INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! From New York Times bestselling authors Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti, and Alexandra Ivy come three interwoven stories of secrets, murder, and riveting suspense. Three women. Three connected stories. Three bestselling authors. As girls, they bonded over broken homes and growing up in foster care. As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . . care.
As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . .
MERI
When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret—and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .
MELANIE
That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops—and the truth about their relationship . . .
MICHELLE
After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland—until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends—and win her heart for good.
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Romantic suspense at its best!!! This trilogy of stories was absolutely fantastic!
Against the Heart by Kat Martin
I can honestly say I haven’t read a Kat Martin book before, but after reading Against the Heart, I will definitely be checking her out. I love a good romantic suspense story and this one sure fit the bill. It had an awesome good guy, a strong heroine, a super sweet grandpa, a loving little girl, and bad guys I truly hated! The only issue that I had with the book is the little girl, who is 4 years old, seemed much older than that in the book. Her behavior seemed older and it kind of through me. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and want to know more about the Brodie clan.
Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
All the damn stars for this story!!! I am a HUGE Rebecca Zanetti fan! Doesn’t matter what series or genre, she is absolutely phenomenal!! Once again, she demonstrated why she iis one of my one-click unicorn authors! This book had all the elements I come to expect from Rebecca Zanetti. It was clever, characters you can’t help but love, a story you won’t be able to put down, and surprises that will just make you squeal with glee! Yep I squealed! Evan and Michelle was a perfect second chance love story mixed with intrigue and suspense! I am not sharing any more than that because I want you to squeal too! Definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy romantic suspense. If you are a Rebecca Zanetti fan you HAVE to read this book!! It’s all about chapter 10! Eeekkk!!! All the stars for this story!!!
Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy
This story was a wonderful introduction to Alexandra Ivy for me, a new to me author. I enjoyed this second chance romance between Gray and Melinda. Two years Gray ran from his life and Melinda, but now he’s back and realizes the mistake he made. But, they have bad guys chasing them and they need to figure out who they are if there is any hope of rekindling this romance. This story had good guys, strong heroine, edge of your seat tale, and romance! A definite winner in my book!
Nothing exciting.
NOTE: PIVOT is an anthology with three interconnected novellas of intrigue and suspense focusing on three former foster care friends (Meri, Michelle and Melanie), drug addiction, dealers, security specialists and dirty cops. Two of the story lines spotlight a rekindling romance, while one focuses on new love-all culminate in a happily ever after. All three novellas as part of the authors’ established series but you do not have to have read any of the aforementioned series to follow or understand the current story lines.
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Against the Heart by Kat Martin
ABOUT THE BOOK:MERI
When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret—and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .
•••••••••
REVIEW: AGAINST THE HEART by Kat Martin is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense set in the author’s BRODIES OF ALASKA series. Against the Heart focuses on single mother Meriwether Jones, and security specialist / ex-cop Ian Brodie.
Meriwether Jones, and her daughter Lily are on the run. Lily’s father, Joey Bandini, is an addict, desperate for money, and has threatened our story line heroine. Needing a quick influx of cash and a safe place to live, Meriwether heads to Spokane Washington, where she will work as a temporary house keeper before running again. Enter ex cop/ security specialist Ian Brodie. What ensues is the quick building relationship and romance between Ian and Meri, and the fall-out as Meri’s past comes looking for more.
AGAINST THE HEART is a story of family, friendship, desperation and love. As Meri begins to settle into a daily routine, she knows it is only a matter of time before she has to run, again. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are colorful; the romance is an insta-lust to love with a happily ever after.
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Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
ABOUT THE BOOK: Michelle
After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland—until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends—and win her heart for good
•••••••••••
REVIEW: SHAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense novella focusing on former US Marine, Sheriff Evan Boldon, and illustrator Michelle Peach. Shaken is part of the author’s DEEP OPS series with a slight cross-over from Rebecca’s Dark Protectors series.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Michelle and Evan) SHAKEN runs parallel to, and overlaps with Kat Martin’s AGAINST THE HEART, and follows Michelle Peach (Meri’s friend Against the Heart) in the aftermath of Joey Bandini’s threat and attack against our story line heroine. Michelle is a graphic artist but her mother’s (Jayleen) drug addiction places Michelle in the direct line of fire. With no money or means to pay off her suppliers, Michelle’s mother offers up our heroine’s tablet, a tablet that contains valuable images and drawings that do not necessarily belong to Michelle. Desperate for help, Michelle calls her friend Raider Tanaka (Deep OPs) but Raider is unable to aid in our heroine’s struggle. Enter Evan Boldon, Michelle’s ex boyfriend. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Evan and Michelle, and the potential fall-out as Jayleen continues to cause problems every chance she can get.
SHAKEN is a story of second chances, betrayal and love. Evan has waited two years before rekindling his relationship with the woman he loves but Michelle continues to struggle with Evan’s lifestyle believing our hero isn’t ready to settle down. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful and energetic.
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ABOUT THE BOOK: MELANIE
That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops—and the truth about their relationship . .
••••••••
REVIEW: ECHOES OF THE PAST by Alexandra Ivy is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense novella set in the author’s THE AGENCY series. This is detective Gray Hawkins, and youth counsellor Melanie Cassidy’s story line.
Told from several third person perspectives including Melanie and Gray ECHOES OF THE PAST follows the second chance relationship between detective Gray Hawkins, and youth counsellor Melanie Cassidy. Gray Hawkins’ return to Spokane to investigate the possibility of a dirty detective at the local precinct couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. An attempted kidnapping at the local youth centre brings Gray face to face with his past, counsellor Melanie Cassidy, the woman with whom he is hoping for a second chance but Melanie has a target on her back when she is witness to the abduction, and the potential involvement of the local police. As Melanie and Gray take refuge at his family’s cabin, our couple rekindle their relationship but not before finding themselves on the run, once again.
ECHOES OF THE PAST is a story of second chances, betrayal, and love. The fast paced premise is energetic as our couple find themselves struggling to uncover the truth while on the run.
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PIVOT is an anthology with three interconnected novellas focusing on drug addiction, dealers, security specialists and dirty cops. Two of the story lines spotlight a rekindling romance, while one focuses on new love-all culminate in a happily ever after.
Great collection of short stories by three great authors. Each story is separate,yet connected. All three are very similar in feel, action and the love stories. All have Hea’s. These interconnect to the author’s other series. (less)
Three stories of three women who bonded while in foster care and the men who love them. Ian Brodie, former cop and owner of Brodie Security, is looking for someone to clean up his father’s home. His father has not taken care of himself or the home since Ian’s mother died five years ago. He finds Meriwether Jones looking for work, after fleeing with her five-year old daughter from an abusive situation. Can this former cop keep her and her daughter safe?
In the second story, Michelle Peach is getting ahead in life when her dysfunctional mother shows up bringing trouble to her door. After learning of Michelle’s attack, her ex, Evan Bolden arrives to help. Evan has left the Marines and has settled down as the sheriff in Doe City. Michelle’s laptop, with critical information, has been stolen and the chase is on as Evan and Michelle try to find the laptop and avoid the men who are determined to take out Michelle and her mother.
In the last story, Melanie Cassidy who works at Hummingbird Youth Shelter sees one of her young charges being abducted and comes to the rescue. Her assistance lands her in the middle of an investigation by Detective Gray Hawkins…her former lover. Gray is trying to find the dirty cops that are working with a cartel before they find him and Michelle. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
3.5 stars
*Overall rating is the average of the following ratings.*
Against the Heart by Kat Martin: 4 stars
Mariweather Jones and her daughter, Lily, are trying to get as far away from Lily’s father as they can. He won’t stop harassing them and has taken all her money. When she reaches Spokane, she is out of money, gas, and in need of a job. Luckily, Ian Brodie sees her and hires her to help clean his father’s farmhouse. Ex-cop, Ian knows Meri plans to leave but the more he spends time with her the more he wants her, and her daughter to stay.
I really enjoyed this couple. Meri is a hardworking, dedicated single mother who will do anything for her daughter. Ian is protective, kind, and sweet. He knows Meri is in trouble and does everything he can to help her. I really liked his dad as well. He was grumpy at first but quickly came out of his depression. He learned to live again.
The romance between these two was tense but once they gave in it went from 10-100% in no time. It almost was too quick but I still enjoyed it.
Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti: 4 stars
Michelle Pamela Peach has been content in Portland until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her drug addict mother on a blackmail spree. The last person she expects to help is her ex, Evan Bolden, a former marine turned sheriff. Together they work to find her mother, stop some drug dealers, and deal with their feelings.
Michelle is the friend Meri was supposed to go to when she ran from her daughters father. She is also a fellow foster kid of Miss A’s, just like Evan. I enjoyed this second chance romance and seeing these two come back together after years. Michelle was a smart, determined woman and I loved that she was a comic book creator.
I really enjoyed that Wolfe shows up in this story. Wolfe, Roscoe, and Kat are my favorite and I love when they pop up in side stories like these. I also love that we got a small scene with some characters from the Dark Protector series. It was a very nice surprise.
Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy: 3 stars
When Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors she responds by ramming them with her car and running. What she doesn’t expect is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to come to her rescue. Now they have to work together to stop some dirty cops and deal with their past.
I liked Melanie. She was kind, caring, and a great teacher. She is the kind of teacher you would want to teach your kids. Gray is protective, determined, and an idiot. He left Melanie two years before and has regretted it ever since but never made a move to fix it. It was nice seeing him admit his stupidity and fix it finally.
Overall, I really enjoyed these three stories. I loved seeing how they all intertwined and seeing the connections to the Deep Ops unit. I actually wish there were more short stories in this because it was great seeing more of the characters and world.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
Pivot by Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti and Alexandra Ivy
Three interwoven stories
Three women
Three men
Trouble and chaos
Problems to solve
Romance to enjoy
HEA’s to see happen
Loved this collection
AGAINST THE HEART by Kat Martin
Meriweather “Meri” Jones has not had an easy life. She is running from a bad guy when she realizes she has to stop and earn some money before she can move on to a safe place where she can’t be found. Ian Brodie, owner of a security firm, needs help tidying his father’s home and serendipitously he meets Meri at just the right point in both their lives to lend her a hand through giving her a job. They work hard, pussyfoot around one another and almost miss their chance. Loved Ian’s father and that side story just about as much as Meri & Ian’s. Lily was a sweetie, too.
SHAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti
Michelle Pamela Peach found a safe haven and the man she thought she would love forever when she landed in her last foster home. The job that Evan Boldon did in the military kept them apart while he was away then kept them apart when she couldn’t handle the stress of his job. They come together again when she is in need and he is there to provide protection. Watching the embers rekindle was fun and their HEA a joy to see.
ECHOES OF THE PAST by Alexandra Ivy
Detective Gray Hawkins is in the nick of time to assist Melanie Cassidy save a young boy from kidnappers. The two had dated before but Melanie was leery and not eager to get back together with Gray though he was more than eager to win her back. The corrupt cops were the mystery to be solved and eventually that did happen…as did the HEA they so richly deserved.
This was a fun collection of linked stories by three different authors. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books by all three authors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I won an ARC of Pivot from a Goodreads contest and in return I promised an honest review.
Pivot is the 3.5 book in the Deep Op series. Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy and Rebecca Zanetti are the authors of these romantic suspense novellas. Each anthology contains a woman who was raised in foster care, a man in law enforcement, suspense and a HEA. The stories are interconnected and can be read as a stand alone but best if read in order to have a better understanding of the timing and sequence.
Exceptional stories
Pivot is the newest release by Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti and Alexandra Ivy. Now the last two authors are known to me but Kat Martin was the wildcard as I’ve never read any of her work….but that’s going to change
This compilation of stories was masterfully done. We have three woman who find themselves in trouble getting a helping hand from men that they’ve either just met or men from their past. Meri is on the run with her young daughter when she meets Ian at a store and he hires her to work for his dad. Michelle suddenly finds herself on the wrong side of some thugs and as Meri’s best friend – she tries to protect her while trying to figure out what her mother is doing in her next criminal scheme. Evan her ex, comes to help and we get some more insight into Clarence from Deep Ops and get a cameo by some of our favourite Dark Protectors The final story is that of Melanie, who stops a kidnapping in progress and is then saved by her ex Gray. They work together to bring down corruption within the police
Fantastic stories that should not be missed and a thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and authors for my advanced copy for which I voluntarily leave my honest review
Three wonderful stories about three different women and the strong alpha males that they fall in love with. The stories are written by three strong female authors who always give us gripping tales with great characters. Each woman, Finds themself in a stick situation that needs law enforcement intervention. The guys who rescue and protect them are known to each other through their military or law enforcement experience. They manage to bring down the bad guys and win the love of the females. This is definitely a page turner that will make you want to read about the other characters that come from other stories these wonderful writers have out there.
The book is made up of three short stories that all tie together. Overall, all three stories were all pretty good and the book as a whole was a very good read.
The first story was Against the Heart by Kat Martin and it was the story of Meri Jones and Ian Brodie. Meri is on the run from her ex getting hired by Ian when she answers his ad as a housekeeper at his father’s farmhouse. This story was face paced and Meri was trying to keep her secrets hidden until trouble found her and Ian had to come to her rescue.
The second story in the book is Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti and that tells the story of Michelle and Evan. Michelle gets caught up in some trouble that her mother brings to her door and the man that comes to her rescue is her ex that she could not get out of her system Evan. Some of the characters from Martin’s book make an appearance in this book as well.
The dismal book that ties up all the trilogy and answers all the questions is Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy. This is the story of Melanie and Gray. A woman who is forced to work with a man she used to love when it comes to protecting a boy from dirty cops who are trying to punish a man that is trying to turn state evidence against them.
Pivot gets five out of five stars from me.
This is a wonderful collection of three romantic suspense stories Rebecca Zanettis is an author I have read quite often before where the other two if I have read them it has been quite a while. I will review each book below
Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
Michelle Peach has managed to get herself into trouble and it will be a man from her past and ex marine Evan Bolden who will step up to help her as the sheriff in the town she is now in. (This was my favourite of the three but that could have been because I know Rebecca’s work better)
Against the Heart by Kat Martin
Meri has got herself into trouble and it will be up to Ian to keep her and her daughter Lilly safe and in the process his father will bond with Lilly and find a reason to live again after the death of this wife
Echoes of the Past by Alexander Ivy
Mel will do whatever she needs to in an attempt to keep one of her students safe that puts her back into the path of a man from her past will her an Gray have a chance at a future togethr or will the cartel take it all
I loved how all three of these books had a common factor that tied them all together and it was a perefcet way to find new authors
What a great read! Leaves you wanting more. 3 short stories by 3 great authors. Against the Heart by Kat Martin, Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti, and Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy. All 3 are tied together with one thread and all three can be read as a standalone. Suspense, Romance, and strong women! YES, I absolutely loved the cameos in Shaken. Those of you who read Rebecca Zanetti know what I am talking about. This is my unsolicited freely shared opinion, Buy it, enjoy! When you want to get away from things and don’t have a lot of time, this is a great, quick read. The drawback is you will want to search out these authors for more 🙂 # Netgalley #Pivot #Zebrabooks
Three great stories, three authors, and three women who struggled growing up and still not trusting. Meri, Melanie, and Michelle, grew up broken and thought they would stay that way. With some help from three awesome men, these girls will survive their ordeals, overcome some tough obstacles, and find their inner strength. These stories were the first ones I have read by the authors and I will definitely be reading more of their works. Thanks to the authors, Kensington Publishing, and Goodreads for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of PIVOT through Netgalley .
I really enjoyed reading this wonderful collection of intertwining stories .
Meriwether Jones with her daughter runs to escape her crazy ex-boyfriend .She runs into excop Ian Brodie who hires her to clean his father’s home . As feelings grow between them he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Meri and her daughter safe .
Melanie Cassidy attempts to save a young boy as two thugs are trying to kidnap him . Melanie’s ex Detective Gray Hawkins appears and rescues Melanie and the boy . They soon work together to catch those after Melanie and the boy .
Michelle Peach has a mentally unstable and addict mother who’s always causing problems . After two strangers break in and threaten Michelle . Her mother goes on a blackmail binge and Melanie must stop her . Sheriff Evan Boldon also Melanie’s ex is gonna help her stop her mother and problems whether she wants his help and protection or not .
These stories are fast paced and fantastic . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy .
I love this! Three great authors, each one building a story from a character of the last story…but also using characters from their own series’!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed all three stories and was excited to meet up with characters I already knew from previous book series’. I would love to read compilations like this in the future.
5 stars!
I love trying out anthologies so that I can find new authors, and Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy are new authors to me. I’ve read and loved Rebecca Zanetti, so I knew this anthology would be worth it just for her story alone.
I was happy to see Zanetti’s characters are from one of her series that I am reading and loving right now. The best part is that the other two stories were equally as good. I’m so curious now what characters Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy brought from their other series, that’s me assuming they are not brand new characters.
Each story are the size of a novella and I think they all did a great job of making a short story feel like a completed book. I especially enjoyed how each story had common characters that flowed from the first to the last story. It made all three feel connected and like you were reading one book.
I’m looking forward to reading my new-to-me authors and thank you Rebecca Zanetti for giving me more of the Deep Ops series!
Pivot.
This book contains three different stories, that revolve around three friends that met in the foster care system.
The first, Against the Heart, by Kat Martin, is about a mother, Meri and her daughter Lily. When her and her daughter are threatened, she packs up and leaves, hoping to escape her trouble. She finds herself stranded in a small town, without money to continue on her way. Luckily, she meets private detective and ex-cop Ian Brodie, who offers her a job. Things seem to be going smoothly, she’s working, getting money to move on, trying to fight her attraction to Ian. Until the trouble finds her.
This was a good story, the characters were well written, and had you feeling for them. Over all the story was well written and I did enjoy it.
In the next story, Shaken, by Rebecca Zanetti, Michelle, who also grew up in and out offoster care, finds herself in trouble because her if her mother. When she calls on a friend for help, the last person she expects to see coming through her door is Evan. Her first love, who she hasn’t seen in six years because of his military career. The two begin to look to who it is that wants Michelle, and her mother. Both still having the same feelings they felt when they were younger. As things get more dangerous, they become closer.
This was a really good story. The characters were written so well, you they jump off the page. And you can tell they care for each other. It definitely keeps you interested. And not wanting to put the book down.
And the last story, Echos Of The Past, by Alexander Ivy, is about Melanie. With a troubled past, having grown up in and out of foster care. She finds herself coming to the rescue of one of her you my students, as she sees two men attempting to kidnap him, by ramming her car into theirs. As she is running away with the boy, she’s stopped my a car stop omg in front of her, telling her to get in. She soon realizes it’s her ex, and the man she still had feelings for, Gray. As the two are running from the men after the young boy, Mel learns there is deeper, more dangerous people after the boy.
This was another wonderful story in this book. The characters were well written and believable. And Mel was a strong, brave woman. This was another story that you simply couldn’t stop reading. And it kept you interested from page one.
I definitely recommend them book. As all three authors wrote wonderful stories.
Three short stories that will get your heart pumping from the first page. It’s not every day you can say that every book in a anthology was great but this is one of those. Every story has action, suspense and a sexy love story.
Meri Jones is on the run from a crazy ex when she meets Ian Brodie. He hires her to help him with his fathers house.
Melanie Cassidy runs a youth center. When she gets involved with a young boy in trouble Gray Hawkins comes to the rescue.
Michelle Peach calls a friend for help and he first love Evan Bolden shows up. Searching for her crazy mother brings out old feelings.
It’s my first Kay Marten book but I’m a long time fan of Ms Zanetti and Ivy.
I have to say Shaken was my favorite because I love Wolfe, Roscoe and Kat from Deep Ops who show up to help out.