Hard Asset is the second volume in the Cobra Elite series but it can be read alone. We follow here Shanti who goes to investigate suspicions of genocide in Myanmar, and Connor, the chief of the security team demanded by her boss.

Shanti is a strong and determined heroine who sees mostly things in black and white at the beginning – she’s anti violence but as such she hurts the hero several times with decided remarks about soldiers – but she’ll understand there are different shades in the middle during her forced adventures. By the way she shows a surprising physical endurance and a big determination that are noticed by the hero, rightly so! She also has a lot of empathy for the witnesses she has to audition for her job, and a great moral strength not to break down when hearing the horrors they suffered. I liked the glimpses of her father’s traditions she kept even if she grew up in the United States, a beautiful mix of cultures.

Connor is a former soldier, so he’s straight, loyal, and very strong. But he also has a secret wound that torments him even if he was cleared by his leadership at the time. Because of that he regularly feels he’s not good enough for Shanti, which drives him to take near the end a one-sided decision understandable seeing the circumstances but that always annoys me deeply when it’s used in a novel. Fortunately before that he’s attentive to the heroine and doesn’t dismiss her opinions just because he’s the security specialist.

Between them the attraction is immediate but they try to resist for diverse reasons. I thought they were good together, he makes her grow up and she heals him. I’m not fan of sex scenes during high speed pursuits, but here there was only one scene where I was always thinking the bad guys were going to run into them at the wrong time. The resolution of their couple is done in a way I didn’t expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

The plot is in two parts: first the one about Shanti’s job involving getting testimonies of Rohingya refugees, all the more awful when you know what these people are currently living, and we imagine easily that the few details given in the novel could have happened (and knowing the love of the author for research it’s even more than a supposition). Then there’s the part where the couple flees the enemy army in the jungle, part full of action. Both come one after the other logically and end in apotheosis.

Once again Pamela Clare gives us a romantic suspense effective and gripping, and I love that she knows how to create characters and plots so different that surprise us each time. I recommend it to the genre’s lovers.

*4.5 stars*

Tension and love abound in this top-notch romantic suspense…
Shanti’s family background led her on a path and career with the International Criminal Court. Every time she successfully charged and convicted those who thrived on violence on a grand scale, meant she had won. Won for the victims and shone some light on her relatives who never got justice for themselves. Faced with an almost impossible task she soon realized how capable Cobra Elite was in protecting her. And how much Connor had grown on her…
Connor’s life was ex-military so he knew about evil and the violence that came with it. He and his team would guard Shanti with everything they had, including themselves. Little did he know the petite lawyer was going to mean so much more than a job…
I admit the beginning was a bit slow going but that may have been life just interfering in my much needed reading time. Once I got about four chapters in, though, I was hooked… Shanti and Connor were both a powerhouse in their own unique way, fighting for justice in very different ways. As they bonded over life-threatening situations, they came to understand better each other’s points of view. And realize respect soon turned to love… They were idealistic but realistic, serious but also able to savour the moments in life that made it worth living…
If you are a fan of military romance, great writing and unforgettable characters, than this story is for you!

Pamela Cl.are knows how to write strong, smart, resilient women characters that are able to save themselves! Sure, it is always nice to have a little help and in this book Shanti and Connor help each other as they fight to sruvive. It is a fast paced, action packed story sprinkled romance and heat. A few surprise moments and a great twist at the end.

I find it almost impossible to put down a book by Pamela Clare once I've started it! This second book in the Cobra Elite series featured Shanti Lahiri as a human rights lawyer trying to get justice for women who had been brutalized in a refugee camp. While the book may be fiction, I have no doubt that these horrors are real and those facts make the story all the more intense. Connor is tasked with keeping her safe as she interviews witnesses but of course there is a large faction of people who don't want Shanti to live long enough to get justice for these women.
Once again, Pamela Clare has written a gripping novel of romantic suspense with non-stop action. I particularly liked the details given about Shanti's culture and background making her what you would think would be the complete opposite of Connor. All of Clare's books show her dedication to research in her books, which sets her apart from other authors.

The main characters have such a hard start in this book. This book is a great romance but it was very heavy with war details. At one point, it became thick with facts and lulled but it picked back up by the ending.

This book was given for an honest review with no compensation.

Romantic Suspense lovers will enjoy this book. There is romance. There is action. There is suspense. There is heartache. There is a HEA. You will love Connor and Shanti's story. Pamela Clare never disappoints. Always on my TBR pile.

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

I am not a fan of romance or romantic-suspense with overly political themes. Just not my cuppa. The issues raised in "Hard Asset" were heart rending and, I suspect, totally true. Doesn't make that any easier to read and comprehend. Anyway, I loved the book which shined a light on a part of the world I'm sure a lot of people know little about. There is a hot romance too, something you can always depend on Pamela Clare to deliver. The suspense comes from the fleeing for their lives after a helicopter crash with an army on their tail.

Connor O’Neal is working for Cobra International Security after leaving the Army Delta Force. He has a lot of experience in war zones and feels more at home there than in his condo in Denver, CO. He volunteers for any assignment that takes him to any hotspot in the world, as if he can outrun the nightmares. As for any relationship, well, he's not a relationship kind of guy. When he is assigned as personal protection for an attorney with the International Criminal Court, based in the Hague, Switzerland, he is thrown off his game by his reaction to the beautiful Shanti. Clients are off limits, Cobra rules, and he really doesn't need the distraction while trying to protect her as she interviews victims of genocide in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Shanti Lahiri is driven to find justice for the displaced Rohingya people who have been driven from their homes by the murderous government of Myanmar. It is heartbreaking, nightmare work and being in her father's homeland only reminds her of the prejudice in her own family. The last thing she wants is a out of control attraction to her head of security.

When Shanti obtains conclusive evidence of the atrocities, Connor knows her life is in danger more than ever and an immediate plan to leave is in order, but there is a traitor and the helicopter Connor and Shanti are on is taken and they are flying straight into the jungles of Myanmar instead of to safety. The copter crashes and Connor and Shanti are stranded in a jungle in a hostile country that had no respect for international law and that want Connor and Shanti dead. Their journey to safety requires then to reevaluate what is really important and they each decide that their lives and love are what is.

Fans of Pamela Clare will definitely not be disappointed with her latest, Hard Asset. Shanti and Connor's story is original and well executed. Their HEA is not at all contrived and both beyond satisfying and unexpected based on the mindset of these characters. Well done!!

I was up until 3am because I had to know how the book ended. There were so many close calls and near misses that I couldn’t put it down until I knew they were safe. I loved the interaction between Connor and Shanti and the way they depended on each to survive was amazing. Seeing the Rohingya crisis from this prospective puts a face on it that makes it harder to ignore. It becomes more than just a new story that’s happening on the other side of the world. I really loved this book and look forward to reading more of the series.

An exciting plot with some interesting twists. Shanti works for the International Criminal Court and is trying to get evidence against a war criminal. To do that, she need to go into the most dangerous of areas to get testimony from victims. Connor works for the private security firm tasked with protecting her. The two of them are attracted to each other and then bond over their shared experiences of the horrors of war. They are of very different backgrounds - Connor is a soldier who joined the military after high school and Shanti is a Harvard graduate from a wealthy Asian family - albeit with an American mother. There are scenes and descriptions of both horror and cruelty, for those who are sensitive. Not overly graphic but this isn't a completely "feel good" book either. Connor and Shanti are believable and their growing relationship is involving. The story is gritty and thought provoking.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.-

I loved the series with the I=Team so when we started with Derek Tower and his company, I was glad that we could continue on with the characters that I came to "know" and love! Connor and Shanti just don't seem to be a compatible couple when she is all for peace and he is a soldier. But Connor said it the best - if you want peace, you need the backing of force or soldiers.

Things go pretty badly on their attempt to leave the country after a couple of attempts on Shanti so it is pretty suspenseful as they try to evade the enemy soldiers and come across people that they don't know if they can trust because a wrong step and they are dead.

I look forward to more books in this series and really want to read the one with Elizabeth and the burly Scot!

I really enjoyed this second book in the Cobra Elite series, although it can be read as a standalone. This was a fun ride from beginning to end. It was well paced with the right amount of action to keep me reading and wondering what was going to happen next. The setting and the trek through the jungle was exciting and beautifully described. The main characters started out worlds apart, but still managed to grow to understand each other and fall in love. Shanti was a strong female lead that was not overbearing. She was also able to change some of her views when she saw things from a different perspective, therefore growing and adapting based on her experiences. I loved Conner as the tough as nails hero with a soft heart. He, too, was able to change and grow throughout the story and was able to learn to live with his past experiences and eventually determine what he wanted for his own future. I know these types of books come with an HEA pre-destined, but this one honestly kept me guessing as to how that was going to be accomplished. Needless to say I was quite pleased with the ending. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I've read many of this author's romantic suspense novels, and I have to say that she's definitely ramped up the action in this new series!

Once again, I really liked the subject addressed in this story, as I felt it was one that hadn't been addressed often. It was quite the eye opening read! However, as other reviewers mentioned, the book itself seemed formulaic. It was fast paced, sure, but nothing different, and the different is something I've come to expect from this author.

I liked the chemistry between Connor and Shanti, and how well thought out they were. Their romance was a bit of a different twist on the opposites attract trope, which I enjoyed. I especially liked the bits of humor injected throughout the course of the story!

All things considered, this was a very entertaining and enlightening read!

I've been following Pamela Clare on FB for a while now and have heard others talking about how good her books are. I don't know why it's taken me so long to finally read one, but I'm glad I did. Not only was it well written and witty, it was almost non stop 'Holy Moly!' type action.
The characters, Connor (an ex Delta Force hottie) and Shanti (a sassy human rights lawyer at the Hague) so like able and smart that you can't help but root for them to outwit the bad guy and conquer all. The action between these two is also pretty hot!. I've already bought the first of the Cobra Elite series, Hard Target, and I will be pre-ordering #3 when it becomes available.
Hard Asset is the type of book that will appeal to both male and female readers. Ms. Clare is pretty on point with the military jargon and you can tell she's done her research on what she wrote. She is also very good at bringing the emotion in the story to the reader. I want to give examples so you know what I'm talking about but that would create spoilers which wouldn't be fair to anyone. It's one of the best military type romances I've read, and I've been reading romance for over 30 years.
I would recommend Hard Asset to anyone who likes smart, badass hero's and smart, strong heroines. Stories with action that will have you holding your breath and/or giving a hearty "Yes!" when an obstacle is overcome. ..yes, I did that numerous times. After reading Hard Asset, Pamela Clare is now on my automatic buy list

I always enjoy reading a Pamela Clare book and this was no different. The characters were well developed and didn't seem like a traditional cliche. Once I started reading I could not put it down. While I have read the previous book in the series, Connor and Shanti definitely had the better story. I can't wait for the next one.

Shanti is an attorney who works for the international Criminal Court. She is set to bring an evil general to justice. But to do that she will have to return to the country where the evil was done. In comes the guys of COBRA. Namely one Conner whose job it is, is to protect her and make sure she gets back alive. This author always writes edge of seat romances that you can’t put down. Her hero’s and heroine’s are always strong and well matched.


I read this book as an arc from NetGalley

HARD ASSET is the second instalment in Pamela Clare’s contemporary, adult COBRA ELITE romantic, military suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Black Ops Company known as Cobra International Security. This is former Delta Force Army soldier Connor O’Neal, and prosecutor with the International Criminal Court (ICC) Shanti Lahiri’s story line. HARD ASSET can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. COBRA ELITE is a spin-off from the author’s I-Team Series.

NOTE: Due to the story line content and detailed references to genocide and murder, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shanti and Connor) HARD ASSET follows the Cobra Team as they are assigned to escort and protect ICC attorney Shanti Lahiri as she travels to Myanmar in an effort to gather information about the warlord responsible for the Rohingya massacre and genocide. But a betrayal will find Shanti and Connor on the run in the Mayanmar jungle, miles from civilization and the safety of the Cobra Team. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Shanti and Connor as they traverse a minefield of danger and death, and the potential fall-out as Connor believes himself unworthy of love and a happily ever after.

Shanti Lahiri is desperate to take down the man responsible for destroying so many lives, desperate enough to place herself at risk as well as the man with whom she is falling in love. Connor O’Neal knows that his primary concern is to protect Shanti Lahiri but trapped in the Maynmar jungle means survival at all cost.

The relationship between Shanti and Connor is one of immediate attraction but Connor knows better than to get involved with a client. On the move in an effort to stay one step ahead of the man in charge, Shanti and Connor find themselves pulled together towards their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text but I have to question $ex in a dangerous, dirty and precarious environment, $ex that could ultimately get themselves killed.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of Connor’s Cobra Elite Security Team: Derek Tower, Malik Jones, Dylan Cruz, Elizabeth Shield, Quinn McManus, Doc Sullivan, Thor Isaksen, and Lev Segal; Shanti’s boss Bram Meijer, and UN project manager Pauline Montreux. The requisite evil has many faces.

HARD ASSET is a story of war and genocide; power and control; betrayal, vengeance, danger, friendship and love. Pamela Clare pulls her story from the nightly news and dramatic headlines in an effort to show the brutality that is life for those who are trying to survive against the odds. The premise is powerful and thought provoking; the romance is captivating; the characters are strong and energetic. HARD ASSET is an information, heart breaking and detailed story line that is sure to bring your attention to the ongoing atrocities and the Rohingya massacre.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Shanti is an attorney with the International Criminal Court. She is after a general who has had people killed and raped. It’s dangerous so her boss hires a security team to escort her. Connor was in Special Forces and now works for a security company. He plans to keep her in the client slot but the more he’s with her, the more he wants her. They are on their way out of the country when the helicopter crashes, then they must trek through a forest. They must dodge soldiers and forest animals while they are trying to reach the border. Can Shanti and Connor make it to the evacuation point?
Great book with lots of action. Some steamy sex scenes. A soldier who doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. A woman who doesn’t believe in violence but falls for a soldier.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Hard Asset by Pamela Clare is rich in vibrant detail which draws the reader into the world she created for her characters. Shanti and Conner are both firece warriors just in different ways. She seeks resolution through peaceful channels and he seeks it through conflict and violence. They learn that sometimes both means depend on the other to gain real progress. Their romance grew and deepened as the story progressed. Brimming with action and suspense this is a well told story you won't want to put down
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Hard Asset is the second title in the Cobra Elite series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I recommend this title to anyone who enjoys an opposites attract, romantic suspense with complex and intriguing characters.

Shanti is a lawyer who has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights, and justice. She's determined, driven, intelligent and successful.

Conner is an operative with Cobra International Security, and has been entrusted with the job of protecting Shanti whilst she investigates war crimes committed against Rohingya refugees.

Shanti and Conner's romance is a thrilling, gritty and action packed story of survival, suspense and intrigue. It's an emotional story of survival, bravery and love. Their banter is engaging nd entertaining and the story is overall very well paced.

The connection this pair shares is instant, yet they do their best to ignore their attraction, until they find themselves reliant on each other and stranded in the jungles of Myanmar.

Whilst i enjoyed the first title in this series, Hard Asset was very vivid and captured my interest and I cannot wait for future title in the series.