The Two Crystal's Review: Run the Risk by Lori Foster

Run the Risk 
(Love Undercover #1)
by Lori Foster 
Paperback, 379 pages
Published September 25th 2012 by Harlequin HQN
ISBN 0373776950 
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley

When Detective Logan Riske goes undercover to find Pepper Yates, a potential link to his best friend's unsolved murder, he vows to gain her cooperation by any means necessary. But the elusive beauty is more suspicious—and in far more danger—than he expected. And the last thing Logan needs is to start caring for her….Pepper has spent years dodging the corrupt club owner who will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new "construction worker" who's moved in next door. The heat between them is undeniable. But will surrendering to passion bring her the safety she so desires—or will her feelings for Logan draw them both into a killer's crosshairs?

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Crystal’s Thoughts: (A.K.A. Crystal 1) 
Neither of them are what they seem, yet despite pretending to be someone their not, they still find love...

All-star author, Lori Foster, puts an intriguing spin on romantic suspense in the debut book for her new series, Love Undercover! 

Logan Riske is undercover; looking for answers to the murder of his best friend. Answers that he knows Pepper Yates and her cagey brother can provide. But Pepper has been hiding for a long time and her and her brother are masters at pretending to be someone their not. Despite her prudence with her handsome new neighbor though, Pepper finds herself irresistibly drawn to him and Logan can't help but forget about his reasons for caution when she's near. Passion is ignited, walls crumble and true selves are revealed. But danger lurks ever closer. Will finding the answers Logan seeks be worth the risk in the end?

Run the Risk is a thrilling romantic suspense with a fascinating lead couple, the story line takes readers on a breathless journey full of jeopardy and corruption. Lori Foster is a master at romance and Logan and Pepper's interludes will leave you burning. Superb writing from Foster, as per usual, and an excellent start to a promising new series - I can't wait for more!

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses

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Crystal L.'s Thoughts: (A.K.A. Crystal 2)

It was Colonel Mustard in the Library! Ok, so it wasn't Colonel Mustard, but what this book was, well it was simply awesome. Lori Foster is an author I have read and loved before (Her SBC series is something I ADORE), but this book reminded me WHY I like her so much. Not only is she a fantastic writer, her character's have - well, they have CHARACTER and are beings you feel connected to in the story, but she also had a fantastic story line for a starting book in a new series. Not that I'm bragging, but I've gotten pretty good at guessing who's behind twists and turns in a plot line. In fact my hubby says I drive him damn near homicidal because I can tell him what will happen in our favorite shows before it happens. But good ol' Ms. Foster got me this time! I thought I had stuff pegged half way through, and in the end I had a few nice surprises.

Detective Logan Riske is on a mission to get the man behind the death of his best friend Jack Carmin. To do that, he needs the witness to Jack's murder, Rowdy Yates. But pinning Rowdy Yates down is like trying to wrestle an oily pig in a mud puddle - totally impossible because he is one slippery guy! So Logan's done his homework and has decided the best way to get Rowdy is through his sister Pepper.

Pepper Yates is living a life of lies as an aliased Sue Meeks. Sue has a new neighbor named Logan who works construction (so he has an unbelievable bod), likes to stare at her every opportunity he gets, and makes her more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Sue is a plain girl in shapeless clothes so she can't understand why the stud muffin next door acts like she's the hottest thing he's seen in years. With all the secrets Pepper/Sue is hiding, she can't afford to let anyone close. However, eventually Logan wears her down, and all she can think about is her libido, not what the smart thing to do might be.

What happens when an undercover Logan starts to fall for the girl he's using to get to her brother? What happens when Pepper finds out Logan's real identity? Will she be able to forgive him his deceptions and move on with a man who would like nothing more than to never let her go? And who all can be trusted to do the right things in the investigation, instead of turning to the dark side? Well if you want to know then you'll have to read the book! I really liked this story and it was a great start to her Undercover Series. Looking forward to reading Reese's story next. I say four and a half wine glasses for Run The Risk! Enjoy you hopeless romantics! Perhaps Logan will make you swoon as soon as you don't want to beat him bloody anymore.

Rating: 4.5 Wine Glasses