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Red, Hot & Blue #12
The Commander
Just when they thought they were out of last chances, love comes around again.
Red, Hot, & Blue, Book 12
To his men on his SpecOps team, Hank Miller is simply the commander. They treat him like he’s more than a mere man, but Hank would be the first to admit he is full of the same fears, feelings and desires. He just doesn’t let them show.
The military is his life, and that’s all he needs—until he travels to Pigeon Hollow for a wedding and meets the woman his men reverently call “Mama”.
Lois Gordon is nothing like Hank envisioned. Instead of the plump, older woman happily baking pies in her farmhouse kitchen, Lois is a smart, sexy powerhouse who runs Gordon Equine…and tempts him to break all his own rules.
The heat between them quickly flares into a weekend fling hotter than Lois’s oven. But with Hank’s dangerous career and two failed marriages between them, forever could be too much to ask for.
75 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2013
8 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Cat Johnson
380 books1,765 followers📚Find Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net
🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.
--from the author's website
🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.
--from the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 4, 2014
I've been a fan of Cat Johnson's Red, Hot & Blue series since the beginning. I love the guys of Task Force Zeta and feel like I know them inside and out. Commander Hank Miller has been there throughout guiding the men, offering advice, dressing them down when needed, and knocking them upside the head when warranted. He's been their rock, their confidant, and their leader. He's also watched every one of his men fall in love and hates that his marriage fell apart as each of his team were finding the loves of their lives. He doesn't begrudge them their happiness, but he sure wouldn't mind some of that for his own. So when he arrives at the family home to two of his team members Jimmy and Jack Gordon to find that their "Mama" sets his libido aflame, he does the only thing a military man can do...he decides to go forth and conquer. Luckily for him Lois Gordon (aka "Mama) has some ideas of what she'd like to conquer of her own.
First off, I love books that feature older heroes and heroines and ones that have loved before but find it a second time around. The Commander is a perfect example of this kind of story. These are two people who feel and instant attraction, they act on it, and realize there is more to it they'd like to explore. There are no games, there's no real drama, just two people who want to be together and decide to go for it.
I loved this story and the fact that the three Gordon men were all happy for their mother and know that that Hank Miller is the very best thing that could happen to her. I'm really sad to say good-bye to Task Force Zeta but if this series has to end, I'm glad that it's ending on such a high note!
First off, I love books that feature older heroes and heroines and ones that have loved before but find it a second time around. The Commander is a perfect example of this kind of story. These are two people who feel and instant attraction, they act on it, and realize there is more to it they'd like to explore. There are no games, there's no real drama, just two people who want to be together and decide to go for it.
I loved this story and the fact that the three Gordon men were all happy for their mother and know that that Hank Miller is the very best thing that could happen to her. I'm really sad to say good-bye to Task Force Zeta but if this series has to end, I'm glad that it's ending on such a high note!
February 27, 2017
Things I liked:
Main characters >40, yay!
OWYM-trope, the heroine competently running her own business! Yay!
Things that irked me:
The actual story (I refuse to call this a book) ends at p. 60. The remaining 12 pages are filled with excerpts and info about the author and other stories.
The story seems unbalanced, and too much story is forced into too few pages. A lot of stuff happens off-screen, so we are told about it - argh! It's "Show, don't tell!" for a reason!
We don't get to see nearly enough of Lois, the female MC. Aside from the initial meeting, and then at the very end, she's not even in the story. Also, it read like Hank, the male MC, had no contact with her for about 2 weeks after first meeting her, turning his life around and then wanting to be with her? WTF?
Sorry, usually I enjoy Cat Johnson books more. This one didn't work for me at all.
Main characters >40, yay!
OWYM-trope, the heroine competently running her own business! Yay!
Things that irked me:
The actual story (I refuse to call this a book) ends at p. 60. The remaining 12 pages are filled with excerpts and info about the author and other stories.
The story seems unbalanced, and too much story is forced into too few pages. A lot of stuff happens off-screen, so we are told about it - argh! It's "Show, don't tell!" for a reason!
We don't get to see nearly enough of Lois, the female MC. Aside from the initial meeting, and then at the very end, she's not even in the story. Also, it read like Hank, the male MC, had no contact with her for about 2 weeks after first meeting her, turning his life around and then wanting to be with her? WTF?
Sorry, usually I enjoy Cat Johnson books more. This one didn't work for me at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2016
Commander Hank Miller is a little bit of everything to his team. Old enough to be the father to a couple of them, friend, confidante. They all look up at him with respect.
But Hank has the same wants, needs, desires as anyone else. The military has always been his life, his family, but that all changes when he meets ‘Mama’.
Mama is one of his teams real mother. Lois Gordon is anything but what Hank has pictured. She doesn’t have white hair. She doesn’t wear an apron. Actually what Hank sees is a beautiful sexy woman who has raised 3 kids on her own and has her own business. She is also a mean cook.
The attraction between them is red hot. But can she handle a relationship with Hank when he’s gone more than not? Can Hank give up the Military life? Is there any kind of future for them together?
This short story (less than 100 pages) is sweet, romantic, with a few detailed intimate moments that are quite steamy. The only negative I would have is that it is way too short for such intense feelings for the characters.
But Hank has the same wants, needs, desires as anyone else. The military has always been his life, his family, but that all changes when he meets ‘Mama’.
Mama is one of his teams real mother. Lois Gordon is anything but what Hank has pictured. She doesn’t have white hair. She doesn’t wear an apron. Actually what Hank sees is a beautiful sexy woman who has raised 3 kids on her own and has her own business. She is also a mean cook.
The attraction between them is red hot. But can she handle a relationship with Hank when he’s gone more than not? Can Hank give up the Military life? Is there any kind of future for them together?
This short story (less than 100 pages) is sweet, romantic, with a few detailed intimate moments that are quite steamy. The only negative I would have is that it is way too short for such intense feelings for the characters.
May 27, 2021
Another nonsensical addition to the series.
What I liked... older characters. Although, he was only 46, not sure how old she was... although her eldest son was 34... so... 50+? I guess.
What I didn't like... the lack of a developing story. So very little time for the two leads to interact. I knew very little about either of them, especially her.
What I really didn't like... the whole wet t-short competition scene. What was the point of that? Was it supposed to be humorous? Cos, it wasn't. It was just... distasteful.
What I liked... older characters. Although, he was only 46, not sure how old she was... although her eldest son was 34... so... 50+? I guess.
What I didn't like... the lack of a developing story. So very little time for the two leads to interact. I knew very little about either of them, especially her.
What I really didn't like... the whole wet t-short competition scene. What was the point of that? Was it supposed to be humorous? Cos, it wasn't. It was just... distasteful.
January 22, 2025
Really enjoyed this last book in the series. Hank & Lois were fun to watch fall for each other. The marriage of Jimmy & Lia brings them together & starts a beautiful relationship between Hank & Lois. The story turns up the fun as bachelor & bachelorette parties are had & some interesting events happen. Definitely recommend.
May 23, 2017
Good read, I always love a good series about a man in uniform
October 5, 2017
3.5 stars
July 20, 2014
Hank Miller has worked long and hard for his position in the military and for the last few years he has been the commander in charge of one of the best special ops teams. While in just as good of shape as his men, time is starting to pass Hank by it seems. After being misidentified during a training op, Hank begins to wonder if it’s time to accept a different job. When asked to attend a wedding for one of his men, Hank agrees to and travels to a small town and meets a woman he only knew as “Mama” and gets the shock of his life.
Lois Gordon knows that she is really young to be the mother for three adult men, but they are the best thing that happened from her disaster of a marriage at a really young age. Lois has worked long and hard to not only keep the family horse ranch in the family but to also raise her sons to be great men. When one of her sons decides to have a rushed wedding at the ranch, Lois agrees and does her best to be ready for the crowd of people showing up. Lois knows that the entire special ops team, that two of her sons are part of, is arriving along with the man who runs it.
When Lois and Hank meet for the first time an instant heat sets both of them aback as neither expected to ever feel that type of feeling again. Between baking pies and bachelorette and bachelor parties, these two middle age parents engage in a hot and silent weekend fling. Neither Lois nor Hank do one night stands nor flings but it seems that the cards are against them as they will part when the weekend is over. However, neither Lois nor Hank want to forget about the passion that sprang up between them and it will take all the logical and technical experience that Hank has gained to find a way to keep Lois and his career – not to mention informing both his and Lois’s children.
A wedding brings a second chance to two special people who never expected love to sprinkle dust on them a second time. Lois and Hank learn that passion the second time around can be even hotter and more special in The Commander. I have to admit that after reading the entire series so far, Hank really had been just the commander to the special ops guys for me also. But once I learned more about Hank, I knew that he deserved the same type of happy ending that his men did. I also have to admit the same thing with Lois, she was just the mother to two of the guys, and yet again I was drawn in to her back-story as it rolled out. I loved watching as Lois and Hank met and then experienced a hot wave of passion. I just knew they had to find a way to make their future happen. I thought that Hank’s way to get all of Lois’s sons home was very crafty. The Commander is a tale of fast blossoming love and hot passion for one well deserving couple, combined with the humor of life happening.
This book was reviewed by Jo for Joyfully Reviewed (JR), and was provided by the publisher/author at no cost to JR for the purpose of being reviewed.
Lois Gordon knows that she is really young to be the mother for three adult men, but they are the best thing that happened from her disaster of a marriage at a really young age. Lois has worked long and hard to not only keep the family horse ranch in the family but to also raise her sons to be great men. When one of her sons decides to have a rushed wedding at the ranch, Lois agrees and does her best to be ready for the crowd of people showing up. Lois knows that the entire special ops team, that two of her sons are part of, is arriving along with the man who runs it.
When Lois and Hank meet for the first time an instant heat sets both of them aback as neither expected to ever feel that type of feeling again. Between baking pies and bachelorette and bachelor parties, these two middle age parents engage in a hot and silent weekend fling. Neither Lois nor Hank do one night stands nor flings but it seems that the cards are against them as they will part when the weekend is over. However, neither Lois nor Hank want to forget about the passion that sprang up between them and it will take all the logical and technical experience that Hank has gained to find a way to keep Lois and his career – not to mention informing both his and Lois’s children.
A wedding brings a second chance to two special people who never expected love to sprinkle dust on them a second time. Lois and Hank learn that passion the second time around can be even hotter and more special in The Commander. I have to admit that after reading the entire series so far, Hank really had been just the commander to the special ops guys for me also. But once I learned more about Hank, I knew that he deserved the same type of happy ending that his men did. I also have to admit the same thing with Lois, she was just the mother to two of the guys, and yet again I was drawn in to her back-story as it rolled out. I loved watching as Lois and Hank met and then experienced a hot wave of passion. I just knew they had to find a way to make their future happen. I thought that Hank’s way to get all of Lois’s sons home was very crafty. The Commander is a tale of fast blossoming love and hot passion for one well deserving couple, combined with the humor of life happening.
This book was reviewed by Jo for Joyfully Reviewed (JR), and was provided by the publisher/author at no cost to JR for the purpose of being reviewed.
January 3, 2014
Daniella‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
Cat Johnson has done it again. I am so happy that I know whenever I see her name associated with anything I am going to absolutely love the story from beginning to end. Whether it is a short story or long one, Cat has a way of enveloping the reader into the world she has created and she has done it again with The Commander.
I love that this story is a continuation on the Red, Hot & Blue series. I am really in love with the fact it is about The Commander. Hank Miller who is older and in charge of the men in the Spec Ops group. His absolutely hard fall for Lois Gordon is a fun and exciting read. I love that even though he is supposed to be no nonsense and hard-nosed, he truly just falls hook, line and sinker for Jimmy, Jack and Jared’s Mom.
There is nothing phony about the way Lois and Hank hit it off from the get-go and I love that they don’t play games or lead each other on, instead they are just honest and upfront with what they feel and think.
Such a refreshing story and so much fun to continue reading about Pigeon Hollow and the characters I have fallen in love with. I feel like I am a part of such a wonderful family. Yay Cat!!!!!
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
Cat Johnson has done it again. I am so happy that I know whenever I see her name associated with anything I am going to absolutely love the story from beginning to end. Whether it is a short story or long one, Cat has a way of enveloping the reader into the world she has created and she has done it again with The Commander.
I love that this story is a continuation on the Red, Hot & Blue series. I am really in love with the fact it is about The Commander. Hank Miller who is older and in charge of the men in the Spec Ops group. His absolutely hard fall for Lois Gordon is a fun and exciting read. I love that even though he is supposed to be no nonsense and hard-nosed, he truly just falls hook, line and sinker for Jimmy, Jack and Jared’s Mom.
There is nothing phony about the way Lois and Hank hit it off from the get-go and I love that they don’t play games or lead each other on, instead they are just honest and upfront with what they feel and think.
Such a refreshing story and so much fun to continue reading about Pigeon Hollow and the characters I have fallen in love with. I feel like I am a part of such a wonderful family. Yay Cat!!!!!
September 10, 2016
I was seriously underwhelmed by "The Commander."
Although I hadn't read any other books in Johnson's "Red, Hot, & Blue" series, I was interested in "The Commander" because the H/h were older....like me...:)
Hank Miller is the commander of a special operations group, but he's starting to feel his age. When he meets Lois, the mother of two of his teammates, they're immediately attracted to each other, but Hank's rather surprised when Lois responds to his advances.
It's a short story, which doesn't give the author much time to develop characters. There's lots of narrative in the story, and not as much dialogue, so you're learning about the characters based on what you're told, rather than what the characters' actions and words tell you. And while you like Hank and Lois, you barely even get to know them....much less care about if they'll ever get together.
So...2 stars.
Although I hadn't read any other books in Johnson's "Red, Hot, & Blue" series, I was interested in "The Commander" because the H/h were older....like me...:)
Hank Miller is the commander of a special operations group, but he's starting to feel his age. When he meets Lois, the mother of two of his teammates, they're immediately attracted to each other, but Hank's rather surprised when Lois responds to his advances.
It's a short story, which doesn't give the author much time to develop characters. There's lots of narrative in the story, and not as much dialogue, so you're learning about the characters based on what you're told, rather than what the characters' actions and words tell you. And while you like Hank and Lois, you barely even get to know them....much less care about if they'll ever get together.
So...2 stars.
December 15, 2013
Ms. Johnson saves the best for last and gives two lonely, and loving, people their happily ever after. Commander Hank Miller is the man, nothing more than the leader and that's the way he likes it. Until he sees this sexy brunette with sweet Southern hospitality. It would be fine except she's "Mama" to two of his men. Hank hasn't felt anything like this for a woman in a long time, and he wants more than just the few nights he's given. She does too, but he's the commander, and can't just walk away from his duty. Ms. Johnson brings us a fun, sexy story and reminds us just because we get older, doesn't mean we've lost the passion or the excitement in life. I loved this whole series and thoroughly enjoyed The Commander.
February 22, 2014
Another mini novella.
Hank Miller is Zeta's Commander.
Lois Gordon is Jack, Jimmy & Jared's mom.
Jimmy's getting married at the farmstead & has asked his Zeta teammates to stand with him in the ceremony. So, the entire Zeta team is off to Pigeon Hollow.
I'm extremely happy for the Commander & "mama" in finding new HEAs. I wish the story were a little longer though. It felt a bit thin, both in content/plot and length. The only thing that carried the story, as short as it was, so well was the fact that we knew all the characters already & each of the leads had heard about the other for at least a few years.
Hank Miller is Zeta's Commander.
Lois Gordon is Jack, Jimmy & Jared's mom.
Jimmy's getting married at the farmstead & has asked his Zeta teammates to stand with him in the ceremony. So, the entire Zeta team is off to Pigeon Hollow.
I'm extremely happy for the Commander & "mama" in finding new HEAs. I wish the story were a little longer though. It felt a bit thin, both in content/plot and length. The only thing that carried the story, as short as it was, so well was the fact that we knew all the characters already & each of the leads had heard about the other for at least a few years.
April 18, 2019
Commanding Her Heart
Hank Miller has been the commander of Task Force Zeta for a long time, and those boys are like his own. Going back to Gordon Equine for a wedding, he meets Jimmy & Jack’s mama Lois. What? She is their mama? No way, she is so young and beautiful! There is an instant attraction from both sides, and a concern about the “boys” finding out! This is the final chapter of Task Force Zeta and I must say I was rooting for these two! I am so sad that this series has ended, I fell in love with each couple, for their own special reasons. Cat Johnson has some amazing stories in that head of hers, and I love that she takes us along for the ride!
Hank Miller has been the commander of Task Force Zeta for a long time, and those boys are like his own. Going back to Gordon Equine for a wedding, he meets Jimmy & Jack’s mama Lois. What? She is their mama? No way, she is so young and beautiful! There is an instant attraction from both sides, and a concern about the “boys” finding out! This is the final chapter of Task Force Zeta and I must say I was rooting for these two! I am so sad that this series has ended, I fell in love with each couple, for their own special reasons. Cat Johnson has some amazing stories in that head of hers, and I love that she takes us along for the ride!
October 13, 2015
Commander Hank Miler is happy in his place as Commander of the spec ops unit he has, but a few things have been making him wonder....Lois Gordon is a young looking and feeling mother of three sons who are all set in their careers. When an impromptu wedding brings everybody home she has to get things in order in a hurry.....Meeting someone important to your kids should come with a few perks...onto the next
December 31, 2013
FINALLY!!! She has gone back to what I so enjoyed in this series, a plot within an erotic story! This wraps up the Red, Hot, and Blue series with the story of Hank Miller. It also serves as a wrap up for Task Force Zeta, giving us a peek into how things stand at this point. This book was a quick and enjoyable read, and a great way to end the series!
January 1, 2014
Well this was far from what I expected in this latest book to this series. The series began with so much action and this book lacked any, however, with that being said I am so happy to see Hank and Lois happy together. I still laughed and cried, and overall it was another great Cat Johnson book!
July 22, 2014
way to short but a HEA :)
January 1, 2014
Glad to see The Commander got his HEA too.... and to Jack and Jimmy's mum...nice one....
Not to mention a hot, hot , hot read for a "older" couple
Not to mention a hot, hot , hot read for a "older" couple
July 22, 2014
liked but wanted more about the commander then the rest of the group.
January 9, 2014
I want more. The series is addictive, and i have fead the whole darn bunch of hem.
January 6, 2014
this was my fav
January 23, 2014
As always Cat delivers another Great book. Fast, fun and filled with page turning excitement! I have read everyone of the books in this series and they just keep getting better!
August 29, 2016
Yeah
I loved that Mamma and the commander get together. Another great story for this collection. I haven't read one of these I haven't enjoyed.
I loved that Mamma and the commander get together. Another great story for this collection. I haven't read one of these I haven't enjoyed.
October 25, 2015
The Commander
I am so glad that he got his own book, it shows that you are never too old to find love. That was the last in the series I hate to see it end.
I am so glad that he got his own book, it shows that you are never too old to find love. That was the last in the series I hate to see it end.
May 10, 2016
Too short
This is too short with the scenes being forced to quickly. Usually love her books but this one seems lacking.
This is too short with the scenes being forced to quickly. Usually love her books but this one seems lacking.
May 10, 2018
The Commander
Got story about older lovers. Hank Miller and Lois go so well together. Sigh I want to be Lois and my husband Hank.
Got story about older lovers. Hank Miller and Lois go so well together. Sigh I want to be Lois and my husband Hank.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews