Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure by Patti O’Shea Series: The Paladin League #8
on July 1st, 2026
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Suspense
Available with KU Subscription
Goodreads
He’s always been a protector. She’s strong enough to fight on her own. This time, survival depends on each other.
Special Forces Sgt. Cal “Baggs” Baggnell walked away from Iona Desmond. Carving out his own heart hurt—but watching the woman he loves charge headfirst into danger hurt even more.
Iona loves Cal with her whole being, but she couldn’t change the core of who she is to fit his protective nature. He knew exactly who she was when they met—the need for adventure is in her DNA.
Now, their paths collide in Puerto Jardin, where Iona has talked her way into Cal’s op. And he’s been assigned to work with her.
Their bait: the Lost Treasure of Trujillo. Their target: arms dealer Jorge Torres. Their problem: Torres isn’t the only predator closing in.
With ruthless drug lords, rival treasure hunters, and a powerful Russian mob lieutenant obsessed with finding the billion-dollar fortune, Cal and Iona must put their past aside. The deeper they dig, the deadlier the game becomes.
As betrayals mount and enemies tighten their grip, survival depends on one thing: Trust. If they fail, they won’t just lose their second chance—they’ll lose everything.
Wicked Temptation is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.
Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who works undercover for the Paladin League as a photojournalist. This story features a second-chance romance, identical twins, and a kick-butt heroine.
Exclusive excerpt of Wicked Temptation
“Archer—my boss—had intel that someone named Fuentes was after the treasure, but couldn’t get more.”
“So he sent you down and you kicked a hornet’s nest.”
She jerked her hand free. “I didn’t kick anything.”
His gut clenched, stupid and instinctive, the words scraping against an old wound he never talked about. He covered his fear with irritation. Anger was cleaner, sharper, easier to control. “And yet you were kidnapped.”
Io shot to her feet. “I did not kick anything. I hadn’t even done much when I was grabbed. I didn’t realize the words Paladin League were tantamount to waving a red flag and shouting I know where the treasure is.”
Cal stood and closed the distance. “You were down here for days.”
“I was working on my article while I got the lay of the land.” She glared at him. “I traveled to San Isidro, interviewed people, took pictures. The only thing I did in Trujillo was visit the convent the day after I returned.”
“The convent surrounded by men belonging to an arms dealer.” He glared back. “Don’t tell me you didn’t see them.”
“I saw them.” She crossed her arms. “I figured I’d be tailed. I was. I also figured I could lose them. I did.”
The cockiness. It made him insane. “They grabbed you and held you prisoner.”
“They did not. Torres and his men never touched me. They weren’t even that interested in me. It was easy to shake them off my ass.”
“Maybe too easy. Did you think of that?”
“Of course I did.” She stepped closer. “I didn’t just look behind me and say oopsie daisy, they lost me. I made sure my tail was clear.”
“You were compromised.”
“I was targeted. That’s different.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
She opened her mouth, shut it, and then shook her head. “I’m too tired to argue. Believe whatever the hell you want.”
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About Patti O’Shea
Patti O’Shea’s passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she’s been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it’s given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.
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