Meet the men of Centurion Corporation–an elite group of mercenaries who will go to any extreme to complete a mission…even risk their hearts. A new high-stakes series by Piper J. Drake. He’s not the hero she’s looking for As part of the elite Centurion Corporation team, military-veteran-turned-mercenary Gabriel Diaz is a natural defender. He’ll do anything to ensure a mission is successful. … ensure a mission is successful. Anything but get emotionally invested–he learned the hard way that can be deadly. Easy bodyguard jobs in between the more challenging missions are all he’s interested in now.
Maylin Cheng is desperate and running out of time. Her younger sister has gone missing but no one seems to take her concern seriously. Her last hope lies in asking an aloof bodyguard for help. He dismisses her outright, but all that changes when she is almost killed in a not-so-accidental hit-and-run right before his eyes.
As Maylin leans on Gabriel, she begins to rely on him for more than just her safety. But as their attraction grows, so does the danger surrounding them. When the elaborate web they’re trapped in unravels, Gabriel will do anything to protect them. Even if that means putting his heart in the crosshairs.
Book one of the Safeguard series
more
*4.5 stars*
Loved this tension-filled romance!
If you are a fan of action and romance than this story has it all! I’ve read (and enjoyed) this author before and Gabe and Maylin’s suspense and steam-filled read has reminded me why! Maylin was desperate for help but even in her most dire need she was cool, steadfast and determined. Gabe recognized that immediately. What followed was a chemistry that percolated through every dangerous moment, each serious and light-hearted conversation. And all of it was surrounded by
Gabe’s team and Maylin’s talent for cooking, and an enemy that proved to be fierce. The buildup of their relationship was deceptively quiet as it grew and morphed while dodging bullets and danger around each corner. At the end of the day trust was going to be tested and battered…
I wouldn’t read this when you’re hungry (homemade noodles – yum!) but I definitely recommend picking up this story. Just do it after dinner…
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley
This was a good start to the series, with plenty of action and a terrific romance to go with it. Maylin is a caterer, working a high-end event. One of her goals is to talk to the security people working there. Her younger sister, a brilliant geneticist, disappeared during a conference in China, and Maylin can’t get anyone to take her worry seriously. She’s heard good things about the people of Centurion and desperately hopes that they can help her. Her hopes are dashed when Gabe turns her down flat.
Gabe and his team are on “light duty” after a mission that resulted in injuries. Working a charity event is almost boring, but it’s better than sitting around doing nothing. When Maylin first approached him, he thought she was looking for a hook-up. When he heard her reason, he bluntly told her that her case was hopeless. First, she couldn’t afford them, and second, her sister was probably dead anyway. But when he later witnesses her nearly run down by a hit-and-run driver, he thinks that there may be more to her sister’s disappearance than either of them suspects.
I liked the interweaving of the romance and the suspense. There are sparks between Gabe and Maylin from the beginning, but Gabe prefers to keep his emotions well away from the job. A recent relationship with a coworker that ended very badly only reinforced that feeling. But there is something about Maylin that gets under his skin, and he can’t deny the protectiveness he feels toward her. Though he is ready to help her find her sister, rescuing the girl is a different matter, once they get a good idea of where she is. Though he is willing, the boss is adamant that they can’t spare the resources. That is until new information comes to light. It was interesting to see the abrupt about-face, and how suddenly everyone was all-in.
It was sweet to see how happy Maylin was when Gabe agreed to help her. One of the things I liked about her was her love of taking care of people, and how she expressed it with food. She has a stellar reputation as a caterer, and it shows. I laughed out loud at the team’s reactions to the meals she cooked for them.
I liked seeing the development of their relationship. Though he tries to resist, Gabe can’t help caring about what happens to Maylin. Though he is pretty gruff and practical on the outside, inside there is a core of kindness that really comes out around her. It was funny to see his mind keep drifting to the idea of keeping Maylin in his life, then coming up with reasons it couldn’t happen. Maylin is a woman used to being independent and relying on herself, but she finds it very easy to lean on Gabe and to trust him. Her heart quickly gets involved, but she knows that anything permanent between them is unlikely. I loved seeing them grow closer and ached for them and their belief that nothing could come of it. I liked the ending, and how a little bit of foreshadowing came to pass and provided a chance for them to have that future – if only they were brave enough to take the opportunity.
The suspense was terrific. From the first attack on Maylin, it was evident that there was more behind her sister’s disappearance. Things became even more complicated during a trip to DC and the Chinese embassy. Gabe makes contact with someone who has some interesting information to share. He is also confronted by his ex-girlfriend, the same one who betrayed their team, went over to a rival firm, and shot him in the back. Jewel’s involvement proves that An-Mei’s disappearance is much more complicated than they knew. I was impressed by the realism of Centurion’s investigation, as they dealt with road-blocks and the knowledge that things might not go their way. The rescue mission was a nail-biter, especially with some of the twists they had to deal with. There was an extra twist at the end that I didn’t expect, and I’m still not sure I fully understand. I do get the feeling that they aren’t entirely done with the bad guys yet.
Very enjoyable book to read. Took me into a whole new world with the Centurion Corporation. The details and background for both main characters was excellent!
3.75 stars— HIDDEN IMPACT is the first installment in Piper J. Drake’s contemporary, adult SAFEGUARD romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the SAFEGUARD security agency. This is US military veteran/mercenary for hire Gabriel Diaz, and caterer Maylin Cheng’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabriel and Maylin) HIDDEN IMPACT focuses on the search for a missing person. Caterer Maylin Cheng is desperate to locate her sister who was abducted at a genetics conference in China , and her latest catering job brings our heroine up close and personal with the Centurion Corporation- an elite group of former military personnel; private military contractors for hire. Enter Gabriel Diaz, the man with whom Maylin will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Maylin and Gabriel; the search and rescue of An-Mei Cheng; and the revelation that the Centurion Corporation has been targeted from someone once on the inside. The Centurion Corporation is a training center for private military contractors who work ‘outside’ of the US and international laws but there are threats against the mercenaries for hire-threats that are both professional and personal.
The relationship between Maylin and Gabriel is one of immediate attraction but Gabriel knows to fall in love would mean to threaten his position within the Centurion Corporation. Maylin’s attraction to Gabe is palpable, and in this she is determined to seduce the man with whom she is falling in love. Maylin is a strong heroine; and Gabe’s protective nature does not come with the alphahole attitude that many romantic suspense heroes have ingrained. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Gabriel’s fellow teammates including sniper Lizzy Scott, Victoria Ash, and her partner Marc; Harte-the man in charge of the Centurion Corporation; and Jewel, Gabriel’s former lover. The requisite evil has many faces including the Edict –another private military contractor out to destroy the Centurion Corporation.
HIDDEN IMPACT is a quick read; an action packed story of intrigue, romance and suspense. The premise is entertaining and exciting; the characters are sexy and colorful; the romance is erotic and passionate.