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Acceptable Risks
**Winner of the 2013 EPIC eBook Award for Romantic Suspense**
When security expert Jason Templeton's team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man's daughter...and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He's determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark's father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?
When security expert Jason Templeton's team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man's daughter...and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He's determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark's father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?
386 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Natalie J. Damschroder
68 books246 followersNatalie J. Damschroder hasn't done anything remotely worthy of bio documentation in a very long time, unless you count making up the romantic adventures that her characters live out in her books. She loves combining end-of-the-world stakes with the relationships that make those stakes personal. Love with a Shot of Adrenaline has infused nearly every story she's published. Whether you like quick reads you can finish in a day or sinking into longer books, you'll find something to satisfy your craving for action, romance, and happy endings. She also writes paranormal young adult romance as NJ Damschroder, where all of the same elements apply.
Besides her dozens of published books, what Natalie is most proud of is her family. She and her husband have been married over 30 years and still have the kind of partnership she makes her characters fight for every day. They've raised two awesome kids now living their own fulfilling lives, which you would think would mean she'd write more books faster. But she's enjoying reading, relaxing with good TV, and sleeping too much to give any of that up. In the fall and winter, almost nothing will keep her from cheering on her New England Patriots, even though they don't win as much anymore. Visit her website at nataliedamschroder.com to learn more about her books and sign up for her newsletter.
Besides her dozens of published books, what Natalie is most proud of is her family. She and her husband have been married over 30 years and still have the kind of partnership she makes her characters fight for every day. They've raised two awesome kids now living their own fulfilling lives, which you would think would mean she'd write more books faster. But she's enjoying reading, relaxing with good TV, and sleeping too much to give any of that up. In the fall and winter, almost nothing will keep her from cheering on her New England Patriots, even though they don't win as much anymore. Visit her website at nataliedamschroder.com to learn more about her books and sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 28, 2012
**This book provided courtesy of NetGalley & Carina Press
The Story:
When security expert Jason Templeton's team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man's daughter...and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He's determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark's father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?
My Thoughts:
This was a great romantic suspense with a bit of a paranormal twist! I felt like the pacing was good, the characters were interesting, and the story was standard but well written.
There were spots in the book where the story seemed to lag a bit, and where the characters, I felt, made questionable decisions. However, I was able to suspend some belief and enjoy the book for what it was.
This author is new to me, and I have to say that I did enjoy her writing style. I look forward to reading more from her.
Recommended to all lovers of romantic suspense with some paranormal elements! Give it a try!
The Story:
When security expert Jason Templeton's team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man's daughter...and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He's determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark's father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?
My Thoughts:
This was a great romantic suspense with a bit of a paranormal twist! I felt like the pacing was good, the characters were interesting, and the story was standard but well written.
There were spots in the book where the story seemed to lag a bit, and where the characters, I felt, made questionable decisions. However, I was able to suspend some belief and enjoy the book for what it was.
This author is new to me, and I have to say that I did enjoy her writing style. I look forward to reading more from her.
Recommended to all lovers of romantic suspense with some paranormal elements! Give it a try!
March 28, 2012
4/5 stars
The synopsis does a good job in giving details about this book which means there is no point in adding the plot line.I haven't read anything by Ms Damschroder before so didn't know what to expect but did find this to be a good read.
To begin with this felt a little too slow for me but I could see potential in it and was definitely interested in what experiments were used to save Jason's life and what exactly was meant by he was different, stronger and faster than before and of course immediate thoughts of the Six Million Dollar Man came to mind but I am not going to spoil anything by saying exactly what the outcome was! However, it soon got going and there was lots of action and excitement which kept me interested and reading until the end.
ARC kindly supplied by Carina Press via Netgalley
The synopsis does a good job in giving details about this book which means there is no point in adding the plot line.I haven't read anything by Ms Damschroder before so didn't know what to expect but did find this to be a good read.
To begin with this felt a little too slow for me but I could see potential in it and was definitely interested in what experiments were used to save Jason's life and what exactly was meant by he was different, stronger and faster than before and of course immediate thoughts of the Six Million Dollar Man came to mind but I am not going to spoil anything by saying exactly what the outcome was! However, it soon got going and there was lots of action and excitement which kept me interested and reading until the end.
ARC kindly supplied by Carina Press via Netgalley
April 18, 2012
This is a fantastic book! There's action, adventure, a touch of the paranormal, romance, intrigue, suspense, murder, mayhem, and more.
Lark's father, Matt, and his best friend Jason run a private security company, Hummingbird. They are both working a security detail when it goes very wrong.
There is sizzling romance, non-stop action and good suspense build-up. The characters are well developed and the paranormal world-building nicely integrated into the story.
In the interest of full disclosure, I know the author, Natalie Damschoder and have loved her work for years - and this book is no exception.
This is a definite read for anyone who likes action/adventure style romantic suspense with just a touch of the paranormal.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC for this review.
Lark's father, Matt, and his best friend Jason run a private security company, Hummingbird. They are both working a security detail when it goes very wrong.
There is sizzling romance, non-stop action and good suspense build-up. The characters are well developed and the paranormal world-building nicely integrated into the story.
In the interest of full disclosure, I know the author, Natalie Damschoder and have loved her work for years - and this book is no exception.
This is a definite read for anyone who likes action/adventure style romantic suspense with just a touch of the paranormal.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC for this review.
April 16, 2012
My Review:
What a fantastic book! Jason and Matt, Lark's father, have been best friends for the past ten years. Jason is Matt's right hand man in his private security company, Hummingbird, and they are both working security when an operation goes very wrong. Matt watches as his best friend falls several stories down a staircase with no possibility for survival. What nobody realizes is that Hummingbird has been creating some medical technology that is untested, but very promising. Matt makes the decision to use that technology on Jason, even though it's not approved for humans yet and VERY experimental. The risk proves worth it and Jason survives, although there are some side effects that no one expected.
Lark is Matt's daughter and her botany experiments have been vital to the technology responsible for saving Jason. It's been quite a few years since Lark has seen Jason and as far as she knows, he died in the fall in the staircase. So she's completely shocked when six months after his death, he shows up to secure her after an intruder tries to grab her and her research.
Jason hasn't been out of the basement lab since his death six months prior. When Matt gives him his mission to go and secure Lark, he's surprised, but they've had a breach within Hummingbird and Matt doesn't know who else he can trust. Jason saves Lark, but Matt ends up getting taken instead.
I've never read this author, but I was so excited about how good this book was. The action is non-stop with some great suspense. There is the romance story line between Jason and Lark with some sizzling scenes between them (one of his side effects is extra nerves which makes him super-sensitive to touch...wowza!) but there is also a romantic story line between Matt and the Jason's doctor which I enjoyed almost as much as the main one. All the main characters in this were extremely likable and I enjoyed reading their stories.
Really just a fabulous book. I am going to have to look up more from this author!
What a fantastic book! Jason and Matt, Lark's father, have been best friends for the past ten years. Jason is Matt's right hand man in his private security company, Hummingbird, and they are both working security when an operation goes very wrong. Matt watches as his best friend falls several stories down a staircase with no possibility for survival. What nobody realizes is that Hummingbird has been creating some medical technology that is untested, but very promising. Matt makes the decision to use that technology on Jason, even though it's not approved for humans yet and VERY experimental. The risk proves worth it and Jason survives, although there are some side effects that no one expected.
Lark is Matt's daughter and her botany experiments have been vital to the technology responsible for saving Jason. It's been quite a few years since Lark has seen Jason and as far as she knows, he died in the fall in the staircase. So she's completely shocked when six months after his death, he shows up to secure her after an intruder tries to grab her and her research.
Jason hasn't been out of the basement lab since his death six months prior. When Matt gives him his mission to go and secure Lark, he's surprised, but they've had a breach within Hummingbird and Matt doesn't know who else he can trust. Jason saves Lark, but Matt ends up getting taken instead.
I've never read this author, but I was so excited about how good this book was. The action is non-stop with some great suspense. There is the romance story line between Jason and Lark with some sizzling scenes between them (one of his side effects is extra nerves which makes him super-sensitive to touch...wowza!) but there is also a romantic story line between Matt and the Jason's doctor which I enjoyed almost as much as the main one. All the main characters in this were extremely likable and I enjoyed reading their stories.
Really just a fabulous book. I am going to have to look up more from this author!
May 17, 2012
We can rebuild him. Faster. Stronger...and not quite six million, though in today's dollar's it would be probably a cool billion.
Security expert, Jason, gives up his life in while protecting a client. This gives his boss (and best friend) an opportunity to try out some experimental drugs and revive Jason. (Don't worry no zombies or zombiesque or any type of undead appear in this story.)
Jason's first, post-death job is to protect his boss' daughter who just happens to be a brilliant scientist who had a hand in developing the drug that revived Jason.
First, let me say kudos to Carina Press for putting out some edgy stories and most of all for doing all of the steampunk and scifi stories. Second, Ms. Damschroder wrote a really good scifi romance. It definitely had me interested.
Perhaps, the biggest problem is me. I loved the action and plot of this story but felt that the romances (there is a secondary romance) felt tacked on. The main romance, especially, felt rushed. I really dislike the timing of the story. The main plot (and romance) takes place over a few, 'on the run' days. Now, huge points for Ms. Damschroder who actually hangs a lantern on this and has the characters admit that romance on the run tends to peter out. I really liked that both characters realize that they are going to need some non-stress getting to know each other time to make things work.
What really keeps me from giving this a full 4 stars is the stupidity of the heroine in the end. There's just this section in the end that made me grind my teeth and roll my eyes of the lameness coming from two supposedly intelligent characters.
Overall, I found this story to be an action pack thrill-ride that is worth reading even if it got a little annoying in the end. A solid, 3.5 read.
ARC provided by Carina Press via Netgalley.
Security expert, Jason, gives up his life in while protecting a client. This gives his boss (and best friend) an opportunity to try out some experimental drugs and revive Jason. (Don't worry no zombies or zombiesque or any type of undead appear in this story.)
Jason's first, post-death job is to protect his boss' daughter who just happens to be a brilliant scientist who had a hand in developing the drug that revived Jason.
First, let me say kudos to Carina Press for putting out some edgy stories and most of all for doing all of the steampunk and scifi stories. Second, Ms. Damschroder wrote a really good scifi romance. It definitely had me interested.
Perhaps, the biggest problem is me. I loved the action and plot of this story but felt that the romances (there is a secondary romance) felt tacked on. The main romance, especially, felt rushed. I really dislike the timing of the story. The main plot (and romance) takes place over a few, 'on the run' days. Now, huge points for Ms. Damschroder who actually hangs a lantern on this and has the characters admit that romance on the run tends to peter out. I really liked that both characters realize that they are going to need some non-stress getting to know each other time to make things work.
What really keeps me from giving this a full 4 stars is the stupidity of the heroine in the end. There's just this section in the end that made me grind my teeth and roll my eyes of the lameness coming from two supposedly intelligent characters.
Overall, I found this story to be an action pack thrill-ride that is worth reading even if it got a little annoying in the end. A solid, 3.5 read.
ARC provided by Carina Press via Netgalley.
November 22, 2013
4.5 stars...
Jason almost dies and is brought back using a non-FDA-approved drug. He is hidden away for six monthes and brought back when his best friend and owner of the security company asks him for help watching out for his daughter, Lark. Jason and Lark have an attraction, but he is 10 years older than her & her father's best friend. The plot thickens...LOL!... Larks father is kidnapped & they need to work together to find him.
This was a great adventure! Secret experiments, betrayal, kidnapping & threat of treason intertwined with more than one romance. It wasn't erotic, so it's safe for the weak hearted, who can't handle to much heat, but the point is clear.
I will definitely read more by this author.
Jason almost dies and is brought back using a non-FDA-approved drug. He is hidden away for six monthes and brought back when his best friend and owner of the security company asks him for help watching out for his daughter, Lark. Jason and Lark have an attraction, but he is 10 years older than her & her father's best friend. The plot thickens...LOL!... Larks father is kidnapped & they need to work together to find him.
This was a great adventure! Secret experiments, betrayal, kidnapping & threat of treason intertwined with more than one romance. It wasn't erotic, so it's safe for the weak hearted, who can't handle to much heat, but the point is clear.
I will definitely read more by this author.
June 19, 2014
In Damschroder’s mystery novel, security expert, Jason Templeton’s team is ambushed during a mission and he doesn’t survive. Unbeknownst to him, his mentor has been funding an experimental drug and with it, Jason is brought back to life a lot stronger and faster than before. To protect the miracle drug, Jason must protect scientist Lark Madrassa and fight the growing attraction between them as well. To survive, Jason must fearlessly face what he fear’s most: losing someone he loves.
A fast-paced hard-to-put-down mystery.
A fast-paced hard-to-put-down mystery.
April 18, 2012
While I enjoyed the secondary romance (and am vaguely disgruntled that there wasn't more *ahem* detail to that romance), I have to say the switching of POV's was a wee bit distracting at times.
Add to that a few little TSTL moments from various characters, and I couldn't quite give this one a perfect rating.
That said, the action was incredible, the medical science was fun, and the forbidden romance was delicious.
A solid 4/5 Stars, full review to follow.
Add to that a few little TSTL moments from various characters, and I couldn't quite give this one a perfect rating.
That said, the action was incredible, the medical science was fun, and the forbidden romance was delicious.
A solid 4/5 Stars, full review to follow.
July 19, 2013
This is the my first for reading Natalie J. Damschroder and it wont be the last, this book is amazing it holds everything, action, drama and romance i totally loved meeting Jason and lark, i couldn't put it down without a doubt its up there on my top 5 books ive read so far this year! (and i read a lot!) If you havent read Natalie J. Damschroder you wont be disappointed! its a must read!
April 17, 2012
I haven't read anything by Natalie Damschroder before but was surprised and impressed. It really move quickly for me. Maybe the characters weren't quite as believable as real people but for escapist fiction, it couldn't be beat.
May 30, 2012
Strong beginning and a cool premise. The hero, Jason, comes back from a near fatal injury with lots of muscles and extra-sensitive skin, side effects from the untested drug therapy. Nice action sequences, but I had trouble buying into the plot.
June 11, 2014
Good book, pace didn't lag but of course, you knew it would all be a happy ending. It has the potential to be a very good series - both of past Hummingbird adventures and future ones to. Good characters, decent premise all in all a nice summer read.
April 18, 2012
Entertaining read with a hot hero, likeable heroine and plot. Yay!
June 26, 2012
Loved it. Not only the main characters, Jason and Lark were well rounded and strong, but the side characters were great also. Add in a good suspense and it's a keeper!
April 5, 2013
The book really kept my attention. The story was fast paced and sucked me in from the beginning. I really liked the secondary romance as well.
December 6, 2014
Action, romance suspense book with some scifi in it. The scifi part is how they brought Jason back to life after his fall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I will be checking out her other books. Great characters, really good story and the women in this book are strong and smart.
December 10, 2017
Fun, action-packed romantic suspense. I especially liked the secondary romance between Gabby and Matthew.
August 16, 2020
Very good book! I have it a 4 because it’s not gonna be a book I want to read over and over but it is an AMAZING book for anyone to read at least once!
January 17, 2024
DNF made it to page 25. The main character is 36 and the female character is 26 which felt a little icky but ok. But then he says he knew the boss's daughter before she went off to college (meaning he was working for her father while she was a minor and knew her) and now they're getting romantic? It just felt icky to me and I didn't want to keep reading.
June 9, 2012
This book was provided by Netgally & Carina Press
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews