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Showing posts with label Section 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Section 8. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Winner: Surrender by Stephanie Tyler
The winner of the eBook copy of SURRENDER by Stephanie Tyler is
Shari the Delighted Reader
Please send me an email at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com so I can forward it to Ms. Tyler.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Shari the Delighted Reader
Please send me an email at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com so I can forward it to Ms. Tyler.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Review & Giveaway: Surrender by Stephanie Tyler
Surrender
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Section 8 Book #1
ISBN: #978-0451413499
Genre: Military Suspense Romance
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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DESPERATE, FEARLESS, AND HUNTED.
For former Navy SEAL Dare O’Rourke, Section 8 was legendary. The son of one of its missing members, he grew up in the shadow of its secrets. All he knew was that it was a cabal of operatives discharged from branches of the military and reassigned to extremely dangerous, off- the-books international missions. And that their handler was as shrouded in mystery as the missions themselves.
NOTHING CAN STOP THEM. NOTHING CAN BREAK THEM.
Now the handler of Section 8 has given orders to kill any remaining members, along with their families. Dare must save his long-lost half sister, Avery, whom he was never meant to meet. Determined to fight for their lives and find their missing father, Dare and Avery bring together for one last mission those who are in danger because of their relationship to Section 8—to avenge their families and to survive.
What I’m talking about:
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Twenty years ago, there was a secret CIA black ops team called Section 8. When one of their own was killed in action, the team was dissolved. Yet they kept in touch, kept doing the dangerous missions. Somewhere, somehow one of those missions put them on the wrong side of a dangerous man, and now all of the remaining members of Section 8 and their families are being hunted and eliminated.
Dare is son of the original Section 8 leader, Darius. He has lived his life on the edge, trying to stay alive. He knew his life was over when he was set up, tortured and left for dead in the jungle until a Ranger saved him.
Avery is Dare’s half sister... Also daughter of Darius, although she never met him or Dare. She is wanted for murdering two men who appear to be related to Section 8. Because of this, Dare is called in to protect his sister and save them from the continue threat to anyone that knows about Section 8.
After the first couple of chapters in Surrender, you may feel the need to take a breath and slow down your heart. That is how fast things move in the this novel. Within the next few chapters we meet the rest of the key players: Jem, a super crazy CIA black ops master; his brother Key, who busted Jem out of the mental institute and is the Ranger who rescued Dare from the jungle; Gunner, a secretive tattoo artist that seems to be someone who can make things happen; and Grace, the daughter of the original Section 8 handler.
Although there is a lot of information to take in, the first part of the story flows well and the tension remains high. I enjoyed meeting all of the players and learning how they were interconnected. It was also fun to speculate who would do what next. Right from the start, I liked every one of the characters.
There are many shifting POVs in Surrender, but the HEA hero and heroine are Dare and Grace. The pair start on opposite sides but both quickly realize they are better off working together. They both have suffered a lot of horrors in their past, yet neither are so broken that they cannot move on and recognize the good in the other. I enjoyed that Grace and Dare came together sooner than later and put everything on the table, including past hurt. For the most part they were emotionally honest and upfront which made their relationship comfortable and sexy.
Although I did enjoy the many POVs, including that from the antagonist midway through the book, the shifting views sometimes created the feeling of choppiness within the flow of the story. Ultimately, I think this impacted my ability to emotionally connect with some of the characters. Additionally, I felt like I missed critical interactions sometimes - either that or they were missing from the story all together. It seemed like suddenly when I was reading I started missing connections and getting lost. Things would happen and I'd question how I arrived at that point - like I missed a preceding scene or two. I wasn’t sure if I missed scenes, and it was hard for me to go back and determine because of the shifting POVs.
The entire book was intense and I enjoyed the action and direction of the story. Ms. Tyler's use of shifting POV can be tough sometimes, but it makes for an exciting and interesting ride - always in the mind of someone new. It helps paint a broader, more in-depth picture.
With that said, I seemed to get lost and my interest waned during the second half of the story. The first two-thirds had me captivated - learning all of the players and how they are all connected. It was a lot of information, but told to the reader in an exciting and enjoyable way.
I did enjoy Grace and Dare - It would have been nice to spend some more time focusing on the pair. They both survived horrible ordeals in their past yet, are fairly well-adjusted and stable (within the boundaries of this world). You just have to accept that they are emotionally and mentally able to be in a healthy relationship in spite of their pasts. I like that they are mostly upfront and don't spend a lot of time hiding behind false pretenses.
The team on whole is full of great characters. Although they like to categorize themselves into stereotypical roles, they really don't fit any molds. And as "crazy" as they all claim to be, they fit well together.
Surrender is certainly the set up novel for more adventures to come. Ms. Tyler packed a lot of information into the book and created a backstory for the characters so they can move forward. Knowing how much I love Ms. Tyler's Shadow Ops series, I am certain that Section 8 is heading for some exciting adventures that I look forward to reading.
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
GIVEAWAY: for a chance to win an eBook of Surrender, leave a comment for Stephanie at the end of her interview HERE. NOTE: you will NOT be entered to win by leaving a comment on this post!
Reviews in the Series:
Lonely is the Night (Shadow Force #5, Section 8 prequel)
Author Interview & Giveaway: Stephanie Tyler
Today I have the honor of bringing to you one of my favorite authors, Stephanie Tyler. New York Times Bestselling author Stephanie Tyler writes what she loves to read - romantic suspense novels starring military heroes and paranormal romance novels, all complete with happy endings. She also co-writes as Sydney Croft. She lives in New York with her husband, her kids and her crazy Weimaraner, Gus.
Please help me welcome Stephanie toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Stephanie, welcome back to the blog. You’ve been missed!
Stephanie: Thanks Jen!!! I’ve been busy writing (which is a good thing)!
Twimom: Yes! That is a good thing! So let’s talk about hunky, intense military men... We last heard from the boys of the Shadow Force back in October 2011. What have they of been up to?
Stephanie: Well, Reid’s story, Lonely is the Night, just released in March 2013! [Jen’s review HERE.] It’s a long novella that finally gives readers closure on Reid and Grier’s romance. You’ll also catch up with the rest of the guys and find out how the Shadow Force series ties in with the Section 8 series, thanks to one particular character (more on him in the next answer!).
Twimom: Your current release, Surrender, is the first story in a new series. What is Section 8 about and how does it tie into the Shadow Force?
Stephanie: Section 8 is about the fallout / families of a group of former military personnel who were brought together to create a secret Black Ops group. Surrender is Dare’s story – his father was one of the original Section 8 members and Dare finds himself hunted because of his father’s involvement. So Dare, his half sister Avery and several others who have an indirect involvement in Section 8 must find a way to work together to save themselves and one another. Gunner is a character you’ll meet in Surrender and he’s the tie-in character for the Shadow Force series. Gunner and Reid are friends and have worked together in the past. Actually, Gunner once saved Reid’s life.
Twimom: Can you tell us your future plans for the Section 8 series?
Stephanie: I’ve just finished book 2, Unbreakable, and that’s Gunner’s book And I still have to write about brothers Jem and Key, so lots of intrigue and lots of romance.
Twimom: Larissa Ione said “No one writes a bad-boy hero like Tyler.” I have to agree. What is so appealing about a man that lives outside of societal norms?
Stephanie: I was literally just telling Larissa yesterday that that’s my favorite quote ever! I just find that most bad boys are typically the most loyal and honorable men – they live by their own code of honor and this sometimes puts them at odds with society and the rules that have been created. Men who push the limits, who challenge the rules in order to save people are always the most interesting to write about.
Twimom: What do you find most challenging when creating your heroes and/or writing their points-of-view?
Stephanie: Really, nothing That’s my absolute favorite part of the book – the hero’s point of view! They always come to me most clearly.
Twimom: I always love to find out what my favorite authors are reading... What is your favorite book you read during 2012? What is your most anticipated read coming in 2013?
Stephanie: I really enjoyed Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, and I’m actually really looking forward to Walking Disaster by her (which I believe came out the same day as Surrender)…because hello, hero’s pov? I can’t wait to see what she does with it. I feel like it will break the story open in a different way and what an awesome idea to have the same exact story from another character’s point of view!
Twimom: Stephanie, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you again.
Stephanie: You too, Jen!!! Thanks so much for having me back! And I’d love the chance to giveaway an eCopy of Surrender (Kindle or Nook) to one of your readers All they have to do is comment and answer your question of favorite read of 2012 and most anticipated read of 2013!
Labels:
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Review: Lonely is the Night by Stephanie Tyler
Lonely is the Night
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Shadow Force #5
Section 8 prequel
Genre: Military Suspense Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Recently retired Delta Force Operator Reid Cormier utilizes his special skills by working black ops jobs all around the world with his former teammates and their wives. Reid’s career keeps him busy, but he can’t get his last job—or the woman involved—out of his head.
US Marshall Grier Vanderhall faked her own death without telling Reid of the plan first, and he couldn’t forgive her duplicity. But when Reid learns that Grier has been kidnapped by a dangerous ring of criminals, he drops everything and heads to New Orleans to rescue her. And while Reid knows that his skills make him the best option to get Grier back, he’s not sure if this mission will give them another chance—or get them both killed.
What I’m talking about:
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US Marshal Grier Vanderhall bucked her socialite upbringing to bury herself in law enforcement. She sees things in black and white, which is why it never would have worked out with black ops soldier, Reid Cormier. His way of life--living outside the law--was too much for Grier, and the pair went their separate ways after Grier faked her death in Night Moves (Book 4 of Shadow Force).
Now Grier is ready for what should be an easy job - protecting Benji who is set to testify in a highly-watched case stemming from the world of underground fight clubs. However, it appears that Benji isn't ready to part ways with his former life. When Grier goes missing, her partner Jack calls in Reid for help.
Oh how I have missed the men and women of the Shadow Force. While Night Moves was a wonderful wrap up for many aspects of the series, poor Reid and Grier parted on terrible terms. It is wonderful for long-time fans of the series to finally see these two have their HEA. However, you do not need to have read the earlier books to enjoy Lonely is the Night. The story is independent from the other books in the series and can be read solo.
Ms. Tyler is a master at putting her characters in impossible situations, ones that make you want to give up and walk away, and just when you think it can't get worse, she unveils her plan for a happy ending. Lonely is the Night is another suspenseful nail-bitter, breaking the characters down to their lowest before allowing them to rise above the fray.
The novella is chocked full of little nuggets and guest appearances from the first four books in the series, making it a fun walk down memory lane. There are also a few new characters that had me wondering which would appear in Ms. Tyler’s new series, Section 8 (stop back tomorrow for my interview with Steph and a giveaway of Surrender, the first Section 8 book).
There were points in the novella I felt a little confused or that the action was rushed, but since this is a shorter-length story, it is to be expected. I was a little disappointed at the almost gloss-over of the final trial and ending, which effectively killed the building suspense for the moment. However, it is a satisfying ending and on the whole, an entertaining story.
Overall, I delighted in finally getting to see Reid and Grier together and the men of the Shadow Force all content. It was a good conclusion to the series, although I do wish it'd been full length. I'm guessing the next series will follow Grier's former partner, Jack and possibly Reid's friend, Keegan. (Note, this was my guess prior to reading Surrender. The neither of these characters appeared in the first Section 8 book, but I’m hoping we’ll see them again.) If you are new to Ms. Tyler’s work, this is a great taste of her writing; however she is even better at full length.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
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