Heart Burn: Deep Six East Book 1

The Deep Six Team has arrived on the East Coast, and this first book definitely made my heart burn! From the heat between Dante and Prada and the non-stop intense, suspenseful action to Dante's wonderful Italian family and a new security team with growing pains, I felt every bit of this wild, exciting ride right in the center of my heart.

If you’ve read any of the Deep Six books, you'll love this latest from these hot, alpha protectors. And if you haven't, but you like military romance similar to Maya Banks, Kaylea Cross and Lynne Rae Harris, these heroes are right up your alley. I love all of the Deep Six guys and their amazing gals, but I was really tickled to see my favorite couple, Griff and Lou Ellen from Silent Knight, make an appearance in this book.

Although Dante and Prada are more of a match made in a fireworks factory than a match made in heaven, their story had me grinning in anticipation from the very first page. They both have some baggage, but what’s a trip on the road to an HEA without luggage? And Dante had his heart eviscerated by an Italian love long ago, so he's permanently sworn off amore, but that only makes his journey with Prada all the more delicious.

Grab your copy and read your way through this fantastic journey with Dante and Prada. She's strong, independent, spirited and stubborn and he's, well, you got the alpha protector part, right? Dante is tasked with personal protection for Prada and she's just not having it, trying to fire him numerous times after clashes and head butts, until the truth hits way too close and she realizes her life is truly in danger. Both are staunchly, firmly against anything love related, until they aren't. But don’t be fooled. Just because their hearts begin to thaw doesn’t lessen the fireworks between them or the danger they repeatedly find themselves in. This is a phenomenal, riveting, steamy, heartfelt read that you won’t want to miss!

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

Trudy Dowling

2,819 reviews57 followers

HELLO Dante!!! It is so good to see you again. Oh My how I loved drooling over Dante in this first in a new series. What a wonderful way for the author to start a spin-off series of Deep Six Security. I fell in love with him in Gray Matters, Deep Six Security book 5. Payback is beautiful for what he did to Grayson.

For those who aren't familiar with this mega drool worthy hunk, he is an ex army pilot and Army Ranger. He has just lost his job with the FBI thanks to what happened in Gray Matter. Deep Six is his last chance at civilian life and he is about to risk everything.

The Italian Stallion has just been assigned to protect the one Italian women that is more stubborn than his sister Micki. Prada is in the US as an Italian Ambassador, far from home her life is threatened. She refused to believe the evidence. She refuses the protection. She will stop at nothing to get away but she can't run away from her heart. Denial. Denial. Denial.

She is soon back home with a protection detail and investigators. Her problems started in Italy. She back in Italy to end them. She has solutions. She has a goal. She is clueless to reality. Making it worse; she doesn't share her thoughts. Stubbornness can get her and the team killed.

What happens when greed, the mafia and a determined female cross paths? You have an exciting thriller. Suspense riddles the pages. Bullets fly. High speed driving will have you wishing you had your seatbelt on or a barf bag close by. Hearts break. And all of this excitement is packed into Heartburn.

I am off to find some Tiramisu to help settle my shaken nerves.

Denise H

1,052 reviews54 followers

January 19, 2019

I have been waiting for Dante’s story since Gray Matter and boy was it worth the wait!

Heart Burn is McGraw’s first book in her new Deep Six East series, which is a spin-off of the original Deep Six Securities series. If you are a fan of stories full of nonstop action and suspense and that contain strong alpha males and sassy females you are in for a treat.

Dante Girabaldi is an uptight, domineering alpha male with a weakness for Italian women who is trying to navigate a new environment as well as find his place and settle in with a new team he meets for the first time on his first assignment with Deep Six. He has to find balance between his past life and experiences as an FBI agent and the unknown men who will become his lifeline and new family. He is used to working alone and undercover, making his own rules to stay alive, so now having to rely on and trust in his new team brings an additional challenge to his new assignment. There is some serious testosterone in the mix and several dominant men who have to learn to work together as a unit to complete their mission and some of the interaction is quite amusing to watch unfold. However, regardless of the different personalities and qualities they each bring to the team you can tell they will be a force to reckon with and I cannot wait to get to know them all in their own stories.

Prada D’Angelo is quite a complex character. She is an Italian beauty with a big mouth and fiery temper that is extremely independent, demanding and takes no prisoners. She is a former model from a political family in Italy who was sent to the states by her father after a scandal hit the new media involving a very powerful man and she is the current Italian Ambassador of Women’s Affairs to the US. She ruffled a lot of feathers before she left Italy and now has a long list of enemies including an ex-lover who happens to be a prince, politicians and the billionaire she outed to the police and media who now has put a target on her head. When her past collides with her present, the ante is upped after threats are made and danger arrives on her doorstep and Deep Six East is hired to ferret out the threat and keep her alive.

The new Deep Six office is just getting off their feet with the setup and hiring of teams. They right now just have a skeleton crew as the men are completing previous assignments, training and the like to get ready to move into the compound and get to work. This new job for Dante is not only important to him but to the office as a whole to help secure future assignments so he has to be at the top of his game. Sparks fly between him and his new protectee as well as some male posturing between him and the others on his team as they size each other up and navigate temperaments and learn to work together as a unit. It was amusing to watch some of the scenarios between the men as they work to get along.

We also get a glimpse of Dante’s home life and get to meet his family and catch up with his sister, Mickie, and Gray (Gray Matter). The setting of the book jumps from the states to Rome and Milan where McGraw does an excellent job of describing the scenery and tourists interests to where you feel as if you are there seeing it first-hand. Heart Burn is loaded with twists and turns, family secrets, betrayal, deceit, kidnapping, blackmail, laughs, witty banter, some serious bad guys, sizzling chemistry and an emotional journey of growth, acceptance and all-encompassing love. The characters are interesting and engaging and the storyline is complex and exciting. There is enough ongoing action and suspense to keep you invested from the first page to the last. This book is a great start to the new series and I loved every minute of it!

*I received an advanced copy from the author under no obligation and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

CarolKat

2,280 reviews29 followers

Oh my, Becky McGraw has certainly started us off with a winner.

Dante is the new hire for Deep Six East, they already have a client but not the full team. So it's Dante who gets the job. He's pretty full of himself too, used to working alone and not with a team, he needs some attitude adjustment as well.

Prada is everything Dante is afraid of and attracted to, smart, beautiful and an Italian woman. The Italian Ambassador for Woman's Affairs she is focused on woman's rights in Italy, especially after a real piece of work doesn't get jail time for his harassment and attempted rape of some co-workers. She hadn't pressed her charges, but now she would. The man had to go down.

Unfortunately she isn't the one who asks for protection, it's her father. Arturo D'Angelo is a high ranking official in the Italian government looking to run for president. He also wants his daughter to wed the man he's chosen for her, although she's kicked him out after she finds him in bed with another woman.

The first meeting between Dante and Prada wasn't in her office although they don't realize it until he does make it there. Tantrums seem to be Prada's forte and some become favorite scenes when they involve Dante.

here are many tantrums from Prada, some tempered by Guilia her best-friend and assistant, others full blast at Dante. She is most determined and frustrating to Dante. He is insanely attracted to her especially when he realizes where he's seen her before.

With the introduction of the new Team, I think there might be a story with Guilia and Brad, definite connection there. It's really great to see not only Griff, but also Gray and Mickie. I should mention that Mickie is Dante's sister and you'll love their part in this story.

A misogynistic jerk, a Prince who isn't yet, a father with secrets, the mafioso, some great stuff in Rome and Milan and so much more. You will be turning the pages quickly to see what happens next in this must read beginning to Deep Six East!

Sandy Kelly

1,253 reviews12 followers

This is the first book in the spin off series of Deep Six East. If you have read the Deep Six series then you will remember that these characters were sent to the east coast to open another branch of Deep Six Security. And this first book is about Dante Girabaldi who we first saw when his sister ran into trouble in one of the previous books. Dante's first assignment with the new east coast branch is to protect Prada D'Angelo who is the Italian ambassador of women's affair's. Dante had vowed to avoid all italian women after knowing what they are capable of but he can't avoid this one since he is being paid to protect her. Prada is being forced by her father to have a bodyguard after threats have been made on her life. But she doesn't believe she truly needs the protection and she especially doesn't want the entirely too arrogant Dante to be around her night and day. And she certainly isn't going to let anyone tell her to stop pushing buttons to try to bring women's rights in her country into this century! But when things go from threats to actions, what will either of them do when push comes to shove?

I really liked this newest installment! Dante is still just as bossy and mouthy as he was in the other books we saw him in. And he definitely isn't afraid to push people's button's just to get a rise out of them. Prada definitely has great intentions for what she wants to happen. I just had a hard time connecting with her. She seemed a little too wishy washy to me, which was why this one got 4 stars instead of 5 from me. There is lot's of action, and the story line is definitely excellent! The characters definitely make you want to read more and I would love to see a story about her assistant! Like I said, I just had a hard time with some of the things that Prada did. And I am sure that is probably just me and other people will love her. On a whole, I give it a solid 4 out of 5!

Jennifer

565 reviews8 followers

What do you get when you combined a former military pilot turned security specialist and an ex fashion model turned Italian Ambassador to Women’s Affairs in the US.....FIREWORKS💥. Dante joins the East Coast Security team and receives his first assignment, bodyguard to Prada. Prada, former fashion model and actress, has been receiving threats after pressing charges against a former employer for sexual harassment. Not really believing the threats are valid, Prada is enraged when her best friend/assistant contacts her father concerning the threats. Her father then hires Deep Six Security. Although Prada “fires” Dante several times, it’s not until after a fake bomb is sent to her office, that she believes the threats may be valid. Plus, Dante is HOT! So Prada reluctantly accepts Dante as her bodyguard.

Dante attracts trouble and Italian women like a magnet. While he’s reluctant to guard Prada, he doesn’t want to disappoint his new teammates. So he accepts the job. Although Dante thinks Prada is the most infuriating woman he’s ever met, he also believes Prada is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. He even starts to believe that she could be “the one”.

What a great start to a new series! I enjoyed how easily Prada could get under Dante’s skin. I thought her term of endearment for Dante was absolutely adorable-“meatball”. Dante talking to his deceased grandma, making wishes at the Trevi Fountain, and the gold hot pants made the story more realistic and entertaining. The suspense, twists and turns, and mafioso had me reading the book in one sitting. Loved it! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

Sara Keenan

153 reviews7 followers

This book is CALDO and APPANNATO!!! Becky McGraw has started another series, and what better than some more Deep Six Men…..or should I say an Italian man?! If you have read some of Becky’s previous Deep Six books you may remember Dante, well in the first book in Deep Six East we get to read about Dante. One of the many things I loved about reading this book was we get to see Lou Ellen and her man Griff who were opening up the East office. Becky McGraw is good and bringing her previous characters into her new books so you never lose sight of what they are all up to! Anyway, here we have Dante, an American Italian who is at the point in his life where he is not about Amore’ but the love them and leave them. Dante gets his first case on the job, and he has to go protect Italian Ambassador of Women’s Affairs, Prada D’Angelo.
Prada is in America and is tired of things not going her way. She’s on the prowl for Women’s Affairs and making sure the guy who thinks is getting away with how he treats women gets what is coming to him. She finds this to be tricky when she gets threats. Prada’s dad sends for a bodyguard from Deep Six East. Prada and Dante both have their tempers and stubbornness, but their story will take you onto a wild ride to find out who is threatening her and whether they can both find Amore’ with each other.

Yvonne Cruz

3,554 reviews40 followers

January 19, 2019

This talented author brings us a new series, titled Deep Six East. For those old and new readers, it’s a spin off of Deep Six Security. This branch is based in the East (Virginia), and is being led by Griff, whom we met ( and I fell in love with ) in Silent Knight.
Dante Girabaldi is one of the team members. Of Italian heritage, he is not too crazy about Italian women, of course, except for his Mom. Former CIA and military pilot, he has seen it all. But was not prepared or happy to be assigned as a bodyguard to a full fledge Italian woman . Prada D’Angelo is not only beautiful , she’s also bright, full of spunk, attitude and will take no prisoners. She has no use for a bodyguard, especial one named Dante.
But Dante is determined to do his job . Too many want her harm, from an ex-lover, to a former boss and maybe even politicians.
Danger is always around the corner. Filled with suspense, bad guys, a hunky taciturn good guy and a gutsy woman, the action is non-stop. Will they survive this rollercoaster ride, and will the heart burn be worth it if in the end they find their HEA?
Another winner by this talented author. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Jennie Fortna

2,544 reviews29 followers

ARC for honest review with no compensation

Heart Burn is book 1 in the Deep Six East series and a spin-off of Deep Six Security by Becky McGraw. Wish I could give more stars...amazing book and a great start to this new series!!

Dante Girabaldi a sexy, hot blooded American/Italian, former military pilot, FBI agent and now part of the Deep Six East security. His first assignment is to protect the Italian Ambassador of Women’s Affairs to the US, Prada D’Angelo. It seems he is destined to have heart burn..Italian food or Italian women!

Prada D’Angelo a former model, Italian TV Star and now a politician for women’s right in Italy is getting threats from the enemies she made in her native county of Italy while in the US and her father has hired the Deep Six East to protect her.

When Dante and Prada meet the fireworks ignite, tempers explode, stubborn wills combust no matter where they are...but when they head back to Italy can they keep their heads in the game and annihilate the threats or will being in Rome the city of love keep them off balance?

Suspense, danger, steamy, twists, turns, blackmail and edge of your seat are just some of the things that will keep you reading til the last page...

Madm007

1,156 reviews6 followers

I loved this story. 💚💙
Right from the start I felt like rubbing my hands gleefully and doing the bwahahaha. A cavalcade that takes your emotions for an action packed, HOT, suspenseful, intriguing Romance. Of course there's the snarky and LoL moments, that Ms. McGraw is SO good at adding, at any given time!
The story is well written, with realistic events and descriptive places that go from the DC area to Italy, and I happily traveled right along.
Dante and Prada, so passionate, hotheaded and Italian! There's just so much packed into this read, I cannot describe it all in a short review, but it will definitely keep you turning the pages to a surprising and sigh worthy HEA.
This is a stand alone, the 1st in a spinoff series, NO cliffhanger, but I am very much looking forward to the next book in Deep Six East series.

Deb Diem

3,542 reviews14 followers

One thing for sure, Becky McGraw knows how to write a sassy woman. Heart Burn is a romantic suspense that is well-written and packed with fabulous characters. Prada gave up her career, got herself blackballed from the industry, published nude photos of herself and ruined her name hoping it would bring a predator to justice. Dante is ex-military and ex-FBI and now working for Deep Six, his mission is to keep Prada alive. Prada and Dante's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. I loved every page of Heart Burn and look forward to reading more from Ms. McGraw soon. Heart Burn is book 1 of the Deep Six East Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Debbie Collins

803 reviews7 followers

March 29, 2019

Heart Burn is the first book in the Deep Six East series, and what a great start to a series it is. Dante Girabaldi tries his best to stay away from Italian women, well except for his mother and sister. As luck would have it his first assignment is to protect the Italian Ambassador of Women's Affairs. Prada D'Angelo is beautiful, sexy, independent, and stubborn as a mule, this makes the job of protecting her that much harder for the sexy, handsome alpha protector. These two butt heads from the very beginning, she keeps firing him and he ignores her because she doesn't have that authority. All too soon Prada realizes that the threats against her are very real, and that Dante and the team are her only chance of staying alive.
Grab yourself a comfortable chair and get ready for a wild ride, with fireworks between these two!!

Terra Oenning

3,545 reviews

January 19, 2019

Wow I absolutely loved Deep six east new series first book. This book will have you hooked from page 1 with so much action packed and suspense and romance and hate love relationship this book has it all. Dante Girabaldi is former military pilot and former FBI and is now taking his first assignment with Prada D'Angelo former runway model and soap star and now a pain in his butt. His assignment is to keep her safe and alive ,but no one knows who is after and its Dante and the deep six to make sure it happens but when it takes them to her home in Italy will they get out out alive? This was absolutely one of the best books I have read in awhile and truly loved it.

BP34

6,292 reviews46 followers

Jenn (YeahOrNeighReviews)

Dante is a gorgeous Italian who has sworn off all women with the exception of his mother. They all give him heartburn and he wants no more of that. This is the first book in the Deep Six East Series and starts the new series off on a high note. Fast-paced and full of action, you will find this book hard to put down once your start. Dante's a former military pilot who's now with the FBI and his first assignment is guarding the gorgeous Prada. She has enemies galore and this turns out to be a wild adventure for both of them. Lots of danger and plenty of twists mixed with explosive chemistry make for one page turner. I read an arc and voluntarily chose to review. A must read

Jacqueline Ellison

2,620 reviews8 followers

January 26, 2019

Dirty prince, corrupt politicians, deadly mafia, death threats and so much more. Dante works in the Deep Six East compound in Falls Church, VA. He is Italian but only knows a few words and of course curse words. He was a former military pilot and was an FBI agent working undercover. Prada D’Angelo is the Italian Ambassador of Women’s Affairs to the U.S. A strong, feisty Italian woman who wants to fight for women's rights. Dante and Prada heat up the pages when they come together. I did enjoy the humor between the different characters. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

1,853 reviews46 followers

January 21, 2019

After being burned by his former fiancee and best friend, Dante Girabaldi has sworn off all Italian women. Of course his first protection assignment is for none other than Italian Ambassador, Prada D'Angelo.
When it becomes clear that there are forces that not only want to kidnap Prada, but want her dead as well, Dante knows he can only trust his team while trying to discover who's behind it all.
This book keeps you guessing and on your toes until the very end! A wonderful story of deceipt, romance, and action. I can't wait for the next one in the series!

beta-arc

Eileen McCall

270 reviews

The first book in the Deep Six East series and we are off to a rousing start. We previously met Dante in Grey Matter (great book!) and this is first real job for Deep Six – protecting an Italian Ambassador. I don’t know who is more stubborn and hard headed in this tome, Dante or Prada. Be prepared for laughs, sizzling heat and fast paced action as Dante, Prada and more of the Deep Six team take you on a jaunt from Washington to Rome and Naples. Get your 3 coins ready for the Trevi Fountain and make your wish! LOVED IT!

Sherry Mason

13 reviews2 followers

January 25, 2019

Action, suspense and romance with a good storyline!
I have read all of Becky's books and the Deep Six series is one of my favorites and now so is the Deep Six East Series. Dante and Prada are both strong Italian characters with amazing chemistry. The action, suspense and romance was so good that I could not put this book down until I finished it! I definitely recommend this book, the entire Deep Six books and any others by this author. I can't wait to read about Jaxson and Fallon's story in the next book, Hard Truth (book 2 of the Deep Six East Series)!

Coffee Chat

879 reviews3 followers

January 27, 2019

This is the first book in a new romantic suspense series. It is fast paced and action packed. The story line was well written and intriguing. It will keep your interest plenty of action, mystery, romance, surprises, and twist you will never see coming. The characters are well developed and likable. I liked the sassy banter, spark and chemistry between Dante and Prada. You also get to meet the new and captivating Deep Six East Team. I think this is a great start to a new series that anyone who enjoys romantic suspense will enjoy.

action drama must-read

Robin Langelier

218 reviews

January 27, 2019

Dante is back !! He's an ex-army pilot, and ex-army ranger. His new assignment is to protect the Italian Ambassador, that's visiting the US. Prada, She's had threats made against her. Prada is so stubborn, she refuses to listen to her Security Team, she's her own enemy. Can Dante make her listen ? Who's threatening Prada ? There's plenty of suspense, thrilling action, humor and romance. The twist and turns will keep you reading to the end. I enjoyed reading this book ! I'm looking forward to the next book. Grab yourself a copy! I read this book as an arc program. 💗🐧💋

Dawn Cruikshank

1,127 reviews8 followers

February 1, 2019

Heart Burn

OMG! This story has many facets to it. It is hilarious in some of the chapters as well as heart-stopping as Dante is given the assignment to protect the very stubborn woman, Prada. Dante thought he was over Italian women but Prada proved she was worth his love. How they finally got their happily ever after was an edge of your seat adventure with a slight heartbreak towards the end until Prada found out her wish came through. I am happy these two found their happily ever after! FANTASTIC job Becky! I would highly recommend this book.

Susan Jordens

585 reviews3 followers

Oh my the fireworks explode between Dante and Prada in this fast paced exciting start to Deep Six East. I loved the dialogue between these two hot headed characters and was intrigued to see their relationship develop. There was so much action my head was in a whirl as Dante and Prada raced into one disaster after another. The whole book is crammed with content which makes it a must read and one I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Michelle Eriksen

901 reviews11 followers

Talk about a wild ride! As always Becky McGraw takes us on an emotional, action packed wild ride just on the edge of our comfort zone. Her books are cutting edge and the characters are edgier.

I was excited to read Dante's book and it was more than I'd hoped for with it's sexy love scenes, story that could come right off the current headlines, along with a love story that lets you know there's still good out there.

Lisa Seely

346 reviews2 followers

Prada is exactly what I picture a feisty Italian to be and she doesn’t take any crap from Dante. Her and Dante have a very lively and potent relationship which I loved. There was plenty of action and romance in this book and am looking forward to the next book. There were a lot of characters introduced in this book and want to read about their adventures and loves. There were a lot of Italian words that I did struggle with, but you do get the gist of what is being said.

Emily

1,684 reviews125 followers

"Heart Burn" (Deep Six East Book 1) by Becky McGraw is a terrific read. I loved Dante and Prada's story. This is a wonderful start to this new series. I loved catching up with some of my favorite characters from Deep Six Security too. This story is packed with action, humor, military hunks, suspense, romance, passion, family, and more. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series in "Hard Truth". Highly recommend to all fans of romantic suspense, military, and series.

Pamela

1,253 reviews11 followers

February 3, 2019

Fantastic Read

Dante a man who has his oath set for his life
Prada was betrayed, hurt and sent away but
She was fighting but at what cost.
Becky McGraw has started us on another journey with written, amazing characters and full if emotions. As you read each page you get drawn in more and more. You even get a few laughs with all the craziness. A truly enjoyable heart warming read you wont want to put down

NanaX8

2,486 reviews66 followers

A new series from Ms McGraw but man, oh man, this book still has all of the action packed, page turning, heart racing, adrenaline producing, love story she is so awesome at, along with 2 of most stubborn, love crossed people who are funny, strong but so sure that love doesn't exist. Loved watching them fall. Looking forward to more of this series.

Sandra

11 reviews2 followers

January 21, 2019

This is a great book. I love that Becky McGraw can weave a story that can leave you on the edge of your seat while you laugh and cry. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I have loved all of the other Deep Six novels and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. Whether you read from the beginning or start here this is definitely worth reading.

Gladys

14k reviews162 followers

January 21, 2019

I really enjoyed this excellent read. This series gets off to a great start with Dante and Prada's story. I loved these characters and the chemistry they shared. The story was fun but had an engaging amount of drama, action, humor and emotions. A very good read that left me eager for book two. This is my candid, freely posted review.

Jane

701 reviews10 followers