#1 bestselling author Lora Leigh turns up the heat in her latest novel of high-stakes passion and persuasion featuring the men of Brute Force. Ilya Dragonovich is no stranger to the dark side. As a safe-house owner for security agency Brute Force, Dragon knows that the battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man–and, sometimes, a beautiful woman… Emma Jane Preston … woman…
Emma Jane Preston needs help. After her marriage crumbled, she believed she could get back to a normal, happy life. But now she needs the kind of protection that comes at a cost–one that only someone like Dragon can provide. But can Emma Jane trust this handsome, undercover operator to keep her safe when she is in danger of falling into the arms of the deeply seductive, fiery Dragon. . .and never letting go?
“Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.”
—RT Book Reviews
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He is no stranger to the dark side and as a safe-house owner for the Brute Force security agency, Dragon knows that that battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man – even beautiful women. She need help, but the kind of protection that Emma Jane needs comes at a cost – one that only someone like Dragon can provide.
This romantic suspense is the type of romance that speaks to readers and has them drooling over the sexy hero with the dark side. The chemistry between Dragon and Emma Jane sizzles with heat from every page and the couple certainly have no trouble with the passion side of things as this story has pretty steamy interactions but the relationship however has some issues due to Emma Jane’s trust issues and Dragon’s fearing no woman would be able to handle this rough, tough, scary alpha male with a very dark past. So this story while passionate has quite a bit of emotional turmoil flowing from the pages, especially with fear and anger that the situation is causing.
The story is fast paced and full of danger, excitement and lots of thrills as everyone tries to determine just who has targeted Emma Jane for death. The story not only several adrenaline pumping attacks on Emma Jane but the story also has the unfolding story involving the details of Dragon’s past and a family legend that adds lots of fascination and intrigue to the story as well. Readers can’t take their eyes from the pages with the never ending suspense and surprising twists that keeps readers gripping the book in a white knuckled grip.
Ilya, aka the Dragon Heir, has been in shadows a long time. He and Ivan fought through fire together, surviving against odds most other men would crumble against. Now working for Brute Force he hopes to somehow make up for some of the things in his previous life. When he meets the lovely Emma Jane, he sees her as a little light in his dark life but even as he helps her out of a difficult situation, he makes sure no-one will know just how important she has become to him.
Emma Jane refused her family and friends help when her scumbag ex took out loans against HER property. She finally stood up to him after years of emotional and physical abuse and divorced his ass. Sadly he can’t take no for an answer. Brute Force and one very scary Dragon stepped in and asved her once but will they be able to do it again?
With threats coming thick and fast against Emma, Ilya will do what he must to protect her but can he take the final step that will seal her safety? Or will he distance himself thinking that will be safer for her, and his heart?
What stonking great read! I’m usually not a loved of Mafia type heroes but this series is more than that. it’s redemption, love, suspense, action and a whole heap of passion! I loved that sweet Emma Jane seems to adopt a spine of steel against Ilya. She even flirts with the man, who tells himself he is a monster. I am hoping that Emma Jane’s brother and a certain female get a book now!!!
Lethal Nights by Lora Leigh
Brute Force #3
I enjoyed the beginning of this book in which Ilya and Emma Jane met, kissed and said goodbye…for awhile BUT when the rest of the book started up I felt totally lost. I couldn’t figure out who the bad guys were or why Ilya’s family was so strange sounding or who shot up Emma Jane’s house or why she was getting a divorce or who so many of the people mentioned were. I then found out this is a spin-off (maybe) of another series with at least seven books in it and though I did skim the book have to say that it just didn’t make sense to me or keep my interest. I am guessing that if you had read the previous series (not sure what it was) it might be a wonderful addition because you would know the backstory and many of the characters. Or, if I had even read the first two books in this series it might have been okay. I had wanted to read a book by this author and might try one of her stand alone books in the future but this one was not for me. The reason I wrote this review is to let others who might be interested in reading it know that for me, it was not a standalone book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Absolutely Phenomenal .
I volunteered to read and review through Netgallery an advanced readers copy of Lethal Nights .
This story is intriguing and interesting from the start . The story is full of action packed suspense from the beginning till the end . I must say the intense attraction between Ilya ( The Dragon ) and Emma Jane is smoking hot . Emma Jane is in the middle of a divorce about to lose her house because of her husband .she is approached by Ilya with an offer to save her home of course the attraction is there Emma Jane is hesitant after her bad marriage and Ilya knows having her would place her in terrible danger . Ilya’s’life is dark and Emma Jane is the light to his dark . The characters are fantastic .
This is a pulse pounding read . I was pulled right in and enjoyed every word . A well written story . The slow build of Emma Jane and Ilya’s coming together was just perfect . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy . Hats off to Lora Leigh .
I received a review copy of Lethal Nights via Netgalley and was really excited about it. I have read the other two books in the Brute Force series and I have been looking forward to reading Ilya’s story. I recommend reading Dagger’s Edge first because that is where Ilya’s character is first introduced. If you have been reading Lora Leigh’s books as long as I have (almost 20 years) you know that characters from other series will often be mentioned and Lethal Nights takes place in the town where Nik from Renegade (Elite Ops) lives with his wife and daughter. Ilya also has ties to Russia as Ivan and Nik do and his past is coming back with a vengeance and the woman that owns his heart is in the crosshairs! Emma Jane Preston has been living a quiet life in Maryland. She is Nik’s receptionist for his security business and is married to his cousin. Ever since she met Ilya Dragonovich a year ago, she has been fascinated by him but never thought that she would see him again. As much as Ilya tried to keep the outside world from knowing how often he thought about Emma, trouble still found her and it is time for him to publicly claim the woman that privately claimed his heart. Now I bet that this sounds like a really good story right? I had such high hopes because I am such a fan but sadly Lethal Nights is an average story for me at best. There are a lot of gaps in the action and storyline so I just couldn’t connect with the characters very well. There’s plenty of steam but I need more that that. I am hoping that when the paperback comes out that the story has been tweaked a bit because this version was lacking and not up to the standards of previous books. If you haven’t read Lora Leigh’s romantic suspense books before I recommend going back as far as you can find them because the Elite Ops series as well as the Tempting Seals are all excellent books. I also recommend reading this one because it was good, it just wasn’t great. I will still be picking up a paperback to add to my collection.
Dragon finds its mate in this intense slow-developing story. When Ilya meets Emma he knows that she is special for him but although he says that to nobody somehow Emma life is in danger and Ilya will do everything to protect his mate. A great story between two well developed strong character. Emma is great as a person and she sees the good that is in Ilya. Ilya doesn’t fell worth of Emma but love has its way. I loved reading this book, another great one in the series.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
Let me first say that while this is book 3 it really is a standalone and I did at no time feel like I missed anything from the previous books. I will say this is the first time I have read this author and while it did have a decent story I probably wont become a fan. Not because the writings bad it’s just that I am beginning to enjoy a lot less steam and more story. In this case the story felt incomplete. You definitely knew they had the chemistry it just felt like so much was left unsaid. I really tried to get into it and almost did but being piece fed tidbits on Dragon just made it all have more of a supernatural feel which isn’t bad because I enjoy those too. All in all I wanted to know more and know less at the same time.
Loved It! The third book in this series about those that work for Brute Force security. This one is about Ilya and the woman that comes to them for help . Emma is going through a messy divorce and needs protection from her ex husband and those he associated with. Ilya and her have sparks from the get go . a really well written romantic suspense plenty of action and twists. Fast paced and engrossing. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
Lethal Nights was an awesome read !
With this third book in her exciting Brute Force series Lora Leigh has once again delivered a great story that immediately had me hooked from the first page and left me craving the next book already. This book gave me all the feels ! One minute I wanted to laugh at Emma Jane with her teasing of Ilya about his dragon tattoo, but then I felt like crying at everything Ilya had endured, and even wanting to hurt the person responsible for all of the bad things in both of their pasts. The most important feeling in this gamut of emotion was how happy I felt as these two amazing characters slowly found the way to their much deserved happy ending together.
This book was intense ….. to say the least. Ilya and Emma Jane were perfect together so it was easy to get lost in the magic of their romance, the steamy sexiness, and the suspenseful action. Lora Leigh is the queen of romantic suspense. She always delivers an outstanding story, that is perfectly written with loads of action, and amazing characters who somehow find their way into my heart. I just know that I’m going to love each book before I turn the first page.
As usual, I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next one from Lora Leigh !
I was gifted with a complimentary Netgalley copy for voluntary review. My honest and fair opinion is all my own.
LETHAL NIGHTS by Lora Leigh is a well-written romantic suspense novel that is the third book in the Brute Force series. The story takes place in Hagerstown, Maryland and the main characters are Ilya Nicholas Dragonovich and Emma Jane Preston.
Ilya works for the security agency Brute Force and arranges agreements for safe-houses. Danger always seems to be near him. Emma Jane is going through a divorce and needs money in order to retain her childhood home. A year later when Emma Jane needs protection Ilya steps in to help.
I was immediately pulled into the story and had no problem getting to know the characters. There is plenty of intrigue and suspense as well as some very steamy scenes. However, these don’t start immediately so the reader gets to know the characters and the dangerous situation first.
The author has done a great job of character development for Emma Jane and Ilya. I like that Emma Jane is a strong female character that is self-confident, complex, courageous and independent. Ilya’s character is intelligent, caring, brave and has a strong inclination for protectiveness as well as having a dark side.
The story line brings in several themes including divorce, domestic abuse, child abuse, family traditions as well as family relations, love and trust.
While this is the first book I have read by Lora Leigh, I look forward to reading the other books in the series. Additionally, I have two other paperbacks by her on my to-be-read bookshelf that are not in this series. I definitely need to move those up in my reading schedule.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Lora Leigh and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
This author knows how to draw you into a relationship and hold your heart captive. Ilya and Emma Jane were pretty darn perfect and I loved their story.
When Ilya helps Emma Jane keep her home from her ex-husband, he knows that she is his. But his life is filled with violence and blood that he was born into and he cannot taint her innocence with it. Of course, the story doesn’t end there. Months later, someone is out to harm Emma Jane and there is only one person she can trust to keep her safe.
I loved both of these characters. Emma Jane definitely carried an aura of innocence about her, but she wasn’t weak. She was fiery and outspoken and knew how to stand up for herself. She stole Ilya’s heart from the beginning when she claimed his dragon tattoo was flirting with her and I loved that she was so lighthearted with a man who walked in darkness.
”He was filling parts of her that weren’t physical, branding himself on to her soul and ensuring when he left her he left her forever longing for him.”
Ilya was extremely protective and he was determined to find out who was out to get his woman. I loved his strength and determination but also the fact that her tears shredded him and that he would lay his life down for her. So much alpha goodness!
”She was so deep inside his soul he couldn’t imagine being without her now. This, this moment in time, was life, it was living.
…She warmed the parts of his soul that had never been warmed.”
While there is a bit of mystery here, this is more about Emma Jane and Ilya and their journey into love. The mystery brought them together, but the struggle is how to stay together when it’s all said and done. There was a bit of emotional push and pull but through it all you just know you’re going to get your happy ever after. You’re just not sure how that’s going to look and what steps it will take to be achieved.
With some action and a lot of great characters, this was an engaging read. I love when there is a bit of humor towards the hero and his “feelings” and I greedily gobbled those bits and pieces up. With a beautiful epilogue to wrap it all up, I closed this book feeling completely fulfilled with another great read.
Lethal Nights is full of action and suspense, love, and an odd twist with the dragon stuff. I really like a book that can pull me in with the story right along with the romance. Ilya knows his heart, but wants to protect Emma Jane from the hurt people could cause, if they all find out how much he cares. Emma Jane is a good woman, with a sassy side and that women’s intuition.
So, powerful people are after her, and they have to figure out who, how and why. While falling for one another and falling into bed. Lots of heat, which is typical for a Lora Leigh book. The wording during intimate moments remind me more of older romance novels, less like other stuff I’m currently reading. Still super dirty, definitely, just a different feel to it.
I’ve enjoyed this series so far, I read each book so fast and get caught up in all the craziness.
Lora Leigh returns with her newest novel in the Brute Force Series. Intriguing and suspenseful. She never lets you down.
Ilya Dragonovich is the legendary Dragon heir. And now he has to protect the one women who know one should never have known he was interested in.
Emma Jane has been through a divorce and almost lost her home. Now she’s just trying to stay alive after a group is sent to kill her.
Now with everyone around trying to protect her, she has to try to protect her heart, because the man she loves can’t stay. She learns of his past and knows he’s going to run.
Can they solve who is after Emma Jane before it’s too late?
Not having read the previous stories in this series, I felt at a disadvantage. Add to that the fact that the title doesn’t seem to match the story and there was a hitman involved, for me , it was a turnoff.
I felt that the plot of the story and the background information was a tad vague, and Ilya and Emma Jane just didn’t do it for me.
Realizing how hard authors work to produce a book, the least I will give it is 3 stars.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and St Martin’s . The opinions expressed are solely own.
Three and a half
I know when I choose to read a book by this author that it’s bound to be extremely steamy with saucy times aplenty and when in the mood I’m very much ok with that. This is actually the third book in this series although I seem to have missed the other two but will state that I found this worked very well as a stand-alone. Yes characters that are obviously from previous books appear but they are very much background and the main couple quite rightly dominate this story.
Emma Jane met Ilya when she needed desperately to save her home from her greedy soon to be ex husband. Their attraction was incendiary and immediate but Emma Jane is an old fashioned type believing in the sanctity of vows and to be honest I didn’t think she was actually ready for romance. Luckily Ilya is aware that timing is everything and walks away but when later Emma Jane becomes a target he’s back in her life and this time he is most definitely staying !
This book was an entertaining, spicy read although for this reader too much was made of Ilyas dragon tattoo and exactly why he’s referred to as Dragon. I thought the way Emma Jane referred to his tattoo as if it had a life of its own was cute but unfortunately at times it almost felt as if the author was confused as to whether this was a romantic suspense or a paranormal romance. I just didn’t find the mystical elements about ink or dragons and mates to be realistic. I did enjoy this couples journey however and thought the final revelation and showdown was perhaps a little rushed but nevertheless it did make sense. Not my favourite book from this author but certainly one that anyone looking for a hot read would enjoy.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Lethal Nights (Brute Force, #3) by Lora Leigh This is the third book in the series and I will have to go back and read the first two.. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. Ilya Dragonovich “Dragon” and Emma Jane Preston “EJ” …the first time he sees her …he wants her … she knows she should fear him with the dragon tattoo on his left cheek and his cool eyes. (but she doesn’t) this book has it all…angst, violence, intrigue, laughter, tears, very steamy sex all to get to a HEA…
A sizzling hot romantic suspense where you alternate between mesmerized and hot flashes. What a drool-worthy hunk! What a swoon-worthy woman who needs protection. Danger and chemistry abound.
If you like your men dark, dangerous and oh so sexy then Ilya Dragonovich is the book hero for you. No woman is going to tame him except the one who doesn’t want to. In the midst of a nasty divorce Emma Jane Preston needs help and Ilya provides it. Now a year later Emma is under attack and nobody can figure out why but Ilya isn’t about to let anyone harm the dragons mate weather he has claimed her or not.
Lethal Nights is a fast paced smoking hot story featuring a good woman and a very bad man. Break out a glass of wine and a fan for this one.
Emma Jane was set to lose her home when she made a deal with a Dragon, not a real one of course but Ilya Dragonvich has just leased her home to use a Brute Force Sage house. Emma Jane and Ilya are so attracted to each other but Ilya knows he can’t bring someone as sweet as Emma Jane into his world of danger. Well a year goes by and somehow Emma Jane is in danger but you aren’t sure who they are after Emma Jane or Ilya but the suspense is really good in fact I hated to put it down. Ilya and Emma Jane are as opposite as you can get but it makes for an interesting story.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Lethal Nights is another hot read by Lora Leigh! This woman is a master at creating such heat and tension between the main characters that I feel like I need to fan myself!
I’m a huge fan of the anti-hero, and man does Ilya fit this. He’s dangerous, mysterious and a bit mystical. He’s referred to as the Dragon and comes from a blood line of gypsies. They all have a tattoo of a dragon to signify their lineage. His is on his face to cover old scars which didn’t sound attractive at first, but the author wrote this in such a way that the dragon tattoo seem to be a separate entity from Ilya. Like I said, mystical.
The heroine, Emma Jane is more of the girl next door type. The kind of woman who everyone has nothing but good things to say about her. She’s genuinely nice but with also with a strong backbone. Ilya thinks she is too innocent for him. He wants her but he knows he should stay away. when danger comes her way, he will stop at nothing to protect her.
I’m really enjoying this series. There are a ton of side characters that are completely fascinating and I want to know more about them. I think maybe some of them are tied to other series…I hope.
Great series!