text: Mr. and Mr. Smith
  Book 1, Tough Love
  This book can be downloaded and read in Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device.
  Secrets and seduction make for an explosive combination in HelenKay Dimon’s edgy, thrilling new series, which kicks off with a novel about two men who can handle any threat—except the one posed by desire.
  RITA FINALIST—ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
  Fisher Braun knows how to keep a secret. As a covert paramilitary operative, his job—and his life—depends on it. He’s at the top of his game, ready for action and always in control. No enemy has ever brought him to his knees, but one lover has: Zachary Allen, the man currently sharing his bed. The perfect package of brains and brawn, Zach is someone worth coming home to, and Fisher hates keeping him in the dark about what he does. But the lies keep Zach safe. Until the day Fisher loses everything. . . .
  Zachary Allen is no innocent civilian. Although he plays the tech geek, in reality he’s deep undercover for the CIA. In a horrible twist of fate, the criminal enterprise he’s infiltrated has set its sights on the man whose touch drives him wild. Zach would do anything for Fisher—except blow his own cover. Now, in order to save him, Zach must betray him first. And he needs Fisher to trust him with all his heart if they want to make it out alive.
  Fall in love with the men of HelenKay Dimon’s thrilling novels:
  The Tough Love series: MR. AND MR. SMITH | THE TALENTED MR. RIVERS | GUARDING MR. FINE
  The Dirty series: DIRTY DEEDS | DIRTY GAMES
  Praise for Mr. and Mr. Smith
  “If you like hot men, action, nerve-wracking situations and police books, you should read Mr. and Mr. Smith.”—The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange
  “This book is . . . a whole heck of a lot of fun, with a large cast of characters, lots of women in power, some angry-hot sex, physically improbable stunts, and lots of s**t blowing up. If you like your romance with a little dash of Die Hard, this is the book for you.”—Binge On Books
  “If you are looking for some sexy, exciting, romantic suspense, I would definitely give Mr. and Mr. Smith a try. It is a fun story with lots of thrills and it looks to be the start of a great new series.”—Joyfully Jay
  “Mr. and Mr. Smith is a suspense-filled story. There are moments of abrasive and emotional tantrums . . . and inspiring scenes of one man’s love for another. The premise is entertaining; the characters are an eclectic mix of intense, impassioned, and real; the romance is a fight to the finish.”—The Reading Cafe
  Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
  Who you know
  Fisher and Zach have had a good thing going. So good, Fisher moved him in with him. Then one night he finds out he really does not know Zach at all. The truth could kill him.
  Both men work in covert business, but Zach has enemies that Fisher never knew of. Fisher finds himself in danger and Zach right along with him. Can they make it out alive?
  Heart pumping action, with heart pumping heat. Has an fast pace and a good story. This book will keep you on your toes! I could not put it down as it was a complete page turner.
  ***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher in exchange for an honest review.
  Good Plot Potential, but Lacked Spark and Dimension.
  ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
  ⭐ ⭐ Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review ⭐ ⭐
  Judging a Book by it's Cover:
  Two men dressed in business-type attire, black and white tone. Title font is bold, author's name is almost obscured. The title catches the eye, the synopsis piques the interest.
  While the story begins in the midst of a situation, hinting to an adrenaline-rich and action-packed thrill ride waiting to be read, it left me feeling like I'd missed some key and crucial information somewhere, so far as to checking if this book was not a later installment to a series as opposed to a series starter as the synopsis implies.
  Two men meet in a bar, neither are who they appear to be. While the story moves along at a solid pace and the writing is smooth, it's consumed with espionage and the cat-and-mouse spy games best described as a Spy Thriller with only SOME Gay Romance content. Both men are strong, well-developed characters, but even at the halfway mark, it was still difficult to feel any connection to either man or in the men together as an involved couple. Even though it was touted, often, that the sex was great, it had an emotional disconnect. The secondary characters helped to support the plot without being too invasive. Dialogue is strong, interaction felt natural.
  By the end of the book, I was still left feeling as though Zach and Fisher had more of a workplace bond than a romantic connection, there was no tangible spark between them. The plot was interesting and had so much potential, but if fell a little flat for me. There was a lack of depth, dynamics and dimension that I look forward to in suspenseful romances that is really did not have. There were many conflicts, presented from several external sources as well as those that were self-imposed. A number of the issues were addressed and resolved, a HEA was implied, but there was just enough of an opening for the series to continue onward with the storyline without containing a full-on cliffhanger. Predictability was low and there were no real surprises to liven things up.
  Overall: the writing was good and the plot had a lot of potential, but the romantic element did not ring true and the experience fell just a bit flat. I'd still recommend it to fans of Espionage / Spy Romances, but it was not a category I favored.
  Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.9 ~ Stars: 4
  A thrilling and suspenseful story – I loved it!
  Mr. and Mr. Smith is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Dimon and boy what an introduction to her writing! OK, I have to admit that the first chapter kind of confused me but I’m so glad that I kept reading. It had been a while since I read the story synopsis (I highly recommend you read it even if you usually skip them). I knew this was an M/M story but I really wasn’t getting how the story started out. So…after a couple of pages I went back and read the synopsis and then it all made sense. What I had forgotten was that this book was described on NetGalley as edgy and thrilling, about two men who can handle any threat. What I find strange is that Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank doesn’t show anywhere that it’s a suspense or thriller but boy it sure is!
  I don’t think I’ve ever read such an edgy, suspenseful M/M story. I guess I tend to read ones that are more about friends becoming lovers; maybe I need to change that. This book had me on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire story. The plot is complex and the writing style kept me captivated from beginning to end. I did not want to put this book down until I finished it!
  Fisher and Zach are both CIA operatives but Fisher doesn’t know that Zach is CIA and he also doesn’t know that Zach knows he is. OK, I know that may read a little confusing but trust me the story is not confusing – it’s fantastic.
  If you read M/M stories because they’re hot, don’t be alarmed; this one won’t disappoint you there either. Fisher is the strong, broody type and doesn’t want to admit what he feels for Zach – especially after he feels betrayed by him – but he just can’t seem to keep away. Zach knows that Fisher is his soul-mate but he’s not sure how he will overcome the hatred and mistrust Fisher has for him because of the choices his job forced on him.
  This book is supposed to be the start of a new series but it standalones with no cliffhanger and I couldn’t find a name for the series. There are several interesting secondary characters so perhaps there will be other stories coming about some of them.
  ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review. Review will be posted to Xtreme-Delusions dot com on or soon after release date.