The Negotiator: A Games People Play Christmas Novella

I fell in love with HelenKay Dimon's writing with the first book I read by her several years ago. A Games People Play series is filled with intriguing characters, fun banter, intense suspense, and swoon-worthy romance. And The Negotiator delivers the goods once again in the concentrated package of a novella that provides a lot of story for its shorter length. Garrett McGrath has been in the background through the series, yet his witty, quirky personality, his lethal abilities, and smooth talking ways have shined through from the first scene with him. He is easy to fall for, and I love that he got his own happily ever after. And especially I love that he got it with Lauren Gallagher because they are so perfect together, the chemistry between them is smoking hot. Lauren Gallagher's life has been filled with secrets and awkward moments ever since her husband disappeared into the sea. But she is a smart and capable lady and has overcome the challenges her husband left for her to deal with, and has made a good life from the ashes of the betrayal. Now it all is shaken up again. Garrett and Lauren's story is an entertaining package of suspenseful murder mystery and alluring steamy romance mixed with the angst of the approaching holidays and the family drama from Lauren and Garett's past. I pretty much inhaled the story, loving every moment of it. The dialog is brilliant, the repartee just had me laughing out loud and swooning as Garrett takes the fumble into the kinds of emotions and feelings he has been determined to avoid. But it is not all just fun and games while chasing the bad guys. There are deep, fragile feelings involved putting Lauren and Garrett into a vulnerable place to choose what they want from the future and what they are willing to risk for their feelings for each other. A delightful, thrilling, and captivating Christmas novella filled with fierce action and vivid emotions. Highly recommend! ~ Five Spoons

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog*** The Negotiator by HelenKay Dimon Book 2.5 of the Games People Play series Publisher: Avon Impulse Publication Date: November 14, 2017 Rating: 3 stars Source: eARC from Edelweiss Summary (from Goodreads): Lauren Gallagher’s life changed almost three years ago. After her husband disappeared at sea, she was left with a failing pleasure boat company and more than a few secrets. Now, after years spent rebuilding the business and paying off the pile of debts, she finally feels in control. But when she finds her husband, actually dead, on the floor, she becomes the leading suspect in his murder investigation. Garrett McGrath wants Lauren in his bed, not his heart. He doesn’t do emotions, but every time he sees her, holding himself back gets harder and harder. When Lauren comes under suspicion for killing her previously presumed-dead husband, he knows he has to help her, any way he can. But as the danger becomes more intense and Garret and Lauren grow closer than either planned, they’re in danger of losing everything…including their hearts. What I Liked: This is one of those cases in which I'm like, "it was good buuuuuuuut...". I love HelenKay Dimon's books and haven't been disappointed yet. My favorite of hers is probably Mine, a book in another series. The Games People Play series has been pretty good so far - not as steamy as I expected, but very intriguing in terms of the light suspense and mystery. I'd been waiting for Garrett and Lauren's story since reading book one because they have a lot of great chemistry in the first two books. Now that I've read this novella... I don't necessarily think there was anything wrong with the novella - I think it was my preferences that got in the way of me loving it. Garrett McGrath has been chasing Lauren Gallagher for months, but she has turned him down every time he asks her out. He doesn't usually do the chase, or invest so much time and effort into one woman, but something about Lauren has always drawn him to her. Lauren's husband was declared dead after he went missing at sea... but one day, suddenly, he show up, very much not dead, and still the infuriating money-seeking idiot who is trying to get his hands on her house. By the end of the day, he is dead in her house. It wasn't Lauren, but as the estranged wife, she is the primary suspect. She calls Garrett for help, and with him comes Matthias and Kayla. Secrets are revealed and suspects are discovered, but it's Garrett and Lauren's love life that begins to unfold. I adored Garrett, mostly because he is so dependable and kind. He is always there for Lauren, and his friends too. He is very protective and stubborn, and he's a very good negotiator. I like that he never backed down and never gave up. He might be a nice guy, but he is a hardened former spy that knows how to get what he wants. He is a good guy, probably too good for Lauren. I didn't love Lauren, but parts of her I liked or at least understood. Mostly I didn't like her. But of course you have to feel bad for someone who ended up with such a crappy husband - the crazy ones don't always seem crazy at first. The mystery of whodunit seemed obvious to me from the start, though Dimon tried to keep readers off the trail for a little while. It's a short book (a novella) so you start to see the real suspect quickly. Read the rest of my review on my blog, The Eater of Books! - eaterofbooks DOT blogspot DOT com :)

3.5 Stars!!! I was hooked on the blurb and at times I felt that was the only place that I could feel the excitement of anticipation. I really enjoyed the story as whole. There were a couple of times that areas or story plots were too short and moved on to the next scene. What I did like about the story were the interactions that the characters had for each other. The sexy scenes were great and there were a couple of chapters I thought that I knew who the killer was. So wrong! This is my first book I have read by Helenkay and I am intrigued enough to continue reading and possibly back track on these books. The main story line was good and I truly enjoyed the story.

THE NEGOTIATOR is instalment 2.5 in HelenKay Dimon’s contemporary, adult GAMES PEOPLE PLAY romantic, suspense series. This is former government Black Ops and professional negotiator Garrett McGrath, and pleasure boat operator Lauren Gallagher’s story line. THE NEGOTIATOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual third person perspectives (Lauren and Garrett) THE NEGOTIATOR follows in the aftermath of Lauren’s discovery that her husband Carl, a man declared missing and dead, has returned to the living claiming he wants a second chance with our story line heroine. Knowing that the man before has never been capable of telling the truth Lauren contacts the only person she knows who might be able to get the answers she so desperately needs. Enter professional negotiator and investigator Garrett McGrath, and the man with whom Lauren will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between our leading couple, and the fall out when Carl is found dead in our heroine’s home, and she becomes the prime suspect in her ex-husband’s murder. For close to six months Garrett McGrath has desperately tried to convince Lauren to go with him but our heroine has steadfastly denied any attraction or feelings for the man in question preferring to rebuild the business that her husband’s disappearance singlehandedly destroyed. Garrett and Lauren’s attraction to one another is palpable; their sexual energy is seductive and provocative. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Wren and Emery (The Fixer #1), and Matthias and Kayla (The Enforcer #2) return for some familiarity and cohesion. We are introduced to Carl’s brother Jake; his business partner Bob, and his latest girlfriend Maryanne THE NEGOTIATOR is a quick read; a sexy friends to lovers romance that focuses on the search for the truth when a man once thought lost at sea, dies not once but twice with a long line of questionable business decisions, as well as series of long running affairs. The premise is edgy and energetic; the romance is spirited and captivating; the characters are animated and passionate.

The Negotiator is billed as a Christmas novella, and though it takes place in December and decorating for the holiday becomes a topic late in the story, it isn't terribly Christmas-sy, so be warned. Instead, it's the consummation of a romance that's been building up for months (it apparently began in book 2, The Enforcer ) and resolves the question of what exactly happened with Lauren's missing and presumed dead (or was he?) husband. I really liked Lauren and Garrett together, and the mystery of who knew what with her husband kept me turning the pages. Though I'm definitely looking forward to seeing part 1 of their romance when I read the prior book in the series, this one worked okay as a starting point--not ideal, but I wasn't lost either. If anything, it convinced me that I absolutely need to read the rest of the books in this series. Rating: 4 stars / B- I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

When Laura Gallagher's husband disappeared, and was presumed dead, it turned her world upside down, not only was she left alone to deal with their failing business, but also with all the rumors that followed his death. Him leaving the way he did left her frustrated, and also made her realize she didn't really know her husband at all, he had done a lot of things that she couldn't fathom him doing. But little by little in the last three years she has begun to piece it back together, and has even started to see someone new, and it feels good to finally be moving on. But then a ghost shows up on her doorstep and throws her new life into a tailspin once again... The moment Garrett McGrath met Laura he knew he wanted her, she is beyond beautiful, strong willed, but she doesn't seem to want anything he has to offer. But that hasn't deterred him at all, he still randomly shows up on her doorstep, bringing her meals, and trying to lure her out of her shell, in hopes one day she will give in and accept his offer for a date. Just when he things he is gaining some serious headway with her, a ghost from her past shows up, and it tests the bounds of their little bond. Now there is danger swirling around her, and all be damned if Garrett is going to let anything happen to his beautiful girl... The Negotiator is a sexy little action packed page turner that is sure to have readers teetering on the edge of their seats the whole way through! The moment I started it I was hooked, I just had to know if these two would finally find their way to one another, or if all the danger surrounding them would win out, and keep them apart. It was such a good read, the story line was intriguing, the characters were uniquely crafted, and all that compiled together made for one explosive little literary escape!! Highly recommend this one, Dimon's wonderful characters are sure to hold you captive from start to finish!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.