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Medusa Project #3
The Medusa Game
She'd pushed beyond her family's traditions because Isabella Torres, intel analyst and soldier, had been driven to succeed—especially as part of the first all-female Special Ops unit, the Medusas. She'd survived training on sheer guts. Now her gut was telling her she belonged at the winter games, guarding a controversial young ice skater from terrorists—and from a larger, more sinister plot that could turn an athletic neutral zone into a battlefield. Her gut also said her sexy new boss would eventually realize an all-female detail could handle this operation. For this mission, her gut instinct was pitted against enemies from East and West…. Let the games begin.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 14, 2006
51 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Dees
174 books1,956 followersCindy Dees started flying airplanes while sitting in her dad’s lap at the age of three and got a pilot’s license before she got a driver’s license. At age fifteen, she dropped out of high school and left the horse farm in Michigan where she grew up to attend the University of Michigan.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 15, 2007
Very strong women based around a suspenseful mystery. Usu. contains a romantic part to it too. Love her books.
February 24, 2013
A very difficult book for me to rate. It has a brilliant plot that includes ice skating, science, terrorism, Special Ops, Delta Force, action, suspense, and romance. It has about everything exciting. I especially liked how the author herself has actual experience with some of the crime stuff she has written. However, this was the first time I came across a romantic suspense or Silhouette that uses one of the two main characters to present a negative opinion of another religion or culture. In this case, the usual Islam was the focus. Some of the parts are very uncomfortable and offensive though some readers might just look at it as someone sharing their opinion. I was very upset with the remarks made and even thought of giving up on the book, but I was very intrigued about the general plot so continued on.
It would have been a 5 for me if the author hadn’t shown a negative opinion of Islam or a culture and instead just stated or described a fact. And I use the word culture because a lot of the things mentioned are actually not just part of the Islamic religion but many cultures.
The Medusas, a Special-Ops Unit, are a group of highly trained women, each of which has a diverse set of experience and knowledge such as in combat, flying planes, knowing different languages, etc. They’re a wonderful example of independent women fighting next to men. They have struggled to show that their group is worth forming and even in this book it takes seeing them in action for the men to fully see their abilities.
They are assigned to provide protection to Anya Khalid, a Muslim skater who has people after her for wearing revealing clothes and performing in front of men. The Medusas work with Delta Force, their boss being Commander Dexter Thorpe. He and the main female lead Isabella are perfect for each other. Both are strong, competent, witty, and fun to read about. Great chemistry! I love how they tease and pick on each other. The romance developed at a very nice pace. Some reviewers have mentioned that the romance was not really there, and in a way that is true. Most of the book is about the terrorist plan being made against Anya. But I liked how we are given hints here and there of their feelings. In this way we are able to see these feelings grow deeper. We are not given Dex’s point of view but the reader can see clearly what Dex is thinking.
The Bad Points:
- There wasn’t enough focus on the actual skating. I had thought there would be more action as Anya skated but the skating was just sort of the location or setting where the action takes place.
- Isabella has given up and is neutral to both her Iranian Muslim background from her mom’s side and the Mexican Catholic on her dad’s side. This was fine but she has a specific hatred towards the idea of women staying home, cooking, cleaning, and raising the kids. I wish in this book that women who have chosen that way of life were not dishonored or sort of referred to as not having any backbone and lowered next to women like Isabella who are out fighting. And though it wasn’t specifically stated that Isabella was referring to Muslim women, with her disgust toward a lot of the Islamic beliefs shown through her thoughts and actions, it was as if she was saying that only Muslim women choose that route.
- Isabella’s hatred towards the veil was so strong that I feel that she wouldn’t be friendly if her charge was a Muslim woman wearing a veil instead of the clothes Anya wore. Another Medusa makes a joke about the veil saying that no wonder women can’t drive (as is the law in some country’s) because they can’t see through the veil. I didn’t appreciate this joke in general because of the fun it’s making of another culture’s belief. Also, in some countries women are allowed to drive as long as they wear gloves. And, I think a more detailed reference was needed for the veil. Islam requires that women be covered from head to toe, with their feet and face not needing to be covered. So a headscarf would be a hijab, the full covering where eyes are not even shown is the burka, if a long covering (abaya) is worn with a hijab, eyes showing, nose and mouth covered, that is called a nikaab. In this book it seemed as if the full burka was being referred to as the required covering but that is not true.
- There is one scene that was written in a totally unnecessary way. Isabella is keeping close watch on Anya, which is her duty for the winter games. In this particular scene Anya is talking to a boy, Lazlo, another skater, in a room. As she’s listening extra closely because the boy had physically hurt Anya not too long ago, she starts thinking that she is chaperoning the boy and the girl as would happen in the typical Muslim culture. And she’s disgusted that she’s doing something of this nature. She’s also thinking that Anya and Lazlo have started treating her as if she was a Muslim chaperone. How do we know that they are thinking that, we are not given any dialogue to show that. And although the boy and girl are Muslim, she’s watching them because she’s a Medusa, a bodyguard for Anya. I don’t know why this comparison was made when if she was watching two boys instead of a boy and girl, and one of the boys had hurt the other one, she would still be listening and watching closely because she’s responsible for the safety of her charge.
- I also didn’t like the description given on the clothing. Anya states that she shouldn’t have to talk about her clothing for skating whether it’s the abaya and the veil or a beautiful and tasteful dress for the competition. Having grown up in a city with a very large population of people from everywhere, abayas are considered beautiful by not only the Muslim community but people from all over. I have seen girls with hijabs and abayas being complimented all the time by Polish, Mecodonians, Africans, Christians, Catholics etc, for wearing very beautiful clothing. I would have preferred the author to have stated a description that was more factual instead of an opinion. It could have simply said that the veil is more covered or less revealing rather than saying the figure skating costume was more beautiful and tasteful.
It would have been a 5 for me if the author hadn’t shown a negative opinion of Islam or a culture and instead just stated or described a fact. And I use the word culture because a lot of the things mentioned are actually not just part of the Islamic religion but many cultures.
The Medusas, a Special-Ops Unit, are a group of highly trained women, each of which has a diverse set of experience and knowledge such as in combat, flying planes, knowing different languages, etc. They’re a wonderful example of independent women fighting next to men. They have struggled to show that their group is worth forming and even in this book it takes seeing them in action for the men to fully see their abilities.
They are assigned to provide protection to Anya Khalid, a Muslim skater who has people after her for wearing revealing clothes and performing in front of men. The Medusas work with Delta Force, their boss being Commander Dexter Thorpe. He and the main female lead Isabella are perfect for each other. Both are strong, competent, witty, and fun to read about. Great chemistry! I love how they tease and pick on each other. The romance developed at a very nice pace. Some reviewers have mentioned that the romance was not really there, and in a way that is true. Most of the book is about the terrorist plan being made against Anya. But I liked how we are given hints here and there of their feelings. In this way we are able to see these feelings grow deeper. We are not given Dex’s point of view but the reader can see clearly what Dex is thinking.
The Bad Points:
- There wasn’t enough focus on the actual skating. I had thought there would be more action as Anya skated but the skating was just sort of the location or setting where the action takes place.
- Isabella has given up and is neutral to both her Iranian Muslim background from her mom’s side and the Mexican Catholic on her dad’s side. This was fine but she has a specific hatred towards the idea of women staying home, cooking, cleaning, and raising the kids. I wish in this book that women who have chosen that way of life were not dishonored or sort of referred to as not having any backbone and lowered next to women like Isabella who are out fighting. And though it wasn’t specifically stated that Isabella was referring to Muslim women, with her disgust toward a lot of the Islamic beliefs shown through her thoughts and actions, it was as if she was saying that only Muslim women choose that route.
- Isabella’s hatred towards the veil was so strong that I feel that she wouldn’t be friendly if her charge was a Muslim woman wearing a veil instead of the clothes Anya wore. Another Medusa makes a joke about the veil saying that no wonder women can’t drive (as is the law in some country’s) because they can’t see through the veil. I didn’t appreciate this joke in general because of the fun it’s making of another culture’s belief. Also, in some countries women are allowed to drive as long as they wear gloves. And, I think a more detailed reference was needed for the veil. Islam requires that women be covered from head to toe, with their feet and face not needing to be covered. So a headscarf would be a hijab, the full covering where eyes are not even shown is the burka, if a long covering (abaya) is worn with a hijab, eyes showing, nose and mouth covered, that is called a nikaab. In this book it seemed as if the full burka was being referred to as the required covering but that is not true.
- There is one scene that was written in a totally unnecessary way. Isabella is keeping close watch on Anya, which is her duty for the winter games. In this particular scene Anya is talking to a boy, Lazlo, another skater, in a room. As she’s listening extra closely because the boy had physically hurt Anya not too long ago, she starts thinking that she is chaperoning the boy and the girl as would happen in the typical Muslim culture. And she’s disgusted that she’s doing something of this nature. She’s also thinking that Anya and Lazlo have started treating her as if she was a Muslim chaperone. How do we know that they are thinking that, we are not given any dialogue to show that. And although the boy and girl are Muslim, she’s watching them because she’s a Medusa, a bodyguard for Anya. I don’t know why this comparison was made when if she was watching two boys instead of a boy and girl, and one of the boys had hurt the other one, she would still be listening and watching closely because she’s responsible for the safety of her charge.
- I also didn’t like the description given on the clothing. Anya states that she shouldn’t have to talk about her clothing for skating whether it’s the abaya and the veil or a beautiful and tasteful dress for the competition. Having grown up in a city with a very large population of people from everywhere, abayas are considered beautiful by not only the Muslim community but people from all over. I have seen girls with hijabs and abayas being complimented all the time by Polish, Mecodonians, Africans, Christians, Catholics etc, for wearing very beautiful clothing. I would have preferred the author to have stated a description that was more factual instead of an opinion. It could have simply said that the veil is more covered or less revealing rather than saying the figure skating costume was more beautiful and tasteful.
January 24, 2023
Actually 4.5 stars
As a series about the fictious first group of women in the U.S. Special Forces, the Medusa Project books are all about Girl Power. Raised in Australia to parents from the fictional Muslim country of Bhoukar, 19-year-old figure skater Anya Khalid is targeted by terrorists for daring to represent her country at the Winter Olympics when her conduct is more Western than Muslim. However, that is only the start.
While the terrorists (and most of the Muslim characters) are superficial, stereotypical and one-dimensional, the message of standing up for yourself, and for women living under oppression everywhere is perhaps more important now than when the book was first written. Watching Anya grow into a young women who realizes she's representing Muslim women everywhere, and standing up for those living under oppressive regimes, is great character development. As always, Isabella is awesome, and this book really delves into her background (father is a Mexican Catholic, mother is an Iranian-born Muslim). The romance part falls a bit flat, and love interest Dex seems quite bland. That could be better, but the rest of the book is great.
As a series about the fictious first group of women in the U.S. Special Forces, the Medusa Project books are all about Girl Power. Raised in Australia to parents from the fictional Muslim country of Bhoukar, 19-year-old figure skater Anya Khalid is targeted by terrorists for daring to represent her country at the Winter Olympics when her conduct is more Western than Muslim. However, that is only the start.
While the terrorists (and most of the Muslim characters) are superficial, stereotypical and one-dimensional, the message of standing up for yourself, and for women living under oppression everywhere is perhaps more important now than when the book was first written. Watching Anya grow into a young women who realizes she's representing Muslim women everywhere, and standing up for those living under oppressive regimes, is great character development. As always, Isabella is awesome, and this book really delves into her background (father is a Mexican Catholic, mother is an Iranian-born Muslim). The romance part falls a bit flat, and love interest Dex seems quite bland. That could be better, but the rest of the book is great.
May 3, 2024
Isabella, a member of the Medusa Project, an all-female Special Forces team in the U.S. Air Force, is assigned to guard a figure skater in the Olympics. The girl is Muslim but raised in Australia in a more liberal manner. The moderate ruler of her home country has allowed her to represent the country in the Olympics, but the conservative Muslim community is opposed, and things may become violent towards her. She needs to be prepared for anything. But things get more complicated rapidly.
Lots of action throughout, especially females showing their stuff under male skepticism. Male MC is in a superior military position. The underlying plot was good, and the female team was great.
The information around the Muslim ideology was interesting but not sure how much of it was exact as often things were explained as 'some sects interpreted it this way and some another'. I think the author may have been hedging her bets against saying things wrong. The female MC who came from Mexican Catholicism and Iranian Muslim upbringing was opposed to the female control and expectations of both cultures.
Lots of action throughout, especially females showing their stuff under male skepticism. Male MC is in a superior military position. The underlying plot was good, and the female team was great.
The information around the Muslim ideology was interesting but not sure how much of it was exact as often things were explained as 'some sects interpreted it this way and some another'. I think the author may have been hedging her bets against saying things wrong. The female MC who came from Mexican Catholicism and Iranian Muslim upbringing was opposed to the female control and expectations of both cultures.
May 8, 2023
Absolutely loved Isabella & Dex story. Pleasantly surprised it wasn’t like the first book. That it ended completely different.
There was steam but the book mostly focused on the operation. Making sure the Muslim female Skater Anya stayed alive during the Olympics. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
There was steam but the book mostly focused on the operation. Making sure the Muslim female Skater Anya stayed alive during the Olympics. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
October 16, 2023
Secret Ops and Cindy Dees teams together for a great book
Cindy Dees has done it again. If you read the first book then you will love this book. If you are reading this book alone then you are in for a treat. Cindy Dees writes about a female team and how they work together in the male world.
Cindy Dees has done it again. If you read the first book then you will love this book. If you are reading this book alone then you are in for a treat. Cindy Dees writes about a female team and how they work together in the male world.
November 2, 2019
This book included a little bit everything . Romance, mystery, suspense , etc . I enjoyed learning about the Ice skating culture and what it means for the Muslim community . This plot kept me hooked the entire time I was reading it .
January 4, 2025
Enjoyed the read!
I enjoyed this episode of the Medusa’s! It was a good read although it got a little slow in a couple of places. I recommend this story as well as the rest of the Medusa’s series.
I enjoyed this episode of the Medusa’s! It was a good read although it got a little slow in a couple of places. I recommend this story as well as the rest of the Medusa’s series.
July 9, 2023
Great read .. read whole series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2024
Winter olympics. FMC medusa female swat. MMC head of security.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2023
What a wonderful idea!!
Medusa is the name for a women only special forces team. This is book2 after they have been through training and passed. Not sure if Medusas are real or not but they should be. Very well plotted story with great characters. I highly recommend these books. They can be read in any order but read #1 first for the foundation.
Medusa is the name for a women only special forces team. This is book2 after they have been through training and passed. Not sure if Medusas are real or not but they should be. Very well plotted story with great characters. I highly recommend these books. They can be read in any order but read #1 first for the foundation.
June 16, 2023
This is a fantastic series!!!:)
Read
January 2, 2016This is one of those Silhouette Bombshell books. I never did like the Silhouette books because I'm not really into the steamy romances but this series is full of intrigue and just a bit of romance. The Medusa Game is the 3rd book in the series (and I have read the first two--you should read them in order--The Medusa Project (1) and Medusa Rising).
The story is about 6 females that comprise the Medusas, a special part of the military like their counterpart, the Special Forces (all men). They continually have to prove themselves to the rest of the military. The Medusa Game takes place at the Olympics in Lake Placid. The target is a young Boukur girl who is skating in the women's skating division. But she is unlike the women of Boukur. She doesn't wear the traditional clothes that women of that country wear because of their religion. So a death threat is placed on her and it's the Medusas that are to protect her.
Other things happen as well. A scientist's wife is kidnapped and he is forced to change the ice in the skating arena. No one has a clue why until a mysterious chemical shows up. Does this mysterious chemical have anything to do with the young female skater? And will the Medusas show that they can handle whatever comes their way.
I like this series--there is mystery and intrigue with a spice of romance. These books are real page turners and will keep you interested.
The story is about 6 females that comprise the Medusas, a special part of the military like their counterpart, the Special Forces (all men). They continually have to prove themselves to the rest of the military. The Medusa Game takes place at the Olympics in Lake Placid. The target is a young Boukur girl who is skating in the women's skating division. But she is unlike the women of Boukur. She doesn't wear the traditional clothes that women of that country wear because of their religion. So a death threat is placed on her and it's the Medusas that are to protect her.
Other things happen as well. A scientist's wife is kidnapped and he is forced to change the ice in the skating arena. No one has a clue why until a mysterious chemical shows up. Does this mysterious chemical have anything to do with the young female skater? And will the Medusas show that they can handle whatever comes their way.
I like this series--there is mystery and intrigue with a spice of romance. These books are real page turners and will keep you interested.
February 13, 2023
Wow
Isabella is one of the first women on an all women's special forces team, the Medusas. Her team is at the winter Olympics guarding a young Muslim girl ice skating. As they are guarding her they find out about a terrorist attack being planned. Her boss Dex, is a special forces leader and believes women have no place on the teams. But he changes his tune when he sees what they can do. As the final night of the competition grows near, they must find out what the exact plans are so they can stop it before thousands of people are killed.
Plenty of heart pounding action. A little bit of sex ( not graphic ). Several spelling errors and missing words but not as much as the first one. Still enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down.
* WAS FREE AT TIME OF POSTING *
Isabella is one of the first women on an all women's special forces team, the Medusas. Her team is at the winter Olympics guarding a young Muslim girl ice skating. As they are guarding her they find out about a terrorist attack being planned. Her boss Dex, is a special forces leader and believes women have no place on the teams. But he changes his tune when he sees what they can do. As the final night of the competition grows near, they must find out what the exact plans are so they can stop it before thousands of people are killed.
Plenty of heart pounding action. A little bit of sex ( not graphic ). Several spelling errors and missing words but not as much as the first one. Still enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down.
* WAS FREE AT TIME OF POSTING *
February 21, 2023
I so enjoy this series about kick-butt women and how they use their skills to go/do what men can't. Fortunately, there are a few men who appreciate those skills and recognize the women's ability to "go where no man can go." (Sorry, I couldn't resist that.)
The Olympics is a fascinating venue. And a place where fanatic terrorists can do a lot of damage. Isabella is tasked with protecting an athlete targeted by certain terrorists--a group from Book 1 that everyone thought was destroyed. Hindering Isabella is the security boss, who thinks women don't belong in Special Forces. After seeing Isabelle and her team in action, he changes his mind.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
The Olympics is a fascinating venue. And a place where fanatic terrorists can do a lot of damage. Isabella is tasked with protecting an athlete targeted by certain terrorists--a group from Book 1 that everyone thought was destroyed. Hindering Isabella is the security boss, who thinks women don't belong in Special Forces. After seeing Isabelle and her team in action, he changes his mind.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
May 8, 2023
Absolutely loved Isabella & Dex story. Pleasantly surprised it wasn’t like the first book. That it ended completely different.
There was steam but the book mostly focused on the operation. Making sure the Muslim female Skater Anya stayed alive during the Olympics. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
There was steam but the book mostly focused on the operation. Making sure the Muslim female Skater Anya stayed alive during the Olympics. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
December 28, 2011
Not a favorite medusa story. Maybe there just wasn't enough romance for me, and what was there was more mushy than passionate.
March 26, 2016
Brilliant
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January 20, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/20/2023)! 🎁
January 21, 2023
Another great book in this series. Cannot wait to get them all
February 26, 2023
Hooked on the Medusas team
Well two have found love I can't wait to read the others. This is a team of women who fought hard to win the right to fight. And they kick butt
Well two have found love I can't wait to read the others. This is a team of women who fought hard to win the right to fight. And they kick butt
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews