quiet strength and love for her family motivate her actions. Chris is a noble hero and their love story unfolds beautifully. You hate Moreno and can't wait for him to receive his comeuppance. I'm looking forward to Kari's next book.

[Laurie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun debut from Kari Lemor. I loved the sexual tension between Meg and Chris that built through the book. Touches of humor helped lighten the story. I also liked the setting descriptions of Miami and the club. Looking forward to the next book!

[M.A. Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover is a fantastic romance with suspense blended in to really up the stakes for Meg and Chris. While the Moreno subplot is integral, what I appreciated most about it was the way it forced Meg to examine herself and her life's choices. She has plenty of reason to not trust Chris and in working with her, she's taking a genuine risk, not one that can simply be explained away or solved with some deep, honest communication, like other rom-suspense books I've read.

While it seems like this book would be dark, Lemor does a wonderful job of adding in light moments, giving readers a break between intense scenes where we can catch our breath before diving back in. Meg and Chris have strong chemistry, and these sweet and humorous exchanges showcase that beautifully.

Fantastic job, Lemor. Can't wait to see what the next Love on the Line book brings us!

[Chele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story line , well paced,
Lovable , likable, definitely hate-able, characters .
5 stars , I look forward to more from Kari Lemor

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5 (a little draggy)
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg is working as a waitress for Salazar Moreno, a sly criminal. She doesn't do this by choice, her ex-boyfriend landed her in the situation and she has no means to get out. She has to pay off a debt that isn't hers and Moreno isn't willing to let her go. When an undercover FBI agent, Chris, is trying to find a way to put Moreno behind bars Meg is more than happy to help. Will she be able to find freedom again?

Chris moves Meg into his hotelroom pretending to be lovers to have a cover. This way he can keep her safe and they have an excuse to spend time together. However, is he just faking his feelings or does he like Meg more than he should? He can't risk his operation and has to keep his distance, but this is proving to be incredibly difficult. Will the operation be a success or is Moreno smart enough to figure out the truth?

Wild Card Undercover is a gripping romantic story. Meg is in a lot of trouble. She's basically a prisoner and has to work for practically nothing. There's no way she can escape on her own, so when she meets Chris she knows he's her only way out. She's brave and resilient and when she decides to work together with Chris it's clear from the start that she'll help him in any way she can. Chris is capable and smart, but Moreno is a dangerous man and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out if the good guys would win. Their mission kept me on the edge of my seat.

Kari Lemor has a fantastic thrilling writing style. I love the compelling way she combines passion with crime. Wild Card Undercover is filled with unexpected twists and turns, dangerous situations that made me hold my breath and true love. I liked that combination very much. Chris and Meg constantly have to make plans and I enjoyed reading about them a lot. The risks they're taking together with the sparks that constantly fly between them are making Wild Card Undercover wonderfully fascinating. I really loved this first Love on the Line story.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this not my normal read. I know most would consider this a slushy romance, and so it is. It is also a decent undercover FBI crime novel. While the romance gets steamy, its no worse than many spy novels I have read. The story is well paced and reads quickly. It was a fun diversion from my spy thrillers and rocket ships. My biggest criticism? I'm not a fan of the cover art.

[Seana Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's equal parts charming, sexy, and suspenseful <3

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to romantic suspense, Wild Card Undercover delivers it all. A feisty heroine who is stuck in a dangerous situation, and a hero balancing a tightrope between a chance to bring down a nasty villain and his need to protect a determined informant. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It made me laugh at the heroine’s daring, hold my breath over the danger, and drew me in to the stakes each character faced. If you’re looking for a great book to escape into for a while, then this is the one for you!

[Rachel Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Card Undercover drew me in from the very first page, and I had a hard time putting it down. Meg is a fun heroine. She is smart and brave and more than capable of standing up for herself. FBI agent Chris is sexy, strong, kind and good; all the things you want in a hero. The story was suspenseful and fast paced, and the chemistry between the characters was sizzling. Great debut from Kari Lemor. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I also liked the main characters. Meg was sweet, but also sensual, strong and brave. Chris also was really sweet but sooo sexy and irresistible. What same woman wouldn't fall in love with this man? Sure he was also a bit frustrating at times but so was Meg too. The chemistry between those two was truly explosive.
The bad guys were really sick evil pigs.
It was a really good read. And hot. Really hot.
Recommended.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read a romance novel in a while and wasn't sure that I would like it. Was very pleasantly surprised that this book Wild Cover Undercover kept me intrigued and I couldn't put it down. The author did an amazing job at holding my interest with twists and turns to the story. An easy read. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next 2 books by this author.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book

This is my first read by Kari Lemor. I loved this book. Great characters and a great story that kept my entertained. I enjoyed the strength of the characters. Definitely will be looking for the next book from this author.

[Diane Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read

I liked the characters and the story line was a little different from the same old. Enjoyable read from a new to me author.