Review: Locked and Loaded (U.S. Marshals #5) by Mandy Baxter

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 . . . 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication: September 27th 2016 by Zebra

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is September 27th, 2016.

This is part of the U.S. marshals series however it is not necessary to read all the stories that came before this one in order to enjoy it.  I did read the previous one, At Any Cost, however not the three that came before it.  It was enough to peak my interest in this story.  For those who have read At Any Cost, I preferred it to this story.  For those who haven't, it doesn't matter.

This story is a mix of sexy romance with a little splash of thriller added in to it.  You have an ultra sexy cop, and overly driven DA, and undercover secret operation and a mixed bag of bad guys.  Of course it is going to be entertaining.  Between the high stakes operations and between the sheets, there is plenty going on to appeal to whatever you may be looking for.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Charlotte and Mason, both with their verbal warfare and with their physical chemistry.  You knew that there would be only one way to settle their difference and that it would be hot.  Baxter did not disappoint there.  I also liked the chemistry between Mason and his "brother".  So many layers of complexity there that you didn't know what would happen.

Normally I can figure out who the  "bad" guy is or what the angle of the story is however I did not in this one.  I am not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.  I did find that the storyline was a little far fetched to be realistic and the twists and turns a little bit random.  I recall coming close to the end of the story and thinking to myself that there were too many loose ends regarding the faction five to be realistically explained/wrapped up in the remaining time.  When it was it almost felt rushed to me.  That is really my only criticism.

I enjoyed this read.  I feel like I need to go back and read the first three books as from what I have read, they always seem to deliver a super hot male characters, sexy romance and a good time.