Reviewed by Susan
TITLE: Bait 
SERIES: Bait & Switch #1
AUTHOR: Lissa Ford
PUBLISHER: Lissa Ford
LENGTH: 259 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2016
BLURB:
FBI special agent Daniel O’Pray is a straight shooter both in and out of bed. But things get a little weird when Danny is tasked to be the bait in a sting involving the owner of Philadelphia’s most notorious leather bar. One out-of-control moment with nightclub owner Alexi Romanov throws Danny into a tailspin—sexuality included.
Worse, Romanov is a prime suspect in an extortion ring Danny is investigating. And Danny can’t get enough of him.
Danny has spent his life following the rules. So why does breaking them for Alexi feel so damn good? Lines are blurring, putting Danny’s career and his life at risk. His heart, well, that’s in jeopardy, too.
BAIT is a 77,000 word novel of romantic suspense. It is intended for mature audiences.
REVIEW:
This story is based around a very serious and sad and troubling topic: Human trafficking and sex slaves. Some of the scenes surrounding the young victims in this story are troubling. I found that the romance balanced out the dark and made for a very enjoyable read.
Take an FBI agent on shaky ground for acting on his emotions too much and match him up with a man with a shady past and a murky present….put them together and watch the chemistry explode! Danny and Alexi just can’t seem to stay away from each other. They both know that they should stay away, but they can’t help themselves. Danny had not previously thought of himself as anything but heterosexual, but his reactions to Alexi have him reeling. He wants Alexi passionately. Alexi is a gay man who has no shortage of opportunities. So why is he so attracted to a lawman who is so dangerous to his way of life.
One thing is for certain. These two characters are explosive together. Their love scenes leap off the page. You become invested in them as a couple right away. It’s almost like a Romeo & Juliet kind of situation. Both of them hiding their relationship from everyone around them who would disapprove. Mixed in is Danny’s strive to break the human trafficking ring. Is Alexi involved? Whose side is he really on?
The supporting cast, I feel, are stronger in Alexi’s world than Danny’s. The young men who are in such danger are relatable and easy to root for. Danny’s partner and his boss are typical fictional law enforcement officers to me.
Overall I found this to be a strong story to start off the series and I will definitely be checking out the future books.
RATING: 
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