A NEW TRACERS NOVEL by Laura Griffin

BEYOND LIMITS

Laura Griffin

A Tracers Novel – Book 8

Pocket Books

ISBN:  9781451689358

February 2015

Romantic Suspense



This latest book in a very popular series tells the story of Lieutenant Derek

Vaughn a Navy SEAL and Elizabeth Leblanc, an FBI agent based in San Antonio,

Texas.  The book begins with a mission to Afghanistan to rescue three hostages.  

Along the way, the SEAL team obtains valuable intel and takes a prisoner but

also loses one of their men.  The intelligence points to a terrorist threat

somewhere in the southern United States, likely Texas.  



When Elizabeth Leblanc, a relatively new but eager FBI agent is tapped to work

in the counter intelligence unit with Gordon Moore, one of her first tasks is to

interview Derek and his fellow SEAL, especially since the prisoner has escaped.  

Although Derek and Elizabeth haven’t seen or spoken to each other in over a

year, the intense chemistry they previously experienced comes roaring back.  It

intensifies as they begin working together to identify the terrorist

threat.  Elizabeth is reluctant around this assignment,having Derek involved is not part

of the FBI regulations.  



Like all of Griffin’s books, this one is a tremendously fast-paced and

well-written novel.  Readers are treated to a mix of high level suspense,

intense hunts for terrorists, and an excellent window into the mind of the Navy

SEAL.  Under it all is the passion of two very different characters, Derek and

Elizabeth.  As the book progresses we get a glimpse into the reasons behind


Elizabeth’s need for stability and her extreme reluctance to get involved with a

“frogman” who is gone more time than he is “in-country.”  



My only small criticism of this book involves the first pages.  I got a little

confused about Elizabeth’s character and found myself going back to the Tracers

Book 6, in which Derek and Elizabeth were first introduced.  I re-read that book

and found that revisiting background history very helpful.  But honestly, this

is only a tiny blip in this amazingly fast paced, exciting novel.  I love this

writing because it makes Navy SEALS so real and human.  It also details the

terrorist threats that are more and more a part of our lives.  Ms. Griffin has

done her homework on this one and readers will not be disappointed.  



Reviewed by Jeri Neal

Rating:  4

ZONE OF FIRE - A New novella by Lindsay McKenna

ZONE OF FIRE

Lindsay McKenna

Blue Turtle Publishing

ISBN:  978-1-929-97700-0

February 2015

Romantic Suspense



This novella was written as part of the author’s ongoing Shadow Warriors series

published by Harlequin.  This “prequel” was written independently and tells more

of the story of Gabe Griffin and Bay Thorn, the main characters in NEVER

SURRENDER.  The book offers a bridge to the next book in the military romance

series: TAKING FIRE.



The story begins with Gabe and Bay just beginning their life with their twins,


Michael and Dawn.  Bay had been the victim of a brutal rape as a prisoner of war

and Gabe had been part of her rescue.  Being able to marry him and have his

children was a huge success for this woman who thought her life might be over

when she was captured.  Now she is back home with the man she loves, her mother

and sister, out of the military, and a new mother.



The first third of this novella is a narrative catching readers up to the new

life that Gabe and Bay have built.  Both are eager to have Gabe’s best friend,

Mike Tarik, his SEAL buddy, meet his namesake.  Both are worried about his

status in Afghanistan and when they get word that he is missing in action, Gabe

is deeply concerned that he is a prisoner of war.



This novella is perfect for those who want to read a bridge between the two

books noted above.  I think it is always challenging to covey deep emotions in a

short book.  Happily, this author manages to whet our appetite for more of this

ongoing series.  ZONE OF FIRE continues the theme of trauma and rape while

emphasizing the recovery of the individual and loved ones, in this case, Bay and

Gabe.



I’m a huge fan of this evocative writing, the feelings expressed by these

multi-faceted characters, and the ways they come alive on the pages.  I’m not

sure this book would have as much meaning to someone NOT involved with this

ongoing series but for those of us immersed in Shadow Warriors, it is delicious!



Reviewed by Jeri Neal

Rating:  4

Review of WHITE GARDENIA by Belinda Alexandra - An Epic Love Story that Spans the Years

WHITE GARDENIA
Belinda Alexandra
Simon & Schuster Publishing
ISBN# 978-1-4767-9031-2
February 2015
Historical Fiction

This is an epic love story, not love as in the typical love between a hero and heroine, but rather the kind of love that binds us to the people in our lives throughout the darkest of days and the worst of times. Love is an emotion that is sometimes talked about frivolously and it sometimes can be diminished because of that. Our story begins in China right after World War 2, when a thirteen year old girl loses her father and her hometown is invaded by the Japanese. As a widow with a child, Alina Kozlova does what she think is best to protect them, even if it means giving in to the demands of a Japanese General who wants to rent one of her rooms. She needs the money and he does offer a certain amount of protection for them. This decision would affect them the rest of their lives.

Anya watches the General, his secretive movements, learning things from him and finds him to be kind and generous. Her townspeople aren't too happy with the arrangements, especially their family friends. When the Japanese are run out by the Russian Communists, they descend on Alina and Anya, and in a moment of motherly love, Alina sacrifices herself in place of her daughter, thereby tearing them apart. Alina must go to Russia, where she will undoubtedly live the rest of her life in hard labor, or be killed. Anya is hurried out of harms way to be sent to live in Shanghai where a family friend will take her in. This tragic event haunts Anya ever after.

In Shanghai, Sergei Nikolaievich, owns the prestigious Moscow-Shanghai club. Anya is sent to school over the next few years where she learns everything a good girl should know. At first, Amelia, Sergei's American wife, hovers over Anya, but she soon realizes that Amelia has only herself in mind. Anya doesn't trust Amelia, but she does trust Dmitri, a young man working in the club. Their friendship begins slowly, but as Anya blossoms into a young woman, Dmitri takes notice and their friendship turns to romance. As their romance grows, a tragedy prevents Anya from fully enjoying her new love. Circumstances and shattered illusions take hold of Anya, and it becomes clear that she must rely on everything she has to survive the next upheaval. Even as she struggles with betrayal, deception and upheaval, she must make a difficult choice as to where her life will take her: to America, the land of promise and hope; or Australia, the land of work indenture. Her decision will ultimately lead her to the answers she so desperately seeks. Throughout the years, friendships will be forged, love will be found and hopes are at the same time lost and restored. A beautiful story of the unwavering love and devotion between a mother and child that spans decades.

For those who love an epic adventure, WHITE GARDENIA covers the course of several decades as it follows Anya through her life. We see how a young girl, torn from her mother's arms and into an uncertain fate, must rely on herself, making wrong decisions, right decisions and trusting those around her to help her. She struggles valiantly most of the time, sometimes she is so distraught, she feels like giving up. Throughout it all, her link to her mother is never broken. I found the central characters very engaging, being a great sounding board for Anya and her circumstances. The key figures are well drawn out, each with their own personality, flaws and hidden motives. The bad people in this book are really bad. The good guys are not quite so easy to figure out, though. There is not much of an element of mystery, such as in other historical fiction I enjoy, but at the same time I couldn't put it down because I did want to find out what happens to Anya. Will she find what happened to her mother? Will she discover the true love she was meant to find? How often we make decisions without realizing the consequences and the choices we make can affect us the rest of our lives.

Thoroughly mesmerizing, from the nearly poetic prose of Ms. Alexander's writing, to the dramatic backdrops of China and beyond, WHITE GARDENIA is the kind of book that stays with you long after the end.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4 1/2

New from Jessica Lemmon!

BRINGING HOME THE BAD BOY
Jessica Lemmon
Hachette (eBook)
ASIN# B00K5UNVEM
February 2015
Contemporary Romance


Evan Downey has dealt with the loss of his wife for four years. Moving himself and his seven year old son, Lyon, to Evergreen Cove seems to be the best way to start over, away from the constant reminders of the life he lost. However, with the comforting presence of his late wife's best friend, Charlotte "Charlie" Harris, he soon discovers that her presence means more than just a friendly face for his son.

Charlie has mourned her best friend's death for years. Yet when Evan and his son arrive in town, she does her best to keep their lives as easy as possible. Old feelings begin to surface, ones that she put aside when years ago Evan chose Rae instead of her. There was never a question of jealousy, as she was truly happy for them both. Now, however, Evan seems to have noticed her, and their chemistry is off the charts. As an artist, Evan works on his projects by day and even shares some of his work with Charlie. Charlie can't seem to deal with the fact she's falling in love, let alone her best friend's husband. Will she be able to deal with the guilt issues and forge ahead with the man she's always loved, or will it drive him away?

What I loved about this book is the unrelenting and unwavering devotion of Evan. He was devoted to his wife four years after her death, he's devoted to his son, Lyon and to his work as an artist, but most of all, he becomes devoted to Charlie and doesn't give up. There's something so sexy about a man who knows what he wants and doesn't take it for granted either. The romance is well built up and very hot! Charlie is a good heroine even though I got frustrated with her at times. As for the secondary characters, they are wonderful. Lyon is a wonderfully written young boy, who even though he's lost his mother and barely remembers her, has a big heart. I also am very interested in his friend's story, Ash, a real jerk of a guy. I'm sure there's a story there!

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4 1/2

A February Hello!

February in the Midwest is starting with a bang! Today is February 1, Super Bowl Sunday and we are in the midst of a big snowstorm with 10 to 14 inches of snow expected. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's perfect reading weather and this month TRRC has on hand the reviews of some exciting books.

Readers will continue to see January 2015 reviews posted this month along with the current month's reviews. So in between making runs to the supermarket in preparation for the snowstorms and shoveling snow, take a moment to peruse our selections and let us know what you think of the books we've reviewed. Hopefully the ground hog will have some good news for us all tomorrow and spring will be just around the corner.

Until next month,

Happy Reading!

Livia