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Ropes, passion, danger, diamonds mission accomplished.

"Command Force Alpha, Book 3"

Widower Nicholas Nicky Stafford, leader of Command Force Alpha, has known love, loss and high-stakes danger. Recent run-ins with a Russian conglomerate codenamed Firebird have been the most challenging of his career.

He trusts his professional judgment, but cannot trust his desires when a colleague insists the only way to trace Firebird s dirty money is to pose as besotted lovers at a fetish conference. Nicky hasn t touched shibari rope since his beloved wife s death.

Astrid Holm has lost everything. Twice. Her father bankrupted her family, then she became notorious after blowing the whistle at a Fortune 500. With her career in ruins, she found herself sitting opposite steely-eyed Colonel Stafford who made her CFA s top accountant.

As they explore the conference s dangerous delights, Nicky discovers that Astrid s sweet eccentricities revitalize his soul. When bound by his skilled hands, Astrid finds the safety she craves. That safety is short-lived. Before passion can become love, they must evade traps more elaborate than the knots that bind them.

This book contains very intricate rope work that should not be attempted without proper training. Author suggests you find your own angsty, secret-ops colonel to tie you in complicated poses and bang you silly."

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

118 people want to read

About the author

Katie Porter

30 books208 followers
Katie Porter is the award-winning writing team of longtime friends Lorelie Brown and Carrie Lofty . Both are multi-published in several romance genres, and both are RITA-nominated. Carrie holds an MA in history, loves movies, and has no fear of gross things like formaldehyde sharks. Her daughters aren't appreciative. Lorelie is a US Army veteran and true-crime devotee, whose three boys love when she screams like a little girl around spiders. After years of wishing and planning, they finally share an office in the Chicago area.

All five of Katie Porter’s "Vegas Top Guns" erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.

All five of Katie Porter's " Vegas Top Guns " contemporary erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for MaggieReadsRom.
956 reviews117 followers
May 18, 2016
3,75 stars
Colonel Nicholas 'Nicky' Stafford is the head of CFA. In all the previous books he's been a little bit mysterious and withdrawn. I liked him in his own book but I was also confused by his character. Some of the stuff he said and did just didn’t compute with the image I had of him in my head. The late wife worship bothered me in the beginning but towards the end it was handled very well.

Astrid Holm, CFA's bookkeeper, is a chatterbox with no filter, especially when she's nervous or any time she's around Nicky. I loved Astrid's way of blurting things out and in contrast Nicky was so intense and serious.
They are that couple where opposites attract and complement in a way that makes them perfect for each other.

The kink in this book was rope play. I am (was?) very unfamiliar with this kink and it fascinated me to no end. With every rope/bondage scene I’d try and fail to make a visual image of it in my head. It wasn’t until a BDSM workshop at RT16 where a bit of rope play was demonstrated that I was able visualise some of the scenes.

I liked and enjoyed this book but didn't love it as much as the other Katie Porter books I've read. The suspense took a while to get going and when it did it was wrapped up fairly quickly and I was a little confused as I had the feeling I'd missed something. There was some telling instead of showing involved in the suspense. Also the romance felt rushed at the end as well. In one chapter there were still doubts (and no time to discuss them as the suspense part reached its climax) and in the next it was: I love yous and HEA. The sexy stuff was really hot so that was a big plus. The balance between romance + sexy times and suspense was there, so that was a plus as well and I really enjoyed learning about rope play.

Again, I enjoyed it, I just had some minor issues with it. But so looking forward to the next book in this series. I wonder who's book it will be

Favorite Quotes:

“I’m not pissed at you.”
“No?” She took a long sip. “Could have fooled me. But that’s okay. Angry sex would be worth it. Have you ever pinned a woman to a wall and f*cked the hell out of her, Sir?”

He whispered, “Now, babe, do me a favor and shut up. The only words I want to hear from you are please and my name. Feel free to use them liberally.”
Profile Image for Jen.
1,542 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2017
I think this was the best of the three books in the series so far. It sucks that we may not get this whole thing wrapped up (I hate loose ends), but at least this one shed some light on things a bit more.

Nicky Stafford is in charge of Command Force Alpha. In previous books, he's been the 'father' figure to most of the other team members and was a no-nonsense kind of guy. I pictured him as a 50+ year old man in previous books since he had a grown daughter. That's apparently not the case in this one. He's only 42 (or close to that), whereas Astrid Holm is 12 year younger than him. Astrid is an accountant for CFA and has no filter whatsoever it seems - I loved her!

She gets a lead on who's running Firebird and is practicing some rope ties when Nicky walks in and tries to figure out what she's doing. Little does she know at the time that Nicky was a master at rope play with his late wife. He ties her hands up to demonstrate and you can just feel the sparks going off between these two. He agrees to accompany her undercover as her boyfriend to a BDSM-type gathering where rope is the focus.

Nicky is very hesitant to begin anything with Astrid at first. Not only is she a lot younger than him, but he also is hesitant to do any rope play since it was something he did with his wife 13 years ago. He's hung up on that for a long time in this book, but eventually moves on with his life and gives Astrid a chance. Astrid is pretty strong-willed, but once rope touches her, she just gives in and lets Nicky trake control. Honestly, the sex between these two was pretty hot.

The suspense and action took place so quickly in this book that you almost missed it. It was a lot like what happened in Book 1. I think if the relationship between Nicky and Astrid wasn't so interesting, I'd have probably rated this book lower. But they were an adorable couple that seemed to fit despite the odds.

I really hope we'll get the 4th book in the near future so that we can put the plot to rest and get some closure.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
October 31, 2014
Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

5 STARS

Review copy provided for an honest review


As each of the Command Force Alpha characters come to life, I fall more and more in love with this series. Colonel Nicky Stafford just blew me away, made himself my new book boyfriend and had me dreaming about blue hemp rope. Sexy, commanding and just off the wall hot. Oh, the book had a wonderful storyline that mixed Shibari with a mystery and the continuing sage of bringing down Firebird.
I can’t say enough about Colonel Stafford or his command of his unit and Astrid. His skill with the ropes, unbeknownst to Astrid, is his undoing. Bringing back so many memories of his deceased wife, Tamika, he’s not sure if he could let go of the past and move forward. But, there are sacrifices that must be made in order to complete a mission. Tying Astrid up and the feeling that she brings alive, is his personal hell but he has to overcome it in order to get to the moneyman.
Astrid is not the person that I would have pictured with Nicky Stafford. She’s fun, bubbly and full of life. He’s moody, commanding and living in the past. She comes from a past that has her wondering if she really does has a “daddy” fixation. But, it’s Nicky that has the hang-up with the 13 year difference in their ages. When Nicky walks in on Astrid trying to tie herself up, all the feelings that they have been buidling up inside of them came pouring out of Astrid’s mouth … in one way or another. The weekend they need to spend together undercover cements the feelings that both of them have been fighting.
Wow, when Nicky Stafford takes control of a situation, you are left with nothing but raw, sexual heat. Talk about burning up the sheets. He does the one thing that he never did with Tam – have sex while she was bound. But, with Astrid and her humor, her complete submissiveness when in ropes, he can’t help himself. He’s losing himself to her and really has to come to terms with letting go of the past and moving on to the future. This, combined with the need to protect Astrid while undercover, almost losing her during the mission, is his undoing. She brings out the best in him and he has to deal with the fallout.
Seriously, I am loving this series … I can’t get enough of these characters and am looking forward to see where the next book with take us. The combination of alpha males and females, the mystery of Firebird and finding out about each of their “kinks” has me salivating and waiting for the next installment. But, after reading “Own”, “Snap” and “Bind” I will honestly tell you that each of them can be read as a stand-alone … I wouldn’t suggest it if you are into the intrigue as I am. I love the way the team of Katie Porter writes … each book is non-stop. They are action packed, sexy and highly recommended if your kink is reading books that have the perfect combination of sex, love and intrigue.
93 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2014
Being drawn in from the beginning, this third book in the Command Force Alpha series does not fail to meet expectations. This book is about the stuffy, high-ranking head of Command Force Alpha that we have already seen snippets of previously, the Colonel Nicky Stafford. Except now, he is sexy as hell and I want him to be mine!

Seeing the dominance come out, not only as the Colonel, but behind closed doors as well, was oh so sexy and well worth the wait!! From the very beginning, when it was found he was a ropes expert, and sweet little Astrid had him thrown for a loop, I wanted more. Seeing the slow, sensual build up to the inevitable, in my opinion, optimized the Colonel. Reading as he dealt with his inner pain, and finally realizing that life isn’t over with the death of a loved one made him a real person, whereas before, he seemed so untouchable as a character. This book was written perfectly, and I feel Katie put my exact thoughts and pictures of this sexy, dominant man into the perfect words. Another must read!

Credit to Guilty Pleasures Review by Rosalie Belle
Profile Image for Katherine.
5,400 reviews42 followers
June 10, 2015
Ooooh. I really liked this one. Perfectly matched hero and heroine, ridiculously good chemistry, suspense, and a satisfying HEA. Love this series.

Bought from All Romance Ebooks.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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