eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 2nd 2016
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Description:
The Program: an organization of elite soldiers with superior strength, agility, and intellect. These men put their lives on the line to execute the government’s most dangerous missions.
Growing up on the Program campus, Peter Shepard always knew he’d become a soldier. But he’s hungry to sample the outside world, and maybe even a woman, before he begins basic training. He gets his wish when a chance meeting leads him into the arms of Allison Macclesfield—a beautiful free spirit and the first woman to make him question the structured life that lies before him.
Allison is ready for adventure, sampling whatever pleasures life throws at her as she pursues a music career. She’s intrigued by the mystery surrounding Peter, and the instant chemistry between them makes her more than willing to show him everything he’s been missing. But hooking up with Peter comes at a price.
When their growing desire turns to thoughts of devotion, Peter and Allison will be forced to make a very adult decision: to stick to their plans and follow their old dreams or to give up everything for a chance to build a new life together. And both may have to face the harsh truth that sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want most for the person you love.
My Opinion
First Match is another short story in the series. Because of that I'm not going to say much since there isn't exactly a lot to review.
This book tells the story of Shep meeting his match. It was a sweet read and a nice bonus, but like with most short stories it didn't create much of a connection. Since Shep features in all of the books you feel like you know him already, though. This meant that some of the blanks were filled in and this was a good add on.
Overall, it's not the best in the series because of its length, but if you're a fan of the series you'll like it.
3
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 18th 2016
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Description:
The Program: an organization of elite soldiers with superior strength, agility, and intellect. These men put their lives on the line to execute the government’s most dangerous missions.
When soldier Ryan Lopez learns his beloved wife, Thea, has betrayed his team by going to the media and spilling Program secrets, he takes matters into his own hands and punishes her the only way he knows how—by seducing her until she’s begging for release.
The more Ryan takes control of her body, the more he realizes he’s never fully understood Thea’s dark desires. And now that he’s had a taste, he doesn’t want to stop. Testing both their limits in a night of unbound passion, it will take every bit of Ryan’s strength to prove to the woman he loves that she is also his conquered match.
My Opinion
This wasn't what I was expecting. After reading book 1 and 2 back-to-back, I had to request this as soon as I saw it up on NetGalley. However, I was surprised to find it was only a short story, not a full-length novel. It was really just one scene explaining what happened when Thea went to the press to expose The Program.
It was a short, hot read, focusing solely on sexual punishments and teasing, I just wish there had been more. It felt more like a bonus scene than an actual book in the series.
It was a good, enjoyable, quick read that was steamy, it just wasn't what I was expecting. At least Xander looks like he'll be getting his book next and hopefully that will be full-length and live up to my hopes.
3
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Description:
The Program: an organization of elite soldiers with superior strength, agility, and intellect. These men put their lives on the line to execute the government’s most dangerous missions.
Kidnapped with her son and forced into helping a rogue scientist with his experiments, Dr. Samara Jones saw no escape. Until the day she was rescued by a group of elite soldiers from the Program. Now under the protection of the Program, Samara is working to prove her innocence—and struggling to control the burning need she feels for Chase Stanton, one of her rescuers.
As laid-back as he is deadly, Chase is a well-honed solider who always responds to the call of duty, whether it’s a life-or-death mission or a scorching night of passion. When he’s assigned to protect Samara, he’s immediately drawn to the smart, headstrong woman, and confides a dark fear to her—despite feeling torn by his suspicions that she could be a double agent. Duty demands he resist temptation, but desire has its own demands . . .
My Opinion
I enjoyed this instalment much more than the first. I didn't quite know what to expect from Chase and Samara's story, but it came as a pleasant surprise.
In False Match there is a lot less genetically modified soldier details. There's also not the pressure of finding the perfect match and breeding. Because of this, I found connecting with the characters and believing in the romance a lot easier. It felt natural and not chemical since the emotions were real. It made me root for them as a couple and of course with the way Chase cares for Samara and Luca you can't help but love him.
While the romance and characters were better in this book, the plot didn't grip me as much. Things happened, but they also didn't. There wasn't a complete resolve for me, and I'm guessing that's down to it flowing over into the next book, but I'm not sure how much further the plot can go without it being repetitive. Also, for an elite unit of soldiers, they seem to make a lot of stupid mistakes. The organisation seems amateurish rather than a crack team.
Overall though it was a good read. I enjoyed the romance element more in this book and I may check out the next. It surprised me that it's going to be Ryan's story though so I'm on the fence right now.
4
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Description:
The Program: an organization of elite soldiers with superior strength, agility, and intellect. These men are willing to put their lives on the line to execute the government’s most dangerous missions.
Journalist Loren Stanton wants nothing more than to break a big story that will catapult her career. But the only item that’s caught her eye lately is Adam Blacker, a soldier whose rugged sexiness sets her pulse racing. When rumors surface that he’s part of a classified government program, Loren has every excuse she needs to get as close to him as possible, no matter what it takes.
As team leader of a covert ops group, Adam steers clear of all journalists, but there’s no denying the blazing passion Loren stirs in him. A scorching night together convinces him their connection is more than skin-deep, still, he’s not ready to let down his guard—his genetic enhancements make him an exceptional soldier, but what woman would want to commit to his high-risk life?
When a dangerous enemy from Adam’s past resurfaces and Loren insists on joining the fight rather than running, he’s forced to face a dark truth. This courageous, loyal woman moves him in ways he never imagined possible. And now that Adam knows she has his back, he also knows that he has to win her heart.
My Opinion
This is a first time read for me for this author. I saw the cover up on NetGalley and since I was looking for a military romance I couldn't resist. Although, what I got was a little different to what I was expecting.
Heated Match introduces us to The Program, which is a base of elite soldiers who have been genetically modified from birth. This wasn't what I was expecting. I assumed it would just be another SEAL-like team. It did worry me a little as I didn't know how far the author would take things and I didn't want it to start merging with a sci-if romance.
Luckily, the men only have a few enhanced abilities such as sharp-shooting, hearing, being able to run faster etc. In all honesty, I'm not sure I bought into this side of things, but the rest of the book was good enough for me to ignore my doubts.
With regards to the romance, there was chemistry. I liked that both characters refused to accept the attraction and fought against it. I just didn't like constant references to the breeding program and being matched. It took some of the fire out of the relationship for me. It felt too clinical in terminology to explain Adam and Loren's attraction to one another.
As for the story, I liked the plot. I thought there was a lot going on to keep my interest, and it was paced well. With a large cast, the author did a good job at giving subtle hints at what's to come in future books and intriguing me with regards to the secondary characters. They all had individual personalities.
Overall, I'll be reading book 2 since I received that through NetGalley too. I'm still on the fence about the concept of GM soldiers, but the writing was good and so was the story.
3.5
