Deadly Intent by Pamela Clare is the latest addition to the I-Team world. It has an unexpected hero, Joaquin, who is lovable and tough in his own photojournalist’s way. Then there is the former military officer female, Mia. Was I sure that they would be a great match, not so much in the beginning. However, Ms. Clare sold me on both, making their story a favorite. 

The I-Team cast makes an appearance but not so much that if like me you have missed a book or two along the line that you will be confused. The working relationship between them all is a big part of this series, so I was glad to see it continue in Deadly Intent.

The plot is superb with a build-up of the attraction between Joaquin and Mia, starting with that dance. What a dance! I liked how developed friendship was part of this relationship, even more important than the attraction between the two. It was even more so since they did not meet in the best of circumstances, which caused some friction. The story has added layers since the issues are deeper than simply a murder mystery. Seeing into the criminal mind was creepy but also added to the suspenseful mood. Not overly creepy or scary.  Instead it is a romantic suspense novel with character and heart.

So lovely to visit the I-Team gang again! Joaquin was a minor character from the earlier I-Team holiday thriller Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas, but it turns out he's quite the romance hero in his own right: a salsa-dancing, Pulitzer Prize-winning, protective family guy and all around alpha male. 

Unfortunately, this lacked some of the usual steamy I-Team chemistry and suspense. At first, I thought former Army captain Mia was a fantastic match for Joaquin until her personal insecurities about her looks and lack of femininity dragged the story down. Joaquin constantly spouted about how beautiful and perfect he found Mia but he never explained why he felt that way. Also, their escape to the West ranch felt like a syrupy sweet romantic getaway instead of a fearful escape from a deranged killer. There wasn't much suspense until the final confrontation with the baddie. 

Despite the serious title, this felt more like a leisurely visit back to the I-Team clubhouse. It was great seeing old friends and I'm happy that Holly found a new bestie. The most poignant moment was seeing how Sophie was still dealing with the aftermath of the events in Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas. This showed how true to life the I-Team world can be, and I loved seeing the I-Team gang being strong for each other. While this may not have been my favorite I-Team installment, I'm always happy to return to the I-Team world.

Suspenseful, engaging, intriguing, and fast paced....all the key elements that make for a good page-turner.

3.5

This was obviously part of a series because some back story from another book was mentioned here.  This was an enjoyable read for the most part, but this isn't a total jump into the middle of the series and not feel left out sort of book.   The parts of other books mentioned did sound like really great books though.  I think reading the series in its entirety is to be recommended.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Joaquin has always been behind the sense, snapping pictures for the front page, exposing emotions for the world to read. He never thought being on the public side on police tape would lead him on a chase for his life. Joaquins’ ability to see more than what meets the eye has him yearning to know more about Mia and her confidential past.

Mia knew when she joined the military her life could be lost at any moment; she never planned on it being I jeopardy after receiving her discharge. Helping her former soldiers return to civilian life and cope with lasting injuries will be her downfall, she never dreamed of opening fire on another soldier.

Ms. Clare captures the readers’ attention from the start and will hold it long after the last page. The plot is weaved so readers keep turning pages no matter what time of the night it is, they have to know what happens next. Mia and Joaquin start off with an intense dislike for each other that quickly turns into a love affair; they make much better lovers than enemies. Many of the previous I-Team couples make appearance throughout the novel adding depth to the novel. If readers are looking for a suspenseful romantic novel, Deadly Intent would be great recommendation. Ms. Clares writing is exceptional, always filled with strong characters, great plots, intense emotions and satisfying endings.

Deadly Intent by Pamela Clare is the long anticipated eighth book in her I-Team series.   This new book picks up a month after the previous book in the series, which was released in 2015.  In this story, Former Army Captain Mia Starr is framed for the murder of several of her former soldiers by someone who actually has her in his sights.  Will the I-Team’s photojournalist Joaquin Ramirez be able to help prove her innocence as well as save her for the real murderer?

Mia is a wonderfully strong, intelligent woman who has been beat down by those around her to the point that she questions her actions all too often.  The sub-plot is incredibly relevant in this #metoo and #timesup world we live in.  Putting it into the context of the military will make many women serving our country feel represented.  As someone who works in a male dominated industry, I can relate to Mia's experiences in the Military.  We've been taught to go along to get along, which Mia did until the behavior she was told to accept turned unlawful.  She then took the unusual step of fighting back.  That makes her a hero in my book.

I can imagine that Joaquin is every woman's ideal.  He's sweet, thoughtful, protective of those he loves and sexy as all get out, especially on the dance floor.  Despite his being an alpha male, he's not afraid to show his sensitive side to his family and friends, letting them know unequivocally how much they mean to him.  He comes from a wonderfully large, close Hispanic family that can't help but endear you to him even more.

I am not a fan of the cover of this book but having loved the earlier stories in this series, I was easily able to overlook it.  The man on the cover looks more like the psychotic male in this story than the lovable hero Joaquin.  If the cover model walked into a room I was in looking like this, I would run!

As much as I liked this book, I have to confess that I figured out the main plot line about a quarter of the way through the book.  It was still enjoyable to read and have my ideas confirmed.  Pamela Clare’s gritty, in-your-face style of writing will keep you hooked through to the last page.

It had been awhile since I last read a book in this series and decided to give this one a try. As I expected, Ms Clare did not disappoint us.
This one centers around Joaquin Ramirez, and Army Captain Mia Starr.
Joaquin has been around for other stories. He is a photojournalist and artistic. Not the usual guy we have had in other books.
Mia is a complex woman. Bright, gutsy and now a suspect in a murder. Who comes to her rescue, but Joaquin.
The author gives us a plot that though not as action packed as other stories, it’s engaging. The main characters are not only complex but have a heart. I love when authors give us strong women like Mia. 
You will get to laugh, be on the edge of your seat with the suspense, and not only will the main characters fall in love with each other, but you will fall in love with them as well.
Another great addition to this already successful series.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

At long last, Pamela Clare has brought back the I-Team! Reading this one reminded me how much I love the series and frankly I feel the need to go back and reread the series just because it is that good. As much as I loved this series, this book can definitely be read on its own but with all of the hints at past stories concerning the other characters it is sure to have the reader wanting more I-Team.
A perfect balance of romance and suspense, this book is one that will have you staying up past your bedtime! I certainly hope we can expect more from this series since the book ended with a new member on the I-Team.

Something happened to Mia when she was an officer in the Army and it's causing men who were under her command to be murdered. The killer is trying to frame Mia but luckily, photojournalist Joaquin, believes in her and is trying to help find the killer. Great romantic suspense and red hot romance.

Reading Pamela Clare is like finding the best seat in the house. The one with the comfy blanket, awesome coffee, and a view of the beach or mountains. She's just perfection. 

I have read and enjoyed the I-Team series for years and could not wait for Joaquin's story. He's been a supporting character for a while and he needed his chance for a story and to find his girl.. Pamela knocked it out of the park. This book is a great mix of action, romance, and enough conversation to allow the reader to invest in characters. 

Let me start with Mia. She was so well-developed. In this book, Mia is playing the role that was filled by men in previous boosk. She's the military woman. I feel like I need to invite her to the second best seat in the house and have a good long chat about her last few days. She wasn't too whiny or too badass. She paid attention to her gut instinct and refused to let anyone brush aside her instincts. At one point, she had to not only face some demons, but she had to share them with people she wasn't sure she could trust.. She had to dig deep for that courage and I was cheering her on the whole time.  I need more Mias in my life. 

Now for Joaquin. Oh bless him. He suffered greatly in the previous book and his can't put aside his protective feelings for someone who might be in trouble. He's been the behind-the-scenes guy. The wing man. The man behind the camera. But never fear, he's a total alpha male who clues in to Mia's sense of being in danger and he reacts beautifully. He's not too OTT alpha, but enough to allow Mia to feel like she's not alone in dealing with  threats to her life. 

Love love love this latest installment of the I-Team series.

ARC - I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are hones
Mia is trying to build a life for herself, but danger does not want to let her go.
Joaquin is glad that he is able to protect Mia.
I loved the storytelling + the characters
The storytelling + the character's build were awesome!

Deadly Intent is the 8th book in Pamela Clare’s I-team series—about investigative journalists working in Denver.  Clare is the queen of romantic suspense and an auto-buy for me.

I was a little nervous going into this one.  The hero, Joaquin Ramirez, is the Pulitzer-prize winning photographer from the I-team.  He’s been a secondary character in several of Clare’s other books.  I wasn’t sure how he’d translate to the leading man.  

The heroine is Mia Starr, a former captain in the Army.  She and Joaquin meet when one of Mia’s former army colleagues disappears.  Mia is named a suspect in the disappearance and Joaquin sets out to help her prove her innocence.  Their relationship develops as more of Mia’s colleagues are murdered and she and Joaquin find themselves on the run.

As usual, Clare doesn’t disappoint.  Her writing and her attention to detail are amazing.  There is a definite role reversal in this book.  Usually Clare has an alpha hero (former FBI, special ops, etc.)  In this one, Joaquin is more lover than fighter.  Mia is a strong, former military heroine.  She does a pretty good job of saving her own ass most of the time.  

I would definitely recommend this book.  It was a highly enjoyable read.

5 - "You came into my life and changed everything..." Stars!

You know you re onto a winner, when you start a series at book eight and do not struggle to keep up with the characters or the action taking place. So much so that I almost read Deadly Intent in one sitting.

"What happens after this is over..?"

I fell in love with Pamela Clare’s writing when I started reading her Colorado High Country series, and the I-Team series looks to be the same high standard as that, which just makes me so happy, because I have a wealth of characters to get to know from the beginning now, a number of which I suspect played roles in the telling of Joaquin and Mia’s story.

"I don’t want to rush you… I don’t want to push you into doing something you don’t want to do. But right now, all I want to do is kiss you."

Any author that gives me a Hero who can dance is onto a winner, and add in the dark intensity and protective instincts Joaquin displayed and I would have been a quivering mess if I had been in Mia’s shoes, more because of that than the fact an unhinged former colleague is out to kill me.

One by one, he would get them all…

This book had everything, love, laughter, banter, action, suspense, and stellar simmering sexy-times. I had a feeling after reading the first couple of Colorado High Country books that Ms. Clare and I were going to have a long and happy writer/reader relationship, and with Deadly Intent she has pretty much cemented that commitment from me. I loved this book, I am going to go back and start the series from the beginning now, and immerse myself in all things I-Team. I will happily read anything this author writes now, I know I will be kept entertained, amused and wholly engrossed whatever the genre.

It was as if a missing piece of her life’s puzzle had fallen into place.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review. 

After spending 3 years in Publishing Purgatory for defying the Gods of the Publishing World for wanting control over what she writes, Pamela Clare, is finally free to write a Romantic-Suspense novel and "Deadly Intent" is it. The much loved photographer for the I-Team, Joaquin Ramirez, finally gets his own story and I can't wait. 

This book is classic Romantic-Suspense at its' best. Pamela Clare is simply one of the best, if not the best, authors writing in this genre. The suspense was good, the romance was hot and it was wonderful to catch up with the previous I-Team characters. 

When Former US Army Captain Mia Starr comes into contact with Joaquin, first at a crime scene, then at his cousin's party, she is not sure what to make of this sexy, sensual photojournalist. Her experience has not been good with reporters. She is instantly drawn to him, both because he is off the scales hot, but he also is comfortable with everyone around him, from his elderly grandmother to his youngest cousins. He is young, single, hot and wants more. He wants someone to share his life with. 

From the scotching salsa dancing to the love for his friends and family, Joaquin Ramirez is one of my favorites. When the Palace Hotel terrorist attack occurred, he did his best to protect and comfort his friends. He resolved to never again be defenseless and got armed and trained. He hoped never to need that, but he was very glad when circumstances called for him to take action. He becomes Mia's personal bodyguard and protector, and is determined that the person killing soldiers not kill her too.

When evidence from the crime scene shows up where Mia works, Joaquin comes to her defense and it is a very good thing that he has some very good friends who can help Mia. When a solider from her deployment in Iraq turns up dead, it is clear that someone is trying to frame her or may be setting her up as the next target. As her story unfolds of events that happened during her deployment, it becomes clear that there was a cover up and now someone wants Mia dead too.

Holy moly!

Action packed, page turning suspense with a beautiful love story that grows from it all. I couldn’t put it down!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Although I really didn't like the cover for this book, I absolutely loved the content. I've read several books in this series but not all. I've wanted too, but they are a bit pricey for someone who reads as fast as me and will be finished within a few hours. I get really happy when I find an opportunity to request an ARC like this one on Net Galley. After reading the Christmas book, I was hooked on Joaquin. I'm so glad he got his own story and such a strong lady to match his big personality. Mia was a fierce former soldier whose experiences had left her afraid of her feminine side. After two random encounters with Joaquin, one not so friendly, she can't deny she finds him attractive. Fate seems to keep throwing them together, and once danger necessitates her telling her story, all Joaquin's protective instincts roar to life. The two pair up and work with some of Joaquin's friends (featured in previous books) to find out who is targeting Mia before they find her first. 

I enjoyed the fast pace, alpha guys, action, and sexy chemistry, and I look forward to reading more of this series.

Ok, let's get right to it. This is one of the rare times I've read a book with a cover I didn't like. I'm sure the problems me though. I've never been into bad boys and that man on the cover with his leather jacket and his gun is a bad boy. The description was so engaging I had to read the story. 

I have to admit; I am so happy I didn't judge this book by it's cover because the story was amazing. Absolutely amazing! I was hooked from the beginning. 

I thought Pamela Clare would be a new-to-me author. So imagine my surprise as I'm getting into the book and Joaquin starts recapping the plot of one of my absolute favorite books ever, Breaking Point. I read that book years ago before I even knew what Goodreads was. I had no idea Pamela Clare not only wrote that book, but this book was part of the same series. 

Deadly Intent was wonderful. There was romance and sexual tension and oh-so-much suspense. Twists and turns I couldn't anticipate kept me on my toes and stealing every opportunity I had to read 'just one more page.'

Mia was such a well-developed character. I felt like I was right there with her as she worked through the present mystery. I was also with her in the past as she shared her experiences in Iraq. There are few things I appreciate more in a book than a strong female and Mia was strong and capable. She didn't need a man to save her. 

Joaquin is another lovable character. With his big family and ability to capture images showing true emotion and unrecognized beauty, it's so easy to fall in love with him. 

Overall, Deadly Intent was a well written engaging read. I recommend it for anyone who likes their romance with a side of murder and suspense.

Wicked awesome. Intrigue, danger, action, romance, misdirection, and so much more packed into this book. Really good descriptions makes you believe the author is placing you right into the scene. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

I was so happy when I saw that another book was coming out in this series as it's a favorite of mine, in fact I did a re-read of the whole series late last year.  I sort of felt bad for Joquin, he was always the buddy along for the ride, but never got a girl of his own.  

While it was the best first meeting, I liked how Joaquin/ and Mia met.  It allowed Joaquin to know what he was up against.  I liked that even though Mia was a bitch to Joaquin the first time he still reached out to her when they saw each other again at his cousin's party and didn't hold that against her.  Sure it helped that there was an attraction there, but Joaquin was a nice guy, which he proved when Mia found herself in trouble later and he did what he could for her.  

I thought it telling that Joaquin crossed lines in his profession to protect Mia.  I hated the spot that it put him in, but it was the right thing to do, was glad that when it came out later it didn't hurt him.  

I loved that with Joaquin, Mia got lots of friends and family, all of which gave support without strings, something she dearly needed in her life, something she never had before.

I liked how this one ended, loved that our couple got their HEA, but better was that Mia's past came out and she got vindication and apologies.

More please! I was so excited to see that Joaquin gets his own story. I got to tell you, he comes across as way more sexy then I imagined in past books.