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High Risk #3
Shattered
More than a year after his red-hot affair in Baghdad with Army doctor Kirby Campbell, Army pilot Shane Garrett is trying to rebuild his life stateside. Kirby is also stateside, but when she learns a friend is being held hostage in Central America, she works with Phoenix Team to organize a rescue?and Shane isn?t about to let them leave him behind. Or let Kirby get away. But when Kirby and Shane stare danger in the face, they come to know each other in the way no civilian could ever understand. And they wonder: can they fight for their country, for their lives?and for love?
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 3, 2009
39 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
238 books798 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 5, 2010
I love romantic-military-suspense and this was a good one, in fact it was almost a great one. Running along the lines of Cindy Gerard or Suzanne Brockmann SHATTERED opens up in Afghanistan with an amazing action sequence that’s based on actual events.
This is no fluffy romantic action either; it’s realistic, harsh and filled with accurate military terms, mind bending acronyms and real locations. Soldiers use the f-bomb, get wounded and die here. In fact our hero (Shane) winds up losing his leg from the helicopter crash and ensuing firefight and his subsequent transfer while injured to the military hospital and extraction behind enemy lines is WAY exciting.
Now while this is book #3 in the ‘High Risk’ series I read it as a stand alone and did just fine, never feeling lost or like I was missing anything. And if you are reading in order you’ll be happy to know Zach and Quinn are back as well as updates from their spouses. Speaking of which, Army Doctor Kirby Campbell is a very likable heroine here; strong, not physically perfect and relatable. And her gradual falling back in love with injured pilot Shane Garrett feels natural. I enjoyed getting to know both our leads through flashbacks to their MASH beginnings in Baghdad; and jeez that scene in the German hospital when Shane lets her go will just break your heart.
I also should mention (because it really impressed me) the amount of research that’s gone into this book, with loads of information and background down to the smallest of details. Unfortunately this is also where Ross lost me as she often gets sidetracked, moving away from the main story with irrelevant factoids and reminding me of Stephen King in that you’re reading something 3xtimes removed from the story.
So while I really, really liked this it just didn’t flow very well, leaving me often frustrated by moments of greatness and then a story that wandered off all over the place. Ross also had an annoying habit of letting our reunited couple talk through their love scenes (most of which are done in flashbacks) having full on conversations while poised, condom in hand. This was distracting and ruined the moment particularly because we had to wait forever for them to finally get it on.
My biggest disappointment of all though would have to be the ending which is a rescue set in Central America that we’d worked towards for the entire book. I was expecting another intense action scene instead its hurried and even silly with our strong leads going all Harlequiny, rescuing child soldiers and worrying about abandoned dogs in the brief pages given. Shane’s sweet proposal almost makes up for it though.
Highly recommended for romantic suspense fans *Zosia*
This is no fluffy romantic action either; it’s realistic, harsh and filled with accurate military terms, mind bending acronyms and real locations. Soldiers use the f-bomb, get wounded and die here. In fact our hero (Shane) winds up losing his leg from the helicopter crash and ensuing firefight and his subsequent transfer while injured to the military hospital and extraction behind enemy lines is WAY exciting.
Now while this is book #3 in the ‘High Risk’ series I read it as a stand alone and did just fine, never feeling lost or like I was missing anything. And if you are reading in order you’ll be happy to know Zach and Quinn are back as well as updates from their spouses. Speaking of which, Army Doctor Kirby Campbell is a very likable heroine here; strong, not physically perfect and relatable. And her gradual falling back in love with injured pilot Shane Garrett feels natural. I enjoyed getting to know both our leads through flashbacks to their MASH beginnings in Baghdad; and jeez that scene in the German hospital when Shane lets her go will just break your heart.
I also should mention (because it really impressed me) the amount of research that’s gone into this book, with loads of information and background down to the smallest of details. Unfortunately this is also where Ross lost me as she often gets sidetracked, moving away from the main story with irrelevant factoids and reminding me of Stephen King in that you’re reading something 3xtimes removed from the story.
So while I really, really liked this it just didn’t flow very well, leaving me often frustrated by moments of greatness and then a story that wandered off all over the place. Ross also had an annoying habit of letting our reunited couple talk through their love scenes (most of which are done in flashbacks) having full on conversations while poised, condom in hand. This was distracting and ruined the moment particularly because we had to wait forever for them to finally get it on.
My biggest disappointment of all though would have to be the ending which is a rescue set in Central America that we’d worked towards for the entire book. I was expecting another intense action scene instead its hurried and even silly with our strong leads going all Harlequiny, rescuing child soldiers and worrying about abandoned dogs in the brief pages given. Shane’s sweet proposal almost makes up for it though.
Highly recommended for romantic suspense fans *Zosia*
February 10, 2009
I'm debating between 4 stars and 3.5 stars for this one. I was leaning solidly in the 4 star area, but then the ending fell a little short for me. Maybe I should say it was 3.75 stars, LOL. But aside from the somewhat lackluster ending, I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved Shane. Wanting to read his story is what kept me reading this series after the first book didn't do much for me.
Shattered is the third book on Ross's High Risk series which is about a bunch of former Spec Ops military men who are now trying to adjust to civilian life and dealing with the demons of things that happened on their last military mission. Shane Garrett is the hero of this book. He was the SOAR helicopter pilot who was seriously injured during the tragic Afghanistan mission. His injury caused him to have to have his leg amputated.
The book is divided into 3 sections. The first part, about 80-90 pages takes place in the past. It tells how Shane met Army doctor Kirby Campbell and how they started a hot affair and how Kirby ended up being the doctor who helped save Shane's life after he was shot. It goes through the Afghanistan mission again, this time from Shane's point of view. And finishes with how things went wrong with Shane and Kirby.
The second section, the longest one, moves into the present and tells what Shane and Kirby are doing now...Shane is teaching flying to civilians and Kirby is a doctor with a relief organization in an unstable country. When Kirby's partner doctor is kidnapped by terrorists, she ends up joining with the Phoenix group to go in and rescue her, which is how she and Shane meet up again. Though Kirby tries to deny it, the feelings are still there and Shane makes it clear that he screwed up before and wants Kirby back. But first they have to rescue her doctor friend.
And the third section of the book moves on to the rescue part of the story where Shane, Kirby, Zach, Quinn, and Michael Gannon go to the Central American country to rescue Rachel, the other doctor. And of course, there's an HEA for Kirby and Shane.
Though this book is a romantic suspense, its what I call a low-intensity one. There's not a lot of action. Most of the scenes are planning and talking and whatnot. But I found it easy to read. I enjoyed Shane a lot. He was a cool, very together kinda of guy. Alpha without being over the top. And I liked him and Kirby together. They had great chemistry. Though, like the last book, the present aspect of their relationship doesn't pick up until very late in the book. But considering parts 2 & 3 of the story only cover like 3 days time, that's kinda understandable (even if a little disappointing).
And also, like the last book, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. The "suspense" aspect of the story and the HEA for the H/H covers only like 15 pages. I would have liked something a little more drawn out. And I was really disappointed with the wrap-up of the Michael/Rachel storyline.
Michael Gannon has been in several Ross books. He's the brother of some of her other lead characters. He was a military doctor who then became a priest (called by women Father What-A-Waste) who then went back to being a doctor. In this book, you learn Michael had a past relationship with Rachel, the doctor kidnapped. And that both still loved the other. So you know they're going to end up together. But all Ross gives you is one scene between them in the middle of chaos, then a short few lines between Shane and Kirby telling readers that Michael is going to join Rachel as a relief doctor. It was so disappointing. Michael was an endearing, recurring character and then to not get a full reunion, HEA scene with him and Rachel...well, it was more than a small let down.
But aside from the subpar ending, I liked this book. The characters were engaging, the romance was pretty good and the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading. I wouldn't call it a super great book, but it was good. I'm glad I decided to stick with the series.
Shattered is the third book on Ross's High Risk series which is about a bunch of former Spec Ops military men who are now trying to adjust to civilian life and dealing with the demons of things that happened on their last military mission. Shane Garrett is the hero of this book. He was the SOAR helicopter pilot who was seriously injured during the tragic Afghanistan mission. His injury caused him to have to have his leg amputated.
The book is divided into 3 sections. The first part, about 80-90 pages takes place in the past. It tells how Shane met Army doctor Kirby Campbell and how they started a hot affair and how Kirby ended up being the doctor who helped save Shane's life after he was shot. It goes through the Afghanistan mission again, this time from Shane's point of view. And finishes with how things went wrong with Shane and Kirby.
The second section, the longest one, moves into the present and tells what Shane and Kirby are doing now...Shane is teaching flying to civilians and Kirby is a doctor with a relief organization in an unstable country. When Kirby's partner doctor is kidnapped by terrorists, she ends up joining with the Phoenix group to go in and rescue her, which is how she and Shane meet up again. Though Kirby tries to deny it, the feelings are still there and Shane makes it clear that he screwed up before and wants Kirby back. But first they have to rescue her doctor friend.
And the third section of the book moves on to the rescue part of the story where Shane, Kirby, Zach, Quinn, and Michael Gannon go to the Central American country to rescue Rachel, the other doctor. And of course, there's an HEA for Kirby and Shane.
Though this book is a romantic suspense, its what I call a low-intensity one. There's not a lot of action. Most of the scenes are planning and talking and whatnot. But I found it easy to read. I enjoyed Shane a lot. He was a cool, very together kinda of guy. Alpha without being over the top. And I liked him and Kirby together. They had great chemistry. Though, like the last book, the present aspect of their relationship doesn't pick up until very late in the book. But considering parts 2 & 3 of the story only cover like 3 days time, that's kinda understandable (even if a little disappointing).
And also, like the last book, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. The "suspense" aspect of the story and the HEA for the H/H covers only like 15 pages. I would have liked something a little more drawn out. And I was really disappointed with the wrap-up of the Michael/Rachel storyline.
Michael Gannon has been in several Ross books. He's the brother of some of her other lead characters. He was a military doctor who then became a priest (called by women Father What-A-Waste) who then went back to being a doctor. In this book, you learn Michael had a past relationship with Rachel, the doctor kidnapped. And that both still loved the other. So you know they're going to end up together. But all Ross gives you is one scene between them in the middle of chaos, then a short few lines between Shane and Kirby telling readers that Michael is going to join Rachel as a relief doctor. It was so disappointing. Michael was an endearing, recurring character and then to not get a full reunion, HEA scene with him and Rachel...well, it was more than a small let down.
But aside from the subpar ending, I liked this book. The characters were engaging, the romance was pretty good and the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading. I wouldn't call it a super great book, but it was good. I'm glad I decided to stick with the series.
March 31, 2009
I just finished Shattered, can I just say that Shane Garrett is HOT! I really loved this story. The hero and heroine are not typical to the other two in the series that I've read. Shane is recovering from the lose of his leg and Kirby is a Doctor that he had an affair with in Irac, but after his accident didn't feel he could burden her with his disability.
When Kirby's friend is kidnapped they are brought together again trying to rescue her and must face their feelings for each other.
This is not only an exciting adventure but very touching. I would recomend it highly.
January 14, 2017
2-1/2 stars.
This might be a good read for those who don't know military lingo, but it felt too much like a primer to me.
This might be a good read for those who don't know military lingo, but it felt too much like a primer to me.
February 5, 2009
Book #3 in the High Risk Series
Army Night Stalker pilot, Shane Garrett, and Doctor Kirby Campbell engage in a short but steamy war time romance. When their lives change course, they go their separate ways. Then while Kirby is working in Pakistan she gets the opportunity to see her one time lover again, briefly, to save his life and send him on his way. Eighteen months later they are forced together again when they team up to rescue her friend from being held hostage in Central America.
I am a long time fan of JoAnn Ross, but she has really let me down with this series. I wasn’t crazy about the first book; I liked the second book a little more, but barely. This third book is probably my least favorite of the bunch. This was more of a recap on military action, than a romantic suspense. That wouldn’t have been bad had the action been believable. But I just found it really hard that a team of retired SEALs would bring along an ex-Army Doctor to rescue a civilian hostage from drugged up rebels in the midst of a violent civil war.
Ms. Ross has so many anagrams and military sayings in this book, I felt like the use of it was unnecessarily excessive. If the main character said “Night Stalkers don’t quit” one more time I was going to scream.
The romance is virtually non existent. The author establishes said romance by a brief reminiscing done by Kirby and Shane in the beginning of the book. Kirby and Shane don’t actually see each other in the present day till chapter 25, they don’t get together in the biblical sense until the book is almost over and in the middle of all that they never have a real conversation. Meanwhile we are supposed to believe that these two are in unrequited love with one another from a romance that happened about 2 years ago?
The whole book just moved so slow, I found myself skipping over most of the military mumbo jumbo hoping to find it pick up the pace somewhere. It never did. There was a secondary couple involved, Michael and Rachel, that I hoped would spice things up, but their romance was even more invisible than Shane and Kirby’s. I can only hope she will give them a proper story in a future book.
Like the previous two books in this series, the author has moseyed her way through 360 pages only to wind up the entire story in a frenzied last 10 pages. She gets you to their destination, solves the problem and then fills you in on all the characters futures. It’s not smooth, and it comes off as borderline ridiculous. All in all this was a below average book from a usually above average author. I am not even sure if I want to read, let alone buy the fourth one.
Cherise Everhard, January 2009
Army Night Stalker pilot, Shane Garrett, and Doctor Kirby Campbell engage in a short but steamy war time romance. When their lives change course, they go their separate ways. Then while Kirby is working in Pakistan she gets the opportunity to see her one time lover again, briefly, to save his life and send him on his way. Eighteen months later they are forced together again when they team up to rescue her friend from being held hostage in Central America.
I am a long time fan of JoAnn Ross, but she has really let me down with this series. I wasn’t crazy about the first book; I liked the second book a little more, but barely. This third book is probably my least favorite of the bunch. This was more of a recap on military action, than a romantic suspense. That wouldn’t have been bad had the action been believable. But I just found it really hard that a team of retired SEALs would bring along an ex-Army Doctor to rescue a civilian hostage from drugged up rebels in the midst of a violent civil war.
Ms. Ross has so many anagrams and military sayings in this book, I felt like the use of it was unnecessarily excessive. If the main character said “Night Stalkers don’t quit” one more time I was going to scream.
The romance is virtually non existent. The author establishes said romance by a brief reminiscing done by Kirby and Shane in the beginning of the book. Kirby and Shane don’t actually see each other in the present day till chapter 25, they don’t get together in the biblical sense until the book is almost over and in the middle of all that they never have a real conversation. Meanwhile we are supposed to believe that these two are in unrequited love with one another from a romance that happened about 2 years ago?
The whole book just moved so slow, I found myself skipping over most of the military mumbo jumbo hoping to find it pick up the pace somewhere. It never did. There was a secondary couple involved, Michael and Rachel, that I hoped would spice things up, but their romance was even more invisible than Shane and Kirby’s. I can only hope she will give them a proper story in a future book.
Like the previous two books in this series, the author has moseyed her way through 360 pages only to wind up the entire story in a frenzied last 10 pages. She gets you to their destination, solves the problem and then fills you in on all the characters futures. It’s not smooth, and it comes off as borderline ridiculous. All in all this was a below average book from a usually above average author. I am not even sure if I want to read, let alone buy the fourth one.
Cherise Everhard, January 2009
March 19, 2014
Best book of the series. It lost steam as it went on though. The beginning was great and after that it got kind of boring. My only other complaint was that what happened to Kirby at the end of the book wasn't really necessary. It was actually quite random. It didn't really need to happen.
November 12, 2009
Gutsy heroine who wasn't pushy or too "tough". Terrific alpha hero with a heart. Great storyline. I loved this book from start to finish!
February 12, 2021
I took this home free from the bookshop I volunteer at. I wasn't sure how this would be, so I wanted to read it early on in summer.
I didn't like hearing of how he coaxed a girl to have sex with him in the back of his truck when he was 17.
All Spec Ops guys tear their insignia off their uniforms and only wear their last names and blood types.
The hero's and heroine's POV sounded exactly the same, even both of them thinking of the other and wondering if they were at their respective locations, which they were. Very convenient.
She was a little too masculine and tough for my tastes, and unrelatable.
Idl all the time jumps, between present and past. I wish it had started with them in the past so we can get the whole story and just be done with it. I didn't find it necessary to keep going back. I mean they barely know each other, so it's not like there's much to tell.
Usually in military books it keeps it on the surface, with tidbits of military life, like an introductory. This jumped us right into the deep end. There's so much military lingo and things that I don't understand nor would most people unless you're in the military/know someone in the military. Words and phrases were used that I didn't understand and they weren't explained.
Why was the CIA guy called a spook? What was the Green Zone?
I was so glad the heroine was allowed to have good sex, even great sex, in her past, and that she wasn't relegated to being a virgin paired with another man whore hero.
I hated that he lost his leg; I was hoping he wouldn't.
After Shane's reception in Germany, I wouldn't have forgiven him. It's like he forgot how he acted at that camp when he was injured, cause he was friendly then.
We enter Shane's POV to find 18 months have passed, and I'm thinking, & hoping, he won't have gotten with anyone. I mean it's only been 18 months and Shane's rehabbing his missing leg. Doesn't that make sense that he'd be a little busy and focused on other things?
It didn't take long for the comments to come in. Poor Kirby admits her feelings to him and he acts cold and then only 18 months later he's been with other women. We enter his scene to find him in bed with a woman, he had sex one morning in the shower before hanging out with his friends and also with his case manager in DC.
Idl his friends wives setting him up with someone. I was annoyed with them and didn't wanna read their books.
I don't even like mentions of their past, much less names and details. Painful detail, of what they look like, what they did together.
Despite not getting a boner from her kiss, he knows he should call it a night but doesn't. We have to hear her leading him to her room and undressing, and the whole dang scene. Why do I want to read intimate scenes with him and another woman?!? WHO would want to read that? Do authors write detailed scenes of the heroine with other men! NO! So why do you do it with the hero?
He thinks of Kirby while this woman is undressed and that gets him hard, yet he continues on.
He blames it on the fact that that was his first time with a civilian. So it's ok and he's still being 'faithful' the times he had sex with that case manager, who's in the military, because it had been an experiment to see if he could 'get back into the swing of things' but it's romantic that he couldn't go all the way with the 'sexy prosecutor who'd left a red lipstick brand on his dick.'
I'd prefer faithful heroes who, after they're with the heroine and realize they have feelings for her, they aren't with anyone else. I guess that's just me.
Of course Kirby had sworn off men while Shane was having sex with at least two other women. Idk who the shower sex was with. I'm surprised the author didn't wanna detail that.
A character's dialogue would be broken up in different lines instead of kept together. I found it odd and confusing at times.
Everyone spoke old-fashioned in here. "I've not a single doubt."
"I haven't a doubt."
Shane as a SOAR was called a bird jockey.
There was a reference to D-boys, which after Delta Force was mentioned, I guessed must be them.
I feel like there's a bridge between civilians and the military and this author did nothing to close that gap. I couldn't relate to Kirby. She was a little robotic, as were both characters voices. I couldn't connect or feel close to her. She's a doctor which I don't relate to, or the military. The author should have humanized her, made her connect to readers on a personal level to bridge the gap for readers who don't relate to her career.
She wasn't very human to me, which I find in female characters like this. All I could relate was her being stubborn and impatient. But I needed more.
I just knew Kirby didn't have sex with anyone else after him, because the hero always ruins the heroine for other men. She didn't meet a man she had the least interest in having sex with, but Shane had gotten with two women and almost three, and he had kissed the third one and she'd given him a blow job.
He said if he hadn't lied to get her to go away in Germany, then they might have gotten married. And that she wouldn't have worked for the WMR if he'd gotten her pregnant. Which makes him getting with other women even more f'd up.
I guess no one can be faithful in here, which gives military guys a bad rap, on top of talking of women and sex like they do. Quinn has his version of Kirby, Cait Cavanaugh who left after their one night stand. But who were now heading towards marriage. If he would never cheat on her and was 'besotted' with her why would he flirt with Kirby?
And how can Shane call her 'his woman' if he's been with other women and told her to leave in Germany?! Wth was that for?!
I loved that Rachel's past love, Michael Gannon, was there to rescue her!
JAG was one of the most respected units in the military, and one of the most difficult to get into. Because it dealt with military legal issues, it was one of the safest.
Night Stalkers were the most intelligent unit in the Army. They were called flyboys.
He thought the woman his friends wives set him up with was the one. It was a blind date and he didn't even know her!
I knew, despite being a tough military woman and a doctor who'd been in dangerous regions of the world she'd be like every other doormat heroine who is betrayed and heartbroken over the hero, and just gets over the past, isn't mad, and acts like nothing happened.
Michael joined the priesthood because he made a deal with god that he would if Rachel would live. He called the German hospital daily and had flowers sent to her room once a week. She was the only woman he'd ever want or love, but I don't expect him to have been faithful, even though he's a priest.
I hate that this military, high stakes, rescue mission book turned into a fake dating scenario which you can find in any book. I literally just recently read a YA book about that.
I can't believe Shane's big reason for being so mean in Germany was to save her from being stuck with a cripple. She's a doctor, she's in the military, she cared about you. She can handle it. And that didn't stop you from being with other women, who you obviously thought could handle it.
I felt bad she wondered if him moving on included women, available or not, until she said 'she'd expect that. Even understand it.' She doesn't mind if he has sex with OW, only if he settles down with one special woman. Even though she hasn't had sex with anyone.
She asks if there's a woman who'd be upset about him leaving or something, and he says no. She comes out and asks if he's had sex since being injured. He says there wasn't a woman in his life in the way she means.
All the movie quotes and references became annoying, as well as them keeping track of everything they had in common, like how they'd both counted the columns on the antebellum house. For gods sake.
It was cool how in the antebellum period, there were double front stairs so men and women could go up different ones when they went to balls.
The questions were repetitive: 'wasn't that an understatement?'
'Wasn't that profound?'
Even in Shane's POV he said 'wasn't this just perfect?' like Kirby does.
I looked forward to her anger, arguments, her being cool and distant. But there was none of that. She was so 'upset' about the past when he kisses her the very day they see each other after 18 months she goes along with it. Of course the minute the guy kisses her, the women lose their heads.
Even after she remembered leaving Germany in tears because of him.
I couldn't believe how arrogant and ridiculous Shane was for thinking he could pick up where things left off and pretend Germany didn't happen. What an idiot.
She's not even mad he deliberately turned her on so she'd remember things between them but didn't intend for things to go so far.
'"I see all the important parts are in working order."
"Seems to be." At least with you.'
He calls it 'muscle memory' and 'figured it fit the definition in this case.' Fuck you for saying that when you slept with someone and almost did with someone else. It's not just in working order with her, you damn liar.
She tells him she'd given up men. And he makes a joke about her announcing she's a lesbian. He has regret that she'd buttoned her blouse but not that he hadn't given up sex while she had.
He likes to '"concentrate on making sure my woman is sexually satisfied." Which he sure hadn't done with that lawyer the other night.' He was with a woman JUST THE OTHER NIGHT. Right before seeing Kirby here. That is some romantic shit right there. Damn ladies, let's all swoon.
'He was right. Together they were as explosive as an IED. And definitely every bit as dangerous.' Are you serious? You can't make a joke about terrorists but you can make a comparison like that?
And this is all while she's supposed to be worried and focused on rescuing her best friend.
They're called MRE's Meals Rarely Edible, Meals Rejected by Everyone, and Meals Rejected by the Enemy.
I forgot who tangos were.
'"Quinn raised his beer bottle. "hooyah."
"hooyah," Shane and Michael Gannon corrected, repeating it in the Army way.' It was spelled the same way, so I didn't see the difference.
The MRE's had a 'Three Lies for the Price of One' reputation. It's not a meal, it's not ready, and you can't eat it.
I was so irritated at those dumb women--Sabrina and Titania(which I have no idea how to pronounce)--said they're working on a project involving Shane. And have been trying to fix him up with a woman but 'he hasn't been at all cooperative" which is actually a lie because just the other day he went out with the lawyer.
When asked by his friend what took him so long about Kirby he said "it's only been eighteen months." Yet that was long enough to sleep with other women.
Even though she said before she'd had good and great sex, she ends up saying after college she'd begin to worry she was 'undersexed' but Shane had blown that to smithereens. And where are the detailed sex scenes of her with OM? Oh yeah there isn't any. There never is. Because women aren't allowed to enjoy sex with anyone besides the hero.
I wanted her to have gotten with someone since then, or to be dating someone now. Not to be a celibate little nun waiting for him.
It went into typical romance book territory with the ladies giving the heroine a makeover, you know because you need one before you go to the jungle on a covert mission to rescue your kidnapped friend. The same friend you've barely thought about in between making out and almost doing Shane, hanging with the girls tasting food and looking over wedding albums.
Of course Titania and Sabrina knew how to cut hair and trim the dress to fit Kirby.
She said she's rescuing a friend from terrorist rebels, not going on a date, which should remind these two beauty queens the seriousness of the situation. But it doesn't. "Not looking like a frumpy nun and rescuing friends need not be mutually exclusive." Good thing to joke about.
The whole thing was entirely disrespectful to Rachel.
Earlier in the book there was a comment that while skinny was in fashion her curves drew the males attention. She later admits she was pudgy in HS, so there's some skinny shaming for you.
She knocks regular doctors saying "I'd go insane diagnosing skin rashes and writing steroid prescriptions for wheezy asthmatics." And she's easily bored. When Shane comments there's more to a general practitioner than that she said I'm sure there is. That was rude, and just not true.
They were always thinking the same things, or guessing the other was thinking of the same memory. It was absurd. She looks worried and he says that's how she looked when she gave him her key. And he watched her remember that day too. You have no idea what someone is thinking!
He calls Michael Gannon "Father-What-a-Waste" and she asks how he knew she thought the same thing.
I was flabbergasted that he'd known she was the one, had a ring sent to Afghanistan the day before the crash and was planning to propose, and then did what he did in Germany and hooked up with other women since and thought the lawyer might be the one. And it had only been 18 months, in his words. So wth? It's even more fucked up than thought. You thought someone else might be the one for you, after loving Kirby.
He tells her "some things--and some people--are worth waiting for." Even though you didn't wait...and you wouldn't have had to wait if you hadn't deliberately sent her away. We don't find this out until pg 275 that he planned to propose. Idk how you can leave something like that out.
Time transitioned with no warning; all of a sudden you'd be in the past. It was confusing.
Spec Op teams take combat naps, with jerky eye movements, body twitches, irregular breathing and irregular heartbeat. They can instantly drop into REM sleep.
He could set an internal clock to wake himself up at the exact time he wanted, and look as rested after 10 minutes as people after 8 hours.
Michael Gannon and Conn, an ancient Irish name, Gaelic for hound or wolf, were Black Irish. Conn seemed like a cool character with some kinda backstory there, hinting at not knowing what it was to love someone. I hoped he'd have his own book.
It seemed like every single guy in this book is the same, and all the stories are a case of reunited lovers. Like Sabrina and Zach. And Rachel and Michael.
I thought it was ironic Kirby told Shane "like I'd go partying with her friend being held hostage" yet almost had sex with Shane and had a makeover during that time.
Why was the Zodiac, a boat, called IBS?
I didn't like the split POV in the middle of action scenes with Kirby and Shane.
Seals worked in small teams and weren't designed to seize or hold a position, or fight long-term battles, unlike Rangers or Delta Special Forces. Their job was to find a target it, destroy it, and disappear into the ocean. Which is very cool.
It was cool how Quinn did the sniper thing where you control your heartbeat, allowing it to pause long enough to hit a target.
Seals felt the water, in and under it, was home. Other SOF groups, special forces, rangers, and Air Force tactics teams, did diving and small-boat training but the water was an obstacle.
Every seal was trained in dead reckoning, navigating with chart, compass and known speed of the boat.
I couldn't believe the outright lie he said when she said '"the only reason I'd given up men is that none of them were you." "Me, too," he said. "Not men, but--" "I get it. And while I'm always up for a good conversation, I'd really, really like it if you'd just put it back in."'
First off, that's sure as hell not a good conversation, second you already asked if he'd been with anyone and he had. So wth is that lie?
Volcanoes in mythology were considered gods or goddesses, or inhabited by gods, revered, worshipped, or seen as gateways to hell.
They were in a bar talking about Mayan ruins and then all of a sudden at the ruin.
We didn't get to see the guys meet up with Kirby and Shane.
BLISS: blend into surroundings, have Low silhouette, keep Irregular shape, Stay small, keep to Secluded areas.
SEALs work in the dark, at night, in and out before anyone knows they'd been there, clandestine special teams of SOF.
When she mentioned Germany wasn't her favorite place he prepared to grovel, but of course Kirby made it easy on him, like she always did, and said she'd like to spend Christmas with him. I wanted him to grovel. He needed to grovel.
He stupidly thinks her feelings for Germany might change, on a holiday trip or a family trip with kids, that they don't even have yet. He just doesn't get it and doesn't even seem remorseful.
When Shane says he dug out the ring box he's had with him for 'all these months' I was perplexed because they've only been together a mere two or three days, not counting her few unconscious days in the hospital. So when did you buy a ring? While you were screwing other women only a couple days before reigniting with Kirby? I had forgotten he bought it while overseas with Kirby. Can you imagine having a ring intended for someone else while you're hooking up with other people?
The last line confused me: night Stalkers never quit. But you did quit on each other, when you made her leave Germany. So...there goes that. If Kirby hadn't had to come back to the U.S. was Shane ever planning on seeing her again?
The romance scene felt like oh wait this is a romance book, I have to include a sex scene! And another thing she managed to do while being 'worried' about Rachel. Only one sex scene in the present. Some references to their past. A scene with an OW should not be as long/longer than the heroine. It shouldn't be in a book at all.
The plot of them fake dating ended up being for nothing, because they didn't even meet up with the president. The whole thing was unnecessary anyway. They didn't need to fake date, like a couple of teenagers.
The proposal and her wanting to move away with him just felt sudden because she hadn't expressed that to us. Shane was sudden in his feelings too. You don't break someone's heart, then change your mind and think all is fine. He wasn't remorseful at all, and we didn't have enough explanation of what he was thinking while in rehab and his decision to end things with Kirby.
I really didn't like the name Kirby, btw. Or the changing POVs with other characters. Although I did like seeing what they were up to, planning their rescue, and also Michael and Rachel, which was sweet. I actually liked them more than the MCs.
The ending and HEA felt rushed. The action I wanted took place in the last few chapters, was over too quickly, and didn't deliver. I didn't like the pacing in here, and how the author saved the action for the very end. This would have been a lot better, maybe even good without the OW crap. I might have to steer clear of this author.
The cover didn’t fit at all. There was no scene like that in the book.
This felt like more of a military book than a romance at times. It was a little too heavy on the military, to the point of me not understanding a lot of the lingo.
I wish there was more dialogue, because this was wordy at times.
One chapter was two pages, one was one page.
I could have DNF this after that one scene, it was that upsetting. I had to keep reading that night just to get past it so I wouldn't end on that note. Yet another unsafe book.
Because of that crap it could have been 1 star, but the rest of the book, and the military guys were ok.
It sounds like all the stories are of reunited lovers, and you just know the guys haven't been faithful, so I'm not really interested in reading any more in this series, and perhaps any from this author.
I didn't like hearing of how he coaxed a girl to have sex with him in the back of his truck when he was 17.
All Spec Ops guys tear their insignia off their uniforms and only wear their last names and blood types.
The hero's and heroine's POV sounded exactly the same, even both of them thinking of the other and wondering if they were at their respective locations, which they were. Very convenient.
She was a little too masculine and tough for my tastes, and unrelatable.
Idl all the time jumps, between present and past. I wish it had started with them in the past so we can get the whole story and just be done with it. I didn't find it necessary to keep going back. I mean they barely know each other, so it's not like there's much to tell.
Usually in military books it keeps it on the surface, with tidbits of military life, like an introductory. This jumped us right into the deep end. There's so much military lingo and things that I don't understand nor would most people unless you're in the military/know someone in the military. Words and phrases were used that I didn't understand and they weren't explained.
Why was the CIA guy called a spook? What was the Green Zone?
I was so glad the heroine was allowed to have good sex, even great sex, in her past, and that she wasn't relegated to being a virgin paired with another man whore hero.
I hated that he lost his leg; I was hoping he wouldn't.
After Shane's reception in Germany, I wouldn't have forgiven him. It's like he forgot how he acted at that camp when he was injured, cause he was friendly then.
We enter Shane's POV to find 18 months have passed, and I'm thinking, & hoping, he won't have gotten with anyone. I mean it's only been 18 months and Shane's rehabbing his missing leg. Doesn't that make sense that he'd be a little busy and focused on other things?
It didn't take long for the comments to come in. Poor Kirby admits her feelings to him and he acts cold and then only 18 months later he's been with other women. We enter his scene to find him in bed with a woman, he had sex one morning in the shower before hanging out with his friends and also with his case manager in DC.
Idl his friends wives setting him up with someone. I was annoyed with them and didn't wanna read their books.
I don't even like mentions of their past, much less names and details. Painful detail, of what they look like, what they did together.
Despite not getting a boner from her kiss, he knows he should call it a night but doesn't. We have to hear her leading him to her room and undressing, and the whole dang scene. Why do I want to read intimate scenes with him and another woman?!? WHO would want to read that? Do authors write detailed scenes of the heroine with other men! NO! So why do you do it with the hero?
He thinks of Kirby while this woman is undressed and that gets him hard, yet he continues on.
He blames it on the fact that that was his first time with a civilian. So it's ok and he's still being 'faithful' the times he had sex with that case manager, who's in the military, because it had been an experiment to see if he could 'get back into the swing of things' but it's romantic that he couldn't go all the way with the 'sexy prosecutor who'd left a red lipstick brand on his dick.'
I'd prefer faithful heroes who, after they're with the heroine and realize they have feelings for her, they aren't with anyone else. I guess that's just me.
Of course Kirby had sworn off men while Shane was having sex with at least two other women. Idk who the shower sex was with. I'm surprised the author didn't wanna detail that.
A character's dialogue would be broken up in different lines instead of kept together. I found it odd and confusing at times.
Everyone spoke old-fashioned in here. "I've not a single doubt."
"I haven't a doubt."
Shane as a SOAR was called a bird jockey.
There was a reference to D-boys, which after Delta Force was mentioned, I guessed must be them.
I feel like there's a bridge between civilians and the military and this author did nothing to close that gap. I couldn't relate to Kirby. She was a little robotic, as were both characters voices. I couldn't connect or feel close to her. She's a doctor which I don't relate to, or the military. The author should have humanized her, made her connect to readers on a personal level to bridge the gap for readers who don't relate to her career.
She wasn't very human to me, which I find in female characters like this. All I could relate was her being stubborn and impatient. But I needed more.
I just knew Kirby didn't have sex with anyone else after him, because the hero always ruins the heroine for other men. She didn't meet a man she had the least interest in having sex with, but Shane had gotten with two women and almost three, and he had kissed the third one and she'd given him a blow job.
He said if he hadn't lied to get her to go away in Germany, then they might have gotten married. And that she wouldn't have worked for the WMR if he'd gotten her pregnant. Which makes him getting with other women even more f'd up.
I guess no one can be faithful in here, which gives military guys a bad rap, on top of talking of women and sex like they do. Quinn has his version of Kirby, Cait Cavanaugh who left after their one night stand. But who were now heading towards marriage. If he would never cheat on her and was 'besotted' with her why would he flirt with Kirby?
And how can Shane call her 'his woman' if he's been with other women and told her to leave in Germany?! Wth was that for?!
I loved that Rachel's past love, Michael Gannon, was there to rescue her!
JAG was one of the most respected units in the military, and one of the most difficult to get into. Because it dealt with military legal issues, it was one of the safest.
Night Stalkers were the most intelligent unit in the Army. They were called flyboys.
He thought the woman his friends wives set him up with was the one. It was a blind date and he didn't even know her!
I knew, despite being a tough military woman and a doctor who'd been in dangerous regions of the world she'd be like every other doormat heroine who is betrayed and heartbroken over the hero, and just gets over the past, isn't mad, and acts like nothing happened.
Michael joined the priesthood because he made a deal with god that he would if Rachel would live. He called the German hospital daily and had flowers sent to her room once a week. She was the only woman he'd ever want or love, but I don't expect him to have been faithful, even though he's a priest.
I hate that this military, high stakes, rescue mission book turned into a fake dating scenario which you can find in any book. I literally just recently read a YA book about that.
I can't believe Shane's big reason for being so mean in Germany was to save her from being stuck with a cripple. She's a doctor, she's in the military, she cared about you. She can handle it. And that didn't stop you from being with other women, who you obviously thought could handle it.
I felt bad she wondered if him moving on included women, available or not, until she said 'she'd expect that. Even understand it.' She doesn't mind if he has sex with OW, only if he settles down with one special woman. Even though she hasn't had sex with anyone.
She asks if there's a woman who'd be upset about him leaving or something, and he says no. She comes out and asks if he's had sex since being injured. He says there wasn't a woman in his life in the way she means.
All the movie quotes and references became annoying, as well as them keeping track of everything they had in common, like how they'd both counted the columns on the antebellum house. For gods sake.
It was cool how in the antebellum period, there were double front stairs so men and women could go up different ones when they went to balls.
The questions were repetitive: 'wasn't that an understatement?'
'Wasn't that profound?'
Even in Shane's POV he said 'wasn't this just perfect?' like Kirby does.
I looked forward to her anger, arguments, her being cool and distant. But there was none of that. She was so 'upset' about the past when he kisses her the very day they see each other after 18 months she goes along with it. Of course the minute the guy kisses her, the women lose their heads.
Even after she remembered leaving Germany in tears because of him.
I couldn't believe how arrogant and ridiculous Shane was for thinking he could pick up where things left off and pretend Germany didn't happen. What an idiot.
She's not even mad he deliberately turned her on so she'd remember things between them but didn't intend for things to go so far.
'"I see all the important parts are in working order."
"Seems to be." At least with you.'
He calls it 'muscle memory' and 'figured it fit the definition in this case.' Fuck you for saying that when you slept with someone and almost did with someone else. It's not just in working order with her, you damn liar.
She tells him she'd given up men. And he makes a joke about her announcing she's a lesbian. He has regret that she'd buttoned her blouse but not that he hadn't given up sex while she had.
He likes to '"concentrate on making sure my woman is sexually satisfied." Which he sure hadn't done with that lawyer the other night.' He was with a woman JUST THE OTHER NIGHT. Right before seeing Kirby here. That is some romantic shit right there. Damn ladies, let's all swoon.
'He was right. Together they were as explosive as an IED. And definitely every bit as dangerous.' Are you serious? You can't make a joke about terrorists but you can make a comparison like that?
And this is all while she's supposed to be worried and focused on rescuing her best friend.
They're called MRE's Meals Rarely Edible, Meals Rejected by Everyone, and Meals Rejected by the Enemy.
I forgot who tangos were.
'"Quinn raised his beer bottle. "hooyah."
"hooyah," Shane and Michael Gannon corrected, repeating it in the Army way.' It was spelled the same way, so I didn't see the difference.
The MRE's had a 'Three Lies for the Price of One' reputation. It's not a meal, it's not ready, and you can't eat it.
I was so irritated at those dumb women--Sabrina and Titania(which I have no idea how to pronounce)--said they're working on a project involving Shane. And have been trying to fix him up with a woman but 'he hasn't been at all cooperative" which is actually a lie because just the other day he went out with the lawyer.
When asked by his friend what took him so long about Kirby he said "it's only been eighteen months." Yet that was long enough to sleep with other women.
Even though she said before she'd had good and great sex, she ends up saying after college she'd begin to worry she was 'undersexed' but Shane had blown that to smithereens. And where are the detailed sex scenes of her with OM? Oh yeah there isn't any. There never is. Because women aren't allowed to enjoy sex with anyone besides the hero.
I wanted her to have gotten with someone since then, or to be dating someone now. Not to be a celibate little nun waiting for him.
It went into typical romance book territory with the ladies giving the heroine a makeover, you know because you need one before you go to the jungle on a covert mission to rescue your kidnapped friend. The same friend you've barely thought about in between making out and almost doing Shane, hanging with the girls tasting food and looking over wedding albums.
Of course Titania and Sabrina knew how to cut hair and trim the dress to fit Kirby.
She said she's rescuing a friend from terrorist rebels, not going on a date, which should remind these two beauty queens the seriousness of the situation. But it doesn't. "Not looking like a frumpy nun and rescuing friends need not be mutually exclusive." Good thing to joke about.
The whole thing was entirely disrespectful to Rachel.
Earlier in the book there was a comment that while skinny was in fashion her curves drew the males attention. She later admits she was pudgy in HS, so there's some skinny shaming for you.
She knocks regular doctors saying "I'd go insane diagnosing skin rashes and writing steroid prescriptions for wheezy asthmatics." And she's easily bored. When Shane comments there's more to a general practitioner than that she said I'm sure there is. That was rude, and just not true.
They were always thinking the same things, or guessing the other was thinking of the same memory. It was absurd. She looks worried and he says that's how she looked when she gave him her key. And he watched her remember that day too. You have no idea what someone is thinking!
He calls Michael Gannon "Father-What-a-Waste" and she asks how he knew she thought the same thing.
I was flabbergasted that he'd known she was the one, had a ring sent to Afghanistan the day before the crash and was planning to propose, and then did what he did in Germany and hooked up with other women since and thought the lawyer might be the one. And it had only been 18 months, in his words. So wth? It's even more fucked up than thought. You thought someone else might be the one for you, after loving Kirby.
He tells her "some things--and some people--are worth waiting for." Even though you didn't wait...and you wouldn't have had to wait if you hadn't deliberately sent her away. We don't find this out until pg 275 that he planned to propose. Idk how you can leave something like that out.
Time transitioned with no warning; all of a sudden you'd be in the past. It was confusing.
Spec Op teams take combat naps, with jerky eye movements, body twitches, irregular breathing and irregular heartbeat. They can instantly drop into REM sleep.
He could set an internal clock to wake himself up at the exact time he wanted, and look as rested after 10 minutes as people after 8 hours.
Michael Gannon and Conn, an ancient Irish name, Gaelic for hound or wolf, were Black Irish. Conn seemed like a cool character with some kinda backstory there, hinting at not knowing what it was to love someone. I hoped he'd have his own book.
It seemed like every single guy in this book is the same, and all the stories are a case of reunited lovers. Like Sabrina and Zach. And Rachel and Michael.
I thought it was ironic Kirby told Shane "like I'd go partying with her friend being held hostage" yet almost had sex with Shane and had a makeover during that time.
Why was the Zodiac, a boat, called IBS?
I didn't like the split POV in the middle of action scenes with Kirby and Shane.
Seals worked in small teams and weren't designed to seize or hold a position, or fight long-term battles, unlike Rangers or Delta Special Forces. Their job was to find a target it, destroy it, and disappear into the ocean. Which is very cool.
It was cool how Quinn did the sniper thing where you control your heartbeat, allowing it to pause long enough to hit a target.
Seals felt the water, in and under it, was home. Other SOF groups, special forces, rangers, and Air Force tactics teams, did diving and small-boat training but the water was an obstacle.
Every seal was trained in dead reckoning, navigating with chart, compass and known speed of the boat.
I couldn't believe the outright lie he said when she said '"the only reason I'd given up men is that none of them were you." "Me, too," he said. "Not men, but--" "I get it. And while I'm always up for a good conversation, I'd really, really like it if you'd just put it back in."'
First off, that's sure as hell not a good conversation, second you already asked if he'd been with anyone and he had. So wth is that lie?
Volcanoes in mythology were considered gods or goddesses, or inhabited by gods, revered, worshipped, or seen as gateways to hell.
They were in a bar talking about Mayan ruins and then all of a sudden at the ruin.
We didn't get to see the guys meet up with Kirby and Shane.
BLISS: blend into surroundings, have Low silhouette, keep Irregular shape, Stay small, keep to Secluded areas.
SEALs work in the dark, at night, in and out before anyone knows they'd been there, clandestine special teams of SOF.
When she mentioned Germany wasn't her favorite place he prepared to grovel, but of course Kirby made it easy on him, like she always did, and said she'd like to spend Christmas with him. I wanted him to grovel. He needed to grovel.
He stupidly thinks her feelings for Germany might change, on a holiday trip or a family trip with kids, that they don't even have yet. He just doesn't get it and doesn't even seem remorseful.
When Shane says he dug out the ring box he's had with him for 'all these months' I was perplexed because they've only been together a mere two or three days, not counting her few unconscious days in the hospital. So when did you buy a ring? While you were screwing other women only a couple days before reigniting with Kirby? I had forgotten he bought it while overseas with Kirby. Can you imagine having a ring intended for someone else while you're hooking up with other people?
The last line confused me: night Stalkers never quit. But you did quit on each other, when you made her leave Germany. So...there goes that. If Kirby hadn't had to come back to the U.S. was Shane ever planning on seeing her again?
The romance scene felt like oh wait this is a romance book, I have to include a sex scene! And another thing she managed to do while being 'worried' about Rachel. Only one sex scene in the present. Some references to their past. A scene with an OW should not be as long/longer than the heroine. It shouldn't be in a book at all.
The plot of them fake dating ended up being for nothing, because they didn't even meet up with the president. The whole thing was unnecessary anyway. They didn't need to fake date, like a couple of teenagers.
The proposal and her wanting to move away with him just felt sudden because she hadn't expressed that to us. Shane was sudden in his feelings too. You don't break someone's heart, then change your mind and think all is fine. He wasn't remorseful at all, and we didn't have enough explanation of what he was thinking while in rehab and his decision to end things with Kirby.
I really didn't like the name Kirby, btw. Or the changing POVs with other characters. Although I did like seeing what they were up to, planning their rescue, and also Michael and Rachel, which was sweet. I actually liked them more than the MCs.
The ending and HEA felt rushed. The action I wanted took place in the last few chapters, was over too quickly, and didn't deliver. I didn't like the pacing in here, and how the author saved the action for the very end. This would have been a lot better, maybe even good without the OW crap. I might have to steer clear of this author.
The cover didn’t fit at all. There was no scene like that in the book.
This felt like more of a military book than a romance at times. It was a little too heavy on the military, to the point of me not understanding a lot of the lingo.
I wish there was more dialogue, because this was wordy at times.
One chapter was two pages, one was one page.
I could have DNF this after that one scene, it was that upsetting. I had to keep reading that night just to get past it so I wouldn't end on that note. Yet another unsafe book.
Because of that crap it could have been 1 star, but the rest of the book, and the military guys were ok.
It sounds like all the stories are of reunited lovers, and you just know the guys haven't been faithful, so I'm not really interested in reading any more in this series, and perhaps any from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
Army pilot Shane Garrett is trying to start over after losing a leg on a mission. He meets up again with former Army doctor Kirby Campbell, his former lover and the doctor who saved his life. Do they have a second chance?
February 22, 2022
Kirby and Shanes story was niiice. It was a whole rollercoaster. Also it was a double romcom. It was my second favorite in the High risk series.
June 28, 2017
Author: JoAnn Ross
First published: 2009
Length: 355 pages, 6820 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somerset, Carolina and Monteleone, Central America
Sex: Very Explicit. Not Frequent.
Hero: SOAR pilot.
Heroine: Doctor (Army and civilian)
Trigger: Death and battle in Afghanistan and other places.
Trigger: Child soldiers.
Includes: excerpt from Breakpoint
An enjoyable suspense with a light romance. Some scenarios that are difficult, including child soldiers (drugged killers), discussion of rape, and poverty.
Many characters from previous books make appearances with Titania pregnant and ex-Priest Michael Gannon (re)finding his One.
Enjoyable.
3.5 stars rounded up. Because sometimes we need to confront the realities of the world.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
Michael’s family:
Blaze (1999) - Tess Gannon and Gage O’Halloran
Out of the Storm (2004) - Laurel Stewart and Joe Gannon
Crossfire (2009) - Michael Gannon and Rachel Moore
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781440687716)
-CR-
First published: 2009
Length: 355 pages, 6820 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somerset, Carolina and Monteleone, Central America
Sex: Very Explicit. Not Frequent.
Hero: SOAR pilot.
Heroine: Doctor (Army and civilian)
Trigger: Death and battle in Afghanistan and other places.
Trigger: Child soldiers.
Includes: excerpt from Breakpoint
An enjoyable suspense with a light romance. Some scenarios that are difficult, including child soldiers (drugged killers), discussion of rape, and poverty.
Many characters from previous books make appearances with Titania pregnant and ex-Priest Michael Gannon (re)finding his One.
Enjoyable.
3.5 stars rounded up. Because sometimes we need to confront the realities of the world.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
Michael’s family:
Blaze (1999) - Tess Gannon and Gage O’Halloran
Out of the Storm (2004) - Laurel Stewart and Joe Gannon
Crossfire (2009) - Michael Gannon and Rachel Moore
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781440687716)
-CR-
March 19, 2009
As another reviewer said, a good read for fans of contemporary romantic suspense. Especially for those who like it military-style.
Ross' stories spend a good deal of time on the background of the characters and the action. This leads to a little more telling and a little less showing than I prefer.
Let us into the character's thoughts. Also have the action help propel those thoughts. Then let the thoughts develop into feelings and more action. In Romantic Suspense, the focus is, of course, on the growing relationship between the hero and the heroine. Action is used heighten the immediacy of the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The action, while present, was not particularly used as part of the emotional growth of the characters.
Kirby and Shane's instant attraction is believable under the emotional circumstances of war. That love can develop under such circumstances is plausible. While running into each other after Shane has been wounded and she's working in a medical relief camp is overly-convenient, it is illustrative of the push-and-pull of their growing relationship.
Good job of making points about the types of injuries our troops are receiving in Afghanistan and rehabilitation.
When the action does hit, it's almost too little too late. Here again, we have telling instead of showing. I must say, though, that the use of volcano was great fun.
This is part of the Phoenix Team series. It is written in a way that the books may be read out of order and still make sense. I may be too enamored of Suzanne Brockmann and her development of her teams, so that colors my feelings about the Phoenix Team. The comraderie between team members and the growth of the team is not well-explored. I'm hoping to see more of that as the series continues.
I will try another book or two in the series. I'd like to see if it improves as it goes along.
Would I recommend this book to a fan of Suzanne Brockmann's series? Yes
Would I recommend this to a volcanologist? No. I suspect the volcano scene, while exciting, might be a little unbelievable.
Would I recommend this to a recent military veteran? Unsure. I suspect there are incredibly unbelievable portions. The reader may find them ignorable or funny or irritating.
Would I recommend this to a man in a bear suit? No. Bears are neither mentioned nor objects of romance in this novel.
Ross' stories spend a good deal of time on the background of the characters and the action. This leads to a little more telling and a little less showing than I prefer.
Let us into the character's thoughts. Also have the action help propel those thoughts. Then let the thoughts develop into feelings and more action. In Romantic Suspense, the focus is, of course, on the growing relationship between the hero and the heroine. Action is used heighten the immediacy of the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The action, while present, was not particularly used as part of the emotional growth of the characters.
Kirby and Shane's instant attraction is believable under the emotional circumstances of war. That love can develop under such circumstances is plausible. While running into each other after Shane has been wounded and she's working in a medical relief camp is overly-convenient, it is illustrative of the push-and-pull of their growing relationship.
Good job of making points about the types of injuries our troops are receiving in Afghanistan and rehabilitation.
When the action does hit, it's almost too little too late. Here again, we have telling instead of showing. I must say, though, that the use of volcano was great fun.
This is part of the Phoenix Team series. It is written in a way that the books may be read out of order and still make sense. I may be too enamored of Suzanne Brockmann and her development of her teams, so that colors my feelings about the Phoenix Team. The comraderie between team members and the growth of the team is not well-explored. I'm hoping to see more of that as the series continues.
I will try another book or two in the series. I'd like to see if it improves as it goes along.
Would I recommend this book to a fan of Suzanne Brockmann's series? Yes
Would I recommend this to a volcanologist? No. I suspect the volcano scene, while exciting, might be a little unbelievable.
Would I recommend this to a recent military veteran? Unsure. I suspect there are incredibly unbelievable portions. The reader may find them ignorable or funny or irritating.
Would I recommend this to a man in a bear suit? No. Bears are neither mentioned nor objects of romance in this novel.
December 22, 2010
Shattered was all action; fast-paced and thrilling. As such, I quickly realize it's also the kind of story you really want to devote reading time to to appreciate. It was evident with the terminology and detailed accounts of the characters' adventures that much research went into writing this story. Something that makes the High Risk series very appealing and authentic feeling.
I was impressed with the author; other books I've read by JoAnn Ross were nothing like this one. They were contemporary romances, sweet and safe. There was nothing safe and reassuring about Shattered. Rather, it was ambitious and highlights Ross's skills as an author. The touch of romance is still there but in characters who are more damaged and traumatized in their lives.
Shane Garrett is fearless, reckless and coping remarkably well with the loss of a leg during warfare. Well, remarkable well enough if you count pushing away the woman he loves from his life. That love, Kirby Campbell is a doctor devoted to saving lives, whether they are soldiers, victims of wars or the enemies itself. A life is a life. However, when it comes to her own heartbreak, she's not so sure she can save herself.
Months later, plenty of recuperating and dangerous moments, Shane and Kirby are given a chance to rebuild and reclaim their love -under the most dangerous circumstances. Their love re-connection will have to happen while en-route to a chaotic Central America, where Kirby's friend is held hostage. All this makes for a great read filled with moments you don't want to miss.
I was impressed with the author; other books I've read by JoAnn Ross were nothing like this one. They were contemporary romances, sweet and safe. There was nothing safe and reassuring about Shattered. Rather, it was ambitious and highlights Ross's skills as an author. The touch of romance is still there but in characters who are more damaged and traumatized in their lives.
Shane Garrett is fearless, reckless and coping remarkably well with the loss of a leg during warfare. Well, remarkable well enough if you count pushing away the woman he loves from his life. That love, Kirby Campbell is a doctor devoted to saving lives, whether they are soldiers, victims of wars or the enemies itself. A life is a life. However, when it comes to her own heartbreak, she's not so sure she can save herself.
Months later, plenty of recuperating and dangerous moments, Shane and Kirby are given a chance to rebuild and reclaim their love -under the most dangerous circumstances. Their love re-connection will have to happen while en-route to a chaotic Central America, where Kirby's friend is held hostage. All this makes for a great read filled with moments you don't want to miss.
August 8, 2013
This was the book I was looking forward to in the series, Shane's story. Ms. Ross once again gives her readers a further glimpse and differing POV of the Afghanistan incident that connects the three men in the series. As more and more is revealed about the incident, you can see why each soldier was so affected by it. Shane and Kirby's story is one similar to the others... a past relationship that went askew and now must find a way back to each other. I appreciate Shane's spirit and personality as he recovers from his amputation. Shane does wallow for all of two weeks and then showing his SOAR colors bounces back vowing to not let this injury sideline his life. He adjusts well but there is one thing he regrets; the way he tossed Kirby out of his life and room in the VA thinking he didn't want to saddle her with a burden. Then he gets the opportunity to fix that, when he and Kirby are members of the team sent in to rescue an international aid worker and friend of Kirby.
We also have another secondary pairing here, Rachel, the kidnapped aid-worker, and Michael Gannon, former military doctor/priest ( known as "Father What a Waste" by his female parishioners). They had a war-time romance just as Shane & Kirby but theirs was derailed by Rachel's near death and hidden marriage. This romance seemed less developed than the ones in the previous books; I wish we had more between these two.
Overall, another enjoyable venture into Ms. Ross' world.
We also have another secondary pairing here, Rachel, the kidnapped aid-worker, and Michael Gannon, former military doctor/priest ( known as "Father What a Waste" by his female parishioners). They had a war-time romance just as Shane & Kirby but theirs was derailed by Rachel's near death and hidden marriage. This romance seemed less developed than the ones in the previous books; I wish we had more between these two.
Overall, another enjoyable venture into Ms. Ross' world.
August 15, 2011
So far, I think this may be my favorite in the series. I'm not quite sure why, but I just definitely like the setup of the book. I think Shattered is a little different from the first two books in the series - because the first two books kind of dealt with serial killers that kept me guessing - while this book is more of like a hostage situation and civil unrest and a power struggle in a poor country. Though I feel as though I'd read a lot about the time that the Special Ops had in Afghanistan, I felt reading about the past in Shane's case made it a little different. Reading about their history of meeting and their instant chemistry only made their "breakup" scene that much more heartbreaking. Parts of the book were definitely predictable in the sense that you always know that the two main characters will get back together - but knowing and understanding what each of them went though, from her dealing with the heartbreak to him dealing with his amputation, shows that their characters have grown by the time they were reunited. I also really liked that I was able to get a good sense of how their "special ops" missions took place. Good story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2012
There's a lot to like about this one. I liked the format starting with the background and then heading into the current action. Liked both of the main characters, Shane and Kirby and liked their relationship and the way they questioned the war-time aspects of it, whether that made it a real deal or not. ALso liked the comraderie between Zach, Quinn and Shane as well as the girly girl bonding scene.
But I have noticed with Jo Ann Ross that I tend to skip the secondary romance because for some reason those characters are less interesting. It could just me be as the reader, but Michael and Rachel's story should have been just as gripping and emotional, but it wasn't. I read this twice, and the 2nd time actually skimmed the Rachel and Michael scenes. So, all in all, good but not great.
But I have noticed with Jo Ann Ross that I tend to skip the secondary romance because for some reason those characters are less interesting. It could just me be as the reader, but Michael and Rachel's story should have been just as gripping and emotional, but it wasn't. I read this twice, and the 2nd time actually skimmed the Rachel and Michael scenes. So, all in all, good but not great.
June 4, 2016
This is another book in the High Risk series and in my opinion, probably the best yet. You think you have things figured out but it surprises you. Shane Garrett is a Army Night Stalker pilot who is injured in a helicopter crash. Each of the High Risk novels has been a different point of view from one of the men in this crash. They each have a story to tell but Shane's is very interesting. He had met Captain Kirby Campbell in Bagdad during the war and had fallen in love at first sight but each were deployed to different places. It was only after his injuries and his refusal to allow her back into his life that our story gets really involved. Good read
January 2, 2011
I love this very professionally-researched book, and thru each and every of the novels in this series, I find myself more and more appreciative of the enormous task our military performs and the sacrifices they are willing to make. The storyline is tight and thrilling, the SOAR hero super-hunky (but realistic) and the love story is more important than the sex. What more could I ask for in a book?
March 28, 2009
This is the 3rd book in a series about former special ops guys who have come back after Afghanistan to solve crimes and work as mercenaries to rescue people. In this book, a former SOAR pilot and army doctor join forces with the Phoenix team to rescue a friend taken hostage by rebels in South America. Throw in some bad weather, political upheaval, and an erupting volcano and you've got a story.
May 26, 2010
Another book based on the Robert's Ridge story. They aren't the action verbatum but trust me, if you read it you'll see the basis. This one spends more time on that mission actually on an extrapolated story. It is the one of all this series I like best. Probably because there was a lot more military action. The romance was good too. Plenty of angst which I personally like.
March 3, 2009
Thoroughly enjoyed Shattered! Great read
Want to read
September 2, 2009Kirby Campbell and Shane Garett
September 20, 2009
The story itself wasn't bad, but I'm not a fan of the way she writes. Also, I thought the rescue mission would be a bigger part of the story.
June 24, 2012
I totally loved this book!!
August 16, 2012
Good, not one of my favorites. I put it down for a little while, because it wasn't holding my interest...
July 11, 2012
Readers who like this series will probably also like the KGI series by Maya Banks.
November 10, 2012
4 1/2*
February 6, 2014
one of my keepers from Joann Ross. I just loved Shane and Kirby.they were meant for each other.
September 7, 2013
Another great story for this series....romance portion still lacking in my opinion, however it was a great read!
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