Tag: Cindy Gerard

Review: Risk No Secrets by Cindy Gerard

Posted May 18, 2010 by Casee in Reviews | 0 Comments

Genres: Romantic Suspense

Casee‘s review of Risk No Secrets (Black Ops Inc., Book 5) by Cindy Gerard.

Twelve years of chasing bad guys didn’t erase beautiful Sophie Baylor from Wyatt Savage’s memory. If he had another chance, he’d never let her leave. So when she tracks him down from El Salvador and begs for help, he doesn’t ask questions—he just goes.

Sophie is grateful her daughter survived a kidnapping attempt, but she won’t forgive herself until the girl who was mistakenly abducted is safe. Wyatt is the only man brave enough to take on the mysterious terrorists behind the crime—and the one irresistible man she wishes she had never let go.

Sophie knows Central America’s steamy jungles and sticky politics better than anyone. Yet she refuses to hide in fear. Then she becomes the enemy’s number one target. Wyatt lost her once, and he won’t lose her again—even if he has to fight, kill, or die to save her.

I love Cindy’s BOI series. The heroes are so yummy. That the plots are good is a bonus. Risk No Secrets is Wyatt “Papa Bear” Savage’s book. We find Wyatt visiting with his family after nearly a year away. Wyatt is reconsidering his line of work and what he wants in life. Though he loves working with the BOI’s, he has thoughts of hearth and home from time to time. Of course the woman he wants that with is married to his former best friend. When he actually receives a call from Sophie he doesn’t hesitate when she asks for his help.

Sophie has often thought of Wyatt and the mistake she made in marrying Hugh instead. Though she loved Hugh when she married him, it took time and maturity to realize that Wyatt was the better man of the two. Sophie lives in El Salvador with her daughter. Kidnapping for ransom is a flourishing business. When Sophie’s daughter is almost kidnapped, she is still heartbroken when Hope’s best friend is taken instead. She immediately call’s her ex-husband whose business involves finding these lost kids. When he doesn’t respond, she calls Wyatt and is beyond relieved when he immediately agrees to come.

Seeing Sophie again after more than ten years throws Wyatt off his game. When he finds out that Sophie and Hugh have been divorced for years, he is disappointed that she didn’t contact him. Then he reminds himself that the feelings he had were never returned by Sophie. He does see that Sophie is still as strong as ever; it’s obvious she will do anything to find her daughter’s friend, Lola.

Working together so closely reignites the feelings that were between Sophie and Wyatt so long ago. Wyatt has no idea that Sophie has often thought about him and asked herself many times if she made the right choice. Wyatt knows that starting something with Sophie when she’s worried about Lola is not the smartest thing he can do. Still, whatever was there before is still there and it’s something that Wyatt and Sophie can’t or won’t deny.

I pretty much figured out who it was. I’m not as surprised when I figure out the bad guy because I’ve been so good at it lately. The hardest part of reading this book was Wyatt’s feelings. When he finally thinks that he has a chance with Sophie—the woman he has been in love with for years—he might lose her. His acceptance of that in order to protect her was just difficult to read. It’s exactly the type of writing that I’ve come to expect from Cindy Gerard.

4.25 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket. You can buy it here.

The series:

Show No Mercy (Black Ops, Book 1)Take No Prisoners (Black Ops, Book 2)Whisper No Lies (Black Ops, Book 3)Feel the Heat (Black Ops, Inc.)Risk No Secrets


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Review: Whisper No Lies by Cindy Gerard

Posted January 28, 2009 by Casee in Reviews | 5 Comments

Genres: Romantic Suspense


AN INDECENT PROPOSAL…

When a high roller at the Vegas casino where Crystal Debrowski manages security makes a scandalous proposition, she flat-out refuses, especially given rumors of his shady overseas connections. But then counterfeit bills mysteriously flood the gaming tables, and her reputation — and her life — are on the line.

REVEALS A SIMMERING DESIRE…

Despite his big, flirty grin, Texas heartbreaker Johnny Duane Reed can’t get sassy Crystal off his mind. When she is abducted by an international crime lord with a threatening obsession, Reed enlists his Black Ops, Inc. team to pursue a dangerous mission to rescue her.

…WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.

Between Crystal and Johnny burns a scorching flame, but as they battle her relentless abductor, they uncover a malicious arms trafficking and white slavery ring. Together, they must destroy the tyrant’s wicked enterprises or face his reign of terror themselves….

I’m not sure which book is my favorite in this series. They’re all so good. Gabe Jones? Sigh. He is an amazing hero. Sam Lang is no slouch either. Yet Johnny Reed just has something that Gabe and Sam don’t. I still haven’t figured out what that is.

Crystal Debrowski seems like the perfect woman for Johnny Reed. She doesn’t want a relationship, she doesn’t want to go on dates, and she doesn’t want to meet his family. All she wants is what he wants. Sex. Unfortunately, Reed starts wanting more. Oh, the horror. He’s determined not to do anything about it. Then Crystal gets kidnapped and Reed brings in BOI to bring her home.

Crystal knows Reed isn’t for her, but that doesn’t mean she won’t enjoy him while it lasts. When Crystal turns down an indecent proposal, she doesn’t realize that her life is about to take a turn for the worst. When she’s kidnapped and taken to Jakarta to be a sex slave, she has little hope that someone will be coming after her. The only person that has a chance of finding her is Reed. She doesn’t know if he’ll realize what happened or if he’ll even help.

Crystal and Reed are pretty similar when it comes to relationships, but for different reasons. Crystal is determined to protect herself from heartbreak while Reed doesn’t think he’s capable of being in a relationship without hurting his partner. One of the best parts of this book is Reed’s bewilderment over his own feelings for Crystal. He’s always admitted to himself that he likes her, but being possessive? Not so much.

I have no idea what it’s like to be a sex slave, but I think that Cindy Gerard does a fantastic job of projecting what it would be like to the reader. While reading about human trafficking and forced prostitution in this book, I felt horror, disgust, and dismay (among many others). I was pulled into the book from the beginning and it didn’t let me go until the end.

4.25 out of 5

This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

Book Cover Book Cover


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Review: Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard

Posted December 1, 2008 by Casee in Reviews | 2 Comments

Genres: Romantic Suspense

A Dangerous Attraction…

Abbie Hughes no longer trusts men, but despite her cool indifference, her long legs and showgirl face still draw plenty of attention. Between working as a blackjack dealer, going to school, and keeping an eye on her younger brother, Cory, there’s no time for romantic adventures—until the night a sexy, mysterious stranger places a wager at her table.

Spurred by revenge…

Sam Lang left Black Ops, Inc. when tragedy struck his family. Although he’s determined to retire his M-16 rifle to lead a quiet life on his ranch, a vengeful quest will send him on a manhunt for the ruthless multimillionaire who murdered his sister.

…Reveals a savage threat they can’t ignore.

Though Sam suspects Abbie is in on a lucrative gem-smuggling deal her brother made with the enemy, their attraction is undeniable. Now Cory is missing, and together they search the wild Honduras backcountry to find him. With danger on their trail, they must trust each other completely or face certain death alone….

I luuu-huuuuve Sam Lang. I can’t remember which book he was first in, but I’ve loved him since that book. He was character that always found humor in the situation, but was still deadly. Everything changes when his sister and her husband are killed as a warning to Sam. After that tragic day, Sam quit Black Ops, Inc. Knowing that he is ultimately responsible for his sister’s death is something that Sam will have to live with for the rest of his life. He never intends to go back to BOI. Even when Reed comes to tell him that he can finally get Fredrick Nader, Sam refuses to entertain the idea of going back. Until his father asks him to finish it.

When Sam finally agrees to go after Nader, Reed tells him that the only lead they have is a woman named Abbie Hughes. It seems that her brother is a mule for Nader and Sam’s way to track him down. He soon finds that it isn’t going to be easy getting close to Abbie, who is about the most private person he’s ever met. Still, Sam will do any and everything to avenge his sister.

Life is good for Abbie Hughes. Or as good as it can get. With her divorce settlement that finally came through, Abbie is working and going to school. She also does her best to take care of her brother, Cory. When she meets Sam Lang, her immediate reaction is to run. Yet when she makes herself take a closer look, she sees that Sam is a man that won’t push for something she can’t give. He doesn’t intrude on her privacy and he seems to accept that her trust won’t come easy.

Little does she know.

Abbie really doesn’t trust easy at all. She was burned by her ex-husband. She had a crappy childhood. The only person she really trusts outside of her brother is her best friend, Crystal. Sam gets Abbie to let her guard down. Then he makes his move. The part of the book where Abbie finds out who Sam really is? Heart breaking. It was so freaking sad. Trusting Sam was a huge deal for her. So when she finds out that he’s just using her, she’s devastated. And that devastation came through loud and clear. What Abbie isn’t able to see, though, is that Sam is just as devastated. He fell for Abbie when all he should have been thinking about is his sister.

I really liked Abbie’s take charge attitude. She won’t let anyone use her. When she finds out what Sam really wants and that her brother is involved, she can’t believe it. Soon she can’t deny it. She gets proof that her brother is involved w/ Nader from Nader himself. It seems that Cory has gotten in way over his head and once again Abbie has to save him. No matter what Sam Lang has to say.

When I first started reading this book, I was wondering how Abbie going to Honduras would be believable. I mean, really. It worked, though. It always comes down to family. There is nothing Abbie won’t do for her brother. You have to admire that kind of loyalty and dedication. And though Sam wants to deny his feelings for Abbie, he can’t do it. When he finally accepts that she is going to do what she wants and that it will put her in danger, he’s forced to take a long hard look at what he feels for her.

I loved this book. Sam and Abbie were so perfect for each other. I couldn’t think of a better ending for Sam Lang.

4.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

Show No Mercy Whisper No Lies


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Review: Show No Mercy by Cindy Gerard

Posted September 24, 2008 by Casee in Reviews | 8 Comments

Genres: Romantic Suspense

THE SULTRY HEAT…

Only two things can compel journalist Jenna McMillan back to Buenos Aires after terrorists held her captive there just months before: a rare interview with a shadowy billionaire and the memory of the dark and dangerous man who saved her….

HIDES THE DEADLIEST THREATS…

Bad guys, bombs, and bullets are Gabriel Jones’s way of life. But he’ll never forget the brash redhead he rescued not so long ago…or the passionate kiss they shared before he sent her packing….

AND EXPOSES THE DEEPEST DESIRES.

Now, forced together by a bombing at the National Congress, Jenna and Gabe confront the urgent longings that simmer between them. But this surprise meeting is no coincidence. A ruthless enemy stalks them with deadly precision. The question is…if they make it out alive, will Gabe turn his back on Jenna…again?

It’s been over a year since Gerard released the 6th and final book in her Bodyguard series. While Into the Dark ended one series, it also set the foundation for the Black Ops series. We first met Gabriel Jones and Jenna McMillan in Into the Dark. As a journalist, Jenna was in Argentina following a story. Gabe’s motives were a little less clear. Still, they were memorable characters who clearly needed to have their story told. The only thing that was a tad bit confusing was the timeline.

Returning to the United States from Argentina, Jenna is far from the ballsy, aggressive reporter she was when she left. After being taken prisoner and then rescued by Gabe, Jenna confidence is badly shaken. Retreating to her family’s ranch in Wyoming, Jenna hopes to regain what she lost in Argentina; her faith in herself and her faith in her ability as a reporter. When her editor calls and tells her that there is a hot story waiting for her, Jenna takes it if only to prove to herself that she can be the reporter that she used to be. She soon finds herself going back to Argentina, unwittingly heading right back toward the man she has not stopped thinking about since he pulled her out of an Argentinean prison.

Gabe Jones is far from the idealist he was when he joined the US Military years before. Having long since left the Army, Gabe is an operative for Black Ops, Inc., an organization that is contracted to do things the military and the CIA won’t touch. When the security detail BOI was hired to do cross paths with Jenna McMillan, Gabe’s instincts tell him that it’s not a coincidence. Resolutely deciding to put her on a place to the States as soon as possible, Gabe underestimates Jenna’s determination to get the story and prove to herself that she still has what it takes.

Now Gabe and Jenna are confronted with the ugly fact that Jenna was lured to Argentina for a reason. All the evidence points to MC6, the Neo-Nazi group that both Gabe and Jenna had a hand in taking down. While they knew they didn’t wipe out the entire organization, they thought everyone associated with the Argentina arm of MC6 was dead. That mistaken belief could possibly cost both of them their lives.

I was hooked while reading this book. While I didn’t remember specific details of Gabe and Jenna in Into the Dark, I did remember that Gabe was an extremely tortured hero. He was beyond tortured. He was tormented by past deeds, tormented in a way that wouldn’t allow him to find happiness. Though Jenna is the first woman to bring his dormant feelings back to life, Gabe refuses believe they have a future. Jenna was the perfect woman for Gabe because she wouldn’t let his stubborn nature destroy what they could possibly have together.

Cindy Gerard certainly has a talent for writing emotional scenes. There was a scene at the end of the book that was so powerful that I could almost feel what Gabe was feeling. His reluctance to have any sort of relationship with Jenna wasn’t because he didn’t love her. It was more because he wanted to protect both her and himself from any potential pain. His inner struggle was heartbreaking to read about. That is what makes the ending of this book so perfect.

I can’t wait to read Gerard’s next book.

4.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here. No e-format.


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