Operation Desire

Rogue Mercenaries #2

by Linzi Baxter

Mathematical Engineer Willa Cather didn’t think the mob existed in Chicago anymore. So, she ignored all the red flags and accepted her new client’s project.

Now with a bomb strapped to her chest and less than twenty-four hours to figure out the puzzle. Only one person she knew could help her, Lucas Alder. Except she would have to admit she didn’t listen to his advice.

Lucas will do everything he can to save Willa, even if that means taking on the mob. Except the mafia isn't Lucas's biggest threat. He has secrets he buried years ago, along with his feelings. Rarely secret stays hidden.

Lucas and Willa's world shifts when they have to fly to London to deal with a secret organization Lucas joined years ago. He ignored his long-time friend Author for the last year, but he can no longer dodge him or the organization.

When Lucas is tossed back into a world, he tried to forget Willa and Author are the only two who can help him muddle through his past. But, unfortunately, enemies they never expected are lurking.

Will the three be able to juggle their feelings and the threats they didn't see coming?

Genres: Military Fiction, Contemporary

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Linzi Baxter hails from Bismarck, North Dakota, but currently lives in Orlando, Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Central Florida and is currently in the process of earning her MBA from the same university.

Baxter works as an IT Manager for the local government and spends her free time playing with her basset hound, watching college sports, traveling to Europe’s great cities, and reading romance. It was that last passion that inspired her to write her debut novella, Hacker Exposed.

Reviews

[Robin Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe my favorite by this author so far - read on KU

I love Willa. She is quirky and brilliant. And the first part of the book goes down a lot differently than you expect it to. This is a MFM with MF and MMF. Thane is the 3rd person.

Thane and Lucas are members of an ancient society called Roses and Bones. Thane's dad is the leader. Unlike most of these type of societies, his dad is reasonable. It's this aspect that made me love the plot so much.

The Rogue Mercenaries members aren't in many scenes.

I would have given this 5 stars had the book been longer. It needed about 15% more between about 70 and 80%. All of her books are that way. I would prefer them be longer and have linger between releases.

She usually has some typos or other small errors but I don't remember any. The one thing I would comment on is she claims Rose has a "genus level" IQ. Just having a genius level IQ is actually k8nd of insulting. Her IQ is probably in the 170 range. (Or higher) Genius level is only 140. A quick search tells me the average IQ in the US is 98, with 68% falling between 85 and 115. Below 70 is low functioning. But I know from experience, not many people with high range IQs would want people to think theirs are 30 points lower. (Not that Willa is conceited.) And generally, people in the 140 range can fit in with "normal people" more easily than Willa has in her life.

Overall, the characters are great. The bad guys aren't, of course, but they only get maybe 5 pages in the book.

And the sex scenes in this book were well above average for this author. They were hot. Even without adding the third person, they aren't strictly vanilla.

If you like Ms. Baxter and don't mind menage, I highly recommend this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've created a new addiction!

I love the Hacker Series and it never seems to keep coming fast enough. ( Lol, thank you for the joy reading.)
But, now Linzi Baster, you've created a monster! I am wishing my life away for the newest installment of Rogue Mercenaries! You captured me with book one, and now am dependent on book three hurrying up and coming out, after reading book two!
Willa, bless her heart, is a trouble magnet! Lucas loves her, really does understand her her, but he is still a man.
So now Willa has attached more trouble, misses Grim and Casanova's wedding, and has to interrupt it to be saved.
The team except for Grim and Casanova race to save her, and from there well, let me say, Linzi Baxter does not disappoint!
Unexpected humor, great lines, one ditzy blonde (purple presently) pixie, and Thane added to Lucas and Willa's life makes for a typical Linzi Baxter romantic suspense.
Complete with insanity, terrorist parental/family, a secret society, two different continents, and one incredibly intelligent woman who simply cannot keep her curiosity under control...where all this leads?
Read the BOOK!
Ms. Baxter, again you made a couple of hours mindless joy reading your words and immersing me into Operation Desire!
Kick Axx!

Completely awesome!
Next !!!!!!!!!!!

Karen

[K B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy MMF romance Intelligence Agency-based novel Operation Desire: Rogue Mercenaries: book 2: Lucas, Thane, and Willa by Linzi Baxter, and this review was given freely.

A transcontinental story of corruption, betrayal, and sexual preferences with a few twists, some well-meaning parents, and a threesome bound by feelings but with communication and trust issues.
As their thirty-fifth birthday approaches; life member of the Royal Bones Society, M16 agent, and Rogue Mercenaries’ tech specialist; Lucas Caldwell laments the rules that will separate him from his first love; England’s heir to the Royal Bones Society; inventor Thane Kenton and his new love; the feisty danger prone, virgin, renowned mathematician Willa Cather.
18+ for steamy scenes. Can be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love can arrive in the strangest of circumstances 😉💖

I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with secret organizations a la "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage, alpha males that are ex military and now working together in a new business, and one rather unique young lady that seems to be smack in the middle of all of it. Suffice to say there's oodles of intrigue, heat, adrenaline, action, and just so much amazing stuff within these pages. I'm a huge fan of all these series and can't wait to see what's next. Go ahead and take a looksie...ya won't want to out it down 😉.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas, Willa and Thane

This book is amazing! I loved Lucas and Willa’s chemistry in the previous book but the addition of Thane it goes off the charts! Willa is hilarious and such a fun character but when confronted with two sexy men things are incredible hot. This book includes the whole Rouge Team, mobsters, secret societies, great and extremely bad family members, action, suspense, tears, steamy scenes and love.

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

This is Lucas and Willa's story. It was interesting learning about some ways secret societys work.
Thane was also an amazing twist.
A lot of family betrayal and knowing what true family is.
I would recommend this any day of the week along with the whole series.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Desire

Well this little outcome or triple outcome, I didn't see coming. Lucas has a whole other side I did not see or get a hint. Drop the sexy nerd girl Willa and its a whole new ball game. I really enjoyed this book. It was phenomenal.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not read

[Toi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely Loved It

Absolutely loved it - we get to go to Europe and to fall in love with the threesome and maybe the Grand Duke and his Queen.

[Gayle Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Willa, quirky & different. She made me chuckle put loud. Her relationship with Lucas & Thane very hot 🔥

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance

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

[Elinda Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Rogue Mercenaries series by Linzi Baxter. Each book just keeps getting better and better! Lucas is the Chief Information Officer for the Rogue Mercenaries. He and Willa have been dating for a while, even though they don't live close to each other. They are making it work. Willa and Lucas have similar backgrounds, as far as family goes. They both have genius level intelligence. However, sometimes that tends to get Willa into some sticky situations. Lucas and his team come to the rescue once again. There's other things at play, once Lucas and Willa are alone. Lucas has a problem he won't talk about that has the potential to lead to both of them being broken hearted. Is he brave enough to share his dilemma and fight for what they want and need? Get this book ASAP and find out. Sorry, no spoilers. I received this ARC and here is my honest review

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from this talented author who is a favourite off mine some may not like it as it is a MMF relationship but this doesn't worry me when it is part of a series I am following and it was handled well

Willa Cather is in a relationship with Lucas Alder the computer genius who is a member of Rogue Mercenaries and no matter how many times he tells she still leaps before she looks and this time it has got her into serious trouble luckily Rogue Mercenaries will come to her rescue but Lucas is keeping secrets secrets that are about to come to the front of his life and he can no longer ignore Thane the man from his past Are things about to change in his and Willa's relationship you will have to read to see

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Willa may be an innocent and a magnet for trouble but she knows how to get what she wants when needed. Lucas falls for her first and after her latest adventure, they consummate their relationship. A trip to London leads to more danger for Lucas this time and the final part of their relationship being drawn in. Thane is no match for resisting them and soon joins in. Lucas is rescued with the help of Xavier. I like how it is Willa who arranges for their triad to be permanent when Thane tries to leave them to protect them.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the type of book I usually read. It's part of a series, since I read book one, so it was a no brainer. This is a MMF type of book. I like Willa, she has a high IQ and very smart and inquisitive about a lot of things, that get her into trouble. Lucas is her boyfriend with Rogue Mercenaries, but as you read you'll find out some things about him and he needs to tell Willa. There's some action a lot of heat. HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Operation Desire is a romantic suspense with a developing MMF relationship. There is a lot going on: a bomb threat to the heroine, secret organizations, arranged weddings, a treasure hunt, blackmail and a heroine who goes from inexperienced to part of a threesome in mere days. It is part of a series, with a number of characters from previous books having cameo appearances. While the book stands alone and there is a HEA, the series is better read in order.

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

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linzi Baxter delivers an exceptional read! I loved every second of this one. The witty banter, the one liners, the connections built between the characters and my god the SPICE. The SPICEEEE. My God, Bat Signal received!!!! Action, suspense, and steamy scenes will keep you glued to your chair until you finish. So dive in for intense, passionate, Alpha males & the woman that rock their world read. Won’t want to miss this one but read the 1st book first. Happy reading everyone

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read this was, with a little of everything it takes you on a journey from the USA to London and into ancient secret societies as well as into the mind of one very unique woman. Add in a little menage as well as parental drama on overload and you have a very enjoyable read I can highly recommend.

[Christina Standridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. Some action, romance and work. Willa is a genius and a trouble magnet. She is book smart and not social/street smart. She can't read social cues. She is dating Lucus, who is in love with her and Thane. Can the three of them make it work and keep Willa safe.

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

[NanaX8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this page turning, steamy menage with evilness in abundance...filled with surprising whodunits.

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

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fab.

Now we get Willa and Lucas.

Willa is such a character. I cannot stop laughing at her antics.

Cannot wait for Xavier’s book.