Black Heart (A Black's Bandits Novel): HOT Heroes for Hire: Mercenaries

Ian Black has it all - except the love of a woman and a family. Natasha, aka Calypso, is an assassin but one with a heart who will do everything possible to protect her child, even if it means killing the man she loves. These two are perfect for each other, but it won't be an easy journey to reach their HEA. Harris has a way of writing characters that make them believable, and plot lines that are heart stopping even when you know the situation just isn't possible. But, the men of Black's Bandits seem to find a way out of every impossible obstacle put in front of them. This series just keeps getting better.

In my review for Book 1 (which I gave 5 stars) I said I'm not a lover of the Special Ops/Miliatary type books because the tend to be over the top and unrealistic. But I loved the author's Book 1 story being mostly believable as a major part of why I liked it. The same was true for the next ones.This book, while a decent romance, was really not believable. It's a fantasy and overly sweet and sappy. I think overall, this book is less the BDI of the previous books and more like some mix of a Christmas Romcom meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets NCIS and is written as a Hallmark movie.Tasha is not a woman that chose to become an operative when she was grown up. She's an operative who as a child that was put in prison conditions and subjected to horrible things and then forced into becoming Calypso. She was so traumatized she even tried suicide. She is full of rage, too. Someone like that doesn't just turn into Suzy Homemaker. Although I am glad she sort of did.In this book, Ian opens up to Tasha and explains why he has his focus on BDI's messing with The Syndicate. It is nice he sees Tasha and not Calypso. But of course he has trouble sharing his feelings with her. Like so many men in these books, he uses sex as communication. This leaves Tasha feeling like it's not HER he wants or that he even loves her. And instead of her communicating, she starts planning on how to run away. *smh*Tasha also resents not being able to go on ops while pregnant. I'm sorry, but I've had multiple kids, and I did anything to protect them during pregnancy. That included not doing certain things to ensure I wouldn't get hurt badly enough to injure the baby. That feeling was the strongest with the first baby. So that attitude of hers put me off, especially after Ian explained his reasoning over and over.And the entire Lissette thing was predictable and honestly a bit overdone as was the final fight/rescue. I can see why maybe Tasha was fooled by Lisette, but all of BDI? No one really even stopped to look more into her than the initial background check while she is living in the home with Ian and the rest? Anyway, it all ends happily and the only thing not thrown in was everyone singing Kumbaya or something.The book was a good enough feel good romance, it's just not what I expected for Ian/Tasha and not what I liked about the others--suspenseful and believable. I hope the next book is like the others were and this fantasy type story was only for this book because I really didn't love this one like the previous ones.

We Hostile Operations Team/Black's Bandits fans have been waiting years to meet the woman bold enough to capture the heart of mystery man himself, Ian Black. And Lynn Raye Harris delivers a memorable heroine in the much younger, international assassin Natasha Oliver. These two are made for each other. Many fans have been rooting for them all along.Natasha has made a vow to kill all of those she feels responsible for the 2 years she spent in the Russian prison. And Ian is the last on the list. There's just one problem. She's attracted to him. After a passionate night spent in his bed, Natasha isn't sure she can carry through with it. And Ian gets more than 1 surprise when Natasha shows up to warn him that there are new threats against him from the evil crime syndicate she works for. (Enslaved to, more like.) Natasha is sure she can't kill Ian - for more than just her attraction for him. Being with Natasha makes Ian think of home, family. Things he never imagined. But its not an easy road to HEA. I particularly appreciate that while there is a thirteen year gap between Ian & Natasha, age is not made an issue in this romance. Ian & Natasha are two broken warriors with similar tragic pasts who heal each other through their love.If you've followed the four previous Black's Bandits stories, you know about the assassin Calypso who's been a thorn in Ian's side. (Like Ian has been the guy the HOT teams led by General Mendez love to hate.) Far from being a cold-blooded killer, Natasha emerges as a surprisingly sympathetic character in Lynn's skilled hands. And we finally get Ian's backstory And get a glimpse of what has been driving him all these years. (Better get the tissues with that reveal.) And we learn his real eye color!Ian Black has grown through all his appearance from a terrorist to a valued valued comrade but he is always his snarky, irreverent self. (I loved Mendez's moment of payback for all of Ian's snide remarks over the years.) Natasha is perfect for him, tough, smart, and sexy - if a bit prickly. You will laugh, worry, and cheer.You don't have to have read any of the previous Hostile Operations or Blacks Bandits stories. Lynn does a good job of catching up to date. But her Hostile Operation Teams series is consistently terrific and I highly recommend them. If you want to at least read more about Ian Black & are unfamiliar with the HOT world however, I'd recommend HOT Rebel, HOT Ice, HOT & BOTHERED, HOT Valor, HOT SEAL Target, & Black List for key Ian Black moments.5 big stars!!!!

I seem to be going against the grain here. While I enjoy the book I thnk there could have been so much more.That Ian would end up with Natasha was given from the first Black's Bandit book and I still think it is the wrong desicion.The book has a decent amount of really slow periods, too slow for a story where one wants to kill the other and fears about someone being hold hostage. While Natasha's struggle with her pregnancy was written well, I think putting the whole focus of turning an assassin into a love-upped woman isn't just my style anymore. Telling everyone that she is a trained operative and then happy to let the big strong men do their job just doesn't sit well for me. There is hardly any background on Ian, we know hardly anything more than the reason to hunt trafickers but still nothing about the CIA and his cover or not cover. A shame, as I find him a lot more interesting than Natasha.Sorry Ms Harris, I think that was it for me. I. already stopped reading the HOT books as it is too much Damsel in Distress for me, the earlier books are far better when it comes to the female characters. It seems to be the new way to write romantic suspense and one reason I move more and more to MM instead.

Have been waiting for this book for what seems like a lifetime. Ian Black has been "around" in all previous storylines. Sometimes loved him, sometimes wanted to slap him but always wondered where his story would go and I was a bit worried that his story would disappoint, but LRH has once again proved to me that she can and does achieve with pulling something special out of the hat, and Ian's story definitely didn't disappoint.This was one of those books that I just needed to read the next chapter and then the next, didn't want to put it down until I'd finished it.IMO you would need to read the previous books to get the most enjoyment from this brilliant series

We waited and we waited. And when the wait was finally over I could get myself to open the book and read because I wanted Ian black to stay an intrigue for us.But OMG what a story. Amaaazing . Literally could not put this down. The ups and downs and the emotion was just arhhh ( as you can tell I don't have words) lolIan and Natasha. This is going to definitely be a non-spoiler.Just buy it and read it already. Haha. You'll love it? Adore, wanna re- read it asap again.Thanks you Lynn Raye Harris for your Brilliantness!Can't wait for more x

Finallyyyyy got to read Ian&Calypso's story and omg!!!! It's absolutely amazing! Calypso is the only one that could ever be for Ian and vise versa! Seeing Ian like this is such a shock and soooo ni e at the same time! I am heartbroken to have finished the book! Lol! A must read for sure!

I’ve been waiting forever for Ian’s story and this book did not disappoint! I loved every page. Ian was amazing in this book, he surprised me with his full commitment to Natasha. I was so looking forward to finding out Ian’s natural eye colour! Natasha was also amazing, she gave her trust to Ian and he didn’t let her down. Overall a fantastic read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend.