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The Lost Platoon #1
Going Dark
The members of a top secret SEAL Team can't keep their passion under wraps in this thrilling contemporary romantic suspense series from New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty.
Like Rome's Lost Legion, a SEAL platoon goes on a mission and vanishes without a trace.
After walking into a trap on a covert op in Russia, the men from top secret SEAL Team Nine are presumed dead. Not knowing whom they can trust, and with war hanging in the balance, the survivors must go dark and scatter around the globe.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson joins her new boyfriend on a trip to the Western Isles of Scotland to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. When she realizes that she may be swept up in something far more dangerous than she'd intended, there is only one man she can turn to. . . .
She and the mysterious but sexy dive boat captain haven't exactly gotten off to the best start, but something about his quiet confidence makes her think that he's the kind of man she can depend on. Because he's gruff and guarded, she can tell Dan Warren has secrets. But she could never imagine how high the stakes are for him to keep his cover, even as he risks everything to protect her. . . .
Like Rome's Lost Legion, a SEAL platoon goes on a mission and vanishes without a trace.
After walking into a trap on a covert op in Russia, the men from top secret SEAL Team Nine are presumed dead. Not knowing whom they can trust, and with war hanging in the balance, the survivors must go dark and scatter around the globe.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson joins her new boyfriend on a trip to the Western Isles of Scotland to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. When she realizes that she may be swept up in something far more dangerous than she'd intended, there is only one man she can turn to. . . .
She and the mysterious but sexy dive boat captain haven't exactly gotten off to the best start, but something about his quiet confidence makes her think that he's the kind of man she can depend on. Because he's gruff and guarded, she can tell Dan Warren has secrets. But she could never imagine how high the stakes are for him to keep his cover, even as he risks everything to protect her. . . .
326 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
184 people are currently reading
1548 people want to read
About the author
Monica McCarty
61 books2,971 followersWhat do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
April 25, 2019
Rating (we start at 5 stars):
- 1 star: Very cliché.
- 1 star: Insta-some-thingy.
- 1 star: Cardboard national character cutouts (France, Canada... etc)
- 1 star: Common sense issues.
+ 1 star: Spread out timeline (at least, it gives something to ponder to place things happening).
+ 1 star: Entertaining.
Q
She wasn’t a vegetarian for health reasons; she just thought that if you ate meat you should be willing to kill for it.
Her father had taught her that the first—and only—time they went hunting together. His lesson had backfired, however, when the ten-year-old Annie refused to pull the trigger and announced that from that moment on she wouldn’t eat meat. Her mother, never much on the hunting bandwagon herself, had thought it was hysterical and told him it was his own fault—Annie hadn’t gotten her stubbornness or fierce set of beliefs from her. (c)
Q
She’d run off to Scotland on a wild adventure with a man she had known for two months, and the reality of that was catching up with her. She wasn’t usually impulsive. (c) Uh-huh. Whatever you say.
Q
I
t was after midnight when Annie realized that she was going to have to find Julien and apologize. In addition to being sensitive, he apparently had a stubborn streak. (c) Hysterical )
Q
She sighed at the fresh brace of air. She could definitely get used to this. She loved how the temperature dropped at night here even in the summer. (c)
Q
Objects weren’t supposed to talk. (c)
Q
That kind of oversensitive feminist crap drove him crazy—not everything was a “microaggression.” Being a strong woman didn’t mean you could be stupid about personal safety. (c)
Q
She looked up at him half outraged and half bemused, as if she couldn’t quite believe someone like him actually existed. ... She suspected there was quite a lot of my way or the highway with him. (c)
Q
But not since her father—in the old days—had she been around someone who gave off that “you can count on me” vibe. (c)
Q
What did she have against the Lone Star State? The best state in the damned country? (c)
Q
I have some duct tape, but I’m not sure how long it will hold.”
Great. Just what she wanted to hear. “You carry duct tape with you?”
What psychopath didn’t have that in his torture bag? (c)
- 1 star: Very cliché.
- 1 star: Insta-some-thingy.
- 1 star: Cardboard national character cutouts (France, Canada... etc)
- 1 star: Common sense issues.
+ 1 star: Spread out timeline (at least, it gives something to ponder to place things happening).
+ 1 star: Entertaining.
Q
She wasn’t a vegetarian for health reasons; she just thought that if you ate meat you should be willing to kill for it.
Her father had taught her that the first—and only—time they went hunting together. His lesson had backfired, however, when the ten-year-old Annie refused to pull the trigger and announced that from that moment on she wouldn’t eat meat. Her mother, never much on the hunting bandwagon herself, had thought it was hysterical and told him it was his own fault—Annie hadn’t gotten her stubbornness or fierce set of beliefs from her. (c)
Q
She’d run off to Scotland on a wild adventure with a man she had known for two months, and the reality of that was catching up with her. She wasn’t usually impulsive. (c) Uh-huh. Whatever you say.
Q
I
t was after midnight when Annie realized that she was going to have to find Julien and apologize. In addition to being sensitive, he apparently had a stubborn streak. (c) Hysterical )
Q
She sighed at the fresh brace of air. She could definitely get used to this. She loved how the temperature dropped at night here even in the summer. (c)
Q
Objects weren’t supposed to talk. (c)
Q
That kind of oversensitive feminist crap drove him crazy—not everything was a “microaggression.” Being a strong woman didn’t mean you could be stupid about personal safety. (c)
Q
She looked up at him half outraged and half bemused, as if she couldn’t quite believe someone like him actually existed. ... She suspected there was quite a lot of my way or the highway with him. (c)
Q
But not since her father—in the old days—had she been around someone who gave off that “you can count on me” vibe. (c)
Q
What did she have against the Lone Star State? The best state in the damned country? (c)
Q
I have some duct tape, but I’m not sure how long it will hold.”
Great. Just what she wanted to hear. “You carry duct tape with you?”
What psychopath didn’t have that in his torture bag? (c)
September 8, 2017
4.5 Stars
Annie, a marine ecologist, left the US to protest an oil drilling off the pristine coast of Scotland with her boyfriend, Julien. Her new boyfriend, and she can’t hardly believe her hasty decision. Sure, she’s all for saving the planet from greedy big corporations that care for nothing but the bottom line, but now that she’s in Scotland the plans seem a little more intense that she bargained for. Also, Annie’s getting wicked bad vibes from Julien’s best friend, Jean Paul, the leader of the group.
Annie’s in the middle of the ocean when she realized exactly how dangerous her situation is, and unfortunately, she has no one to confide in or ask for help except for the rude boat captain, Dan. Even with his gruff demeanor, there’s something about Dan that feels trustworthy, and she has no other options.
Dan is working as a boat captain in Scotland, lying low after his covert SEAL mission went to hell. Helping Annie could blow his cover and his isn’t the only life at risk.
Going Dark is romantic suspense at its finest! After a little settling in, sorting out the members of SEAL Team Nine, the story takes off, and we focus on just one of the guys, Dan. Not his real name, but you find out exactly which teammate he is relatively quickly.
Dan and Annie don’t get off to the best start, because he’s kind of an ass, but who can blame him with everything that happened? Doesn’t matter what kind of manners he had, because he turned out to be Annie’s rock. They try and stay ahead of the danger and survive, whether from the elements or evil people, and it’s a non-stop action filled ride to stay alive! Let me tell you, Dan’s pretty impressive; that SEAL training definitely paid off! The attraction Dan and Annie felt from the moment they laid eyes on each other simmers and spills over into some wickedly hot encounters sure to leave you hot and bothered! That lifeboat ride, oh my!
No worries about the “boyfriend” Julien. Things didn’t look good early on, and he’s basically a non-issue, IMO.
Even though the romance and current situation is settled nicely, there is an ongoing story arc, the covert mission that went horribly wrong for SEAL Team Nine. The reason they’re hiding out. They’re getting some inside help, trying to figure out how they were betrayed and by whom. This sets up the stories to come, and there’s a couple of romances in the works from what I can tell. I’m curious about Kate and Colt. Will they be a couple of will Kate be paired with Scott? I’m kind of rooting for Colt, but either could be possible.
At any rate, Going Dark was an excellent kick off to The Lost Platoon series! Monica McCarty’s writing was fast-paced and addictive, balanced with well-developed characters I grew to love. Count me in for the coming books!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley Books in exchange for an honest review.
Annie, a marine ecologist, left the US to protest an oil drilling off the pristine coast of Scotland with her boyfriend, Julien. Her new boyfriend, and she can’t hardly believe her hasty decision. Sure, she’s all for saving the planet from greedy big corporations that care for nothing but the bottom line, but now that she’s in Scotland the plans seem a little more intense that she bargained for. Also, Annie’s getting wicked bad vibes from Julien’s best friend, Jean Paul, the leader of the group.
Annie’s in the middle of the ocean when she realized exactly how dangerous her situation is, and unfortunately, she has no one to confide in or ask for help except for the rude boat captain, Dan. Even with his gruff demeanor, there’s something about Dan that feels trustworthy, and she has no other options.
Dan is working as a boat captain in Scotland, lying low after his covert SEAL mission went to hell. Helping Annie could blow his cover and his isn’t the only life at risk.
Going Dark is romantic suspense at its finest! After a little settling in, sorting out the members of SEAL Team Nine, the story takes off, and we focus on just one of the guys, Dan. Not his real name, but you find out exactly which teammate he is relatively quickly.
Dan and Annie don’t get off to the best start, because he’s kind of an ass, but who can blame him with everything that happened? Doesn’t matter what kind of manners he had, because he turned out to be Annie’s rock. They try and stay ahead of the danger and survive, whether from the elements or evil people, and it’s a non-stop action filled ride to stay alive! Let me tell you, Dan’s pretty impressive; that SEAL training definitely paid off! The attraction Dan and Annie felt from the moment they laid eyes on each other simmers and spills over into some wickedly hot encounters sure to leave you hot and bothered! That lifeboat ride, oh my!
No worries about the “boyfriend” Julien. Things didn’t look good early on, and he’s basically a non-issue, IMO.
Even though the romance and current situation is settled nicely, there is an ongoing story arc, the covert mission that went horribly wrong for SEAL Team Nine. The reason they’re hiding out. They’re getting some inside help, trying to figure out how they were betrayed and by whom. This sets up the stories to come, and there’s a couple of romances in the works from what I can tell. I’m curious about Kate and Colt. Will they be a couple of will Kate be paired with Scott? I’m kind of rooting for Colt, but either could be possible.
At any rate, Going Dark was an excellent kick off to The Lost Platoon series! Monica McCarty’s writing was fast-paced and addictive, balanced with well-developed characters I grew to love. Count me in for the coming books!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley Books in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2017
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When Dean's SEAL team mission goes horribly wrong, he and the few survivors are ordered to scatter and go dark. Hiding out in a small Scottish town should be easy to keep his cover but when a damsel in distress crosses his path, all bets are off.
Annie knows it was reckless to travel with her new boyfriend to Scotland but she wants to make a difference in the world and protesting an offshore drilling site will hopefully protect the oceanic ecosystem she's worked to get her PhD in. When red flags start to appear though, she knows she's in trouble.
Annie and Dean have a whole lot of trouble chasing them down but their attraction for one another can't be ignored.
This new series starts off with intensity as we are introduced to SEAL Team Nine and follow along as they are on a dark ops mission in Russia. There is a lot thrown at you as we are introduced to a wide range of characters and military terms; it’s overwhelming and a bit confusing. The prologue sets the reader up thinking they'll be following along with a certain character only to have a switcheroo, it felt a bit odd. The basic concept though, of a SEAL team scattered throughout the world, hiding out, and searching for who betrayed them, is intriguing, mysterious, and will have you desperate to know more. This story arc weaves in and out as this book focuses on the Senior Chief Dean and his damsel in distress Annie.
Annie is introduced as our idealistic, vegetarian, and liberal activist with Dean as our “been around the world twice”, military tough, and conservative leanings hero. With this opposites attract set-up, they naturally had a lot of squabbles. The author did a good job of balancing out the good and bad of both Annie and Dean's ideals, liberal and conservative, but it also had a tendency to make their dialogue and interactions not feel natural and a bit preachy. I, personally, felt their whole liberal vs. conservative back and forth rhetoric somewhat exhausting as everyday life has inundated me with this already. They kind of have an insta-lust connection and because of how full the story is, their emotional connection was lacking for me. There was a scene where Dean talks about his dad but instead of it feeling like a bonding moment with Annie, it felt awkward and as if he was suddenly unloading on her out of nowhere.
There is so much going on in this story, the Lost Platoon story line that brings in a cast of characters that includes an old friend of Dean's named Colt and how he is trying to find out what happened to his friends. It's a bit of a secondary couple as Colt has to contact his ex-wife Kate, who we are led to believe slept with one of his teammates and best friend, with the best friend being the Lt Commander of the Lost Platoon, named Scott. So this side story of betrayed Lost Platoon, three way drama between Colt, Katie, and Scott, is beside Dean and Annie running from eco-terrorists. You can see why Annie and Dean's emotional building blocks got a bit left behind.
Annie was a bit manipulated to be overly naïve to further the damsel in distress and Dean was forced to be led by his hots for the good looking liberal while a bit confusing eco-terrorists plot kept them together. The main couple was overshadowed by the series arc of the Lost Platoon for me, it’s what kept me reading. Colt and Kate have me wildly curious about their story and I'm locked into finding out who betrayed SEAL Team Nine and just who all the survivors were.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When Dean's SEAL team mission goes horribly wrong, he and the few survivors are ordered to scatter and go dark. Hiding out in a small Scottish town should be easy to keep his cover but when a damsel in distress crosses his path, all bets are off.
Annie knows it was reckless to travel with her new boyfriend to Scotland but she wants to make a difference in the world and protesting an offshore drilling site will hopefully protect the oceanic ecosystem she's worked to get her PhD in. When red flags start to appear though, she knows she's in trouble.
Annie and Dean have a whole lot of trouble chasing them down but their attraction for one another can't be ignored.
This new series starts off with intensity as we are introduced to SEAL Team Nine and follow along as they are on a dark ops mission in Russia. There is a lot thrown at you as we are introduced to a wide range of characters and military terms; it’s overwhelming and a bit confusing. The prologue sets the reader up thinking they'll be following along with a certain character only to have a switcheroo, it felt a bit odd. The basic concept though, of a SEAL team scattered throughout the world, hiding out, and searching for who betrayed them, is intriguing, mysterious, and will have you desperate to know more. This story arc weaves in and out as this book focuses on the Senior Chief Dean and his damsel in distress Annie.
Annie is introduced as our idealistic, vegetarian, and liberal activist with Dean as our “been around the world twice”, military tough, and conservative leanings hero. With this opposites attract set-up, they naturally had a lot of squabbles. The author did a good job of balancing out the good and bad of both Annie and Dean's ideals, liberal and conservative, but it also had a tendency to make their dialogue and interactions not feel natural and a bit preachy. I, personally, felt their whole liberal vs. conservative back and forth rhetoric somewhat exhausting as everyday life has inundated me with this already. They kind of have an insta-lust connection and because of how full the story is, their emotional connection was lacking for me. There was a scene where Dean talks about his dad but instead of it feeling like a bonding moment with Annie, it felt awkward and as if he was suddenly unloading on her out of nowhere.
There is so much going on in this story, the Lost Platoon story line that brings in a cast of characters that includes an old friend of Dean's named Colt and how he is trying to find out what happened to his friends. It's a bit of a secondary couple as Colt has to contact his ex-wife Kate, who we are led to believe slept with one of his teammates and best friend, with the best friend being the Lt Commander of the Lost Platoon, named Scott. So this side story of betrayed Lost Platoon, three way drama between Colt, Katie, and Scott, is beside Dean and Annie running from eco-terrorists. You can see why Annie and Dean's emotional building blocks got a bit left behind.
Annie was a bit manipulated to be overly naïve to further the damsel in distress and Dean was forced to be led by his hots for the good looking liberal while a bit confusing eco-terrorists plot kept them together. The main couple was overshadowed by the series arc of the Lost Platoon for me, it’s what kept me reading. Colt and Kate have me wildly curious about their story and I'm locked into finding out who betrayed SEAL Team Nine and just who all the survivors were.
May 5, 2018
SEAL Team Nine’s Retiarius Platoon goes on a covert, unsanctioned mission into Siberia, Russia and realizes too late that they’ve been set up. The survivors “go dark” and scatter until they can figure out who they can trust and take down the traitor. Senior Chief Dean Baylor is undercover as Dan Warren and working as the captain on a merchant boat in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland when he clashes with marine ecologist Annie Henderson and her group of activists. What was supposed to be a simple excursion out to an oil rig turns into a nightmare that threatens to expose Dean's cover and more.
The story literally begins with a bang and the tension rarely lets up until the end. Dean is highly trained and formidable, which comes in handy when the naive but charming Annie Henderson gets them both in a fix. Despite their differences, they can’t get around their attraction to each other. There are plenty of harrowing moments and high intrigue as Annie gets herself mixed up in something that turns out to be more than a sit in on an oil rig. I really liked that there were two mysteries running concurrently with Dean and Annie struggling to avoid a romance.
I liked the premise of the story as well as the locales, which featured some of Scotland’s more obscure isles and towns. They’re very much a part of the plot, described vividly throughout. The mystery and suspense sometimes took a back seat to the romantic elements, which were pretty steamy, but overall the balance was on target. I liked both of these characters and them as a couple. While elements of the mysteries were resolved, the continuing story arc will be figuring out who was behind the catastrophe in Siberia. I’m definitely in for this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
The story literally begins with a bang and the tension rarely lets up until the end. Dean is highly trained and formidable, which comes in handy when the naive but charming Annie Henderson gets them both in a fix. Despite their differences, they can’t get around their attraction to each other. There are plenty of harrowing moments and high intrigue as Annie gets herself mixed up in something that turns out to be more than a sit in on an oil rig. I really liked that there were two mysteries running concurrently with Dean and Annie struggling to avoid a romance.
I liked the premise of the story as well as the locales, which featured some of Scotland’s more obscure isles and towns. They’re very much a part of the plot, described vividly throughout. The mystery and suspense sometimes took a back seat to the romantic elements, which were pretty steamy, but overall the balance was on target. I liked both of these characters and them as a couple. While elements of the mysteries were resolved, the continuing story arc will be figuring out who was behind the catastrophe in Siberia. I’m definitely in for this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
August 27, 2017
Omg I am going to love this series! Awesome read!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the first things that comes to mind when crafting this review is the uniqueness of the story. The author has really done due diligence to create an interesting and intricate story that made this a pleasure to read.
The characters are not your run-of-the-mill contemporary romance fluff pieces. The plot is well thought out and well constructed. Plus she allows plenty of room for growth in this interesting new series.
While so much of the book is intensive to a degree, there are some humorous and lighthearted spots and our hero, Dean, is definitely delicious. This book was very well thought out and combines romance and suspense with our military SEAL flavor of the month – yummy, hot and spicy.
For those of you that are not familiar with Monica McCarty’s writing, take the time to try this one on for size. I think you’ll find it fits just right, just like our hero. Mmmmm
I can’t wait for more in the series. Definitely an interesting story that is not only believable but the author has taken a page from today’s news. Love it!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the first things that comes to mind when crafting this review is the uniqueness of the story. The author has really done due diligence to create an interesting and intricate story that made this a pleasure to read.
The characters are not your run-of-the-mill contemporary romance fluff pieces. The plot is well thought out and well constructed. Plus she allows plenty of room for growth in this interesting new series.
While so much of the book is intensive to a degree, there are some humorous and lighthearted spots and our hero, Dean, is definitely delicious. This book was very well thought out and combines romance and suspense with our military SEAL flavor of the month – yummy, hot and spicy.
For those of you that are not familiar with Monica McCarty’s writing, take the time to try this one on for size. I think you’ll find it fits just right, just like our hero. Mmmmm
I can’t wait for more in the series. Definitely an interesting story that is not only believable but the author has taken a page from today’s news. Love it!!
September 24, 2017
3.5 Stars
There isn’t anything I don’t like about the setup for this series. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
SEALS
Espionage
Rogue MCs
Action/Adventure
Check, check, checkity check! And giddyupp!
Monica McCarty is a new to be author and I’m glad I took a chance on Going Dark because it is a strong set up for a series. Her writing style flows pretty well. The word ‘but’ is used. A lot. The translations of English idioms was unnecessary for me and the whole thing *hopefully* got a proof before it was published, but the story is engaging and held my attention.
SEAL Team 9 is sabotaged on a mission in Russia and wind up losing over half their platoon. The rest scatter, “going dark” presumably all over the world with minimal contact with each other. The overarching story arc linking the books is figuring out who the leak(s) is and what their motivation was.
Senior Chief Dean Baylor is our first SEAL. Known as Dan the scruffy charter boat Captain in the Scottish Isles. An alpha with a capital A, plainspoken, gruff, Texan and a Big Un. *growls* Part of his being a SEAL is traveling light, so he’s perfected the art of wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.
Annie is an idealistic environmental scientist fresh off obtaining her Ph.D. and she’s come to the Scottish Isles to protest offshore drilling with Julien, her French boyfriend WHO LOOKS LIKE OLIVIER MARTINEZ!!! *dies* Initially I thought we were going down ‘comparison highway’ wherein Annie would compare her boyfriend to death and come realize he didn’t stack up against Hotty McHotterseal which isn’t something I’m real fond of. Thankfully we avoided that car crash.
Stuff happens and they end up in a dinghy together, something I still contend was a bad call but I understand if it had gone the other way-the smart way-the whole narrative would’ve been dead in the water. I get it. But still. Dumb.
They’re on the run together which ratchets up the chemistry and tension to eleventy kagrillion degrees despite Annie’s protestations regarding alphas. Surprisingly there wasn’t a lot of hibbity-gibbity which was kind of disappointing given the page count. However they did manage to never use a condom. The stupidity of this is… *siiiiiiiiggghhhh* Why people? Whhhhhhyyyyyy?
Anyways, my disappointment in grown adults not having the conversion beforehand notwithstanding I liked these characters. Both are well constructed and strongly fleshed out. I particularly liked the big tough SEAL having substantial knowledge of Disney movies and the opposites attract trope was executed well. Even though they are opposites they respect the other’s opinion, play off each other well, manage to have moments of levity and McCarty did a great job of showing their emotional investment in the other by using dual POVs.
Now, hang tight I’m going somewhere with this. So I had a conversation about romance as a genre and she said what puts her off about it is how everyone is so breathtakingly beautiful to which I said, ‘not always but I see what you’re saying’. Then I went on to say that I think oftentimes it’s realistic in that everyone has their “type” be it gingers, beefcakes, Asians, Tom Hardy, whatever. So one person’s ‘meh’ is another person’s ‘my underwear just combusted’. I’m not sure I won the argument but there was a meaningful pause and some nodding so perhaps. At any rate, I say all this because the beauty thing skirted the line betwixt our opposing sides. I get that they are attracted to each other, but I think the physical aspects of how attractive they are was heavy handed.
Another thing I wasn’t crazy about was the push/pull between them. Dean’s reasons for pushing her away are sound, but Annie’s were weaksauce. Both played games and I’m not a fan of that, though Annie does get points for being straight with him at the end.
There was a good balance struck between the romance and the adventure, though the last “big gesture” was unforgivably stupid. Don’t get me wrong, it was romantic and dramatic but… oh my sweet lord. *face palm* HOW? How does one forget that? Someone trained and seasoned????
A word of caution, the SEAL/military-speak is heavy. It’s evident a substantial amount of research was done on the military, environmental statistics and science all of which I appreciated and served to make these characters more credible, in my opinion.
I’m not sure I’m up for the entire series but I’m definitely interested in the next one and would recommend this to romantic suspense fans.
A review copy was provided by NetGalley.
There isn’t anything I don’t like about the setup for this series. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
SEALS
Espionage
Rogue MCs
Action/Adventure
Check, check, checkity check! And giddyupp!
Monica McCarty is a new to be author and I’m glad I took a chance on Going Dark because it is a strong set up for a series. Her writing style flows pretty well. The word ‘but’ is used. A lot. The translations of English idioms was unnecessary for me and the whole thing *hopefully* got a proof before it was published, but the story is engaging and held my attention.
SEAL Team 9 is sabotaged on a mission in Russia and wind up losing over half their platoon. The rest scatter, “going dark” presumably all over the world with minimal contact with each other. The overarching story arc linking the books is figuring out who the leak(s) is and what their motivation was.
Senior Chief Dean Baylor is our first SEAL. Known as Dan the scruffy charter boat Captain in the Scottish Isles. An alpha with a capital A, plainspoken, gruff, Texan and a Big Un. *growls* Part of his being a SEAL is traveling light, so he’s perfected the art of wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.
Annie is an idealistic environmental scientist fresh off obtaining her Ph.D. and she’s come to the Scottish Isles to protest offshore drilling with Julien, her French boyfriend WHO LOOKS LIKE OLIVIER MARTINEZ!!! *dies* Initially I thought we were going down ‘comparison highway’ wherein Annie would compare her boyfriend to death and come realize he didn’t stack up against Hotty McHotterseal which isn’t something I’m real fond of. Thankfully we avoided that car crash.
Stuff happens and they end up in a dinghy together, something I still contend was a bad call but I understand if it had gone the other way-the smart way-the whole narrative would’ve been dead in the water. I get it. But still. Dumb.
They’re on the run together which ratchets up the chemistry and tension to eleventy kagrillion degrees despite Annie’s protestations regarding alphas. Surprisingly there wasn’t a lot of hibbity-gibbity which was kind of disappointing given the page count. However they did manage to never use a condom. The stupidity of this is… *siiiiiiiiggghhhh* Why people? Whhhhhhyyyyyy?
Anyways, my disappointment in grown adults not having the conversion beforehand notwithstanding I liked these characters. Both are well constructed and strongly fleshed out. I particularly liked the big tough SEAL having substantial knowledge of Disney movies and the opposites attract trope was executed well. Even though they are opposites they respect the other’s opinion, play off each other well, manage to have moments of levity and McCarty did a great job of showing their emotional investment in the other by using dual POVs.
Now, hang tight I’m going somewhere with this. So I had a conversation about romance as a genre and she said what puts her off about it is how everyone is so breathtakingly beautiful to which I said, ‘not always but I see what you’re saying’. Then I went on to say that I think oftentimes it’s realistic in that everyone has their “type” be it gingers, beefcakes, Asians, Tom Hardy, whatever. So one person’s ‘meh’ is another person’s ‘my underwear just combusted’. I’m not sure I won the argument but there was a meaningful pause and some nodding so perhaps. At any rate, I say all this because the beauty thing skirted the line betwixt our opposing sides. I get that they are attracted to each other, but I think the physical aspects of how attractive they are was heavy handed.
Another thing I wasn’t crazy about was the push/pull between them. Dean’s reasons for pushing her away are sound, but Annie’s were weaksauce. Both played games and I’m not a fan of that, though Annie does get points for being straight with him at the end.
There was a good balance struck between the romance and the adventure, though the last “big gesture” was unforgivably stupid. Don’t get me wrong, it was romantic and dramatic but… oh my sweet lord. *face palm* HOW? How does one forget that? Someone trained and seasoned????
A word of caution, the SEAL/military-speak is heavy. It’s evident a substantial amount of research was done on the military, environmental statistics and science all of which I appreciated and served to make these characters more credible, in my opinion.
I’m not sure I’m up for the entire series but I’m definitely interested in the next one and would recommend this to romantic suspense fans.
A review copy was provided by NetGalley.
September 12, 2017
2-2.5 stars - Romantic Suspense/Military Romance
I was excited when I heard Monica McCarty was writing a contemporary/military romantic suspense series since I loved her highlander historical romances, and I’ve been really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, it was a bit boring and a disappointment for me.
and took a while for the hero and heroine to get together. I didn’t like the asshat hero or annoying heroine, and their romance was pretty blah. They’re total opposites but quickly develop insta-lust/insta-love and it wasn’t realistic at all. At least the sex scenes are steamy.
I assumed/hoped the suspense plot would focus on what happened to the hero’s Navy SEAL team and why they were forced to go dark, but it’s mostly about the heroine getting mixed up with .
I’m interested in some of the secondary characters and finding out what happened to the SEAL team, so I’ll give the next book a chance.
I was excited when I heard Monica McCarty was writing a contemporary/military romantic suspense series since I loved her highlander historical romances, and I’ve been really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, it was a bit boring and a disappointment for me.
and took a while for the hero and heroine to get together. I didn’t like the asshat hero or annoying heroine, and their romance was pretty blah. They’re total opposites but quickly develop insta-lust/insta-love and it wasn’t realistic at all. At least the sex scenes are steamy.
I assumed/hoped the suspense plot would focus on what happened to the hero’s Navy SEAL team and why they were forced to go dark, but it’s mostly about the heroine getting mixed up with .
I’m interested in some of the secondary characters and finding out what happened to the SEAL team, so I’ll give the next book a chance.
August 7, 2017
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating this a 2.75.
We open with a group of secret military Seals on a mission. During the prologue we are introduced to one navy seal (who I thought was the hero) and his colleagues during the unfolding of the mission. Something goes terribly wrong and we are left hanging on the last page of the prologue unsure what happened.
We then open with the first chapter getting introduced to the heroine, her boyfriend and his activist group. The hero is also introduced in the first chapter but he's not the guy from the prologue who I thought was the hero, yep that threw me for a loop. That right there was odd. We are introduced to Annie and find out a little about who and what she is. Annie the liberal activist, who followed her boyfriend, Julien of two months (another thing that just seemed superficial and not mesh, two month and she's following him across the world???), across the world to join his group of activists to protest offshore diving venture. She doesn't like his group of friends and finds one in particular to be very sinister. Annie meets Dean, who's the hero. Dean has gone "dark" waiting for direction after the mission disaster. He's a captain of a boat during this time of limbo. He's a conservative, dedicated Seal. While at a bar Dean over hears some of Annie's not so complimentary comments made about the military as well as some other disparaging views she has. Annie was there visiting with her boy friend and his activist friends. The two meet as her boyfriend and the activists seek out Dean for the use of his boat. Annie observes the interaction that takes place and sees a new side of Julien or has that always been there and she's just never really took the time to notice. Annie is appalled, disappointed and begins to second guess her feelings for Julien the decision to join him. The group does rent Dean's boat and this is where Annie's sees the true purpose and intent of the group. Annie and Dean then work together to survive.
Okay the premise of the story is good, but goodness gracious Annie killed me. She came across as whiny, weak and at times snobby. The hero I liked enough, but not too much depth. And I love the opposites attract genre but these two had only the insta lust going for their relationship. Appreciate the author trying to put a liberal activist (I found some of her activist issue come across disingenuous in the story line) with a conservative, military Seal, but these two did not mesh or seem like a go for HEA. Annie had a lot of drama and damsel in distress moments and she just came across as dumb. Heroines can be portrayed as visionary/idealist and somewhat naive but still be a strong in character in the story, unfortunately that didn't happen in this story.
I enjoy Monica McCarty's HR and appreciated most of her heroines and hero's. Not sure if expectations were to high or transition from historical to contemporary was a little rough the first time out. I appreciated the conservative military aspect of the story as well as the liberal activist side, the standing up for what they both believe and both parties making a difference. A positive for both and wish we had more of that in DC. Well balanced, just didn't see it working for this couple long term.
I will give the next book in the series a try as I found the prologue and the mystery of the secret seal team intriguing.
Rating this a 2.75.
We open with a group of secret military Seals on a mission. During the prologue we are introduced to one navy seal (who I thought was the hero) and his colleagues during the unfolding of the mission. Something goes terribly wrong and we are left hanging on the last page of the prologue unsure what happened.
We then open with the first chapter getting introduced to the heroine, her boyfriend and his activist group. The hero is also introduced in the first chapter but he's not the guy from the prologue who I thought was the hero, yep that threw me for a loop. That right there was odd. We are introduced to Annie and find out a little about who and what she is. Annie the liberal activist, who followed her boyfriend, Julien of two months (another thing that just seemed superficial and not mesh, two month and she's following him across the world???), across the world to join his group of activists to protest offshore diving venture. She doesn't like his group of friends and finds one in particular to be very sinister. Annie meets Dean, who's the hero. Dean has gone "dark" waiting for direction after the mission disaster. He's a captain of a boat during this time of limbo. He's a conservative, dedicated Seal. While at a bar Dean over hears some of Annie's not so complimentary comments made about the military as well as some other disparaging views she has. Annie was there visiting with her boy friend and his activist friends. The two meet as her boyfriend and the activists seek out Dean for the use of his boat. Annie observes the interaction that takes place and sees a new side of Julien or has that always been there and she's just never really took the time to notice. Annie is appalled, disappointed and begins to second guess her feelings for Julien the decision to join him. The group does rent Dean's boat and this is where Annie's sees the true purpose and intent of the group. Annie and Dean then work together to survive.
Okay the premise of the story is good, but goodness gracious Annie killed me. She came across as whiny, weak and at times snobby. The hero I liked enough, but not too much depth. And I love the opposites attract genre but these two had only the insta lust going for their relationship. Appreciate the author trying to put a liberal activist (I found some of her activist issue come across disingenuous in the story line) with a conservative, military Seal, but these two did not mesh or seem like a go for HEA. Annie had a lot of drama and damsel in distress moments and she just came across as dumb. Heroines can be portrayed as visionary/idealist and somewhat naive but still be a strong in character in the story, unfortunately that didn't happen in this story.
I enjoy Monica McCarty's HR and appreciated most of her heroines and hero's. Not sure if expectations were to high or transition from historical to contemporary was a little rough the first time out. I appreciated the conservative military aspect of the story as well as the liberal activist side, the standing up for what they both believe and both parties making a difference. A positive for both and wish we had more of that in DC. Well balanced, just didn't see it working for this couple long term.
I will give the next book in the series a try as I found the prologue and the mystery of the secret seal team intriguing.
September 12, 2017
When I heard this author was switching genres from historical, to romantic suspense, I thought I would give her a try. I will also admit, I was pulled in by this cover and the hint of a lost Navy SEAL Platoon. We meet that platoon, before they disappear, in the prologue. Several tough, yet a little nervous SEALS about to embark on a very dangerous mission in the Barents Sea - heading into Russia. It's a trap though, and once they get to their destination, there is an explosion - lights out, and they are all presumed dead.
We then go forward two months, and head to Scotland, where our heroine, Annie has traveled with her boyfriend and his mentor, to protest drilling oil of the Scottish Hebrides. Annie is excited to be a part of this cause and protest, as she is passionate about the care of wildlife and nature. She has her PhD in Marine Ecology and found a boyfriend who is just as passionate as she. But as they go out on a boat, Annie discovers her boyfriend may have a violent protest in mind, when she finds a trunk full of explosives.
The boat's captain is none other than one our of missing SEALS. Still reeling from the mission that went wrong, Dan (his name was Dean while in the navy, but he has changed it to Dan -so I will go with that) has traveled to Scotland to become a boat captain. The entire platoon is assumed dead - and not feeling safe to come out in the open, the surviving members have gone underground. Dan is a grumpy boat captain, who ends up saving Annie's life as things turn bad on the boat.
Annie and Dan end up on some kind of raft/boat thing and off they go and try to survive. At this point my eyes were already getting glossy and I was staring into space more than reading this book. I just didn't like this one. There is suspense and action but it was a little boring. I felt like this author did her research and it was realistic, but it just didn't hold my attention. Probably because I did not like Dan or Annie. When you don't feel connected to the protagonists, it's hard to feel connected to anything else in the story.
Dan is just - a downer. I get it - his platoon is mostly dead and/or missing. It's awful and horrible. But I needed him to rally a little more. I wanted to feel his pain, but instead I just didn't want to get to know him. It wasn't that he necessarily walked around sad and depressed, he just was just kind of there. I don't understand what attracted Annie to him.
Annie didn't make a lot of sense to me. She finds out her boyfriend, who I assumed she loved, is basically a terrorist or involved with the bad guys, and she is laughing and making out with Dan very while they are still on the run. She would tell herself Dan isn't her type, and she can't get involved with a SEAL etc, but then three pages later there is a sex scene - that just felt out-of-place.
I didn't even read the last two or three chapters and I'm very okay with that decision.
Grade: D
We then go forward two months, and head to Scotland, where our heroine, Annie has traveled with her boyfriend and his mentor, to protest drilling oil of the Scottish Hebrides. Annie is excited to be a part of this cause and protest, as she is passionate about the care of wildlife and nature. She has her PhD in Marine Ecology and found a boyfriend who is just as passionate as she. But as they go out on a boat, Annie discovers her boyfriend may have a violent protest in mind, when she finds a trunk full of explosives.
The boat's captain is none other than one our of missing SEALS. Still reeling from the mission that went wrong, Dan (his name was Dean while in the navy, but he has changed it to Dan -so I will go with that) has traveled to Scotland to become a boat captain. The entire platoon is assumed dead - and not feeling safe to come out in the open, the surviving members have gone underground. Dan is a grumpy boat captain, who ends up saving Annie's life as things turn bad on the boat.
Annie and Dan end up on some kind of raft/boat thing and off they go and try to survive. At this point my eyes were already getting glossy and I was staring into space more than reading this book. I just didn't like this one. There is suspense and action but it was a little boring. I felt like this author did her research and it was realistic, but it just didn't hold my attention. Probably because I did not like Dan or Annie. When you don't feel connected to the protagonists, it's hard to feel connected to anything else in the story.
Dan is just - a downer. I get it - his platoon is mostly dead and/or missing. It's awful and horrible. But I needed him to rally a little more. I wanted to feel his pain, but instead I just didn't want to get to know him. It wasn't that he necessarily walked around sad and depressed, he just was just kind of there. I don't understand what attracted Annie to him.
Annie didn't make a lot of sense to me. She finds out her boyfriend, who I assumed she loved, is basically a terrorist or involved with the bad guys, and she is laughing and making out with Dan very while they are still on the run. She would tell herself Dan isn't her type, and she can't get involved with a SEAL etc, but then three pages later there is a sex scene - that just felt out-of-place.
I didn't even read the last two or three chapters and I'm very okay with that decision.
Grade: D
August 8, 2017
They were sent on a covert mission to Russia, but SEAL Team Nine never returned. It was a deadly trap and all are now presumed dead. Case closed, there would be no investigation and those who survived must go deep underground to await answers on who they could trust and who betrayed them.
Dan Warren has become a dive boat captain in Scotland, staying to himself, sleeping with one eye open, coiled like a snake ready to pounce. He never expected a beautiful woman to literately fall into his lap that night in the pub, nor did he know she would rain down trouble that he cannot avoid getting involved in.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson was a woman on a mission of passion to protest hazardous offshore drilling. Little did she know she was merely a patsy to take the fall for something far more nefarious. Now she is alone, and in trouble in a foreign country and Dan may be the only person she can turn to for help.
Was it an emotion she stirred within him that made Dan throw caution to the wind to keep her safe? He has worked so hard to stay under the radar but Annie has done the one thing no one else could, she has made him feel again, but to feel anything for her is far more dangerous for them both than she realizes, besides, what would she do if she learned everything he has told her has been a lie?
Monica McCarty’s GOING DARK showcases another dark and brooding male, trained to be the best of the best and a feisty and rather clueless female who leaps before she looks as she lets her emotions blind her to the depths of the trouble she is in.
Looking for that all-male alpha who puts honor before anything else? Like watching them begin to crumble when their heart gets involved? GOING DARK may not be original, but the action is intense and the danger is taut, the hero is hot and in spite of the heroine, this SEAL just may be one cape short of being Superman.
I received an ARC edition from Berkley in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Lost Platoon - Book 1
Publisher: Berkley (September 5, 2017)
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense | Military
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Dan Warren has become a dive boat captain in Scotland, staying to himself, sleeping with one eye open, coiled like a snake ready to pounce. He never expected a beautiful woman to literately fall into his lap that night in the pub, nor did he know she would rain down trouble that he cannot avoid getting involved in.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson was a woman on a mission of passion to protest hazardous offshore drilling. Little did she know she was merely a patsy to take the fall for something far more nefarious. Now she is alone, and in trouble in a foreign country and Dan may be the only person she can turn to for help.
Was it an emotion she stirred within him that made Dan throw caution to the wind to keep her safe? He has worked so hard to stay under the radar but Annie has done the one thing no one else could, she has made him feel again, but to feel anything for her is far more dangerous for them both than she realizes, besides, what would she do if she learned everything he has told her has been a lie?
Monica McCarty’s GOING DARK showcases another dark and brooding male, trained to be the best of the best and a feisty and rather clueless female who leaps before she looks as she lets her emotions blind her to the depths of the trouble she is in.
Looking for that all-male alpha who puts honor before anything else? Like watching them begin to crumble when their heart gets involved? GOING DARK may not be original, but the action is intense and the danger is taut, the hero is hot and in spite of the heroine, this SEAL just may be one cape short of being Superman.
I received an ARC edition from Berkley in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Lost Platoon - Book 1
Publisher: Berkley (September 5, 2017)
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense | Military
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 21, 2017
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rUJinG
Yall. This is one of those reviews where you're gonna read the review and be like what the hell are you giving this book a 3 star for?
Yeah.
Going Dark and I did NOT get along. This book made me feel ranty damn near from the start and I have a near mile long list of issues I had with the book. Errors, characters, things that were just obnoxious.
And yet... it's still getting a 3 star. *boggles*
The Gist: A mission goes to hell and half a SEAL team is killed and the other half forced to 'go dark' because it's clear their team was set up and sold out by someone they trust. And while hiding out Dan flubs up and gets himself involved with a chick that has a mile long list of drama following her steps, too. Mmhm. She's hot, though. *shrugs*
What Made Me Stabby: (some of them, honestly the list is longer)
-- Yall. My face when this happened. I just. I can't even.
--The heroine. Lord. She's an activist and an idiot. Who kept insisting she wasn't an idiot. But she was. And got her dumb ass involved with eco-terrorists. She made really stupid choices and was a painfully naive idealist. She is NOT my kinda people.
--It's really hard not to roll your eyes at activists who protest something...by using mass amounts of it. She flew round the world (twice) to protest an oil company in Scotland. Apparently on a special plane that flies on air alone.
--The heroine is anti-military. And a condescending bitch. First intro to her is going on about how military men have good intentions but are really just muscle bound idiots that are too stupid to realize they're being used. Yeah. I was kind of done with her at this point, yall. (of course she wasn't above using said muscle bound idiot when her life was at risk)
--I was all woohoo! the heroine is a vegetarian. Her saving grace! We're hardly ever in books! But then she's all I LOVE sushi. Yeah. She is NOT a vegetarian. Stop calling her that. She's a pescetarian. There's a pretty big difference.
--Calling Marines...marines. They aren't aquatic life. The branch and the individual are both Marines. Capitalized.
--It's real hard to buy their romance. Lust...sure. But long term gonna make it romance? Eh no, not really. I like an opposites attract storyline but a conservative military man and a liberal activists who's full of disdain for the military? Honestly?
-- There's a huge info dump at the start of the book that had my eyes crossing.
So Why 3 Stars?
--Fuck all if I know. ::snort:: Something about Going Dark kept pulling me in even though it was pissing me off. Boggled the hell outta me.
--I really liked the hero. He's in a tough spot since he's trying to lay low but does what he thinks is right even if it puts him at risk. I liked seeing his skills put to use, too.
--I really hate politics in my books but appreciated that this one held both liberal and conservative sides. I think a pretty good representation of both of their opinions on each other as well.
--I liked the overall series set up of a SEAL team being betrayed and having to go dark. The mystery behind that has me curious though very little was uncovered in this book.
So. Yes. A three star rating. Some how. And I'll read book two to see what happens next and just pray the heroine is one I don't want to hand over to the bad guys and be done with.
September 9, 2017
ARC received for review
3.5 stars
I love Ms. McCarty's Highland Guard, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Is was a very slow start, and then dragged a little. Lots of people introduced that I'm not really sure who they are going to be, and it was a little confusing at times. Dean is all kinds of yummy and hot. Annie not a lot to say about her. There is a HEA, but no resolution to who tried to blow up all of the SEAL team...not even any hints or ideas.
3.5 stars
I love Ms. McCarty's Highland Guard, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Is was a very slow start, and then dragged a little. Lots of people introduced that I'm not really sure who they are going to be, and it was a little confusing at times. Dean is all kinds of yummy and hot. Annie not a lot to say about her. There is a HEA, but no resolution to who tried to blow up all of the SEAL team...not even any hints or ideas.
September 5, 2017
ARC Review
Originally posted at Scandalicious Book Review
When I heard that Monica McCarty was writing a romantic suspense book, I think I salivated a little looking forward to the read. I’m a fan of her historical books and I love it when authors stretch themselves into new genres. It is both a familiar writing style with a new context and what a context it is. I love the premise of this new series. It holds great potential for exciting reads.
SEAL Team Nine is covertly sent into Russia to see if they can find evidence that the Russian President Ivanov is creating a doomsday device. However, if caught, their intrusion into Russian territory will be the catalyst for war. In other words, the stakes are extremely high. Unfortunately, something does go wrong and the team members have to scatter. Meanwhile, the world thinks they are dead. (Thus, the series title is the Lost Platoon.) This is the backstory of the series as the individual books focus on the living team members and their fight to find out what happened in Siberia and who is the traitor who warned the Russians. Going Dark features Senior Chief Dean Baylor. As the senior chief, he leads the enlisted men and is highly regarded by the officers. He is the most experienced man in the platoon and is described as “no-nonsense, tough-as-nails veteran sailor in the old-fashioned sense of the job who always seemed to have the answer.” As far as this genre goes, I love this type of character – stubborn, patriotic, committed, protective. The best kind of alpha.
The relationship between the hero and heroine is best described as how opposites attract. He is mostly stoic, educated from the school of hard knocks, bleeds red, white and blue, and has hints of chauvinism. Annie Henderson is a recent Ph.D. in marine biology who travels to Scotland to take part in a protest against oil drilling off the shores. She considers herself a liberal and a feminist. Where she is soft, he is hard. Their clashes are the strongest part of the story. The dialogue is witty and sharp. Through their interactions, we can see how two people from vastly different backgrounds and ideologies can argue and laugh through their differences. It is refreshing and provides a model of how people can be both serious and convicted about their issues, but still get along. Nice job.
If you are a fan of Monica McCarty, this story will give you her signature complexity, clever humor, and breathtaking pace. As you can imagine as a SEAL trying to avoid discovery, Baylor is constantly on the move, add to that, Annie’s involvement with an eco-terrorist organization, and there is a lot of running. Ms. McCarty also sets up the beginning of a future story with an operator named Colt that has me chomping at the bit for the next book. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between me and SEAL Team Nine.
Originally posted at Scandalicious Book Review
When I heard that Monica McCarty was writing a romantic suspense book, I think I salivated a little looking forward to the read. I’m a fan of her historical books and I love it when authors stretch themselves into new genres. It is both a familiar writing style with a new context and what a context it is. I love the premise of this new series. It holds great potential for exciting reads.
SEAL Team Nine is covertly sent into Russia to see if they can find evidence that the Russian President Ivanov is creating a doomsday device. However, if caught, their intrusion into Russian territory will be the catalyst for war. In other words, the stakes are extremely high. Unfortunately, something does go wrong and the team members have to scatter. Meanwhile, the world thinks they are dead. (Thus, the series title is the Lost Platoon.) This is the backstory of the series as the individual books focus on the living team members and their fight to find out what happened in Siberia and who is the traitor who warned the Russians. Going Dark features Senior Chief Dean Baylor. As the senior chief, he leads the enlisted men and is highly regarded by the officers. He is the most experienced man in the platoon and is described as “no-nonsense, tough-as-nails veteran sailor in the old-fashioned sense of the job who always seemed to have the answer.” As far as this genre goes, I love this type of character – stubborn, patriotic, committed, protective. The best kind of alpha.
The relationship between the hero and heroine is best described as how opposites attract. He is mostly stoic, educated from the school of hard knocks, bleeds red, white and blue, and has hints of chauvinism. Annie Henderson is a recent Ph.D. in marine biology who travels to Scotland to take part in a protest against oil drilling off the shores. She considers herself a liberal and a feminist. Where she is soft, he is hard. Their clashes are the strongest part of the story. The dialogue is witty and sharp. Through their interactions, we can see how two people from vastly different backgrounds and ideologies can argue and laugh through their differences. It is refreshing and provides a model of how people can be both serious and convicted about their issues, but still get along. Nice job.
If you are a fan of Monica McCarty, this story will give you her signature complexity, clever humor, and breathtaking pace. As you can imagine as a SEAL trying to avoid discovery, Baylor is constantly on the move, add to that, Annie’s involvement with an eco-terrorist organization, and there is a lot of running. Ms. McCarty also sets up the beginning of a future story with an operator named Colt that has me chomping at the bit for the next book. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between me and SEAL Team Nine.
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June 5, 2017
June 2017 -- 4 Stars
I've read most of Monica McCarty's books. I loved her historical romances. They were full of great details that added to the story. She creates great characters you'd love to be able to meet. She doesn't rely on silly and predictable themes.
Saying this, in the last few years, I've really not read many books with a historical theme. I'm not sure why, but just haven't had much interest. I was so excited hearing that one of my favorite authors was going to write a contemporary novel. I really enjoyed this book. If you've never read this author and aren't crazy about a historical background, try this one.
What did were the top things I liked about this book?
1 -- I really liked the concept and I love and trust this author. I wasn't sure if this would have some sort of "out of time" feel or element or not. It didn't. I felt her execution was spot on. She sets the background very well in the Prologue. My one negative comment here, was all the characters you have to digest so quickly in a chapter or so. Many of which don't show again in the remaining chapters. It tells you this could be a very long series.
Also, because she puts this together so quickly for us, when devastation strikes this team, we don't feel it much.
2 -- There was a feel of "realism" to this story. I could see this happening. I really like books that give me a good sense of logic. When I have to put my sense of logic aside, I struggle. This one fed that for me nicely.
The interactions between Annie and Dan/Dean worked for me. Both just normal people who have a bit of the extraordinary. Two people I think I'd like to know.
3 -- The very first pull for me was the title. Hmm... Looked closer at the cover. Saw who the author was/is .. read the synopsis. SOLD!!
What were my issues?
1 -- As mentioned before, the Prologue was loaded. Pay attention -- or be prepared to read it more than once.
2 -- There were places that I felt were there for filler. Didn't add to the story and just took up space.
3 -- I would have liked a deeper backstory on some of the secondary characters. But, typical of this author, I'm betting subsequent books will be much better. She has to settle into this new audience and contemporary theme.
Overall, enjoyable. I'd buy this one for myself and recommend it to friends. I'll be looking for other in the series. Nicely done.
Happy Reading!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 4 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 4 Stars -- [$7.99 on Amazon, Sep2017 release]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
352 pages
++++++
First sentence: Seals liked to say the only easy day was yesterday.
Last sentence: Annie didn't doubt it for a minute. He was a guy she could count on to get things done -- always.
ARC provided by the Author and Publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I've read most of Monica McCarty's books. I loved her historical romances. They were full of great details that added to the story. She creates great characters you'd love to be able to meet. She doesn't rely on silly and predictable themes.
Saying this, in the last few years, I've really not read many books with a historical theme. I'm not sure why, but just haven't had much interest. I was so excited hearing that one of my favorite authors was going to write a contemporary novel. I really enjoyed this book. If you've never read this author and aren't crazy about a historical background, try this one.
What did were the top things I liked about this book?
1 -- I really liked the concept and I love and trust this author. I wasn't sure if this would have some sort of "out of time" feel or element or not. It didn't. I felt her execution was spot on. She sets the background very well in the Prologue. My one negative comment here, was all the characters you have to digest so quickly in a chapter or so. Many of which don't show again in the remaining chapters. It tells you this could be a very long series.
Also, because she puts this together so quickly for us, when devastation strikes this team, we don't feel it much.
2 -- There was a feel of "realism" to this story. I could see this happening. I really like books that give me a good sense of logic. When I have to put my sense of logic aside, I struggle. This one fed that for me nicely.
The interactions between Annie and Dan/Dean worked for me. Both just normal people who have a bit of the extraordinary. Two people I think I'd like to know.
3 -- The very first pull for me was the title. Hmm... Looked closer at the cover. Saw who the author was/is .. read the synopsis. SOLD!!
What were my issues?
1 -- As mentioned before, the Prologue was loaded. Pay attention -- or be prepared to read it more than once.
2 -- There were places that I felt were there for filler. Didn't add to the story and just took up space.
3 -- I would have liked a deeper backstory on some of the secondary characters. But, typical of this author, I'm betting subsequent books will be much better. She has to settle into this new audience and contemporary theme.
Overall, enjoyable. I'd buy this one for myself and recommend it to friends. I'll be looking for other in the series. Nicely done.
Happy Reading!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 4 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 4 Stars -- [$7.99 on Amazon, Sep2017 release]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
352 pages
++++++
First sentence: Seals liked to say the only easy day was yesterday.
Last sentence: Annie didn't doubt it for a minute. He was a guy she could count on to get things done -- always.
ARC provided by the Author and Publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2025
The elite SEAL team 9 is sent on a covert op into Russia, only to find themselves pawns in a blown mission and caught in a deadly trap. The government quickly closes the case when all are presumed dead…but the survivors are looking for the truth and won’t stop until they find out who betrayed them.
Annie Henderson is a marine ecologist on a mission to save the world from a hazardous off shore drilling project off the coast of Scotland. She didn’t realize that the very greed and corruptions she is trying to stop have taken root in the very mission she is about to embark on. Annie soon finds herself the pawn and betrayed by those she thought her friends.
Dan Warren has been biding his time to uncover the plot that destroyed his team. Undercover as a dive boat captain, he finds himself captivated but wary of Annie. Dan knows her group is up to no good but is unsure of her role in this plot.
Going Dark is what I’ve come to expect from a good romantic suspense. Dan plays the perfect brooding male while Annie plays the spit fire but completely clueless female. Annie’s passion for her cause keeps her in the dark about the true depth of the situation she finds herself.
Action intense, Going Dark is one of the books that just hits the spot when you need a book vacation.
I received this ARC copy of Going Dark from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Going Dark is set for publication September 5, 2017.
Annie Henderson is a marine ecologist on a mission to save the world from a hazardous off shore drilling project off the coast of Scotland. She didn’t realize that the very greed and corruptions she is trying to stop have taken root in the very mission she is about to embark on. Annie soon finds herself the pawn and betrayed by those she thought her friends.
Dan Warren has been biding his time to uncover the plot that destroyed his team. Undercover as a dive boat captain, he finds himself captivated but wary of Annie. Dan knows her group is up to no good but is unsure of her role in this plot.
Going Dark is what I’ve come to expect from a good romantic suspense. Dan plays the perfect brooding male while Annie plays the spit fire but completely clueless female. Annie’s passion for her cause keeps her in the dark about the true depth of the situation she finds herself.
Action intense, Going Dark is one of the books that just hits the spot when you need a book vacation.
I received this ARC copy of Going Dark from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Going Dark is set for publication September 5, 2017.
September 1, 2017
My first Monica McCarty read and I wasn't disappointed! The prologue had me feeling a little meh but thankfully after the story and romance picked up and made more sense, I was loving it! I can't wait to see where the rest of the series will go. Review to come!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
September 5, 2017
Monica McCarty surprised the heck out of me when I saw that she started a romantic suspense series after years of writing historical highlanders. Going Dark is her first foray into a contemporary series and it was nonstop danger and suspense. A platoon of Navy SEALS was detected on a dark op and it completely when to hell in a hand basket. Dean Baylor is in hiding on the coast of Scotland, captaining a diving boat, while he waits and tries to figure out who betrayed the team and why. Annie has come to Scotland to protest the oil dredging and naively found herself with a band of ecoterrorist out to blow up the oil platform. When she’s caught Dean comes to her rescue and they find themselves on the run.
Annie and Dean couldn’t deny their attraction to one another even when things are precariously dangerous surrounding them. Dean is fighting this knowing it couldn’t go anywhere and you could feel the angst and hurt when you can see how good they are for one another. Putting a liberal with a conservative led to lively conversations but it showed them a different point of view they need to consider. They may not look like they would work, but opposites make it work because they find themselves in love.
From start to finish I was totally engrossed with this story and the danger that Dean and Annie were embroiled in. I am captivated by the mystery of so many unanswered questions and can’t wait to read more. Monica McCarty is a favorite who writes wonderful stories and I see great things for this series. I look forward to reading more about these men and the reason for them going dark.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
June 2, 2020
Not just another military romance…
I love this author’s historical romance. L-O-V-E them! Seeing a new series, in a new genre, had me dancing in the kindle aisles. From an explosive beginning, this foray into a new track, meant all kinds of surprises…
Annie and Dan’s relationship began with tension and soon danger dogged their every step. An eco-friendly and a military un-friendly meant sparks even as they came together to solve a mystery. Annie’s character was so smart in many ways but in others felt a bit immature. That’s where Dan provided the cool calm…
I admit the opening threw me a little. Rattled. I think the word I’ll use is rattled. It took me a bit to change gears and I think that’s why I struggled to immerse myself right away in the story. Once I got past that it was easy to get behind the story arc, behind the characters and their heated relationship. I have to find out what is next as justice still hasn’t been found. #GoSEALTeamNine. ~Diane, 3.5 stars
I love this author’s historical romance. L-O-V-E them! Seeing a new series, in a new genre, had me dancing in the kindle aisles. From an explosive beginning, this foray into a new track, meant all kinds of surprises…
Annie and Dan’s relationship began with tension and soon danger dogged their every step. An eco-friendly and a military un-friendly meant sparks even as they came together to solve a mystery. Annie’s character was so smart in many ways but in others felt a bit immature. That’s where Dan provided the cool calm…
I admit the opening threw me a little. Rattled. I think the word I’ll use is rattled. It took me a bit to change gears and I think that’s why I struggled to immerse myself right away in the story. Once I got past that it was easy to get behind the story arc, behind the characters and their heated relationship. I have to find out what is next as justice still hasn’t been found. #GoSEALTeamNine. ~Diane, 3.5 stars
June 4, 2017
Monica McCarty knocked it out of the park with her first contemporary romantic suspense. Fourteen men make up Seal Team 9 who are sent in on a secret black ops mission in Russia. Only 6 walked away and had to go dark and pretend they are dead until they can figure out who betrayed them.
The author kept the reader in the dark on who survived that fatal mission for most of the book so in my review other than the heroine I am not going to name any names. Just know it was a thrilling suspense ride with the present day story of ecoterrorist that Annie Henderson finds herself embroiled in and the slow reveal of the fate of Seal Team 9.
Annie Henderson is a Marine ecologist who decides to join her boyfriend on a trip to the Isle of Lewis in Scotland to protest offshore drilling. She is a strongly against offshore drilling after seeing the after effects of a oil spill in Louisiana on the wildlife. Its not long after being in Scotland that she begins to see something is not right with her boyfriend and his friends and that is confirmed when they rent a dive boat captained by a another man who makes Annie uncomfortable but for totally different reasons. Once out on the water Annie discovers that her boyfriend and his two friends are not planning a friendly protest but one far more deadly. She has to depend on the mysterious captain to save her life by getting them off the boat and trekking through a storm on a small craft along with being on the run once they hit land when they are accused of murder.
There are lots of “and the plot thickens” moments through out this book. Both with the ecoterrorist plot and the side plots of the man who trained Seal Team 9 wanting answers about what happened to those 14 men, and a tenacious reporter who is the sister of one of the missing men also looking for answers all while the ones who survived are trying to stay invisible. There is just soo much going on your turning the pages soaking up as much info as you can and wanting more. This is going to be a kick-ass series and I cannot wait for the next installment..
The author kept the reader in the dark on who survived that fatal mission for most of the book so in my review other than the heroine I am not going to name any names. Just know it was a thrilling suspense ride with the present day story of ecoterrorist that Annie Henderson finds herself embroiled in and the slow reveal of the fate of Seal Team 9.
Annie Henderson is a Marine ecologist who decides to join her boyfriend on a trip to the Isle of Lewis in Scotland to protest offshore drilling. She is a strongly against offshore drilling after seeing the after effects of a oil spill in Louisiana on the wildlife. Its not long after being in Scotland that she begins to see something is not right with her boyfriend and his friends and that is confirmed when they rent a dive boat captained by a another man who makes Annie uncomfortable but for totally different reasons. Once out on the water Annie discovers that her boyfriend and his two friends are not planning a friendly protest but one far more deadly. She has to depend on the mysterious captain to save her life by getting them off the boat and trekking through a storm on a small craft along with being on the run once they hit land when they are accused of murder.
There are lots of “and the plot thickens” moments through out this book. Both with the ecoterrorist plot and the side plots of the man who trained Seal Team 9 wanting answers about what happened to those 14 men, and a tenacious reporter who is the sister of one of the missing men also looking for answers all while the ones who survived are trying to stay invisible. There is just soo much going on your turning the pages soaking up as much info as you can and wanting more. This is going to be a kick-ass series and I cannot wait for the next installment..
September 5, 2017
My review cross-posted from
Wit and Sin
When things go horribly wrong on a mission in Russia, the surviving members of SEAL Team Nine are ordered to scatter and go dark. It’s been two months since everything went to hell, and Senior Chief Dean Baylor is now living under the radar in Scotland, working as a dive boat captain. He doesn’t need any complications, especially if they come in the form of beautiful marine ecologist Annie Henderson. Annie is on the Isle of Lewis to protest a potentially hazardous offshore drilling venture, but when she learns the activists she arrived with are up to something dangerous, she has no one to turn to for help except for the even more dangerous looking dive boat captain. It’s the second time in two months that things go south for Dean, but he’s not about to let anything happen to Annie, even if it means risking blowing his cover.
Monica McCarty starts off her Lost Platoon series with a bang. Going Dark is an intense, interesting, and engaging romantic suspense. I’ve enjoyed Ms. McCarty’s historical romances in the past, so I was thrilled to discover that she’s every bit as adept when it comes to romantic suspense.
What sets Going Dark apart from a lot of the military romances I’ve read lately is the characters. Badass heroes are a dime a dozen, but while the members of SEAL Team Nine are definitely strong alphas, they’re not over the top (which I was grateful for). Dean is a strong, resourceful, straight-shooting conservative hero. He’s both sexy and endearing, but he doesn’t have the best opinion of people like Annie, who he considers liberal academics in their ivory towers. Annie is a liberal vegetarian marine ecologist who is an idealist at heart. Though she can be naïve, Annie won me over because she truly has a good heart and is trying to make the world a better place. The two seem like total opposites, but they actually fit one another perfectly. I loved that they were able to discuss their different ideologies and that they actually listened to one another when they were disagreeing. Ms. McCarty did a great job of showing where Dean and Annie came from and the events that shaped them and their beliefs. It’s not an easy thing to do, particularly given the current political climate, which is why this really stood out to me. I read most of Going Dark in one sitting because I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dean and Annie.
The suspense plotline involving eco-terrorists balanced out the romance and kept the story moving at a good pace. While I enjoyed this storyline, I’m definitely more invested in the overarching series plot. I want to know who betrayed SEAL Team Nine and why. One of the people looking for answers is Colt, a former member of Dean’s platoon. The subplot involving Colt and his ex-wife, Kate, had me on the edge of my seat. The two of them made such a strong impression that they almost threatened to steal the show. I say almost, because Dean and Annie were definitely the heart and soul of the story and they really left a good impression on me. I finished Going Dark a well-satisfied reader and I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCarty has in store for the rest of the Lost Platoon.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When things go horribly wrong on a mission in Russia, the surviving members of SEAL Team Nine are ordered to scatter and go dark. It’s been two months since everything went to hell, and Senior Chief Dean Baylor is now living under the radar in Scotland, working as a dive boat captain. He doesn’t need any complications, especially if they come in the form of beautiful marine ecologist Annie Henderson. Annie is on the Isle of Lewis to protest a potentially hazardous offshore drilling venture, but when she learns the activists she arrived with are up to something dangerous, she has no one to turn to for help except for the even more dangerous looking dive boat captain. It’s the second time in two months that things go south for Dean, but he’s not about to let anything happen to Annie, even if it means risking blowing his cover.
Monica McCarty starts off her Lost Platoon series with a bang. Going Dark is an intense, interesting, and engaging romantic suspense. I’ve enjoyed Ms. McCarty’s historical romances in the past, so I was thrilled to discover that she’s every bit as adept when it comes to romantic suspense.
What sets Going Dark apart from a lot of the military romances I’ve read lately is the characters. Badass heroes are a dime a dozen, but while the members of SEAL Team Nine are definitely strong alphas, they’re not over the top (which I was grateful for). Dean is a strong, resourceful, straight-shooting conservative hero. He’s both sexy and endearing, but he doesn’t have the best opinion of people like Annie, who he considers liberal academics in their ivory towers. Annie is a liberal vegetarian marine ecologist who is an idealist at heart. Though she can be naïve, Annie won me over because she truly has a good heart and is trying to make the world a better place. The two seem like total opposites, but they actually fit one another perfectly. I loved that they were able to discuss their different ideologies and that they actually listened to one another when they were disagreeing. Ms. McCarty did a great job of showing where Dean and Annie came from and the events that shaped them and their beliefs. It’s not an easy thing to do, particularly given the current political climate, which is why this really stood out to me. I read most of Going Dark in one sitting because I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dean and Annie.
The suspense plotline involving eco-terrorists balanced out the romance and kept the story moving at a good pace. While I enjoyed this storyline, I’m definitely more invested in the overarching series plot. I want to know who betrayed SEAL Team Nine and why. One of the people looking for answers is Colt, a former member of Dean’s platoon. The subplot involving Colt and his ex-wife, Kate, had me on the edge of my seat. The two of them made such a strong impression that they almost threatened to steal the show. I say almost, because Dean and Annie were definitely the heart and soul of the story and they really left a good impression on me. I finished Going Dark a well-satisfied reader and I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCarty has in store for the rest of the Lost Platoon.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 30, 2017
An author who usually writes fabulous historical romance so yes I'm delighted to see how she tackles romance coupled with a strong military suspense twist. There is admittedly a rash of these types of books available but I have to say that this story went in totally unexpected directions.
It all begins with an undercover raid and from the first page the author puts her readers firmly in a young mans shoes as he is teased by fellow Seals and readies himself for whatever is to come. Please take note of all these characters as unfortunately not all will survive and for the bulk of the story it's Dean who will step forward to be our hero.
Annie is keen to use her PHD to do some good and together with her admittedly very new boyfriend she has journeyed to Scotland to protest against drilling so close to the scenic coastline. Annie may not feel comfortable with all the members of her dive party but she's not letting a few heebie jeebies stop her from acting on her beliefs. Problem is Annie has been lied to and pretty soon all she can do is follow the ships captain as it's dangerously apparent that not only are her fellow activists anything but passive but they are clearly out for blood!
Dean is laying low whilst his teammates still try to work out just who betrayed them on their last mission. Keeping a low profile wasn't a problem before a certain cocky and far too naive Annie boarded his boat! She's everything he isn't, has completely different opinions and yet seems so unaware of her own quite considerable charms. Charms Dean can resist but when Annie realises she's brought danger to his boat of course the big tough Seal is going to protect her.
Ok admittedly I was a touch surprised by the beginning as it's very unusual to get introduced to a character that is likeable only to have them bumped off! I'm not sure if that ploy will please all readers but it certainly got my attention! I really enjoyed the story however once it got into its stride and can start to see just why the author chose to throw in such a beguiling beginning. As the couple go on the run they face numerous challenges and not all are from bad guys as they still have the inhospitable terrain as well to navigate. Being at the mercy of the elements doesn't bother Dean but Annie isn't quite as hardbitten and it's easy to see her try oh so very hard not to be a burden.
I'm kind of on the fence with Annie as at times I really didn't like her that much. I do understand she has strong ideals and is what some might refer to as an eco warrior but her thoughts on those who serve their country actually grated terribly on me. At times perhaps too preachy although admittedly she is given a backstory to help explain her viewpoint . It's her absurd inability to realise that only because others have made hard choices does she have the ability to vote, live as she wants and yes even peacefully protest that had me wanting to shake her.
Dean was much easier to like as he's made of the stuff you expect from a tough military man who knows others keep their hands clean whilst men like him get down and dirty. Now luckily Dean does field convincing arguments when faced with Annie's rhetoric but at times their dialogue was quite political although Dean seemed to enjoy it. However again I'm not sure just how much other romantic suspense readers will want this if like me you read to escape harsh reality.
My final thoughts are that in spite of things I've mentioned that I wasn't comfortable with I actually really enjoyed this book. There's enough suspense running through this to keep me engaged plus there's still the mystery surrounding what happened and why. We are introduced to a couple of other possible book boyfriends as this story unravels with lots of mystery surrounding their relationships both past and present. It felt current and up to date so completely unlike anything else the author has written but never fear her way with words and ability to make her romances feel like the stuff of dreams is all most definitely here.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
It all begins with an undercover raid and from the first page the author puts her readers firmly in a young mans shoes as he is teased by fellow Seals and readies himself for whatever is to come. Please take note of all these characters as unfortunately not all will survive and for the bulk of the story it's Dean who will step forward to be our hero.
Annie is keen to use her PHD to do some good and together with her admittedly very new boyfriend she has journeyed to Scotland to protest against drilling so close to the scenic coastline. Annie may not feel comfortable with all the members of her dive party but she's not letting a few heebie jeebies stop her from acting on her beliefs. Problem is Annie has been lied to and pretty soon all she can do is follow the ships captain as it's dangerously apparent that not only are her fellow activists anything but passive but they are clearly out for blood!
Dean is laying low whilst his teammates still try to work out just who betrayed them on their last mission. Keeping a low profile wasn't a problem before a certain cocky and far too naive Annie boarded his boat! She's everything he isn't, has completely different opinions and yet seems so unaware of her own quite considerable charms. Charms Dean can resist but when Annie realises she's brought danger to his boat of course the big tough Seal is going to protect her.
Ok admittedly I was a touch surprised by the beginning as it's very unusual to get introduced to a character that is likeable only to have them bumped off! I'm not sure if that ploy will please all readers but it certainly got my attention! I really enjoyed the story however once it got into its stride and can start to see just why the author chose to throw in such a beguiling beginning. As the couple go on the run they face numerous challenges and not all are from bad guys as they still have the inhospitable terrain as well to navigate. Being at the mercy of the elements doesn't bother Dean but Annie isn't quite as hardbitten and it's easy to see her try oh so very hard not to be a burden.
I'm kind of on the fence with Annie as at times I really didn't like her that much. I do understand she has strong ideals and is what some might refer to as an eco warrior but her thoughts on those who serve their country actually grated terribly on me. At times perhaps too preachy although admittedly she is given a backstory to help explain her viewpoint . It's her absurd inability to realise that only because others have made hard choices does she have the ability to vote, live as she wants and yes even peacefully protest that had me wanting to shake her.
Dean was much easier to like as he's made of the stuff you expect from a tough military man who knows others keep their hands clean whilst men like him get down and dirty. Now luckily Dean does field convincing arguments when faced with Annie's rhetoric but at times their dialogue was quite political although Dean seemed to enjoy it. However again I'm not sure just how much other romantic suspense readers will want this if like me you read to escape harsh reality.
My final thoughts are that in spite of things I've mentioned that I wasn't comfortable with I actually really enjoyed this book. There's enough suspense running through this to keep me engaged plus there's still the mystery surrounding what happened and why. We are introduced to a couple of other possible book boyfriends as this story unravels with lots of mystery surrounding their relationships both past and present. It felt current and up to date so completely unlike anything else the author has written but never fear her way with words and ability to make her romances feel like the stuff of dreams is all most definitely here.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
September 5, 2017
✦Review & Giveaway: GOING DARK (The Lost Platoon) by Monica McCarty http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9G1
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars
This story is fast paced and exciting. I liked both characters instantly, even though I didn’t have a lot in common with either one. I liked that they were almost polar opposites, and yet respected each other’s views with an open mind. Their disagreements never got to the “that’s enough already” stage for me, and I liked that. The romance part was smoking hot and blended well into the story, smoothly ebbing and flowing with the danger all around them. I can’t wait to read the next installment to find out what happens with them and the rest of the lost platoon! I loved it.
*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle http://amzn.to/2qtdF55
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars
This story is fast paced and exciting. I liked both characters instantly, even though I didn’t have a lot in common with either one. I liked that they were almost polar opposites, and yet respected each other’s views with an open mind. Their disagreements never got to the “that’s enough already” stage for me, and I liked that. The romance part was smoking hot and blended well into the story, smoothly ebbing and flowing with the danger all around them. I can’t wait to read the next installment to find out what happens with them and the rest of the lost platoon! I loved it.
*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.
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Kindle http://amzn.to/2qtdF55
September 4, 2017
This story was okay but ultimately wasn't for me. I really liked the intrigue happening and even the romance for the most part but it was just so long, drawn out, and overly descriptive I never fully got into it or felt invested. About half way through I started skimming because I still wanted to know how the intrigue portion ended.
There's a lot going on in a short amount of time and I felt like I was on information overload, there were a lot of different stories in play. I liked the hero but the hero wasn't who I originally thought it was going to be so that was kind of odd. I was pretty neutral on the heroine. She was fine but just naive. There are a lot of ups and downs between the two, a really good attraction and nice chemistry. There was good drama and heat but I felt disconnected from it because there was so much internal monologue related to it, that it just seemed to go on and on. Also, there is a lot of political talk which is not my jam so that made me check out a bit.
I was curious enough about the mystery who-done-it element that I skimmed to get to the end to get answers and because I wanted to see how the romance ended. A lot of my questions where answered and a lot was left open for the series to continue. I never got invested enough to be interested to continue on with more books. This one just didn't work for me.
There's a lot going on in a short amount of time and I felt like I was on information overload, there were a lot of different stories in play. I liked the hero but the hero wasn't who I originally thought it was going to be so that was kind of odd. I was pretty neutral on the heroine. She was fine but just naive. There are a lot of ups and downs between the two, a really good attraction and nice chemistry. There was good drama and heat but I felt disconnected from it because there was so much internal monologue related to it, that it just seemed to go on and on. Also, there is a lot of political talk which is not my jam so that made me check out a bit.
I was curious enough about the mystery who-done-it element that I skimmed to get to the end to get answers and because I wanted to see how the romance ended. A lot of my questions where answered and a lot was left open for the series to continue. I never got invested enough to be interested to continue on with more books. This one just didn't work for me.
September 9, 2017
Though I haven’t read many romantic suspense novels, it’s one of my favorite sub-genres of romance. Going Dark sounded like the perfect book for me, and I couldn’t wait to get into it. Going Dark sets off with an explosive, albeit confusing prologue with a Navy SEAL’s mission in Russia going wrong. It’s a confusing prologue because you soon realize that the hero of the book isn’t who you think it is. So be warned, as the prologue and first chapter will most likely throw readers off. Despite the confusing start, the book is an addicting read with non-stop action and revelations. It’s exciting from start to finish, and will have readers salivating for more as you read through the chapters. At the center of Going Dark are two characters who are polar opposites of each other when it comes to political views, but who somehow fit together like a lock and a key. Annie, a newly minted PhD ecologist, is accompanying her boyfriend to Scotland to protest an oil-company. We soon find out that her boyfriend and his friends’ plans involve more than just peaceful protests, and take a dangerous turn. Thankfully for her, she’s thrown into the arms of Dan (Dean in reality), who is trying to fly under the radar after surviving the secret mission. Annie is very anti-military, pro-environment and is a vegetarian. Dean is a Southern military man with very staunch conservative beliefs. So you can imagine that these two don’t always mesh together. But they find a way to compromise, and becoming understanding of each others’ views throughout Going Dark. I found the inclusion of a couple with such differing views to be interesting, and also quite relevant given the current political climate. Their relationship definitely started with a lot of lust, but as the story progressed we get to see them connect emotionally as well. The chemistry between the two is smoking hot! Annie does come across as a little naive at times, but her passion for her work, and her resilience spoke to me. As for Dean himself, he’s just the kind of her I enjoy in romantic suspense novels, a little on the stoic side, but also sexy as hell. The secondary cast introduced in Going Dark were even more intriguing than the main characters, in my opinion, and I can’t wait to become acquainted with them as the series progresses. For now, I’m already a fan of the Lost Platoon series, and I’m excited to see what Monica McCarthy has up her sleeves for readers. Going Dark is a sexy, fun and fantastic start to what is sure to become an addicting series.
January 11, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
I will admit that I was a bit nervous to pick this book up, I have only read her historical’s so I wasn’t sure how she would do with a romantic suspense although both require some well planned research for the world building. After seeing book three being released and seeing how many have loved these books so far, I just knew it was time to read them. So I grabbed this one up and I am so happy that Ihave done so….this author will always work for me and she has become an auto buy author for me. From the get go, I couldn’t put this book down and I had a feeling this book would be such a keeper and it definitely turned out that way.
Our story begins with SEAL Team Nine on a submarine, traveling to the Baltic Sea towards Russia and going on a dangerous mission, one that if they are discovered by the Russians, it could cause a war. The LT, has a very bad feeling about this mission, too many risks and not enough facts given to them. But their mission is compromised when the LT receives a message about it being a trap and with half of his team killed, he gathers the survivors and scatters them all over the world until they figure out who betrayed them and who was behind their team being attacked when no one should have known they were there.
Our heroine, has come to Scotland, in protest against oil spills against marine wild life. After she witnessed a horrible spil of oil and seeing the devastation to the marine life she knew she had found her purpose. She and her boyfriend want to make a stand although she isn’t sure what the plan really is. She feels the situation is a bit iffy, but she trusts her boyfriend. But then while on a boat to the oil rigging for a protest, she finds explosives in one of their friends bags and she knows that she is in way over her head. The captain of the boat, is someone she feels that she can trust and is capable. And they manage to escape but now they are on the run from the authorities who think they are the criminals. Dean and Annie have to work together to survive and stay one step ahead of the eco terrorists. But Dean also knows he is putting his team at risk by staying with Annie.
Dean and Annie know that there is no way to be together because of their circumstances, especially when Annie learns who Dean really is and that its just not him that he is protecting, but what is left of his team. But there is a connection between Dean and Annie, and they draw closer as the danger to them gets nearer to them and Dean realizes some important facets about himself and if he is willing to fight for what they have or let it go because of the danger surrounding them.
I really had SO much of a good time reading this book and it really speaks to your emotions and I truly admire this talent that Monica McCarty has with aspect in her stories. I fell in love with this story for the most part, I will admit that the heroine drove me a bit nuts with her anti military ways and her misconceptions about many things made it appear how naive she could be. But I did enjoy seeing her change and see how wrong she is about certain things. The chemistry between Dean and Annie is very obvious and it was interesting seeing them explore this aspect of their relationship and I do love the way McCarty writes her sex scenes. But we also get the details to the overall plot of the series and enjoyed seeing where McCarty takes this and I am curious to find out what we will see in future books and see how this team will find out the truth.
Overall I found Going Dark to be a stunning story that gave me all the edgy thrills that you expect from romantic suspense and McCarty delivers on ALL fronts and I found this book to be a SPECTACULAR addition to her work!! FANTASTICALLY WELL WRITTEN!!
I will admit that I was a bit nervous to pick this book up, I have only read her historical’s so I wasn’t sure how she would do with a romantic suspense although both require some well planned research for the world building. After seeing book three being released and seeing how many have loved these books so far, I just knew it was time to read them. So I grabbed this one up and I am so happy that Ihave done so….this author will always work for me and she has become an auto buy author for me. From the get go, I couldn’t put this book down and I had a feeling this book would be such a keeper and it definitely turned out that way.
Our story begins with SEAL Team Nine on a submarine, traveling to the Baltic Sea towards Russia and going on a dangerous mission, one that if they are discovered by the Russians, it could cause a war. The LT, has a very bad feeling about this mission, too many risks and not enough facts given to them. But their mission is compromised when the LT receives a message about it being a trap and with half of his team killed, he gathers the survivors and scatters them all over the world until they figure out who betrayed them and who was behind their team being attacked when no one should have known they were there.
Our heroine, has come to Scotland, in protest against oil spills against marine wild life. After she witnessed a horrible spil of oil and seeing the devastation to the marine life she knew she had found her purpose. She and her boyfriend want to make a stand although she isn’t sure what the plan really is. She feels the situation is a bit iffy, but she trusts her boyfriend. But then while on a boat to the oil rigging for a protest, she finds explosives in one of their friends bags and she knows that she is in way over her head. The captain of the boat, is someone she feels that she can trust and is capable. And they manage to escape but now they are on the run from the authorities who think they are the criminals. Dean and Annie have to work together to survive and stay one step ahead of the eco terrorists. But Dean also knows he is putting his team at risk by staying with Annie.
Dean and Annie know that there is no way to be together because of their circumstances, especially when Annie learns who Dean really is and that its just not him that he is protecting, but what is left of his team. But there is a connection between Dean and Annie, and they draw closer as the danger to them gets nearer to them and Dean realizes some important facets about himself and if he is willing to fight for what they have or let it go because of the danger surrounding them.
I really had SO much of a good time reading this book and it really speaks to your emotions and I truly admire this talent that Monica McCarty has with aspect in her stories. I fell in love with this story for the most part, I will admit that the heroine drove me a bit nuts with her anti military ways and her misconceptions about many things made it appear how naive she could be. But I did enjoy seeing her change and see how wrong she is about certain things. The chemistry between Dean and Annie is very obvious and it was interesting seeing them explore this aspect of their relationship and I do love the way McCarty writes her sex scenes. But we also get the details to the overall plot of the series and enjoyed seeing where McCarty takes this and I am curious to find out what we will see in future books and see how this team will find out the truth.
Overall I found Going Dark to be a stunning story that gave me all the edgy thrills that you expect from romantic suspense and McCarty delivers on ALL fronts and I found this book to be a SPECTACULAR addition to her work!! FANTASTICALLY WELL WRITTEN!!
August 11, 2017
A SEAL team paralleling the lost Roman Legion is a mouthwatering prospect. A covert op that had gone so wrong has led to the remaining few scattered around the globe and off the grid, waiting for justice to be served? It's catnip on a platter. As someone who isn’t really into historicals, Monica McCarty’s a new author for me and any addition to the RS sub-genre is something I’m typically happy to pounce on.
Yet the opening was at best, shaky with an overwhelming info-dump that got my head swirling, all in the midst of an op that was going to go bust. Filled with with too many names, ranks and explanations of how the team worked, the first chapter was also oddly anchored by a character who also wasn't the protagonist, which was bewildering to say the least as you only learn of one of the secondary SEALs peripherally mentioned was going to be the hero instead in the next few chapters.
But ‘Going Dark’ hits its stride halfway in, as Dean Baylor (the once Senior Chief)—hiding away in the Hebrides two months after the botched Russian job—gets inadvertently involved in an ecoterrorist plot with a woman who could very well be collateral damage. Nevertheless, I was drawn in by the intrigue and the suspense more than the characters with whom I felt less of an affinity.
Dean/Annie weren’t quite a couple that I could see together—their fiercely opposing ideals aside—as their skin-deep connection simply felt like an adrenaline-fuelled product that would burn bright and hot, but eventually burn out. Dean’s constant rumination about his casual hookups, his usual type of women and Annie not fitting the bill were off-putting to say the least, even when these comparisons were supposed to serve as his internal monologues about Annie’s break from the mould. The latter's environmental-saving, emotional liberalism is the still furthest from his military beliefs however, though attraction comes at the worst possible timing especially since “casual” has always defined Dean’s so-called social life to a tee. Yet Annie’s insecure naïveté—some TSTL lines were crossed—and her need to keep clinging when all they agreed to was a fling that would end when they separated got annoying when she went from a seeming no-nonsense PhD graduate to a weepy, needy woman when she near begs him to stay.
That said though, this is a thoroughly promising series; the other characters definitely intrigue me and Monica McCarty provides enough of a backstory of them as a teaser that makes me enthusiastic for the sequels to come. Action specific to each couple is the focus of every book it seems, though as of now, investigations of the overall mystery crawl on, which make the ending unsatisfactory as none of the pieces have yet fallen into place. But the bright side? There’s still more to look forward to.
*ARC by netgalley and the publisher
(still grateful, as always)
Yet the opening was at best, shaky with an overwhelming info-dump that got my head swirling, all in the midst of an op that was going to go bust. Filled with with too many names, ranks and explanations of how the team worked, the first chapter was also oddly anchored by a character who also wasn't the protagonist, which was bewildering to say the least as you only learn of one of the secondary SEALs peripherally mentioned was going to be the hero instead in the next few chapters.
But ‘Going Dark’ hits its stride halfway in, as Dean Baylor (the once Senior Chief)—hiding away in the Hebrides two months after the botched Russian job—gets inadvertently involved in an ecoterrorist plot with a woman who could very well be collateral damage. Nevertheless, I was drawn in by the intrigue and the suspense more than the characters with whom I felt less of an affinity.
Dean/Annie weren’t quite a couple that I could see together—their fiercely opposing ideals aside—as their skin-deep connection simply felt like an adrenaline-fuelled product that would burn bright and hot, but eventually burn out. Dean’s constant rumination about his casual hookups, his usual type of women and Annie not fitting the bill were off-putting to say the least, even when these comparisons were supposed to serve as his internal monologues about Annie’s break from the mould. The latter's environmental-saving, emotional liberalism is the still furthest from his military beliefs however, though attraction comes at the worst possible timing especially since “casual” has always defined Dean’s so-called social life to a tee. Yet Annie’s insecure naïveté—some TSTL lines were crossed—and her need to keep clinging when all they agreed to was a fling that would end when they separated got annoying when she went from a seeming no-nonsense PhD graduate to a weepy, needy woman when she near begs him to stay.
That said though, this is a thoroughly promising series; the other characters definitely intrigue me and Monica McCarty provides enough of a backstory of them as a teaser that makes me enthusiastic for the sequels to come. Action specific to each couple is the focus of every book it seems, though as of now, investigations of the overall mystery crawl on, which make the ending unsatisfactory as none of the pieces have yet fallen into place. But the bright side? There’s still more to look forward to.
*ARC by netgalley and the publisher
(still grateful, as always)
September 2, 2017
Going Dark was an action packed and sexy read. Right from the beginning of the book, the author introduced a lot of action and intrigued. There were even some surprises right from the beginning that made the book very memorable. I will admit that it was a little hard to follow what was happening in the beginning of the book, but the book was still very intriguing and mysterious.
Annie was the main female character and she was spunky, determined, and fierce. I admired how passionate she was about the things she cared about. There were times when she seemed whiny and dumb at times but she was still likable overall. Annie was the opposite of Dean was a tough military man with conservative views. They were definitely the idealistic opposites attract couple. I liked the banter their opposite personalities caused. They had some insta-love/insta-lust vibes going on, but they definitely had a lot of swoony chemistry! I thought the author did a good job at creating a steamy romance between Annie and Dean!
This book presented some liberal and conservative political issues that I was not expecting. I thought the author did a great job as representing both sides in an intelligent manner to appease anyone reading this book. I will say that it felt a bit preachy at times, so I would have like the politics to have been toned down a little bit.
The plot of this book held my interest the entire time. I thought the author did a great job at creating an exciting, interesting, and action packed plot. I also thought the author did a great job at introducing a lot of side characters that became very important to the story. The side characters became characters I really cared about and it made me excited for future books in this series!
If you are looking for a romance with lots of military action, then I would recommend checking this out!
3 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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Annie was the main female character and she was spunky, determined, and fierce. I admired how passionate she was about the things she cared about. There were times when she seemed whiny and dumb at times but she was still likable overall. Annie was the opposite of Dean was a tough military man with conservative views. They were definitely the idealistic opposites attract couple. I liked the banter their opposite personalities caused. They had some insta-love/insta-lust vibes going on, but they definitely had a lot of swoony chemistry! I thought the author did a good job at creating a steamy romance between Annie and Dean!
This book presented some liberal and conservative political issues that I was not expecting. I thought the author did a great job as representing both sides in an intelligent manner to appease anyone reading this book. I will say that it felt a bit preachy at times, so I would have like the politics to have been toned down a little bit.
The plot of this book held my interest the entire time. I thought the author did a great job at creating an exciting, interesting, and action packed plot. I also thought the author did a great job at introducing a lot of side characters that became very important to the story. The side characters became characters I really cared about and it made me excited for future books in this series!
If you are looking for a romance with lots of military action, then I would recommend checking this out!
3 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
September 5, 2017
Going Dark opens with an elite team of Navy SEALS deep into a covert operation on foreign soil. Their mission could be construed as an act of aggression if discovered so the men are working under blackout conditions; no communication with their transport ship and radio silence while on the ground. When things go to hell the surviving members of the team realize they’ve been betrayed and the commanding officer orders his men to scatter and hide themselves until the leak can be discovered. This dramatic prologue sets the stage for what should have been an intense story of the survivors’ search for a mole within the chain of command. Instead Going Dark wastes much of that build up by changing gears from a military action thriller to a tepid story of eco-terrorism.
Annie Henderson’s life changed forever after she saw the terrible effect of the B.P. oil spill on the environment in Louisiana. Deciding that she needed to make a difference Annie got her doctorate in Ecology and has looked for ways to use her knowledge to effect positive change. When her new French boyfriend, Julien Bernard, invites her to travel with him to Scotland to protest off shore drilling in the Hebrides, she seizes the opportunity to take a large public stand on an issue dear to her. Julien’s group plans to document a sit-in protest on the oil platform with the hopes their film will convince those in power to change the local regulations.
Upon arriving on the Isle of Lewis, Annie begins to have misgivings about Julien and the group of friends he’s brought her to meet. Her unease grows after learning that the boat chartered to take them from Lewis out to the platform was booked using her name without her knowledge – but it’s not enough for her to change course. Annie’s suspicions about Julien’s group seem small compared to the outright hostility they get from the boat’s Canadian captain, Dan Warren, who initially refuses to transport them. Her hackles are immediately raised when she catches Dan washing out an engine component in the marina without a care for the grease he’s getting in the ocean water. While Annie can appreciate how handsome Dan is, she’s put off by his dismissive attitude towards the protesters and his anger at what she and Julien’s group intend to do.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
Annie Henderson’s life changed forever after she saw the terrible effect of the B.P. oil spill on the environment in Louisiana. Deciding that she needed to make a difference Annie got her doctorate in Ecology and has looked for ways to use her knowledge to effect positive change. When her new French boyfriend, Julien Bernard, invites her to travel with him to Scotland to protest off shore drilling in the Hebrides, she seizes the opportunity to take a large public stand on an issue dear to her. Julien’s group plans to document a sit-in protest on the oil platform with the hopes their film will convince those in power to change the local regulations.
Upon arriving on the Isle of Lewis, Annie begins to have misgivings about Julien and the group of friends he’s brought her to meet. Her unease grows after learning that the boat chartered to take them from Lewis out to the platform was booked using her name without her knowledge – but it’s not enough for her to change course. Annie’s suspicions about Julien’s group seem small compared to the outright hostility they get from the boat’s Canadian captain, Dan Warren, who initially refuses to transport them. Her hackles are immediately raised when she catches Dan washing out an engine component in the marina without a care for the grease he’s getting in the ocean water. While Annie can appreciate how handsome Dan is, she’s put off by his dismissive attitude towards the protesters and his anger at what she and Julien’s group intend to do.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
September 22, 2017
What a fantastic book! I am a fan of Monica's highland novels and usually only read historical but I knew if Monica wrote this it would be fantastic and it was!!!!
September 8, 2017
OMG. This book was waaaay confusing and kind of hokey. If I hadn't received this as a book to review for the publisher, I would've given up. Even skimming through pages was torture.
Here's what irritated me:
* Story opens and the tone is typical macho stuff that mainly focuses on the camaraderie of a SEAL Team heading out and it focuses on the new guy and the characters who surround him and work as a brotherhood. Everyone's got a nickname and profile. MIT is their jokey way of labeling a Stanford grad, and he prefers being called MIT over Ivy.
* Then, we jump to the main lovers of the story: Annie, who is with her boyfriend planning to stage an eco right activist protest, and a SEAL in hiding whom we call "Dan" because he can't reveal his true identity because that would be a danger to himself and his brothers/mission, but we really have no idea why that would be bad. Like, seriously. The book never tells us why. Oh, and I don't even recall this Dan in the opening section.
* Then, we jump to some other characters in another chapter that I also don't recall but are connected to the SEALs.
I get that the author knows where she wants to go, but it didn't come together. I kept checking to see if I came into a series midway because I felt I should know what's going on with all the characters and clandestine happenings, but it was so murky and hidden that I still don't know what's happening now that I'm done with the book.
Many of the chapters ended with hokey cliffhangers. "Too late, she realized someone was behind her." and end scene until the next chapter. It seemed a little amateurish to use that trick so often. "He was halfway down the ladder to the boat when she said the one thing he couldn't ignore. The one thing guaranteed to stop him..." and you know she is setting this up for the next chapter.
Finally, the other element I had a hard time with was the insta-love between Annie & Dan. And it wasn't just weird because she is with her boyfriend, Julien. It was odd because it was so unbelievable. Now, I have read insta-love books before. I think what didn't work here is the lack of depth and emotions these characters had. They were not richly developed characters. In fact, I don't think I'd really like Annie in real life. Not because I'd be envious of her beauty (she is described as stunning), wealth (worth millions), education (PHD), connections (she knows people), but because for all her political righteousness, I don't think she has much in brains (education does not mean she has much common sense).
It was frustrating to get through the book and I will not return for more in this series.
Here's what irritated me:
* Story opens and the tone is typical macho stuff that mainly focuses on the camaraderie of a SEAL Team heading out and it focuses on the new guy and the characters who surround him and work as a brotherhood. Everyone's got a nickname and profile. MIT is their jokey way of labeling a Stanford grad, and he prefers being called MIT over Ivy.
* Then, we jump to the main lovers of the story: Annie, who is with her boyfriend planning to stage an eco right activist protest, and a SEAL in hiding whom we call "Dan" because he can't reveal his true identity because that would be a danger to himself and his brothers/mission, but we really have no idea why that would be bad. Like, seriously. The book never tells us why. Oh, and I don't even recall this Dan in the opening section.
* Then, we jump to some other characters in another chapter that I also don't recall but are connected to the SEALs.
I get that the author knows where she wants to go, but it didn't come together. I kept checking to see if I came into a series midway because I felt I should know what's going on with all the characters and clandestine happenings, but it was so murky and hidden that I still don't know what's happening now that I'm done with the book.
Many of the chapters ended with hokey cliffhangers. "Too late, she realized someone was behind her." and end scene until the next chapter. It seemed a little amateurish to use that trick so often. "He was halfway down the ladder to the boat when she said the one thing he couldn't ignore. The one thing guaranteed to stop him..." and you know she is setting this up for the next chapter.
Finally, the other element I had a hard time with was the insta-love between Annie & Dan. And it wasn't just weird because she is with her boyfriend, Julien. It was odd because it was so unbelievable. Now, I have read insta-love books before. I think what didn't work here is the lack of depth and emotions these characters had. They were not richly developed characters. In fact, I don't think I'd really like Annie in real life. Not because I'd be envious of her beauty (she is described as stunning), wealth (worth millions), education (PHD), connections (she knows people), but because for all her political righteousness, I don't think she has much in brains (education does not mean she has much common sense).
It was frustrating to get through the book and I will not return for more in this series.
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