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Linear Tactical: Oak Creek #1
Hero Unbound
Eva Dempsey is out of options.
She’s made it to Oak Creek, Wyoming with two traumatized dogs, twenty dollars, and a fear of damned near everything.
Things that didn’t make it with her? Her self-esteem, confidence, or any way of supporting herself.
Theo Lindstrom knows how to survive. He proved it as a child when he had to keep himself and sister alive in the wilderness. Now he runs Linear Tactical, the company his adoptive father helped create, and teaches survival skills to others.
So he recognizes the desperation in the eyes of the petite beauty who’s pulled into town, and knows there’s more to her story than she’s letting on.
He normally keeps to himself—for very good reasons—but he can’t this time. Something about Eva draws him in a way he can’t resist, even knowing she’s got secrets. The deadly kind.
When the danger she's running from shows up, Theo’s not going to let her fight it alone.
This is his town.
This is his woman.
And he’ll protect both to his last breath.
★★★★★
USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch brings you a new protector romance series! Full length novels with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a happily-ever-after guaranteed. Believe in heroes!
She’s made it to Oak Creek, Wyoming with two traumatized dogs, twenty dollars, and a fear of damned near everything.
Things that didn’t make it with her? Her self-esteem, confidence, or any way of supporting herself.
Theo Lindstrom knows how to survive. He proved it as a child when he had to keep himself and sister alive in the wilderness. Now he runs Linear Tactical, the company his adoptive father helped create, and teaches survival skills to others.
So he recognizes the desperation in the eyes of the petite beauty who’s pulled into town, and knows there’s more to her story than she’s letting on.
He normally keeps to himself—for very good reasons—but he can’t this time. Something about Eva draws him in a way he can’t resist, even knowing she’s got secrets. The deadly kind.
When the danger she's running from shows up, Theo’s not going to let her fight it alone.
This is his town.
This is his woman.
And he’ll protect both to his last breath.
★★★★★
USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch brings you a new protector romance series! Full length novels with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a happily-ever-after guaranteed. Believe in heroes!
354 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
1462 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Janie Crouch
263 books2,027 followersUSA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
August 7, 2023
I was so excited to delve into this book, firstly to visit Oak Creek but secondly to renew my acquaintance with some the of the Linear Tactical men and women. So, we meet Eva and Theo. Eva is on the run, but from who and what? The fact that she is unsure of herself, living out her car, thin, has a lack of self-esteem and is very reliant on her 2 dogs are some of her key symptoms. Theo who she knows, recognises some of these issues and tries to help her. Eva is very unwilling to share her problems and you feel for her and Theo as they try and deal with everything one step at a time.
Then when her nemesis shows up…things escalate. This guy seems to have all the answers to the things that happen. How can Theo and the rest of the Linear family come to her aid? As a new series I kept turning the pages to gasp and be frustrated at the intentions of the ‘baddie’ but the tensions, drama and twists finally got me the ending I wanted. Great characters well thought out and definitely highly recommend you read it if you’re a fan of Janie Crouch.
Then when her nemesis shows up…things escalate. This guy seems to have all the answers to the things that happen. How can Theo and the rest of the Linear family come to her aid? As a new series I kept turning the pages to gasp and be frustrated at the intentions of the ‘baddie’ but the tensions, drama and twists finally got me the ending I wanted. Great characters well thought out and definitely highly recommend you read it if you’re a fan of Janie Crouch.
September 6, 2023
Crazy love
Her ex was a sociopath for sure. He was so awful and she had been totally brainwashed by him. I knew that from the start and the story tells you that so I am not giving out spoilers. I habe to admit I did get annoyed with the heroine when shed say I can't remember or I don't know. I understood Theo's doubts and anger. But when the whole story comes out you realize why. I loved her two little doggie friends and I wanted to kill the ex for what he did to them. They were so frightened and it was sad. The three of them had been abused by the same vermin and they were just so pathetic. Her sleeping in the car and barn was hard to read about. I realized how much strength that took for her to leave and not give up when he came back. She was a warrior at the end. The ending was very redeeming.
Her ex was a sociopath for sure. He was so awful and she had been totally brainwashed by him. I knew that from the start and the story tells you that so I am not giving out spoilers. I habe to admit I did get annoyed with the heroine when shed say I can't remember or I don't know. I understood Theo's doubts and anger. But when the whole story comes out you realize why. I loved her two little doggie friends and I wanted to kill the ex for what he did to them. They were so frightened and it was sad. The three of them had been abused by the same vermin and they were just so pathetic. Her sleeping in the car and barn was hard to read about. I realized how much strength that took for her to leave and not give up when he came back. She was a warrior at the end. The ending was very redeeming.
October 9, 2023
If not for the fact that I generally enjoy this author, I would have avoided this book like the plague. 2nd Generation romances are really NOT my thing. Nothing like being introduced to a main character and thinking “I remember reading about when you were conceived - in graphic detail."
(Ok so not literally in this case but my point stands). It's kind of like reading about the sex lives of your friend's kids.
No thank you.
I had hoped that the story would be good enough to overcome my biases, but I was disappointed. This is one of those plots where pretty much all conflict would be resolved if the characters weren't so stupid and secretive for incomprehensible reasons.
I would recommend this book to anyone who:
1. Enjoys frustrating female characters who often behave in ways completely contradictory to previous character development in order to progress the plot.
2. Likes stories with ‘tension’ created by characters complete unwillingness to communicate at even the most basic level, creating problems for themselves which could easily be avoided.
3. Enjoys underdeveloped male leading characters who only exist to service the story of the female lead character.
4. Enjoys “heroes” who ignore multiple red flags about a woman so he can have sex with her.
5. Enjoys uncomfortable sex scenes between two characters who really shouldn’t be bumping uglies with so many unresolved issues between them.
6. Enjoys cartoon like bad guys who deliver classic villain monologues describing their crimes in detail, leading to their inevitable and predictable downfall.
It's far from being the worst thing I've ever read, but it does not inspire me to grab any more in the series.
(Ok so not literally in this case but my point stands). It's kind of like reading about the sex lives of your friend's kids.
No thank you.
I had hoped that the story would be good enough to overcome my biases, but I was disappointed. This is one of those plots where pretty much all conflict would be resolved if the characters weren't so stupid and secretive for incomprehensible reasons.
I would recommend this book to anyone who:
1. Enjoys frustrating female characters who often behave in ways completely contradictory to previous character development in order to progress the plot.
2. Likes stories with ‘tension’ created by characters complete unwillingness to communicate at even the most basic level, creating problems for themselves which could easily be avoided.
3. Enjoys underdeveloped male leading characters who only exist to service the story of the female lead character.
4. Enjoys “heroes” who ignore multiple red flags about a woman so he can have sex with her.
5. Enjoys uncomfortable sex scenes between two characters who really shouldn’t be bumping uglies with so many unresolved issues between them.
6. Enjoys cartoon like bad guys who deliver classic villain monologues describing their crimes in detail, leading to their inevitable and predictable downfall.
It's far from being the worst thing I've ever read, but it does not inspire me to grab any more in the series.
August 4, 2023
Loved this book for so many reasons!
It felt like eating some delicious comfort food to go back to Oak Creek and revisit so many favorite characters from the original Linear Tactical series. But more importantly, it was a treat to get to meet the next generation of heroes and heroines. I can only imagine how emotion-packed their stories will be after this great start with Theo & Evie's story.
Hero Unbound was a complex story with a villain of the worst sort, a pair of dogs I was rooting for, a hero who was every bit as compelling, mysterious and protective as his dad (Ghost from the original series), and an extremely brave heroine who has so much to overcome. But with her dogs, this hero, and all the friends she's making in Oak Creek, she can't help but succeed.
If you love romantic suspense, I highly recommend this one!
It felt like eating some delicious comfort food to go back to Oak Creek and revisit so many favorite characters from the original Linear Tactical series. But more importantly, it was a treat to get to meet the next generation of heroes and heroines. I can only imagine how emotion-packed their stories will be after this great start with Theo & Evie's story.
Hero Unbound was a complex story with a villain of the worst sort, a pair of dogs I was rooting for, a hero who was every bit as compelling, mysterious and protective as his dad (Ghost from the original series), and an extremely brave heroine who has so much to overcome. But with her dogs, this hero, and all the friends she's making in Oak Creek, she can't help but succeed.
If you love romantic suspense, I highly recommend this one!
August 5, 2023
This one drew me in quickly. You could tell that Eva was running from a lot. I was glad that she went to a place she remembered in a great way from when she was a kid and how right away things turned out great!
The connection with Theo was good, she really needed one person to be her safe place, to share her past and be plan for the future. It really sucked how unsure Eva was about herself. Turned out she had good reason to be.
I was glad that the person who had been hurting her was dealt with and she could start her life over again, this time with a bevy of people behind her rooting each step of the way, but most of all it was great for her to have Theo by her side.
The connection with Theo was good, she really needed one person to be her safe place, to share her past and be plan for the future. It really sucked how unsure Eva was about herself. Turned out she had good reason to be.
I was glad that the person who had been hurting her was dealt with and she could start her life over again, this time with a bevy of people behind her rooting each step of the way, but most of all it was great for her to have Theo by her side.
July 12, 2023
This is a really fantastic book. I was blown away and literally couldn’t stop reading, I stayed up almost the whole night. I felt for Eva and wondered when she would open up. I loved the way we were kept on edge, just how bad was her ex? Loved how hard Theo falls for her, but what is she hiding? I even had some tears. Loved getting updates on characters and it makes me want to re read the series. I loved their happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.
July 15, 2023
Janie Crouch has done it again with another 5 star book! Hero Unbound is the perfect book to introduce us to her new series, Heroes of Oak Creek. It was the perfect blend of Linear Tactical and Resting Warrior Ranch. It's a love story filled with mystery suspense, danger, action, animal love, and hometown heroes. I also loved that there were possible hints of a new series maybe in the future. Fingers crossed! 🤞 Heroes of Oak Creek features the next generation of Linear Tactical- all the original founding team members have turned the renowned training facility over to their children. This series is about how they all fight and protect their own in the small town of Oak Creek and how they all find love and their own happily ever afters.
While this is the first book in the new series, it is a still considered a standalone. And like I always do, I highly recommend you read the Linear Tactical series before this one so you understand who the characters are and all their backstories. If you don’t want to read all fourteen of them I encourage you to at least read Ghost (book 5), Storm (Book 10), and Blaze (Book 13). All the books in the series are standalone, but they are interconnecting and roughly pick up where the last book leaves off. Forever (Book 14) is the last book in the Linear Tactical series and that is where all the next generation Linear Tactical is introduced and where the birth of this series came about.
Eva Dempsey has been on the run with her two loyal furry companions for quite some time now and has been moving around frequently to prevent from being found. Her dogs are her constant, her rock, and she will do anything to make sure they are safe and well cared for. With all her possessions in her clunky old car and only a few bucks to her name, she drove to Oak Creek, a town she visited as a kid, in hopes that someone can help her out in her time of desperation and dire need. As fate would have it, she runs into a friendly face and an opportunity grants her the answer to her prayers if only temporarily. She knows that it will at least give her some time to breathe and figure out her next move(s). Since everyone in town is considered family to her actual family, she tries to keep to herself and hopes her secrets won’t come out to haunt her and get back to your family as well as taint the way everyone sees and feels about her. When she falls in love with the small town and everyone at Linear Tactical, she struggles with knowing what to do next. Knowing that she has to come clean and figure out how to wade through the fear and doubt that weighs so heavily on her is the only way she can work towards freedom and knowing how to trust herself again. But when her past arrives in Oak Creek and stirs up trouble, she’s forced to face all those fears and doubts and finds herself back at square one. Will she be able to stay true to herself as she has been learning to do over the past month or will she lose herself to her past?
When all the original LT members decided to retire, his dad included, Theo Lindstrom took over running the renown training facility as the new owner. For the past 15+ years, he has been living life the best way he knows how even if that paints him a loner. With the past that Theo has, he knew early on that his life would forever be bound to his family and keeping them all safe no matter the cost. Nothing is ever worth the safety of those he loves. And if you know who Dorian and Ray Lindstorm are, then you know exactly the type of person Theo is. Always aware of their surroundings, trusting their instincts, and expecting the unexpected are a few things that have been engrained into him ever since he was adopted by his parents. But what he didn’t expect was for a beautiful woman to show up in his life and make him feel things he has never felt before as well as wanting things he never thought possible. When things don’t add up and the evidence reveals a different answer than what he knows, he is forced to figure out what to do next more confused than he ever has been. Will he be able to get to the truth behind all the madness or will he play it safe and just accept what is being presented to him knowing that it will hurt him?
As you read more about Theo and Eva’s pasts, the pieces to the puzzle start to slowly come together and see how they both became the oriole they are today. You learn the hardships Theo had to encounter while surviving in the Wyoming Wilderness and you learn the heartbreaking story of Eva’s last relationship and the toll it has taken on her. Even though their situations are completely different, it’s Theo’s relationship with his mother that helps him give Eva the support and care she needs and deserves. The relationship between these two is a slow burn of sorts and once they get together, it’s steamy, special and nothing like they either have experienced before. Sometimes all it takes is for a special person to enter your life to show you what love, respect, and trust are. And after enduring what these two have, they deserve a chance to be happy, find love, and have their happily ever after.
I love how we get Ray and Dorian in this book and how they both shine in this book. I just love how this family who has been through so much NEVER stops showing up for one another. The love they have for each other is special and beautiful and reading about them brought tears to my eyes- you could feel the emotions and the heart that was behind each word that was spoken. If you want to read more about Ray and Dorian’s story, you should read Ghost in the Linear Tactical series. I probably have read their story at least 5 times and every time, I still get emotional when I read their complete story and see how love conquers all for them.
Even though this is a new series, I was excited to see that somethings haven’t changed with this new generation. I love how Ladies’ Night is still a thing. Wavy would be proud that the tradition still lives on! I am intrigued with this Tokyo Tea and it seems just as dangerous as the Electric. Blue Smurfs. LOL! I love how a lesson in Ladies Night 101 is taught at the Eagle’s Nest with the different levels of men and the reasoning behind women’s choice of drinks and their colors.
As much as I want to write more about the other characters in this book, I don’t want to give anything away. I am eager to hear how a certain someone ended up in Oak Creek. Last I read was that he was still working with a certain federal agency and a private company so how he ended in this small town is a mystery. I can’t wait to read all about the other LT babies’ stories and see how they all grew up. Hopefully all of them will get a book, just like the Linear Tactical series. Haven’t heard if there will be as many books as the LT series, but hoping there will be at least 6-7 more to cover everyone mentioned in this book.
I am a huge fan of Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series and it’s not surprise that I am a HUGE fan of the Heroes of Oak Creek series. I highly recommend this book as well as the Linear Tactical series by the author. Definitely worth the one click and the read. Hero Unbound will release on KU, Amazon, and Kindle on August 1st so go ahead and pre-order your copy today!
While this is the first book in the new series, it is a still considered a standalone. And like I always do, I highly recommend you read the Linear Tactical series before this one so you understand who the characters are and all their backstories. If you don’t want to read all fourteen of them I encourage you to at least read Ghost (book 5), Storm (Book 10), and Blaze (Book 13). All the books in the series are standalone, but they are interconnecting and roughly pick up where the last book leaves off. Forever (Book 14) is the last book in the Linear Tactical series and that is where all the next generation Linear Tactical is introduced and where the birth of this series came about.
Eva Dempsey has been on the run with her two loyal furry companions for quite some time now and has been moving around frequently to prevent from being found. Her dogs are her constant, her rock, and she will do anything to make sure they are safe and well cared for. With all her possessions in her clunky old car and only a few bucks to her name, she drove to Oak Creek, a town she visited as a kid, in hopes that someone can help her out in her time of desperation and dire need. As fate would have it, she runs into a friendly face and an opportunity grants her the answer to her prayers if only temporarily. She knows that it will at least give her some time to breathe and figure out her next move(s). Since everyone in town is considered family to her actual family, she tries to keep to herself and hopes her secrets won’t come out to haunt her and get back to your family as well as taint the way everyone sees and feels about her. When she falls in love with the small town and everyone at Linear Tactical, she struggles with knowing what to do next. Knowing that she has to come clean and figure out how to wade through the fear and doubt that weighs so heavily on her is the only way she can work towards freedom and knowing how to trust herself again. But when her past arrives in Oak Creek and stirs up trouble, she’s forced to face all those fears and doubts and finds herself back at square one. Will she be able to stay true to herself as she has been learning to do over the past month or will she lose herself to her past?
When all the original LT members decided to retire, his dad included, Theo Lindstrom took over running the renown training facility as the new owner. For the past 15+ years, he has been living life the best way he knows how even if that paints him a loner. With the past that Theo has, he knew early on that his life would forever be bound to his family and keeping them all safe no matter the cost. Nothing is ever worth the safety of those he loves. And if you know who Dorian and Ray Lindstorm are, then you know exactly the type of person Theo is. Always aware of their surroundings, trusting their instincts, and expecting the unexpected are a few things that have been engrained into him ever since he was adopted by his parents. But what he didn’t expect was for a beautiful woman to show up in his life and make him feel things he has never felt before as well as wanting things he never thought possible. When things don’t add up and the evidence reveals a different answer than what he knows, he is forced to figure out what to do next more confused than he ever has been. Will he be able to get to the truth behind all the madness or will he play it safe and just accept what is being presented to him knowing that it will hurt him?
As you read more about Theo and Eva’s pasts, the pieces to the puzzle start to slowly come together and see how they both became the oriole they are today. You learn the hardships Theo had to encounter while surviving in the Wyoming Wilderness and you learn the heartbreaking story of Eva’s last relationship and the toll it has taken on her. Even though their situations are completely different, it’s Theo’s relationship with his mother that helps him give Eva the support and care she needs and deserves. The relationship between these two is a slow burn of sorts and once they get together, it’s steamy, special and nothing like they either have experienced before. Sometimes all it takes is for a special person to enter your life to show you what love, respect, and trust are. And after enduring what these two have, they deserve a chance to be happy, find love, and have their happily ever after.
I love how we get Ray and Dorian in this book and how they both shine in this book. I just love how this family who has been through so much NEVER stops showing up for one another. The love they have for each other is special and beautiful and reading about them brought tears to my eyes- you could feel the emotions and the heart that was behind each word that was spoken. If you want to read more about Ray and Dorian’s story, you should read Ghost in the Linear Tactical series. I probably have read their story at least 5 times and every time, I still get emotional when I read their complete story and see how love conquers all for them.
Even though this is a new series, I was excited to see that somethings haven’t changed with this new generation. I love how Ladies’ Night is still a thing. Wavy would be proud that the tradition still lives on! I am intrigued with this Tokyo Tea and it seems just as dangerous as the Electric. Blue Smurfs. LOL! I love how a lesson in Ladies Night 101 is taught at the Eagle’s Nest with the different levels of men and the reasoning behind women’s choice of drinks and their colors.
As much as I want to write more about the other characters in this book, I don’t want to give anything away. I am eager to hear how a certain someone ended up in Oak Creek. Last I read was that he was still working with a certain federal agency and a private company so how he ended in this small town is a mystery. I can’t wait to read all about the other LT babies’ stories and see how they all grew up. Hopefully all of them will get a book, just like the Linear Tactical series. Haven’t heard if there will be as many books as the LT series, but hoping there will be at least 6-7 more to cover everyone mentioned in this book.
I am a huge fan of Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series and it’s not surprise that I am a HUGE fan of the Heroes of Oak Creek series. I highly recommend this book as well as the Linear Tactical series by the author. Definitely worth the one click and the read. Hero Unbound will release on KU, Amazon, and Kindle on August 1st so go ahead and pre-order your copy today!
January 12, 2025
★ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗡 ★
SPICE LEVEL: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: Romantic Suspense related violence, gaslighting ex, harm to animals
POV: Dual - M/F - 1st Person
SPICE LEVEL: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: Romantic Suspense related violence, gaslighting ex, harm to animals
POV: Dual - M/F - 1st Person
August 1, 2023
Hero Unbound is a 2nd generation story, but it is okay if you haven't read the previous books. Eva is on the run from an abusive ex and runs to Oak Creek and the home of Linear Tactical. Its just her and her dogs and a lot of baggage (the emotional kind). Theo is running Linear Tactical now and has established himself in Oak Creek. While he had a wonderful life after being adopted, he has his own baggage from his early life.There is great chemistry between Theo and Eva and it really just works. Eva had a great childhood, but her adult life has been difficult. Theo was the opposite, but their baggage doesn't define them. This isn't a light read by any means. Eva's ex is a piece of work and with so much trauma, the book hits on some tough topics. But, readers of the original LT series will enjoy the cameos by previous main characters as they all support Eva.
Overall, Hero Unbound was an emotional read with wonderfully complex characters. While it isn't an easy read, the trauma is handled with care and not used to unnecessarily create tension/drama. My only issue with the book was that I didn't fully connect with the characters. I'm not even sure why, but for whatever reason, I just wasn't 100% invested in their story.
POV: 1st
Tears: yes
Trope: on the run, crazy ex
Triggers:
Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
books by authors like Maryann Jordan, Susan Stoker, Tonya Burrows...then you will probably like Hero Unbound!
July 25, 2023
Hero Unbound is the story of Eva and Theo. Eva shows up in Oak Creek basically broke with her two dogs and a haunted look in her eyes. Theo runs Linear Tactical , and along with others, teaches people how to protect themselves. He's instantly attracted to Eva and wants to protect and help her. The villain in this story is her ex, Gareth , who emotionally and psychologically abused her, drugged her and almost destroyed her. She's left confused and uncertain about what really happened to her.
I have to say that Janie created a real monster when it comes to Gareth. He's a completely narcistic psychopath who is mentally unstable. He keeps track of Eva and eventually turns up in Oak Creek to torment her more. It hurt my heart to read everything she has been through because of him.
There are many twists in the story before everything is resolved. Theo is a remarkable man who accepts Eva as she is and supports her through everything. He really is a hero!I always love Janie's books and this one is no exception
I received an ARC of this book for review. All of the opinions expressed are strictly my own.
I have to say that Janie created a real monster when it comes to Gareth. He's a completely narcistic psychopath who is mentally unstable. He keeps track of Eva and eventually turns up in Oak Creek to torment her more. It hurt my heart to read everything she has been through because of him.
There are many twists in the story before everything is resolved. Theo is a remarkable man who accepts Eva as she is and supports her through everything. He really is a hero!I always love Janie's books and this one is no exception
I received an ARC of this book for review. All of the opinions expressed are strictly my own.
August 1, 2023
Wow. Coming back and seeing the Linear Tactical world from the perspective of a few more years and through the eyes of the next generation was a bit of a mind trip. I kind of hate to admit it, but I think I spent the first several chapters just trying to figure out who belonged to which parents. And I’m still not positive I’ve got that all straight in my brain yet. Theo and Eva were amazing together. Having seen how resilient these two were as children, it’s no surprise to me that they grew up to be remarkable adults. However, my heart ached for Eva and everything her ex had put her through, and there were a couple of times I badly wanted to kick Theo in his conclusion-jumping behind. The villain they faced was everything you don’t want a villain to be: slick, and charming, and all too likely to get away with every misdeed. Their story kept me balanced on the edge of my seat, desperate to learn how it would all turn out. Now that we’ve started to get to know this next generation of LT heroes and heroines, I can’t wait to read what comes next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
July 13, 2023
I loved going back to Oak Creek and the Linear Tactical Team. This book was everything that I had hoped that it would be. Ms Crouch knows how to write a caring, compassionate, alpha male and her lead female characters always display amazing inner strength. I loved how Janie addressed a different type of abuse in this book, and how she developed Eva's character and story just tore my heart to shreds. And the way she wrote Theo was just sheer perfection. I loved how, even though he didn't have all the answers, he really did his best to be there for her and be patient with her through it all. This book was so real. The characters don't show this unrealistic growth, where one day they're struggling and the next they're suddenly over their issues. Theo gets down in the trenches with Eva and fights this alongside of her. And the bad guy...wow is he bad! I hated him with a passion! I just loved everything about this story! There is angst, tension and drama, but there's also passion and spice! Highly recommend this book to romance readers!
July 30, 2023
It was painful to read the abuse Eva endured with her ex. As she reaches the small town she visited as a kid, she can finally let her guard down for a second. Especially when she's reintroduced to Theo.
Theo can't help but sense that there's something very wrong with Eva. But he knows better than most just how deep trauma can run. Protectiveness comes surging strong and soon he'll do anything and everything in order to keep her safe and sound.
Just when they thought they could relax, life has a way of throwing you for a loop and they'll both have to fight to come out stronger on the other side.
Theo can't help but sense that there's something very wrong with Eva. But he knows better than most just how deep trauma can run. Protectiveness comes surging strong and soon he'll do anything and everything in order to keep her safe and sound.
Just when they thought they could relax, life has a way of throwing you for a loop and they'll both have to fight to come out stronger on the other side.
August 5, 2023
Janie Crouch is one of my new favorites for romantic suspense and this book is the perfect reason why. Nail biting drama, a strong cast of characters including a heroine that you want to root for and a hero that props up his woman just perfectly. I adored the dialogue, the look into Linear Tactical and while I did read a few of the 1st gen books, I need to reread them because I need more about Theo’s parents story! The addition of Sugar and Spice, the dogs, just sealed the deal for me. A fantastic book that I just couldn’t put down!
August 1, 2023
I loved Eva and Theo so much! I love how this man had this instant attraction and straight up protective mode he wanted to make sure she was taken care of at every moment. Eva oh man this woman I don’t know how she did it she had been through so much my heart aches for her. This book has the mystery the suspense and all the feels that will have you on the edge of your seat. I finished this baby in one sitting because I absolutely couldn’t put it down!!! What a great start to a new series and I cannot wait for the next couple!
October 12, 2023
4.5 stars, the next generation of Linear Tactical was an emotional read, can’t wait to read more
November 24, 2023
UMM. . .
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, it was great to revisit old characters from the linear tactical series, but on the other hand, it was a little weird reading about the kids. I'm not really sure how I feel about that.
There were things to like about this story, but unfortunately, it just didn't hold up for me. I found that the constant miscommunication was annoying, and I found Ava's character really hard to connect with, I also struggled to feel the passion & connection between the main characters.
Also, Theo's choice to ignore some pretty big red flags even after noticing something wasn't right with Ava during the intimate scenes kind of made the whole thing really uncomfortable.
As I said, there were things to like here, but unfortunately, the characters (new LT generation) just didn't hit the mark like the OG characters and the plot didn't hold my interest so much.
Unfortunately, I won't be continuing with the next book in the series right now. Maybe I'll resist in the future.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, it was great to revisit old characters from the linear tactical series, but on the other hand, it was a little weird reading about the kids. I'm not really sure how I feel about that.
There were things to like about this story, but unfortunately, it just didn't hold up for me. I found that the constant miscommunication was annoying, and I found Ava's character really hard to connect with, I also struggled to feel the passion & connection between the main characters.
Also, Theo's choice to ignore some pretty big red flags even after noticing something wasn't right with Ava during the intimate scenes kind of made the whole thing really uncomfortable.
As I said, there were things to like here, but unfortunately, the characters (new LT generation) just didn't hit the mark like the OG characters and the plot didn't hold my interest so much.
Unfortunately, I won't be continuing with the next book in the series right now. Maybe I'll resist in the future.
August 1, 2023
A page turner!!
Ahhh it's so good being back in Oak Creek! The kids have all grown up, and they are here to give their parents a run for their money with top series. Book one has shown they are strong contenders. I adored both main characters even if I spent a majority of the book unsure on whether I wanted to hug or shake them. The villain of the story is a slippery one, will the kids live up to their parents reputations and legacies? Trust me, you don't want to miss this series starter that will continually keep you doubting yourself.
Ahhh it's so good being back in Oak Creek! The kids have all grown up, and they are here to give their parents a run for their money with top series. Book one has shown they are strong contenders. I adored both main characters even if I spent a majority of the book unsure on whether I wanted to hug or shake them. The villain of the story is a slippery one, will the kids live up to their parents reputations and legacies? Trust me, you don't want to miss this series starter that will continually keep you doubting yourself.
August 3, 2023
the next generation
I loved this book. Theo was exactly who I envisioned him to be as a grown adult. Also I loved the mix of the older generation and younger. I wanted to wrap Eva up and tell her she wasn’t crazy. And simultaneously punch Gareth. Great read. Can’t wait for Becky’s book.
I loved this book. Theo was exactly who I envisioned him to be as a grown adult. Also I loved the mix of the older generation and younger. I wanted to wrap Eva up and tell her she wasn’t crazy. And simultaneously punch Gareth. Great read. Can’t wait for Becky’s book.
August 4, 2023
So entertaining to read the Linear Tactical next generation.
Eva is running from a monster destroying her mind, body and soul.
Stopping in Oak Creek at LT is an instinct she can’t deny. She catches Theo’s eye and heart and she loves working with the animals. But she has secrets, and the monster is back. Twists and turns threaten her life again, but the truth will finally set her and Theo free.
Eva is running from a monster destroying her mind, body and soul.
Stopping in Oak Creek at LT is an instinct she can’t deny. She catches Theo’s eye and heart and she loves working with the animals. But she has secrets, and the monster is back. Twists and turns threaten her life again, but the truth will finally set her and Theo free.
July 12, 2024
This book left absolutely NO crumbs.
The suspense was powerful, the characters were loveable and my god that villain was evil. I cannot wait to gobble up the rest of this series
The suspense was powerful, the characters were loveable and my god that villain was evil. I cannot wait to gobble up the rest of this series
August 18, 2023
Hero Unbound
Ok, we are starting a new series with the next generation of the heroes from Linear Tactical. Janie is doing great with the suspense in her stories. This story is about Eva and Theo. We get to see Dorian and Ray again - Theo's parents. Eva is totally feeling desperate and vulnerable when she arrives in Oak Creek. She is coming from an abusive relationship. It seems to get very intense towards the end. The good news is the bad guy is done for. Gotta love a happy ending and seeing Eva get her dream to come through is absolutely amazing! FANTASTIC job Janie! I would recommend this book! Can't wait for the next book!
Ok, we are starting a new series with the next generation of the heroes from Linear Tactical. Janie is doing great with the suspense in her stories. This story is about Eva and Theo. We get to see Dorian and Ray again - Theo's parents. Eva is totally feeling desperate and vulnerable when she arrives in Oak Creek. She is coming from an abusive relationship. It seems to get very intense towards the end. The good news is the bad guy is done for. Gotta love a happy ending and seeing Eva get her dream to come through is absolutely amazing! FANTASTIC job Janie! I would recommend this book! Can't wait for the next book!
August 4, 2023
Hero Unbound is book 1 in the Linear Tactical: Oak Creek Series and it was so good.
Eva is on the run from her ex, scared, alone except for her dogs.
She ends up back in Oak Creek, and offered a job at Linear Tactical where she meets Theo.
Theo feels an instant connection and overwhelming sense of protectiveness towards Eva. And knows she is hiding something.
This was such an emotional book. Such a great read. And I can't wait for more in the series
Eva is on the run from her ex, scared, alone except for her dogs.
She ends up back in Oak Creek, and offered a job at Linear Tactical where she meets Theo.
Theo feels an instant connection and overwhelming sense of protectiveness towards Eva. And knows she is hiding something.
This was such an emotional book. Such a great read. And I can't wait for more in the series
July 20, 2023
I cannot even tell you how excited I was for this book!! As someone who loved the original series (& binge read all of them when they came out), I was so excited to get back to the Linear Tactical world!
Things I loved:
-Zac & Annie naming their daughter Becky. Cue all the tears
-The red boots. I squealed.
-Dorian & Ray & all the badassery that comes with them.
-The way Eva’s manipulation was slowly unraveled. When we finally got to see the full extent of what her ex did to her my jaw was on the floor.
-Seriously the mind games and emotional manipulation in this book was like nothing I have ever read. I was as confused and lost as poor Eva!
-Sugar and Spice. Talk about some adorable names for two adorable pups.
-The way Theo falls first and falls HARD.
-Actually, just Theo in general.
But I think my favorite part of the book was when the crew gets together to save Eva. When she finally sees that she isn’t alone and has people who care for her, it was such an emotional scene and really well done.
Also, Derek had me laughing out loud with this line, “My PTSD is giving me a pretty itchy finger” Seriously I spit out my coffee laughing.
While this is a spinoff series, there are SO many throw backs to the original series in this book that honestly was such a nice nod from the author for those of us who loved the original.
I absolutely cannot wait for Becky and Derek’s book!
I received an arc of this book. Whilst it sits in the Linear Tactical world and is the first in a new spinoff series, this book can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Things I loved:
-Zac & Annie naming their daughter Becky. Cue all the tears
-The red boots. I squealed.
-Dorian & Ray & all the badassery that comes with them.
-The way Eva’s manipulation was slowly unraveled. When we finally got to see the full extent of what her ex did to her my jaw was on the floor.
-Seriously the mind games and emotional manipulation in this book was like nothing I have ever read. I was as confused and lost as poor Eva!
-Sugar and Spice. Talk about some adorable names for two adorable pups.
-The way Theo falls first and falls HARD.
-Actually, just Theo in general.
But I think my favorite part of the book was when the crew gets together to save Eva. When she finally sees that she isn’t alone and has people who care for her, it was such an emotional scene and really well done.
Also, Derek had me laughing out loud with this line, “My PTSD is giving me a pretty itchy finger” Seriously I spit out my coffee laughing.
While this is a spinoff series, there are SO many throw backs to the original series in this book that honestly was such a nice nod from the author for those of us who loved the original.
I absolutely cannot wait for Becky and Derek’s book!
I received an arc of this book. Whilst it sits in the Linear Tactical world and is the first in a new spinoff series, this book can be read as a stand-alone novel.
July 15, 2023
Hero Unbound
Linear Tactical: Oak Creek #1
Janie Crouch
Next Gen LT all of the children of the original familiar LT families make for a whole new generation of fun, suspense and action in Oak Creek Wyoming. This first book in a new series is the perfect place to join the Linear Tactical crew if you are new to Janie Crouch books or if like me you are a fan it is the perfect tie in series starter.
Theo Lindstrom runs Linear Tactical, it runs through his blood. Alone is his best defence and prime tactical position, outside of Oak Creek he didn’t exist.
Eva Dempsey was on the run with her two dogs looking for a place to crash under the radar.
This romantic suspense has it all! The way mental health and coercive abuse is dealt with is fantastic alongside all of the passion, adventure, suspense and plot twists you come to enjoy from Ms Crouch. I thoroughly enjoyed this book cover to cover and can’t wait for Becky and Derek’s book as I think there will be fireworks.
I received an arc of this book. Whilst it sits in the Linear Tactical world and is the first in a new spinoff series, this book can be read as a stand-alone novel with hea.
5 stars
Linear Tactical: Oak Creek #1
Janie Crouch
Next Gen LT all of the children of the original familiar LT families make for a whole new generation of fun, suspense and action in Oak Creek Wyoming. This first book in a new series is the perfect place to join the Linear Tactical crew if you are new to Janie Crouch books or if like me you are a fan it is the perfect tie in series starter.
Theo Lindstrom runs Linear Tactical, it runs through his blood. Alone is his best defence and prime tactical position, outside of Oak Creek he didn’t exist.
Eva Dempsey was on the run with her two dogs looking for a place to crash under the radar.
This romantic suspense has it all! The way mental health and coercive abuse is dealt with is fantastic alongside all of the passion, adventure, suspense and plot twists you come to enjoy from Ms Crouch. I thoroughly enjoyed this book cover to cover and can’t wait for Becky and Derek’s book as I think there will be fireworks.
I received an arc of this book. Whilst it sits in the Linear Tactical world and is the first in a new spinoff series, this book can be read as a stand-alone novel with hea.
5 stars
July 24, 2023
"Every kiss I have is yours."
3.5 stars
Trigger warning: domestic/mental abuse, controlling ex
This was only my second book by Janie Crouch, and while it wasn't necessarily a terrible novel, I found myself unable to fully connect with it as a reader. Theo was a good hero--not as alpha and take-charge as I normally enjoy, but I loved how protective and supportive he was of Eva. On the other hand, I had a hard time connecting with Eva as a heroine. She was so timid as a result of everything she has been through, and I just wish we had known more of her background sooner in order to empathize with her earlier on. Another big hang-up I had was that there were so many references to characters and storylines from previous books that they took the focus away from Theo and Eva, especially for readers who aren't familiar with them. Overall, this book felt unfocused and just wasn't my cup of tea.
Tropes: small town romance, heroine-on-the-run, protector hero, hidden past, crazy ex, romantic suspense, traumatized heroine, slow burn, STEAMY🔥
*ARC provided by Grey's promo, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
July 12, 2023
I am just overwhelmed by the amazing storytelling abilities of Janie Crouch. This is a second generation book to her popular Linear Tactical series. Although it is not necessary to read the first series, when certain names were mentioned I may have had an internal squeal of delight. She has such attention to detail and things all just fit together so well. Eva doesn't know up from down at this point and she returns to Oak Creek, a place from her youth as she tries to figure out her life. Theo is the epitome of a loner, but one look between these two and the pages were smoking. The author did such a great job showing how Theo was so different than what Eva had experienced in her previous relationship. I was literally in tears when I saw the way Gareth executed his manipulations. Not all abuse is physical and sometimes the mental stuff is worse because why would you allow someone to convince you this way. Such a great story and the way the author introduced all the secondary characters and how they supported both Theo and Eva was just wonderful. Loved it all.
August 1, 2023
The easiest 5 stars I have ever given a book. Janie Crouch has done it again in this new series of the Linear Tactical kids who have grown up. This book had me on the edge of my seat, my heart thumping for Eva and the anger I felt against Gareth had me stunned that I would feel so strongly about a character in a story. I felt as if I was a bystander in the story. I adored Theo and fell even more in love with him when he stood by Eva. Eva certainly needed people on her side. The poor girl was so totally confused that she couldn’t even know whether she had carried out all the things Gareth told her she had done. Gareth was extremely clever and too sweet to be wholesome and I for one truly am glad he got his comeuppance. A fantastic story and a brilliant start to a brand new series. If the rest of the series is in any way like Hero Unbound I for one cannot wait. Well done Janie Crouch. You have another winner on your hands.
July 15, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. It’s quite a tough book to read through, lots of mind-games played by Evas ex-boyfriend she never really could have been aware of. And then there’s Theo, who’s all in for her - until Garrett gets into his head as well.
The next generation of LT is rolling out and I have to admit to having a hard time remembering the original gang by name… guess I’ll have to re-read the LT-series now to catch up.
Needless to say, Theo and Eva are a great start of a new series with lots of characters to create stories around. I wonder what Derek‘s or Lincoln‘s stories are going to be…
The next generation of LT is rolling out and I have to admit to having a hard time remembering the original gang by name… guess I’ll have to re-read the LT-series now to catch up.
Needless to say, Theo and Eva are a great start of a new series with lots of characters to create stories around. I wonder what Derek‘s or Lincoln‘s stories are going to be…
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