Title: Slater’s Leverage
Author: Claudia Shelton
Series: The OPAQUE Task Force
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pub. Date: November 10, 2015
Format: Digital eBook
ISBN: 978-0-9968226-0-2
Synopsis:
Protector
Agent Josh Slater has spent years working for the secret government-sponsored
agency known as OPAQUE. All the while hoping to find the man who paid his
father to bring down a plane killing the then head of OPAQUE. Now, Josh's new
assignment brings him back face-to-face with the one woman he ever deserted.
His life would have been easier letting Mackenzie continue to hate him for
leaving, but she's been targeted as leverage and he'll do anything to insure
her survival. Even face her anguish over his family's shame.
Mackenzie
Baudin has been over Josh Slater for years, so the idea of her uncle sending
him to be her protector meant only a slight hiccup in her steel resolve
emotions. But her uncle's promise that within the next twenty-four hours she would
know the complete truth about her life hit her like the plane crash ten years
ago. The day her mother and father were killed.
Excerpt from SLATER’S LEVERAGE
"What's
going on?" Josh asked his boss.
"OPAQUE
intercepted Coercion Ten's Target List again last night. My name's still there.
So's yours."
"Sounds
about right." Most every OPAQUE agent had their name on the enemy's list.
If not, then Josh figured you needed to work a little harder at pissing them
off.
"They've
added a new column. Titled it—Leverage. There's nothing in that column next to
yours. Next to mine is one name." Drake speed dialed his phone
again. "Mackenzie Baudin."
Josh's
chest tightened as if a belt had been notched three sizes too small. Not only
was Macki an ex-cop, wealthy hotel owner and the boss's niece, she was also the
only woman Josh had never shook from his system. The idea she was a target in
the underbelly game of life and death slapped him upside the head like a brick.
The
two men shared a glance, then looked away. He'd controlled his breathing.
Controlled his expression. But he'd felt the flare of his nostrils. Coercion
Ten had gone too far this time. There'd already been too many deaths in Macki's
family.
"Do
you think it's real?" Josh asked.
"All
the signs point that direction. I've been trying to reach Mackenzie all
day." The corner of Drake's right eye twitched. "All I get is her
damn voice mail."
"She's
probably just busy. You know, running a high class hotel isn't all glamour and
glitz." Hearing the words come out of his own mouth didn't make Josh feel
any better.
Drake shot him an evil-eye look.
"Don't give me that bull. You and I both know this is damn serious."
Josh
had to agree. When someone was targeted by Coercion Ten, every hour, every
minute, every second counted. He nodded.
"They'll
try to break me and OPAQUE by targeting her." Drake paused. "We can't
let that happen."
"You
can count on me. What's my assignment?"
His
boss's expression blanked, the look he always got when he was torn on which way
to turn. Torn between going with his gut or over thinking the situation. Josh
knew the look. Not only from Drake, but from himself as well.
Squaring
his shoulders, Drake rose to his feet. "Bottom line, I need you to go to
Riverfalls, Illinois and protect Mackenzie."
"No."
"Yes."
"Get
this straight, old man. There's no way in hell I'm going back to my
hometown." For years Josh had accepted every assignment. Every duty. Every
dirty job out there. All for OPAQUE. All to pay back the debt he felt he owed.
But the old man had stepped over the line this time. "You don't know what
you're asking me to do, sir."
About Claudia Shelton
Award-winning author Claudia Shelton could write her name before the
first day of school, but now she writes romantic suspense and contemporary
romance, all with sexy alpha heroes and women strong enough to love them. She
also presents workshops on everything from character development to networking
to the ins-and-outs of being a new author.
Claudia's debut novel, Risk of a Lifetime, released to 5-star reviews,
reached Amazon's Best Sellers Romance Series Top 100 and was named one of
eBooks Galore top reads for 2014. She is also a two-time Daphne Du Maurier
(Unpublished) finalist for excellence in mystery. Her new book, Slater's
Leverage, will be available November 2015.
Shelton is a member of
Romance Writers of America (RWA), MORWA (Missouri RWA), Sisters in Crime, St. Louis
Writers Guild, Missouri Writers' Guild, and Saturday Writers.
For more
information about Claudia and her books,
visit http://www.claudiawriting.com
ALPHA BOOK CLUB REVIEW
Overall Stars: 4 STARS
Suspense
Secret agency
One assignment will force two individuals to face their past
Protector Agent Josh Slater has spent years working for the secret government-sponsored
agency known as OPAQUE. All the while hoping to find the man who paid his father to bring
down a plane killing the then head of OPAQUE. Now, Josh's new assignment brings him back
face-to-face with the one woman he ever deserted. His life would have been easier letting
Mackenzie continue to hate him for leaving, but she's been targeted as leverage and he'll do
anything to insure her survival. Even face her anguish over his family's shame.
Mackenzie Baudin has been over Josh Slater for years, so the idea of her uncle sending him to
be her protector meant only a slight hiccup in her steel resolve emotions. But her uncle's
promise that within the next twenty-four hours she would know the complete truth about her life
hit her like the plane crash ten years ago. The day her mother and father were killed.. (Amazon
Blurb)
From the very beginning readers know exactly what to expect: a novel about a man and a
woman who fall in love. Did you really think that was all? Let’s not forget that shortly thereafter,
Josh left, believing he’s protecting Mackenzie. From that point on, the action and the suspense
is never ending, since 10 years later, Mackenzie’s life is in danger and Josh has been hired to
protect her. Claudia Shelton knows how to weave a stunning story – from beginning to end,
readers are taken through the ringer at the many unexpected twists and turns, and a romance
where the chemistry is tangible. This is the first time I have read one of Claudia Shelton’s novel
and I must admit I was surprised, only because novels of this genre take longer than 2-3
chapters to entirely catch my attention. Her style of writing was different and the storyline full of
surprises.
.
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Kathleen for Alpha
Book Club**
Thanks for hosting me on Alpha Book Club.
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