by Mandy Baxter
Series: U.S. Marshals #5
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
With a rock-hard body and steel blue eyes, Mason Decker is about to become the U.S. Marshals’ newest recruit. But one last undercover job with a straitlaced attorney will test him to his limits . . .
Charlotte Cahill intends to take down an infamous diamond smuggler on the FBI’s Most Wanted list—and she intends to do it by the book. That won’t be easy with the cocky new temporary deputy on her task force. Mason Decker feels like trouble, especially when his cool gaze wanders across her hot body . . .
After his time as a Customs officer, Decker has enough experience hanging out with criminals to know that working undercover means following your instincts, not the rules. It doesn’t take long for him to lock horns with Cahill. But when the sexy assistant U.S. attorney is accidentally dragged out of her orderly world and into the turn-on-a-dime tension of Decker’s deceptive games, she’ll find that nothing is as seductive as playing a new role . . .
Locked and Loaded by Mandy Baxter is the fifth novel in the U.S. Marshals romantic suspense series. Baxter melted my kindle and delivered an intense undercover op as Charlie and Decker work to take down a dangerous faction. To do so Decker has to betray blood. Intense, sexy and addictive, Locked and Loaded was the best U. S. Marshals novel to date.
Caffeinated dates with Locked and Loaded
- First Date: Mason Decker a Customs officer for the US Border Patrol has applied repeatedly for a position within the U.S. Marshals. When he is called into their offices, he is worried he’ll be told not to apply again. Instead, he is offered a chance to prove himself but it will cost him. Charlotte Cahill is leading the task force for his assignment. Their target is an infamous diamond smuggler. Charlotte (Charlie) is a control freak and wants things played by the book. Decker knows the players and to succeed they will need to do things his way. Oh boy I see these two butting heads. Things get REALLY interesting when Charlie accidentally places herself undercover as Decker’s partner. Between the sizzling chemistry and headstrong attitudes, we are in for one heck of a ride.
- Second date: The case is interesting as Decker personally knows the players and to get into their good graces they will need to prove themselves. Charlie is strong, confident and needs to be in control. Decker admires that, but also worries she will blow the case or worse come to harm. Their contact is a strong, charismatic character. He’s cocky and yet one cannot help but like him.The dynamics of his relationship to Decker was intense and added an element I enjoyed. I loved the back and forth banter between Decker and Charlie. We can feel the attraction building between them and Kieran their contact creates extra tension. When these two collide, it’s explosive, sweet and incredibly heated. I loved the back and forth as we got to know the characters, learn about their history and discover their weaknesses.
- Third date: Baxter delivers lots of heated, sexy time for this couple and allows the reader to witness them becoming connected beyond the physical. I was worried the case would suffer but Baxter provides obstacles, intense action scenes and a twist that kept me flipping the pages before delivering a stellar ending. While the romance begins with lust and moves quickly, Baxter gives us a realistic ending that made me smile.
Fans of heated romantic suspense will enjoy Locked and Loaded. All of the books in the U.S. Marshals series will work as standalone.
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[bctt tweet=”Intense, sexy and addictive, Locked and Loaded by Mandy Baxter was best U. S. Marshals to date.” username=”kimbacaffeinate”]
Jennifer
This one was my favorite in the series too. I’m hoping the “brother” gets a story. He was fun and interesting. Maybe a lady Marshall could get him to give up his ways?
kimbacaffeinate
That would be cool 🙂
Rowena
I’ve had my eye on this series for a while now and have been too chicken to give it a try (she’s a new to me author) but I think I’m going to give it a go. Thanks for the lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do. If you like romantic suspense with heat, you’ll enjoy her books.
The Bibliophile Babe
I’ve been in the mood for a yummy alpha! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Well then you will enjoy this. I loved the secondary characters as well in this one 🙂
Kristin
This sounds like a great series. Although I’m afraid I might pick apart the details b/c, yeah, I know what those plain clothes Border Patrol Agents really do. Since you like the author, I will definitely add her to my TBR, tho!!! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I have fun with it, thanks Kristin 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Kristin, he was with Border Patrol, so we spent zero time with them…he is working for US Marshals..lol It just dawned on me what you said.
Braine
Me, I love romantic suspense! So can I read the books out of order or standalone-ish?
kimbacaffeinate
Totally…each is a different agent and case 🙂
Sophia Rose
Oh boy, the way you describe them, they seem bound to butt heads and I can just imagine the sizzle between them. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the tension and chemistry 🙂
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
You’ve been reading a lot of romance lately, which is just awesome! I’ve been on a Nora Roberts binge and this should fit right in. I’m in the perfect mood for it.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I read this in August and went through a spell of all romances…it seems a lot of my September releases were romance 🙂 I love romantic suspense 🙂
Angela Adams
Wow! The title alone brings the heat level to a 3 before a reader even opens the book!! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, there is plenty of suspense though 🙂
blodeuedd
I have yet to try one of hers
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you change that 🙂
Paij Slater
Ummm…hello yummy man on the cover! Sounds like a good one. I was going to ask if they could be read as a stand a lone also but I saw your answer above. Series with more than 3 books scare me because I never have time to read, and when I find one I love I just sit and ignore responsibilities 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Nope jump in anywhere my friend 🙂
Heidi
I have struggled a bit with fast moving romanes. How fast does this one progress?
kimbacaffeinate
Honestly i bought into easily enough 🙂
Mary Kirkland
That sounds good. I do like this type of story. New to me author and I’m always looking for new authors to read.
kindlemom1
Snark and suspense, can’t go wrong there. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Nope, not at all 🙂
Cyn
This series is new to me, but I’m always up for a good romance suspense! I like to hear that they connect beyond the physical. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, and I hope you try Baxter 🙂
Jenny
I’m sensing an antagonistic relationship here Kim, and those are the very best kind for me! I need to read this whole series for sure, but I’m particularly curious about Charlie and Decker. I love that she’s in a position of power at work:)
kimbacaffeinate
It really was fun Jenny with the right amount of snark and suspense 🙂
Quinn's Book Nook
I’ve been meaning to try out Mandy Baxter. I own At Any Cost. I’m so glad you loved this. For some reason I’m a bit apprehensive about this one.
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun, and I loved the secondary characters.
Tracy Terry
Alas not for me. I did however love your describing it as having melted your kindle.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Tracy 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Oh baby, oh baby. Come to momma 😉
Thanks Kim
kimbacaffeinate
I do love the cover 🙂
Silvia
“Fans of heated romantic suspense . . .” *raises hand* It’s good to know the instalments in the series also work as stand-alone, I might grab one . . . Or two . . . Soooo, I’m gonna check the series 😉
kimbacaffeinate
They really do work as standalone 🙂 happy reading!