A perilous mission… frightening her already traumatized witnesses. But others who’ve tried to investigate these crimes have gone missing, and Shanti doesn’t want to be the next one to disappear. Despite her misgivings, she has no choice but to accept their protection. And, no, the fact that the team’s leader is lethally sexy has nothing to do with her decision.
An undeniable attraction…
Connor O’Neal left the Unit—Delta Force—after a decade of war, scarred both inside and out. Now an operative with Cobra International Security, he’s been tasked with protecting Shanti in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. He can handle anything the bad guys throw at him, but nothing prepares him for the instant attraction he feels to Shanti. From the first moment he sees her, he wants her. Too bad, because clients are strictly off-limits, and he’s a man who follows the rules—most of the time. Besides, he can’t afford any distractions when Shanti’s life is on the line.
A merciless enemy…
But something about Shanti breaks through Connor’s defenses, forcing him to confront his demons. As their mutual desire transforms into reckless passion, Shanti discovers evidence crucial to putting a mastermind of genocide behind bars. Connor knows her life is in immediate danger, but his plan to get her out of the country comes crashing down when a traitor strikes, leaving the two of them stranded in the jungles of Myanmar. Now on the run from a ruthless killer and his army, Connor and Shanti are fighting for survival—and a chance at the love of a lifetime.
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Connor is quietly suffering with PTSD, lurching from one adrenaline fuelled situation to another. He doesn’t feel “normal” when he’s home and the nightmares still stalk him. He is selected to head up the personal protection team for a prosecutor who is going after a dictator. When he meets Shanti his body responds to her in ways he didn’t imagine!
Shanti could have been such a one dimensional character. The cliché rich girl, Harvard Educated lawyer, do-gooder. But she is so much more. She has deep memories of atrocities carried out on her family and she will do all she can to eradicate as much violence as she can from the world. She is a bit of an idealist, refusing to admit to herself that sometimes the only way to defeat violence is to meet it head on with violence.
Shanti may be a peace lover but she has a spine of steel, willing to forget her own pacifist stance to protect those she cares about. Connor is revealed as more than just a brutish soldier. He is thoughtful, caring and has a great big gooey centre!
Although the story takes place over a short-ish period of time, it is not rushed and is well-paced. The epilogue was a great way to drop in on them at various points, catching up in their lives.
There is a certain Glaswegian popping up in this story, causing mayhem as usual. My fellow Glaswegian needs his story – soon please!!!!!
Hard Asset Cobra Elite#2 Pamela Clare
This is the second in the Cobra Elite Series and it’s an edge of your seat, roller coaster ride! We meet Connor O’Neal, former Delta Force and now part of Cobra Security, commander of this operation. The subject is Shanti Lahiri, an attorney working for the International Criminal Court. She is traveling to Bangladesh to get information and proof of genocide being perpetrated by one of the generals. Shanti’s father is Hindu and her Mom is American, and she was raised in the US. The International Court fears for her safety, and Cobra Security is known for it’s excellent work, so they sign on.
Shanti fights back on the security, weapons, and constant monitoring, but after being shot at in a helicopter just surveying the camp, knows she’s in danger. She also fears her reaction to Connor, he’s being very professional, but she can’t keep her eyes and thoughts from going unprofessional. Connor, after spending years in the service and seeing his teammates marriages fail he wants to keep it cool, but Shanti’s amazing courage and heart get past his walls. Things are starting to sizzle. A big break in the investigation and they are hurrying Shanti out of the country, and the roller coaster starts. I was holding my breath at times, reading the same paragraph over a couple times to make sure what I was reading was correct, and held on for the ride. Exciting is too tame a word!
I always enjoying reading Ms. Clare’s romantic suspense because the female characters are always strong and believable. The romance starts slowly, but quickly becomes sensual and oh so sexy. Of course there are more of the Cobra team members, and I hope more stories for them.
I received an ARC of this story, but also purchased the book for my own enjoyment.
Pat Fordyce
Pamela Clare never disappoints. This book has everything. Romance, suspense, great characters and story line. Pamela Clare is always on my TBR list.
Hard Asset by Pamela Clare is the second book in the Cobra Elite series. This book will appeal to anyone who loves Military Romance. Shanti Lahiri is a prosecutor for International Criminal Court sent to investigate war crimes in Bangladesh. Her fathers home country.
Conner O’Neal is leading the Cobra Team sent to protect Shanti. You can tell by the subject of this book that Ms. Clare was a investigating reporter. As soon as you start reading this book you know something crazy is going to happen. Midway into the book the action starts and didn’t stop until almost the end.
A couple from two different worlds come together to find love.
I love all the I team book and look forward to what comes next.
I’m seriously loving this new series by Pamela Clare. There were so many good things in Connor and Shanti’s story. They’re an opposites attract couple, one’s a fighter and the other’s a peace-seeker.
Hard Asset gives you a good look at both sides of the coin. There was no right or wrong, just different ways to work together to accomplish true unity.
Things get extremely dangerous when Shanti’s efforts to bring down a very, bad man strands her in the middle of a jungle with just Connor to save her from an army of bad men.
For a peace loving woman, Shanti was every bit the fighter to stay alive. Their time in the jungle gives her a good look at why men like Connor are necessary. It also showed Connor that he isn’t just a soldier.
This story was incredibly detailed in a way that fascinated me as I followed their journey through the jungle. Shanti is a better woman than me. I don’t think I could have handled half of what she experienced. However, I sure would love to try it with Connor!