Helpful Score: 7
A can't-put-down book.
A sassy heroine and an alpha hero. What a fabulous combination.
This book pulls you in and is a great page turner.
The hero is in the protect mode and fights falling in love every minute. The heroine won't let him off the hook.
The book is hard, fast, tough, sexy, poignant and a fanstastic read.
One of the best books I've read this year!
A sassy heroine and an alpha hero. What a fabulous combination.
This book pulls you in and is a great page turner.
The hero is in the protect mode and fights falling in love every minute. The heroine won't let him off the hook.
The book is hard, fast, tough, sexy, poignant and a fanstastic read.
One of the best books I've read this year!
Helpful Score: 4
Cindy Gerard is very good author and her romantic suspense series are a good blend of military and covert operations actions, romance, and really, really bad guys.
The Black Ops series is a continuation of characters mentioned in her Bodyguard Series.
I really enjoyed this story of Gabe Jones and his chance to find some normalcy and love.
Highly recommend if you like the special forces/action/romance books.
The Black Ops series is a continuation of characters mentioned in her Bodyguard Series.
I really enjoyed this story of Gabe Jones and his chance to find some normalcy and love.
Highly recommend if you like the special forces/action/romance books.
Helpful Score: 3
This book features two characters dealing with various emotional scars, who are forced to team up to combat not only external forces, but also their own inner demons.
Jenna is a hotshot, globe-trotting reporter who is struggling to come to terms with an event that left her questioning, on very fundamental levels, who is she and if she'll ever be able to reclaim her sense of self.
Gabriel is a man scarred both physically and emotionally. A true alpha male in every sense of the term, he is take charge and intensely focused and skilled in matters of combat. He is also dealing with a profound loss, and extreme guilt and anger that have left him closed off emotionally.
While less capable authors would take the aforementioned factors and use them to create a novel that is little more than unrelieved melancholy and characters who are (voluntarily or otherwise) self-centered, Gerard allows her characters to be very real, in terms of being simultaneously flawed and honorable, grief-stricken and truly funny and snarky.
As Jenna and Gabe grow closer (whether they like it or not), their romance does not in any way take away from the action and danger, and the almost palpable suspense, and the reverse holds true, as well. What the reader is left with, then, is a novel that is equal parts action and romance, which is a rarity this day and age, as all too often authors allow one aspect or the other to languish undeveloped or virtually ignored while the other receives most of the attention.
Fortunately, Cindy Gerard has proven that she is adept at handling everything from explosions and gunfights, to passionate love scenes and intensely emotional conversations. This is a very well-written book that is a truly great kickoff to what promises to be a fantastic new series.
**Gabe & Jenna's story begins in Cindy Gerard's book "Into the Dark". To better understand their history, I would suggest reading that book first.**
Jenna is a hotshot, globe-trotting reporter who is struggling to come to terms with an event that left her questioning, on very fundamental levels, who is she and if she'll ever be able to reclaim her sense of self.
Gabriel is a man scarred both physically and emotionally. A true alpha male in every sense of the term, he is take charge and intensely focused and skilled in matters of combat. He is also dealing with a profound loss, and extreme guilt and anger that have left him closed off emotionally.
While less capable authors would take the aforementioned factors and use them to create a novel that is little more than unrelieved melancholy and characters who are (voluntarily or otherwise) self-centered, Gerard allows her characters to be very real, in terms of being simultaneously flawed and honorable, grief-stricken and truly funny and snarky.
As Jenna and Gabe grow closer (whether they like it or not), their romance does not in any way take away from the action and danger, and the almost palpable suspense, and the reverse holds true, as well. What the reader is left with, then, is a novel that is equal parts action and romance, which is a rarity this day and age, as all too often authors allow one aspect or the other to languish undeveloped or virtually ignored while the other receives most of the attention.
Fortunately, Cindy Gerard has proven that she is adept at handling everything from explosions and gunfights, to passionate love scenes and intensely emotional conversations. This is a very well-written book that is a truly great kickoff to what promises to be a fantastic new series.
**Gabe & Jenna's story begins in Cindy Gerard's book "Into the Dark". To better understand their history, I would suggest reading that book first.**
Helpful Score: 2
So...not that good of a book. or impressive...or original...
Pretty much reads like other contemporary (B-grade) romantic suspense. *sigh* Reading so many books just like this one is what pushes my interest right out of the genre.
the story seems to be only half told...I kept thinking there was so much he author wasn't telling us, or explaining. so much so that I sort of feel gipped. There's also some inconsisiteneices in character development... For example, while we spent a good amount of time in the Heroine's head, the Hero didn't do much introspection... which made it harder to like or even know him..
We also get only bits and pieces and impressions of the H and h's first meeting, the book pretty much skips to the here and now.
And there's a secondary storyline that I wasn't terribly interested in...mostly becuase I didn't like the secondary female character. (she and another minor character have their own story going, but it doesn't end at the end of this novel, I'm assumig they'll either get their own, or it will be tied in throughout the series)... Luckily though it didn't take too much space up.
Also, and this may just be me , so please feel free to correct me If I'm wrong, , but It seems in many of Ms Gerard's books the heroine has to do all the (emotional) work/chasing of the Hero... Makes it hard to really like any of them.
And as for the action aspect... Well men who've been fighting as long as the guys in this book have, I expected more from them than the ability to use their weapons... As far as strategizing and forward planning... meh I wasn't impressed... I actually found myself wondering how they managed to stay alive so long.
On the positive side, it only took me a day and half to read this one... And with the exception I mentioned before, I like the secondary characters...If I can get copies of the others in the series, I'll read them, but I doubt any will be going on my permamnent shelf.
Pretty much reads like other contemporary (B-grade) romantic suspense. *sigh* Reading so many books just like this one is what pushes my interest right out of the genre.
the story seems to be only half told...I kept thinking there was so much he author wasn't telling us, or explaining. so much so that I sort of feel gipped. There's also some inconsisiteneices in character development... For example, while we spent a good amount of time in the Heroine's head, the Hero didn't do much introspection... which made it harder to like or even know him..
We also get only bits and pieces and impressions of the H and h's first meeting, the book pretty much skips to the here and now.
And there's a secondary storyline that I wasn't terribly interested in...mostly becuase I didn't like the secondary female character. (she and another minor character have their own story going, but it doesn't end at the end of this novel, I'm assumig they'll either get their own, or it will be tied in throughout the series)... Luckily though it didn't take too much space up.
Also, and this may just be me , so please feel free to correct me If I'm wrong, , but It seems in many of Ms Gerard's books the heroine has to do all the (emotional) work/chasing of the Hero... Makes it hard to really like any of them.
And as for the action aspect... Well men who've been fighting as long as the guys in this book have, I expected more from them than the ability to use their weapons... As far as strategizing and forward planning... meh I wasn't impressed... I actually found myself wondering how they managed to stay alive so long.
On the positive side, it only took me a day and half to read this one... And with the exception I mentioned before, I like the secondary characters...If I can get copies of the others in the series, I'll read them, but I doubt any will be going on my permamnent shelf.
Helpful Score: 1
It would have been better had I read her other series before I read this.
I give her high marks for the ending--not a perfect HEA.
I give her high marks for the ending--not a perfect HEA.
love this book!!! 5 stars!!
good read, strong characters.
Black Ops operative Gabe Jones is on an undercover assignment in Argentina searching for Erich Adler the mastermind behind child porn ring among other nasty things. Journalist Jenna McMillan is lured to Argentina to get an interview with bad guy Emilio Maxim. Gabe and Jenna join forces along with 6 other Black Ops guys to uncover the link between Adler and Maxim. Then the fun really starts.
The battle of wills between Gabe and Jenna is outrageous, hilarious and at last completely romantic. Some of the bantering between them was laugh out loud funny. Cindy Gerard writes in such a way that you actually feel as if you're battling the bad guys with them. This is actually rather unnerving as Argentina is the last place I want to be. This is a great start to the Black Ops series.
The battle of wills between Gabe and Jenna is outrageous, hilarious and at last completely romantic. Some of the bantering between them was laugh out loud funny. Cindy Gerard writes in such a way that you actually feel as if you're battling the bad guys with them. This is actually rather unnerving as Argentina is the last place I want to be. This is a great start to the Black Ops series.
I found it very difficult to read. Felt scattered to me. Marliss Melton does a better job.... : )
It takes a special woman to crack a tough nut like Gabe! I am thrilled that Ms Gerard
continues her Bodyguard series with these books. I started this book about 6 hours ago and couldn't put it down until I finished it. It is a typical Gerard Spec Ops book: detailed, fast paced, and loaded twists and turns. And don't forget the steamy romance with the "happily ever after" ending.
Ms. Gerard does well setting the characters up, re-acquainting us with everyone from "Into the Dark" and lending us more depth on other characters without bogging it down unnecessarily. She certainly sets it up to continue on past "Take No Prisoners" and "Tell No Lies." Being one of my favorite authors, I hope she does continue past the next two.
Hope you enjoy it as well!
continues her Bodyguard series with these books. I started this book about 6 hours ago and couldn't put it down until I finished it. It is a typical Gerard Spec Ops book: detailed, fast paced, and loaded twists and turns. And don't forget the steamy romance with the "happily ever after" ending.
Ms. Gerard does well setting the characters up, re-acquainting us with everyone from "Into the Dark" and lending us more depth on other characters without bogging it down unnecessarily. She certainly sets it up to continue on past "Take No Prisoners" and "Tell No Lies." Being one of my favorite authors, I hope she does continue past the next two.
Hope you enjoy it as well!
This is the first in the Black Ops series. I throughly enjoyed this book. The characters are great. It drew me in from the first page!
Always enjoy Cindy Gerard's books!
I was actually reading another book...picked this up...and read it to the end...fast-paced action...and I enjoyed it.
This was an excellent book--a roller coaster ride from start to finish. This is a spin off series from her Bodyguard series, so some of the early details were lost on me because I have not read that series, however, I do not think this detracted from this book at all. I loved both the H/H and for me it was one of those books that I was sorry to see end. The second in this series is due out on October 21st. I see a trip to my local book store in the near future. Now to hunt up her other titles. . .
If you are into intrigue, special forces he-men this is the author. Very good. Can't put down type of reading.
I recently finished Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series and was looking for something similar. This series pretty much fits the bill, although the plot is slightly less complex than Brockmann's. Gabriel Jones is a great wounded hero both literally and figuratively and Jenna McMillan is just the spunky woman to break through his tough guy exterior. There's also a secondary character romance begun in this book that I look forward to seeing continue in the series.
I waited until I had all three books and read them back-to-back-to-back. While I enjoyed them all, I think the first installment in the Black Ops trilogy was the best of the three.
I really enjoy all of Gerard's books. If you have not read the bodygard books you are missing out. This one is a tie in woth Dallas and Amy's book. No problem if you have not this is stand alone. I am really lookinf forward to reading the rest of them. No one does special ops like Cindy.
Gabe is the hero and I fell for him in Dallas' book. I am so gald that she is starting this new series.
Gabe is the hero and I fell for him in Dallas' book. I am so gald that she is starting this new series.
Desert Island Keeper!
great start to the series. lots of action!!!!!
When her boss tells her that she is needed for an interview in Buenos Aires, Jenna McMillian isn't sure she is ready to go back there. The last time she was in Argentina, she was held captive by terrorists. But this interview could be her big break. And, if she is lucky, she may once again run into Gabriel Jones, the man who rescued her. Gabe is stunned to see Jenna on the streets of Buenos Aires while he is providing protection for a multi-millionaire. But an attempted assassination leaves Gabe injured and Jenna with a target on her back. Now they must discover who is behind the hit and stop them from succeeding.
This is the first book in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops series. Both Gabe and Jenna were introduced in a previous series. They struck sparks off of each other. It was just a matter of time before they got their own story. There was a good balance of action and romance in this one. I would have liked to see more of the hero's point-of-view. It seemed like we were in the heroine's head most of the time, but didn't know what Gabe was thinking in many cases. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the first book in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops series. Both Gabe and Jenna were introduced in a previous series. They struck sparks off of each other. It was just a matter of time before they got their own story. There was a good balance of action and romance in this one. I would have liked to see more of the hero's point-of-view. It seemed like we were in the heroine's head most of the time, but didn't know what Gabe was thinking in many cases. My rating: 4 Stars.
