Hidden Agendas by Lora Leigh is the fourth book in her Tempting SEALs series.

Although I know there are more stories in this series, I've only read the two full length novels so far and I've truly enjoyed each one!

The latest, Hidden Agendas, picks up where the last, (Dangerous Games), left off. We see early on that the big bad on the scene, Diego Fuentes, is manipulating things so that he can control one man ... the son that he never knew existed.

Although Fuentes is part of the mob underworld, his son is not, in fact quite the opposite. And to bring his long lost son to his side, he sets up a plot to kidnap Emily Stanton, someone very close to him. He also agrees to expose a mole within the inner-circle of people surrounding Emily's father, A US Senator making his way to the top by bringing down the drug mobs.

While this story is strong on heated romance, per usual Lora Leigh, what makes it play well is the intrigue surrounding the characters. But I must confess, I was way more interested in who Fuentes's son actually would turn out to be, then I was in the love story between Emily and Kell.

Don't get me wrong, they are great characters. Emily is strong and compassionate, but not without her own fears, having been raised by an overbearing father and kidnapped once by Fuentes already. Kell is uber hot and has known Emily since she was young. He's loved her for almost that long, though not without his own issues as well. (But hey, any many who loves a woman who is not all legs, 108 lbs, and blond is right on in my book!) When these two come together it's scorching hot. Still, HA is almost tame when compared to some of Leigh's other stories. No kinky sex, just straight out passion so I think this one is a good one for someone not into Leigh's usual stuff.

The plot is almost obvious with lots of hints leading you to it's inevitable conclusion. But in the end it was one character that grabbed me more than anything else and thankfully his story is up next! ( )

This book focuses on Kell, a sexy SEAL who has fantasied and watched over Emily, daughter of a retired SEAL now state senator. Emily is in danger, apparently in a previous book she was kidnapped and intended to be raped and sold to a terroist. Emily was saved by Kell and his Team. Now, the same team are responsible for her security. Kell and Emily have a strong physical attraction that has surfaced up after many years of thinking about each other. The sex in this book is semi-graphic but sensual. The end was surprising. I would have never have guessed. I can not wait to read the next Tempting SEAL book. This is even better than the previous one, Dangerous Games. ( )

Tough-as-nails Navy SEAL Kell Kreiger is the best there is at searching, rescuing, and taking no prisoners…yet even the rush of ever-more dangerous missions isn't enough to satisfy him. Haunted by a tortured past, Kell seeks distraction in a secret world of dark intimacies. But when Emily Stanton, the one ray of light in Kell's shadowy existence, is pursued by a ruthless drug lord, the rules of the game suddenly change—and Kell will have to go deeper undercover than he ever imagined.

Emily has loved Kell ever since her father, a prominent politician, rescued him from a brutal life on the streets. They were kids then, too young to act on what was growing between them…but now that Emily is ready, the handsome, headstrong SEAL has decided he's no good for her. Ever since he rescued her from Diego Fuentes' compound, Kell's only duty has been to keep Emily safe. But Fuentes isn't finished with Emily—or Kell. And to protect Emily, Kell has no choice but to lay himself—body, soul, and secrets—bare…and fight against evil with all his heart. ( )

Disappointing. I guess I'm over 25 yo virgins. And it was a stupid plot, so innocent, so virginal, such a great pole dancer... I don't see the need for that. Either she is innocent and viginal or she's not, but making her both makes her ridiculous.
Cliched plot and characters, skimmed and didn't care about the end. I don't know what's happening to Lora Leigh, I used to like her so much. I think she must have too many contractual obligations because it feels like she phoned this one in. ( )

**Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques**

The Navy SEAL team code named Durango Team has been tasked with protecting Senator Stanton and his daughter Emily from the latest threat posed by drug cartel kingpin Diego Fuentes. But playing bodyguard to the adventurous Emily is tricky when just keeping up with this hellion is a full-time task!

Enter Lieutenant Kell Krieger. He has known the Stantons for years, and watched Emily for most of that time between missions. Being assigned to personally protect Emily guarantees he’ll be in close contact with the aspiring writer 24/7, but she’ll not find it as easy to scare Krieger off as she did all of her previous bodyguards. He knows what makes her tick, understands her frustrations, and intends to show her how to spread her wings while keeping her pretty little butt safe from all threats. Still, the capable SEAL finds the Senator’s daughter more than a handful, and her mere presence menaces his normally unshakeable control.

He just needs to keep her safe until Durango Team uncovers the mole who has been feeding information to Fuentes and has demanded Emily’s death. But keeping his heart safe from Emily proves to be the real challenge…

Okay, I will admit it up front. I am a fool for sexy Cajun men, and Navy SEAL Lieutenant Kell Krieger tops my list of men fitting that description! Lora Leigh’s fourth installment in her Tempting Seals series continues the ongoing saga of the Durango Team’s mission to defeat the evil Diego Fuentes and the drug cartel leader’s continuing attempts to retaliate against the SEALs and their loved ones for the battles they’ve already won against him. This series captivated me from book one, and Hidden Agendas further entrenches my love for these hunky SEALs!

Emily embodies the poor little rich girl type heroine, having been held captive by a life a privilege, denied the freedoms enjoyed by most due to the dangers surrounding the daughter of a man in her father’s position as a Senator and ex-SEAL agent himself. She bucks against his control and the stifling presence of the revolving door of bodyguards he saddles her with. While most of us have not grown up in her specific situation, it is still easy to identify with her as a woman who is fighting for her independence.

Kell is the perfect hero for Emily. Having suffered unbearable tragedy in his past, he is a man who needs a woman who can stand by his side, not behind him. While certainly he tops the list of Alpha Males, he is strong enough to allow his woman her independence she needs and freedom to determine her own destiny. Indeed, he bolsters her courage and determination to stand up for herself, winning her heart and locking their souls together forever in the process.

If you loved the suspenseful storylines in the previous Tempting Seals editions, then you will be gratified to know that Hidden Agendas is fraught with just as many twists as the stories that preceded it! Leigh managed to throw me some curve balls, and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat until I turned the very last page.

Of course, while the story wraps up some of the mysteries, the author leaves plenty of room for sequels, which I am itching to get my greedy little book loving hands on!

This series knocked my socks off from book one, delivering all of the sexual intensity you expect in a Lora Leigh book, coupled with the sweet romance and happy ending she can always be relied on for.

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