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Countdown to Zero Hour

I love foodie characters, so if an author has a chef or a bartender, I’ll automatically give the book another once over.

Hayley Baskov’s dreams of opening her own restaurant are temporarily on hold after her now ex-boyfriend and business partner bailed. So instead, she’s taken to serving her homemade Russian fare outside clubs in hopes of catering to the drunk crowd. Unfortunately for her, the deliciousness of her food has gotten the attention of mob boss and club owner, Rolan.

Artem Diaz is undercover, working as bodyguard/enforcer for Rolan until the rest of his team can take Rolan down. After Rolan invites Hayley to serve as the personal chef for a week-long getaway, Art not only has to keep Hayley out of trouble, but also make sure his undercover operation goes according to plan.

The descriptions of the food were amazing and I made the mistake of starting this book late at night. I have a strict “no eating after 10pm” rule and I’m pretty sure I could feel my stomach eating itself. I also loved Hayley’s passion for food. You could tell that she loved cooking and feeing people, which I get. There’s something special about watching someone take that first bite of a meal you cooked for them.

However, I felt as if I were missing something. The book had this strange feeling of dropping you into the middle of things, even though it technically didn’t. The relationship between Art and Hayley felt more reminiscent of one that had past history rather than two strangers. If I’d been reading a paper copy, I would have sworn the book was missing a few pages or that I’d inadvertently skipped a few important exchanges.

While Hayley and her prowess in the kitchen was a big plus for me, I could never seem to get my footing as a reader.

– Amanda

Ex–Special Forces agent Artem “Art” Diaz is tatooed, muscular and undeniably dangerous. He’s also deep undercover, posing as mob muscle for a deadly bratva boss. His mission: gain the Russians’ trust. Then lead the strike team that will kill them all.
Chef Hayley Baskov knows better than to get involved with someone with such close mafia ties, but the handsome bodyguard who brought her to this cold, sprawling estate full of ruthless mobsters is inexplicably kind. A little firtation may keep her safe amidst the growing menace.
As Art’s timetable for action escalates, so do his encounters with Hayley. Stealing what illicit pleasure they can keeps them both sane in the face of evil. But when things get dangerous, Art has to tell her about his assignment, bringing her deeper into the shadowy world of black ops…and putting her life on the line.
Now Art has a new objective: protect Hayley from the man they both call boss.