The premise is good. The writing is good. I can’t point to anything being wrong with the book. It was a good solid story. I think the plot felt a little rushed and the balance of fighting and steamy were off. It felt like the characters were either fighting against the aliens or having sex. I would have liked a little more relationship development. To be honest, this might be a me thing as it took me several days to get through the story. It might be I just wasn’t in the mood for a post apocalyptic story. It was a good solid story and the writing was good. I’ll go read the next one in the story.
Blurb
In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a band of survivors fights on…
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In a world gone to hell, Elle Milton–once the darling of the Sydney social scene–has carved a role for herself as the communications officer for the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival–Hell Squad. It’s her chance to make a difference and make up for horrible past mistakes…despite the fact that its battle-hardened commander never wanted her on his team.
When Hell Squad is tasked with destroying a strategic alien facility, Elle knows they need her skills in the field. But first she must go head to head with Marcus Steele and convince him she won’t be a liability.
Marcus Steele is a warrior through and through. He fights to protect the innocent and give the human race a chance to survive. And that includes the beautiful, gutsy Elle who twists him up inside with a single look. The last thing he wants is to take her into a warzone, but soon they are thrown together battling both the alien invaders and their overwhelming attraction. And Marcus will learn just how much he’ll sacrifice to keep her safe.
Note to readers: This post apocalyptic sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think invading aliens, explosions and gunfights), tough warriors (the sexy, battle-hardened soldiers of Hell Squad) and a steamy romance (lots of sexy times between a gutsy survivor and a tough, scarred warrior). So if you like it fast, and gritty, and sexy, this is for you!
The last in the series. This one read slow for me. About halfway through, I felt it was just lingering. However, it picked up. A woman takes Jonah, the mysterious man in charge, by surprise in his office in their super secret military base. From the moment she ties him to his own desk, he wants her. The sex is steamy. The storyline is good but a little slow. The chemistry between Jonah and Evan is delightful. The little side story of Evan’s mom is amusing but fun.
Hackett’s writing is spot on. I enjoyed this one as much as the other ones. She rounds out the series with a nice little wrap up which isn’t contrived or forced. It fits in with the series and with the way each book was written.
In all, I highly recommend this series and all eight books. I enjoyed each one and will be considering reading more of her books.
Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.
The Grey Mission
Angella O’Hanlon
In the distant future, technology has evolved by leaps and bounds. Space exploration and colonization is now the norm, Earth equipped with an agency and crew for these missions.
Major Collins is assigned to what he thinks is a routine colonization of Mars, attending a quick briefing with the Admiral before he’s to board the ship. He assumes everything is business as usual, but things take a turn when the Admiral insists on Collins signing a confidentiality agreement before the briefing has even begun…
The real reason behind the mission is far more disturbing than Collins originally wagered. His crew is not to know the details, even his pretty second in command, Illyana Petrovich, who Collins finds more than intriguing, especially as he spends more time with her.
As their journey begins, their mission is plagued with complications, though this does nothing to distract Collins from his budding desire for the redheaded Commander, the real purpose of their mission also hanging over his head.
It becomes apparent that nothing about this mission is routine and danger lurks even in the deepest corners of space.
Tagline
The mission is confidential, but what of his budding desire?
Hackett kept me riveted while I read this action packed fast paced story. Axel and Natalie are two people who want each other but she doesn’t think anyone will love her and he wants to protect her even from himself.
This story moved along. It started with a desperate call for help from Greece which took the team international again. They started in Greece and moved on to London. A monster – who took Nat and six other women. First they had to find them and then they had to fight against mercenaries. Along the way, Nat and Axel fight their growing attraction and desire for each other… there’s a little fighting between them too.
The pacing of this story moved along. It drew you in and kept you turning pages. My only – very minor – complaint was the balance of the relationship with the action. I feel like there was more action and less relationship. Don’t mistake me – there’s plenty of steam. But the connection built between the two was slightly lacking. The last sex scene felt more like a – what do I do now? Oh I’ll throw in a sex scene…
Story was good, the steamy intimate time was good, the writing was good. Definitely worth reading and definitely kept my attention.
Callie and Brooks work together. She’s the medic and he’s the computer geek. They’re friends. But when he’s kidnapped and she rescues him but then they both end up kidnapped. Things happen. Sexy fun things happen. But Callie’s unsure if she wants to get involved.
Hackett’s done a good job on this one. The story behind the kidnapping and subsequent connection is fast paced and action packed. The writing is stellar. The pacing… fast but I wanted it to slow down just enough to get more between the couple.
Hackett hits many high spots with these books. She’s kept my attention through six books now.
A little kink, a hot sexy genius, and a mysterious thief in the night! Ty is grumpy and doesn’t like anyone in his space. Until a woman gets by his high tech security and searches his home. Team 52 has to hunt her down and take her into custody. Ty wants her tied up for all sorts of reasons and none of them have anything to do with the Team. Hackett has done it again. In the 5th book in this series, she’s matched up two very different characters and made them work well together. My only criticism is this story seemed rushed. It isn’t shorter than any of the others. It has the same elements but there are parts which seem rushed. Despite the rush, Hackett tells a good and believable story. The writing is spot on and the sexy bits are steamy with a touch of kink. I’ll be moving on to book 6.
My fear in starting this book was Hackett would take her Badass female character and change her into a simpering helpless damsel. She didn’t! Instead we get a romance where Luke, the hot detective, has to learn to stand by Blair’s side and she has to learn to trust and let him in. All of this is wrapped up in a military, paranormal, romance with twists and turns. The climax was slightly predictable but no less spectacular because of it.
Blair is one of my favorite characters. She’s a badass force recon who has retired after being injured and saving her best friend. She’s got demon – as do all the characters in these stories. Hackett kept true to her character. No once does Blair simper in her story. Instead she fights to save everyone and when she needs him to, Luke fights beside her and for her.
This was a great story. I plan to continue with the next book.
Today we have Trevor Madero from Amber Daulton’s Trevor’s Redemption. Let’s find out more about him and his story!
What’s your name, and who are you in your world?
’Sup, Eileen? I’m Trevor Madero, and I’m a nobody, which is how I like it.
Give us a visual. What do you look like?
Let’s see…I have brown eyes and naturally tanned skin. My dark, curly hair reaches my chin and swings when I move. Ladies love my hair, and I love it when they grip it. Now that I’m with Shea, she’s the only woman I let play with it. All in all, I’m pretty hot.
What’s your goal in this story? To survive. I’m involved in some bad stuff, and everyday is one day closer to the end. Whether that’s the end of my life or the end of my sanity, I’m not sure.
What conflicts are you facing?
My girlfriend, Shea, is digging into my personal life. It’s not like I want to keep secrets from her, but I have to keep her safe. She could—no, would—be in danger if she knew the truth. It’s a risk I can’t take.
My ex-fling, Alyson, won’t take no for an answer, and she’s doing her best to drive a wedge between me and Shea. Yeah, not gonna happen.
There are all the guys I deal with for my after hours job. Any one of them could shoot me dead, but I’m not the type to break easily. After all the shit I’ve been through, I’m more than prepared to fight back.
How would you describe your life?
Hectic. Juggling my double life is turning into a full-time job.
How would you describe yourself in a personal ad?
Devilishly charming, handsome, and always ready for a good time. Exercise caution, though, I might be hazardous to your health.
What is your occupation? Are you any good at it?Do you like it?
By day, I work for a construction company that builds everything from houses to skyscrapers.
At night, I’m an enforcer for Capularia. Have you heard of Onyx? It’s one of the largest drug manufacturers and distributors in the American Southwest, and the higher ups peddle their contraband through smaller sets, like Capularia. On my nights off, I book gigs at bars and clubs to sing and play guitar.
What skill do you have that you’re proud of? Why?
Music. I love playing my bass and acoustic guitar. An old friend taught me how to play when I was a kid, and it’s my way to escape the pressures and pain of life.
What did you think the first time you saw Shea?
She was beautiful, but lots of women are. It was her shyness and good heart that drew me in. Most of the women I know only want what I present to them, but I’m more than man-meat or sex-on-two-legs, as I’ve heard them call me. My attitude is a facade. But Shea, she saw past the bull to the real man underneath. I’ve never known anyone like her.
What other character from your book do you think your author should write a book about? Care to tell us why?
At the end of my story, Shea and I meet a DEA agent. Hannah Adler isn’t your typical hard-ass fed, though. She does me and Shea a solid, and believe me, I couldn’t have been more surprised. Hannah is dealing with some personal trauma—don’t ask me what—but I have it on good authority that my author, Amber, is pairing Hannah with long-time reader favorite, Alan Harding. Their book, Arresting Alan, is available for preorder and will be released in April 2024. Reserve your copy while you can. It’s only 99 cents for an ebook.
About Amber Daulton
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press, Books to Go Now, and Daulton Publishing, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.
His taste buds tingled, her shower-fresh sweetness an aphrodisiac. He kissed her foot, swirled his tongue across the sole, and popped one of her toes into his mouth.
She bucked again within the restraint of his arms. “Oh my God.”
He chuckled and released the toe with a popping sound. After he licked and treasured her other foot, he climbed onto the sofa and knelt between her spread legs. Her glistening center opened for him. Later. There was no need to rush. He feathered kisses up her right calf, on the underside of her knee, and licked a wet trail across her inner thigh.
“God, Trevor. What are you doing?” She fisted the cushion and wiggled.
“I’m tormenting you. What does it feel like?”
“Torment, definitely.”
“Should I stop?”
“Don’t you dare.”
He smirked. Damned if he didn’t love her bossy side. He swooped his tongue around her belly button, dipped in, and clasped her waist as she lurched up.
“Damn it, yes.” She twined her fingers into his hair and tugged.
His scalp smarted. He kissed her quivering stomach and clasped her naughty little nipple between his teeth. The pebble swelled as he suckled and lightly squeezed her velvet-smooth breasts.
She gripped his shoulders and pulled him closer to her chest.
Ah! Her nails bit through his shirt. He released the nub with a swipe of his tongue, and the bite of her nails eased. He suckled her other nipple more gently.
She gasped, arching her back, pushing her mounds against his face.
Paradise. He drew back for air and claimed her warm mouth. Fiery need sizzled through his veins and pulsed through every organ. He licked from the tip of her button nose to her forehead and kissed each eyebrow.
“More, please.”
Her breathy plea coiled around his heart. “Come for me.” He thumbed her clit and slipped his finger in between her hot, slick folds.
“Yes, Trevor. There.” She thrust against his hand as soft little mewls left her mouth. She dug her nails against his biceps. “Faster.”
How could he deny her? He pinched and rubbed her puffy clit harder and grinned as she cried out. “That’s it, honey.” He plunged two digits into heaven. Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed a pouty O. Strength and satin clamped his fingers. He suckled her neck, pushing his fingers in and out, stretching her channel. His throbbing cock ached for her.
“Oh God, Trevor. I need more.”
He edged back and bent his head between her thighs. He licked her cream and groaned. Fucking hell. Honey, sugar, and spice. Had anything ever tasted so good? As she cried out again, he scissor-kicked his fingers inside her and flicked his tongue across her clitoris.
Her feet shuffled on the cushions, seeking traction. She gasped and gripped his head, forcing his face harder against her.
“Yes!”
Copyright – Amber Daulton/Satin Rose Designs
Blurb
The danger and lies are more than she can handle.
Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.
Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.
When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.
Hackett impresses me with this series. She takes tough and broken people and brings them together in a dangerous situation. They are faced with losing someone they want to be with but have held back because they think they aren’t right for the other person. Again, this is a combo of military, paranormal, romance and other aspects. I LOVE how she makes the women strong and determined even if they aren’t able to overcome the people they are fighting against. They try and they are smart about it. Smith and Kinsey both have feelings for each other. Smith had a bad first marriage so he’s sworn off relationships. And the Kinsey is kidnapped…. multiple times. Kinsey grew up in an abusive household and she’s made the choice to be a happy person but underneath it all, she lacks confidence in her own value. Smith is determined to find her. She just a part of the team and so delicate but he discovers her strength in all the shit she’s put through and his love for her. It’s a solid story. I read it in one sitting – unusual for me.
Hackett has done it again. She’s thrown military, humor, paranormal, romance into a big pot, mixed it up and come up with a solid story which makes you feel all the feels. January and Seth do not like each other. In their first encounter, January gave Seth a black eye. She’s an archeologist and he’s part of team 52. They fight and bicker but they also get real when they need to. This is a great addition to the series and I’m looking forward to the third one.
