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Blackhawk Security #3
Rules in Deceit
A misunderstanding tore them apart.
Now he's her only chance...
Blackhawk Security's Elizabeth Dawson believes ex-government programmer Braxton Levitt betrayed her, but now he's the only one who can keep her safe. A killer steps ahead of them is methodically hunting the pregnant analyst to access her top-level software program. But as Braxton and Liz race to stop him, their broken trust—and most intimate secrets—could end more than their lives...
Now he's her only chance...
Blackhawk Security's Elizabeth Dawson believes ex-government programmer Braxton Levitt betrayed her, but now he's the only one who can keep her safe. A killer steps ahead of them is methodically hunting the pregnant analyst to access her top-level software program. But as Braxton and Liz race to stop him, their broken trust—and most intimate secrets—could end more than their lives...
256 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2019
40 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Nichole Severn
209 books450 followers"First class romantic suspense!"
- Cynthia Eden, NYT Bestselling Author
Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Nichole Severn writes mind-twisting suspense and bullet-proof romance with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and cases you won’t be able to forget.
She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Psychology and is working for her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, a founding member of the Addicted to Danger Facebook group, and volunteers for a number of non-profits focused on supporting mothers.
She resides with her very supportive and patient husband, as well as her two demon spawn, in Utah. When she’s not writing, she’s constantly injuring herself training for marathons, accidentally stabbing herself with screwdrivers during her many DIY projects, or playing violin. That’s right. She stabbed herself with a screwdriver.
- Cynthia Eden, NYT Bestselling Author
Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Nichole Severn writes mind-twisting suspense and bullet-proof romance with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and cases you won’t be able to forget.
She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Psychology and is working for her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, a founding member of the Addicted to Danger Facebook group, and volunteers for a number of non-profits focused on supporting mothers.
She resides with her very supportive and patient husband, as well as her two demon spawn, in Utah. When she’s not writing, she’s constantly injuring herself training for marathons, accidentally stabbing herself with screwdrivers during her many DIY projects, or playing violin. That’s right. She stabbed herself with a screwdriver.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 15, 2020
If you've ever watched a thriller or a horror movie, you would be more than familiar with the dumb-as-a-box-of-hammers protagonist who chooses to bop the killer on the head and run off instead of finishing the killer off then and there. Multiply that TSTL behaviour by 100 and you've got the hero and heroine of this unbelievably stupid story, Braxton Levitt and Elizabeth Dawson.
Heroine Elizabeth works for Blackhawk Security. In her past, she worked for the NSA where she created the Oversight program, facial recognition software that can pick out the faces of terrorist threats before any troubles arises. Except the trial run of the software failed to recognise a CIA agent working undercover in a terrorist organisation, and he was killed. Elizabeth created a new identity for herself and got her job at Blackhawk.
Hero Braxton Levitt was the analyst at NSA who got Liz her job. The night they finally gave in to their passion for one another, he took off. Next thing Liz knew, he was accused of selling national intel and on the run for treason. He's off the grid for four months before returning and meeting Liz at Blackhawk, where their reunion is promptly interrupted by a bomb. Braxton returned because he knew Liz's life was in danger, and they go on the run, trying to figure out who wants Liz dead.
Except, as it turns out, they don't want Liz dead. Although the antagonist has used Oversight to stalk Liz, he hasn't been able to obtain higher level access (or something), and needs passwords from her. So why the heck is he trying to blow her up? It's one of many elements that doesn't make sense in this ridiculous story. While the pace of the plot was fast and efficient, with good action scenes, I don't think the author was keeping track of what was going on from chapter to chapter. The plot just kept contradicting itself. And the plot could only propel itself through its characters behaving as stupidly as humanly possible.
Fairly early in the book, when Braxton manages to locate Liz after the antagonist has kidnapped her (it's never explained how he manages this when her tracker has been destroyed), he has a gun trained on the antagonist. Instead of incapacitating the antagonist with a shot to the kneecap or something, HE THROWS HIS GUN AWAY, and engages in some hand to hand combat instead! What the actual f***??? This gives the antagonist the chance to escape by jumping off a cliff.
And no, it's never explained how he survived that.
I wanted to like this more. The action was good. The action was consistent. Although Liz is pregnant with Braxton's child due to their night together, she tells him about this as soon as she sees him. For this genre, that is so refreshing! (Particularly considering the previous book had a secret paternity trope.) But the book just keeps dumping stupid on top of stupid, and it kept taking me out of the story. It would have been 3 stars if not for one jaw-dropping oversight in the final chapter. (I'll get to that later, believe me.)
Liz claims to be hypoglycemic because of her pregnancy. I don't quite see how this can happen. Hypoglycemia is the result of too much insulin, usually the result of a diabetic person injecting too much insulin. I'm diabetic and have experienced what we term a "hypo" if I've miscalculated my insulin dosage. Does Liz have gestational diabetes? It's never suggested she does. If she did, she would have medication or insulin injections to combat her high blood sugar. She would also have been told to carry around jelly beans or have some Coke in supply to get her sugars back up if she experiences a low. But you don't generally experience a low unless you're physically injecting insulin.
Perhaps I'm being too picky, but if you're going to use low blood sugar as a plot device, at least make it believable. In real life, I've had people tell me they experience low blood sugar, and I'm like, "No, you don't." Believe me, if you've experienced a "hypo", you would know how frightening it is, and you would be doing all you could. It's generally not a common experience unless you have to physically inject insulin.
Anyway, enough of that rant! My next issue is one that I have raised in the two previous books by this author, and that is the apparent superhuman powers the hero has. In one key fight, Braxton is shot in the thigh. This sort of thing alone can generally kill you! Then he is stabbed in the gut. This alone too can kill you! On top of that, he has his shoulder dislocated. Despite that, he is still capable of fighting! I mean, come on! At least try to keep things within the realm of credibility!
No such luck.
The final chapters reveal the antagonist's identity - it's completely arbitrary, by the way, as it's not a name ever raised until the unmasking, and Braxton says that he's never heard that name before. Except in the VERY NEXT CHAPTER, Braxton says he sold the Oversight intel to the antagonist because he had blackmailed Braxton by threatening Liz's life, and he came back into her life after four months to stop the antagonist from terrorising her. So, Braxton knew the antagonist's identity all along? WTF? The final chapter basically renders everything that came before it completely pointless and nonsensical! The final chapter alone knocked this book's rating from a 3 to a 2. Please don't insult my intelligence like that.
This author really knows how to deliver a good action-based storyline, and the h and H's backstory was reasonably good as well. If only the h and H hadn't been TSTL and if only the plot hadn't been a hastily cobbled together mess of contrivances and contradictions, this would have rated higher for me.
Heroine Elizabeth works for Blackhawk Security. In her past, she worked for the NSA where she created the Oversight program, facial recognition software that can pick out the faces of terrorist threats before any troubles arises. Except the trial run of the software failed to recognise a CIA agent working undercover in a terrorist organisation, and he was killed. Elizabeth created a new identity for herself and got her job at Blackhawk.
Hero Braxton Levitt was the analyst at NSA who got Liz her job. The night they finally gave in to their passion for one another, he took off. Next thing Liz knew, he was accused of selling national intel and on the run for treason. He's off the grid for four months before returning and meeting Liz at Blackhawk, where their reunion is promptly interrupted by a bomb. Braxton returned because he knew Liz's life was in danger, and they go on the run, trying to figure out who wants Liz dead.
Except, as it turns out, they don't want Liz dead. Although the antagonist has used Oversight to stalk Liz, he hasn't been able to obtain higher level access (or something), and needs passwords from her. So why the heck is he trying to blow her up? It's one of many elements that doesn't make sense in this ridiculous story. While the pace of the plot was fast and efficient, with good action scenes, I don't think the author was keeping track of what was going on from chapter to chapter. The plot just kept contradicting itself. And the plot could only propel itself through its characters behaving as stupidly as humanly possible.
Fairly early in the book, when Braxton manages to locate Liz after the antagonist has kidnapped her (it's never explained how he manages this when her tracker has been destroyed), he has a gun trained on the antagonist. Instead of incapacitating the antagonist with a shot to the kneecap or something, HE THROWS HIS GUN AWAY, and engages in some hand to hand combat instead! What the actual f***??? This gives the antagonist the chance to escape by jumping off a cliff.
And no, it's never explained how he survived that.
I wanted to like this more. The action was good. The action was consistent. Although Liz is pregnant with Braxton's child due to their night together, she tells him about this as soon as she sees him. For this genre, that is so refreshing! (Particularly considering the previous book had a secret paternity trope.) But the book just keeps dumping stupid on top of stupid, and it kept taking me out of the story. It would have been 3 stars if not for one jaw-dropping oversight in the final chapter. (I'll get to that later, believe me.)
Liz claims to be hypoglycemic because of her pregnancy. I don't quite see how this can happen. Hypoglycemia is the result of too much insulin, usually the result of a diabetic person injecting too much insulin. I'm diabetic and have experienced what we term a "hypo" if I've miscalculated my insulin dosage. Does Liz have gestational diabetes? It's never suggested she does. If she did, she would have medication or insulin injections to combat her high blood sugar. She would also have been told to carry around jelly beans or have some Coke in supply to get her sugars back up if she experiences a low. But you don't generally experience a low unless you're physically injecting insulin.
Perhaps I'm being too picky, but if you're going to use low blood sugar as a plot device, at least make it believable. In real life, I've had people tell me they experience low blood sugar, and I'm like, "No, you don't." Believe me, if you've experienced a "hypo", you would know how frightening it is, and you would be doing all you could. It's generally not a common experience unless you have to physically inject insulin.
Anyway, enough of that rant! My next issue is one that I have raised in the two previous books by this author, and that is the apparent superhuman powers the hero has. In one key fight, Braxton is shot in the thigh. This sort of thing alone can generally kill you! Then he is stabbed in the gut. This alone too can kill you! On top of that, he has his shoulder dislocated. Despite that, he is still capable of fighting! I mean, come on! At least try to keep things within the realm of credibility!
No such luck.
The final chapters reveal the antagonist's identity - it's completely arbitrary, by the way, as it's not a name ever raised until the unmasking, and Braxton says that he's never heard that name before. Except in the VERY NEXT CHAPTER, Braxton says he sold the Oversight intel to the antagonist because he had blackmailed Braxton by threatening Liz's life, and he came back into her life after four months to stop the antagonist from terrorising her. So, Braxton knew the antagonist's identity all along? WTF? The final chapter basically renders everything that came before it completely pointless and nonsensical! The final chapter alone knocked this book's rating from a 3 to a 2. Please don't insult my intelligence like that.
This author really knows how to deliver a good action-based storyline, and the h and H's backstory was reasonably good as well. If only the h and H hadn't been TSTL and if only the plot hadn't been a hastily cobbled together mess of contrivances and contradictions, this would have rated higher for me.
January 22, 2021
Synopsis:
Blackhawk Security's Network Analyst Elizabeth Dawson is both relieved and angry to see that her former partner, Braxton Levitt, is alive. He was formerly an intelligence analyst with the NSA, whom Liz believes is a traitor. But he's come back in order to keep her safe, he's missed her for the four months and ten days they had been separated. She had built a facial recognition program for NSA that Braxton claims has been hijacked, and whoever did it is after Elizabeth's life now. He had ended everything between them before it had barely begun and for the same reason, he is back. Now that it all has come to a head, he vows to keep her and their unborn baby away from danger.
A four months pregnant Elizabeth is as tough as they come. Having moved on from Braxton, she doesn't need his help anymore. She has the entire Blackhawk Security behind her. She doesn't want to trust him because he betrayed her and left her when she needed him the most. But with Braxton saying that her NSA supervisor was tortured to death and she's the next target, could she trust him to keep her alive.
Review:
Another suspenseful beginning to a story by my favourite Nichole Severn.
I will not spoil it but I have to say this, Braxton has such a cute nickname for Elizabeth. Even though she doesn't trust him, their chemistry was all over there from the first page itself. And can't forget to mention their endearing pillow talk.
I love stories with backstories. It is a revelation as you read along. And the twists at every turn. You never know what you are gonna get the next instant. The tables have been turned just when you think that everything will be all right now.
Oof...I literally held my breath during a car chase sequence, and damn I hadn't even reached half of the book. Braxton was still keeping secrets from his past from Elizabeth. But ...
Nooo. The cover doesn't have hair that skimmed his shoulder. I wonder, should I get him a wig? Haha! Along with that, Vincent Kalani interfering in their matters provided such comic relief in this otherwise dangerous story. Their small moments of domesticity added a realistic touch. I would like to think about this book being more brainy than brawny, what with the protagonists being analysts and all but don't worry as it has much of the later stuff too. Our hero has buffed up during the time they were separated to better protect our heroine, and I loved every bit of it. But ...
I love my fighter heroines. And Severn writes the most badass ones. Though it was still adorable to see Braxton taking care of even the little things for her.
A tight-knit plot with an apt title, as the book is about finding out who carried out the deceit which endangered so many lives.
P.S. I've been following the author's journey on Instagram, where she shares about her life as a writer. Together with the good, and the bad days, and most importantly, the challenges she faces. Elizabeth seemed so relatable in that respect. And this is my favourite book now in the series. Am I repeating myself? Yep, maybe I am. But this is my favourite by far among the three books published till now.
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC copy of the book.
Blackhawk Security Team:
CEO Sullivan Bishop (Book One)
Weapons Expert Anthony Harris (Book Two)
NSA Analyst Elizabeth Dawson (Book Three)
Operative Elliott Dunham, con artist turned PI (Book Four)
Profiler Kate Monroe (Book Five)
Forensics Expert Vincent Kalani (Book Six)
The details to the above books are available here:
Blackhawk Security
The other books by the author that I have read and also recommend are:
Blackhawk Security Series
Rules In Blackmail | Rules in Rescue | Rules in Deceit | Rules in Defiance | Caught in the Crossfire | The Line of Duty
Blackhawk Security Novella
Search and Rescue | Search and Protect | Rules in Revenge | Search and Defend | Search and Pursue
Midnight Abduction (Tactical Crime Division #3)
Marshal Law Series
The Fugitive | The Witness
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Blackhawk Security's Network Analyst Elizabeth Dawson is both relieved and angry to see that her former partner, Braxton Levitt, is alive. He was formerly an intelligence analyst with the NSA, whom Liz believes is a traitor. But he's come back in order to keep her safe, he's missed her for the four months and ten days they had been separated. She had built a facial recognition program for NSA that Braxton claims has been hijacked, and whoever did it is after Elizabeth's life now. He had ended everything between them before it had barely begun and for the same reason, he is back. Now that it all has come to a head, he vows to keep her and their unborn baby away from danger.
A four months pregnant Elizabeth is as tough as they come. Having moved on from Braxton, she doesn't need his help anymore. She has the entire Blackhawk Security behind her. She doesn't want to trust him because he betrayed her and left her when she needed him the most. But with Braxton saying that her NSA supervisor was tortured to death and she's the next target, could she trust him to keep her alive.
Review:
Another suspenseful beginning to a story by my favourite Nichole Severn.
I will not spoil it but I have to say this, Braxton has such a cute nickname for Elizabeth. Even though she doesn't trust him, their chemistry was all over there from the first page itself. And can't forget to mention their endearing pillow talk.
They’d been a great team back in Fort Meade. Saving the country one line of code at a time.
I love stories with backstories. It is a revelation as you read along. And the twists at every turn. You never know what you are gonna get the next instant. The tables have been turned just when you think that everything will be all right now.
She wasn’t heartless. She’d just taught herself how to use her heart less.
Oof...I literally held my breath during a car chase sequence, and damn I hadn't even reached half of the book. Braxton was still keeping secrets from his past from Elizabeth. But ...
His dark hair skimmed his shoulders.
Nooo. The cover doesn't have hair that skimmed his shoulder. I wonder, should I get him a wig? Haha! Along with that, Vincent Kalani interfering in their matters provided such comic relief in this otherwise dangerous story. Their small moments of domesticity added a realistic touch. I would like to think about this book being more brainy than brawny, what with the protagonists being analysts and all but don't worry as it has much of the later stuff too. Our hero has buffed up during the time they were separated to better protect our heroine, and I loved every bit of it. But ...
He was a part of her. ... He was hers to protect now.
I love my fighter heroines. And Severn writes the most badass ones. Though it was still adorable to see Braxton taking care of even the little things for her.
A tight-knit plot with an apt title, as the book is about finding out who carried out the deceit which endangered so many lives.
P.S. I've been following the author's journey on Instagram, where she shares about her life as a writer. Together with the good, and the bad days, and most importantly, the challenges she faces. Elizabeth seemed so relatable in that respect. And this is my favourite book now in the series. Am I repeating myself? Yep, maybe I am. But this is my favourite by far among the three books published till now.
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC copy of the book.
Blackhawk Security Team:
CEO Sullivan Bishop (Book One)
Weapons Expert Anthony Harris (Book Two)
NSA Analyst Elizabeth Dawson (Book Three)
Operative Elliott Dunham, con artist turned PI (Book Four)
Profiler Kate Monroe (Book Five)
Forensics Expert Vincent Kalani (Book Six)
The details to the above books are available here:
Blackhawk Security
The other books by the author that I have read and also recommend are:
Blackhawk Security Series
Rules In Blackmail | Rules in Rescue | Rules in Deceit | Rules in Defiance | Caught in the Crossfire | The Line of Duty
Blackhawk Security Novella
Search and Rescue | Search and Protect | Rules in Revenge | Search and Defend | Search and Pursue
Midnight Abduction (Tactical Crime Division #3)
Marshal Law Series
The Fugitive | The Witness
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
November 1, 2019
4.5 Stars
This is the third book in the Blackhawk Security series in the Harlequin Intrigue line from Nichole Severn.
Liz Dawson used to work for the NSA and created a security protocol entity called Oversight which used facial recognition software along with a pretty tight algorithm of streaming code. She made a name for herself in the agency with this program and it has been a huge success. Only 1 percent of the time is it ever wrong.
A man is out to capture Liz and get her to crack the Oversight code for his own ends. He feels he has been wronged and is going to extreme measures to get payback.
Her ex-partner, Braxton Levitt, gave passwords and intel to someone in order to save Liz. So, the NSA is out to capture him and put him behind bars. But he has shown up to protect Liz once again against the man who is out to harm her and who caused them both to split up in the first place.
Oh, and did I mention that Liz is pregnant with Braxton’s baby? Yep, this is an intense one. I love these Harlequin Intrigue titles. If you are a romantic suspense junkie, this is just the fodder to fill your action-oriented soul.
There are lots of fights, kidnappings and injuries in this for two books. There is a lot of everything jam-packed into this tiny book that I am sure you will come away with that satisfied grin on your face once you make your way to the last page.
Great book. Intrigue is probably my favorite line by Harlequin. Long-time fangirl here! Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the third book in the Blackhawk Security series in the Harlequin Intrigue line from Nichole Severn.
Liz Dawson used to work for the NSA and created a security protocol entity called Oversight which used facial recognition software along with a pretty tight algorithm of streaming code. She made a name for herself in the agency with this program and it has been a huge success. Only 1 percent of the time is it ever wrong.
A man is out to capture Liz and get her to crack the Oversight code for his own ends. He feels he has been wronged and is going to extreme measures to get payback.
Her ex-partner, Braxton Levitt, gave passwords and intel to someone in order to save Liz. So, the NSA is out to capture him and put him behind bars. But he has shown up to protect Liz once again against the man who is out to harm her and who caused them both to split up in the first place.
Oh, and did I mention that Liz is pregnant with Braxton’s baby? Yep, this is an intense one. I love these Harlequin Intrigue titles. If you are a romantic suspense junkie, this is just the fodder to fill your action-oriented soul.
There are lots of fights, kidnappings and injuries in this for two books. There is a lot of everything jam-packed into this tiny book that I am sure you will come away with that satisfied grin on your face once you make your way to the last page.
Great book. Intrigue is probably my favorite line by Harlequin. Long-time fangirl here! Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
September 26, 2019
Nichole Severns is able to write a security style series that is a balance, romance, action, character building that the author creates in her story telling.
Rules In Deceit have a the traditions of Harlequin Intrigue but the author add her own style to this series.
The story moves quickly with action, romance, sex, action and an ending readers will enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Intrigue for an advance copy of Nichole Severn Rules of Deceit.
Rules In Deceit have a the traditions of Harlequin Intrigue but the author add her own style to this series.
The story moves quickly with action, romance, sex, action and an ending readers will enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Intrigue for an advance copy of Nichole Severn Rules of Deceit.
August 24, 2019
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review
This is another wonderful book by Nichole Severn, lots of fast paced action it feels like you are inside the book itself you get so invested in all that is happening between Elizabeth and Braxton. Someone is determined to kill Elizabeth and Braxton is just as determined to keep her alive. Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genre's, I would certainly recommend this book to anything that loves this genre.
This is another wonderful book by Nichole Severn, lots of fast paced action it feels like you are inside the book itself you get so invested in all that is happening between Elizabeth and Braxton. Someone is determined to kill Elizabeth and Braxton is just as determined to keep her alive. Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genre's, I would certainly recommend this book to anything that loves this genre.
December 1, 2019
Great action, suspense and romance. I loved an over protective hero & a pregnant heroine with said baby daddy!
Many thanks to the publisher , author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the publisher , author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2020
Explosive from the start to finish the suspense kept me on the edge while the heart-wrenching romance and palpable tension took my breath away. The characters are not perfect, even in the eyes of the law but they are perfect for each other and ready and willing to go to the extreme measures to save the other from the peril.
A fabulous addition to the series!
~ Four SPoons with a teaspoon on the side
A fabulous addition to the series!
~ Four SPoons with a teaspoon on the side
September 29, 2019
Rules In Deceit
Harlequin Intrigue
Nichole Severn
This story is action packed from the beginning. Bomb blast, attempted assassinations and an ex who may have been stalking our girl Liz.
Liz is a computer genius. She developed a top secret program that may well be worth killing for, she is in the crosshairs.
Braxton was her everything until he wasn’t. She trusted him.
“Yeah, well, not all women are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some are made of ice cream, rainbow sprinkles and a whole lot of swear words.”
Liz and Braxton have to fight ghosts from the past to secure their freedom and their respective futures.
Blackmail, kidnapping, treason and shooting twists throughout this story. It is a quick read with mostly believable and interesting characters. The suspense keeps you guessing right to the end.
This is part of the Blackhawk Security series however it can be read as a stand-alone novel with hea. If you have read others in the series you will see familiar characters.
I received an arc of this book.
Harlequin Intrigue
Nichole Severn
This story is action packed from the beginning. Bomb blast, attempted assassinations and an ex who may have been stalking our girl Liz.
Liz is a computer genius. She developed a top secret program that may well be worth killing for, she is in the crosshairs.
Braxton was her everything until he wasn’t. She trusted him.
“Yeah, well, not all women are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some are made of ice cream, rainbow sprinkles and a whole lot of swear words.”
Liz and Braxton have to fight ghosts from the past to secure their freedom and their respective futures.
Blackmail, kidnapping, treason and shooting twists throughout this story. It is a quick read with mostly believable and interesting characters. The suspense keeps you guessing right to the end.
This is part of the Blackhawk Security series however it can be read as a stand-alone novel with hea. If you have read others in the series you will see familiar characters.
I received an arc of this book.
October 25, 2019
A nice easy read although I did find it a little unbelievable in places. E.G. the hero has been in a car crash, been shot, stabbed twice, had his shoulder dislocated and put back, all in a few days. Has 100+ stitches and still gets out his hospital bed and fights again ! The heroine gets a bomb thrown at her, is in a car crash, gets kidnapped twice, runs through an icy wood, falls down a bank,gets hit several times, and then gets shot ! And she's four months pregnant but doesn't lose the baby !
There was also some repetition. The hero kept saying he would protect her, usually just before he got beaten up ! The heroine was said to have lifted her chin parallel to the floor, several times. It was an odd wording so I noticed it every time.
However this is fiction.
It is well written, with likeable characters, and as you can see from my previous comments, lots of action.
There was also some repetition. The hero kept saying he would protect her, usually just before he got beaten up ! The heroine was said to have lifted her chin parallel to the floor, several times. It was an odd wording so I noticed it every time.
However this is fiction.
It is well written, with likeable characters, and as you can see from my previous comments, lots of action.
November 2, 2019
Elizabeth is in Blackhawk Security and has known Braxton an ex-government programmer. After a night spent together he up and splits leaving her with the fallout and carrying his child. Now he shows up and its clear someone wants her dead and Braxton will do everything he can to protect the baby.
I love a good mystery suspense novel and the fact that it was short was an added benefit because lately I find myself pressed for time and this book was action backed with a bit of romance. I loved reading along and getting the insights of what was happening and why and wondering when would the people strike out against Elizabeth. This book was a roller coaster ride with ups and downs and still remained very much enjoyable to the point where at times it was hard to put down. Great book highly recommend!
I love a good mystery suspense novel and the fact that it was short was an added benefit because lately I find myself pressed for time and this book was action backed with a bit of romance. I loved reading along and getting the insights of what was happening and why and wondering when would the people strike out against Elizabeth. This book was a roller coaster ride with ups and downs and still remained very much enjoyable to the point where at times it was hard to put down. Great book highly recommend!
October 30, 2019
Another thrill ride in Alaska. They have a history as partners, in more than one way, and plenty of secrets. The work she did for the NSA haunts her and someone thinks she should suffer. Braxton, and her team at Blackhawk Security, will do anything to protect her. Her team is really understanding and extremely protective of each other. I like how this series is set in Alaska, somewhere different and a bit isolated. Plenty of fight scenes to keep up the adrenaline. I like how these two had a former connection, we aren't going through the usual introduction stuff with couples. Every story has a new couple and new threats but now and again a previous character comes out to play. I received an early copy and wrote this voluntarily.
October 13, 2019
4 1/2 STARS!
RULES IN DECEIT is book three in Nichole Severn's attention grabbing Blackhawk Security series and centers around former NSA teammates who reconnect amid secrets and scandals in this reunion story.
Elizabeth is a strong female lead who stands tough even when faced with the man who she believes betrayed her and just so happens to be the unknowing father of her baby-to-be.
Braxton is quick to catch a reader's attention because he seems like such an upstanding guy even though he's being accused of bad things. It doesn't take us long to realize he's there to help her ... and maybe things aren't exactly like they've been portrayed.
I highly recommend this story to all intrigue fans. It's fast paced, action packed and very satisfying. You can't go wrong with any of the books in the series so far, and I'm looking forward to more to come.
RULES IN DECEIT is book three in Nichole Severn's attention grabbing Blackhawk Security series and centers around former NSA teammates who reconnect amid secrets and scandals in this reunion story.
Elizabeth is a strong female lead who stands tough even when faced with the man who she believes betrayed her and just so happens to be the unknowing father of her baby-to-be.
Braxton is quick to catch a reader's attention because he seems like such an upstanding guy even though he's being accused of bad things. It doesn't take us long to realize he's there to help her ... and maybe things aren't exactly like they've been portrayed.
I highly recommend this story to all intrigue fans. It's fast paced, action packed and very satisfying. You can't go wrong with any of the books in the series so far, and I'm looking forward to more to come.
January 5, 2020
“Rules in Deceit” is book 3 of Nichole Severn’s Blackhawk Security miniseries.
Four months ago, Elizabeth Dawson left the NSA to work for Blackhawk Security. She changed her identity to start a new life in Anchorage. Now, Braxton Levitt, who disappeared after their one night, is back in her life.
After leaving Liz, Braxton discovers someone is out to get her and it has something to do with the project she worked on while at the NSA. His mission is to protect what he considers his—Liz.
“Rules in Deceit” has action from the very beginning. While some fight scenes tip the scale on believability (how many times can a person really get up?), the choreography is realistic and movie-esque.
If you like heart-pounding action that makes you read faster to see what happens, you’ll love Ms. Severn’s writing.
Four months ago, Elizabeth Dawson left the NSA to work for Blackhawk Security. She changed her identity to start a new life in Anchorage. Now, Braxton Levitt, who disappeared after their one night, is back in her life.
After leaving Liz, Braxton discovers someone is out to get her and it has something to do with the project she worked on while at the NSA. His mission is to protect what he considers his—Liz.
“Rules in Deceit” has action from the very beginning. While some fight scenes tip the scale on believability (how many times can a person really get up?), the choreography is realistic and movie-esque.
If you like heart-pounding action that makes you read faster to see what happens, you’ll love Ms. Severn’s writing.
September 25, 2019
Fantastic book by Ms. Severn. A page turner like the others in this series. I couldn’t put it down.
Elizabeth Dawson has started a new life and new job with Blackhawk Security. She never thought she would see Braxton again after he walked out of her life 4 months ago. He expects her to trust him after an explosion hits in the conference. He says he’s here to protect her. She doesn’t trust him whatsoever. That’s when he does the unthinkable. Want to know what happens next? Buy the book.
Trust me you want it.
Elizabeth Dawson has started a new life and new job with Blackhawk Security. She never thought she would see Braxton again after he walked out of her life 4 months ago. He expects her to trust him after an explosion hits in the conference. He says he’s here to protect her. She doesn’t trust him whatsoever. That’s when he does the unthinkable. Want to know what happens next? Buy the book.
Trust me you want it.
October 13, 2019
This is the third book in Nichole's Blackhawk Security series and it starts with a bang and never lets you go! Elizabeth and Braxton are two amazing characters! Braxton and Elizabeth were torn apart by a misunderstanding and he vanishes. She's put through the ringer after he vanishes. When someone sets out to eliminate Elizabeth, Braxton won't let it happen at any cost.
This book is full of action, romance, second-chance love, and an amazing ending! Characters are well built throughout the book.
I was given an ARC by the author for a fair review and this book is absolutely amazing!
This book is full of action, romance, second-chance love, and an amazing ending! Characters are well built throughout the book.
I was given an ARC by the author for a fair review and this book is absolutely amazing!
November 2, 2019
More and more I am finding my way into good suspense that also has romance. Such is the case with this one that has you fallen into the story right away. Elizabeth and Braxton have us following them through this suspense that also has their chemistry building as the danger builds. They will also have us pulled to the edge of our seat a time or two. With also more than just them is a added anxious times when it comes to staying safe. Oh I could hardly wait at times to get my answers and see where we get to land. Another one that satisfy the craving.
October 10, 2019
Loved this book and love this series. I don’t put spoilers in my reviews because I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to find out the ending of a book while reading a review. Ruins the book in my opinion. I will say that this book was intense, action right from the start. You feel the struggles of the characters trying to overcome their issues while staying alive. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I could not go to sleep unless I knew how this ended. Great book!
October 15, 2019
This series just keeps getting better and better. I devoured every single word of Braxton and Elizabeth's story and loved it. The plot was tight and tense, the hero and heroine were kickass and brave, and the antagonist was so frustrating in his dogged pursuit of Elizabeth that I wanted to scream at him. If you want to read a smart, compelling, edge-of-your-seat thrilling romantic suspense book, you've got it in this one.
October 15, 2019
Rules in Deceit was a great read! Severn did a wonderful job of balancing the storyline with adventure, action, suspense, and romance and providing characters that were down-to-earth, likable and whom the readers would root for their happy ending. This story definitely did not disappoint – engaging from the beginning with an amazing ending. A great addition to the series!
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
October 18, 2019
This is the 3rd book in this series and it did not disappoint it has everything you look for in a book. Lots of action, suspense, and romance. Braxton leaves Elizabeth after she thinks he's betrayed her. When someone wants to get rid of her he comes back and tells her he's here to protect her. She doesn't know if she can trust him. This book will not disappoint from the beginning to the end! I received this book for an honest review.
November 6, 2019
Rules in Deceit
Nichole Severn
Braxton and Liz remind me of the commercial that says “takes a ‘lickin’, but keeps on tickin’!” How they survived is beyond me, but they are survivors. An action packed intense story that you don’t want to put down.
Once again you are drawn into suspense and romance that leaves you wanting more.
Really strong characters who have you holding your breath at times as they fight against the evil being done.
Can’t wait to read the next one.
Nichole Severn
Braxton and Liz remind me of the commercial that says “takes a ‘lickin’, but keeps on tickin’!” How they survived is beyond me, but they are survivors. An action packed intense story that you don’t want to put down.
Once again you are drawn into suspense and romance that leaves you wanting more.
Really strong characters who have you holding your breath at times as they fight against the evil being done.
Can’t wait to read the next one.
October 24, 2019
Elizabeth thought she had covered her tracks to begin her new life. Braxton has to find and protect Elizabeth. After learning that Elizabeth is pregnant Braxton vows to do anything to protect them. I've enjoyed reading this action packed series. I was eagerly turning the pages until the happy ending. I received an ARC of this and volunteered to review it.
November 5, 2019
Absolutely Fantastic .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Rules In Deceit . This story is amazing . The action is off the charts . It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat . The characters are great . Elizabeth Dawson works for Blackhawk security
after she left NSA . She finds herself facing the man that disappeared and she thinks betrayed her . He shows
Up and tells her she's being stalked and vows win back her trust and protect her from whoever
Is stalking her and it maybe more difficult then he thinks . This is a wonderful suspense . It's full of intrigue . I highly recommend taking the time to read .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Rules In Deceit . This story is amazing . The action is off the charts . It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat . The characters are great . Elizabeth Dawson works for Blackhawk security
after she left NSA . She finds herself facing the man that disappeared and she thinks betrayed her . He shows
Up and tells her she's being stalked and vows win back her trust and protect her from whoever
Is stalking her and it maybe more difficult then he thinks . This is a wonderful suspense . It's full of intrigue . I highly recommend taking the time to read .
May 25, 2020
This is the 1st book I read by Nichole Severn. This book's storyline was okay. I really liked the action in this story. I really liked Liz's character. I really liked Braxton's character. I really liked the ending.
July 29, 2020
Wow! Exciting, page-turning romantic suspense. How much punishment can a body take and still keep going? These two seem determined to push themselves to the limit. Thanks to the author for providing a copy via a contest. My review is voluntary.
September 30, 2022
This was a very enjoyable read. It sure delivered on the action - I was on the edge of my seat most of the time I was reading this. I am also impressed with how Severn, with relatively few scenes, still showed how close and how good of chemistry Elizabeth and Braxton had. Also, the conflict and mistrust between Elizabeth and Braxton was not overemphasized or dragged out for plot's sake as can sometimes happen. A fast-paced romantic thriller that I would recommend.
cw: government surveillance, kidnapping, gun violence
cw: government surveillance, kidnapping, gun violence
Read
November 1, 2019Categories
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Blackhawk Security (Book #4)
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Blackhawk Security (Book #4)
Read
November 1, 2019Categories
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Blackhawk Security (Book #4)
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Blackhawk Security (Book #4)
November 8, 2019
***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Action from start to finish! A quick romantic suspense!
Action from start to finish! A quick romantic suspense!
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