Review: Hot on the Hunt

Title: Hot on the Hunt
Series: ICE: Black Ops Defenders, #3
Author: Melissa Cutler
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 288
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

This ex-ICE agent has one last chance with the one who got away -- if he can protect her long enough...

Black-ops agent Alicia Troy spent years plotting the perfect revenge on the man who left her for dead...until her plan is foiled by her ex-teammate--and ex-lover--who taught her the meaning of betrayal. She can't trust John Witter...so why can't she stop wanting him?

For John, it's a race to get to Alicia's intended victim before she does because he's the only one who can prove John's innocence, but the race turns into a battle of wits against the woman who believes he deceived her. But when their former agency turns on them both, labeling them "armed and dangerous," John has a new mission: keep his woman alive.

Review

As always, Melissa Cutler never disappoints. She is a freaking LEGEND! Move aside Ms. Nora Roberts, Melissa's coming through! :)

This book was filled with action and tense situations between Alicia and John. I especially loved that a red lipstick is Alicia's calming agent. As a beauty lover, I really enjoyed reading that when she feels a bit down, she just put on her red lipstick and she feels like her powerful self again. I also loved that even though she's lethal in every way, she also was a bit vain. She's such a strong heroine, I think she could be a great role model if she was a real person.

John, on the other hand, was the definition of honor. He might as well had the word tattooed on his forehead. He felt it was a weakness because of how he was treated by the people he trusted most. However, he couldn't shake off the integrity he possessed. Add to that he didn't want anything bad to happen to Alicia. You know people truly cared for each other when even they felt betrayed, they still looked out for that person. That's an amazing quality to have.

I also really enjoyed that the rest of the crew made a short cameo. I just loved it when such strong individuals were in the same vicinity as one another. It also meant that there were room for humor because of the different personalities present. 

Finally, the bedroom scenes were just enough. I loved the sexual tension that was there for more than half the book. I was sure the characters felt the same way, but the wait was completely worth it. 

      He ripped his shirt over his head and tossed it on the bed, then rubbed a casual hand over his chest and abs. He wanted her to look. It was vain and stupid, but so what? Let her see what she was missing because she was too proud and scared to admit that she believed in his innocence.
      Holding her gaze, he walked her way, toward the bathroom door to the left of her desk, unlatching the fly of his jeans as he moved.
      He stopped in the doorway, leaned his shoulder against the molding and grinned at Alicia's flushed face and chest that wasn't yet moving.
      "Don't forget to breathe, Phoenix."

Can we just take a moment to let that imagery sink in? *fans self*

If you haven't read this series at all, why? Do you live under a rock? Do you not enjoy reading? There's something wrong with you. Just saying. Go buy this series. I've linked the reviews I did for the first two books. Don't miss out.

Tempted by Danger, #1 | Secret Agent Secretary, #2