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Elite Operatives #6
The Gemini Deception
Agent Harper “Shield” Kennedy’s specialty within the Elite Operatives Organization is security, although she’s long lost any gratification from babysitting most VIPs. However, her new assignment—to safeguard the U.S. president—will prove to be the biggest challenge of her career. Shield’s mission to protect the first female chief executive is complicated by threats to her own life when she begins to question the president’s orders.
Loner Ryden Wagner is content with her life as a florist until she becomes a pawn in a political deception involving the highest office in the land. Trapped in a dangerous game where one false move could cost Ryden her life, she has to rely solely on the president’s new bodyguard.
As an attraction between the two women grows, so does the urgency for answers, but will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?
Sixth in the romantic intrigue series: Elite Operatives.
Loner Ryden Wagner is content with her life as a florist until she becomes a pawn in a political deception involving the highest office in the land. Trapped in a dangerous game where one false move could cost Ryden her life, she has to rely solely on the president’s new bodyguard.
As an attraction between the two women grows, so does the urgency for answers, but will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?
Sixth in the romantic intrigue series: Elite Operatives.
360 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2013
14 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Kim Baldwin
37 books242 followersKim has made her living as a writer for more than three decades, working as an Emmy-winning journalist in network news for twenty years before she began penning fiction. She resides in a national forest in Michigan, with few neighbors and a long drive to get to the nearest airport, movie theater, or ethnic restaurant. She never imagined herself a novelist, her first book, Hunter’s Pursuit, was written as a way to fight off cabin fever during a long winter and was sent off to a publisher at the encouragement of friends. The positive feedback she received from readers hooked her to continue writing more romantic lesbian adventures.
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 5, 2020
Action-packed romance thriller that had me racing to the end. Ryder and Harper are the main characters following through on the always solid trope of a VIP and her bodyguard. There are plenty of twists along the way as well as steamy chemistry between Ryder and Harper. We also get to read about the charismatic Jack and her partner, Cassidy, as they all go against the icy evil of The Broker. Another highlight is the colorful banter on display throughout the book which adds a bit of humor now and again.
Since it’s a series involving a Top Secret Organization, there are tiny glimpses of other operatives who are featured in the other books. It’s just enough to stoke curiosity but the mentions do not bog down the story. Although I intend to read more of the series, Gemini can be read as a standalone.
Since it’s a series involving a Top Secret Organization, there are tiny glimpses of other operatives who are featured in the other books. It’s just enough to stoke curiosity but the mentions do not bog down the story. Although I intend to read more of the series, Gemini can be read as a standalone.
March 18, 2018
I love the elite operatives! But this was my least favorite. Either because of the narrator, or because Kennedy, the operative, didn't come across as kick ass as her colleagues. Though we do get to revisit Jack, one of my favorite heroines from a prior book.
Of course i think reading the other books in this series first, it's a good idea, it's not mandatory since my roommate listened to this with me and kept up and enjoyed it even though she hasn't read the others.
It's still stupid that book one and six are available on audible, but not the others.
Of course i think reading the other books in this series first, it's a good idea, it's not mandatory since my roommate listened to this with me and kept up and enjoyed it even though she hasn't read the others.
It's still stupid that book one and six are available on audible, but not the others.
May 7, 2013
The EOO series is arguably the most popular, most eagerly awaited action/romance series in all of lesfic.
Each book in the series features unparalleled action, cool james bond-y super spies, the requisite innocent victims, larger-than-life world-domination type villains and their ambitious plots and of course, a resident dark knight with an angsty past that pops up in at least every book. Six lesbian operatives in the EOO falling in love with their 'victims'? If you really look closely, each book is just some variation of the same theme. With a paternity subplot thrown in for spice. Mindless? Implausible? Who cares? Its Fun Fun Fun!
Each book in the series features unparalleled action, cool james bond-y super spies, the requisite innocent victims, larger-than-life world-domination type villains and their ambitious plots and of course, a resident dark knight with an angsty past that pops up in at least every book. Six lesbian operatives in the EOO falling in love with their 'victims'? If you really look closely, each book is just some variation of the same theme. With a paternity subplot thrown in for spice. Mindless? Implausible? Who cares? Its Fun Fun Fun!
May 31, 2021
4.4 star ratings
Once again, these authors direct our imagination into danger, thrill, steam and good humour. Our expectations are peaked with our heroines in harm's way and our bad guys getting canned.
I feel i had my money's worth. However, some glitches were evident here and there but I got a lot more satisfaction than otherwise.
Once again, these authors direct our imagination into danger, thrill, steam and good humour. Our expectations are peaked with our heroines in harm's way and our bad guys getting canned.
I feel i had my money's worth. However, some glitches were evident here and there but I got a lot more satisfaction than otherwise.
April 16, 2013
I love this series of books and hate myself for consuming them too quickly.
These books define the term "page turner" as I literally zip through the book from cover to cover - never taking more than a couple of days to finish each one.
This particular chapter in this series was up to the authors usual high standard, although I have to admit that compared to the high drama of the previous two chapters, this did seem to be a slight downshift.
Great characters with an interesting (if sometimes implausible) plot, passion, desire, betrayal and denial all packed into a roller coaster of a ride. Taking the action into the White House was an interesting move, particularly for a Bold Strokes published book, as Radclyffe's Honor series has set such a high water mark in terms of defining Secret Service protection romance and while this was close, the Honor series wins that contest.
I understand why the authors have imposed a limit of seven books in this series, in a desire to ensure that the storytelling remains tight, a desire to possibly create new projects away from the EOO and quite possibly a desire to leave us wanting more - whatever the true reason is, I am looking forward to the final instalment with both both hope and sadness that this particular ride is coming to an end. I just hope that whatever project that they are going to be working on together or separately will be following hot on the heels of the last release.
These books define the term "page turner" as I literally zip through the book from cover to cover - never taking more than a couple of days to finish each one.
This particular chapter in this series was up to the authors usual high standard, although I have to admit that compared to the high drama of the previous two chapters, this did seem to be a slight downshift.
Great characters with an interesting (if sometimes implausible) plot, passion, desire, betrayal and denial all packed into a roller coaster of a ride. Taking the action into the White House was an interesting move, particularly for a Bold Strokes published book, as Radclyffe's Honor series has set such a high water mark in terms of defining Secret Service protection romance and while this was close, the Honor series wins that contest.
I understand why the authors have imposed a limit of seven books in this series, in a desire to ensure that the storytelling remains tight, a desire to possibly create new projects away from the EOO and quite possibly a desire to leave us wanting more - whatever the true reason is, I am looking forward to the final instalment with both both hope and sadness that this particular ride is coming to an end. I just hope that whatever project that they are going to be working on together or separately will be following hot on the heels of the last release.
June 27, 2015
Awesome book! Awesome series. The characters are not perfect and the world is not always a nice place. We need individuals willing to fight for what is right even if it means teetering on the edge of right/wrong, ethical/unethical, and love/passion.
March 31, 2013
I've loved the EOO series starting from the first book, and this new installment certainly didn't disappoint. My only complaint is waiting for another year to get the next book!
July 7, 2017
Wow 6
I am going to sound like a broken record because I am ready this series all at once. All I can say is I love strong women. I am off to read book 7. I definitely recommend this book.
I am going to sound like a broken record because I am ready this series all at once. All I can say is I love strong women. I am off to read book 7. I definitely recommend this book.
May 14, 2018
That was intense.. a page turner. Though I wasn’t satisfied with the resolution. but there’s book 7!
May 13, 2013
With The Gemini Deception the Elite Operatives series returns to the top of my favorites. Wow, this series just keeps maintaining a high level of excellence! Tight plotting, wonderful depth and strong, kick-ass heroines continue to be the tremendous strength of these books. Baldwin and Alexiou have this down to an art now.
I loved the leads once again. I had a lot of sympathy and understanding for Ryden. She always did what she had to and I was on her side from the first few chapters. Harper was another strong sexy operative but I enjoyed her a lot more than Chase in the last book. She had a strong moral center and her protective nature, as was played up throughout the book, made her someone I just liked. The villain was over the top Bond villain, but that works wonderfully for this series as it's always been a touch hyper real.
Baldwin and Alexiou have a quality as writers that I really appreciate as you'll know if you've read my other reviews and that's the ability to pace stories well. Flesh out the world in them. Which makes the stories much more satisfying in the end. I could have used a touch more wrap up at the very end with Harper and Ryden, but I still felt quite good with what they got.
I look forward to this series all year and then finish the book in two days when it it finally comes out. Good thing they are very fun to reread. I'm really sad to hear that the next one is the last in this series and I desperately hope they will reconsider. Baring that though, I hope they will continue their collaboration on whatever series they want to for years to come and hey, books staring the leads from from various books in the series would be awesome even if they weren't strictly Elite Operatives books per se (please bring Fetch back! She was the best of them all!).
I highly recommend this for all fans of lesbian action/spy/thrillers and of course especially fans of the series.
I loved the leads once again. I had a lot of sympathy and understanding for Ryden. She always did what she had to and I was on her side from the first few chapters. Harper was another strong sexy operative but I enjoyed her a lot more than Chase in the last book. She had a strong moral center and her protective nature, as was played up throughout the book, made her someone I just liked. The villain was over the top Bond villain, but that works wonderfully for this series as it's always been a touch hyper real.
Baldwin and Alexiou have a quality as writers that I really appreciate as you'll know if you've read my other reviews and that's the ability to pace stories well. Flesh out the world in them. Which makes the stories much more satisfying in the end. I could have used a touch more wrap up at the very end with Harper and Ryden, but I still felt quite good with what they got.
I look forward to this series all year and then finish the book in two days when it it finally comes out. Good thing they are very fun to reread. I'm really sad to hear that the next one is the last in this series and I desperately hope they will reconsider. Baring that though, I hope they will continue their collaboration on whatever series they want to for years to come and hey, books staring the leads from from various books in the series would be awesome even if they weren't strictly Elite Operatives books per se (please bring Fetch back! She was the best of them all!).
I highly recommend this for all fans of lesbian action/spy/thrillers and of course especially fans of the series.
July 13, 2013
Totally tense from nearly word one.
This full-length novel has a good deal of twists and turns and one of the scariest villains I have ever come across. Additionally, there are fast cuts between various cities in the US and a lovely winery in Tuscany, Italy. I was on the edge of my seat from the gitgo. We get to know two couples fairly intimately. The primary twosome is linked at the hip for security reasons and started out as total strangers to each other. The second pair is deeply in love and would lay down their lives for the other. One rarely gets to see such devotion.
Harper Kennedy was adopted and raised by EOO, Elite Operatives Organization. I came to love and hate this group. However, they have extraordinarily talented and super dedicated ‘operatives’. Harper is an Agent Shield and is one of the best. She rarely failed to amaze, astound, and delight me.
Poor Ryden Wagner is thrust into a nearly impossible situation with life threatening implications. She just wanted to do her florist work and make her candles. A survivor of foster homes and institutions, she learned the hard way how to protect her core. The bad folks certainly did their homework, when they picked out Ryden to be the key to a most nefarious plot.
Jack and Cass are the other female duo. I hope you are as impressed with each of them individually and as a couple as I was. Where they came from, what they’ve been through, and what they personify blew me away.
Hang on to your seat, it is not only going to be a totally bumpy ride, but the wildest and most engaging thriller I have ever read. Do sign up for the adventure and I truly hope you are as captivated as I was. Why hasn’t this been made into a movie?
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
This full-length novel has a good deal of twists and turns and one of the scariest villains I have ever come across. Additionally, there are fast cuts between various cities in the US and a lovely winery in Tuscany, Italy. I was on the edge of my seat from the gitgo. We get to know two couples fairly intimately. The primary twosome is linked at the hip for security reasons and started out as total strangers to each other. The second pair is deeply in love and would lay down their lives for the other. One rarely gets to see such devotion.
Harper Kennedy was adopted and raised by EOO, Elite Operatives Organization. I came to love and hate this group. However, they have extraordinarily talented and super dedicated ‘operatives’. Harper is an Agent Shield and is one of the best. She rarely failed to amaze, astound, and delight me.
Poor Ryden Wagner is thrust into a nearly impossible situation with life threatening implications. She just wanted to do her florist work and make her candles. A survivor of foster homes and institutions, she learned the hard way how to protect her core. The bad folks certainly did their homework, when they picked out Ryden to be the key to a most nefarious plot.
Jack and Cass are the other female duo. I hope you are as impressed with each of them individually and as a couple as I was. Where they came from, what they’ve been through, and what they personify blew me away.
Hang on to your seat, it is not only going to be a totally bumpy ride, but the wildest and most engaging thriller I have ever read. Do sign up for the adventure and I truly hope you are as captivated as I was. Why hasn’t this been made into a movie?
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 30, 2017
Fast read.
I enjoyed The Gemini Deception. It continues the story of the Elite Operatives. Lots of action, drama and under cover work. In the end the operative always gets to rescue the maiden in distress, and ride off in the sunset with her.
I enjoyed The Gemini Deception. It continues the story of the Elite Operatives. Lots of action, drama and under cover work. In the end the operative always gets to rescue the maiden in distress, and ride off in the sunset with her.
May 16, 2014
Buckle up, EOO fans, this is one crazy, wild ride! Twists, turns, intrigue, and pure awesome! I have been a huge fan of the Elite Operatives Series by Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou since the first book and this one does not disappoint! The Gemini Deception is just as fresh as the other books yet has a unique flavor that is, quite frankly, delicious! Harper (Shield) Kennedy is just YUMMY and is now my third favorite Operative (I'm a die-hard Jack fan and I love Allegro!) It amazes me how Ms. Baldwin and Ms. Alexiou have been able to keep me and others coming back again and again without the books ever feeling stale. So, on to the Gemini Deception, without any spoilers of course.
You can read the blurb about the book to get the general idea of the plot, but here's what I want to tell you: A villian, a villian so disturbed and so powerful that she's been in every one of the books (either indirectly or somewhat directly) is finally umasked. Her lust for power leads her to concoct a very dangerous and elaborate ruse in order to protect her future interests. And poor Ryden Wagner is a convenient means to an end. Harper finds herself in the precarious position of doing her job, but questioning everything she thought she knew.
This villian's lust for power is slightly overshadowed by a lust for revenge. And Jack is the target. An old acquaintance of Jack's unwittingly delivers her into the hands of a person who wants to destroy her, but not before owning her body and soul. Jack's past combined with her need to protect the woman she loves allows the perfect trap to be sprung.
My favorite thing about this book, however, is that while the villian thinks herself invincible and Jack has mixed feelings about the EOO, neither one of them were prepared when the full weight of the EOO descended to rescue Jack and thwart the villian's scheme. And I mean the FULL WEIGHT, lead by Montgomery Pierce himself. It was thrilling!
There are all kinds of twists and turns in this one. You won't be able to put the book down once you start and you might have to go back a few pages if you don't pay attention the first time. It's brilliantly written! I really do love this book! Again, Harper is just Yummy and Ryden...well, you're gonna REALLY like Ryden!
Fantastic Job, Kim and Xenia! I am a little bit sad that there will only be one more book, but I'm excited to see how it's going to play out. Excellent book! Highly Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2013
The EOO series is one of my favorites when it comes to the lesfic categories. Thrilling, twisted plots and the excitement of the chase not discounting of course the chemistry of the two protagonists are the elements that makes me so absorbed to these books. Unfortunately, the latest installment of the series seems bland to me. It lacks appeal in the romance department. Well for me, that is. It looks like Ryden/Madam President doppelganger and Shield's relationship was forced. Our EOO agent here didn't make my heart flutter unlike the other operatives from the previous books. Although Ryden of course has my overall sympathy - her character has depth and her story is moving. Another thing was the downhill turn at the end of the book, I didn't expect that. I was so excited when they found out who the evil mastermind is and about to get her, I was about to fell on my bed yet "boom" - something wasn't right about that scene. I was wonderinmg where is Chase in there. I thought she will have a significant role in this book because of what transpire in the last book but I was disappointed. *Sigh* Despite this missing romance I favored so much and the unexpected part in the climax, the plot is still wow. The way Baldwin and Alexiou created the premise of this book is just awesome. Having the White House/Washington as the setting of the story makes me compare this to the Honor Series by Radclyffe (which is an awesome series also, definitely). Thumbs up to the authors for that one.
The thought that this series is going to end soon (Gemini Deception is second to the last, there will be just seven books), that thought just won't sink in. I love this series. I think if it wasn't for these books I won't be able to appreciate lesbian fiction so much.
Kudos to the authors. Looking forward to the last installment.
The thought that this series is going to end soon (Gemini Deception is second to the last, there will be just seven books), that thought just won't sink in. I love this series. I think if it wasn't for these books I won't be able to appreciate lesbian fiction so much.
Kudos to the authors. Looking forward to the last installment.
July 22, 2013
I have really enjoyed the Elite Operative series and this one was no different. The action was intense and the characters as creative as the remainder of the cast. One of the things that has intrigued me about the series and especially this one is how the character Jack keeps the stories connected and the story intriguing. Harper "Shield" Kennedy, introduced in The Gemini Deception, was no less talented in skills than the remaining elite operatives. Her protection responsibility, Ryden Wagner, brought in the vulnerability of the public and together, their story was imaginative in its complexity and its romantic drama. This is the perfect book for some great action, strong women and fast pace to keep the reader staying up all night unable to put it down.
May 22, 2013
Full of thrill's and spills. A great read and just what you expect from these two fantastic authors. I can't wait for the concluding book in the series to find out what's in store for everyone.
Brava!!
Brava!!
March 16, 2013
Another awesome story to add to the Elite Operatives Series. You won't be disappointed.
August 10, 2013
Love this series of books. Hey Hollywood. Take notice of these and get some Screenplays written so we can see these books in action.
April 11, 2013
Another very entertaining novel in the series. I can't wait to read the next and find out how the EOO are going to get to Mt. Athos!
June 3, 2013
The series gets better with each book. I'm looking forward to the next, but I'm sorry it'll be the last.
June 24, 2013
Easily one of my favorites of the series :-)
August 3, 2013
Another thrilling installment from the ladies of the Elite Operative Series. The only problem is pacing myself, and not finishing the book in one sitting. Now left waiting for the next one.
January 4, 2016
I think this had my favourite suspense plot of the series.
November 1, 2015
2013 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
February 3, 2016
The Gemini Deception review
The Gemini Deception is the sixth book in the Elite Operatives series written by author Kim Baldwin. The plot is weak.
The Gemini Deception is the sixth book in the Elite Operatives series written by author Kim Baldwin. The plot is weak.
May 10, 2016
I've read the book in Dutch ... 3 books are translated in Dutch the others I've read in English All books of operative I'd loved
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews