Title: Undercover
Author: Lauren Dane
Publisher: Berkeley Heat
ISBN: 9780425224643
Release Date: December 2, 2008
Blurb:
On the battleground or in the bedroom, one woman and two men fight for dominance in a bold, new, and excitingly different direction in erotica…
As a lieutenant of the Federation military, Sera Ayers is accustomed to giving orders, not taking them. Now she must obey the one man she can’t stand—and can’t stop thinking about.
With the enemy Imperialists gaining ground, a covert team is assembled by Ash Walker. Ten years before, Sera had lovingly submitted to Ash’s dominance in the bedroom. But when he was forced into a political marriage, she refused to play mistress. His marriage now over, Ash wants Sera on his team—and back in his bed.
The third team member, Brandt Pela, has an elegance to match Ash’s savage sexuality. And when their undercover plan requires Sera to pose as Brandt’s lover, it ignites a passion among the three of them more dangerous than their mission.
Review:
Sera Ayers had channeled her anguish and heartbreak at Ash Walker’s announcement that he was marrying another and would keep Sera as his mistress into a new focus - she gave up her job in the Federation Diplomatic Corps and joined the Military Corps instead. She’d succeeded so well that, even as an unranked female, she’d risen to lieutenant and commanded her own team. But she didn’t expect Ash to turn up in her life again, let alone to pull rank on her and order she join his team for a covert operation.
Ten years ago Ash had given up his perfect life with Sera to enter the miserable political marriage demanded of him as a member of one of the Families, the rulers of the Federation. Thankfully he’d escaped that situation when his wife demanded a divorce and married another. When the opportunity presented itself to bring in a new team member to carry out his mission, Ash wanted Sera on the team and in his bed.
Brandt Pela, son of another Family and ex-brother-in-law to Ash, always knew Ash’s heart was with someone other than Brandt’s sister. He was already impressed with Sera’s record and skills but when he meets her and sees Ash’s reaction, he knows this will be an interesting assignment. Ash wants Sera back and Sera must go undercover with Brandt and Ash as a pampered and spoiled concubine - as Brandt’s concubine.
I’ve been a fan of Lauren Dane’s books for a long time and have been dying to read this story ever since I heard she was writing a futuristic/scifi erotic romance. Honestly, it’s a sub-genre that I’m leary of because I grew up on science fiction and fantasy and I’m difficult to please because of it. Undercover was amazing! I fell immediately into the world Ms. Dane created and it came completely alive to me.
Most of all, though, I loved the characters. Sera worked to hold her anger and betrayal before her as a shield to keep Ash away, even though she still really wants him. The anguish her memories evoke tear her apart at the same time she has to play a sexual and outwardly submissive role on their undercover team. I hate wimpy heroines and Ms. Dane didn’t let me down with in this story - Sera is strong, capable, smart and more than willing to give as good as she gets without ever becoming unlikeable or unbelievable.
Ash is torn between his lifelong duty to his Family, his rank and the Federation but he’s never forgotten Sera or stopped loving her. Brandt has been Ash’s friend for years but this mission uncovers a side of his friend he didn’t really know. The two men have a fascinating interplay between them and their years of friendship show in other ways as well. And sexy, oh man are they sexy.
Undercover is a rich, compelling story full of tons of emotion, intrigue, a thrilling sensuality, amazing sex and a happily ever after that made me sigh and smile for the characters. I will complain that it was so good, it made me late for work one day when I lost track of time and couldn’t put it down. It was fast paced but just right for the story. I never felt bored or wanted to skip ahead to the “good parts” - they were ALL good parts.
Lauren has been an auto-buy for me for years but I really recommend Undercover as a book you shouldn’t miss.
Click on the bookcover above to go to Lauren Dane’s site and read an excerpt of Undercover.
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