What do you think?
Rate this book
Extraction
Two soldiers, former lovers, each think they are saving the other from a South American drug cartel, all the while rehashing their broken relationship.
Green Beret Shane Cullen has been undercover for the DEA with a South American drug cartel. Eighteen months into his assignment, and unbeknownst to Shane, the cartel's number two man is captured by the U.S. Marshals and starts to talk. Shane's mission becomes endangered. His Special Forces commander calls in a favor and pulls in Shane's former lover and teammate Elliott Hutchens for an extraction.
Elliott hasn't seen Shane in almost two years, since his lover walked out on him. But Shane's in trouble and doesn't know it, so Elliott can't refuse the mission. Getting himself captured by the cartel in order to force Shane to rescue him is the easy part. The hard part comes when Shane discovers he's the real extraction, not Elliott. Shane's bad temper ended their relationship once before. Will it get in the way again or can these two soldiers work through their issues and find their way to a happy ever after?
Green Beret Shane Cullen has been undercover for the DEA with a South American drug cartel. Eighteen months into his assignment, and unbeknownst to Shane, the cartel's number two man is captured by the U.S. Marshals and starts to talk. Shane's mission becomes endangered. His Special Forces commander calls in a favor and pulls in Shane's former lover and teammate Elliott Hutchens for an extraction.
Elliott hasn't seen Shane in almost two years, since his lover walked out on him. But Shane's in trouble and doesn't know it, so Elliott can't refuse the mission. Getting himself captured by the cartel in order to force Shane to rescue him is the easy part. The hard part comes when Shane discovers he's the real extraction, not Elliott. Shane's bad temper ended their relationship once before. Will it get in the way again or can these two soldiers work through their issues and find their way to a happy ever after?
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2016
27 people want to read
About the author
Lex Valentine
83 books198 followersAward-winning author Lex Valentine writes across genres from contemporary to urban fantasy but mostly M/M these days. A native of California, Lex lives in Orange County, with her husband Rott and a bunch of cats she collectively calls “babies.” She's a 17 year employee of a 100+ year old cemetery, builds her own computers and is generally considered the IT geek at work and to her family and friends.
A member of the Romance Writers of America, Lex is active in her local Orange County chapter and is a past treasurer for PASIC. Her publishers include Loose Id, Ellora's Cave, and MLR Press. She's the author of the self-published ARe and Amazon best selling series Souls in Bondage.
Lex loves to hear from her readers. Her door is always open at lex@lexvalentine.com or on her personal or author Facebook pages.
Website: http://lexvalentine.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/lexvalentineauthor
Facebook: http://facebook.com/cemeterywinter
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lexvalentine
A member of the Romance Writers of America, Lex is active in her local Orange County chapter and is a past treasurer for PASIC. Her publishers include Loose Id, Ellora's Cave, and MLR Press. She's the author of the self-published ARe and Amazon best selling series Souls in Bondage.
Lex loves to hear from her readers. Her door is always open at lex@lexvalentine.com or on her personal or author Facebook pages.
Website: http://lexvalentine.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/lexvalentineauthor
Facebook: http://facebook.com/cemeterywinter
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lexvalentine
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars
'Extraction' is a short and sweet story about two lovers who after two years of separation reconcile and get back together.
Elliott and Shane were green berets serving in the same team for almost a decade. Out of those years, they have spent 6 of them as lovers. They were inseparable and totally in love. But after a life-threatening incident, Shane makes a rash decision out of anger and leaves Elliott behind shattering both of their hearts. Now after two miserable years, Elliott is sent on a mission to extract Shane from an undercover job which is about to explode royally. The estranged lovers meet again and Shane finally realizes what an ass he had been for not facing his fears and running away during a time when Elliott needed him the most. Elliott is it for Shane and he will have to face his fears, reign in his famous Irish temper and grovel like no one’s business to get his lover back in his arms.
I enjoyed this story very much. It had a fast pace and within a short amount of pages; the author was able to paint a nice picture of the issues that had ultimately separated the couple. The angst here was cranked up quite high given the situation and I loved how they resolve everything at the end. Shane does not actually beg but he did a far better job by working on his issues and promising a secure future to Elliott.
The connection between the MCs was quite profound and I loved how the author builds up the story from their hurt and misunderstandings and conclude it with a very satisfying HEA. Given the size of the book there is not much room for a lot of steam but it was adequate to make their union and the epilogue perfect. It gets a little cheesy at the end but hey, they are in love so I guess they are allowed to be a little cheesy.
The story has a military background but there is nothing actually happening here action-wise. The extraction happens at the very beginning and that’s the end of anything ‘green berets in action’ related. The entire story is about reconciliation of the lovers with a little push from their best friends and team mates.
I would have loved a few more adrenaline pumping scenes and a detailed character development but I can’t fault the author for that coz this is a novella, so there is not much space to go in more depth than what is already done.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this short story. The angst here was just right for a second chance romance and it had a good plot with well sketched primary and secondary characters to make it an enjoyable read.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
'Extraction' is a short and sweet story about two lovers who after two years of separation reconcile and get back together.
Elliott and Shane were green berets serving in the same team for almost a decade. Out of those years, they have spent 6 of them as lovers. They were inseparable and totally in love. But after a life-threatening incident, Shane makes a rash decision out of anger and leaves Elliott behind shattering both of their hearts. Now after two miserable years, Elliott is sent on a mission to extract Shane from an undercover job which is about to explode royally. The estranged lovers meet again and Shane finally realizes what an ass he had been for not facing his fears and running away during a time when Elliott needed him the most. Elliott is it for Shane and he will have to face his fears, reign in his famous Irish temper and grovel like no one’s business to get his lover back in his arms.
I enjoyed this story very much. It had a fast pace and within a short amount of pages; the author was able to paint a nice picture of the issues that had ultimately separated the couple. The angst here was cranked up quite high given the situation and I loved how they resolve everything at the end. Shane does not actually beg but he did a far better job by working on his issues and promising a secure future to Elliott.
The connection between the MCs was quite profound and I loved how the author builds up the story from their hurt and misunderstandings and conclude it with a very satisfying HEA. Given the size of the book there is not much room for a lot of steam but it was adequate to make their union and the epilogue perfect. It gets a little cheesy at the end but hey, they are in love so I guess they are allowed to be a little cheesy.
The story has a military background but there is nothing actually happening here action-wise. The extraction happens at the very beginning and that’s the end of anything ‘green berets in action’ related. The entire story is about reconciliation of the lovers with a little push from their best friends and team mates.
I would have loved a few more adrenaline pumping scenes and a detailed character development but I can’t fault the author for that coz this is a novella, so there is not much space to go in more depth than what is already done.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this short story. The angst here was just right for a second chance romance and it had a good plot with well sketched primary and secondary characters to make it an enjoyable read.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
February 6, 2017
1.5 - 2 stars
This story is just not believable.
Shane and Elliott were lovers, lived together, had the same training and did the same job as Green Beret's. Elliott got injured and said he was getting out of the job. For some reason Shane heard I'm leaving my job AND dumping you. Odd...
Then Shane hears the Elliott had been captured by some big cartel and blows his own cover (he'd been undercover for months) tinges) to rescue him because he 'forgets' that Elliott had had the same training as himself and is perfectly capable of rescuing himself. Even though it was all a ruse to actually rescue Shane who didn't even know he needed rescuing.
Riiiiight.
Later on Shane forgets that Elliott doesn't work with them anymore. Even though that was the reason Shane walked away from him. It just doesn't make sense.
It felt to me like these little bits were added purely to try and create drama and tension but rather than that they just exposed plot holes which made it fall flat and came across as badly thought out and a bit silly.
The sex scenes left me cold and I skimmed them. Also the dialogue is overly sentimental and the resolution was far too easy and seriously cheesy.
I think the idea was that the storyline was supposed to be quite tense but it never got there for me.
I'm not sure if it was the set up or the length of the book but it didn't quite work.
I enjoyed the dual PoV and the writing is ok but there isn't enough character development or back story to make you really care for them.
It could be quite a detailed plot and I think more time and effort should have been afforded to explaining and fleshing it out.
This is the second book I've read by this author and neither have worked for me. I think I need to give this author a miss in future.
I received an ARC of this book from the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
This story is just not believable.
Shane and Elliott were lovers, lived together, had the same training and did the same job as Green Beret's. Elliott got injured and said he was getting out of the job. For some reason Shane heard I'm leaving my job AND dumping you. Odd...
Then Shane hears the Elliott had been captured by some big cartel and blows his own cover (he'd been undercover for months) tinges) to rescue him because he 'forgets' that Elliott had had the same training as himself and is perfectly capable of rescuing himself. Even though it was all a ruse to actually rescue Shane who didn't even know he needed rescuing.
Riiiiight.
Later on Shane forgets that Elliott doesn't work with them anymore. Even though that was the reason Shane walked away from him. It just doesn't make sense.
It felt to me like these little bits were added purely to try and create drama and tension but rather than that they just exposed plot holes which made it fall flat and came across as badly thought out and a bit silly.
The sex scenes left me cold and I skimmed them. Also the dialogue is overly sentimental and the resolution was far too easy and seriously cheesy.
I think the idea was that the storyline was supposed to be quite tense but it never got there for me.
I'm not sure if it was the set up or the length of the book but it didn't quite work.
I enjoyed the dual PoV and the writing is ok but there isn't enough character development or back story to make you really care for them.
It could be quite a detailed plot and I think more time and effort should have been afforded to explaining and fleshing it out.
This is the second book I've read by this author and neither have worked for me. I think I need to give this author a miss in future.
I received an ARC of this book from the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2016
3.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
Hot military guys, undercover, extracted and reunited! Sign me up! I will admit that the who was actually rescuing who confused me a bit throughout this story, but it isn’t really a major factor or the main story line, so I easily moved past that. Once these guys get out is when the sparks really start to fly.
It seems as though Shane was sent to rescue Elliott, but was doing so on the guise that Elliott was in trouble, when, in actuality, he was chosen because of his relationship to Elliott. In other words, they knew he would take the job when he found out his lover was in danger. However, they haven’t seen each other for almost two years – since Shane up and walked away without so much as a note, taking the undercover assignment that led to the ensuing extraction. Apparently, he was unable to cope with the fact that Elliott almost died in a previous mission, so, he just left the love of his life and didn’t look back, until now. It was this odd scenario that made it hard for me to believe in these guys. There was a myriad of miscommunications in relation to their “breakup” which did help explain some things, and they did have to hash things out before moving forward once again.
Once Shane and Elliott resolve their issues, it is easy to see the chemistry and love they shared, though that reminded me of how Shane could have just walked away in the first place. :D I loved how Shane finally accepted he needed help to get over some of his issues. These guys needed to face things in order to move on and continue to grow, and this story did a great job showing that.
This was a fast-paced read, easily read in one sitting. I loved the military and undercover aspects, as well as the close bond of the team. If you’re looking for a hot military guy story about reconciliation and resolution with a nice HEA, give this one a try.
June 12, 2017
This wasn't bad but didn't make to great. It was really too short to build enough depth for the characters. Former lovers of six years as Green Berets on the same team, Elliot was shot on a mission. When he tells Shane he wants to retire, Shane walks out on him. Two years later, Elliot is brought in to get Shane out of an undercover op. The rest of the story has them ending up on separate coasts and their friends and team members offering advice towards reconciliation.
It was well written for what it was and felt realistic in the details. It got a little bit cheesy towards the end. I think if this author had expanded this into a full novel, maybe with some action sequences I'd have really loved it.
It was well written for what it was and felt realistic in the details. It got a little bit cheesy towards the end. I think if this author had expanded this into a full novel, maybe with some action sequences I'd have really loved it.
March 10, 2017
ღ´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ღ Extraction within an extraction.
This was a second chance story that was mushy and sweet and oh my gawd, needed in the moment. It was also about heartache and pain and learning about forgiveness.
For over five years, soldiers Elliott and Shane had been the Charles and Diana of their group, making a home with each other. Then they had gone belly up and Elliot and Shane became ex lovers with one sentence, finding themselves at odds and separated. Trust me, I yelled and raged, because, come on, we still have a problem with communication in this day and age?
After three days of being held by the cartel's henchmen, he'd almost given up on being rescued.
It was an extraction with an extraction and only after the "rescue" did Shane realize what was going on. When their relationship expired, Shane had withdrawn within himself and left, joining the DEA and going undercover in South America. Unfortunately, danger occurred and it was left for Elliot to rescue his ex lover regardless of the war they had yet to face. Shane, thinking Elliott had been taken, had gone above and beyond to save the only man he had only loved.
For me, it was sheer excitement as it was an opportunity for the men to meet after two years separation. With hurt and pain, these two knew where their bread was buttered, but it was going to take more than an explanation and sorrys to get past the suffering. With the same problems between them, were Elliot and Shane destined to live life apart, or was there a way for them to reunite and finally have their Happy Ever After?
As always, for me, fast tract to love breaks up the monotony of what I am reading and having a short story with a chance of HEA is what I desire. As characters, I loved the vulnerability of both men, and I don't care what, I love a man who is not afraid to show his softer side. I enjoyed the strength both provided and the reality of it all is, we are all given a chance at happiness. Sometimes we have to grow up and realise that it takes hard work and energy. We need to LISTEN and not just HEAR the words the other person speaks.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ღ Extraction within an extraction.
This was a second chance story that was mushy and sweet and oh my gawd, needed in the moment. It was also about heartache and pain and learning about forgiveness.
For over five years, soldiers Elliott and Shane had been the Charles and Diana of their group, making a home with each other. Then they had gone belly up and Elliot and Shane became ex lovers with one sentence, finding themselves at odds and separated. Trust me, I yelled and raged, because, come on, we still have a problem with communication in this day and age?
After three days of being held by the cartel's henchmen, he'd almost given up on being rescued.
It was an extraction with an extraction and only after the "rescue" did Shane realize what was going on. When their relationship expired, Shane had withdrawn within himself and left, joining the DEA and going undercover in South America. Unfortunately, danger occurred and it was left for Elliot to rescue his ex lover regardless of the war they had yet to face. Shane, thinking Elliott had been taken, had gone above and beyond to save the only man he had only loved.
For me, it was sheer excitement as it was an opportunity for the men to meet after two years separation. With hurt and pain, these two knew where their bread was buttered, but it was going to take more than an explanation and sorrys to get past the suffering. With the same problems between them, were Elliot and Shane destined to live life apart, or was there a way for them to reunite and finally have their Happy Ever After?
As always, for me, fast tract to love breaks up the monotony of what I am reading and having a short story with a chance of HEA is what I desire. As characters, I loved the vulnerability of both men, and I don't care what, I love a man who is not afraid to show his softer side. I enjoyed the strength both provided and the reality of it all is, we are all given a chance at happiness. Sometimes we have to grow up and realise that it takes hard work and energy. We need to LISTEN and not just HEAR the words the other person speaks.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
December 4, 2016
Excellent
You could feel the love and chemistry between the two MC's. The secondary characters were good, and showed real personality. Just wanted it to be a little longer.
You could feel the love and chemistry between the two MC's. The secondary characters were good, and showed real personality. Just wanted it to be a little longer.
February 10, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
This story picks up with Elliott currently captured by bumbling drug cronies for a cartel operating in some little South American nation. He’s been sent to extract Shane from the deep cover role he’s held for the past 18 months. Now that the second-in-command for the cartel is in DEA custody, Shane’s about to be exposed. The higher ups fully expected Shane to blow his cover to “save” Elliott—so Elliott can get close enough to get Shane out of there.
For those keeping score, it’s an extraction-in-an-extraction mission. #convoluted…
Back on U.S. soil, Elliott and Shane are surrounded by their former combat teammates—who (again, rightfully) side with Elliott in the domestic affairs corner. Elliott and Shane are both struck by how much they missed each other, with Shane being determined to make things right this time around, if Elliott will let him.
This is a short reconnection romance that was okay. I wasn’t charmed by Shane—and I will admit to smiling as friend after friend chewed him out for hurting Elliott as he had. Shane’s a decent guy, but too hot-headed for my personal taste. Elliott is a great guy, and Shane only knew how much he gave up after he’d already lost him. That said, there’s a nice reunion with Shane and Elliott vowing to build a better partnership the second time around. All the military switching seemed a bit convenient, but it might be as easy to swap branches as described. It just didn’t feel likely, which affected my enjoyment. With this being short and mostly sweet, I nonetheless found it entertaining.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
This story picks up with Elliott currently captured by bumbling drug cronies for a cartel operating in some little South American nation. He’s been sent to extract Shane from the deep cover role he’s held for the past 18 months. Now that the second-in-command for the cartel is in DEA custody, Shane’s about to be exposed. The higher ups fully expected Shane to blow his cover to “save” Elliott—so Elliott can get close enough to get Shane out of there.
For those keeping score, it’s an extraction-in-an-extraction mission. #convoluted…
Back on U.S. soil, Elliott and Shane are surrounded by their former combat teammates—who (again, rightfully) side with Elliott in the domestic affairs corner. Elliott and Shane are both struck by how much they missed each other, with Shane being determined to make things right this time around, if Elliott will let him.
This is a short reconnection romance that was okay. I wasn’t charmed by Shane—and I will admit to smiling as friend after friend chewed him out for hurting Elliott as he had. Shane’s a decent guy, but too hot-headed for my personal taste. Elliott is a great guy, and Shane only knew how much he gave up after he’d already lost him. That said, there’s a nice reunion with Shane and Elliott vowing to build a better partnership the second time around. All the military switching seemed a bit convenient, but it might be as easy to swap branches as described. It just didn’t feel likely, which affected my enjoyment. With this being short and mostly sweet, I nonetheless found it entertaining.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
January 25, 2017
I really enjoyed this short story about two men that destroy their relationship to still be in love with each other two years after the fact and miserable without the other.
Elliott was heart broken when Shane walked out on him two years ago while he was in the hospital recovering from a mission gone wrong where Elliott was shot and almost killed saving Shane. Though he has not gotten over he hurt and betrayal he felt, Elliott goes immediately when he is called to come back to his old unit to extract Shane from his undercover position Shane took.
Shane is still not over Elliott and regrets his rash decision to walk away from him two years prior. Shane was so confused and scared after Elliott was hurt that he did not know whether he was coming or going so he took the easy way out and walked away from their six year relationship. Now two years later to see that his ex lover has been captured by the men he is undercover trying to get the goods on, it has set Shane in a tale spin and the only thing he can now concentrate on is getting Elliott out of their clutches and back to safety as quickly as possible.
The thing Shane does not realize is, Shane is the one in danger and Elliott was placed in dangers path so that Shane will rescue him and they can both get out of their together. When Shane realizes that the extraction is actually for him Shane about blows a gasket. But he realizes their must be more going on then he knew about if Elliott was pulled back into the mix of things. So Shane waits till he gets the answers he needs.
Along the way both men realize they need to either man up and come clean with their feelings and the fact that they still love each other or they need to finally have the closure neither got before when they broke up. The question is will they or won't they?
This was a wuick read with a little danger, a whole lot of heartache, some forgiveness, and massive amounts of love. I really enjoyed his read. It may have been a quick read but it was full of depth.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Elliott was heart broken when Shane walked out on him two years ago while he was in the hospital recovering from a mission gone wrong where Elliott was shot and almost killed saving Shane. Though he has not gotten over he hurt and betrayal he felt, Elliott goes immediately when he is called to come back to his old unit to extract Shane from his undercover position Shane took.
Shane is still not over Elliott and regrets his rash decision to walk away from him two years prior. Shane was so confused and scared after Elliott was hurt that he did not know whether he was coming or going so he took the easy way out and walked away from their six year relationship. Now two years later to see that his ex lover has been captured by the men he is undercover trying to get the goods on, it has set Shane in a tale spin and the only thing he can now concentrate on is getting Elliott out of their clutches and back to safety as quickly as possible.
The thing Shane does not realize is, Shane is the one in danger and Elliott was placed in dangers path so that Shane will rescue him and they can both get out of their together. When Shane realizes that the extraction is actually for him Shane about blows a gasket. But he realizes their must be more going on then he knew about if Elliott was pulled back into the mix of things. So Shane waits till he gets the answers he needs.
Along the way both men realize they need to either man up and come clean with their feelings and the fact that they still love each other or they need to finally have the closure neither got before when they broke up. The question is will they or won't they?
This was a wuick read with a little danger, a whole lot of heartache, some forgiveness, and massive amounts of love. I really enjoyed his read. It may have been a quick read but it was full of depth.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews