Book Review and ARC #Giveaway: Free Fall by Catherine Mann

An okay read, but not as good as the other books in the series.
Free Fall (Elite Force)
by Catherine Mann

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

Genre: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: March 5, 2013 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live

"Catherine Mann writes an amazing combination of keen suspense, unique characters, and heart-stopping romance. I'm a fan!"—Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author of Savor the Danger

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.

Review:
Stella is a smart, sexy Interpol agent who specializes in codes. She meets Jose Cuervo pulling him and his PJ team out of the water on a dangerous mission. Jose pretty much sweeps her off her feet but Stella has the white picket fence and family in mind while Jose has hot nights with no kids in mind. Jose has his issues with family, and especially children, because of his own background. Although the two care for each other they split because of their different life goals.

Stella’s mother went off to missions work in Africa leaving the family behind when Stella was a vulnerable teen. Stella is determined to find more about her mother’s death while she is on duty in Africa. Stella is undercover with a group of students who are all caught by brutal warlords.  She is able to get a message out and Jose becomes part of the rescue team. Barely getting out, they stumble on an assassination plot against the First Lady who is about to arrive for a visit. There is a threat of biochemical attack and the author reveals a mole but it takes a while for Stella to uncover him.

The story started with great promise as it jumped right into intense action and then a teasing peek of anticipated romance. A good bit of the romance was told through an interesting technique of flashbacks as the couple thought back to how intense it was yet things didn’t work out.  The romance scenes were rather detailed encounters though not vulgarly graphic. I did like that “the lovemaking [was] a process rather than a goal.”

I have enjoyed other titles by this author but was a little disappointed by this one. The plot line seemed a bit scattered to me with many unrealistic pieces. I figured out the traitors but there was little depth to how the younger one got involved and the primary one was completely lame in the end. It really bothered me that Jose and Stella seemed at times too loose and distracted for their duties in spite of being fiercely dedicated to their intense jobs.  There was too much repetition on Jose’s issues and the difficulties in the relationship. The issues were realistic but the conflict became more annoying than tension building. The warmth of the comradery of the other team members seemed weaker in this book too. The whole book felt a little rushed to me resulting in an okay, but not wonderful, read.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR ARC COPY.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 5, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on April 6, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Under Fire by Catherine Mann

Ms. Mann writes an adrenaline punched, action packed, romantic suspense.

Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

by Catherine Mann

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

Available in ebook formats as well as print.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live

"Riveting action, to–die–for heroes!"—Suzanne Brockman, New York Times Bestselling Author of Night Watch

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.

"Catherine Mann is one of the hottest rising stars around!"—Lori Foster, New York Times Bestselling Author of Savor the Danger

Review:
We met Rachel and Liam in Hot Zone where they worked together during an Earthquake rescue operation in the Bahamas. The attraction and pull between them was instant but they resisted the urge to act on it. Rachel didn’t return any of Liam’s calls or emails for six months but suddenly she shows up hidden in his car and the action heats up.

Rachel is a compassionate and dedicated search and rescue worker with her trained dog.  She has taken time off from the stress of field work to train therapy dogs for service men who are suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). While Rachel works with Lieutenant Brandon Harris he tells her about a traitorous conspiracy to sell military secrets that would endanger many operatives.  Brandon has tried to report the threat to various police and military authorities but everyone has brushed him off as crazy because of his illness.

Rachel believes Brandon and seeks help from the only military officer she is willing to trust - the sexy and attractive Liam McCabe. Liam is thrilled to see her but not even he fully believes her until someone tries to ram them off the road using Rachel’s own car which they had left on base.

Someone is blocking the investigation and out to silence Brandon and Rachel. Liam and Rachel slip away from the safe house to seek protection on their own and to retrieve Brandon and the information he has.

Liam is an intense Pararescueman leader. He loves women and marries them. With three divorces behind him he knows his record for a successful relationship doesn’t look good. But the chemistry with Rachel is sizzling and this is the only woman he has wanted for six months since he met her. Can he overcome his fear of failure to seek a relationship with her? Rachel has her own fears, having lost her first young love in the service. She walked away from Liam before but she can’t resist the desire this time. Can she take a risk to be with Liam for more than a one night adrenaline release?

Both the action and the chemistry zings in this story.  Liam is intent on keeping Rachel safe even as she is determined to show him that she can hold her own. There is steamy and intense passion intertwined with the emotional personal conflicts. There is also some heavy romance for Brandon as the story progresses.

I loved the fast paced action scenes and was concerned that the action was almost overwhelmed by the romance.  By the end of the book I felt that the action and romance had balanced out all right. Ms. Mann seems to have a wonderful grasp of the military terms and hierarchy to support her story. Her characters are intense and likeable.  There were some elements that I questioned for realism but still it is a very entertaining read. It is not necessary to have read the prior book as the back-story is filled in nicely. However the prior stories (click here for prior series reviews) are wonderfully suspenseful too.  If you like a steamy romantic suspense, this book and author are a grand choice.

Their thoughts towards each other:
Liam:

She was everything he'd ever wanted in a woman. He may have fallen in love easily in the past, but d... if he could remember ever falling this hard.  Page 178.

Rachel:

She refused to cave. She had to fight to get her life back.
She had to be strong enough to be Liam's wingman. Page 182-183.

The ARC copy was provided by Sourcebooks for an honest review.

This story is set for a good part in the Florida Everglades for my Where are you Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Share a favorite feature of romantic suspense, OR why you like to read romantic suspense.  This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 8, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 9. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann

Great book for action!

Hot Zone (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

by Catherine Mann

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

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
"Catherine Mann delivers an emotional and action-packed story that leaves you wanting more."
— Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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.

Review:  I love how this author jumps into action from the get go!
Amelia is a no-nonsense prosecuting attorney. She came to the Bahamas to help her brother and sister-in-law adopt a young boy, Joshua. Amelia and Joshua are trapped under a building that collapsed during an earthquake. She manages to remain calm and focused on staying alive and saving Joshua.

Hugh is one of a team of special heroes who spend their days stepping, diving or crawling - whatever it takes - to help others in perilous situations. Hugh is the one who takes the risks almost to extreme since he believes he has nothing else to live for. After losing his wife and young daughter a few years back, Hugh has lived only for his job.

Hugh crawls down a tunnel of concrete debris to find and stabilize Amelia. He isn’t convinced that she knows the extent of her injuries nor is he convinced the little boy is still alive. But there is no doubting the determination and strength of character that this woman displays during the crisis as another tremor closes off the tunnel.

Hugh and Amelia begin to bond as survivors while waiting to be dug out. That is only the first crisis they share.  Amelia stumbles upon a ‘nurse’ taking Joshua out of the hospital and soon they are both being kidnapped. Hugh happens along just in time to grab hold of the back of the van. 

That is how this story goes - with crisis and danger taking Amelia, Hugh and the reader on one heck of an action  ride.  I relate to Amelia’s strong minded character. Even though she had come through an unpleasant divorce it doesn’t take her long to realize that her feelings for Hugh exceed those she had with her ex. Hugh is a strong, resourceful and reassuring hero.  It just takes him a bit longer to work through the pain and fear from his loss to accept that he might get a second chance at love and a future ... if they can live long enough.

I liked how the attraction developed as Amelia says ‘...[not] flirting exactly, but ...engaging in a dance of sorts...’.  Some might think it is just the adrenaline but their respect for each other flares into a sizzling affirmation of life.  There are several sexual encounters between this couple and two other couples who are interesting characters and part of the overall story. The encounters are pretty intense and in interesting locations considering the restricted facilities during the earthquake.  There might have been a bit more of this than needed but it fit the extreme emotions of the situation and it didn’t detract from the primary suspenseful plot.  I am hoping that a future book will continue the story between Liam (the head honcho of the PJ team) and Rachel, a search and rescue dog handler.

If you like a full out action suspense romance, you won’t want to miss this series and this author.  I definitely am keeping this series on my TBR list.
Follow the title link if you'd like to check my review of the first book in this series, Cover Me.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 23, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 24. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Cover Me by Catherine Mann

If you like romantic suspense you will want to get this book!
Cover Me by Catherine Mann

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

     Genre: Romantic Suspense
     My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

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...

Review:  This is very engaging. I was pulled into the story from beginning to end.
Sunny is an outdoor expert who runs a gym in a small off the grid community in a remote region of Alaska.  When the rare, occasional stranger goes through or someone wants to leave, she serves as a guide to escort them out. She never escorts anyone into the area as those who leave are not permitted to return.  Sunny is returning home from escorting a couple out when she is caught in a blizzard.

Pararescue Jumper (PJ) Wade and his team have safely rescued a party of climbers caught in the blizzard.  Now he has to find and rescue the source of the remaining life signal.  He locates Sunny but she isn’t looking to be rescued. Due to the storm they have to bed down together in a cave - strictly strangers sharing warmth for survival. Not that they don’t appreciate the fitness of each other.

Sunny only wants to get away from this handsome PJ and return home before Wade can delve into her secrets. As Sunny tries to make a break for it she falls into a crevice and locates a dead body. Unfortunately the death wasn’t an accident and Sunny recognizes the murdered woman as the one she had escorted to the Deputy Sheriff right before the storm hit.  Suddenly Wade and Sunny are being shot at by that same deputy and it is clear that something bad is going on.

Sunny is trying to keep the secrets of her family and her community. With a rising body count it appears there are more bad secrets that Sunny knows nothing about.  Sunny can’t return home until they figure out who is involved with the killings, but she still wants to warn her family. Wade needs to uncover her secrets but he also wants to protect her.  This puts them in conflict since Sunny insists that she is skilled enough to take care of herself. Meanwhile the attraction between them is intense.

This plot is filled with great action and intrigue from the rock climbing beginning to a cold sea rescue ending. The heroine is strong and sensual and the hero is fit and fine! The villain is believable with a twist in the conspirators. (I did guess those.) The romance builds quickly and the sexual encounters are done well as an add on to the action driven story. This was a great suspense read and I want to read more by this author.

The first couple of post comments reminded me that I forgot to mention that Sunny has a wonderful malamute-husky mutt, Blade, who is her constant companion and outdoor team mate. Blade plays an important role in the story too.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the Author's Website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 5, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on AUGUST 6 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.