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Tanner Akecheta, whose last name means “warrior” in Sioux, is part of a highly skilled military group, the Special Tactical Units Division, otherwise known as S.T.U.D. Tanner’s mission: he’s going to be dropped into the jungle in a small, war-torn Central American country, find kidnapped Alessandra Bellini Wilde and return her to the States and her father, four-star General John Hamilton Wilde. Tanner expects to deal with a scared, spoiled rich girl. What he finds instead is a smart, independent-minded woman—and a passion so hot it threatens to consume them both. This sexy, exciting book is the first in Sandra Marton’s brand new S.T.U.D. series.
Warning! You’re about to meet the heroes of your dreams!
Warning! You’re about to meet the heroes of your dreams!
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2015
236 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Marton
674 books540 followersI've been a writer, one way or another, all my life. Before I could read, I made up poems and my mom wrote them down for me. In elementary school, my teachers almost always let me write poems or stories instead of requiring me to do art projects. Always, I dreamed of becoming a published writer...and that dream came true! I write novels about sexy, powerful men and independent-minded women, and what happens when they find each other and fall in love. My books are sexy and romantic, and they've very often full of romantic suspense. I write the kinds of books I love to read, and I hope that makes my readers happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 31, 2017
This was a pretty good book. About an injured SEAL (STUD: Special Tactical Units Division) recovering from a leg wound who was tasked with going to South America, into the rainforest, to rescue a 4 star General’s daughter who was captured when she was stupid enough to go outside her tent to pee, because she refused to use a bucket. (Shoulda’ used the bucket.)
Anyway, he did rescue her and the biggest part of the book was their race through the rainforest to safety. It was an exciting run, too. From snakes and tarantulas and wild pigs and crocodiles and lots of bugs, they ran across it all. They finally got to a house where they were safe but then a hurricane blew through, and the helicopter coming after them had to fly in while the house was in the eye of the storm. Alessandra didn’t want to run for the chopper without Tanner so he insulted her and, of course, she believed he meant what he said so she took off. She was hurt (concussion) and so was Tanner (his leg) then her father worked against both of them keeping them apart.
It was a good storyline and there was enough excitement to keep me very interested.
There was lots of sexual tension, and I can’t even tell you how many sex scenes, 4? 5? Enough that I started skipping over it because it all started at about 75% of the book, when they got to the house and they were only there about 2 days. So, a lot of sex in a short time. There was falling in love involved in the 4 days they were together but nothing was said. It was a good love story and they really did have to work for their HEA.
As to the narration: I really didn’t like him too much because someone was supposed to whisper something and he’d say it in a regular tone and that would through me right out of the story. When you’re supposed to whisper, then whisper. There was not much difference in his men’s voices and his women barely sounded like women most of the time. Daniel Burns only has 11 books under his belt so he really needs some more practice because he’s not very good yet. He does have a very nice reading voice he just needs to learn what to do with it.
Anyway, he did rescue her and the biggest part of the book was their race through the rainforest to safety. It was an exciting run, too. From snakes and tarantulas and wild pigs and crocodiles and lots of bugs, they ran across it all. They finally got to a house where they were safe but then a hurricane blew through, and the helicopter coming after them had to fly in while the house was in the eye of the storm. Alessandra didn’t want to run for the chopper without Tanner so he insulted her and, of course, she believed he meant what he said so she took off. She was hurt (concussion) and so was Tanner (his leg) then her father worked against both of them keeping them apart.
It was a good storyline and there was enough excitement to keep me very interested.
There was lots of sexual tension, and I can’t even tell you how many sex scenes, 4? 5? Enough that I started skipping over it because it all started at about 75% of the book, when they got to the house and they were only there about 2 days. So, a lot of sex in a short time. There was falling in love involved in the 4 days they were together but nothing was said. It was a good love story and they really did have to work for their HEA.
As to the narration: I really didn’t like him too much because someone was supposed to whisper something and he’d say it in a regular tone and that would through me right out of the story. When you’re supposed to whisper, then whisper. There was not much difference in his men’s voices and his women barely sounded like women most of the time. Daniel Burns only has 11 books under his belt so he really needs some more practice because he’s not very good yet. He does have a very nice reading voice he just needs to learn what to do with it.
February 21, 2016
STUD!!
This is the first book of the Special Tactical Units Division,(STUD,) an elite group of hand picked Navy Seals, where we meet Tanner Akecheta, a member, but a recovering one, from a war wound. Sent on a willing, lone mission, to rescue a four star General's daughter, Alessandra Bellini, after she's kidnapped in the dangerous rain forests of San Escobal. But not everyone or everything is as it appears. It started really well and you're pulled into the storyline with baited breath. The lead characters were good and growing in personality and stature throughout the pages...then...The unbelievable began. In dangerous situations I can understand the adrenaline and need, sex is an outlet...but love???!!! In two days? And a fully stocked, heated, hot running water, beautiful beach house on the edge of a jungle...complete with numbered key code and alarm?? In a known murderous guerrillas area?Really? That's not to mention the perfectly clear satellite signal in the middle of nowhere with a raging hurricane, blazing lightning and torrential rain??? Does that really work???It's a standalone with secondary characters featuring in their own books but apparently our leading lady, Alessandra Bellini Wilde, has a huge family that have their own 'Wilde' series before this. An ott, ok read and found it free.2.5*.
This is the first book of the Special Tactical Units Division,(STUD,) an elite group of hand picked Navy Seals, where we meet Tanner Akecheta, a member, but a recovering one, from a war wound. Sent on a willing, lone mission, to rescue a four star General's daughter, Alessandra Bellini, after she's kidnapped in the dangerous rain forests of San Escobal. But not everyone or everything is as it appears. It started really well and you're pulled into the storyline with baited breath. The lead characters were good and growing in personality and stature throughout the pages...then...The unbelievable began. In dangerous situations I can understand the adrenaline and need, sex is an outlet...but love???!!! In two days? And a fully stocked, heated, hot running water, beautiful beach house on the edge of a jungle...complete with numbered key code and alarm?? In a known murderous guerrillas area?Really? That's not to mention the perfectly clear satellite signal in the middle of nowhere with a raging hurricane, blazing lightning and torrential rain??? Does that really work???It's a standalone with secondary characters featuring in their own books but apparently our leading lady, Alessandra Bellini Wilde, has a huge family that have their own 'Wilde' series before this. An ott, ok read and found it free.2.5*.
June 17, 2017
Tanner is one hot STUD
I loved this book. So glad I found it as a freebie. I'm definitely interested in reading the next book too, with Chay and Bianca.
I enjoyed the chemistry, it was off the charts. then of course him misunderstanding why she was there in the first place...a few laughs and some hot sex scenes. Tanner was so so awesome. and Alessandra was a great character too. they worked well together as a team and I loved reading about their love story. definitely recommend this.
I loved this book. So glad I found it as a freebie. I'm definitely interested in reading the next book too, with Chay and Bianca.
I enjoyed the chemistry, it was off the charts. then of course him misunderstanding why she was there in the first place...a few laughs and some hot sex scenes. Tanner was so so awesome. and Alessandra was a great character too. they worked well together as a team and I loved reading about their love story. definitely recommend this.
January 7, 2017
Fantastic
So well done, suspense, action, angst. What more could one want, the sex off the scales hot and tender, and romance always the romance, highly recommended.
So well done, suspense, action, angst. What more could one want, the sex off the scales hot and tender, and romance always the romance, highly recommended.
August 14, 2017
Power
This standalone series opener is a spin-off of the Wildes series, but reading that series first isn't necessary. I haven't read it and was able to follow this storyline without difficulty. Power features Lt.Tanner Akecheta, a former Navy SEAL who was recruited into STUD, where he was shot while recovering a fallen team member. He is still out on medical when he's called into his commander's office and introduced to an Army 4 star general. The general's daughter has been kidnapped on an island off the coast of Central America, a daughter no one knows about. Because of his knowledge of the area, Tanner is recruited to rescue her and bring her home. And amazingly, he's returned to active duty to accomplish his solo mission.
Alessandra Bellini is a former fur designer turned animal rights proponent who has traveled to an officially unsafe country to study jaguars. She has had no contact with her father in years and believes no one with FURever knows who he is. So when she's kidnapped from their compound, she doesn't expect to be rescued by someone sent by her estranged father. And especially by someone who automatically doesn't like her. Then she learns what her father told him, as well as some of Tanner's own personal biases, and decides her own personal Superman isn't so super after all, until they kiss. This book gets 3.5 stars.
The pros: The book was engaging, the characters were likable, and the setting was well developed.
The cons: It was predictable, oversimplified and rushed.
This standalone series opener is a spin-off of the Wildes series, but reading that series first isn't necessary. I haven't read it and was able to follow this storyline without difficulty. Power features Lt.Tanner Akecheta, a former Navy SEAL who was recruited into STUD, where he was shot while recovering a fallen team member. He is still out on medical when he's called into his commander's office and introduced to an Army 4 star general. The general's daughter has been kidnapped on an island off the coast of Central America, a daughter no one knows about. Because of his knowledge of the area, Tanner is recruited to rescue her and bring her home. And amazingly, he's returned to active duty to accomplish his solo mission.
Alessandra Bellini is a former fur designer turned animal rights proponent who has traveled to an officially unsafe country to study jaguars. She has had no contact with her father in years and believes no one with FURever knows who he is. So when she's kidnapped from their compound, she doesn't expect to be rescued by someone sent by her estranged father. And especially by someone who automatically doesn't like her. Then she learns what her father told him, as well as some of Tanner's own personal biases, and decides her own personal Superman isn't so super after all, until they kiss. This book gets 3.5 stars.
The pros: The book was engaging, the characters were likable, and the setting was well developed.
The cons: It was predictable, oversimplified and rushed.
September 29, 2017
Contemporary Military romance with a hot wounded warrior on a mission to save a general's daughter that is kidnapped in a small Central American country that I have never heard of.
Tanner Akecheta, is recovering from a brutal maiming while on mission with the elite Special Tactical Units Division, otherwise known as S.T.U.D. and it trying to get back to normal, but has a slight doubt that it might mean a change in career soon if he can't heal properly, when he is tasked to do a private job for a Army general who has a daughter, Miss Alessandra Bellini Wilde that has been kidnapped in the jungles of Central America which Tanner can not deny the chance to prove his recover, but this leads him down another path to a different destiny.
That was one crazy run-on sentence, but it sums up the story, minus all the violence, killing, danger and sexy time that is also thrown in this jungle road trip story with a nice HEA.
This is a total story, but probably part of a series because there are so many Wilde family members that we're supposed to know, but I didn't like the characters enough to google/amazon search for the rest of the series.
263 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Tanner Akecheta, is recovering from a brutal maiming while on mission with the elite Special Tactical Units Division, otherwise known as S.T.U.D. and it trying to get back to normal, but has a slight doubt that it might mean a change in career soon if he can't heal properly, when he is tasked to do a private job for a Army general who has a daughter, Miss Alessandra Bellini Wilde that has been kidnapped in the jungles of Central America which Tanner can not deny the chance to prove his recover, but this leads him down another path to a different destiny.
That was one crazy run-on sentence, but it sums up the story, minus all the violence, killing, danger and sexy time that is also thrown in this jungle road trip story with a nice HEA.
This is a total story, but probably part of a series because there are so many Wilde family members that we're supposed to know, but I didn't like the characters enough to google/amazon search for the rest of the series.
263 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
September 5, 2017
3 1/2
WARNING - ENTIRE PLOT SUMMARY AHEAD (used for me to keep track of series events)
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.
Tanner's bad leg threatening career. General (A's dad) clears him for duty to rescue her. Gen was bigamist with 2 families. A's estranged. T thinks she is bimbo, but A is there to rescue jaguars. Typical kidnap/rescue/kidnap again/barely escape.
T in hosp with bad leg, career ended. A in hosp with concussion. Both looking/leaving messages for other, but Gen interferes. He doesn't want his daughter marrying soldier. A's dad figures it out. All children renounce Gen, then are given his ranch. A goes to T's ranch, where he was getting ready to leave to confront her over no contact. Wedding scene is HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
This was a pretty good read. I particularly enjoyed it because it was very engaging throughout the entire book, it kept me glued to each page just to see if Tanner and Alessandra would make it out of that damn jungle! Then it got even better when the General interfered in their relationship, kept each of them in the dark. I wanted to scream, "No don't believe him, he's a stinking rat bastard. Keep reaching out to one another!" Those chapters were so intense and stressful!!!!
Overall it was an enjoyable read with a bunch of characters, after researching I found all those characters are from prior series so I need to backtrack as these are people I want to know more of!
Overall it was an enjoyable read with a bunch of characters, after researching I found all those characters are from prior series so I need to backtrack as these are people I want to know more of!
July 5, 2017
It starts with potential. It's a challenging rescue mission in rebel territory with a Lieutenant's chafing from medical leave, chip on his shoulders ingniting terse banter. An breathtakingly beatiful, smart, courageous, hidden & estrange daughter of a rich & powerful general. However, their insta-love & intrigue of why she was targeted, how did the rebels know where they where or even a reveal all from her father left me underwhelmed.
I liked the Native American influence though.
I liked the Native American influence though.
June 20, 2017
DNF and some spoilers
I'm rating this two stars because there is nothing wrong with the writing. It's the hero, he's not someone I fantasized about. He's so judgmental of someone he hasn't even met yet and after meeting her instead of getting answers to his questions he just assumes. That attitude just turns me off. Maybe someone else might enjoy it.
I'm rating this two stars because there is nothing wrong with the writing. It's the hero, he's not someone I fantasized about. He's so judgmental of someone he hasn't even met yet and after meeting her instead of getting answers to his questions he just assumes. That attitude just turns me off. Maybe someone else might enjoy it.
June 26, 2017
Awesome
Tanner was a special ops stud but had hurt his leg really bad and trying to get a total recovery. Alexandra was in the jungle with a save the jacquard group and was kidnapped. Her father hired the stud operative to bring her home. They fought, the jungle and each other. Steamy romance, exciting read,total adventure. Couldn't put it down.
Tanner was a special ops stud but had hurt his leg really bad and trying to get a total recovery. Alexandra was in the jungle with a save the jacquard group and was kidnapped. Her father hired the stud operative to bring her home. They fought, the jungle and each other. Steamy romance, exciting read,total adventure. Couldn't put it down.
July 10, 2017
S.T.U.D.
Power is a powerfully written book of a woman kidnapped then an attempted rescue by a man who is part of an extremely trained military unit whose members are all Navy SEALS. They have problems in the jungle trying to get out, they start to have feelings for each other, well the rest is in the book! ENJOY!
Power is a powerfully written book of a woman kidnapped then an attempted rescue by a man who is part of an extremely trained military unit whose members are all Navy SEALS. They have problems in the jungle trying to get out, they start to have feelings for each other, well the rest is in the book! ENJOY!
September 6, 2017
I enjoyed this steamy book with a special ops soldier and a wildlife activist. Realistic jungle scenes as the heroine was rescued and they made their escape. Insta-love as well, but hey, this is a romance. The ending set up the next book. (which I will be reading)
Well written, but the only thing that spoiled it a little for me were quite a few small typos in the Kobo edition. Also, if you haven't read the previous Wilde books, it's possible to get a bit cross-eyed when all the characters are mentioned. I have and I still did ! LOL
Well written, but the only thing that spoiled it a little for me were quite a few small typos in the Kobo edition. Also, if you haven't read the previous Wilde books, it's possible to get a bit cross-eyed when all the characters are mentioned. I have and I still did ! LOL
June 22, 2017
Great reed
Great read full of action and sex. Fell in
Love with this couple. Had trouble putting this book down. Bring on the next book. Cannot wait to read the next and get enthralled.
Great read full of action and sex. Fell in
Love with this couple. Had trouble putting this book down. Bring on the next book. Cannot wait to read the next and get enthralled.
July 8, 2017
Burgeoning romantic thriller!
Lovely thriller with enough action to keep me riveted along with a budding romance I thoroughly enjoyed. I think I'm in love with a couple characters. New book boygriends.....
Lovely thriller with enough action to keep me riveted along with a budding romance I thoroughly enjoyed. I think I'm in love with a couple characters. New book boygriends.....
July 21, 2017
Great read!
I've never read this author before. I found this story to be very entertaining, lots of action, great sexy scenes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading military/romance type books.
I've never read this author before. I found this story to be very entertaining, lots of action, great sexy scenes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading military/romance type books.
January 24, 2018
Great story, another cant put down, a rescue in the jungles of San Escobal
Great story, another cant put down, a rescue in the jungles of San Escobal. Alessandra and Tanner weave an interesting story
Great story, another cant put down, a rescue in the jungles of San Escobal. Alessandra and Tanner weave an interesting story
January 25, 2020
This book was simple, uncomplicated, full of adventure, danger, a touch of angst and a complete surprise to me. I was expected the mundane, but was happy to get a book I couldn't put down. I didn't skip parts, skim over parts or get bored.
June 16, 2017
Jungle survival
Not over the top on violence which is good. Plays up the hero's efforts to work around his injuries and how he interacts with the rescuee
Not over the top on violence which is good. Plays up the hero's efforts to work around his injuries and how he interacts with the rescuee
July 9, 2017
Wow
Tanner and Alassandra are a great couple. This book was exciting and full of heart. I am so glad to have discovered this author.
Tanner and Alassandra are a great couple. This book was exciting and full of heart. I am so glad to have discovered this author.
July 12, 2017
5 stars
love these well written characters. Can't wait for the continuation. Finished in one day. Could not put it down. One series that I keep going back to.
love these well written characters. Can't wait for the continuation. Finished in one day. Could not put it down. One series that I keep going back to.
November 16, 2017
Intense
This book is very intense and hard to put down . My first book by Sandra Martin , but not my last. She compares to Susan Stoker , and I love her books.
This book is very intense and hard to put down . My first book by Sandra Martin , but not my last. She compares to Susan Stoker , and I love her books.
March 3, 2018
AWESOME book
Loved this book! I did something I rarely do, i went back and read it again! I enjoyed it just as much the second time.
Loved this book! I did something I rarely do, i went back and read it again! I enjoyed it just as much the second time.
August 4, 2020
Exciting!
Well written, good description of surroundings, of what is going on and the interaction of characters. The love that develops is nice.
Well written, good description of surroundings, of what is going on and the interaction of characters. The love that develops is nice.
February 12, 2016
This is the first book of the Special Tactical Unit Division known as STUDS which is even harder to get into than SEALS. We still get to visit with the Bellini/Wilde family and learn more about Alessandra Bellini. Alessandra is in Central America working on saving jaguars. She is kidnapped and her 4-star general father who she is estranged with comes to Tanner Akecheta's commander of STUDS to ask him to go on a mission alone to rescue his daughter. Tanner is still healing from a wound to his leg, but wants to get back into his STUDS team. He agrees to go to South America where he knows the land as he had served their earlier.
Tanner goes into the mission with the assumption that Alessandra is a spoiled, rich girl. He has a bad attitude to begin the rescue. He does not have much background information on Alessandra and has a lot to learn about her. You need to read the book to see how he rescues her and what they have to go through. I enjoyed seeing him wrestle with his misconceptions of Alessandra as he found out who she really was. Alessandra was a strong women that I admired. Neither liked the other one at first. That was an interesting development as they got to know each other.
I love Ms. Marton's books and this one did not disappoint. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I encourage you to read the book, especially if you like SEAL stories like I do.
Tanner goes into the mission with the assumption that Alessandra is a spoiled, rich girl. He has a bad attitude to begin the rescue. He does not have much background information on Alessandra and has a lot to learn about her. You need to read the book to see how he rescues her and what they have to go through. I enjoyed seeing him wrestle with his misconceptions of Alessandra as he found out who she really was. Alessandra was a strong women that I admired. Neither liked the other one at first. That was an interesting development as they got to know each other.
I love Ms. Marton's books and this one did not disappoint. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I encourage you to read the book, especially if you like SEAL stories like I do.
February 20, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Sandra and I can definitely say it will not be the last! This book was really good. When Tanner is sidelined with a combat injury, he is pushing to rejoin his team but his leg is not cooperating. Allesandra went to the gorilla ridden area to try and save the jaguar and ended up being kidnapped. Allesandra's estranged father commissions Tanner to get his daughter back but this is a non-authorized mission and he is on his own. Tanner has preconceived ideas of Allesandra being a spoiled rich girl. They go back and forth both pushing each other and the chemistry is off the charts. They finally get rescued and the story does not end there. They both have feelings that they don't think are possible in such a short time. They are both injured but it is Allesandra's father who really messes things up. Will they get the HEA you will have to read to find out.
September 5, 2021
Another bad boy that is really a good guy that doesn't want to admit it or see it. He's so strong and so stubborn yet so genuine.
I understand that strong bonds happen in life-or-death situations but it seemed kinda rushed like not enough tension was built or something. But I loved how strong Alessandra is. That was refreshing.
I usually don't like stories that change POVs too often but Sandra does it so seamlessly and naturally that I never had to stop to think which character is saying/thinking it. It just flows. Definitely a joy to read.
The whole time I was reading, the song One Call Away was going through my head
...Superman got nothing on me…
I'm glad this book was free because I probably would've passed right by it but now I want to read about the rest of the family.
I understand that strong bonds happen in life-or-death situations but it seemed kinda rushed like not enough tension was built or something. But I loved how strong Alessandra is. That was refreshing.
I usually don't like stories that change POVs too often but Sandra does it so seamlessly and naturally that I never had to stop to think which character is saying/thinking it. It just flows. Definitely a joy to read.
The whole time I was reading, the song One Call Away was going through my head
...Superman got nothing on me…
I'm glad this book was free because I probably would've passed right by it but now I want to read about the rest of the family.
October 6, 2015
I have been a fan of author Sandra Marton for years - her books are so well written with amazing heroes/heroines and unique secondary characters. Her Wilde series has kept me on pins and needles until the next sequel is released. Her most recent book, a Power: Special Tactical Units Division (In Wilde Country Book 3) is definitely one of her best! The injured hero Tanner Akecheta is as alpha as they come, but also has a heart of gold. His mission is to rescue kidnapped Alessandra Bellini Wilde which makes this one of Tanner's most challenging missions. No spoilers from me, but their chemistry is explosive! Don't miss this incredible book!
September 23, 2015
Sandra has another winner in Power. I loved the story of Allesandra Bellini Wilde and her rescuer Tanner . Tanner is Sioux indian and also a member of the elite team STUD. As a special operative his was asked by General Wilde to go to San Escobal and try to rescue his daughter from the Bright Star who kidnapped her. They were demanding a ransom. Tanner was on medical leave until his leg healed but they released him so he could go on this mission. I don't want to give anything away but you know how these two families operate. This book is an excellent story. It does contain some profanity and some sex. The story will hold you interest the whole way through. A great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews