What do you think?
Rate this book
Mission Medusa #1
Special Forces: The Recruit
Meet the do-or-die female warriors who’ll do anything for justice. Introducing the Mission Medusa series from the New York Times–bestselling author.Years of intense training have prepared Tessa Wilkes to become a Medusa—part of an elite, women-only Special Forces team. But all the mental prep and physical training in the world can’t prepare her fully to take on one of the world’s most dangerous men. The ultimate operative, Tessa teams with trainer Beau Lambert to track her target, but even if she survives, will her heart?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2019
35 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Dees
172 books1,953 followersCindy Dees started flying airplanes while sitting in her dad’s lap at the age of three and got a pilot’s license before she got a driver’s license. At age fifteen, she dropped out of high school and left the horse farm in Michigan where she grew up to attend the University of Michigan.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 7, 2019
Tessa Wilkes is training to join the Special Forces, determined to succeed despite all the physical and mental challenges the training poses. However, she's devastated when her dreams are thwarted and she's thrown off the training in a very dramatic manner in front of her fellow (male) recruits. She's escorted off base by Beau Lambert, believing she's travelling to Phoenix but that turns out to be a code name. She's actually going to be given very secret, personal training by Beau. He's worked in the Special Forces until he seriously injured his knee during a mission. Now he's trying to prove that women have no role in the Special Forces . . . . but Tessa Wilkes might just change his mind and become the first in a new, elite, women-only Special Forces team, the Medusa, if only he can keep his mind on his goals and not on his attraction to her!
This is the start of a new series. I liked the ideas behind this story and it has a fantastic, action packed ending. It should prove to be an intriguing series and I look forward to finding out how it develops.I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
This is the start of a new series. I liked the ideas behind this story and it has a fantastic, action packed ending. It should prove to be an intriguing series and I look forward to finding out how it develops.I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
May 19, 2020
This is a spin off series of the Silhouette Bombshell series which started back in 2005. I loved the Bombshell imprint and hated when they discontinued them. This book was almost a resurrection of that series.
The Good: Back when Silhouette created the Bombshell line of romance books I was hooked. They were all about independent and strong women as the hero and the men they loved were their sidekicks. Ok maybe not exactly sidekicks but definitely in a supporting role. With this book Dees brings back the Medusas, an elite special ops military team of women reminiscent of Navy SEALs or Army's Green Berets.
I very much loved Tess and her determination to break into the boys club of Special Ops and felt for her when it looked like she was losing her chance. I liked Tessa being Latin-American. Even though she is only half Venezuelan the representation is there and I appreciate the diversity. I also really liked the time spent training her for the Medusa team. In turn it lent for a longer period of time to develop the romance as well.
The Bad: What I didn't like about the book is the mention of the two previous Medusa teams. The first, having served for a decade or so and then retired from the active military. The second all perished a few months before this book started. There is no clues or reasons given as to why this happened and it was left hanging. I also really didn't like Beau. He didn't feel women should be in Special Ops and was working on training Tessa and then planning on failing her out of the training. I felt he was a bit misogynistic as his thought process repeatedly included how women were not able to do the dangerous missions Special Ops did. Luckily it was ultimately not up to him. I also didn't like the ending. Super saccharine laced I Love You's and a complete about face in terms of what Beau was willing to do to be with Tessa.
The Stuff in the Middle: The action of the book was pretty good as there are a couple incidents that was a bit thrilling during the book but the main goal of Tessa getting on a mission happened at the end of the book and concluded very quickly. The sex part was a bit hinky because Beau had specifically explained it would be very bad for females to be part of the teams because sex would happen and then cause major issues within the team. So they don't even try to NOT have sex. The sex scenes themselves were Ok but the last scene Dees made a point of them using a condom and how they are regularly tested etcetera etcetera. I don't recall them ever talking about protection during the sex scenes prior to this one. Weird.
In a Nutshell: I felt the goods and the bads evened out in this book to be an Ok book. I will absolutely read more in this series because...Badass women YES! I'm also going to hunt down more in this series and see if I can find the old Medusa books from the Bombshell line. If you've never read any of those I'd recommend them.
The Good: Back when Silhouette created the Bombshell line of romance books I was hooked. They were all about independent and strong women as the hero and the men they loved were their sidekicks. Ok maybe not exactly sidekicks but definitely in a supporting role. With this book Dees brings back the Medusas, an elite special ops military team of women reminiscent of Navy SEALs or Army's Green Berets.
I very much loved Tess and her determination to break into the boys club of Special Ops and felt for her when it looked like she was losing her chance. I liked Tessa being Latin-American. Even though she is only half Venezuelan the representation is there and I appreciate the diversity. I also really liked the time spent training her for the Medusa team. In turn it lent for a longer period of time to develop the romance as well.
The Bad: What I didn't like about the book is the mention of the two previous Medusa teams. The first, having served for a decade or so and then retired from the active military. The second all perished a few months before this book started. There is no clues or reasons given as to why this happened and it was left hanging. I also really didn't like Beau. He didn't feel women should be in Special Ops and was working on training Tessa and then planning on failing her out of the training. I felt he was a bit misogynistic as his thought process repeatedly included how women were not able to do the dangerous missions Special Ops did. Luckily it was ultimately not up to him. I also didn't like the ending. Super saccharine laced I Love You's and a complete about face in terms of what Beau was willing to do to be with Tessa.
The Stuff in the Middle: The action of the book was pretty good as there are a couple incidents that was a bit thrilling during the book but the main goal of Tessa getting on a mission happened at the end of the book and concluded very quickly. The sex part was a bit hinky because Beau had specifically explained it would be very bad for females to be part of the teams because sex would happen and then cause major issues within the team. So they don't even try to NOT have sex. The sex scenes themselves were Ok but the last scene Dees made a point of them using a condom and how they are regularly tested etcetera etcetera. I don't recall them ever talking about protection during the sex scenes prior to this one. Weird.
In a Nutshell: I felt the goods and the bads evened out in this book to be an Ok book. I will absolutely read more in this series because...Badass women YES! I'm also going to hunt down more in this series and see if I can find the old Medusa books from the Bombshell line. If you've never read any of those I'd recommend them.
November 10, 2019
Great book...as usual
I always look vex Cindy Dees’ books. Some are sexier than others, some have more tension, action, or adventure. But they’re always great
I always look vex Cindy Dees’ books. Some are sexier than others, some have more tension, action, or adventure. But they’re always great
March 9, 2020
There were several things I liked about The Recruit - especially the most fast paced scenes - but unfortunately the parts I didn't like out weighted the ones I did like.
First, and foremost, the plot mirrors so closely another book by Cindy Dees that it was dejà vu - I'm talking about Beyond the Limit, which I pretty much enjoyed, and that was published a month after this one (or maybe Beyond the Limit is the copy, but in any case they're still way too similar).
There are lots of slow moving parts in The Recruit, so it's not the page turner I expected (and that I'm used to from other Cindy Dees books), and I was seriously irked by the macho speech bout how women should not be part of the Special Forces, not because they are not physically apt, but because they distract men. To this I would say that any man that allows himself to be distracted from his job by a workmate that happens to be a woman is probably not worthy of the job in the first place - but that's just me talking, not the book.
Anyway, you read that speech once, twice, and chalk it up to character development - after all, you can't like all the characters you meet in books. But any more mention of it after that gets old fast. Now a whole plot constructed over it? No thank you. As I recall, Beyond the Limit had the same problem, but as it was much more fast paced, you kind of got distracted from it quickly.
Overall not a great book, in my opinion, so I don't actively recommend it.
The Recruit is book one in the Mission Medusa series, so I'm mildly curious to check out the other books and see if they suffer from the same issues or if they are better than this one.
First, and foremost, the plot mirrors so closely another book by Cindy Dees that it was dejà vu - I'm talking about Beyond the Limit, which I pretty much enjoyed, and that was published a month after this one (or maybe Beyond the Limit is the copy, but in any case they're still way too similar).
There are lots of slow moving parts in The Recruit, so it's not the page turner I expected (and that I'm used to from other Cindy Dees books), and I was seriously irked by the macho speech bout how women should not be part of the Special Forces, not because they are not physically apt, but because they distract men. To this I would say that any man that allows himself to be distracted from his job by a workmate that happens to be a woman is probably not worthy of the job in the first place - but that's just me talking, not the book.
Anyway, you read that speech once, twice, and chalk it up to character development - after all, you can't like all the characters you meet in books. But any more mention of it after that gets old fast. Now a whole plot constructed over it? No thank you. As I recall, Beyond the Limit had the same problem, but as it was much more fast paced, you kind of got distracted from it quickly.
Overall not a great book, in my opinion, so I don't actively recommend it.
The Recruit is book one in the Mission Medusa series, so I'm mildly curious to check out the other books and see if they suffer from the same issues or if they are better than this one.
June 18, 2019
This book was a fun, quick read. Tessa is a strong, fierce, determined woman. That is why her very public 'washing out' of training is a absolutely humiliating thing for her. Add to it, the hottie that she is stuck with by her commanding officer.
Beau's part in this was both fun and serious. He has the knowledge to train Tessa, but he is still a man alone with a gorgeous woman. Their interactions were intriguing and I was usually smiling after reading them. It was interesting to see his past mix with his present. He and Tessa do make a good team. There was plenty going on through the book to keep your attention and it was fun to read.
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book via netgalley. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Beau's part in this was both fun and serious. He has the knowledge to train Tessa, but he is still a man alone with a gorgeous woman. Their interactions were intriguing and I was usually smiling after reading them. It was interesting to see his past mix with his present. He and Tessa do make a good team. There was plenty going on through the book to keep your attention and it was fun to read.
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book via netgalley. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
July 28, 2019
Most Special Forces have always been comprised of male teams. Not anymore. Tessa Wilkes is the first--if she can prove herself--of a new all-female team, called Medusas.
But the training comes first and Beau Lambert has to bring her up to speed. She's eager to prove she's capable,and when they hold off a quartet of toughs during said training, they end up having sex to tamp down the residual adrenoline rush. But is it more than that?
When Tessa is called up for a dangerous duty, Beau doesn't want her to go, but she insists she's ready. Then he's also assigned to the new team she's been working with for six month and all hell beaks loose when she's trapped on a yacht with an illegal arms dealer. What happens next confirms how they feel about each other and whether they'll choose duty over love when they can't have both.
But the training comes first and Beau Lambert has to bring her up to speed. She's eager to prove she's capable,and when they hold off a quartet of toughs during said training, they end up having sex to tamp down the residual adrenoline rush. But is it more than that?
When Tessa is called up for a dangerous duty, Beau doesn't want her to go, but she insists she's ready. Then he's also assigned to the new team she's been working with for six month and all hell beaks loose when she's trapped on a yacht with an illegal arms dealer. What happens next confirms how they feel about each other and whether they'll choose duty over love when they can't have both.
February 1, 2021
military women, kicking ass. What more do you need to know?
Some plot points are incredibly stupid (this is the 3rd incarnation of the team and nobody kept the training manuals? Or thought to interview previous members/trainers???), but overall very enjoyable.
Some plot points are incredibly stupid (this is the 3rd incarnation of the team and nobody kept the training manuals? Or thought to interview previous members/trainers???), but overall very enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2019
I love the idea of the series the all-female special forces team. I haven't had a chance to read the previous series on the Medusa, yet I was super excited to read this and get an introduction to the new series.
The topic of equality is very relevant right now worldwide, and the misogyny in the military is brought up here as well as the female recruits fight against the patriarchic hierarchy of the US military. When even the hero has to be educated and brought over to support the idea of women being capable to carry their weight in special ops, you know the road is all uphill for the female soldiers. I actually loved how the author underlined the fact that equality between genders, does not mean that all are necessarily capable to do everything, but that each soldier is used to best of their abilities with the talents and capabilities they have, and not been discriminated because of their gender.
While most of the story is focused on the training, preparations, and the flammable, intense physical attraction between the protagonists, the last fifth of the story is an action-packed, potent fight for survival while completing the mission.
The connection between Tessa and Beau is palpable, the relationship has that tabu vibe as it is absolutely forbidden for a trainer to have intimate relations with the trainee - anywhere in the work world. The discussion might not be if they care for each other but do they care enough to risk their careers and future for each other.
I liked the story, especially the ending and conclusion, and I am intrigued by the concept - and I am invested to see how the personal relationships are played into the dark and dangerous world of dark ops and special forces. The author has a unique voice that she uses to tell the story, and she dares to take on some very sensitive topics, and for that I applaud her.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
The topic of equality is very relevant right now worldwide, and the misogyny in the military is brought up here as well as the female recruits fight against the patriarchic hierarchy of the US military. When even the hero has to be educated and brought over to support the idea of women being capable to carry their weight in special ops, you know the road is all uphill for the female soldiers. I actually loved how the author underlined the fact that equality between genders, does not mean that all are necessarily capable to do everything, but that each soldier is used to best of their abilities with the talents and capabilities they have, and not been discriminated because of their gender.
While most of the story is focused on the training, preparations, and the flammable, intense physical attraction between the protagonists, the last fifth of the story is an action-packed, potent fight for survival while completing the mission.
The connection between Tessa and Beau is palpable, the relationship has that tabu vibe as it is absolutely forbidden for a trainer to have intimate relations with the trainee - anywhere in the work world. The discussion might not be if they care for each other but do they care enough to risk their careers and future for each other.
I liked the story, especially the ending and conclusion, and I am intrigued by the concept - and I am invested to see how the personal relationships are played into the dark and dangerous world of dark ops and special forces. The author has a unique voice that she uses to tell the story, and she dares to take on some very sensitive topics, and for that I applaud her.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
May 10, 2025
This was a pleasant and mindless read. It isn’t like this is a spectacular story, but it’s just fun and makes you smile. This is why it gets a 5/5. Just what I needed! Good writing.
Read
May 1, 2019Categories:
Military Romance, Military Thriller, Suspense, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries:
Mission Medusa
Military Romance, Military Thriller, Suspense, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries:
Mission Medusa
May 5, 2019
2 1\2 stars
Cindy Dees creates a new series Mission Medusa but the book is what I have always avoided Harlequin Romantic Suspense series. The story is all about sexual tension and sex and less about the character development and the reason why the female lead is determined to be the best of the best.
The story is wash, rinse and repeat over and over until the last 20% of the book when the action takes place.
The story is a insta romance with a little story and action thrown in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy of Cindy Dees Special Forces The Recruit. v
Cindy Dees creates a new series Mission Medusa but the book is what I have always avoided Harlequin Romantic Suspense series. The story is all about sexual tension and sex and less about the character development and the reason why the female lead is determined to be the best of the best.
The story is wash, rinse and repeat over and over until the last 20% of the book when the action takes place.
The story is a insta romance with a little story and action thrown in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy of Cindy Dees Special Forces The Recruit. v
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews