She’d only be safe if she got away… three tours with the SEALs, medically discharged and not sure what to do with himself. When Sheriff Alex Rossi in Montana reached out to him with an offer to join his staff, he thought, what the hell? A house came with it along with two horses he could work with. But then his sister pleaded with him to take a battered woman with him and keep her safe. How could he say no?
But the best laid plans and all that…
They never expected to fall for each other, Zane with his determination to stay single and Lainie with her nightmares and a vicious bully after her. And a rich one at that. But chemistry and emotions have their own plans, and when Zane gets word Lainie’s ex is on her trail, he realizes he’ll do anything to keep her safe…and for himself. With the help of Sheriff Alex Rossi, he is ready to take on the enemy for his woman.
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She needs to break away from her abusive relationship before it killed her, but Sonny Fitzgerald had all the keys to controlling Lainie Taggert until she landed in the hospital with bruises and broken bones and her friend convinces her they had to spirit her away. Zane Halstead was rootless after three tours with the SEALs, medically discharged and not sure what to do with himself. Now he’s headed to Montana with a battered woman in tow hoping to keep her alive and make changes to life at the same time. They never expected to fall for each other, but chemistry and emotions have their own plans.
A suspenseful and engaging romantic suspense that grabs readers’ attention right from the start and keeps them glued to the pages until the very end. The chemistry and attraction between Lainie and Zane is undeniable and quite powerful as they struggle with the growing feelings and their respective issues. The heroine suffers from nightmares and has a vicious bull after her while Zane is determined to stay single which has lots of emotional turmoil flowing from the pages.
The plot is fast paced and full of thrilling suspense and adrenaline pumping excitement as Zane drives across the across to a new start while trying to keep the injured Lainie safe and comfortable, not only physically but emotionally as well. The author brings her story to life with vivid imagery and makes her hero ‘lifelike’ and ‘real’ making it easy for readers to fall for sexy military man and making hearts pound with desire for their own hero in this exciting and passionate romance.
Another great addition to the Brotherhood Protectors. Lanie was a great character and had to run from an abusive relationship. Zane is a SEAL who has been medically discharged and heading for a new job. Zane and Lanie grew on each other as he drove her to Montana. Great chemistry with some steam and plenty of action. This was a wonderful story! Loved it!!
I know you hear this from me often, but reviewing romantic suspense and/or mystery books always leaves me floundering. I have SO MUCH I want to share, but in a fabulous story like Desperate Deception, revealing certain things can spoiler some absolutely delicious twists that you really need to experience for yourself.
Let’s start with a quick intro into our female lead, Lainie. This lady is one tough cookie and basically defines the word “survivor.” She’s in a relationship that may kill her. Sonny is extremely wealthy, extremely powerful, and extremely influential. Not to mention extremely abusive. When another one of his rages lands her in the hospital a-frickin-gain, Lainie runs into an old friend. One that Sonny had cut her off from. And Drea knows after one look at Lainie that her friend needs her help. That help comes in the sexy shape of her brother, Zane.
And please let us all rise to welcome the entrance of our studly hero because, folks, I am all about Zane. He has all the markings of the kind of man I adore. He is a broken boy (somewhat literally) who has been discharged from his position as a Navy SEAL (yup, I was swoooooooning imagining all of this hotness wrapped up in a uniform) and has now traded in life saving missions for a badge in a sleepy Montana town.
But the hero in him rises up following a frantic call from his sister begging him to save her friend.
Okay now here is where I need to pause for one moment. This is something I need to highlight because I really appreciated the care Zane took with Lainie. He recognized her pain physically, mentally, and emotionally, as she recovered from the trauma Sonny inflicted upon her and he took extra special care when advancing their intimate relationship. That absolutely touched my heart and was so well done. Now you can see why I am 100% #TeamZane… amirite?
And the thing is, as I mentioned above, Zane is broken in his own way. Battling the demons that came attached with his time as a SEAL. I love how they balance each other and manage to offer a modicum of healing for the other.
Before I end, I’d like to simply say, Sonny is evil. There literally aren’t words to describe how much I hated this man through my entire read of Desperate Deception. I am fairly certain I ground away about five layers of enamel from my teeth just reading the man’s name throughout the book.
If you love romantic suspense with a strong looming threat of danger that never lets you rest, Desperate Deception is the book you need in your life and the perfect distraction from the holiday stress and family drama weighing you down at this time of year.
A realistic tale of how abusive a relationship can be. Zane is trying to heal after his injuries from a mission and Lanier was in a very dangerous relationship. He picks her up and with the help of his sister conceal her departure. This book may cause triggers for some. Action, danger, new love. Hea
What can I say? The incomparable Desiree Holt never disappoints. I love her romantic suspense novels, and when I start one, I can’t put it down. Love it!!
I have fallen in love with this authors books and her characters! I didnt start with this book 1, but they are all stand alone even though some characters are intertwined in the other books. This one has Lainie running from her abusive boyfriend who also wants to kill her. Zane was a Seal,but his injuries took him out. I love how these two connect and complete each others lives. Great action, characters and storyline!!! I stayed up until after 4 am reading it because I couldnt put it down lol
Book one in the Heroes Rising series also part of the Brotherhood Protectors World a well written story. That villain was one sick man. I enjoyed reading Lainie Taggert and Zane Halstead’s story, and I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Desperate Deception is a fantastic romantic suspense by Desiree Holt. Ms. Holt has once more delivered a well-written book populated with outstanding characters that readers won’t be able to put down. Lainie is beaten and abused by her fiance and lands in the hospital for the fourth time in a year. Her best friend slips her out of the hospital and sends her off to Montana with her ex-SEAL brother, Zane. Zane is recovering from his wounds from his last mission with his SEAL team and is on his way to Montana when his sister asks him to take her friend and keep her safe. Zane and Lainie’s story is packed with drama, humor, steamy sex, action and suspense. I loved this book from cover to cover and can’t wait to read my next book by Desiree Holt. Desperate Deception: Brotherhood Protectors World is book 1 of the Heroes Rising Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
The plot flowed smoothly and building throughout the story. The characters were well-developed. Lainie and Zane were two broken individuals who used each other to get to the next step. You could feel their chemistry. I love this book and look forward to more in the series.
Another fabulous book from this amazing author!!
My heart is still racing from the ending! This is another welcome return to the Brotherhood Protectors world, and a great meet-up with Micki and Sheriff Alex Rossi. But this book is about courage … And this time it’s Lainie who’s helped to escape vile abuse, and she’s helped by her friend’s brother, himself injured and hurting. Zane is the kind of character readers dream of – gentle, honorable, and tough as steel. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming, I feel in need of a drink after it, and I recommend this book with all my heart
This was an interesting story. I loved Zane, a damaged hero trying to find his place and still jumping into action when someone needs him. He is not perfect and that’s make him even a better character. Lainie is a courageous character, she got damaged emotionnally as well as physically but she isn’t giving up on the contrary she still want to try to protect others with her silence.
The rythm was a bit fast….yes vilains have lot of money and big means to get their way but i kind of would have prefered if it took longer considering the romance part of the story. There are steamy scenes for sure, well written but somehow i felt it was too soon after what Lainie lived, survived.
I also would have loved if we saw more of the bad guys get what they deserved.
a good fast and steamy romance suspense that can be read as stand alone without knowledge of the rest of the series.
Lainie has finally taken the step to leave her abusive fiance. She has taken one beating too many and now she has managed to get to the ER without any of his cromies in the vicinity. A lucky meeting with an old friend, who had been cut out of her life by Sonny the Sleazebag, and Lainie has an ad hoc road trip to a possible new start in Montana. Oh, and an ex Neavy SEAL as a bodyguard!
When Drea asked Zane to care for her friend, he didn’t expect the feel so connected to her immedately. Sure he expected to be protective, angry about the injuries she had, but not the instant spark of attraction. The woman in rocking a body covered in bruises, he should not be looking at her like he’s a horny teenager!
He has the chance of a new career in law enforcement with a fellow ex SEAL and newly minted Sheriff. If he can just convince Lainie that now all men are scum and that he tuly does care for her.
Lainie may think she is coward and a horrible judge of men, but she finally takes a gamble on Zane and finds herself a rough diamond. He will help her, calm her, assist her – all without passing judgement on Sonny the Sleaze. Well, except to say that he wants to kill him for what he did to her! Zane and Lainie both have injuries, mental and physical, and they are just what each other need to recuperate.
Hoping that we see more of Drea at some point!
Many soldiers come back from war, unsure of themselves in how they will cope with civilian life after the horrors of war. Desiree Holt has portrayed this beautifully in Desperate Deception.
Desperate Deception is the story of Zane Halstead (a medically discharged former SEAL), who finds himself by helping Lainie Taggert. Lainie is in the hospital after a vicious attack by her fiancé. Her girlfriend, Drea, helps her escape her abuser by asking her brother Zane to take her with him on his cross country drive to Montana. This is their story of their time together. Enjoy.
Received an ARC for my honest review.