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Stalwart Security #1
Relentless
The Stalwart Security Series (Series 2) is the follow up to the hugely popular Alpha Company Women Series, and for maximum enjoyment it is recommended that the books are read in order. In Relentless, (Book One) we’re reunited with Zach Tucker, former US Ranger and nephew of Ryan Tucker, the owner of Stalwart Security Services.
Zach has spent the last six months trying to avoid his Uncle’s PA, Sacha De Marco, ever since his friend Marcus dropped the bombshell that the young Italian American beauty had a serious case of the hots for him.
While most red-blooded males would give anything to have a woman as gorgeous as Sacha lusting after them, there were too many reasons why Zach thought he should stay clear of her.
Firstly, there was the age difference. Eleven years may not sound like much, but it meant that when he turned forty in a few years, Sacha would still be a beautiful twenty-something! Too much, right?
Then there was the fact that she still lived with her parents and seemed so …inexperienced. So not what he was looking for.
And of course, he couldn’t ignore the fact that he was still suffering PTSD from his time in the military.
Not only was he still suffering nightmares about the day two years before when he’d been shot by one of his own men, but he was actively trying to ensure that the nightmares didn’t stop. Nuts, right?
But just because he couldn’t ever be with Sacha, it wasn’t because he didn’t care about her. If anything, he cares too much. And therein lies the problem – he can’t show her how he feels because he doesn’t want to give her false hope.
When he discovers that Tuck intends to take Sacha with him on what could be a highly dangerous visit to Colombia, he challenges Tuck as to why he’s taking Sacha at all when she could stay safe and sound in the bosom of her family.
Ok, in hindsight, maybe that was what he should have said.
Sadly, what came out of his mouth, in front of the whole senior management team, was something completely different.
Instead of stressing his concern for her safety, he suggests that Sacha’s job is so easy, booking flights and hotels etc., that she can just as easily do it from her desk in Philly as she can from anywhere else. The unspoken, but implied suggestion is that a buffoon could probably do the job from anywhere!
When Zach tries to make things right he only succeeds in making them worse, and eventually it takes being knocked flat on his ass by the one person he respects more than anyone, to realise that actually, he’s been fighting the wrong battle.
Having had his epiphany, imagine Zach’s dismay when he discovers that Sacha has gained another admirer, the handsome, intelligent and charming son of their billionaire client. Yeah, nothing to worry about there!
When Zach tags onto the group heading to Colombia with their clients, his one and only goal is to convince Sacha that he’s not really as stupid as his actions have led her to believe.
But when they cross paths with a Colombian drug cartel, the deaths of two of their team puts everything else into perspective.
More lives are now at risk, and Zach and Sacha have to put any budding relationship on hold.
Working with the Alpha-Stalwart team as the life or death situation unfolds, their silly misunderstandings are put into context as they both face a loss that will be almost impossible to overcome.
A Stalwart Security Series Military Romance (Follow-up to The Alpha Company Women Series)
Zach has spent the last six months trying to avoid his Uncle’s PA, Sacha De Marco, ever since his friend Marcus dropped the bombshell that the young Italian American beauty had a serious case of the hots for him.
While most red-blooded males would give anything to have a woman as gorgeous as Sacha lusting after them, there were too many reasons why Zach thought he should stay clear of her.
Firstly, there was the age difference. Eleven years may not sound like much, but it meant that when he turned forty in a few years, Sacha would still be a beautiful twenty-something! Too much, right?
Then there was the fact that she still lived with her parents and seemed so …inexperienced. So not what he was looking for.
And of course, he couldn’t ignore the fact that he was still suffering PTSD from his time in the military.
Not only was he still suffering nightmares about the day two years before when he’d been shot by one of his own men, but he was actively trying to ensure that the nightmares didn’t stop. Nuts, right?
But just because he couldn’t ever be with Sacha, it wasn’t because he didn’t care about her. If anything, he cares too much. And therein lies the problem – he can’t show her how he feels because he doesn’t want to give her false hope.
When he discovers that Tuck intends to take Sacha with him on what could be a highly dangerous visit to Colombia, he challenges Tuck as to why he’s taking Sacha at all when she could stay safe and sound in the bosom of her family.
Ok, in hindsight, maybe that was what he should have said.
Sadly, what came out of his mouth, in front of the whole senior management team, was something completely different.
Instead of stressing his concern for her safety, he suggests that Sacha’s job is so easy, booking flights and hotels etc., that she can just as easily do it from her desk in Philly as she can from anywhere else. The unspoken, but implied suggestion is that a buffoon could probably do the job from anywhere!
When Zach tries to make things right he only succeeds in making them worse, and eventually it takes being knocked flat on his ass by the one person he respects more than anyone, to realise that actually, he’s been fighting the wrong battle.
Having had his epiphany, imagine Zach’s dismay when he discovers that Sacha has gained another admirer, the handsome, intelligent and charming son of their billionaire client. Yeah, nothing to worry about there!
When Zach tags onto the group heading to Colombia with their clients, his one and only goal is to convince Sacha that he’s not really as stupid as his actions have led her to believe.
But when they cross paths with a Colombian drug cartel, the deaths of two of their team puts everything else into perspective.
More lives are now at risk, and Zach and Sacha have to put any budding relationship on hold.
Working with the Alpha-Stalwart team as the life or death situation unfolds, their silly misunderstandings are put into context as they both face a loss that will be almost impossible to overcome.
A Stalwart Security Series Military Romance (Follow-up to The Alpha Company Women Series)
742 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2016
95 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 1, 2022
3.5 stars. Romantic thriller
Potential Plot spoilers
I will get it out of the way first - I don't recall a potential trigger warning in the blurb, relating to kidnap and sexual assault but readers do need to be aware of the content.
The characterisation is excellent, Zach was never a favourite character from previous books but by the end of this book he found a place in my heart.
Sacha however has been a firm favourite of mine since handing out weapons to the team when Tuck's place was attacked.
The plotline is good but does stall a bit part way through, picking up again and going forward more naturally.
There is one sex scene and some swearing.
There are some errors but only one truly irritated (a ship that sets sale) and the errors are not enough to kill the book.
I have no problem recommending the series but would advise reading from the beginning of the previous series Alpha Company to obtain the best reading experience.
Potential Plot spoilers
I will get it out of the way first - I don't recall a potential trigger warning in the blurb, relating to kidnap and sexual assault but readers do need to be aware of the content.
The characterisation is excellent, Zach was never a favourite character from previous books but by the end of this book he found a place in my heart.
Sacha however has been a firm favourite of mine since handing out weapons to the team when Tuck's place was attacked.
The plotline is good but does stall a bit part way through, picking up again and going forward more naturally.
There is one sex scene and some swearing.
There are some errors but only one truly irritated (a ship that sets sale) and the errors are not enough to kill the book.
I have no problem recommending the series but would advise reading from the beginning of the previous series Alpha Company to obtain the best reading experience.
January 13, 2021
Hostage and Romance abound. Sacha and Zach’s story.
Beth Abbott! List her as an author to be searched for and be read. Didn’t know of her until I read ‘Relentless’. The story was so enthralling I had no trouble continueing reading until the very last page.
Central leading lights were Sacha and Zach finally finding that age was just a number and with all the other characters getting involved, Zach’s boorish and chauvinist beginning to one of enlightenment, to the hostage taking and the rescue keeps you on your toes. Fantastic read, couldn’t put it down so I am off to read the 2nd novel and see if I can find a copy of the first book in the earlier women series.
Enjoy the book and make sure you leave plenty of time to read it in one hit because you won’t be able to stop once you start. It’s that good.
Beth Abbott! List her as an author to be searched for and be read. Didn’t know of her until I read ‘Relentless’. The story was so enthralling I had no trouble continueing reading until the very last page.
Central leading lights were Sacha and Zach finally finding that age was just a number and with all the other characters getting involved, Zach’s boorish and chauvinist beginning to one of enlightenment, to the hostage taking and the rescue keeps you on your toes. Fantastic read, couldn’t put it down so I am off to read the 2nd novel and see if I can find a copy of the first book in the earlier women series.
Enjoy the book and make sure you leave plenty of time to read it in one hit because you won’t be able to stop once you start. It’s that good.
December 16, 2019
Great!
I chose this rating because this was a really great book. I really enjoyed most of the characters. This book depicted on a lot of events that are taking place today in our world. The author did an amazing job and the book was also well written. Sacha and Zach they started out a little bumpy at first but that got itself together. I really love that amazing family that Sacha has, great big brothers and everything. That he has an amazing family is well, what all the security guys and their wives. I really enjoyed this book. Now onto the next one in the series. I recommend this book to all romance readers.
I chose this rating because this was a really great book. I really enjoyed most of the characters. This book depicted on a lot of events that are taking place today in our world. The author did an amazing job and the book was also well written. Sacha and Zach they started out a little bumpy at first but that got itself together. I really love that amazing family that Sacha has, great big brothers and everything. That he has an amazing family is well, what all the security guys and their wives. I really enjoyed this book. Now onto the next one in the series. I recommend this book to all romance readers.
September 1, 2021
3.5 stars from me. The only think I really didn’t like about this book was the age difference.. it’s just not a trope I dig. If it doesn’t bother you, then by all means, get to reading this book! I will say again, the author’s American English is lacking in this book since most of the characters are American, so it can cause the reader to pause and think “nope, that’s not how that goes” before moving on. It’s just little things such as swim costumes instead of swim suits and vests instead of t-shirts. Nothing terrible, just not right. But again, I kept reading the series, so it obviously wasn’t all that bad, right?
December 8, 2017
A great start to an awesome spin off
I love the strong characters, make and female alike. Ms. Abbott is a new favorite author now. I loved the AC wives series that preceded this series and highly recommend you read these in order to get the full benefit of her story telling. Great plot and the scenery is picture painted perfection. Do yourself a big favor and curl up in a comfy corner and begin to devour these books! :-)
I love the strong characters, make and female alike. Ms. Abbott is a new favorite author now. I loved the AC wives series that preceded this series and highly recommend you read these in order to get the full benefit of her story telling. Great plot and the scenery is picture painted perfection. Do yourself a big favor and curl up in a comfy corner and begin to devour these books! :-)
March 21, 2020
Slow and steady
Relentless is a young age innocent love story. Sasha is very focus, persistent and she's in love. She waited for at least 6 months for her love interested to get his head together. Zach was oblivious to what everyone else saw. He is the gentle giant of Sacha's love interest. I was hoping for a more explosive love scene from them. I enjoyed reading this story. There were so many characters and the humor was wonderful.
Relentless is a young age innocent love story. Sasha is very focus, persistent and she's in love. She waited for at least 6 months for her love interested to get his head together. Zach was oblivious to what everyone else saw. He is the gentle giant of Sacha's love interest. I was hoping for a more explosive love scene from them. I enjoyed reading this story. There were so many characters and the humor was wonderful.
September 22, 2025
Couldn't put it down
Loved this book, you know it's going to be happily ever after but Beth Abbott keeps you guessing what is going to be their struggle, what life and death issue is going to crop up and how are they all going to get through it. I also love that we keep seeing the progression of all the past couples and how they're still growing in the relationships and abilities
Loved this book, you know it's going to be happily ever after but Beth Abbott keeps you guessing what is going to be their struggle, what life and death issue is going to crop up and how are they all going to get through it. I also love that we keep seeing the progression of all the past couples and how they're still growing in the relationships and abilities
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July 5, 2021Loved Sasha!
I loved the chemistry between Sasha and Zach. Zach was leery of the age difference (11 years) and his PTSD (nightmares about getting shot), but he finally got his act together and went after Sacha.
Thank you Ms. Abbott for a great start to the next series. Can't wait to read the next one.
I loved the chemistry between Sasha and Zach. Zach was leery of the age difference (11 years) and his PTSD (nightmares about getting shot), but he finally got his act together and went after Sacha.
Thank you Ms. Abbott for a great start to the next series. Can't wait to read the next one.
November 11, 2024
Frightening
The was a two pronged book. Two love stories and bravery of our faithful Security groups. Great to see the characters from the first series in this willing to help in anyway! Beth Abbott keep you in the edge wondering what will happen next. Looking forward to more in this series.
The was a two pronged book. Two love stories and bravery of our faithful Security groups. Great to see the characters from the first series in this willing to help in anyway! Beth Abbott keep you in the edge wondering what will happen next. Looking forward to more in this series.
March 26, 2017
Great!!!
I absolutely love this book. It has great and lovable characters, a great story, action scenes, and romance. I love the way this author writes and includes some depth about the military experience. I look forward to reading the next in this series.
I absolutely love this book. It has great and lovable characters, a great story, action scenes, and romance. I love the way this author writes and includes some depth about the military experience. I look forward to reading the next in this series.
January 4, 2020
I LOVED this book. It had romance, action & suspense all in one. It was good to see the Alpha Company family join in, and also the introduction to new characters. Looking forward to the next books!
June 4, 2021
Disappointed
While the writing isn’t great, the story usually is and this one had some major misses for me. The unrealistic nature of some of the scenes were just damaging.
While the writing isn’t great, the story usually is and this one had some major misses for me. The unrealistic nature of some of the scenes were just damaging.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews