Secrets.Lies.Betrayal.Murder.I’ve gotten away with it all, but that won’t last forever.I’m Bryce Chandler, FBI agent and member of the Circle of Justice, a covert organization that metes out retribution to those who’ve escaped the system without punishment. For the last year I’ve been deep undercover, doing unspeakable things to secure my place in the mafia world. These days I barely recognize … These days I barely recognize the man in the mirror, but Anthony Corsino is finally in my crosshairs.
He’s entrusted me with the one thing he loves most—his daughter, Layla. She was just another detail of the mission, until she was suddenly so much more. I never meant to fall for the enemy, but I couldn’t resist. I’m in too deep. My brothers are determined to get me out, but I can’t let them interfere. It’s my job to put down the target. However, when I do, I’ll lose the only woman I’ve ever loved and the only good thing left in my life. If I don’t, I’ll lose myself.
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Another amazing read by L.P that I absolutely couldn’t stop reading. The connection between Layla and Bryce was undeniable. I liked everything about this book, the characters, the story and especially the twists that I didn’t see coming.
Circle of Justice is back and with a vengeance! I loved the thrill of this series and In the Crossfire continues that suspense and thrill. You never truly know what to expect or where the next twist will happen.
Bryce and Layla will keep you guessing and wonder when everything will come together but not before your heart beats out of control and the fear of the unknown takes over. Will everything work the way Bryce plans or will backup plans be needed.
The characters are so intense and it’s great seeing some old faces too. When the storyline is dynamic the thrill of the story out weighs the romance. The romance literally adds to the story and amps the need for the action to take off more as our alpha male takes over.
The next book in the Circle of Justice definitely continues the high standards of the others. I cannot wait to see what is in store next!
Action packed with a few twists along the way. It’s always an adventure with the Chandler family and their family business.
This is the fourth book in the Circle of Justice series. It is a standalone and you won’t be lost if this is where you start. Bryce’s brothers don’t play a huge role in this story and neither do their stories. You won’t be lost by starting here. But you will want to go back and read the rest of the books.
Bryce is pretending to be from an old prominent mafia family that disappeared a long time ago. They haven’t been heard from since, so it’s easy for him to pretend and get others to believe him. He’s tasked to kill Corsino.
He wasn’t expecting Layla though.
I love how Layla was in the dark about what her father truly was. She loved him. But when she found out about the true him, she didn’t want any part of it. I do hope that her brother doesn’t follow the same path their father did.
I really liked both characters. Not a lot scared Layla. I loved how their feelings gradually grew over the course of the story.
There were some slower parts for me.
There are some twists that I didn’t see coming. And no, no spoilers, so you won’t hear it from me. I loved them though!
5 HOLY SMOKES STARS!! Holy Smokes….L.P. Dover has taken us on a fast paced ride without a seatbelt, so hold on. Bryce…..oh my, he is so hot with lots of secrets and lying going on. Layla is beautiful, strong willed with a story of her own to tell you. These two will definitely keep you on your toes with everything going on. I love the Circle of Justice series, if you haven’t started this series what are you waiting for. I can’t wait for the new series, The Mafia Brothers.
4.5 Hearts
In the Crossfire is the fourth book in the Circle of Justice series. Each book can be read as standalone in the series. I started from the beginning and have enjoyed each of them. If you read the previous books then you know Bryce Chandler. And now he is Bryce Collman. A killer. A man part of one of the most feared Mafia families from the past.
Bryce was New York to take out his mark, Anthony Corsino. Mafia boss and a man who is high on the FBI list who need to be taken out. He thought he would be an easy hit but that was before he landed. And it was before he laid eyes on his daughter, Layla. A beautiful woman with a stubborn streak that could bring him to his knees if he let her. His plan was to stay away but she had other plans.
Layla knew he was dangerous. She saw it in his eyes but she also something something else. A gentle side. A sweet side. A side that he didn’t want her or anyone else to see. He tried to push her away but she wasn’t going to let him. She liked the side of him that looked at her with desire. She also liked his protective side even if she knew she could protect herself. From who? She doesn’t know. She stayed out of her father’s business but now she was forced to open her eyes to who her father really is.
Bryce and Layla’s relationship is complicated. He needs to kill her father. She wants to get know him. She surprises him. He intrigues her. And when things get real, it gets fucking real.
Overall…it’s the perfect addition to this series. It was suspenseful, sexy, and fun. I love the Chandler men and their better halves. It was nice catching up with them. I am excited to see what is up next.
Quotes:
“If you tell my dad any of this, I’ll kill you myself.” He chuckled once.
“Wow.” Then his eyes met mine again. “You have me scared now, Lemon Drop.”
“Forget it. I’m not leaving you alone with the food.” I pointed at the groceries and winked. “I don’t trust you with my red velvet cake.”
“Trust me, I know not to come between a woman and her sweets.”
Grinning wide, I opened my door. “Good. I’d hate to have to bring my gun out again.”
Bryce Chandler has had to assume many identities over the years and currently he is going to undercover as Bryce Collman to try and take out mafia man Anthony Corsino. He needs to gain the man’s trust in hopes of bringing him and some of the men who work under him down as quickly as possible without his cover being blown.
Layla Corsino is a lawyer and the daughter of Anthony. Although she knows he is part of the Mafia she wonders what he is involved with when her Uncle Michael is kidnapped and killed and then someone she knows is killed at the gala she is attending right after a dance with them.
When Anthony asks Bryce to take care of Layla will he be able to deny their attraction? Can Bryce keep far enough away from Layla so that is cover isn’t blown and what happens if she discovers the truth? With lots of secrets being kept will Layla be able to handle the truth?
This was such a great book with lots of twists and turns that kept me flipping pages as fast as I could!
I loved Bryce and was eager for his book after glimpses of him in previous books. I knew he was deep undercover and I couldn’t wait to get his side of his story. I loved his job and was curious how he would do undercover as you know right from the beginning that something will happen between him and Layla.
I really liked Layla and you could tell that she knew certain things about her dad’s business but definitely not everything. She was kept in the dark so much about the bad stuff that she honestly had no idea what her dad had done in the past. I liked her with Bryce as I knew he could keep her safe but there were so many secrets!
The chemistry between Layla and Bryce was evident right from the beginning but Bryce was so torn and in that he kept pushing Layla away until he couldn’t any longer. I loved how safe he made Layla feel and how he quietly brought Layla into certain aspects of his life without revealing the full extent of everything.
The twists and turns were so awesome and I seriously had no idea what was coming next at a certain point. Everything turns upside down yet it was down in such a great way!
The end made me so happy and I want more of these characters!
I loved this book and I need more in the series! By Rebecca
This is my second Dover novel and I enjoyed it as much as the first. So much so, I’ve added to my TBR list. This suspense novel had a great mafia plot, wonderful characters, and enough steaminess to put a smile on my face! Love dual POV, and this book provided that. Since this is a series, I hope to see Bryce and Layla again in the future! I really enjoyed this novel.
I received a copy of this book from the publsher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Secrets. Lies. Betrayal. Murder. I’ve gotten away with it all, but that won’t last forever. I’m Bryce Chandler, FBI agent and memeber of the Circle of Justice, a covert organization that metes out retribution to those who have escaped the system without punishment. For the last year I’ve been deep undercover, doing unspeakable things to secure my place in the mafia world. These days I barely recongnize the man in the mirror, but Anthony Corsino is finally in my crosshairs. He enturese me with the one thing he loves most-his daughter, Layla. She was just another detal of the mission, until she was suddently so much more. I never meant to fall for the enemy, but I couldn’t resist. I am in too deep. My brothers are determined to get me out, but I can’t let them interfere. It’s my job to put down the target. However, when I do, I’ll lost the only woman I’ve ever loved and the only good thing left in my life. If I don’t, I will lose myself.
In the Crossfire is the fourth book in L.P. Dover’s Circle of Justice Series. Each of these books can be read as a standalone. I have not read any of the other books in this series. However this one was so good I would love to go back and read the three that I missed. If you are a fan of romantic suspense then you do not want to miss this book. This book is packed full of it and I love a great romantic suspense book. This is the story of Bryce Chandler who is deep undercover for the Circle of Justice. While he is in New York he meets the notorious and elusive mob boss Anthony Corsino. Anthony has been on the to be killed list for some time but Anothony needs Bryce to help him find his brother Michael who has been missing for some time. This leads to Michael’s body being found and Anthony realizing that his daughter might need extra protection. The death of her Uncle Michael who also was her guard really affects Layla. Not wanting to be around other mob people she gets Bryce to be her date. This is where this book will have you one the edge of your seat holding your breath and reading as fast as you can. This book is a fast paces thrill ride and one that I am glad that I did not miss. Your going to love Bryce and Layla’s story. Then if you haven’t read the other books your going to want to go back and do just that.
Deep dark family secrets, lies, hidden plans, power struggles, lots of steam, this book has it all! Between Anthony and his power trip to soar to the top at whatever cost, even his daughter, to Bryce and his secret life, this book is action packed from beginning to end.
Layla has been kept in the dark from her family secrets. She’d always been surrounded by bodyguards her whole life and now they were disappearing. Her one and only friend even jokes saying her family is in the Mafia. In a way, she knew her dad was a bad person and mafia didn’t seem far fetched. Once Her Uncle goes missing and her dad brings in Bryce to take care of her, all those family secrets slowly unfold around her.
Bryce is a man of mystery and a trained killer. He is feared by most and he’s on a mission, one that no one knows about. When he agreed to accept a mission Layla’s father, he thinks this will get him closer to completing his goal. One problem, he isn’t supposed to fall for the enemy. He can’t help it but knows it’s wrong.
I can’t reccommend this Mafia story enough. It has a little bit of everything and will suck you in and make you ride on the edge of your seat until the end. If you like Mafia stories filled full of drama, betrayal and unexpected twists, you fall in love with Layla’s story.
This is the fourth installment in the Circle of Justice series, with characters from the other books weaved in, but the series is a standalone series and you don’t have to read the others to keep up with what’s going on. After reading this story though, if you haven’t read the others (Trigger, Target, and Aim) you’ll want to.
Bryce Chandler’s good at what he does. He’s one of the top men in the Circle of Justice, the clandestine FBI branch known for taking out those people who have done horrendous things, but for one reason or another wasn’t properly punished. Next on his list is Anthony Corsino, a dangerous NYC mob boss known to have ordered a building blown up with innocents inside to get back at someone. Undercover, Bryce is brought into the inner circle and meets Anthony’s daughter, Layla, who doesn’t truly know (she suspects) what her family’s about.
After Dominic’s brother, and Layla’s bodyguard is found murdered, Bryce steps in as Layla’s protector. There’s an instant chemistry, but she’s the daughter of a mob boss and he’s an undercover killer.
Ms. Dover is an expert story weaver. The characters, the story, the plot twist, it all pulls you in and keeps you in until the last page. Then you keep swiping for more. I didn’t want the story to end and now I can’t wait for Layla’s brother’s story.
*I was provided an ARC of this story and this is my voluntary review
Bryce Chandler is deep undercover for the Circle of Justice under the name Bryce Collman. He knows what his mission is and finally has his mark in his crosshairs. The elusive mob boss Anthony Corsino. When he gets invited to meet Anthony in person Bryce gets offered a job to help find Anthony’s brother and protect his daughter. That’s where he meets Corsino’s daughter, Layla. She is innocent in her father’s world. Can Bryce do what he needs to do to complete his real mission or will his feelings for his enemies daughter cause a problem? This is the 4th book in the circle of justice series but can be read as a standalone. Bryce is Ian Chandler’s twin brother from “Aim.” I really enjoyed this romantic suspense and highly recommend it if you are a fan to LP Dover or even if you are new to her work. Many twists, action and romance to keep your interest. Told in dual POV
4.25 stars–IN THE CROSSFIRE is the fourth instalment in L. P. Dover’s contemporary, adult CIRCLE OF JUSTICE romantic, suspense series focusing on an elite group of assassins who work for a secret government agency within the FBI known as the Circle of Justice. This is thirty-year old, FBI agent / assassin Bryce Chandler, and twenty-eight year old, attorney/mafia princess Layla Corsino’s story line. IN THE CROSSFIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. IN THE CROSSFIRE runs parallel to, and crosses over with some of the events in book three-AIM. CIRCLE OF JUSTICE is a spin off from the author’s ARMED AND DANGEROUS romantic, suspense series. Some of the characters (Logan and Kassidy, Micah Perry) cross-over for cohesion and familiarity.
SOME BACKGROUND: The Circle of Justice is an elite group of assassins, started by the infamous Glenn Chandler, owner of the multi-billion dollar Chandler Enterprises and former FBI agent, who target those who have escaped the system.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Bryce and Layla) IN THE CROSSFIRE follows Bryce Chandler as he must go undercover in an attempt to take down mafia boss Anthony Corsino but what Bryce never expected was to come face to face with his future in the guise of Anthony’s daughter Layla Corsino. When Layla’s uncle Michael is killed, and her own life is threated by a competing crime family, Anthony Corsino calls in a man he believes if connected to one of the most ruthless crime syndicates he could have imagined. Enter Bryce ‘Collman’ Chandler, the man with whom Layla will fall in love. What ensues is Bryce and Layla’s cross-country journey to protect our story line heroine, and the potential fall-out as Bryce’s true identity and assignment are about to be revealed.
Layla is a bit of a pampered princess who knows very little about her father’s life in the mob. Following the death of her mother, Layla has felt lonely and lost, even though she is surrounded by security twenty-four hours a day. Meeting Bryce ‘Collman’ found our heroine struggling between head and heart when Bryce waffles between hot and cold. Bryce Chandler knows better than to get involved with a potential mark but something about Layla Corsino draws Bryce lie a moth to a flame. Desperate to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love, Bryce pulls Layla into the protection of his family, and the protection of the Circle of Justice.
The relationship between Layla and Bryce is one of immediate attraction but an attraction tempered by Bryce’s assignment to take down our heroine’s father. When Bryce is offered a position within the Corsino family, he will find himself surrounded by the woman that calls to his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Bryce’s siblings: his twin Ian (Grace), Wade (Brina) and Reed Chandler, as well as their father Glenn; cousin Logan and Kassidy Chandler; and Micah Perry. We are introduced to Layla’s father Anthony Corsino, and her brother Dominic; uncle Michael Corsino; and several armed mafia security. The requisite evil has many faces including competing mobsters Cadoc and his son Julia Cartwright.
IN THE CROSSFIRE is a story of family, blood, betrayal and passion; secrets and lies, danger and sin. The character driven premise is fast paced, dramatic and intriguing; the characters are colorful, spirited and strong; the romance is sensual and intense. IN THE CROSSFIRE is a sexy and suspense filled story,that is sure to catch everyone’s attention.