Free Fall (Elite Force: That Others May Live) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Free Fall" the book in her Elite Force series by Catherine Mann.

Product Description

On This Mission, There Are No Accidents

Pararescueman Jose "Cuervo" James is the guy they call for the most dangerous assignments. He lives for his job.

On a high-risk rescue deep in the African jungle, Jose encounters sexy, smart Interpol agent Stella Carson.

They'd once had an affair that burned hot and fast, but family is everything to Stella, and Jose just can't go there.

Fate has thrown them into the deadly hot zone together, and sparks will fly but only if they can live to tell about it.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402274963
ISBN-13: 978-1402274961

My Review:

This book opens with Stella Carson an Interpol agent who specializes in code breaking undergoing a dangerous assignment in Africa with the help of SEALS and PJ's breaking up a pirate ring.  She meets Jose James and they have a hot 5 month affair which ends when Stella leaves him because he wouldn't leave his job.  Both are heartbroken by the affair and they never stopped loving each other.

A month later Stella and a group of students are kidnapped/tortured and some of them don't survive.  A rescue mission is set up and Jose plays a major role in the rescue which throws them together again.

4/5

Guardian (Dark Ops) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Guardian" the 5th book in her Dark Ops series by Catherine Mann.

Product Description

THEY’D DO ANYTHING FOR COUNTRY.

AND EVERYTHING FOR EACH OTHER.

After a dark ops malfunction, Major David Berg finds himself dead center in a military trial. It’s a race against time to root out the truth, and Major Sophie Campbell isn’t making that any easier. The hot JAG wants to bring down David’s unit and fast. His testimony is crucial to winning a case that will make her career. All Sophie has to do is ignore this witness’s unflappable charm, his unnerving good looks, and a strong, solid presence that commands her attention.

It’s not easy for David, either. His attraction to this take-charge beauty is turning him inside out. But these adversaries have more in common than secret, mutual desire. There’s a traitor somewhere in the dark ops and now, to find him, David and Sophie must work together — relentlessly, tirelessly, and so intimately it could be damn near fatal.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (September 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425250997
ISBN-13: 978-0425250990

My Review:

Major Sophie Campbell is a JAG lawyer determined to find out the truth behind a tragic shooting which result in a young boy being shot and crippled.  If she wins this case it would help the boy but ruin the career of the pilot involved with a spotless record.  She believes she has no time for a real relationship but Major David Berg revs up her engine and she is determined to ignore her attraction.

Major David Berg is the director in charge of the unit that was testing the military guns and knows his pilot didn't cause the gun to malfunction.  He can't figure out what caused the gun to misfire by itself and decides to team up with Sophie to find out the truth.  He has had feelings for Sophie for awhile and when she is put in danger he takes it personally.

As they investigate further the attraction between them is harder and harder to ignore and they finally give in to it.  As they get closer to the truth someone doesn't want them to find out the real truth and resorts to murder to accomplish that.

I really like how there were red herrings that would cause to think a certain person was to blame and when we finally find out who the culprit is - I was quite surprised and never would have guessed it would be that person.

The attraction between Sophie and David was very hot, sizzling and steamy.  When they finally give into their desire it was really hot and loving.

Protector (Dark Ops - Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Protector" the 4th book in her Dark Ops series by Catherine Mann.

Product Description

TRUST, LOVE … AND LIES.

After barely surviving enemy torture, Captain Chuck Tanaka doesn’t trust himself to do more than ride a desk — but new orders leave him no choice. Assigned to the investigation of a mob boss whose luxury cruise ship is reportedly a hub for terrorist activity, Tanaka goes undercover. His target: Jolynn Taylor, the mob boss’s daughter

As a child, Jolynn saw her beloved uncle murdered. Since then, she’s stayed far away from her father’s crooked empire. But when he falls ill, she returns, hoping to mend the gap between them. Instead, she finds herself on the run, one step ahead of unknown enemies. The only thing keeping her alive is the man she knows as Charles Tomas, the only man she’s ever been able to trust.

Unfortunately, he’s also the man determined to destroy her family …

About the Author

RITA Award winner Catherine Mann lives in Florida with her military flyboy husband and their four children. Visit her website at www.catherinemann.com.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (March 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 042524699X
ISBN-13: 978-0425246993

My Review:

Jolynn Taylor has stayed away from her mob dad's operations ever since she witnessed her uncle's killing right in front of her eyes as a child two decades ago.  She has recently spent time with her dad Josiah after he suffered a heart attack on his home a cruise ship Fortuna which is docked in Geneva.

Captain Chuck Tanaka informs his superior officer Colonel Scanlon he has lost his touch after being tortured by the enemy.  Scanlon informs Tanaka he will go undercover as black jack dealer on the Fortuna which will give him a chance to get revenge on the terrorist cell which tortured him and other military personnel.  Scanlon and Ice Berg will be on hand to help him.  He's mission is to get close to the daughter Jolynn and after his awkward introduction to her he realizes someone is after her.  Even though she's not really his type he's attracted to her and he decides to protect her which jeopardizes his cover.

This book was a non stop action packed page turner with two very likeable characters.  We also see Scanlon meet his match in a torch singer Livia.  The attraction between Chuck and Jolynn is sizzling hot and the intrigue makes your heart thump.

4/5

ARC Review: Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Under Fire" the 2nd book in her Elite Force series by Catherine Mann.

Product Description

No Holds Barred, In Love or War ...

A decorated hero, pararescueman Liam McCabe lives to serve. Six months ago, her and Rachel Flores met in the horrific aftermath of an earthquake in the Bahamas. They were tempted by an explosive attraction, but then they parted ways. Still, Liam has thought about Rachel every day — and night — since.

Now, after ignoring all his phone calls for six month, Rachel has turned up on base with a wild story about a high–ranking military traitor. She claims no one but Liam can help her — and she won't trust anyone else.

With nothing but her word and the testimony of a discharged military cop to go on, Liam would be insane to risk his career — even his life — to help a woman who left him in the dust.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402245017
ISBN-13: 978-1402245015

My Review:

Major Liam McCabe after losing his mom he decided to join the army at 18, became a Ranger and worked his way up to officer and then joined the air force in Pararescue division.  He has been married and divorced three times.  From the moment he saw Rachel he knew he could love her but he is scared because of what he went through with his mom and his three divorces.

Rachel Flores has always loved animals since she was a little girl and went with her mom on missions.  Her mom worked at an animal shelter and this is how she met her husband.  Her husband after one year overseas was killed by beheading after being captured.  Her mom was killed by a man who was angry that she had his dogs taken away.

She has taken a break from the Search and Rescue missions but is still training therapy dogs and matching them up with PTSD patients.  A friend Lieutenant Brandon Harris has who has PTSD tells a tale to Rachel about corruption and treason in the government which plunges her into danger. Now she needs Liam's help with finding out who the traitor is and to keep her safe.

This book was very fast pace with a ton of action packed excitement.


4/5

ARC Review: Hot Zone (Elite Force: That Others May Live) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Hot Zone" the 2nd book in her Elite Force series by Catherine Mann.

Product Description
 
HE'LL TAKE ANY MISSION, THE RISKIER THE BETTER ...

The haunted eyes of pararescueman Hugh Franco should have been her first clue that deep pain roiled beneath the surface. But if Amelia couldn't see the damage, how could she be expected to know he'd break her heart?

SHE'LL PROVE TO BE HIS BIGGEST RISK YET...

Amelia Bailey's not the kind of girl who usually needs rescuing ... but there are anything but usual circumstances.

About the Author

Catherine Mann's military romances have sold over 2 million copies and have been on the USA Today and WaldenBooks bestsellers lists. She has won the RITA and Bookseller's Best Award, and finaled in many other prestigious contests. Her husband is an Air Force colonel and they live near Pensacola, Florida.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402244983
ISBN-13: 978-1402244988

My Review:

Amelia is a lawyer is helping her brother and sister-in-law with their new adopted son Joshua in the Bahamas.  An earthquake occurs and she is trapped underground with her new nephew Joshua for two days.  Hugh finds them and then feels obligated to make sure they are safe.  Amelia is dealing with an awful divorce and a painful relationship with her dad which makes her wary about having relationships.

Hugh lost his wife and four year old daughter in a plane crash five years ago.  To numb the pain he has thrown himself into work as a Pararescue Jumper.  Being around Joshua makes him very uncomfortable because it reminds him what he has lost and makes him deal with the feelings he hasn't wanted to think about.

Amelia's brother Dr Aiden Bailey and his wife Lisabeth is also his nurse. Both have worked for Doctors without Borders and now with Operation Smile. They have come to the Bahamas to adopt Joshua when the earthquake hit and separated them from Amelia and Joshua. Aiden's father was pedophile which is the reason why he never wanted any children but Lisabeth has convinced him to adopt.

Major Liam McCabe is Hugh's boss and he has had three wives and 3 divorces.  He has a reputation of falling very fast for a women which happens when he meets Urban Search and Rescue member Rachel Flores.  Rachel has just come out of a bad relationship and isn't looking for another one.

This book has a steamy romance with a lot of action especially the one with the baby snatching plotline.  The hero was super sexy with a kick ass heroine.

3.5/5

Cover Me [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Cover Me" by Catherine Mann.

Product Description

It should have been a simple mission ...

Pararescueman Wade Rocha fast ropes from the back of a helicopter into a blizzard to save a climber stranded on an Aleutian Island, but Sunny Foster insists she can take care of herself just fine ...

But when it comes to passion, nothing is ever simple ...

With the snowstorm kicking into overdrive, Sunny and Wade hunker down in a cave and barely resist the urge to keep each other warm ... until they discover the frozen remains of a horrific crime ... Unable to trust the local police force, Sunny and Wade investigate, while their irresistible passion for each other gets them more and more dangerously entangled ...

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402244959
ISBN-13: 978-1402244957

My Review:

Storyline: Wade Rocha is part of an elite team of Pararescueman who jump in the middle of death defying missions to save people from harsh conditions.  His latest assignment is to rescue a group of climbers in the frigid Aleutian Islands.  They spot a straggler so Wade parachutes down and his mission is to help her survive the frigid cold weather until his team can rescue both of them.  He finds a big surprise when he finds out the woman he is to rescue doesn't want to be rescued and shows him a few tricks of her own.

Characters: I really enjoyed the banter between Wade and his fellow teammates because you can tell they have each other backs and they really are friends and care for each other.  Sunny is a loner and I'm glad that she can take care of herself and I loved the interaction between her and her dog Chewy.

Romance: I really enjoyed the romance between Wade and Sunny because they compliment each other and they made a great team.

Killer:  The killer was very sick, twisted and clever.  Very smart to get someone else to do your dirty work.

4/5

Thanks Danielle from Sourcebooks for sending me this ARC to review, greatly appreciated!