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Alpha Crew #4
Total Control
The New York Times bestselling author of Desperate Girls and Touch of Red returns to her sizzling Alpha Crew series with this fourth thriller filled with “scorching-hot chemistry” (Kirkus Reviews) featuring a Navy SEAL who meets his match in a fierce FBI agent as they work together to take down a dangerous terrorist.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath has his eyes on Alexa Mays. The FBI Agent is whip smart and hot as hell, but she won’t give him the time of day. So, when she calls him out of blue, he thinks his luck has changed.
But instead of meeting up for a romantic dinner, Alexa needs Jake for a very different reason. Her counterterrorism team is hot on the heels of the extremist that Jake’s task force has been tracking for months, and now he’s on American soil. The only way she can take him down is with Jake’s help.
Alexa knows Jake is tough and relentless...and that the chemistry between them is electric. Although she’s risking her heart—and maybe even her career—by bringing him onto the mission, she doesn’t have another choice. Together, they’re an unstoppable and powerful team.
As the hours tick by and a lethal enemy gets closer to launching an unimaginable attack, Alexa and Jake need to fight fire with fire before the clock runs out. The only question is: will their own flames get in the way?
Navy SEAL Jake Heath has his eyes on Alexa Mays. The FBI Agent is whip smart and hot as hell, but she won’t give him the time of day. So, when she calls him out of blue, he thinks his luck has changed.
But instead of meeting up for a romantic dinner, Alexa needs Jake for a very different reason. Her counterterrorism team is hot on the heels of the extremist that Jake’s task force has been tracking for months, and now he’s on American soil. The only way she can take him down is with Jake’s help.
Alexa knows Jake is tough and relentless...and that the chemistry between them is electric. Although she’s risking her heart—and maybe even her career—by bringing him onto the mission, she doesn’t have another choice. Together, they’re an unstoppable and powerful team.
As the hours tick by and a lethal enemy gets closer to launching an unimaginable attack, Alexa and Jake need to fight fire with fire before the clock runs out. The only question is: will their own flames get in the way?
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2019
308 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Laura Griffin
56 books3,842 followersLaura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award. Laura got her start in journalism before venturing into the world of suspense fiction. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages. Laura lives in Austin, Texas, where she is working on her next novel.
Series:
* Texas Murder Files
* Tracers
* Wolfe Security
* Alpha Crew
* Moreno and Hart Mysteries
* Glass Sisters
* The Borderline
Series:
* Texas Murder Files
* Tracers
* Wolfe Security
* Alpha Crew
* Moreno and Hart Mysteries
* Glass Sisters
* The Borderline
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 30, 2019
Fast read with kick ass characters.
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When I hear the name Laura Griffin I immediately think of her awesome stories that always involve romantic suspense in the military and some form of police agency.
This novella was fabulous read. I love Jake and Alexa together. He is so damn perfect of a character; definitely hot and spicy and he will get your temperature rising.
She is a typical female FBI agent that doesn’t want to admit when she needs help but is grateful for it when Jake agrees to help with her latest case.
Secretly she’s has a mad crush on him and he on her. He’s been by biding his time for months and when they finally meet over this suspect their sparks do more than fly. They explode.
Another great addition to her Alpha Crew series with this fast-paced novella. My only regret is that Griffin chose not to make it full length. I just wanted more of them together. Explosive characters. Attention grabbing and an overall exciting read.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/total-contro...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I hear the name Laura Griffin I immediately think of her awesome stories that always involve romantic suspense in the military and some form of police agency.
This novella was fabulous read. I love Jake and Alexa together. He is so damn perfect of a character; definitely hot and spicy and he will get your temperature rising.
She is a typical female FBI agent that doesn’t want to admit when she needs help but is grateful for it when Jake agrees to help with her latest case.
Secretly she’s has a mad crush on him and he on her. He’s been by biding his time for months and when they finally meet over this suspect their sparks do more than fly. They explode.
Another great addition to her Alpha Crew series with this fast-paced novella. My only regret is that Griffin chose not to make it full length. I just wanted more of them together. Explosive characters. Attention grabbing and an overall exciting read.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/total-contro...
September 4, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Short novel or novella? I don't know what the rule is to determine which, and, I frankly don't care. Either way this was a hot, action packed read perfect for a day at the beach on this Labor Day weekend. I love Laura Griffin's take on my favorite Spec Op warriors, SEALs.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath met FBI Agent Alexa Mays six months ago while on a Op and has tried to reconnect with her, but she has done nothing but duck his calls. Then one day she shows up at his favorite dive bar needing his help. Not exactly what he had in mind, but who knows where it could end up.
Her counterterrorism team has reason to believe that there is a terrorist on American soil and that he is planning an attack. The hitch is that her boss isn't taking her or her terrorist seriously. She needs Jake and his sources to track this all down.
Jake is all SEAL and tenacious as they come. When he sees something he wants he goes after it and he wants Lexie. As he gathers intelligence, he is also convinced that Lexie is right and together they need to stop this terrorist before he can strike a target in the Los Angeles area.
Short novel or novella? I don't know what the rule is to determine which, and, I frankly don't care. Either way this was a hot, action packed read perfect for a day at the beach on this Labor Day weekend. I love Laura Griffin's take on my favorite Spec Op warriors, SEALs.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath met FBI Agent Alexa Mays six months ago while on a Op and has tried to reconnect with her, but she has done nothing but duck his calls. Then one day she shows up at his favorite dive bar needing his help. Not exactly what he had in mind, but who knows where it could end up.
Her counterterrorism team has reason to believe that there is a terrorist on American soil and that he is planning an attack. The hitch is that her boss isn't taking her or her terrorist seriously. She needs Jake and his sources to track this all down.
Jake is all SEAL and tenacious as they come. When he sees something he wants he goes after it and he wants Lexie. As he gathers intelligence, he is also convinced that Lexie is right and together they need to stop this terrorist before he can strike a target in the Los Angeles area.
August 26, 2019
ARC received for review
I wanted to love this book, because I loved Jake and Alexa's chemistry in the first books. I had to put it down and walk away for a day cause it was boring me. I did finish, and it got better, but I just didn't love it.
I wanted to love this book, because I loved Jake and Alexa's chemistry in the first books. I had to put it down and walk away for a day cause it was boring me. I did finish, and it got better, but I just didn't love it.
September 20, 2019
Jake and Alexa have a bit of history. Meeting through previous ops, and Jake wanted more, tried for more but Alexa ignored his calls for months. Now Alexa shows up in San Diego for Jake, but it's for a dangerous case, nothing personal. Working together forces her to take notice of what could be between them, and Jake didn't want to miss the chance to sway her to giving a relationship a chance.
There's a lot of action that kept me turning the pages, and this is a quick read. I think Total Control would fall into novella length category at 183 pages. There's a romance, but I wasn't really feeling it. Still, this was a short entertaining read.
I'm a big fan of Laura Griffin's romantic suspense/thrillers, mainly her Tracers series. I enjoyed the previous books in the Alpha Crew series, and while I liked Total Control, I just didn't love it.
A copy was kindly provided by Gallery Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
There's a lot of action that kept me turning the pages, and this is a quick read. I think Total Control would fall into novella length category at 183 pages. There's a romance, but I wasn't really feeling it. Still, this was a short entertaining read.
I'm a big fan of Laura Griffin's romantic suspense/thrillers, mainly her Tracers series. I enjoyed the previous books in the Alpha Crew series, and while I liked Total Control, I just didn't love it.
A copy was kindly provided by Gallery Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2019
This is a well-written, fast paced, action packed addition to the Alpha Crew series. It is a real page turner, with engaging, likable characters, including its strong and capable female protagonist. Ms. Griffin never disappoints her readers!
September 11, 2020
I loved the tantalizing chemistry and banter between Jake and Alexa in previous books and had high hopes for their story. Unfortunately, the romance fell flat and I found myself flipping pages just to finish reading.
October 9, 2019
Jake Heath a Navy Seal is very surprised when he sees FBI Special agent Alexa Mays who called him after he was working out. Wishing that she was finally coming around and they could actually try and date he is shut down when all she wants is his help to look for a terrorist who is believed to be in California. He says no and leaves, later when she arrives home he is there getting after her about how easy it was for him to get into her house and that he will help her. The beginning of their working together is not as easy as she would like it for he knows people who are off the beaten path and of course she looks like an FBI agent so she must stay outside. She, of course, wants to take them down as well but this would get them off point. This goes on for a while and they get back on course looking for the suspect and Jake wants to be with Alexa. She wants to be with him but she also wants to capture this guy and focus on her job for it is difficult for a woman to promote. Just when everything looks like it is a dead-end it begins to pick up again. This is an action pack story and sees how it ends. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
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October 18, 2019Total Control is the first book I’ve read by Laura Griffin, and this slim novella gave me just enough of a taste for her style that I’m looking forward to reading more. The book follows Navy SEAL Jake Heath and FBI agent Alexa Mays. He’s surprised to hear from her after a date months before resulted in her ghosting him, but he can’t deny that he’s intrigued when she starts to tell him about the case she’s working on and why she needs his help. The novella length left me wanting more, but the book included an exciting excerpt of Griffin’s full length novel Her Deadly Secrets, which I’m looking forward to diving into. –Stephanie (excerpted from Bookish's Staff Reads)
August 22, 2019
Total Control has a smoking hot, Navy Seal and a ballsy, female FBI agent trying to track down a possible terrorist plot. In the midst of all that action, Jake is trying to get a reluctant Alexa to give him a chance.
This went form zero to 60 and didn't stop until the end. For a novella it had a lot going on and felt like a full length book. Jake is a total alpha male, so of course I loved him. While I wanted Alex to stop pushing him away, I liked her character. I'm a big fan of heroines who can kick butt.
Since the suspense was from start to finish, it really made this book easy to completely devour. There is no getting bored in this story.
I've read all the Alpha Crew books and have enjoyed all of them. I hope there will be more!
This went form zero to 60 and didn't stop until the end. For a novella it had a lot going on and felt like a full length book. Jake is a total alpha male, so of course I loved him. While I wanted Alex to stop pushing him away, I liked her character. I'm a big fan of heroines who can kick butt.
Since the suspense was from start to finish, it really made this book easy to completely devour. There is no getting bored in this story.
I've read all the Alpha Crew books and have enjoyed all of them. I hope there will be more!
September 8, 2019
Total Control by Laura Griffin is the 4th book in her Alpha Crew series. Jake Heath, our hero, is a Navy Seal and after finishing up a tough case, Jake takes a short vacation; and is surprised when he is contacted by Alexa, an FBI agent he has not forgotten since he has not seen her for six months, after she never returned his phones calls.
Alexa Mays, our heroine, is one of the best counter terrorism FBI agents and is in the middle of a major case, and she tells her team that they need someone like Jake to help them, as he is the best at finding people. At first Jake refuses to help, as he already has plans to be with his family. But Jake decides in the last minute to help Alexa, as the stakes are high with finding the persons behind a terrorist attempt. They begin to work together, with Jake using many of his contacts to get them closer to finding the leader of this terrorist group.
Alexa was happy with Jake’s help, but she was determined to work more with her team, keeping some things secret. Jake of course, has his own contacts and manages to be in step with her investigation. They continue to investigate together, trying to be a step ahead of the terrorist and the plot; during the off times, their romance heats up. I loved the chemistry between Jake and Alexa, as they were so good together; but Alexa knew Jake would be leaving in a few days doing what Navy seals do, and was determined not get hurt.
What follows is a sweet and sexy romance between Alexa and Jake, which had us rooting hard that they would find a way to stay together. But the suspense and mystery of the story line remained on the forefront with non-stop action and excitement, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Total Control was a novella, which seemed more like a short story, and amazingly Griffin gave us a bit of everything in this book.
Laura Griffin is an excellent writer, as I love her Tracers series. She has created a great couple, as I really loved the chemistry between Alexa and Jake. This was an exciting action filled story that is a quick read, and sexy. The last half of the book was suspenseful and thrilling as they raced to stop the terrorist. If you enjoy mystery, suspense with romance, then you should be reading Laura Griffin.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Alexa Mays, our heroine, is one of the best counter terrorism FBI agents and is in the middle of a major case, and she tells her team that they need someone like Jake to help them, as he is the best at finding people. At first Jake refuses to help, as he already has plans to be with his family. But Jake decides in the last minute to help Alexa, as the stakes are high with finding the persons behind a terrorist attempt. They begin to work together, with Jake using many of his contacts to get them closer to finding the leader of this terrorist group.
Alexa was happy with Jake’s help, but she was determined to work more with her team, keeping some things secret. Jake of course, has his own contacts and manages to be in step with her investigation. They continue to investigate together, trying to be a step ahead of the terrorist and the plot; during the off times, their romance heats up. I loved the chemistry between Jake and Alexa, as they were so good together; but Alexa knew Jake would be leaving in a few days doing what Navy seals do, and was determined not get hurt.
What follows is a sweet and sexy romance between Alexa and Jake, which had us rooting hard that they would find a way to stay together. But the suspense and mystery of the story line remained on the forefront with non-stop action and excitement, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Total Control was a novella, which seemed more like a short story, and amazingly Griffin gave us a bit of everything in this book.
Laura Griffin is an excellent writer, as I love her Tracers series. She has created a great couple, as I really loved the chemistry between Alexa and Jake. This was an exciting action filled story that is a quick read, and sexy. The last half of the book was suspenseful and thrilling as they raced to stop the terrorist. If you enjoy mystery, suspense with romance, then you should be reading Laura Griffin.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
September 26, 2024
3.5 Stars
Total Control was a fast-paced read with an intriguing storyline and a steamy romance.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath has been drawn to FBI agent Alexa Mays since he helped her take down a terrorist last summer. So when she shows up and asks for his help to stop another terrorist, Jake is eager to help. With no support from her boss, Alexa has to think outside the box to catch this guy and Jake is the perfect man for the job. She'll just have to ignore the chemistry they share long enough to get the job done. Believing an attack is imminent, Alexa and Jake are in a race to catch the bad guys before it's too late.
Alexa works in the counterterrorism division of the FBI and is good at her job. She has good instincts and I liked that she trusted them even when her bosses didn't. Her determination to get to the truth was admirable and I was happy to see that her theories turned out to be right. Jake fits the Navy SEAL mold to a t and is very good at what he does. He also definitely falls into the alpha male archetype which is one I enjoy particularly in romantic suspense. So if overly-protective heroes aren't your thing, this may not be the book for you.
Alexa and Jake's relationship starts out as a purely professional one that quickly develops into something more. The chemistry between these two is fantastic and the steamy scenes were very well done. Initially Alexa has some reservations about starting anything with Jake due to bad experiences in the past and the fact that Jake is away a lot of time due to his job. I liked that as the two spent time together, it became clear to Alexa that Jake wasn't like the men she's dated before and that he's actually trustworthy. Unfortunately I felt like they didn't adequately address the fact that Jake is gone a lot of the time. By the book's end they kind of just glossed over it and didn't really talk too much about how their relationship would work with the distance.
Overall Total Control was a fun read and I would recommend the series if you're looking for some quick, suspenseful romances to pick up.
Total Control was a fast-paced read with an intriguing storyline and a steamy romance.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath has been drawn to FBI agent Alexa Mays since he helped her take down a terrorist last summer. So when she shows up and asks for his help to stop another terrorist, Jake is eager to help. With no support from her boss, Alexa has to think outside the box to catch this guy and Jake is the perfect man for the job. She'll just have to ignore the chemistry they share long enough to get the job done. Believing an attack is imminent, Alexa and Jake are in a race to catch the bad guys before it's too late.
Alexa works in the counterterrorism division of the FBI and is good at her job. She has good instincts and I liked that she trusted them even when her bosses didn't. Her determination to get to the truth was admirable and I was happy to see that her theories turned out to be right. Jake fits the Navy SEAL mold to a t and is very good at what he does. He also definitely falls into the alpha male archetype which is one I enjoy particularly in romantic suspense. So if overly-protective heroes aren't your thing, this may not be the book for you.
Alexa and Jake's relationship starts out as a purely professional one that quickly develops into something more. The chemistry between these two is fantastic and the steamy scenes were very well done. Initially Alexa has some reservations about starting anything with Jake due to bad experiences in the past and the fact that Jake is away a lot of time due to his job. I liked that as the two spent time together, it became clear to Alexa that Jake wasn't like the men she's dated before and that he's actually trustworthy. Unfortunately I felt like they didn't adequately address the fact that Jake is gone a lot of the time. By the book's end they kind of just glossed over it and didn't really talk too much about how their relationship would work with the distance.
Overall Total Control was a fun read and I would recommend the series if you're looking for some quick, suspenseful romances to pick up.
September 4, 2019
Laura Griffin’s ‘Alpha Ops’ series and I have been on rocky ground since day one; it is so startling dissimilar to the heart-pounding crime thrillers that she writes that these brief, novella-length works feel like they’ve been penned by someone else, both in style and in plot-execution. Yet I keep returning to them, hoping that each one would get better, even as ‘Total Control’ has left me on the fence.
Everything was cursory here: context and histories that were told rather than shown, explained away with a few lines rather than drawn out with chapters, and lacked the usual solid development that Griffin’s careful plotting in her full-length works contain. Her protagonists’ connection seemed forced especially when Alexa Mays only decided to give Jake Heath the time of day after 6 months of radio silence because she needed something from him.
In fact, it was harder to like Alexa at all, when Griffin seemed to have set her up as callous and manipulative from the beginning, which made Jake’s willingness (by blowing off his family for her) to ingratiate himself into her good books even more inexplicable. I think, above all, there were scenes that lacked the ‘softer’ emotional bits—or rather, vulnerability—that would, ironically, given an action-packed story more edge and more impact. That it went from zero to a hundred towards the last quarter—a bit of a feat considering this topped out at a rushed 120-ish pages on my reader—was something that came unexpectedly, though not in an unwelcome fashion, until it tapered off to a rather abrupt conclusion that felt like a HFN.
I’m not ashamed to say that I liked the past 20 or so pages the best, which nonetheless, still wasn’t quite enough to erase the lacklustre first half. I only wished ‘Total Control’ was a full-length (and more balanced) book and had it been, it would have been phenomenal.
Everything was cursory here: context and histories that were told rather than shown, explained away with a few lines rather than drawn out with chapters, and lacked the usual solid development that Griffin’s careful plotting in her full-length works contain. Her protagonists’ connection seemed forced especially when Alexa Mays only decided to give Jake Heath the time of day after 6 months of radio silence because she needed something from him.
In fact, it was harder to like Alexa at all, when Griffin seemed to have set her up as callous and manipulative from the beginning, which made Jake’s willingness (by blowing off his family for her) to ingratiate himself into her good books even more inexplicable. I think, above all, there were scenes that lacked the ‘softer’ emotional bits—or rather, vulnerability—that would, ironically, given an action-packed story more edge and more impact. That it went from zero to a hundred towards the last quarter—a bit of a feat considering this topped out at a rushed 120-ish pages on my reader—was something that came unexpectedly, though not in an unwelcome fashion, until it tapered off to a rather abrupt conclusion that felt like a HFN.
I’m not ashamed to say that I liked the past 20 or so pages the best, which nonetheless, still wasn’t quite enough to erase the lacklustre first half. I only wished ‘Total Control’ was a full-length (and more balanced) book and had it been, it would have been phenomenal.
September 18, 2019
I like Laura Griffin a lot, but this series is so insubstantial. The stories are too short; the first one gets around that by being spread over two volumes (not a fan! Just tell the story in one volume!) but the subsequent two are over right after they begin.
Griffin usually writes about stereotypes, but she makes them work because she has the space to write about multiple interactions, and each one builds a little more humanity, a little more individuality. Here she has no space. Each story has to turn on a dime, so her formula never moves beyond formula. This story’s a combination of Beyond Limits and the attitudes of whatever Ryan’s book is called, and it’s too familiar to be effective.
Griffin usually writes about stereotypes, but she makes them work because she has the space to write about multiple interactions, and each one builds a little more humanity, a little more individuality. Here she has no space. Each story has to turn on a dime, so her formula never moves beyond formula. This story’s a combination of Beyond Limits and the attitudes of whatever Ryan’s book is called, and it’s too familiar to be effective.
November 26, 2019
***ARC Provided by NetGalley***
This was a shorter novel, but still enjoyable as books by Laura Griffin always are.
Jake and Alexa have a connection, but there is also a reason that they have decided to stay apart. Until they are forced to stay together, and then they are forced to work together (well, they choose to but it's the same idea) and it's impossible to ignore the attraction.
As always with titles by this author the romance and the action are balanced well, and both work together in a way that leaves a believable romance as well as an action story that feels realistic.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
This was a shorter novel, but still enjoyable as books by Laura Griffin always are.
Jake and Alexa have a connection, but there is also a reason that they have decided to stay apart. Until they are forced to stay together, and then they are forced to work together (well, they choose to but it's the same idea) and it's impossible to ignore the attraction.
As always with titles by this author the romance and the action are balanced well, and both work together in a way that leaves a believable romance as well as an action story that feels realistic.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
November 16, 2019
* I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own *
This is the story of Jake Heath, Navy SEAL and Alexa Mays, FBI Agent.
Alexa has worked hard to get where she is in the FBI, and working with her counterterrorism team they have been chasing an extremist who is now on American soil and the only person who can help her take him down is Jake and his task force.
When Jake got the call to meet up with Alexa he thought his luck was in, little did he realise that she only wanted him for his expertise, but Jake has plans to change that if only they didn’t have this enemy to deal with and stop an extreme attack.
This was a great story by Laura Griffin and the chemistry between these two characters is so hot.
I look forward to the next in this series.
@Laura_Griff
This is the story of Jake Heath, Navy SEAL and Alexa Mays, FBI Agent.
Alexa has worked hard to get where she is in the FBI, and working with her counterterrorism team they have been chasing an extremist who is now on American soil and the only person who can help her take him down is Jake and his task force.
When Jake got the call to meet up with Alexa he thought his luck was in, little did he realise that she only wanted him for his expertise, but Jake has plans to change that if only they didn’t have this enemy to deal with and stop an extreme attack.
This was a great story by Laura Griffin and the chemistry between these two characters is so hot.
I look forward to the next in this series.
@Laura_Griff
July 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Jake Heath met Alexa Mays on an OP six months ago and she has resisted his contact since. Now when he is heading on a 72 hour personal leave with his brothers and father she shows up asking for help. After turning her down he shows up on her doorstep the next morning. What ensues is a wildly hectic weekend hunting a terrorist cell but getting close. Definitely like this novella romantic suspense series!
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
October 12, 2019
I love Laura's writing. Especially all her Navy Seal books. This one was intriguing throughout the whole book and I kinda didn't want it to end. This is one of the better books I've read and can't wait for the next one.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2019
Loved it! I have read all the books in this series and Jake and Alexa made a hot and interesting couple. Alexa and Jake have been harboring feelings for each other and working on this case just brings them closer together. Filled with action, suspense and a HEA made for an awesome read.
******I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley******
******I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley******
September 5, 2019
Fast paced and suspenseful!!
An adrenaline fueled, action packed book that has you flying through the pages! A quick, easy, but entertaining read.
Laura Griffin is the best at romantic suspense and she always leaves you wanting more!!!
An adrenaline fueled, action packed book that has you flying through the pages! A quick, easy, but entertaining read.
Laura Griffin is the best at romantic suspense and she always leaves you wanting more!!!
October 14, 2019
This was brilliant and would have been a five star read if it had an epilogue.
August 29, 2019
Fourth in the Alpha Crew romantic suspense series and revolving around the members of this SEAL team. The couple focus is on Special Agent Alexa Mays and Navy SEAL Jake Heath.
This ARC was sent to me by NetGalley and Gallery Books for an honest review.
My Take
Okay, I gotta say I'm disappointed in Total Control. The plot was rather thin with the focus on the romance...and only the romance. There's no office interaction for Alexa other than her brief mention of why her boss is a pain and agents who are helping her out. As for Jake, there's only the intro of his team on this practice mission, and we get very brief mentions of that family camping trip he's blowing off. Comments that do reveal why it's so easy for him to ignore it, but still...? And what is his rank? I know he's the corpsman, but that's a job description.
It's that third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Alexa's and Jake's perspectives that keep us in touch with what each is thinking and experiencing. Always helpful in a romance!
It is a treat to have a macho kind of guy like Jake appreciate the same attributes in a woman, and it's too bad that she has that built-in bigotry against him. Okay, so that's not a fair comment, as Alexa's experience with the "boys' club" has colored her attitude toward men "in the office", which does make it plausible as to why Alexa is reluctant to get involved with Jake. But...oy...
However, Alexa does irritate me with her too-gung ho attitude and refusal to comprehend that Jake's contacts may not want contact with a fed. I mean, duhhh... Nor do I understand Mario's attitude...if he's such a SEAL legend.
That's a tacky move, asking for that favor after blowing Jake off for six months. As for Alexa conducting this investigation on the side, how does she manage to get so many agents to do surveillance for her...'cause it sure sounds like they're full-time.
I do love Scout, he's an interesting character who brings a nice bit of humor to the story with his interactions with Jake and Alexa, lol.
Still, it was a sweet and unexpected ending with Alex making a major advance on her character arc...we'll have to see where it goes in #5.
The Story
Alexa Mays is following a hunch, investigating a terrorist on her own time, and needing Navy SEAL Jake Heath's help. Aid she doesn't want, but Alpha Crew has a reputation, as does Jake, for finding those who don't want to be found.
And Alexa is desperate to find this terrorist before his people strike.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexa "Lexie" Mays works counterterrorism in the LA office in a male-dominated environment. Her dad had been a homicide detective in Phoenix before he retired.
FBI Office, LA
Special Agents Brian, Amy Chen, Connors, and Hull are helping Alexa out. Supervisory Special Agent Nate McCormick is Lexie's boss...and an ex-boyfriend. The counter terrorism chief is a friend of Lexie's.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath is a corpsman. His surgeon dad has cancer, and his three brothers are all doctors.
Alpha Crew is...
...good at finding people who don't want to be found. His SEAL teammates include Petty Officer Kyle Marin; Ryan Owen, who is one of Jake's best friends; Ethan Dunn; and, Lucas Ortiz, who is dog sitting Scout, a retired explosive-detection canine with medical issues.
Lance Kilborn, former CIA, is a friend of Jake's who now runs a PI firm in Orange County. "Mario", a retired Navy and a SEALs legend, is a friend of a friend and customizes guns. He shares space with Sammy's Custom Choppers. Emma is Ryan's girl ( At the Edge , 1). Tinley is an ex-girlfriend of Jake's.
Jerome Matapang is a terrorist; his brother Joe had been arrested for drug running. Courtney Stapleton, a yoga instructor at Black Swan Yoga, is Jerome's ex-girlfriend. Tom Green is known as Tango X. John Ocampo's truck is registered in Nogales, Arizona.
The Asian Crescent Brotherhood (ACB) is under investigation for attacks throughout the world.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a complement of blues and oranges in Jake's bare (and muscled!!) torso, his dog tags hanging around his neck. The background is quite appropriate with that chain link fence on an angle against a deep blue-gray background. The text begins just above Jake's pecs with an info blurb in white, the author's name immediately below it in white as well. The title is below that in a colonial blue with the team insignia between the words. At the very bottom is the series information in white.
The title is what Alexa wants: Total Control.
This ARC was sent to me by NetGalley and Gallery Books for an honest review.
My Take
Okay, I gotta say I'm disappointed in Total Control. The plot was rather thin with the focus on the romance...and only the romance. There's no office interaction for Alexa other than her brief mention of why her boss is a pain and agents who are helping her out. As for Jake, there's only the intro of his team on this practice mission, and we get very brief mentions of that family camping trip he's blowing off. Comments that do reveal why it's so easy for him to ignore it, but still...? And what is his rank? I know he's the corpsman, but that's a job description.
It's that third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Alexa's and Jake's perspectives that keep us in touch with what each is thinking and experiencing. Always helpful in a romance!
It is a treat to have a macho kind of guy like Jake appreciate the same attributes in a woman, and it's too bad that she has that built-in bigotry against him. Okay, so that's not a fair comment, as Alexa's experience with the "boys' club" has colored her attitude toward men "in the office", which does make it plausible as to why Alexa is reluctant to get involved with Jake. But...oy...
However, Alexa does irritate me with her too-gung ho attitude and refusal to comprehend that Jake's contacts may not want contact with a fed. I mean, duhhh... Nor do I understand Mario's attitude...if he's such a SEAL legend.
That's a tacky move, asking for that favor after blowing Jake off for six months. As for Alexa conducting this investigation on the side, how does she manage to get so many agents to do surveillance for her...'cause it sure sounds like they're full-time.
I do love Scout, he's an interesting character who brings a nice bit of humor to the story with his interactions with Jake and Alexa, lol.
Still, it was a sweet and unexpected ending with Alex making a major advance on her character arc...we'll have to see where it goes in #5.
The Story
Alexa Mays is following a hunch, investigating a terrorist on her own time, and needing Navy SEAL Jake Heath's help. Aid she doesn't want, but Alpha Crew has a reputation, as does Jake, for finding those who don't want to be found.
And Alexa is desperate to find this terrorist before his people strike.
The Characters
Special Agent Alexa "Lexie" Mays works counterterrorism in the LA office in a male-dominated environment. Her dad had been a homicide detective in Phoenix before he retired.
FBI Office, LA
Special Agents Brian, Amy Chen, Connors, and Hull are helping Alexa out. Supervisory Special Agent Nate McCormick is Lexie's boss...and an ex-boyfriend. The counter terrorism chief is a friend of Lexie's.
Navy SEAL Jake Heath is a corpsman. His surgeon dad has cancer, and his three brothers are all doctors.
Alpha Crew is...
...good at finding people who don't want to be found. His SEAL teammates include Petty Officer Kyle Marin; Ryan Owen, who is one of Jake's best friends; Ethan Dunn; and, Lucas Ortiz, who is dog sitting Scout, a retired explosive-detection canine with medical issues.
Lance Kilborn, former CIA, is a friend of Jake's who now runs a PI firm in Orange County. "Mario", a retired Navy and a SEALs legend, is a friend of a friend and customizes guns. He shares space with Sammy's Custom Choppers. Emma is Ryan's girl ( At the Edge , 1). Tinley is an ex-girlfriend of Jake's.
Jerome Matapang is a terrorist; his brother Joe had been arrested for drug running. Courtney Stapleton, a yoga instructor at Black Swan Yoga, is Jerome's ex-girlfriend. Tom Green is known as Tango X. John Ocampo's truck is registered in Nogales, Arizona.
The Asian Crescent Brotherhood (ACB) is under investigation for attacks throughout the world.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a complement of blues and oranges in Jake's bare (and muscled!!) torso, his dog tags hanging around his neck. The background is quite appropriate with that chain link fence on an angle against a deep blue-gray background. The text begins just above Jake's pecs with an info blurb in white, the author's name immediately below it in white as well. The title is below that in a colonial blue with the team insignia between the words. At the very bottom is the series information in white.
The title is what Alexa wants: Total Control.
January 3, 2022
I skip the third book because I cannot wait to read Jake & Alexa's story. I always love a book with the badass heroine, or at least a woman who is strong enough to handle herself and maybe knows how to kick some ass.
Alexa doesn't disappoint me. She is a fierce woman. Although from the outside she is giving Jake a cold shoulder, deep down she is attracted to him from the first time they met. Their job is the only obstacle between them. Jake relentlessly pursuits her until she could no longer deny their chemistry.
Alexa looking for Jake in hope that he helps her to track down some bad guy. They work together to stop the terror attack in the city. Like always, the action scenes are amazing and thrilling.
I just wish the story will be longer. I need more Jake & Alexa, they make a wonderful & powerful couple.
Alexa doesn't disappoint me. She is a fierce woman. Although from the outside she is giving Jake a cold shoulder, deep down she is attracted to him from the first time they met. Their job is the only obstacle between them. Jake relentlessly pursuits her until she could no longer deny their chemistry.
Alexa looking for Jake in hope that he helps her to track down some bad guy. They work together to stop the terror attack in the city. Like always, the action scenes are amazing and thrilling.
I just wish the story will be longer. I need more Jake & Alexa, they make a wonderful & powerful couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
These Alpha Crew shorties have a bit of a “compressed Laura Griffin novel” feeling to them and I’m not going to lie, I’m here for it. I enjoy them as palate cleansers in between other books and that’s the way I like them, because reading them one after the other might turn out a bit boring but this way it’s the perfect quick read for in between longer novels.
I enjoyed Jake, even though we didn’t get to see a lot of his personality in this one, but his persistence yet non-threatening way of charming Lex really won me over. Lex equally could have used a bit more definition to her character but something has got to go with books in this page area.
I had a good time reading this but probably will forget about either character and plot pretty soon, so a 3.75 it is!
I enjoyed Jake, even though we didn’t get to see a lot of his personality in this one, but his persistence yet non-threatening way of charming Lex really won me over. Lex equally could have used a bit more definition to her character but something has got to go with books in this page area.
I had a good time reading this but probably will forget about either character and plot pretty soon, so a 3.75 it is!
May 17, 2023
Finally!!
Jake and Lexie met and had chemistry back in book one. They have been in all the books of the series, but only acted on their attraction in this book. A case brought them together each time and this was no different. Jake got to spend time with Lexie and help on a case. The concerns about relationships and the case were realistic and detailed. The action and romantic moments were well balanced and entertaining. I enjoyed the story and flew through it. I do wish we had more with his family and if the fourth member of Alpha crew gets a story😊
Jake and Lexie met and had chemistry back in book one. They have been in all the books of the series, but only acted on their attraction in this book. A case brought them together each time and this was no different. Jake got to spend time with Lexie and help on a case. The concerns about relationships and the case were realistic and detailed. The action and romantic moments were well balanced and entertaining. I enjoyed the story and flew through it. I do wish we had more with his family and if the fourth member of Alpha crew gets a story😊
May 16, 2022
One of those books where you finish it you just blurt out "eh don't think they'll work out". Hear me out I'm not dissing long distance relationship here. I even have experience with that but we always look forward to that life when it'll be over we stuck and go through with all this for that. And in this case it's their whole life until Jake's retirement. Till thn they only see each other for what two months a year hardly? Yeah didn't give me much hope.
Read
August 1, 2022I have enjoyed Laura Griffin's suspense/action books and have read pretty much all released to date. So, despite this series having cheesy naked torso covers, I decided to give this series by her that was written earlier a try. Unfortunately they were not for me. It probably should have been evident by the naked torso what the emphasis would be. Also, overly manly Seal types aren't for me and again, that's on me because the name of the series is Alpha Crew. How could I not have guessed.
July 18, 2022
total Control by Laura Griffin
I did not like this novel as much as the three previous ones. Too redundant. A lot of the same sentences as in the other books. However, it is hot and you don’t really get tired of strong men and strong willed women. Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News, Florida
I did not like this novel as much as the three previous ones. Too redundant. A lot of the same sentences as in the other books. However, it is hot and you don’t really get tired of strong men and strong willed women. Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News, Florida
January 12, 2025
Review of the Alpha Crew series (4 books). All are easy reads with interconnected main characters - all strong men who save the day. Who doesn’t love a Navy SEAL as the hero who always gets the bad guy and protects the innocent? The plots are tad far fetched but it’s always good when there’s a predictable but happy ending!
September 2, 2019
Alpha SEAL and an FBI agent
Laura knows how to write Law enforcement characters! The couple is hot, but Scout makes the story!! Finished the story in an afternoon! You can’t go wrong with anything Laura writes!!
Laura knows how to write Law enforcement characters! The couple is hot, but Scout makes the story!! Finished the story in an afternoon! You can’t go wrong with anything Laura writes!!
September 5, 2019
Really love most all Laura Griffin books but found this one (first of a new series, I assume) to be only good. No where near the quality of her Tracers series. Characters were shsllow and I just didn't relate to them. Not sure I will follow this series.
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