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Deadly #4
Deadly Games
The stakes are higher ... the risks are steeper ... the chances more fatal....
Rori Maitland has lived her life the way she's wanted it. After retiring from MI6, she's her own woman, few friends, no husband and that is the way she bloody well prefers it. After all, her job is hardly normal.
Rori Maitland has lived her life the way she's wanted it. After retiring from MI6, she's her own woman, few friends, no husband and that is the way she bloody well prefers it. After all, her job is hardly normal.
Ian Kinncaid, master of disguise, has been estranged from his family for well over a decade. With his deep cover blown, he now needs a safe place to put the little girl he saved from the Prague underground. But the shadows cloak enemies and trust comes at too high a cost.
When Rori's latest mark goes awry and she finds herself helping the intense man--instead of killing him--she's thrown into a world she'd hoped to leave behind. Now Ian and Rori must work together before someone marks them both for death and kills everyone they both hold dear.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2004
65 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 20, 2015
The fourth book in Jaycee Clark's Deadly series. Ian Kinncaid has been estranged from his family for years, although we got to meet him earlier in previous books in the series. He is deep undercover in Prague when The Raven is sent for to assassinate him. The Raven isn't sure about accepting this job and ends up helping Ian rescue a child.
I loved it. My favorite of the series so far. Ian was a wonderful hero and I loved Rori aka The Raven so much. It had the right blend of romance and suspense and it worked for me.
I loved it. My favorite of the series so far. Ian was a wonderful hero and I loved Rori aka The Raven so much. It had the right blend of romance and suspense and it worked for me.
May 30, 2012
This book was pretty darned awesome.
It is romantic suspense but I would rate the suspense/action weighed more heavily in the book than the romance. However the romance was still satisfactory.
This is the fourth book in a series that follows the four Kinncaid brothers. I did not read the first three books but I did not feel I had to, I wasn't lost at all. However this book does make me want to go back and read them.
This book begins with a prologue where the hero, Ian, has a humdinger of a fight with his father, that patriarch of their family and the head of their hotel empire. The end result sees Ian leaving home and the family feeling (righteously so) misjudged by his own father.
Over a decade later we find out that Ian has become something of a deep cover spy who has incidentally been helping his family out of dangerous situations incognito. Apparently in the earlier books he shows up in disguise, using his special skills to save the lives of his brothers and their families. Kinda like Batman.
In this one, Ian is the one in trouble. He is in deep with small time yet still lethal members of the Czech mafia and his cover has just been blown. Added to that he is the target of an assassination attempt.
The person contracted to kill him is a sexy assassin known only by the name The Raven. Raven is a cover for another ex-MI5/MI6 operative named Rori Maitland. While Rori has no trouble taking out a bad guy she also listens to her gut and her gut is telling her something is off about the hit.
Through a dazzling series of events, she and Ian join forces to save a little girl and to take down a child pornography ring.
Whew! This story was action packed from the word go. I think the author did a great job of conveying the knife's edge danger that Ian was in in his guise as a mob enforcer as well as providing an atmosphere of suffocating distrust and imminent danger. There were betrayals and counter-betrayals in the works all the time.
And then there was Raven/Rori. Just the type of heroine I liked. She was sexy, smart and lethal.
Once they get out of Czech Republic the story turns a little more romantic with Ian and Rori beginning to confront their attraction to each other and to learn about each other's colorful past. But the danger is still very much there. They still need to figure out who blew Ian's cover and they are still very committed to protecting the little girl they rescued from a very horrific place.
As much as I enjoyed this story I can't give it 5-stars mainly because of the mustache-twirling, unremittingly evil and always a few steps ahead of everybody villain. I disliked this person and skimmed their parts.
And there were points in the book I felt the romance seemed a little rushed (although I didn't mind that too much because I was enjoying the action). Also, I think Rori got softened up a little toward the middle of the book. I was afraid that the author was tempering her too much. But I needn't have worried. Lethal, cool-headed assassin Rori comes back in a big way in the end.
Totally enjoyed this one. Planning to fill in the blanks with the other books now.
It is romantic suspense but I would rate the suspense/action weighed more heavily in the book than the romance. However the romance was still satisfactory.
This is the fourth book in a series that follows the four Kinncaid brothers. I did not read the first three books but I did not feel I had to, I wasn't lost at all. However this book does make me want to go back and read them.
This book begins with a prologue where the hero, Ian, has a humdinger of a fight with his father, that patriarch of their family and the head of their hotel empire. The end result sees Ian leaving home and the family feeling (righteously so) misjudged by his own father.
Over a decade later we find out that Ian has become something of a deep cover spy who has incidentally been helping his family out of dangerous situations incognito. Apparently in the earlier books he shows up in disguise, using his special skills to save the lives of his brothers and their families. Kinda like Batman.
In this one, Ian is the one in trouble. He is in deep with small time yet still lethal members of the Czech mafia and his cover has just been blown. Added to that he is the target of an assassination attempt.
The person contracted to kill him is a sexy assassin known only by the name The Raven. Raven is a cover for another ex-MI5/MI6 operative named Rori Maitland. While Rori has no trouble taking out a bad guy she also listens to her gut and her gut is telling her something is off about the hit.
Through a dazzling series of events, she and Ian join forces to save a little girl and to take down a child pornography ring.
Whew! This story was action packed from the word go. I think the author did a great job of conveying the knife's edge danger that Ian was in in his guise as a mob enforcer as well as providing an atmosphere of suffocating distrust and imminent danger. There were betrayals and counter-betrayals in the works all the time.
And then there was Raven/Rori. Just the type of heroine I liked. She was sexy, smart and lethal.
Once they get out of Czech Republic the story turns a little more romantic with Ian and Rori beginning to confront their attraction to each other and to learn about each other's colorful past. But the danger is still very much there. They still need to figure out who blew Ian's cover and they are still very committed to protecting the little girl they rescued from a very horrific place.
As much as I enjoyed this story I can't give it 5-stars mainly because of the mustache-twirling, unremittingly evil and always a few steps ahead of everybody villain. I disliked this person and skimmed their parts.
And there were points in the book I felt the romance seemed a little rushed (although I didn't mind that too much because I was enjoying the action). Also, I think Rori got softened up a little toward the middle of the book. I was afraid that the author was tempering her too much. But I needn't have worried. Lethal, cool-headed assassin Rori comes back in a big way in the end.
Totally enjoyed this one. Planning to fill in the blanks with the other books now.
February 1, 2009
"Deadly Games" is yet another winner for me from Jaycee Clark. It's almost scary how well she writes her villains. And it doesn't seem to matter if they are male or female, she imbues them with a sense of menace and absolute amorality.
Rori is ready to retire. Her unique upbringing and parental situation resulted in the perfect contract killer--the Raven. Her job has made her extremely wealthy even though she's careful to screen her jobs in an effort to make sure those she kills really need killing. But there's something 'off' with this last job offer and Rori decides to investigate even more closely than normal. What she finds is her alter-ego in male form.
Ian is a master of disguise and works so deeply undercover, sometimes it's hard to remember just who he really is. When his covers are blown as he rescues a small child from a porn ring, he sets into play the plans he's had for all these years...with one difference...the Raven will be coming with him.
Thrills and chills just aren't enough to describe these books by Jaycee Clark. She makes you believe in her characters and this book where both hero and heroine are killers is a prime example. It would have been hard for me to imagine a story with lead characters who were killers that I would enjoy...yet here it is. I liked both Rori and Ian. Their characters and morals may be different from mine, but in their world those morals are necessary to keep the rest of 'us' safe. Two flawed individuals who work together to save a child and end up saving themselves. I've already ordered book three and sent the author an email to ask about book five. I like this series that much.
Rori is ready to retire. Her unique upbringing and parental situation resulted in the perfect contract killer--the Raven. Her job has made her extremely wealthy even though she's careful to screen her jobs in an effort to make sure those she kills really need killing. But there's something 'off' with this last job offer and Rori decides to investigate even more closely than normal. What she finds is her alter-ego in male form.
Ian is a master of disguise and works so deeply undercover, sometimes it's hard to remember just who he really is. When his covers are blown as he rescues a small child from a porn ring, he sets into play the plans he's had for all these years...with one difference...the Raven will be coming with him.
Thrills and chills just aren't enough to describe these books by Jaycee Clark. She makes you believe in her characters and this book where both hero and heroine are killers is a prime example. It would have been hard for me to imagine a story with lead characters who were killers that I would enjoy...yet here it is. I liked both Rori and Ian. Their characters and morals may be different from mine, but in their world those morals are necessary to keep the rest of 'us' safe. Two flawed individuals who work together to save a child and end up saving themselves. I've already ordered book three and sent the author an email to ask about book five. I like this series that much.
July 26, 2016
I loved each book in this series, and I found myself loving the next one more than the first and I didn't know that was possible. Each brother has a trait about him that is easy to love and hard to stand. My favorite book out of the 4 would be Deadly Games. We meet Ian in every book before his, and he is helping his brothers in one way or another, but always under the radar, always in a disguise. I find it kind of ironic that the one woman that has the skill to actually kill him and is being offered a lot of money to do it, ends up saving his life, in more ways than one. The characters are lovable and relatable. The kids are wonderfully written and you just want to scoop them up and pinch their cheeks. The villains were truly evil and easy to hate. I would truly recommend this series to anyone who loves to read contemporary romance and romantic suspense. P.S. I have it on good authority that Quinlan will be getting his own book in Spring of 2012 (YAY).
July 29, 2022
I liked it but wanted more Raven.
When two deadly people come together and decide to protect a little girl, they create the family neither of them knew they needed.
This was a fun read. Both Rori and Ian were interesting characters. Rori was witty, and tough, yet soft at the same time. Ian had the world on his shoulders but ultimately just wanted to keep people safe.
While this was a little light on the development of their relationship it was still good. Only thing I wanted more of is Rori and Ian but especially Rori kicking more butt. I wanted the Reaper and the Raven to live up to their names a little more.
Overall I liked this book quite a bit.
When two deadly people come together and decide to protect a little girl, they create the family neither of them knew they needed.
This was a fun read. Both Rori and Ian were interesting characters. Rori was witty, and tough, yet soft at the same time. Ian had the world on his shoulders but ultimately just wanted to keep people safe.
While this was a little light on the development of their relationship it was still good. Only thing I wanted more of is Rori and Ian but especially Rori kicking more butt. I wanted the Reaper and the Raven to live up to their names a little more.
Overall I liked this book quite a bit.
October 13, 2018
5 Stars –
Deadly Games
is an adult contemporary romantic suspense thriller by Jaycee Clark and the 4th book in her
Deadly (Kinncaid Brothers)
series.
Thirteen years ago, Ian Kinncaid’s life took a radical turn when during a heated argument his father disowned him—threw him out and told him never to come home. On his own, without his family’s money and power, Ian joined the Army, becoming a Ranger. But after a couple of missions, he was approached by a U.S. intelligence agency and went to work for a different division of the government. A master at disguise, he’s been working undercover in Prague for the last five years as an enforcer known as “The Reaper,” the right-hand man for an Eastern European crime boss. But someone has just killed the man he works for, blowing his cover.
Lenora “Rori” Maitland has lived her life the way she’s wanted it. After retiring from MI5/MI6, she’s her own woman, few friends, no husband, and that is the way she bloody well prefers it. After all, her job—a contract killer known as “The Raven”—is hardly normal. But when offered five million dollars to kill “The Reaper,” something about the job feels … “off.” And when she discovers “The Reaper” has no documented past, she wonders if he isn’t actually an undercover government agent.
Ian and Rori’s paths cross when they stumble upon a child pornography ring, and she saves him from being shot. Mutually horrified by what they discover, they join forces to rescue a traumatized five-year-old girl. Having been estranged from his family for well over a decade, and with his deep cover blown, Ian now needs a safe place to put the little girl they saved from the Czech underground. But the shadows cloak many enemies, and trust comes at too high a cost …
Deadly Games is a well-written, romantic suspense thriller that reads a lot like a fast-paced spy novel. As always, Ms. Clark blends sensual romance and danger into a provocative story that will leave you cheering for the villain’s demise. When it comes to hot, sexy alpha-heroes, it doesn’t get much better than the Kinncaid brothers! Ian has secretly remained in contact with his brothers throughout the years, and has appeared in each of the last three books when crises occurred that required his unique skills and training. I loved how Ian—super spy extraordinaire—developed such intense fatherly feelings for the little girl they rescued, and how very protective he was of her. And Rori was just the type heroine I like—sexy, intelligent, and lethal with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Or perhaps it was her use of Brit slang, either way she brought much needed humor to such a serious subject. Both the hero and heroine were flawed individuals with lots of baggage, yet they understand and accept each other for who they are. Another highly recommended read, Deadly Games is an action-packed, highly suspenseful story and emotional read of desire, the power of love, healing, and the strength of family ties with a satisfying HEA. Warning: this story deals with sex crimes and explicitly details the horror of child pornography.
Content: graphic language, mild violence, explicit sex, and oral.
I also recommend:
Thirteen years ago, Ian Kinncaid’s life took a radical turn when during a heated argument his father disowned him—threw him out and told him never to come home. On his own, without his family’s money and power, Ian joined the Army, becoming a Ranger. But after a couple of missions, he was approached by a U.S. intelligence agency and went to work for a different division of the government. A master at disguise, he’s been working undercover in Prague for the last five years as an enforcer known as “The Reaper,” the right-hand man for an Eastern European crime boss. But someone has just killed the man he works for, blowing his cover.
Lenora “Rori” Maitland has lived her life the way she’s wanted it. After retiring from MI5/MI6, she’s her own woman, few friends, no husband, and that is the way she bloody well prefers it. After all, her job—a contract killer known as “The Raven”—is hardly normal. But when offered five million dollars to kill “The Reaper,” something about the job feels … “off.” And when she discovers “The Reaper” has no documented past, she wonders if he isn’t actually an undercover government agent.
Ian and Rori’s paths cross when they stumble upon a child pornography ring, and she saves him from being shot. Mutually horrified by what they discover, they join forces to rescue a traumatized five-year-old girl. Having been estranged from his family for well over a decade, and with his deep cover blown, Ian now needs a safe place to put the little girl they saved from the Czech underground. But the shadows cloak many enemies, and trust comes at too high a cost …
Deadly Games is a well-written, romantic suspense thriller that reads a lot like a fast-paced spy novel. As always, Ms. Clark blends sensual romance and danger into a provocative story that will leave you cheering for the villain’s demise. When it comes to hot, sexy alpha-heroes, it doesn’t get much better than the Kinncaid brothers! Ian has secretly remained in contact with his brothers throughout the years, and has appeared in each of the last three books when crises occurred that required his unique skills and training. I loved how Ian—super spy extraordinaire—developed such intense fatherly feelings for the little girl they rescued, and how very protective he was of her. And Rori was just the type heroine I like—sexy, intelligent, and lethal with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Or perhaps it was her use of Brit slang, either way she brought much needed humor to such a serious subject. Both the hero and heroine were flawed individuals with lots of baggage, yet they understand and accept each other for who they are. Another highly recommended read, Deadly Games is an action-packed, highly suspenseful story and emotional read of desire, the power of love, healing, and the strength of family ties with a satisfying HEA. Warning: this story deals with sex crimes and explicitly details the horror of child pornography.
Content: graphic language, mild violence, explicit sex, and oral.
I also recommend:
May 2, 2014
This was heading for a solid 4 stars before I realised that it was just another version of the previous stories – same old, same old.
It was predictable, repetitive and quite frankly a real disappointment. Rori was one dimensional and quite ludicrous at times, and I cannot for the life of me understand why no one has taken Jock out, given him a good slap and told him to grow up and stop behaving like some decrepit idiot before his entire family walks away from him.
I loved Ian. He was the most well-drawn of all the brothers and although far too ‘perfect’ there was enough of the ‘Prodigal Son’ to make me forgive his perfection. ;) John was a delight as well. I would love to see him get his own series,
One the strength of the first book, I purchased the series. I am not even sure if I want to read the final one now. :(
It was predictable, repetitive and quite frankly a real disappointment. Rori was one dimensional and quite ludicrous at times, and I cannot for the life of me understand why no one has taken Jock out, given him a good slap and told him to grow up and stop behaving like some decrepit idiot before his entire family walks away from him.
I loved Ian. He was the most well-drawn of all the brothers and although far too ‘perfect’ there was enough of the ‘Prodigal Son’ to make me forgive his perfection. ;) John was a delight as well. I would love to see him get his own series,
One the strength of the first book, I purchased the series. I am not even sure if I want to read the final one now. :(
August 30, 2012
It was a good,but wasn't great- At the minimum it kept me interested, but I felt like I was reading it with the hope I would really like it and fill that itch I get when I am dying for a good story with romance in itl. The female character in the story and her abuse history left me wanting - I mean what happened to her story. The author just threw bits and pieces of it at us and it really would of added more dept to the story if she did- it just was not clear at all. She was also supposed to have been a successful and deadly agent of espionage but ended up playing a makeshift wife for almost the book- which was pretty disappointing. Ok I was not lookin for Jason Bourne in a dress but I did wish for at least his 3rd cousin. Also the familial relationship was sooo predictable and trite.
Most of all I was really disappointed with the depth of the relationship between the two main characters, it just seemed like they met, had a mutual attraction and to da ended up with each other for the sake of a young girl. Nothing substantial happened in their relationship up to the last 3 chapters. Oh yeah they had sex but it was like reading a manual on how paint dries. Maybe I am being too hard - believe me the story was ok but here was nothing in the love shared between the main characters which was to me even close to how a real substantial attraction and long term relationship happens in the begining. But again maybe I have a different view of things but I dont think so -since I have read a number of books that have hit the mark a little better than this one did. Definitely not a story I would read again -but would turn to if stuck on hold while on the tarmac.
Most of all I was really disappointed with the depth of the relationship between the two main characters, it just seemed like they met, had a mutual attraction and to da ended up with each other for the sake of a young girl. Nothing substantial happened in their relationship up to the last 3 chapters. Oh yeah they had sex but it was like reading a manual on how paint dries. Maybe I am being too hard - believe me the story was ok but here was nothing in the love shared between the main characters which was to me even close to how a real substantial attraction and long term relationship happens in the begining. But again maybe I have a different view of things but I dont think so -since I have read a number of books that have hit the mark a little better than this one did. Definitely not a story I would read again -but would turn to if stuck on hold while on the tarmac.
December 3, 2013
Rating 3.25 stars
Romance wise this book was the weakest for me because this book didn't really concentrate on fleshing out the heroine much, yes we know she was abused and rescued by a great guy but we don't know how she joined MI6 or became the raven and for a supposed kick-ass woman we didn't see any of her skills. The hero Ian has been seen in the series before, the shadowy brother who is great as disguises and estranged from his family and we learn it is all because his father was an ass who wanted to push his agenda to make him marry someone (side note how weird it was that the hero's other bro ends up getting engaged to the same woman later before ending up wid his heroine?? ) and he somehow ends up working for the government going undercover, doing shady things and not knowing who he actually is.
He has been undercover as the right hand man of a brothel owner for a while and then the heroine is sent after him by this guy's crazy child abuser sister. I found the whole book convoluted as hell, characters kept popping up on page, the hero's whole explanation for seeing his family was thin. He rescues a small girl, marries the heroine for his cover and they go to see his family. To me the things that happened in the book made no sense. Why couldn't they track down and kill that crazy child trafficker before she attacked his family using his stupid youngest brother to do so?
All in all the romance took a backseat and I didn't feel the characters falling in love plus there were plenty of plot holes.
Romance wise this book was the weakest for me because this book didn't really concentrate on fleshing out the heroine much, yes we know she was abused and rescued by a great guy but we don't know how she joined MI6 or became the raven and for a supposed kick-ass woman we didn't see any of her skills. The hero Ian has been seen in the series before, the shadowy brother who is great as disguises and estranged from his family and we learn it is all because his father was an ass who wanted to push his agenda to make him marry someone (side note how weird it was that the hero's other bro ends up getting engaged to the same woman later before ending up wid his heroine?? ) and he somehow ends up working for the government going undercover, doing shady things and not knowing who he actually is.
He has been undercover as the right hand man of a brothel owner for a while and then the heroine is sent after him by this guy's crazy child abuser sister. I found the whole book convoluted as hell, characters kept popping up on page, the hero's whole explanation for seeing his family was thin. He rescues a small girl, marries the heroine for his cover and they go to see his family. To me the things that happened in the book made no sense. Why couldn't they track down and kill that crazy child trafficker before she attacked his family using his stupid youngest brother to do so?
All in all the romance took a backseat and I didn't feel the characters falling in love plus there were plenty of plot holes.
December 27, 2014
From the beginning of this series I have been waiting to Ian's book. He has been such an intriguing character in all the other books. He was such a man of mystery in the others. It was a great book, but I feel it was lacking something. I normally don't burden authors with my expectations and then bash them when they don't deliver, but I guess I did this time. The romance between Ian and Rori seemed forced and, at first, very controlled, not very passionate.
Ian and Rori are players in the dark, deadly shadows of espionage and murder for hire. They are hard, ruthless, deadly people and when one is commissioned to kill the other, things can get complicated. Throw in a brutalized young girl and emotions that shouldn't be involved, get tangled up in all of it. On top of it, Ian's various covers are blown and they are on the run, but they don't know from whom. Ian's only clean cover is his real identity, but that is compromised too and that puts the whole family in danger.
Ian and Rori are players in the dark, deadly shadows of espionage and murder for hire. They are hard, ruthless, deadly people and when one is commissioned to kill the other, things can get complicated. Throw in a brutalized young girl and emotions that shouldn't be involved, get tangled up in all of it. On top of it, Ian's various covers are blown and they are on the run, but they don't know from whom. Ian's only clean cover is his real identity, but that is compromised too and that puts the whole family in danger.
November 9, 2013
Jaycee Clark hit the nail on the head with this book. I picked it up after a disappointing read knowing that I would enjoy this, but I can not believe just how good this was. Each of the books in this series seems to be better then the last, but there will be no way that any thing can beat this one. Wonderful characters, a plot that kept me glued to the page and the pace was brilliant. This is how romantic suspense books should be written. I am adding this one to my have to re-read shelf.
July 26, 2022
I liked Deadly Games it kept me turning the pages. Jaycee Clark gave me suspense which I look for. In my opinion there is a lot of inconsistences in the story. There were things that just didn't make sense but I was able to overlook them. I found Rori's story missing to much I wanted to know. I love the Kinncaid family and how they come through for each other. My biggest complaint is it is very slow moving. I read in The Deadly Series Boxed Set (Deadly, #1-5).
April 7, 2012
Loved loved loved the series, and I had such high hopes for Ian's book..... But the British accent was cringeworthy 'gor blimey' 'bugger it', seriously we don't talk like that, I kept thinking of Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady!
February 18, 2012
Love love love love love this series! So thrilled that they are all in ebook format now since I can't find where I put my paper copies :(
March 16, 2015
Non-stop excitement
I really love this family. The story was action packed. I enjoyed all of the characters and the fast paced plot. I look forward to more in this series.
I really love this family. The story was action packed. I enjoyed all of the characters and the fast paced plot. I look forward to more in this series.
August 23, 2012
an interesting book that explains the on going mystery in the series
February 18, 2020
Good read but 3.5 stars
The book was good although there were a lot of inconsistencies. For instance, how can you be undercover for 5 years with one guy but not know his sister is a monster? Even more so after she killed your friend/colleague family? It’s weird to think that he would marry a assassin he didn’t know after she was sent to kill her. The flimsy excuse of protecting the kid was just that. The while I want to check on my family while I have a target on my back made no sense. Quin is a moron for sleeping with some random woman when he’s been told that the family is in danger, however, without going into too much detail I feel the family could have been shown a photo of that crazy woman to warn them. It’s a bit unrealistic to tell people, you’re in danger but I can’t tell you what I do or what the issue is. The showdown was very anticlimactic. Here is this supposedly beast agent and he is bested by some psycho in a living room. The book was also light on details, for instance why did he decide to join the army and the rest? Same for Rori, why MI5 and MI6? Lastly, I really dislike book were the military personnel just burns out and always go for the cliché security firm. I’m sure this type of assignment takes a huge toll, but for once I would have liked him to leave the field and move into the office with Pete. His experience is invaluable and it feels like such a shame to waste it to become VIP body guards. Even if he didn’t want to work for the government anymore at least some kind of contract work would make sense. As an aside, the fake British english was very irritating at time. Few people under 70 still use some of these phrases.
The book was good although there were a lot of inconsistencies. For instance, how can you be undercover for 5 years with one guy but not know his sister is a monster? Even more so after she killed your friend/colleague family? It’s weird to think that he would marry a assassin he didn’t know after she was sent to kill her. The flimsy excuse of protecting the kid was just that. The while I want to check on my family while I have a target on my back made no sense. Quin is a moron for sleeping with some random woman when he’s been told that the family is in danger, however, without going into too much detail I feel the family could have been shown a photo of that crazy woman to warn them. It’s a bit unrealistic to tell people, you’re in danger but I can’t tell you what I do or what the issue is. The showdown was very anticlimactic. Here is this supposedly beast agent and he is bested by some psycho in a living room. The book was also light on details, for instance why did he decide to join the army and the rest? Same for Rori, why MI5 and MI6? Lastly, I really dislike book were the military personnel just burns out and always go for the cliché security firm. I’m sure this type of assignment takes a huge toll, but for once I would have liked him to leave the field and move into the office with Pete. His experience is invaluable and it feels like such a shame to waste it to become VIP body guards. Even if he didn’t want to work for the government anymore at least some kind of contract work would make sense. As an aside, the fake British english was very irritating at time. Few people under 70 still use some of these phrases.
May 8, 2021
Unexpected
*****Spoilers*****
Most everything in this book goes easily for Ian and the Raven in terms of their relationship. They meet because she's scoping him out as a potential mark and circumstances were such that she agrees to pose as his wife with a little girl who they rescued and had been sold into a life of child prostitution. I couldn't fathom how real it was for Ian and quickly, from the exchange of rings and paperwork drawn up, he was set and they settled into their marriage and stayed without much fuss from either of them. That they were both assassins I'm sure helped them relate to one another too.
Some things I didn't really believe and I certainly didn't understand the villainous woman or her motives. It was nice to see Ian back with his family in the end after the way the book started with he and his father.
*****Spoilers*****
Most everything in this book goes easily for Ian and the Raven in terms of their relationship. They meet because she's scoping him out as a potential mark and circumstances were such that she agrees to pose as his wife with a little girl who they rescued and had been sold into a life of child prostitution. I couldn't fathom how real it was for Ian and quickly, from the exchange of rings and paperwork drawn up, he was set and they settled into their marriage and stayed without much fuss from either of them. That they were both assassins I'm sure helped them relate to one another too.
Some things I didn't really believe and I certainly didn't understand the villainous woman or her motives. It was nice to see Ian back with his family in the end after the way the book started with he and his father.
June 11, 2020
I have been waiting for this one! Ian Kinncaid has been away from his family for at least a decade after a blowup with his father. Now he is deep undercover in Prague and there is a price on his head. Rori Maitland, AKA The Raven, has been sent to kill Ian but before she does she realizes something is not as it appears and ends up rescuing a child instead. Together they are on the run and trying to figure out what, who, and where the leak is all while making their way back to D.C. to the Kinncaid family. So, so, SO good!
January 1, 2019
A fast-paced, sexy suspenseful read. Rori thought she'd left the life of intrigue behind when she retired from MI6 but plans go wrong when Ian's cover is blown and he has to rely on Rori to help him save a little girl. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Ian and Rori and how their developing relationship was worked in to the suspense story line. Good read!
March 28, 2014
My Review:
Overall.... 4.75
Performance... 4.75
Story.... 4.75
Yes! Ian...I have been waiting for his story for so long and it was so worth the wait. OMG, this book was so good!
Ian has shown up in all the books in this series, but we've never really known how he became estranged for the family...only that he is just as loyal as the other Kinncaid men and willing to do WHATEVER he needed to save their women and protect his brother's families and has helped his brothers time and again. In this book, all those questions were answered. The book began with the fight between Ian and his father, Jock, that resulted in him getting kicked out of the family...and while I knew what that probably entailed...reading the details of the fight and the results broke my heart for Ian. He was so young...and did nothing wrong. Jock...grr. But on the flip side, it was nice to have some insight into Jock and his realizing how deeply he betrayed and hurt his son by his actions and how that led to the man he became.
And the man he became is the heart of this book. Ian works for the government and has been undercover in Russia for five years, doing unspeakable things...but doing good things whenever he can. When the book begins, he is tired, worn out, and heartsore. He's about through with this job...it's gone on for too long and he simply doesn't care anymore. He's in danger of losing himself if he continues. He's also had a hit put out on him...Raven is coming after him.
Raven is Rori and she quickly discovers that Ian...or Dmitri...is not the man he appears to be and they begin to work together to save a young girl from a life of sexual slavery. To do so, they have to get her somewhere safe and the best way to do that is to pose as her parents and for the first time in a very long time, Ian begins to hide in plain sight...his new cover...Ian Kinncaid, with his wife Rori, and their newly adopted 4 yo daughter, Darya. But they both have many, many bad people out there who would like to see them all dead.
So freaking good...I'm telling you, this book was amazing. From page one, it jumped into the action and both Ian and Rori can kick butts and take names. I love, love, loved that she was just as tough and fearsome as him. It made her the perfect match for him. She also completely understands the world he's come from and the sacrifices he's had to make. I'm telling you...she was perfect for him. When he had his migraines, she and her actions, simply made me fall in love with her. She is awesome. She also has her own insecurities...especially when it comes to little Darya. I loved how she won Rori over.
I'm telling you...everything about this story was so good. It was an intricately woven Romantic Suspense that covered the world of politics, but still managed to include the entire Kinncaid clan. And Quinlan...OMG, the twists that involved his character. *sob*... just broke my heart for him. This entire series has been good, but this particular book went so far above the already, very high, bar. It was a great book and I continue to be amazed by Johanna Parker's incredible skill as a narrator. Her range of voices is PERFECTION and she does an amazing job, especially considering how many scenes she has to do with a huge cast of characters. They are all easily distinguishable during the dialogue. She is amazing...simply amazing narration.
Overall.... 4.75
Performance... 4.75
Story.... 4.75
Yes! Ian...I have been waiting for his story for so long and it was so worth the wait. OMG, this book was so good!
Ian has shown up in all the books in this series, but we've never really known how he became estranged for the family...only that he is just as loyal as the other Kinncaid men and willing to do WHATEVER he needed to save their women and protect his brother's families and has helped his brothers time and again. In this book, all those questions were answered. The book began with the fight between Ian and his father, Jock, that resulted in him getting kicked out of the family...and while I knew what that probably entailed...reading the details of the fight and the results broke my heart for Ian. He was so young...and did nothing wrong. Jock...grr. But on the flip side, it was nice to have some insight into Jock and his realizing how deeply he betrayed and hurt his son by his actions and how that led to the man he became.
And the man he became is the heart of this book. Ian works for the government and has been undercover in Russia for five years, doing unspeakable things...but doing good things whenever he can. When the book begins, he is tired, worn out, and heartsore. He's about through with this job...it's gone on for too long and he simply doesn't care anymore. He's in danger of losing himself if he continues. He's also had a hit put out on him...Raven is coming after him.
Raven is Rori and she quickly discovers that Ian...or Dmitri...is not the man he appears to be and they begin to work together to save a young girl from a life of sexual slavery. To do so, they have to get her somewhere safe and the best way to do that is to pose as her parents and for the first time in a very long time, Ian begins to hide in plain sight...his new cover...Ian Kinncaid, with his wife Rori, and their newly adopted 4 yo daughter, Darya. But they both have many, many bad people out there who would like to see them all dead.
So freaking good...I'm telling you, this book was amazing. From page one, it jumped into the action and both Ian and Rori can kick butts and take names. I love, love, loved that she was just as tough and fearsome as him. It made her the perfect match for him. She also completely understands the world he's come from and the sacrifices he's had to make. I'm telling you...she was perfect for him. When he had his migraines, she and her actions, simply made me fall in love with her. She is awesome. She also has her own insecurities...especially when it comes to little Darya. I loved how she won Rori over.
I'm telling you...everything about this story was so good. It was an intricately woven Romantic Suspense that covered the world of politics, but still managed to include the entire Kinncaid clan. And Quinlan...OMG, the twists that involved his character. *sob*... just broke my heart for him. This entire series has been good, but this particular book went so far above the already, very high, bar. It was a great book and I continue to be amazed by Johanna Parker's incredible skill as a narrator. Her range of voices is PERFECTION and she does an amazing job, especially considering how many scenes she has to do with a huge cast of characters. They are all easily distinguishable during the dialogue. She is amazing...simply amazing narration.
September 2, 2022
3.5 Stars!
So after reading Deadly Ties, I've found myself fascinated and intrigued with the mysterious Ian Kincaid. That's why I decided to read his book immediately and found myself fascinated with Roni. I'm not sure, but I think it's my first book with a heroine whose job is to assassinate or kill people. It was rather refreshing, I guess. I liked how ballsy Roni was and was not easily intimidated. She's such a badass! Unfortunately, I didn't feel connected to her, maybe because the book mainly focused on Ian.
Ian Rohnan Kincaid *sigh*, where can I find these Kincaid men? Gavin's my man, but Ian's my type of hero. He's tall, sexy, hot, loyal to boot, protective and gorgeous with a mysterious side that you can't wait to figure out. What's not to love, right?
I loved this book. But sad to say, romance-wise, this book didn't do it for me. There's no chemistry between Roni and Ian. The romance between them seemed forced and not passionate, unlike Aiden and Jesslyn, or Gavin and Taylor. They were more like friends with benefits.
But I enjoyed that it was action-packed from the word go. I think the author did a great job with Ian's character. He was the most well-drawn out of all the brothers. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters, especially the Kincaids. I always like seeing familiar faces, and it is even better when they are from some of my favorites from the series. I'm also curious about Ian's friend, John. I would love to see him get his book.
Overall, this was such a good read, especially if you are a fan of this series and genre!
So after reading Deadly Ties, I've found myself fascinated and intrigued with the mysterious Ian Kincaid. That's why I decided to read his book immediately and found myself fascinated with Roni. I'm not sure, but I think it's my first book with a heroine whose job is to assassinate or kill people. It was rather refreshing, I guess. I liked how ballsy Roni was and was not easily intimidated. She's such a badass! Unfortunately, I didn't feel connected to her, maybe because the book mainly focused on Ian.
Ian Rohnan Kincaid *sigh*, where can I find these Kincaid men? Gavin's my man, but Ian's my type of hero. He's tall, sexy, hot, loyal to boot, protective and gorgeous with a mysterious side that you can't wait to figure out. What's not to love, right?
I loved this book. But sad to say, romance-wise, this book didn't do it for me. There's no chemistry between Roni and Ian. The romance between them seemed forced and not passionate, unlike Aiden and Jesslyn, or Gavin and Taylor. They were more like friends with benefits.
But I enjoyed that it was action-packed from the word go. I think the author did a great job with Ian's character. He was the most well-drawn out of all the brothers. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters, especially the Kincaids. I always like seeing familiar faces, and it is even better when they are from some of my favorites from the series. I'm also curious about Ian's friend, John. I would love to see him get his book.
Overall, this was such a good read, especially if you are a fan of this series and genre!
February 12, 2017
I don't remember why I started a series with the fourth book, but I'm glad I did. I'm always on the lookout for new-to-me romantic suspense authors and this fast-paced story hit the spot. A couple of burned out, disillusioned black operatives spark off each other big time while international assassins and various bad guys try to take them out. I loved Rori and Ian, I loved the modern day Cold War backdrop, and I loved the way they took the leap into trusting each other. Intricately plotted and perfectly paced with a solid romance at its core.
Johanna Parker is one of my favorite narrators in romantic suspense. Really enjoyable story enhanced by an especially good narrator.
Johanna Parker is one of my favorite narrators in romantic suspense. Really enjoyable story enhanced by an especially good narrator.
September 26, 2013
Another great installment to the Kinncaid Brothers series. Long awaited story for Ian Kinncaid. This book was filled with so much suspense, twists and turns and very action packed. It was fast paced, heart warming, romantic. Just a great read.
Ian Kinncaid will do anything to protect his family and what is his. Leaving his family years before, Ian went to eventually work for the government as an undercover agent. His life was filled with danger trying to make a difference against drugs and human trafficking.
Rori, the Raven, was sent to assassinate Ian, but before she does, she realizes that things aren’t what they seem with Ian.
Ian and Rori decide to help each other to protect a little girl, named Darya found within all the evils that Ian and Rori find. But that evil ends up finding Ian’s family. So Ian and Rori go back to Washington DC to protect not only Darya but his family who have been targeted now.
The author goes into depth in subjects such as child pornography and prostitution. This was such a heartwarming story about the emotions of victims and even what these government undercover agents go through. Such an emotional and heartwarming book. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Ian Kinncaid will do anything to protect his family and what is his. Leaving his family years before, Ian went to eventually work for the government as an undercover agent. His life was filled with danger trying to make a difference against drugs and human trafficking.
Rori, the Raven, was sent to assassinate Ian, but before she does, she realizes that things aren’t what they seem with Ian.
Ian and Rori decide to help each other to protect a little girl, named Darya found within all the evils that Ian and Rori find. But that evil ends up finding Ian’s family. So Ian and Rori go back to Washington DC to protect not only Darya but his family who have been targeted now.
The author goes into depth in subjects such as child pornography and prostitution. This was such a heartwarming story about the emotions of victims and even what these government undercover agents go through. Such an emotional and heartwarming book. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
January 21, 2014
This was the 1st book in this series that I've read and I loved it. I know nothing about the 3 before this one, but let me say....GREAT JOB with this one. I loved Ian's character as the alpha male with the big heart when it came to his family. I adored the strong female character, Raven, who also showed was affectionate and considerate towards this new family that she was thrown into.
The thing that I loved most about this. Not a lot of sexual situations that took away from the story line, and I'm an avid reader of romance. I've read so many books now where it's just about sex and not the development of the characters and their relationship. A lot of time, the sexual parts of the stories dominate everything so much that I lose focus of what the actual plot is supposed to be. Not with this one, though, and I truly appreciated that.
I loved how Ian and Raven came together to protect the family and children caught up in this big mess. I'm not trying to give anything away so I'm not giving a lot of detail. Bottom line....THIS WAS A GREAT READ and a PAGE TURNER... LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!
The thing that I loved most about this. Not a lot of sexual situations that took away from the story line, and I'm an avid reader of romance. I've read so many books now where it's just about sex and not the development of the characters and their relationship. A lot of time, the sexual parts of the stories dominate everything so much that I lose focus of what the actual plot is supposed to be. Not with this one, though, and I truly appreciated that.
I loved how Ian and Raven came together to protect the family and children caught up in this big mess. I'm not trying to give anything away so I'm not giving a lot of detail. Bottom line....THIS WAS A GREAT READ and a PAGE TURNER... LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!
October 7, 2013
Can you say AWESOME……
I started reading the 1st books in this series (they can be read in order or as stand alones) 5:54pm Friday and by 7:29am Monday morning I had finished the 5th book. Yes I barely left the house all weekend and I was late for work Monday!
This romantic suspense series has fantastic characters, the author has made them come alive. As you read these books you immerse yourself into the characters’ lives, you become vested in them overcoming obstacles, defeating the bad guys and living happily ever after. The author has created a nice balanced between the suspense and the romance in these books. Throughout each book you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for the dark menace in the background to kill and destroy; yet the development of relationships is at the forefront of these books, as well as the traumatic events which lead up to this point in the their lives.
To sum up: Hot rich alpha males, strong wounded heroines, hot sex scenes, great characters, terrific storylines and very suspenseful.
I started reading the 1st books in this series (they can be read in order or as stand alones) 5:54pm Friday and by 7:29am Monday morning I had finished the 5th book. Yes I barely left the house all weekend and I was late for work Monday!
This romantic suspense series has fantastic characters, the author has made them come alive. As you read these books you immerse yourself into the characters’ lives, you become vested in them overcoming obstacles, defeating the bad guys and living happily ever after. The author has created a nice balanced between the suspense and the romance in these books. Throughout each book you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for the dark menace in the background to kill and destroy; yet the development of relationships is at the forefront of these books, as well as the traumatic events which lead up to this point in the their lives.
To sum up: Hot rich alpha males, strong wounded heroines, hot sex scenes, great characters, terrific storylines and very suspenseful.
October 23, 2014
I read this as part of The Deadly Series Boxed Set.
This is my favorite of the series. Ian was easily the most intriguing character in the first three books, so I was excited for his story. He was a great character, I loved his relationship with Darya. My heart broke for that poor child.
Rori was a better heroine than in some of the previous books. No TSTL moments with her. She was tough, and an equal match for Ian.
The subject matter here is pretty dark (child porn/trafficking), and this book is much more focused on the suspense than the romance. But that worked for me.
I still have one unanswered question though. I don't fully understand the Elianya/John thing. One minute Elianya makes it sound like they had an affair, the next she makes it sound like he rejected her. Which is it? Color me confused.
Quinlan's book is next, but I'm not sure about his character. He was dull as dirt in the first three books, and incredibly stupid in this one, so...
This is my favorite of the series. Ian was easily the most intriguing character in the first three books, so I was excited for his story. He was a great character, I loved his relationship with Darya. My heart broke for that poor child.
Rori was a better heroine than in some of the previous books. No TSTL moments with her. She was tough, and an equal match for Ian.
The subject matter here is pretty dark (child porn/trafficking), and this book is much more focused on the suspense than the romance. But that worked for me.
I still have one unanswered question though. I don't fully understand the Elianya/John thing. One minute Elianya makes it sound like they had an affair, the next she makes it sound like he rejected her. Which is it? Color me confused.
Quinlan's book is next, but I'm not sure about his character. He was dull as dirt in the first three books, and incredibly stupid in this one, so...
October 22, 2013
Who blew Ian's cover in the spy ring? His life and the lives of his family are now in danger. He has to get home to save them. Along the way however he somehow picked up a wayward child and a wife who is a hired assassin. Could life get anymore dangerous?
This book was one of the authors best so far. I loved the intrigue and action. She wrote the characters with a lot of moxy. The good guys were not only hard as nail they were soft as marshmallows when it came to family. The plot was fantastic for a mystery/love story once again. The little girl in this particular book seemed so real to me that I actually cried. It is far and few between that I cry from reading a book!!
Once again it was a predictable book but in this series that piece of knowledge is not a minus. I would not read them at this point if I did not know how they would end. I want the "Happily Ever After."
This book was one of the authors best so far. I loved the intrigue and action. She wrote the characters with a lot of moxy. The good guys were not only hard as nail they were soft as marshmallows when it came to family. The plot was fantastic for a mystery/love story once again. The little girl in this particular book seemed so real to me that I actually cried. It is far and few between that I cry from reading a book!!
Once again it was a predictable book but in this series that piece of knowledge is not a minus. I would not read them at this point if I did not know how they would end. I want the "Happily Ever After."
February 22, 2012
"Deadly Games" is another incredible installment to the "Deadly" series. Finally, we get Ian's story, the brother who was disowned by his dad years ago. He's a master of diguise and has maintained contact with his brothers throughout the years but in very secretive ways. Never failing to be there when needed and always when it counted most. Ian was a well-crafted character and his story sometimes difficult to read. His counterpart, Rori, also traveled a long and difficult road filled with pain and sorrow. Together they made a perfect match. Jaycee Clark has written an amazing romantic suspense series that includes anything and everything readers could demand. This series is one of my best reading discoveries in a long time.
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