In this second part of the Elite Metal series, we are introduced to the 6 "ghosts" who have been helping the Elite Metal team bring down Russian bad guy Red Wolf.
There are six stories in this series, all wonderful, all interesting, and all dealing with love, trust, and coming back from the dead. Oh, and getting the bad guy once and for all.
1) Target: Tungsten, by Heather Long (one star)
I have to admit, again, that this was my least favorite story. This dealt with Copper, her CIA lover Gabe, and her dead, now returned ex-boyfriend Brad "Tungsten". Because there were three main characters, a change of font to depict who was speaking would have been helpful, or even one main character speaking in first person and the other two speaking in third person, but unfortunately, when each character spoke, it was in first person, so I had no idea who was speaking, and it was incredibly confusing and frustrating. Ms. Long also kept switching back between using Copper's real name and Tungsten's real name, so I wasn't sure if she was reaching back into their past when she was doing that, or just felt like switching off.
Because Copper already had moved on, but was still in love with her presumed dead lover, the three agreed to try a threesome. Which, in theory, sounds HAWT, but in reality, was incredibly cold and impersonal. It could have been because Copper couldn't forgive Tungsten from being "dead" for the past 3 years, and ghosting after her for one year, or that she never was a warm person to begin with because of her background, but this story just lacked any feeling whatsoever.
2) Zinc's Heart, by Rebecca Royce (4 stars)
Zach's "Zinc" mission is to rescue his comrade, and former best friend Steele's sister Sarah. Falling in love with her was an added bonus. Plus, she didn't make him feel stupid for his stutter, a byproduct of being "dead" for 3 years. Both had had feelings for each other in the past, but because she was his best friend's kid sister, could never happen. Now that Zinc was "alive" again, he was going for what he wanted. And he wanted Sarah.
This was well written, a very interesting story. My only complaint was that the ending was rushed, but overall a really good story!
3) Lithium's Rescue, by Sabrina York (4 stars)
Lithium's mission is to rescue a woman who works for the CIA as an Analyst. Unfortunately, she also has information on Red Wolf that could get her killed, and almost does. Michelle has information that, if the right people aren't killed, Red Wolf will have his men in the US Senate, and ultimately, the main goal is the Presidency. Lithium grabs Michelle just as her boss is about to have her killed. Hiding out in EM's private cabin for a few days while they waited for backup to arrive, brought them closer together. Really close together!
This story was well written, got closer to the main point of getting closer to Red Wolf by killing the people who were poised to get RW's people into the US Senate, including Michelle's boss.
4) Thallium's Submission, by Anna Alexander (4 stars)
Thallium is tasked with grabbing and keeping Athena safe before her trial against her husband, sons and the rest of their gang, who were working for Red Wolf. This was the best beginning of a story in this series- so action packed that I was hooked instantly. Athena didn't seem like your typical Motor Cycle Club wife, she was hardened, but not hard (I hope that made sense). The ending almost stopped my heart it was so intense! But we are no closer to finding out who Red Wolf is, where he is, or who's working for him.
5) Nickel's Wounds, by Saranna DeWylde (4 stars)
Before Nickel joined the Marine's she was a debutant engaged to a man she didn't love. Now she is out for revenge. Especially on the fiancee who raped her, and her parents who condoned it. Nickel vowed to never be a victim again, but unfortunately, a girl in the Marines, and in Special Ops, often has to use her body to get information. Tin, her partner, her soundboard, and her best friend, has been in love with her for years, but understands that she can't stand to be touched. When the pair are tasked to take a mission visiting Tin's old gang buddies, who do business with Red Wolf, by supplying him with "products" for trafficking (drugs, women) Nickel agrees to be used as the bait. But Tin and Nickel are betrayed on their mission, and are forced to have sex with each other in front of others. When Nickel get's dragged in to another room, she is paired up with her rapist, where she ultimately has her revenge, but still isn't fully healed. It takes the love of Tin, and her own inner voice to calm her inner turmoil and heal her.
This story led us even closer to Red Wolf.
6) Titanium's Sacrifice, by Jennifer Kacey (3 stars)
Titanium. The leader of the ghosts. Known to the Elite Metal team as "Warbucks". With his seeing eye dog Annie, and his nurse Raine, Titanium is the man who holds all the secrets. But secrets are no longer meant to be kept. Especially with Red Wolf closing in around them, and one (or more) of their own has betrayed them.
This part was more love story than an actual tying up the loose ends of what I thought was the main focus of the story: Get and Kill Red Wolf and all of his cronies. Apparently, the point of these stories is love. Which is fantastic. This story, however, left a lot to be desired. There were a lot of editing mistakes, in that words were misspelled, sentences didn't make sense, there were people talking over others, but were never identified, so I was at a loss as to what was going on. The love story between Titanium and Raine was sweet, and I enjoyed that part, but I didn't like the little hints that kept getting dropped like bread crumbs that would leave us to the final culmination of the story. Unfortunately, we are once again, left with a cliff-hanger. Onto book three.