Intimate Enemies

Covert Affairs, Book 1

By: Joan Swan

Narrated by: Christa G. Lewis

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Cassandra Christo is on a quest for answers in the mysterious deaths of her mother and stepbrother. But when she returns to her childhood home on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico, Cassie runs into two major obstacles: her corrupt stepfather, and Rio Santana, Saul's right-hand man and the person she unknowingly let into her heart after he comforted her during the darkest moment of her life.

Rio's been fantasizing about reconnecting with Cassie for months. But not here and sure as hell not now. As an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he's only weeks away from finalizing transport of a terrorist cell over the U.S.-Mexico border, and he definitely doesn't have time for this wild attraction to Cassie, let alone the risk it poses to his cover.

When Cassie's stepfather grows nervous about her investigation and orders Rio to use seduction as a last-ditch effort to keep her from learning too much, the heat between them turns into a full blown inferno. And as the end of the operation draws closer, Rio knows if he tells Cassie the truth about who and what he is, it won't only jeopardize his mission, it may result in him losing her forever. And if he doesn't, his lies and deception could get them both killed.

©2012, 2013 Joan Swan (P)2014 Joan Swan

Just kept feeling incomplete

Slow to keep me interested throughout the story, then at the end it felt rushed to cram it all together.
Narrator just didn't make it easy. She just wasn't making it work as an audiobook.

Yummy Suspense Read

What a great read! It had a bit of everything, delicious suspenseful romance! I loved the setting and the mixed narrative.

Cassie is head strong and a bit on the risky side. She has a few too stupid to live moments, but it comes from her rash choices. I did love her sassy attitude and strength as a survivor. It was easy to like her and want her to succeed.

Rio is all yummy bad boy, no girl can resist that! Throw in the hot Latin lover angle and panties will drop! He is a perfect match for impulsive Cassie, seriously the girl needs a keeper! I also loved seeing their dynamic and the hidden sweetness in him.

The book is a mixed narrative, mostly from Cassie and Rio, but we do have a little of the bad guy's POV as well. It gives a fuller and richer read knowing all the different angles. There are a couple spots where it gets jumpy and I wasn't exactly sure who was leading the narrative. It quickly sorts out, but it took me out of the moment.

What is a romantic suspense with out some steamy bedroom action! The bedroom door is wide open with plenty of spicy details. Not as much as a full blown erotic read, but more than enough to have a gal panting for a cold shower! The attraction is pretty quick, but they had a real chemistry which makes it believable.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christa G. Lewis, who is always a delight. She has a great pace that adds to the action and drama of the story. I love the energy she puts into the smexy scenes and the movement in the rough & tumble moments. The only thing that bothered me was the distinct lack of accents, it was set in Mexico after all. But that is nitpicking on an otherwise terrific read.

Overall I enjoyed the book and can not wait to see what is next in the series and how the books will connect. I would love to see a HEA for Tomas or even her sweet cousin Nina. Definitely going to look for more of MS Swan's work. I really enjoyed her engaging writing and storytelling style!

A hot romantic suspense

Where does Intimate Enemies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Intimate Enemies is pretty high up on my ranking system. I liked that the narrator was matched so well to the book - her Hispanic voice was beautiful for these characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Intimate Enemies?

There were lots of memorable moments, but what sticks in my mind right now is the scene where Rio comes to rescue Cassie from the kidnapping but it ends up that Cassie tries to rescue him instead. Also, the ending is very poignant and sweet. Loved it.

Okay

The plot was unusual - Mexican gangs, American undercover agents and innocent bystander.

I would have enjoyed the book more if the main female character had a bit more sense. Every five minutes she stupidly / naively put her life and other's lives at risk despite being repeatedly told the dangers. The first ten times kept me interested, but it got annoying after awhile.

The romance was very passionate, which was nice. There were two short sexy scenes which were okay. The narrator was okay.

A Rollercoaster Ride from begiing to end!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I loved this book! There was so may plot twists & turns in this story. A real edge of your seat book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cassandra & Rio - The hero & Heroine were awesome! The relationship between them was touch & go. Both of them are fantastic characters!

Have you listened to any of Christa G. Lewis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my 1st listen of this narrator! The narrator did a great job! Christa has a wonderful way to expressing emotions1

Any additional comments?

This book was very exciting. Always new twists & turns in the plot. It felt like a roller coaster ride & I really enjoyed it! Danger, suspense, romance, smugglers & corruption all rolled up in a enticing story that was well delivered by the narrator. I can see this becoming a movie!

Pretty good! I'll read #2 for sure :)

Overall: 4/5 Performance: 3.5/5 Story: 4/5
I had a little bit of a struggle at 1st but glad I stuck with it! :)

Rolled my eyes more than once.

I really wanted to like this book. truly it was entertaining. The plot is good and all the characters are great except Cassie. She is supposed to be strong and independent, but she is pushy, reckless and selfish. In one scene the situation would be considered sexual abuse if the genders were reversed.

Edgy & Sexy!,

Thanks Karen from NZ for the great review that helped me buy this book.

With an enthralling story line filled with danger, corruption, gang turf war, kidnapping threat, and a sleazy smuggler who wants to make a big name for himself, it all leads to the plot wrapping up with thrilling action!

"You know why. Because I don't have one hundred percent Rio here. Because I don't know who Rio really is. You have all of me, but...how much of you do I have?"

Cassie Christo is back at home in Baja, Mexico with the goal and determination to find out the truth behind the explosion that killed her mother and stepbrother. Little did she know that she would walk straight into the path of danger. Rio Santana works for Cassie's stepfather, Saul, and has been working undercover on a year-long sting operation to bring the guy down. Cassie's unexpected presence during this time could ruin all the plans. She's trying to figure out if Rio is good or bad, but her learning who he really is endangers both of them.

"From the erotic movement of his tongue to the smooth slide of his lips to the powerful movements of his body, he made the simple act of kissing both animalistic and artful."

Cassie is one strong, independent woman! She's an ER doctor, a survivor, a woman who won't stop searching for answers. Deep down she wants to believe that Rio is good. Rio can't help but fall hard for the beautiful Cassie, and trying to keep her safe while keeping his boss happy is not easy. Hats off to the author for keeping the sexual tension between Rio and Cassie going and going until it leads to a must-have-tequila-shot-after-reading-that-wowza love scene! So hot and so worth it getting there!

"Emotion geysered up from deep inside him. So deep he hadn't seen it lurking. The sensations and feelings ambushed him all at once, a blitz attack that overwhelmed and shattered every barrier."

About halfway through, I just wanted to take my time and not rush my listening, trying to draw out reaching the end. I enjoy this author's writing very much. The emotions between Rio & Cassie seem authentic for the situation they are in, and the writing is descriptive and intense without being too over the top. Listen up, Hollywood! While reading, I thought the story would make great movie material! I'd love to see this story play out on the big screen one day.

Christa Lewis was outstabding in the delivery of the story.

Explosive down to the end

This story started our with lots of intrigue and built to hot and steamy scenes between Cassie and Rio. they kept you wanting more. The storyline kept you guessing and have the reader/listener a few surprises.

Riveting - great narration!

Such a great listen I was totally caught up and didn't want it to end.