Inferno

Agents of Ensenada #1

by Tess Summers

Kennedy Jones
I’m a special agent with the CIA, and I’m good at what I do. In fact, I’m considered one of the best. I can play the role of anyone and eliminating bad guys without them seeing me coming is my forte—which is why I was chosen to take down the head of the Guzman family.
Dante Guzman is a ruthless, sexy, cold-hearted cartel money-man. And now it’s my job to study him, learn his likes and dislikes—in and out of the bedroom—so I can gain his trust and access to his uncle, the head of the Ensenada cartel.
I just didn’t count on falling into Dante’s clutches.
Every second I spend with him he manages to pull me further and further into his world. And the more time I spend there, the deeper I slip into the darkness with him, the more I realize…
I like it.

Dante Guzman
Don’t let my good manners fool you—I’m one cold-hearted SOB, and I control the family’s monetary affairs with an iron fist. There’s no place for weakness in my world. Show weakness, and you die. As simple as that.
So when a petite, feisty, hot-as-hell bombshell storms into my life, I didn’t stop to think about the consequences of keeping her. I wanted her, and I always get what I want. Period.
Turns out, the stakes were too high…for the both of us. And there’s going to be hell to pay if we’re going to be together, to one form of the devil or another.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

189 pages, ebook

First published December 25, 2018

About the author

USA Today and Amazon best-selling author, Tess Summers is a former business woman and teacher who always loved writing but never seemed to have time to sit down and write a short story, let alone a novel. Now battling MS, her life changed dramatically, and she has finally slowed down enough to start writing all the stories she'd been wanting to tell, including the fun and sexy ones! Married over twenty-five years with three grown children, Tess is a former dog foster mom who ended up failing and adopting them instead. She and her husband (and their six dogs) split their time between the desert of Arizona and the lakes of Michigan, so she's always in a climate that's not too hot and not too cold, but just right!

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story but I"m not wild about cliffhangers unless I know the other book(s) will be out quickly. The story itself is good but I just couldn't get into the characters that much. I will read the other books to check it out!!

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story. This is the first book from this author and it will not be the last. The story flowed well, strong characters, twists and turns. It will have you turning the pages till the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/3/2021)! 🎁

[BreRile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy, the female lead, made a small but important cameo in the San Diego Social scene series Book 3. The book is the start of a spinoff series and explores the relationship she has has with Dante Guzman, chief money launderer and nephew of the cartel kingpin. Kennedy infiltrated the cartel but unbeknownst to her Dante knew she was an undercover CIA operative. He sets a trap for her after she betrays him by killing his uncle and then disappears. Despite the circumstances of their relationship, he vows to marry her and have a family. She's in love with him but can't reconcile her conscience with his profession. Despite their differences, they fall in love. If you don't like explicit sex scenes or Dom/sub relationships (both pluses in my mind), this isn't the book for you. It ends on a cliffhanger but Kennedy and Dante get their HEA (at least for now). I'll definitely read the next book, hopefully it's as hot a this is one!

[marzimarzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy went undercover with the Mexican Mafia Jefe's nephew, Dante as his submissive girlfriend Ruby. It was a difficult assignment, but she'd taken a vow to protect and serve. There was a crime syndicate to be broken, and she wanted to do her part. Now that she has the chance to cut the head off the snake, she hesitates even though this is what she came for. All she can think of are Dante’s hot kisses, Spanish endearments and tender caresses. Duty prevails and she kills the mob boss but now has to live with her decision.

What a great story! I devoured it and couldn't wait to read more. Although the book is short, it packs so much and takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster of drama, kidnappings & murder, heartache, romance, regret, punishment, submission and steam... so much steam!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inferno: Agents of Ensenada Book 1

I am new to reading Tess Summers but will honestly say that I am new no longer. It was so easy to get into this book and was so easy to stay up until 3 am reading it, because I could not put it down.

Our heroine Kennedy Jones is an undercover CIA agent, who while undercover falls in love with our hero Dante Guzman. Dante is the money advisor for the Mexican cartel his uncle runs. Kennedy’s job is to take out the head of the Cartel and she does. What Kennedy doesn’t realize is the entire time she thinks she has kept her cover, Dante has known who she is and what her job was.

She disappears after the assassination thinking she will just keep a low profile until the CIA needs her again, what she doesn’t know is Dante has his own mess to clean up and in order to do that and get Kennedy back her has plans for her.

The love and sex appeal that goes back and forth between Kennedy and Dante is steaming! Honestly, I thought I was seeing steam coming off my ereader while reading some of their sex scenes, they were that hot!

Along with the those scenes throw in a kidnapping or two, fighting feelings they knew probably would never work, shootings, a disappearance and finally finding the trust they each needed to make their relationship work. At the half way point in this story I knew there was no way I would not be reading the second book in this series. That speaks a lot for how Tess Summers can draw the reader into her stories and let us live our best Cartel life while watching how our couple make their way to being together.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mexican Mob boss falls for CIA agent
Dante Guzman has a thing for beautiful redheads, and the one who strolled up to the barstool is all that and more. Just one night with her could be world-changing... and that’s what CIA Special Agent Kennedy Jones, aka Ruby Rhodes, hopes.
Ruby (Kennedy) thinks her plan to get up close and personal with Dante will allow her access to her target, Enrique Guzman, the evil head of the Guzman Cartel. Dante is a smart man who employs smart people to uncover information, so he knows who and what Ruby is, but that doesn’t stop Dante from wanting Ruby to be his. Ruby (Kennedy) is a formidable agent and she and Dante butt heads while one-upping the other throughout the story. I loved this story!
I was rooting for Dante and Kennedy to find a happy ever after and it mostly happens. I strongly suggest that you read the prequel “Ignition” before you read “Inferno” because “Ignition” sets up the series. “Inferno” can be a standalone, however, parts of the story will continue into “Combustion”, the next book.
“Inferno” is full of action, has a sexy hot dominant bad boy, Dante, who’s found the woman of his dreams and fights hard to keep her, and a smart tough beautiful badass lady, Kennedy, who falls for the bad boy. Linda

[Bluejeanbby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely HATE CLIFFHANGERS!! AND NO WARNING TO BOOT!?! WTF??

This book was hot (few ! Hose me down hot!) It seemed a bit rushed throughout the entire book...and for WHAT it ended on a freaking CLIFFHANGER for goodness sakes!!

I loved the characters both main and secondary, but was not at all happy to see a "look out for book 2,3,4 & 5 in 2019" ! Does this mean were going to have yet ANOTHER series that is 100 pages long & $3.99 - $4.99 each ebook?? If so you can bet your bottom I will NOT be buying &/or reading book 2,3,4 &/or 5......

Overall I'm disappointed in this book!

Strike 1: this was a NON-warning CLIFFHANGER = -☆
Strike 2: it was RUSHED throughout the ENTIRE book = -☆
Strike 3: it was far too SHORT = -☆

If it went for those 3 main issues I'd have rated this much higher.

I have been gifted the honor of leaving a albeit brutal, but honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inferno by Tess Summers is a thrill-a-minute ride full of espionage, betrayal, action, adventure, danger, and steamy love!!!

Kennedy is an undercover FBI agent tasked with killing a Mafia Kingpin. She does this by getting VERY close to his right-hand man, Dante. That’s how this incredible story STARTS!!!! What happens from there is mind-boggling and will make your head spin.

This was an incredible story from Tess Summers and I can’t wait to read more!!! She bring to life the grit, fear, angst, and internal struggles between these two fabulous, well-developed characters. I LOVED them both!!!! She also brings in an amazing cast of ensemble characters as well. A SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT by an author I’ll be reading more of!!!!!

I voluntarily received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for an honest review.

[Tori Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read, but it did start off by dropping the reader into the middle of the story where the protagonists had already established some sort of relationship. I thought there might've been a prequel or a previous book, but nope. The blurb makes it sound like you'll be able to see their meet-cute and how they interact, but that wasn't the case.

It was a fast-paced read that moved quite quickly, and the last quarter of the book or so was rather smooth and uneventful up until the cliffhanger.

Dante and Kennedy are an interesting couple, and they're both sweet and head strong and a great match for each other.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Book Snob Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew, this book was so hot that I’m pretty sure I wasn’t old enough to read it😉. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there may have been too many sexy times for me personally…I know, I can’t believe I just said that either. Of course it was probably warranted since he was a cartel and was trying to get his little CIA assassin to pick him, but also he was the dom to her sub. These two were crazy about each other, and did not like being away from each other. So, he thought he’d get her pregnant, to keep her, and save her.

Well written book, with lots of sexy times and baby batter, throw in a bit of action, multiple epilogues, thank you for that, and a hea. Enjoy.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first in the series and what a great introduction. This is also the first book I have read by this author. If you love the challenges of life in a cartel, the opposites attract of a cartel member and an a FBI agent as well as a whole lot of chemistry then this book could be for you. I really enjoyed the book and will anxiously awaiting to pursue the series to see what else this author has in store us readers and the characters she introduces us too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional Read. Kennedy is a CIA agent working undercover as a rich heiress to take down the head of the Guzman cartel, Enrique. She she figures by getting close to the nephew, Dante, she will have a better chance at taking him out. What she did t plan on, was falling in love with the handsome man. This has a well written storyline and awesome characters. There’s intrigue, suspense, kidnapping, lots of hot chemistry and a love that Kennedy didn’t think would ever work out. Loved it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy was at the top of her game, she had to be as a CIA operative, undercover, playing a part, falling in love, that wasn't part of the plan. Dante always knew who Kennedy was and what her mission was, how has he fallen for her, a mafia money man and a CIA agent now her part is done and she has to go, as she has just killed Dante's uncle and the head man. I want Dante he sends shivers down the spine, and I love the way he handles Kennedy the pain and the pleasure are for them both, cracking.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF Not for me

DNF. I did like where the book started, after they had met and she’d completed her assignment and I did like the plot outline but it quickly developed into multiple sub/dom sex scenes with little substance in-between. Unfortunately so many sex scenes while he constantly called her a slut or whore etc just isn’t for me, I don’t mind the sub - dom genre as long as the sex scenes aren’t every couple of pages but if that’s the kind of book you like, this will definitely be for you.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

An utter bore. In spite of the abundance of sex scenes, dub con, dom/sub, name calling, this book was totally boring. I think the action in their meeting and earlier relationship played out in other books as a lot was alluded to off page. So a drug cartel money man and a cia assassin ended up with a yawn fest book that was more of a side note or an epilogue. There is a prequel available for this but it’s kind of terrible to expect your readers to buy another book instead of including the couple’s entire story in this one. Booo.

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella and Dante's Story!

Great story,lots of action,page turner.Dante really love his captive,so much and he couldn't let her get harm in any way but she c was snitch but she was able to get lose and finally make it back m to Dante.They had alot of obstacles to get rid and v they did atleast they thought they did and they had their baby girl,then Bella's sister was kidnapped and it open another can of worms,she c was kidnapped by the guy who had taken Bella before her marriage and the birth of their daughter!

[RLoves2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. I enjoyed the story of Dante and Kennedy. Their characters stem out from previous Tess Summers books, but you do not need to read the previous books to fall right in with this story line. Their romance is hot and forbidden and I enjoyed getting to read Kenndey's story. Only disappointment....it ends with a cliffhanger!!! If you don't like cliffhangers, then this book is not for you....or until the next book in the series is released.

[Tara Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a great storyline! The heroine Ruby/Kennedy was capable, smart and kicks ass. The flow of the story is choppy but the heros love for the heroine made up for the confusion. I received the book as an arc and I am thankful. I look forward to the rest of the series and would probably buy this and the others. The plot was really unique and fun to watch play out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I have book 2! This ends on a big cliffhanger. So I'm making this brief, so I can jump right to it! I was a bit confused in the beginning, wondering if I missed a prequel book. The start has Dante and Gamma already into a relationship, if sorts. However, this is where their story truly begins. It is passionate, intense, suspenseful, and has a lot to overcome.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Tess Summers; she has done a good job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, amazing, enjoyable, and exciting read! The ideas are well thought out; the plot is well-developed, consistent, interesting, and engaging. It is an on the edge of your seat read that is full of steamy sex, angst, and twists and turns. The characters that are strong; the chemistry between them is off the charts. This story will keep you captivated from beginning to end. Highly recommended! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great romance story, it has action, deceit, forbidden love, steam, romance, suspense and lots of emotion. I advise anyone reading this to hold on tight and get ready for an amazing roller-coaster ride as these two main characters from different sides of the law fall for each other. The characters are interesting and well rounded, the whole story is a joy to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation

This story starts a new series, but is a "continuation" of sorts of the San Diego Social series.

I read it to get closure on Kennedy's situation with Dante (after she rescued Lucas and Cassie).

But, the bouncing she does between identities was off-putting, and the Dom/sub thing between these two is meh.

I got my closure...and I'm one and done in this series.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Dante, and Kennedy. Dante is from a crime family, and Kennedy is the Agent out to bring them down. Put Dante and Kennedy together though, and it gets hot and steamy. This is a great story, with great characters. This is a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy to say this book would have gotten a ten star if it were allowed. It’s full of amazing characters and the storyline grabbed my attention and did not let go until the end and even after I finished it I kept wanting more. I will definitely be picking up more of this author’s books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookLover1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the second book in this series first but this series can be read in any order. I enjoyed the dynamic and struggle between characters. I found the premise fun and full of potential. I'd recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two should be enemies but that makes it hotter. The CIA infiltrated the criminal element. This book has you sitting on the edge of your seat. Its intense the suspense and mystery. Romance was never the intent its supposed to be in out get info. But the attraction turned to love that runs red.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, fun, and sexy story! An amazing, captivating, interesting and oh-so-satisfying read!
The writing draws you in and keeps you interested until the end.
The chemistry between the H and h is amazing plus their attitudes and events going on make the story even richer.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. “Inferno” by Tess Summers is a very enjoyable and well written book. The entertaining chemistry and interaction between the interesting characters kept me engrossed till the end. This is an intriguing, engaging Must Read Book that I really enjoyed reading.