What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow Warriors #1
Danger Close
New York Times bestselling author Lindsay McKenna brings us the exciting beginning of her Shadow Warriors series...
Placing women in ground combat is only a test for Congress, but for volunteer Corporal Cathy Fremont it's life...and probably death. In the exotic jungles of Thailand, she's trapped in a hotbed of deception and abuse because the enemy she can't escape is on her side of the battle line. One risk she doesn't need is an alliance with a marine, but trusting intense Captain Jim Boland might be her only chance of survival.
Caught in the crosshairs of danger and political intrigue, Jim must sacrifice his hidden agenda to protect the woman who reawakens the passion inside him. But deadly corruption is closer than they think, and may destroy them both.
Placing women in ground combat is only a test for Congress, but for volunteer Corporal Cathy Fremont it's life...and probably death. In the exotic jungles of Thailand, she's trapped in a hotbed of deception and abuse because the enemy she can't escape is on her side of the battle line. One risk she doesn't need is an alliance with a marine, but trusting intense Captain Jim Boland might be her only chance of survival.
Caught in the crosshairs of danger and political intrigue, Jim must sacrifice his hidden agenda to protect the woman who reawakens the passion inside him. But deadly corruption is closer than they think, and may destroy them both.
405 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2000
87 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
359 books2,500 followersI've lived six lives in one and it all shows up in the books I write, one way or another.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 1, 2022
Three and half stars. I won't classify this as a romance. It is a military book about a fictitious attempt during the mid '80s to prove woman are fit to serve in combat with a strong, highly emotional romantic component. If you are expecting a traditional Harlequin style romance in which the couple expands most of their thought processes on how drawn they are to each other, you will be disappointed. The hero, Captain Jim Boland does not even make his first appearance until about 40% in.
The story centers on Corporal Cathy Fremont, who volunteered to be part of the experimental program for woman in combat in order to watch over her best friend, Lisa. They are sent off to a fictitious war in Thailand, which seemed like it was modeled on the Vietnam war, but with an all volunteer army. The relationship between the two women soldiers was extremely well written and it was refreshing to see women bound over something they had nothing to do with romantic woes. Sadly, Lisa disappeared from the second half of the book, never to reappear, which was bizarre, considering she was the entire reason for Cathy being there.
Cathy is a complex character, sensitive and unhappy about the nature of war who shines under high stress conditions. Jim, her love interest is also not a warrior by nature. It was nice change up to see two dedicated and intelligent characters reluctantly navigating the horrors of war while trying to do their duty, rather then the stock gong-ho warriors. Their relationship takes up less then a quarter of the book. The bulk of the story focus on the warring political machinations of their respective commanding offers and the harm caused by their willingness to use Jim and Cathy for career advancement.
The book is not without its share of problems. Apparently it was edited down from a much longer book, that was published as the "Valkerie" back in 1999, however it is still needed further editing. There were many passages that were unnecessarily long and key information was repeated multiple times. By the end, I found myself skimming because I was ready for it to be over, especially since it just rehashed everything that had already happened. I was also surprised that Jim's unit Force Recon was portrayed as just another unit rather then an elite unit that is highly competitive to join. He mentions at one point that he enlisted to be in the Engineer Corp but they had no space so they assigned into Recon. I can only guess that someone in marketing thought Recon sounded cooler and changed it, because I'm sure the author, who served in the military knows better.
Finally, I advise anyone who doesn't like spoilers against reading the "Dear Reader" section that proceeds the first chapter. It summarizes the entire story, and I mean the ENTIRE STORY, right up to the end of the book. The only reason I can come up with was that it was a ill-considered attempt to ensure the reader that yes there really is a romance hidden somewhere in there.
The story centers on Corporal Cathy Fremont, who volunteered to be part of the experimental program for woman in combat in order to watch over her best friend, Lisa. They are sent off to a fictitious war in Thailand, which seemed like it was modeled on the Vietnam war, but with an all volunteer army. The relationship between the two women soldiers was extremely well written and it was refreshing to see women bound over something they had nothing to do with romantic woes. Sadly, Lisa disappeared from the second half of the book, never to reappear, which was bizarre, considering she was the entire reason for Cathy being there.
Cathy is a complex character, sensitive and unhappy about the nature of war who shines under high stress conditions. Jim, her love interest is also not a warrior by nature. It was nice change up to see two dedicated and intelligent characters reluctantly navigating the horrors of war while trying to do their duty, rather then the stock gong-ho warriors. Their relationship takes up less then a quarter of the book. The bulk of the story focus on the warring political machinations of their respective commanding offers and the harm caused by their willingness to use Jim and Cathy for career advancement.
The book is not without its share of problems. Apparently it was edited down from a much longer book, that was published as the "Valkerie" back in 1999, however it is still needed further editing. There were many passages that were unnecessarily long and key information was repeated multiple times. By the end, I found myself skimming because I was ready for it to be over, especially since it just rehashed everything that had already happened. I was also surprised that Jim's unit Force Recon was portrayed as just another unit rather then an elite unit that is highly competitive to join. He mentions at one point that he enlisted to be in the Engineer Corp but they had no space so they assigned into Recon. I can only guess that someone in marketing thought Recon sounded cooler and changed it, because I'm sure the author, who served in the military knows better.
Finally, I advise anyone who doesn't like spoilers against reading the "Dear Reader" section that proceeds the first chapter. It summarizes the entire story, and I mean the ENTIRE STORY, right up to the end of the book. The only reason I can come up with was that it was a ill-considered attempt to ensure the reader that yes there really is a romance hidden somewhere in there.
September 23, 2016
This book was good. But it was not so good. Besides the violent theme (and I knew before what I was reading), it was the fact that the main character Cathy Fremont, called Valkyrie, was really far from that muthological figure. She was tender and caring and sweet. So, she was a strange character for a series where the female character is a very strong one. That's my opinion.
The story was a bit long, but I read it easily. I already know that I suffer the first book in a series so I'm going on.
The story was a bit long, but I read it easily. I already know that I suffer the first book in a series so I'm going on.
July 8, 2017
Captain Jim Boland and Sergeant Cathy Fremont aka Valkyrie.
He's a good man, plans to be an engineer once 6 years is up, knows people, and works well with them, beloved leader. Lost his fiancé to a car accident, threw himself into military for last 3 years. She's a good woman, orphan, who learned hunting and shooting from one of the foster families, working as EMT while going to nursing school, when she lost her fiancé to ?? In a moment of weakness, and in support and concern for her long time friend Lisa Gardner, she joins the military, proves herself to be an excellent markswoman, and follows Lisa into an all female, special ops group trying to prove women are capable in combat.
and the book is a bit confusing... she joined the military because of Lisa, yet Lisa is a minor character throughout the book - hmmmm; the woman who heads up the female group is ambitious and cruel, meting out extreme punishment for minor fractions, and who will set someone up to die if they are in her way - and she can hide this?; and the general in charge of Thai operations is out to get her ... and somehow its a betrayal if he recruits Cathy to wear a wire to help convict the woman commander? why is it a betrayal to ask her? ;
But the rest is good... Jim is recruited to try and gain her help - but he admires her and falls in love with her, and he won't (again, why is that a betrayal?)... he catches her when she passes out after being overworked in the Thai jungle and hit in arm; he gets her the medical care she needs, and then gets her assigned to his group for a month, hmmmm
She is surviving the hell of war by watching out for her crew... and she does it too well. She syncs with Jim's team, and proves her worth, and in the end, she testifies against the female commander... and is reunited with Jim (whom she thought was dead, injured when rescuing her from commander's manipulation)...
and they live happily ever after...
He's a good man, plans to be an engineer once 6 years is up, knows people, and works well with them, beloved leader. Lost his fiancé to a car accident, threw himself into military for last 3 years. She's a good woman, orphan, who learned hunting and shooting from one of the foster families, working as EMT while going to nursing school, when she lost her fiancé to ?? In a moment of weakness, and in support and concern for her long time friend Lisa Gardner, she joins the military, proves herself to be an excellent markswoman, and follows Lisa into an all female, special ops group trying to prove women are capable in combat.
and the book is a bit confusing... she joined the military because of Lisa, yet Lisa is a minor character throughout the book - hmmmm; the woman who heads up the female group is ambitious and cruel, meting out extreme punishment for minor fractions, and who will set someone up to die if they are in her way - and she can hide this?; and the general in charge of Thai operations is out to get her ... and somehow its a betrayal if he recruits Cathy to wear a wire to help convict the woman commander? why is it a betrayal to ask her? ;
But the rest is good... Jim is recruited to try and gain her help - but he admires her and falls in love with her, and he won't (again, why is that a betrayal?)... he catches her when she passes out after being overworked in the Thai jungle and hit in arm; he gets her the medical care she needs, and then gets her assigned to his group for a month, hmmmm
She is surviving the hell of war by watching out for her crew... and she does it too well. She syncs with Jim's team, and proves her worth, and in the end, she testifies against the female commander... and is reunited with Jim (whom she thought was dead, injured when rescuing her from commander's manipulation)...
and they live happily ever after...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2020
This was really good! This is the first book of McKenna's that I've read. I found a copy of one of the newer books in this series at a library book sale, although it sounds like they don't need to be read in order. I really enjoyed Cathy and Jim's stories and romance; some is unbelievable but that's okay. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
October 16, 2020
Another compelling romance
Great story.. I have always loved Lindsay Mckenna novels.. I'm a huge fan for over twenty years.. Always look forward to her new series.. Loved Jim and Cathy's story.. Really moving and riveting story
Great story.. I have always loved Lindsay Mckenna novels.. I'm a huge fan for over twenty years.. Always look forward to her new series.. Loved Jim and Cathy's story.. Really moving and riveting story
September 8, 2025
An amazing story of an all women infantry regiment in war and the ambition of their commanding officer. It had heartwarming moments and amazing struggles. Loved this story!!!!!
September 30, 2013
Being an Army vet in a job specialty (MOS) that all too often finds itself on the front lines, even when stationed in a hospital, an Army medic, I was interested to see how the issue of women in combat would be treated. I feel that the the subject was handled very well indeed, right down to the attitude that most men seem to have that women can't handle combat. I also served under officers that while not quite as bad as the women in charge of the female combat unit, would give them a run for their money. I found little discrepancies, ie Marines always think of themselves as marines, never soldiers, but they did not distract from the story. Jim Boland is a strong male who wasn't afraid to show his sensitive side which I for one appreciated. Cathy is a strong but sensitive female who won't let anyone walk on her. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop and progress, even in the face of military regulations, politics, cut throat officers and the dangers of combat. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it and this author.
May 30, 2014
Wow! This is one of the best Military Romantic Suspense Novels I have ever read. And no wonder really, as it is written by one of the pioneers of the genre.
The story grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last. At over 400 pages, this is a well-written, complex narrative, with deep characterizations,and compelling scenes. The emotion between Cathy and Jim can be so distinctly felt as they struggle against the adversity they face not only from the jungles of Thailand, but also from the political power plays of the characters surrounding them. This is not your typical Romantic Suspense where good and evil are clearly defined. There are many shades of grey to this story which will have you questioning the motivations of each character as you navigate the twists and turns in the story.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but will definitely not be the last. Lindsay McKenna's catalog of work now resides firmly at the top of my To-Be-Read Pile.
The story grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last. At over 400 pages, this is a well-written, complex narrative, with deep characterizations,and compelling scenes. The emotion between Cathy and Jim can be so distinctly felt as they struggle against the adversity they face not only from the jungles of Thailand, but also from the political power plays of the characters surrounding them. This is not your typical Romantic Suspense where good and evil are clearly defined. There are many shades of grey to this story which will have you questioning the motivations of each character as you navigate the twists and turns in the story.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but will definitely not be the last. Lindsay McKenna's catalog of work now resides firmly at the top of my To-Be-Read Pile.
September 23, 2013
Heavy at times military book that gives you a “what if” the military allowed women to have their own ground combat team. Has the political feel of GI Jane, men not wanting the program to succeed, the woman running it going to any lengths whether morally right or wrong to make sure it does even at the cost of the lives of the women.
Once the story moves to the jungles of Thailand along with backstabbing and betrayals of higher ranking officers trying to get ahead in their careers there is a love story between Corporal Cathy Fremont, who only joined because of her best friend to look out for her, and Captain Jim Boland. Cathy was a tough as nails woman but also a vulnerable one on the inside from her childhood. Jim too had demons from the past and they are both betrayed by someone they think is a close friend.
Once the story moves to the jungles of Thailand along with backstabbing and betrayals of higher ranking officers trying to get ahead in their careers there is a love story between Corporal Cathy Fremont, who only joined because of her best friend to look out for her, and Captain Jim Boland. Cathy was a tough as nails woman but also a vulnerable one on the inside from her childhood. Jim too had demons from the past and they are both betrayed by someone they think is a close friend.
July 16, 2016
Emotionally charged!
Emotionally charged, full of turmoil, action packed, hard men & women fighting for their country. Cathy is a corporal in the first ever women's combat unit stationed on the front lines. Her unit commander and her second are cruel, pushing and punishing the women if they don't produce enemy kills. She meets Jim-a Marine from unit over the hill, he's tasked by his Commander to get close to Cathy, whatever the means as Mackey(his CO) as he has a beef about Louise Lane-the mean cruel officer at Delta-the women's group. Many events occur, including Being threatened, almost killed in battle, but the growing love Cathy and Jim have each will pull them through.
Story was very long, full of the emotional front line experience of a soldier-not as much romance or hot loving as many of the authors stories.
Emotionally charged, full of turmoil, action packed, hard men & women fighting for their country. Cathy is a corporal in the first ever women's combat unit stationed on the front lines. Her unit commander and her second are cruel, pushing and punishing the women if they don't produce enemy kills. She meets Jim-a Marine from unit over the hill, he's tasked by his Commander to get close to Cathy, whatever the means as Mackey(his CO) as he has a beef about Louise Lane-the mean cruel officer at Delta-the women's group. Many events occur, including Being threatened, almost killed in battle, but the growing love Cathy and Jim have each will pull them through.
Story was very long, full of the emotional front line experience of a soldier-not as much romance or hot loving as many of the authors stories.
December 7, 2013
Very engaging characters, plot and story line! Its a very detailed read, so for military novices, like myself, its easy to follow and understand. This is a very emotional book, I teared up during a few scenes, but it has the truth and turmoil of war, its repercussions and the poor decisions people make to get to the top.
Cathy and Jim's love story is an added bonus plus all of the other characters! They are a matched pair that go way beyond the call of duty to love and protect each other! I can't wait to read book two...
Cathy and Jim's love story is an added bonus plus all of the other characters! They are a matched pair that go way beyond the call of duty to love and protect each other! I can't wait to read book two...
January 11, 2016
Danger Close by Lindsay McKenna is one fabulous read. This book is well written and loaded with everything you could want in a book, action, suspense, drama and humor. I loved the characters in Danger Close. Cathy and Jim's story twists and turns through two groups set on destroying each other with them in the middle. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Lindsay McKenna in the future. Danger Close is book 1 in the Shadow Warriors Series and can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
January 12, 2016
Sacrificed to Ambition
This is an account of what happens when ambition becomes more important than integrity. The story tells how innocent people are sacrificed to the ambition of others more powerful than themselves. The story is told through he actions of one of the innocents. It shows how little control most soldiers have over there lives. I believe this is the best book McKenna has written. Fortunately since it is also a romance , it has an uplifting ending. It made me sad, angry, and very proud of the main characters.
This is an account of what happens when ambition becomes more important than integrity. The story tells how innocent people are sacrificed to the ambition of others more powerful than themselves. The story is told through he actions of one of the innocents. It shows how little control most soldiers have over there lives. I believe this is the best book McKenna has written. Fortunately since it is also a romance , it has an uplifting ending. It made me sad, angry, and very proud of the main characters.
September 22, 2014
The stars are for MY benefit only as I am NOT the intended audience for this book. I liked the romance and I liked the characters, but the head hopping got on my nerves and the military stuff kind of dragged it down for me. I've never read this genre before and it was a freebie, so I thought I'd give it a try. I probably won't reach for another one, but that has NOTHING to do with the book (or author) and a whole lot to do with the kind of stuff I like to read.
July 25, 2015
This is the story of Cathy Fremont and Captain Jim Boland. Cathy's is in the military inwhich there are alot of politics going on regarding woman in the military. For this reason the woman are subject to worse conditions and treatment than the men. Jim is asked by his leader to investigate Cathy and find out what is going on her group. However Jim gets to know Cathy and later tells his leader no. Later Cathy and Jim are in terrible battle in Thailand and both severely injured. Good book.
June 28, 2014
Uhh what did I just read? This was def. not anything like the Night Stalkers series. The heroine is pretty wimpy and this was definitely more romance than suspense. I just was not expecting a book like this. I wanted a more bad-ass heroine and not some emotional sad trombone. The ending was good though, once it finally happened.
March 30, 2016
Kindle,,,kobo. Ja, een beetje twijfelachtig,...beetje lang begin, eer ze elkaar tegenkomen,...de liefsdestory is eigenlijk minimaal,..zit veel verhaal omheen!
Ik denk dat ik wel voor deel 2 ga, maar niet voor al haar boeken!
Ik denk dat ik wel voor deel 2 ga, maar niet voor al haar boeken!
April 19, 2016
Great book. It keeps you reading so you can find out what happens next. The story of Lane and the rest of the group is really scary. You never know who is going to get hurt next. Great romance also - really come around when you read the next book about their daughter.
June 21, 2016
Love Lindsay's work. It was nice to read another of her stories again. As usual, the story wove well rounded characters with a solid action storyline.
July 21, 2014
3 stars
tbr-later
December 24, 2014Buddy read with Sarah
September 24, 2013
I dont think I ever been into a book so much as I have with this book! It made me Cry & Laugh.
November 2, 2013
To be honest I only read the first 4 chapters and the last 5. The first part was a little boring but I enjoyed the last part.
September 1, 2016
terrific
July 13, 2014
Good military suspense, although I thought it a bit long toward the end - almost like the author didn't know how to end it.
July 20, 2014
Two-haiku review:
All woman platoon
To prove they're fit for combat
Abusive leaders
Liked the characters
Military with romance
Multi-layered plots
All woman platoon
To prove they're fit for combat
Abusive leaders
Liked the characters
Military with romance
Multi-layered plots
March 23, 2015
Great book, great series! Just loved it!
November 29, 2015
I couldn't make it past 20%. I was bored.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews