Tag Archives: military suspense

Broken Bonds (Crimson Point 4.5) by Kaylea Cross-Review Tour

Posted on by
11

Broken Bonds (Crimson Point 4.5) by Kaylea Cross-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Apple /

Add it to your TBR Pile: http://bit.ly/33NHyj0

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2020

Autumn winds and rain have returned to Crimson Point.

It’s November in the Pacific Northwest and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Beckett and the Crimson Point gang are looking forward to celebrating the holiday together. This year they all have more to be thankful for than ever…but that also means they have even more to lose.

But this year a different kind of storm is looming.

Recent problems at work have left Beckett and crew scrambling to get projects completed. It’s all hands on deck, and just as the end is finally within sight, a deadly threat emerges from the shadows. When things take a lethal turn, the Crimson Point team must once again come together to save one of its own, and hunt down the vengeful killer before he can strike again.

*Note: This novella is a final wrap-up of the Crimson Point Series and is not intended to be read as a stand-alone.*’

•••••••••

REVIEW:  BROKEN BONDS is the final? Instalment and novella in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Crimson Point, Oregon, and a group of former Special Forces soldiers- Beckett, Mac, Noah and Jase and the women they love.

Told from several third person perspectives BROKEN BOND focuses on the friendships and relationships of a group of former US Special Forces soldiers who are about to face down an unknown enemy with the potential to kill them all. An armed man has been stalking Beckett Hollister, and thusly the men who work for Beckett’s custom home renovation company. With the firing of three employees in the past several weeks, all three men are suspects until two are able to confirm they are not involved. A sudden storm, a landslide, a shooter, and a missing man force the tight-knit group of former Special Forces soldiers to work together to save one of their own.

BROKEN BONDS is the culmination of several story lines wherein we get a glimpse into the lives of the couples we have met throughout the series. Growing families, the approach of the holidays, and the possibility of one or more killers on the loose, the friends must battle between head and heart knowing the lives of the people they love have been threatened. The fast paced and dramatic premise is a quick read; a wonderfully lively and edgy story; the characters are familiar and heart warming.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Fractured Honor
Buried Lies
Shattered Vows
Rocky Ground

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website /Twitter / Facebook /

Share

BEYOND THE LIMIT (Valkyrie Ops#1) by Cindy Dees-a review

Posted on by
12

BEYOND THE LIMIT (Valkyrie Ops#1) by Cindy Dees-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019

Sherri Tate, former Miss Congeniality, is a media officer for the Navy, but she itches to get on the field—and she can prove she has what it takes. But convincing others that she can become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs? That might be tougher than the agonizingly brutal training.

Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Skylar Tate, it’s friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can’t believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Sherri can’t believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it’s up to Sherri and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BEYOND THE LIMIT is the first instalment in Cindy Dee’s contemporary, adult VALKYRIE OPS romantic, military suspense series focusing on female SEALs. This is Lieutenant Sherri Tate, and Navy SEAL Griffin Caldwell’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sherri and Griffin) BEYOND THE LIMIT follows the rigorous and arduous training as Sherri Tate, and two other women warrior’s attempt to pass the BUD/S training for the US Navy SEALs. Sherri Tate is a media officer for the Navy, and is hoping to become the first female SEAL in US history but the fight to the top is harder than expected. From the outset our heroine is targeted by the people in charge, people who struggle with women in the US Navy SEALs. Enter SEAL and Reaper Team member Griffin Caldwell, the man with whom Sherri will fall in love. What ensues is the forbidden and secret relationship and romance between Sherri and Griffin, and the potential fall-out when SEAL Team Reaper walks into an ambush, and Sherri becomes collateral damage in an international war with the US Navy.

Griffin Caldwell’s career as an active member of Team Reaper has been side lined by potential career ending injury. Assigned to the SEAL training division our hero will come face to face with former pageant queen Sherri Tate, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Not everyone is happy to see women vying for a position with the US Navy SEALs, and Sherri, for all her determination and guts is targeted on more than one occasion.

The relationship between Sherri and Griffin is one of immediate attraction but Griffin battles between head and heart believing women in the Navy SEALs is a mistake and a disaster waiting to happen. Griffin is not the only man who believes this to be true, as our heroine will discover as she struggles her way to the top of the class. Having to hide their relationship and keep secret their love, our couple battle to remain stoic in the face of potential danger and loss of their jobs. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including two other candidates for US Navy SEAL: Lily VanDyke and Anna Marlow; Commander Calvin Kettering, as well as several members of Griffin’s Reaper SEAL Team: Kenny, Trevor, Axe, Sam and Jojo; and a number of recruits vying for one of the few remaining BUD/S training positions.

BEYOND THE LIMIT is a detailed story of discrimination and determination; of betrayal and revenge; of love, lust and happily ever after. The author, a pilot in the US Air Force, uses her knowledge and experience to bring the story and her characters to life. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are strong, determined and energetic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Hard Target (Cobra Elite #1) by Pamela Clare-a review

Posted on by
8

HARD TARGET (Cobra Elite #1) by Pamela Clare-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2019

Derek Tower has spent his life at war, first as a Green Beret and then as the owner of a private black-ops company, Cobra International Security. When a high-ranking US senator asks Cobra to protect his daughter, a midwife volunteering in Afghanistan, Derek’s gut tells him to turn the senator down. The last thing he wants to do is babysit an aid worker. But Jenna isn’t just another assignment. She’s also the younger sister of his best friend, the man who died taking bullets meant for him. There’s no way Derek can refuse.

Jenna Hamilton doesn’t need a bodyguard, especially not one hired by her intrusive and controlling father. She knew the risks when she signed on to work in rural Afghanistan, and the hospital already has armed security. She also doesn’t need the distraction of a big, brooding operative skulking about, even if he is her late brother’s best friend—and sexy as hell. As far as she’s concerned, he can pack up his Humvee and drive into the sunset. And, no, nothing her hormones have to say about him will change her mind.

From the moment his boots hit the ground in Afghanistan, Derek does his best to win Jenna over, posing as her brother so the two of them can spend time alone. Except that what he feels for her is anything but brotherly. Stolen moments lead to secret kisses—and an undeniable sexual attraction that shakes them both to the core. But events have been set into motion that they cannot escape. When a ruthless warlord sets his sights on Jenna, Derek will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it costs him his heart—or his life.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:–HARD TARGET is the first instalment in Pamela Clare’s contemporary, adult COBRA ELITE romantic, military suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Black Ops Company known as Cobra International Security. This is Cobra owner and Green Beret Derek Tower, and thirty-year old, nurse/midwife Jenna Hamilton’s story line. COBRA ELITE is a spin-off from the author’s I-Team Series. Several characters cross-over for familiarity and back story including Holly and Nick, and Javier’“Cobra’ and Laura.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Derek and Jenna) HARD TARGET followed Cobra International Security owner Derek Tower as he is hired to retrieve US Senator Hamilton’s daughter from a compound in Afghanistan. Jenna Hamilton is a midwife who is contracted to work with, and help the women struggling in the Balkh Province of Afghanistan, which is currently under the protection of a warlord turned politician. What ensue is the battle to protect Jenna from an unknown enemy, and the building relationship between Derek and our story line heroine.

Years earlier Green Beret James Hamilton lost his life protecting our story line hero Derek Tower, now it was his turn to pay back the family by rescuing the woman with whom he would fall in love. Things go from bad to worse when Jenna refuses Derek’s offer to return back to the States, as she struggles with the religious beliefs of a country not known for protecting their own. Several attempts to kidnap our will eventually be successful but in doing so Derek’s man will risk their lives for the woman he loves.

The relationship between Derek and Jenna begins as a forbidden romance in a country where women are treated like trash. As Derek goes undercover as Jenna’s brother, their secret will come to the forefront threatening everyone including our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including numerous men and women who work for Cobra International Security; several midwives in training in the Afghanistan compound, along with the security and soldiers; as well as Jenna’s father Senator Hamilton. The requisite evil has many faces.

HARD TARGET is a fast paced story line with a copious amount of technical detail and military jargon, researched geographical locations and destinations, as well as the threats against the women living and working in the Middle East. The premise is intriguing, engaging and edgy; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic and inspiring. HARD TARGET is an action packed story that pays homage to the women who suffer to protect the lives of others.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Operation Mayhem Series by Lindsay Cross-Review & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
10

Operation Mayhem Series by Lindsay Cross-Review Tour

MERCY AND MAYHEM
(Men of Mercy 6.5 / Operation Mayhem .5)
by Lindsay Cross
Genre: adult, contemporary, military, suspense, sci-fi

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME:

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2017

He wanted nothing but revenge… until her.

Mack Grey wants one thing in his life: vengeance for the ex-CIA operative who betrayed his team, Jack Mankel. And he’s finally got the traitor within grasp, all he has to do is catch a hop across the Congo and capture his enemy.

He had no idea the depths to which Mankel’s evil could reach.

She never thought she could love again… until him.

All single-mother air force pilot Marley Mitchell has to do is fly a group of special operators across Africa for a HALO jump and then she can be back home with her baby girl. Then the unexpected happens. Her plane crashes and Marley has to rely on an insanely hot commander to get her out of the jungle alive.

Deep in the jungle, Mack gives her his heart and soul. He’s willing to lay down his life to protect hers.

But Marley has a secret.

A secret that could destroy not only their hope for happiness, but Mack’s entire team.

••••••

REVIEW: MERCY AND MAYHEM is the first instalment in Lindsay Cross’ contemporary, adult OPERATION MAYHEM romantic, military suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Men of Mercy series. This is Colonel Mack Grey, and air-force pilot Captain Marley Mitchell’s story line. MERCY AND MAYHEM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty, Several of the characters were first introduced in the author’s Men of Mercy series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mack and Marley) MERCY AND MAYHEM follows in the aftermath of sabotage against Colonel Mack Grey, and his elite Team of Special Ops warriors. As an Air Force pilot Captain Marley Mitchell has flown many missions but her latest mission to Africa finds our heroine, and her cargo fighting for their lives when the assignment goes all to hell. Colonel Mack Grey, desperate to avenge the death of his former teammate goes on the hunt for an ex CIA operative whose experiments with creating a super soldier has left many men shadows of their former selves. Searching for the last known carrier of the experimental drug lands Mack and his Team in the Congo jungles, trying to fight off armed guerrillas, starvation, rabid beasts and lust. What ensues is the building relationship between Mack and Marley, and the fall-out as the threats against the Team come from an unlikely source.

MERCY AND MAYHEM is a story of betrayal and survival; friendship and revenge; love, misunderstanding and loss. The relationship between Marley and Mack is of the moment; a relationship based on circumstance and lust but issues of trust destroy any thoughts of a future, a future threatened by super soldiers, the Congo government and Mack’s inability to see the truth. The premise is engaging and energetic; the romance is hot and steamy but hot, steamy sex in the jungle, while on the run is dangerous and stupid ; the characters are powerful, colorful and intense. MERCY AND MAYHEM combines romance, suspense, and military heroes in a dynamic introduction to the author’s OPERATION MAYHEM series.

_________________

MAYHEM’S WARRIOR
(Operation Mayhem #1)
by Lindsay Cross
Genre: adult, contemporary, military, suspense, sci-fi

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 2017

Captain T.K. Reaper only cares about his men; until he ends up falling for the one woman who can rescue his team.

Reaper has lived his entire life without love. Living on the edge with no fear, Reaper and his team volunteered for Project Mayhem — a top-secret experiment that uses a serum to enhance physical abilities in order to fight terrorism. Reaper believed the experiment would help save lives, but the serum only ends up taking them. Forced to go on the run, Reaper escapes the lab with his men, only to realize that they need the serum to survive. He has only one choice; return to the lab, and steal the source of the serum.

Caroline Cotter used to be a spoiled Senator’s daughter; now, she’s a victim. Kidnapped and held against her will to make the serum used for Project Mayhem, Caroline gives up hope of ever being free again… until Reaper enters, and frees her from her dark prison.

Yet the jungle outside is full of terrors, and government officials are hot on their tail. Reaper plans to keep the relationship between him and Caroline platonic, but undeniable attraction and explosive desire, coupled with Caroline’s adoration that he saved her from certain death, make it hard to resist the love story blossoming between them.

What will Reaper choose? His romance with Caroline, or the sacred vow he’s made to the brothers willing to die by his side?

•••••••••

REVIEW: MAYHEM’S WARRIOR is the second instalment in Lindsay Cross’ contemporary, adult OPERATION MAYHEM romantic, military, suspense, sci-fi series focusing on an elite group of genetically enhanced super soldiers. This is Captain T. K. Reaper, and Caroline Cotter’s story line. MAYHEM’S WARRIOR can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading Mercy and Mayhem for some back story. OPERATION MAYHEM is a spin-off from the author’s Men of Mercy series where Reaper and his teammate’s story begins.

SOME BACKGROUND: A secret military experiment known as Project Mayhem,privately funded by terrorist organizations, headed by Jack Mankel, General Rainier and Dr. Winters, hoping to create a super soldier has left several victims in its’ wake. US military Captain T. K. Reaper’s team of former Special Forces soldiers ‘volunteered’ unaware of what it was they had volunteered for or why. Hoping to avenge the death of a fellow soldier, Reaper frees his teammates (Mercy and Mayhem .5) only to discover the tests are continuing using a young woman as the source of the drug. Operation Mayhem are their stories.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Reaper and Caroline) MAYHEM’S WARRIOR follows in the wake of the rescue of Reaper’s team from a secret lab in the Congo jungle, a rescue meant to save Caroline Cutter. When his latest assignment spiralled out of control, Reaper set out on his own to rescue a woman believed to be used and imprisoned in the same lab where Reaper and his teammates were once held and abused. Caroline Cotter’s life was no longer her own. Drained of her blood on a regular basis our heroine is kept comatose to keep her alive. A rescue operation finds our heroine on the run with a man whose DNA calls to her own, a man whose own life hangs in the balance along with the men he left behind. What ensues is the cross –country journey of Reaper and Caroline, and the fall-out as Reaper suspects Caroline is part of the plan.

The relationship between Reaper and Caroline is one of immediate attraction but an attraction based upon circumstance and need. Alone together, as they search for a way out, our couple will find themselves the targets of insurgents caught up in a military experiment, as well as the guerrillas caught up in a local civil war. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

MAYHEM’S WARRIOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies; destruction, compassion, hope and love. Because of the ‘scientific and experimental’ nature of the series premise, I would suggest suspending reality for some of the situations and plot points- this is a fictional story with some sci-fi elements bordering on the paranormal. The premise is familiar but intriguing, fast paced and suspenseful; the romance is seductive and hot but issues of trust turn Reaper into a man not worthy of Caroline’s love; the characters are strong and dynamic.

I would like to add that I suspect I am missing some important background information in the lead up to the current series. As Operation Mayhem is a spin –off from the author’s MEN OF MERCY series, I am going to presume that much of the history is revealed in the original series.

_______________

MAYHEM’S DESIRE
(Operation Mayhem #2)
by Lindsay Cross
Genre: adult, contemporary, military, suspense, sci-fi

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME:Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2017

His traumatic past has left him dark… and longing for love.

Hicks thinks good and evil comes in black and white. No blurred lines, no grey areas. After being subjected to a horrific experiment that’s left him damaged as a super soldier, Hicks seeks comfort from his torment in reliability. He’s got clear rules on morality and isn’t willing to break them.

Until her.

Whitney is a seductress. Secretly working for a Senator as a mistress, she puts on leather outfits and a mask of sensuality to bend men to her will— though the money she makes doing so isn’t to save her, but others. Whitney believes she’s past saving, and that love is a silly dream.

Then he enters her life.

Hicks is sickened by what he thinks Whitney is — and undeniably attracted to her. After Whitney’s life is threatened in a violent murder attempt, Hicks calls in his team. Whitney is the target of a government operation, and unless Hicks can discover who’s behind it, Whitney’s life is forfeit.

But the mission isn’t the only thing on Hicks’ mind.

Whitney and Hicks can’t keep their hands off each other… but they can’t stand each other, either. Whitney isn’t the innocent woman Hicks thought, and Hicks isn’t the strong hero Whitney’s looking for. But together, the heat of their romance and the passion of their love cannot be stopped.

Can Hicks rescue Whitney from a tragic end? Or will the lovers lose everything against incredible odds?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: MAYHEM’S DESIRE is the second full-length instalment in Lindsay Cross’ contemporary, adult OPERATION MAYHEM romantic suspense, sci-fi series focusing on an elite group of genetically enhanced super soldiers. This is Christopher ‘Hicks’ Higginbotham, and Whitney Averton’s story line MAYHEM’S DESIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history. OPERATION MAYHEM is a spin-off series from the author’s Men of Mercy series where the story begins.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Hicks and Whitney) MAYHEM’S DESIRE follows Whitney Averton in the wake of a break-in and theft of her car, a break-in that was personal and dark. When no one would answer her calls for help, Whitney called the only person she knew she could depend upon-her sister Dr. Melissa Averton- the woman currently trying to save the lives of the men of Project Mayhem. Enter Christopher ‘Hicks’ Higginbotham, one of the subjects of Project Mayhem, and the man with whom Whitney will fall in love. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Whitney and Hicks, and the potential fall-out as Whitney is targeted by a sick and twisted mind.

Whitney Averton is the vice-president of logistics for a non-profit organization that helps children in need in developing countries but in order to earn a little extra money Whitney side lines as a dominatrix for the US Senator, a side line that is about to make her a target of a very important man. Christopher ‘Hicks’ Higginbotham, like his teammates, struggles with the everyday tasks of normal life but his latest assignment to protect and procure Whitney Averton finds our hero at odds with his attraction to, and the ramifications of Whitney’s private life.

The relationship between Whitney and Hicks is one of immediate attraction but a tempestuous relationship wherein Hicks struggles with what Whitney has done in her personal and private life. Battling his attraction to our story line heroine, Hicks tries desperately to push Whitney out of his mind, a desperation that is futile because the heart wants what the mind does not. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles: Reaper and Caroline (Mayhems Warrior #1); Dr. Melissa Averton; teammates Diggs, Juarez, and King. We are introduced to Senator Cory Keeling, and his body guard Reinhardt; as well as the return of General Rainier, and someone closely connected to the soldiers who are currently struggling to move on with their lives.

MAYHEM’S DESIRE is a story of obsession, power, betrayal and control; a story of attraction and love; of friendship and family. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is captivating; the characters are strong, colorful, flirty and energetic.

___________________

MAYHEM’S HERO
(Operation Mayhem #3)
by Lindsay Cross
Genre: adult, contemporary, military, suspense, sci-fi

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME:Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 2017

He needs someone to tell him he’s worth saving.

Diggs never mattered— not in his family. Project Mayhem left him with nothing but questions about who he is and confirmation that he can’t contribute to the team. He’s tired of being overshadowed by his brothers; Diggs needs something more… someone more.

She’s about to fall for the man who could hurt her more than anyone.

When Audra receives a cryptic message from her military brother that was filmed the day before he was killed in action, she knows he was involved in a secret operation gone wrong. His K-9 bomb sniffing dog, Trigger, has been left in their abusive father’s care. Audra races against time to save Trigger, and claim the one piece of her brother she has left.

A chance meeting. Diggs helps Audra save Trigger… but he’s the one who needs her the most.

Audra hates the military for taking her brother away, so loving Diggs isn’t an option. She can’t stand to get hurt again, yet Diggs is the only person who can help her piece together what happened to her brother. As they investigate the mystery, the chemistry between them grows even more intense until it erupts into steamy situations and longing professions of romance.

Diggs is Audra’s hero. But can she be his?

••••••••

REVIEW: MAYHEM’S HERO is the third full-length instalment in Lindsay Cross’ contemporary, adult OPERATION MAYHEM romantic suspense sci-fi series focusing on an elite group of genetically enhanced super soldiers. This is Audra Wade, and former Special Forces ordinance officer Diggs’ story line

Told from several third person perspectives including Audra and Diggs MAYHEM’S HERO follows in the wake of Audra Wade’s brother Jeremy’s death while on assignment in the Middle East. A cryptic message, and the beating of her brother’s army issued K-9 bomb sniffing dog Trigger finds Audra facing her future in the guise of former Special Ops soldier Diggs, a man who struggles with the guilt and grief of losing a man he came to call brother. But a suspicious Audra goes on the run only to find herself the target of a unknown assailant who believes Audra knows more than what she is saying. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Audra and Diggs, and the potential fall-out as Diggs is unable to let go of the guilt that continues to eat at his days and nights.

Former ordinance officer Diggs struggles with the memories of what happened and why. Unable to save the life of a fellow soldier, Diggs battles the daily shame and survivor’s remorse of leaving a comrade behind. Audra Wade suspects her brother’s death was no accident, and his cryptic message reveals more than anyone could have imagined but Audra’s life will hang in the balance when she becomes a victim of the people her brother was desperate to take down.

The relationship between Audra and Diggs, like in all of the previous instalments is one of immediate attraction; an insta-lust to love romance that goes from zero to sixty in a matter of minutes to hours. Neither injuries nor illness stop this group of warriors and the women they love from professing their love through sexual acts meant to comfort and appease-even near death experience result in a need to make love 😉 . The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, most of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles: Reaper and Caroline (Mayhems Warrior #1); Hicks and Whitney (Mayhem’s Desire #2), Dr. Melissa Averton; as well as teammates Juarez, King and an injured Quantum. The return of General Rainier brings with it a surprise for the Operation Mayhem survivors.

MAYHEM’S HERO is a story of betrayal, vengeance, family and love. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan’s GhostWalker series you will notice some similarities with the enhanced soldiers, and the man who is desperate for their return. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are strong and dynamic; the romance is energetic and hot.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

____________

MAYHEM’S KING
Operation Mayhem #4
by Lindsay Cross
Release Date April 23, 2019

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 23, 2019

They call him the quiet one.

But they don’t know him.

They only know him as the King of mayhem. The elite of the elite. The man his team relied on to save the unsaveable. Kingston Kenrich could save anyone…except those who he’d loved most. King thought he’d survived the worst, until his own teammate’s betrayal left him blind in one eye. Before, he lived for pain, now he lives for revenge.

Her compassion knew no bounds.

From the moment Laura Dawson’s daredevil brother, John, signed up for the Special Forces, she’d known one day she’d get the call that he’d been killed in action. But she’d never expected to be the one raising his young daughter. After a year as a stand in mother, she got an even bigger shock – John was alive. But he wasn’t the same.

When his old teammate, King, appeared in her house looking for John, Laura kept quiet. But something about the tall, dark stranger tugged at her soul.

King takes one look at Laura and feels his heart beat again. How could his betrayer’s sister evoke anything other than hate?

Fate throws them together into a turbulent world of adventure and pain. Laura fights to remain loyal to her brother while falling for the man who wants to see him dead. King is determined to make her see the twisted man her brother has become, all the while losing his heart to her more each day.

Will Laura and King choose love or loyalty? Or will fate take the decision out of their hands?

This incredibly emotional romance will take you through the highs and lows of new love, the treachery of betrayal and the uncertainty of danger in a heart pounding journey of discovery.

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:MAYHEM’S KING is the fourth instalment in Lindsay Cross’ contemporary, adult OPERATION MAYHEM slightly paranormal, sci-fi, romantic, military suspense series focusing on an elite group of genetically enhanced super soldiers . This is former Special Forces soldier Kingston ‘King’ Kendrick, and social worker Laura Dawson’s story line. MAYHEM’S KING can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as there is a continuing theme throughout. OPERATION MAYHEM is a spin-off from the author’s MEN OF MERCY series.

Told from three third person perspectives (King, Laura and John) KING’S MAYHEM follows former Special Forces soldier Kingston Kendrick as he goes in search of John Dawson, a man he once called brother and friend, but a man who tried to kill our hero, by placing a bullet into his head. Hoping to uncover John’s whereabouts King comes face to face with John’s sister Laura, a woman that will call to his heart. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Laura and King, and the potential fall-out as John continues to hunt the men who left him behind.

King Kendrick knows only one thing, and that is revenge against the man who left him for dead, the same man who believes he was left for dead, months before. Meeting Laura Dawson gave King a second chance at his own happily ever after, a second chance of which he believes he is unworthy. Laura Dawson is completely unaware of her brother’s actions towards our story line hero, actions that will place Laura in the direct line of fire including threatening the lives of the people she loves.

The relationship between Laura and King is one of immediate attraction but King is on a mission to uncover John’s location, and any information about the man he wants to take down. With Laura now living at the Team’s compound, King is aware of his attraction and need for the woman that calls to his heart, a woman he will destroy by getting the revenge he thinks he deserves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples: Reaper and Caroline (Mayhems Warrior #1); Hicks and Whitney (Mayhem’s Desire #2), Diggs and Audra (Mayhem’s Hero #3), Dr. Melissa Averton; as well as teammates Juarez, a slowly recovering Quantum, and Laura’s niece Faith.

MAYHEM’S KING reunites the team of Special Forces soldiers as they must come to terms with what happened and why. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is captivating and seductive; the characters are broken and battered. MAYHEM’S KING is an energetic and inviting story.

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.

An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams.

FOLLOW: Goodreads /Website / Facebook / Twitter

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

Defending Morgan (Mountain Mercenaries #3) by Susan Stoker-a review

Posted on by
14

DEFENDING MORGAN (Mountain Mercenaries #3) by Susan Stoker

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters/Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 5, 2019

Dispatched to the Dominican Republic to rescue a kidnapped child, former Navy SEAL Archer “Arrow” Kane makes a startling discovery: another hostage—Morgan Byrd, a very beautiful and very well-known missing person who disappeared off the streets of Atlanta a year ago. She’s brave, resilient, and unbroken. All Arrow wants to know is why she ended up in a shack in Santo Domingo. All he feels is the desire to protect.

Morgan is done being the victim and is determined to find out who hates her so much that they want her gone—but not dead. Until then, she has Arrow, an alpha stranger who’s offering a warm and safe place to hide. But as the passion between them flares, so does the fear that whoever took Morgan will do anything to get her back. For Arrow, protecting this woman with a mysterious enemy is the most dangerous mission of his life. And it’s worth every beat of his heart.

••••••••••

REVIEW: DEFENDING MORGAN is the third instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENRIES romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a group of six former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is former Navy SEAL Archer ‘Arrow’ Kane, and apiarist (bee keeper) Morgan Byrd’s story line, DEFENDING MORGAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Morgan and Arrow) DEFENDING MORGAN follows in the wake of the Mountain Men’s discovery of not one but two hostages on their latest assignment. Sent to the Dominican Republic to rescue an American five-year old girl kidnapped by her father, the Mountain Men team locate and identify the child’s would be protector-twenty six year old apiarist Morgan Byrd, another American missing for close to a year. Struggling to survive Morgan and Arrow do battle with armed terrorists and civilians in an effort to escape, and return safely to America. Upon their return Arrow becomes Morgan’s guardian and protector in an effort to ferret out the person(s) responsible for the attack against the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Morgan and Arrow, and the potential fall-out as the Mountain Mercenaries begin to uncover the depths to which someone is willing to destroy Morgan, and the man that she loves.

Morgan Byrd had no idea as to the who or why of her kidnapping, imprisonment and on-going sexual assaults. For close to a year, our heroine battled between life and death in an effort to survive or withdraw from the continuing violations and onslaught. Determined to protect the young girl now imprisoned along side her, Morgan bears the brunt of their kidnappers’ aggression and anger. Arrow Kane’s overwhelming urgency to protect Morgan Byrd is visceral and real. His immediate attraction is countered by Morgan’s need to heal both emotionally and physical, healing that involves patience and time.

The relationship between Morgan and Arrow begins as an assignment but Arrow makes it his personal mission to protect and guard the woman with whom he will fall in love. Like all of Susan’s heroes the attraction is instantaneous; he knows that the woman is his HEA. The $ex scenes are limited due in part to our heroine’s need to heal and recover.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Navy SEAL Lowell ‘Black’ Lockard, computer guru and Navy SEAL Hunter’Meat’ Snow, and former Coast Guard officer Ball; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), Ronan and Chloe (Defending Choe #2) as well as the mysterious ‘Rex’; five year old Nina, and Morgan’s parents Carl Byrd and Ellie Jernagan. Black and Harlow’s story is next in Defending Harlow

DEFENDING MORGAN is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. I guessed the person responsible early on in the story; I suspect the identity of the mysterious Rex; but I had issues with the number of times the hero calls the heroine ‘beautiful’, Arrow uses beautiful as a form of endearment ninety (90) times throughout the story line-a bit redundant, repetitious and excessive.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Follow: Amazon/  Instagram/ Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter Sign Up /  

Share

Defending Allye (Mountain Mercenaries #1) by Susan Stoker-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Posted on by
11

DEFENDING ALLYE (Mountain Mercenaries #1) by Susan Stoker-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo /
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2018

Ever since his rescue op off the Pacific Coast, Mountain Mercenary Gray Rogers hasn’t been able to forget his latest “job”—Allye Martin. Any other woman would have panicked during a rescue, but the wily dancer kept her cool—even after being kidnapped by an elusive human trafficker. And Gray couldn’t be happier when a grateful Allye follows him home to Colorado Springs…

For Allye, finding sanctuary in the arms—and bed—of the former Navy SEAL is only temporary. People are disappearing off the streets of San Francisco, victims of the same underground trade that targeted her, and Allye could be the key to dismantling the entire operation. She’s willing to do anything to bring them down. Gray isn’t—for good reason. But you don’t say no to a tough girl like Allye who refuses to play it safe.

Now Gray is risking more than ever before. The Mountain Mercenaries have his back. But is it enough to keep the woman he loves out of harm’s way?

••••••

REVIEW:DEFENDING ALLEY is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES erotic, romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a group of six former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is thirty-six year old, former Navy SEAL Grayson Rogers, and twenty-nine year old, dancer Allye Martin’s story line. The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

NOTE: DEFENDING ALLYE contains scenes of abuse, torture and threats of a sexual nature, and may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Allye and Gray DEFENDING ALLYE focuses on the hunt for a kidnapper in the San Francisco area, and the person responsible for a suspected human trafficking ring. Grayson Rogers and his fellow Mountain Mercenaries have been handpicked for their current roles by the mysterious, and as yet unidentified, team leader ‘Rex’. Hoping to intercept the hand-off of money, Grayson discovers more than he had bargained for when he finds Allye Martin instead. A quick take-down of the kidnappers, a struggle out at sea, and the rescue of our story line heroine, finds Allye falling for Grayson but not before she reveals she has information that may be important to the team’s investigation. What ensues is the quick building romance between Allye and Gray, and the potential fall-out as a number of women are kidnapped and killed in an effort to draw Allye out into the light.

Grayson Rogers knows lost first hand when his entire team of Navy SEALs was killed leaving our hero the only one to survive. Memories, of the horrific ordeal including the murder of his friends, have forced Gray into an over protective male where it concerns the woman with whom he is falling love. Never again wanting to lose anyone close, or witness the death of someone he loves, Gray struggles with Allye’s demands and need to place herself in harm’s way.

The relationship between Allye and Grayson is quick to develop. From hours alone at sea, to finding herself ‘living’ with the man that calls to her heart, Allye knows that Grayson will protect her against the odds, but Grayson battles between memories of the past, and his ability to stop the woman he loves from becoming a willing target in an effort to catch the bad guy. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Grayson’s fellow Mountain Mercenaries: Ronan ‘Ro’ Cross, Lowell ‘Black’ Lockard, Meat, Arrow, and Ball. Ronan and Chloe Harris’ story is next in Defending Chloe.

DEFENDING ALLYE is a story of action, suspense, romance and love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is passionate and intense; the characters are colorful, dynamic and animated but the heroine’s need to place herself in danger to ‘save’ a friend and other potential victims screams TSTL (too stupid to live), incredibly destructive and ill-fated. DEFENDING ALLYE is a sexy, intriguing and fated introductory story line in Susan Stoker’s new Mountain Mercenaries series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Writing Defending Allye by Susan Stoker

Defending Allye is the first book in my new Mountain Mercenaries series. In the last book in my Ace Security series I introduced the characters and hinted that they’d get their own stories. The series’ main characters Gray and Black are former SEALs, Ro is a former British SAS member, Arrow is a former Marine, Ball is a former Coast Guard member, Meat was former Delta Force, and Rex, the handler, was also former military, but he’s a bit of a mystery at this point.

In the series starter, Grayson Rogers is on a Mountain Mercenary mission that goes completely sideways and unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, without a boat, with Allye Rogers.

Allye is a dancer from San Francisco who unfortunately, found herself the object of a crazy man’s obsession.

But of course, after being rescued from the sea, Allye’s life is still in danger and Gray uses his skills as a former Navy SEAL to track down the bad guy who has become obsessed with her. He’s possessive and Alpha, but not a jerk (at least most of the time…he does make one BIG mistake which causes a whole lot of chaos).

The Mountain Mercenaries are a group of former Special Forces soldiers from all branches who were hired by their their mysterious handler, Rex, a man they’ve never met, only spoken to on the phone. They take cases primarily involving women and children and are based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. As Allye points out, they are really more like Vigilantes, but that didn’t sound as good as Mercenaries. HA!

I lived in the Colorado Springs area for a few years when my husband was stationed in South Korea. I love how diverse the area is and it was fun to include places I’ve actually been to in real life. Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Black Forest, The Broadmoor, etc.

 

Pulling her closer, Gray wrapped an arm around Allye’s waist again, using his legs to keep them above water. Her body felt cold even through the wet suit, and her lips were no longer ringed with blue as they’d been earlier—now they were almost completely bluish purple. She needed to get out and get warm. Now. But she didn’t complain. Just did whatever he asked of her with minimal questions. He liked that.
He liked Allye. A lot. He knew nothing could come of his attraction, as he lived in Colorado Springs and she lived in San Francisco. But it had been a long time since a woman had piqued his interest as she had.

Gray eyed the boat and saw the second Black picked up his signal. The vessel took an obvious turn and changed course to head straight for them. He turned to Allye and gave her a smile. “There are one hundred and eighty-seven quintillion gallons of water in the Pacific Ocean. That’s sixty-two-point-four million square miles. If karma had it out for you, as you claim, there’s no way that boat would be headed straight for us right now. No one would find us out here . . . especially not in the dark. Chin up, kitten. We’re about to be rescued.”

She turned once again and faced the oncoming boat. “It’s a good thing,” she quipped. “My fingers and toes are prunes. I’m not sure they’ll ever go back to their original state.”

Gray couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped. She never ceased to surprise him.

They waited without another word as the light from the boat came closer and closer.

Finally, Gray heard Black call out his name.

“Yo! It’s about time!” Gray yelled back.

He heard his friend laugh as he cut the engine and slowed the boat. It floated toward them, and Gray maneuvered himself and Allye so he could grab one of the ropes on the side of the rubber boat when it got close enough.

“Where’d you pick this thing up?” he asked Black. It wasn’t the sleek fiberglass boat they’d been on earlier.

“Long story. Jeez, Gray. Only you could pick up a chick in the middle of the ocean, my friend.”

“How about you talk less and help me get her inside?” Gray asked dryly. He wasn’t going to introduce Allye to his friend while they were bobbing in the ocean.

“Yeah, sorry.” Gray turned to Allye. “You ready to go home?”

“Oh yeah,” was her heartfelt response.

“Grab Black’s hand. I’ll push from here, and he’ll pull you up.”

Black reached down, not waiting for her to reach up, and grabbed her under the arms instead. He began pulling her on board the large, inflatable Zodiac boat. Gray did as promised, putting a hand on her ass and pushing upward as Black pulled, and within seconds, she’d disappeared over the side.

He heard her “umph” as she hit the bottom of the boat, but when she didn’t scream out in pain or otherwise protest, he relaxed a fraction. She’d still need to be looked over by paramedics, but hopefully her little swim hadn’t done her any long-lasting harm.

Black’s face returned over the side of the boat a second later, and he held out a hand. Without fanfare, as they’d done this exact thing many times, Gray used his friend’s help and his own upper-body strength to haul himself over the side of the boat.

He immediately looked for Allye. He could see her more clearly now with the lights from the boat. She was huddled against the side with her knees drawn up. Her face was slightly blue from the cold water, but she gave him a weak smile.

Ignoring his own chilled body, Gray turned to ask Black for a blanket, but his friend was already there, handing him a stack of them. Gray crawled over to where Allye was huddled. He tried not to look at her long legs, but he was only human. She was built, her thighs thick and muscular, appropriate for a dancer, he supposed. He could see her calf muscles clearly, even through the wet suit. He had the thought that she’d look amazing in a pair of high heels.

Holding out a blanket, he said, “As much as it’s gonna suck, you need to get out of that wet suit.”

“But I’m freezing.”

“I know, kitten, but all that thing will do is make you colder. Take it off, and I’ll get you wrapped up in these nice, warm blankets.”

She rolled her eyes at the cajoling tone of his voice, but did as asked. She struggled with the zipper, but just as Gray was going to offer to help with it, she managed to pull it down. She wriggled and squirmed as she attempted to pull the wet suit off.

Gray handed the blankets back to Black and kneeled next to her. He pulled on the sleeve of the wet suit as she eased her arm out. He helped her with the other arm, then said, “Lie back. I’ll pull it off your legs.”

She did as he asked without question, but as soon as he began peeling the material down her legs, she quipped, “If I’d known I’d have a cute guy taking off my pants in the middle of the night, I would’ve made sure to shave.”

 

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Follow: Amazon/  Instagram/ Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter Sign Up /  

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the publisher

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

Deep Cover (Love Over Duty #3) by Scarlett Cole-a review

Posted on by
10

DEEP COVER (Love Over Duty #3) by Scarlett Cole-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 31, 2018

ARE THEY IN TOO DEEP?

Ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss always comes when called to duty―at all costs. Even though the death of his fiancée nearly destroyed him, Cabe won’t let his past interfere with any work that has to get done. When his latest task pushes him to team up with FBI Agent Amy Murray, a fierce beauty with the undercover skills to match, Cabe must admit that, for the first time in years, he wants to do more than just complete their mission together…

Amy was born ready for this assignment, but working side-by-side with the strong, silent, and frustratingly professional Cabe seems to be the biggest challenge of all. But when the sparks begin to fly―and the stakes rise to dangerous heights―the only thing Amy is left worrying about is how she can resist him. Their lives may be in danger, but their hearts hold the biggest risk of all

••••••••••

REVIEW: DEEP COVER is the third (and final?) instalment in Scarlett Cole’s contemporary, adult LOVE OVER DUTY erotic, romantic, military suspense series focusing on a group of childhood friends who own and work for Eagle Securities, a Special Ops firm formed by Navy SEALS Cabe Moss, Sixten Rapp, and Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick. This is thirty-four year old, former Navy SEAL Cabe Moss, and twenty-nine year old, FBI agent Amy Murray’s story line. DEEP COVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary although there is an on-going investigation from book one Under Fire.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cabe and Amy) DEEP COVER follows the building but forbidden relationship between thirty-four year old, former Navy SEAL Cabe Moss, and twenty-nine year old, FBI agent Amy Murray. The FBI and the CIA has called in help from Eagle Securities in their hunt to take down a money-laundering operation, and a potential human trafficking ring operating out of one of San Diego’s largest gambling venues, The Lucky Seven Casino, owned by father and son Hemingway and Faulkner Woods. FBI agent Amy Murray, the daughter and granddaughter of two of Las Vegas’ most prolific poker champions has been tasked to go undercover as a Black Jack dealer, with the help and assistance of Eagle Securities. Enter former Navy SEAL Cabe Moss, the man with whom Amy will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Amy and Cabe, and the potential fall-out as Amy is groomed by the casino boss for something bigger, something that Amy hopes will get her on the inside track to taking down the men responsible for a number of missing women.

Cabe Moss battles demons from the past, so much so that the death of his beloved fiancé, killed in action two years earlier, continues to control his highs and lows. Unable to move on from the past, Cabe finds himself struggling with his attraction to FBI Amy Murray, a woman that calls to his heart and his soul, but a heart firmly locked into the past. Amy Murray knows what it is like working in a world dominated by powerful men. Sexually harassed on the job by a superior Amy battles her attraction to Cabe fearing repercussions from the investigation that all but destroyed her career in the FBI.

The relationship between Amy and Cabe begins as a ‘fluke’, a quick meeting at a local bar before Cabe walked away without looking back. Working together meant the palpable sexual attraction did not go unnoticed by Cabe’s business partners, partners who themselves, fell in love on the job. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, seductive and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful, fun, sexy and sassy. We are re-introduced to Six and Louisa (Under Fire #1), and Mac and Delaney (Final Siege #2), as well as a number of former SEALs now working for Eagle Securities. With the approach of Six and Louisa’s upcoming nuptials it was fun watching a group of former SEALs trying to plan the wedding for their childhood friend. The requisite evil has many faces including Hemingway and Faulkner Woods, and the Russian syndicate Ivan Popov, Sergei Lemtov and Konstantin Sokolov.

DEEP COVER is a story of friendship, brotherhood, moving on from the past, and letting go. The premise is edgy, engaging and heartfelt; the romance is flirty, passionate and moving; the characters are intelligent, realistic and inspiring. DEEP COVER is a suspenseful and emotionally charged tale as one man comes to grips with his past, moving towards his own happily ever after.

Book one UNDER FIRE ebook is available for ONLY $1.99:

Amazon / Amazon. ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Dare You to Run (Unbroken Heroes #2) by Dawn Ryder-a review

Posted on by
10

DARE YOU TO RUN (Unbroken Heroes #2) by Dawn Ryder-a review

Dare You to Run

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 30, 2016

Serve and protect

For Vitus Hale, only one mission has ever gone wrong. All he had to do was rescue a beautiful woman from her kidnappers. But falling hard into bed—and into love—with the stunning innocent was not part of the game plan, and when she leaves him in the dust, Vitus has nothing but a blemished record and a hardened heart. Now, after three long years, his beauty has finally come back into his life—and this time, failure is not an option…

Seduce and destroy

Damascus Ryland knew from their first steamy embrace that stoic warrior Vitus Hale is the only man for her, but when her power-hungry Congressman father offered her an ultimatum—sever ties with Vitus, or he dies—Damascus knew she had to walk away to save the man she loved. But now, three years later, a new threat is closing in on her—and tossing Vitus right back into her life. Damascus needs to keep her love for him locked in her heart if she is to keep him safe, but the old flame that burned between them is still as vibrant and hot as ever. Now, Damascus and Vitus must risk it all to find their freedom…and embrace their love

••••

REVIEW: DARE YOU TO RUN is the second installment in Dawn Ryder’s contemporary, adult UNBROKEN HEROES erotic, military romantic suspense series focusing on an elite Special Ops team. This is Navy SEAL Vitus Hale, and infectious disease researcher Damascus Ryland’s story line. DARE YOU TO RUN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory, and the introduction of future story line characters.

Told from several third person points of view DARE YOU TO RUN looks at the rekindling of the relationship between Navy SEAL Vitus Hale, and Damascus Ryland. Three years earlier our heroine fell in love with the man who rescued her from uncertain danger; a politician’s daughter who had been targeted for abduction on one too many occasions finds our heroine bound and trapped with no means of escape. Enter Vitus Hale and his Elite Special Ops team, and the man with whom Damascus would fall in love. But her father’s powerful affiliations and political aspirations and threaten the only man she would ever love forcing Damascus to walk away breaking the heart of Vitus Hale. Fast forward three years, and our heroine is once again a target of the political elite but this time Vitus has promised not to lose his soul to the woman who has already destroyed his heart.

DARE YOU TO RUN is a story of political intrigue and corruption; a tale about the power and control of those attempting to run for political office. DARE YOU TO RUN focuses on dysfunction family dynamics, and the lengths some people will go to to ensure winning at all costs-family and friendships become collateral damage in the process. There are some scenes of violence and physical abuse that may be triggers for some sensitive readers.

The relationship between Damascus and Vitus begins as a case of insta-lust and love but heartbreak and betrayal find our hero angry and in pain from a perceived betrayal by the woman that he loves. Three years would pass and Vitus has never forgotten what could have been. Damascus has never stopped loving Vitus Hale, and she is determined to protect that only man that she loves even if she has to walk away-once again. Damascus is a strong heroine who is mistaken for daddy’s little princess but in this she is a force to be reckoned. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters that play intricate roles throughout the story. We are introduced to Vitus’s brother Saxon Hale, and several members of their Elite Ops team. Damascus’s long-suffering mother will finally grow a backbone where her daughter is concerned; and Jeb Ryland learns the truth about a woman scorned. The requisite evil comes in many faces and politically connected people-all of whom believe that the White House is the ultimate prize- the character building is strong within the supporting cast of characters. And there are still those whose role is shadowed by the choices that have to be made.

DARE YOU TO RUN is an intriguing story line; an engaging and enthralling tale of corruption, power and greed; a romance between two people whose lives were torn apart by political aspirations and ultimate betrayals. The premise is captivating and compelling; the characters are inspiring and sensational; the romance is emotional and dramatic. DARE YOU TO RUN is a passionate and impressive addition to Dawn Ryder’s UNBROKEN HEROES; a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and military heroes.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book 1-Dangerous To Know

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share