He may play a superhero on the big screen, but it's the fierce warrior in his arms who instructs him in the mastery of true courage. Marcus has a sexy charisma that is both inaccessible and dangerous for someone like her. Women throw themselves at him. It would be foolish of her to wade into an emotional entanglement. But his reverential whispers, heated glances, and sublime caresses, make her a goner . . . and headed straight to heartbreak. Avoiding the reality of his life, he hopes to have a little something just for himself. He wants everything Emma's beautiful eyes promise. But he's a fool to think he could have her without his life getting in the way. To shield her from his harsh celebrity world, he walks away. An unexpected encounter brings them back together, and his heart can sing again. He can be whole again if he can convince her she needs him as much as he needs her. When an ultimate betrayal threatens their lives and everything they've built, will she stand by him, shield him from heartache, and cut through anyone who dares to hurt him? Will he acknowledge they can only weather this together? Emma's Element is the third book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue Series. A standalone, celebrity falls for the common woman, full length novel with no cliffhanger, no cheating and a guaranteed happy ever after.
Amanda Zook has been an avid romance reader since middle school and has finally decided to liberate the stories that live in her head. After growing up in the Sweetest Place on Earth (Hershey, Pennsylvania) she attended college at a small liberal arts school where she met the love of her life. They spent the first 20 years of their marriage on the Jersey Shore (no, not the MTV reality show), before moving halfway across the country.
Amanda now lives in the Southwest corner of the mitten state on the shores of Lake Michigan (no sharks, no salt, no problem).
She is a wife, a mother of teenage twin girls (even though she is aghast that her children dislike reading and pizza) and can now add published author to her list of achievements.
Oh my... I know you've come to this section to read other's reviews to get an idea if this book is one you want to read, but do I seriously need to prod you to read this?! This series is golden, every book makes me ecstatic I was introduced to this author, and each book surpasses the one before it on the H & h being a favorite couple! From the outside looking in these two seem to have it all, but looks can be deceiving and their pasts haunt them even now. Can they trust each other? What about their friends? When all the truths come out, will it be for the better?
I absolutely loved this book. Emma a strong independent woman and a true survivor. Marcus a strong famous actor who has been hurt a lot. Yeah they have their issues but they have adult conversations and don’t throw a tantrum every other page. The book was captivating right up until the end. And a story line I did not expect at all. At some point you think you know but how you get to the end is just amazing. Very well written.
What a wild ride Emma and Marcus took me on with this one! I was pulled in from the first chapter and didn’t want to put it down until I’d reached the end! Amanda, you have some serious talent! I loved the combination of characters and all they have had to deal with in life, and oh boy, the storyline was simply brilliant!!! There was just so much that I could gush about but I don’t want to give anything away! Trust me, you need to read this book! Outstanding job Amanda! Highly recommended
Another great addition to the Nighthawks series. I loved Marcus and Emma, as usual their journey was not an easy one but definitely worth reading. The mention of Penn State is an added bonus. Marcus was such a gentleman. It was definitely interesting to see how their relationship unfolds as they start to trust each other. This story draws pyu in and I was surprised by how it all played out. You have to read it to see how they get themselves out of trouble, so they can be together. It is a very well written story, I recommend you give it a try. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Interesting book. 4* I enjoyed this book from an author who, so far was unknown to me. I am more than happy to read more of her work in the future. The subject matter was a mixture of Hollywood glamour and mountain rescue, bringing a lot of interesting and new facts about the lives and responsibilities of the mountain rescue crew. There is romance and steam for a complete romantic experience. I would happily recommend this well-written book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I can't get enough of the Nighthawks! Romance and danger? Yes, please! Emma and Marcus might just be my favorites so far! I love a strong heroine with a good heart and that's just what Emma is. When Marcus comes along, she's sure he's the last thing she needs until, of course, she actually gets to know the man behind the movie star persona. Marcus is the perfect gentleman and the perfect match for Emma but there's danger lurking in the background from those who don't want to see the two of them together. Can they overcome it all? Read it and find out! I loved reading Marcus and Emma's story and can't wait for the next book in this series!
It packs an emotional punch: I adored this couple and the story as a whole. It was quite heart wrenching and emotional, however I liked that the drama and angst wasn't excessive but rather well balanced with more tender and sweet moments. I found the mystery aspects to be compelling and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me engaged Despite being from different worlds, Marcus and Emma felt an immediate bond that went deep. You could really feel their connection and the chemistry between them. I liked that it showed the "unglamorous" side of Hollywood stardom. My heart went out to Marcus who felt trapped in the world created by his celebrity status. One thing that I thought was really great was the way both main characters displayed such growth as they confronted and worked through their struggles. This series just keeps getting better and better and I can't wait to see what this talented author comes up with next. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the third book in the Nighthawk series and so far I've loved them all. Emma is such a strong independent woman who has risen above all the bad media attention surrounding her past career and started over as a Nighthawk. Trying the famous actor who is making a movie about the team isn't high on her to-do list, but when her boss assigns her to the job she doesn't have much choice. Marcus is Hollywood's hottest actor of the moment. But there is more to him than just his good looks and swoon-worthy smile. Watching these two fall in love slowly over time - overcoming the media attention and the long distances between them was so much fun. I've ever read it twice and I cant wait for the next one from Zook.
The third book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series it is a series that just gets more interesting with each new book. This is Marcus and Emma's story with the first couples also putting in an appearance. I want to read the next book it sounds exciting. This is a series I will read again when it is finished. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emma Watterson is a member of the Nighthawks Search and Rescue Team, and lives in Lake Haven, Michigan, where she is healing from her past. She has faced a lot of adversity.
Marcus Rayne, an actor, wanted a break from his life, his fans, and the spotlight. He enjoyed his work, but hoped he could have a normal, quiet life making true friends. After being rescued by a strikingly beautiful woman, falling over the cliff and suffering serious injuries, he begins training with the Nighthawks, primarily Emma, for realism in his film roles and stunts.
The things I've loved about the Nighthawk series is that they have a sense of camaraderie, fierce loyalty, strong sense of family supporting each other, the characters having each other's backs. A great addition, best read in order, but could still be read as a standalone. It was very well written, and each character had their own unique personality.
I have enjoyed the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series by Amanda Zook.
Emma’s Element is the third book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series and I’m struggling to decide whether they keep getting better each book, or if it’s just a case of me falling more for the characters each time we meet them! Either way, I’m loving this series! I started and finished this book in one day.
If you’re new to this series you could definitely get by just fine by starting with this book; the only cost would be that you might spend a little more effort in working out who is who. But the story is a standalone and you could manage just fine. I’m not recommending this approach though – I think it’s well worth the effort to go back to the beginning and read the series from the start.
We first met Marcus in the previous installments, when he was introduced as someone that the Nighthawk’s had been called upon to rescue. But Marcus isn’t just your standard rescue customer, as he comes with added benefits as well as disadvantages. He’s a mega-famous movie star, so of course he’s internationally recognisable. This means that on one hand is he able to help the Nighthawk’s with recognition and financial support, but on the other hand, it means he brings attention and media focus that isn’t always wanted.
Emma is a fairly new member of the Nighthawk team. She used to be with the Coast Guard, but after a tragedy struck and was then followed shortly after by some traumatic aftermath events, she packed up everything and moved to the same town as her closest friend, looking for a new start.
Emma is a really great character. If any little girl is looking for a strong woman to look up to, Emma is the sort of person that they should be looking to. Courageous, fearless, empathetic – she has it all. Plus, she’s a nice person to boot! Very likeable, and totally relatable.
And I think Marcus is a big loveable softie. He’s also strong and fearless, but with a nice big set of muscles and a protective streak to go with it. I really liked him. And I also found him to be very relatable as well. I wondered how his ‘movie star’ side would play out when I first started reading, but really, it was just one aspect of his overall persona and I thought it was really well handled.
All of the characters that we met in the first two books are back again and they also get plenty of time and attention. (Want to know who I’m talking about? Click here for my review of book 1 and here for my review of book two.) I really like all of the characters in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue crew, so I’m looking forward to reading more about them as the series progresses. And it doesn’t hurt that Amanda Zook has given us a really intriguing teaser for book 4, Sutton’s Shadow! Only downside is that now I’ll be waiting rather impatiently for the next installment. (Keep your eye out, as I’ll be reviewing that one too as soon as it’s available.)
There is plenty going on in this book for those of you who like a side of ‘action’ with your romance, but if you’re a fan of a strong romantic theme, you won’t be disappointed in this aspect either. And I really enjoyed the pace of this book. There is a lot going on – over a fairly lengthy period of time – but it all flowed along really well. And when it came time for the dramatic peak of the story, I really didn’t see it coming at all and it took me totally by surprise.
Thank you to Amanda Zook for my copy of this ebook. I think it is well worthy of its 5 thumbs up rating & I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series!
"Emma's Element" is a book nicely written, with some intriguing ideas and feel-good characters. It didn't quite engage me, unfortunately: I guess my expectations derailed me and I just never managed to tune back into the book.
Let's take it from the start. Emma's Element is the third book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue Series. The Nighthawk Search and Rescue team call themselves family: a very close group of colleagues and friends, with interesting back stories and exceptionally lovely personalities. Emma joins the Nighthawks after her job at the cost Guard, needing to turn page and recover from a traumatic experience. Marcus is a Hollywood actor, who reached stardom through his portrayal of a super hero, with a busy schedule filming sequels and promoting them. He loves outdoor activities, away from the crowd and the fame: being in the nature alone allows him to recharge his batteries, before diving into the the filming industry frenziness again. The outdoors is where Marcus crosses paths with the Nighthawks and, later on, with Emma. He is enthralled by their sense of family and loyalty, the feeling of mutual trust and the knowledge that they can rely on each other anytime anywhere. Perfect mix. Marcus and Emma get to spend time together as Marcus is planning on making a movie on the Nighthawks and Emma has been requested to organize Marcus's training schedule, as she is the best trainer the Nighthawks have. The table is set for an easy obvious match, but past wounds and present threats make the path to happiness a bumpy one.
I liked the concept, I loved the Nighthawks idea and how the side characters' stories connected to each other. I enjoyed Emma, not being the classical damsel in distress without overplaying the tough lady persoanlity. I liked the passion Marcus and Emma shared for the outdoors and the search for quietness. The writing was smooth and flowing nicely.
Certain aspects did not work for me. As interesting as the cover and the summary can be, I think they don't do justice to the story and the characters (hence my comment on expectations at the beginning): they are less "beefy" and the story is less fast-paced. I found the plot quite predictable: the way characters, backstories and events were presented led to the subsequent events with no unforeseen plot twists. Lastly, and that's me, I am not a fan of characters miscommunicating (or non communicating at all) on the basis of "I won't tell him/her because he/she has too many worries already": I get the concept of wanting to protect your dearest, but it just doesn't resonate with me.
As I understand, Amanda Zook is a fresh new writer: I congratulate her on the Nighthawks concept and the many characters she has invented and gradually developing. She has her personal style (which is not an easy feat!) and I can see her potential: I will gladly check back on her next books.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thank Netgalley for giving me access to this novel, but unfortunately as soon as I got to chapter four, the format went haywire. I tried everything I could in my settings and nothing worked. I was quite engrossed in the story and I bought it from Amazon where I had no problem whatsoever and to read the whole book.
It's quite engrossing. A celebrity actor meets a search and rescue professional during an unfortunate accident. Marcus is renowned for his role in a Titan movie when he meets Emma wo works on the Nighthawks team. She is responsible for his training even if she has preconceived ideas about his celebrity status. During their training sessions she discovers that he is nothing like what the media portrays and as they get to know each other, they start to develop feelings. Emma thinks he is unattainable whereas he doesn't want to expose her to the circus of the media. They keep their distance until they no longer can. There are so many things that dictate that they shouldn't be involved. He leaves to a avoid the media exposure, but he doesn't realise that there is a plot to blackmail him. He is is devastated and shocked to discover who is behind the ploy. They plan to extort his money. He has been betrayed so many times in the past that he doesn't trust anyone anymore. Emma changes all that.
It's an intense story about two people living in different lives and when they collide they work through all the difficulties thrown at them. It's very well portrayed and Marcus and Emma are strong and endearing. The romance is compelling and despite all odds, the fairy tale comes true. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My Review I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Book is already out. I have really got to stop picking up books that are part of a series when I have not read the first book. Often times I haven’t a clue what is going on with the characters for the first few chapters of the book because of this. Thankfully, even though Emma’s Element is part of a series, it is a standalone, or I would have been lost and confused from the start. I loved Emma and Marcus. I loved how strong Emma was as a person and how Marcus does his best to protect her even though he knows she could protect herself. This book was a lot of fun. Marcus’ thoughts made me laugh from the first page. I really liked seeing both he and Emma come to respect and love each other. I am just so happy that I decided to give this book and author a try. Would I read more from? Yes. Would I go back and read the series? Yes. I enjoy the story and while this is my first book by Amanda Zook. It would not be the last. I want to read about the rest of the Nighthawks and see them get their happily ever after.
Overall I did really enjoy this book but there were a few factors that kept me from giving it a higher rating. My favorite thing about this book were the friendships and how all of the side characters were fleshed out and each brought something unique to the story. We all love a good found-family here. The dynamic between Marcus and Emma was very sweet right from the start - there was clear chemistry and I found myself invested in where their relationship was going to go. That said, the central conflict to their relationship for the first 50% of the book was not compelling and I found myself getting annoyed with it. Once that one was solved, then we had too many conflicts with none of them sticking for more than a couple pages. Once we reached the third act, met the real Big Bad and the final conflict, that's where we started really having fun.
While this book didn't hit all the marks for me, will I read more from this author? Most likely, yes. I really liked the Nighthawk team she's created and the way she writes both her characters and the relationships between them.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is the third book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series. I loved Marcus and Emma's story. It's emotional, Steamy and full of page turning action and suspense. While you can read and enjoy this book as a standalone the books are connected and I believe its better read in order. If you're been reading this series from the beginning you'll know how important Marcus has been for the Nighthawk's. He's a famous actor they rescued and in turn he's donated money to help them continue their search and rescues along with training new people. Emma joined the Nighthawks after her Coast Guard career ended, needing a change they became her new family. Emma doesn't want to "babysit" Marcus while he's with the Nighthawks training. They hit it off and slowly start to open up to each other but will one or both their past ruin this new relationship between them? Excellent and fast paced, I didn't want to put the book down! Can't wait for book four.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was another great book in the Nighthawk series. Emma is such a strong woman who has been through a lot but never let it affect who she is. When she is tasked with training Marcus on all parts of their search and rescue techniques, she never expected for things to turn out the way they did. Falling for Marcus was something she never wanted, but here she is doing so. He is such an amazing man who does so much good for the world and he cares about people more than anyone knows. After discovering this side he keeps hidden from the fans and public, she can’t help but love him. She didn’t expect for him to feel the same, but love never comes easy. Will they be able to survive all of the challenges thrown their way? I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, Book 3 of the Nighthawk Search & Rescue series. This series is phenomenal!
This book focuses on Emma, a former soldier and member of the Nighthawks, and Marcus, an actor who is determined to produce and star in a movie about the Nighthawks. Emma has been chosen to teach him how to be a Nighthawk. Appearances are deceiving. As they discover who the other really is as they handle the many obstacles, they must overcome to reach their HEA. Another outstanding story that you won’t be able to put down. I highly recommend this story as well as the previous two Nighthawk books. Amanda – they keep getting better and I can’t wait for the next one.
I received a copy of this book from Author Collective and NetGalley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way.
While the plot might be more simple and not a literary masterpiece, it's brilliant in the only important way. Emotion.
Yep. Amanda has such an amazing talent for crafting and manipulating emotion. The delicate pyramid of words, character, plot, and world building was executed precisely to create an emotional treasure.
The emotional wounds of Emma and the vulnerabilities of Marcus worked perfectly together. They played off each other so very well that it was a marvel. I loved every moment of this novel and was super sad that it ended!
So if you're looking for a great, emotionally compelling read, with excellent characters and a wonderful backdrop then look no further! Seriously, I finished this book in like two days. I couldn't put it down.
PS this book really made me want to learn fencing! HAHAH!
I recently found this author and I am so glad I did!! This series sucked me in from the very first book. I am a sucker for one of the MC's walking away to "save" the other one, just gets me every time! I thought I knew where this plot was going but I was so wrong, I highly recommend you go into this book blind like I did because it made it that much better! I really enjoy how the author handled the couple's issues and disagreements, they weren't immature and full of tantrums but instead had real conversations. The steam was always very well written, what are you waiting for, go start at the beginning of this series and read them all!
These books just keep getting better and better. I loved Emma and her caring yet fierce spirit. I also loved Marcus for her. I was skeptical in the beginning because I don t like to read books about Hollywood and movie stars. I should have known this author would write a story so intriguing, with many twists and turns, but also pulls at your emotions. Marcus despite his childhood was so caring for others and just wanted to love and be loved. I was glued to this book until the end. I highly recommend this book!
This story will draw you in quickly to the plot. This book was hard to put down once I started to read. This is a great way of writing such twists in a relationship. Building trust and finding how well the characters she created to blend together is worth the read. The whole series from this author is a must-read. I found no errors in the writing or within the format of the book. This book does seem to have a slow plot as if the author wants to prolong you reading because she wants you to see these characters are real.
This is the third book in this series of the Nighthawk search and rescue, just like the first two books in this series it was full of suspense and romance. Emma is strong and independent and has over her past. When Marcus shows up she does not want anything to do with him or his famous persona. However one she gets to know the real person behind it all things change.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning! Every book in this series has been wonderful, and this one is no different. These two seem like they have it all, but looks can often be deceiving and your past can haunt you for years to come. When the truth comes to light, who will they really be able to trust? Will they even be able to trust themselves?
Marcus knows betrayal from all sides of his life and is hesitant to let anyone into his life on a personal level. As Emma teaches him the way to perform various search and rescue methods, they find themselves attracted to each other. But someone is threatening Emma. Good book!
If you like mystery, laughter and feel good endings, this is the series for you
I read the first book and I was hooked. The stories, and the characters reach out and pull you in. I read all three books today. Can't wait for the next one.
What a super book. It's so refreshing to see a woman, Emma, a specialized soldier,in a place of strength and power for a change, instead of the wimpy actress being taught by her hero male soldier. A really fun read! thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion here is solely my own.
This was an action filled movie star celebrity romance. We’ve seen Marcus off and on during this series so it was great to get more information about him and things. I liked the way the suspense layered together for this one. This is a steamy romance.