Bullets and Dandelions

Deputy Gemma Stone #0.5

by Gail Koger

My name is Tess Reynolds, and I’ll admit few people would think I’m a badass Army sniper called the Scorpion. Afterall, women snipers were unheard of in 1990. People look at me and see a petite blonde who is cute as a button. My father calls it my natural camouflage.

My time in the Middle East has been full of unforeseen complications. I have a rogue CIA agent trying to kill me and I caught the attention of a Force Recon Marine by the name of Alexander Stone. Wowzer! He’s hot but he’s also the biggest jackass I have ever met. To make things even more interesting, I need the Jackass’s help to stay alive.

This novella is the prequel to the Gemma Stone series. How it all began.

Genres: Romance

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2024

About the author

I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for thirty-one years and to keep insanity at bay, I took up writing. Not to worry. The insanity isn’t catching – much. Other than the addiction to chocolate and the twitch in my left eye, I’m good. I just finished, Stilettoes and Gunpowder book #3 in the Gemma Stone series.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the series, Gemma Stone’s parents have been larger than life and her family participate a great deal in her law enforcement misadventures. There were hints that her parents and grandfather’s story was something else. I was tickled as could be that Gail Koger went back and told their story in a high octane special ops romance adventure prequel.

Later readers will probably enjoy getting the series in chronological order just as much as I enjoyed getting this one after three books in the regular Deputy Gemma Stone series. In other words, it will standalone just fine.

Tess’ earliest years when her mom was alive were exciting, but wholesome with a dad working as a CIA op and a mom as a doctor with Doctors Without Borders. Her mom’s death changed all that. Her dad’s heart was broken and he had nothing to spare for Tess. In fact, he pushed her hard to learn all the dangerous skills he could teach her.

Tess learned what she was forced to learn, but bided her time to escape her dad’s agenda for her to follow him into the CIA as an assassin. She landed in the army, but even there her bid for freedom was curtailed when her dad caught up with her and had her shunted into sniper school and sent into the hot zone of Afghanistan to work for a man just as keen as dear old dad to use Tess for his own agenda.

Little did anyone know that all the maneuvering put Tess in the crosshairs of a hard-bodied strong-willed Marine Force Recon sergeant who was the first person to see Tess as a woman. Dodging both the open enemy and the dark intriguers around them, Tess and Alexander might just figure out that antagonizing each other is their brand of foreplay.

I didn’t have a doubt in the world I’d have a roaring good time with this pair’s romance. No surprise, it was a blast. In truth, I came to the end and was tempted to go right into a re-read of the series so I could see them again as Gemma’s parents, but with new eyes after their own story. Bullets flew, wise cracks and shenanigans were a plenty, and villains from all sides had this a great rush. Definitely recommend to those who like a light and sometimes comedic tone with their romantic suspense.

I rec'd an eARC from the author to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About 3.13.25.

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding

This author never fails to please. Her characters capture my attention and make me smile. The characters are funny and the plot intriguing. The story is fast paced. There is no intimate acts described but there is a banter and friendship along with heat from the main couple. I just adore these stories. I realized tonight that I felt good when reading this story. I was highly entertained by this fast paced book. Highly recommend you enjoy it too. HEA, no cheating, no cliffhanger.

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could Not Put It Down

Action from start to almost the end. The end was a lovely wrap up. I literally could not stop reading it. This book is not about Deputy Gems Stone, it is about her mother, Tess. Wow, Tess is seriously impressive. Trained by her CIA assassin father, she has spent her adult life trying to escape his control. But even the army could not protect her from him. Only her own skills and the unexpected help from a team of marines can see her through the many attempts to break her. This was a great book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved the character in this book, well other than Pops who is a mean old man with zero child raising skills. Tess is a bright, caring, intelligent woman who deserves more respect and love than she has received in life.

Alex started as a total arse but improved with time. I think Tess just blew his mind to start with.

All in all an engaging and fun riot of a book.

I read this book twice in quick succession because it is so much fun.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start of the Stone’s legacy!

I have always wondered how the Parents met and this was perfect. I laughed and mentally cheered as they went on adventures. The story was fast paced with lots of crazy antics. Please do not hesitate to pick this book up. I definitely recommend.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this book

I have been in such a book slump! I was so excited when I saw a new Gail Koger book her books are always fun to read this one didn't disappoint. I had so much fun reading it . I finished it in a day !

[Kortni Throckmorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good!

Wow talk about the action! Tess is one tough lady. Alexander Stone and the Alpa dogs don’t know what hit them.

[Michelle Rapley · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

Omg this is so light hearted and funny and riviting read I couldn’t put it down I had to finish it

[Maureen Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one

Great read. Can't wait for the next one. Love all of Gail's books. Have reread many times. Check them out

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

A fun read great characters with plenty of action Great to read about the group looking forward to more books

[Joan L. Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!

You’ve out done yourself this time! Read it from beginning to end with out stopping. Gemma certainly has a legacy!

[George N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME

The characters are priceless.
Just to let you know, amazon is being a pain to try and buy your books.
Your writing skills are amazing. Thank you for sharing your work.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

If I could I would give this author and this series more than 5 stars it got everything a good book should have action laughter love and that good feeling.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn’t put it down

Such a fun page turner! I couldn’t put it down. Sometimes I need a book to grab all my attention and wish me away and that’s exactly what this book did. Amazing

[Chrystal_K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Tess and Alex - Gemma’s parents - was a riot of crazy fun. I can’t believe how bada** Tess actually is … WOW! Cannot wait for more.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Gemma's mum & dad met.

Another wild ride to a HEA.

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is billed as a kind of prequel to the Gemma Stone series. I have to say, I only read book 2 of those, but I am confused as to what Tess here has to do with Gemma in the main series.

That said, my review for this book will be almost a carbon copy of my review for book 2, Stilettos and Combat Boots.

Because in that book, Gemma gets into so many scrapes and incidents, almost as many as Tess does here! Well, I mean, her dad is trying to kill her, an enemy of said dad is also trying to kill her and a bunch of Marines are trying to keep her alive, but she doesn't trust them, especially when they won't give her the chocolate she craves! So, she isn't living the easiest of lives, but again, it's WAY too much for me in such a short book.

There is a lot of violence here, with bombs, guns and helicopter crashes, and I couldn't catch my breath between each event, so Lord knows how Tess kept up.

There is no smex here, but . . . .oh! I *think* I just made the connection. One of the Marines is called Alex Stone, and I wonder if he is Gemma's brother? I dunno if it was mentioned, to be honest. Anyway, back to my thoughts. There is very little smex here, but Alex Stone does talk a lot about Tess and what they are gonna get up to, once they are safe (but I'm not sure that would happen any time soon!)

I liked it, it passed a quiet morning at work. But I would have liked to hear from Alex as well as Tess.

3 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

[ghislaine belair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of action of adventure and of loveable characters. Excellent.