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Recovery Enforcement Division #2
The Second Betrayal
As an undercover agent for the NSA's Recovery Enforcement Division, Alexi Steele is no stranger to the ways and means of the country's most notorious sex criminals. Still, she's never seen anything quite like this. Girls from across the globe are being recruited for a modeling competition in New York City, only to end up as enslaved prostitutes. Now it's up to Lexi and her partner―and lover―Nicholas Donovan to infiltrate the operation. Finding the mastermind behind the sex trafficking is only one half of the challenge. The other is Nick. Even though she has always trusted him, Lexi can't help but wonder whether he's keeping something from her―a shocking secret from his past on the Special Forces unit. Meanwhile, time is running out for the victims…and Lexi may be forced to do the unthinkable to see that the job is done.
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2009
36 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Cheyenne McCray
162 books1,762 followersCheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 6, 2021
Formerly titled: The Second Betrayal
Alexi Steel is an undercover agent for R.E.D. Girls from across the country are being recruited supposedly for a modeling competition. Sadly, those who enter wind up enslaved to work the streets.
Alexi and her partner, Nick Donovan are charged to infiltrate the operation.. but there might be a problem. Alexi is afraid that something has happened to Nick. She's always been able to trust him ... but lately, she feels he's keeping something from her.
As a result, she may have to go it alone ... and that puts her in a precarious position ... one that she may not survive.
Suspense begins on the very first page and maintains the high level throughout. There's a great deal of page-turning action surrounding finely defined characters. I enjoy the relationship between Alexi and Nick and the well balanced separation of suspense and romance. Although second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, however, I recommend reading the books in order.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Alexi Steel is an undercover agent for R.E.D. Girls from across the country are being recruited supposedly for a modeling competition. Sadly, those who enter wind up enslaved to work the streets.
Alexi and her partner, Nick Donovan are charged to infiltrate the operation.. but there might be a problem. Alexi is afraid that something has happened to Nick. She's always been able to trust him ... but lately, she feels he's keeping something from her.
As a result, she may have to go it alone ... and that puts her in a precarious position ... one that she may not survive.
Suspense begins on the very first page and maintains the high level throughout. There's a great deal of page-turning action surrounding finely defined characters. I enjoy the relationship between Alexi and Nick and the well balanced separation of suspense and romance. Although second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, however, I recommend reading the books in order.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 27, 2010
********************FANTASTIC*******************************************
I have been waiting for this book from the minute I put down the first book in this series and it was worth the wait. For all you people who read The First Sin and loved it, this one was every bit as good, if not better. The Second Betrayal had me hooked from beginning to end. It was full of Action, Romance and eroticism. I was so into the book that it played like a movie in my head and had me thinking that these were real people I was reading about. I absolutely love Lexi and Nick, those 2 can really kick butt. The bad guy in this book has got to be the wickedess man that I have ever read. The only problem now is, when will Cheyenne write the next Lexi Steele book? Cheyenne if your reading this, MORE Lexi Steele books please.
This series is my Favorite series of Cheyenne's, I truely hope she continues it.
UP DATED 5-27-2010
I decided that I had better mention that this book does have a LOT of violence in it. The violence did not bother me one bit, it drew me in because I know that this kind of thing happens in real life. So if violence in your romance book's is a no no than I must say this book will not be for you.
I have been waiting for this book from the minute I put down the first book in this series and it was worth the wait. For all you people who read The First Sin and loved it, this one was every bit as good, if not better. The Second Betrayal had me hooked from beginning to end. It was full of Action, Romance and eroticism. I was so into the book that it played like a movie in my head and had me thinking that these were real people I was reading about. I absolutely love Lexi and Nick, those 2 can really kick butt. The bad guy in this book has got to be the wickedess man that I have ever read. The only problem now is, when will Cheyenne write the next Lexi Steele book? Cheyenne if your reading this, MORE Lexi Steele books please.
This series is my Favorite series of Cheyenne's, I truely hope she continues it.
UP DATED 5-27-2010
I decided that I had better mention that this book does have a LOT of violence in it. The violence did not bother me one bit, it drew me in because I know that this kind of thing happens in real life. So if violence in your romance book's is a no no than I must say this book will not be for you.
December 16, 2011
This was the 2nd book in the series and I'm hoping a 3rd will be coming along!! Love Lexi Steele and her whole kick ass attitude (and of course Donovan is pretty nice too!!) and the human trafficking storyline was gripping!! I found it hard to put this book down!
August 11, 2016
Second in the Lexi Steele, erotic romance suspense series revolving around Special Agents Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan.
My Take
All the fairy tale code names are pretty funny...and surprisingly appropriate. It's a good story and does address a very real problem in the real world.
Hmmm, this time around, RED has set Lexi and Chandra up in an undercover apartment. We learn a bit more about Donovan's family and military background. Jeez. But I don't know why Lexi has to be so damned pushy about insisting Nick cough it all up.
Whoa. McCray has got one nasty imagination. The stuff she comes up with that Bachmann does to people…!??! I thought the sex slave operation was bad… I can see how Bachmann got away with things for so long as he is extremely careful in hiding his identity.
I can sorta see why McCray hasn't written anymore...it was difficult reading all the horrible things people do to others.
The Story
Lexi is going in undercover as a replacement madame at the Elite Gentlemen's Club---after they arrange a kidnapping of the current madame. Chandra will be her backup, but Nick has his concerns. Not the least of which, he thinks he's falling in love. Not such great timing as Lexi has her own personal family trauma distracting her.
Hagstedt uses the promise of high-paying careers in the United States to lure or kidnap women into his clutches. Once they arrive, the girls are imprisoned, drugged, beaten until they are no longer useful. They are kept in line with threats of torture and death to the families and friends they've left behind. Each girl has a "handler", their own personal jailer who can do anything they like to the girls.
Jenika has managed to get critical information to RED, but it's made her cocky. Being caught isn't doing much for her life expectancy.
It doesn't take much to arrange for Lexi and Chandra to go undercover at the club as Alexis Johansen and Chandra Elliot. A lot less than it takes for Nick to arrange for his own undercover position in their security---what a screw-up!
Then they get a break when "Alexis" is needed to escort three virgins to a special client, but it all goes wrong when news hits of Mike and Jorge's deaths. Mr. G's sudden paranoia takes Chandra by surprise, but "Alexis" forges on ahead determined not to lose their quarry.
And Dasha has given up all hope.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexi "Lexi" Steele, a.k.a., Alexi McGrath---her seedier undercover ID, and a.k.a., Alexi Adams for the elite, had been a sniper in Special Forces and then an FAS-blackmailed assassin. Now she's an agent for RED thanks to Karen. She comes from a large Boston-Irish family who thinks she travels for an interpreting organization. There's Mammy; Daddy; Zane, who also works for RED, has just gotten married to Willow who has her doctorate in education; Troy; Sean is the baby; Evan; Ryan on leave from the Marines; and, Rori who never eats. Gary was her boyfriend until she caught him. Georgina is her best friend and helps Lexi with her makeup and fashions.
Special Agent Nick Donovan is an absolute hottie and former Special Ops. Even better, Donovan loves to cook! My kinda guy!
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford runs the Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a completely dark organization split off from the National Security Agency. Technically, Special Agent in Charge Morris Carter should be running things, but he's too busy playing computer games until he retires. Agent Chandra Kerrison is new to the unit with a Stephen Hawking IQ. She has a unique background that makes her perfect for this assignment; her personal partner is Francesca and she seems to have issues with Chandra's career path. Lexi's lead agents on her particular team are David Takamoto, the metrosexual George Perry, Rick Smithe, Fairbanks, Weiss, and Marti Jensen. Martinez is their props guy---he can create anything.
Jenika Rublev is their undercover mole at the Elite Gentlemen's Club. Dasha (a.k.a., Jewell) endures Eddie as her vicious handler, Klara, and Vera are the Russian girls who were enticed with false promises. The Chinese girls are Ai, Daiju, and Ning with Jianjuin as their guard and translator; they are the second group of abductees.
Karl Bachmann, a.k.a., Anders Hagstedt, is the kingpin RED is after. --I can't wait to see this one taken down; his Swiss butler should think of turning him in! Beeff "Mr. G" Giger runs the Elite, the main headquarters for the sex slave operation. An extremely brutal man. Madame Cherie is the current madame at the club. Andreas is an accountant. Jacques and Stadler work for Mr. G.
The Cover
The cover is shades of red and gold with a close-up of a couple about to kiss.
I'm guessing the title refers to the head of the sex slave business losing for a second time.
My Take
All the fairy tale code names are pretty funny...and surprisingly appropriate. It's a good story and does address a very real problem in the real world.
Hmmm, this time around, RED has set Lexi and Chandra up in an undercover apartment. We learn a bit more about Donovan's family and military background. Jeez. But I don't know why Lexi has to be so damned pushy about insisting Nick cough it all up.
Whoa. McCray has got one nasty imagination. The stuff she comes up with that Bachmann does to people…!??! I thought the sex slave operation was bad… I can see how Bachmann got away with things for so long as he is extremely careful in hiding his identity.
I can sorta see why McCray hasn't written anymore...it was difficult reading all the horrible things people do to others.
The Story
Lexi is going in undercover as a replacement madame at the Elite Gentlemen's Club---after they arrange a kidnapping of the current madame. Chandra will be her backup, but Nick has his concerns. Not the least of which, he thinks he's falling in love. Not such great timing as Lexi has her own personal family trauma distracting her.
Hagstedt uses the promise of high-paying careers in the United States to lure or kidnap women into his clutches. Once they arrive, the girls are imprisoned, drugged, beaten until they are no longer useful. They are kept in line with threats of torture and death to the families and friends they've left behind. Each girl has a "handler", their own personal jailer who can do anything they like to the girls.
Jenika has managed to get critical information to RED, but it's made her cocky. Being caught isn't doing much for her life expectancy.
It doesn't take much to arrange for Lexi and Chandra to go undercover at the club as Alexis Johansen and Chandra Elliot. A lot less than it takes for Nick to arrange for his own undercover position in their security---what a screw-up!
Then they get a break when "Alexis" is needed to escort three virgins to a special client, but it all goes wrong when news hits of Mike and Jorge's deaths. Mr. G's sudden paranoia takes Chandra by surprise, but "Alexis" forges on ahead determined not to lose their quarry.
And Dasha has given up all hope.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexi "Lexi" Steele, a.k.a., Alexi McGrath---her seedier undercover ID, and a.k.a., Alexi Adams for the elite, had been a sniper in Special Forces and then an FAS-blackmailed assassin. Now she's an agent for RED thanks to Karen. She comes from a large Boston-Irish family who thinks she travels for an interpreting organization. There's Mammy; Daddy; Zane, who also works for RED, has just gotten married to Willow who has her doctorate in education; Troy; Sean is the baby; Evan; Ryan on leave from the Marines; and, Rori who never eats. Gary was her boyfriend until she caught him. Georgina is her best friend and helps Lexi with her makeup and fashions.
Special Agent Nick Donovan is an absolute hottie and former Special Ops. Even better, Donovan loves to cook! My kinda guy!
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Oxford runs the Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a completely dark organization split off from the National Security Agency. Technically, Special Agent in Charge Morris Carter should be running things, but he's too busy playing computer games until he retires. Agent Chandra Kerrison is new to the unit with a Stephen Hawking IQ. She has a unique background that makes her perfect for this assignment; her personal partner is Francesca and she seems to have issues with Chandra's career path. Lexi's lead agents on her particular team are David Takamoto, the metrosexual George Perry, Rick Smithe, Fairbanks, Weiss, and Marti Jensen. Martinez is their props guy---he can create anything.
Jenika Rublev is their undercover mole at the Elite Gentlemen's Club. Dasha (a.k.a., Jewell) endures Eddie as her vicious handler, Klara, and Vera are the Russian girls who were enticed with false promises. The Chinese girls are Ai, Daiju, and Ning with Jianjuin as their guard and translator; they are the second group of abductees.
Karl Bachmann, a.k.a., Anders Hagstedt, is the kingpin RED is after. --I can't wait to see this one taken down; his Swiss butler should think of turning him in! Beeff "Mr. G" Giger runs the Elite, the main headquarters for the sex slave operation. An extremely brutal man. Madame Cherie is the current madame at the club. Andreas is an accountant. Jacques and Stadler work for Mr. G.
The Cover
The cover is shades of red and gold with a close-up of a couple about to kiss.
I'm guessing the title refers to the head of the sex slave business losing for a second time.
August 10, 2023
Action packed.
Book two is very fast moving. It delves into human trafficking and prostitution in a lot more detail than the first book.
Nick finally opens up to Lexi, and his story will make your heartbreak.
A lot of action throughout the book and the ruthlessness and depravity of these organisations seeps through. Grateful to the real men and women that fight for all the people affected.
Lexi had a new partner, Kimberly, who is as tough and resilient as she is. They made a great duo.
Book two is very fast moving. It delves into human trafficking and prostitution in a lot more detail than the first book.
Nick finally opens up to Lexi, and his story will make your heartbreak.
A lot of action throughout the book and the ruthlessness and depravity of these organisations seeps through. Grateful to the real men and women that fight for all the people affected.
Lexi had a new partner, Kimberly, who is as tough and resilient as she is. They made a great duo.
November 22, 2018
Alexi Steele, an agent with the Recovery Enforcement Division (RED), a clandestine branch of the NSA, is unpleasantly familiar with the vast underground world of human trafficking. Heading up an op to bring down the mastermind behind multiple sex trafficking rings takes Lexi’s team from their home base in Boston to New York City, where girls from all over the world are being recruited to become models, only to find themselves enslaved as prostitutes. Lexi’s a pro, but she can’t help but be distracted by a family emergency. Not to mention her continuing frustration that her partner and lover, Nicholas Donovan, is still keeping his past a secret from her. Going undercover to infiltrate one of the clubs where girls are being held will put all of Lexi’s considerable skills to the test. The clock’s ticking and there’s no telling what Lexi will have to do to get the job done.
Cheyenne McCray has delivered another hard-hitting novel with the adrenaline-packed The Second Betrayal. The second Lexi Steele novel is every bit as engaging as the first, though the romance between Lexi and Nick takes a back seat to their op. Lexi continues to be a smart, kick-a** heroine you can respect, and family trauma adds a degree of vulnerability to her character that only makes her more appealing. Nick continues to be one of my favorite heroes (and not just out of those Ms. McCray creates), but he isn’t as prominent in this book, which was understandable but still a pity. The secondary characters, heroes and villains alike, are as fully-fleshed out as the story’s protagonists, which is one of the things I love about The Second Betrayal. I particularly hope I see more of Lexi’s family and RED agent Chandra Kerrison in future novels.
As with the first Lexi Steele novel, The First Sin, Ms. McCray doesn’t hold back when developing sadistic villains. This means that The Second Betrayal isn’t a “light” book by any means. However, because the bad guys are so evil, I was invested all the more in RED’s mission to bring them down. While the mission does take first priority in this book, Lexi and Nick’s relationship does have a chance to grow, bringing brief moments of intimacy and pleasure to the page in between the action. Ms. McCray continues to enthrall with The Second Betrayal, but she leaves the story with a couple of cliffhangers that have me desperate for the next Lexi Steele novel.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Cheyenne McCray has delivered another hard-hitting novel with the adrenaline-packed The Second Betrayal. The second Lexi Steele novel is every bit as engaging as the first, though the romance between Lexi and Nick takes a back seat to their op. Lexi continues to be a smart, kick-a** heroine you can respect, and family trauma adds a degree of vulnerability to her character that only makes her more appealing. Nick continues to be one of my favorite heroes (and not just out of those Ms. McCray creates), but he isn’t as prominent in this book, which was understandable but still a pity. The secondary characters, heroes and villains alike, are as fully-fleshed out as the story’s protagonists, which is one of the things I love about The Second Betrayal. I particularly hope I see more of Lexi’s family and RED agent Chandra Kerrison in future novels.
As with the first Lexi Steele novel, The First Sin, Ms. McCray doesn’t hold back when developing sadistic villains. This means that The Second Betrayal isn’t a “light” book by any means. However, because the bad guys are so evil, I was invested all the more in RED’s mission to bring them down. While the mission does take first priority in this book, Lexi and Nick’s relationship does have a chance to grow, bringing brief moments of intimacy and pleasure to the page in between the action. Ms. McCray continues to enthrall with The Second Betrayal, but she leaves the story with a couple of cliffhangers that have me desperate for the next Lexi Steele novel.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
December 30, 2009
After reading several McCray novellas in anthologies recently that failed to get me excited, I am grateful to have had a full-length novel to read by this author. The book provides adequate time for Ms. McCray to create her fast-moving world with 007-ish action from her RED (Recovery Enforcement Division) operatives fronted by the wild woman herself, Lexi Steele.
Lexi is almost cartoonish in her "wham-bam" fighting techniques but is true romance-novel heroine in her fear of a real relationship. IMO she'd better get over it because Nick Donovan sounds like the real deal, a super-hot man who also loves to cook and cater to his woman and friends. Don't wait too long now, Lexi!
This story is about human trafficking, a shocking occurance in the USA and world-wide that for years has been quietly charging on. I've noticed that lots of romantic fiction has focused on this horrible crime lately and I applaud Ms. McCray's final note to her readers to report obvious or questionable cases of it rather than pretend its not happening. While the story is bluntly fictional, the details and examples of this problem are very realistic. I could only wish that our ICE agents had Lexi's backup (and a**-kickin' talents) to help them.
Though the topic is serious, the fun is there in watching Lexi Steele and her cohorts. This is an enjoyable read and I can't wait for Lexi Steele #3!
Lexi is almost cartoonish in her "wham-bam" fighting techniques but is true romance-novel heroine in her fear of a real relationship. IMO she'd better get over it because Nick Donovan sounds like the real deal, a super-hot man who also loves to cook and cater to his woman and friends. Don't wait too long now, Lexi!
This story is about human trafficking, a shocking occurance in the USA and world-wide that for years has been quietly charging on. I've noticed that lots of romantic fiction has focused on this horrible crime lately and I applaud Ms. McCray's final note to her readers to report obvious or questionable cases of it rather than pretend its not happening. While the story is bluntly fictional, the details and examples of this problem are very realistic. I could only wish that our ICE agents had Lexi's backup (and a**-kickin' talents) to help them.
Though the topic is serious, the fun is there in watching Lexi Steele and her cohorts. This is an enjoyable read and I can't wait for Lexi Steele #3!
June 4, 2010
All I can say is WOW! This is only my second Cheyenne McCray book Ive read & from the beginning to the end, it is AMAZING! Ive now become a HUGE fan of McCray & can't wait to read more of her books! Filled with suspense, action & sexy characters - (you will fall in love with fierce & determined Lexi, & strong & badass Nick!) it centres around a dark & compelling story, guaranteed to open your eyes & mind, into a seedy underworld in which we know little about... Sad but true. Thats why it makes for a great read! Its brutal honesty & fiery passion is what I loved most about this book! Cheyenne McCray rocks!!!
March 10, 2013
In this installment, Lexi and Donovan are still on the hunt for Hagstedt, the head honcho. I won't spill if they ride the world of him or if he evades capture. What I will say is, this story is action packed and violent. But like the last story, one major woman fights back. Dasha was horribly abused but in the end, she becomes the hero. How? Read the story and you'll discover the answer.
Trust me, you won't be able to put this story down once you get started on it.
Luckily for us, we don't have to wait a year to read the next installment. It's already out!
Trust me, you won't be able to put this story down once you get started on it.
Luckily for us, we don't have to wait a year to read the next installment. It's already out!
June 25, 2010
This was a pretty emotional book. Human trafficking is horrible no matter what. This book was hard to read, but not as hard as the first. I didn't feel the connection between Lexie and Donovan as much as I did the first one. I still feel that make a good couple, we just need to work on Lexie and her past issues. As we head into book 3 I hope we finally get to catch and torture the evil guy and then do other bad things to him. But that is just me. ;-)
July 22, 2016
This was much better than I expected after the first one. This one referenced human trafficking (forced prostitution) but thankfully didn't go into any graphic details.
I enjoyed it enough to read the next one...The Temptation where I hope they finally get that slimy bastard.
I enjoyed it enough to read the next one...The Temptation where I hope they finally get that slimy bastard.
February 21, 2021
From the beginning this book caught and held my full attention! The emotional pain that Lexi experiences while undercover because of what's happening at home and how she is determined to keep going is something that made me admire her character that much more. I loved whenever there was a fighting scene because it was so easy to visualize what was happening! I felt so many different emotions throughout this whole book and really can't wait to start the next one especially with how it ended!
December 30, 2010
Lexi Steele and Nick Donovan are working through the complications of their relationship while they continue to work on destroying the sex trafficking ring that ensnared Donovan's sister. Lexi also receives devastating news from her mother just before going undercover to try to bust up ring and rescue the person that she sent in to obtain information.
September 20, 2010
I had a hard time getting through this book and I'm not sure why. It seemed a lot more serious than the first book in the series, so maybe that was my problem with it. I'll still read the next book because I want to find out what happens with Lexi and Donovan, but I'm not in any hurry to get it.
December 30, 2010
I liked this book...lots of action, Lexi is one tough cookie. Then ending was very abrupt. I hope this means there is another book coming for Lexi Steele. I also wasn't sure what happened with the storyline of her mothers cancer. I really want Lexi and Nick to get their HEA!
March 12, 2013
I enjoyed this as well as McCray's first book in this series The First Sin. This book was much more graphic. Almost a bit disturbing yet I really enjoyed it and could not put the book down. Can't wait for the last in series, The Temptation.
October 28, 2009
Lexi and Donovan are back for more. Lexi must take down the top man of the organization that is responsible for the sex slavery and kidnapping of girls into prostitition.
September 11, 2009
I really did enjoy this one, but not really as much as I did the first one.
Read
December 4, 2009Another good book in this series. This one didn't have as much sexual content as the first but she still kicks some butt !!
Want to read
December 29, 2009Lexi Steele #2
May 10, 2010
A must after you read the first!
December 14, 2010
Hope she writes more for this series.
January 20, 2011
I would actually give this 3.5/5 stars.
February 15, 2012
Really good, intense story ... but I'm not a fan of first person. And why, oh why, did she leave us hanging at the end? It always makes me anxious!
April 29, 2012
I'm enjoying this series,can't wait for 3rd book...
June 6, 2012
Very complex characters in a fast-paced action setting with some HOT sex scenes to boot! What's not to like?!? Can't wait for the third book!
August 7, 2012
More BDSM this time in New York. Not bad but won't look out for more....
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews