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Cobra Elite #1

Hard Target

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Derek Tower has spent his life at war, first as a Green Beret and then as the owner of a private black-ops company, Cobra International Security. When a high-ranking US senator asks Cobra to protect his daughter, a midwife volunteering in Afghanistan, Derek’s gut tells him to turn the senator down. The last thing he wants to do is babysit an aid worker. But Jenna isn’t just another assignment. She’s also the younger sister of his best friend, the man who died taking bullets meant for him. There’s no way Derek can refuse.

Jenna Hamilton doesn’t need a bodyguard, especially not one hired by her intrusive and controlling father. She knew the risks when she signed on to work in rural Afghanistan, and the hospital already has armed security. She also doesn’t need the distraction of a big, brooding operative skulking about, even if he is her late brother’s best friend—and sexy as hell. As far as she’s concerned, he can pack up his Humvee and drive into the sunset. And, no, nothing her hormones have to say about him will change her mind.

From the moment his boots hit the ground in Afghanistan, Derek does his best to win Jenna over, posing as her brother so the two of them can spend time alone. Except that what he feels for her is anything but brotherly. Stolen moments lead to secret kisses—and an undeniable sexual attraction that shakes them both to the core. But events have been set into motion that they cannot escape. When a ruthless warlord sets his sights on Jenna, Derek will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it costs him his heart—or his life.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2019

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About the author

Pamela Clare

56 books4,313 followers
USA Today best-selling author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the First Amendment Award and the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, she was honored by the Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with their Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. A single mother with two grown sons and two cats, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. She is a two-time RITA finalist (Surrender, Defiant) and a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist (I-Team series). She loves history, having studied archaeology in college, and has traveled extensively, living for almost three years in Denmark, which feels like home to her. She attributes her love of historical romance with the years she spent visiting ruins and castles in Europe.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
3,009 reviews799 followers
May 3, 2019
What a fantastic read! 75% of Hard Target is set in Afghanistan where our heroine, Jenna is volunteering to work as a Midwife as well as training the women of Afghanistan. When her father finds out, he calls up our hero, Derek to bully him into bringing her back home where it's safe.

This read was a bit of an eye opener. I was pretty fascinated to read the struggles Jenna had to teach the women of Afghanistan about their bodies and how to help prevent needless deaths in pregnancy. She willingly took risks to help these women who have so few rights. It's not an easy thing to read about.

Derek was just as compelling in this book. He's one of my favorite heroes. The way he navigated the shaky ground he and Jenna were on as Americans, and the way he was willing to protect Jenna with his life. You really can't help but fall for this guy.

I think I can officially say I am a fan of Pamela Clare. She has a way of capturing my attention from the first chapter to the last. I've also learned to read her acknowledgements and author notes first because it really shows she takes a lot of time to do the proper research for her books.

We meet some great side characters in Hard Target. I can't wait to learn more about them in their own books.
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,396 reviews50 followers
June 14, 2019



Hard Target es el primer libro de la nueva saga de Pamela Clare titulada " Cobra Elite " que es un spin off de otra serie suya y que narra la historia de Jenna y Derek.

Decir que fue un inicio de saga memorable es poco para describir esta primera parte, Hard Target no solo fue una novela adictiva, interesante, llena de accion e intensa, sino que ademas narra una historia de amor muy muy bonita y sentimental.

Es cierto que en un principio me costo un poco conectar con los protagonistas, pero despues de un par de capitulos ya no pude dejar de sonreir como una tonta leyendo sus escenas, y no me haga hablar de la segunda mitad de el libro, fue simplemente trepidante, no hay ni una sola pagina que no este llena de accion y suspense, tanto que me tuvo con el corazon en la garganta.

Aunque eso no es nada sorprendente, porque si hay una autora que pueda escribir romances con suspense incorporado es Pamela Clare, realmente he conocido pocas escritoras que sepan transmitir tan bien las escenas de combate como ella, otra autora que tambien me encanta y que tiene un estilo similar es Tonya Burrows, ellas dos son mis favoritas.

Derek y Jenna tienen una relacion que me enamoro desde un principio, tal vez, al comienzo me parecio que todo avanzaba de forma un poco precipitada, pero luego su romance toma un ritmo muy coherente y natural, para finalmente concluir en un desenlace perfecto y armonioso con el plus de tener una escena con mis adorados personajes de la saga I - Team reunidos.

En definitiva, Hard Target no podia haber sido una mejor lectura : interesante, inolvidable y adictiva, me sorprendio para bien y no veo la hora de leer las siguientes novelas, puesto que todos los chicos de Cobra Security me enamoraron y presiento que la espera para las siguientes partes se me hara eterna.

3.75 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,595 reviews1,327 followers
May 27, 2019
Derek Tower is the co-owner of Cobra International Security and was pressured into a new assignment by an influential US senator who can control his company’s destiny. The senator wants his daughter, Jenna Hamilton, removed from a women’s clinic in Afghanistan. Jenna is a nurse and midwife who is six months into a two-year volunteer assignment and she’s not leaving. Derek thought he could give it a week before he successfully extracted her or abandoned the assignment but things turned dangerous really fast.

The plight of women in Afghanistan under the threat of Taliban rule is dismal, especially when complicated by other extremist forces who don’t even pretend to have a religious context. I learned a lot about the current politics and culture and ended up with a better understanding of our contribution to that country. Jenna’s commitment was admirable as she had nothing to gain by staying there and so much to contribute. This story was as educational as it was suspenseful with Derek and Jenna’s blossoming relationship providing needed relief from the dark circumstances. Both of them were fully developed characters who I came to admire and root for.

It’s wonderful having Clare return to this genre as she’s so skilled at writing exciting scenes that you experience viscerally and intellectually. I felt the fear and pain during the dangerous moments and the triumphs when the characters you cared about prevailed. Derek and Jenna were well suited and I loved their romance. I’m a big fan of the I-Team series and this is a worthy spinoff. It was also great to see the crossover folks appear here. I’m in for what I hope will be a long run as I want more of the members of Cobra. I enjoyed everything about this story.

(Thanks to NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
April 29, 2019
ARC received for review

Great new series from Ms. Clare.

Derek and Jenna are great together. I love her fire and passion for her job. I did want to smack Derek a couple times when he was moving too slow.

You may remember his business partner from Striking Distance which makes me wanna go back and read his partner's HEA again. (I did go reread Striking Distance, and am glad I don't remember Derek from it cause he was a great big jerk.)

Lots of hot guys in Cobra who I can't wait to learn more about in future books.
Profile Image for Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers.
1,181 reviews427 followers
May 28, 2019
Ugh. I think I might have liked a couple of this author's books before. I have a vague impression.

Not this one tho.

Soooo trite! Two should-be independent, intelligent, awesome characters turned out to be just meh at best, irritating at worst.

Firstly, I'm all for physical attraction, but can you, heroine, STOP going on about his gorgeous hard muscled body every other sentence??? How about his confidence, calm, ability to defuse difficult situations (the ones you created with your big fat, thoughtless mouth?) Geez!

And you, hulking Hero. Can you stop referring to her as the "best first-time sex" you've ever had??? Like she's not the best second or third-time sex?? What the hell?? You had a pretty high IQ until this point in the book. I admired the way you understood Afghan culture and talked people away from ledges, but this little back and forth in your brain just lowered my estimation of you big time.

Then the last 20% of the book... POINTLESS!!

2 stars. Pissed. Finished it but wouldn't have if I didn't pay $4.99+tax for it. Arrrgggghhhh!
Profile Image for Anita.
2,647 reviews219 followers
March 8, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

It's wonderful to have Pamela Clare writing Romantic-Suspense again. I've missed her unique blend of sweet, sexy romance and action. It was fun to "catch-up" with several I-Team couples. I enjoyed the way she has bridged the I-Team Series with this new Cobra Elite Series. I look forward to more books about these operatives.

Jenna Hamilton has had to fight her father, Senator Hamilton, to make decisions in her life. She is now in Afghanistan, against his wishes, and finding a fulfillment she never imagined. Her work as a mid-wife is desperately needed in a country that values neither life or women.

Derek Tower is an owner of Cobra International Security and no stranger to war, having been a Green Beret. When Senator Hamilton hires him to bring his daughter home, he flatly tells him he will not use force to bring her back if she refuses. Knowing he owes a debt he can never repay, he takes the job. Jenna turns out to be just as stubborn as her older brother, who died for him in Afghanistan. Of course, she refuses to leave and he refuses to leave her.

From the moment Derek and Jenna meet, sparks fly. Even though there is security at the hospital, Derek makes Jenna's safety his responsibility. When her life is threatened, he will do anything to protect her.
Profile Image for Saly.
3,437 reviews579 followers
May 1, 2019
This one was pretty average and a typical read from the author. We have a do-gooder heroine, action-oriented hero and a lot of waxing poetic on personal appearance. The problem for me was the romance plot didn't work for me. I could agree they were in lust, it is the deeper feelings that didn't work for me. Plus this connected to an I-team book that was a dud for me. As someone who fell in love with the romantic suspense genre, today it no longer works for me, with Laura Griffin being the exception.
Profile Image for Caz.
3,271 reviews1,175 followers
July 14, 2019
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that' 3.5 stars rounded up.

Hard Target is the first book in a new series of romantic suspense novels from popular author Pamela Clare featuring the men (and maybe women?) who work for Cobra International Security, the high-end security firm owned and run by Derek Tower, who was a recurring character in the author’s earlier I-Team series.  I confess that I haven’t read any of those books yet, so I was pleased to be able to jump in on the ground floor with this new series. Hard Target is an exciting, fast-paced read set mostly in Afghanistan, a country that is still unstable and tearing itself apart, and the author does a great job of showing just how dangerous it can be and how people like the heroine – who have gone there to help – walk a tightrope every day in order to do their jobs and stay safe.

Derek Tower is furious when he receives a call from Senator Hamilton, demanding Derek personally brings his daughter – currently working as a midwife in Afghanistan – home to the US.  The senator sits on the Armed Services Committee and thus has the ability to make life very difficult for Derek and his company, but even so, Derek refuses to be intimidated.  He can’t just kidnap a US citizen and tells Hamilton so – but he agrees to fly to the hospital Jenna Hamilton works at to see if he can persuade her to come back to the States.  But he doesn’t do it for Hamilton or for Cobra. He does it because Jenna’s brother had been Derek’s best friend when they were both green berets, and had died saving Derek’s life.  He owes it to him to try to keep his little sister safe – although he doesn’t hold out much hope of being able to persuade the young woman to return with him.

And he’s not wrong in that.  Jenna is six months into her two-year contract working  with and helping to train badly needed midwives, as well as running in education and outreach programs to help women to understand more about the changes their bodies undergo during pregnancy.  Jenna is a spirited, independent woman who refuses to let her father dictate her life any more, and is determined to see out her contract and refuses to budge.  She’s doing good, much needed work; she’s saving lives and hopefully more will be saved in the future and she’s not about to give it up because her controlling father insists she should be sitting at home waiting to get married.

When Derek tells Hamilton Jenna refuses to come home, the senator goes ballistic – and then Derek finds out that he’s fired Cobra from the job. He decides to stay for a while longer – on his own dime – to watch out for Jenna. Her father wasn’t wrong when he said that extremists had been known to kill midwives, and now he’s got a feel for the situation at the Kazi Women’s Hospital, he’s reluctant to leave. When Jenna gets herself into hot water by arguing in favour of a life-saving procedure for one of her patients – a girl of twelve whose body isn’t mature enough to be able to bear her child – Derek and the head of hospital security manage to smooth things over… but it’s a close-run thing.

I found the aspect of the story that addresses the situation facing women in Afghanistan really compelling – as well as depressing – as I read about the way women are treated in this once enlightened country, deprived of education, forced to stay indoors, isolated from the world, their lives controlled entirely by men. When Jenna gets into trouble over the twelve-year-old girl, it’s not because she is rude, but because she dares to speak to another woman – the girl’s mother-in-law – in the presence of a number of men to whom she is not related. As one of Jenna’s students says, “it is better to be a goat in Afghanistan than a woman.”

I was thoroughly caught up in the plot, in which the author creates an atmosphere of uncertainty with a real sense of imminent danger that kept me invested in the story and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Unfortunately, however, the romance in the novel is almost non-existent; Derek and Jenna are instantly attracted to one another, and although Derek has to go through all that ‘shagging my best friend’s little sister would be breaking the Man Code’ and ‘I don’t do relationships’ stuff – none of it stops them from getting down to business at the first available opportunity. It’s clear they like and respect each other – which is as good a basis for a relationship as any – but there’s nothing much beyond that; there’s no real emotional connection between them and not a great deal of chemistry either.

For the first three-quarters of the way through the book, I was confident I’d be awarding Hard Target a solid B grade, due entirely to the well-conceived and executed suspense plot and interesting background. Ms. Clare is a veteran of the romantic suspense genre and really knows how to write an exciting action sequence, and it’s clear she’s done her homework on current Afghan society and on the science of midwifery. The trouble is, however, that when she turns her focus to the romance in the last quarter of the novel, the pacing collapses faster than an undercooked soufflé. And because I didn’t feel there was much between Derek and Jenna other than a healthy dose of lust, I wasn’t particularly invested in the outcome of their (not)romance.

So I knocked off half a grade point for the fact that the romance (such as it was) failed to capture my interest. If you’re a fan of the author’s, or if you like your romantic suspense much lighter on the romance than the suspense then Hard Target is probably worth a look.
Profile Image for Dali.
2,087 reviews591 followers
May 11, 2019
Pamela Clare launches her Cobra Elite series with “Hard Target,” a thrilling, fast-paced romance between battle-hardened private black-ops company owner and a volunteer midwife.

Watching over a US senator’s daughter in Afghanistan isn’t Derek Tower’s normal job assignment, but Jenna Hamilton is no ordinary aid worker. She’s the younger sister of man who died while saving his life and now he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Jenna knew the dangers of doing volunteer work in Afghanistan. She doesn’t want or need the bodyguard hired by her controlling father even if he is drop dead gorgeous in a brooding kind of way. But when she finds herself in an increasingly dangerous situation, she must trust Derek with her life.

Clare pens a high octane story full of twists highlighted by the sexy romance that feels absolutely real with a well-researched backdrop. Nail biting moments take the reader on a steamy and intensely thrilling ride. Derek and Jenna may seem completely incompatible, but in the spellbinding suspense their romance makes perfect sense.

Derek and Jenna are wonderful characters with an obvious attraction. Derek is the quintessential alpha male. He’s bossy, cocky, protective and loyal while Jenna is passionate and caring. I loved catching up with Laura and Javier from Striking Distance and other couples from Pamela’s I-Team series and can’t wait to read more about the new characters introduced in this hooking page-turner.

Hard Target is book #1 of the Cobra Elite series by Pamela Clare. It is a standalone, romantic suspense, told from both points of view, and has a happy ending.

Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2Va8gTG

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,209 reviews74 followers
April 28, 2019
Derek wasn’t my favorite coming in, but I admit to liking the guy by the end. He managed to win me over with his smarts, loyalty to his crew, and his mostly rational protectiveness towards Jenna, except for the times he let the wrong part of his body think. Now Jenna, she had me on the fence. I liked how passionate she was about her job as a midwife and her desire to educate others, however, when your told not to do something and you do it anyway...(face palm!) I got why Jenna did what she did, but it was enough to make me wonder where her brain went. Well, I know where it went, because Derek was struggling with the same problem....

It’s obvious Clare did her research regarding the harsh realities women in Afghanistan face during pregnancy and her compassion showed. And yet, I also felt that the same attention given to the midwifery, and the cultural repercussions, sometimes overshadowed the developing chemistry between Derek and Jenna’s, eventually affecting how I perceived their relationship.

Overall, I liked many parts of the book. It was fun catching up with Holly and Nick and getting a glimpse of some old, favorite characters was a highlight. There was also a good thread of suspense to hold my interest. This is a promising start to a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Profile Image for Carla .
1,668 reviews531 followers
May 2, 2019
3,9. This wasn’t what I expected to read, but it was a great writing.
The author probably researched a lot! Congrats!
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,972 reviews
May 15, 2019
So glad that Pamela is writing romantic suspense books again. I've missed her books. Glad we finally got Derek's book.

It really felt like a fast read but the story was good and I loved the bit of humor in the story. Many times I was laughing out loud at Jenna's thoughts.

Not too much of a review but I really liked the book and look forward to more in this series.

Quotes & Faves:

She’d never actually seen a man’s butt fill out a pair of pants like that before, his buttocks shifting with each step. It all but made her mouth water. LOL

Would it make any difference if he explained in his report that her breasts were amazing? Again, with me laughing at the thoughts in this book.

“I love you. I love you, Jenna. I love you with everything I am. Stay here—with me. I promise I’ll do my damned best to be the man you deserve.”
Profile Image for Iman.
581 reviews17 followers
May 9, 2019
I can’tsay what happened, the book has everything it needs plus is well researched when it comes to the realities of midwifes in Afghanistan, but I could not get into the story.
Profile Image for Zubee.
668 reviews32 followers
May 8, 2019
2.5 stars
H and h meet when he is hired to guard her while she serves in Afghanistan as a midwife ...
The local culture of Afghanistan and the trials of pregnant women is described well ... I believe the author took inspiration for this novel from some real life women who served in a war torn place as midwives so kudos to her for getting this part well described and documented ...
I liked both the h and H ... however for some reason I found myself getting disjointed from the book ... its like all essential elements were there but I couldn't relate ...
Profile Image for Kimberly Carrington-Fox.
860 reviews196 followers
December 13, 2022
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro

Un gustito volver a la Pamela Clare que más me gusta, la que te llena el libro de maromazos dispuestos a defenderte. Me lo he leído rapidísimo (para mis niveles actuales de rapidez) y me ha tenido muy entretenida. Me ha faltado de todo, eso sí, pero básicamente porque el libro me ha parecido corto.
Profile Image for Sunny.
1,452 reviews
May 1, 2019
4.5 stars
She’s baaaack! For the past few years, I’ve enjoyed Pamela Clare’s contemporary romances, but Hard Target reminds me that this author sets the gold standard for romantic suspense. Oh how I have missed this! Ms. Clare knows how to craft a very suspenseful story with the right amount of romance.

Hard Target is the first book in the Cobra Elite series following the adventures of the operatives working at Cobra International. We know and love Javier, Nick and Holly make an appearance, but this story is about Derek Tower. Derek is approached by high-handed Senator Hamilton to bring back his daughter, Jenna, from the Middle East where she is working as a midwife in a women’s clinic. Derek goes, but not because of the father, but because he feels it owes it to Jenna’s brother, who died in the line of duty protecting Derek. The story flows seamlessly from a less than perfect beginning for the pair to a breath-taking escape from the bad guys complete with gunshots, torture, and captivity. The scenes are written with the perfect amount of detail to capture the intensity of the moment, but it is not bogged down by the minutia. I read this book in one sitting because I simply could to put it down. The best news is that this is the beginning of a series and already I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,736 reviews188 followers
May 2, 2019
'Hard Target' is classic Pamela Clare fare, full of action and hot scenes and while I do like her Colorado High Country books, I'm still glad she's decided to return to romantic suspense in this new series.

Derek Tower isn't a new character to grace Clare's canon of works; he's appeared in a few books as a peripheral figure and 'Hard Target' is his story of encountering the woman who also happens to be the sister of his dead comrade - and someone whom he'd never met before. First tasked to bring her home by a controlling father, it's only a while later that Derek starts to realise that Jenna is her own woman intent on helping the Afghani women - which leads him to vow to protect her at all costs.

Clare constantly bucks the trend of creating unnecessary drama between her protagonists - this surprises me still - because she does by and large, write mature characters who mean what they say and show a lot of chutzpah and bravery while they're escaping the bad guys and facing their biggest fears. Admittedly, I wasn't as fond of Derek as I was of Jenna nonetheless; the latter seemed so much stronger, resilient and compassionate in contrast to the more commonly-used trope of the male protagonist using excuses to explain away why he didn't do relationships.

It's probably just me here, but I thought this didn't quite have the hard edge or the soulful depth of the earlier RS books that Clare wrote. I found it a little hard to swallow and believe that a father - corrupt senator or not - would have gone to such lengths to get his 30-year-old daughter home for the reason that wasn't entirely made clear other than she 'should have stayed home' instead of working in Afghanistan.

Still, the action and drama in Afghanistan was the book's highlight, as well as the eye-opening descriptions that Clare had painstakingly taken to write about midwifery in a place where women are repressed and treated like sub-humans through Jenna's experience.

'Cobra Elite' is still a series I'd love to see develop nonetheless. The establishing novel is not bad, though I'm hoping it'll just get better from here.
Profile Image for Pamela(AllHoney).
2,693 reviews376 followers
May 21, 2019
The first book in the Cobra Elite series by Pamela Clare. Derek Tower is sent to Afghanistan to bring Jenna Hamilton home to her father. Jenna refuses to leave. She signed a contract to stay there as a midwife and to help train others. But when it appears she is targeted, she is forced to flee with Derek.

Pamela Clare is an awesome writer and I love her work. This was not my favorite of hers but it is still better than many books out there. I am looking forward to more in this series.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,516 reviews159 followers
January 28, 2021
Hard Target
4 Stars

Series note: This is the first book in another I-Team spin-off series. This time the focus is on Javier Cobray's private security business.

Derek Tower, co-owner of Cobra International Security, is asked by a US Senator to protect his daughter, Jenna Hamilton, who is working as a volunteer midwife in Afghanistan. From the moment he arrives, Derek realizes that the hardest part of his job will be keeping his hands of his client.

As a fan of Pamela Clare's I-Team series, I am very pleased that she has returned to writing romantic suspense as her contemporary romance series, Colorado High Country never really resonated with me (too much unnecessary angst and some plodding pacing).

The first book in the Cobra Elite series is an excellent mix of romance and action. Derek and Jenna have wonderful chemistry and their feelings for one another develop in a realistic and believable way despite the difficult circumstances.

The suspense plot is intense and compelling with well-written and exciting action scenes. The villains are somewhat stereotypical, but are, nevertheless, suitably nasty and not too overblown.

The representation of Afghani culture is interesting; however, it is clear that Clare has an agenda with her portrayal of midwifery in a male-dominated, patriarchal society. While her interest in revealing the realities of the difficulties of pregnancy and child-birth in Afghanistan is commendable, the manner in which she goes about it is problematic. Jenna, as an American midwife used to Western medical principles and norms, has an obvious and irritating white-savior complex. Consequently, she often comes across as judgmental and condescending, which is disappointing and clearly not the image that Clare was going for.

Overall, a good beginning to the series despite some problematic elements, and I look forward to reading the next one.

495 reviews12 followers
December 31, 2019
I would give this book 4&1/2 stars if I could. It is a great start to Pamela Clare's new series. I loved Derek and Jenna together. Their story is heart-wrenching, sexy, touching and romantic. Jenna is volunteering as a midwife in Afghanistan when her father (a US senator) hires Derek and his company to bring her home at all costs. He agrees but only if she comes willingly. The problem is she enjoys her work even though it is sometimes heartbreaking and dangerous and refuses to leave. When she is threatened Derek tries to get her home and in one piece. Along the way they find love and respect for each other. Many of the characters from other series appear. The only problem I had with the book is that it is too short. Some passages are hard to read when they describe the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. I would highly recommend this book to Pamela Clare fans or anyone who likes sexy, fast-moving, intense drama and romance.
Profile Image for Anne OK.
4,103 reviews552 followers
April 27, 2019
Pamela Clare has once again given readers a pulse-racing new romantic suspense. The beginning of a new series that promises the kind of edgy plotting, seductive wit and scorching hot from start to finish that PC excels in writing. Always masterfully creative and well-researched, her books reflect inventiveness, intellectual collaboration with relationships that lead to a satisfying and unforgettable world of suspense and romance.

Great start with new characters, along with some familiar faces, as well. Looking forward to another adventure with the continuing the Cobra Elite.
Profile Image for Jessica Morales.
728 reviews60 followers
August 17, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this one. I have heard about this author for a long time. I'm shocked this is the first time I'm reading one of her books. I couldn't read this book fast enough I just found myself trying to not put it down.

If you love military ops romance this book is for you and if you don't this book is for you as well. Derrick is a co founder of a private security company with former military. He receives a call that he couldn't not answer. His best friend sister Jenny was working in Afghanistan in a dangerous area. People were getting murdered and women getting raped. She refused to leave so they wanted him to go. As soon as they saw eachother the Romance has started.

This book is filled with suspense, action, steamy sex scenes, sexual tension and more.
5 reviews
April 26, 2019
Another Pamela Clare Winner!

Pamela Clare has once again proven herself as the queen of romantic suspense. Others will give you a detailed synopsis, I want you to know from one romance reader to another, you will love this book!
Profile Image for Christine.
847 reviews18 followers
May 1, 2019
I'm a Pamela Clare fan but this one just didn't do it for me. Derek and Jenna's story was missing the author's usual sexual chemistry, banter, and humor, leaving a fairly quick, dour, bare bones hook up between two people that say they loved each other after they barely met and spent a fwe days together trying to escape from an evil warlord. Hardly the formula for true lasting love.

For the first two-thirds of the book, Derek and Jenna are hiding out from the warlord, in precarious violent situations, and suffering multiple wounds. Not sexy or romantic. It didn't help with clunky moments between dedicated midwife Jenna and hardened former military-now private security operator Derek:
“What a funny pair we make. You bring life into the world, and I take it out.”

“I guess so.”

She drifted off after that.
Ok, that is the worst pillow talk ever. And speaking of pillow talk, I get why Derek and Jenna are hot for each other. After all, Jenna's been in Afghanistan under watch by conservative Afghan guards and she admits Derek is great eye candy after months of celibacy. As for Derek, he struggles (for a little bit) with the she's the little sister of my best friend who died trying to save my life bit but he gives in real fast to have sex with Jenna.

But outside of bed, Derek and Jenna barely get to know each before declaring their I love yous. Or, in the case of Derek, the I-love-you-but-I-don't-know-how-to-love-so-I'm-pushing-you-away speech:
What could he say—that he cared about her more than he’d cared about any woman and was terrified that he was going to hurt her?
But Derek never explains why he feels that way, he just stays silent while Jenna secretly wonders if he has feelings for her. They were like two high schoolers too afraid to ask if the other was in like like, too. Imo, if you just escaped from evil warlord and the clutches of your manipulative dad, then kids, you can definitely find your words.

Luckily, the author treated the reader to quick visits to other favorite characters. As always, so fun to see what Nick and Holly, Javier and Laura, etc. were up to.

3 stars

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed the ARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Profile Image for Jacks.
19 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2019
So here’s a confession: I did not like Derek Tower in STRIKING DISTANCE (I know, I know, I wasn’t supposed to, but still) and I couldn’t see him as the first hero of this new series. Fortunately I have read enough Pamela Clare to know that I should just trust her and take the leap, no matter what my initial thoughts are. And I am SO GLAD I did.

(Is it just me or do a lot of my Pamela Clare reviews start this way??????)

This is truly a beautiful story. Derek is still Derek but somehow getting into his head changed my opinion of him entirely and I found myself nodding a lot and thinking, oh, right, okay, now I get you. Then I thought, actually, you’re kind of cute. THEN I thought, actually, you are freaking hot!!!!! Once I hit that point I was done for.

I also really enjoyed the heroine, Jenna Hamilton. Pamela Clare has the incredible ability to write women I want to be BFFs with. I like them. I really, really like them, and Jenna is no different – she’s smart, and funny, and loyal, and complicated, and very, very dedicated to her work. And if she’s also a little lonely at times, well, that’s life. These are all qualities I can relate to, and I got lost in the story pretty quickly.

This book has all the things I love, including a ton of suspense, and a twist I never could have predicted. Pamela Clare is an auto-buy for me, and this series has me super excited. Can’t wait to see which member of the Cobra organization is up for book two!
Profile Image for Big Joe  Rossi.
1,776 reviews49 followers
May 27, 2019
New series by Pamela Clare. COBRA ELITE!!!!

Derek Tower started as a kid of foster care but now is a rich, private military black ops co-owned of Cobra International Security. He is being tasked with going to Afghanistan and bringing home Senator Hamilton's daughter. A mid wife who doesn't have any plans of returning home.

Jenna Hamilton isn't leaving. She came here on a mission and isn't leaving till she can finish it. With a death rate of 1 in 8 she is steadfast in help teach the women how to bare children safely. She don't need a bodyguard no matter how sexy he is.

Having to abide by Afghani laws and customs could lead to trouble especially when he steps over the line and becomes interested in her as more than a clients daughter. Soon lines are crossed, feelings develop and someone will put her in danger. Derek will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even if that means he must lay down his own life!

Such a great read, this barely missed 5 stars from me. Just barely. I can't wait to see whats to come.
Profile Image for Miš.
142 reviews5 followers
i-tried
January 24, 2025
This is so disturbing to read. I didn't expect this kind of story. A love story that hides reality and cruelty towards women and children in the background. I can't take this well mentally, so I'd rather stop reading.
Profile Image for Nuria El Trastero Del Multiverso.
409 reviews42 followers
April 8, 2021
Ayy con la tirria que le cogí a Tower en el libro de Laura y Javi (Serie I-TEAM), y lo que me ha gustado aquí xD. El personaje de Laura me encantó, es una mujer fuerte, de armas tomar... con unos ovarios para hacer lo que hace y donde lo hace ... que madre mía.

De momento esta serie empieza bastante bien, muchos personajes nuevos que conocemos por encima, pero Pamela Clare sigue en la misma línea... Romances preciosos y tramas intrigantes, cargadas de acción.

Tiene un aire diferente a la serie anterior, pero de momento con este primer libro no puedo deciros por qué... a ver que tal a medida que avance... pero ya os digo que algo me falta....
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