Jolene

The Supernatural Intelligence Network #3

by T.K. Eldridge

When loving someone is life or death.

Jolene is the name she uses now - but she's had many names. Joan, Josephine, Johanna...yet she's always been just "Jo" to those she let get close. Name changes are part of one's existence when one is an intelligence operative - and when one is a vampire. One of the founding members of SIN - the Supernatural Intelligence Network, Jo spends her days helping to keep supernaturals under the radar of the general public - among other things. When friendship turns to something more, Jo is out of her depth. Fated mates mean death for most vampires, and Jo cannot have any weakness - not if SIN is going to survive. The needs of the many outweight her own desires, or do they? Can one fight fate? Or will it mean the end of SIN?

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2023

Reviews

[Maycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While “And So It Begins” is technically book one in this series, I’d consider that more book 0.5 or a prequel. Jolene is really the first book in the Supernatural Intelligence Network series as it really gets into the whys of SIN and dives into what the series is really about. There is a lot of overlap of dialogue from And So It Begins, but it’s done in a flashback sort of way or inner dialogue that Jo has. This backstory really helps develop Jo as a character and made me really root for her. She’s this strong boss b!tch vampire running this elite supernatural task force, but still has this vulnerability that makes you really root for her. I’ll admit I was not Ash’s biggest fan in And So It Begins, and honestly he irked me a few times in Jolene as well. You can tell he has a good heart and wants to make the world better. He has leader vibes and you can tell he feels deeply for Jo. When he goes from being “Ash - Orion Operative” to “His Grace, Ashton Lennox” this attitude comes out that I am not a fan of. I love that Jo is real quick to shut that down and she does so with this calm confidence that is just fantastic. I will give Ash credit and say he’s quick to apologize and change the behavior, but it’s like I expect more from him. Obviously, this is just book one and they both have a lot thrown at them, so there is plenty of time for character development and growth. I love their chemistry and Kess did an amazing job weaving their fated mates story into this bigger picture of finding out about Apex and stopping them. SIN is such an interesting concept and I love how this paranormal world is melded into real life situations that make this world tangible. I know we are just hitting the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Apex and I can’t wait to see where the story goes. This series is so well written and so addictive. If your looking for a fantastic mix of PNR, procedural drama and supernatural elements this series has you covered! Must read for sure!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almost two books in one. Jolene is prominent in both stories. The first concerns SIN which she runs and the adventure to take down a domestic terror group that is after everyone who doesn’t lead a male dominated straight life. The turning point (pun may be intentional) kicks the second story of Jolene and Ashton into high gear. The character development is great and the worldview evolves nicely with the story. My only quibble was a seeming gap around the turning point concerning AG. He seemed to have escaped and then suddenly wasn’t.

This was a very enjoyable read. The book sets up further adventures for SIN and the love lives of its members.