Sniper's Pride

Alaska Force #2

by Megan Crane

Return to Alaska's Grizzly Harbor where danger strikes with arctic precision and love thaws the coldest hearts in the newest romantic suspense from the USA Today bestselling author of SEAL's Honor.

After Mariah McKenna lands in the hospital with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction she knows she didn’t cause, she realizes her cheating, vindictive husband would rather have a dead wife than a divorce. Afraid that he will succeed in killing her next time, Mariah goes to Grizzly Harbor to hire one of the Alaska Force special operatives to help her survive long enough to finally live a little.
Griffin Cisneros traded in a comfortable future for boot camp, where he learned the virtue of patience and focus—skills that served him well as a Marine sniper. Few things get to him these days, but something about Mariah’s mix of toughness and vulnerability gets right under his skin. Until it’s clear she’s the one thing in the world that might melt the ice in stoic, reserved Griffin, whether he likes it or not.

If he can just keep her alive...

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Suspense, Military Fiction, Fiction, Action

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2019

About the author

USA Today bestselling, multi-award-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. She publishes contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Megan Crane (and briefly M.M. Crane) with an extensive backlist of women’s fiction, rom-coms, chick lit, and young adult novels—among other things. She’s also won a large and loyal fanbase as Caitlin Crews with Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books. And for Midwestern small town coziness, found families, romance, and some paranormal scariness thrown in, Megan partners with Nicole Helm to publish as Hazel Beck.

Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.

You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars → SNIPER'S PRIDE is the second installment in the Alaska Force series, based around a group of former military men who are now special operatives helping people in need. I love books (especially romances) that are set in Alaska, so I knew I had to grab this one.

Mariah is going through a very bitter divorce, and after a couple of attempts on her life, she heads to Grizzly Harbor, Alaska, and hires Alaska Force for protection and to figure out who's out to get her. Mariah was a tough, courageous woman doing what it took to survive. She's specifically assigned to Griffin, a former Marine sniper who sees himself more of a machine than man, hurt in the past and hardened by his military career.

I particularly enjoyed the mystery/suspense side of this book. Mariah's predicament was so scary, and there were plenty of exciting and nail-biting moments. On the other hand, the romance between Mariah and Griffin was so-so. It took a long time to feel any chemistry between them, and Griffin's stubborn dislike of her and thinking he's not capable of a relationship with anyone was trying.

Overall, I liked my introduction to Alaska Force, and I was rooting for Mariah the whole way. I would love to take a peek at the rugged, chilly island that Grizzly Harbor sits on, somewhere on Alaska's southern coast. Next up is SERGEANT'S CHRISTMAS SIEGE set to release in the fall, and I will definitely be picking that one up!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sniper’s Pride is a romantic mystery thriller that will keep you guessing till the end.

Mariah was married into the southern social elite. When she discovers her verbally and emotionally abuses husband’s infidelities, once again, she walks out of that life and pursues a divorce. Her husband, a political hopeful and society prince is vindictive and said he would rather see Mariah dead. That is when the, twice in one week, accidental shellfish poisoning has Mariah thinking someone is out to kill her. Knowing if she runs, she will be running for the rest of her life, Mariah discovers Alaska Force.

Alaska Force accepts her initial request and Mariah must make her way to Grizzly Harbor and right into the sites of sniper, Griffin. Griffin is an Alaska Force member, and everything about Mariah throws Griffin off his game. She appears very similar to his ex-financee, she is not showing any signs of destress and she is driving him crazy.

Slowly Griffin must see that his own personal bias is playing a strong part in his objections toward Mariah, besides she is pushing him to pass all the walls he’s built around his life.

Crane writes a strong mystery that had me stumped right up to the reveal. Griffin’s convoluted feelings towards Mariah leads to some great reading. You can’t wait for the ice princess to melt the frozen sniper’s heart.

I received this ARC copy of Sniper's Pride from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Sniper's Pride is set for publication May 7, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Megan Crane
Series: An Alaska Force Novel (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
ISBN-10: 0451491513
ISBN-13: 978-0451491510
Genre: Military Romance | Action | Adventure

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snipers-Pride-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snip...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/snip...

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a reading gem is just around the next book shelf…

And Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane was just such a gem for me! Mariah McKenna was running for her life and even under the critical watch of Griffin Cisneros she was finding her way….

I loved Mariah’s quick wit and quiet sarcasm as she pressed every button Griffin had. His stoic manner didn’t know what to do with her other than denying there was any spark between them, and pushing her away… The back and forth between them was beyond entertaining and made a perfect contrast to the suspense that swirled around them. A mortal threat was still to be determined but the real danger was to Griff’s sanity…

The shenanigans of all the characters in Grizzly Harbor were a hoot and brought lightness to the intensity of the plot. Mariah fit right in with her go with the flow attitude and openness, despite her situation. Griff was a little harder to warm up to but he was worth a bit of patience. A twist to what could have been a straightforward plot elevated the story even more. Put it all together and it was a great story with characters that were unforgettable.

My first step now is going to the beginning of the series and then stalking every title by this author I can find! ~Diane, 4.5 stars

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on Got Fiction?

I read the book SEAL’s Honor and liked it but didn’t love it. However this author’s style worked for me, so I grabbed this one.

I liked this book better.

This book starts out with Mariah leaving her husband. He’s tried to kill her twice, but she can’t prove it, and she’s frightened. He’s rich and powerful and his family is besties with the police.

Mariah is in her new apartment trying to survive, and to start fresh. But her husband David can’t let that happen. I actually really love how she finds out about Alaska Force. She’s on youtube watching conspiracy videos and falls down the rabbit hole, as one does. She watches one about this group that no one knows much about but they save people and she needs saving. She looks them up and eventually finds an email address.

That’s how she finds herself planting a false trail to Greece but really heading to Alaska.

When Griffin sees the ice princess get off the ferry, he knows he isn’t going to like her, or this mission, one bit. That chip on his shoulder stays there, even as Mariah hacks at it. But Griffin doesn’t believe that she’s really in danger. He thinks she’s just going through a messy divorce and is being dramatic. But meanwhile, Mariah keeps hacking at his icy exterior, knowing she’ll find an if not gooey center, a slightly less frozen one.

Just as it seems her “accidental” cases of allergic reactions to shellfish that nearly killed her were truly just accidents, it turns out they weren’t. Mariah wasn’t just some trophy wife in a marriage that went south. She’s right, and she’s in need of Alaska Force’s help. But it may be too late for that. She’s already gone.

A quick warning: Mariah is still technically married when Griffin and she have sex. This normally is a hard nope for me, however, she’s already served divorce papers to her awful cheating ex, and she’s been separated from him for a while. I didn’t consider it a cheating issue.

I felt this book held up the plot twist better than the previous one did, and I liked this plot twist a lot too. The action was intense, the love and romance were believable, and the bad guys were bad. I think this author’s voice and style work for me. I am really looking forward to the next book in the Alaska Force series.

***ARC courtesy of the publisher Berkley Books

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second book of the Alaska Forces series, Mariah McKenna uses the research she has gained to flee to an Alaskan town for help. She knows of a special ops force there, and she feels that they are the only ones who can protect her from her husband. For the second time in a very short time, she nearly lost her life and is certain her husband is trying to kill her. She has filed for divorce but Mariah knows that he will not simply let her go.

Griffin Cisneros takes on the case. As a former marine sniper, the special ops team can certainly use his special skills. He is not happy being the major player when it comes to keeping Mariah safe. He doesn't believe the danger is real and wants more action that he hopes he would experience in his job.

While Griffin does his job to the best fight whatever danger may be presented to Mariah, he has another fight on his hands. He must somehow resist her allure. His team and his work is rather elite, and the image he projects is part of his fiber. Being involved in a romantic relationship is something that Griffin cannot imagine happening any time in the near future.

Sniper's Pride was an excellent read. While the romance between Griffin and Mariah was inevetible, the suspense was at an all-time high. While the danger was ever-present for Mariah, she had tremendous strength and her character was developed marvelously. Griffin was tough on the outside and it was a delight waiting for him to soften up towards Mariah, I had just read the first book in this series, SEAL's Honor, which was terrific, and this was as well. I look forward to continuing this series. The next book is Sergeant's Christmas Siege, scheduled for release in November.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

SNIPER’S Pride
Megan Crane

A secret militia, a sexy ex-Marine and a damsel in distress: once again the perfect recipe for a book. Sniper’s Pride is book two in the Alaska Force romantic suspense series by Megan Crane, and it blends the ingredients well.

Mariah McKenna, our latest damsel, has fled her home because she thinks her husband is trying to kill her. Griffin Cisneros, Alaska Force member and former Marine, has been betrayed in the past and vows to remain a machine and leave emotions to the weak. Griffin dislikes Mariah at first sight, which makes being assigned to her case a bit of a challenge. Griffin and Mariah will both have to adapt to their situation if Griffin is to become her avenging angel.

We are given more backstory on the militia in this second book of the series, and our romantic couple, Mariah and Griffin, are fleshed out well. The background scenery is used to affect the actions of the characters and is important to the plot development, which is well-executed and gives a few surprises. I enjoyed Sniper’s Pride and will continue to read the rest of the series. I rate this a 4 out of 5 star read.

I was chosen to read an advance copy of this book as part of Penguin's First to Read program. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today, I had book hangover from staying up too late to finish Caitlin Crews’s Sniper’s Pride. Given it was a back-to-work Monday morning, it took a heck of a lot of coffee to keep me amiable and functional . Was it worth it? Did I love it? I’m not sure.

Sometimes, I read a romance novel not to have to think about those plague-y things that wake you up in the night and leave you with heart palpitations and morning-after disquiet — if you ever do manage to fall back asleep.

In the cooler light of day, wolfing down Crews’s romance left me the way overindulgence in Haagen-Dazs’s Espresso Chocolate Cookie Crumble does, vaguely nauseated with questionable self-respect. Sometimes though, a feral spinster needs to leave the world behind and Crews’s novel hit the sweet spot. With a day’s work done, a dinner-full stomach and some halfway decent rosé, I can think about my response to Sniper’s Pride with more dispassion. Crews is a talented writer; she has a smooth, quick, moving way with words and tropish twists along the way that surprise and delight. I disliked some of Sniper’s Pride‘s content and yet loved the sheer heroine-vindication and HEA-fulfilling development of its core relationship.

The novel opens with the heroine surviving a second attempt by her soon-to-be ex-husband to kill her by planting anaphylactic-inducing seafood in her food. After ten years, Mariah McKenna has left her psychologically abusive husband; the murder attempts see her running from Atlanta, circuitously, to Alaska, where Alaska Force’s ubermen lend their ex-military expertise to protecting the vulnerable. Mariah needs help and she needs their ubermen help especially. Her hero is gruff, icy, “I feel nothing” former Marine, Griffin Cisneros. The set-up is familiar: bodyguard hero, vulnerable heroine who grows to confidence and self-assertion, lots o’ baddies, and a hero who gives all to the mission and nothing to himself, who feels nothing except for what is too much to bear, that is, what he feels for the heroine.

On some level, this was ugh; on another, because the world isn’t a nice or safe place, the uberman fantasy Griffin offers, aloof, protective, icy sniper, man without a heart, a calculating machine who operates solely on loyalty to his “band of brothers” and honour, is emotionally satisfying. I kind of hated the glorification of the military “loved I not honour more” code, but I was sucked in. I enjoyed how Mariah went from victim to hear-me-roar woman, to a sense of self-worth and purpose. And throughout, even when Mariah was at her weakest, I loved her wry sense of humour. Even Griffin eventually won me over, if only for his more conventional ice-man-melts because of what the heroine makes him feel. And the feels, they were thick. The suspense was wicked suspenseful; the baddies were positively evil and I was gleeful when they got their comeuppance. I thought Crews did this clever twist with the notion of pride: as Mariah gains hers, it’s a good thing; and, as Griffin concedes his, it’s a good thing: and that is the stuff of which their HEA is made.

Military glorification aside, it’s a page-turner. The heroine is aces and her vindication is feminist, class-associated, and personal. She defeats her husband, his betrayals and humiliations of her as “white trash”; she gains strength, purpose, a career, and a devoted, sexy hunk. (There’s also an eye-rolling reversal to her fertility issues, which goes with the military glorification ugh-a-thon.) Miss Austen and I, spinster-sisters, enjoyed it. If you can overlook the problematic bits, you will too. Sniper’s Pride is part of my stretching-to-the-doom-of-time ARC TBR, so I’m glad I’ve reviewed it.

Caitlin Crews’s Sniper’s Pride is published by Jove Books (Berkley). It was released on May 7th and you can enjoy it from your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Jove (Berkley) via Netgalley.

(For those to whom these things might be of interest, the fingerless gloves were unravelled and restarted. My tension is better and they’re looking a tad less, um, misshapen and voluminous. Maybe.)

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

After being sent to the hospital twice over her shellfish allergy, Mariah is starting to think there is something nefarious going on. She's in the middle of getting a divorce from her emotionally abusive husband who doesn't want the embarrassment of a divorce as he is gearing up to run for office. Her late night YouTube surfing has led her to contact a group of men who call themselves Alaska Force.
Griffin isn't a fan of prissy blonde women after he found his wife and bestfriend were cheating on him. He's days as a Marine sniper have given a particular set of skills but have also made him think he shouldn't be around civilians. When Mariah shows up looking for help, his guard is instantly up.
While Alaska Force tries to determine is Mariah is really in danger, Griffin fights his own battle against falling for the client.

They were men without ties. Some without pasts.

The Alaska Force is made up of former military men, second in the series Sniper's Pride, focuses on Griffin. I have not read the first in the series but I had no problem jumping in here as the author gives sufficient background on the group and how everyone ties in together. Our heroine Mariah is a new character and has the grace and backbone of a girl who grew-up on the wrong side of the tracks and had to survive the snake pit of high society.

Griffin came off a bit harsh with Mariah in the beginning, he was making her pay for the pain his ex-wife cost him, I'm not sure I fully forgave him for his attitude. It was also excessively pushed how he felt he couldn't be around civilians. I read a good amount of romantic suspense, so maybe I'm just worn on this trope but I felt there wasn't enough given of Griffin's personality for me to believe in why he felt this way. Griffin says it over and over, the telling me all the time but not showing which leads me to not feeling.

Mariah was the stronger of the two characters, her admitting that she married to escape her family and poverty, to building up enough self-esteem to leave her marriage, and standing up to Griffin. Her character was sweet, strong, and funny. The chemistry between the two wasn't as strong as I would have liked, a lot of my issues was due to how rude Griffin could be to her at times. Their first sex scene felt a bit out of nowhere and their “I love yous” seemed very quick.

We get to see a couple of the other members of the Alaska Force, a teased romance between the founder and a grumpy cafe owner, but I would have liked to have seen more scenes between all the guys or Griffin's friendship with them, I think it would have filled out his character more.

All in all, this was basic line romantic suspense, Griffin was a bit cardboard cut-out alpha male, the villain was kind of fantastical, and the danger had the heroine needing to be rescued. Tropes that rom suspense readers look for, they just weren't given a fresh feel or much umph behind them.

[spoiledmalk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5???

i've basically decided to ignore the plot to each of the books in the series and am solely reading for the tropes

[Michelle McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start with that I really enjoyed this book I have never read Megan Crane book intel now and I have to say I will definitely be reading many more to come. I absolutely loved how I was hooked from the very beginning. This steamy but suspenseful romance is a must read I really loved the characters and fell in love with Mariah and Griffin.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane is the second story in the author’s exciting Alaska Force romantic suspense series, about ex-military operatives who use their skills to solve deadly problems – and end up finding women willing to be their partners when the dust settles.

Mariah McKenna is sure that her soon to be ex-husband is trying to kill her. After ending up in the hospital twice recently with anaphylactic shock from an unknown food source, she’s desperate for help. Contacting the Alaska Force, a shadowy group she’d heard about from an internet source, she sends them a succinct message, and their response is just as brief – get to Grizzly Harbor, Alaska and they’d take it from there.

Griffin Cisneros likes his quiet, relatively solitary life. He’s an ex-marine sniper who uses his skills to keep his Alaska Force team whole and successful in their missions. When Mariah shows up, it’s his turn to be lead on the mission, but it doesn’t mean he has to like her. She reminds him superficially of his ex-girlfriend who had ditched him after his last tour of duty (conveniently before the wedding invitations had been mailed out), with her big blond hair, and sweet Southern voice. Mariah has a backbone of steel and a will to survive as evidenced by her willingness to seek out Griffin and his team. His job may be to keep her safe – but will the risk to his heart be too great?

For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-sn...

A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane is the 2nd book in her Alaska Force series. We meet our heroine, Mariah McKenna immediately, as she just gets out of the hospital, knowing that her husband is trying to kill her. Mariah wants a divorce, but her husband, who is wealthy and has aspirations to become politically involved, wants nothing to do with a divorce; she knows he wants her dead.

Mariah decides the best thing for her is to leave town, let her lawyer fight for the divorce. She writes to a firm that helps people in trouble, and when she gets a response to go to Grizzly Harbor, Alaska to meet with the Alaska Force group Mariah leaves for Alaska.

Griffin Cisneros, our hero, is one of the operatives from Alaska Force, and he has been assigned to meet Mariah. When Griffin sees the beautiful Mariah get off the boat, he becomes determined to sent her back home; since he thinks she is a rich wealthy princess, who wants to be pampered.

Of course, Mariah is nothing like that, even if she is ultra-friendly to everyone, underneath it all, she is very scared for her life. Griffin treats her coldly, and finds Mariah annoying, as she does things on her own to walk around the town and meet residents. After a bit, Mariah’s independence and friendly attitude creates problems for Griffin, who is fighting off his attraction to her. Griffin thinks himself as a machine to do the job he is good at, and not meant for a woman.

Just when Griffin convinces his leaders that Mariah is probably imagining the threats on her life, things change that will bring Griffin and the Alaska Force team working together to help Mariah against the threats coming against her. Griffin realizes the error of his ways, and becomes deeply involved in saving Mariah, especially when due to his lack of attention, she is now in danger.

What follows is an exciting, intense suspenseful story, with intrigue and a romance that was a slow burn, but in the end, they did make a great couple. There were a few surprises, as we race to the exciting edge of your seat climax, and the discovery of who was really behind the attempts on Mariah’s life. I loved watching the members of the Alaska Force step up and together battle the bad guys. A talented group that I look forward to see more of in future books. I really liked seeing Everly befriend Mariah, and help her, as well as to find a way to make Griffin open his eyes to his true but hidden feelings for Mariah.

Sniper’s Pride was a wonderful romance suspense story that was written very well by Megan Crane and had a bit of everything. I look forward to the next book and suggest you give this series a try.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sniper's Pride is the second book in the Alaska Force series about a group of special operatives that live out in the Alaskan wilderness. This can be read as a standalone.


Mariah believes her husband is trying to kill her, so she reaches out to Alaska Force. Griffin Cisneros is the one chosen to speak with her and determine if her fears are valid. Griffin is reluctant to take the case, but when it becomes clear trouble has followed her to Alaska, he vows to do whatever he needs to in order to keep her safe.

There's a great blend of suspense and romance; neither overshadows the other. Mariah is a strong character, determined to make the best of a bad situation. Griffin, having been hurt in the past, is reluctant to get into another relationship and puts up a good fight against his feelings.

There's a twist to the story, which I enjoyed. I honestly didn't see it coming and thought it was a great addition to the story.

Fans of romantic suspense are in for treat with this book.

**A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute ending i was tearing quite a bit. Griffin deserved so much love he was so hard on himself and thinking he didnt deserve love in his life because he thought he was incapable of giving it back. I love how Mariah took no shit and was like why doesn’t he like me meanwhile hes like ugh why is this woman making me feel things! Loved she went up to him and demanded what his problem was and then it was all heat and passion *swoooon* the whole kidnapp thing though i was kinda of suspecting it wasnt David after a while because he was just being a whiny pathetic jerk. She was definitely tougher than I would have been because i would have been super paranoid the whole time lol Also everytime i saw the name Templeton i thought of Josh Templeton from hating game and died inside hehe. I wished i read the first book but i didnt know there was one..woops. This was also a slowburn book so it took me a bit to get into it. But definitely liked it and wanna read about Isaac though :)

[Reading In Pajamas]

✦Review & Giveaway: SNIPER’S PRIDE (An Alaska Force Novel) by Megan Crane https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-b7A
►Enter Giveaway (Paperback) ➢ http://bit.ly/2HwgETT
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

This book took a hold of me right away and never let go. I related to Mariah and rode this crazy journey with her, rooting her on and understanding her attraction to Griffin. He was all that my imaginary heroes are. Handsome, strong and capable – yet holding himself back because of a tortured soul. I’m glad the author didn’t overly accentuate their inner struggles yet wrote them in a way that I could believe and feel the emotional pull when it all comes together.

As my readers know, I love a good group dynamic and the camaraderie that makes me wish I was a part of it all. This installment came closer to that, and hope future books delve deeper. I like caring about the heroes to come. I also enjoyed that the bad-guy and motive kept me guessing until the end. It was a fun read and I can’t wait to visit the Alaskan Force again!

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/2TsNIRd

✦SEAL'S HONOR (An Alaska Force Novel, Book 1) by Megan Crane
Review 4 Stars https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aWB | Kindle https://amzn.to/2Em1tOv

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was so so for me, mostly because I didn't care for Griffin, he was an ass for most of the book. I didn't see why Mariah was so smitten with him. Now Mariah I liked from the start and hated what she was dealing with. I was glad that she had a fuzzy idea of Alaska Force and went to them for help because she needed it. Glad later on that the guys were there when she really needed them. By the end I still wasn't sure that Mariah didn't deserve someone better than Griffin.

[Chelse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great romantic suspense. It's exciting and held my interest throughout the whole story. I'm glad I found this author and I can't wait to read more from her.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was such a great romantic suspense! I am a sucker for “stone cold man meets woman who melts his heart” & this 100% delivered. Mariah and Griffin were delightful and even though I called the villain twist about ten pages in, it was still suitably terrifying during the reveal (Though TW: attempted sexual assault & rape threats). Still not sold on living in Alaska, sorry, but am definitely eager for the rest of the books in this series & visiting via reading.

[Once Upon An Alpha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariah is afraid that someone is trying to kill her just last month she somehow ate seafood which she is deathly allergic to. Well she is in the hospital again and they barely saved her this time, she decides to get help in the form of the Alaska Force because she is afraid her husband is trying to kill her.
Griffin who is part of the Alaska Force is in charge of seeing if Mariah really has a person wanting her dead or some princess fantasy. Griffin takes one look at her and decides she is just looking for attention but he doesn’t plan on giving her any but the minute his back is turned she is gone.
Griffin is one tough guy and Mariah getting through some of the outer shell is really entertaining and the rest of the characters are entertaining also. - Reviewed by Linda

[Lisa Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with lots of intrigue and a bit of romance. We have our hero is a bit stuck on the way he sees his life. He is convinced that he is a machine and that is why he ex-fiancée married his best friend. Our leading lady is in fear for her life. She as had two bad reactions to a known allergy that she has steered clear from for years in two weeks. She knows she will not survive a third attempt so she reaches out to an unknown group to help protect her from her high society husband. Needless to say sparks fly and she make our hero question things and I was grateful to be along for the ride.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariah is afraid that someone is trying to kill her just last month she somehow ate seafood which she is deathly allergic to. Well she is in the hospital again and they barely saved her this time, she decides to get help in the form of the Alaska Force because she is afraid her husband is trying to kill her.
Griffin who is part of the Alaska Force is in charge of seeing if Mariah really has a person wanting her dead or some princess fantasy. Griffin takes one look at her and decides she is just looking for attention but he doesn’t plan on giving her any but the minute his back is turned she is gone.
Griffin is one tough guy and Mariah getting through some of the outer shell is really entertaining and the rest of the characters are entertaining also.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh WOW!!! I thoroughly loved, loved, loved, Mariah and Griffin’s amazing love story in Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane, book two in her Alaska Force series. We are introduced to Mariah McKenna on page one as she is getting out of the hospital with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction she knows she didn’t cause. She realizes her cheating, vindictive husband would rather have a dead wife than a divorce. Afraid that he will succeed in killing her next time, Mariah flees town to travel to Grizzly Harbor to hire one of the Alaska Force special operatives to help her survive long enough to be able to enjoy life. When Griffin Cisneros sees Mariah, who he is assigned to meet, he believes she’s a rich and wealthy princess who only wants to be pampered. He is determined to send her home not believing she needs their help. Mariah is truly not what he thought or expected. After growing up dirt poor, she’s friendly to everyone and determined to hide how scared she really is. Griffin’s biggest issue, despite denying it, is his attraction to Mariah, and not just because she looks similar to his ex-fiancé. Griffin thinks he’s a machine, able to do the job he knows he’s good at and not worthy of the love a woman. After a night of hot sex melts the frozen Griffin he believes he has lost control of his life. Griffin is forced to leave his watch on Mariah and help with another case and its unexpected threat. It is at this point the suspense and surprise occurs, with Mariah’s life not just being in danger, but is on the line. The Alaska Force team, including Griffin, moves into action, locate Mariah, and save her from a very dangerous situation. It was amazing watching the Alaska Force in action as they battled and rounded up the bad guys in order to save Mariah. All of them are surprised by the person truly responsible for the threats on Mariah’s life. Mariah’s second return to Grizzly Harbor is truly not to force her attention on Griffin. Instead, it gives Griffin the opportunity to open his eyes and truly see his feelings for Mariah and his need to keep her safe and in his life.

Ms. Crane wrote an intense, emotional and exciting romantic suspense filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. This story grabbed me and did not let go until I reached the end. I highly recommend Sniper’s Pride and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariah McKenna Lanier grew up in rural Two Oaks, Georgia, with a stereotypical redneck, hillbilly family. When David Abernathy Lanier approached her and swept her off her feet, it seemed a Cinderella story. Only David liked to cruelly remind her that she was just cleaned up white trailer, trash. For ten years of her husband and his family attempted to 'clean her up' and bringing her up to their standards, while letting her know she never measured up. The problem was no matter what she did, it never seemed good enough and she failed to give him any children, a cardinal sin in his eyes. When she caught him cheating, she had had enough and filed for divorce and then the attempts on her life began. She didn't want to believe it and tried hard to find excuses for how shellfish contaminated her food twice but she had to face the facts, she needed help if she wanted to live.

Griffen Cisneros was trained by the Marines to be a sniper, when he left military life he didn't know how to be a civilian and when he discovered his fiancé cheating on him with his best friend he sought out the Alaska Force and was done trying to fit into civilian life. Better to be the machine the Marines trained him to be. When he was assigned to assess Mariah for the team, her poise and beauty threatens his carefully built, fortified walls, no matter how hard he fights they keep crumbling the more time he spends with her. He tries to pigeon hole her as a spoiled southern gold digger, and his fight to protect himself makes him stupid.

These two both had painful pasts that lead them to create their own forms of remote, detached game faces to protect themselves from being hurt and I loved these two for each other. Griffin was a total bad ass and Mariah was too in her own way. I loved the way she realized how David systematically stripped her of self worth and that she was able to come back from that so strong. Knowing when she needed help, and also knowing when she needed to walk away and not allow herself to walk down that path again. I love watching characters grow.

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[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Sniper’s Pride
Series: Alaska Force Book #2
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Megan Crane
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb: After Mariah McKenna lands in the hospital with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction she knows she didn’t cause, she realizes her cheating, vindictive husband would rather have a dead wife than a divorce. Afraid that he will succeed in killing her next time, Mariah goes to Grizzly Harbor to hire one of the Alaska Force special operatives to help her survive long enough to finally live a little.
Griffin Cisneros traded in a comfortable future for boot camp, where he learned the virtue of patience and focus—skills that served him well as a Marine sniper. Few things get to him these days, but something about Mariah’s mix of toughness and vulnerability gets right under his skin. Until it’s clear she’s the one thing in the world that might melt the ice in stoic, reserved Griffin, whether he likes it or not.

If he can just keep her alive...
Favorite quote(s): “Now I’m offended that you think I need to….what? Talk about my feelings? What’s next? Are you going to give me a unicorn stuffed animal? Are we going to make friendship bracelets?”
Thoughts: This was an ok book for me…it was enough to keep me interested and reading, however a few little things bothered me about it. For example, Mariah just calling up some random group for help without even knowing anything about them really. Mariah character wavered between brave and a simpering mouse. Griffin was gruff and fought the pull of their connection up until the bitter end – and still at the end didn’t seem fully on board with their relationship. The ‘bad guy’ just seemed over the top and somewhat unbelievable.
The writing was good and is mainly what kept me reading, but the book won’t be one that stands out in my mind a few weeks down the road.
Rating: B
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Janet Rodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah McKenna Lanier left her abusive husband after ten years and was ready to start a new life. She had come from the wrong side of the tracks and thought she had met her prince charming, David. She realized she had made a mistake. After two trips to the hospital due to a reaction to shellfish, she began to worry that she would die the next time. Fearful that her soon to be ex husband was out to kill her, she enlists the help of Alaska Force, a group of ex military men who take on special cases. Mariah travels to Alaska to meet up with the group. Her first encounter, Griffin Cisneros, who appears cold as stone. He is the determining factor as to whether Alaska Force will take her case. Griffin has shut himself off from all emotions after his fiancée left him for his best friend. He will do his job and protect Mariah and eliminate any threat, without any emotion. He is after all, a machine.
This story was a page turner for me. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to these two characters. Slowly but surely Mariah began to get to Griffin who tried to avoid how he began to “feel” because of Mariah. Mariah also began to find out who she used to be as well. All of this is going on as Alaska Force tries to find out who wants her dead. Was surprised with who the person trying to kill her was. Enjoyed this book. I will definitely pick up the next book in this series.

[Sandy Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Seal's Honor by Megan Crane, so I was excited that NetGalley gave me access to her latest, Sniper's Pride. The chemistry Crane lights up on the pages and the suspenseful plot lines will keep readers hooked. Mariah is the quintessential heroine -- strong yet vulnerable, admirable yet imperfect. She was easy to get to know and was very likable. Griffin is tough, strong, (mostly) unflappable, stoic, and every bit the hero. I loved when he finally let his walls down and let himself care for Mariah in the way both of them knew they were destined to. And the ending was beautiful. My only issue: I really didn't like how Griffin treated Mariah when they first met. I get that he was guarding himself and didn't trust her, but she went from fleeing an abusive husband to dealing with Griffin being a total jerk at times. I was beyond thankful when he finally pulled his head out of his tuckus! Oh, and the sniper scene near the end -- deep sigh! Thank you, Megan Crane, for another great read.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Penguin First to Read program. The following is my honest opinion. I was intrigued by this book and requested it without having read the first book (which I did read prior to starting this one). I like the combination of military men, small town in Alaska and the thriller element. I really loved Mariah in this one, she has a stubborn streak a mile wide and I can really appreciate that. I was not as much a fan of Griffin, he had a lot going on internally that while it was very believable, I just didn't jive with him. I was also a little disappointed that I had most of the mysteries figured out well in advance of the ah ha moment in the book. With that said, I did enjoy the story and the way the characters developed and interacted. I am still curious about some of the other members of Alaska Force and will be on the look out for future books.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

SNIPER'S PRIDE is Book Two in Megan Crane's Alaska Force series and centers around a former Marine sniper turned security expert and a former trophy wife in an exciting take on an enemies to lovers story.

Mariah instantly becomes ensnared in a reader's heart when a second trip to the hospital with Anaphylaxis in a short time period leads her to fear for her life from her high powered estranged husband. We go along for the ride as she flees town and searches out help to keep her alive.

Griffin is a hard nut to crack. He seems cold and unfeeling and even almost mean, but almost immediately upon meeting Mariah you can perceive a connection between the two of them.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a happily ever after between an unlikely pair, and who enjoys intrigue along with their romance. I'm looking forward to more to come in the series.

[Darlene Wilson]

After Mariah McKenna lands in the hospital with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction she knows she didn't cause, she realizes her cheating, vindictive husband would rather have a dead wife than a divorce. Afraid that he will succeed in killing her next time, Mariah goes to Grizzly Harbor to hire one of the Alaska Force special operatives to help her survive long enough to finally live a little.

Griffin Cisneros traded in a comfortable future for boot camp, where he learned the virtue of patience and focus--skills that served him well as a Marine sniper. Few things get to him these days, but something about Mariah's mix of toughness and vulnerability gets right under his skin. Until it's clear she's the one thing in the world that might melt the ice in stoic, reserved Griffin, whether he likes it or not.

If he can just keep her alive...

[Jenn (YeahOrNeighReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great suspense that will have you losing track of time! Mariah McKenna is probably one of my favorite leading female characters in a book this year. I enjoyed her strength, while being able to show a slight vulnerable side - it only made her more human to me.
Griffin Cisneros is definitely the tough guy that wants more action out of his job, but what he doesn't expect is to fall for the one he fought against protecting. Definitely the ideal book boyfriend that every reader dreams about, the book is worth it just for these two characters.
The action and suspense are incredibly intense and well-written. I'm getting the first book right away and can't wait for the next one in the series to release. Highly enjoyed this fast-paced suspenseful romance and will be adding it to my collection!