Triggered

Covert Cowboys, Inc. #1

by Elle James

Read the first book New York Times bestselling author Elle James’s beloved Covert Cowboys, Inc. series!

After taking justice into his own hands, Austin police officer Ben Harding faces an unknown future. But a new job referral as a bodyguard carries the possibility of salvation. His mission seems simple: protect a woman and her young daughter—recent residents of the Flying K Ranch who have become the target of threats.

When Ben meets Kate Langsdon, he is immediately struck by her beauty…and by the memories of the tragedies that touched his own family. Resolved not to become emotionally invested, Ben protects the pair as new dangers—and old ranch secrets—emerge. As enemies draw closer, can Ben keep this family alive long enough to explore a future with Kate?

Originally published in 2013

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Harlequin, Romance, Suspense, Westerns, Mystery

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2012

About the author

Award-winning author Elle James grew up as an air force military brat. She received her work ethic from her rock-solid father, her creative streak from her artistic mother and inspiration from her writing partner and sister, Delilah Devlin. As a former member of the army reserves and a current member of the air force reserves, she's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children. She and her husband have even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird and live to tell about it!

Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with nearly constant action and suspense. Ben lost his job as a cop after killing a suspect. When he's offered a job with the new Covert Cowboys Inc., he accepts. His first job is to protect Kate and her daughter Lily. Kate inherited the ranch from her father, who she had never known. Someone is trying to drive her away with threats and attacks and it's Ben's job to keep them safe. Ben is fighting the memories of his murdered wife and daughter as well as his attraction to Kate.

Kate had never known her father and was stunned to find out she had been left his ranch when he died. Shortly after inheriting her home in Houston was broken into and ransacked. No longer feeling safe there, she packed up her daughter Lily and moved to the ranch, only to find the danger there was even worse. After contacting a friend of her father's he sends Ben to protect her. He arrives just in time to save her from another attack. She is immediately attracted to him, something that hasn't happened to her since the death of her husband four years earlier. Ben has made it clear that he is there for protection and will leave as soon as the job is done. She sees the anguish in his eyes when he looks at Lily but also the gentleness and care that he treats her with. She is afraid of falling for him and the suffering that will follow for her and Lily, but she can't stop her feelings. One of the things I really liked about Kate was her determination to make the ranch her home. She was afraid for herself and Lily but she wasn't going to run away. I loved seeing her stand up to the sheriff and the others who threatened her.

Ben lost his job as a cop when he killed a suspect who had been trafficking and abusing girls. The boss at Covert Cowboys Inc. hired him because of his abilities. Ben's first assignment was to protect Kate an Lily. At first he tried to get out of it because of the memories being around them brought back. His wife and daughter were killed by a criminal that Ben had caught but who had been released on a technicality. He was also attracted to Kate which opened up a whole new set of guilty feelings. I really loved seeing Ben with Lily. In spite of his sadness there was something about her that he just couldn't resist. Seeing him read her a story or brush her hair was so sweet. It didn't take long before Ben no longer wished to get out of his assignment. He was fully invested in keeping Kate and Lily safe. I liked the way that he was able to make connections between what was happening on the ranch to what had been happening with his case in Austin. It made him even more determined to get to whoever was behind the troubles on the ranch. Ben continued to try to fight his feelings for Kate but he wasn't succeeding. It took nearly losing her for him to realize he was ready to start living again.

[Helen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Austin police officer Ben Harding takes on a new job after facing an unknown future. In his new job he serves as a bodyguard for a young widow, Kate Langdon, and her little girl after she inherits the Flying K Ranch left to her by her deceased father.

Ben has no idea who he is protecting until he arrives at the ranch when Kate is being attacked. But once he realizes that Kate has a young daughter memories from the past return stirs up old hurt and pain.

Even though he has no intention of falling for Kate and her daughter he cannot stop what they both are feeling. With all the threats surrounding Kate will they have a chance at love?

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger!

Triggered: Fantastic writing and wonderful characters. I loved the twist and turns throughout the story! I loved the Sparks and the heat between Ben and Kate. It's said what they have been through in their lives. I liked how they both feel they don't deserve to fall in love again. It was a great story.

[Jessie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action

Lots of action, intrigue, naked bodies and chemistry. Kate inherits her father’s ranch and comes to live there with her child. Little knowing that suspense, mystery and new love are involved.

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book perfect guy protects girl and falls in love!! Perfect romantic story

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable, slow, angst level high. Didn't hold my interest. I have read a couple of Elle James books and loved them. This one just didn't cut it.

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Triggered

I absolutely loved this book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. Elle is a wonderful writer.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-stop action

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Lot of action,greed, drug running, human trafficking, Hank who starts the Covert Cowboys, death. Ben was too late to save his wife and daughter from being murdered. Lost his job when he killed a man abusing a victim. Kate inherits a ranch from a father she never knew. From the beginning she used to in danger from people not wanting her there. Ben is assigned to help her with getting the Ranch up and running and protecting her. Once he meets her and her daughter Lily he loses it. It brings back the vivid memories of being too late to save his daughter and wife. He wants out, wants Hank to find someone else. Hank knows better that this is exactly what Ben needs.
After threats, kidnapping, rattlesnakes can Ben save them and acknowledge what is in front of him. Hank gas a good thing going here. Hope it continues.

[Lisa Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was fast paced with a ton of action. I read some of the previous reviews and was surprised to see how many errors people mentioned. I missed some of them but I have to agree with some of the reviewers that the story was kind of one sided. I mean we learned of Ben's tragic past as did the heroine, Kate but Ben never really asked her any questions about her past. He never asked her about her daughter's father. Did he already know?

Aside from that, I liked the story and she characters had definite chemistry from the beginning. Her daughter Lily adds to the story.

Ben and Kate rescue each other and are offered a second chance at love after tragedy.

[Rebecca A. Bamford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story- Ben and Kate

I Loved the story. Great characters, interesting premise. But WAY too many mistakes made in editing here. I enjoy almost anything by this author, but Elle James is better than this. From peoples names switched, to referencing leftover breakfast for lunch when it’s entirely different food, ( as in they said breakfast was bacon yet he made a ham sandwich for lunch from leftovers) it was just a train wreck of errors and annoying. It disrupted the flow of the story because you kept questioning things. Please edit better in future so we can enjoy the story more.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Covert Cowboys, Inc. series. I really enjoyed this book. This book had great characters, but I really loved all the animals and the little girl. This is a fast paced book with a lot of suspense and action. I loved the twists and turns in this book.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. It was on sale for $.99 and I'm always looking for a bargain. Love the story lines in the books on the Convert Cowboy Inc.

There are six more books in this series; hope they go on sale for me to read.

[Dorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I read by Elle James. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ the action in this story. I loved ❤ Ben's character. I loved ❤ Kate's character. I loved ❤ Lilly. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. James.

[charmaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Elle James you really know how to deliver the goods.This one held my interest from the very first page to the last.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am happy to finally get the first book of this series. I am on a hunt to get all of the Covert Cowboy series. Great series

[Alznuthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the booj

Has everything a good book should have. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Great chemistry, drama, n mystery.

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you very much

[Pam Jackson-gorsline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggered

This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were likable,complex and interesting.

[Picky_Book_B1tch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must not have read the same book as everyone else. Plot holes at every turn.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story.

[Carol Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beginning for the series.

[Juli]

Dnf

[Merle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay beginning to the Covert Cowboys series in Harlequin Intrigue. Author James keeps the romance very understated, so much so that it seemed not to happen. The foundation for the series is a good one - human trafficking and drug trafficking through some ranches in South Texas. The founder of CCI is a man who believes in justice but not in the system. The men he recruits feel the same. The difference is, he's willing to put his money where his beliefs are and fund this covert team.

Ben and Kate find more trouble than they bargained for as they try to unravel the mystery of her father's house, ranch and his death. Protecting Kate and Lily, her daughter, is the most exquisite pain that Ben can think of, as well as his greatest wish.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In James’ romantic suspense novel, Austin police officer Ben Harding takes justice into his own hands and loses his job as a result. Recruited by Covert Cowboys, Inc. he is assigned to guard Kate Langsdon. Kate has inherited a ranch from her deceased father, but after moving in with her 4 year old daughter, it’s clear something is terribly wrong there. Burdened by the memories of his murdered family, Ben struggles with the new emotions Kate and her daughter bring. As danger moves in, Ben puts his life and his heart on the line to save them both.
A fabulous debut to the Covert Cowboys, Inc. series.

[Harlequin Books]

"James builds up the suspense from page one and doesn't let readers down with the complicated, open-ended climax." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars

Miniseries: Covert Cowboys, Inc.
Category: Suspense

[Elle (Ligia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book, and while it was quite good I'm still feeling a little meh about it. It was suspensful and nerve wracking at times. Still I don't know what was missing. A good read nonetheless.

[Carol Stanley-Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly good summer read. I like the Harlequin Intrigue books because they are short and sweet.

In this mystery, Ben the bodyguard takes his task seriously!! Getting the bad guys and guarding Kates body whenever he can!!

I enjoyed the easy, quick read.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I enjoy Elle's writing; although I wish there had a bit more of an ending at the end but it all worked out. And assuming the story will be continued in the remaining books - hopefully there more about lily, her mother and ben! Maybe even cara Jo will get married to one of the guys!!!

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Covert Cowboys, Inc.
Category: Suspense

Rated 4 Stars by RT Book Reviews