Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released on September 5, 2017
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
A series that has been building to a showdown and finally it came. Both sides step out of the shadows where suspicion, betrayal, lust, and opportunity for something passionate and exciting had me gripped by Her Dark Half.
Review
As book seven of the X-Ops series, this one has plot threads that have been building through the whole series so it is not a good place to begin the series or a good choice for a standalone.
Coyote shifter, Trevor Maxwell, was a prominent minor player in the last book and now this is his story beside new coming, former CIA operative, Alina Bosch. I loved how this one read like a spy thriller with paranormal elements. Alina is out for revenge and betrayal is the nastiest word in her thinking so it was especially irresistible that she thinks Trevor is a murderer who betrayed his boss.
See, something big went down at the end of the last book that left a series fan like me nearly gutted. This book picked up the pieces and kept things strong. I would daresay this is possibly the most impactive one for me save the first book, Her Perfect Mate. It just felt a fantastic balance of all the elements that make a book special. It was action-packed, but it was well developed in overall plot, world, and characters as well. It brought things to a culmination here that delivered after all the expectation.
As to the romance pair, they were great partners on and off the job. I loved how it started so mistrusting and hostile, but then slowly they moved forward- together. A sizzling attraction buzzed beneath the surface and didn’t culminate in anything until much later which was well-timed for all that was going on.
The stakes were pretty high in this one and there were a few shocks and twists. It felt like a worthy series finale- though, good news, there is more to come with a new series arc. I am so curious to get the deets on a certain new player’s agenda and what it will mean for the DCO shifters and their people.
All in all, this one rocked my X-Ops loving mind. Those who love military/black ops style romantic suspense blended with the paranormal really should not pass up this series.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #180 PNR
New Release #122
COYER #167
Recommendations
About Paige Tyler
Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. Paige writes books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines they fall in love with. She lives with her very own military hero (a.k.a. her husband) and their adorable dog on the beautiful Florida coast. Visit www.paigetylertheauthor.com.
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Oh wow, so this is a paranormal novel plus a military/government one, interesting… It has been a long time since I read a PNR. I’m going to be reading Megan Erickson’s Blood Guard soon though. 😀 I’m glad his book knocked your socks off!
Have a fabulous week, Sophia. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Hope Megan’s book is a good one for you. I’ve enjoyed her PNR-suspense before. She’s another one that can knock my socks off. 🙂
oh now I know that I will love this one. I adore this author so much, she always takes me for a wild ride.
Oh yes, this one was one great wild ride, Renee. You’re in for a treat.
Love the cover and it looks like a great series so on my wish list it goes! 🙂
Oh yep, yep, Debbie. This is a great series. Well worth adding to the pile. 🙂
That sounds like an interesting book.
Oh, it really was, Mary. I’ve loved the whole series, but this one… it was the best.
I read this, and loved it. It was my first time reading this author.
And you’re going back for more, right, Nadene? LOL
Without a doubt. Lol
Her wolf shifter SWAT team series is great, too, if you haven’t already read them. 🙂
I have like book one. I want to try this author and keep waiting for book one in a new series, but I am sure I will want to read all of these too. So many elements I love 🙂
It’s always a hard decision whether to try a series that is already well underway or hope a new one will be released. I know she’s doing three series right now so I’m not sure if she’ll try a new one anytime soon.
Definitely lots of the good stuff in these. 🙂
She’s doing a giveaway for books one and two if anyone is interested. 🙂
http://www.paigetylertheauthorextras.com/giveaways/x-ops-giveaway-signed-copies-of-her-perfect-mate-and-her-lone-wolf-as-well-as-a-cute-plush-coyote/?lucky=1381
I really think that I would like this series. It sounds like it has so many wonderful elements. I think I might have the first book if only I have a bit more reading time.
LOL, I have a lot of ‘first’ books. COYER challenge is helping me, but there are still a ton of series books I need to try. Hope you get the chance at that reading time, Carole. 🙂
Well, it’s good to see that it didn’t disappoint since it’s what the others led up to.
Yes, exactly! I was holding my breath to see how the big finish on this particular series arc would work and it was fab.
As you know, I love my spy thrillers and black ops suspense stories, but the shapeshifting piece of the book causes me some pause, Super Sophia. (lol) Lately, I’ve not been doing the paranormal thing, but the chemistry between these two sounds pretty phenomenal, and I can tell this is a definite keeper on your shelf. Great review! Hugs…RO
Actually, these lean more toward the romantic suspense than paranormal so you might be alright to enjoy them. But oh yes there is some great chemistry. 😉
Thanks for the introduction to this book and your review.
You’re welcome, Nasreen. I’m always happy to match up people with books. 🙂
That’s great that it’s still holding up after book #7 and tying things together.
For What It’s Worth
Yes, finding a series that is still solid this far along is fantastic. I got a little bummed over the last book, but this one came roaring back. Can’t wait to see what comes next with the new season and story arc. 🙂
It looks quite good! I heard a lot about this author but I don’t think I have a book by her. I should try this series
I love how the shifters all have the traits of their shifter animal and the action and suspense plot to them.
this series looks amazing. I thought I had the first book in the series. I do not remember if I started reading it but the authors name is familiar. The spy thing has my attention
Its a pretty great series. I hope you do have book one. Outside this current release, that was my favorite in the series. Yep, yummy spies. 🙂
Oo a coyote shifter. I still haven’t tried this series of hers but do have plans for it. I’ll start from the beginning though for sure 🙂
I know! It was fun to have him be that animal nature. I’ve enjoyed how each type of shifter in this series takes on traits of their animal. I think you’ll enjoy these. Don’t forget to get her freebie prequel (but save it until after at least book 3 so it will make more sense). 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/Her-Secret-Agent-Novella-X-OPS-ebook/dp/B00OHTEY7K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1505440223&sr=8-8&keywords=paige+tyler+x-ops+series